Theair was tense with expectation, Jess knew the question was loaded, but couldnot quite make out Melissa's intention; yet they were closer than siste...s,having spent many summer holidays together. In the end it came down to trust,Melissa had always led the way, and now she was proposing another adventure. "Yes, I want to know, all the girls in my class have done IT, and I am feelingleft out" Jess replied; casting her eyes down. Melissa placed her fingers underJess's chin, lifting her head.. Mark reaches over and undoes the latch to her purse.Tanya starts her walk toward the men. Even before she bends over, she has the men's attention. They try to watch discretely as she approaches but you can almost see the drool dripping from their mouths. Many of the men in eyesight of her have stopped what they are doing to watch her pass.I notice Mark and Jon head in the direction that will put them about fifty feet behind the men on the bench. Jon carries the briefcase he has brought along. I thought about answering "yes" for a long time. Maybe it would fix things. Then I remembered Alec from my last job. Alec had girls coming around all the time, hanging all over him, dragging him out for drinks or dinner or a chick flick. One day I asked him if he'd mind if I asked Rachel out. "Why would I?" he answered. "You'd be great together." Well, Rachel shot me down. Hard. You know it's a smack-down when you offer to meet her at the theatre for a matinee showing of the latest Steve Martin. .. barely.The clock dribbled around to 10:59pm, and I lifted the phone with shaking hands, and dialed Stacey's number. I waited, and my trembling increased as the phone at Stacey's apartment rang and rang. At last the line picked up."Hello?" said Stacey."Hi Stacey" My voice sounded tight even to my own ears."Oh! Umm, Hi Tee-cee!... Umm, you want Linda?" Yes, please." Ummm..." Stacey said slowly. "Well... she's... umm....she's just in the bathroom right now..." Oh?" I gasped. I instantly knew.