But, if I really wanted something, then that was what we did.There was a girl next door named Kim and she was two years older than me. We used to pla... together and if I wanted to play army instead of dolls then she did it. And when I got curious about girls being different we played doctor.When I hit eleven my I started noticing girls more including Kim. She was already thirteen by then so there was something to notice. I took her out to our clubhouse and asked her about her boobs. I was. It didn't."She took another sip. "It's good you remembered so much of what they said," she continued. "It's very revealing. There's no attempt to rationalize. Their attitude is straight out of Orwell's '1984.' We have all the power, and we're gonna be cruel just because it's fun." She shook her head. "Absolutely frightening."She looked away, angrily. "I've been wondering for some time what's the best way to ruin those two bitches."She turned back to me. "I remember Chief Hunsucker doing me, not. If you don't get an apology, then offer one."I'm sorry we had a misunderstanding. You know I still love you, right?" She set her cup down and held out her arms to me. I sat on the edge of the bed and entered her embrace. We kissed and I tasted the bitterness of the coffee on her tongue."I know that here and here," she touched my head and my heart, "you have a definition of love that allows you to say that. You can love me and love every one of those other women just as much. And the mother of. " I repeated softly. "She also resents me for, as she puts it, constantly coming to her rescue." Well, that's understandable." Janis murmured. "No one wants to feel as if they have no control over their life. If you rescue her that implies that she can't do it herself." Janis, I understand that, but some of the spots she's gotten herself into ... well, let's just say there's no way she'd survive without help."Janis gave me the evil eye. "You mean without your help?"I returned her glare levelly..