Now that I was constantly crowd-watching for Naomi around college I begun to notice Jim in the corridors too, often hanging out with two other boys. I...didn’t glimpse his sister.I had surprised myself at how suave I’d been around Naomi; normally, I got all awkward and quiet around girls, but with Naomi I’d been confident. And I had the distinct impression that Naomi was unusually confident around me too. It was hard to put my finger on it, but I could somehow read that in Jean’s suppressed. With due deference she was conducted to the Show Room by Sergei, chief of the agency. Down the centre of this ornately decorated, marble-walled chamber ran a long 'cat-walk' raised about a foot off the floor. On this stood six naked girls. Stood is, perhaps, not quite the right description. They were, in fact, secured there... each with her arms held aloft by wrist manacles and chains which were attached to a heavy beam which ran the full length of the room above the 'cat-walk'. Their ankles. ‘ the rest was left unsaid, it could be ‘if Ling is killed’ or it could be ‘if Ling cocks it up’. Or it could be both. The general had known Sergeant Matius for years, he was the kind of soldier that is reliable, brave and somehow never ambitious enough to climb the ladder, yet survives, always survives. Time for an easy posting for a change.Ling gave directions to send his goods to the merchant’s house. Then moved on back to the general’s tent.“Ah, Ling, here are your papers. You are. Then she got on the bed and took my hand. I got on top of her. We made out for a couple more minutes and I had to stop. “What is it? Do you think I'm too old?” Jessica asked. “No, it's not that. It's too soon and you are Heidi's mom. I can't do this,” I replied. “Then this can be our little secret if you want. Let's do it at least once. She broke up with you, remember?” Jessica asked. I couldn't argue with that honestly. She did break up with me and not the other way around. And also, Jessica.