**** "Marie, what's the matter," I said, as she ushered me inside. "The children okay?" "Huh? Oh, yes, Harlan, they're fine. They're in the back on ...he computer playing some game or other," she said. "Marie, come on, what gives? You look like someone who’s had some very bad news," I said. "It is bad news, Harlan. Very bad news." I looked at her and waited. "It's Mike Longstreet, Harlan. He's very ill. If he doesn't get a kidney transplant soon; he'll be gone," she said. "His own system is. Well it is clear you need a lot of training and for me many things will be new also. We will both grow into this, but let me be very clear: your life is now mine. All you have, mind, body and soul and earthly possessions, are mine to posses and command. Is that clear?” I nodded and quickly looked at Her. I saw how Her eyes were glittering and a victorious smile on Her face. But it was a mistake to underestimate Her. She might be young, she is also extremely strict. She shot from her chair and. Anyway, I haven’t found a reason to give my heart or my loyalty again. No one worth taking that risk for. Sounds arrogant as hell, I’m sure, but you know, at least, I’m truthful. I haven’t made more than a weekend commitment to anyone since, and I’ve had a few see that as a challenge. That didn’t last long,either.Well, getting back to the task at hand, I decided to visit ol’ Dick in Ohio. So, I drove up I-75. I stopped for breakfast at a Tennessee truck stop with the tastiest steak, prettiest. They really wanted to get things as good as possible for when the two grandparents came back. I offered to leave, but they (and, by message, granny) seemed to feel I was still useful. I fixed the gate, adjusted the garage doors. I actually enjoyed the bits of handiwork I was doing; and not only because the girls would come past to see what I was up to and commend me and then give me a kiss. Not only because of that, but I’m pretty sure that office environments would be much nicer places to work.