Neither said a word for many minutes.At length she looked up to find his eyes looking at her with love and compassion."How could you manage to go ther... a second time?" she asked."I'm not sure myself. I discussed it with Dad and he said he thought you and Mum ought, at least briefly, to see something of man's inhumanity to man. I knew it would affect you badly but I had to agree with him and had to steel myself to go there again." That's really what Mummy said, isn't it?"Mark nodded."Did they. "Cal, did you have anything to do with the unbelievable buy we got on the house?" Where would I get that kind of money?" Cal asked with a show of shock that made Cheryl giggle. "Cheryl, why don't you tell them about our meeting with Genevieve." Both of the Meinerts showed their surprise as Cheryl recounted the 'closure' luncheon."So, Mrs. Overland took the loss on the house?" Rod asked."I assume so," Cal answered. "I suspect part of the reason was atonement for what Penelope did to you folks. I. Andrea's parents knew that anyone that messed with Andrea with Aric around might not survive the encounter. They trusted that she was in good hands. They trusted Aric, who was normally gentle, completely and already saw him as part of their family.And even though Aric seemed so gentle, Andrea seemed to know how to handle him to get what she wanted. She was thirteen with a boyfriend that could be a terror for her.But she didn't get to abuse it often because Aric could often say no when he wanted. I'm lying here in my bed thinking of you and the sweet memories start to flow through my mind.Do you remember walking up by the fountains on the water front? Holding my hand as we travelled, not a care in the world; that night everything felt perfect.We walked slowly not wanting to return, just enjoying our time together. Once we finally did get back we talked for a couple of hours. You always said you enjoyed hearing me talk. I love when you talk to me.Eventually we started to kiss.