"The working title at the moment is Slave of Sinsy, but it's changed a few times, and I'm open to suggestions." You're open to suggestions?" Michelle ...rinned. "Dick, that's five bucks you owe me." I voted with Michelle," Rob grinned. "I thought the dark, antifundamentalist message had to be something that came from the heart. Dick said he thought it must have been some friend of yours, like that big gal you had at the Christmas party." No, she just does kids' stuff," Dave smiled. "She doesn't. " Shall we have a snack?" Mark asked. "I'm hungry." His remark irritated Melissa and jarred Hank back into the present.Melissa made a face at Mark. You're always hungry. [Mental picture of a bloated pig.]Mark grinned and told her, "I'm a man of great carnal appetites." [Mental image of the two of them having great sex.] She jabbed him with her elbow. Hank stared at the two teens and Melissa blushed"They have food in this place?" Hank asked, still in a daze. His words drew the young couple back. As more than a lodger? Oh yes indeed! Could I risk committing myself to her? Hmm.The girls returned and again were closeted in Connie’s room. Then Colette went and made tea, bringing me a mugful.“Connie unpacking?” I asked.She nodded. “Yes, but she’s not coming out just yet. So, do you love her?”The question was arresting. I’d not allowed the ‘L’ word into my deliberations.“Don’t know,” I said, “I am very attracted to her as a woman, she’s very good looking–”“You can say that again!” exclaimed. It's just the right thing to do." I sigh.She just gently smiled at me and then the teacher started. I guess allthe studying paid off, Jen and I were the only two to ace the test thatmorning.The rest of the day continued in pretty much the same way. The bulliesthat usually stalk me were avoiding me, people who usually ignored mekept speaking and nodding at me in passing. It was weird to say theleast. I noticed something else, before today I never really participatedin class. My shield that I.