" What ya mean, mom?" I asked, realizing that mom had slipped back to theserious talk we started last night."Danny," mom said slowly, carefully, "I fe...l that you are experiencing anew gender awakening. Like you are becoming aware of your feminineside."I sat silently looking straight ahead at the road."I hope you don't feel like I'm pushing you, Danny," mom said, "but Idon't want you to feel like I'm neglecting you, either." Thanks, mom, I appreciate you're helping me," I said."Besides," mom. " Sneak!!" Yes, ma'am." I laughed, "And Daddy told me it was your only vice. He called it 'the family shame.'" Yes," she mumbled, "I still play the ponies." The Derby is tomorrow, is it too late for a bookie?" Why?" I want to place a bet ... and I can't." Sure you can ... for me." Where would I go?" The barbershop in the Hotel." Would you write me a note? Grama ... I hesitate to tell you this ... but it's a sure thing." Ok ... can I ride?" Ride?" Bet on your sure thing?" I guess."She got out. The weather was kind and the village turned out in strength. Jerry and his girls went along and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Zoë spent a lot of time with the children and was very popular with them. Mrs Warner and her friend were present. If she was the guilty party no one found out her reaction to seeing the two daughters clearly very happy and enjoying Jerry's company.Joanna went back to London after tea on Monday having confided to Emma that the weekend had reinforced her opinion of Jerry.. But it wouldn't have taken a blood curdling scream and getting knocked into the sink for me to realize it. I would have said "Oh, Shit" and been frantically trying to turn it off before the first drops hit the floor. I knew one thing for sure; I would search the shower for obstacles before I turned on the water from now on.So far, I'd survived well with the women around me. Mary and I just watched out for each other. It was second nature, but it was probably the result of being corrected when.