..”“Stumpy.”“ ... Stumpy ... thanks ... Stumpy is such a dork.”“Dork?”“I hang out with junior high school kids, sue me...”“They st...ll call each other dorks?”“Last I check.”“Oh.”“Now, let me finish my story, silly man.”“Yes, ma’am.”“Well, any way ... ah?”“Stumpy. Dork,” I suggested.“Oh, yes. Anyway,” she began again. “That Stumpy is such a dork. He got all up in arms when I told him that you weren’t coming in again today.”“Sounds like the little stump.”“So he wants to know who I am and why I’m. But the men.... All the men he passed stared at him with undisguised lust, though most of them at least had the decency to leave him alone. However, not all of them did. More than once Marcus had to fend off unwanted suitors as he made his way towards his new dorm room. Marcus stopped with a frown as he noticed a pair of guys from the football team walking toward him, blocking the path so that he couldn't go around them. He gulped, glancing around nervously, suddenly more aware than even. Judith Mueller stuck her head around the wing of the antique chair she was curled up in and asked, "What has you home before lunch? I can tell that your office didn't burn down because you're in too good of a mood."Constance smiled at the delicate face that was almost hidden in a pile of soft brown hair. "I'm feeling too good to go to work. Fancy a bit of curry? Get dressed and I'll introduce you to Aswani. She does a mean lamb vindaloo and chicken tikka masala."Judith jumped up and gave. Every minute we were not at work orschool was spent in bed. When we were not eatingfood we were eating each other. Amy called a coupleof times but mother avoided making any dates. When Friday arrived we were lounging aroundthe house naked when there was a knock at the door.Mother slipped on a robe before answering the door.I remained hidden in her bedroom. I could hear theconversation going on in the living room. It wasobviously Amy confronting Mother. She wasconfronting my mother about.