My parents seemed to think it was just something she was going through, and she’d snap out of it soon enough, so they weren’t much help. As for me... well, I was just an 18-year old kid who’d never had a girlfriend. What did I know about relationship advice? She came home from work one afternoon, and went straight to her room. I heard her softly sobbing in there, so I went to the door, determined to help. She was lying on her back, with her head turned, facing away from me, and I tried to. And what is to stop you changing your mind when I remove the barrel? He asked, you're saying you agree now but I bet at the first chance you would change your mind and then where would I be? How are you going to prove to me that you really mean what you say and therefore convince me not to continue your treatment? Tom demanded.How can I prove to you that I mean what I say, unless you are prepared to trust me or put me to the test. Sandra explained. I can only tell you as it is and hope that you. He will do the same in return but he demands his pound offlesh for sure." Is that why you have to go to Bangkok with him?" I asked.I felt her stiffen slightly as she said, "Yes, he has some trouble withthe clubs and bars from time to time and he uses me as his trouble-shooter in them. It is part of the agreement we have for him tounderwrite the loan for this place.It sounded reasonable to me, so why didn't I quite believe it?"Anyway," she said, standing up and pulling me to my feet, "we have. ”The knife in my bra suddenly felt more solid against my breast and I remembered carving it down a white forearm bursting with dark hair. Remembered Boot’s fingers on mine, and whispering to her about it in the hospital. She’d spread the word like wildfire. The summer was easier for everyone. Winter not as much. “This guy y’all caught… he got any tattoos or piercings? Scars?” I asked.“Yes, but I can’t talk about that.”“Why.”“What if you change your mind and want to testify? Then you.