"The ladies are straightening things out." A moment later, Jacky, Alice (carrying Sarah), Mum, and Weena (carrying little Weena) emerged from the kitc...en."Thank you very much, Mr. Hollister," said Alice. "You have done something wonderful. I'm not certain I can express myself. That's why I'm speaking formally. You're all so good to us." You know, Alice," I said, "I've known Jacky nearly all my life. And he knows how I feel. We stole this land from you. Thousands of years before Cook or Tasman,. It was with an almostreflex action at hearing their talk about her, that she felt at hersore bottom cheeks with her right hand and traced the risen wheals withher fingertips.Uncle Dan saw Susan feeling her bottom and said loudly, "Stop bloodyplaying with yourself, woman and get us some breakfast!"Susan almost jumped at hearing his thunderous voice and busied herselfwith serving the meal.After serving the men, one at a time because of her forceddisabilities, she took her own plate and set it. In reality, Emmy was just a frightened little girl, as terrified of death as Alena herself had been. Her cheerful demeanor was a front, masking the hurt and fear she felt inside. The pain of death might have been preferable to the pain of surviving.Together, Alena and Emmy cried out their pain until no more tears would flow. They stayed in each other’s arms, each finding the other’s presence soothing. Nothing could fill the void in Alena’s heart, but she felt now like her life wasn’t. True, I had been unfaithful to her when I had made love to Eric, and Eric had made love to me. But somehow that didn't seem to be a violation of my marriage vows. It wasn't with another woman but with a man, a gay man, and I wasn't even aware of it, at least afterward. So Monica thought what the other women thought, that it was merely evidence I had become one of them, except for the technicality that had made it possible for me to relate to Eric. She only regretted that it hadn't happened.