"Yes, think she did. She had like a big folder, tied with a ribbon and full of thin paper patterns and such. Measurements and notes she'd made. Did I ...ell you she could read and write?" Do you still have it?" Beall asked as he cut a slice of hard, yellow cheese."No, the lady she worked with asked for it, and I give it to her right after we buried Betsy, the whole kit and caboodle. She calls herself a 'sempstress.' Fancy that. Purdom's her name. Has a little bitty shop over near that old. I've got a nice place, decent job and great friends. Nothingto complain about, really. Yet, looking at all these kids in or fresh outof school, with all their potential, I can't help but dwell on what Ididn't do. Call it an early mid-life crisis.I never got married, that's a big one. Never really traveled, as much asI wanted to. Never got the chance to go back to school, expand myhorizons a bit, maybe explore a different career. Again, none of theseare horrible, life-ruining deficiencies, but. Though they’d probably understood the words anyway. They smiled in any case, and made to move towards the door. Oh, was that a sensation of pleasure in her head? But this wasn’t the time.“Yes,” her mum agreed. “There can’t be many places they can hide it. As long as we can get in.”“Let’s go.”They crept out, past the empty cottages and along to the big hut at the end of the path. It was all dark and quiet, but there was just enough moonlight to see where they were going, as their eyes adjusted.. ‘I’m glad you liked it,’ Ginger said finally, her eyes glistening with tears of laughter. ‘Was it ever awesome to feel you shooting into my mouth while you were on the phone with Marty’s mom!’ ‘I’m glad you enjoyed it,’ Ben said. ‘I’m all yukky,’ Ginger said, making a face. ‘I gotta get cleaned up and I gotta pee.’ She got up and started toward the door to the small bathroom which was attached to Ben’s office. Ben watched her go, enjoying the view of her naked form walking away from him. Just.