This was something far more powerful than anything on Earth. But before I could even process this information and wonder who... or what it was, it was...gone.When I got over my shock, I found myself watching Michael's vortex of light grow to full size, and remembered that Joey should have been here with me. But try as I might, I couldn't feel Joey, or anyone for that matter. I wasn't powerless, just blocked from the real world somehow.The whispering started again, but something was different. ”“What about Ron?”"Let him watch! Hell, he’s not going to see anything you haven't already showed him, right? Maybe he can even get into the action later. How about it Ron? You want to share your mother with me, or is she your private stock?" Hot-damn, you bet yah, if it's all right with you!” I looked at Ron then back at Richard, with lust in my eyes. “I cannot wait to see what happens next, darling!”I am amazed at the outcome of this whole situation. How it transformed my workaholic husband. That meant she’d be available to me for five days! I somehow had to broach the subject of our getting together.After thirty minutes on our treadmills, Cindy was ready to quit, so we went to the bar for a good drink of orange juice. That’s when I gathered up my nerve and asked her out.“Cindy, I know we just met, but I’d be happy if you’d have dinner with me tonight.”“I’d love to. If you hadn’t asked me to dinner, I was going to ask you.”“Really!”“Yes. I think we should make a night of it. We can. All but three of them were empty. If I were careful, that and what I had on hand should last the winter. I just needed to siphon gas out of one of the local gas station tanks.I coasted into my favorite parking place, grabbed my binocs, and started searching the edge of town for evidence of people. Nothing. I watched for over an hour, and decided that it was probably clear since no fires or smoke were going or showing.I made my way back to my truck, and drove to the gas station for the first.