Apparently this was a Christmas party, though Christmas was still almost a month away. There were half a dozen women there.Two of them she recognized ...s Jill and Christy, the women she and Bobby had fixed the drain for. Others, she had never seen before. All of them had brought something to contribute to the meal. Most of them brought children too. Four of the girls, daughters of women named Virginia and Mable, were sixteen or seventeen, the same ages as Mirriam’s younger daughters. One of the. " "You can get the next one," he nodded to Bob as he paid for both."So," Spike went on. "We're both in need of a wingman." A what?" Bob looked confused."A wingman. A bro. A partner in crime," he explained unhelpfully. "Look, I'll take seconds. I mean, you're a decent looking bloke, so your seconds are probably a lot better than I could do on my own."A light switched on in Bob's head; he was talking about picking up girls! Bob almost laughed out loud at Spike's tragic misfortune to attach. Mymother-in-law Grace I could see was not smiling or laughing about this. Ilooked over at my mother-in-law Graces hand. My mother-in-law Grace washolding a cigarette. My mother-in-law Grace made direct eye contact withme. I watched her bring that cigarette to her lips. I watched her longfingers hold the cigarette. My mother-in-law looking me straight in theeye as she lit her cigarette with her lighter. My mother-in-law was veryangry with me. I watched her slowly puff that cigarette with. ” “Did you wish to have an escort home, my brothers and I can make sure you get home safe?” I hear whispers of protest from the shadows and arguments but can’t make out what they’re saying. “Knights in shining armor are you? Thanks but I don't know if that’s a good idea since I’m talking to a group strangers in a obscure alley that I have no idea who you are or how many of you there are.” I am still unsure of these guys at this point, but they did rescue me, they can’t be all bad. .