It would be like when I was with Bernard, except you know how that turned out. This one has some secret, too. They all do, I guess, all the older guys... they pile them up through the years. It would be fun to be a femme fatale and be able to pry the secrets out with a kiss, but that’s not me….’ she started to continue the put-down. Dean could not resist. ‘Act out!’ he commanded, and held his breath. At once, Marie adopted a comic-book seductress pose, looking boldly across at him with her chin. And then the tide of anger subsided, and he slumped back down into his seat and grabbed his beer.“Fine,” he said with exhaustion in his voice. “We’ll try it your way. But only because I’m too tired to think, and I can’t think of a better plan.”I nodded and took a big swig of my beer. “I’m sorry John.”“Shut up,” he said. “Just go get it over with.”I stood up and drained the rest of my beer. Then before John could think better of it, I started my way upstairs to their bedroom. I spent what felt. I expected her to then guide me upstairs to my room, but instead I saw a twinkle in her eye as she bent over and picked up two of the pillows from the couch.She tossed one to the other couple making out on the floor, and dropped the other next to them as she sank to her knees, pulling me down with her. She stretched out next to Holly, so I got on the other side. Now it was a bit like a girl sandwich. Keith on the far side, laying on his side to Holly’s right, and Linda to Holly’s left. I curled. A growing portion of my life was spent in the field: startups, turnarounds, and trouble shooting the integration of new controls and technology to WWII era plants and refineries.Living in motels, out of a suitcase, and only eating restaurant meals was getting old and unhealthy fast. CT offered a per diem, or an expense account, for my onsite costs. The per diem rates hadn't been adjusted lately and didn't meet current prices. The expense account should have been a break-even deal, but had me.