“What’s the matter?” I inquired once again. The boy stood silently in the falling snow. A moment later, he spoke. “It’s my puppy,” he sobb...d, “I lost my puppy.” I immediately realized the severity of the situation. A lost puppy was a serious thing, especially in a snowstorm. After some gentle coaxing, I convinced him to get in my car. Immediately, I turned down the radio and turned up the heat. “We’ll find your puppy,” I assured him. A million thoughts ran through my head as I pulled the car. I told him I was pretty sure he was the father even though I wasn't completely convinced yet. I wanted him to know that he shouldn't worry. I didn't hold him responsible and I would decide soon what to tell my husband. I admitted to him that I was worried about Sue and how she would deal with her neighbor giving birth to her husband's child. He said they had not discussed it, that the one time he brought it up she said she didn't want to talk about it.I sighed and looked down. He told me. Mom was put to work thinking of a suitable way of reminding the forgetful Empress of the way things were really run.The Tandra war fleet I had found was recovering fine with the assistance of the Alliance personnel. Improvements were being made as the systems were being brought on line. The surviving Tandra were slowly being brought out of stasis and informed of the new reality. Mom was able to get some substrate to this location and the ships now really knew who was boss. Even I knew that Mom. I went to the door and rang the bell. Ashley answered the door in a pair of thin cotton shorts and a sports bra. She had been working out. She was breathing heavy and sweating. Her puffy nipples were hard, pressing against the fabric. I asked if her parents were home. She said, "Dad was at work and mom ran to the neighbor’s house down the block," as she invited me in, stating her mom would be right back. I stepped inside and she gave me a big hug as usual. This time, instead of leaning forward.