I think I’m going to explode the next time you touch me down there.” “Well, it’s your own fault,” she quipped and took my hand. “You could...have had all the relief for your pent-up neediness you wanted. You declined it all by yourself.” There was no denying that. I hung my head, my cheeks flushed. She grabbed my hand and pulled me from the classroom. “Hey, exams are over! It’s time to party!” I stumbled after her in a mad dash through the corridors, and somewhere along the way her exuberance. They learned that Buddy McGuirk was a loner and former member of an Idaho militia. He was so crazy that the Butler Compound just north of Coure d Alene, Idaho had kicked him out. He was suspected of killing several black men across the West and Midwest. His last attempt was aimed toward the President of the United States but the alert Secret Service agent who saw the muzzle flash and shoved Gabrielle to the ground taking the bullet for her.McGuirk had no friends. His family in Anacordes,. Stupid Jackie, Stupid Jackie.”“Don’t be too hard on yourself, hon. It wasn’t the smartest thing you’ll ever do, but if that was the worst thing that happens to you in your life, you’re going to be a pretty happy woman. You seem to have adjusted pretty well afterwards, and obviously have the capacity to be happy, and to love.”“I do, don’t I? Charlie, when are you going to make me Mrs. Cantrell?”“Sort of up to you, but I was thinking right after you graduate. If you don’t want to wait, we could. Tonight was a continuation of every weekend for the group of friends I hung out with, including Monica. Since I lived close to downtown the gang would go out clubbing, get hammered, then crash at my place. At the time I usually worked from out of my place on weekends doing network security checks for large corporations, so I always begged off the night scene, although I’d have a few beers with everyone, mostly to stare at the guys’ girlfriends. This night however, I had something.