Ah, Ralph. I knew this kid. He’d impressed me when he’d mastered auto so fast that he’d gone into training for home, watercraft, and umbrella wi...hin the first three months out of the bullpen. Almost as good as me. Almost.“What’s up, Ralph?” Bethany said, beckoning him into her cubicle.I slurped my drink, watching in mild interest. I had nothing else to do on the Floor now. I could just observe the morning happenings for a little while before heading back to my office to tackle some. Tonight he REALLY didn’t feel like chatting. Francis was a real chatterbox most of the time. Most of the time, Stephen didn’t mind indulging him. He was full of charm and unsolicited good advice on most days. Stephen went home, and crashed in his bed five minutes later. He just kicked off his boots, threw his bag aside and collapsed on the king-sized bed. It wasn’t that long ago that he felt like he had the world on a string. A year ago, he was dating a gorgeous young Jamaican woman named Anita. "He kissed her cheeks and then her lips. "Let's go get some ice cream to celebrate."Fifteen minutes later, they had shared a banana split at the small ice cream shop in town. Erin's childhood friend Mary now owned the shop that had belonged to her parents. She had joined them and Jack had contentedly listened to their chatter.When they had gotten back in the car and had started across town, rather than driving toward home, Erin had questioned him and all he had told her was that they were going. ’ ‘If it pleaseth you, milady.’ She answered ‘It is well that you are of noble blood. Your fairness of face will most certainly garner the attention of a noble in this court and that is how it should be. ‘Lydia said lowering her hand, ‘So be it then. When we are in the privacies of these walls, I shall be Lydia.’ ‘Yes milady…’ she stammered, ‘ ….Lydia.’ ‘Let us both look forward to the dawn of a new day Annalette,’ Lydia paused for many seconds before taking emphatic hold of her handmaiden’s.