Of course, Peter’s leg healed and our annual trip with the boys got back to normal. But during that summer and for the next three years until Billy ...raduated and went off to college. I would go over to Patty’s to visit and more often than not one or more of the boys would be there and Patty and I would entertain them in her bedroom for the afternoon and sometimes into the evening.There was a onetime only incident that happened the summer after Carl graduated. We were at Patty’s and I can’t. ”John said, “Actually, Glimmer told me, too. We talk to each other’s partner all the time. We all four talk together a lot.”I said, “Shit!”Lisa looked surprised. “You two talk to each other’s partner?”John said, “Sure. You could, too, with someone you really care about. Missus Pam or your mother would let you talk directly to their friends.”Lisa said, “Would you let Brightmist talk to me directly?”John said, “Sure.” He looked reflective for a moment. “Call him.”Mentally, she made contact with. I was walking pretty good on the black top surface in my platformshoes, but started to wobble a bit and loose my balance in the gravel.Jim started rummaging around in the dumpster for a minute and pulled out acardboard box and flattened it out saying, "We don't want to ruin her newstocking do we?" He dropped it on the ground behind the dumpster, andmotion me to get down on my knees. Jim lost no time in getting around inposition in front of me. I never saw a man get his pants unzipped so fastin. Then she looked at Mike, pleading with her eyes."Could I act as next-of-kin?" he asked."Yes," Victor replied. "Especially since Gary has threatened harm to the children and to Claire. I have a card you can carry, Claire. You can name Mike as next-of-kin." I'd like that," she said, smiling gratefully at Mike.Next Victor dropped another bombshell."Since you have no relatives, at least none you want to trust with the children, have you thought what would happen if you were to die? Who would take.