I was just back to where Gordy was when there was a clatter and a noise and a voice called "Everyone up!"There was a bloke I'd not seen before on hors...back. "Where's Maddy?" he shouted."Here, Steve. What's up?" Maddy replied."Water! The 5 o'clock news said there was water in Minns Creek an' in Finke Gorge. They 'spect it to hit Henbury late tonight! Gotta git some tea, I'm perishin'!" Steve got down and one of the men handed him a cup."Right!" Maddy was really taking charge. "Andy, you stick. Nobody would treat her better than you do." I guess they had higher expectations for their daughter."Cindy flopped her head back on the chair and sighed. "So what do you do now?" she asked."Damned if I know. I still love her, but lately ... I'm not so sure she loves me. We just aren't close like we used to be. It's like I disappointed her and she's given up on me. I hope I'm wrong." I do too, handsome. I do too."I really didn't have any reason to be suspicious of Judy. There weren't any signs. And she had been lusting after me for many years. ‘Caroline,’ I said, ‘You’ve been after me to do that for so long now, what would you say if I said let’s do it?’ ‘I’d tell you to come over to my place on Cedar Street at 7:30 tonight and let me cook you some shrimp,’ She giggled. ‘Then I say let’s get naked and fuck!’ ‘Best offer I’ve had in a long time,’ I mused. ‘I’m gonna take you up on it.’ Caroline poured me a generous shot of Crown over my melting ice cubes and she seemed to glide along. Unsure ... and just a little bit scared.I smiled, and called to her.-Maria-The stairway was cramped.Dark stone pressed in from all sides. The only light was a dim flickering glow that came from down the stairs.This room felt ... nice.It was as if I had come home. I had never felt as safe anywhere. Not at the sleazy brothel, not in the 'Wooden Ladle' where I cleaned dishes, nor at the orphanage where the Spanish nun Sister Maria took care of me ... and named me.I doubt I felt as safe in my.