"I tried to explain about The Village, as I had come to think of it, but she already knew. The Church Camp crew kept tabs on their operatives, even th... contractors."Let's cut to the chase. I know how you manage your money and we have been worried about it for sometime. You barely slipped under the radar with that church purchase. You need to go see Simon Mellon in Metro City," she said."What exactly can I expect Simon to do for me?" I asked."He will draw up a contract making him your Manager.. David's heart sank as he stared at Dale with dreaded anticipation. And then Dale delivered him the news."He's told Jackie you are gay." Dale's face was serious."What! Why did he do that?" Apparently he tried it on with her and she told him she was a virgin. He replied along the lines that he wasn't surprised, since her last boyfriend was gay — sorry! I just thought you should know." She's not a virgin!" David snorted. "So she wouldn't let him into her iron knickers!" Are you sure?" Yes I'm. ”“Did you happen ta bring some?” asked the potion and salve maker with hope in her eyes.“Sorry, no. I wasn’t expecting you to be here. In fact, I was certain you were all back in town at your store just before Felli and I left,” he looked over at Perra. “I’m guessing you had something to do with that?”Perra nodded, “When I got the feeling you were coming here I let them know. Thankfully we had both the horses ready to go. Yesterday I let them know Rone was alive and have been giving them. They must have been deep in the backyard. I got mom to her feet and took her upstairs to her bedroom. I didn't know what to do, so I just held her while she cried. She held me back. I do not recall a single intelligible word. After a time that seemed like forever, she calmed enough to let go. I laid her back on her bed, and she just whimpered. She grabbed dad's pillow and curled herself around it. I didn't know what to do, so I backed out of the room and closed the door behind myself.I went.