I had to change anyway. Johnathyn wasthe one who has it rough. I grab the bag nearest me and toss itunderhand in his direction. It lands in the mud wi...h a big splat abouttwo thirds of the way there. I forgot about the change in my strength."Sorry, Johnathyn. I haven't adapted yet."He steps back into the slop and retrieves that bag and another nearby."I understand, Alexia," he answers with an indulgent smile. "It took memany cycles to 'adapt' as you say when I was in your world." He easilythrows. Hell, I was speechless as to how she came to that conclusion, but it was too late to deny it now.“Yeah,” I admitted, “Gene found me after I left and took me back to her house after I caught a flu in the rain. Her family’s been nice enough to take care of me this past week.”“And you…like living there?”I opened my mouth to give it to her straight but that would only cause problems in the end, and of course, I wasn’t going to stoop down to my sisters level. “Gene could you please leave the. ”“Good, I have kinda got used to having you around. Mind you, the next bitch that hits on you just might get socked in the mouth. It surprises me sometimes, the feelings that you invoke in me. I guess I’ve fallen in love with you too, Justin James. I also think I might be a touch possessive. I hope you can live with it.”“As long as you only hit her and don’t shoot her, I think I can live with you demonstrating your love for me,” he chuckled. “Mind you, that scary face you do, it does have a. She wears what she calls her council face - a sullen, quite negative look. Almost harsh. The model of the hard-nosed public servant. Don’t ask me for anything!“I’ve been working for the council for longer than I’d like to admit now. The pay is okay, but the job is depressing. Chasing down late payments, referring debts to the local authorities, stuff like that. I spend all day talking to angry people. It’s very frustrating, so I tend to go to my ‘happy place’ whenever I can. I’ll often slip off.