“I can. I would,” she said with determination. Her back straightened and she turned her head to the side and fixed me with an adamant glare. Yes, ... could see it plainly. She would. She wanted this that terribly. “Then prove your worth to your master.” I stepped around her and stopped directly in front of her. I folded my arms across my chest and glowered at her most sourly. Her eyes drifted down, seemingly against her will and settled on the fly of my slacks. She smiled, a rosy hue colored her. "When things were really bad for me and Icould see nothing worth living for, somebody helped me. Somebody righthere, in this place. They gave me a gift; an unbelievable gift, a giftthat changed my life."I am able to pass on that gift to you, and I intend to do just that, butfirst you must make me a promise."I can help you - right now, but you need to promise that if you ever,ever have the chance to help somebody who is at the end of their tether,and about to end their life, that you will help. Sitting there, looking into the mirror, seeing the sight of the man who looked so differently from the reflection that I would gaze at each day I heard a soft sigh escape another’s lips, a voice barely above a whisper say, ‘I don’t know why he would think I would be capable of doing this, I’ve never done anything right, ever.’ I could feel the tremor in her voice, the pain and nervousness which filled her thoughts, my heart, my soul crying out in unison the same. ‘I know. I don’t know why he. " Maybe we better leave it at four, honey. I should think you've had enough pain for a long time. Besides, whips, chains, and leather are sooo out this year."Since there was no way I was going to put that bra back on, I slid my sweater on without it. It had fit well enough before, but now it was really too small. It felt heavy and uncomfortable. The back of the embroidery was scratchy and it hung on me like a tent. School spirit be damned, there was no way I was going to be able to wear a.