He used a bit of leverage with the mineral survey contractor to "buy" a few weeks of vacation time for the aircrew of that survey plane. Somewhere rem...te, preferably away from telephones and reporters. He suggested that if he heard no interviews or saw no television footage of the heroic pilot and his crew, he'd make sure the company would enjoy a very profitable year. But if he heard otherwise, they might consider cutting their losses by moving away—far, far away.The second urgent matter was. "Beth's expression changed; he couldn't interpret it, but didn't think it was a happy change."How is she?" Jenni asked, "I haven't seen her for a while. I ought to call." She seems okay to me," he said, "doesn't get out much, I suppose. She's still working on that degree. Still missing Barry ... I don't suppose that ever goes away. We helped each other, I think." And you?" Marty asked."Me? I'm learning to live again. Esther hasn't shown up since..." I looked at Beth, "we were at the Rocks, but. To show you, first hand, the more positive meanings of the word ‘suck.’” A few days went by before we could get together as daters again, and not just as student-teacher. We finally went out to dinner, and there was a lot of hand-holding, kissing, and under-the-table mischief involving hands, feet, and crotches. I had worn flats this time, which were easily slipped off, so my bare toes could wriggle against his zipper. After dinner, as Kevin walked me back to my car, I kissed him again, and. "I would really like you to call me Joey instead of master when we're alone or when Nana is with us. Do you think you can do that for me?"Her face paled, and for a moment I thought she was going to cry when her lower lip started quivering and her eyes filled up with tears. But my concerned and loving expression made her realize I wasn't rejecting her, and then what I was truly asking her must have suddenly sunk in.When I saw the acceptance in her eyes, I smiled, then received the biggest hug I.