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Subject: {ASSM} Lend Me Your Ear (MF, nosex, angst) TBD
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Date: Sun, 15 Apr 2012 15:10:04 -0400
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Lend Me Your Ear: Intro
---

I was idly chatting on the CB when the FRS went off with the alert
tone.

Vic's voice was steady, but I could hear the tenseness in it.  "This
may be it, folks.  Traffic report says there's a carload of kids.
weaving in and out at high speed, somewhere behind us.  Tracy, get the
system running.  Everyone else, just like we've practiced.  Let folks
past until the kids go through, then build a moving block until we
know what's going on."

I reached for the remotes and started the generator, then the pumper.
When I had a row of green lights, I grabbed the other mic and checked
in.  "Ok. Vic.  Green and waiting...  And here they come!  I can see
them in my mirror.  Whoa!  Whoever it is, they almost lost it.  Vic?"

"Got them!  Sally, looks like they're going to try getting past you.
You and Jim split so they have plenty of room, then block."

Sally was calm.  "Got it, Vic.  Splitting now."

A few seconds later Vic was shouting.  "OHMYGOD!  Brake and block!
Brake and block!  Tracy!  Get that rig sideways once they stop
sliding...  Shit!  Fire!  Fire!  This is it!  Gail!  Pull up and take
over Tracy's spot!"

"On it, Vic.  Tracy!  Go!

"On it, folks."

I was already slowing, and once I was slowed enough, kept moving until
I was about one hundred feet away from the furiously burning wreck.  I
turned sideways across the freeway, then locked the brakes and bailed
out with my safety helmet in my hand.

By then the rest of the crew had their vehicles parked in a wall that
a motorcycle wouldn't be able to get past, and were sprinting for the
far side of the trailer.

I went around the front of my rig, and opened the first access door on
the trailer.  While I was latching it open, I heard the hose reels
spnning, then the gentle idle of the pump changed to a roar when
someone opened their nozzle.

Over it all, I heard the disbelieving screams as the people in the car
begged for help.

It felt like hours, but I knew it had to have been only minutes later
when the pump returned to idle after everyone shut their nozzles off.

I hoped I was hearing the silence of unconsciousness, but something in
me knew better.

It was Gail who hugged me, then buried her head in my shoulder and
started crying.  "Kids, Tracy.  Five of them, it looked like."

I shivered and held her close while I stared at the wreck without
really seeing it.  "All we can do is wait, now.  We did what we
could."

Since I was the one with nothing to do whle my crew picked up or kept
an eye on the wreck, just in case, I got my cell out and dialed a
number I knew too well, after all the years I'd worked for them.

When a woman answered I sighed.  "Hi, Heather.  Mal there?"

"He is.  Something wrong?"

"Might say that.  Five kids wrecked a car in front of us.  Just got
the fire out and we're waiting for the rest of the world to show up."

"Oh.  No.  Survivors?"

"Doubt it."

"Hang on..."

"Hello, Tracy.  Heather told me.  She's turning the news on to see if
there's anything.  How'd your idea work?"

I sighed again.  "Perfectly, Mal.  But it wasn't enough."

"Hey, you folks relax as best you can.  I'll call Sid and let him
know.  Don't get back in the cab until you know you'll be able to make
it the rest of the way, ok?  I can hear your stress in your voice."

"Thanks, Mal.  I'll pass that on to everyone else."

"Good.  I know it means nothing to all of you right now, but bonuses
for all of you, of course.  I know you did the best you could.
Sometimes it isn't enough."

He hung up and I looked down to see Gail watching my face.  Before
either of us could say anything, the sound of a chopper landing made
us flinch.

I put my phone away and hugged Gail again before I let go.  "Someday,
Gail, all this will be yours, if you still want it."

She laughed, slightly hysterically.  "I do.  While you turn things
over to the authorities, I'll pass the word on to the crew, that we'll
be here awhile.  Right?

"Yeah.  Remind Vic to keep an eye out for emergency vehicles so he can
let them through."

She looked past me and then waved.  "He's already back at his truck."

"Good!"

"Tracy?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks.  Glad I work for you and the Mallisons.  Most folks would be
upset that we took the time to get involved in trying to save some
kids' lives."

She was moving away when she said it, so I sighed to myself again,
then started moving towards the delegation of uniforms that was
already headed in my direction.  "Yeah. Gail.  I'm glad, too."

* * *

We met next to the car and stood in silence while the rescue crew went
to work.  It wasn't long until one of them came over and sighed.  "All
five are dead.  Hope it was quick."

I winced.  "Not quick enough.  They had time to realize what was
happening, and beg for someone to save them while we were putting the
fire out."

He nodded and held out his hand.  "Thanks.  Normally, the car would
still be burning."

I shook his hand.  "I'm Tracy Goodman.  We know.  That's the reason
the rig is set up the way it is.  We've always figured that someday we
might be in the middle, because we spend a lot of our time on the
road."

"Mike Prescott.  Paramedic.  I'd better get back to work."

He left, and I turned back to the others, then waited.

One of them looked up, then brought her head down and sighed.  "Mr
Goodman.  It's not enough, but thanks for trying.  Once things settle,
we'll need statements, then you can all go on your way."

"Figured that.  Want us to leave our block in place until you get your
own set up?"

"Please."

"Got it.  Let us know."

"Someone will."  She studied my rig, then smiled slightly. "Mallison's
Furniture.  Didn't they just open a store in this area?"

"We did.  That's where we're headed, for the quarterly deep clean."

"Ah...  Janitors?"

I chuckled at her hesitant statement.  "Special crew, but yes, that's
all we are, in spite of looking like a fire crew.  The foaming agent
is our usual biodegradable cleaner, and we foam it with special
nozzles.  You shouldn't need a hazmat crew, except for...  Whatever
the car left."

"Can you stay long enough to wash the area after the hazmat folks
finish?"

"Sure, if I have any water left.  Pressure wash it all to the
shoulder?"

"Yes.  Thanks.  We'll call a tanker in if you need more."

"Ok.  No problem.  You're welcome."

We watched a fleet of emergency vehicles arrange themselves, then she
turned back to me.

"Pardon me for saying this, but you folks did that like you've had
lots of practice, or this isn't your first time."

"Lots of practice.  This was the first time we happened to be in the
right place.  You're wondering where we got the time to practice?"

"Something like that."

"The trailer was custom built so it could be used to run our
equipment, or we could run the hoses out like we did for the accident.
Three reels with 200 feet of pressure hose on them, with another 1500
feet in 100 foot sections, that we can add when we need it.  That was
about oh...  Thirteen years ago, I guess.  The short timer on the crew
has been working with us for about ten years, so we all know our
places.  We get the practice by doing a charity 'Scramble for the
kids' competition against local fire departments, except instead of
putting out fires, the crews set up portable water slides.  We also do
the scrambles when we're bored with our usual set up routine."

She laughed.  "How often do you folks win?"

I chuckled.  "Almost every time.  I have full remote control in the
cab, and can build the pressure while I'm still moving.  Full up, I
carry 2,000 gallons of water, in four tanks.  When the hoses came out,
they already had full working pressure in them.  Makes a difference in
our response time."

She nodded, then sighed.  "Well, fire couldn't have done it more
quickly.  You folks ever want to change careers, look us up.  Don't be
surprised if people want to steal your concept."

"Let them.  So far, I haven't heard of anyone trying.  Most chains get
upset when their crews do something that prevents them from being on
time for their next job.  I know people who got fired after they
helped someone who was in an accident, instead of driving by.  Old man
Mallison thinks the other way.  He'd have our skins if we hadn't
stopped, and he found out about it."

Another chopper had been hovering over us, so I looked up, frowned at
it, then sighed after I refocused .  "I suppose we can expect the
media to corner us, eventually?"

"Probably."  She gestured at the line of our vehicles and the cars
waiting behind them.  "Not every day a bunch of janitors act like
firemen on the freeway."

"Well, if they want to trail us, there's nothing we can do."

"We can't do anything about it.  Sorry."

"That's ok.  It was bound to happen someday.  Mind if I sack out in my
rig while we wait?"

"Go ahead.  Someone will dig you out, eventually."

I tried to get some sleep, but all I did was keep hearing the screams,
so I got up and rejoined my crew.  I knew it looked stupid, but since
we didn't have anything to do, we got out our chairs and some snacks,
then tried to relax while we waited for someone to take our
statements.

Not surprisingly, that happened after people went through the parked
commuters and talked to them before they were finally allowed past the
scene.

Eventually, the cones were in place, and we were interviewed, then
allowed to go after we pressure washed the area with the water that
was left in my tanks.

The cops worked us through the media crews, and we were, finally, back
on the road and headed for work again.

But all I could think of were the screams and the fact our best hadn't
been good enough to save the kids.

I guess everyone else was in a similar state of mind, because the
radio chatter was confined to things that dealt with the traffic
around us, and not the usual relaxed banter that kept us all alert on
the long drives between jobs.
---

End: Lend me your ear: Intro
=====

Lend Me Your Ear
---

I finished disconnecting the trailer from the tractor and turned back
to Sid.

"Well? How's it feel to be managing your own store, finally?  Done any
exploring after you got the store open?"

"Looking for a quiet place to unwind at, before you go back to the
hotel?   As for how it feels, it's been hectic.  I think things will
slow down, now."

"After spending a good part of the day at that accident, I need to
unwind a lot. Point me at someplace off the main roads, where my
tractor won't get me in trouble."

"I know just the place. Fran's. Twenty-four hour coffee shop that
anchors a corner mini-mall. Guaranteed to be quiet, since there's a
police substation tucked away in the corner. Go back towards the
freeway, then turn left at the third signal and go about five miles.
Hard to miss."

"Room for the rig?"

"Truck and RV parking area. Some of the locals park there when they
aren't on the road."

"Sounds like you've been there a few times, already."

"Yep. Hooked the first time I saw the place. Martha insists on a once
a week pilgrimage. Menu's mostly home style, but they do have a daily
special that's fancier fare. Prices are average.

"Forget about the food. How's the coffee?"

"Off the shelf instant, to fresh ground specialty roasts. Don't let
the prices fool you. Once you pay, the cup is bottomless, and there's
no time limit on how long you can sit in a booth or at a table. WiFi's
free. Understand a lot of the local kids gather there to do homework
after school."

"Sounds like it's been there awhile."

"Yep. Coming up on thirty years. Same woman who started it, still owns
it. Been in the same location all that time, too."

I laughed. "You're gushing, Sid."

"Yeah. I know. It's that kind of place."

I chuckled and reached for the door handle. Before I got in I turned
back and smiled at him. "Call me if you or my crew have problems,
Right?"

"Right. Go relax."

I got in and just before I closed the door I grinned at him. "I plan
on it."

* * *

When I got there, I understood Sid's 'hard to miss'.

Fran's was a converted house, that must have been there for a couple
generations. Long generations, judging by the size of the trees and
the thickness of the ivy on everything.

It was well lit, and so was the parking lot.

The truck parking was immediately behind the place, and it surprised
me by being easy in, easy out.

I parked, shut down, then stretched and headed for the door after I
locked the rig.

Once inside I looked the place over and wasn't surprised when the
waitress waited out my inspection, without saying anything.

I finished with a cursory glance at her name tag, then looked up and
smiled at her. "Hello, Melody. Out of the way booth, if you have one
available."

She nodded. "Corner be ok?"

"Fine, thanks."

She put me in a back corner where I could keep an eye on the rig, set
the menu down, then smiled the kind of smile that made me think I'd be
wasting my time, because she had to be taken, if I was the type to hit
on middle aged waitresses. "Something to drink?"

"Coffee. Something strong, but decaf."

"You the Mallison's driver that just pulled in?"

"Yes."

"Ever hear of something called 'Trucker's Roast'?"

"Yes. Didn't know it came in a decaf version."

"It doesn't. We make it ourselves, with their permission."

I took a chance. "Sid sent me here. Mentioned bottomless cups? Seems
impossible with something like Trucker's Roast that's been decaffed on
the premises."

She smiled oddly. "Owner's policy. Slow now, but during the day, and
in the evening, when the weather's good, we put tables outside to
handle part of the overflow."

I studied her thoughtfully. "I should have expected that. Sounds like
the owner believes in old fashioned economic theory."

She laughed. "Volume cuts costs? Wouldn't matter if she did, or not.
She owns the corner, and the mall, outright. She could give the coffee
away and show a profit. But, she learned the first business lesson she
was given. 'Never give something away'."

I nodded. "Sounds like you know her pretty well."

"I do. What would you like with that?  Ready for some food, yet?"

"Lots of creamer. No sweetener. I'm too tired to make a decision, so
give me something suitable for a tired trucker who wants to unwind
after a long day on the freeway."

She sighed. "Got caught by that accident?"

I looked away and spoke to the window. "In a way. It happened in front
of me. I and my crew were the first ones to the wreck. Young kids.
They were all dead or dying by the time we got there and put out the
fire."

"I'm sorry. Something mild, so it doesn't distract you while you come
to terms?"

"Yeah.  Thanks."

"I'll tell the cook after I get your coffee. What's your refill
point?"

"Less than half."

"Tracy? You tried. That's what counts. Remember that, while you
remember everything else. Nobody could have done more, and
sometimes... It isn't enough and we have to live with it."

"I don't recall giving you my name, Melody."

Most waitresses would have giggled, but her voice was soft and serious
when she answered.

"It's on your tractor."

"Oh. Right."

After that, she left me alone, and I never did catch her doing the
refills while I worked on putting the day's horrors behind me.

Somewhere in there, the food arrived, I ate it all, and suddenly found
myself staring at an empty plate as she casually took it away.

"Thanks. The service has been exactly the kind I needed. Thank the
cook for me. The food was good, and exactly what I needed, too.
Unremarkable."

"You're welcome. She'll be glad to hear that. Dessert?"

"Not yet. I'll let you know."

She nodded, then went and did waitress type stuff after she spoke
briefly with the cook, who looked in my direction and smiled back when
I smiled at her and nodded.

I was feeling better about life and starting to think about dessert,
when a woman came over and stood next to the table.

"Umm... Mel says you're the Mallison's driver who tried to save those
kids?"

I sighed. I could hear it in her voice. 'I'm lonely and I need a
shoulder.' Maybe, based on her opening, there was something else, too.

"Yeah. Know any of them?"

"No. One of the paramedics who was there, is my son. I recognized your
truck from the news reports."

I did my best to hide my resigned sigh and the weariness I felt. "Sit.
I can't tell you much worth hearing, and I imagine your son knows more
than I do."

She smiled gratefully and sat opposite me. Melody did her magic
waitress act with some tea and a salad for the woman, then I settled
back and spent just over an hour being a shoulder for a total
stranger, before she got up and left, after whispering a sincere
'Thank you, Mr Goodman.'

I turned back to the window, and idly sipped my coffee while I let
myself be distracted by once again wondering what it was that people
saw in me that told them I was incapable of turning a stranger away
when they wanted someone to unload on.

This time I watched Melody's reflection when she came over to refill
my cup.

I was startled when I realized that instead of turning away, she was
patiently waiting for me to acknowledge her presence.

"Not ready to eat dessert yet."

"Thanks for letting Essie use your shoulders. If you hadn't been
available, she would have been here for most of the rest of my shift."

"Welcome, I guess. Thanks for the refills."

"Welcome. Watch this."

I made the adjustments to my coffee, then leaned back and watched her
walk away to greet and seat a couple who had just arrived.

She settled them in a booth near mine, took their orders, and went to
get their drinks.

It was all normal stuff and unremarkable, so I shrugged when she
looked at me.

She nodded slightly, then winked.

Now, I was genuinely puzzled about what was going on, but it was
obvious she wanted me to keep unobtrusively watching her, so I nodded
to let her know I was ready for whatever she did next.

'Next', was coming back with their drinks, then, after she set them
down, the man touched her arm lightly and said something I didn't
hear.

She looked around as if she was checking her other customers, then she
sat opposite them and tilted her head just enough to let them know she
was paying attention to them.

By my watch, she spent most of two hours listening to them, in between
taking care of the rest of us, and other customers who came in.

She even kept my coffee refilled, while making it obvious she wasn't
so distracted she couldn't focus on me as a customer, with needs of my
own.

It was, quite honestly, the most impressive multitasking I'd ever
seen, by a waitress, or anyone else.

Eventually, they left, and after she cleaned the booth and put new
utensils on the table, she checked on the other customers and took
care of their needs, then came back to settle across from me.

I doubt if many people would have seen the slight bitterness in the
smile she gave me just before she spoke softly: "Never seen them
before. Passing through on their way to somewhere else. Do I need to
say anything?"

I thought about what I'd seen, while she waited with a patience that
was politely seductive to the part of me that was still looking for
that special someone.

"Willing to answer some questions?"

Before she could respond, the cook showed up with a glass of chocolate
milk and a bear claw for her. After she set them down, she glanced at
me, nodded slightly, and spoke calmly. "About time you took your
break, Mom. I'll cover for you, since things are slow right now."

Melody smiled. "You spoil me."

"Only when I want something from you."

"True. What is it this time? Another gold star?"

She looked at me when she spoke again. "Hi, Dad. Took you long enough
to show up. By the way, I saw the whole thing with Essie. Eerie, and
now... I don't know what it is about you, exactly, but you have the
look, just like my mom does."

I stiffened, then smiled. "Never seen your mother before tonight.
Can't be your father."

She laughed. "I didn't say you were. Been waiting for the man who can
be my Dad. You don't have to be married to her to do that. Not her
decision, anyway. Mine, and it's made."

"What if I don't want a daughter?"

"Bet you have hundreds of them. Thousands by now, maybe. Just like mom
has lots of sons. You know what I mean."

I sighed. "Touch�. You willing to let us find out if what we want is
the same as what you want for us?"

"I need a Daddy's Hug. I'll leave both of you alone if it's good
enough."

I stood, gathered her in my arms, then gave her a hug before I used
one hand to stroke her hair lightly before I pecked her on one cheek.

We pulled apart and she looked at me, then nodded before she went back
to work.

I sat down, then sipped at my coffee while Melody worked on her snack.

Eventually she sat back and smiled at me. "I believe you were going to
ask me some questions, before Claudia played matchmaker and sped
things up?"

"She ever done that before?"

"No. She's met her father, and knows that she was unplanned, but I
never thought of her as a mistake. Happened just after I graduated
from high school. He had some problems, and there was only one way to
help him fix them. We did, but later I found out I had one of those
random IUDs that failed during use."

I smiled. "I've talked to other women who had that happen, so I
believe you. 

"Most likely, I'll be here for the week and my time will be my own,
then we'll go to the next job. Weekends are usually ours, but we're on
call for emergencies."

"The questions you have?"

"I was wondering how the owner feels about your compulsion to help
people. Is it the reason you're working when it's slow, instead of one
of the busier shifts?"

She surprised me by laughing throatily. "Anything else, before I
answer that one?"

"Yeah. More of a statement than a question. I've never found a long
term shoulder. What are the odds you'll always be there when *I* need
you?"

She sobered. "I know what you're talking about. I got lucky. Once she
was in her teens and understood the situation, Claudia has been my
shoulder. She doesn't have the compulsion I have, fortunately, so she
married her high school sweetheart, and has a daughter of her own,
that she spoils worse than she does me."

She leaned back, then waved a hand at the coffee shop. "That's my name
on the sign. My full name is Melody Francine Walker, and I grew up in
this house. I've lived here all my life. Don't plan on being anywhere
else."

I couldn't stop my jaw from sagging, and she smiled sympathetically.
"I look too young, don't I?"

I managed a one word answer. "Yes."

"The short answer is that the original Fran's started as a drink bar
for my friends when I was ten. We were using play money, and a city
inspector happened by. He took the time to talk to me and my parents
about what would happen if I started accepting real money, and a few
days later I had a business license and a push cart. He and the health
inspector were my first 'real' customers.

"I conned some friends and my parents into helping me, and next year,
we'll be getting together to celebrate the fact that Fran's has been
open 24/7, at the same location, for thirty years."

"Incredible."

She laughed again. "Lucrative, too. It also turned out to be the
perfect solution that lets me live with my compulsive desire to help
people by listening to them when they need a shoulder."

I laughed with her, then sobered.  "Ok.  I'll take a chance, but I'd
like to do it someplace besides right here.  Any reasonable
suggestions?  I'm not going to waste breath by suggesting my hotel
room."

She frowned, then turned to look at something before she faced me
again.  "The local news has been slow recently, and there have been a
few articles in the papers about the ratings scramble.  Been the usual
complaints about losing viewers to the net, too."

I stared out the window before I answered her.  "Highway patrol is
done with us, as far as I know.  That leaves the media coverage, which
never crossed the line.  Think they're looking for us?"

She sighed.  "Human interest, if nothing else.  I was sleeping when it
happened, but Claudia saw it live before she went to bed.  Hang on..."

She managed to get her daughter's attention, then motioned her over.

Claudia studied us, then nodded.  "Something serious that isn't food?"

Melody nodded.  "You saw the coverage of the accident, right?"

"Yes.  It was live before the wreck, so I saw it happen.  Been
following the late coverage.  If it  hasn't yet, my guess is that by
morning it will have gone global."

Melody winced, and I knew I did, too, before I sighed and asked her my
stupid question for the day.  "You sure about the global stuff?"

She nodded.  "The local anchors are having a field day with it.
They've lost track of you, but found out which hotel you have a room
at, and have a crew waiting for you to show up."

"Ok.  Either of you have any suggestions?  I need a delay, not total
avoidance, so I can get some sleep before I deal with the inevitable
interviews."

They shared a strange look, then Claudia dug into her apron pocket and
dropped a set of keys on the table while she and her mother giggled
together, before Claudia took off to take care of a customer.

I waited Melody out, then asked the obvious question.  "Ok.  I know
what.  Where?"

"Right here.  That's her set of keys to what used to be her room, but
is now the guest bedroom.  Has a door to the outside, and if you feel
the urge, you can pay whatever you pay for a mid range hotel room, for
as long as you want to use it.  The rest of tonight, and tomorrow,
it's free."

"Be ok to hold the interview here?"

"I have a small banquet room.  I'll make them pay to use it, unless
you want to do it outside."

"Probably better to do it outside somewhere.  How long before I have
to come out?"

"Up to you.  Private living area.  Expect shotgun microphones and all
the usual stuff, until they get bored and go away."

"You sure about this?"

"Yes."

"Thanks.  I'll take it.  Go ahead and bill me for tonight, at whatever
rate you usually charge.  If I stay longer, someone from Mallison's
will be here to handle my expenses."

"Done."

I waited, because I could tell she had something else she was thinking
about.

She refocused on me.  "Mallison's Furniture, right?"

"Painted on the rig."

"Oops.  How come you're so familiar with how the media thinks?"

I laughed.  "Too familiar, for a truck driver, right?"

"Exactly."

"My job title is 'Janitorial Supervisor'.  I'm in charge of the
special cleaning crew that cycles through the stores and does wall to
wall cleanup four times a year."

Her eyes narrowed, "Not enough."

"Seen any of our TV ads yet?"

"No."

"We do a charity 'Scramble for the kids' competition with the local
fire departments, where we put rotating beacons on the rig and some of
the cars, then we show up at a store and unload our hoses as if we
were responding to a fire, but when we're done setting up, there are
two portable water slides in operation.  The trailer has four five
hundred gallon water tanks in it, a generator driven high pressure
system, and three two hundred foot reels of high pressure hose to
supply our equipment when we're working.

"Since I travel with two of those tanks full, the combination makes a
pretty effective fire fighting rig, once we put the right nozzles on
the hoses and switch in the tank of biodegradable cleaner and fire
retardent we use.

"The accident was the first time we happened to be in the right place
at the right time, that's all.  Usually we are doing that scramble for
fun, or to get rid of some of the routine boredom of the job."

It was her turn to slowly close her mouth before she took the time to
finish her milk, while she thought about what I'd told her.

"You said something about 'Sid' sending you here?"

"Manager of the new store.  We're old friends, and he knows I like to
relax after I drop the trailer for the crew.  He also knew about the
accident, and I mentioned I wanted a place that was isolated from the
main roads, where my rig wouldn't cause problems.  Said he's already a
once a week regular."

"I can't remember a Sid on this shift, so he must come in later in the
morning, or early in the evening."

"Didn't ask.  I was in a hurry to get that down time."

She laughed.  "That's the trucker talking!"

"Yep."

"You ready for that dessert, or should I show you to your room?"

"How long before you go off shift?  I'd appreciate the chance to
unload before I try to get some sleep."

"I usually stay until the morning crew shows up.  Be a few more
hours."

I winced.  "I won't last that long.  Dessert, then you can show me the
room and a shower."

"I can do that.  Room has a master bath in it, with a hot water on
demand system.  Want me to stop in after I go off shift, so you can
finish what we haven't started?"

"Appreciate it.  Ok if I sleep in the nude?  I don't have the energy
to get my stuff..."  The sight of a uniformed man walking across the
parking lot got my attention.  "Oh, great.  I think our plans are
going to change."

She turned to see what I'd focused on, then sighed.  "That's Malcom.
He only strides like that when he's got a problem.  Be back as soon as
I can."

She managed to stop him on the porch, and after a short conversation
that involved sweeping and probably angry gestures on his part, he
held the door open for her, then followed her inside.

She pointed me out, then took over from her daughter.

He settled himself where she'd been sitting, then didn't say anything
until after she'd brought him some coffee.

He sipped appreciatively, then set his cup down.  "Mr. Goodman.  Fran
told me something strange before she pointed you out."

"Do I call you 'Sir', or 'Malcom'?"

"For now, Malcom."

"Then call me Tracy."

"Thanks, Tracy.  Is it true, that Claudia called you her Daddy?"

"Yep.  Father-daughter stuff.  Is that going to cause problems?"

"No.  I'm glad to hear it.  Deal with it later, since that's not the
reason I'm here to talk, instead of have my dinner after I go off
shift."

"Got it.  How bad is it?  Have I been found yet?"

"You haven't been found, but your crew has.  We've been called in so
they can work.  The store manager thinks finding you will be
inevitable, once the media gets tired of waiting for you at your
hotel.

"Fran's already asked us to deal with crowd control so she can operate
her business.  It's happened before, so we have a routine in place for
when it happens.  But, there's only one person who can ask me to shut
the media out of her restaurant."

"She offered me the use of the guest bedroom, at standard hotel rates.
I accepted."

"And?"

"Can you keep them out of the private areas until I have a chance to
clean up and get some sleep?"

"We'd do that anyway.  Since we're going to cordon off your rig, we
can run the tape to the building and make it harder for anyone to gain
access."

"That's all I want.  Leave the rest to Melody."

"Melody?"

"It's obvious she likes it that way.  Let her decide how many people
will know who she really is."

"Good point."

"Thanks.  Anything else?  That stride had a lot of anger pushing it."

"Highway Patrol wants to talk to you and your people about the
accident, before the media gets to you."

"Just me, or the whole crew?"

"You, at this point, because you're in charge."

"If it's about our response, it would be better if they talk to the
owner."

"They did.  He said it was your idea, and that stuff on the freeway
was a complete surprise."

"Couldn't have been. Putting out car fires, safely, is the reason he
spends the extra money on a biodegradable cleaner that can double as a
fire retardent when it's foamed.  It's also the reason I travel with
two of the tanks filled with water."

"Sorry.  Wasn't clear enough.  Have you found out there was a news
chopper overhead, that was following those kids?"

"Just found out.  I was busy trying to forget all that so I could get
some sleep that didn't have nightmares in it."

"Understandable.  Anyway, a lot of official people are upset because a
talking head spotted something they missed, and some awkward questions
are being asked of people who thought they had already answered them."

"Sounds like some of that fell on you."

"Landed a lot higher than me.  I'm only a shift boss at a usually calm
substation.  But, yes, it overflowed and hit all of us, and because
the media circus is headed *here*, I'm the cop on the scene."

"Got it, and I sympathize.  What can I tell you to make it easier?"

"How did you and your crew manage to block traffic so smoothly and
completely that nobody noticed that not a single car got around the
scene until it was officially opened up?"

"We've practiced until we knew we had our moves down pat."

"How?!  Nobody ever dreamed something like that was possible."

"We've done moving blocks in light traffic and during rush hour, to
figure out our moves and distances.  Done everything but cross the
line and block the car pool lane, or stop, unless traffic was stopped
anyway, so I'm not telling you we did anything illegal, until we had
to."

"I think it was what happened when you folks stopped, that got someone
wondering.  The video has made the rounds.  All of you were moving at
speed, the kids got past you, and suddenly nobody was getting in front
of you folks.  The car was still sliding when all of your crew hit the
brakes and slotted their cars and trucks so tightly nobody could get
past, anywhere, while you pulled into position and parked sideways to
the wreck.  By then, your people were on the road and sprinting for
the trailer.  The hoses came out, all of a sudden there was lots of
foam, the fire was out--and you folks were picking up all but one of
your hoses."

I chuckled, which got me a sour look, then I relented.  "We work at
night, and have empty parking lots to practice in.  We've put cones
out to mark lanes and shoulders, then we put some of our cars in
place, as if they were cruising.  After that, we experimented to find
the best moves to build that wall as we stopped.  We use FRS radios to
coordinate it all.  During the accident, Vic was controlling all of
us, and when he shouted, 'Brake and block!', everyone knew what to
do."

I sighed.  "We're all tired of hearing about people getting injured or
killed by idiots who are impatient and don't stop to think there's a
reason all those cars are stopped in front of them.  We decided we
were willing to lose a car or truck, even my rig and the equipment, if
it saved someone's life."

Malcom sighed as he covered his eyes with one hand.  "It boils down to
you having the people to do it safely, while we don't."

"Yeah.  I'm not sorry it happened, either.  We didn't save the kids,
but it's a sucker bet that we stopped a lot of other people from
getting mixed up in it, and hurt or killed, right?"

"Oh, right.  I'm not complaining about that.  Nobody in a position to
deal with an accident like that one, is."

"Thanks.  Anything else?"

"How did you get pressure in the hoses, so quickly?"

"Same remote controls in my cab, as we use on the equipment.  I can
control it all.  I had everything running and up to pressure before we
had to stop.  We put the foamer nozzles on when the hoses are stowed,
just in case."

"I imagine fire is going to want to talk to you folks, too."

At that I laughed.  "Maybe the local ones.  As I told Melody, some of
our commercials are cut from videos of the charity competitions we do
with the fire departments in the cities where we have a store."

He finally laughed.  "A bunch of janitors.  I never would have
believed it, if I hadn't seen the coverage on the late news."

He stood and held out his hand.  "We'll hold them off as long as we
can."

I shook his hand.  "Can you give me enough time so I can have my
dessert?"

"Done.  Try the cheesecake, covered with organic strawberries you pick
yourself.  Fran has her own greenhouse."

"I will.  Mind letting her know?"

"Not a problem.  Need to talk to her anyway, before I go outside and
start acting officious and obstructive."

He stopped and spoke to her for a few minutes, then left.

She came over instead of bringing my dessert, and held out her hand.
"Let's get you out of here, then I'll bring you that cheesecake after
I settle you in my private dining area."

I slid over and let her help me up, since I was too tired to insist on
male dignity.

She led me down a hallway to a door marked 'Private', unlocked it, and
pointed.  "Straight ahead to the dining area.  Bathroom is on the
right, if you need it.  Make yourself at home while I get your
dessert."

"Trusting."

"You've already stolen the most important thing in my life.  Not
worried about losing the physical stuff.  Besides...  There's a
parking lot full of cops out there, with media crews on the way.  I
don't think you're stupid.  Doesn't go with the compulsion, right?"

"Point.  Like to know what I stole, just for the record."

"My daughter's heart."

She left, and closed the door behind her before I could react.

"Oh.  That."

I used the bathroom, then settled at the table.

She showed up a few minutes later, and set a huge chunk of cheesecake
that was buried in sliced strawberries, in front of me.

I studied it, then sighed.  "That's not a dessert, it's a meal."

"There's a fridge in your room."

"Good.  I'll nibble until I'm topped off, or I fall over.  You going
to stay to make sure I get to bed?"

"I'll be here until you don't need me.  With the media coming in, I
don't have the people here to handle a rush like that, so I called in
the morning crew to help out.  Shift manager lives nearby and she will
be here in about fifteen minutes at the latest.  She'll take over as
soon as she gets here.  In the meantime, Claudia can handle things, as
long as Malcom's people hold the mob off until she tells him to let
them in."

"This stuff is good.  Make it here?"

"Claudia specialized in cakes and pastries.  Uses her spare time on
shift to bake for the next day."

I took a few more bites, then settled back.  "Anything else, before I
quit?"

"You could give me your keys so I can go get what you need from your
truck."

"I can do that.  It's all in one of those airline bags, in the
sleeper.  Passenger side.  Thanks."

She made no effort to move, so I sighed.  "What else?"

"I think you need that shoulder to be naked, and helping you wash some
of those memories away.  After that, a massage and snuggle to protect
you from the demons who are going to want to fuck with your head."

"You sure?"

"Done it before, and I'm sure you've done something similar when you
had to.  Only difference this time, is that there is a serious
connection between us, right?"

It took me awhile to find the words I wanted, then I grinned wearily.
"I've hugged my daughter.  Only makes sense that I do something a
little more intimate with her mother, right?"

She blushed, then laughed.

I laughed with her, then dug my keys out and set them on the table.
"I'll wait here.  When you get back, you're in charge.  Expect... Some
pretty hairy demons to show up while I ramble."

Her head tilted, asking the question she didn't speak.

I glanced at the clock, then looked down.  "About eighteen hours ago,
I watched and listened while five kids were burned to death.  I think
one of them was already dead or unconscious by the time we got there,
but I'll probably never know for certain.  The rest were definitely
awake enough to know what was happening to them."

She came over and hugged me tightly, then let go and picked up my
keys.  "I'll be back as soon as I can.  Malcom will probably have a
better idea about what's going to happen, and we need to know
everything we can before you go out there, and whatever happens,
happens."

"Thanks, Francine.  Do what you have to do."

She left, and I drifted in and out while I waited.

She finally came back and settled at the table again.  "I put your bag
and keys in the room.  Thought about starting the water, but decided
I'd better let you pick the temperature.  If it wasn't outside and
easy to overhear people in it, I'd suggest moving to the jacuzzi after
you get clean."

I sighed.  "Love to, but I'm likely enough to go to sleep in the bath,
as it is.  Before we settle and get into the nasty stuff, there's
something I want you to think about at some point."

"I can do that."

"Thanks.  I started working for Mr. Mallison almost twenty years ago,
as a simple janitor.  He had only three stores, and they were all in
one city.  Over the years, he's expanded until he now has ten stores
scattered all over this state and in the next one.  I got to know him
and his family fairly well, because they'd stop by to see how we were
doing, and if we'd run into anything we couldn't deal with.

"They're pretty hands on at all the stores, but that's probably going
to change with one of the next two stores.  If it does, he'll be
putting on another crew like mine.  Has to if he wants to hit each
store four times a year.

"Anyway, you've probably figured out that I've been there long enough
that I'm going to be offered two basic choices once we have too many
stores for one crew to handle."

She thought about it while I waited, then nodded.  "Supervisor for
your crew, or locate where you can cover the stores in one region,
while he and the family do the others?"

I sighed.  "Almost.  Supervisor for my crew is a given, if I keep
working.

"Retirement?"

"I could.  What I'm going to suggest to him is that I turn my crew
over to the woman I've been grooming to replace me, then settle here
to anticipate the split that's inevitable, since this is the direction
the company is headed, for the next five to ten years."

"Anything else?"

"Yes.  As part of that resettling, I'm going to suggest I keep a few
key members I can build a new crew around, and train the new crew
here, before we have to hit the road, while my old crew adds the
people they need from the best of the people who currently work at
individual stores."

She smiled.  "So what you're asking me to think about, if we find out
we're compatible enough, is if I'd let you stay here when you're not
on the road?"

"Yes.  I do have a third option, since I've been there long enough to
retire with full benefits."

"Retirement, here, plus?"

"Something the owner and I have already discussed.  'What to do with
the crews after we add the second crew.'  I suggested that I 'retire'
into being the head of a subdivision of Mallison's that's independent
of the company, and finds its own work to keep busy until the chain
needs us full time."

She laughed.  "Only thing it could be is a janitorial service, right?"

"Exactly."

"If you do, I'll be your first customer, if you can figure out a way
to deep clean this place while I keep the doors open."

"I'll need to do a full walk around, and you'll have to give me an
idea of the flow patterns of your customers."

"Schedule different areas for different times and rope them off?"

"Right  Can I assume you have a service entrance that leads directly
into the kitchen or someplace that would give us a place to run our
hoses?"

"Let me think about it for awhile.  We're used to each shift having
assigned tasks.  Biggest problem will be the kitchen, because to do it
right, it has to be shut down completely."

I nodded.  "And you don't want to close the doors."

"Exactly.  I need to look at my records and do some calculations so I
can tell you how long it takes the crews I call in."

"Thanks.  A list of the services they've done will help, too.  I'll
need to know what equipment we'll need to add, to do it right."

"I'll see what I can do.  Maybe you could expand your new crew by
absorbing one of the locals."

"Maybe.  We've hired people who were independent and they seldom work
out long term.  Better to start with people willing to work, but with
no experience.  Higher turnover initially, but if they make it past
about six months, I can figure they'll stay, as long as we pay them
what they're worth."

I looked down and realized my hands were shaking from fatigue.
"Anyway, that had better be it for the serious stuff.  If you'd show
me to the tub?..."

She came around and held out her hand.  "Let's go.  I'll pick up in
here, after we get you settled in the tub.  I should be back before it
finishes filling."

She made me settle on the edge of the tub, then, without saying
anything, stripped completely before she helped me get my clothes off.

When it came time to work my pants and shorts off, she had me stand,
then, after they were around my ankles, she helped me step out of
them.

Before she helped me make the step into the tub, she hugged me, then
laughed when my penis hit her.  She shifted so it entered her. "Relax.
I know all about stress erections.  This is to let you know it doesn't
bother me."

"Thanks.  As tired as I am, I'm surprised I have one.  Nice to know
that part of me trusts you, too.  However, unless you want us to
collapse into the tub, you'd better help me ease down."

She did, then she handed me the hand held shower head so I could feel
the water while she adjusted it.

Once I was happy with it she left me to my own devices, which
consisted of idly letting the warm water flow over my body.  Sometimes
I used the massage setting, and by the time she got back, I was so
languid I was nearly asleep.

"I'm back.  You still awake?"

"Mmm...  Barely.  That could change either way at this point."

"Understood.  Malcom said something earlier, about Hiway Patrol
wanting to talk to you before the media does.  I remembered you saying
something about a Vic coordinating things, so I passed that on and
suggested they talk to him before they come looking for you."

"Thanks.  He's a better choice than I am, anyway."

"Welcome.  Now...  Let me do your head first, then we'll take things
as they happen.  Close your eyes for me and if you fall asleep, I'll
choose to be flattered, instead of upset."

I came awake to her lips on mine.  They lingered until my breathing
changed, then they left.  "You can open your eyes.  I'm done.  You've
been rinsed.  And I made sure I wiped the water out of your eyes and
dried your hair and face enough nothing will trickle down and cause
problems."

"Sounds like you've done it a lot."

"I had a daughter to practice on, and a few men have passed through my
life.  You ready to talk while I work you over?"

I opened my eyes and studied her thoughtfully.  "The nap helped.  To
save time, just assume I'm saying 'Thank you' after every sentence."

"I suspect it will be mutual by the time we're in bed together."

"Oh?"

"Claudia is my daughter, not my husband.  There's a difference."

"Husband?  Already?"

"Sorry for being so slow about it."

"Slow?  Oh.  Claudia, right?"

"Something like that.  She asked me if she should find out when the
JoP will be available for a house call.  Told me to look in the mirror
when I asked her if it was a little soon for that.  I did, saw what
she meant, and told her it would be up to you."

I took the time to look her over, realized that she had an inner
serenity and glow that hadn't been there earlier, and sighed.  "Forget
the JoP.  If I get married without the Mallisons and my crew, I'll
never hear the end of it.  Hope you can handle an all up church
wedding, because the old man won't settle for giving me anything
less."

"I accept."  She pecked me, then got practical.  "Bath time.  You know
how it works and so do I, so you can stay silent or ramble."

"Thanks, Fran.  Should I call you Melody, Mel, Francine, Fran, or
something else?"

"Doesn't matter in private.  In public, I suppose Melody would be
best, if it isn't 'Dear' and 'Honey' between us all the time."

"Don't most people know who you are, by now?"

"They do, but the atmosphere relaxes a notch or two when I'm Melody,
and people can pretend I'm just another waitress instead of the
millionaire who owns Fran's Coffee Shop and Mini Mall."

"Millionaire?  I should have seen that one coming.  Doesn't matter.
You're my long missing shoulder, and that's all that really matters."

"My turn to say thank you."

She started gently washing me, and I relaxed for awhile, then sighed
after she did my back.

"I guess it started in high school.  Don't know how it started.  My
friends always said I was easy to talk to, and the adults called me
mature for my age.  I was a popular teacher's assistant, and guys and
girls would manage to find me so they could just...  Talk out their
problems.  I don't remember being wiser or having more experience.  I
didn't know any more than they did and they must have known it."

"Lift your leg.  So you were some sort of peer counsellor?"

"Yeah.  Good way to put it, except sometimes I got to listen to school
staff, too.  Maybe it was my reputation for not using or spreading
what I was told.  Can you imagine the things I got to hear by the time
I was a senior?"

"I can, now.  I never got to listen to anyone who wasn't a student.
Had the same rep for not taking advantage of what I knew, though."

"Uh huh.  That makes too much sense.  Somewhere in there, there were
girls in my life, then, after school, it was women.  Mostly peers, but
it seemed like there were always older ones, too.  I probably could
have bedded a lot of them, but by my mid twenties I had a pretty good
idea of what my ideal woman would be like, and to be honest, I was
already tired of seeming to attract the women and men who needed to be
supported emotionally, until they got their lives back together."

I lifted my other leg when she touched it, then went on a little
bitterly.  "I went through a pretty cynical phase, after I got tired
of hearing 'You're a good friend, Tracy, thanks for helping, and I'm
looking forward to sharing my life with the man or woman I met'.
Didn't stop me from listening when people needed me, though, and that
made me even more cynical and bitter about it."

"I can see what happened.  You became a janitor, to get away?"

"Yeah.  I'd still get the people wanting a good listener, but at least
the crew has been pretty stable, and once it was out of their system,
it was out, mostly.  I know being around people who didn't need me all
the time helped me lose most of my cynicism.  There's a camaraderie
that graveyard people seem to share.  I imagine you know that,
though."

"I do.  Around here, it means most of us lead a slower life in a lot
of ways.  Less stress because most of us are self motivators and even
the fanatical bosses want their sleep, so we get left alone."

I laughed.  "Or leave their people alone while they get the work
done?"

She touched my face lightly with the wash cloth.  "Of course I leave
my people alone, as long as they get their jobs done.  People don't
work my graveyard until they've worked one of the day shifts.  Then,
if they want to work this shift, I talk it over with my shift managers
before I tender the invitation.  Turnover is slow on all shifts, so I
usually have a lengthy waiting list of people who want to work here."

"I can believe it.  Anyway, I'll take credit for the whacky idea of
turning my crew into fire fighters even though I don't remember if I
was the one who came up with the idea.  Back then, we were towing
trailers with tanks on them, and using other trailers to haul the
cleaning equipment.  It made sense to custom design a semi trailer,
and for me to get my class A so Mr. Mallison wouldn't have to hire a
dedicated driver that only worked a couple days a week.

"After that, it was a logical step for all of us to go through the
same traiing as real fire fighters, and practice with them.  We did a
few 'fire sale' commercials, and then someone had the idea of doing
charity competitions and setting up the water slides for the kids
during hot weather.

"Since I was already used to talking and listening to people, I let
myself get talked into being our spokesman during interviews.  These
days I have plenty of time for it, since Gail runs the crew and only
calls me in when major decisions have to be made.

"That's the highlights of my life from high school on."

"You didn't mention the women in your life."

"Haven't been many, other than the random ones who somehow spotted me
as a shoulder, and used me until they were ready to move on.  Some of
the crew have been in relationships, but I opted to keep away from
that sort of stuff.  I've tried to keep the job and my private life
separated, and mostly succeeded."

"Mostly?"

"Yes.  Been a few women over the years, that I let get past the
defenses.  Gail was one of them, and it was one of those mercy things,
really.  A late night, we had time to kill and somehow we decided to
find a secluded part of the store and scratch the itches while we took
the time to learn a little more about each other.  She was the last
woman it happened with, and it had nothing to do with my decision to
train her as my replacement.  She was already that, and she'd earned
the chance many times over."

"Sounds like you and your crew are a family, as much as you are an
experienced team of co workers."

"Good way to put it.  In a way, anyone who's been working for the
Mallisons for over a year is part of that extended family, and it
shows."

I sighed and looked down.  "We can't forget the younger girls, some of
whom could be my daughters, or even grand daughters.  No sexual
relationships, but the emotional ones have been intense, for them.
Most of those happen when I'm shopping, and it isn't always females
who step up and unload in the middle of the store.  Used to it after
all these years?  Yes.  Enjoy it?  No.

"And then..."  She reached to grab my shaking hands and hang on to
them.  "There was that idiocy that happened yesterday morning.  I wish
I could say it's the first time I've seen one, but it isn't.  It's
only the first serious accident that happened in front of us.

"I don't understand it.  It was a newer car.  It shouldn't have caught
fire like that.  It was all...  Too quick.  Too fast.  We were right
there and still, they never had a chance, according to one of the
paramedics.  I imagine he's seeing his own nightmares by now."

She shifted so she could hug me while I shivered.  "Tracy?  Claudia's
been following the news.  She mentioned something that might help. The
car was modified.  They had a canister of nitro in the back seat. As
best anyone can figure out, it broke loose, tore the hoses free, and
sprayed the contents all over the inside of the car...  And the kids."

I shook my head.  "Maybe there was nitro somewhere in the mix, but
what we dealt with was a gasoline fire.  We've practiced with the fire
department often enough to know what they look like, and how to get
them out quickly."

"I'm only passing on what's been on the news.  A lot of people have
been wondering why the kids died, because according to most folks,
your crew got the fire out quickly enough the kids should have been
badly burned, but still have a chance of surviving."

I shivered again, and she held on.  "I can still hear their screams,
Fran."

"And you're likely to hear them for years.  They may never stop.  You
and I both know that."

I laughed bitterly.  "What, no reassurance that time will heal things
and I won't hear them any more?"

"You want me to start lying to you?"

"Of course not.  I've talked to enough war veterans to know how it
works.  PTSD.  I imagine we'll have to go through some serious
therapy, soon, if we all want to deal with this.  I suppose I should
be surprised the rest of the crew was able to work, but it's probably
their way of coping.  Some of them must have worse memories than I do.
Wonder if any of them will quit?  Hope not, but...  Deal with that
when it happens."

"I'll be there."

"Thanks.  Am I clean?"

She hugged me.  "Yes.  You want to soak some more, or should I pull
the plug and let it drain before I rinse and dry?"

"Let me wash you first?  I need...  I guess I need to know I can do
something and the person I'm helping is going to survive."

She handed me the wash cloth and a bar of soap.  "Do what you need to
do, Honey."

She helped while I carefully washed her hair and head, then, after I
rinsed her, I managed to grab the towel and dry her off enough she
could open her eyes.

It was all slow moves and gentle exploration mixed in with the soap.

There was a lot of shaking on my part, too.  I do remember that.  Hard
not to, because she didn't hesitate to reach for my hands and hold on
while they shook, or help me move them over her body when the memories
made me freeze.

It took a long time, but I never noticed.  I was too busy anchoring
myself by learning the feel of my lover, my wife.

But eventually, it was over and she was nestled into my chest while I
held the shower head and rinsed us while the water drained from the
tub.

She giggled tiredly.  "Thanks, Dear.  I don't think I've ever taken a
bath that's left me as...  Satisfied as this one has."

"It was good for me, too.  In spite of what my lower body is telling
you, I'm still exhausted.  You'll have to help me up, and let me
settle on the edge or something while you do the drying chore."

"Never a chore.  How's your head?  Been able to let go for awhile?"

"Yeah.  If we can maintain the mood for a little longer, I might go to
sleep. instead of...  Lying there and reliving things."

"Ok.  Unwrap so I can get up, then I'll help you reposition."

I let go, she managed to get up and braced, then she held out her free
hand.  "Let's see what we can do."

It was my turn to find a position that would let me half stand, turn,
then settle on the edge of the tub.  "Whew!  That's something I
usually don't have to think about.  Made it though.  Let me...  Ok.  I
guess I can lean forward and brace on my legs.  Hope I don't roll into
the tub."

She laughed.  "I'll be gentle and not push very hard."

Then she dried my back and head before she had me lean into her while
she slowly did my chest and as much of my legs as she could reach
without overbalancing us.

Finally she moved the towel to my crotch.  "Spread so I can dry this
part.  You going to be able to stand and brace on the wall so I can do
the back, our do you want to be safe and be on your hands and knees?"

"God, Fran.  You're so matter of fact about it.  More of that child
rearing experience?  Sorry I'm so weak I won't be able to return the
favor."

"Child rearing, and a few lovers have passed though over the years.
More close friends, than anything else.  There was never the fit,
until now."

"Sorry if I overstepped.  Blame some of it on the fatigue, but there's
a genuine curiosity, too.  I've always wondered what it's like for a
woman who has the compulsion, you know?  Oh, help me stand, and I'll
lean on the wall.  I've never been body shy, so there won't be a blush
while you finish."

She finished drying me, then helped me resettle on the tub so I could
watch her while she dried herself.

It was all, as we both noted wryly, very domestic and casual, as if
we'd been doing it together for years.

She put the towel away, then held out her hand.  "Come on.  Past time
for both of us to be in bed.  The world can wait until we're both
ready to deal with its demands."

I used more of her strength than I expected to help me up, then I
leaned on her while we walked the short distance to my room.

The last words between us were a brief discussion while we decided
what the sleeping arrangement would be, then she spooned aginst my
back, wrapped her arms around me...

And the last thing I remember is a gentle kiss on my neck and a gently
breathed 'Good night, Tracy.'
---

End: Abandoned work: 'Lend Me Your Ear'
======

-- 
Pursuant to the Berne Convention, this work is copyright with all rights
reserved by its author unless explicitly indicated.
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