{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\uc1\deff0\stshfdbch0\stshfloch0\stshfhich0\stshfbi0\deflang2057\deflangfe2057{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fcharset0\fprq2{\*\panose 02020603050405020304}Times New Roman;}{\f1\fswiss\fcharset0\fprq2{\*\panose 020b0604020202020204}Arial;}
{\f2\fmodern\fcharset0\fprq1{\*\panose 02070309020205020404}Courier New;}{\f3\froman\fcharset2\fprq2{\*\panose 05050102010706020507}Symbol;}{\f10\fnil\fcharset2\fprq2{\*\panose 05000000000000000000}Wingdings;}
{\f36\fswiss\fcharset0\fprq2{\*\panose 020b0604030504040204}Verdana;}{\f38\froman\fcharset0\fprq2{\*\panose 02040502050405020303}Georgia;}{\f39\froman\fcharset238\fprq2 Times New Roman CE;}{\f40\froman\fcharset204\fprq2 Times New Roman Cyr;}
{\f42\froman\fcharset161\fprq2 Times New Roman Greek;}{\f43\froman\fcharset162\fprq2 Times New Roman Tur;}{\f44\froman\fcharset177\fprq2 Times New Roman (Hebrew);}{\f45\froman\fcharset178\fprq2 Times New Roman (Arabic);}
{\f46\froman\fcharset186\fprq2 Times New Roman Baltic;}{\f47\froman\fcharset163\fprq2 Times New Roman (Vietnamese);}{\f49\fswiss\fcharset238\fprq2 Arial CE;}{\f50\fswiss\fcharset204\fprq2 Arial Cyr;}{\f52\fswiss\fcharset161\fprq2 Arial Greek;}
{\f53\fswiss\fcharset162\fprq2 Arial Tur;}{\f54\fswiss\fcharset177\fprq2 Arial (Hebrew);}{\f55\fswiss\fcharset178\fprq2 Arial (Arabic);}{\f56\fswiss\fcharset186\fprq2 Arial Baltic;}{\f57\fswiss\fcharset163\fprq2 Arial (Vietnamese);}
{\f59\fmodern\fcharset238\fprq1 Courier New CE;}{\f60\fmodern\fcharset204\fprq1 Courier New Cyr;}{\f62\fmodern\fcharset161\fprq1 Courier New Greek;}{\f63\fmodern\fcharset162\fprq1 Courier New Tur;}{\f64\fmodern\fcharset177\fprq1 Courier New (Hebrew);}
{\f65\fmodern\fcharset178\fprq1 Courier New (Arabic);}{\f66\fmodern\fcharset186\fprq1 Courier New Baltic;}{\f67\fmodern\fcharset163\fprq1 Courier New (Vietnamese);}{\f399\fswiss\fcharset238\fprq2 Verdana CE;}{\f400\fswiss\fcharset204\fprq2 Verdana Cyr;}
{\f402\fswiss\fcharset161\fprq2 Verdana Greek;}{\f403\fswiss\fcharset162\fprq2 Verdana Tur;}{\f406\fswiss\fcharset186\fprq2 Verdana Baltic;}{\f407\fswiss\fcharset163\fprq2 Verdana (Vietnamese);}{\f419\froman\fcharset238\fprq2 Georgia CE;}
{\f420\froman\fcharset204\fprq2 Georgia Cyr;}{\f422\froman\fcharset161\fprq2 Georgia Greek;}{\f423\froman\fcharset162\fprq2 Georgia Tur;}{\f426\froman\fcharset186\fprq2 Georgia Baltic;}}{\colortbl;\red0\green0\blue0;\red0\green0\blue255;
\red0\green255\blue255;\red0\green255\blue0;\red255\green0\blue255;\red255\green0\blue0;\red255\green255\blue0;\red255\green255\blue255;\red0\green0\blue128;\red0\green128\blue128;\red0\green128\blue0;\red128\green0\blue128;\red128\green0\blue0;
\red128\green128\blue0;\red128\green128\blue128;\red192\green192\blue192;}{\stylesheet{\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 
\snext0 \sautoupd \styrsid6368355 Normal;}{\s1\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\keepn\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \b\f1\fs32\cf9\lang1033\langfe1033\kerning32\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext0 \sautoupd 
heading 1;}{\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\keepn\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \b\f1\fs28\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext0 \sautoupd heading 2;}{
\s3\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\keepn\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \b\f1\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext0 \sautoupd heading 3;}{
\s4\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\keepn\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel3\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \b\f1\fs22\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext0 \sautoupd heading 4;}{
\s5\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel4\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \b\i\f1\fs22\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext0 \sautoupd heading 5;}{\*\cs10 \additive \ssemihidden 
Default Paragraph Font;}{\*\ts11\tsrowd\trftsWidthB3\trpaddl108\trpaddr108\trpaddfl3\trpaddft3\trpaddfb3\trpaddfr3\trcbpat1\trcfpat1\tscellwidthfts0\tsvertalt\tsbrdrt\tsbrdrl\tsbrdrb\tsbrdrr\tsbrdrdgl\tsbrdrdgr\tsbrdrh\tsbrdrv 
\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs20\lang1024\langfe1024\cgrid\langnp1024\langfenp1024 \snext11 \ssemihidden Normal Table;}{
\s15\ql \li0\ri0\sb100\sa100\sbauto1\saauto1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext15 \sautoupd Normal (Web);}{\*\cs16 \additive \i \sbasedon10 
Emphasis;}{\s17\qc \li0\ri0\sb100\sa100\sbauto1\saauto1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 \sbasedon15 \snext17 \sautoupd Centered;}}
{\*\latentstyles\lsdstimax156\lsdlockeddef0}{\*\listtable{\list\listtemplateid29539150\listsimple{\listlevel\levelnfc0\levelnfcn0\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\'02\'00.;}{\levelnumbers\'01;}
\fi-360\li1800\jclisttab\tx1800\lin1800 }{\listname ;}\listid-132}{\list\listtemplateid-1317086730\listsimple{\listlevel\levelnfc0\levelnfcn0\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\'02\'00.;}{\levelnumbers\'01;}
\fi-360\li1440\jclisttab\tx1440\lin1440 }{\listname ;}\listid-131}{\list\listtemplateid1155044462\listsimple{\listlevel\levelnfc0\levelnfcn0\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\'02\'00.;}{\levelnumbers\'01;}
\fi-360\li1080\jclisttab\tx1080\lin1080 }{\listname ;}\listid-130}{\list\listtemplateid1773824844\listsimple{\listlevel\levelnfc0\levelnfcn0\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\'02\'00.;}{\levelnumbers\'01;}
\fi-360\li720\jclisttab\tx720\lin720 }{\listname ;}\listid-129}{\list\listtemplateid-1114886164\listsimple{\listlevel\levelnfc23\levelnfcn23\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\'01\u-3913 ?;}{\levelnumbers;}
\f3\fbias0 \fi-360\li1800\jclisttab\tx1800\lin1800 }{\listname ;}\listid-128}{\list\listtemplateid-94998330\listsimple{\listlevel\levelnfc23\levelnfcn23\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext
\'01\u-3913 ?;}{\levelnumbers;}\f3\fbias0 \fi-360\li1440\jclisttab\tx1440\lin1440 }{\listname ;}\listid-127}{\list\listtemplateid219575700\listsimple{\listlevel\levelnfc23\levelnfcn23\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0
{\leveltext\'01\u-3913 ?;}{\levelnumbers;}\f3\fbias0 \fi-360\li1080\jclisttab\tx1080\lin1080 }{\listname ;}\listid-126}{\list\listtemplateid-1372437844\listsimple{\listlevel\levelnfc23\levelnfcn23\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0
\levelindent0{\leveltext\'01\u-3913 ?;}{\levelnumbers;}\f3\fbias0 \fi-360\li720\jclisttab\tx720\lin720 }{\listname ;}\listid-125}{\list\listtemplateid691962692\listsimple{\listlevel\levelnfc0\levelnfcn0\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1
\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\'02\'00.;}{\levelnumbers\'01;}\fi-360\li360\jclisttab\tx360\lin360 }{\listname ;}\listid-120}{\list\listtemplateid125986958\listsimple{\listlevel\levelnfc23\levelnfcn23\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1
\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\'01\u-3913 ?;}{\levelnumbers;}\f3\fbias0 \fi-360\li360\jclisttab\tx360\lin360 }{\listname ;}\listid-119}{\list\listtemplateid-1116671112\listhybrid{\listlevel\levelnfc23\levelnfcn23\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0
\levelstartat0\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid1109028194\'01-;}{\levelnumbers;}\loch\af36\hich\af36\dbch\af0\fbias0 \fi-360\li720\jclisttab\tx720\lin720 }{\listlevel\levelnfc23\levelnfcn23\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1
\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid67698691\'01o;}{\levelnumbers;}\f2\fbias0 \fi-360\li1440\jclisttab\tx1440\lin1440 }{\listlevel\levelnfc23\levelnfcn23\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext
\leveltemplateid67698693\'01\u-3929 ?;}{\levelnumbers;}\f10\fbias0 \fi-360\li2160\jclisttab\tx2160\lin2160 }{\listlevel\levelnfc23\levelnfcn23\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid67698689
\'01\u-3913 ?;}{\levelnumbers;}\f3\fbias0 \fi-360\li2880\jclisttab\tx2880\lin2880 }{\listlevel\levelnfc23\levelnfcn23\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid67698691\'01o;}{\levelnumbers;}
\f2\fbias0 \fi-360\li3600\jclisttab\tx3600\lin3600 }{\listlevel\levelnfc23\levelnfcn23\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid67698693\'01\u-3929 ?;}{\levelnumbers;}\f10\fbias0 \fi-360\li4320
\jclisttab\tx4320\lin4320 }{\listlevel\levelnfc23\levelnfcn23\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid67698689\'01\u-3913 ?;}{\levelnumbers;}\f3\fbias0 \fi-360\li5040\jclisttab\tx5040\lin5040 }
{\listlevel\levelnfc23\levelnfcn23\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid67698691\'01o;}{\levelnumbers;}\f2\fbias0 \fi-360\li5760\jclisttab\tx5760\lin5760 }{\listlevel\levelnfc23\levelnfcn23
\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid67698693\'01\u-3929 ?;}{\levelnumbers;}\f10\fbias0 \fi-360\li6480\jclisttab\tx6480\lin6480 }{\listname ;}\listid626861858}}{\*\listoverridetable
{\listoverride\listid-119\listoverridecount0\ls1}{\listoverride\listid-125\listoverridecount0\ls2}{\listoverride\listid-126\listoverridecount0\ls3}{\listoverride\listid-127\listoverridecount0\ls4}{\listoverride\listid-128\listoverridecount0\ls5}
{\listoverride\listid-120\listoverridecount0\ls6}{\listoverride\listid-129\listoverridecount0\ls7}{\listoverride\listid-130\listoverridecount0\ls8}{\listoverride\listid-131\listoverridecount0\ls9}{\listoverride\listid-132\listoverridecount0\ls10}
{\listoverride\listid626861858\listoverridecount0\ls11}}{\*\rsidtbl \rsid3812134\rsid6368355\rsid8193564\rsid8747988\rsid11292439}{\*\generator Microsoft Word 11.0.6359;}{\info{\title Equal Shares - Chapter 23}{\author steveh11}{\operator SteveH}
{\creatim\yr2006\mo11\dy1\min46}{\revtim\yr2006\mo11\dy1\min47}{\version3}{\edmins1}{\nofpages11}{\nofwords2607}{\nofchars14861}{\*\company -}{\nofcharsws17434}{\vern24703}}{\*\userprops {\propname Editor}\proptype30{\staticval Bob Hebert\'3b Just Jess}}
\widowctrl\ftnbj\aenddoc\noxlattoyen\expshrtn\noultrlspc\dntblnsbdb\nospaceforul\formshade\horzdoc\dgmargin\dghspace180\dgvspace180\dghorigin1701\dgvorigin1984\dghshow1\dgvshow1
\jexpand\viewkind4\viewscale100\pgbrdrhead\pgbrdrfoot\splytwnine\ftnlytwnine\htmautsp\nolnhtadjtbl\useltbaln\alntblind\lytcalctblwd\lyttblrtgr\lnbrkrule\nojkernpunct\rsidroot6368355 \fet0{\*\template 
C:\\Documents and Settings\\Steve Hamilton\\Application Data\\Microsoft\\Templates\\ES-DOT.dot}\sectd \linex0\endnhere\sectlinegrid360\sectdefaultcl\sftnbj {\*\pnseclvl1\pnucrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl2
\pnucltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl3\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl4\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl5\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl6
\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl7\pnlcrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl8\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl9\pnlcrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang 
{\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}\pard\plain \s1\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\keepn\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6368355 \b\f1\fs32\cf9\lang1033\langfe1033\kerning32\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid6368355 
{\*\bkmkstart _Toc148958752}Chapter 23{\*\bkmkend _Toc148958752}
\par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6368355 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid6368355 
\par \'93So, Stan, how did things go last night?\'94 asked Elizabeth on Tuesday morning.
\par 
\par \'93What\rquote s this, a progress report, Elizabeth?\'94 asked Stan with a grin. \'93I have to say, it\rquote s pleasant to be giving one instead of being the subject of one!\'94
\par 
\par Elizabeth looked slightly embarrassed, but pressed on, \'93Well\'85 How }{\cs16\i\insrsid6368355 did}{\insrsid6368355  things go?\'94
\par 
\par \'93Hmm. Things were a little tense in the car\'85Oh! You wouldn\rquote t know\'85 Anne asked if I minded giving Denise a lift there. Well\'85 No! Of course I didn\rquote t mind, and the two of them looked absolutely }{\cs16\i\insrsid6368355 amazing}{
\insrsid6368355 . But things were definitely }{\cs16\i\insrsid6368355\charrsid7566299 frosty }{\insrsid6368355 to start with last night, I can tell you.\'94
\par 
\par \'93Well, that\rquote s to be expected, Stan. But it was nice of Anne to make the gesture.\'94
\par 
\par \'93Yes. Well, things did get better. The dance class was good. Denise is really quite good at dancing. She\rquote s also got a date for Friday night.\'94
\par 
\par There was a flat quality to Stan\rquote s voice that Elizabeth noticed. She asked, with concern in her own tones, \'93What\rquote s wrong, Stan?\'94
\par 
\par \'93It\rquote s not what, it\rquote s }{\cs16\i\insrsid6368355 who}{\insrsid6368355 . The guy she\rquote s got the date with is a sleaze. I can imagine him in one of those old Noel Coward plays, in a smoking jacket, going from girl to girl. I don\rquote 
t trust him one bit. But, of course, }{\cs16\i\insrsid6368355 Denise}{\insrsid6368355  is delighted!\'94 he finished with disgust.
\par 
\par \'93Have you warned her of this?\'94
\par 
\par \'93First thing I did. She just made a beeline for him, regardless. What can I do?\'94
\par 
\par Elizabeth muttered something that Stan didn\rquote t catch. Then aloud, she told him \'93I\rquote ll have a word and see how she feels about the guy. What\rquote s his name?\'94
\par 
\par \'93Tom.\'94
\par 
\par \'93All right, Stan. I\rquote ll speak to her.\'94
\par 
\par }\pard\plain \s17\qc \li0\ri0\sb100\sa100\sbauto1\saauto1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6368355 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid6368355 - - - - - - - - - -
\par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6368355 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid6368355 
\par Sure enough, Elizabeth and Denise ate together at lunch, again.
\par 
\par \'93I hear you have a date on Friday, Denise?\'94 asked Elizabeth.
\par 
\par \'93Yes, I have! Stan\rquote s been interrogated, I assume?\'94 Denise answered, with a raised eyebrow.
\par 
\par \'93Yes, I may have asked him about last night, now you mention it!\'94 Elizabeth laughed. \'93Don\rquote t dodge the question!\'94
\par 
\par \'93All right, Elizabeth. Yes, I have a date on Friday. His name\rquote s Tom, he was at the class last night, he\rquote s a charmer. We\rquote re going out to dinner.\'94
\par 
\par \'93What\rquote s he like?\'94
\par 
\par \'93Oh, he\rquote s about an inch taller than me, thick, dark, wavy hair, slight accent \endash  Irish maybe? \endash  and smartly dressed. Oh, his hands go everywhere I\rquote m not supposed to let them, and I had to stop that a couple of times, but he
\rquote s basically harmless.\'94
\par 
\par \'93So, is this just a date for fun, or with something more in mind?\'94
\par 
\par \'93Oh, it\rquote s just fun, plus I get to see if I can make Stan squirm a little.\'94
\par 
\par Elizabeth thought for a moment.
\par 
\par \'93Denise, you won\rquote t make Stan jealous, you know.\'94
\par 
\par \'93No, probably not. But shaking my booty in front of him, and especially with Tom, seemed to get his attention. I just want to have a little fun, and if I can tweak Stan\rquote s nose a tiny bit, well, that\rquote s a bonus.\'94
\par 
\par }\pard\plain \s17\qc \li0\ri0\sb100\sa100\sbauto1\saauto1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6368355 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid6368355 - - - - - - - - - -
\par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6368355 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid6368355 
\par Anne, on the other hand, had lunch with Stan. Today was much better than Friday had been.
\par 
\par They chatted about the weekend in general and then the subject moved on to James.
\par 
\par \'93I wonder what little scheme he has up his sleeve?\'94 pondered Anne. \'93I knew him fairly well, but not }{\cs16\i\insrsid6368355 that}{\insrsid6368355  well, so I don\rquote t think I can guess at all. He\rquote s a material
s physicist by training, a teacher by inclination. He knows an awful lot of people. Ah well, it might just be a new Golf Club or something for all }{\cs16\i\insrsid6368355 I}{\insrsid6368355  know.\'94
\par 
\par Anne changed the subject.
\par 
\par \'93Seen anything of Denise this morning?\'94
\par 
\par \'93No, not yet,\'94 answered Stan. \'93I\rquote ve got to see her this afternoon for a minute or two, though.\'94
\par 
\par \'93She certainly moves fast once her mind\rquote s made up, doesn\rquote t she?\'94 remarked the blonde.
\par 
\par \'93She\rquote s a grown woman. Not for me to judge.\'94 Stan replied.
\par 
\par \'93Oh, come }{\cs16\i\insrsid6368355 on}{\insrsid6368355 . She }{\cs16\i\insrsid6368355 threw}{\insrsid6368355  herself at that Tom. I hope she enjoys what she gets from him. I know you warned her, Stan, so she can\rquote t say she didn\rquote t know.
\'94
\par 
\par Stan felt uncomfortable.
\par 
\par \'93Well, Anne, it\rquote s her choice. But I don\rquote t think it\rquote s a good one, no. It\rquote s not my place to interfere, though is it?\'94
\par 
\par \'93No, Stan, it\rquote s not.\'94
\par 
\par }\pard\plain \s17\qc \li0\ri0\sb100\sa100\sbauto1\saauto1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6368355 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid6368355 - - - - - - - - - -
\par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6368355 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid6368355 
\par The next day, Stan asked Anne if she fancied a drink down at the }{\cs16\i\insrsid6368355 Mitre}{\insrsid6368355  in the evening. \'93It became almost a habit, and I enjoyed it. I miss it, a bit,\'94 he told her.
\par 
\par \'93Sounds like a good idea, but I can\rquote t drink. I have to be on form first thing in the morning \endash  there\rquote s that meeting with Sales about follow-up work on the chip first thing in the morning.\'94
\par 
\par \'93That\rquote s okay, you can drive!\'94 Stan answered with a sly grin. Anne glared at him, but then leaned over and gave him a kiss. \'93I love you, but you\rquote re a pig, you know? I have a better idea. We can }{\cs16\i\insrsid6368355 cycle}{
\insrsid6368355 , then you can get some exercise to help work off the calories in those drinks.\'94
\par 
\par Inwardly, Stan groaned, but all he said was, \'93I have a better way of working off the calories\'85\'94
\par 
\par \'93Well if you drank too much you\rquote d miss out on }{\cs16\i\insrsid6368355 that}{\insrsid6368355 , too. So you see what a good idea I had?\'94 Anne told him, smiling.
\par 
\par \'93I cannot deny the faultless logic of your argument.\'94
\par 
\par \'93See? \lquote Berkeley is always right. I will listen to Berkeley!\rquote  \'94 the taller blonde told him, with a smirk.
\par 
\par \'93That\rquote s the wrong SciFi show!\'94 Stan told her in disgust, but he had to grin, as well.
\par 
\par }\pard\plain \s17\qc \li0\ri0\sb100\sa100\sbauto1\saauto1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6368355 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid6368355 - - - - - - - - - -
\par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6368355 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid6368355 
\par Later that evening Stan and Anne chained up their cycles outside the }{\cs16\i\insrsid6368355 Mitre}{\insrsid6368355 . Stan was still grumbling, but was keeping it quiet \endash  besides, in his heart of hearts he knew Anne }{\cs16\i\insrsid6368355 was}{
\insrsid6368355  right.
\par 
\par They walked in and found the place was quieter than normal. Stan asked the barman about this, and was told \'93Oh, it happens sometimes. You just never know,\'94 as he bought the half pint of beer for him and an orange juice and lemonade for Anne.
\par 
\par They weren\rquote t alone long, though. Susan and Elaine came in, spotted Stan and Anne, and came over to sit.
\par 
\par \'93You\rquote re a little early aren\rquote t you?\'94 asked Susan as she sat next to Anne, on the opposite side to Stan.
\par 
\par \'93No, not really, it just seems that way,\'94 replied Anne. \'93Stan asked the barman, apparently it\rquote s a slow week. It happens sometimes, he said.\'94
\par 
\par Elaine had overheard. \'93Yes, sometimes it can be really, really quiet in here, then another time it\rquote ll be really heaving. There doesn\rquote t seem to be rhyme or reason to it, it just works out that way.\'94
\par 
\par She sat next to her partner, handing over her drink.
\par 
\par The four of them sat and chatted together for a while. Stan noticed Elaine pouring the last of Susan\rquote s bottle of cider into her glass, and got up to buy a round of drinks for them all, intending to have a mineral water for himself this time.
\par 
\par \'93Is this seat taken?\'94
\par 
\par Stan looked up to see Denise. He was surprised, but pleased to see her there with a smile on her face and indicating a fifth chair at an adjacent unused table. \'93Hi Denise. Pull one up. Want a drink?\'94
\par 
\par \'93Gin and tonic, please \endash  I\rquote m not driving!\'94
\par 
\par When Stan came back to the table he found Denise sitting at the end of the table opposite Anne, and next to Elaine. \'93You need to be able to get back in,\'94 she told Stan when he looked at her, quizzically, so he slid back into his seat next to Anne.

\par 
\par Elaine was snuggled in close to Susan, who was telling off-colour jokes.
\par 
\par \'93Here\rquote s one we can all relate to. Little Johnny and his two friends are sitting on the front porch one day. 
\par \line \'94The first one says, "My Daddy is so cool he can eat four burgers at one meal." \line \line \'94The second one says, "That's nothing. My Daddy can eat six." \line \line \'94Little Jonny starts laughing and says, "My Daddy can eat light bulbs."
\line \line \'94The other two boys tell Jonny that he is out of his mind. They ask him why he thinks His daddy can eat light bulbs.\line \line \'94
Little Jonny replies, "Last night I was passing my parents room and my Daddy said, 'Honey, turn out that light. I want to eat that thing.'"\'94
\par 
\par Everyone laughed, and Elaine gave Susan a kiss. Susan visibly preened.
\par 
\par Anne complimented Denise on her look. \'93That beautiful green top looks great with your hair, Denise. You really look attractive tonight. If I wasn\rquote t straight, I could be tempted.\'94
\par 
\par Susan gave Anne a }{\cs16\i\insrsid6368355 loooong}{\insrsid6368355  look. Elaine noticed, grinned, and told Anne, \'93If you weren\rquote t straight, I think I\rquote d have a rival!\'94
\par 
\par Susan smirked and told Elaine, \'93Well, }{\cs16\i\insrsid6368355 I\rquote m}{\insrsid6368355  allowed to look too, aren\rquote t I?\'94
\par 
\par \'93Yeah, provided you pay attention to me \endash  that\rquote s the agreement, I have to pay more attention to you, then you don\rquote t get as jealous when I look \endash  so it works the other way around. Did I mention that I love you, Susan?\'94 

\par 
\par The two women smiled at each other, then Elaine looked at Denise. \'93I hear you\rquote ve got yourself someone new?\'94
\par 
\par \'93Yeah, I\rquote m seeing him on Friday. He\rquote s taking me to dinner.\'94
\par 
\par \'93Ooh, a traditional date! Are you going to let him woo you, Denny?\'94 Elaine teased.
\par 
\par \'93Oh, you be quiet, or I\rquote ll start telling stories of my own, Laney!\'94 Denise answered with a grin. Elaine smiled back, and then looked at Susan. Susan nodded slightly, so Elaine reached over to Denise, grabbed her head and gave her a kiss.

\par 
\par \'93I guess that\rquote s no longer a secret at all, then!\'94 Denise laughed when they broke. Elaine turned back to Susan and gave her a hug.
\par 
\par Susan smiled at Denise. \'93We\rquote ve talked a lot these past few days and nights. I was hurting us by being possessive. Elaine was hurting us by not paying me enough attention, or so it seemed to me. So we talked, 
and it turned out that there simply wasn\rquote t enough time in the }{\cs16\i\insrsid6368355 day}{\insrsid6368355  for Elaine to give me, according to me, but on the other hand each of us felt as madly for the other\'85 \'94
\par 
\par \'93Yes, and Susan now sees that there\rquote s only so much time and attention, and I need }{\cs16\i\insrsid6368355 some}{\insrsid6368355  time to myself. I\rquote ve managed to convince her that even if I look at another girl, I\rquote m }{
\cs16\i\insrsid6368355 her}{\insrsid6368355  girlfriend so we\rquote re both a bit more relaxed about our relationship,\'94 completed Elaine.
\par 
\par \'93So does that mean I can call, and talk to Laney without having to worry about the two of you?\'94 asked Denise of Susan.
\par 
\par \'93Yes. If you need to talk, just holler!\'94 smiled Susan. Elaine gave Susan a peck on the cheek, and Denise }{\cs16\i\insrsid6368355 beamed}{\insrsid6368355 .
\par 
\par Susan looked back at Anne. \'93Are you }{\cs16\i\insrsid6368355 sure}{\insrsid6368355  you\rquote re completely straight?\'94
\par 
\par \'93Yes, I\rquote m afraid so,\'94 Anne told her.
\par  
\par }\pard\plain \s17\qc \li0\ri0\sb100\sa100\sbauto1\saauto1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6368355 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid6368355 - - - - - - - - - -
\par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6368355 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid6368355 
\par That Friday night, Anne and Stan went out for a meal together. Anne had booked a table for two at the same Indian restaurant that Stan had been to with Denise. 
\par 
\par As they sat down to eat Stan remarked on this.
\par 
\par \'93Well, after all, we couldn\rquote t go to }{\cs16\i\insrsid6368355 Tennant\rquote s}{\insrsid6368355 , could we, Stan?\'94
\par 
\par \'93No, not really. I think Denise might object \endash  and in truth, I think I\rquote d object, too. I can\rquote t stand the thought of Tom hurting her, and I\rquote m convinced that\rquote s what\rquote ll happen.\'94
\par 
\par \'93I thought you didn\rquote t get jealous, Stan?\'94 asked Anne, curiously.
\par 
\par \'93Not jealous. Not possessive, either. I guess\'85 }{\cs16\i\insrsid6368355 protective.}{\insrsid6368355  I just don\rquote t like the thought of Denise being hurt }{\cs16\i\insrsid6368355 again}{\insrsid6368355 . She\rquote 
s been through a lot, what with Jim in Ibiza, then coming home to you and me.\'94
\par 
\par Anne and Stan studied their menus for a minute.
\par 
\par \'93You think a lot of her, don\rquote t you, Stan.\'94 It wasn\rquote t a question, it was a simple flat statement.
\par 
\par Stan looked at Anne over the top of his menu. Anne was wearing a black silk top, with gold threads picking out an oriental design. With her hair tied back, she looked severe but beautiful. Stan felt himself in a minefield again.
\par 
\par \'93Yes, Anne, I do, as a very good friend would. I thought you\rquote d got over the jealousy thing?\'94
\par 
\par \'93No, I told you that it would take time. Time to build up trust, time to let feelings settle. I think you instinctively trust more easily than I do, Stan, possibly because the trust you feel has never been broken with 
the shards of it raked across your skin. }{\cs16\i\insrsid6368355\charrsid7566299 I have!}{\insrsid6368355  It\rquote s taking time for me to let go of the feelings left from that experience.\'94
\par 
\par \'93}{\cs16\i\insrsid6368355 Ouch!}{\insrsid6368355  I felt that. Still that bad, huh?\'94
\par 
\par \'93Well, yes. But it\rquote s better than it\rquote s ever been Stan. I do trust you not to deliberately hurt me physically, and now I\rquote m sure you don\rquote t intend to hurt me emotionally, but there\rquote s a part of me that still says, \lquote 
He might not mean to do it, but that doesn\rquote t mean it won\rquote t happen.\rquote  So you see I\rquote m still a little sensitive about it.\'94
\par 
\par Stan reached over and took Anne\rquote s hand.
\par 
\par \'93Sweetheart, I\rquote m in love with you. Completely, utterly, totally. I promise you, I }{\cs16\i\insrsid6368355 won\rquote t}{\insrsid6368355  hurt you.\'94
\par 
\par Anne gripped his hand, hard. \'93I believe that\rquote s what you mean, Stan. But you might not be able to help it. Things happen. I need\'85 time, Stan.\'94
\par 
\par \'93You\rquote ll get it, Anne. I\rquote m not going anywhere, you know.\'94
\par 
\par }\pard\plain \s17\qc \li0\ri0\sb100\sa100\sbauto1\saauto1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6368355 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid6368355 - - - - - - - - - -
\par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6368355 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid6368355 
\par Stan was quiet that night. Anne noticed.
\par 
\par \'93Stan, what\rquote s wrong?\'94 she asked him as they got ready for bed.
\par 
\par \'93Nothing sweetheart, nothing. I\rquote m just tired, that\rquote s all. Let\rquote s get to bed, and I can cuddle you, and we can sleep.\'94
\par 
\par They both slept nude. Anne reached for him, and Stan cuddled her, but there was still a distance between them. Anne rolled over, and they spooned for a while, then Stan moved back a bit to run his hand down her back.
\par 
\par Stan stroked her back, absently, almost mechanically. His mind was elsewhere. \lquote What more can I do to make you realize that I won\rquote t, can\rquote t hurt you?\rquote  he wondered while Anne made purring noises as his hands moved slowly and
 softly across her skin.
\par 
\par \'93Ooh, you can keep }{\cs16\i\insrsid6368355 that}{\insrsid6368355  up,\'94 she told him, relaxing even more as he moved just his fingertips gently up and down her back.
\par 
\par \'93That\rquote s all right Anne, I\rquote ll do this as long as you want me to,\'94 he answered, bringing his mind back to wh
at he was doing. With featherlike touch he moved his fingers up and down, then in circles, then spirals in and out, all over from the small of her back right up to the nape of her neck.
\par 
\par As he moved his hands back down to start again Anne arched, groaning softly and throatily. She rolled over and told him, \'93I thought you wanted to go to sleep, Stan? Well you\rquote ve turned me on, so now I want something\'85\'94
\par 
\par Anne kissed him, almost attacking him, tongue-duelling with him for territorial possession, almost crushing his lips. Stan gasped a little as she lifted up and off him for a moment.
\par 
\par She gave him a slightly feral smile as she moved over and down, taking him in her hand, stroking. Stan was mentally tired but still reacted physically, and Anne purred again as he stiffened in
 her grasp. Stan felt the wetness of her tongue as she bent her head and licked the head like a lollipop, around and around, before she plunged her head down to lick at the base, then ran her tongue up slowly, agonisingly slowly towards the tip again.

\par 
\par She did it again, then a third time, before Stan felt her hot mouth surround him, moving slowly down over his penis, hand gripping him before she started to bob up and down.
\par 
\par \'93Anne, I can\rquote t take much of that, you know!\'94 he gasped. Anne didn\rquote t answer, and didn\rquote 
t stop. She did slow down a fraction however, taking her head off his penis for a moment to look back up at him with that devastating smile of hers, before beginning again.
\par 
\par Stan let his head fall back onto the pillow, simply enjoying the sensations for a moment. He lifted up again to see the blonde hair moving back and forth, as she fellated him, obviously loving every second.
\par 
\par Stan pulled at her hips and Anne shifted, straddling his face so they were in a sixty-nine with her on top. Anne had to bend her back a little, but now Stan was able to return the favour.
\par 
\par Stan had }{\cs16\i\insrsid6368355 always}{\insrsid6368355  enjoyed this. He loved the perfume, the taste and the texture, and he licked Anne slowly from the base of her labia towards the hidden treasure of her clit.
\par 
\par Anne was still licking, sucking, 
jacking at his penis. Stan was running his tongue in the crease between her inner and outer labia, first one side, then the other, running figure-eights, sometime lifting his head just that bit further so he could dip his tongue right inside her. But Stan
 was right, he wasn\rquote t going to last long, and within a short while he felt himself about to come. \'93Anne!\'94 he warned her, and Anne moaned around him, sending him flying over the edge.
\par 
\par Stan came, strongly, into the mouth of his lover. His hips bucked up as h
e tried, involuntarily, to jam more of himself into her mouth, but Anne had her hand in place to prevent that, and she rode his movements, sucking and swallowing. Finally spent, Stan relaxed a moment. Then after his vision cleared, he lifted his head and 
began, once again, to play the beautiful pussy in front of him with his mouth.
\par 
\par Anne squeaked as he began again. Her juices were running freely, and Stan wormed a digit inside her, crooking to find her G-spot. Anne was soon making small, jerking movements o
f her hips, unable to hold still, moaning, while Stan played her like an instrument. Finally she squealed, jamming herself down onto his face, almost crushing his nose.
\par 
\par Anne collapsed onto him, falling forwards slightly. Both took a moment to catch their breath.
\par 
\par Finally she rolled off him and scooted back up to kiss him. The kiss was loving and passionate but less needful than before.
\par 
\par Anne laid her head on his shoulder and they just lay there and cuddled for a while. Finally she spoke.
\par 
\par \'93Stan, I want you to know that I love you,\'94 she told him, \'93You never need worry about that. I disappointed you earlier tonight, I think. What I said was true but I need you to know that I would never stop loving you no matter what. We\rquote 
ve both been given second chances. I\rquote ll not spoil that.\'94
\par 
\par \'93Oh, Anne. I know that. I trust you, completely. I }{\cs16\i\insrsid6368355 know}{\insrsid6368355  that you love me. Deep inside, I know it. I\rquote 
ll not hurt you, or stop loving you, and I think that you know that but are afraid of really letting yourself go enough to believe it. But you will.\'94
\par 
\par He kissed her nose as she lifted her head up to look at him. \'93Thank you my darling,\'94 he told her. \'93Thank you for what we\rquote ve just done, and for loving me, and for just being in my life.\'94
\par 
\par \'93The same right back to you, Stan,\'94 she told him, before they fell silent once more. 
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\pnrauth1\pnrdate1185610838\pnrnot1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6368355 {\insrsid6368355 They fell asleep, with her head still on his shoulder.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6368355 {\insrsid6368355 
\par }\pard\plain \s17\qc \li0\ri0\sb100\sa100\sbauto1\saauto1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6368355 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid6368355 - - - - - - - - - -
\par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8193564 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid11292439\charrsid8193564 
\par }}