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\par Eventually, Stan and Denise were both informed that they would be able to leave The Firm at the end of the first week in April. Their final weeks flew by in a rush as they tasked themselves to tidy up their projects and hand them over to others
. Stan thought it significant that no thought was given to hiring replacements.
\par 
\par As the time for their departure grew closer, Stan and Denise gave thought to saying goodbye to people. Denise wasn\rquote t looking forward to saying it to Elaine, and Stan had no idea at all how to approach the subject with Elizabeth.
\par 
\par Anne, meantime, had now completed most of the hardware design for the project, and was beginning on the embedded firmware that would turn it from an interesting concept into a product. She still had mo
re work than she could easily deal with, but now at least some of it could be done at home. This allowed her, with Sid and Ken\rquote 
s approval, to reduce her commute from six days a week to four, with the other two days spent at home. Anne being Anne, of course, she simply ploughed the recovered hours back into her work. Privately, Stan thought that her bosses \endash  soon to be }{
\cs25\i his}{ bosses \endash  had anticipated that, which contributed to their agreement.
\par 
\par His thoughts were increasingly along the lines of \lquote What have I }{\cs25\i done}{?\rquote 
 He was beset by doubt over his decision to quit The Firm. One night, lying next to Anne in the darkness, he was feeling so unsure that he was tempted to ask if he could rescind his resignation. It was largely the sense of shame that he would feel as a r
esult that deterred him from doing that, along with a good dose of in-the-morning realism.
\par 
\par It was Elizabeth he talked to about it that morning.
\par 
\par \'93It\rquote s just nerves, Stan. You\rquote ve always been resistant to change, and this is a big one. Mind you, I thought you\rquote d become more amenable to change, given what\rquote s happened in the last year.\'94
\par 
\par Stan couldn\rquote t help but smile as he mused. \'93Yes, I suppose I should be\'85 but this seems\'85 different.\'94
\par 
\par \'93You made the right decision, Stan. We\rquote ve both said that this isn\rquote t the nice, small, friendly firm we used to enjoy working at. Leave now, with a good chance of success in your new job. Don\rquote 
t hang around, hoping for things to get better.\'94
\par 
\par Elizabeth looked far away for a moment, and then returned her gaze to Stan.
\par 
\par \'93I told Bob this morning, now I\rquote ll tell you. I\rquote m going to retire at the end of May.\'94
\par 
\par \'93That\rquote s wonderful, Elizabeth!\'94 Stan blurted, but then he let the implications of the news settle in. \'93That }{\cs25\i is}{ wonderful, Elizabeth. But I feel sorry for Bob, he must wonder what he\rquote s done.\'94
\par 
\par \'93Actually, he was very gracious about it. I think he\rquote s looking forward to breaking in a younger assistant. Probably one with better legs!\'94
\par 
\par Elaine would be staying. As she told Denise, \'93I still enjoy working here, and it\rquote s handy for home, and Susan. Jobs with those advantages don\rquote t grow on trees, so I\rquote ll stay.\'94
\par 
\par }\pard\plain \s41\qc \li0\ri0\sb100\sa100\sbauto1\saauto1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \f27\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {- - - - - - - - - -
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\par The next news that Stan got was expected, but very pleasing. A few days later he walked into work as usual, said hello to Elaine, walked into his office and sorted himself out. Once he was settled, Elizabeth leant forward over the desks between them.

\par 
\par \'93I have some news,\'94 she said.
\par 
\par \'93Oh?\'94 was Stan\rquote s reply, as he pulled himself away from his morning emails.
\par 
\par \'93You remember I told you James and I were going to be going on a cruise around the Mediterranean this summer?\'94
\par 
\par \'93Yes, you said. It\rquote s not off, is it?\'94
\par 
\par \'93No, it\rquote s definitely on. It\rquote s going to become a honeymoon cruise. I\rquote m marrying James,\'94 Elizabeth said.
\par 
\par Stan }{\cs25\i beamed}{. \'93Oh, good, we get another wedding to go to!\'94 he said.
\par \'93When did he get up the gumption to propose?\'94
\par 
\par \'93Oh, he hasn\rquote t yet, but he will, he will. He just needs a little more gentle prodding, and assuring that he won\rquote t be turned down. I know what I\rquote m doing,\'94 she giggled. Stan was amazed. Elizabeth, turned into a gigg
ling schoolgirl?
\par 
\par \'93You don\rquote t think it\rquote s wrong, me getting married at my age, do you?\'94 Elizabeth asked him, a slight worry frown on her face.
\par 
\par \'93Of course not.\'94
\par 
\par \'93I just don\rquote t want to seem silly, marrying at my age. But James has been wonderful to me, and attentive, and it\rquote s just a case of making sure that he knows that when he asks, I\rquote ll say \lquote Yes\rquote 
. I never expected to get married again after George died. James makes me happy when I\rquote m with him, he\rquote s a good companion.\'94 Elizabeth leaned towards Stan, and in an exaggerated whisper told him, \'93He\rquote s good in bed, too!\'94
\par 
\par Stan laughed, got up and went around to Elizabeth\rquote s side of the desk. Pulling the older woman to her feet, he kissed her briefly and then stepped back a little, before saying, \'93You\rquote ll never change, Elizabeth. Thankfully! I\rquote m }{
\cs25\i so}{ pleased for you, and I\rquote m sure Denise and Anne will be, too. When\rquote s the cruise? How long has he got?\'94
\par 
\par \'93The cruise is at the beginning of August, so we\rquote ll get married just before we leave. It\rquote ll be just a quiet one. I want you and your two girls to come, of course.\'94
\par 
\par \'93Assuming he does ask, Elizabeth. There\rquote s no guarantee he will.\'94
\par 
\par \'93He will, Stan. If he doesn\rquote t, then }{\cs25\i I\rquote ll}{ ask }{\cs25\i him!}{\'94
\par 
\par Stan laughed and hugged Elizabeth to him.
\par 
\par \'93We\rquote ll be there, Elizabeth. Now, pop along and fix your makeup so we can get back to finishing up our time here!\'94
\par 
\par }\pard\plain \s41\qc \li0\ri0\sb100\sa100\sbauto1\saauto1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \f27\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {- - - - - - - - - -
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\par Too soon in some ways, it was the last day. Stan\rquote s first news wasn\rquote t about him, though.
\par 
\par Elizabeth waited for him to settle at his desk as usual. Then she showed him her left hand.
\par 
\par There was a new ring on there. An engagement ring.
\par 
\par Stan looked up, smiling. \'93Congratulations! When did he pop the question, Elizabeth?\'94
\par 
\par \'93Last night, over dinner. It was very romantic, down on one knee and everything. I told him that at least he didn\rquote t have to ask my father first.\'94
\par 
\par \'93It\rquote s really, really lovely, Elizabeth. So now it certainly will be a honeymoon cruise. You\rquote ll have to let the cruise company know.\'94
\par 
\par \'93I\rquote m phoning them this afternoon, Stan. Among a number of other calls I have to make. Don\rquote t forget! You\rquote ll be getting an invite, of course.\'94
\par 
\par \'93How could I forget? Many congratulations, Elizabeth.\'94
\par 
\par }\pard\plain \s41\qc \li0\ri0\sb100\sa100\sbauto1\saauto1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \f27\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {- - - - - - - - - -
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\par Both Stan and Denise knew there\rquote d be the usual collection and presentations, but what Stan wasn\rquote t prepared for was being asked to come into Jon\rquote 
s office late that morning. Denise was there, and so was Bob. Jon indicated to Stan that he should sit next to Denise, then cleared his throat and began.
\par 
\par \'93Stan, let\rquote s not pretend that there\rquote ll be a surprise, you know what happens as well as I do. There\rquote s a presentation this afternoon at three. The twist this time is, we\rquote 
ll be making the presentation to both of you at the same time.\'94
\par 
\par \'93Everyone knows that you\rquote re an item, you pair,\'94 Bob continued, perched on the corner of Jon\rquote s desk. \'93You\rquote 
re leaving together to start work at the same firm together, so we thought it made sense to make the presentations at the same time.\'94
\par 
\par \'93So we\rquote ll want you both there, in the canteen, at three. You can spend the time between now and then sorting out your \lquote thank you\rquote  speeches,\'94 Jon finished with a slight smirk.
\par 
\par Stan looked at Denise, who looked back at him through her excited grey eyes.
\par 
\par \'93I think we can handle that, Jon, Bob. Thanks!\'94
\par 
\par So, that afternoon, Stan and Denise stood at the front of the canteen with Bob and Jon, while just about everyone who could be there piled in to see them get their going away gifts.
\par 
\par Bob leaned to Stan and quietly asked, \'93Ladies first?\'94 Stan nodded and murmured, \'93Yes, certainly.\'94
\par 
\par Bob stepped forward slightly, and cleared his throat, calling the room to order.
\par 
\par \'93As you all know, Denise and Stan are leaving us today. As they\rquote re both joining the same company outside here, we thought it fitting to do both presentations together. Jon, if you would, please?\'94
\par 
\par Jon took over. \'93Denise has been with us for several years now, and has always been one of the, er, }{\cs25\i sunnier}{ people it\rquote s been my pleasure to work with. Well, provided she wasn\rquote t annoyed with }{\cs25\i me}{, anyway.\'94
 There was a ripple of polite laughter, less polite and more edgy from those who\rquote d felt the raw edge of Denise\rquote s tongue.
\par 
\par \'93It\rquote s been a great pleasure to work with her and I\rquote m really annoyed with Stan for helping to entice her away.\'94 (More polite laughter.)
\par 
\par \'93We\rquote ll be sorry to see her go, but I\rquote m sure she\rquote ll have success in her new venture.\'94 He turned to Denise. \'93As always, your colleagues have had a collection and have bought you a leaving present and a card.\'94
\par 
\par He handed over a small box wrapped in some fancy blue metallic paper and a large card. Denise set the card down on the canteen counter for the moment, and opened the box.
\par 
\par Inside was a small ceramic figurine of a dancer, with golden red hair and wearing a long red flowing dress. The box was labelled \'93}{Giuseppe Armani\'94 and \'93I Could Have Danced All Night\'94. Denise took a look at it and burst into tears, it was }{
\cs25\i so}{ beautiful, and so }{\cs25\i right}{ for her. She managed to sob out a \'93Thank you, everyone!\'94
\par 
\par She pulled Stan to her and buried her face against his chest. Stan said, \'93I think she likes it, folks. Thanks, thanks very much.\'94 His own thro
at felt like there was something blocking it. The figurine was truly stunning, their co-workers and friends had gone to considerable trouble and expense to find something like that for her.
\par 
\par Bob said, \'93While Denise is recovering herself, let\rquote s do the honours for Stan, then.\'94
\par 
\par \'93Stan joined us just under twenty years ago. He\rquote s one of those people that }{\cs25\i everyone}{ in The Firm knows, and I think everyone likes. He\rquote 
s been with us through good and bad times, and through his own personal trials and tribulations, such
 as the sad loss of his wife just over a year and a half ago. Some of you may know that it was Denise, here, who helped to pull him out of that, and she did it by persuading him to take dance lessons, lessons which she, herself, later joined. Hence the pr
esent! But for you, Stan, we have something a little different.\'94
\par 
\par He presented Stan with his card, and another box of about the same size. Stan ripped the paper off it and then carefully opened the plain box.
\par 
\par Inside was a diorama style figurine of a skeleton sitting at a computer desk. The screen displayed \'93Surfed too long\'94.
\par 
\par Stan burst out laughing. \'93It seems impossible to get rid of a reputation,\'94 he told the assembled host, \'93though I haven\rquote t pulled an all-nighter playing games on the PC for a couple of years. Thank you, everyone.\'94
\par 
\par }{One of the canteen ladies, smiling, laid another box on the counter, and Bob handed it to him, smiling broadly. \'93Here\rquote s your }{\cs25\i real}{ present from us all, Stan.\'94
\par 
\par }{\cs25\i This}{ box contained the full boxed set of the series \'93Angel\'94 on DVD. Stan was delighted, and told the crowd, \'93Thanks! Thank you very, very much.\'94
\par 
\par He went on, \'93It\rquote s customary to say a few words at a time like this. Despite having quite a long time to think of them, I never really }{\cs25\i did}{, so this is on the fly.\'94
\par 
\par \'93First off, on behalf of myself and Denise, I\rquote d like to thank everyone for the lovely presents. They\rquote re really very thoughtful and we\rquote re both very touched. I\rquote ve enjoyed my time working here; you\rquote 
ve all been good to work with and I\rquote ve made some lasting friends. But sometimes there comes along an opportunity that you simply can\rquote t ignore, and that\rquote s what\rquote 
s happened. I thought about it for a long time, too long according to some,\'94 and now he looked directly at Denise, who had straightened and backed away from him a little, giving him room, \'93and I\rquote 
ve even had some qualms after handing in my resignation, but in the end I think this is something I }{\cs25\i have}{ to do. So thank you all, for everything, and I hope we\rquote ll meet again at some point.\'94
\par 
\par There was a ripple of applause as Stan stepped back to the counter. Then Denise stepped forward.
\par 
\par \'93Stan\rquote s said most of it for both of us. We\rquote ll both be around to say goodbye personally, don\rquote t worry. The figurine is simply }{\cs25\i gorgeous}{, and I\rquote ll treasure it. Thanks from me, as well!\'94
\par 
\par Denise and Stan did, indeed walk around The Firm together, saying goodbye to friends and colleagues. But there were two very special goodbyes.
\par 
\par First they went to see Elizabeth. Denise hugged the older woman and whispered, \'93Thank you so very much!\'94 to her. Elizabeth pecked her on the cheek and told her, \'93Don\rquote t be a stranger!\'94
\par 
\par Then Stan went to her. He hugged her closely, and felt tears welling. Still hugging her, he said softly into her ear, \'93Thank you so much for being my friend, and for helping me when I didn\rquote t even realize I needed the help. I don\rquote 
t know what I\rquote d have done without you, Elizabeth.\'94
\par 
\par She patted him on the shoulder and he pulled away. Elizabeth dabbed at her own cheeks, and then told him, \'93Silly man. I\rquote m used to looking after my gentlemen, Stan. Now look what you\rquote ve done, you\rquote ve made me all emotional. I\rquote 
ll be seeing you soon at the wedding, so it\rquote s not like it\rquote s goodbye.\'94
\par 
\par \'93I\rquote ll keep in touch, Elizabeth.\'94 Unlike most such pronouncements he knew that this was one that was true.
\par 
\par Finally, on their way out, they saw Elaine.
\par 
\par This time Stan went first, giving the pretty blonde a hug and surprising her with a firm kiss as well. \'93I\rquote m going to miss you, Elaine,\'94 he told her. \'93
You have no idea how lovely it is to walk into work each morning to that dazzling smile. Being invited to your wedding was a true honour. You\rquote re a true friend, Elaine, in all the senses that phrase can take. Please don\rquote 
t be a stranger. I have your mobile number, and I\rquote m sure Denise has that and your home number as well. We\rquote ll be in touch.\'94
\par 
\par He released her, and stepped away as Denise took her much loved friend into her arms and kissed her on the cheek. It wasn\rquote t a lover\rquote s kiss, but it was much more than just a friendly peck. \'93I love you, Laney,\'94 she told her, \'93I
\rquote ll always love you, as one of my closest friends. You\rquote ve got our numbers too?\'94 Elaine nodded, and Denise went on, \'93Suze is really lucky, you know? Because I\rquote ve got Stan, and Anne loves me too, in her way, and that means I
\rquote m not going to be pining over my lost loves. I\rquote m sorry things never quite worked out between us, either time. I\rquote m just }{\cs25\i so}{ glad we\rquote re still friends.\'94
\par 
\par \'93I told you before, Denny. }{\lang2057\langfe2057\langfenp2057 The love of my life is Susan, but you\rquote ll always have a place in my heart too. Remember that.\'94
\par 
\par It was obvious that Denise was struggling to find something more to say, something to delay the inevitable, but just then one of the engineers came through, called out, \'93Night! Oh, bye Stan, bye Denise. Best of luck!\'94
 The moment had been broken, and Stan led a slightly shaky Denise out of the door and towards her car.
\par 
\par As she drove out of the gate, Stan looked back over his shoulder. Twenty years was a long time, and even though only the last five had been at this site, he had a lot of affection for the place. But it }{\cs25\i wasn\rquote t}{
\lang2057\langfe2057\langfenp2057  the same as it used to be, and now he had to turn his attention to the challenge of the future.
\par 
\par }\pard\plain \s41\qc \li0\ri0\sb100\sa100\sbauto1\saauto1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \f27\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {- - - - - - - - - -
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\par }{Anne, meanwhile, was starting to look at housing.
\par 
\par With all three working at Boundless Waves it made little sense to her to be living so far from their work. Besides, the commuting was just about killing her. It wasn\rquote t any definite }{\cs25\i plan}{, but she was gathering data.
\par 
\par Actually, Anne began gathering data in two sets. The first set was what }{\cs25\i she}{ could afford alone. Very little was close enough, all housing in the area was }{\cs25\i incredibly}{
 expensive. A three bedroom semi-detached house just outside the M25 would be in the region of five times her salary, and that was not much closer to the office than she was now. Get closer in, inside the M25, and prices rose alarmingly. She quickly bec
ame discouraged about that.
\par 
\par But\'85
\par 
\par \lquote What if I can get the other two to join in }{\cs25\i with}{ me?\rquote  she wondered.
\par 
\par \lquote Now we\rquote re talking!\rquote  she thought, excitedly. If all three of them worked together, they could get a large enough property much closer, inside the M25 in fact. \lquote Surely we could afford that, between us?\rquote 
\par 
\par She sat back in her chair, considering, not really looking at her computer screen any more. Stan was the problem, obviously. That was his house, his and Caron\rquote s. \lquote If I can get Denise to agree, then between us I\rquote 
m sure we could inveigle him into doing it.\rquote 
\par 
\par She began looking for suitable properties with more intent.
\par 
\par }\pard\plain \s41\qc \li0\ri0\sb100\sa100\sbauto1\saauto1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \f27\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {- - - - - - - - - -
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\par On Sunday, all three were at Stan\rquote s house. Denise was in the bedroom with Stan. Anne was in the study, working on the computer.
\par 
\par Anne cocked her head on one side a little. It sounded like Denise was enjoying herself, for sure. She recognized that short }{\cs25\i yelp}{, and then heard Denise\rquote s voice cry out, \'93Yes, }{\cs25\i yes, YES!}{\'94 as Stan\rquote 
s grunting voice also became audible.
\par 
\par She smiled a lit
tle to herself. She would never, in a million years, have believed that she would have been able to share her man the way she was now. Actually, hearing them was turning her on a little, in truth. Her free hand strayed south under her skirt and rubbed her
 crotch through her panties. She realized what she was doing and muttered, \'93Later!\'94 to herself, and went back to looking at the screen, sometimes clicking the mouse.
\par 
\par She started as she heard Denise\rquote s voice from over her shoulder, saying \'93That\rquote s a real nice house. Why are you looking at houses, Anne?\'94
\par 
\par Anne spun Stan\rquote s office chair around fast enough to make Denise jump backwards.
\par 
\par \'93Oh! Sorry, Denise, you really caught me unawares.\'94
\par 
\par Denise just grinned at her friend, but repeated, \'93Why are you looking at property, Anne? Thinking of moving?\'94
\par 
\par Anne realized that }{\cs25\i now}{ was the time.
\par 
\par \'93You wait until you\rquote ve done the commute on top of slogging your guts out in the office,\'94 she told the younger woman. \'93Then you\rquote ll be ready to pick up all three of our houses and move
 them brick by brick yourself in only a few weeks. I don\rquote t know how people stand it.\'94
\par 
\par \'93So you\rquote re thinking of leaving us?\'94 Denise asked with a tremble in her voice.
\par 
\par \'93}{\cs25\i NO!}{\'94 Anne cried. She moderated her voice at once. \'93No, Denise. Look at the prices of these places.\'94
\par 
\par Denise looked at the screen properly for the first time. She recoiled in shock.
\par 
\par \'93Christ! }{\cs25\i How much!}{\'94
\par 
\par \'93Precisely. No, I\rquote m looking for places for all }{\cs25\i three}{ of us to buy.\'94
\par 
\par Denise looked at Anne. \'93All three of us. Together, you mean?\'94
\par 
\par \'93Yes. It seems the natural progression, Denise. It\rquote s a major commitment. We can\rquote t get married, but we can enter a partnership in other ways, can\rquote t we? But I think Stan\rquote 
s going to be a problem. This house was his home with Caron and I don\rquote t think he\rquote ll give it up just like that. And with prices like those,\'94 she said, gesturing at the screen, \'93he\rquote 
ll probably need to sell this house to raise the money.\'94 She took a breath. \'93Denise, if you help me, we can persuade him. He\rquote ll never be able to resist }{\cs25\i both}{ of us working on him.\'94
\par 
\par It was Denise\rquote s turn to think for a bit. She eventually responded, \'93No, Anne, that won\rquote 
t work, not long term. Eventually Stan will come to resent us pushing him into doing that. You need to present the facts to him and let him make his own mind up. I\rquote m not sure }{\cs25\i I\rquote m}{ ready to\'85 no, wait. Yes, I am. You\rquote 
re right, regardless of the journey or anything else, because yes, this will be a commitment to }{\cs25\i each other}{. An expression of our love for each other.\'94
\par 
\par \'93You\rquote re more of the people person than I am, Denise. To me it\rquote s a logical extension of what we\rquote re becoming with each other, a family. So you\rquote ll help me sell it to him?\'94
\par 
\par \'93Well, that\rquote s what I was saying. Not }{\cs25\i sell}{ as such, but\'85 present. We\rquote ll have to make sure he\rquote s really, really comfortable with this. But yes, in essence \endash  I think it\rquote 
s a great idea, Anne. As you said, an expression of our love for each other.\'94
\par 
\par They stared at each other for a moment. Anne looked scared stiff, and Denise thought she was beginning to understand why.
\par 
\par \'93Anne \endash \'94
\par 
\par \'93}{\cs25\i Don\rquote t}{ say anything, Denise. While I\rquote ve been here, and at home, and even at work, thinking about this step, I\rquote ve started to realize something. Stan loves us both. }{\cs25\i You}{
 love us both, he and I. The hold out is me. I\rquote ve been saying I love Stan, but I\rquote ve never said it to you, not really. So now, I\rquote m going to say it, and mean it. Denise, I love you. I never thought I\rquote 
d ever say that to any woman other than my mother, but it\rquote s true, and I can\rquote t deny it.\'94
\par 
\par Denise was frankly astonished. \'93But you\rquote re straight. You don\rquote t come onto me at all, like you want me!\'94
\par 
\par \'93I\rquote m not sure I }{\cs25\i do}{ want to have sex with you, to be blunt. But that doesn\rquote t stop me loving you, Denise. It just changes the way I express it.\'94
\par 
\par Denise was now completely confused. She understood the }{\cs25\i words}{, but her attraction to Anne had never gone away. She was now seriously in }{\cs25\i lust}{
 for the beautiful, blonde woman who was now looking at her with a severe case of rabbit-in-the-headlights. Denise fought to control herself. Susan had said, \'93}{\lang2057\langfe2057\langfenp2057 use a light line and a lot of finesse,\'94 and
 a wrong move would make Anne bolt.}{
\par 
\par Shaking a little, Denise said, \'93Yes, Anne, to get us a place to be }{\cs25\i together}{, as an expression of our commitment, our love for one another, I\rquote ll help you to sell the idea to Stan.\'94
\par 
\par Anne was, herself, confused. Once again her emotions were out of control, and her intellect wasn\rquote t able to direct her. She told herself to ignore her head, and go with her heart, again.
\par 
\par Anne hesitated. This was the moment, she thought. She had just begun to move towards Denise when she caught a movement in the corner of her eye.
\par 
\par From the doorway she heard, \'93Sell what to me?\'94 
\par 
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\par }}