Чужак в чужой стране

           "Forbrothers,growing-closerisgood.ButIdidnotknow."

           Jubalsaid,"Well,Dorcas?"

           "Huh?Oh,Heavens!Boss,you’retheworld’sworsttease.ButMikeisn’tteasing.He’ssweet."Shewalkeduptohim,stoodontiptoes,andheldupherarms."Kissme,Mike."

           Mikedid.Forsomesecondsthey"grewcloser."

           Dorcasfainted.

           Jubalspotteditandkeptherfromfalling,Mikebeingfartooinexperiencedtocopewithit.ThenJillhadtospeaksharplytoMiketokeephimfromtremblingintowithdrawalwhenhesawwhathadhappenedtoDorcas.LuckilyDorcascameoutofitshortlyandwasabletoreassureMikethatshewasallright,thatshehadindeed"growncloser"andwouldhappilygrowcloseragain–butsheneededtocatchherbreath."Whew!"

           Miriamhadwatchedround-eyed."IwonderifIdareriskit?"

           Annesaid,"Byseniority,please.Boss,areyouthroughwithmeasaWitness?"

           "Forthetimebeing,atleast."

           "Thenholdmycloak."Sheslippedoutofit."Wanttobetonit?"

           "Whichway?"

           "I’llgiveyouseven-to-twoIdon’tfaint–butIwouldn’tmindlosing."

           "Done."

           "Dollars,nothundreds.Mikedear?let’sgrowlotscloser."

           IntimeAnnewasforcedtogiveupthroughsimplehypoxia,althoughMike,withhisMartiantraining,couldhavegonewithoutoxygenmuchlonger.Shegaspedforairandsaid,"Idon’tthinkIwassetjustright.Boss,I’mgoingtogiveyouanotherchanceforyourmoney."

           ShestartedtoofferherfaceagainbutMiriamtappedherontheshoulder."Out."