Keepers of the Bond Ii (Zwei)

CHAPTER 1

Jeb, Betty, Jo, and Martha have now heard, for the first time, the erotic moan of a new day being born. They are the new keepers of the BOND, and it feels more than good. They go back to bed for a short nap, and then they will have brunch together for the first time as keepers of the BOND. Their lives will never be the same, but they have complete peace. Fate always takes care of the responsible. The Wisdom revealed in the books of the BOND confirms that truth, and that truth gives the new keepers of the BOND much peace—peace that is beyond understanding.

After brunch, Betty and Jeb clear the table while Martha pours more coffee, and Jo retrieves four files and places them on the table.

"As we all know, the medical clinic is ahead of schedule and should open in one year or sooner. Eddie and Helena’s inn is also ahead of schedule and should open in three months or sooner. We have funded four college scholarships, two in Melun, one in Texas, and one in Louisiana, for four good kids. Andrae and Rebecca have started their home in Provence, and Mr. Glass says he will be in his home-shop combination within three months. Using a Provence corporation, Andrae has bought a seat on the French stock exchange. He and Rebecca have one-third and we have two-thirds of the corporation.

Boys and girls, it is turning out just like Prof said. Publicly traded companies are popping up on a daily basis. We put in twenty thousand Swiss francs and Andrae and Rebecca put ten thousand Swiss francs in our trading account, and it is doing very well. Andrae first recouped the cost of the seat and then our seed money, so now we have no cost in the project. Profits to date for the BOND account are fifty-two thousand Swiss francs. French real estate and small business ventures have generated an additional thirty-one thousand Swiss francs for the BOND account. Real estate and small business ventures with the Highland Park Gang have generated nine thousand Swiss francs for the BOND account, and it is just starting. So everything is going exceedingly well, but the best news is that Martha and I have decided that it’s time to start trying to make a baby. So at future session meetings, y’all will get to watch me explode in Martha’s beautiful blossom—that is, until she conceives, and then I’ll return to exploding on her milk buds again.

Jeb and Betty are on their feet and dragging Jo and Martha up with them. Jeb is shaking Jo’s hand, and Betty is hugging Martha.

When did y’all decide? Betty asks Martha.

Martha replies, I told Jo after our bonding session last night that I knew we had bonded. Now we are the keepers of the BOND. Betty, if you remember, we talked on our honeymoon about how I would try first and then you. That way we could help each other. Well, after last night, I knew I was ready, and Jo agreed.

Did y’all try last night after the session?

No, I’ll watch my time, and we will try on the days I’m in season.

Martha, please schedule trying times with a session meeting so Jeb and I can be with y’all.

Betty, we will, and that will make it perfect.

Jo motions for everyone to sit back down.

Back to business, but first does anyone have a question?

Betty responds, Do y’all really think we will have to move to compounds and give up our homes?

Betty, some people are already asking questions about where Ray and Em acquired private financing to build their clinic. So to answer your question, at some time in the future, all of us may have to move into compounds for self-protection, Jo says.

Betty doesn’t respond.

Now back to business. Andrae says the farm in Melun has more than tripled in value, but it is too early to sell. I asked him if Mr. Glass needs to sell his farm to pay for his new home-shop combination in Provence, and Andrae laughed, saying that Mr. Glass has a large account in our bank in Switzerland. Now, let’s call Emma and David and give them our travel schedule. Mom Moore is going to pee.

The next three weeks fly by as they check on Lily and her baby each day and visit with Ray and Em at the clinic construction site. They also divide up and write all the letters that are required each week, and the men work in their shops. Jo, after eleven tries and a lot of cussing, has successfully completed the weird art object Mr. Glass instructed him to make. It appears to be two snakes twisted together that have swallowed a bunch of robin eggs. In his time, Mr. Glass will tell Jo just what in the hell the thing represents.

When the time comes to travel back to France, Captain Warrick is very glad to see everyone again and to meet Big David and Mom Moore. Captain Warrick arranged for the group to have a private meeting room next to their suites. They go right back to their old schedule. They have brunch together at 9:00 a.m., work out in the gym, have free time for reading, etc., then have drinks in the lounge at 7:00 p.m. before dinner at 8:00 p.m. Mom and Dad Moore are loving the ship, and when Mom comments that they had a large basket of apples in their suite, Emma blushes. Mom is now demanding that someone tell her what is so damn good about apples that it makes her little girl blush in that manner.

Emma is still saying that if David tells his mother, she will kill him, so Mom is putting pressure on one of the foursome to tell. Jeb is attempting to print a note backward with his left hand that he can slide under Mom’s door late some night. If Mom can turn it around and decipher the scribbling, she will have her answer. If Mom can decipher the note, then there will be a problem. Who will Emma kill? She will know it wasn’t David or Dad Moore, so that leaves just Jeb or Jo. There’s something about this deal that Jo doesn’t like. Jeb finishes the note and signs it, Love, the Apple Fairy. He inserts it into an envelope with Mom Moore scribbled backward in large print.

Jeb says, Jo, now we can slide it under their door late tonight.

Jo replies, We? Hell, you wrote it, you slide it. Emma is going to kill someone.

Nah, I’ve been thinking about that. Emma will pee herself to death before she can kill one or both of us.

The next night, during dinner, Captain Warrick informs the group to expect heavy seas tomorrow night. Then there will be smooth sailing into Dover. Martha looks across the table at Betty, and both smile. After dinner, the clan walks around the ship as usual for thirty minutes or so for the exercise before going to bed. At one point during the walk, Martha and Betty lag behind the group so they can talk in private.

Martha says, Let’s have a bonding session tomorrow night. Jo and I want to see you in action during heavy seas.

Betty replies, Sounds wonderful, and we will get to watch Jo explode inside your little blossom. Maybe y’all will make your baby with all of us together. Tell me the truth, do your eyes cross?

No, my eyes don’t cross, but I can feel my big man explode.

The group looks back at the two girls laughing.

Mom Moore motions and says, Y’all catch up, and tell everyone what’s so funny.

The girls catch up and skillfully start talking about the farm and Mr. Glass. Just before retiring, Mom Moore pulls Jeb and Jo to the side. I finally deciphered the note and shared the information disclosed with Big David. We both have always been fond of apples, but now we dearly love them. I know it wasn’t David. Betty and Martha would be loyal to Emma, so it had to be you two.

Mom, we have no idea what you are talking about, Jeb says.

Mom kisses both boys on the cheek. Children can’t lie to their parents. They think they can, and that’s what makes it so much fun. Big David and I thank you.

Jeb clears his throat. Mom, please don’t tell Emma that you know the secret about apples or she’ll kill us dead.

Oh, I plan to wait a few months, or longer, and then tell her in private so I can enjoy watching her pee all over herself.

Mom, you have a real mean streak in you.

Hell, boys, I’m a mother.

Mom kisses Jeb and Jo again on both cheeks, and everyone retires to their own suite.

They have another wonderful day at sea with a large brunch, exercise, writing letters, reading, and drinks in the lounge. By the time they finish dinner, the sea is becoming heavy. They walk after dinner, staggering with the roll of the ship, and then everyone retires. Because of the small showers, Betty and Jeb shower before reporting to Jo and Martha’s suite. They come out of their robes, and Jo pours one glass of wine for the group to share before getting on the bed. Martha can only wet her lips, since she is now trying to get pregnant. Jo and Martha ask Betty to share with them why heavy seas are so arousing.

Well, as you know, I’m a little country girl. Work and study were all I had ever known. I’d never been more than three hundred miles from where I was born. I always dreamed about loving and marrying a good man, having wonderful sex, and all that. Now I’m married to the man I love.

Martha wets her lips and passes the glass to Betty, who takes a small sip before continuing. "The sex I was experiencing was way beyond what I had dreamed about. I woke up on this beautiful ship in the middle of the Atlantic. I was two thousand miles from where I was born, with my man naked as I was, and my favorite toy was standing very erect. Then I realized that the ship was rolling—I mean really rolling. I carefully got out of bed and stood at the side of the bed while looking out the porthole and could not believe what I was seeing. There were large swells and white caps as far as I could see. Jeb got out of bed, and while standing behind me, wrapped both arms around me and started teasing one of my milk buds with one hand and teasing the soft hair just above my blossom with his other hand.

I asked Jeb if we were okay. He laughed and continued doing wonderful things with his hands as he explained that the sea was just talking to us, letting us know how powerful nature is, and that we are welcome to share and enjoy its beauty, force, and power. Jeb explained that we are part of nature. I was overwhelmed with the truth and Wisdom that Jeb’s grandfather had shared with Jeb, and now with me. I knew I should respect and enjoy nature to its fullest and that my sex life with my man was nature at its best. I became so aroused standing there observing the mighty force of nature while my man was doing wonderful things to me. So I asked Jeb to make me explode where we stood. He did, and if I hadn’t been holding on to the frame of the porthole, I would have fallen to the floor. My legs melted under the heat and force of my explosion. I couldn’t move, stand, or talk. I was having trouble breathing. Jeb helped me back on the bed, and when he finished pleasuring me with toy, mouth, and tongue, I was no more than a puddle of totally spent female flesh. It was wonderful. Nature and its gifts are wonderful.

Jo clears his throat. I’ve never had a problem with heavy seas, but now I love heavy seas as much as I love apple slices.

With Jo’s statement made, the four giggle while placing themselves on the bed for a heavy-sea session of the BOND. Both girls explode with first contact and the men shortly after, with Jeb exploding on Betty’s little milk buds and Jo exploding deep in Martha’s beautiful blossom. Jeb and Betty immediately start chanting, Swim fast, swim straight, while Jo and Martha kiss and laugh.

Just prior to Jeb and Betty arriving for the heavy-sea session, room service had delivered a pot of strong coffee with a small pitcher of heavy cream and a shot glass of brandy. Jeb and Betty get out of bed, and Betty pours a splash of cream and brandy in each cup. Then Jeb pours each cup half-full of coffee while Martha remains lying on the bed with Jo holding her hand. After a few more minutes of allowing the sperm to do their thing, they allow Martha to sit up on the side of the bed and enjoy that first sip of their very special coffee.

Jo asks, During dinner tomorrow night, should we announce that Betty won the prize with seven explosions?

The look Betty gives Jo answers his smartass question and leaves everyone laughing, with the exception of Betty.

Mom Moore enjoys the smaller boat ride across the English Channel to Calais and the train ride to Paris, but when she see Eddie’s carriage, she nearly starts crying. The west Texas cowgirl is now a princess in Paris with the most wonderful family in the world, her family. Eddie spends a couple hours riding around in Paris so Mom and Dad Moore can see some of the highlights of the City of Lights. David and Emma will bring them back for a full day in the city later. On approaching Melun, they ask Eddie to give them a city tour, including the construction site of the inn.

They stop first at the church, and luckily Father Eugene is on duty. He is glad to see Prof’s family, and they are likewise glad to see him. They sit on the front pew and pray. Then Mom wants to stand where her boy and girl stood while taking their wedding vows. The tears start running, first Emma and Mom and then everyone. Then the group goes behind the church to visit Father Adolphus’s grave. Again more tears. Before leaving the church, Father Eugene tells them that every evening he sits down in his study and has one or two glasses of wine while thinking about Prof’s family.

The next stop is Andrae’s office. Andrae, Rebecca, and Little A are waiting for them, and there is lots of laughing, hugging, and kissing. Andrae quickly states that business is very good and they will talk business later during their trip south.

Little A says, I have something to say, please.

Jeb looks at Little A and says, Okay, Little A, say something in proper Southern English.

I’ve been eating plum good like y’all told me, and three of my girlfriends have come back to me.

Rebecca raises her hands in the air. Please, God, help me.

The group leaves, with everyone laughing except Rebecca. Next stop is the old school building that the military converted into a receiving hospital, and they find it being renovated. The construction foreman allows the group to tour the building. On arriving upstairs, Emma stops in what was the staging area and tells Mom that this is where she first saw David.

Mom, he was completely covered with caked blood, dirt, grease, and badly soiled bandages. I ordered him cleaned up from the top of his head to the bottom of his feet so I could remove his bandages, check his wounds, and redress them. When they finally got him clean, I stepped inside the screened area and really saw him for the first time. It was the dark-haired, blue-eyed young man of my dreams. I froze where I was standing and stared, while he stared back at me as if I was a creature from outer space.

Emma couldn’t finish her story because Mom gathered her in her arms crying, and said, Don’t tell me any more. You two have gone through enough. I don’t want to hear any more.

Next Emma leads Mom and Dad, with the rest of the group following, down the long hall to Dr. Ray’s famous private room. They crowd inside the room, and Emma tells Mom that this is where David asked her to marry him. Mom starts crying again and that has everyone else tearing up with her.

Mom, two days later we were married, and you know the rest.

No, she doesn’t. Tell her about your honeymoon, and all the wonderful sex, Jo says.

Jo, Emma says.

They leave with Emma blushing and all the rest of the group laughing, especially Mom.

The next stop is Eddie and Helena’s inn. Helena comes running out of the inn to meet the group, and all the hugging and kissing starts again. Helena is covered with smudges of dirt, along with liberal amounts of paint. She is just simply beautiful. Helena and Eddie give the group the grand tour. Mom is impressed, as are the rest of the group, with the way the inn is nestled among outcropping stone and large old trees. The inn looks as if it has been there saying welcome to guests for many years. Helena, with excitement bubbling in her voice, informs them that the inn is 100 percent booked for the first two months and nearly full for the third month. It will be the place to stay in Melun.

When Eddie brings the carriage to a stop in front of their home, Mr. Glass opens the front door and steps out saying that he wants to hug all the beautiful women. Mom has been forewarned about Mr. Glass, but she still isn’t prepared for what she is seeing. He is a tall, thin old man wearing faded overalls with burnt spots over most of the front, scuffed old boots that have never been polished, a few days’ growth of beard, and gray hair that is too long and uncombed. The girls are giggling and enjoying having him kiss their cheeks. Mom is wondering what in the hell she is looking at. He looks like an unkempt wild man. Then Mr. Glass is introduced to her. Mr. Glass takes both her hands and kisses them, then both her cheeks, and with tears running down his cheeks, he shares with her how beautiful Emma and David’s wedding was and how happy Prof and Helga are to finally have a family—the most wonderful family in the world. Well, Mom now dearly loves the quaint, eccentric old wild man.

They ask Eddie to come back tomorrow and give Mom and Dad Moore a tour of the countryside. As the men are bringing the luggage in, Emma takes Mom up to the attic suite. Mr. Glass tells everyone else to wait until Emma and Mrs. Moore are in the suite and then everyone else will go up and listen just outside the door.

Betty, laughing, says, Mr. Glass, you didn’t!

Smiling, Mr. Glass nods.

On entering the suite, Emma tells Mom about David spotting their wedding pictures lying on the bed.

"Mom, I walked over to the bed and could not believe how beautiful the pictures were. I could not believe my brothers would be so thoughtful as to lay them on the bed for David and I to see. With eyes misting, I told David I would never call my brothers assholes again. I gathered the pictures up and held them to my heart as I turned and sat down on the bed. As soon as my bottom came in contact with the bed, it exploded. I jumped up, knocking my wounded husband down on his ass, and all he could do was lay on the floor and laugh.

Oh Mom, what wonderful memories.

Smiling Emma turns and sits down on the bed to savor the memory, and as soon as she makes contact, the bed explodes. This time instead of jumping up, Emma sinks back on the bed laughing as she listens to the clatter and crashing of the cans banging into each other and the hardwood floor. The room instantly fills with her laughing and clapping family, along with the biggest asshole of them all, Mr. Glass. Emma continues to lay on the bed smiling as David gets down on his knees and cuts the strings, silencing the cans.

Mr. Glass excuses himself, saying that he has a model coming over and has to get his shop ready to receive her. They all have a snack in the back courtyard so everyone can enjoy a beautiful sunset. The keepers of the BOND know they will be in the front courtyard to hear the birth of a new day in just a few hours. Weary from a long day of travel, everyone is ready for bed. Mom and Dad stay in the attic suite, David and Emma in the second-floor guest bedroom, Jo and Martha in the master bedroom, and Jeb and Betty on a thick bedroll in front of the fireplace. It is the very spot where Prof and Helga made love many times and then slept the rest of the night, cuddling and happy.

Thirty minutes before sunrise, the four are in the kitchen very quietly starting a fire in the wood cook stove and grinding coffee beans. With coffee made and poured just before sunrise, they go out in the front courtyard. It is a perfectly clear morning, cool, but with their robes and hot coffee, they are comfortable. With the sky so clear, the bright glow on the eastern horizon is more yellow than orange. The night creatures instantly go silent, so they set their cups down, and the girls back up to their men to be close and be hugged while watching the apex of the sun appear. In that brief fraction of a second, they hear the faint, erotic moan of a new day being born, life starting anew. They are standing on the very spot where Prof and Helga stood so many mornings.

Jeb, do we really have to sell this farm? Betty asks.

Martha looks up at Jo and asks the same question.

Yes, we have to honor Prof’s instructions. He knew better than anyone how hard it would be for us to sell this farm. Doing so has to be part of our education in not letting emotions affect our business judgment. Prof would never lead us wrong. That I know. That I know to be a fact, Jeb answers.

The four, the new keepers of the Bond, wipe tears from their cheeks and return to the kitchen for more hot coffee.

Emma and David spend all day touring with Mom and Dad around the countryside, along with a picnic on the banks of the river. The keepers of the BOND take advantage of their absence and have another bonding session, again with Jo exploding in Martha’s beautiful blossom. Betty enjoys watching Martha wrap her arms and legs around Jo and holding him tight as he explodes within her, and Martha enjoys watching Jeb explode on Betty’s little milk buds. Then all enjoy that first sip of their so special coffee. When their special coffee washes over their nectar-coated taste buds, they just simply explode, one taste bud at a time in rapid succession, and then they swallow. The warmth slowly spreads through out every inch of their bodies while their tongues are tingling with joy. The ancients knew so much about the health benefits of good sex enjoyed on a regular basis between soul mates.

Over the next two days, Emma and David take Mom and Dad to Paris. Mom loves all the sites but says two days is enough. She would prefer to be at the farm with the family fate has given her. The foursome spends those two days reading from Prof and Helga’s library, writing letters, walking, exercising, and very much enjoy two bonding sessions, with Jo exploding in Martha’s beautiful blossom. On the evening of their return from Paris, they have Mr. Glass over for dinner. His wild but true stories keep everyone in stitches. Before leaving, he tells them that Eddie will be taking him to Paris in the morning so he can take the train to Provence, and he will be seeing them there in a few days.

Two days later, they all go into town. First, they visit the inn and see for the first time the sign Eddie and Helena have carved from heavy, old, weathered wood that dates back a few hundred years. The sign reads, Guarding Oaks, the Inn. The inn will open in one month, being three months ahead of schedule and below budget. Eddie and Helena are so excited and so happy. It is wonderful to share these experiences with them. Helping good people help themselves is very rewarding.

The trip to Provence is pleasant and very restful. The foursome forewarn Mom about Mr. Tob and Napoleon, so when he meets them at the train station, she is ready for another wild man. Again his two beautiful horses and the large, elegant carriage nearly bring tears to Mom’s eyes until she sees Napoleon.

Oh my God, how much does he weigh? she asks.

Mr. Tob answers, Nearly two hundred pounds, but do not be afraid; he loves beautiful women. The men have to be careful.

We crowd into the carriage, and during our ride home, Mom says more than once, Look, or Oh my God, or Look at the beautiful dark sea. It looks like our Texas Hill Country with a navy blue sea in the background. Oh my God, it is so beautiful.

Mr. Tob turns into the drive and stops in front of the courtyard gate. Martha and Betty give the Highland Park Gang a tour, while Jo and Jeb unload the luggage, they thank Mr. Tob and tell him they will see him in two days when they leave for Switzerland. The Highland Park Gang do not comment as they take everything in. The girls open all the French doors, turning the living room into a covered porch. Next, they take them out in the courtyard and show them the outside kitchen.

Prof and Helga preferred to live with nature. Here in this climate we pretty much live outside. Prof instructed us to sell the farm in Melun, keep this place, and add to our holdings in this area. This will be our home in France, in Provence.

Martha, you say that like there’s a difference.

Yes, Mom, there’s a big difference between France as a whole and Provence. Provence is special, like the Texas Hill Country is special.

After touring the house, everyone visits the restrooms, and then they walk up the road to Andrae and Rebecca’s home, which is now under construction. Mom comments that it is laid out much like Prof and Helga’s home. She says, What a wonderful place to raise Little A.

Jeb points over the bluffs to Nice below them and remarks that Nice has a very ample supply of beautiful young girls for Little A.

Next, they walk across the road and follow the winding, crushed-rock trail up to Mr. Glass’s shop-home combination, which is now near completion. The master suite is complete, so Mr. Glass no longer uses the foursome’s home but is still welcome to do so. They find Mr. Glass in the large, open-air shop working with a new keel he has constructed using firebrick and stone. After greeting everyone, Mr. Glass starts showing Jo how he is laying out the shop and why. Mom starts walking around the shop by herself and stops when she comes to a three-foot-square platform rising about twelve inches above the floor with a very small framed straight chair, sitting in the center of the platform.

Mr. Glass, is this where you rest? Mom asks.

No, Mrs. Moore, it is where my nude models sit as I sketch them, he replies.

Oh, I wasn’t aware that you create glass statues of nude women.

I don’t, but I sure enjoy sketching good-looking young naked women.

Why, Mr. Glass, you should be ashamed.

Mrs. Moore, yes, I should be, but I’m not.

With that, everybody has a good laugh, and they invite Mr. Glass for dinner.

Mom Moore loves the outside kitchen, and with everyone helping, they have dinner on the table in just over thirty minutes. Mom also enjoys watching them use the wok and is amazed at how fast and easy it works.

Jeb explains, Mom, you get the wok real hot, add a small portion of water, with a smaller portion of third-press olive oil or peanut oil, and you are in business. When the vegetables are close to par cooked, take the wok off the fire, add sea salt, red pepper, spices, and fresh herbs, cover for a couple of minutes to blend the flavors, and serve. Mom, you are actually par cooking the vegetables with steam, which is a much healthier way to prepare food.

Dad Moore starts pouring everyone wine, and Martha declines. Just water, please.

Mom Moore looks at her. Just water? Girl, are you pregnant?

I don’t know, but I hope so. I’ll know for sure in a couple of weeks.

With that news, Mom smiles and passes Martha a glass of water. Mr. Glass takes Martha’s arm and helps her to her feet so he can give her a proper hug.

Little girl, there is only one thing on earth prettier than a naked young woman, and that’s an eight-months-pregnant naked young woman.

They always enjoy and are thankful for each meal, but this dinner turns into a real celebration.

CHAPTER 2

The keepers of the BOND receive word from their banker that doctors Kirk and Anna Von Hess have been approved to visit Switzerland on university business and will be in Zurich September 7 through 9. They call Mr. Tob and inform him that they need to leave for Switzerland early the next morning, with instructions to deliver them to the nearest rail service in Switzerland, and they will be returning in three days.

Early the next morning, the four are in the courtyard for sunrise. They stand close enough that both couples are touching when they hear that wonderful faint moan. Again they stand there misty eyed because they are standing where Prof and Helga always stood to observe the birth of a new day, and this is another first for the keepers of the BOND.

Martha says, I’m going to pass on breakfast this morning. I feel a little nauseated. It is really wonderful to have this feeling.

Now their misty eyes turn to tears of joy. Two hours later, all eight of them cram into the carriage and are off to the nearest railroad in Switzerland.

By midmorning they are on the train, due to arrive in Zurich in late afternoon. Mom loves every minute of the trip. She keeps commenting about the unbelievable natural beauty of Switzerland.

Kids, I know it’s real, but it just doesn’t look real.

For a bite to eat during the trip, they took an apple each along with raw almonds and wine, water for Martha. The men smile as they slice the apples and pass a slice to their wives. Emma notices that Big David smiles, along with all the rest of the men, each time he hands a slice to Mom. Emma freezes with a slice of apple just inches from her lips as her mind races. She thinks, Oh shit, they know. Mom and Dad know what all of us do with apple slices. Oh shit.

Mom notices the startled look on Emma’s face and reads her like a book. Baby, are you okay?

Yes, no, I’ll be right back, I need to pee.

Mom follows as Emma leaves their private compartment on her way to the water chamber. Jeb looks across at David. He says, She just realized that Mom and Dad know about the apple slices.

Martha and Betty start blushing, and Big David responds to the delicate situation, Children, y’all have shared something very special with Mom and me. We’re old but far from dead. We’ve always liked apples, and because of y’all, we now dearly love apples. Please don’t be embarrassed. Mom and I are very thankful for our family—a family fate has given us—and everything that we share with each other.

Both girls say that they need to pee and swiftly depart and don’t go fifteen feet before coming upon Mom with her arms around Emma. Mom holds out one arm and gathers all three red-faced girls in one big embrace.

Girls, listen to me. Emma asked if I thought y’all were terrible, and I told her no. Fate has given me the most wonderful family in the world. To share good sex and healthy food with your man is as good as it gets. Big David and I are so blessed to have this family, so let’s enjoy our family and be thankful for all our blessings. All the red-faced girls nod.

Kirk and Anna left a message for the group at the hotel desk, stating that they will be in meetings until nearly midnight, so they will see them for breakfast and they have the rest of the day free. It says to leave a message as to time, etc. They meet Kirk and Anna at 9:00 a.m. for breakfast, or brunch, and introduce the Highland Park Gang. With all the pictures exchanged and letters written, everyone feels like they already know each other and considers everyone to be a friend.

Just as coffee is served Anna taps her cup. I have good news. I’m three months pregnant.

Immediately, Jo taps his cup. More good news: we think Martha is two weeks pregnant.

For the next few minutes, the girls do all the talking. The men just sit back, sip coffee, and enjoy watching and listening to their women.

They had requested and received a round table in a quiet part of the dining room so they can all see each other as they visit. Small talk continues thoughout the brunch, and after the waiter clears the table and serves fresh coffee, their conservation turns to serious matters.

Kirk, what are the conditions like in Germany? asks Jo.

At the university, everything is very good, Sehr Gutt, in Germany, not good. The occupation government is doing everything it can to hamper recovery. The degree of hatred is beyond venomous, he answers.

Jeb interrupts, "Kirk, let me tell you what we have just learned about President Wilson. Our information comes from a very high level individual with the government in Washington DC. Kirk, it seems that President Wilson had mixed emotions about the United States becoming involved in the squabble between various European countries, primarily England, France, Germany, and their respective allies. A number of politicians in the United States, led by New England politicians, convinced President Wilson that the United States should come to the aid of England and France. Kirk, as the war progressed and President Wilson started receiving more and more reports from his military commanders in the field, he realized that he had gotten the United States involved in a war that was none of our business