He Leaned Close, Rubbing His Bearded Cheek

It Was In A Way A Comforting Idea; If There Was All The Time In The World, Then The Happenings Of A Given Moment Became Less Important.

I Can Bear Pain Myself, He Said Softly, But I Couldna Bear Yours. That Would Take More Strength Than I Have.

I Had One Last Try. "does It Bother You That I'm Not A Virgin?" He Hesitated A Moment Before Answering. "well, No," He Said Slowly, "so Long As It Doesna Bother You That I Am." He Grinned At My Drop-jawed Expression, And Backed Toward The Door. "reckon One Of Us Should Know What They're Doing," He Said. The Door Closed Softly Behind Him; Clearly The Courtship Was Over.

Time Does Not Really Exist For Mothers, With Regard To Their Children. It Does Not Matter Greatly How Old The Child Is-in The Blink Of An Eye, A Mother Can See The Child Again As They Were When They Were Born, When They Learned How To Walk, As They Were At Any Age-at Any Time, Even When The Child Is Fully Grown Or A Parent Themselves.

I Thought I Could Make Out Jamie's Highland Screech, But That Was Likely Imagination; They All Sounded Equally Demented.