<div style="font-size:10pt;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;color:black;"><br><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">613 words<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Chapter 16<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">A second Look<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">After meeting with Veronica at the diner for
breakfast, I arrived at Claudia’s apartment shortly before noon for lunch.
Claudia was wearing a pretty blue sweater and a cute denim skirt, cut well-above
her knees. Her athletic legs drew my eyes down, but I heard Veronica’s warning
in my head and forced myself to look up at her smiling face.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“Aren’t you off today?” she asked, wondering why
I was wearing my uniform on a Sunday.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“I had to meet someone this morning and take a
statement,” I replied.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“Well, come on in,” she said, welcoming me with
a warm smile. “I’m glad you accepted my invitation for lunch.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I removed my gun belt and draped it over the
back of her kitchen chair before following Claudia into the living room.
Hitching up my pant legs, I settled into the well-worn nubby couch. Claudia
hesitated, so I patted the green cushion beside me. She assumed a seat near
enough for me to cup her hand, but not close enough for our legs to touch.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Perched stiffly on the couch, Claudia said, “Can
you forgive me, Robbie, for writing such an insensitive editorial about Doe
Lake? I know that I haven’t been your favorite person since then …”<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“Funny,” I said. “You’re the second one who said
that to me today.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Who was that?” Claudia looked puzzled. 
Don’t you get along with most everyone in town but me?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“Actually, it seems that I’ve got a lot to learn
about women,” I said. “Sorry we got off to a bad start. I’m not used to someone
who speaks her minds so freely, you know, especially a liberated woman like you
who’s not from around here.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“Sorry, but I’m accustomed to speaking my mind,”
Claudia said. “Moving to Doe Lake feels like I’ve traveled back to a time when
women weren’t allowed to vote or pursue a career, unless it was nursing or
teaching,” she added. “Maybe we can compromise,” she suggested. “I could
acknowledge that Doe Lake should cherish its traditions and small town ways,
while you could consider that moving forward isn’t all bad.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“I am interested in moving forward with you,” I
said, toying with Claudia’s slender fingers, “but I can’t promise to understand
the women’s lib movement. Most country boys are simple when it comes to the
ladies,” I added. “We’re used to wearing the pants, you know, being the
protector and provider.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“Oh, please. Life isn’t like the television
show, ‘Father Knows Best,’ Claudia said. “It’s the 1970s. Men and women can
work together as equal partners these days. You know, men benefit when women
are permitted to pull their weight.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“I’m learning,” I said. “But old-fashioned guys
like me feel threatened by self-reliant girls like you who can take care of
themselves. What would happen to the traditional family if all the women want
to work instead of raising children?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Claudia answered my question with two questions
of her own. “Why can’t women have their cake and eat it, too? Men have it both
ways, don’t they?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“Okay then,” I countered, “if women want it both
ways, why do men always have to pick up the dinner bill?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“You’re hopeless,” she replied. “Let’s table
this discussion until after lunch.” Claudia rose from the couch and I
sheepishly followed her into the kitchen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Her hands trembled as she laid out a simple menu
of grilled cheese sandwiches, tuna salad, and potato chips on the table. After
sitting, she folded and refolded her napkin.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Ever so smoothly, I changed the subject.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“Has Mr. K asked you to cover Doe Lake’s ice
fishing competition next week?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“I’m planning to ski around the lake that day
and take pictures of the event for The Messenger,” she said. “Are you
competing?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“Yes. In fact, I can offer you a front row
seat,” I said. “I’ve got a shelter big enough for two. You can even dip a line
through the hole yourself and see if you come up with a nice pan perch or
pike.” Spreading my arms wide, I bragged, “Last year, I caught a two-foot Pike
but only came in second place.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“How do you keep from freezing sitting on the
ice all day?” Claudia asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“I have a little propane heater, and I sit on a
cooler while enjoying a six-pack of beer. We could keep each other warm in the
shanty,” I suggested.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“Why do you need a cooler to keep the beer cold
if it’s freezing outside?” Claudia asked evasively.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“The cooler’s not for the beer. It’s for the
fish,” I chuckled.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“Let me think about it,” Claudia said. “It
certainly would be a new experience for me.  By the way, are women allowed
to compete in the contest?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“Well,” I hedged. “Women play an important role
at the event. They keep the men warm, and they can help clean the catch.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“Oh, please.” Claudia launched back into her
women’s lib lecture. “Only men can compete for the prizes?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“Well, maybe I could ask the contest organizers
to consider a special category for females next year,” I mumbled, stuffing
potato chips into my mouth.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Claudia stood and carried her half-empty plate
to the sink. “Don’t do me any favors, Robbie,” she said, confronting me with
arms crossed across her pretty chest.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“Now, Claudia, be fair,” I said, standing up for
myself. “No one has complained about the rules before now. It takes time to
change traditions in a small town.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“Some traditions are outdated,” she argued. “Do
you think women in Doe Lake are mindless robots like the Stepford Wives? Tell
me, Robbie. What exactly are you looking for in a woman, anyway?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“Well, the usual, you know,” I coughed into my
fist to disguise my discomfort.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Someone to cook and clean and massage your ego?”
she said.  “Sorry, that’s not me.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“Naw, that’s not what I mean,” I struggled to
explain. “It’s just that good old boys like me are comfortable with things the
way they are.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Just because a woman has her own opinions and
ideas doesn’t mean she’s a man-hater, you know,” Claudia retorted.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“So, you don’t hate me?” I advanced and pressed
Claudia into my arms, moaning with satisfaction. For one sweet moment, she
melted into my embrace, but then, abruptly she pushed me away.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“Don’t tell me you were with Gloria Vanderbilt
this morning,” Claudia shouted, her face as red as a lobster.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“Gloria Vanderbilt?” I asked, confused.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“I would recognize the aroma of Ronnie’s
trademark perfume anywhere. You were with Veronica this morning, weren’t you?”
Claudia accused.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“Wait, I can explain,” I protested. “Veronica didn’t
want anyone to know that I was with her earlier. She asked me to keep our
meeting a secret.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“Of course she did,” Claudia persisted. “She
wouldn’t want me to know that the two of you were together.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“That’s not it,” I said, reaching for her again.
“It was strictly business,” I tried to explain.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“Business?” Claudia stepped away. “I know all
about Veronica’s interest in funny business. This must have been the news she
wanted to tell me about. Why did I think I could trust either one of you?<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I tried to object, but Claudia was having none
of it. Ready to escape the heat of her kitchen, I grabbed my gun belt from the
chair.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“Please leave,” she fumed, “and feel free to
tell Veronica that her little secret is out.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Claudia pushed me out the door and the lock
clicked behind me. Retreating down the stairs, I was disturbed by the sound of
her muffled tears.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Damn it. I had blown it again, although I wasn’t
quite sure what I’d done wrong. I had honored my promise to Veronica, but I had
pissed off Claudia in the process. Sometimes, a guy couldn’t win, no matter how
hard he tried. Should I have exposed Veronica’s secret to Claudia, or should I
have refused to make a promise to Veronica. Women sure were complicated. If
only men could get along without them, I thought. Perhaps local girls were
easier to be around, after all. A simple woman like Chicky would be happy to
keep me warm in a cold hut during the ice fishing festival, I thought.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; line-height: 11.65pt; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;">* * *<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Claudia had fussed all night over what to wear
after Robbie accepted her invitation to stop by for lunch the next day. She
wanted to look attractive without looking like she was trying too hard. She was
working to update her casual college clothes, but she couldn’t begin to compete
with Veronica’s trendy wardrobe. At the last minute, she settled on a short
denim skirt with a periwinkle wool sweater and matching knee socks.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">It had been a bumpy road – moving alone across
the country to a small town where she didn’t belong, vying against Veronica’s
allure for Robbie’s attention, and then losing the town’s trust because of her
offensive editorial. Her confidence was shaken. Unlike her mother who had
sacrificed her dreams for marriage, or the women in Doe Lake who protected and
preserved traditional family values, Claudia was hoping to find some kind of
middle ground.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">For a brief moment, Claudia felt cherished when
Robbie cradled her hand on the couch. What a fool she’d been, Claudia thought,
believing in friendship and love. Hadn’t she already learned the hard way that
the fantasy of happily ever after was only true in fairy tales? In real life,
there was only hurt and disappointment. Like a child gripping a magical
balloon, she wanted to believe in love, but she knew all too well that dreams,
like balloons, could burst.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"># # #<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;">_______________________________________________</span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br>
<span style="background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;">Group1 mailing list</span><br>
</span><a href="mailto:Group1@bluegrasspals.com"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: blue; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;">Group1@bluegrasspals.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br>
</span><a href="https://bluegrasspals.com/mailman/listinfo/group1" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: blue; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;">https://bl</span></a><o:p></o:p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"> </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">613 words<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Chapter 16<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">A second Look<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">After meeting with Veronica at the diner for
breakfast, I arrived at Claudia’s apartment shortly before noon for lunch.
Claudia was wearing a pretty blue sweater and a cute denim skirt, cut well-above
her knees. Her athletic legs drew my eyes down, but I heard Veronica’s warning
in my head and forced myself to look up at her smiling face.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“Aren’t you off today?” she asked, wondering why
I was wearing my uniform on a Sunday.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“I had to meet someone this morning and take a
statement,” I replied.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“Well, come on in,” she said, welcoming me with
a warm smile. “I’m glad you accepted my invitation for lunch.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I removed my gun belt and draped it over the
back of her kitchen chair before following Claudia into the living room.
Hitching up my pant legs, I settled into the well-worn nubby couch. Claudia
hesitated, so I patted the green cushion beside me. She assumed a seat near
enough for me to cup her hand, but not close enough for our legs to touch.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Perched stiffly on the couch, Claudia said, “Can
you forgive me, Robbie, for writing such an insensitive editorial about Doe
Lake? I know that I haven’t been your favorite person since then …”<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“Funny,” I said. “You’re the second one who said
that to me today.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Who was that?” Claudia looked puzzled. 
Don’t you get along with most everyone in town but me?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“Actually, it seems that I’ve got a lot to learn
about women,” I said. “Sorry we got off to a bad start. I’m not used to someone
who speaks her minds so freely, you know, especially a liberated woman like you
who’s not from around here.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“Sorry, but I’m accustomed to speaking my mind,”
Claudia said. “Moving to Doe Lake feels like I’ve traveled back to a time when
women weren’t allowed to vote or pursue a career, unless it was nursing or
teaching,” she added. “Maybe we can compromise,” she suggested. “I could
acknowledge that Doe Lake should cherish its traditions and small town ways,
while you could consider that moving forward isn’t all bad.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“I am interested in moving forward with you,” I
said, toying with Claudia’s slender fingers, “but I can’t promise to understand
the women’s lib movement. Most country boys are simple when it comes to the
ladies,” I added. “We’re used to wearing the pants, you know, being the
protector and provider.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“Oh, please. Life isn’t like the television
show, ‘Father Knows Best,’ Claudia said. “It’s the 1970s. Men and women can
work together as equal partners these days. You know, men benefit when women
are permitted to pull their weight.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“I’m learning,” I said. “But old-fashioned guys
like me feel threatened by self-reliant girls like you who can take care of
themselves. What would happen to the traditional family if all the women want
to work instead of raising children?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Claudia answered my question with two questions
of her own. “Why can’t women have their cake and eat it, too? Men have it both
ways, don’t they?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“Okay then,” I countered, “if women want it both
ways, why do men always have to pick up the dinner bill?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“You’re hopeless,” she replied. “Let’s table
this discussion until after lunch.” Claudia rose from the couch and I
sheepishly followed her into the kitchen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Her hands trembled as she laid out a simple menu
of grilled cheese sandwiches, tuna salad, and potato chips on the table. After
sitting, she folded and refolded her napkin.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Ever so smoothly, I changed the subject.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“Has Mr. K asked you to cover Doe Lake’s ice
fishing competition next week?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“I’m planning to ski around the lake that day
and take pictures of the event for The Messenger,” she said. “Are you
competing?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“Yes. In fact, I can offer you a front row
seat,” I said. “I’ve got a shelter big enough for two. You can even dip a line
through the hole yourself and see if you come up with a nice pan perch or
pike.” Spreading my arms wide, I bragged, “Last year, I caught a two-foot Pike
but only came in second place.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“How do you keep from freezing sitting on the
ice all day?” Claudia asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“I have a little propane heater, and I sit on a
cooler while enjoying a six-pack of beer. We could keep each other warm in the
shanty,” I suggested.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“Why do you need a cooler to keep the beer cold
if it’s freezing outside?” Claudia asked evasively.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“The cooler’s not for the beer. It’s for the
fish,” I chuckled.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“Let me think about it,” Claudia said. “It
certainly would be a new experience for me.  By the way, are women allowed
to compete in the contest?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“Well,” I hedged. “Women play an important role
at the event. They keep the men warm, and they can help clean the catch.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“Oh, please.” Claudia launched back into her
women’s lib lecture. “Only men can compete for the prizes?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“Well, maybe I could ask the contest organizers
to consider a special category for females next year,” I mumbled, stuffing
potato chips into my mouth.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Claudia stood and carried her half-empty plate
to the sink. “Don’t do me any favors, Robbie,” she said, confronting me with
arms crossed across her pretty chest.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“Now, Claudia, be fair,” I said, standing up for
myself. “No one has complained about the rules before now. It takes time to
change traditions in a small town.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“Some traditions are outdated,” she argued. “Do
you think women in Doe Lake are mindless robots like the Stepford Wives? Tell
me, Robbie. What exactly are you looking for in a woman, anyway?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“Well, the usual, you know,” I coughed into my
fist to disguise my discomfort.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Someone to cook and clean and massage your ego?”
she said.  “Sorry, that’s not me.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“Naw, that’s not what I mean,” I struggled to
explain. “It’s just that good old boys like me are comfortable with things the
way they are.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Just because a woman has her own opinions and
ideas doesn’t mean she’s a man-hater, you know,” Claudia retorted.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“So, you don’t hate me?” I advanced and pressed
Claudia into my arms, moaning with satisfaction. For one sweet moment, she
melted into my embrace, but then, abruptly she pushed me away.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“Don’t tell me you were with Gloria Vanderbilt
this morning,” Claudia shouted, her face as red as a lobster.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“Gloria Vanderbilt?” I asked, confused.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“I would recognize the aroma of Ronnie’s
trademark perfume anywhere. You were with Veronica this morning, weren’t you?”
Claudia accused.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“Wait, I can explain,” I protested. “Veronica didn’t
want anyone to know that I was with her earlier. She asked me to keep our
meeting a secret.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“Of course she did,” Claudia persisted. “She
wouldn’t want me to know that the two of you were together.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“That’s not it,” I said, reaching for her again.
“It was strictly business,” I tried to explain.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“Business?” Claudia stepped away. “I know all
about Veronica’s interest in funny business. This must have been the news she
wanted to tell me about. Why did I think I could trust either one of you?<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I tried to object, but Claudia was having none
of it. Ready to escape the heat of her kitchen, I grabbed my gun belt from the
chair.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“Please leave,” she fumed, “and feel free to
tell Veronica that her little secret is out.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Claudia pushed me out the door and the lock
clicked behind me. Retreating down the stairs, I was disturbed by the sound of
her muffled tears.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Damn it. I had blown it again, although I wasn’t
quite sure what I’d done wrong. I had honored my promise to Veronica, but I had
pissed off Claudia in the process. Sometimes, a guy couldn’t win, no matter how
hard he tried. Should I have exposed Veronica’s secret to Claudia, or should I
have refused to make a promise to Veronica. Women sure were complicated. If
only men could get along without them, I thought. Perhaps local girls were
easier to be around, after all. A simple woman like Chicky would be happy to
keep me warm in a cold hut during the ice fishing festival, I thought.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; line-height: 11.65pt; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;">* * *<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Claudia had fussed all night over what to wear
after Robbie accepted her invitation to stop by for lunch the next day. She
wanted to look attractive without looking like she was trying too hard. She was
working to update her casual college clothes, but she couldn’t begin to compete
with Veronica’s trendy wardrobe. At the last minute, she settled on a short
denim skirt with a periwinkle wool sweater and matching knee socks.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">It had been a bumpy road – moving alone across
the country to a small town where she didn’t belong, vying against Veronica’s
allure for Robbie’s attention, and then losing the town’s trust because of her
offensive editorial. Her confidence was shaken. Unlike her mother who had
sacrificed her dreams for marriage, or the women in Doe Lake who protected and
preserved traditional family values, Claudia was hoping to find some kind of
middle ground.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">For a brief moment, Claudia felt cherished when
Robbie cradled her hand on the couch. What a fool she’d been, Claudia thought,
believing in friendship and love. Hadn’t she already learned the hard way that
the fantasy of happily ever after was only true in fairy tales? In real life,
there was only hurt and disappointment. Like a child gripping a magical
balloon, she wanted to believe in love, but she knew all too well that dreams,
like balloons, could burst.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"># # #<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;">_______________________________________________</span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br>
<span style="background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;">Group1 mailing list</span><br>
</span><a href="mailto:Group1@bluegrasspals.com"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: blue; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;">Group1@bluegrasspals.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br>
</span><a href="https://bluegrasspals.com/mailman/listinfo/group1" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: blue; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;">https://bl</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><br><p class="MsoNormal"> </p> 

<p class="MsoNormal">Leonard I. Tuchyner, Author</p> 

<p class="MsoNormal"><a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.dldbooks.com/tuchyner/">https://www.dldbooks.com/tuchyner/</a></p> 

<p class="MsoNormal">  </p> 

<p class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="text-decoration:none;"> </span></u></p><br></div>