TWO WEEKS LATER I CAME BACK INTO THE BAR.DAD HAD SAW WHAT I AHD
         
         WORN THE FIRST TIME TO THE BAR AND ALMOSTHAD A HEART ATTACK.HE
         
         HAD ALMOST FIRED THE CAPITAN BUT I HAD STEPPED IN AND PROMISED TO
         
         COOL DOWN.THAT NIGHT I HAD ON AND DENIM MINI AND A WHITE SWEATER.
         
         I SAT AT THE BAR COUN~EER AND WAS AWARE SOMEONE WAS WATCHING ME.
         
         SOMEONE TOOK A SEAT BESIDE ME.I LOOKED UP TO SEE TODD.HE GRINNED.
         
           “YOU CAME BACK.” HE SAID.I SMILED AND LIT A CIGARETTE.HE TOOK
         IT FROM MY LIPS AND TOOK A DRAG.
         
           “SO,JESS,WHAT’S A GIRL LIKE YOU DOING IN A LITTLE TOWN LIKE
         WINNIMORE?” HE ASKED.I SHRUGGED.
         
           “A GIRL LIKE ME CAN GO WHEREVER SHE PLEASES.” I HAD RETURNED.
         
         A SLOW SONG CAME ON THE JUKEBOX AND WODD OFFERED HIS HAND. .1 SLID
         
         OFF THE STOOL AND FOLLOWED HIM TO THE MAKESHIFT DANCE FLOOR.
         
         I WRAPPED MY ARMS AROUND HIS NECK AND LEANHD INTO HIM.
         
           “SO,WHAT DO YOU DO FOR FUN?” I ASKED SULKILY.
         
         “WHATEVER I PLEASE.” HE ANSWERED ABRUPTLY.
         
         “GOT ANY BAD HABBITS?” I ASKED TOYING WITH A LOCK OF HIS BROWN
         HAIR AND LOOKING IN HIS EYES.
         
        “LIKE........?“ HE ASKED WARILY.I LAUGHED.
         
         “OH,DON’T SOUND SO CURIOUS! I’M ASKING IF YOU LIKE TO HANG AROUND,
         GO PLACES.I’M ASKING YOU WHAT YOU LIKE?” I SAID.I RAN A FINGERNAIL
         LIGHTLY DOWN HIS CHEEK.HE HAD A DIAMOND STUD EARING.
         
           “I LIKE TO BE BAD.” HE SAID AS AN AFTERTHOUGHT.
         
         “WHO DOESN’T?” I AKSED INNOCENTLY.TODD LOOKED AT ME.
         
           “WHO ARE YOU?” HE ASKED.MY HEART TOOK A LIFE—THREATENING LURCH.
         “WHAT DO YOU MEAN?” STAY CALM,STAY CALM.
         
           “WHO ARE YOU?” HE REPEATED.OH GOD,HE KNOWS.NO,STAY CALM BREE.
         
         “I’M ME.JESSICA MARIE TKNDY,AGE TWENTY FIVE.HEIGHT FIVE—” HE CUT
         ME OFF.
         
           “YOU’RE SO DIFFERENT FROM MOST GIRLS.” HE SAID.
         
         “YOU DON’T LIKE ME.” I PPOUTED.AT THE MOMENT I WAS GLAD FOR
         REJECTION.