Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience.
 
 The Librarian

   By deGaffer

   Copyright ( c ) 2008 by deGaffer

   SUMMARY: A wealthy and politically connected college librarian
manipulates a group of students and encourages them to put together a team
that the Confederacy shouldn't ignore.
UNIVERSE: The Swarm Cycle
WARNING: This story contains material unsuitable for minors and
narrow-minded individuals.  It probably contains sex, violence, and other
socially unacceptable material.  You have been warned!
CONTENT: no-sex ScFi
This story is set in the Swarm Cycle Universe created by Thinking
Horndog.  Get a grip; this is fiction.  Any resemblance between the content
of this story or any of the characters depicted herein with real persons,

places or events is totally coincidental.

   It started with a simple concept that should have been a short story,
but it seems to have morphed into an epic saga of scheming, planning,
deception, and of course, sex.

   I very much appreciate the patience and efforts of Mulligan.  His help
has made this a much better story.  I claim full responsibility for all
errors and omissions.

   Pursuant to the Berne Convention, this work is copyrighted with all
rights reserved by its author unless explicitly indicated.  Reproduction
for profit is forbidden.  Any distribution must include this note and the
author's email address.

   CHAPTER 17: Party Time

   Gloria was sure she'd be the first to arrive at Lesa's for diner, but
there were other cars in front of the elegant residence.  She had wanted to
speak privately with Lesa before she did something really, really stupid.
The bottle of gin in her sideboard had been calling her all afternoon. 
Right now she was beginning to regret having resisted its call.

   She parked her vintage Prius at the curb, hoping she wasn't blocking the
driveway, and gathered her courage.  Stepping out of the car she
straightened the simple, black cocktail dress that she'd selected, hoping
that the flair of the full skirt didn't make her stocking encased legs look
thinner than they were.

   She waited much longer than expected after ringing the doorbell and was
beginning to question if anyone was home when the door swung open.  A
barefoot young girl stood in the opening with wet hair and wearing a
cropped camisole and loose satin boxer shorts.  The girl's blue eyes
appeared puzzled when she asked, "May I help you?"

   Gloria stammered a little responding, "Good afternoon, I'm Gloria
Sanchez.  I believe your mother is expecting me, although I am a bit
early." She really hoped that this was Gloria's daughter Sara, but didn't
remember her being this old.

   The girl turned and yelled, "Mom!"

   A softer voice drifted down from somewhere out of sight, "What are you
yelling about?"

   "There's a Gloria Sanchez at the door.  She says she's early, but you
should be expecting her."

   "Oh my, she is early.  Show her into the study and tell her that I'll be
down in a few minutes." Lesa wasn't dressed for company.  In fact, she
wasn't dressed.  She'd been putting away her new things after the impromptu
fashion show and hadn't put her street clothes back on.  She thought about
slipping into some of her new items, but decided not to risk them in the
kitchen and chose a faded wrap-around housedress instead.

   Entering the study she found a very nervous Gloria pacing about,
"Gloria, you look fantastic.  I love what you did with your hair.  The way
it tucks in at your shoulder softens you features.  But, you need to relax.
Can I offer you a drink?"

   "I'm sorry to be so early.  I thought I'd get here before everyone and
speak with you privately for a bit.  Shall I come back later?"

   Lesa stepped in closer, took Gloria's left arm, and led her to a corner
with two comfortable chairs that faced each other.  "Please sit and tell me
what's troubling you."

   Gloria fidgeted a moment, "I don't know what to expect.  Who are these
young men you intend to talk into having sex with me?  Is this a one time
arrangement, or can I hope for a relationship with any of them?"

   Lesa would have laughed were it not for the fear in Gloria's eyes. 
"It's like I told you at the library.  What I'm offering are possible means
for you to leave Earth before the Sa'arm arrive and start eating people.  I
know several young men who qualify as Confederacy volunteers.  If you're
with one of these men when they're picked up, then they have to option of
taking you with them.  You can wait until that moment to try to getting
their attention, or you can begin the process of getting to know them now.
No one's going to force you to do anything you don't want to do, Gloria. 
What you need to decide is what you're willing to do for them, and when
you're willing to do it.  "

   There was a bit of hope mixed with trepidation in Gloria's facial
expressions.  "What if they change their minds; what if I change my mind?"

   Lesa sighed, "I'm afraid everything is 'at will' until a Confederacy
extraction actually takes place.  They can change their minds, and you can
certainly change yours.  If you're concerned that these men will use you
and then discard you, then you'll have to make a judgment call.  I
personally believe all of them are honorable people who won't intentionally
mislead you."

   Gloria was almost wringing her hands, "I don't know ..."

   Lesa advised, "Woman, you've got to relax.  Let's go find something
that'll calm your nerves.  It's a bit early to start diner, but we can
check the status of the liquor cabinet on the way to the kitchen."

   In the kitchen, Gloria finally had a rather tall gin and tonic in her
hand and Lesa was sipping a dry martini when there is a knock on the
utility room door.

   Lesa muttered, "What the ..." and stepped over to the door.

   The door opened a crack and a voice call through, "It is safe?"

   "Consuela!" Lesa laughed, "Yes, it's safe."

   "I bring Maria to help, okay?"

   Lesa embraced Maria, "Welcome Maria.  I was afraid that your mama
wouldn't return after yesterday morning's little misadventure.  I'm pleased
that you're here to help her.  My, haven't you grown.  Where have you been
keeping yourself these days?"

   Maria returned the greeting, "Thank you.  Mama told me the most
outrageous story about what she saw the last time that she was here." Maria
stepped back from the embrace.  "I've been working as a receptionist and
bookkeeper for Jacobi and Sons downtown.  They really keep me busy."

   Maria looked very nice in a white blouse, a navy skirt that extended to
just below her knees, white knee socks, and a pair of black and white
saddle shoes.  It was an ultraconservative outfit considering the times.

   As she turned away from the utility room door Lesa spotted Gloria and
said, "Where are my manners?  Gloria, this is my housekeeper Consuela
Martinez and her daughter Maria.  Ladies, this is a fellow librarian at the
university, Miss Gloria Sanchez."

   After all of the ladies greeted each other Lesa spoke with Consuela
about the menu as Gloria watched and wondered what outrageous events
Consuela had witnessed that prompted her to enter the kitchen so
cautiously.

   At the sound of other people entering the large room, Lesa looked up and
introduced Jake Caulfield, Sara Johnson, and Leslie Owens to Maria and
Gloria as Consuela blushed uncontrollably.  Gloria was intrigued by
Consuela's reaction, but didn't pursue the issue.

   Lesa noticed Consuela's distress and suggested, "Let's move to the study
and give Consuela and Maria room to work, shall we?"

   *-*-*

   Janet arrived with Misty and Ralph just ahead of Marvin and Sasha.  Toby
O'Malley was the last dinner guest to arrive.  Conversation in the study
was a bit strained.  The usual topics and antics were dampened by Gloria's
presence.  Only Lesa knew why she was there, and hadn't shared that with
the others.  Lesa was pleased that Toby had come, and especially pleased
that he had come alone.

   Lesa got everyone's attention, "I'm sure you're all wondering what
brings Gloria here this evening.  She noticed Jake and I displaying some
semi-public affection at the library and was curious about why I had
allowed someone so young to be so affectionate with me at work.  There are
many reasons: the first being that I enjoy being affectionate with Jake,
and somewhere on that list of reasons is the possibility that he can get my
family and me off of this rock."

   Lesa took a sip of her martini before continuing.  "I like to think that
I bring more to the table than just girl parts for Jake to play with.  I
have skills that I believe will be valuable on a colony world.  Gloria and
I share skills such as administration, data organization, and data
consolidation.  We're also qualified school teachers."

   "Gloria, the people in this room want to be parts of family units in a
coherent community that are shipped out together to a human colony.  For
that to be feasible, we believe that we must have something to offer the
Confederacy other than just our bodies and a willingness to serve."

   Lesa hadn't prepared herself for this presentation, "If we create a
community that has something to offer, then it will have to be large enough
to support the purpose of the community as well as the community itself."
Lesa was not ready to disclose the grand plan to Gloria and was doing her
best to focus on the mundane aspects of a self-sustaining community. 
"There will have to be schools and other public services available that
free the principals from mundane concerns, and allows them to focus on the
value the community adds to the war effort."

   Maria knocked on the study's door, interrupting Lesa's oration,
something for which Lesa was very grateful.  "Dinner is ready, if you and
your guests are ready, Mrs.  Crews."

   Lesa turned to Maria, "Thank you, Maria, we'll be there shortly."
Turning back to the expectant faces in the room, she continued, "Where was
I?  Oh, yes.  Everyone in the community must have something to contribute.
For some, their value may be nothing more than being effective breeding
stock.  I truly believe that everyone can contribute beyond that limited,
though vital, role.  We've all seen the size of research departments in a
university setting.  However, the Manhattan Project required a cast of
thousands and was carried out in almost total secrecy."

   Lesa looked around for reaction, "I'm not proposing that we should dream
that big of a dream, but we will require the participation of more people
than will fit in this, or anyone else's, residence.  Biltmore over in
Ashville may be large enough, but certainly no residence that's within
commuting range.  If it becomes general knowledge that we're expecting to
be extracted by the Confederacy, then we'll fail.  We've all seen the
rioting mobs that form wherever a Confederacy extraction is in progress.  I
shudder to think what kind of attention we'd get if word got out, and we
didn't have an interdiction barrier protecting us."

   Stepping back and gesturing toward the door, "Let's table this until
after we eat, shall we?"

   Diner conversation remained light, though a bit restrained.  Nothing was
discussed that you wouldn't expect at any contemporary diner party with
mixed gender and ages ranging from thirteen to forty-two.  Sarita had opted
to dine with the adults.  Her younger siblings ate in the kitchen with
Consuela and Maria.

   During coffee and dessert, Lesa laid the big torpedo in the water.  "I
was leading everyone into discussing qualifications for individuals we wish
to include in the community that we hope to establish.  Does everyone agree
that sexual prowess is a basic prerequisite?"

   There was general consensus, mostly by bobbing heads.  Gloria remained
frozen in her chair, hardly breathing.  When no one raised an objection,
Lesa pressed on.  "While all of us have friends and family who could
benefit, the balance of sponsors and companions must be maintained.  We
must also keep our plans from becoming public knowledge."

   Lesa's expression turned sad, "I have, or at least had, very close
friends that I would very much like saved, but dare not contact."

   "I know Gloria.  She would not have rested until she discovered to full
nature of my relationship with Jake.  While revealing our plans to her is a
risk, not revealing them also entails risks.  There remains the open
question of her capabilities as a sexual partner.  Her physical appearance
may not draw suitors, but I believe that her physical issues can be
corrected with the medical technology of the Darjee.  What I hope that they
cannot or do not correct is basic the attitudes, prejudices, and
motivations of an individual.  Gloria is a unique, honest, and remarkably
capable person."

   Ralph appeared very agitated and asked, "Would they really try something
like that?  I mean, sexual slavery is something that I can tolerate if the
subjects are volunteers, but to alter personality to create, what, a
regimented zombie?  I couldn't deal with that."

   Janet spoke up, "I'm for limiting fights to fights that can be won, but
some fights need to be fought because it's the right thing to do.  This
would be one of those for me."

   Lesa tried to keep things on track with, "Let's not start this fight,
yet.  It may be totally unnecessary.  I question the model used by the
Confederacy Defense Force being the best for improving the human gene pool,
but I don't think many of us would go along with brainwashing the masses."

   Leslie was puzzled, "Why wouldn't it be the best for the gene pool?  I
mean, they're taking the smartest and best the Earth has to offer and
putting them in a position to propagate their genes at an accelerated
rate."

   Toby as sitting across from Leslie and fielded her question, "Their
genes are being diluted by what are considered less capable individuals. 
The best-of-the-best may be breeding more, but they almost all occupy
combat positions and have the least probability of long-term survival."

   Marvin broke in adding, "While I admire the great thinking ability of
Jake and Toby, I admire Ralph as a truly great human being.  I find myself
trying to make choices that I think Ralph would make.  Imagine, a jock like
me using a geek as a role model.  And, everyone at this table looks to
another low-scoring individual for leadership.  Do we not all follow Lesa's
lead?"

   It seemed that Lesa's torpedo had been deflected by the side issues,
until Janet gave it a target.  "We were talking about sexual compatibility
being a prerequisite.  How would a family unit benefit from expansion?  How
do we determine compatibility?  How does the question of sexual
compatibility apply to Gloria?  No offense Gloria, but you don't appear to
have any padding at all.  A guy could injure himself being intimate with
you."

   Gloria took the criticism well.  It was not as harsh as some she had
been given, but she was already too embarrassed by being the focus of
attention to respond.

   Lesa's laugh got everyone's attention, "All very good questions, Janet.
Let's take them in reverse order.  It applies to everyone who wishes to
emigrate; therefore, it applies to Gloria.  I don't believe a written
application can answer the question of compatibility without an interview
that includes physical contact, a test drive as it were.  Then the last
question will probably answer itself."

   Misty spoke up, "A test drive?  You mean ..."

   "Yes, that's exactly what I mean." Lesa responded to Misty and then
looked significantly at Jake, "One or all of you gentlemen should engage
Gloria in physical activities that discover her sexual appetites and
tolerances first-hand." She then locked eyes with Toby, Ralph and Marvin in
turn.

   Janet elbowed Ralph prompting him to ask, "You mean ... now?"

   Marvin really didn't want to be publicly compared with the others and
moved to excuse himself.  "Sasha and I are expected at Tiffany's sorority
house for a party this evening.  I hate to eat and run, but we should
probably be leaving."

   Janet spoke up, "Chicken, you're too embarrassed to perform under
pressure, admit it."

   "No, really," Sasha added, "I had asked Marvin to decline the invitation
to dinner tonight because I didn't want to be more than fashionably late to
the party."

   Everyone stood to say goodbye to the departing couple.

   "It didn't take him long to replace you guys with a new girl," Ralph
remarked to Leslie and Sara Jay under his breath.

   "Nah," Sara Jay answered, "Sasha isn't new.  He's been porking her for
weeks."

   After Marvin and Sasha's hasty departure, a silence fell on the group.
Jake, Toby, Ralph, and especially Gloria felt as though they were under a
microscope.  Jake and Ralph looked around; then focused on Toby who was the
only one of the three males unencumbered by female companionship.

   Toby was feeling the heat and wishing he could have bailed with Marvin.
"I'm not a good choice because ... because I have no basis of comparison."
He was blushing like crazy and avoiding eye contact.

   Jake tried to rationalize, "We don't need a relative standing.  This is
sort of a pass-fail test.  If you would do her again, she passes, and if
not ... I'm sorry to sound so crude and uncaring, Gloria.  This is
embarrassing for all of us."

   Ralph spoke up, "I'm not a qualified sponsor; so I feel I should
abstain."

   Janet pitched in with, "Maybe not, but it will fall on her to entertain
you when Misty and I are not available.  Maybe Misty should check her
girl-on-girl capacity to warm her up for you guys."

   This suggestion clearly shocked Gloria, "I've never, well almost never!
It's been a long time, and I was never really into girls." Like Toby, She
couldn't maintain eye contact and kept her downcast eyes in motion.  "I'd
be willing to try, though."

   Janet tried to let her off the hook with, "We'll let the guys have first
pick.  Maybe it won't be an issue if you hook up with Jake or Toby."

   Gloria played her last card, "I've never done three at once, or at least
not when I was sober enough to remember it.  I don't think I'll be at my
best with an audience, either.  Did you want to do this like the stories
circulating about pickups where the girl climbs onto a table, or bends over
a chair, or ..."

   Ralph agreed, "I've never really considered sex to be a spectator sport,
either.  Even multiple partner situations are a stretch." He involuntarily
glanced at Leslie as he said this.  She gave him a sympathetic smile in
return.

   Lesa poked Jake in the back prompting him to ask, "Gloria, would you
care to join Ralph, Toby and me in the guest room.  I don't think any of us
will make unwelcome advances.  Hopefully one of us will strike your fancy
and we can answer Lesa's question."

   Gloria accepted Jake's arm, and they made their way to the stairs.  Jake
checked over his shoulder to be sure Ralph and Toby were joining him before
mounting the steps.  Four very embarrassed individuals made their way to
the second floor balcony and disappeared in the direction of the guest
bedroom.

   "Man, I'd love to be a fly on the wall upstairs right now." Everyone
turned to look at Sarita.  It was the first time she had spoken all
evening.

   Her mother laughed, "I didn't know you were such a voyeur, Sarita."

   "While we're waiting for the guy's post action review, maybe you can
tell us about these old friends of yours," Leslie remarked.  "You're right,
we really need to be cautious about whom we tell, but we're going to need
scores if not hundreds of adults in even the smallest of communities."

   Lesa leaned back and started her tale.  "My kids and I have only been in
this house for a little over three years.  Before moving here we lived in a
condominium complex with my husband's best friends and partners Charles
Lawrence and Randy Philips.  No, we didn't all live in the same apartment,
but we all had apartments on the same floor and may as well have lived
together.  Karen, Rebecca and I were somewhat casual about which husband we
slept with."

   "All of us lost our husbands at the same time.  They all died together
in the middle of the Atlantic when the ship they were aboard broke apart
and sank.  It wasn't much of a storm, even by Atlantic standards.  Out of
eighty-seven passengers and crew, there was only one survivor.  He reported
that the bow broke off as the ship crested a swell.  The rest of the ship
apparently ran over the bow section and the stern buckled in the trough
between waves.  The next swell broke over the deck, washing the survivor
overboard.  He and another crewman had been checking the cargo hatch
closures."

   "The main section of the ship rolled away from him when the wave that
washed him overboard broke against the bridge superstructure.  The ship
didn't resurface when the next wave washed over the wreckage.  He said it
looked like the keel had been ripped from the bottom.  The stern section
bobbed to the surface and remained afloat for some time, a couple of hours,
maybe, but no one escaped from it before it sank.  There was only one hatch
on the stern section that was above the water, and it was over the steering
gear compartment.  There's a good chance that access to the hatch was
blocked by shifting machinery and equipment that had broken loose."

   "Except for the stern section, the ship went down in less than two
minutes.  Now, when I was a teenager I spent a summer at a shipyard in
Cartagena while visiting my father.  I wasn't just a little girl playing
along the docks; I actually worked on some of the ships and hung out with
the naval engineers.  My father and I had been in worse storms aboard
smaller ships many times.  It just didn't seem right to me that a
fifteen-thousand ton freighter would break apart so quickly in such a small
storm."

   "Investigators discovered that the ship had serious corrosion along the
keel and the bracing that supported the bow and stern.  These defects were
not noted in the ships records during inspections.  The owner had bribed a
coast guard inspector to overlook them.  The owner assured the inspector
that the ship never left the Intracoastal Waterway.  The owner and
inspector went to prison and the widows and families of the victims took
everything that the owner and his insurance company had."

   "My husband was developing a mining operation in the Mid-Atlantic
shallows near the Azores.  I had information that implicated three
executives in a rival operation in bribing the ship's owner into leasing
the defective vessel to my husband's operation.  There was never any
admissible evidence; so, no criminal or civil charges could be pursued."

   "When one of the three disappeared, my friends became suspicious.  When
another committed suicide and the third died in an automobile accident, my
friends were convinced that my father had stepped in and had them all
killed.  I had asked some of my father's less scrupulous associates to
assist with the investigation, and it's possible that they had become ...
overzealous, but they denied having anything to do with the deaths.  I
defended my father and stuck with him.  Karen and Rebecca couldn't accept
this, and we haven't spoken in three years."

   "I fully believe my father to be morally and physically capable of
disposing of these men, but he told me that none of them had died by his
hand or at his direction.  He delights in 'bending' the law, but he has
never lied to me.  The family of the man who disappeared also vanished a
few weeks later.  That was the event that really tore the three of us
apart. My friends were convinced that vendetta had been declared and wanted
no part of it.  I looked over the inventory that the police cataloged from
the abandoned residence.  There were no photo albums, wedding dresses,
trophies, or other personal treasures listed, and nothing sinister ever
befell the other two families.  I believe that it's more likely that my
father found a kindred soul and recruited the man." Lesa allowed herself a
twisted smile as she expressed her own theory.

   The room was absolutely silent when Lesa had finished her story. 
Everyone wanted to know more about Lesa's father, but was afraid to ask.

   The silence was broken from the doorway, "Excuse me Miss Lesa," Maria
waited until she had Lesa's attention.  "Mama and I have cleaned the
kitchen and the little ones are in the family room upstairs.  I had to turn
volume on the TV a little loud to cover the sound of the activities in one
of your bedrooms." Maria' blush penetrated the smooth brown color of her
cheeks.

   Lesa nodded, "Thank you, Maria.  Would you and your mother be available
for lunch here tomorrow?"

   Maria was a little puzzled by the request, "I'm sure we can stop by
after Mass, would that be okay?"

   Lesa nodded again, "Anytime noonish will be fine.  Tell you mother to
have a safe trip home.  Goodnight, Maria."

   "Goodnight, Miss."

   Janet giggled, "Well, it sounds like the interview is progressing well."
Everyone laughed as they considered the noises being masked by the
television.

   Sara Jay spoke up, "You know, I was just thinking that most of the
cheerleaders were invited to a sorority party in Boston next Saturday. 
Leslie and I didn't think anything of it, but I know that Tiffany has been
trying to weasel someone into taking her."

   Leslie wrinkled her brow, "What made you think of that, girl?  You're
such an airhead."

   Looking pained, "The 'interview' and the way Marvin ducked out so fast.
He was headed to a sorority party at Tiffany's.  Tiffany wants to go to
another party, but doesn't have a way to get there.  The party is in
Boston. We need social contacts in Boston.  It tracks logically; so eat
dirt and die, bitch." She smiled to take the edge off of the insult.

   Lesa cocked her head, "You know, it's possible that someone associated
with the MIT Department of Physics will be at that party.  Anyone have an
idea how we could find out?"

   Leslie pulled out her cell phone, looked up a number, and initiated a
call.  She held up her hand signaling everyone to be quiet.  "Janine, hi
this is Leslie from Georgia Tech.  Is this a bad time?  ... Great!  Listen,
Sara, Tiffany and I were talking about coming up for the party next
Saturday.  ... Yes, I'm the redhead, Sara is the bouncy brunette, and
Tiffany is the really cute black girl." Leslie gestured down her throat
with her finger like she was gagging.  Janet almost busted a gut
suppressing a giggle.

   Leslie frowned at Janet and continued, "We don't have many friends at
MIT, but I was wondering if anyone from the Department of Physics would be
attending the party.  ... Just some grad student Shelly is dating?  Who
would that be?"

   Leslie smiled, "Charles Brenner?  Okay, put us down.  Oh, and can we
bring a couple of friends?  ... Great!  Thanks a lot, Janine.  See you
Saturday night."

   Leslie thrust her arms over her head, "Touchdown!  I remember that name
from the magazine article."

   "What name?" Jake asked as he escorted Gloria back into the room.  Her
fancy hairdo was gone, but her hair had been brushed out.  She didn't look
like she had been rode hard and put away wet, but had clearly been ridden
hard recently.  Ralph was a bit embarrassed and didn't want to meet Janet
or Misty's eyes.  Toby was also embarrassed, but had a goofy grin that was
not going anywhere anytime soon.

   Janet remarked, "It looks like everyone survived.  Anyone have injuries
that need attention?"

   There were a few chuckles.  Lesa looked at Jake, "So, does anyone have
anything to report?"

   Toby said, "Wow," but was cut off by Jake before saying anything else.

   "A gentleman doesn't talk about such things," Jake offered.

   Misty point out, "Jake, the whole idea was to find out if Gloria was
someone we should include in our little conspiracy."

   Gloria sat down and leaned forward, bracing herself against the table,
and spoke, "I'm not a gentleman.  I had no idea ... as Toby said, wow!  I'm
amazed at the stamina of my little virgin.  He's the only one who went
around the world.  These other guys wimped out on me.  Ralph is VERY
talented, and Jake.  My God!  What a monster!  But, Toby?  Toby's special!"

   Sara Jay leaned toward Toby, "So Toby, is Gloria someone you'd be glad
to see if you were on a desert island?"

   Toby looked and Gloria and smiled, "It wouldn't have to be a desert
island, it could be a beach loaded with skimpy bikinis."

   Gloria blushed, "Thank you, kind sir." She stretched across the table
and blew him a kiss.

   Everyone's attention turned to Misty as she paced about the room.  She
was on the phone, "Hey Pop.  Can I use the Cherokee next weekend to go to a
party in Boston?  No Pop, I won't drink any alcohol.  Yes, if there are
drugs I'll leave immediately.  Give up sex and rock-and-roll?  Get real
Pop!" Misty was laughing into the phone.  "Thanks Pop, will you ask them to
get it out and gas it up for me?  We should be there by eight o'clock
Saturday morning.  I'll be sure to get plenty of sleep before coming home
Sunday.  Love you too, Pop.  Bye."

   Beaming, Misty looked at Leslie, "I've got us a ride.  It'll take about
seven or eight hours to get to Boston.  I don't remember exactly how far it
is.  Janet, I think you and Toby should ride along with us.  No offense,
baby." Misty looked at Ralph, "But, Toby is a cutie who can blend into a
sorority party, and Janet can be the life of any party.  Leslie, let
Tiffany know she has a ride, but she can't bring anyone with her.  Six is
the limit."

   Jake was puzzled, "Six can't ride comfortably in a Jeep.  And it's a
twelve hour drive just to get to New York, how are you going to get to
Boston in eight?"

   Laughing, Misty explained, "It's not a Jeep Cherokee silly, I'm
borrowing my dad's Piper Cherokee.  It has six very nice leather seats and
a three-hundred horsepower fuel injected engine that will pull us along at
one-hundred-seventy miles-per-hour."

   "An airplane?" As more of Toby's brain cells came online, he was able to
follow the conversation, from a reasonable distance anyway.  "You're
talking about flying to Boston in an airplane?"

   Misty was amused, "Yes, how else would we fly?  Giant condor?"

   Leslie looked concerned, "I've never been in a small plane.  You said it
had six seats, and six of us are going.  Who's going to fly it?"

   Misty laughed, "I am.  You don't have to have a super-genius CAP score
to be able to fly an airplane.  It's easy.  I've been flying since I was
sixteen."

   Janet looked at Misty slack-jawed, "You never told me that you were a
pilot."

   Misty looked her in the eye, "You never asked, besides, a girl needs to
have some secrets.  And being a pilot can really intimidate other people.
Look at how you guys are reacting.  Yes, I'm a girl, and yes, I can fly
airplanes."

   Lesa laughed and spoke up, "Back off guys, you might be surprised to
know the skills that a lot of girls have.  My license is from Kenya and
isn't current, but my father had me learn to fly when I was eighteen.  It's
not as easy as Misty would have you believe, but not really hard either.  I
can also hold my own with most any kind of firearm.  Many women have skills
that are not normally associated with women."

   Janet nodded her head, "My dad's not a gangster, but I'm pretty good
with a .38 Special."

   Jake's head popped up, "Whose dad's a gangster?"

   Lesa patted his hand, "No one's, sweetie, I'll tell you about my father
later.  Who's going to spend the night?  Toby, Gloria, shall we change the
linen in the guestroom?  Sara, Leslie, can you stay the night?"

   Gloria looked at Toby, then Lesa.  "As much as I'd like to stay, I have
animals to take care of.  Toby, would you like to see where I live.  I'd
love for you to meet my St.  Bernard, Barnie."

   Toby blushed and nodded, "Sure, I'd like that.  I can follow you in my
car."

   With that, Toby and Gloria made their way to the door.

   "That frees up the guest room, Janet," Lesa remarked.

   Janet questioned, "That's a big double bed in there, isn't it?"

   Lesa laughed, "Actually, it's a queen size bed.  How about it?"

   Janet looked at Misty and Ralph, "That beats the three of us trying to
fit in a twin.  Thanks Lesa, we'll be happy to spend the night."

   Lesa looked at Leslie and Sara Jay, "That leaves you guys without a
ride, doesn't it?  Think we can all squeeze into my king size, or should we
get Jake to drive you to the dorm?"

   The two looked at each other, smiled and said, "Stay."

   Lesa checked the doors, turned out the lights, and everyone headed
upstairs.