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I had dinner with just Sherry and Melissa in the cozy 'small dining room'. There were only six chairs, instead of the hundred and sixty in the huge great hall.
Both ladies ranted and raved about how good the food was, and I agreed. "The enchiladas are amazing! I've never tasted anything like them! How did he possibly come up with the idea that shrimp and lobster burritos would go so well with radish flakes and whipped sriracha and cream? WOW!"
Sherry chimed in, "I'm a better than average chef, but Anistas is INCREDIBLE! Having him as a teacher would be great!"
Mel commented, "I liked it. What's for dessert, Lysander?"
A few seconds later, a butler brought in a tray with tiny baked Alaskas next to chocolate mousse filled miniature beignets, topped with powdered sugar and shredded candied cherries. They were just large enough to leave us wanting more, while not feeling hungry.
Sherry said, "Amazing again! Making baked Alaska so small is incredibly hard! Slightly too much heat and it melts, not quite enough, and the egg whites don't cook fully. Wow!"
I asked; "How much time do you have this evening? Is somebody waiting for you?"
Sherry replied, "We're staying with my cousin, but he's... uh... out of town awhile."
Mel snarkily said, "Jail. It's called jail, Mom. He got in another bar fight and tried to punch a cop this time."
Sherry growled at her. "Shut up! He doesn't need to know everything! And we really, really need this!"
"Take it easy, ladies. Have a cigarette and relax, so our food can start digesting. I don't mind if Mel has one too."
"But she's only..."
I said, "Please? I don't mind."
"Fine!" She reluctantly handed Mel a cigarette. The two of them smoked and I saw the stress slowly leave their faces.
"I'd like to do the rest of our interview in a little while. Mel, can you go hang out with Tracy, while I talk to your mom?"
"Sure! Tracy is awesome!"
"And would you object to staying in a room here tonight, so your mom doesn't have to drive home after dark?"
"Holy crap! REALLY! This place is like a palace! Better than a hotel, even!"
"Is that ok with you, Sherry?"
"Our own rooms? By ourselves?"
"Of course. I wouldn't disrespect you by presuming anything."
"Good. That sounds really nice!"
"I think Tracy is in her room, across the hall from the one that'll be yours tonight. Third floor, on the left. I'll come talk to you in an hour or so."
"See you then!" She waved before running up the stairs.
I looked at Sherry and asked, "So how did you get along with Annalise and Irina?"
"Irina's very shy, but I liked talking to her about what she used to cook and eat in Eastern Europe. I learned a lot about Ukraine and the Baltic states in only a couple of hours."
"And Annalise?"
"Uh... Annalise is really nice. We had a lot of fun feeding the ducks and fish. And she's SO PRETTY!"
"You're very pretty too, and you have a great body."
She blushed and said, "Thanks. You're very handsome, too."
I kissed her lightly. "I'd like to finish our interview in the hot tub, if you don't mind?"
"But... I didn't bring a swimsuit."
"We have spare suits for visitors, but they're not required."
"Um... okay."
I held her hand and led the way. As we got near the tub, I saw she was very nervous. "You can wear a suit, that's fine. There should be several in the changing room over there." As the door closed behind her, I stripped to my boxers, and got in the rapidly bubbling, nicely warm water.
Quite a while later, she bashfully walked out wearing an orange one-piece. I saw she was beginning to cry. "Please don't be mad! Please?"
"It'll be ok. Come here and tell me what's wrong."
"I... ah... just please don't hate me!" Tears streamed down her face, as she turned around. On each of her butt cheeks I saw a tattoo, 'Property of Jake'."
"I'm not upset. Just talk to me about it."
She walked over and leaned on the edge of the tub, as she continued to cry.
"He got me really drunk, and when I passed out he put those awful things on me! I'm so sorry!"
"Who? Who's Jake?"
"Jake is my brother! He... he... abused me. I started dating another guy and Jake found out. He got me drunk and did this to me! Nobody will be with me more than once! They see the tattoos, get off in a hurry, then leave! I'm so sorry! Please don't be mad!"