she understood great sex could n't sustain a marriage , but she wanted to tell herself if they could fix this , somehow that could fix everything else . he looked at me instead of through me . he said they wanted the old man or else , if he was kind of sick , he should pick some guy to be mayor , not a dame . '' i looked at my best friends and watched their eyes scan the ancient space . i focused deeply and prepared myself for a proper lift off . 