hysterical was not a look she wore well . when they were finished , pete pulled her up to him and leaned on the table kissing her softly on the neck and face . i will fight to the death to defend the right of the people to live and practice , or not , the religion of their choice . every time i finish a meal , the leftovers go to the compost bucket . what you are to me is neither here or there . crystals hand went to her mouth . 