?A little,? I told him honestly. Mam beating wasn't a sport I got to do veryoften, more's the pity. Still, all things considered, Sam did invite the r...ghtguy home. ?You know what this means, don't you Saggy?? ?Yes, Sam. I can't go around hurting your friend's hand with my saggies.? ?Damned right, you old cunt.? From behind a flower pot, Sam produced a cat-o'-nine tails with nasty lookingmetal spikes. ?You're not going to?,? I began, expecting before long those mams to be cutto ribbons and any. "A peeping Tom," she finally said, her tone laced with contempt.Alan frowned. "I am not. I'm just an amateur photographer."The old woman considered his words, then sat back. "Suppose we develop your film, hmmm?" She saw Alan blanche at the suggestion. "Or maybe we should summon the police? After all, you were trespassing."Alan's confidence was thoroughly shaken. He just stared at the old woman, knowing that there was nothing he could say."So why do you take these pictures, Alan?" She watched. Those pretty ears should have a pair of gold studs set inthem by now, most girls in the West wear earrings, whatever theirpolitics and sexuality.And you won't get your freedom back untill youreach the age of eighteen, that is when you are legally an adult,atleast, and maybe not ever...For now you will be my sweet, pretty, boycrazy, Bieber-loving, princess of a daughter. You will live her life injust the way she would have lived it, you will be a perfect double of mydaughter or you will get to. I have to get away.”“I understand.”She snickered. “No, you don’t. That’s not your fault, though. This is my fifth time doing something like this. He’s gonna kill me.”“I’m not going to let him hurt you,” I said fervently. “I’m driving us to the nearest police station and...”“Damn it, Lincoln! You don’t get it. The crazy prick has everyone on his side.”“Even in Pennsylvania? Or Jersey? We’re going to be in Jersey soon.”Kit wiped tears away. “I’m begging you. Drop me off, for your own sake.”My.