Page 95 (2/2)

"Well?" she de on here?"

"I don't see where this is any business of yours, Aunt Victoria I don't e of my life, even if I am stuck in this wheelchair' "

"That's ridiculous," she said "No one's suggesting you can't be in charge of your own life, but you are obviously not listening to good advice I don't give you this advice on my own I've spoken with a nuree that in your condition, especially so fresh in it, you are absolutely defenseless If someone like me doesn't stand up for you, you'll be--"

"Hurt?"

"In ine" She paused, approached the desk, folded her arms under her small bosoht "I want to know just how far this whole thing has gone Are you having a romantic episode with this this so-called therapist?"

"Romantic episode?"

"You know exactly what I mean"

We stared at each other I didn't knohether to laugh or just shout her out Suddenly, her face softened,

"Believe entle, "men are first and foremost sexual predators They sneak up on you and pounce when you'reto soest and healthiest women with their smile and their soft talk and their promises and then they take your selfrespect It doesn't even occur to the that and even if it did I don't think it would matter much"

"What are you talking about?" I asked, gri with some confusion It was hard to accept Aunt Victoria as solanced at me and then she turned and walked to the

"I know you think I'm someone without any experience in these sort ofit all under lock and key" She turned to me "I do have some wisdom, womanly wisdo the words "never cared to listen to anything I would tell her in that regard She was alwayswith more men, doesn't ht stuff up here," she said pointing to her teer so hard I had to wince "You have to be able to make use of the experiences,

"She never had it and never will But you do Rain I know you do," she said, sounding like she was pleading for us to be good friends "And I can give you some advice that you will appreciate

"Listen to rily "Men are predators, fortune hunters, ready to pounce I've been victimized myself," she revealed and then looked away

The silence was so deep and thick I could hear water running through a pipe on the other side of the house

"What do you mean you were victimized?" I finally asked