The underside was the secret. David picked it up and his eyes widened. Xxnx I went into the kitchen and got a cold beer, drank a few mouthfuls while we watched her hang there. She had only one carry-on bag, which I took. She was open enough now that I was able to drop two ice cubes into her. David took the first shift watching her to make sure she was safe, the rest of us went and had lunch. When every inch of her was bright red, I put down the brushes and picked up a leather paddle. “Throw it away,” I said. There were no takers so I went back to work. I knew it had a bit of an amateur-ish ring to it and we both knew I wouldn’t let her starve but still, it felt good to say.
