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instinctively pressed their legs together. When I raise my eyes, Patrick has lost his smile.  
    I finish chewing the bean, and gloat, “Now I’ve only done it on bulls, but I’m told the process can also be used on humans when they suffer from erectile dysfunction.”
    At my back, I hear a gasp and a very hearty laugh.  
    I turn around to see Agatha and Oliver standing behind me.
    Agatha is frowning at me, she’s mad. She has her “you’ve done it again” look. It’s the one she wears when she thinks I’ve behaved in an inappropriate fashion. Shrugging her shoulders, she walks away to the buffet to get food. I can tell that she’s upset with me.
    Oliver, on the other hand, seems amused. He says, “Hey, Patrick, Jade warned you; she said you didn’t want to know.”
     “Hell, she sure was right… I should have listened.” Patrick laughs, and asks me, “Are we good?”
    “Yeah, sure. We’re fine,” I answer, smiling back at him to show that I mean it. I try really hard to be civil, and add, “It was nice meeting you.”
    The men get up and go. Oliver says, “Go ahead, I’ll meet you at the car in a minute.”
    He sits next to me on the bench with his back to what is now my very private table. His elbows rest on it and he looks at me as if I’m of a different species. 
    I get that a lot, so I just say, “That’s the story of my life. I told you, I scare guys away.”
    “Your problem is more serious than I imagined. Hell, you’ve managed to freak out four of the bravest men I know.”
    “She sure did,” says Agatha, who sits down across from me. 
    Oliver turns his head around and, over his shoulder, says to Agatha, “She has yet to scare me away. I’m still here!” He turns back to me, gets closer, and asks softly, “How are you feeling? No withdrawal symptoms, yet?”
    I can’t help smiling. I really like this man. 
    “No, sir. So far, so good,” my tone is light but as my eyes lock onto his, my heart beats a little too fast. 
    “Good. See you when I get back, then. I look forward to our next conversation.” 
    As he gets up, his hand rests against my shoulder and he winks. Agatha’s mouth is wide open.
    Cool. She’s no longer mad. Now she’s curious, and I can see it’s eating her up. She waits for Oliver to get passed the door and then asks, “What was that about?” 
    “Kissing,” I answer without offering any further information. 
    Agatha tilts her head sideways, and does not ask me to elaborate. She knows that sooner or later I’ll tell her. At some point, I’ll need someone to talk and she’s the only one I have.
    I keep her company while she tells me about her day. I listen, nod, and smile. She’s not really interested in my opinion, she just wants to unwind with someone, and, since James fled to the hills when he heard of my sperm collecting method, she’s stuck with me.  
     
    ❦

 
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER SIX
     
    ONE WEEK’S ALMOST GONE BY , and I’ve fallen into a routine. I get up at 5, go to wash and swim by the waterfall all by myself, and then meet with Agatha and give her feedback on the results of the tests that I conducted on her samples.   
    The staff of the camp doesn’t seem to be scared of me anymore. They are starting to get used to the idea that one can have red hair and not be diabolical. They have even taught me  a few words, just the basics like, hello: “sabaidi”, please: “kaluna”, thanks: “chop chai”, goodbye: “lacon.” 
    I can also introduce myself: “Khoy seu Jade.”  
    When I’m done with my work I wander alone and explore the area.
    One morning, I did the touristy thing, which is to watch the procession of the monks being fed by the villagers. I’m told that the essentials of their earthly belongings are the clothes on their backs, and a bowl to collect food. Talk about packing light. This is taking simplicity to an extreme level.
    Another day, I visited the Pak Ou Caves, in which hundreds of statues of