had risen.

Julia finally appeared at Chris's bedroom door as Chris secured the last suitcase. "Join me for a cup of coffee and a chat?"

"Sure," Chris replied, outwardly chipper, inwardly envisioning with envy what her friend had been doing for the last several hours behind that other door, noticing a subtle but distinct 'after glow in Julia's features and mannerisms as they made their way to the kitchen.

Chris waited patiently while Julia filled a cup and arranged herself at the breakfast bar. After a few sips of the black liquer, Julia looked up. "Chris? I hope you've enjoyed your stay here. We've liked having you, ya know."

"Yes, Julia," Chris replied, "I have enjoyed myself. In fact, it's meant far more than I would have ever thought possible. And despite my original misgivings, it's actually been fun. Thanks for having me, you've been wonderful."

"Are you ready to go back to work?" Julia asked as she sipped at her cup.

"I suppose. I guess I can't have fun all the time." Chris drawled and smiled lamely. "I hope I can start doing some medical work at the Clinic ...But most though, instead of just office work.

of all I'm gonna miss the men!" she blurted.

Julia arched an eybrow. "Oh? You liked their

special brand of attention, did you?"

Chris blushed. "Yea, it's real nice having someone attentive to your every want and need. Ron was especially nice."

She was all starry-eyed by now and Julia noticed immediately.

"Girls do have to pay for the attention they receive," she warned. "We have to smile and be pleasant, pay attention to boring subjects. sometimes we give ourselves, but only when the conditions are right, of course."

And

"You seem to enjoy that as much as anyone, Chris accused pleasantly. Julia's blush got Chris giggling and soon they were both chuckling girlishly.

"Yes.. I.. do," she gasped between short breaths, "but I'm married."

Chris stopped abruptly and frowned. "You had fun last night while I had to go to bed frustrated after sending Ron away. That's not fair!" she pouted.

"Oh..tisk tisk.. poor girl, all ready to play games and not allowed to. We girls do have our crosses to bear."

"Well!" Chris thought aloud. "I could always call Ron and invite him over to take care of me." Her friend was suddenly serious. "Chrissy! A nice girl, which is exactly what you are, never NEVER throws herself at a man! If a woman allows herself to get drunk and is seduced then that may be some sort of excuse for loose conduct and possible reputation, even if its just for appearances." She watched her young house guest closely and abruptly changed the subject. "Have you thought about your future, Chris? What do you want to do after your contract is up at the Clinic?"

Chris answered seriously. "I'm not real sure right now. This vacation was great and I learned a lot, about myself as a woman and about how to handle the world around me as I am now. These two weeks have been most enlightening. All my close friends are at Greystone, but it's a haven, a place to escape to. I know now that I like having men around too, so the Clinic's women-only policy would never satisfy me for long. I think now that if I can get a good career basis as a medical technician or nurse, I could eventually go to school or work at a regular hospital on the mainland. But I don't know yet."