Eye of the Storm

Chapter

Twenty-two

ANDREW RESISTED THE impulse to put his hands in his pockets and merely clasped them in front of him as he returned the veiled, hostile stares from Ceci’s siblings. “Nice weather,” he drawled, deliberately drawing out the words and injecting as much Southern as he possibly could into his voice and still get the words out around his tongue.

“And here I thought we were rid of you,” Charles stated. “But just like a bad Rembrandt, here you are.”

“Naice t’see you too, Chuckie. That a new suit?” Andrew let the hostility roll off him without any trouble, having spent far too much time in his life facing people trying to kill him.

Charles glanced around, then indicated a small door. “I’ve got something to say to you.” He turned and walked towards the side room, fully expecting Andrew to follow. With a sigh and a small shake of his head, the navy officer did.

Charles closed the door behind them and walked across the tiny room, which featured a table, a chair and a lamp set over the table, clearing a space for examining art or other objects. “I’m not going to waste any time.”

“Good t’hear.” Andrew settled against the wall.

“If you think you’re going to just waltz back into my sister’s life, you’ve got another thing coming.” Charles turned and folded his arms.

“I’m not going to allow that.”

“And jest what are you gonna to do t’stop me?” Andy inquired mildly. “Seven years and you still ain’t got the sense God gave a ground-hog, d’you? It ain’t your choice, Chuck. Never was, never will be. It’s hers, and she’s done made it.” He paused. “Again.”

“You going to take and drag her out into the streets again?” the man taunted. “Can’t you see she’s better off here?”

Andy studied him. “Nope.”

“You always were a selfish pig.”

“If’n you think she is better off, then you’ve got a set of twisted ideas, cause what I see is a lonely woman half crazed needing someone t’care for her.”

“She’s perfectly happy here,” Charles shot back. “She’s got family and friends and a decent place to live for a change.”

200 Melissa Good

“She tell you that?”

“What?”

“She’s happy?” Andy pushed off the wall and eased towards him.

“Dj’a ever ask her?”

“She’s my sister. I know she is,” Charles answered. “That’s why I took that notification they sent last year and burned it.”

Andrew’s dark brows snapped together and he moved his head forward, his eyes narrowing. “What?”

“Oh, sure. That notice the damn Navy sent. That you’d been found? I burned it,” Charles taunted. “It came to our place and you bet I grabbed it and had my self a little party making sure my sister never saw a word of it.”

Big hands flexed. “You done that.” Andy’s breathing slowed and deepened. “Here, I was thinking she’d done tossed it away.” His voice was almost an offhand murmur.

“I wasn’t going to let her fall back in that trap.” Charles laughed.

“She’s better off out of that hell and out of your life and away from that perverted kid you forced on her.”

“Charles?” Andy said slowly, “Y’all better shut up now.”

“I’ve just started,” the man shot back. “Disgusting. She shows up for a funeral with her little tart in tow, I about died of—blck.” The room whirled as he was picked up and slammed onto his back on the table.

“Gchk.”

Hands twisted in his shirt collar and air cut off abruptly. He struggled, as he looked up into a pair of blue eyes so cold, they were almost colorless. Andrew’s face had settled into stillness, save for a feral twitch running up and down either side of his nose, matching the flaring nostrils. “Now,” his voice was much lower and deeper, “y’all are gonna shut up.”

Charles’ chest hurt and he fought to drag air into his lungs.

“Or I’m going to pull yer haid right off yer body and stuff it up your rear end.” Andy leaned on him, sending pain up and down his body. “Do you understand me, boy?”

Hysterical, he nodded, and the grip relaxed, just a little. Just enough for him to suck in a tiny bit of air.

“Ah do not like you,” Andrew enunciated very carefully. “Ah have never liked you, but I put up with you cause you just happened to share the same mamma and pappa as my wife.” He leaned closer. “But ah will not put up with you bad mouthing mah family. You understand me, boy?” He leaned closer. “Or I will surely kill you.”

Charles started shaking.

“If you ever try to get between Ceci and me again, I will rip you apart.” He paused. “And if you ever speak about mah daughter like that again, I will make you a eunuch in under five seconds.” Andrew lifted him up and threw him against the wall. Then he pounced across the floor and grabbed him as he rebounded and shoved him up and held him. “Are we real straight on that, Mister?”

Eye of the Storm 201

“You’re crazy,” Charles croaked.

“No, sir.” Andrew shook his head. “Ah am a very angry man, who knows how to kill people right well.” His eyes bored into the shorter man’s. “If you have any smarts at all, you will just say ‘yes, sir’ and shut up.”

Ceci’s brother stared at him for a long, hateful moment, then lowered his eyes. “Yes, sir.”

Andrew held him a second more then released his grip and stepped back, standing alert and balanced on the balls of his feet as Charles slowly twitched at his clothing and gathered the shreds of his composure.

“We’re done now.” Andy turned and walked to the door. He put his hand on the knob before turning and facing his adversary. “Asshole.” He opened the door, walked through it, and closed it behind him firmly. Ceci was just coming back and she headed his way, a concerned look on her face. “Ready to see yer pictures?”

“Sure.” Cecilia glanced at the door. “Everything okay?”

“Yer brother and I just cleared the air a little,” Andy reassured her.

“C’mon.”

She tucked her hand around his arm and paced lightly at his side, watching the signs of rage slowly fade. “Andy?”

“Mmm?” His eyes blinked, then met hers.

“You didn’t break anything, did you?”

His lips quirked faintly. “No, ma’am, I did not.”

Ceci exhaled. “All right. Come on. I think they’ve got those little stuffed chicken things you like on the buffet.”

Andy relaxed, releasing the last of his anger out to the ether. No sense in holding it, anyway. He gazed fondly down at his wife. “You looking to spoil me, pretty lady?”

He got a much missed elfin smile for that. “You betcha.” Ceci steered him towards a cluster of people around a large canvas. “See what you think of this one.”

Several faces turned as they came up, staring curiously at Andrew.

“Cec? Who’s your friend?” one of the art gallery’s directors called out, too far to read the nameplate on Andy’s uniform.

“This is my husband,” Cecilia answered, enjoying the surprised looks. “Andrew Roberts.” She started introductions as the crowd closed in, chattering in question.

KERRY STOOD, SOBERLY regarding her reflection in the mirror.

She was dressed in her underwear and laid out neatly on the counter was her little leather outfit, draping saucily over the edge in a fall of slinky hide.

“Well.” She met the sea green eyes gazing back at her. “I could pretend I was going as Pocahontas.” She paused. “The blonde hair’s a little off, but I think I may have a feather around here someehere.”

With a sigh, she finally picked up the skirt and wrapped it around 202 Melissa Good her waist, adjusting the fit with the convenient Velcro closures. “What on earth did they do before Velcro, Chino? I can’t imagine it.”

“Grufw.” The Labrador was curled up on the bed, watching her with interest, tired out after a long afternoon’s run Kerry had just finished up with.

“It’s pretty, huh?” She fingered the leather belt, intricately tooled and stained in several colors, with a knotwork design. The skirt itself was a very soft rusty tan leather, so thin it draped over her hips and thighs almost like cloth. “O…kay.” Kerry picked up the top next and studied it.

“Hmm. A leather sports bra. This is going to be different.”

After a moment’s hesitation, she removed her regular bra and slipped the leather one on. She fiddled with the fastenings in back then brought the straps around to her front and adjusted them. With faint trepidation, she lifted her eyes to the reflection and chewed her lip at what she saw.

God, there was a lot of her showing. She spared a moment of intense gratitude for the months in the gym, as she twisted her body a little and watched the muscles move just under her tan. “See what she meant about needing to work out to wear this one,” she murmured. “What do you think, Chino?”

“Gorgeous.”

Kerry’s brain almost exploded, then she realized the voice was Dar’s and coming from the door. “Jesus.” She covered her eyes as a laugh escaped. “I thought the dog answered me.”

“Woof,” Dar replied, easing the rest of the way into the room, still dressed in her workout shorts and cutoff shirt. “Mmm. I like it.” She studied Kerry approvingly. “You definitely look natural in that.”

“Natural?” Kerry put her hands on her hips. “Dar, it’s a leather bikini. Don’t tell me I look natural in a leather bikini, please, because my brain will dribble out my ears just at the thought.”

“But you do,” Dar objected gently. “Stand up straight.”

With a sigh, Kerry did so, letting her hands drop to her thighs. In reflex, she lifted her head and chin as Dar adjusted the straps on her top, the feel of the light fingertips on her bare back striking a chord of faint familiarity. “I look like a fake Native American.”

“Nah.” Dar pulled her pale hair back and held it. “How ’bout we put a leather holder on this and you can put on some of that old jewelry in Aunt May’s trunk. You’ll look great, Ker. Honest.” She peeked over Kerry’s shoulder and examined the mirror’s reflection, as Kerry lifted her eyes and met her gaze in it. “What’s wrong?”

Kerry’s lips tightened, then relaxed. “Sometimes I look in this mirror and I have no idea who that person looking back at me is.” She gave a slight shake of her head and lifted her hands a trifle, then let them drop.

“I never imagined myself like this.”

“Does it bother you?” Dar asked, hesitantly. “You know, Kerry. Just because I do the gym and all that, doesn’t mean you have to.”

“No, I like it.” She gave Dar a gentle smile. “It’s just that I’ve never Eye of the Storm 203

felt good about myself before and it’s a little strange getting used to.” She tilted her head back. “You’re wonderful for my ego, you know that?”

“Glad to be of service.” Dar chuckled in relief.

“Speaking of egos, it’s your turn to get dressed.” Kerry grinned. “I’m going to finish up getting ready.”

“Okay.” Dar kissed her bare shoulder. “I’m going to grab a shower, then see if I can squeeze into that vest. Never mind those jeans you dug up from the closet.” She gave Kerry a pat on the butt and ambled out, followed by Chino.

Kerry shook her head, and turned her attention back to the mirror.

“You know something, Kerrison? For someone once voted most likely to become a republican governor, you didn’t turn out so bad.”

DAR TOUSLED HER hair semi dry, then trudged out into her bedroom wrapped in a towel. Now that it was the day of the reunion, she found herself kind of looking forward to it, in a bizarre sort of way. High school hadn’t been a great time for her. Dad had been out to sea a lot and her relationship with her mother had been going downhill.

But she’d had fun, anyway, finding the most outrageous things to wear and do possible, knowing the school was just gnashing its teeth, since expelling an honors student bucking for class valedictorian just didn’t cut the mustard.

It was—what?—eleventh grade when I’d stopped responding to my birth name and made everyone call me Dar? Yeah. She’d worn sunglasses inside and leather and ripped clothes, with chains hanging around her neck, ear cuffs. Oh, and the spurs.

And the boots.

She’d sounded like John Wayne going up in assembly that last year, to pick up not one, but four scholastic achievement awards, and she’d thoroughly enjoyed the fact that it drove every single one of the staff, and her mother, completely crazy.

Bite me. In studs, on the back of that leather jacket, too.

“What a punk.” She laughed at her reflection. “And they couldn’t say a goddamned word to me—not with that record and zero absences and zero tardies.”

Perfect attendance. Straight A student. An excellent athlete who refused to participate in team sports. Cocky. Antisocial.

Dar sighed, meeting her own eyes in the mirror. “What an asshole I was. If I’d have met myself, I’d have kicked my butt from one end of Fla-gler Street to the other.” With a wry chuckle, she shed her towel and slid into a pair of cotton briefs with little devils all over them. Then she picked up the pair of very faded, artfully ripped jeans Kerry had discovered in a bag shoved way in the back of the closet and stepped into them, tugging them up and pausing.

“Hmm.” They were snug, but she’d expected that. She fastened the worn buttons and studied the result. Well, nothing hung over and nothing 204 Melissa Good poked out. Better than she’d hoped for, actually. She picked up the vest and examined it, then shrugged it on and pulled the laces.

The leather was soft and pliable and readily fitted itself to her body as she finished the side laces and started up the front. There were sizable gaps in the hide, where her own skin showed, and the neckline was cut low with narrow shoulder straps, exposing quite a bit of her upper body.

“All right,” she murmured, tugging the last bit into place and patting the front. “An escapee from a bad Mad Max imitation movie. Nifty.”

The doorbell rang, and she blinked, then walked out into the living room and tried to imagine who on earth would be dropping by without security calling her. Clemente, probably. She unlocked the door and pulled it back, stopping in startled shock when blue eyes on a level with hers appeared.

“Oh. Hi, Dad.” Dar glanced to one side. “Mother.” A totally adolescent panic turned her guts to mush. “Uh…”

Andrew Roberts’ eyebrows hiked up and he put a hand on one hip as he studied his offspring. “What in the hell?”

“Now, that’s the daughter I remember,” Cecilia murmured softly, an ironic twist to her lips. “Sorry we surprised you, Dar. We just flew in and your father wouldn’t rest before he showed me where you lived.”

“Ah.” Yeah. Okay. Jaw closed, brain on straight, Dar, c’mon. “Sure, um, c’mon in.” She backed up and allowed them to enter. “Mother, we have a dog.”

“I heard,” Cecilia replied evenly. “I’ll live.”

Chino bounded out of Dar’s bedroom, spotted Andrew, and cork-screwed over to him in utter delight. “Stop that.” Andrew scowled at the puppy then knelt as Chino wriggled against his legs in animal ecstasy.

“C’mon you furball. Cut that out.”

Dar found herself facing her mother, totally unprepared to do so. She felt very off balance. “Um. You want to sit down? We’re just getting ready for this party we have to go to. That’s why the…” She tugged at her leather laces. “I don’t usually dress this way anymore.”

“Ah.” Cecilia kept her response to a minimum, feeling as uncomfortable as Dar looked. “What kind of party?”

“High school reunion.”

“Mmm.”

Andrew stood up. “You are not tellin’ me you are stepping foot outside this house like that now, are you?”

“Ah. Yes, actually.” Dar put her hands behind her back and tried not to breathe too deeply. “It’s a come as you were thing.”

Her father straightened. “Paladar, you are not goin’ out there half naked.”

“No. She’s not,” Kerry’s voice interrupted—a wonderful sound to Dar’s ears. “But I am.” Eyes went to the stairs as the blonde woman trotted down them and appeared in all her scantily leathered, booted glory.

“She’s kinda overdressed, as a matter of fact.”

“Dear Jesus.” Andrew covered his eyes.

Eye of the Storm 205

Cecilia bit the inside of her mouth hard to keep from bursting out in hysterical laughter.

Dar slid an arm around Kerry’s shoulders and rubbed her back, as the shorter woman wrapped her in a hug. Over Kerry’s head, she looked up, and met her mother’s eyes.

And realized they might at last have a common ground to meet on.

She managed a half smile. Her mother managed one back.

Just maybe. “Want the nickel tour?” Dar said to Ceci.

“Sure.”

“MAYBE THIS WAS a bad idea, Andy.” Ceci clasped her hands around one knee, as they sat together in the living room. Dar and Kerry had disappeared into the kitchen after their little impromptu tour and a lull had settled. “I don’t think Dar’s very comfortable with me here.”

“Jest relax,” her husband murmured. “She’ll be all right. She just hates surprises. Shoulda called her.” He looked around. “Nice place, huh?”

Cecilia let her eyes roam around the condo. “Gorgeous,” she admitted. “But it’s so not Dar.”

“Yeap,” Andy admitted. “Ah think she just fell into it and was easier just to stay.”

Probably true. Ceci was drawn to a set of pictures on the entertainment center. Two were of Dar at a young age. Two were of Kerry, also older pictures, and the one in the center was of them together.

Both were looking at the camera. Dar was seated behind Kerry, and had her arms wrapped around her, with a half smile on her face. The blonde woman covered Dar’s hands with her own, and the film had captured just the sweetest expression on her, one that almost made Ceci smile just looking at it.

“We need to find a place to stay tonight.” She tore her attention from the picture and put it on her husband. “Any suggestions?” It had been years since she’d been in the city, though it hadn’t changed really much, and she’d found a thousand memories regaining their color as she left the airport and felt the tropical heat drop over her. “Someplace with sand, maybe?”

“ARE YOU OKAY?” Kerry asked, for the third time, as she assembled some glasses and a large pitcher of fruit juice. Dar stood at the sink, staring out at the water with a completely unsettled look on her face.

“Dar?”

“I wasn’t expecting that.” The dark head finally turned and looked at her. “I didn’t want it to be like this.”

Kerry cocked her head in question. “Like what?”

Dar’s face twitched. “So damned…sudden.”

Kerry put her glasses down, walked over and laid a hand on Dar’s 206 Melissa Good almost leather covered back. “Look. Take it easy.” She rubbed gently.

“It’s not that bad, is it? Your mom’s being okay, I thought.”

“No. Yeah. I don’t know.” Dar turned and leaned against the counter, folding her arms tightly over her chest. “It’s taken me all this time to get used to having him back. Seeing them together…I’m having a little trouble comprehending that right now.” She lifted her hand and rubbed her eyes. “Too big an adjustment.”

Yeah, it must be, Kerry thought, as she took Dar’s free hand in hers. “I know it must be tough. Hang in there, Dar. Having them back is a good thing for you, I really believe that.”

Dar sighed. “I know.”

“But it’s weird.”

“Yeah.” Dar made a face.

“And us being dressed like a post-apocalyptic pair of whacked out Amazons doesn’t help.” Kerry smiled as she got a chuckle out of her lover. “Though you have to admit seeing the look on your dad’s face when I came downstairs was worth it.”

“Mmm.” Dar relaxed a little and rubbed her neck. “Eyah. That’s true.”

“Kin ah ask what you two are up to?” Andrew’s voice growled from the doorway. “Starting to think you went to grow them damn fruits afore you squeezed ’em.”

Kerry picked up the tray and cleared her throat. “Ah. That’s my cue.

Bye.” She slipped quickly past Dar’s father, leaving the two of them alone in the kitchen.

Andy stuck his hands into the pockets of his jeans and moved inside the room. “Think I owe you an apology, Dardar. Didn’t meant to shake up your day like this.”

Dar studied her father curiously. “You got a haircut.”

Self-consciously, he lifted a hand and scrubbed it through the trimmed silvered darkness. “Yeap.”

There was something so different about him and yet familiar. “Went okay up there, I see.” Her eyes smiled at him. “I’m glad.” She hesitated.

“I didn’t expect you back so soon.”

Andy took a breath. “She wanted to come home,” he responded simply. “Figured we’d find a spot, near to the water. Just set down and be quiet for a bit.”

“Just like that?”

“Yeap.” He scratched his jaw. “You called the right range on it, Dardar. I owe you.” His mouth moved into a smile. “’Cept I don’t think I can pay you back for this one.”

Now she realized what it was. He was whole again. Dar slowly moved forward. Oh, the scars were still there, but he’d left behind his hooded shirt and regained an equilibrium she could see plainly in the late afternoon light coming in the kitchen window. Hesitantly, she put a hand out and took his. “You don’t owe me a damn thing,” she whispered. “If it made you happy, that’s all that mattered.”

Eye of the Storm 207

“Aw, Dardar.” Andy opened his arms and hugged his daughter’s sturdy form. “Ain’t nothing you ever done that didn’t make me happy and prouder than all get out to be your daddy.”

Mmm. Dar absorbed the infrequent hug greedily and returned it.

“Even dressed like this?” She joked faintly, into his nearby ear.

“Lord,” he poked her through the holes, “would you just look at this?”

She nearly doubled over in laughter at the tickling. “Augh.”

“Tch.” Andrew released her, but put his hands on her shoulders.

“Wouldja do one more thing for yer old man?”

“Anything,” Dar responded warmly.

He paused. “I know a bucket of stuff’s happened, Dar.” He touched her cheek. “I know you got hurt.” Her lashes fluttered closed. “But I’d like it if you’d give yer mama another shot at what’s between the two of you.”

Oh. Is that all? Dar’s eyes opened. “Is that what she wants?”

He nodded.

Dar thought about the request. It would be so hard, she knew already, to work through a lifetime of friction. Just thinking about it exhausted her. Did she really have a choice though? She looked into her father’s eyes. “I’ll try.”

That earned her another smile.

KERRY WALKED INTO the living room and set the tray down. “It’s fruit juice.” She sat down, poured a glass and offered it to Dar’s mother.

“Sort of a mixture.”

Ceci leaned forward and took the glass. “Thank you.” She leaned back with the drink and sipped it as they studied each other. “So,” Ceci murmured. “I somehow didn’t expect we’d be meeting again so soon.”

“No,” Kerry agreed. “I guess not.” She scratched her nose. “This is sort of awkward.”

Ceci took a swallow of the sweet juice. “That’s an understatement,”

she admitted. “It’s been a very surprising few days.” She regarded Kerry’s open, intelligent face curiously. “We could chat about the weather.”

Kerry glanced outside. “Eighties, thirty percent chance of showers.”

Ceci smiled. “Have you lived here long?”

Kerry leaned back. “Well, if you mean in Florida, about two years.”

She folded her arms over her bare stomach. “If you mean here, as in right here, a little over six months.” She paused. “I like it. Miami, I mean. It was a little tough when I first moved down, but after a while, even the heat grows on you.”

“Yes, it does.” Softly clinking ice. “You’re from Michigan originally?”

Kerry nodded. “My family lives there.”

“Sorry I made that crack about your father the last time we met,”

208 Melissa Good Cecilia murmured. “Andy told me about what happened. That must have been very tough.”

“In a way,” Kerry admitted. “In a way it was relief, because I’d been living as part of a charade for so long and after that, I wasn’t. I was free to live however I wanted to.” She studied the table reflectively. “But I miss my family, sometimes. I miss knowing I’m a part of them.” She glanced up. “I still love them, in spite of everything, and I always will, even if they never speak to me again.”

Cecilia found those steady, penetrating green eyes boring into hers, transmitting a weight of meaning to her words it was difficult to avoid.

I think I like her. Ceci inclined her head a trifle, acknowledging the younger woman’s statement. Even if she was raised a Christian Republican. “You really going to a party dressed like that?” She pointed a slim finger at Kerry’s outfit.

“It’s her own fault,” Dar answered, reappearing from the kitchen and settling down next to Kerry on the loveseat. “She talked me into going to this reunion.”

“Half nekkid?” Andrew neatly stepped around Ceci’s knees and dropped onto the couch.

“Uh no, actually. I sort of wanted to...” Kerry regarded Dar’s sleek form. “Anyway, we made a deal, if she went, I’d have to dress the part and go too.”

“Um.” Dar’s mother pursed her lips. “What part exactly are you dressing for?”

Kerry glanced down at herself, then up at Dar. “You picked it. You answer.”

Dar got caught napping. Her jaw opened, then closed a few times, and she sneaked a furtive glance at her mother and father, who were watching in puzzled amusement. “Ah.” Oh well. “Actually, it was Kerry’s idea.”

“It was not.”

“She wanted to see what I looked like in leather.”

“Dar!” Kerry blurted, turning an appealing shade of pink that extended all the way down to her navel.

“Jesus. Woman looks like a damn flamingo.” Andrew chuckled.

“Or like one of those squid that change color,” Dar remarked, eyeing her companion critically.

“Oh god.” Kerry just gave up and buried her face into Dar’s chest, pretending the outside world didn’t exist for a little while. At least until she stopped glowing like a bad neon sign factory. “Is it time to go yet?”

she muttered into the scent of skin and leather.

Dar chuckled and patted her back, then eyed her parents. “What are your plans? Dad said you were looking for a place to stay.” The thought occurred to her to offer hospitality, but she wasn’t sure if any of them were ready for that much close quarters so soon. However… “We’ve got some little cottages here on the island they use as a hotel. I could book you in one if you’re interested.”

Eye of the Storm 209

The older pair exchanged glances. “That would be very nice. Thank you, Dar,” Ceci finally answered. “At least until we can have a chance to look around down here a little.”

“Sure.” Dar was inwardly pleased with the solution. She picked up the phone and dialed the resident services number. “Hello? Yes. Hi, Clemente.” A pause. “No, thanks. I’m feeling much better, really.”

Another pause. “Actually, I need to book one of the cottages.” A much longer pause. “All right. That’ll have to do then.” She flashed a quick smile. “No, it’s for my parents.” Lengthy pause as she listened. “Not on vacation, no. They’re looking for a place down here.” Short pause. “Um, sure, that would be fine. Thanks, Clemente.” She hung up. “All set.

They’ll send a cart for you.”

Kerry peeked out from her hiding spot. “Everyone’s really nice here.”

They exchanged a few more words, then stood, and Dar watched as the reservations staff took charge of her parents’ luggage and transported them down the road. “They only had the big one left,” she commented.

“The one with the Cadillac sized hot tub?”

“Uh huh.”

“Ooo. I’d like to be a fly on that wall.”

Dar grinned. “Me too.” She nudged Kerry. “C’mon. Let’s get this bike revved up and get going.”

“Uh, uh. I get to accessorize you first.” The blonde woman wagged a finger. “I saw that bag of old chains and collars.”

Dar winced. “Oh boy.”