I smiled when I saw a response from Tyler in my inbox. I knew that would cheer me up, yet I had an unspoken fear that Tyler would have lost interest at the same time Mouse left, and I would be left alone. I was at home, sick with the flu, but I had still e-mailed Tyler first thing in the morning. I couldn’t wait another day. I drummed my fingers as I waited for the e-mail to open.

Good Morning, Lori,

Today I was pleasantly surprised to see a morning e-mail from you. Thanks.

And my breakfast was two English muffins with jelly.

I think I will answer a few of your easier questions first.

Why do I want to wrestle you? I figured you to be a good challenge—at least put up a good fight for at least three minutes until I either lock you up or choke you out. (I don’t follow real wrestling rules, I sort of follow some modified judo rules.) I don’t really pin. It’s more like either you submit or get choked out.

How far am I from the city? Well, mileage I do not know exactly. But it is about 1½ hours on an express train from Milford to Grand Central.

Do I like the city? It is a nice place to visit. I do not think I could live there. At least now I couldn’t, maybe if I was younger. It is really busy. I kind of like my house here in the country. At night, there are no street lights, and when you look into the sky, you can see a billion stars. I have an acre of spacious land, and I am only about 15 minutes from city life here. Let me put it this way—at night I can have sex in my back yard and no one would ever know. Well that’s not a good example, is it? I mean, in NY, I’ve seen some pretty interesting things happen there, too. And people want others to see.

Next question: Sushi? I guess sushi is an acquired taste and I haven’t acquired it yet. I do eat my meat very rare, but I like it cooked just a little bit. I have eaten sushi before, but I would not put in on my top ten list.

So I guess I am probably not answering your questions very well. Ok just picture me as a karate clown throwing people around. Or better yet, keep the construction image.

I remember a lot of weird things, don’t I? The choking thing is getting really intriguing now. And, yes, you are right—I do remember a lot of the weird things. So this choking thing gets even stranger than what you had already explained. Wow!! Too bad I am at work.