Chapter 11…Hard Truths
Mike had been holding the shrunken clothes so long the sun had risen. “Mike! MIKE!” Katie yelled roaming downstairs for him. Seeing a normally closed door cracked open, Katie entered. “There you are. You never came to bed. Mike? Are you okay?” she asked concerned. “For most of my life I hated my mom thinking she abandoned me” he muttered. “I thought you said she died” she said. “No, I had thought she skipped out because it was too hard raising me when I was 8 years old” he said. “What about your dad?” Katie asked. “Was never in the picture. In her senior year of high school, mom hooked up with some jock on the football team. Prom night came and one thing led to another. Fast forward six weeks and mom tells him she missed her period. Dude freaks out saying it ain’t his and after graduation hauls ass to a college with a full ride scholarship. Mom gets stuck working at Waffle House” Mike said softly. “And your grandpa?” Katie asked. “Don’t remember too much early on but he did send money. Mom seemed irritated with him” he replied. “So how did abandonment come up?” she asked. “One night mom dropped me off here and said she was going on a trip and would be back in a few days. Grandpa came to me and said she was never coming back. Said she broke her word and that your word meant everything” he replied. “That where you learned your…obsession with keeping your word?” she asked cautiously. Mike simply nodded. “You said you thought she skipped out on you. So, what changed?” Katie asked.
Mike bent down and showed her his mother’s shrunken clothing. “Oh my god. Your grandpa shrunk your mom?! His own daughter?!” Katie asked. Mike nodded. “You guys must be hungry and I bet Kanya needs to pee” he said quietly getting up still holding the clothes. Mike went upstairs and saw to Kanya and then came down with her. After placing her on the table, he began cooking breakfast. “What’s up with him?” Kanya whispered to Katie. “He just found out his mother didn’t abandon him. His grandpa shrunk her!” Katie replied. “Holy shit” Kanya whispered. “Mike? How did you find out about all this?” Kanya asked. “That Yaksha I saw yesterday unlocked a memory and it led to me finding my grandfather’s diary. Inside was this” he said placing the shrunken clothing on the table. “Did the diary say anything about her?” Kanya asked. “I haven’t had the courage to read it” he muttered. “You don’t have to be alone. We’ll sit with you” Kanya said. Katie quickly nodded. Katie and Kanya ate their breakfast as Mike slowly, very slowly ate his. They finished before he did and Katie, being curious, took a closer look at the clothes. “They’re really well preserved for something nearly 20 years old” she said looking at the dress. “You can try it on if you want” Mike muttered. Katie slipped her shirt off and put the dress on. “Hmm. Doesn’t fit right” she said. “Back in high school, mom was very athletic so the chest may be too small and the shoulders too wide” he said. Mike put down his fork and picked up one of the sandals. “She’s right. It’s incredibly preserved” he thought looking at it between his fingers. Leather sandal with the strap still intact. Sole still connected. Mike could even make out the prints in the sole where his mother’s toes worn it in. “Your mom had big feet” Katie said trying on the other one. Mike chuckled. “Mom usually bought her shoes in men’s size. She wore a size 12 men’s” he said. “You remember that?” she asked. “Used to complain about it all the time. She usually didn’t wear anything that showed her feet. She was embarrassed at how big they were” he said slightly smiling. “You loved her very much” Kanya said. “Yeah I did” he muttered. Mike looked in the direction of the study. “Whenever you feel like it” Katie said. Mike picked them up and headed into the study. He sat down on the floor with the book and the girls sat on his thighs.
May 8, 2002
“I never meant for it to happen like that. I panicked. I…I fucked up. All I had to do was keep my shit together when I saw Sharon. My god she grew up nice. Hadn’t seen her in years. She wasn’t the same girl that dressed up as a Pikachu for Halloween all those years ago. And then there she was right in front of me at the grocery store. Tank top hugging some big fucking tits. Brittney did mention something about her having a kid not long ago. Guess those monsters filled out being pregnant. She wore some grey leggings that were tight as fuck all showing off her ass. And on her feet were some flip flops. Her toes painted bright red. “Mr. Newsome? It’s me Sharon!” she said spotting me. I had thought she moved away for college, but she had come right back. Apparently her mother came down with cancer and she was taking care of her. We made brief small talk, but my mind was on taking her. Making her another prize. The urge grew and grew the more she talked. I could feel the Coin urging me to do it. But this is Sharon. My daughter’s friend. Fuck, I remember taking them both fishing. Sharon…I have to take you. It was so easy doing it in the parking lot. Nighttime, no cameras, nobody looking. I just held the Coin at her and muttering I was sorry. Moments later she was in my pocket, and I was heading home”
“She thought it was a dream. Four inches tall in a now much bigger world and then of course me pulling her clothes off. Her begging and pleading…it just made it worse for her. It’s so much more…exciting when they do. She covered herself and sobbed looking up at me. Sharon…I’m so sorry but it’s like your body was begging for this. She cried and struggled as my tongue parted her legs and began licking her pussy. Sweet and musky. Oh time had ripened her to perfection. She whimpered as she came on my tongue. She couldn’t look at me anymore. The shame of cumming forbade that. She just has this faraway stare as I continued. Licking her tiny feet. Nibbling her thighs. But when I sucked her tits into my mouth she came alive once more. Like something primal awoke. My mouth was flooded with the sweetness of her milk. Now I understood. Her primal instinct of a mother. A mother in danger. It came to nothing obviously as she was spent and groaning as she rubbed her now sore tits. I spent two days raping her. My tongue, my cock, cotton swabs just to hear her beg for me to stop. And then on tv the growth of my fuckup was clear. They were looking for her. My biggest rule of never hunting near home and I stupidly broke it. “No…no please…the sleepovers! The pool parties! The fishing trip! Don’t eat me!” she screamed as she realized what was coming as my lips passed her tits. I slurped her entirely into my mouth and swallowed. I could hear her screams as she slipped down my throat. I just sat there waiting for her to stop moving in my stomach. 6 minutes and 6 seconds. That’s how long it took to kill her. And the next day I took a shit and saw what was left. A skull, a leg bone and that was all I could recognize. The evidence forever flushed away. It had been a long time since I felt pity for a victim. She was a good girl. A great friend to my daughter. My daughter…my daughter found out days later.”
“She was suspicious of me right from the second she walked into the house with Mikey. When I tried playing it off she held the shrunken tank top in her hand. Thought I had that thing. She screamed at me that I broke our deal, and she was right, I had broken it. Years before when she found out what I had been doing at first she was curious until she came to realize that this Coin had a hold on me. I told her everything. Showed her everything and told her my deepest fear. That one day she would end up a victim. She promised me she would find girls nobody would care about. Girls that to her deserved it. And she did. She found girls at shopping malls, high school football games, you name it. I had learned to…stretch out my time with a victim to a matter of months so while the police were very concerned, they didn’t connect the dots. When Carol got older, she used her job at Waffle House to find me victims. You’d be surprised how many homeless girls show up there during a month or so time. Sharon didn’t prefer homeless girls but if she couldn’t find anyone else, that’s what I got. If I’m honest, I preferred homeless girls. Usually younger than the drunks and whores Sharon sometimes found, tastier, and I got more out of them. A lot of them were foster girls that aged out of the system. Perfect targets. A system that worked well for me until I got greedy.”
“She threatened to turn me over to the cops and I panicked. A shrunk her on the spot and worse yet Mikey saw her. I yelled for him to go back to his cartoons as I hid her away. I don’t know if he did see her. I don’t know if he’ll even remember but that’s the least of my problems now. I stuffed Carol into one of my cages I use and returned to Mikey. I told him one of the worst lies a man can tell a child. That his mother abandoned him. If I wasn’t sure I was going to hell before, I damn sure know now. After Mikey had gone to sleep, I returned to Carol. By then she had awoken screaming at me. Demanding she be let out. Asking what I was going to do to her. I had no answer as I myself didn’t have a fucking clue. I couldn’t kill her. She’s my daughter for fucks sake! But I couldn’t let her go either. I left her in the cage for now.”
May 9, 2002
“I gave her food and water. The only thing I was certain to do. She asks about Mikey, and I told her what I said to him. It had been a long time since I heard my daughter cry that hard. After that she don’t even acknowledge me of anything for that matter. She just sat there.”
Mike flipped the pages. “What else does it say?” Kanya asked. “Not much. He just says she wouldn’t eat or drink anything and he had to literally force her too. I…hold on” Mike said stopping on a page.
June 5, 2002
“She died this morning. Most likely heart failure. Whatever I forced her to eat she would just throw up later. Day after day, over and over. I promised Maggie I would care for our daughter, and I failed. I failed. I buried her under the rose bush I planted when I found out Maggie was pregnant with her. I oak box stuffed with fine linen. I don’t know how long I spent cleaning Carol’s body. Painting her tiny finger and toes. Washing and combing her long hair. The dress I picked out, same dress she wore to the prom. My baby girl…”
June 6, 2002
“It’s more than just shrinking. It’s more than just the cravings. IT WON’T LET ME DIE. I waited until Mikey was visiting a friend before I did it. Drank a shitload of beer, placed my gun cleaning kit on the table, and made sure only one round was in the chamber. People would think my drunk ass forgot a round was inside and rule it an accident. Mikey would still get the insurance money when he turns 18. Positioned it just so and pulled the trigger. It hurt, fuck did it hurt and the blood but I watched as my body spit the damn bullet right out and heal. It’s evil. This goddamn Coin is cursed! It won’t even let a man die in remorse. The whispering. The whispering isn’t my insanity. It’s the Coin”
Mike stopped reading out loud. He placed the book on the floor. Mike whimpered where he sat. “Mike, we’re with you” Katie said. Mike looked down at her. “Didn’t you hear what he wrote? It wouldn’t let him die. It made sure it milked him until his goddamn body gave out. This thing is fucking nightmare fuel and I am so fucked it ain’t funny!” he yelled. “The Yaksha said she could help you Mike” Kanya said. “You don’t get it. It took him dying to break the bond. Dying of old age! That’s how it can be broken. That Yaksha knows it and probably is trying to find a way to kill what can’t be killed” he yelled. “I don’t believe that. I think she really wants to help you. What you’re saying is a mix of grief and the influence of that Coin. It wants you to give up. It needs you to” Kanya said softly. Mike broke down sobbing as the girls tried to comfort him. At their urging, they had him leave the book where it was and come to the living room.
“How much of it was me and how much was the Coin? Even his habits were the same as mine” he asked them. “You told me I was beautiful. That I should have more faith in myself. I’m sure that was you” Katie replied. “You put yourself in harm’s way to save my life. That’s beyond keeping a promise. Remember when you had to help me go to the bathroom the first time and I cried because I was so embarrassed? You just smiled and said don’t worry about it. I can see the goodness in you like flickering light struggling to stay lit” Kanya said softly. Mike brought them both to his face and kissed them. “You need to heal up so we can have sex and as for you Katie…” he said placing them on the sofa. Mike surprised them both shrinking down to their size. He stripped off his clothes and walked on the sofa cushions over to Katie. He began taking her clothing off. Both naked, Mike pushed her down and lined his cock up to her pussy. Katie nodded in approval before he pushed it in. Katie groaned until Mike paused. Holding her hands, he thrust forward ripping her hymen away. He gave her a moment to adjust. Mike was slow and tender with her. He wanted her first time to be special. Kissing and nibbling her neck, gently squeezing her tits, their tongues intertwining. Mike began to pound her hard. Katie gasping at the force. Her legs locked behind his back as he pushed her down hard and came. The feeling of his warm semen shooting within her made her cum. Mike groaned as her pussy milked him for every drop. Mike laid there for a moment before shifting over to Kanya.
He knew he couldn’t fuck her with her injuries, but he could be intimate. Kissing her, rubbing her tits, caressing her cheek. Kissing and licking down her body. His hand grazing the sutures on her side. She could see a pang of guilt in his eyes. Playfully, she raised her right leg and draped it over his back. Kanya ground her bare heel into his back. Mike moved taking it off him and kissed down her leg stopping to nibble the back of her knee. “That tickles!” she giggled. Mike looked into her eyes as his hand rubbed the sole of her foot. He let go of her leg and scooted up her body. Using his fingers, he pulled her pussy lips apart and stuck his tongue inside her. “Oh…fuck…” she groaned. Mike spent his time licking, sucking, and slurping her pussy and Kanya twitched and whimpered. Her body shuddered and she winced in pain as she came. “You okay there?” Mike asked worried. “Just sore. It was worth it” she said grinning. Mike stayed his shrunken size for some time enjoying the two women leaning on his left and right side. They watched tv but they were more focused on one another. Mike chose to grow back to normal size as he needed to take a piss. As he returned, his eyes lingered on the back door of the house. “Something wrong?” Katie asked from the sofa. “Thinking about mom. The book said she’s buried next to the rose bush” he replied. “You want to go see don’t you?” Katie asked. “You want us to go with you?” Kanya asked. Mike silently nodded. Mike carried them outside to the back of the house. Wasn’t much there other than a BBQ grill, lawn mower, a tool shed, patio with simple sun deck, and of course a very large rose bush. Mike carried them over to it.
“So, your grandpa planted this when you mom was born?” Kanya asked. “Roses were my grandmother’s favorite” Mike replied. “You never mention your grandmother” Katie said. “Never knew her. She died giving birth to my mother” Mike said sitting on the ground. “It’s…it’s beautiful!” Katie said now on the ground looking up at the massive (to her) bush. From her perspective it towered over 30ft. into the air. The flowers themselves were as big as a compact car. “I don’t think rose bushes grow this good normally. Especially this far north” Katie said. “Your grandpa must’ve spent a lot of time and care on it” Kanya said. Mike began looking around as did Katie. Katie felt the ground strangely hard under her bare feet. “Mike” she said pointing to the ground. Covered in dirt, Mike uncovered a small rock. He bent closer and bushed away the last traces of dirt. “Carol Jones. Born April 8, 1976. Died June 5, 2002. Twinkle twinkle little star…” Mike read on the small rock. “The detail to…”
“He commissioned a gravestone, shrunk it, and placed it here. Mom really is buried underneath and all these years…all these years I thought she abandoned me she was just a few dozen feet away” Mike said softly. Kanya and Katie held his fingers as Mike just sat there silently staring at the gravestone. They only returned inside the house because the sun had set. Mike cooked dinner and they ate but he said not a word since confirming his mother’s grave. Later on the night, Katie and Kanya were in the bathroom bathing. “I feel so bad for him. Can you imagine finding out your mom was shrunk, died in a cage, and was buried under a goddamn rose bush?” Katie asked soaping Kanya’s hair. “Katie, I don’t think anyone has an imagination that good. I hated him so much for what he did but seeing who raised him, what that Coin can really do, it’s a miracle were not both dead” she said. “I doubt he would do that. You saw how passionate he was today” Katie said. “He ate my pussy like it was ice cream, so I know how passionate he is. He may not want to kill us, but he might not even be in control one day. That’s what scares him the most. Did you see how freaked out he was when he found it the Coin won’t let him die? That was his backup plan. His plan b. I’m sure as shit it was. Mike is one of those people that keeps shit in” Kanya said. “And how do you know all this?” Katie asked. “Being a waitress teaches you how to read people. Jesus that felt like a lifetime ago. I’d trade sore feet and shitty customers over this anyway” Kanya said. “So, it’s all bad? All of it?” Katie asked. “I wouldn’t say that. Mike’s caring and even though he treats us as pets sometimes, his attention is sincere. Like how he stayed by my side when I was hurt. Never had a man that doted on me before. The last guy just had an Asian fetish” Kanya muttered. “Well Mike has a foot fetish” Katie said laughing. “Yeah I know. Not breaking news there. But I don’t care if a guy has a kink as long as he truly loves me” Kanya said sighing. Katie grew quiet. “You’re not going to push me off the ledge again are you?” Kanya asked. “No! I…I get I’m not the only one with feelings for him” she stammered. “I was joking. A shitty joke. Sorry Katie” Kanya said. Katie smiled and nodded.
After a nice bath and some cozy time in bed, Mike was still awake. “Can’t sleep?” Katie whispered. Mike shook his head. Katie climbed onto his chest and rested over his heart. “Was it just sex for us or was it more?” she whispered. Mike sat up slightly. “I can count on one hand how many times I’ve had sex with a woman. The things that happened earlier…the pussy sucking, nibbling your tits…you know. Those things were mostly power tripping. Well, that and lust. This afternoon, I wanted you. I wanted to feel…connected. Before all this my biggest fear was being alone. Katie, I’ve never been in a real relationship before. It’s scary and exciting at the same time” he said. “Same for me. I was either too nerdy or a prude for boys” she said. “Nerd girls can be cute. What did Shakespeare once say? By any other name does a nerd girls’ pussy taste as sweet?” he said. “Hahaha! I don’t think the bard said that” Katie laughed. Make scooted her clothes to his face where he planted a kiss. “I do love you Katie. Whatever this thing brings out in me, please don’t ever forget that” Mike said solemnly. “…how strong is it truthfully?” she asked. “His voice gets louder every day. It wants me to do very bad things to you and Kanya. And the only way to get it to shut up is to…”
“Find more girls” Katie said. Mike quietly nodded. “Are you going back to see that Yaksha?” she asked. “Yeah” he replied. “I’ll come too. I’ll be your emotional support pet” she said snickering. “Me too minus the pet part” Kanya muttered. “You’re awake?” Mike asked. “How can a shrunken girl sleep with you flirting?” she asked. Mike placed Katie back on the bed, leaned over and raised Kanya’s nightgown. Kanya jumped feelings his lips kissing her tiny ass. “Sleep now, kinky foreplay later” she groaned. “Yes ma’am” Mike said settling in.
The next morning…
They were all eating breakfast as normal as Katie kept fidgeting. “Something wrong?” Mike asked. “Pussy still sore” she muttered eating a bit of scrambled egg. “For real?” Kanya asked. “He bred my virgin pussy like a man possessed” Katie replied. “Well technically he is possessed. If you don’t mind, after I get better could you share him?” Kanya asked. Mike coughed out his coffee. “Well maybe. He has this thing that he looks into your eyes as he just rams it in. But when he cums he has this cute smile. And fuck does he cum” Katie said. “A lot?” Kanya asked. “Like a fountain. Not like when we’re jerking him off with our bodies. A pop and dribble. No, it’s just a steady torrent” Katie said snickering. “Hmmm…makes me not want to wait. After breakfast I want you to fuck me” Kanya said to Mike. Mike dropped his fork. Both girls laughed. “Funny, ever so funny. Playing with fire the both of you” he told them. “In all seriousness, I do want to get closer to you” Kanya said. “I can’t. After what I took from you I can’t” he said quietly getting up. Mike returned fully dressed holding their daily clothes in his hand. He was quiet dressing them. Both girls had fresh clean clothes and simple dresses. Katie had sneakers and socks as being shrunk meant a LOT of walking and hurt her feet. Mike’s solution was a good shoe to wear. As for Kanya, a pair of flip flops as walking was not much of a thing for her with a broken leg. “You do know most of that was the Asura” Kanya said. Mike paused holding her right foot between his fingers. “I understand you favor Katie over me but why make up excuses?” she asked. “Because this wasn’t part of the plan! I was going to milk you for pain and misery for weeks, maybe months so I didn’t have to hunt anyone. Getting attached to you, hell you having feelings for me was the last thing I planned for. And then…”
“Then what?” Kanya asked. “If I break, if I lapse and it comes down to you or Katie. We both know who dies. So, there you have it, I’d pick Katie over you. I ate your mother, fed your brother to a fish, and condemned your grandmother to die by dust mites” Mike said to her. “And I forgive you” Kanya said softly. Mike grabbed her head with his fingers. “Don’t! Don’t you dare forgive me!” he yelled. Kanya knew he could crush her head like a grape but also knew he never would. “Why?” she asked. “Because it would hurt more” he replied with a whisper as he let go. Mike went back to holding her ankle between his fingers. A tear rolled down his cheek. “You have very pretty toes” he muttered. “So you told me. Please don’t push me away” Kanya begged softly. “One day you’ll regret the feelings you have for me” he said. “I’ll burn that bridge when I get to it” Kanya said. “You mean cross not burn” he said. “I meant what I said” she said. Mike sighed and slipped the flip flop on her foot. He loaded them into the car with him. “Mike, maybe you should bring that book. Can’t hurt” Kanya said. Mike nodded and went back into the house for it. Returning with it, he started the car and drove to Ora’s.
Mike arrived at her home and carried the girls with him to the door. Before he could kick it opened for him. “Come on in Mike!” Ora shouted from the living room. Mike entered. Ora floated from the living room sofa to him. “Whoa” Katie whispered. “And you didn’t come alone. You must be Katie and you’re…interesting” Ora said looking over Kanya. “Actually, my name is Kanya” she said. “I like this one. It’s been a while since I’ve met another carrying the blood of our kind. Please sit” she said. They did and Ora followed them. “You look worse for wear dear. Mike have an episode?” Ora asked Kanya. “No! It was an accident. In fact, he saved my life. He looked after me” Kanya replied. “Interesting indeed. Let’s see, broken leg, very small crack in the skull, bruised hip, and a lacerated kidney. Lucky to be alive” Ora said. “How do you know that?” Katie asked. Ora picked up her teacup and sipped from it. “I drink and I know things” Ora said chuckling. They looked at each other. “Always so serious. Well let’s heal your injuries. Can’t have Mike distracted” she said. “How are you…” Kanya said before being shushed. Ora placed her hand on Kanya’s head. Her hand began to glow. Then she placed her hand on her hip. “It’s warm” Kanya said. Then her leg, and finally the side of her abdomen. “All done!” Ora said cheerfully. Skeptical, Mike unbandaged her leg which Kanya tried moving. “It’s fixed. It’s really fixed!” Kanya yelled. “Of course. Healing magic is an affinity to my kind…our kind. How strong are your powers?” Ora asked. “Grandma could see auras with ease. I can just sense things. If I really concentrate I can sometimes see energy” Kanya replied. “Ehh. It’s something. Speaking of auras, I can see physical attraction radiating off you two. I bet being shrunk down really changed your sex lives” Ora said grinning. “Actually, I was a virgin until last night. Before that it was umm…mostly oral and stuff” Katie said blushing. “Same here except I’m still a virgin” Kanya said. “You’re kidding. With his level of lust?!” Ora asked. “Sitting right here” Mike mumbled. “No offense Mike but it is what it is. You’ve been wanting to suck my tiny pussy since we’ve met. Not offended and you’re by no means the first. And you’ve been with him how long?” Ora asked. “Three months now” Katie replied. “Little over a month and a half” Kanya replied. “Normally a shrinking victim would be a cum rag by now if not dead. You got more self-control than most Mike” Ora said smiling. “If we’re done focusing on our sex lives, can we get back to it?” Mike asked. Ora nodded.
“I was worried you wouldn’t return when you didn’t show up yesterday” she said. “I found my grandfather’ diary. He wrote down everything he did with that Coin. Including my mother” he said. “…what did happen?” Ora asked softly. “He imprisoned her in a cage. My mother literally died of a broken heart and was buried under a fucking rose bush” he replied. “I’m sorry Michael. I’m curious as to exactly how long your grandfather used that thing” she said. “Actually, I have it with me” he said. “Please get it for me” Ora said. Mike went and returned with it. “Oh my…” she said looking at it. “Yeah it’s big” Mike said. “Beyond that. It’s radiating spiritual energy. Your grandfather poured all his feelings into it. We can do more than just read it, we can see it” she said. “Wait a minute now” Mike said wary. “You have good reason to be cautious after what happened last time. But understanding your grandfather’s suffering can help understand yours more clearly” she said. “What good will that do? Those memories are painful! Mike was really hurt!” Katie said. Ora sighed as she cast a spell which blinded them for a second. “What…the hell?!” Katie asked as the world was now filled with swirling colors. “A temporary spell that allows you to see spiritual energy in the physical world. Many of the things here in my home is permeated with it. Look at Michael” she said. “THE FUCK IS THAT?!” Katie yelled. Mike looked down at his chest and freaked. Attached to his chest was a thick, menacing looking ethereal chain running down to his pocket. Mike reached into his pocket and pulled out the Coin. The chain connected right to it. "When I say he’s bound to the Coin I’m not just speaking metaphorically. Mike touched the chain and recoiled in pain. “Yeah don’t do that” Ora said.
“Mike’s trauma created his coldness and apathy to women. That apathy made him a prime vessel for the Asura. To break that chain, we have to make him unsuitable to the thing. That means fixing what’s broken inside of him. Uncovering the reason was just the first step. Understanding the pain, finding empathy is next. And with that book we can go right to the root” Ora explained. “But why his grandfather? Wouldn’t we focus on Mike?” Kanya asked. “Unfortunately, trauma and pain can be passed from parent to child. Hate and apathy from one generation to the next. That book is a roadmap. We must take the journey” Ora replied. “Well he’s not doing it alone” Katie said. “What she said” Kanya said nodding to her. Ora gestured to the door nearby opening her meditation room.
“Then let’s begin” she said.