I smiled and said, "I know it’s hard to believe, but nothing happened."

We just slept holding each other, that's all.

Aurora wasn't buying it. "Really?"

I couldn't help but laugh, "I'm on my period. What else could we do?"

Aurora pouted at her failed gossip attempt. "Your period has such bad timing."

*****

Patricia arrived at the variety show's filming location, a small village nestled between mountains and water.

During mealtimes, wisps of smoke ...