It was just mom and me, plus the lingerie guy at the other end of the small room pretending he was looking at something on the shelf when we all knew he was trying to listen in and hoping to see something.

Mom drew close to me and talked softly so he couldn't hear.

"So, Mr. photographer," she said, "is this what you want? Are you sure?"

"I am . . . Mona. We have to try out the goods before our . . . shoot."

"Well you're going to get a good show, Randy. I hope you can handle it."

Tracy returned with two batteries in hand. She plopped...