My mind seems to wander often. Lazily drifting from one image to the next. Never quite knowing what is real and what is imagined. It's as though I've ...been asleep for a very long time, and have forgotten how to awaken."Tim?" A soft voice is whispering as though from a great distance."Timothy?" Again, only a bit louder now. More real."Earth to Timothy! Hello!?" It's coming through clearly now. It's a woman's voice, and one that I somehow know I must answer.My eyes are fluttering open warily,. I gently pushed her back and sat her down on her bed as I sat down in the chair again before continuing."My tale isn't finished yet, Sharon. After that, the Ten Thousand began training in secret, far underground where Mankind could not reach us. We had food, shelter, and solitude to train and prepare. When another thousand Setians were brought in, however, it was not for their safety. They were brought before the Council and made to sacrifice their lives for a Spell of Clouding, which hadn't. "Come choose something to eat, we're ready to order."The waitress came back and started taking the orders. I rapidlyscanned the menu looking for something I would like. It was afairly elegant restaurant and the choices seemed complicated,containing fancy sauces and spices. I had barely gone throughany of it, when I realized that everyone was waiting for me. Thewaitress was facing me with poised pencil. I hadn't really evenlooked at the menu so my words started to stumble out. "IIII,ummmm,. ???Now that you can afford expensive jewelry, it’s not safe to wear it anywhere.You notice everything they sell in stores is “sleeveless”?!!!What used to be freckles are now liver spots.Everybody Whispers.You have 3 sizes of clothes in your closet... 2 of which you will never wear.But Old is good in some things: Old songs, Old movies, and best of all, OLD FRIENDS!!Stay well, “OLD FRIEND!” Send this on to other “Old Friends!” and let them laugh in AGREEMENT!!!It’s Not What You Gather, But What.