Eventually, I quit responding altogether. At the end of the school year, Mr. Simkins, who owned a corner grocery store, offered me a summer job. With ...relief, I snatched it up."I stayed quiet as Mom's story unfolded, but I could see where it was going. And I could hear the sadness in her voice over the missed opportunity. I momentarily wondered if Mom loved John more than Dad, but I figured that wasn't the case. She was just remembering a sad time in her life."I didn't tell John or anything. Mom. One day, Rahul came very late and Swathy was asleep. I served him food, we had some life changing moments that day.Rahul: Shelly, is Swathy asleep?By the time he made it a habit to call me by name. I too started liking it and our relationship was more into friendship and not like mom-in-law and son-in-law.Me: Yes Rahul, Swathy has slept.Rahul: Shelly, you look cute in this nighty. I will buy you some good night dress. It will look good on you.Me: Ohh, thanks Rahul.My son-in-law came near to me,. . oh, hey, are you crying? Did I... was it me? Is it these changes?" "Sorry Mark," I began explaining. "It's not you. (Sniff) I just got some bad news on my car." "The Beemer? I told you not to buy that junker from Evans! Oh, sorry, not what you want to hear right now. Can I, um, do anything?" "I know, I know, you told me not to buy that hunk of junk," I whined in between sobs. "You're right. I should have listened to you. (Sniff) You're always so nice to me! Why are you already married?" Oh. But the benefits package that went with a civil service job was just too hard to pass up. He knew every person that worked in City Hall. Knew their first and last names, and whether to call them Sir or Ma'am. Knew whether it was OK to chat, and most importantly, when to shut up.'This place has been a beehive today, ' Joe thought to himself, 'wonder what the heck's going on?'About this time one of the building's larger 'Egos' stepped into his car."Good morning, Mr. Anderson," said Joe, closing.