Jack and his mother appeared at the door a few days later. Jack looked atme like I was the slime of the earth. Jack's mom had a few packages thatshe w...as carrying and Mother greeted them at the door as if she wasexpecting them. Mother called for me, but I was right there anyway. Jack and his mom were invited into the living room. Mother asked me to goget some tea made and a small dish of crackers as well. She invited theminto the living room and sat on the sofa. Poor Jack looked like he was ina. You noticed a hint of cinnamon in the air as she hugs passionately. "My name is Claire and I'll be the host while you stay here for the semester."You smile and say thanks again."No, the pleasure is all mine. This is the first time we've ever had a uhh, May-luh in our small town."You correct her on the pronunciation."See what I mean? I can't even pronounce it right, silly ol' me." She laughs and gives you a playful touch on the shoulder.You ask where you'll be able to put your things and she. That conversation was to cause a rift between us that lasted a lot longer than the marriage to Fiona did.My marriage that I thought had started out very well - hey, we had a brand new house and Fiona fell pregnant within four months - lasted exactly two years from church to divorce court. It turned out that Fiona was one of those women who couldn't keep her legs crossed. Whether Frank knew or he just didn't trust her, I never did find out. When we became friends again, neither of us ever. The night wore on, and a disgruntled individual slowly extricated his body from its trap. In total darkness he stumbled on, splashing water in his blind wake. His unprotected hands clawed their way along the walls, at last he found an opening. Shivering he drew his body from the water and onto the gritty bank. There his sore right hand struck something metallic - a lamp! Urgently he rummaged in his pockets for his tinder box, he just prayed it was dry. A second later a warm yellow light burst.