Inside was a small sandstone pillar that lookedlike candle stand with a row of strange symbols on it and a note. I readthe note," Happy B' Day Jer, I... saw this in a street stall it looked like the oldcrap you like to collect so I got it for you."Lyle is a real friend even though he is dumb as a bag of rocks and I amnot going to make light of his gift even though there is no similaritybetween ancient Persian and Pre-Columbian Inca. It was great that hethought of me on my birthday no else did.My. ’ He wasn’t sure about this plan, about her staying in on her own on New Year’s Eve, waiting for him. He knew how lonely she often felt, how easily her mood could swing, but he hadn’t wanted to insist. How much he regretted his decision now. If only she’d gone to the party he wouldn’t be feeling so guilty about coming home late. He hated himself for it, but he couldn’t help feeling weighed down by her dependence on him, couldn’t help feeling she was selfish to put him under so much pressure.. Despite just having jacked it in the shower he was at full attention again. “God I wish I could see more, and just then the wall between his room and the bathroom disappeared and he could see his mother in her full glory. Naked in the shower, and touching herself moaning. Jack couldn’t believe his eyes, he walked over towards her unable to stop when he hit the wall. It seems the wall wasn’t completely gone, just invisible.His mother turned around and was still plunging her fingers into her. Er, Carol?" I asked hesitantly. She turned to me without even looking at me, tears running down her face and put her head on my shoulder and a hand on my thigh. "why do men keep doing this to me! fucking hell!" she said in a weepy tone. She looked up and met my eyes finally, her mascara running. "What's your name?" she asked. "Harry." I said. She took my chin in her hand and said "I'm going to need more Champagne!" "No I think you've had enough, Carol." I said. "You know my name." she said.