The woman sighs in exhaustion as she heads down the dimly lit street and back home.Joyce was tired after a long day of waiting tables at the diner, bu... she knew better than to lower her guard when walking the streets of Circovia at night. She passes under a neon sign for another sleazy nightclub and several scantily-clad women staying dry under the building’s overhang scowl as she walks by. The rain is nearly deafening and is easily soaking through her worn-down shoes. Joyce crosses the street. She had finished opening the mail and began asking me all kinds of question, questions that, truthfully, I didn't particularly want to discuss."Doesn't seem like you're dating anyone, Jake, that right?" Yeah." So, you handling things all right?" Uh, like am I upset about it?" No, are you, well, taking care of your needs, your frustrations, on your own?" God, Mom, why do you ask me that?" Well, Son, you're not a little boy any more, you're becoming a man and these things are becoming more. So I guess it's just you and me for the night. I don't suppose Sally would mind if I slept on her bed."She headed straight for the bedroom, the dog trotting close at her heels. The big double bed looked inviting, with its neatly arrayed cover of purple satin and a plush pile of blue, green and gold pillows. The colors were reflected startlingly in a large mirror inlaid in the ceiling directly over the bed."When it comes to her bedroom, Sally lives like Cleopatra, doesn't she, Saxon? Imagine. ..."With that we air kissed and hung up. My mind was racing with excitingthoughts to be sure, but also with a bit of trepidation over whether Icould pull this off or not. In any event, I reached for the drain leverand let the water slowly drain form the tub. After drying myself offwith a huge fluffy towel, I rubbed a very silky scented moisturizer allover my skin and slipped into the nightie that I had brought with me andproceeded to pour one last glass of wine. I decided it was time to.