” As he was heading for the door the phone rang so he hesitated until he heard Darlene identify the caller as their next door neighbor Sandy.Bobby w...ved good-by and headed out the door. Sandy was inquiring if Darlene was going to be home so they could have a cup of coffee and visit for awhile. “That sounds good Sandy. I am going to take a shower so come on over when you are ready and I will leave the door unlocked,” hanging up the phone she headed for the bathroom. She started to undress by. Together in silence, we stood as the colors drained from the day and night flooded the valley with shadows and twinkling fireflies searching for lovers in a mating ritual as old as time."The poor children. No food. No power. No place to live. It’s going to be a long winter," she whispered as she tapped the gray ash from the glowing tip. "It’s going to be a long forever," I replied as I softly kissed the tears leaking from her closed eyes.In the distance, an unseen owl cried, "Who?" Thank you. I. Then they were off.I put my arm round my girlfriend as we watched her parents walk away without a backwards glance. I didn’t know what to say; I was seething inside and was trying very hard not to lose it. If my Dad hadn’t been so hot on my respecting my elders, I’d have probably chased after them and said something which REALLY wouldn’t have helped my future relationship with my in-laws. How dare they just bugger off without showing their daughter the slightest respect for her. I walk out into the garden and get the chairs out to lay down on them and i see mom sorting some drinks out, its not summer weather at all but warm enough to be outside mom comes out with the drinks and she lays down on the chair "This is nice, not to warm though, may put the heaters on for the pool if you wanted to go for a dip?" Yeah mom okay sounds good"We jump into the pool and its nice and warm, mom swims by me and we talk for a while, she said that things will have to change when D*d is.