The ring made a small sound. One hand came up, caressing the ring. Tip of my tongue briefly licking my upper lip.He came and gently took my hand. He p...t a leather cuff on it. Tight, but not overbearing. He put the other cuff on me. They felt like lead weights. I knew I was being compliant, that I should fight harder…but I was in that place again, that place where...…where I want to be…He silently walked behind me, seeming to understand that I needed the silence. To feel everything. He was. ‘All right, I’ll ring you from the hospital.’ The policeman, probably unsure whether my lack of reaction indicated indifference or profound grief, kept silent as we drove through the dark north London streets. I was glad, for the silence allowed me to reflect on this news. How did I feel? Uncle Albert had been part of my life for as far back as I could remember. It was not that my memories of him were exactly fond ones, since the role of benevolent and kindly uncle was alien to him, and even. “Look, whether you like it or not, you’ve screwed up the month-end numbers for eight of the last ten months.”“That’s an exaggeration.”“No it’s not. You just have your head too far up your ass to see what’s going on.”“No way it’s more than three times.” Chris’s tone hardened as he fumbled through his memory for confirmation. “Maybe four, no more—bet you anything you like.”Lindsay shook her head slowly. “Come out of denial. Eight times.”He could only remember two instances prior to the current. It was the moment when the electricity came back, and the light of the bathroom glowed. As the bathroom door was slightly opened, the light made a line in Mama’s bedroom.Mami: It’s enough for morning time. Just go and bring vegetables. There is nothing to cook for breakfast and lunch.Mama: Please, baby. Let me have you.Mami: No, not in the morning. I will sleep for ten more minutes, you go and bring vegetables. Otherwise, you will not be allowed to touch me at night too.Mama loose heartedly.