His chest was no longer sunk-in, and there was the genuine trace of muscles pushing through the material of the t-shirt. I smiled, and the man smiled ...ack. Throwing the backpack over my shoulder, I bid the man in the mirror farewell, and headed down the stairs to my waiting car. "Wish me luck." I said, to no-one in particular. *** It was a just under a five minute drive from my house to the park, where I'd agreed to meet Rachel. I passed only two other cars on that journey, and as the park. She wanted me to take in everything. Before us stood Arabella, smiling as her gimp waited patiently on all fours. A curtain divided the cellar and the women applauded as Arabella swished it open.There, in the light of two small frosted glass windows, hung a silky noose from a central beam. Below it a simple three-legged stool with legs no more than eight inches long. A small black enamel dish on the floor was the only other object in the cellar. Arabella walked her now quivering gimp close to. "Of course," responded Rhonda, "our newest strategic partner is alwayswelcome at our table. In fact, our working together is one of the thingswhich we are celebrating."I moved down one seat, Monica moved one and Marc sat there between Monicaand Rhonda. Lars scooted in past Rita and Edith and sat right across fromme. I pursed my lips and felt a certain alcohol induced shyness come overme."Where's Candice - shouldn't she be part of the celebration?" asked Marc."She's on mommy duty tonight, some. Din mein maa kitchen mein khana bana rahi thi. Unko main door se dekh raha tha.Unhone poori tarah se covered kapde pahne the. Kahin se kuch bhi dikhayi nahi de raha tha. Main samjh gaya ki maa bahut naaraz hain. Mujhe kuch samajh nahi aa raha tha ki main kya karun. Tabhi mujhe idea aaya kyun na maa pe shilajit try karta hun. Bahut naam suna hai.Main bahar gaya aur ‘Shilajit’ le aaya. Maa ke juice me mila diya jo kitchen me rakha tha. Laghbhag ek ghante baad maine maa ko jaake piche se pakad.