" I stabbed my food with a fork.Judy laughed and placed her tray next to mine and sat down. "Shit on a shingle." Gross, what's that?" I said and pushe... my plate away.She laughed again and said, "Damn if I know. My dad says that's what they gave him to eat in the army. Is your mom feeling any better?" Um, not much. She's always so tired. I wish she'd go to the doctor but she says we can't afford it."I hated lying to Judy, but what was I supposed to do? I guess I could have said, "Well, I think. Neil Posnick is always soft, always kind, but especially so when he’s firing somebody. ‘Anyway,’ he continues, ‘we need to cut a position and I’m afraid yours is the easiest one to cut. It’s all about those early afternoon hours. Again, real sorry. Your hours just happen to be the ones that we can cut with the least resistance or shuffling.’ He pauses a moment. ‘Uh, if you can finish out the week, let me know. But if you don’t care to, I understand. Bud and the guys can pick up the slack.’ A. It’s not fair for anyone to pass judgment on another person’s childhood. What we live through as we grow determines who we are, the morals ( or again lack thereof ) we have, and how we come to be the adults we are. Last night was very restless for me. I have always been an insomniac, and last night was one of those aggravating nights when I was constantly on the verge of both sleeping and waking. Any long term insomniac can identify with this maddening frustration. The moment I would slide off. Like a veneer, it showed the world I was fine. I wasn’t. I’d never be fine again.A pleasant server at McEwan’s looked at me and smiled. “Can I get you anything?”I pointed at the barbecued salmon. “That, and some rice, please.”From behind me, a voice: “Mr. Roth?”When I turned, I saw a tall, elegant woman, her dark mahogany hair brushed and glossy, thick and falling to her shoulder blades in waves. Underdressed in tight jeans, flat shoes, and a colourful silk blouse tucked in, she exuded class. I.