We are foolish old men who should have known better. But we have lived a long time, awaiting your return. And while we waited, we tried to protect our...Queen and our people by scrupulously guarding against those who would covet that which was the Gods. Please forgive our poor reception, Great Son of the Gods. It was indeed an ill-conceived plan. But it is how we have survived as we awaited your return.”“You have spoken the truth, old man. This day I would honor you for your courage and your. I leaned down and looked at the photo. It showed the old couple and a young woman standing between them in a crisp new nurse’s outfit. The couple were smiling so hard that it must have hurt their faces. The nurse wasn’t smiling quite that hard but she looked pleased.“Blah, blah,” said the woman and pointed at the door. I looked up in time to see the man return. He ushered someone else into the room who turned out to be the younger woman from the photo. She wasn’t wearing a nurse’s outfit now,. John suggested we all meet that evening at a local bar for a few drinks then head on over to a cozy Italian restaurant he knew of. Sounded great to me. I called Joyce and she approved. I told her to dress casual and meet me at the bar at six.John and I tied up any loose ends at the end of the day and headed over to the bar as planned. John as usual had on his jacket and tie. I can't recall ever seeing him loosen his tie. I had on my work clothes with the sleeves rolled up on my dress shirt. Nowhe turned to the final task. He looked at the pile he meant to keep.Ratty furniture, used computer equipment, plus some DVD's and books, allof it basically worthless. Except for one item.His most treasured possession was his only reminder of his mum. It wasthe one thing he felt any sentimentality about: a cameo of her insilhouette carved in pale pink opal on an emerald green jade backgroundand hung on a delicate silver chain. The oval pendant was about an inchon the long axis and the.