Then Richard lost his job, he didn’t tell her at the time, he hid it for ages. He would dress for work everyday and kiss her goodbye before he heade... off to work, or so she thought.When the first of the letters arrived from the bank she was sure it was a mistake. They had tucked away most of the money that she had inherited when her parents had died but there was always money going into the bank, first there was Richard’s salary and then monthly interest payments from several of the savings. He had close cropped hair, just like his friends, only his was flecked with grey making him look the oldest. He was a bit overweight but his arms and chest looked like he worked out in a gym. He must have been in his late forties or even fifty and had gorgeous brown eyes that twinkled like a naughty schoolboy and he had a fading suntan. We both towered above him in our heels as he sat back on the edge of a table drinking his Guinness and laughing with my friend. ‘Fucking wanker!’ I suddenly. She was severely withered. It looked like a very extreme case of anti-aging withdrawal, more severe than any textbook ever illustrated. I reached up and gently stroked the wrinkled face along the temple at the edge of the snow-white hair. The woman's eyes opened and gazed into mine.And the eye contact brought recognition. "Eleora?!" I whispered.A loving, easy smile greeted me. "It always amazes me Abdul Hadi. You recognize me every time!"I sat up and looked around. There was twilight outside. It was still hot and humid. I said to mom, “It is warm here as well and taking the warm shower has not helped at all”.Mom replied, “I know the water was very warm. Only god know when the electricity will come back”.I said, “It is like we are stuck in hell. The sweating is really irritating”.Mom replied, “Why don’t you take off your t-shirt and shorts. It will help you cool down a bit”.I replied, “In front of you?”Mom said, “That’s alright, I have seen you naked when you were small and besides.