" She laughed at the look on his face. "The sign tells you when Iopened my shop, but no one said it was here in this country." You're immortal?" Immor...al implies I will never die. Until I see the sun die and the planetwith me, I will not accept the term. I am just, long lived. She crossedher arms, tapping her foot, head cocked. "You seem to think the world isat your beck and call. What is the more modern term? You think the sunshines out of your ass."Since you won't accept reality I will. I knew it was a very dim light but waited like he silently asked. Instead I was surprised to see him take out several candles and put them about the room. They lent an ethereal glow to the room. He lit them and I saw that while I could see the bed, anyone on the bed wouldn’t see me. Good, I didn’t want to miss anything.I watched as the stranger walked around the room, as if he was committing it to memory. He touched the bed, the bedpost, her pillow. How he knew it was hers I would never. Now just open the box."So, I did and the next instant, ignoring our surroundings, I wrapped my arms around his neck and planted a kiss on him that wasn't anywhere near G-rated."You like it, huh?" he asked a few minutes later.It was a thin silver chain necklace with a tiny teddy bear charm."I love it, you big goof-ball. Thank you." I planted another hair-raising kiss on him and then released him. "What about your mother?"Grinning, he picked up the bag sitting on the floor. I could see numerous. "I woke up this morning, Bruce," she went on. "My body was sore and tired. It's very tanned too. I was in a bungalow at the seashore, all alone. Nobody here, Bruce. Don't know where she went. Lots of empty glasses and things."Deep irritation started eating away at my patience."What about this dying, Myr? Are you serious?"Was that a sob? I guess so."I am almost gone, Bruce. They got me. They used me, you know. All the time. I never knew before what she did to me. But this time she made me see it.