Nothing will change that. Besides, I know Mom took down all the pictures that were in that room. Although they wouldn’t have bothered me.’ ‘Okay... whatever you say.’ He shook his head in disbelief. At that point in the conversation, Darbie poked her head into the great room. ‘We figured we would put Eli and Brigid on our side of the cabin. That way you won’t have to share the adjoining bathroom with a couple. We’ll let you share a bathroom with Craig. He knows how you are, no need to subject. ”She smiled slyly. “Well, you do have a head start on the circumcision, after all, thanks to your family tradition…”I laughed, embarrassed still about my faux pas, but delighted by the display of her quick sense of humor. “Good point, because the prospect of a bris would definitely be enough to discourage me. I wonder if one of my doctors is a Jewish prankster of some kind and arranged for the scars to look like that; I think several of them are Jews.”She smiled again, her guard still lowered.. " Well if they don't work I'll be standing by."On the way back to the table I saw Betsy watching Matty and me and I wondered what she was thinking. It didn't take me long to find out. I'd no sooner sat down than Betsy said, "Sonia, would you please watch my purse?" and then she stood up and waited to see what I would do — as if there were any doubt. I got up and we headed for the door that led to the parking lot. Just before going out the door I looked back at the table and saw Matty looking at. I too felt like the beast had chased him too long. It wasn’t fair. My dad was a good man. He had a good heart, he was charming, and he had a sense of humor. He was quick, witty, and sarcastic. The beast was stronger, and that’s all it comes down too. Addiction is another of the faceless beings that takes you. Death literally ‘takes’ you, but addiction steals your soul. I think my dad was dead long before he died. All that existed was the vessel in which addiction could reign supreme. But now-.