"For nowSon, you have my permission to dress up. Now leave me for a moment while Iget some things on myself. I'm freezing." She leaned over and gave...me asoft moist kiss right square on my lips. Wow. She never kissed me likethat before.Part IIIAfter a few minutes Mom came out of the bedroom wearing some differentclothes. I was easy to find because of the clicking of her high heels onthe floor. Walking around the house had taken on a whole new perspectivefor me, and I was happier than ever. She would come to work everyday brimming with questions and carefully write out all the instructions that I gave her so that she could try them at home.I was so proud of Beth as she picked up more and more computer skills and then began to figure things out on her own! Pretty soon, of course, she realized just how under-powered her computer was and I helped her pick out a new one that would suit her burgeoning needs. Throughout this period of a year or so I was always going over to Beth’s. M. when Vera called me back. Me: "Hello?" Vera: "Hey, Charlene. What's going on?" Me: "Oh, nothing. While you were watching TV, I just decided I'd continue on my novella. Was that episode of 'I Love New York' a re-run? The one where the midget was eliminated and she brought Buddha back?" Vera: "Yes, it was. But I love that show! It cracks me up." Me: "Ugh... all TV has is reality shows. What happened to all the good shows that used to come on? This is why I don't watch TV anymore. I have. Alexis is protecting her from me. Ifeel awful and now I suddenly feel like the bad guy here."If you need me, I'll be in my room," Alexis whispered to Nicole andwalked away.I put the flowers and my snacks on the counter. "I came to apologize. Igot you something."She looked at the stuff on the counter and grabbed my Snickers. Sheopened the wrapper and took a big bite.I was baffled. I wanted to tell her that it was my Snickers, but since Ididn't want it anyway it seemed like no big deal. I was.