" I know, I used to eat all the wrong things and drink beer. God, those were the days," I said wistfully."That's about as bad as it gets. Switch to bl...ck coffee and rice cakes to keep your weight down." I don't think I can do rice cakes right now," I replied, in my raspy voice."Yeah, but it won't be long." When is the voice going to get back to normal?" Your voice should get some better soon." Some better? You mean I'm never going to sing opera again." I didn't know you sang opera?" he said,. I gave him a sweet kiss on the cheek to show my gratitude."Aww, Sis cut that out!" he said, wiping off my kiss. But I saw a smile on his face that let me know he didn't really mean it. Then he left and I felt a tremendous weight go out the door with him. That night I slept better than I had the last couple nights.The next couple days were uneventful. Michael and I talked liked always, perhaps a little better. We shared a few secretive smiles that caused Mom to pause and wonder what was going. He does not want to see what becomes of her, because it can't be anything good."Excuse me, young lady."Horn-rimmed glasses, a business suit, shorter than her, average build, colorless, balding.She looks at him, curious.There is nothing in him to inspire fear or wonder."You seem to be lost." No, this is the end of the trip all right," she replies.He smiles.But there is no warmth in the pale eyes behind the horn-rimmed spectacles."Let me rephrase that, then."You seem to be at a loss. Like you. She drank half the glass of beer, her hands shaking and put the drink down. "However, that Pete, he nicked from me. Stole money from my purse. And he was always banging on 'bout me and callin' me stuff. Mean, I fixed his car for him. Paid tons of money to get some belt fixed or owt and he fucks off."She took a few more gulps of her drink and put it down on the table with a start. "And as for work. Well Nat is a right demanding cow. She always on at me as well. I've 'ad to stay behind for six.