She closed herself off from the world and trapped herself off into a horrible corner of her mind. The spots below her face became darker and darker as...the wrinkles took it's toll all over her skin. You would think by my mother's looks that she was at least in her 60's or 70's; however the truth was that she was only 30. She was fired from her job for depressing the guests. Along with the horrible smell she was producing from not bathing. You see just recently our water was shut off for past due. Now that the lawyers had ironed out the bugs, the deal was suddenly going great guns, and our little enterprise was on schedule. The Judge was pleased, and his lawyers were thrilled. Our breakfast talk was all about home and how soon we'd get back there. After being a government vagabond for so many years, Winnie discovered how nice it was to have a home and family. Now that she knew, she wanted it all the time.For some stupid reason I thought we safe from harm, and when I heard the gunshots, I. Mum got a book on Japanese gardens. Dad got a (dead) rhinoceros beetle in a lucite box. And I got a copy of Yasuda's Treasury Of Japanese Folk Tales, in an edition with both Japanese and English."Wow!" I said."Will you learn some Japanese?" Chaz asked."I'll try. I'll have to get a beginner's textbook, though." I've got one!" Rachel said. "We'll work together." Do you think you can do that?" asked Mum."Why not?" Japanese is harder than English." That's silly, Mum. Are Japanese kids smarter than. She was incredibly fond of you, too.” I gave her a quick squeeze and then moved to help grab bags.“Let’s get you southerners out of the cold,” I said with a forced laugh.Soon we were all inside and our guests were settled. Jane was staying with Ali, of course. Bluey and Camilla were in one of the guest rooms, and Chrissy had opted for the bunk room, where she had stayed last year. The kids were outside playing in the snow while I poured Camilla and Bluey a drink and joined them in our living.