‘Well, I saw him the other day.’ ‘Oh, yeah? And how is good ol’ Bob?’ ‘He’s just fine, he says to say hello and he’d love to sleep wit... you.’ ‘Did you tell him about that!?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘Oh, my god! What did you say to him?’ So I told her about my conversation with Bob, and by the time I was done, she was looking quite awake and rather amused by the whole prospect. We talked awhile longer, about her trip, about how the kids and grandkids were doing, the drive there and back, more about the Bob. I have not been sleeping well. I am just tired.” We arrived at the house around ten o'clock. Michael was still not home. Feeling somewhat abandoned, I told my parents that I was tired, which I actually was, and made my excuses to retire early. I was in bed by eleven. Despite being hurt and mad at my brother’s insensitivity, my sadness and disappointment gave way to my exhaustion, and I quickly fell asleep. From the depths of slumber, I was awakened by Michael sitting on my bed. I did not hear. All I ever wanted to do was all the normal things a girl would do. Take a walk outside, go out with boys, go to a dance, whatever. My father worked second shift came home and went to bed about midnight. I use to lay in bed waiting for him to go to sleep. Once he did I would get up get my cloths that I had hidden, get dressed real sexy and sneak out the back door. I'd wear my high heels, silk stocking, a nice wig that I saved up for, and I had this real tight dress I would wear. It was so. " she stared at him, not knowing what to say. "...Ididn't... I didn't mean that. Honestly."Alex got out of his chair and knelt next to his mother's chair, takingher hand in his. "Mom, I know you didn't mean to SAY IT, but that's notreally the issue. The issue is that you have felt that way my whole lifeand... to be honest... that's not love. That's bitterness and that'snotwhat I want between us. I want us to love each other. To be nice to eachother. To not judge each other. Is that.