The house and barn were lit up with red spotlights, giving them an eerie glow in the crisp autumn night. A bloodied, headless farmer greeted guests sl...mped over on top of his rusted-out tractor by the front gate. A slight breeze scattered dead leafs around as she pulled into the nearly empty dirt parking lot. Good, it wasn't going to be crowded like all the other ones; crowds tended to lessen the scare effect.The dirt parking lot was not very easy to walk on in high heels, but she managed to. This time, I let the phone ring. She finally picked it up after eleven rings with this pitiful little “Hello.”“I love you, baby,” I blurted out. “I hated having to leave you so sad. I wanted to call and let you know how much I love you, no matter what.”Her voice was very soft. I could tell she'd been crying. “I know,” she sighed.“I'm sorry to call if you were sleeping. I know you need rest and things will look better, later I mean. I called before but you didn't answer so I'm sorry if I woke. Merle stood and took several steps before saying she wouldtake them."But what about maintaining that fine leather?" she wanted to know."Oh, we have something for that," the clerk responded. "It's a spray andeasy to use." Could we try some, please?" Merle said, flashing a secret smile at herhusband.When the clerk brought them the container, Merle instructed her to giveit to Rosie, though she didn't use his girly name. He sprayed some ontothe leather and his wife insisted that he rub it in with. He solved the problem for me.When I went to the bathroom at almost midnight, I paused by his door as usual and as usual, it was quiet. After using the toilet, I flushed it and headed back to my bedroom. Mark's door was now wide open. In the glow from the hallway night light, I could see him sitting on his bed, naked, his hands in his lap."Hi Mum," he said, somewhat hoarsely, and I went in to his bedroom. As soon as I was in the room, he stood up, grasping something that had lain on the bed.