Wires that carried stolen power to homes drooped and hung from every available roof corner. Even now that she could not see them clearly she wondered ...bout the people who lived in each small square living space. The idea affected the way she looked without her even realizing it. As she looked out over the hills from the 12th floor balcony, her face became slowly drawn in a look of sad desperation. Behind her, Gary was watching her slip deeper in to her depression. Now, she stood on the narrow. I was thirteen when my Periods started, 'Your daughter is a young lady now, dear', she whispered into daddy's ear one night, I had just used a pad between my thighs to stem the flow, tying a leather belt betwixt the loops of cotton, to hold it in place.Daddy raised his glass of wine and toasted my coming of age and I got up out of my seat and went around to him, where he sat and mother beamed. We were just the three that night, which was customary whenever he came home, the first night was. Have you ever fallen asleep on a gently rocking boat?”Again, she jumped right in to describe… in great detail, not only falling asleep, but making love on a boat as well. She assured me that everything I needed would be brought to the boat by the time we got there, and if anything was missing, she would send for it or just buy a new one. I could see there was no sense in arguing with her, as once she made up her mind, there was little chance of changing it. Far easier just to nod my head to. You are beautiful. And we would love if you joined us."Lucy looked at Sue. She was also serious:"I know you're kidding... Oh, you girls... You really know how to make an old lady feel pretty."Just for the record: the "old lady" was 34!And I hope you do realize that, even if Lucy was saying "no", she made clear that she appreciated the offer.She never pretended that she didn't like girls.And Sue said:"No, real, Mrs. Parker. You're like, totally hot." Thanks, girls. But no, thanks."Claire, of.