To say the bar was seedy was like saying you might be able to buy a drink there. Clouds of smoke clung to the ceiling as men in torn suits huddled ove... beers. The bartender was an overweight bald guy with a scar that travelled down his forehead and hooked, almost meeting his eye. There was a small stage with two brass poles sticking up out of it, not quite reaching the ceiling, the brass the dingiest thing in the generally dingy building. It would have looked more at home in an American ghetto. "Oh Richard. This is a terrible thing. Why could it happen to such nice people? You poor boy, you must be heartbroken."I suppose I should have been, but for the moment I was simply shocked. From Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Wilkins and the Fireman I gathered what had happened. However the fire started it would appear that dad had got mum out of the house and went back to get William. He wasn't seen again. Mum was taken to hospital where she died as a result of smoke inhalation. The fireman commented. "You have a lot of nerve, Theo! First you lie to me to get into my panties. Then, when I'm in trouble all you have to offer is five hundred bucks for an abortion. No support, not even a friendly word."A knot of sickness formed in my stomach and I leaned against the door jamb. Now the guy inside raised his voice."I never lied to you!" Yes, you did! You were never separated from your wife. You cheated on her with me."I could not make out his response but Lillian's voice certainly carried."Elaine. When he saw himself in a reflection or thought about his appearance, hedidn't feel low self-esteem or depression. He felt nothing at all. Itwas as though he were looking at someone else, with whom he had littleconnection and no right to criticise or judge. If he felt anything, itwas a kind of detached fondness, such as one might feel for an elderlyrelative. One just accepts them and their infirmities and tries to benice to them because they are not going to be around for much longer.I'm not.