Mom was leaving us.She visited in my dreams, smiling as she patted my cheek. “Don’t be sad, my son. I would have left sooner, but I had to see my ...amesake before I left. It’s time, I’ve fulfilled my wish, seeing a Merchant in our home again. Remember, even though I’m leaving this house, I’ll always watch over you. I’ll be the breeze across your cheek, the sun on your face. I think I loved you and Jen as much as I loved any of my sons. Think fondly of me, tell your daughter of the legacy she has. "Got a sec sweetheart?"Jen turned toward me, nodded her head at the compliment, smiled, and then answered, "Thank you. And for you? More than just a second anytime. If you're finding it difficult selecting a shirt to wear stripes are in." In what?" In style, silly." Who decided that?" The designers, of course."Designer, a person appointed to determine what is "in" and what is "out." Designers are experts in taste, the "they" we hear so much about. They determine what clothes I should wear, and. ' 'What? Like what? What is this about?' 'Let me show you something important. Something central to your safety now.' I pulled out my leather brief case (my rape kit) and opened it slowly, like to add suspense and drama, being sure she could see the contents. I mean I was organized and quite fussy about how the contents were arranged, very specifically, and she could see it filled with needles of various lengths and shapes, even some big curved ones for sewing leather and. But that evening, I tried to act normally, and just hoped it would all go away. That time would let me get over it." But I noticed." Yes, you must have picked up on something. Suddenly, with all the pressure on you, you still found time to be an even better Dad. You got in to read them their bedtime stories. You were the perfect father and husband, and I was the evil, traitorous wife. Why did you have to be so bloody good that week of all weeks? Don't answer that, I know why. But it made it all.