The accident, and all the lonely years after. She raised her hand to her mouth, ashamed of what she had just done to her son, and fled to the bathroom... She knelt in front of the toilet and tried to sick up the taste of him out of her mouth. Nothing happened, so she stood up and grabbed her toothbrush, turning the cold water on full force. As she was furiously scrubbing her teeth, she caught a glimpse of movement in the mirror and saw Marcus standing in the door, smiling at her. "I really like. . He would have to be subtle and she would not only have to think that this was all her idea; she would have to believe it as well - there was a difference. His control was pretty tight over the short term, but long term required finesse. He got in and sat across from her on the forward facing seat. He made some adjustments as he did so. She turned her head to the driver."Just drive, no destination yet." She pushed the button that raised the partition between the passengers and the driver.He. Besides, she and grandmaare fine." First, you're old enough to know this," I said with a smile. "Everywoman has a weight problem. Second, watch them sometime. Grandma knowshow to push her buttons just like my mom does and yours does. Knowwhy?" Why?" They installed them. But, you can fight back. Next time, when yourgrandmother says something, look at her and say - politely -'respectfully, I don't appreciate that and I wonder why you said it.'" I can't say THAT." Why?" Because.... "The most important thing is gettin' my pension put into the bank in Alice Springs every month. Then, whether the US gives a hoot ifn I get hitched here. Then I need to know what to do about taxes. They're due on April 15 in the States. That's pretty much it." You got your passport? And your US cheque book and the one from the Alice?" Course." Well, it shouldn't take long. I can guess at the answers. But you want official ones. So ... I'll drive you in and point out where I'll be when they let.