# What is this short story? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 28, 2012, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-short-story/620275 "2012-04-28T22:46:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Lionne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Lionne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lionne)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2012, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-short-story/620275/1 "2012-04-28T22:46:31Z")
I vaguely recall reading a short story many years ago about an old woman who exchanged bodies with, I think, her daughter? so she could feel young again and be romanced by her son-in-law (that may have just been a happy side effect). I think a black cat figured somewhere in the storyline as well. It was a spooky, well-written tale and I can’t for the life of me find it. Sound familiar to anyone? ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2012, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-short-story/620275/2 "2012-04-29T07:33:30Z")
Did the surname “Pritchard” figure into it at all? If it did, it was likely “[Ménage à Trois](http://flowyn.com/Jack/FPW_Short_Stories/SFT_MAT.htm)” by F. Paul Wilson. (Link contains full plot details and **spoilers**.) ---
**Author:** ![Lionne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Lionne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lionne)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2012, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-short-story/620275/3 "2012-04-29T17:02:53Z")
No, that’s not it. I wish I could remember more…I recall the atmosphere of the story most clearly, how one pines for lost youth, the darkness outside, how the woman marveled at her now-clear skin after the switch…the mood of the story stayed with me more than any actual details. Thanks for trying!