Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2004 18:10:11 EST
From: RitchChristopher@cs.com
Subject: hawthorne-awakening-11

All rights reserved. Copyright held by the author. If you are underage or
are offended by gay fiction, containing graphic sex and explicit language,
please exit now.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>



                               Hawthorne Awakening

                                        by

                                Ritch Christopher


                                   Part Eleven


	By the time Steve reached the English house, his anxiety from
Wade's distress over the phone, had been replaced with rage. Thelma Gladys
Thurman English was a foot stomping, Bible toter from the word
"go". Christianity originated to give comfort and solace to those in
need. But why did people such as Thelma make everyone around her live in
the shadow of hell? Steve had had the basic birds and bees talk with his
dad when he was thirteen, but Mr. Jarvis had also educated his son in his
own political views. Herman Jarvis, Steve's dad, was a liberal Democrat and
very proud of it. This was rather unusual for a native Carolinian.

	As Herman gave Steve his lecture on politics, he first made Steve
look up the word "liberal" in the dictionary. In modern times,
Conservatives frowned on the "L" word as the "N" word once was.

	Steve read aloud, "Liberal: having, expressing, or following social
or political views that favor revolutionary progress or reform; tending to
give freely; generous; tolerant of the ideas of others."

	Herman continued by saying, "I'm not as religious as I used to be,
but I remember Jesus telling everyone to feed the hungry, clothe the naked,
house the homeless. He told the rich man to sell all his worldly goods and
give it to the poor. It's seems to me that Jesus was more liberal than all
of us. I just can't see where the religious right wing get off by claiming
to be Christians and not following the ways of Christ. They are selfish,
self-righteous sons-of-bitches, all."

	Steve had always remembered his dad's philosophy and Thelma Gladys
English fit the definition of "conservative" to a "tee". This was the
twenty-first century where times, habits, cultures, and viewpoints had
changed. Thelma, and others like her, were still living in the seventeenth
century with the Pilgrims and Puritans. Instead of seeking male love, it
would make more sense if Wade sought the comfort of a tender and loving
woman since he'd never known female love, either. Maybe Wade's opinion of
all women stemmed from the way he saw his mother's behavior and wanted
nothing more to do with it.

	Steve parked his car in front of Wade's house, jumped out and ran
to knock on the door. Thelma answered the door, but cracking it open three
or four inches.

	"Mrs. English?" Steve said, rather boldly.

	"Yes, Steve?" she replied, rather coldly.

	"I want to see Wade, please."

	"I'm afraid that Wade had gone to bed and he needs his rest. I
won't wake him."

	"Mrs. English, he's NOT asleep. I talked to him not more than ten
minutes ago!"

	"Well, I'm sorry, but you still can't see him."

	"May I ask why not?"

	"Steve, Wade has been hanging around you, Hal, Randy, and Tyler far
too long and I'm afraid you've made Wade stray from the way I've tried to
raise him."

	"Mrs. English, according to the law, Wade is an adult! He's
nineteen years old and old enough to decide who his friends are and what
kind of life he wants to live."

	"As long as he's living under MY roof, he'll do as I say," she
said, very emphatically.

	"Then maybe it's time that Wade moved out from under you roof."

	"And live the life of Satan as the rest of you boys do?"

	"I do NOT live the life of Satan, Mrs. English...nor do any of my
friends!"

	"All your drinking, pot smoking, whoremongering! You call that
living a Godly way?"

	"I can see you have a rather low opinion of me."

	"You chose the life the way you wanted, but Wade will not join you
in the eternal lake of fire!"

	"Mrs. English you can call me names or make any rash statements you
wish, but I'm not leaving here until you let me see Wade."

	"All I can say is I hope you enjoy sleeping in your car because
Wade is NOT seeing you tonight...or any other night in the future!" She
tried closing the door but found it to be impossible as Steve wedged his
foot in the door opening.

	It was at that moment that Steve heard Wade calling his name from a
distance.

	"STEVE? STEVE? Is that you?" Wade called distantly from upstairs.

	"It sounds to me that Wade is no longer asleep!" Steve said to
Thelma. "I'M HERE, BUDDY! COME ON DOWN!" He yelled at Wade.

	"I CAN'T, STEVE!" Wade cried out. "MOTHER HAS MY DOOR LOCKED FROM
THE OUTSIDE!"

	"Jesus Christ, Mrs. English! I can't believe what Wade just said!"

	"Don't you dare go using the Lord's name in vain!"

	"Mrs. English, if you don't open his door, I'm calling the police
to tell them that you're holding your own son hostage!"

	"Don't try to threaten me, Steve Jarvis! I know what I'm doing and
it's for Wade's own good."

	"Pardon my politically-incorrect English, Mrs. English, but you're
full of shit!"

	"What did you just say to me, you impudent delinquent?"

	"I said to step aside or you're gonna get a black eye when this
door hits you!"

	"You wouldn't dare...!"

	"Oh, wouldn't I?"

	It didn't take much force but Steve pushed the door with all his
might, sending Thelma English hurling backward onto the living room
floor. Steve climbed the staircase two steps at a time, and sure enough
there was a padlock on the sill of Wade's bedroom door. With one swift
kick, Steve broke the door open and Wade rushed into his arms.

	"Steve, I'm so sorry," Wade said, holding back tears. "I didn't
mean to get you involved this way. There's no telling what she'll do to
you!"

	"I'll just have to take my chances, won't I?" Steve said, wiping
Wade's cheeks with his hand. "Now, I want you to hurry and pack as many of
your things as you can. YOU'RE LEAVING HERE NOW WITH ME!"

	"I can't Steve!"

	"Like hell you can't! Take as many clothes as you can. It doesn't
matter if they're in a suitcase or not. I'll carry what you can't, but just
hurry, we're getting out of here!"

	Thelma English had gained her composure, stood at the bottom of the
stairs and yelled, "I'm calling the police!"

	"GOOD!" Steve hollered. "I want them to see the padlock you put on
Wade's door. That'll certainly give you pastor something to preach about on
Sunday...because I'll call him and tell him myself."

	Wade had a red plaid, vinyl suitcase with a zipper that he used to
go to Bible camp. He piled as many shirts, pants, socks, and underwear that
would fit and zipped them up.

	"What about my shaving gear and such?" Wade asked.

	"Leave it. You can use mine or we can buy some new stuff!" Steve
replied. "Are you ready?"

	Wade nodded his head, "Yes".

	"Then, let's get the fuck out of here!"

	"But...?" Wade tried to interject.

	"Look, I'm know it's gonna be a great temptation, but when we get
down the stairs, DON'T LOOK AT YOU MOTHER, WHATEVER YOU DO! And for God's
sake, don't say anything or look back when we go out the door!"

	The idea of moving out of his house and away from his mother had
Wade, all but trembling. He was leaving with the new love of his life and
that's all that should matter.

	Steve and Wade reached the bottom of the staircase and Thelma was
standing at the foot, arms folded and blocking their exit.

	"Mrs. English, MOVE!" Steve commanded. "I don't want to get
violent, but if you force my hand...you're gonna regret it."

	"I'll see Wade dead first!" She screamed.

	"Not in this lifetime, Mrs. English. Wade had a new life ahead of
him and I'm gonna see that he gets to enjoy it."

	Steve turned around to get the suitcase from Wade. He held it in
front of him and used it to push Mrs. English's body aside. Wade did as
Steve asked, and didn't look at his mother. Instead he looked at the back
of Steve's head and followed him out the door, down the sidewalk and into
the passenger's side of Steve's car.

	"Where are we going?" Wade asked, fearfully.

	"We're going to my house for tonight, and tomorrow we're gonna take
a long trip out of town!" Steve said as he started his car and skidded away
on the pavement.

	"Where to?"

	"Have you ever been to New Hampshire?"

	"You know I've never been outside Hawthorne. Have you been to New
Hampshire?"

	"No, but we're going."

	"But why there?"

	"We're going to pay a visit to my cousin Johnny and his lover,
Jeff, who's a priest there."

	"Do they know we're coming?"

	"Not yet, but I know they'll treat us well once we get there."

	Mrs. Jarvis was not at all surprised to see Wade entering her house
with Steve carrying Wade's suitcase. She could surmise what had just
happened. Nora Jarvis was no fool. She could put two and two together and
fully understand what happened and why her son was taking such a guardian
attitude over Wade. She knew that it was Wade whose last name ended with an
"E" was the reason for the sudden change in Steve's demeanor. If her son
had decided that he was gay, they so be it! And if Wade was the new love in
his life, then that was all right, too. Not a word had to be said for as
soon as Wade entered the doorway; Mrs. Jarvis grabbed Wade and hugged him
to her breast.

	"Please come in, Wade, and make yourself at home," she said.

	"Thanks, Mrs. Jarvis."

	"Wade, why don't you call me, Tess, or maybe what Steve calls me,
'Mom'?"

	Calling Mrs. Jarvis, "mom" embarrassed Wade at first. How much did
she know? And if she knew EVERYTHING, how could she be so accepting of his
and Steve's new relationship? He was puzzled, but immediately felt safe.


<><><><><><><><>


	To Tyler's disbelief, his parents, Nora and Fred Groom swallowed
the bitter pill and accepted the news about Tyler and Randy's newly
acquired relationship when Ethel Sage called to invite the Grooms to her
house for dinner. Like Steve's parents, they too, were all liberal
Democrats and could see nothing wrong with the way their son wanted to live
his life.

	The Sages and the Grooms were seated at Ethel Sage's dinner table
while Randy and Tyler waited upstairs in Randy's room, nervously before
making a grand entrance. The boys had showered, shaved, and primped to look
their best. Randy had loaned Tyler fresh clothes and had taken turns to
splash lemon body lotion on one another. The two had taken time to trim the
other's hair and combed it to perfection. Neither of them had ever looked
so good. Since the cat was out of the bag, they wanted to make the best
possible impression on the awaiting "in-laws" downstairs.

	Ethel speculated that both boys were stalling and perhaps were
apprehensive about facing their respective parents, especially since she
was the only one who had talked openly about the new relationship. She got
up from the table and went to the bottom of the stairs and called the boys
to come down.

	"Randy? Tyler? What's keeping the two of you? I've kept dinner
warming so long it's probably overcooked by now!"

	"We'll be down in a sec, Mom," Randy replied.

	"Randy Sage! You said that thirty minutes ago. So, come on down,
NOW, the two of you!" She called back.

	Fred Groom was a heavy set, bald, jolly man who could always make
light of any situation. He looked at the other three parents and asked,
"Should we hum, 'Here Comes The Groom'?" and laughed heartily.

	"Fred, don't you dare!" Nora, his wife warned him. "This is a
rather awkward circumstance for all of us, but imagine how the boys must
feel!"

	"Nora," Jim Savage spoke up, "I can't say that I was surprised when
Ethel called me and told me about our sons. In my opinion what they learned
about each other was inevitable. I wondered why it took them so long to
recognize the obvious? They've been inseparable all their lives. They're
highly compatible and if they truly love each other, then why shouldn't
they spend the rest of their lives freely and happy?"

	"Here! Here!" Fred Groom added. "Can you imagine Thelma Gladys
English accepting her son being gay? Pity the day!"

	"God knows, she would suffer a stroke immediately," Nora said,
"after she killed poor Wade."

	The four parents laughed out loud.

	"Come on, dammit!" Randy whispered to Tyler at the top of the
stairs.

	"I just don't know if I can face them," Tyler replied.

	"You saw how my mom reacted and she said that my dad wasn't a bit
shocked when she called him at work to tell him," Randy assured him.

	"Yeah, but my parents might act differently," Tyler said.

	"They came to dinner, didn't they?"

	"Well...yes."

	"Then, buck up and let's go face the music."

	"You're really sure about this?" Tyler asked.

	"About what?"

	"About your loving me?"

	"Goddammit! What do I have to do to convince you...go downstairs to
the dining room stark naked and have sex in front of our folks."

	"Fuck, no, Randy! But you know what I mean..."

	"Look, you love me, don't you?"

	"Yes."

	"And I love you...right?"

	"Yes...only remember once we face them and let it be known that
we're a couple now, there's no turning back."

	"Your right, Tyle, there's no turning back...forever and ever!"
Randy leaned forward to peck Tyler on the lips.

	Tyler grinned and said, "OK, I'm ready."

	The two boys came down the stairs to the main floor and walked into
the dining room. The four parents stood and looked seriously at their two
sons and began to applaud. Randy and Tyler blushed and Randy grabbed
Tyler's hand to hold.

	"Well, it's about time...you two love birds!" Ethel exclaimed which
made the boys faces turn even redder.

	"I suppose we have to chip in now and buy you a couple of tickets
to San Francisco to make this union legal!" Fred said, chuckling.

	"If that's what they want to do, Fred, then why not?" Nora replied.

	"Mom...Dad..." Tyler said, "Randy and me have no plans of getting
married. I mean gay doesn't necessarily mean we're queer. I mean, it would
embarrass the heck out of both of us to walk down the aisle and get married
so the townsfolk of Hawthorne could have a field day of gossipin' and
hecklin'!"

	"Tyler," Jim spoke up, "the six of us know how hard it's gonna be
for the two of you anyway, but as long as all of us accept the two of you,
then to hell with everybody else. I mean, it's not like either of you are
in any danger of losing you jobs. Randy works for me and Tyler works for
Fred. It's just a matter immediately of where you two want to live. I know
damned well that you'll want to live together now. As far as I'm concerned
you two can live at my house and I'm sure Fred feels the same way. For the
time being it would look less conspicuous if you lived with one of us
instead of getting your own place. I don't know about you, Fred, but I
think I'm gonna have to give my son a raise. I can't expect my son to take
a mate and support him on what he's making now."

	"Dad, I..." Randy tried to butt in.

	"Jim, whatever salary raise you give your son, Randy, I'll double
it for Tyler!"

	"Like hell you will," Jim snapped back, "I'll call your double and
redouble Randy's raise."

	"Then, I'll call..." Fred said, "but I won't go any higher."

	"Settled!" Jim replied.

	Randy and Tyler couldn't believe their ears. Their salaries had
just been quadrupled and neither of them had asked for an extra cent.

	"JIM! FRED!" Ethel said, loudly, "enough of this bartering! Are we
going to eat or not? The boys and I spent all afternoon preparing a big
meal that's being ruined in the warming oven while the two of you stand
here auctioning off your own son's salaries."

	"Well, Ethel," Fred said, "I for one am starving!"

	"You look it!" Nora joked to her husband. "You've probably already
had five or six meals today."

	"Yes, dear, but how often do I get to taste Ethel Sage's cooking?
It's a wonder Jim's not twice as big as I am."

	"I suppose the six of us will be having lots of meals together from
now on," Jim added.

	Nora chimed in, "Oh, just think! We're all going to get to share
Thanksgiving, Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries. You'll be fat as a hog,
dear."

	"OINK! OINK!" Fred snorted.

	"Ethel," Nora continued, "let all the guys take their places at the
table and I'll go into the kitchen and help you serve."

	Nora exited into the kitchen with Ethel, leaving Randy and Tyler
alone with their dads.

	There was a momentary silence among the four guys until Jim spoke.

	"Are you two guys happy?"

	"Yes, sir," Randy and Tyler said together.

	"You can thank your stars that Fred and I see eye to eye on your
relationship. I think I can speak for both of us. Neither of us is
stupid. We've both well-read enough to know that if two people are meant to
be together, it doesn't matter whether they're both of the same sex or
color. As far as we're concerned, it's God's will. Everything that happens
is the way HE meant it to be, so who are we to rebuff His plan with a
contrary viewpoint?"

	Randy looked at his dad and said, "It's just that neither Tyler nor
I expected you to accept us so easily. Hell, we didn't know what was
happening between us until a couple of days ago."

	"You're still our sons aren't you? You've still got our blood
flowing in your veins, don't you? You've practically spent day and night
together all you lives, haven't you? So what's changed?"

	Tyler looked at Fred, "Dad, do you feel the same way as Mr. Sage?"

	"Son, Jim's right!" Fred replied, "He spoke for the two of us."

	"You're not ashamed?" Tyler asked.

	"Are you and Randy ashamed?"

	"No sir."

	"Then why should Jim and I be ashamed for you?"

	"Thanks, dad."

	Fred leaned forward on the table to speak softly so that Ethel and
Nora couldn't hear from the kitchen, "Only son, some time when we're alone
and you feel like talking...you know...father to son...you gotta tell me
what two guys do together when they're alone."

	"Dad..." Tyler blushed.

	"Well, I've always wanted to know and never knew anyone who could
tell me first handed," Fred laughed.

	"You never told me what you and Mom do," Tyler said.

	"I guess I just got my answer," Fred said. "But, still I wonder..."

	"You nosy old fart!" Jim said, joking.

	"Well, Jim, haven't you wondered too?"

	"No, not really," Jim replied.

	"You mean YOU KNOW? HOW, for God's sake? JIM, don't tell me that
you...?"

	"I won't tell you anything, you old coot!"

	Randy looked at his dad with a puzzled look. Was his dad implying
that he...? Of course not! But then...?"

	"Dinner is served!" Ethel announced as she and Nora returned from
the kitchen loaded down with four bowls of food each.

	The dinner set before them looked delicious. Ethel and Nora sat
down to join the men and Ethel looked at her husband, "Jim, are you going
to say 'grace'?"

	"Sure!" Jim said. Everyone bowed his head. "Dear Lord, we come
before you today in Thanksgiving, thanking you for joining our two families
as one. We pray that you will bless our sons, Randy and Tyler, and give
them a long and happy life together for many years to come. Give them
strength to stand up to and adversities they might be confronted with. Let
them know that you bless and sanctify the union of two persons' love, no
matter what gender they are. Give them peace, love, and happiness now and
forever. Amen."

	"Amen," Fred echoed.

	"That was sweet, dear," Ethel said.

	"Thanks, Dad," Randy said, with tears in his eyes. "I love you and
Mom."

	"Dad, Mom," Tyler said, "I feel the same way. I love you both."
Then, Tyler looked at Randy's parents, "Mr. Sage, Mrs. Sage?"

	"Now, that's GOT TO STOP! You can't go on calling us 'Mr. and
Mrs. Sage' if you're gonna be our son's...mate, spouse, husband, or
whatever you are. You gotta call us Jim and Ethel, Dad, number two...Mom,
number two...no, 'number two' means something else...but NO MORE 'MR. and
MRS.', OK?"

	"That goes for you, too, Randy," Fred added.

	"Why don't you call us, Mama Nora and Daddy Fred?" Nora said.

	"That's fine," Randy replied.

	"And Mama Ethel and Daddy Jim?" Ethel said to Tyler.

	"Suits me!" Tyler said, grinning. It was impossible to tell whose
face was beaming most, Randy's or Tyler's as the two of them looked at each
other. Everything that seemed impossible was now possible. The six of them
ate and laughed lovingly at the dinner table for the next hour.


<><><><><><><><><>

	Noah managed to keep as low a profile as possible around the
campus. He hadn't officially reported to the administration office that
he'd returned early. His dorm mates would assume he had and since there was
always safety in numbers, Noah was able to slip into the dining halls for
meals or wouldn't be missed should he decide to skip a meal and go off
campus for a burger or quick meal. He enjoyed his little cat and mouse game
by "being at school" but nor really. He still had three weeks before his
senior term was to begin. So, if he was careful and played his cards just
right, these three extra weeks were like an additional vacation where he
could come and go as he pleased without being questioned or getting caught.

	From the moment that Fr. Steve had driven him back to school from
Signal Point, with the hope of a "date" with Fr. Steve on Friday night,
that's was the focus of Noah's every waking thought. He was positive that
he could manipulate Fr. Steve in having sex with him...and who knows how
long the relationship might last? Wouldn't it be fantastic to have an
off-campus lover the entire senior year?

	In the solitude of his room, he could envision Fr. Steve's naked
muscular thighs. Fr. Steve had worn loose running shorts and as they ran
from Signal Point backed to the parked car at the Alexian Village parking
area, Noah ran alongside Fr. Steve and kept eyeing his crotch which
revealed Steve was not wearing underwear or a jockstrap as his freely
swinging sex organs flopped from one side of the shorts to the other. Noah
knew that the shorts were hiding a hefty piece of meat beneath.

	Noah used this image for a masturbatory fantasy as soon as he
returned to his room...and again...and again. How thrilling it would be for
Noah to slide his hand under the garment and latch on to what he wanted
most. Noah decided that if or rather, when, he got Steve alone and prepped
for their first sexual encounter, he was more than willing to let Steve do
anything or whatever Steve desired to do to him...romantic sex or rough
sex...it didn't matter. He would win Steve's affection, no matter what it
took.

	He found a copy of the Chattanooga Times Free Press to peruse the
movie page. Hopefully, there would something sexually arousing playing at
one of the downtown theatres. Fortunately, this weekend's movie choices
offered new features starring Brad Pitt, Colin Farrell, Russell Crowe,
Heath Ledger. Any of these would assist Noah's plight for an evening of sex
with the Father. These four Hollywood hunks were but a few of Noah's "get
off" fantasy boyfriends. In the past, just watching any one of the four on
screen would cause Noah to slide his hand down his pants and grab hold of
his own organ for the duration of the picture. How great it would be if
Steve would let him slide his hand down Steve's waistband or vice-versa!
Noah was really making big plans for their "date".

	Wednesday afternoon finally arrived. It was time to call
Zephyrhaven and finalize the date. He retrieved Steve's card from his
wallet and went to a pay phone down the road from the campus so that he
could talk freely without any of his dorm mates around.

	The phone at Zephyrhaven rang three times before a young woman
answered.

	"Zephyrhaven," she said.

	"Hello, I would like to speak with Father Steve Duncan. He's
expecting my call," Steve replied to her.

	"Pardon?"

	"Father Steve Duncan," Noah repeated. "I would like to speak with
him."

	"I'm sorry sir, but is Father Duncan visiting someone at
Zephyrhaven?"

	"No, he works there. I believe he's in charge of your facility."

	"Sir, you must have the wrong number. I know of no one on the staff
here by that name."

	"Is your administrator's first name Steve?"

	"I'm afraid not. Our administrator is a woman and believe me her
name is not Steve. Miss Sandra Freeman is our administrator."

	"There must be some mistake," Noah said. "Isn't this a facility for
AIDS, HIV, and cancer patients?"

	"No sir, Zephyrhaven is a psycho-social rehab center for former
psychiatric patients. We assist our members to readjust themselves back in
the community when they've been discharged from state mental hospitals."

	"Your place IS called ZEPHYRHAVEN, isn't it?"

	"Yes."

	"Well, by chance to you know of a facility which houses AIDS and
HIV patients nearby?"

	"No sir, I've been employed at Zephyrhaven since its conception
nearly five years ago and I know of no such facility in Chattanooga. When I
was a social worker, I often wished there were such a place to send members
of my former caseload to."

	"Ma'am, if I described a person to you, would you be able to tell
me if you have a resident there that fits the description."

	"Sir, if you described him to the 'nth' eyebrow on his face, I
would not be able to give you that information. We are sworn to client and
resident confidentiality. We do not give out names or data on anyone."

	"What if I were to take a cab and come over there. Would I be able
to see for myself if Father Steve Duncan was there?" Noah asked, extremely
frustrated.

	"You'd only be allowed to visit IF one of our residents was
expecting you. One just can't come here and gawk or stare; and more
importantly, the client's doctor would have to have a written order saying
that he could receive visitors. Our facility is not like a zoo. It's very
private and most of our residents choose for their being here to remain a
secret."

	"But I was told that you have volunteers who work there. Father
Steve invited me to come there and see if I wanted to offer my services."

	"Sir, I do not wish to sound rude, but your coming here would be a
waste of time...yours and ours. You would not be admitted past my office
and from your description of Zephyrhaven, this is NOT the place you have in
mind."

	There was a long pause at both ends of the conversation.

	Finally, the young woman said, "Will there be anything else, sir?"

	"No...I guess not," Noah replied, dejectedly.

	"Then, thanks for calling and have a nice day."

	She hung up the phone.

	Had Noah entered "The Twilight Zone" of some time warp? The
onslaught of emotions all but made him stagger as he walked away from the
pay phone. He was confused, hurt, puzzled, angry, embarrassed, depressed,
afraid. dejected, lonely...all wrapped into one. Had Steve made a fool or
sucker out of him? Their new friendship seemed so real, so caring, and so
hopeful.  He HAD Steve's business card. That was proof in his hand that he
hadn't imagined the episode. The conversation, the jogging, the ride down
the mountain, the 'making the date for Friday' were all real...weren't
they? Of course, Noah had never heard of a place called Zephyrhaven. He
didn't invent the name. After all, it was printed on Steve's card and the
phone number was that of Zephyrhaven...but this was a center for crazy
people to get back into society. Was Steve a client there? Was he crazy as
well? He drove his own car...at least Noah assumed it was Steve's car.

	Next, Noah remembered all the time he had spent lusting after the
priest day and night for two days. His sexual fantasies were just
that...fantasies, never to become real. Had Noah fallen in love with a
mirage or someone who didn't exist? Noah began to doubt his own sanity
because the "thing" with Steve was so real. Noah didn't do drugs, he didn't
drink, and he had never remembered hallucinating before.

	What if?  What if the young woman to whom he had spoken on the
phone was insane? What if she had told him lies? There was only one way to
get to the bottom of the mystery. Noah went back to the phone and called a
Yellow Cab. He would go to Zephyrhaven and find out the truth for himself.

<><><><><><>

(To be continued in "Hawthorne Awakening" Part Twelve.)