Date: Wed, 23 Oct 2013 13:24:12 -0700 (PDT)
From: bryan wilson <wilson81abc@yahoo.com>
Subject: Betting on love and life part 1  / beginnings

This story is a work of fiction involving sex between consenting adult
males.  If this disturbs you than leave now. I have no knowledge of the
sexual identity of anyone mentioned in this story, including any
celebrities. This is my original story, please do not copy duplicate or
repost anywhere without my express written permission.  This is my first
attempt at writing all comments are welcome.  wilson81abc@yahoo.com


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 Betting: On-Love-and-Life-1

 I sat there watching the screen as the slot machine was spinning. I was
really not paying it much attention as my mind wander over the details of
the last several days. I flew to Vegas to get away from the pain and to try
and make plans for my future. Though at this point in time the future looks
more like a blank page at the beginning of a notebook than anything. My
life was wonderful just a few days ago to turn to shit so fast. My name is
Jerry Martin and I live just north of Columbus, Ohio. I used to live there
with what you could have called the man of my dreams, Brad Johnson.  I work
in an investment company where I have been for the last 3 years. Most of my
co-workers find my ability to read a person as uncanny, and usually come to
me with all their problems and questions. This made what Brad did all that
much worse. We had been together for since our junior year in college. He
majored in Engineering, while I was a Business Major. It had been an
extremely bad week at work as the fiscal quarter was coming to a close and
everyone wanted to buy or unload their stocks. I came home dragging and
found the house torn apart. Half of everything was gone and the place
looked like a tornado had come thru and stayed awhile. I then found a
letter from Brad on the kitchen counter and took me 10 minutes to open it,
for I knew what it contained.

Dear Jerry,

  I hate to do this to you this way, but I can no longer handle not being
able to make friends with anyone cause they can't pass your high powered
perception. I want to be able to make friends, to learn about someone, and
to make my own decision based on how they handle themselves on a daily
basis.

Love you Always,
Brad

 I looked up the aisle to see the most erotic picture of maleness was
walking toward me. He had to be at least 6' 8" tall and the most beautiful
friendly, happy face I have ever seen, but there was a hint of sadness
there. His gorgeous auburn hair laying softly on top his head, just craving
to be stroked and played with in the after glow of a long session of love
making. I watched in great detail as he came closer and closer. He was
dressed very casually, shorts, T-shirt and sandals. When he was just a
couple machines away he turned to sit down, it was then that i noticed
walking behind him was a woman. Compared to him, she was small, maybe 5'
5", brown hair and brown eyes. She looked pale, and a little under the
weather for Vegas, but sat down and started playing. I sat watching them
out of the corner of my eye, it was cute to see her win a little on a spin
and get so excited and jab the Adonis in the ribs sitting between me and
her. I just had to moan to myself, that she was doing something that I
would have paid to be doing.  Then she won a few hundred on a spin and
really jabbed him and said with some excitement "It's mine". I looked over
and told him that's how it goes, what is yours is hers and what is hers is
hers. He gave me a quizzical look for a moment, then laughed. I sat there
wondering what that was all about, but continued looking deep inside my own
thoughts of my shitty life. I had been sitting there for too many hours and
needed to get up and move so I did not need a wheelchair to make it back to
my room later. I stood and stretched and looked over and seen my Adonis of
a neighbor looking my way. I told him I need to stretch a little or I would
not ever be able to walk again. He seemed to get a light bulb above his
head moment and turned to his girlfriend or wife, I had no idea which, and
asked her if she was ready for a break. She smiled at him warmly and said
she was.

I then thought it was time for more personal introductions and put my hand
out and said " Hi I'm Jerry ". He took my hand in his firmly and shook it
saying " Nice to meet you Jerry, I'm Sean and this is Mary ". I was so lost
in the touch of his hand, I had to pull myself out to the realization that
he had introduced me to the woman he was with. I reluctantly pulled my hand
away from his and took Mary's hand in mine and told her is was a pleasure
to meet her. I asked them if they would like to join me for a bite to eat,
and seeing the looks on their faces I quickly said it was on me.  I wanted
to go back up to the room to make myself a little more presentable for
dinner and we agreed to meet back down in the lobby in 30 minutes.

 While I was getting ready for dinner with Sean and Mary I kept asking
myself, what the hell I thought I was doing? I did not know these people
and I did not even know it they were boyfriend/girlfriend or if they were
married. I kept telling myself that it was just dinner, they looked like
they could use a good meal and who was I to deny them that? I put on a nice
shirt, casual slacks and pulled out a sports coat and headed out the door
and back to the lobby. When I reached the lobby I Looked around to find
Sean and Mary, but found them nowhere around. I just figured I was early
and it might take a little while longer to get ready being there was two of
them. The minutes clicked by and I was growing increasingly worried that
they were not going to show. Another 5 minutes passed and since I did not
know their last name I could not find out what room they were in, I turned
and there stood Sean, a true work of Heaven if I had ever seen one. I
walked over to him and greeted him with a warm hand shake, and asked where
Mary was.

He got a deep look of sadness on his face when I said it and it worried me
that I had done something wrong and this was Mary's way of letting me know
that I crossed a line. He then told me that Mary was not feeling well and
that she wanted to stay in the room while we had dinner. I started to
question this but Sean told me there was no use arguing, that once Mary
made up her mind that was the end of the discussion.  I looked at him with
a look that said I understood that what a wife said to her husband at times
had to be taken as orders. I asked Sean what type of food he liked so I
could choose a place for us to eat. He said it didn't matter to him, that
he could eat just about anything placed in front of him, but said it with a
smirk that made my stomach twist in ways it had not in years. What was it
about this hunk of a man that made me lose my ability to see what he was
all about? There has never been a time when I could not detect something
from anyone that I have met. This was how I made such a good living at the
stock market, picking up on clues that I could feel from their minds. I
decided that a nice steak dinner was on the menu tonight and headed out the
front doors to get a cab. The ride over was uneventful, but quiet, I
watched Sean as he spent the time looking out the window into the settling
darkness. I wondered what was going on in that sexy head of his, the auburn
hair just sitting there on his head like stoic guardians defending against
anyone getting close. His attention to the coming darkness concerned me, I
wondered if he was regretting his decision to go to dinner with me, like
Mary wanted. The more I watched him the more I could see there was more to
this than Mary, but knew that whatever it was she was the center of it. The
cab soon arrived at The Steak House, on the strip, one of my favorite
places since my first visit to Vegas. We were soon seated at a nice table
and the waitress took drink orders and left us to look over the menu. I
forgot about the prices here and soon snapped out of my haze and told Sean
to order anything he wanted, for I had invited them to dinner, so it was on
me. This brought a smile to his face finally, which made my heart speed up
a few beats. I started asking Sean questions to see if I could finally
break whatever spell that he had stopping me from sensing his thoughts.
"So Sean, Where do you call home?" was my first of many questions to come.

"We live Just north of downtown Columbus, Ohio" he said with a bit
indignation on his face.

"Well that is amazing, I live just north of the city in Sunbury" with a
huge smile on my face.

" No way " he stated, a little louder than I think he wanted to be.

"Yep, been there a couple years now and just love being able to be out of
the city when I'm not at work"

"Where do you work?" he said a little quieter than his last statement.

" I work for an investment company downtown"

" Where do you work at Sean? "

"Well at the moment nowhere " came the response as he slowly looked down at
the empty table in front of him.

" What kind of employment was you last job " I asked to keep the
conversation moving.

He got this look on his face like he was looking for the nearest exit, and
I could tell he was more than stressed with the question.

" My last job was in the mail room at a law office " as all emotion was now
gone from his blank stare.

" Well we all started somewhere, I used to work at Wendy's while I was in
school, not the most glamorous job, but it helped pay the bills."

 He looked over at me, but I could tell he was staring thru me as if I was
not even sitting there. I decided it was time to move this along before his
urge to run got the better of him and he took of for the nearest exit.

" So how long have you and Mary been together? " I asked to see if that
might change his mood over the work situation.

" Um, Oh sorry, was a little lost there, We have been together for 21
years. "

" What? you can not be more than 24, how can you have been together that
long? "

" Cause she is my sister " came his reply.

Now I was the one lost for a moment as his words sunk into my spinning
brain. Not even imagining that the conversation would head this way.

" Ha ha " I chuckled, " I was thinking you were a couple "

" Nope, but she is one great sister and the most wonderful person that
walks the face of the Earth as far as I am concerned. "

That made me even more curious as to what he ment by that, so I continued
with the questions to see what other revelations I could come up with.

" What brings you two out to the great city of Vegas?"

" Well that's a little hard to explain, but if you give me the time I think
I can explain it to you."

" Take as much time as you want to. I'm in no hurry "

 Just then the waitress came back to the table with drinks and took our
order, Sean finally decided on the Filet Mignon just as I had. That done
and out of the way, Sean took a swallow of his drink and a deep breath and
looked me dead in the eyes.

" I may not make it too far in this story before I fall to pieces, so if I
have to take a minute or two to compose myself please dont think any less
of me, cause if I don't, you will have a blubbering mess sitting here at
this table with you. And that's not going to be a pretty sight for such a
nice place you have taken us to."

" I am in no hurry Sean, I have nowhere to be and in no hurry to get back
to an empty hotel room."

 He sighed, then put his face in his hands and took a deep breath and the
way he did it I knew that what was to come was going to rip my heart out of
my chest and left laying on the floor.

Matt cleared his throat and pulled his head up and clasped his hands
together and started his story.

" This all started 9 years ago, when my father was killed at a job site
working construction. The pain the family went thru was almost unbearable,
my mother just completely lost herself in the days and months
afterward. His name was John and I was only 11 years old and he was the
center of my universe. Me and my sister were devastated and we both
withdrew into ourselves and with mom lost in sorrow we were left with no
one to find us and help us back. My mother, in her state of dispair,
started drinking. Almost everyday we would come home from school there she
was drunk on the couch a pile of malfunctioning motherhood, while Mary and
I just went thru the motions of our daily lives. This continued on for the
next 4 years, mom missing both our birthdays, school functions, until I
came home from school one day and the house had police cars all in front of
it, looking like a scene from any cop show. I went running to the house
with all we had in us, only to be grabbed by officers standing outside in
the yard. They wanted to know what I thought I was doing, and all I could
continue to do was yell for mom. Then a detective came out of the house and
asked us who I was, as I told him, his eyes sank to the ground and he shook
his head. He went on to tell me that my stupid drunk of a mother had been
in an accident and was killed. I just lost it and fell to the ground in
tears. The detective took me in the house and set me down in the living
room to continue with the details. He told me that while driving drunk, my
mother had passed out with her foot on the accelerator and drove head on
into a tree and was killed on impact. He then asked me if there was anyone
that he could call for me, as I sat there looking at him I couldn't even
get Mary's name to come out of my lips. In came Mary, led by another
officer, she stood there in disbelief as the officer told her the story
that he just told me. "

I said, " Sean that's an awful story, and I am sure your not done, but
dinner will be here soon. Take a few minutes and relax until it gets here.

Sean seemed to realize where we were and smiled over at me and took a drink
and said " Thanks. "

 I started to process all the information that Sean put out in his story so
far and wondered how this kid had made it this far in life with losing his
mother and father, and could basically say both when he was 11 the way his
mother did the last 4 years.

 The waitress showed up with our meals and Sean started to devour his, its
been along time since I had seen a young man eat like this, it put a smile
on my face.

Sean looked over at me and gave me a questioning look, then asked " What's
put that smile on your face?"

I said " Well let me see how I can put this so you do not get offended."

 He put his fork down and got a serious look on his face and I thought that
he was getting ready to walk out. I seen the apprehension in his look and
said " Its just been a long time since I have been around a young man who
enjoyed eating like you were doing. "

I smiled over at him to show my amazement of his appetite, and trying to
set him at ease. He seemed to get what my smile was saying and he smiled
back across the table at me.

" Well there is one thing you should know about me, I love to eat, and when
the food is this good its easy to enjoy it. " Sean said.  I replied " Well
I told you they had good food here, or I wouldn't be here. "

 Sean smiled and continued his eating while I simply nibbled on mine and
watched him like a lion stalking its prey. Since he told me that Mary was
his sister and not his wife, my imagination has been in overdrive. When
Sean was done with his meal I asked him if he would like anything off the
dessert menu. He looked at me with a devilish grin on his face and said, "
Depends what's on the menu. " and from the sound and look, my groin picked
up on the undertones to his comment.

 We ordered dessert and then I stood and asked Sean to excuse me for a few
moments, he looked at me with a question in his eyes but then understood
that I needed to use the restroom. I caught our waitress and asked her if
she could get the manager and bring him to me here, she looked at me with
apprehension in her eyes and I told her that there was no problem with her,
the meal or the service it was something personal.  A few moments later she
returned and introduced him. I told him that I was in the middle of a
business discussion and that we would probably be occupying the table for
quite a bit longer. I wanted to compensate him and our waitress for
anything that they would miss out on due to us using the table for such and
extended period of time. The manager told me that it would not be a problem
and to take as long as we need to finish our business.  I thanked him and
handed the waitress two hundred dollars and thanked her and continued to
the restroom.

 When I returned the dessert had been served and Sean was making quick work
of it like he had done with dinner. I apologized for taking so long and
asked him how he was enjoying his dessert. He just smiled as he continued
to stuff him mouth shaking his head. This brought a smile to my face, one
that I had not had for awhile, even with Brad in many years. As Sean
finished up his dessert he placed his fork down and pushed his plate away
and groaned that he ate too much, and with a chuckle I agreed with my own
grown and rubbing my stomach. I ordered coffee for myself and ask Sean if
he would like a cup or another drink, he ordered a shot of Petron. We
waited for the waitress to bring us our drinks back then Sean lifted his
glass took his shot then put the glass on the table and looked down
gathering his thoughts.

I said " If you don not want to continue Sean I completely understand, I
just want you to know there is no pressure on you to tell me anything and
that I do not judge anyone for anything they have done in their past.

Sean looked at me with these sad eyes of torment and quietly said " Jerry,
I have to talk to someone about all this, it's been years and I have not
been able to talk this whole thing out with anyone and if I don't do it
soon....,"

 His voice trailed off and I could see a small tear forming in the corner
of his eye and I just wanted to leap across the table and hold him and tell
him everything was going to be alright, but little did I know how wrong I
was.

 "I am sorry Jerry, but I have never had friends the way most teenagers had
and never had anyone to talk things out with and get another's view of
things, it may have helped me understand things more and helped me with
lots of the decisions that I have had to make in my life.  "

" Sean, I have lived through terrible decisions in my life, and there is
never a reason to be sorry when you reach out and ask a friend for their
opinion.  Now I am not saying that all the opinions from any friend are
going to be good ones or ones that make sense to you, but they then become
options in your process to make a good choice for yourself. "

Sean was stunned at the insinuation that I considered him a friend and that
I could at all be interested in giving him and opinion on what he should or
should not do with his life. He sat there looking at me for a moment, then
leaned his head down and gathered his thoughts and then started to finish
telling me his story.

" After the police had finished their investigation at the house, the told
Mary that they would have to contact the Department of Children Services
since I was underage and that my mother was now deceased. Mary got nervous
and asked what was going to happen, she didn't want me taken anywhere and
put into the system, I was only 4 months from my 18th birthday. The
policeman told her that DCS would handle everything and take me thru all
the options to make sure that I would be as least traumatized as
possible. This seemed to put Mary at a little bit of ease and she took all
the information from the officer and walked him to the door. When the house
was empty I broke down and asked Mary, what were we gonna do now?  Mary was
like a rock during the days, weeks and months following mom's death, I was
amazed at how ease she took the reigns on the whole situation.  I was a
walking zombie, no friends who's shoulder I could cry on, no parents now
and a sister I had really started to grow apart from since she had moved
out of the house a couple years ago. Mary handled everything with DCS and
had gotten them to leave me where I was and in school to finish up my
senior year the next school year. All the financial details Mary could find
and in the house and dig thru got her up to speed on the finances with the
house and what our new lives were going to be. Little did I know, and Mary
made sure that was the way she kept it, we were in trouble and she never
let it show. That summer before my senior year, I spent about all my time
in the local YMCA, I lifted weights, ran, worked out all in the chance to
help me relieve my stress and come to terms with what my life had turned
into. When school started I settled into a routine that got me thru each
day and nothing more, I was so focused on myself I never even noticed how
much Mary was hiding from me. I knew she was working hard to keep us in the
house and food on the table, but those details just never entered my mind,
that was to me an adults job.

 Sean looked up and asked if I minded if he ordered another drink. I told
him not at all and motioned for the waitress and placed the order, asking
for 2 doubles, I think I needed something stronger than coffee by the look
on Sean's face. When she brought the drinks back Sean downed his and shook
his head as the liquor went down, then resumed his story.

" As the months passed I didn't even notice how much weight Mary had
gained, I was still going thru the motions of each day and just standing on
the sidelines of what should have been the happiest year of my life so
far. But one day I did notice and confronted Mary one day after school,
asking her if she had been at the table too much or was just not as active
as she used to be. She looked at me with a shock on her face and fell to
the floor crying.  I ran to her on the floor and put my arms around her and
asked what was wrong, she continued crying for a long time and I didn't
know what was going on. Finally she said that she was pregnant and didn't
know what to do. I fell over right on my ass from my kneeling position and
just looked at her like she was crazy. we held onto each other there on the
floor for ages, before Mary had to have me help her up and we went and sat
on the couch.  She then told me the story behind how this had happened, to
tell you I was shocked would be the understatement of the year. Mary had
told me how deep in debt my mom was and that the only way she could come up
with to make enough money to keep the roof over our heads was prostituting
herself. "

 Sean looked over at me with tears in his eyes and took another sip of his
drink, then said " Please Jerry, don't think bad of Mary like I did at
first. She was doing what she thought she had to do to keep us together at
least till I finished my senior year. "

" Sean, I would never judge Mary for a decision as hard as she had thrust
upon her shoulders. There is no way in this world that anyone can say,
truthfully, what they would do in the same situation." I proudly said with
a smile, trying to reassure Sean.

Sean got a half smile on his face, sipped his drink again then continued on
with his story.

" It was at this point that I knew I would have to step up and become the
adult that I should have been years earlier, and most likely would have
been had my mother not become so withdrawn and would have cared for us like
she should have. I told Mary to get herself to DHS and get some help with
insurance so she could see a doctor. I went out and got 2 part time jobs to
start bringing money into the house so we could stay. I was working at
McDonalds 3 or 4 nights a week after school and I found a job at the local
junk yard the other nights I didn't work at my other job. The yard gave me
lots of time to work out my anger and frustrations, moving around junk
helped stay calm and in shape. Mary found a doctor and her pregnancy was
right on track. I talked her into finding a psychiatrist to help her work
out the problems she was having with what she had done and the place she
was now in with her life. Time flew by and before I knew it Mary was
nearing time to deliver the baby, but I noticed that she was not her usual
self, and I tried to find a way to ask her about it without sounding too
troubling. Before we could ever get into this discussion tho, Mary went
into labor and before I knew it I was an uncle to a beautiful little
boy. Mary, named him Jack and I thought he was the most precious thing I
had ever seen.  Mary adjusted well to being a mother, she was attentive and
as caring as our own mother had been when we were little. I graduated High
School 6 weeks after Jack was born, and I struggled to make sure we had a
house for us to live in, working 2 full time jobs trying to keep up with
the hole we were put in when mom died. I worked hard all summer like a man
on a mission, then late that fall Mary got sick. We both thought it was
cold, but it never seemed to go away. I finally made her get herself to the
doctor, a day right up to this one that has ruined our lives.

 Sean's eyes were really tearing up now and I didn't know what to say,
because whatever it was that was coming I didn't want to speculate on. I
said, " Take your time Sean, we have as long as you want, or need. They
will not push us out the door till we are done and ready to go."

Sean finished what was left of his drink and rubbed the tears from his eyes
and smiled at me as if to say Thank You, Then took a deep breath and
continued on with his story.

" Mary went to the doctor and he ran blood test and called Mary a couple
days later to come back in for her results. I was at home with the baby and
when she walked thru the door I knew that whatever the doctor told her
wasn't good, she was white as a sheet and sweating like she ran all the way
home. I just stood there and asked her what was wrong. She looked at me and
fell into my arms and collapsed into me and cried for almost an hour. When
she finally calmed herself down he told me what the doctor had told her
during her visit. She had Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and the
outlook wasn't in her favor. I sat there in disbelief, unable to process
what she said and what she ment by it all, was she trying to tell me that
she was dying? It was like my entire universe, even as small as it had
become had imploded on me and left me with nothing. We sat and talked all
evening and half the night. Mary decided to start an aggressive treatment
regime to see if she could turn the tide on her diagnosis. I had to quit
one of my jobs, I needed to be at home more to help take care of Jack and
Mary. I told them what was going on at home, and I really appreciated all
they had done for me during the last 9 months. They tried their best to get
me to stay, but I had no choice but to be at home more to help Mary.

 Sean paused for a moment and waved at the waitress and asked her to bring
him another drink, and I asked for one too. This was getting way too deep
not to have one. When she brought them back we both thanked her and Sean
downed half of his and sighed really heavy and continued on.

" Mary started treatment and it was awful on her, she was so drained of
life it was like looking at a shell of what Mary once was. It tore me up
inside to watch her go thru this, I tried as hard as I could to be there
for her, I arranged care for Jack with a neighbor of ours to keep him while
I worked. She knew what Mary was going thru and helped me as much as she
could, which was a God send in my book. After months of Mary going to the
doctor and hospital almost daily, she finally started taking a turn for the
better. She looked better each ad everyday, almost like there was a new
Mary appearing before my eyes. I was so happy that it seemed like something
was finally going our way. It's like God had finally heard all my prayers
and answered them all at once. The doctors were amazed at her progress,
they started to sound like there might be hope after all. I was floating on
air for weeks after Mary's last visit, it was once again a happy home to
come back to every night. By this time Jack was almost 3 years old, the
holidays were behind us and we were into March and the spring seemed like a
gift . Then one weekend we were making dinner and as Mary was standing at
the sink washing vegetables to make a salad she just collapsed on the floor
in a heap, I was screaming and yelling her name, unable to understand what
happened. I called 911 and they were sending help. As I sat there holding
Mary and praying that she was going to be alright, but knowing deep down
that this was just all wrong. The ambulance arrived and while they were
working on Mary, I took Jack next door to the neighbors and begged her to
watch him while I went with Mary to the hospital. She finally agreed and I
ran back to the house to check on the paramedics progress. They were just
getting ready to take her out of the house and put her in the ambulance. I
tried to go with them but they said I needed to drive so I had a vehicle to
get back home later, I guess they were right, but wasn't thinking that far
ahead. When I got to the hospital I ran to the desk and asked about Mary,
the nurse just told me that they were working on her now and that as soon
as she had word she would come and get me. I paced the floor in the waiting
room like a caged animal, nothing going thru my mind, nothing I could keep
focus on at that moment anyways. I dont know how long I paced for, seemed
like days to me, but the nurse finally came out and took me back to see
Mary and talk to the doctor. Mary was laying there ashen grey and looking
bad, the worst I had seen her in almost a year, all i could think of was
how did this happen so fast. Mary was sleeping and the doctor grabbed me
before I could really get in the room and be near her, He took me to a
small room down the hall and rushed me in and had me sit at a small table
that was in there. I looked up at him like a small lost child, with a
thousand questions just under the surface ready to explode wanting
answers. The doctor seemed to sense what was coming and sat down at the
table and looked me straight in the eye and put his hand over mine and told
me that what he had to say was not easy, but please stay strong till I am
finished and then I can answer any questions that you have. I nodded my
head and leaned forward almost curling up in a ball and waited for what he
had to say. He started out telling me that the cancer had returned and this
time it was back with a vengeance. It was in her brain and spinal column,
and that given she had been thru the treatments she had that there was no
chance that anything was going to work to slow its progression and there
would be no recovery. I let out a loud gasp and fell to the floor in tears,
I started yelling how, why, what's going to happen to Jack. The doctor was
stunned for a moment, then leaned down and hugged me and helped me back
into my seat. I didn't know what to do, what to say, who to call. There was
no one and I knew that, but why, why wasn't there anyone there
anymore. What have we done to deserve all this pain in our lives? After an
hour or so I had came back around, the doctor was just about to sedate me
and put me in a bed when I finally started making sense and asking him
questions about Mary. He answered all my questions and seemed to generally
care about all of them, even if they seemed like stupid questions to him,
he answered them all. When we were done, I went back to Mary's room to see
her. There she lay so small and quiet, it just tore me apart to have to
walk into her room and look her in the eyes. I walked to her bedside and
took her hand in mine and gently stroked her cheek and called her name
softly. She slowly opened her eyes and seen me and tried to put on a big
smile, but I knew it was a front for my sakes. I kissed her on the forehead
and told her that we would get thru this someway, anyway, there are still
miracles that happen everyday.

 Sean paused and finished his drink, then said " Please excuse me for a
moment Jerry, I will be right back. " He headed for the restroom and I
called the waitress over and ordered us both a double, and she returned
before Sean came back from the restroom.

 Sean came back a couple minutes later and looked like he had washed his
face and was a little better holding it together than I thought he would
be.  When he sat down at the table he looked at the drink and glanced over
at me and smiled that big warm tender smile as if to say Thank You. I
smiled back and nodded my head at him. He downed half of it and wiped his
mouth with the napkin and rested his head in his hands for a moment, then
looked back up at me and went on with the last part of his story.

" Well the doctors that had seen her when this all started were in the
hospital the next day and went thru all the tests and reports and told us
the same thing the doctor in the Emergency Room told me the night
before. The stabilized Mary and she seemed to improve over the next couple
of days and they sent her home. They had arranged a visiting nurse to stop
by every other day and the neighborhood seemed to pull together to help me
out with Jack all they could. I was on thin ice at work with all the time I
had taken off the last week and I had to get back to working before the
tossed me out on my ear. Mary was spending as much time with Jack as she
could, holding him, talking to him, reading to him, anything to be near him
and to me to make a bigger imprint on his mind. One day at work my friends
and coworkers asked me what they could do to help me and Mary out with
anything we might need in this dark time. I told them that right now I
didn't know what could be done, the doctors were pulling clinical trials
and anything else they could find to see if there was anything that might
help Mary. I told them if there was anything that came up I would let them
know. That night I talked to Mary about what was going to happen and what
should we do or be doing? She told me that she was working on that and had
found a lawyer at the free law clinic to help her set up a living will and
how they were going to get custody of Jack to me when the time came and she
was gone. I looked at Mary like she was insane, why are you talking like
this? There is no need to do all of that, not now, not while you were still
her and well. She looked at me and said this is the perfect time, I am here
and well enough to make these decisions and to help make things easier on
you when the time comes.  I bowed my head, knowing she was right, bit not
wanting to hear or believe it at this point in time. There was a commercial
on the TV while we were talking, about a last wish group for children with
a life threatening disease. I turned to Mary and said, what would you like
to do as a last wish?  She thought a moment or 2 then said I would love to
go to Vegas and see some shows and play in the casino one time before its
all over. I told her that sounded like fun, maybe I could find a way to
make it happen. She smacked me on top the head and said don't be silly, you
have enough to take care of with all the bills of this house and Jack to
worry about that. I shook my head and said your probably right, but
wouldn't it be great to do just that?  The next day at work I thought about
what my friends asked me and I started thinking about how we could make
this happen, I started talking to some people in the office and asked them
if they had any ideas on how I could make this happen for Mary, that I
wanted her to have this last chance to do something that she really
wanted. Word went thru the office like a wildfire and before the day was
over there were people all around my desk, then Lauren spoke first and told
me that things were in the works and that by tomorrow they should have an
update and maybe some concrete plans in place.  I looked around at everyone
and shook my head not believing what was happening. I tried my best to keep
anything from slipping to Mary, at least until I knew more of what was
going on at work. By the end of the week I was approached by one of the
senior partners in the firm and he asked me how my sister was doing. I was
shocked he even knew me let alone about Mary, I told him that she was
holding her own and the bad days were starting to come closer together. He
told me if I needed anything to let him know and he would help with what he
could, I thanked him and went on with my mail delivery. By the end of the
week the office staff gathered in the break room and with the help of the
mail room manager had me brought in to surprise me with tickets to Vegas,
hotel, and show tickets. I was so shocked I broke down in tears and thanked
them all from the bottom of my heart. Now I had to tell Mary and arrange
for someone to watch Jack while we were gone. I talked with a couple
neighbors and got plans set for his care and then went to talk with
Mary. We had a wonderful dinner, and then later that night I told her what
had happened at work and showed her the tickets and travel info that they
had given me, the look on her face was precious, one I will never
forget. She cried for over an hour, surprised by the generosity of all the
people where I worked. This brings us to here and me sitting at dinner
spilling my story out to you Jerry.

 Sean looked over at me and I had a tear running down my cheek and a lump
in my throat the size of the Grand Canyon. I could see the same in Sean's
eyes and face and I reached over the table and placed my hand on his and
said.  " Sean I am honored that you felt comfortable enough with me to tell
me that, I just don not know what to say, so much has happened to you in
your short life. It makes me feel that what has happened in mine is so pale
in comparison that, I am ashamed of looking at my life as having any
problems in it as a disgrace."

 Sean got a look of horror on his face as if to say you have to be kidding
me, but didn't say anything. He stared down at his drink and started to sob
almost as if someone had broken the dam that was holding back every emotion
that he had ever felt in his life.

 I quickly jumped out of my seat and went over to him and sat down and took
him in my arms and let him pour all those emotions out and the tears to
fall. I then told him " If there is anything that I can do to help you thru
this terrible time, just let me know, I understand we just met, but I would
be more than willing to help you with anything you need. "

His tears starts to slow and his trembling started to lessen, and looked at
me and ask "Why?"

" Because its the right thing to do. " I exclaimed. " There is nothing I
would not do in this world for a friend who is truthful with me, and I can
trust."

Sean looked over at me and gave me a huge smile, the one that melts your
heart like butter in the sun and leaves a big messy pool. He then said, "
Thanks Jerry, I don't know when but I do know that if it is alright with
you, I will call you. When Mary is gone, I will be alone, everyone I have
ever loved will be dead and gone." As the tears started again in his eyes.

" That is not true Sean, I will be there for you and you still have Jack,
and as sure as I am sitting here I bet he loves you as much as he does
Mary. He will need you to be as strong as you have been over your young
life to help him thru his." I told him clearly to get his mind on a
positive point in his life.

 Sean looked up at me and realized what he said then puffed up his chest a
little and said, " Yes he does, he has become the center of my life I
cherish every moment I can spend with him. It's just going to be so hard to
on me when the time comes. I don't know if I will be able to handle the
responsibilities of raising Jack, taking care of the house and working all
on my own. I will be lost and no one there to help me everyday."

 The tears returned on Sean's face again as he lowered his head and began
thinking of what turmoil his life was going to be in when Mary died.  I
finally said, " Sean, let's head back to the hotel. I think you have been
thru enough for tonight, and I am sure you need to check on Mary, since she
did not come tonight.

" I think your right Jerry, thank you, I'm so sorry for burdening you with
all my problems. But at the same time I'm glad I did, I've never had anyone
to talk to about all this even back to the day my dad died."

" It was my honor Sean, I'm glad that you were trusting enough in me to
tell me. That means a lot to someone like me. I know how hard it is to be
truthful with people."

 Sean gave me a quizzical look as we got up from the table to leave. I
stopped at the front of the house and thanked our waitress again and
slipped another hundred into her hand, then went out to the door to get a
cab back tot he hotel.  The ride back to the hotel was quiet, I think Sean
was thinking over the events of the evening, trying to sort out what was
said between us at dinner.  I had not said much, but I think what I had
said was giving Sean trouble but why I did not know. I wished I could feel
his thoughts, its always come so easy to me with everyone I have ever
met. Why was it not there for the one person I wanted it to be there for? I
sat there deep in thought when I felt a hand touch my shoulder, I looked
over at Sean and he said, " Are you alright? " and I could see a look of
concern on his face. The type of concern that maybe he regretted telling me
his story.

 I smiled over at him and told him, " I'm fine, I was just reflecting on
all you told me, I know people have problems in their lives, I have had me
share of them. When I compare them to yours its like comparing an ant hill
to Everest. "

 Sean got an uneasy look on his face and lowered his head. " I'm sorry
Jerry, I shouldn't have burdened you with all my problems. The last thing I
wanted to do was ruin your evening."

I drew in a deep breath and told Sean, " Sean, you did no such thing. I was
so deeply touched that you could share your life story with me, I know how
hard it was on you. The comparison I was making was just the way my mind
works, all the years in business the balance sheets, the proposals, the way
business boils everything down to the bottom line. I know it is not easy
for most to understand, that is why I usually do not tell people what I am
thinking till I run everything thru to the bottom line."

 Sean looked up like he understood and gave me a smile, " I totally
understand, I have tried many time to do just that, but always end up
getting side tracked along the way. Either the brain is too slow to process
it all or life jumps up and takes my thoughts somewhere else. "

 I exclaimed, " No way that could be true Sean. I can assure you that your
brain is not too slow, your life has more than jumped up and taken a hold
of it more than your young life deserves to be racked with all the pain and
troubles. " I sighed and told him, " Please do not think about this too
much Sean, if you get to know me you will understand very quickly how my
mind works. "

" I think I would like that Jerry, there seems to be something about you
that is deep down inside you that draws people to you. It seems like it
just needs to be used more often."

 The cab stopped at the hotel and we got out and headed inside. I told
Sean, " Go check on Mary and that I would see him tomorrow, giving him my
room number, telling him call me if he needed anything. I was going to head
into the casino and maybe see if I could get myself into a game at the
tables."

 Sean thanked me for a wonderful meal and told me he would call if anything
came up and that he would definitely see me tomorrow.  Before he started to
walk away I said " Call me in the morning and I can take you and Mary to
breakfast, I would like to meet her and talk to her and we can enjoy a nice
meal to start the day off."

" I think that would be great, I will get Mary to bed early and hope she
feels well enough to go."

With that Sean turned and headed toward the elevators and was gone. I stood
there for a second and then turned and headed to the casino floor to find a
table see if I was ready to concentrate on game and start to process all
the things Sean had told me at dinner. I sat down at a table and ordered my
chips, the dealer counted them out and stacked them for me to take. I
started out winning a few hands, then losing a couple. Still ahead of the
game but holding more than my own, as the nights information started
processing thru my head. The more I played the more I started to understand
the feelings that Sean was having. It is not just the agony and pain of
loss, its the understanding of how an individual deals with such a loss and
can continue living their lives holding that pain at bay and not break
down. I started feeling more and more respect for Sean, I have dealt with
many people around the world, old, young, some of the most powerful
business leaders that the world has seen. Their power seems small in
comparison to the troubles that Sean has had to face in his life. Just then
I got a feeling that I was being watched, as I slowly started to look
behind me there was Sean standing watching me. I smiled and asked him " How
long you been standing there? "

" Just a few minutes, I was watching you play. I was trying to see how you
decided on your bets, but that got me nowhere. " He chuckled as he said it.
I asked him, " How was Mary? "

" She was doing well and thought the idea of breakfast was great, she said
to let her know when and where and she would be ready."

" Well that is great " I said, then started to plan on where to go to
eat. " Let me make a few phone calls and see what I can find and I will let
you know."

 I started to get up and head off with my cell phone to make my calls when
I looked at Sean and told him to sit down and play my hand, I looked at the
dealer and shook my head giving him the approval to let Sean play while I
was away. Sean looked confused by sat down and started playing. I started
my phone calls and had breakfast arranged in just about 10 minutes.

I walked back over to the table and Sean was looking intently at the cards
on the table and I stood there watching him to see how he handled himself
at the table for a few minutes, when he glanced over and seen me standing
there.

" Now how long have you been standing there watching me. " He asked just
like I had asked him, with the cutest smile on his face.

" Just a few minutes, I wanted to see how you were handling the table, and
from what I can see you did well. " I stated looking at the pile of chips
that had grown since I was away.

" Are you kidding? That was there when you left, I have only won one hand
since you were gone. " Sean told me and I looked up at the dealer and he
nodded slightly to tell me that Sean was correct.

" Well I guess I was not paying much attention to the game before you
showed up Sean, I better be more careful next time. " I said as I leaned
into Sean's ear and whispered, " Must have been distracted by something. "

Sean blushed and got up from the seat and told me " Well then I guess I
better let you back at the cards while your attention is elsewhere and you
are on a hot streak."

I sat back down and motioned for the dealer to start the next hand, and
looked over and asked Sean, " Would you like something to drink? "

" Yes that sounds good"

 I motioned for a waitress and she came over and I placed the drink orders
and asked her if she could ask the concierge to please come and see me.
She said no problem and headed off to the bar and to place the call. Just a
few minutes later she was back with the drinks and told me that
Mr. Richards would be with me momentarily. I thanked her and paid for the
drinks and gave her a tip and turned to talk to Sean.

" We need to leave by 9 for breakfast, so we arrive on time. " I told Sean.

" That's fine." He said then asked " Where are we going and what kind of
attire should we wear?"

" Nothing too elegant, casual you could say, but really does not matter
since I do not think that there will be anyone else there." I told Sean
with a big grin on my face.

 Sean turned his head with a hint of questioning in his gaze like he didn't
understand a word I said. Then said, " I think we can handle that. "

Mr. Richards came up to the table and introduced himself and asked what he
could assist me with. I told him, " I will need a limousine in the morning
for a 9 o'clock pick up and then to stay with us till after our meal was
finished and to bring us back to the hotel. "

He said, " That will not be a problem and told me that it would be waiting
on me and my party at 9."

I thanked him and looked at Sean and said, " We are all set be in the lobby
at 9 sharp and we will be on our way. "

" In a limo? " Sean asked with a bit of hesitation in his voice.

" The only way to travel in the morning on your way to a wonderful meal. "
I told him, hoping to calm any fears he might have.

 He smiled at me shook his head then turned to the table to watch more of
the game. He was gorgeous sitting there watching the game with a sense of
amazement that I have not seen in many years. It was like a child seeing a
room full of presents under the tree on Christmas morning.  I had to smile
to myself thinking how Sean seen the world, even thru the eyes that have
seen more pain than most people see in a life.  After an hour of sitting at
the table I realized it was getting late and decided it was time to head
upstairs to my room and call it a night, before we ended up staying in the
casino all night and falling asleep at breakfast. I asked the dealer to
cash me out and told Sean, " I think we need to head upstairs and get some
sleep or we would be sleeping during breakfast and leave Mary enjoying all
the food by herself. "

 Sean smiled and said, " You're right, I didn't realize how late it was
getting. " As he stood up and stretched, his shirt lifting up just enough
to show off his smooth muscular abdomen and his treasure trail heading down
into his pants.

 I had to pause and take in the scene and almost let out a moan, before I
caught myself and turned to look the other way before Sean finished and
seen looked back at me. We headed towards the front of the casino and the
elevators. The elevator wait was short and we both entered and pushed the
button for our respective floors, the silence was getting to me and Sean
was fidgeting. I was hoping he was not having second thoughts about the
morning, so I asked him what he was thinking.

He seemed to forget I was even in the elevator and jerked with a startle to
my question. Then said, " I was running that game thru my head trying to
understand how its played. "

" Well it can be a hard game to learn, but the more you play it the easier
it get, I can help you learn tomorrow if you have time. If not I will be
here a few more days, and can find time to show you the rules and the best
ways to remember them.

The doors of the elevator opened at Sean's floor and he started to exit, he
paused and looked at me and said, " See you in the morning, Good Night. "

" Good Night Sean " I replied as the doors were closing.

 As I continued up to my floor my thoughts began to flash to a scene may be
the future, maybe a desire, of me and Sean sitting in my kitchen enjoying a
breakfast, with smiles on our faces and love for one another in our eyes. I
had to shake that vision from my head, I could not become attracted in that
way to someone so vulnerable and to someone I had no idea about their
sexual orientation. The thought shaken from my head the feelings in my
heart kept them warm and safe deep inside its beating rhythm. Safe? I can
only hope. I would hold them there only wishing they could become the fruit
of a dream my mind did not want to project.

 The nights sleep was full of dreams, so real I had awoken several times
asking myself if this was real. I had not had such a disturbed night of
sleep in my life. I only hoped that it would not effect the way that the
next day out unfold. I wanted everything to go perfect for Mary and Sean,
the last thing they needed was me being an oaf because of lack of sleep and
the brain disengaged.

The clock went off at 7:30 and I made my way to the shower and got dressed
for the start of a wonderful day, I kept thinking thru all the plans I had
for Mary and I hoped they all came off without any problems. I was down in
the lobby at 8:45 and was surprised to see Mary and Sean standing there
waiting on me to arrive. I walked over and Sean introduced me to Mary.  "
Mary this is Jerry Martin, Jerry this is my sister Mary Austin. "

I extended my hand and gently took hers and raised it and kissed her hand
and said, " It is my honor to meet you Mary. "

Mary blushed and said, " Its my honor to meet you also Mr. Martin."

" Please call me Jerry, I do not stand on ceremony. I am just a person like
everyone else on this planet" I responded to Mary.

" Well Jerry, I want to thank you for the dinner invitation last night and
want to apologize again that I was not able to join you and Sean. He told
me that the meal was wonderful and I really missed out on a great
evening. "

" I am sorry you were not feeling well enough to join us too Mary, but I
think this morning will more than make up for it for you. " I told her with
a smile.

 We then headed outside to the limousine and we were headed to what I hoped
would be a most special breakfast for Mary and Sean. I was starting to
worry that I might be over doing it and that Mary and Sean could be
overwhelmed by what I was planning, but I had to hope that they would not
become too over overcome. The limousine pulled up in front of a very nice
restaurant, we made our way to the door and as we entered Sean gave me a
look, asking " What have you done. " I just smiled and nodded for him to
enter and follow Mary. We were greeted by the Maitre d and seated at a nice
table, just then Mary said, " But the place is empty how come we are the
only ones here? " I told her, " Well I made a call last night and got us a
special engagement with a very nice chef to make us a delicious breakfast
to help us start a special day.

 Mary looked at me like I had gone insane, " How can someone from Columbus,
Ohio just make a call and get any chef to just open a whole restaurant and
cook for three people? "

" I know a few people and have some friends that will on occasion do
something special for me when I really need them " I told Mary.
 Just then a gentleman walked out of the kitchen and headed over to our
table, I caught him on his way over and as he approached the table I stood
and greeted him.

" Wolfgang, I want to Thank You from the bottom of my heart for doing this
for me."

In his special heavy accent he shook my hand and said, " Its my honor
Mr. Martin, anything I can do for you all you have to do is call. "

" I really appreciate that Wolfgang, but please you know to call me
Jerry. " I said with a smile on my face.

" Yes yes, Jerry, now who are these to fine people that you have with you
today? "

" Wolfgang, I would like to introduce Mary and Sean Austin. Mary and Sean
this is Wolfgang Puck. "

Mary and Sean jumped up out of their seats and took Wolfgang's hand and
started shaking it, " Its an privilege to meet you sir, I have seen you
many times on TV and I want to say you are and excellent chef." Sean was
babbling on and on, like a kid on a sugar overload after too much time in
the candy store.

Mary started to rise and Wolfgang gently put his hand on her shoulder and
said, " Please no need to get up for me ma'am, its my pleasure to meet
you."  as he gently placed a kiss on Mary's hand.

Mary blushed and said, " Its a dream come true to meet you sir, I'm totally
in shock that I get to eat your cooking this morning."

" Well if its food you will be wanting I better get back to the kitchen and
finish, so you can complete your dream my lady. "

Wolfgang turned and headed back to the kitchen with a lift in his step like
he had met a princess and a prince.

Mary looked across the table at me and asked, " Who has friends like
Wolfgang Puck that will cook breakfast for them after just one phone
call. "

 I was starting to feel a little tense with the tone that Mary was taking,
but I expected that one or both of them would have a problem with all this
attention from what most would call a celebrity.

 I looked over at Mary and took her hand and gently told her, " Someone who
has made a great many friends in a world that is ruled by money my dear. It
is all about contacts and understanding of the world of business, and I
have been around the block a time or two in that world. I have made more
than my share of contacts and when I need them, I use them. "

 Mary seemed to take in my reply and her shoulders gently lowered and it
seemed to calm her of the stress she was having about this luscious meal.
We sat and had a wonderful conversation and the meal was absolutely
astounding, Wolfgang had outdone himself and I was so glad that Mary and
Sean were enjoying themselves. We talked for an hour and I learned all out
Mary and her childhood, her skipping the details about her mother and
father and how she got pregnant with Jack. I assumed that Sean had told her
about all he told me last night and she did not want to go thru that pain
and anguish again and skirted around those details.

" Sean told me that you wanted to see some of the shows here in Vegas Mary,
have you seen any yet? " I asked Mary

" We seen the floor show at the hotel on our first night here, but I don't
know what else Sean has planned for our last two days here." she said with
a tone of sadness in her voice.

I looked over at Sean and seen a little panic in his eyes and figured out
that he did not have anything planned and was worried that he was going to
have to tell Mary.

" If it is acceptable to you and Sean, I would like to take you both out
tonight and have a nice dinner and see some shows. " and as I said it I
could see nervous look in Sean's face leave and replaced with a smile that
could melt the ice caps.

Mary looked over at Sean and asked, " Well do you have any plans that might
be interrupted? "

" No Mary, I think it would be a spectacular evening if we went with
Jerry." Sean replied, with a bit of sorrow on his face.

" Then it is settled, lets get back to the hotel and we can change and do
some shopping at the hotel and then we can have lunch there until we need
to get ready for the evening. "

 Mary and Sean agreed and we headed out to the limousine and back to the
hotel. Both of them seemed different, a bit of nervous and a little bit of
surprise mixed in with trepidation. The ride back was quiet as Mary looked
out the windows taking in all the sites as we made our way up the strip and
back to the hotel. I led them towards the stores on the upper levels and
then excused myself to make some phone calls. I made my calls to arrange a
spectacular evening for Mary, I wanted her to enjoy the full benefits of
being in Vegas while she was here. I arranged for a front row table for her
to see Wayne Newton, then to go visit him back stage. After that we would
have a nice relaxing dinner at Aliz‚. Then it was off to the Venetian
for a gondola ride, then finishing with a trip to watch the fountains at
the Bellagio. I was excited with the arrangements I pulled together and
went to find Mary and Sean. I was looking through the stores as I was
trying to find them when I noticed them in a nice up scale dress shop.  I
am sure that Mary was looking at the clothes, not being able to have
afforded anything like this in her life. I came in so they did not see me
and as I came upon them I heard Mary tell Sean how beautiful she thought
that dress she was holding was and that she thought she would look amazing
in it. I knew that Mary would never allow me to purchase the dress for her,
one because I knew how much it would cost, and two she was still not sure
what my motives were when it came to them. I cleared my throat to let them
know I had returned and that I was close enough to hear them so they did
not say anything that might embarrass themselves or god forbid me.

I told Mary, " That dress looks stunning on you, I imagine that you would
look lovely in it for our night out. "

" I was thinking the same thing Jerry " as she held it up and spun a little
looking in the mirror. " But there is no way that is going to happen right
now."

She then hung the dress back up and started toward the front of the
store. I could read her face, mind and emotions that she really wanted to
be wearing that dress tonight. I stopped a hostess of the store, while Mary
and Sean continued on their way, and asked her what size she thought Mary
might wear. She studied her for a moment and had a good idea, I showed her
the dress Mary was looking at and asked her to send one in that size to
Mary's room and put it on my room account. She grabbed a dress and headed
to the back and came out a moment later and told me everything was handled,
I told her to make sure it was not delivered until we were headed back to
our rooms and I would stop back by to let her know when were headed back to
them to get ready for the our evening. She told me that would be fine and I
left to catch up to Mary and Sean.

 Mary seen me coming back up behind them and turned around and asked what I
was up to, I smiled and told her nothing. I motioned for them to some seats
at the side of the hallway and explained the details of the evenings plans
and that we would need to be out the door by 5:30pm.  I asked them both if
they had anything they wanted to do until we needed to go up to the rooms
and get ourselves ready for tonight.

Mary shook her head and said, " I don't want to do too much, I want to be
ready for tonight. If I do too much this afternoon I will be back in that
damn bed again all night. "

Sean looked at his sister with a lot of concern and ran his hand down her
cheek and asked, " Would you like to go up now and take a nap until it's
time to get ready later? "

Mary shook her head yes and Sean stood up and said, " I'm going to take
Mary back upstairs to rest, once I get her settled I will be back down and
we can see what kind of trouble we can get into Jerry. "


" Please rest well Mary, I want you all fresh and ready for all the
excitement that Vegas has to offer." I said as I held her hand in my ever
so gently.

" I will be there come hell or high water Jerry, Thank You for all you gave
done, It's like heaven sent an angel to look over us on this trip. "

" I have been called lots of things in my life Mary, but an angel is not
amongst them. " I told her with a smile and a gentle laugh.

 As they head back to the elevators and headed up to their rooms, I headed
back to the shop and told the hostess that the dress could be delivered as
soon as they could arrange it, they were back up in the room.

 She said, " It is boxed and ready and I will have someone take it up in a
few minutes. " I thanked her and headed back out and toward the casino
floor when I realized that I needed to arrange for a limousine for the
evening, so I went to the concierge's desk and asked for a limousine to be
ready for us at 5:30 and to be available to us for the rest of the
evening. Mr. Richards told me everything would be ready for us at 5:30 and
asked if there was anything else that I needed help with? I told him no and
thanked him for all his help and headed towards the casino floor.

Mary and Sean were just getting into their room and Mary set on the edge of
the bed and looked at Sean, " I don't know Sean, we don't know who Jerry
is, or anything about him. I like him, he seems so sincere and very
friendly, but how do we know who he really is?"

Sean set down next to Mary and took her hands in his and said. " I know
Mary, but after all I told him last night about us he still wanted to spend
the day with us. We have nothing to offer him, or anything he could take
from us, I trust him and I think you should too. "

Mary stared out the window thinking about what Sean just said and she could
really see his point. She was returned to the room with a knock on their
door. Sean got up to go answer it and then came back with a large box in
his hands and a tear running down his cheek.

Mary jumped up off the bed and ran over to Sean and said, " What is it, why
are you crying Sean? "

Mary looked at the box and gasped when she seen where it was from, " You
don't think he did it do you? "

" I wouldn't be surprised if he did Mary, I told you he was special. " Sean
got out thru the tears rolling down his cheek.

Mary opened the box and was stunned, there laid the dress she was looking
at in the boutique down stairs just a short time ago. She felt the tears
start and she reached out and hugged Sean.

"How did we get so lucky Sean? I don't know how we will ever be able to
thank Jerry. " Mary said thru the happiness that was pouring out of her at
that moment.

" I have no idea Mary, but I am so glad he has come into our lives. Sean
told her thru his own tears. " Why don't you put it back in the box and get
your nap, I want to go find Jerry and thank him. I just don't know what to
say, but I'm sure I will think of something. "

Mary looked at Sean and smacked him, " No way I'm putting it back in that
box, it needs to be hung up so it doesn't wrinkle before tonight. " as she
scowled at him.

" Well how would I know what you do with a dress, specially one like that?
" Sean shot back at his sister.

Mary hung the dress up in the closet and stared at it with sparkling eyes,
then Sean helped her to bed and made sure she was comfortable and had
everything she needed and then headed out the door.

I sat down at a blackjack table and was deep in thought in the game,
thinking about how well I hoped the evening was going to go. I was just
about to call a waitress over and order a drink when I was lifted out of my
chair and almost thrown into the air in an embrace that I thought was going
to end up crushing my lungs. I looked down and seen Sean and he had the
most infectious smile on his face, and from what I could tell the remnants
of tears on cheeks.

" I don't know how I will ever be able to repay you Jerry, you have made
Mary happier than I have seen her in years." Sean almost scream as he
continued to squeeze me like boa constrictor.

" Sean, Sean I can not breath. " I tried getting out before I passed out.

Sean looked up at me and almost dropped me but slowed my motion just before
my feet hit the floor. " I'm sorry Jerry, I was so over joyed for Mary I
forgot what I was doing." With a huge smile still plastered on his face.

As I tried to retake the air back into my lungs that Sean had squeezed out
of me I could not believe how happy this made Sean. " It was my pleasure

Sean, I am so relieved that she accepted the dress and did not send it back
and come looking for me. But you know what? " A thought came to me right
then, " What will you be wearing tonight on our night out Sean? "

Sean's smile and delighted expression left his face and his shoulders
slumped, almost like a tire losing its air. He started to say something and
I held up my hand to stop him. I turned to the dealer and cashed out and
threw him a chip for a tip and told Sean, " Come with me. "

We headed up to a wonderful Gentleman's shoppe I have visited several times
when I am in Vegas and I knew we needed to get Jerry something so he would
not feel out of place next to his sister when we were out tonight. When we
entered the shop I noticed that the tailor that has taken care of me
before.

" Hi Mr. Jones, How have you and your lovely wife been doing? " I asked as
we walked up to him.

" Well, I will be, How are you Mr. Martin, It has been a long time since
you came to see me. I have been just fine and so has Mrs. Jones, Thank
You. "

" I am so glad to hear that Mr. Jones, I have a special request of you and
your wonderful talents, If you have the time? "

" For you Mr. Martin I have all the time in the world. " He replied.

" This is Mr. Austin, I wondered if we could get him a suit to wear
tonight, We will be taking his sister out for a special night on the town
and he needs to look just as exquisite as she does while we are out. "

Sean stepped forward and shook Mr. Jones hand and said, " It is nice to
meet you sir. But please don't worry if you can't work me in, I'm surely
not special enough to be a problem for you if you are busy. "

" Nonsense young man, a friend of Mr. Martin's is a friend of mine and it
is never a bother to help a young man like yourself to look his best for a
night out on the town. " Mr. Jones said and Sean stood there blushing.

" Please step this way and we will see what we can do to get you looking
special for tonight, but it's not like it will be that hard as good looking
as you are young man. " Mr. Jones stated and again caused a blush to come
to Sean's face like fireworks going off in his neck.

I had to smile, the look on Sean's face was picture worthy, In my mind he
ranked right up there with the Statue of David.

 Mr. Jones had Sean in the back bringing several evening jackets and shirts
and ties, then went and picked out some slacks. I stopped him and suggested
that maybe a nice Armani suit would be easier than putting an outfit
together.

 Mr. Jones smiled at me, " I believe your right Mr. Martin, I was trying to
do it this way to keep Mr. Austin from being too concerned about the price
of things."

" That will not be a problem Mr. Jones, please charge everything we get to
my room please, but do not let Mr. Austin know of the cost please. I think
he is nervous enough and I don not need him falling apart in front of his
sister this evening. "

Mr. Jones looked at me with a look like he knew what I was inferring, "
That will be no problem at all Mr. Martin, it will be a great pleasure for
me."

Mr. Jones took about an hour to find a suit that was as close as he could
get to fitting Sean before he needed to tailor it, I shook my head yes when
Mr. Jones made the final choice. He asked Jerry to step up on the tailor
platform so he could mark the adjustments that needed to made and then sent
him back to the dressing room to change back into his clothes.

" I will have this ready in about 90 minutes Mr. Martin, would you like to
pick it up or would you like it sent to your room? " Mr. Jones asked.

" I think it will be better used if you send it to Mr. Austin's room, he
and his sister have a room of their own. When he comes out you can get the
room number from him and have it sent there for this evening. "

" I will have it altered, pressed and sent up just as soon as I can
Mr. Martin. " Mr. Jones assured me as he headed back towards the dressing
room.

He talked with Sean in the back of the store as I was looking over a few
items that caught my attention and Sean was getting his suit fitted.

 Sean came up behind me as I was looking at a new shipment of shirts, he
grabbed me and gave me a hug like I have never been hugged before, but at
least I could breath through this one.

I turned around and asked, " What was that for, It was nice and I thank
you. "

" For being so generous and doing all this for Mary and me, you brought us
so much joy in such a short time. I still don't understand why you have
done all this and would want to spend that kind of money on two good for
nothing kids from the wrong side of town. " Sean stated with a tone that
sounded like he had been beaten down by life one too many times.

" I have told you before Sean, there is nothing I would not do for a
friend. I know people say that all the time, but believe me when I say, I
have seen families and friends torn apart from being selfish and lying to
each other I cherish friends and honesty more than anything. "

Sean began to get misty eyed and stood there not knowing what to say, he
just shook his head and said, " I would be ever so blessed to call you a
friend Jerry, and I would never lie to you. "

I knew that Sean was telling the truth, lying just did not seem to a part
of his understanding, like he believed it should not be in his view, or any
word for it in the English language. We turned and headed out of the shop
and back out to the casino.

I asked Sean, " Would you like to go over to one of the buffet's and grab
something to eat to tide us over until we have dinner tonight? "

" I think that would be excellent Jerry, but I have one request. I am
paying, and if that isn't ok with you that we can just go on into the
casino and play whatever you were playing before we went to the clothes
shop. "

I looked at Sean with a bit of shock on my face and realized that he was
set and determined to do this, " That sounds like a plan to me Sean. "

 We headed over to one of the All-You-Can-Eat buffets and got a table near
the back and settled in for lunch.

Sean headed for the buffet and came back with a plate loaded like it was
either his last meal or his first meal ever and wanted to sample everything
they had to offer. I came back with a nice salad and smaller plate than
Sean's and we sat and enjoyed the meal in quiet.

When we were finished with our lunch I thanked Sean for buying lunch then
asked if he wanted to head to the casino or if he wanted to go back to his
room to rest until it was time to go out for the evening.

" You are very welcome Jerry and I think I would like to hit the casino if
you don't mind. "

" What would you like to play? " I inquired.

" Well I haven't really played any of the table games, but I think I would
like to try blackjack for awhile, see if I have enough brains to understand
all the concepts to the game. "

" If it is blackjack you want to try, than blackjack it will be, Let me
find us a table that will help you with learning that game and we will see
how much fun we can have. "

We headed to the casino floor and I had had a short conversation with one
of the floorman, asking him which tables they had open for beginning
players, to help them understand the games.

He escorted Sean and I to a table and we sat down, Sean purchased some
chips and I found a waitress and ordered myself a drink. I was going to sit
and watch Sean play. Being it was a beginners table I did not think the
casino would appreciate me sitting there playing.

Sean was learning fast and before long he was up a few hundred dollars, I
was impressed at the speed at which he learned the game and about an hour
later he said, " I think I'm ready move on to another game, I think I have
the basics down to blackjack. "

" There are several other games that you can try Sean, there are several
varieties of poker, roulette, baccarat, craps, keno lots to choose from and
to learn if you have not played them before. " I told Sean.

" To tell you the truth Jerry, I'm a little nervous to try any of them, as
little as I have had in my life I would feel ashamed to lose any money. "
Sean told me with his eyes looking at the floor.

" I can understand that Sean, when I was your age I was almost the
same. When I earned a dollar I would hold onto it until I was old money. "
I answered Sean with a chuckle.

Sean looked up from the floor and stared into my eyes and laughed as little
at my reference to old money, " I only wish I could hold onto mine that
long, but there are just too many bills at home and it goes out faster than
it comes in. I never have had the extra to do anything with. But what you
don't have you don't miss, so I guess I had better head back upstairs and
check on Mary and maybe grab a short nap before we go out this evening. If
that is alright with you Jerry? "

" That is more than fine with me Jerry, please tell Mary I hope she is well
and that I wait with anticipation to an exciting evening with you both. "

" I will tell her Jerry, we need to meet at 5:30 this evening correct? " he
asked as he was turning away to head to the elevators.

" That will be good Sean, it will give us plenty of time to make our
engagements on time. " I replied

" OK, thanks I will see you at 5:30 Jerry."

" Rest well Sean, see you then. "

He was gone, even as big as Sean was he seemed to move like smoke thru wind
tunnel. Effortlessly, as if you did not see any movement of his muscles,
just a slow deliberate swaying beneath his clothing. I let out a sigh and
shook those thoughts and feelings from my mind, for they were leading me
down a path that I never thought I could get Sean to follow. I did not need
for them to betray me, to open me up to disappointment this soon after
Brad. I made my way over to my favorite baccarat table and ordered my
chips, then started playing. My mind was running ideas, thoughts, plans
anything but keeping my mind on the game, not my usual technique, but I was
wasting time. I sure was not ready to slow down this afternoon I think a
nap might have kept me too on edge this evening. Then again if I did not
partake of one, my emotions just might take the upper hand and impel me
into making too many truths come out while in the company of Mary and
Sean. I was seeing too many outcomes to this and my mind sorted that there
were more of them based on the realization I did not have all the facts. I
tried pushing them out of my mind and locking down my emotions so I could
concentrate on the cards, but the more I tried the worse they became. After
an hour of the conflict in my head I decided that no matter what comes of
the night I was going to let it come as it may and let everything develop
as it should. I decided to cash out and head upstairs but when the dealer
asked for my identification I stopped and looked down at the table. While
my mind was busy with other possibilities I had ran up and impressive with,
I was up over a hundred thousand dollars. I gave the dealer my
identification and he waved over the pitboss, he recorded all the
information he needed and handed me back my identification and told me that
my winnings would remain in my house account and when I was ready to check
out I would receive a cashiers check. I told him that was fine and headed
towards the elevators. The money not even anywhere near the top of my list
of concerns. Once I returned to my room there was an arrangement of flowers
sitting on the center of the table in the living room that I knew were not
there before, I opened the card that was in the middle and found out that
Mary had sent them to thank me for a wonderful breakfast and in advance for
what she was sure would be an enjoyable evening. I tossed the card back on
the table and grabbed a drink from the bar and headed to the bedroom to
grab an short nap, maybe an hour or so to keep me fresh and ready for
tonight.

 ' I opened my eyes and there at the foot of the bed was my image of
perfection, Sean stood there in nothing but all his glory. I was shocked,
how did he get here, what happened to bring him here and why was he
naked. I looked deep into his eyes, those green eyes, like shimmering pools
of liquid emeralds dancing with a rhythm that hinted at lust. I started to
speak, to ask how he got into my room, but Sean put his finger to his lips
and said " Shhhh." He started up the bottom of the bed crawling closer and
closer till he was right over me, staring into my eyes, with the look of a
hungry tiger ready to devour its prey. I swallowed hard trying to contain
my excitement, I reached up to lay my hand on the side of his face, and
slowly let it drift down his jaw line till I reached his chin. I let my
hand slide down his neck feeling all the contour till I reached his
shoulder and felt all the muscles just relaxed under his skin. I messages
his shoulder feeling the strong masculine at rest as a moan escaped his
lips and enticed me to continue.  My hand glided down to his pecks, I
gently squeezed the nipple that was protruding above his left chest like a
piece of clay, ready to worked and molded into a work of art. I played with
it for awhile eliciting moans of pleasure from Sean, the sounds were
pushing me farther into a desire to make more emotions to pour forth from
this wonderful man that was above me begging for more. My hand worked its
way down to his stomach, hard and firm, yet smooth and soft the differences
in the texture were sending my senses into overload. I played with his
treasure trail and my hand was getting closer to the destination which was
the center of my dreams since I met Sean. As I looked down and was about to
grab his cock I was jolted and all of a sudden Sean was gone, I sat up in
bed and looked around, where had he gone? '

I shook my head and realized it had been a dream, and I was laying in the
bed alone, but a mess from a climax that was brought on by my dream.  I
laid there stroking myself trying to relive it over and over but too
sensitive and drained to complete the excitement again. I rolled over and
out of bed and looked at the clock, it was 4 and I figured I had better
start getting ready before I was late for the evenings festivities that I
had planned.

While in the shower I tried to figure out how I was going to handle this
new outlook on Sean, and what would happen while we were out tonight?

I finished my shower and shaved and dressed and was ready for this evening
when the phone rang, I picked up the receiver and said "Hello. "

" Hello, Is this Mr. Martin? " came the voice on the other end.

" Yes it is, may I ask who is calling? "

" This is Mr. Oliver, the general manager of the casino, I was calling to
congratulate you on your win at the tables this afternoon. " Was the reply.

" Well thank you Mr. Oliver, I never realized how much I was up when I was
playing. I had many other things on my mind and was not really paying any
attention to the table. " I told him trying to decide what it was that he
wanted.

" I would like to set up a meeting with you to present you with the check
and maybe see if we can get some publicity photos out of it also. " He
chimed in as my mind was running possibilities.

" That does not really sound like something I would like to be involved in
Mr. Oliver, I rather cherish my privacy and would hate to be on the face of
your next promotional advertisements. " I responded, with a desperate tone
to really get away from this idea.

" I understand that Mr. Martin, we try and include any big winners in our
promotions to show that it can be done in our casino. "

" There might be a way to help you and keep myself out of the news and off
your promotional material, If we could meet tomorrow morning and discuss it
I would appreciate your help. "

" I look forward to it Mr. Martin, I have an opening in my schedule at 10
if you would like to meet then?"

" That will be fine Mr. Oliver, I will see you at 10." I said and hung up
the phone.

  It was now 5 and I headed out the door, I wanted to check and make sure
that everything was in place and ready for us tonight. I phoned and
confirmed all the reservations that I had made yesterday and checked on the
limousine. Things were all set and my plans were ready to hopefully make
Mary one happy person tonight. I glanced around the room and it was then I
caught the sight of Mary and Sean coming towards me, both looking like
visions that they just stepped out of a photo shoot for the latest designer
in Paris.

" You two look elegant, like movie stars ready for a night out at and
awards ceremony. " I said with a smile on my face that I could not contain.

" You look stunning yourself Mr. Martin. " Said Mary.

" Please call me Jerry. " I replied.

Sean was snickering behind Mary at that and she gently drew back and hit
him with her elbow. I had to let out a small laugh and asked, " Are we all
ready for tonight? "

" I don't know about Sean, but I'm more than ready. " Mary stated and was
smiling with a warmth that lit up the whole area around us.

" Let us get started then and see what excitement that awaits us out
there. " I said and headed for the front door.

 We got into the limousine and headed out, Mary watching me with a look in
her eyes that wanted to question me and ask about all the details that were
ahead of us this evening. She never said anything, but I could feel the
Inquisition that was held in her stare. Sean was looking like the main
spread out of GQ magazine, I could have just sat and looked at him all
night he was handsome and had the air about him that he did not know.

" So, where are we headed first Jerry? " Sean asked to break the silence
that we had been in since we entered the limousine.

" I told you both, it is a surprise, we will be there soon. I tried to keep
things close to the hotel so if we needed we could be back without delay. "

  The limousine arrived 15 minutes later at our destination, as the door
opened and we were taken inside we were greeted by a middle aged lady and
she took us back stage of the theater and led us to a dressing room
door. She knocked on the door and waited for a response, a voice yelled for
us to come in, she opened the door and we went inside. The minute the door
closed Mary let out a loud gasp and she looked at me and then at Sean and
tried saying, " It's It's It's" but couldn't get anything else out. I
started laughing and said. " Yes it is Mary. "

Just then Wayne Newton walked across the room and extended his hand to me
and said, " Hi Jerry, it is so wonderful to see you again. It has been too
long since you have been here to see my show. "

" Well Wayne, I have been so busy lately and too many problems as of late
to make my way out here to enjoy a night at your show, but I think tonight
should make up for the length of time I have been away. "

" And who do we have here with us tonight Jerry? " Wayne asked staring into
Mary's eyes.

" Wayne I would like to introduce you to Mary Austin and her brother Sean
Austin. They will be my guest tonight and I just wanted to stop back here
before the show and tell you how special tonight is for Mary. "

" Is that so my friend? We will have to do something just for her tonight,
so its unforgettable for Mary. It is a pleasure to meet you Mary and
Sean. " Wayne got out before Mary grabbed his hand and started shaking it
as if to make the arm come loose and take it with her.

" Its an honor to meet you in person Mr. Newton, I have wanted to come to
Vegas for a long time in the hopes of seeing one of your shows. " Mary
blurted out so fast I don not think it registered with anyone.

 We all chuckled a little about Mary's enthusiasm and Wayne had us take a
seat and asked, " Would anyone like something to drink? "

I said sure and Sean and Mary were still in silence mode at meeting Wayne
that they both just stared in disbelief that they were here with him
backstage.

Wayne asked again and Mary finally said, " A coke would be fine. "

Sean nodded his head in agreement and Wayne headed over to the bad and
poured the drinks then brought them back over on a tray and served them to
all of us.

We talked for about 30 minutes then Wayne said, " I must finish getting
ready for tonight's performance, you can head out to the floor, there is a
table all ready for you."

 I thanked Wayne and shook his hand and we headed out to the table that had
been reserved for us. I could tell that Mary had some questions on her
mind, the eyes were a dead giveaway. I was wondering how long it would be
before she either just came out with them, or found a way to have a private
conversation with me. About 20 minutes of sitting at the table Mary could
not hold her thoughts in her head any longer, she started asking questions
at break neck speed.

" Jerry, how did you arrange this so fast? It would have taken months or
years to get a table like this for a Wayne. "

 I grabbed Mary's hand and looked her in her eyes and said, " Mary, I told
you this morning I have made lots of friends in my business dealings and I
hold my friends and their friendship close to my heart. I would never use
or abuse anyone I have to think of as a friend. The honesty I have
developed with each and everyone of them is special to me. In the times we
live in it is hard to find that in most people, I have lived by the
philosophy that each person in this world deserves the respect of their
friends and their secrets help in confidence no matter what. I would like
to think the same of you and Sean, friends and anything that you have said
to me or will say to me will never go any farther. I think that is what
builds a strong friendship, honesty and trust for without those there is no
going forward. "

 Mary looked at me with a small tear on the corner of her eye, " I would
like to think the same of you Jerry, in the short time I have known you I
have never felt more at ease or trusting than I have with you. I now it's a
lot to ask of you but," she then leaned over and whispered in my ear so
Sean could not hear, " Can you keep an eye on my brother soon, I know her
told you about me and I know he will have a hard life soon and I have
worried so much on how he is going to be able to handle this new part of
his life without someone he can lean on when I'm gone. "

I pulled back from Mary and hand a tear in my eye now and told Mary, " It
would be a privilege Mary. "

 Mary shook her head and looked over at Sean who had a questioning look on
his face and she just nodded at him. This seemed to put him at ease, but
not knowing why I just watched the interaction between Mary and Sean and
thought the love between them was never going to be replaced in Sean's life
once she was gone.

The house lights dimmed and the band started and out came Wayne, he started
his routine and was excellent. He sang all his old hits and a few new
ones. Then He invited Mary up on the stage and sang a special song just to
her as she sat there with huge tears just running down her cheeks and
shaking in disbelief at the whole event.

 After two hours on the stage, Wayne finished his set and head off back
stage. The house lights came up and we headed out for a special dinner at
Alize. On the ride to the restaurant, Mary was shining with such glee I
thought she was going to just burst with joy. Sean was sitting watching
Mary and he was smiling that big special smile that made me melt when I
seen it. I just wanted to hold him and tell him everything was going to be
alright.  but with what he has been through in his life he knew better. I
soaked up the love Sean was emitting for Mary as we continued on the ride,
Sean looked over and me and seen me looking at him and I just smiled, I
thought I had seen a slight blush when he looked but was unsure.

 We arrived at the restaurant and were seated promptly at an exquisite
table right in the middle of the floor, a prized table by so many, so they
could be seen by everyone as someone that was important and they needed to
know. This is why I had chosen it, I wanted Mary and Sean to feel like they
were the most important people in the world tonight, and as far as I was
concerned they were.

The waiter was fantastic at his job, anticipating everything we might need,
I asked Mary and Sean, " Would you be so kind as to trust me, and let me
order for you both? "

Mary and Sean both said " Yes "

 When the waiter cam back over I place orders for all three of us and we
sat talking about the evening so far, and how much Mary enjoyed the show.
She was still smiling so wide I was surprised her face was not sore and
aching. We talked about life back in Columbus, not really wanting to broach
the subject of Mary and her condition, so when Sean did I looked at him
with shock in my eyes.

Mary said, " It's ok Jerry, me and Sean have talked about it many many
times, whenever either of us is feeling a little uneasy about it we just
start talking it's really the only way to handle it. If we waiting to talk
about things we would both forget what it was we wanted to say. "

I reached out for Mary's hand and held it and said, " You are an amazingly
strong lady and never deserved any of the terrible things that have
happened to you during your life. "

Mary blushed and said, " Thank You Jerry, I have never looked at my life as
deserving anything that happened to us, it's life and if you don't roll
with the punched it brings you live your life battling it and in the end,
no matter how long you have, to battle the whole time makes it a life not
worth living. "

I got a lump in my throat as I choked a little, thinking of what she just
said and realizing how true her words were. Why battle your whole life,
there are times when a battle must be fought, but why make it the being of
yourself?

" My dearest Mary, you are so right about that, I have battled so much in
my life, the unneeded fights, the words that have been said, the hate that
I have seen. I want to thank you for making me look at life in a while new
way. " I got out before I had to excuse myself and went to the restroom to
regain my composure before I returned to the table.

 Just as I returned the waiter brought out our meals and I had him bring a
bottle of Perrier-Jouet Champagne, and I made a toast to Mary, and not to
leave Sean out I added that he was the strongest brother I have ever met in
my life and he must have been sent straight from heaven to watch over
another angel, Mary. "

The both got misty eyed and clanked glasses and looked at me like they have
never tasted anything so wonderful in their lives. We enjoyed our meals
with a light conversation about Mary and Sean's life as kids, both
complimenting me as they ate on how wonderful the food was, and asking me
what each item was as they tasted it.

Once the meal was done I asked Mary , " Are you feeling well enough to
carry on with our last event of the evening? "

" Jerry, I am on such a happy high right now I could climb a mountain and
still be able to go down the other side. " Mary beamed at me.

" Then on we go. " I announced and started out to the limousine.

 Sean was looking a little disappointed and I had to know what was going on
in his mind, so I turned to him at the door and asked, " What is wrong
Sean, you seem a little disappointed all of a sudden. "

He smiled that million dollar smile of his at me again and said, " I was
hoping for dessert. "

" Well my friend, you are in luck. We are headed to the fountains at the
Belagio and we will be having our dessert there. "

" Jerry I am sorry, I didn't want you to think of me as ungrateful, I had
seen some of the items on the menu for dessert and they looked so good. "

I laughed and told Sean, " Do not ever be sorry for what you are feeling
Sean, feelings are what makes us individuals, never hide them or shut them
out they can be your best asset when all other things have failed
you. Besides do you think I would not know you wanted dessert? "

Sean looked at me like I was insane, smiled and said, " Well I was hoping
you would, but how did you know? "

" Every meal we have had together in the last 2 days you always had
dessert, I was your age once too. " I just chuckled and walked on to catch
up with Mary.

We were in the limousine heading to the fountains and Mary had such a
serene look on her face I just had to sit back and smile and hold back the
tears,

I knew this ment so much to her and I was so happy that I could make it
happen.

I looked up and Sean was staring at me, seeing I was holding back something
and could see I was close to tears and he whispered, " What? "

I gently shook my head and whispered back, " Tell you later. " Then I
stared out the windows and had to say a little prayer to God, " Why dear
lord?  Why bring these to special people into my life just to rip them out
again? "

I sat and pondered life and thought back to Mary's statement at the
concert, and just had to make myself believe those words and tried putting
a smile on my face as the limousine reached out final destination.

 The driver got out, opened our doors for us and then went to the trunk and
retrieved a basket and a blanket and took them and ushered Mary and Sean to
a small area and laid the blanket down and helped Mary sit. Sean sat next
to her and I opened the basket and inside were dessert from Alize, and

I seen Sean burst into a smile and asked, " Which would you like to try
first Sean? " and gave him a big genuine smile.

Sean was looking in the basket and could not decide, so I handed him a
plate and said, " Try this one first, I will complement the dinner you just
had. "

I handed one to Mary and she thanked me and we started to enjoy the
desserts as we watched the fountains.

When we had finished Sean had eaten 3 of the desserts and looked like he
could eat more. Mary was watching the water so intently I thought she was

going to become water herself.

I asked Mary and Sean " Would like to go inside and have a nightcap before
we returned to the hotel. "

They both said, " Yes, " so enthusiastically I was stunned for a moment.

I gathered up the blanket and basket and handed them to the driver and told
him we were headed to the Bellagio for a night cap and we would then be
ready to head back to the hotel.

 He said that would be fine and we headed towards the front doors of the
Bellagio. When we stepped inside the concierge came running over and
grabbed my hand and said, " Hello Mr. Martin, It is so good to see you
again, can I help you with anything this evening?

I told him that we were going to have a nightcap and he escorted us to a
private little bar for high rollers and told us to enjoy ourselves and
headed back to his station at the front door.

Mary and Sean were again staring at me with that same questioning look in
their eyes. I just shook my head and said, " Later, if you really want to
know. " Then smiled at them to help put them at ease.

We had a round of drinks and Mary was looking tired, and I think Sean had
picked up on it also. He took Mary's hand and asked, " Are you ok sis? "

" Oh more than ok dearest brother, I'm just soaking in the happiness of the
evening and wonder how this angel named Jerry was brought to us. "

I blushed like a teenager and shook my head and said to Mary, " My dearest
I am a lot of things in this world of ours, but I am far from an angel. "

Mary laughed and said, " It is a matter of perception, to some you may be
the meanest thing they ever knew, but to other you might be a passing ship
in the night, but I'm sure those that truly know you, think you are nothing
but an angel. "

I seen Sean out the corner of my eye and he was sitting there shaking his
head with a tear rolling down his cheek as me and Mary just looked at each
other, still trying to figure out what the other was all about.

 We headed for the door and the limousine pulled up and we entered in for
the ride back to our hotel. It was quiet and peaceful, Like a memory from
your childhood wrapping you in its happiness and lulling you to sleep. When
we reached the hotel and had gotten out of the limousine, with all eyes on
us, because Mary and Sean looked like stars that had returned from a movie
premiere. I asked the driver if he would get the basket out.

He happily retrieved it and I handed it to Sean and told him. " Enjoy. I
knew you wanted to try more of them when we were at the fountains. "

I laughed as I headed towards the front door. It was a moment or two until
I realized Sean had not caught up to us, I turned and looked out the door
and Sean was still standing there, I seen his shoulder moving, I knew he
was crying.

I turned to Mary, and she seen it too, and started for the door, I stopped
her and said, " Please Mary, you head up to the room, I will take care of
Sean, I think I know what has happened. "

She hesitated and then turned and headed towards the elevator but turned
back and said, " Jerry, I don't care who you are, who you know or anything
else. Don't hurt him. " then stepped on the elevator and was gone.

I was in shock, what did she mean, don't hurt him. How could I ever do that
to a man I thought was the most perfect vision of love on this whole
planet?  I started walked towards the door and came up behind Sean and I
could hear the sobs, I gently put my hand on his shoulder. Which was not
the easiest of things to do with Sean, being built like a windmill in
height.

Sean turned and seen it was me and not Mary and his look took and even more
somber appearance. I reached up and touched his cheek and asked " What is
the matter Sean? "

Sean seemed to be lost in his thoughts, like he was in a maze without a map
or an idea of how to get out of wherever he was.

" It will be alright Sean, I think I understand. " I started to say to him.

 He rushed pass me without a word an headed for the elevator, I was
frightened by his abrupt departure. I did not know why he reacted that way,
but I had to find out and headed towards to elevator to ask him. The doors
opened and he entered and turned to look at me and was crying again as the
door closed.


================================

I know there was no sex in this chapter as I am trying to develop a strong
story line, but it is in the writing and will be coming soon.