Date: Sat, 9 Aug 2003 18:44:53 -0700 (PDT)
From: Robyn <wolfhowlin2001@yahoo.com>
Subject: Lives Intertwined (Chapter 7)

Lives Intertwined (Chapter 7)
By The WhiteWolf

	All of the characters have been explored in detail. We now will see
how each of them will interact with each other as their lives become
intertwined.

	Alex didn't answer the question immediately. Perhaps he had judged
Jim too quickly he thought as he turned to face him.

	Flashing a short smile, "I haven't planned anything. Why do you
ask?"

	"I don't know," Jim although quite cautious knows he must make the
first move, "but the party seems quite crowded. I was thinking about
getting some coffee." At first thought Alex knew this is an opportunity he
can't pass up, however, he suddenly remembered his phone call to Rhonda.

	"I'd love to get some coffee, but I was planning on meeting
somebody." That came out wrong.

	"No problem, I'll see you around," Jim looked Alex over as he moved
past. It was at that moment Rhonda had entered the apartment and Alex made
a beeline for her.

	"Whoa, happy to see me, babe" Rhonda leaned back.

	Alex gritted his teeth as he knew he had give her bad news, "Um,
listen, I know I called you but it looks like-"

	"Stop right there," Rhonda was pissed, "I just passed up the
opportunity to spend a night with the hot, lithe body of Kimberly. Do you
have any idea how long it's been since we've-" Rhonda stopped herself and
pulled Alex over to secluded part of the apartment. "Dammit, Alex, what is
your fucking problem?"

	"I'm sorry Rhonda, I'm sorry... I just didn't know that there was
someone here that..."

	"So who is he, point him out," Rhonda knowing exactly where Alex
was headed.  Alex spotted Jim putting on his coat and pointed in his
direction. "Well, he's kinda scraggly but he's definitely your type."
Rhonda sighed and closed her eyes. After a short pause Rhonda eased back,
"Go after him."

	"You're a doll," Alex said again to Rhonda. Alex quickly headed
towards Jim.

	"And you owe me," Rhonda called to him.

	Alex intercepted Jim before he made it to the door, "That offer for
coffee still good?"

	"You bet."

	"Let me grab my coat, I'll be but a moment." Alex headed toward the
room that held the coats and he nearly ran into a couple other guests
trying to get there.

	Robyn could see Alex rushing her way and she skillfully moved out
of the way.  She knew exactly that Alex was with Jim. Although she tried to
allure both of them, she got neither. She couldn't see Jim at this point,
and didn't care anymore. She went over to the punch bowl and forgot about
them. As she looked about the room she didn't see any potential
candidates. It was time to leave.

	She sat in the car and pondered her situation. She insisted that
she come to the party as Robyn, Greg is no fun at parties. Robyn, in
frustration and anger pulled off her wig and set it on the passenger
seat. Greg sighed and started the car.

	Alex knew he wasn't going to fall asleep tonight.

	"Good coffee," Jim inquired seeming genuinely interested rather
than trying to start conversation.

	Alex looked up from his mug, "Yes, it's good." He looked toward
Jim, actually studying him. Couldn't be more than 26 and older than 21 he
guessed. He had the overworked and underpaid mind set even if there was a
chance that was true. There was something about Jim that had caught Alex's
attention, although he had met people much like him before. "How's
your... white chocolate mocha?" Alex asked as he looked around the room,
catching another man looking at him.

	Nick was merely glancing about the room finding the atmosphere
dull. The café couldn't offer much. After stepping outside he flipped
his collar looking a little like James Dean. He looked across the street to
the motel where he was residing at the time.  Suddenly, Nick felt utterly
depressed. Not only was it the fact that he moved from town to town, but he
knew that he could never count on anybody to be in his bed, or to wake up
next to him in the morning. An empty life. Nick is not the type to cry over
himself, he convinces himself that he can't. He tries to shake it off, but
it is only temporarily gone and it will return later to haunt him.

	The street lamp flickered above Nick and a shadow appeared close to
Nick. As the lamp flickered again the shadow was gone. He assumed it was
your average passerby.

	"He's cute," Brad thought as he passed by the man under the street
lamp.  Although Brad was still in a sour mood he was always looking for a
target. Of course, he doesn't always have the courage and is sometimes
fears rejection, which he is almost assured he will get.
	It was late, but Brad didn't have anything to do. He knew he
couldn't fall asleep anytime soon and nearly every place in the vicinity
was practically dead. He closed his eyes and leaned up against a
building. Brad heard a car drive by and then it disappeared around the
corner.

	The entire party was a waste. Greg knew that. He wondered how long
he had been without a solid relationship. He stopped at a red light and
looked in the review mirror.  Without the wig he looked like a 10-cent
hooker. Not that he'd ever met one, he only assumed that's what they would
look like. Too much makeup and not enough self- esteem. The light had
already turned green, but since nobody was behind him there was an eerie
silence. Slowly, Greg passed through the intersection and headed for home.

	He spoke aloud, "Why did you fuck up my life, Ewan? I can't find a
decent man... at least since you." Greg recalled the image of a man with
beautiful blue eyes. The eyes that could envelop you, trap you and hold you
with a single gaze. Those were the first things that Greg had noticed, and
fell in love with. He was tall, slim, and well dressed when Greg had met
him. They were both in the bar, sipping their drinks when their eyes
met. Greg raised his eyes from his Mai Tai and they locked with the
captivating blue eyes of the man looking at him.
	It wasn't long before Ewan had met Robyn. Greg knew that if the
person he was with couldn't accept him as her, they weren't worth his and
her time. Fortunately, Ewan didn't care. He fell in love with Greg's
personality, not his clothes or his body.
	This led to Greg's downfall in relationships. They broke up after a
trivial matter of misunderstanding each other, and Greg began to compare
all other men to Ewan. No man he ever met came even close to him.
	He looked at the digital clock as he pulled into the covered
parking of the apartment complex. It was late and he knew that he had to
get up early the next day. He was performing again, and was annoyed by the
fact that the same announcer that introduced last time would be
there. Perhaps "she" could convince him to announce "her" as some "French
sensation".  Switching countries on the audience.

	"Small price to pay in place of his atrocious Aussie accent." As he
walked in his apartment he flicked on the light and walked to the wine
cabinet. After pouring himself some red wine he walked onto the balcony.

	"Men," he sighed, "who needs them?" He sipped the last of the wine
and closed the door to the balcony, forgetting the glass outside.


	Author's Note: I would like to ask for people to write in and tell
me if they like the story so far. Although we have seen some of our
characters matched up with others that is no indication that those people
are meant for each other. It's completely random... much like real life.
	The reason for asking for people to write in now is because I
wanted you to get to know my characters first.  Just tell me what you think
of the story.  Do you like where you think it might be headed? And stay
tuned for the next chapter.  Write to me at: wolfhowlin2001@yahoo.com