Date: Fri, 8 Dec 2000 23:01:05 -0500
From: Sequoyah <sequoyahs-place@home.com>
Subject: A Special Place--Part Thirty-six

		     A Special Place--Part Thirty-six

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			    Additional Posting

A Special Place is also being posted at on the AWW site at
http://go.to/gaywritersguild. Check it out.

			   Observations and Such

After A Special Place--Part Thirty-five--all parts--mail has, literally
flooded in. Several of you have asked about the real music. AWW has a part
thirty-five C which has links to some of the music. If and when I find the
time, I will chase down as much as I can and put it on Driveway. When I do,
you can write and ask for permission to tap into those files. They will be
huge!

As noted at the bottom, the pendor@mailcity.com e-mail address is an
increasing problem so there is a place just for ASP fans--and critics--to
write. The new e-mail address is sequoyahs-place@home.com and if you write
that address, you will automatically be added to the e-mail address list
unless you request otherwise.

Again, a million thanks to all of you who have written and special thanks
to the Boys of Oz for their editing and critique.

A reminder: The date of the events in this section is May 22,1995. The
opening part, Luke's attempted suicide, was about March 15, 1995.

Sequoyah

		  A Special Place--Part Thirty-six--Matt

   After the excitement of Sunday and the terrific love-making of Sunday
night, I expected to find it hard to wake up Monday morning. I didn't
because I was awakened when I felt Luke's lips against mine and his
whisper, "Dark Angel, I love you more every day I live". I returned his
kiss passionately and whispered back, "Bright Angel, you are the reason I
live every day!" Reluctantly, we got out of bed and crossed the hall to
brush our teeth and take a piss--not in that order--before we pulled on
sweats for the morning run. We climbed down the trellis and found Michael
and Mary Kathryn waiting for us. "Luke, Matt, we need to talk as well as
run this morning. I mean serious talk."

   "Ok, we'll run and jog back so we can talk," Luke responded. "Now let's
run. I feel so alive!" We started running and Luke started shouting,
greeting the morning, and the three of us joined him. After we had run
about three miles, Luke said, "Ok, let's jog and talk".

   "Luke, Michael and I had a long talk last night about you and Matt. I
think anyone looking at your painting of Matt and how it was displayed
would realize that it was more than a painting done of a brother by a
brother. Matt, most of the kids who saw you kiss Luke accepted--at least
tolerated--what was clearly not an expression of brotherly love. To be
honest, you two outted yourselves yesterday almost as clearly as if you had
made an announcement. As I said, most kids I heard mention it were at least
tolerant, but I know some are not," Mary Kathryn said. "And we all know the
least tolerant ones weren't there yesterday. Today with this all-school
field trip the good, the bad and the impossible will know all about it. I'm
sure the kiss will be the topic of the morning gossip. Then, when they see
the exhibition, they will see the painting."

   "Since we are going directly to St. Mary's, you won't have to worry
about the reaction when you get to school, but before the day is over,
everyone in school will be talking--one way or the other. I don't know what
the reaction will be. I know that Independence has made a lot of progress
in the past few weeks, but a lifetime of homophobia doesn't get washed away
in days. Be warned and be careful," Michael added.

   "I hadn't given thought to that," I admitted. "I guess we should have."

   "Matt, what's done is done and if we outted ourselves, I guess we wanted
to, whether we were conscious of it or not. We have said before that our
love will sustain us through anything. I hope we are right because I think
we are facing a real test of our love here. And I hope that you two have
overstated the case. If not, we'll just have to deal with it."

   "Remember, we are here for you," Michael said as he kissed Mary Kathryn
and turned to go up his walk.

   We all fell silent, lost in our own thoughts as we jogged the rest of
the way. When we reached my place, Luke kissed me and said, "Matt, I think
we might have breakfast with our families this morning". I agreed and
watched as he and Mary Kathryn jogged home.

   When I had showered and dressed, I went downstairs to find Mom and Dad
waiting breakfast for me. "Matt," Dad said,"You don't know how proud you
have made your mom and me. Your recital was splendid and the original
compositions were outstanding. Your acceptance to Oberlin not only means a
great deal to you and Luke, but also to us since it is a recognition of
your talent and hard work. We're having dinner here tonight so we can all
boast and celebrate." Then there was a long pause. "But there is something
else." Another long pause. "Now please don't take what we have to say as
criticism."

   "Yes, please don't," Mom added.

   "You know that we accept and love you dearly and that we are happy that
you have the love of Luke. Regardless of what we might have preferred, we
are overjoyed that you have found the happiness you have with the man you
love so deeply. However..."

   I braced myself for... I didn't know what.

   "However, I hope you realize that this weekend has changed things
dramatically. Luke's painting of you, especially displayed as it is, caught
the attention of a number of people. It didn't take a rocket scientist to
see that it was not just a painting, but the painting of someone loved
deeply and, to be blunt, not as a brother. Then your 'Fantasia' could
hardly have made your feeling for Luke clearer if you had called it 'Luke
Larsen'. Again, don't get me wrong. I am not condemning or even questioning
what the two of you did. Both works were statements of great love and I can
find no fault with that. Also, I understand that when Luke came downstairs
to congratulate you, you kissed him in a most unbrotherly fashion..." Dad
paused.

   I blushed then hung my head. "It's true, Dad, Mom. I couldn't contain
myself I was so happy and excited. And, yes, I gave him a full,
tongue-in-the-mouth kiss. I'm sorry."

   "Are you?" Mom asked. "I really doubt that, Matt. And I don't expect you
to be."

   "You're right, Mom, I'm not sorry. I am sorry and maybe worried about
what that impulsive action may bring about. Michael and Mary Kathryn talked
to us about it this morning."

   "Well, I think it is safe to say you two are about as out as you will
ever be. Maybe that is best, I don't know. But I do know you are probably
facing some rough times ahead. Your mom and I wanted to be sure you
realized what had happened and to know that we are here to offer any
support we can. And to make sure you understand were we stand, I want to
say again, your mom and I are very, very proud of you and Luke. And we are
also pleased you have found so great a love. We do know that great loves
can withstand a lot, right, Yong Jin?"

   "Very right, Greywolf," Mom replied as she crossed the kitchen and
kissed my dad then the two of them embraced me.

   After breakfast, I went to pick up Luke. As he got in the Jeep--since
Michael wasn't going to the actual school building, he decided the rules
against sophomores having cars didn't apply and he picked up Mary
Kathryn--he said his family had a discussion and as he talked about it, I
told him it was the same discussion I had with Mom and Dad. Nothing more
was said about how we had--unconsciously--outted ourselves.

   "Matt, are you excited about today?" Luke asked as we approached
St. Mary's.

   "I didn't think I would be. I thought by today the performance would be
old hat, but I'm getting butterflies just as I did Saturday and Sunday."

   "So am I."

   When we reached St. Mary's, all the crew was already there. The ensemble
and chorus were in the church, warming up, and the docents were waiting to
begin. Soon the buses pulled in with the juniors and seniors for the
exhibition. Luke had walked into the back hall where I was vesting a short
time before and, just before I was ready to go to the organ, took me into
his arms for a magnificent Luke kiss. I didn't want to let him go. My mouth
and then my whole being was filled with the taste of Luke. When we finally
broke our kiss, I thought I saw a shadow at the other end of the hall, but
decided this morning's talk had gotten to me more than I thought.

   Leaving Luke, I went to the organ prepared to start the third
performance of the recital/concert. Eugene, Paula and I had decided it was
very long for school kids and cut out a few things, but the basic concert
and recital remained intact.


                             A Special Place--Part Thirty-six--Luke

   As soon as I had given Matt a good luck kiss, I went back to the
exhibition. Perhaps I was being overly sensitive, but I thought the crew
were being especially attentive when I arrived. "Luke, Ms. Jones suddenly
realized that two classes are too much to try to see the exhibition at the
same time so she has decided the juniors will go first and then seniors. If
you'll look out in the church playground you'll see just how mature the
seniors are." I walked over to the window and saw seniors in high school
being kids again--sliding, swinging and playing like little kids.

   It seemed the juniors were either totally disinterested or full of
questions. It took a while to get them all through the exhibition. I hung
around, answering questions when asked, but mostly just observing. I was
especially observant when a group went into the gallery with Matt's
picture. There were a lot of questions, but nothing to indicate that anyone
saw the painting as anything more than a painting. I must confess I was
relieved.

   When the juniors had finished going through the exhibition, the seniors
came in--and the juniors hit the playground. The seniors were generally
more interested than the juniors. Four guys--Independence's "skin heads"
seemed to take special interest in the exhibition. Michael was their docent
and they kept asking questions of him and me as well.

   It was nearing time for lunch when all the seniors had gone outside
except the Fellowship and the junior basketball players who were laughing
and talking with Bill. Jacob and Mary Kathryn were just outside the gallery
door when the four with Michael entered where Matt's picture hung. As soon
as they were inside, Shawn McKay whipped out a knife and lunged toward the
painting of Matt shouting, "Why are we looking at a picture of a shit
packing, cock-sucking faggot?" as he slashed the painting. The three with
him shouted, "Cut the queer's picture again, Shawn. Get the cock sucker
good." I felt as though a knife had gone through my heart. But the worse
was yet to come. As Michael rushed toward him, Shawn turned, knife still in
hand, and slashed Michael. As Michael fell to the floor, Mary Kathryn
screamed, "Bill and you basketballs players, get in here now! Someone call
911!" Bill rushed into the room as Shawn lunged toward me. He quickly took
Shawn down and wrestled the knife from him.

   Jacob and the basketball players quickly took care of the other three as
Mary Kathryn and I rushed to Michael. He was covered with blood and I could
see he had been cut badly. "Get Mr. Allan and Greywolf," I said as I ripped
off my shirt and tried to stop the bleeding. It was soon obvious that the
cut had started just below Michael's right eye, crossed his cheek, then his
chest to just below his rib cage and then turned in the opposite direction,
slashing open his abdomen. Mr. Allan and Greywolf came and started
administering first aid as best they could. Michael was losing a tremendous
amount of blood and nothing they did seemed to stop it.

   Ms. Jones appeared at the door and said, "The EMS is on the way. It's
only three or four minutes to the hospital. I have also called the
police. The basketball guys and Bill have the four involved well in hand. I
am sending everyone else into the church." Before she had finished
speaking, I heard the sirens of the EMS team.

   Unfortunately, David was on duty and came with the team. I met them at
the door and said, "David, Michael's been hurt. I think you better let your
team mates handle this." He, of course, ignored me and rushed into the
room. Two team members were working on Michael and David, being the
professional he was, joined right in, nonetheless, tears were streaming
down his face.

   While the other team members worked on Michael, David got on his radio
and called the hospital telling them the situation and that they needed to
have a surgeon standing by ready to operate. "Michael, I am sure, has a
punctured bowel and has lost and is losing a great deal of blood. Call
Dr. Bailey--Dr. Andrews and tell her. We are ready to transport. We'll need
someone to work on his face as well. It is cut badly. His blood type is AB
positive. You'll probably have to find someone who can donate since I doubt
that there is enough available."

   When the EMS team left with Michael, Ms. Jones had returned and said,
"Greywolf, you are not capable of driving a bus load of kids. I have called
for drivers to take everyone back to school. When we get there, I will send
them home. You need to stay here. I haven't told those in the church what
happened, but when I do, you and Yong Jin will need to be with Matt."

   "We'll need to be with the whole Fellowship," Greywolf replied
quietly. "We will take care of them."

   I walked down the hall and walked up behind Matt who was still sitting
on the organ bench. As soon as I saw him, I couldn't hold it any longer. I
burst into great sobs and clung to him. "Matt, Michael has been hurt. He's
been hurt really bad." I had forgotten about Mary Kathryn until she put her
arms around me and started crying. I quickly told Matt what had happened.

   "Why Michael? Why Michael?" Matt kept asking. "Michael has done
nothing. We are the guilty ones. Why Michael?"

   The three of us held each other as Ms. Jones walked to the front of the
packed and overcrowded church.

   "Students, Independence has had another tragedy resulting from
intolerance and hatred. Shawn McKay made some accusations about Matt
Greywolf and then slashed a magnificent painting of him done by Luke
Larsen..."

   "One queer's painting of another queer," someone shouted from among the
packed students.

   There was a brief disturbance and Tanishia Berry was walking up the
packed center aisle, dragging a girl by the hair of her head while twisting
her arm behind her back. "Ms. Jones, you had better take this bitch before
I take care of her!" she said as she shoved a girl down in front of
Ms. Jones.

   "You stay right there or I'll turn my back and let Tanishia have a go at
you," Ms. Jones said. "Not only did Shawn slash the painting, but he also
slashed Michael Andrews' face, chest and abdomen. While there is no
official word at this time, Mr. Andrews, who was with the EMS team, thought
it was very serious, very serious indeed. He told me there is always hope,
but that he felt Michael might well die from his wounds. Blood is critical
because Michael had lost a great deal before the EMS team got here and was
still losing blood when they left for the hospital with him. Michael has a
rather rare blood type and there probably is not enough at the hospital. If
you are eighteen and are willing to give blood, stay behind and you will be
taken to the hospital so your blood can be typed and drawn. If you're not
eighteen, but would like to donate, you'll have to have parental
permission. You can call and have your parents meet you at the hospital. If
you are not going to the hospital to give blood, will you please leave the
church quietly and board the buses. You will be taken back to school and
then home. And keep Michael in your thoughts." She then looked down at the
girl still on the floor under Tanishia's watchful eye and said, "Your are
suspended until there can be a hearing. I suggest you see if you can use
the phone here and get someone to take you home. Your parents will be in my
office tomorrow morning at 8:00 sharp."

   "I might have known you'd take up for faggots!" she shouted and, before
Ms. Jones could stop her, Tanishia gave her a good smack to the mouth. In
response the girl shouted, "Even you, you fucking nigger, you are taking up
for faggots!" she shouted.

   "Forget the phone and get out of my sight!" Ms. Jones said.

   As the students started leaving the church, I noticed several were
kneeling before they finally got up. About fifty students were still in the
church when Ms. Jones asked, "Are you waiting to go to give blood?" All
nodded. "I have a bus waiting to take you to the hospital." Soon only the
Fellowship was left and Ms. Jones came back to make sure we were ok.

   We told her we would go to the hospital as well, "But first we need to
get ourselves together," Matt said. "I miss Michael. This is the kind of
thing he could handle." Before we left, all of us, except Paula, knelt for
a time. She stood straight, her hands uplifted. As we got up she said,
"Think a Jewish prayer might help as well as a Christian one and I pray
standing". Mary Kathryn hugged her tightly and began to cry softly.

   The Fellowship walked back to the parish hall and, when we got there,
Gertie met us. "Fr. Tom has gone to the hospital. Matt, Greywolf and Yong
Jin went to tell Jens and Gabrielle. Millie is on her way over. I suggest
you go into the conference room and wait for her. I put some drinks in
there for you. Anything else I can do?"

   "Gertie, could you call Gladys and Chelsea? Please?" Matt asked.

   "Didn't need to. They called here. Someone from the hospital had called
them about possible emergency duty. They resigned last week, you know,
because the hospice is opening next week. They are coming by here to see
how you all are doing."

   When Gladys and Chelsea arrived, there were hugs and introductions since
they didn't really know all the Fellowship. "Hatred strikes again. When
will it end?" Chelsea asked. "But right now I guess you are wondering where
things stand. I know you've been through a lot and I wouldn't dare try to
lie to you. Michael is in a critical condition. He has lost a tremendous
amount of blood because the cuts were deep. While it is fortunate no vital
organ was cut, his bowel was nicked. That means there is a grave danger of
serious, and I mean very serious, infection. Mary Kathryn, I hope his
beautiful face can be repaired, but it was slashed deeply. We were told a
plastic surgeon was being flown in by helicopter from Lexington, but what
the outcome will be is very much up in the air. Right now the important
thing is to keep him alive. And I'll not try to sugar coat it--that is not
going to be easy." Mary Kathryn turned snow white and collapsed.

   Chelsea and Gladys soon had her conscious again. "I'm sorry. I didn't
mean to make trouble," she said, then started crying. Then, as she had done
when she was a very young child, she crawled in my lap and put her arms
around my neck. I held her close.

   "Chelsea and I resigned from the hospital last week in anticipation of
opening the hospice next week, but it was only a formal opening since we
are not really ready for patients yet. We have told the hospital we will be
doing private duty nursing pulling twelve-hour shifts to take care of
Michael."

   "Then," Matt said to Mary Kathryn, "you can be sure Michael will have
the best possible chance of making it. Death has to get permission before
he takes someone from these two."

   Time dragged on as it does when you are waiting, not knowing what is
happening. Bill, Linda and Jacob excused themselves saying they would be in
the office for a short time.

   When they returned, Bill said, "We got the ball rolling for Independence
to hold a vigil outside the hospital. There will be students there around
the clock until Michael is out of danger. The first group is going there
now. Linda, Paula, Jacob and I are going to the hospital as part of the
first group holding the vigil," Bill said.

   "We'll take Mary Kathryn and stay," Gladys said "and we'll keep you
posted on anything we learn. Let's go, Mary Kathryn."

   Matt and I sat silent for a few minutes then Matt got up and said,
"Luke, I'm going into the church for a while before we go to the
hospital". I followed him, as did Larry and Eugene. The four of us walked
down the hall to the church, holding hands, saying nothing. When we reached
the church, we went to the altar rail and knelt. We stayed for a good
while. When we got up and walked back to the parish office, Millie was
talking to Gertie. Both were crying. It seemed strange to see Millie
crying. It just was so out of character.

   "Matt, Luke, Larry, Son," she said through tears, "I feel
terrible. Somehow or other I feel as though I am responsible for this."

   "Millie, that's exactly how I feel. Had I not kissed Luke..."

   "Or if I had not painted that picture..."

   "Stop it all, all of you!" Gertie said. "No-one except the boy who did
it and his henchmen are responsible. How could you have known that he would
do such a horrible thing? If we all didn't do things out of fear of what
someone else might do, we'd never do anything. What you three did was
wonderful and shows the world what love is about. That angry young man
showed what hate can do. We can't stop doing things because there's hate in
the world!"

   "I know you four want to get to the hospital although I doubt there will
be any news for a long time. I had just got the Oberlin people on their way
when I heard what had happened. I'm on my way home to get things set up to
make it headquarters until Michael is out of danger. There'll be food and
beds there for all who want or need them," Millie said.

   The four of us hugged Millie and we all had another good cry, then we
left for the hospital.


                            A Special Place--Part Thirty-six--Michael

   I couldn't believe how interested Shawn McKay and his three skinhead
buddies seemed to be in the exhibition. It was also strange that their
girlfriends were not with them, but standing on the steps outside. Usually
they were attached to the side of their "men" as if they had been born
siamese twins. Not only did the four keep asking me questions, but also
Luke. Every time Luke got a few feet away, one of them would call to him
with a question.

   It took them so long to get through the exhibition that all the other
students had gone outside, leaving only the Fellowship and some of Bill's
friends from the basketball team inside. We were finally ready to go into
the fourth gallery, the one with the painting of Matt. As I always did, I
stood back in order to allow those viewing the painting to receive the full
impact of it. Suddenly Shawn McKay reached into his pocket and pulled out a
long knife. Before I knew what was happening, he slashed the painting. I
rushed toward him just as he turned and lunged at me with the knife. As he
did, my world turned red and pain I could not have imagined took over my
entire being. I fell to the floor and it seemed as though the pain and the
red were all of my world. I heard voices at first, but they soon faded
away. As the voices faded, the red started turning to gray, then black. I
was alone and I didn't know where. I was only conscious of the pain
then... nothing except blackness and pain.


                              A Special Place--Part Thirty-six--Luke

   When we got to the hospital, there were about fifty students outside,
standing holding hands, heads bowed. When we got inside, we found Mary
Kathryn, Mom and Dad, and Yong Jin and Greywolf in a waiting room. "David
and Margaret insisted on being in the operating room," Mom said. "The
doctors tried to keep them out, but finally let them go. We have heard
nothing."

   Larry and Eugene, Matt and I were standing, each holding his
love. "Matt, if I hadn't done that painting..." I said, as I felt the tears
rolling down my face.

   "If I hadn't kissed you in front of all those students..." Matt said
through his tears.

   "Stop! Stop that nonsense! You are not responsible for what happened to
Michael. Don't you dare start being guilty for being in love and letting it
show," Larry said. "Don't you dare get yourself into the trap I fell
into. Even though I did something terrible, I have had to get rid of the
guilt. It will eat you alive and for what? It has been a long, hard
struggle for me to finally forgive myself for what I did to Eugene. Don't
you two even start. Don't even start collecting and holding on to
guilt. Shawn McKay attacked Michael--not you two."

   "He's right, you know," Jens said. "I have been down that path and I can
tell you, it accomplishes nothing. You didn't do anything to feel guilty
about."

   As he was talking, Chelsea came into the room with David and
Margaret. "These two need to be out here. There's nothing they can do in
there except make things harder on the doctors who are working to save
Michael." It was the Chelsea of no nonsense who spoke and it was easy to
see that she was not taking anything off of David and Margaret.

   David sat down with is head in his hands, weeping while Margaret sat
beside him, stroking his hair. "To be honest," Margaret said, "it doesn't
look good. They have finally got the bleeding somewhat under control, but
Michael lost so much blood, he is barely alive. The hospital is out of his
blood type and no-one wants to try giving him universal donor blood until
it is absolutely necessary."

   Chelsea had left the room and when she returned said,
"Dr. Bai... Andrews, there is a whole line of kids waiting to give
blood. Parents are arriving, offering to give blood and to give permission
for their kids to give blood. The lab is flooded. If you are up to it,
could you lend a hand?" Margaret was out of the room like a bullet.

   We waited--can anything be more difficult than waiting in a hospital?

   An hour or so later, Gladys appeared. "There's a bit of good news. There
were several people who had the right blood type and the cross matches are
ok. Michael is getting the blood he needs and seems to be responding to
it. He's nowhere close to being out of the woods, but we no longer have to
worry about the blood supply--at least for now."

   "Luke, we haven't offered to give blood," Matt said.

   "Nor have we," Eugene said.

   David raised his head and said, "Larry, Eugene, I don't want to hurt
you, but one of the questions you will be asked is whether or not you have
had sex with a man. Eugene, it is known that you have--without your
consent--so your blood will not be accepted."

   "Neither will mine," Larry said, hanging his head.

   "There's nothing to be ashamed of," David said, "it's a precaution
which, in your case I am sure is unnecessary, but there is no need for you
to have to be subject to the questions and refused. You have my heartfelt
thanks for your willingness to give blood."

   Matt and I went out and joined the line of those waiting to give blood
and Larry and Eugene joined the vigil.

   The hospital was taking blood from all who offered, but the supply for
Michael was still very small. Why didn't he have a common blood type?

   When Matt and I reached the nurse doing the forms, she asked if we had
had sex with a man in the past two years. When we both answered "No," she
looked up in surprise. "I guess you now see how a stupid assumption--which
apparently you had--can hurt and maybe kill," Matt said through clinched
teeth. I thought she would apologize, but she didn't.

   When we took our forms to the next person, he said, "There seems to be
some question about your giving blood. I'll need to check this". As he got
up to leave, Margaret came out of the lab. "Dr. Bailey--I mean Andrews,
would you check these forms please?"

   As soon as Margaret looked at them, I could see steam coming out of her
ears. In a cold, calm voice she said, "They have my clearance". Then, after
signing the forms, she walked over to the woman who had questioned us and
said, "Come with me!" When Margaret came back, the woman was no longer with
her and someone else took over her job.

   Neither Matt nor I had the right blood type, but we donated blood
nevertheless. After we had sat for the required length of time, we walked
back to the waiting room, drinking our OJ. Chelsea was there. "Good to see
you two. I have news which I was just about to tell everyone. The bleeding
is under control and the surgeons are doing the repairs. There was some
leakage from the bowel, so there is still a danger of a major
infection. Fortunately, Michael appears to have no allergies to antibiotics
and the IV antibiotics have been started. After the doctors got the
bleeding from the cut on his face stopped, they did nothing else, waiting
for the plastic surgeon from Lexington to arrive. He is here, but hasn't
started work yet because the other wounds are more critical. There will
probably be no more news for an hour or so if you want to stretch your legs
or whatever. Also, Gladys and I are making reports to Millie's place and to
the students outside."

   Matt and I decided to go see and thank the students. Outside it was
obvious that most of those holding the vigil had given blood because they
had the telltale bandaid. Others got up when students returned from giving
blood and went to give theirs. As soon as we were outside, the members of
the Fellowship came over. "Chelsea and Gladys have kept us informed," Bill
said. "It looks a bit brighter than I expected. When I saw Michael lying in
that pool of blood, I thought he was already dead. Thank God, I was wrong."

   We talked about what had happened and, once again, Matt and I were
chided for taking blame. "I have told everyone my house is headquarters
until Michael is out of danger," Eugene said. "Millie is sending over
sandwiches and drinks for those participating in the vigil. Mr. Stephenson
and Uncle Michael came by to offer food and beds to any who wanted them
during the night."

   When we went back into the hospital waiting room, there was no more
news. We sat, waiting with David, Mom and Dad, and Yong Jin and
Greywolf. After another hour or so, Dr. Walker came down the hall to the
waiting room. He did not look at all happy. "I'm afraid I have some bad
news. Michael has taken a turn for the worse. The doctors have done all
they can do, but I'm afraid... I'm afraid we are going to lose Michael. I'm
very sorry. Everything seemed to be going so well and the plastic surgeon
was ready to start work on his face when everything seemed to go
wrong. No-one is sure why, but it looks bad, very bad."

   Suddenly I had the strangest feeling--I don't mean from the news. It was
hard to describe. I looked at Matt and saw a very strange look in his eyes
as though he was feeling something as well. In a voice I hardly recognized
as Matt's he said, "Dr. Walker, Luke and I need to go to Michael".

   "You know that cannot be... well, that is very irregular Matt but I have
seen you perform a miracle before and, frankly, there is nothing else we
can do. Come with me." He led us down the hall and into the operating room
where there were several doctors standing, looking at Michael and the
monitors. "Doctors, this is Matthew Greywolf and Luke Larsen. Had Matt not
performed what I consider a miracle, Luke would no longer be with us. They
have asked to come here and I see no reason not to permit it. Guys, get
washed up and the nurses will provide you with gloves, gowns and masks."

   As we were washing up, I asked Matt, "Matt, what are we doing? Why are
we here?"

   "I don't know, Luke. I simply don't know, but when Dr. Walker was
talking, I had the strangest feeling and felt like you and I had to go to
Michael." I didn't answer, but I knew what he meant.

   When we went back into the operating room, the doctors watched as we
moved toward Michael. Of course he was hooked up to all kinds of things,
his face had a compress on it and he looked dead. Purely and simply, he
looked dead. Matt walked to the other side of the operating table and when
he did, took off the gloves the nurse had given him. I followed suit. Two
doctors started toward us, but Dr. Walker held them back. Matt touched
Michael's left foot with his hand and placed his other hand on the side of
Michael's head. As he did, he looked as though an electric charge had
passed through his body. I had no idea what was going on, but again
followed suit. I couldn't believe how cold Michael's foot was when I
touched it with my hand. As my other hand approached his head, I felt as
though something was flowing through me and into Michael. I could feel
myself growing weaker as the flow continued. I closed my eyes,
concentrating on--what?--I didn't know. Gradually I began to feel pain and
my world was turning red... then... nothing. The next thing I knew, I was
on a gurney with Gladys standing over me. "What happened?" I asked.

   "I'm sure I don't know," she replied. "You and Matt went into the
operating room with Dr. Walker and then you were wheeled out on gurneys,
unconscious."

   "Matt?"

   "He's with Chelsea right over there. I think he's coming around too. I
don't know whether it was the blood you gave--that shouldn't have made any
difference--or the sight of Michael, or what, but apparently you two
fainted. You haven't eaten all day, have you?" I shook my head, but I knew
that wasn't the reason for our passing out. "Now just lie still for a
while. You seem to be ok, but I don't want you passing out on me. We've got
to get some food into you soon."

   I was very tired and sleepy and slowly drifted off to sleep. As I did, I
felt the pain again and my world turned red as it had done when I touched
Michael, but it was not as bad.


                            A Special Place--Part Thirty-six--Michael

   I didn't know where I was or what was happening. All my world was red
and smoke and pain--horrible, terrible pain. More than anything, I wanted
to be out of pain. I wanted the darkness of the smoke to cover me and take
away the pain. Slowly, beginning at my feet, the smoke covered me. It
seemed to be entering my body, replacing it. As it did, the pain went
away. Soon it would be over, the pain would be gone. Soon, soon, please
soon. As the smoke whirled around me, it covered, then entered my stomach
where the pain was terrible and the pain went away. "Please, take it all
away," I cried to myself, for I was alone. Just before the pain completely
vanished and I drifted into the smoke to sleep, I felt a presence--no,
there were two--approaching. They wanted to bring the pain back! I tried to
scream, but it was like a nightmare; I could make no sound. "Please go
away! Take the pain away!" I wanted to cry, but no sound came.

   Suddenly, the presences I had felt approaching reached out and touched
me. There was a blinding flash of light and in it I saw Matt and Luke,
dressed as Lakota medicine men, reaching out and touching me. Again and
again, lightening bolts came from their hands and ripped through my
body. The pain was terrible! With each lightening bolt, Matt and Luke
became smaller until, finally, they disappeared, leaving me in
body-wracking pain. The smoke was gone and, as it disappeared, I saw Mary
Kathryn, holding our son out to me. Then nothing.


                             A Special Place--Part Thirty-six--Matt

   As I had told Luke, I didn't know why we needed to go to the operating
room or what we were to do when we got there, but I knew we had to go. When
we were all properly prepared, we approached the operating table where
Michael lay. Without thinking--how would I know what to think?--I took off
the gloves that covered my hands and Luke did likewise. When we touched
Michael, I felt as though a tremendous lightening bolt shot through my body
and into Michael's. As I continued to hold his foot and with my hand to the
side of his head, the lightening bolts continued, each one leaving me in
greater pain and definitely weaker. Energy or something was leaving my body
and being replaced by pain--horrible, terrible pain. Everything turned
red. I saw nothing except red--the red of blood. It seemed as though blood
was pouring over me, covering my eyes until all I could see or imagine was
blood, red blood, and all I could feel was pain. I felt myself growing
weaker and weaker, then nothing.

   When I came to, I was lying on a gurney outside the operating room with
Chelsea standing over me. "Here, drink this," she said, handing me a cup. I
was almost too weak to raise up so she placed a hand behind my head and
lifted it from the pillow and held the cup to my lips. When I had drunk the
liquid, I lay back down, exhausted. As I drifted off to sleep, I saw that
red world again and felt the pain, but it wasn't as bad as it had been when
I touched Michael.

   When I waked up, Luke was half sitting, half lying on the gurney beside
me. He bent over and kissed me softly as he whispered, "Sarang Hanun Pomul,
what happened in there?"

   "Yonghon Tongmu, I wish I knew what and how and why, but I don't. I
don't know anything about it. I just knew we had to do it."

   "Well, I see you're awake now, Matt. What happened?" Gladys asked.

   "As I just said to Luke, I don't know what or how or why anything
happened except I knew we had to go to Michael. Is there any news?"

   "Nothing since you went in. Wait a minute, here comes Dr. Walker now
with the chief surgeon."

   "Matt, Luke, I don't know what went on in there..."

   "Neither do we," Luke and I said at the same time.

   "Well, maybe we will know something later, but I suspect not. By the
way, this is Dr. Martinez, the surgeon who was working on Michael."

   We shook hands as Dr. Walker said, "I have told Dr. Martinez about how
you pulled Luke out of the grave and he wanted to meet you".

   "Matt, Luke, I have been witness to some strange things in my life, but
I think your--what?-- performance in the operating room has to be one of
the strangest. I would hate for my colleagues to hear me say it--they would
laugh me out of town--but as soon as you two touched Michael, I saw a
strange light pass from you to him. I don't know what was going on, but I
will tell you that, while he is not out of danger by a long shot--he is
still in very very critical condition--there is hope, and reason for
hope. It was very strange to see you two pass out as he grew stronger. He
is almost--almost--stable. If he stays as stable as he is, I think the
plastic surgeon will risk working on his face. If Michael is stable
enough--and that's still a big if--I only hope he can do a decent job
because the cut is deep and I'm afraid it damaged some nerves--but the
major thing is that Michael live. Now he may make it. I'd just like to know
what you did."

   "So would we," Luke said quietly.

   Dr. Martinez, once again, said how puzzled he was and he and Dr. Walker
went back to the operating room.

   "Chelsea, these two have eaten nothing today. They shouldn't have given
blood in their condition, but I think we need to order them to go home--or
to Millie's--and get some food and rest," Gladys said. "I promise we will
call you if there is any news at all."

   Chelsea said, "I think we need to get the family to go as well, at least
to eat".

   Well, who can deny Chelsea AND Gladys? The Fellowship was gathered
together and joined by the family. "We're going to Millie's for food and a
bit of rest," Jens said. "I think you and Margaret should come as well."
David refused.

   Margaret was determined to stay with him until Yong Jin took her in
hand. "You have been working like a dog and I know you haven't gotten any
rest or food. You're coming with us."

   "I am not leaving David here alone with our son," she said most
emphatically. "Our son," she had said. I guess you can plan not to be a mom
to someone, but then you find out you are.

   "Margaret, for the sake of yourself and your twins, at least take long
enough to put your feet up for a few minutes and get some food. I'll stay
with David," Jens said. She was reluctant to leave but, after a soft kiss
from David, which turned quite passionate, she left with us.

   After we had eaten and Margaret had relaxed as well as she could for
half an hour--at least she put her feet up and, when she did, I noticed
they were swollen from the hours she had been standing and walking--she was
determined to go back to the hospital. Greywolf took her. The rest of us
were sprawled out on chairs and on the floor in the living room. There was
very little being said--I am sure all of us were buried in our own
thoughts.


                                   A Special Place--Mary Kathryn

   I was glad I was surrounded by people who cared about me and about the
love of my life Michael. They all loved Michael for sure, but I didn't just
love Michael. Michael was my very life. My every heartbeat was because
Michael loved me. And now... well, there was hope, but... I don't think I
could live without Michael and his love. I felt myself slowly sinking into
hopelessness as I thought about life without my man. There would be no life
without him. I could feel tears forming again--I thought I had long ago
cried until there were no more tears.

   Luke must have noticed because he got up from where he was sitting
between Matt's legs and walked over to me and put his arms about me. "Sis,
Michael will make it. Remember, you and he had a son. Just remember that. A
dead man does not father children. Michael will make it. I know it." As he
gave me a hard Luke squeeze, Millie came into the room with a tray of
sandwiches and drinks. We had eaten only a short time before but teens are
always hungry, I guess, and all of us had missed lunch.

   "I'm taking this into the library," she said. "There has just been an
announcement from WLEX that a student had been attacked in Concord today
and LaTasha Jackson was on the way to cover the story. You know the rest,
'Film at 11:00'. It's 10:30 now so you may want to go upstairs to Eugene's
to watch or come into the library with me."

   "Millie," Luke said, "I know we're supposed to be adults and I'm sure
you suggested Eugene's place thinking we might like to be alone--alone
together I mean--but, to tell the truth, I don't feel too adult right now
and would like a mom around." Heads nodded all around.

   Millie got misty eyed as she said, "Luke, I have never been more
honored".

   As we started to the library, the doorbell rang. When Millie went to the
door, she came back with Uncle Michael. "I left John to take care of the
students coming over from the vigil," he said. "When I heard WLEX was doing
a report tonight, I felt I should be here with you since the parents are at
the hospital." Before he had finished speaking, he was being hugged by the
whole group.

   As we got settled with the sandwiches and drinks, waiting for the news,
the phone rang. Everyone froze. I guess in such situations, you always
expect the worst. Millie answered the phone and her whole body relaxed
almost immediately but, just as quickly, it became rigid as she got a
stricken look on her face.

		    ***********************************

Ok, so you don't like cliffhangers. Well, sometimes they just have
to. Without this one, Part Thirty-six would be as long as all parts of Part
Thirty-five and you wouldn't like waiting either. After the struggle with
Part Thirty-five, the story seems to be rolling again so I hope to get back
to the part per week schedule--or close to it.

Because of continuing problems with the ASP e-mail list on mailcity--
limited number of messages send and limited number of addressees plus being
slow and mail not being received/delivered, I have established a new
account with my internet provider. To be added to the mailing list
automatically (and receive notification of each posting) send an e-mail to
the new address: sequoyahs-place@home.com and, if you would, include your
city,state (or country) as the subject line. Keeping a map of where ASP
fans are located. A fan has asked about the possibility of a list of
places--places only, no names--fans live. May do that.  Write:
sequoyahs-place@home.com