Date: Sat, 3 Aug 2002 09:51:30 GMT
From: patcross@kskc.net
Subject: Pat and John (Revised)

 Hi, guys. I sought the the advice of a very respected web author, Dabeagle,
and he suggested that I make some changes from the first time. After some
thought, changes aren't that bad, so I'll make them and continue the story on
from there. As always, comments are welcome at patcross@kskc.net, and if you're
underage or don't like this type of stuff, LEAVE!


			       Pat and John


    John Stevens, at 14, was a stellar athlete, having played most sports since
his was a little boy. Baseball, football, you name it, he played almost all
sports and loved doing so. In addition, he was an A+ student, who was admired
by almost everyone at his school. His best friend, though, was 14 year Pat
Christianson.

    Pat, in contrast, was a sad and lonely boy. His parents had died a year
previously, and although he lived with the Stevens family, he still felt the
horrible pains from that loss. But, he really perked up, though, when his
lifelong friend, John, was around. A "Mutt and Jeff" team if there ever was
one, they were opposites in every way. John, for example, towered over his
friend at 5' 10" and 165#. He also had blond hair and shining blue eyes. Pat
was a smaller 4'7" and 120#, and was more serious. He also was physically
disabled, from birth, by cerebral palsy.

    Despite their minor differences, however, they were the best of
friends, and unknown to John, Pat was in secretly in love with his old friend,
and had been for several years. Pat loved John with all his heart, and the two
were always together, before and after school, doing everything together.
Whenever John was playing for their school, he could hear Pat, screaming his
lungs out, supporting the team, and John, all the way.

    Things had been getting better for Pat and John that year. Their time
together was a real blessing for Pat, as he slowly healed inside, and as he
healed, he unknowingly grew stronger for what faced John later that year.

    John was just starting football practice, and he loved it. He trained so
hard, he earned the quarterback slot almost immediately. His Coach, Mr. Sloane,
was very impressed. "If you work that hard all season, we'll make the play-offs
for sure!", he said, with a smile. Needless to say, John's parents and Pat were
very happy for him, and promised to be at every game.

    As the season progressed, John's team did well. So well, in fact, that they
made it to the Regional Playoffs, but were facing a school they had played once
before. As the team sat in the lockerroom before the game, Coach Sloane gave
them some advice. "Look, fellows. All they have is bulk, and that's how they
beat us the one time. You have the brains to out-think 'em. Let's go out and
win THIS thing!" And with a mighty roar, they went on to the field, ready to
play.

    This particular opponent was very tough, and the game see-sawed back and
forth half a dozen times. Running out of time, Coach Sloane pulled John  aside
with some extra instructions. "John, when the ball is snapped, I want you to
head to your right. Get behind your offensive linemen and RUN! If you have
nowhere to run, HIT THE DIRT, GOT IT?" "Yessir", John answered, and went on to
the field. He got in position, mentally prepared himself for what was coming
and screamed "51-43-23 HIKE!"

    The ball was snapped, as he pivoted to his right, looking for his way out.
The line moved forward, and John with them. As he moved, he saw an opening for
a pass into the end zone, so he threw the ball. As he threw the ball, he saw a
defensive lineman coming right at him. This lineman had the nickname
of "Bonecrusher", because when he hit you, you felt it. He hit John on the run,
knocking John to the ground.

     John was knocked unconscious, then flipped over on his stomach. With an
evil gleam in his eye, "Bonecrusher" jumped on John's back twice, snapping a
different section of John's spine with each jump. Even "Bonecrusher's"
teammates were shocked by what they saw, and as they withdrew from the field,
they made sure that their former teammate would be turned over to the police.

     Silent bleachers full of football fans watched as an ambulance left the
field and stunned players, some weeping openly, headed for the lockerrooms.
John's parents headed to their car, but were so upset, Pat drove them to the
hospital. Once they got there, they asked about John, and a kindly looking
doctor met them. Despite his fears, Pat smiled, as the doctor was an old
friend. The doctor asked them into his office, and offered them something to
drink.

     "Mr. and Mrs. Stevens, from our X-rays, there is no doubt in my mind that
John's spine will heal. At his age, bones mend quickly, but it's the damage
underneath that I'm most concerned with". Mr. Stevens turned ghostly white, so
Pat squared his shoulders, cleared his throat, and asked the question for the
family, "Are you referring to permanent nerve damage, Doctor? Will John walk
again?" As he asked the question, tears were streaming down his face.

      "Pat, I won't lie to you, or the Stevens, because it's just too early too
tell. As I recall, you were one of my earlier patients, weren't you?" Pat's
face brightened at the memories of the therapy sessions with the
doctor. "Yessir, I was", Pat said, blushing. "Well, you worked hard and
didn't turn out too bad, did you?" Pat shook shook his head.

      "John's going to need a lot of support, and mostly from you, Pat. It's
not likely he'll play contact sports again, because of the risk of further
injury. If he really wants to compete again, encourage something less painful,
like swimming. Remember, Mr. and Mrs. Stevens, be firm. Always! Once an
exercise schedule is set up, make sure he sticks to it, no excuses, because if
lies around, he'll never improve, understood?" "Yes, Doctor". "Good, because I
think there's a young man in of company right now."

       The doctor led them to John's room. "Hello, Son", Mr. Stevens said, as
his tears of relief finally overflowed. "I guess I didn't see that one coming",
John said, with a small laugh. His mother looked  at him with a look that only
a mother could have, and said, "No, Johnny, he got you, but your team won the
game. Pat's here, too. We were so upset, he had to drive us over here." John
looked at his family, smiled, and said, "If HE drove you here, I'm surprised I
still HAVE a family!" John winked at them, and they all burst out laughing.

                    An IMPROVED Chapter 2 COMING SOON