Date: Wed, 29 Apr 2009 17:07:23 -0500 From: Andy West <andyoutwest@live.com> Subject: Alseep on the Beach Chapter 31 Chapter 31 Reunited Disclaimer: Please be aware of local laws and regulations in your own area that may restrict or prohibit reading of erotic literature involving sexuality between teenagers. If you shouldn't be reading this story, then I'd advise you not to continue, as this story is definitely a romance involving teenage boys. Author's note: Many thanks for your well wishes and prayers. This has been such an inspirational time for me getting to know so many of you. I hope you will be enjoying this long awaited part of the story. If this meets your expectations, I'd like to hear from you. Even if it doesn't, I always enjoy our visits! Thanks again. Prompt and courteous replies from: andyoutwest@live.com or, you may like visiting my story page at: http://www.weststories.altervista.org Chapter 31 Reunited Somehow today I hurt more than before. I think the bruising and all that is finally becoming reality to me. It's like before now, all the trauma had me numbed...or maybe it was all the pain meds they'd given me. All I know is when the sunshine woke me up this morning I could hardly turn over or move. My groans woke Daddy, who was still sleeping beside me in that uncomfortable looking chair. I guess he stayed all night. A whiff of stench remains in my nostrils from...before... Will that smell ever go away? Daddy stretched exaggeratedly, then got up to come stand beside me. Leaning in to give me a morning kiss (on the lips again), and holding my hand, he ruffled my hair with the other hand. "How's my big guy this morning?" he asked brightly. Faking a smile, "Okay," I groaned. He could tell I was only trying not to complain. Sometimes Daddy's know stuff like that. "Well, let's see about some breakfast for you. Maybe we can get you into a room this morning ad we can get you that shower you wanted yesterday." He patted my shoulder and stepped out into the corridor, looking left and right for my nurse. Not seeing her, he stuck his head back into the room and nodded at me. "I'll just go hunt somebody down and see what we can get shaking here." He smiled, not waiting for any reply, and disappeared in a flurry. The nurses were nice last night. They woke me occasionally to make sure I was okay, and all that. Still, they kept the lights down low and let Daddy sleep. I could hear him snoring most of the night. My problem was that I couldn't sleep too good though. I kept waking up fearing I was still in the barn, and afraid to move because I'd Get kicked again. Then that awful smell in my nose would make me remember him standing over me pissing on me. I finally was able to lie on my side and could see Daddy asleep in the chair. I guess that helped calm me, because I finally did WAKEUP this morning. I wonder how long I will have these nightmares. I hate nightmares. At home I always get up and go sleep with Daddy when I get a nightmare...I used to have lots of nightmares about Momma being gone. I'd wake in a cold sweat, then I'd make my way to the side of Daddy's bed. Somehow he'd just know I was there...like he could feel me standing beside his bed. He would lift the covers and I would crawl in beside him. I always felt safe when I was in his bed, hearing him breathing beside me. I slept. I'm getting too big for that now. He don't care...I mean...I bet he'd let me come sleep in his bed when I'm 20. But a guy has to stop being afraid of the night sometime...but I can't help it. This shit just happened to me. I think I'm going to tell Daddy I don't want to sleep alone anymore. What would he say to that? I wonder if he will let me just sleep with him and not have to go through all the changing beds stuff. I mean...well...sure...he won't tell me no. When he comes back in a few minutes I'm just going to ask him what we are going to do. I need to tell him I am having nightmares though. He needs to know. I need a bath. I wonder when I get to see Brant. Why isn't he here? Is he still in the hospital? Did he get hurt more, or...well...I mean...what else happened to him? Will he still want to be with me? I wonder, will his Mom make him go away? Or worse...will she make us stop seeing each other? And...what about Liam? Daddy said he is in the hospital, and so is Jason. Where are they? Will I get to see them? What will we talk about? This is all too hard. I don't know what is going to happen. I don't know anything. I am afraid. I think I may vomit. "DAD!!!!!!!!!" Daddy came running into the room, so did the nurse. Too late. My mouth opens to tell them I don't feel so good. I never got to say it. Vomit went everywhere. It wouldn't stop. It was like just vomiting made me vomit even more. How many times can a 75 pound kid vomit in a row? 3? 4? 10? Ohhh...heck. It was totally freaky. And smelly. And it hurt like you-know-what to wretch like that. Sorry...I shouldn't say words like I'm thinking in my head. Daddy would be mad if he knew I said any of them to you. ~~00~~0~~00~~ I had to sit in the chair while three ladies in uniforms came in and cleaned the room and my bed. Please, I need a bath. I'm gonna ask again. This smell is going to make me puke again. And it is freaking me out. The vomit smell reminds me of what happened. I think that is why it just kept coming out just now. I feel it coming on again. Oh no... ~~00~~0~~00~~ "Daddy...please..." I whine as he comes with a fresh cool cloth to clean me up ...again. "Daddy, it's the smell that is making me vomit. I have to get a bath. Please Daddy...make them listen..." I know I was pale and shaky. The nurses all thought it was something bad making me puke. Is anyone listening? I need a bath. ~~00~~0~~00~~ I'm in a wheel chair riding the elevator up to the 8th floor. Finally all the mess was cleaned up back in my room, and Daddy convinced them he was not going anywhere and so they have moved me to a room. Room 827. The elevator is a lady. Ya...I mean the elevator. She calls the floor numbers as we scale past each. "five...six...seven...eight." She sounds like a mother. I wonder if elevators have kids? Ha! What would you call a baby elevator? A Dumb-waiter? Ha! The door opens, Daddy pushes me into the corridor. I'm smiling at my lame funny. Dad would groan if I said it out loud. That makes me smile again. Bath, I need a bath. I read the room numbers...820 on the left, 821 on the right; 822 on the left, 823 on the right. My room will be on the right. Good, that is the outside. Maybe I can see outside. See the sunlight. My heart races. I need a bath. How am I going to do that? I can't. Not by myself. Someone will have to help me. Will that be Daddy? I hope so. He already knows what I look like naked. I don't like him seeing me naked, but I'd rather he does than another nurse. I hate for girls to see me naked. It ain't right. Dad is whistling while we make our way to my room. He never whistles unless he is playing a trick on me. What is fixin to happen? I get ready, something is about to happen. Someone is going to be in my room. Kids from my class? God, I hope not. I'll be too embarrassed. I don't want to talk to anyone. I need a bath. *Sigh* Outside room 827, Daddy pushes the door open...I am going to panic. I see feet in the bed near the window all the way across the room. Feet covered with a blanket. Too short and small to be an adult, the feet are too far up in the bed. It has to be a kid, I'm sure it is another boy. That only makes sense. They won't put boys and girls in the same room. Even I know that much. I guess they don't put kids in rooms with adult either. Good, I couldn't sleep in here if that was a man. Or woman. The curtain thingy is partially closed and I can't see who this kid is. My heart is racing. I want to know. Dad puts the chair by the bed and locks the wheels, and lifts me to the new bed. The nurse has followed us and is smartly arranging the IV and all the other important stuff while Daddy gets me all settled into the bed. I don't want to settle in though. I need a bath. Grrrrr I was about to complain to Daddy, but he read my mind. "I know, I know, you want a bath. We have to get you settled here in the room first. As soon as the nurse has you all settled, we'll ask about the shower. We'll have to get you a bag or something for the cast on your arm...I think the bandages on your ribs can – no should be changed." "Do you suppose we can get things together for a shower for our little trooper here?" Daddy asked, speaking directly to my nurse. "Sure," She smiled looking directly at me, while patting my chest affectionately. "I'm not assigned to this floor. I'll check with the Charge Nurse, I'm certain we can get you set properly in no time." After a few last adjustments of stuff, she departs for the doorway. At the door, she looked back to me and smiled warmly. Then, she was away. As she left the room, curiosity got the better of me about who was behind the curtain. I needed to know who my roommate was. I was staring intently at the curtain, as if by will power alone I could see through it. Daddy smiled at me and stepped over to the leading edge of the curtain. "Ready to meet your new roommate...at least the one you'll have while you are here?" I swallowed noticeably, then nodded my head. He reached for the divider... O. M. G!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Immediately I burst into tears of joy and relief. Lying in the bed beside me was the smiling form of the sweetest boy ever. My own BRANT! I was awash in emotions...joy, excitement, relief, and just...just god...I don't know how to say it. I only have the one eye, and all the tears left my whole world a blur. Next thing I know he is here beside me. Brant took my hand and held it to his chest. Wiping tears from my eye, I see he is crying too. I wish I could tell you all of what we said, of what passed between us in those moments, but honestly I remember none of it. All that I remember is the overwhelming understanding that we had survived, we made it through, and we were together. Flashes of the pain, images of the dark things, and Brand scurrying away into the darkness... But, he is here. I am here. We made it. We won. This is real happiness. I'm only twelve and I know it when I feel it. This is real. ~~00~~0~~00~~ I'm not sure how exactly this occurred, but Brant was lying beside me on the bed. We were hugging each other tightly. He was in shock about my eye. But for me, I was already hardly noticing that is was not working. There was inconvenient darkness on my right side, causing me to have to turn my head more in that direction to see what I wanted. But other than that, for now, I could hardly tell the eye was dead. Even the pain was gone, and that was a relief...for it to not be stinging and sore. Numbness and darkness was better than the pain. I could feel his breath on my face. His breath is pleasant. I am not sure I ever noticed how another person's breath smelled before when it wasn't "bad breath." Brant's was nice. Comforting. I think he wanted to kiss, but he was afraid since Daddy was standing over us. I'm not afraid of nothing...so I kissed him! Right on his sweet lips. It wasn't a big deep kiss though. It was just an "I love you" kiss. Shocked at my boldness at first, he smiled at me, then he kissed me back. This was so nice. And Daddy was smiling, standing over us and being quiet, letting us share this moment together. Brant moved so he could whisper to me. "You smell bad," he said n my ear. "You smell like...like ...HIM." The look on his face was contorted. He wasn't being mean...it was the truth. That is exactly why I was vomiting...only I couldn't say it like that...my mind couldn't put it together...Brant was spot on. I smelled like HIM. God, I need a bath. Daddy heard us. He cleared his throat. "Let me go see what we can do about this." ~~00~~0~~00~~ I had a plastic bag taped over my cast, and the nurse said she would change the bandages on my eye and ribs. I had zillions of cuts and scrapes too, but she said the soap would be good for them and she would see to me after I got all cleaned up. She brought soap and some baby shampoo for me. I was glad too. I don't think it would be good for me to get stinging soap in my only working eye. "Okay, let's get you into the shower," Daddy said as the nurse unhooked the tube thingy on my IV. He swung my feet out of the bed, and waited as I slipped down off the bed and placed my feet on the floor. I reached out for help, and Daddy was about to pull me up, but Brant jumped between us. "I got this," he said matter-of-factly. Brant has changed. He was never assertive before this. I smiled and gave him my hand. We padded over to the bathroom. It had a toilet inside, and a small tub with a shower. Perfect. Dad stepped into the small bathroom with us, the door was still open. My hospital gown was agape. I felt exposed; I guess I was, but Daddy got the water running, adjusted the temperature, and pulled the curtain closed. "Well..." he said looking directly to me, then to Brant, "Unless you intend to shower with that gown on I suggest you remove it now..." He smiled knowingly. "Brant, wait for us, we'll get this shower done then we'll be back out and you two can catch up with the rest of the news." "Ummm...I...ummm...I c..can help him, sir." Brand asked Daddy. I perked up. Cool. Why didn't I think of that? I grinned from ear to ear. "Hmmm...," Daddy said, rubbing his chin. "This is a big responsibility. We can't have Len slipping and falling down in the shower. He is already banged up enough as it is. I dunno..." Brant already had his mind made up though. Wordlessly, as Dad contemplated his decision, Brant started disrobing his Incredibles PJs. He pulled the top straight over his head and off. I gasped at the sight of his bruises. I had no idea. Then, with no apparent shame, Brant hooked his thumbs in the waistband of his flannel bottomed PJs and pushed them down to the floor in a single motion. He stepped clear of them, and stood back straight up totally nude. Hmmm...no undies. "Well..." Daddy said grinning at the naked form in front of him. "Let's get Lenny out of this gown then." No worries. In a flash Brant had the tie strap undone and my gown fell off. Much better! Daddy held me firmly as I stepped up and into the tub and under the warm water; Brant got in behind me, slipped his arms around my waist, gently holding me to himself. Daddy smiled at us, nodded at Brant, and reminded him to be careful and not let me fall. He said he would wait outside and be right in if we needed help. Then he closed the curtain, we heard the bathroom door close. The water was so incredible upon my skin. Brant moved so he could be in exactly the right position and I felt my backside nestle into his pubic area, and his arms surround me. His chin moved over my shoulder and we just stood under the water snuggled and relishing in the awesomeness of the moment. Eventually, Brant relaxed his hold on me and reached for the shampoo. He told me to lean my head back; which I did. Behind me still, he applied the shampoo to my scalp and began slowly washing my hair. My eyes were closed, but my senses were in total overdrive. The warm water cascading on my front, my hair being scrubbed and washed by my own Brant...ummm...so perfect. Brant took extra care not to scrub too hard. His hands were gentle, the lather was rich and luxurious, and each caress made me relax more and more. I leaned back more and soon his hands began their magic descent down my chest and abdomen. Gentle touches. He turned me around, never letting go of me, and now we were chest to chest, our dicks touching. Only...neither of us had a boner. I guess both of us were still just too fresh from our nightmare to be boned up. But, as crazy sensual as this shower was...it wasn't really about sex. It was just Brant and me. He was really doing his best to wash the smell of that demon from me. Standing there, under the water; Brands firm grip on me to keep me from falling, the water washing the stench, the tears, and the grime. I hope the memories drain away the same way. Somehow I don't think that problem will be so easily remedied as a shower with my friend. Brant took the soap and began lathering me from my chin to my feet. Everything. The only place he didn't wash was my butthole. As his hands worked the soapy lather all over me, he remembered to be gentle. Each cut got a kiss, each scrape a kiss, each bruise. When necessary he would indicate I should raise a leg, or an arm. He turned me so he could wash my back, working down to my butt, and it was so nice to feel his soft loving touches there. But he didn't wander into my crack wit is fingers...slowly working down each leg instead. He did the same with my front. He washed everything but my dick and balls. It was like those places were out of bounds. I knew what he was feeling. He loved me enough to not want this to be sexual. He wasn't trying to get me all hot and bothered, he was here to help me with a bath. I loved him more in those moments than I ever dreamed I could love anyone. I began to cry. I'm sure he couldn't tell the tears for the water. But when he looked me in the face, he knew I was crying. He just pulled me into a hug. H held me. I held him back. Next he pushed my face up gently, by lifting up on my chin. He soaped up his hands and began washing my face. "Close your eyes tight. Trust me. I got you." I did as he said. With the care of a mother on a baby, or a seasoned nurse, Brant washed all the filth and stench from my face. My nose. Normally I would hate that...but we both knew this had to be done. And he did it with TLC. Soon enough he had my face under the water and the soap sliding down my body. I felt the bubbles fall over my dick and balls, down the insides of my thighs, and to my toes. I guess the hospital has a million gallons of hot water. It never got cold. Eventually Daddy stuck his head in the door and said we should be getting out now. He peered in behind the curtain, Brant and I were still wrapped in a tender hug. Daddy smiled at us, ad turned the water off. He held a towel out to Brant, and helped him step from the shower as I held the hand rail. Daddy helped Brant dry off then wrap a towel around his waist. Brant was too old to need that kind of help, but he seemed contented to let my Daddy assist him. Dad told him he found some clean PJs in a drawer for him and had them laid out on the bed. As Brant padded off to go get dressed, Daddy turned and helped me. Just before we left the bathroom, Daddy reached down and picked me up wrapping his arms around me, holding me just below my bottom. I slipped my arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. No words spoken; none needed. He pulled me to himself and kissed my cheek and neck. We made it to the bed, and after he helped me dress in a warm pair of Brant's PJs, Daddy got me all tucked back into the blankets> There is no way I would have believed I would be sleepy so soon, but the shower had cast it's spell upon me and my eyelid was hard to keep open. The nurse came in and removed the bandages, applied fresh dressing where necessary, and re-covered my eye with clean dressings. The IV was reconnected. They said I would prolly have the stupid thing in for a couple more days to help me re-hydrate after my ordeal. Before long, I was zonked. I don't even remember the nurse leaving. ~~00~~0~~00~~ Giggles woke me. I felt disoriented. And I smelled food. My stomach growled. That is when I realized what was going on. The room was full of people. I blinked several times. A smile came upon my face as realization came upon me. Standing on either side of me were all my truest friends. Liam, Jason, Brant. Only Ray wasn't here, but Daddy said Ray was in a different hospital. Daddy was standing by Brant, on my right side, smiling from ear to ear. Jason and Liam were standing on my left...they were holding hands. This time, there were no tears for any of us, only happy stuff. We joked and talked, compared cuts and bruises. Liam showed me where he was shot and Jason sowed me his broken tooth. He definitely had all of us beaten with the deep black eyes. Shit, that looked like it hurt. We didn't talk about HIM, and we didn't talk about what he did to us...down there. Just being with everyone was so cool. I wanted to tell Liam about a dream I had, a dream of someone calling to me. But I didn't want to talk about in front of everyone else. I hoped we could be alone sometime soon. H knew I had something to talk to him about. I could see it in his eyes. All four of us boys held hands with each other during the next hours as we talked. Liam and Jason's room was right next to mine and Brant's. The nurses allowed them to bring their lunches over into our room and we all talked and kidded each other. We laughed and had a blast. While it felt so good, and natural, there also seemed the element of strain...like there was some new THING between us, something unsaid. It was odd. Eventually, all the adults were there. And then the nurses had to make Liam and Jason go back to their own rooms. We were too many, and making too much noise for us to remain in the same room. I could tell the new nurse didn't like it that all of us were hanging out together. "This is a hospital, not a frat house," I heard her say once. We all got deathly quiet, until she left – then we burst into fits of laughter. Anyway, we all broke up, and before long only Daddy, me and Brant were left in my room. Daddy said he was going to stay the night, and he sent Brant's Mom home for rest. I asked if Brant could sit with me on my bed so we could talk. Daddy said that was fine, so Brant jumped outta bed and came over to my bed quickly. I raised the blanket allowing him to snuggle in beside me. I was lying on my back, and Brant was on his side, laying his head on his bent arm and elbow. Daddy turned down the lights and said we should try to talk quietly. He said he would move Brant over to his own bed in a while if he went to sleep. Brant leaned over and kissed me ever so softly on the lips as Daddy went to the bathroom. We heard him brushing his teeth, so we knew we had a few seconds for a bit longer smooch. With near practiced synchronization (I had to look that word up) we moved together to a more tender and passionate kiss. I could taste his tooth paste. In the dimmed light his bruises didn't look so haunting, I wondered of mine were easier for him to look at too. And, though nearly every single place on me (and I was guessing him too) hurt like to be touched...even hurt to lie upon on the bedding...just having Brant so near, and having him touch me with his soft hands and fingers made me so happy. For a very long time, when I was so afraid of being killed, I thought I would never ever feel this boy's soft touches again. But here is was in my bed, not just touching me, but holding me, and kissing me. Man. This is good. I think I can really sleep now, sleep without any drugs, except his warmth and nearness. Last night Daddy made me feel safe. Tonight I feel safe: safe and so loved. Noise of the toilet flushing cause Brant and me to pull apart from our kiss. By the time Daddy stepped out into the dimmed room, our breathing has about calmed to normal – nearly. I was glad the room was dimly lit, as I was sure I was quite flushed. Daddy settled in the chair while Brant and I arranged ourselves into a comfortable sleeping position in the small bed. Daddy was reading a book...but I've know him long enough to know that he was paying attention to us too, only he was trying to be polite and give us a bit of space. We ended up with Brant slightly atop of me, his head upon the hollow of my shoulder and his lips on my chest. Only the thin material of my PJ's shirt kept those soft lips from my chest. Still, I could feel his warm breath. Brant had his hand upon my chest, and was lightly tracing patterns from my shirt with his fingers. I noticed his breathing change. He got very warm. Then, I felt dampness on my PJs. Brant was crying while we held one another. The way he was lying there made it easy for me to rest my bandaged face on his hair. I could smell his shampoo. The nice smell was so different from what was stuck in my nose before. I wasn't sure if he was crying because the violence of the past few days was all over, if he was afraid this peaceful quiet wasn't really real, or if he was just still frightened of what happened. In fact, he could be crying about a hundred things. How could I know? I would just wait and let him tell me. I was sure he would soon. So I gripped him a little tighter and just let him cry his soft and silent tears. Somehow, the mood and the atmosphere perfect. We were quiet, and settling in for a nice rest. We were together after the most unbelievable circumstances that could have ruined us...or worse. Daddy was here to look over us, to make sure we really were safe. And there was something else. I loved Brant before this all happened to us. I felt we were really becoming fast and strong friends. But now...now even Liam was not so important to me as this boy on my chest. This was the very first time I began to realize what Liam must be experiencing between himself and Jason. I was important to Liam, but I wasn't Jason. I was in love with Brant. I knew it at this moment. It may have taken me years to get over the hurt I secretly held inside myself when Liam chose Jason over me. But...here...now...in my own arms...I felt true love. I closed my eyes and let out a very long, slow breath. As I felt myself settle with my deflating lungs, I equally absorbed and soaked in the love Brant was sending to me through his body. I had no tears. I felt relief. In my mind a new confidence emerged; a confidence of a boy who knows he is loved. That made me smile. I suppose smiles are audible, or perhaps the have some other subtly tale-tell aura or something, because Brant shifted to lock up at my smiling face. Though my eyes were still closed, I knew he was looking intently at me. When I did open my eyes, his lips were centimeters from mine. The gap narrowed and soon we touched them together. "Do you remember this song...?" said Brant dreamily, his face now resting on my chest again, but he was looking upwards toward my face. Before I could ask which song, he began humming a very familiar tune. His soft and boyish voice was so good. I bet he will be a singer in the choir or something. He don't sound like a little kid. His voice is so angelic. The tune was transfixing...almost mesmerizing. I was intrigued and shifted slightly so I could watch his face as he hummed his tune. After several bars of the tune, he swallowed, then began putting words to the song...a song that still warms my memories right now... "Like a bird without wings That longs to be flying..." Yes. I remember this. It was a song but a Celtic boy. David, I think...no Damien. Yes. That was it. I don't remember his last name. I remember his piercing eyes, his beautiful skin, those great eyebrows. I remember me and Brant playing it over ad over and over on youtube. Daddy finally made us copy it to our iPods so he didn't have to listen to it any more... Brant kept on singing...ever so softly... "Like a motherless child Left lonely and crying. Like a song without words, Like a world without music, I wouldn't know what to do I'd be lost without you Watchin' over me." At this point, we both moved in the bed. Lenny took both of my hands into his...my cast mad it hard to get into a comfortable...but he didn't mind, and he picked back up the tune as if there were no interruption. I hadn't realized he had memorized the song...but he had not only memorized it...he had made it his own. He was singing to me... "...I get so lonely, when you're away I count every moment, I wait every day, Until you're home again And hug me so tight That's when I know Everything is alright. "Like a bird without wings That longs to be flying, Like a motherless child Left lonely and crying. Like a song without words, Like a world without music, I wouldn't know what to do I'd be lost without you Watchin' over me." Daddy sat up in his chair, laying his book face down across his lap. I noticed the glistening signs in his eyes that he may be about to cry as he listened to Brant's haunting voice... "You're my guardian angel My light and my guide Your hand on my shoulder And you by my side. You make everything beautiful, You make me complete.. "Like a church with no steeple, Where a bell never rings. In a town without people, Where no voice in the choir ever sings. If a boat on the ocean Would be lost with no sail, Then without your devotion Surely all that I dreamed of would fail. "Like a bird without wings That longs to be flying, Like a motherless child Left lonely and crying. Like a song without words, Like a world without music, I wouldn't know what to do I'd be lost without you Watchin' over me." When he was done, all three of us were in tears. Movement at the door caught my attention, through my tears I saw the charge nurse standing at the door way wiping tears from her eyes. Never have I felt so needed. I was too emotional to say what I felt inside. What I felt was that I would never ever forget this moment. What I felt was that forever and a life time I would hold this boy in my arms. What I felt was that tomorrow was going to be okay...because today...now...I know about love, about need, and how they fit together. The things I have suffered: The blows to my head; the kicks to my groin; the rape; the indignation of being pissed upon; the fear, all of it: it was for this. It was for love. That man did not win, because despite all that I had lost, of all that I suffered...look what I gained! Love wins. I love Brant. ~~00~~0~~00~~ Okay. Now maybe you can begin to see part of why we endured some very dark days in this story. I have plenty more intense things to talk about. So stay with me. For those who want a bit of a chance to know what stage we are at in this tale...I honestly anticipate 3 – 4 more chapters. Yes, I'll be sad for the story to find an end, but I also know that I can't write it forever. I promise to do my best to maintain the level of commitment you have come to expect to the very last syllable. Please check out the song I used her on this youtube site. A special THANKS to my buddy Shaun for turning me on to this great song and performance. The song is performed by Damian Mcginty - Bird without wings http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0HmPrshi-U Please write and share your thoughts with me. Your support throughout this endeavor has been nothing sort of inspirational. andyoutwest@live.com http://www.weststories.altervista.org