2391 Rudy

Step one taken care of, getting Char to accept Marijuana's decisions. Step two, Convince Char that it was ok to let go of our little girl...done Step three: Let Eagle and Marijuana know that we were happy for them, and that we supported this whole marriage thing. They were at this point undoubtedly engaged, he had told me his plan yesterday. I called Eagle, and told him that I had talked with Char, and we were going to be bringing dinner over to Marijuana's that night. We'd have done it at a restaurant, but we hadn't seen her new place yet.

That night, Char and I made the trek to our daughter's apartment. She had done an amazing job, though I did notice all the flowers...must be Eagle sent them. I laid eyes on my little girl, and she didn't seem so little, in fact, she looked so much like her mom, that I looked over at Char, and had to smile...her favorite smile that is. We had a dinner, and celebrated their engagement. It felt good to see Char and Marijuana together again, it was a definite photo opportunity, I took a lot of them while we were there. They looked extremely happy, and I hoped it would last as mine and Char's had. To be honest, in all the time I had known Eagle, I'd never seen him like this, I'm not sure about Char, but I knew it was true to my knowledge.

2391 Po--He asked me to marry him! I'm engaged to Eagle Monroe, I will be Marijuana Monroe....no Mrs. Eagle Monroe--Mrs. Marijuana Monroe...PO are you hearing me? He took me out to dinner with his Dad, and Kari, and Ariana showed up..and the champagne, and before dinner there were all kinds of flowers, roses, lilies, tulips...

I got back to my apartment, and there was a note from mom. God Po'Em how is this all possible? I've gotta go...I'll call you later

I called mom, Momma. I miss you, I don't know if you'll be happy about what I want to tell you, but could you stop by my place today. I love you mom.

2391 Eagle : I finally took a breath, and slid the ring . To my surprise and my dad's , it fit perfectly. Thoughts of my mom and and Marijuana scrambled together. Then I thought I heard my mother's voice and looked up. It was Ariana and her husband . So , she said , you're on your knees. Get up and kiss the girl. And so I did. I was shaking or thought I was and wondered if Mari felt how happy I was. After a while I let go of her and everyone hugged and kissed. It was wonderful and I wished that her parents and family could feel this way about it too.

po' :

Marijuana, come on it's after One where are you . I want to know what happened. call me sOOn/

2391 Marijuana

I didn't need to open the box, but shock took hold of me for a second. The ring was beautiful, I looked into his eyes, and said Yes! Of course I would marry him..., and tried not to cry.

2391 Eagle :

I thought things had gone well at dinner. Dad was smooth and he seemed relaxed . So I decided to Order champagne and I excused dad and I from the table. I asked and he told me it would be fine. We went back to the table . The champagne came . I got down on one knee and asked Mari to marry me. Then I gave her the box with my mother's ring in it and waited for an answer.

2391 Char :

Rudy I want to talk business now for just a minute ok? I held Marijuana's gift on my lap. I promise that I will open it after word. He sighed resignedly. I know that you haven't said anything about this in a while so here it goes. I think you are right , and I have decided to go ahead and get another manager. I appreciate that you have done it for this long . I love you and I want you to do what makes you happy. Ok, I said lets open it. We went through it picture by picture . We laughed and cried and inside I thanked my Daughter for making me face a few truths . I sent her a thank you card and added that we loved her always.

2391 Rudy

Yes, Yes, I know. It isn't like you lost a whole lot of money over it, you hardly spent a dime on any of it to begin with. It can be rescheduled, or you can take us to court. We have to go now...yes, uh-huh bye now.

All taken care of Char, didn't I tell you? Would you like to open this gift now?

2391 Marijuana

Some one was knocking on the door, I yelled that I'd be there in a second, and untangled the curling iron from my hair. I opened it, flowers....? Had I sent him this many? I let the guy in to set them on the table, and shut the door as he left. Roses, Tulips, Lilies....I went to work, they needed to be put in vases and the ends trimmed off, then I remembered my hair...and looked at the clock. Eagle was walking up the stairs, I tamed the curls, unplugged the iron, and Eagle was right there, helping me with my necklace; telling me I was gorgeous.
He introduced me to Kari and Breeze, Mari...I loved the sound of it; Breeze said something about how much I resembled my mom, and somehow, I ended up dancing with Breeze instead of Eagle..

2391 Eagle :

I was sure everything would be great . I sent flowers , all her favorites , I hoped , what did I know . We hadn't talked that much about flowers. Then I called again and had them add 2 dozen red roses, each to be delivered in a different box with one of those beautiful vases, for them all to fit in. I then called my dad (the fifth time) to make sure he wasn't going to cancel out on me .(It had never happened before). That's when he told me that he was bringing Kari. I'm cool with that . Then Dad called me. Eagle yea, what dad. We'll meet you there. The reservations are in your name aren't they . I said yes. I took a quick look in the mirror and decided I looked alright so I went to get Marijuana.

When I opened the door , she was fiddling with a clasp on her necklace, so I closed it for her . I told her how unbelievable Gorgeous she looked and smelled. I was tempted , but I didn't do anything . That is but take her down the stairs.
Dad and Kari were having drinks. I said I bet that isn't koolaid , and bent to kiss Kari on the cheek. Kari , Dad this is Mari, that's when my dad stood and said Marijuana Hunter and he came around the table and gave her a hug ,kiss and told her that she reminded him of her mother. The dance music was playing and dad some how was on the dance floor with My girl. I looked at Kari , she nodded and We danced.

2391 Marijuana

8pm...The Parisian, Breeze. What he was saying kept running through my head as I tried to find something dressy but not over the top. It was in the back of my closet. The blue dress, it was a dark blue, little blue flowers, enough to notice but not enough to drown me, mid length, a little frilly at the bottom, it was perfect. I took a shower, must have been in there for an hour just trying to calm my nerves. I got out, put on the dress, and began to wonder what on earth I should do with my hair...Mom would know. Po would know too...I called her the second time that day. I asked her Po- the Parisian, the blue dress, what about my hair? We decided on a partial up-do, and then I looked over at the box on my television, and decided down was definately what I wanted to do. I pulled out my curling iron, and grandma's pearl necklace. It still wasnt anywhere near 8pm.

2391 Char:

Rudy, honey you know I can't do this now. I have to be there smileing, without red eyes . Rudy, I opened the door and he gave me that smile that used to make us late for appearances. I kissed him I couldn't help it, there went the make-up and every thing else ! We'd be late!

He held me in his arms and we whispered the things we hadn't said to each other in such a long time. I remembered what it was like to discover love. Rudy, ummm he said, you, we have to go? No, it 's alright with me, I mean I guess we could agree to let her go. I love you. Will we be sued if we don't show up?

2391 Eagle:

Mari I want us to have dinner with my dad tonight . I Want him to meet you. So what do you say?
We have a family picnic later in the summer and you can meet everyone else then alright ? Say something . I waited a while and She said what should I wear? Something dressy but not over the top. I made reservations at The Parisian Pick you up around 8pm . OH and I love you .

2391 Char-- did you even look at her gift to you? She had a wonderful childhood. But she's not a child anymore. In fact she's grown up to be just like you Char. She's stubborn, proud, and when she loves someone she doesn't let it go. Char, come out of there please.

I spoke with her, She loves him--yea I'm upset, I was upset when you kicked her out of our house, and I was upset when I felt the need to lie to her about the gift she gave you...I told her you loved it, and you haven't even opened it yet.
So you can't keep going on like this. She's in love, and no amount of anguish or tears from you is going to change it. You can continue to shut her out, or you can start being the mother you always have been...at least before whatever it was that caused you to kick her out.

2391 Chardonnay:

Rudy how can you be so calm about this damn it. Why aren't you angry ! I would like to fry his nuts! Do you realize that I am only two years older than him . I just want to scream Rudy I... My tears just kept flowing down my face and I don't think the shoot went well and I know I looked like hell! I'd take a long hard drink if I thought I would ever be able to stop ! I just keep wondering if her childhood was really that bad . Rudy , were we such awful parents , are we ? How can we give him our baby? I can't do this I have some f ing appearance to make. I couldn't handle it. I ran away from Rudy and what he was saying . I closed myself in the toilet and cried some more .

2391 Rudy

I didn't know how to bring this up with Char. Eagle had just told me that he wanted to marry my little girl. I picked Char up from her shoot, and immediately she asked me what Eagle wanted. He wants to--he wants our permission to marry our daughter.

2391 Marijuana Hunter

Po'Em, I love him. I absolutely love him! Who? she said, what are you talking about! Marijuana, what are you telling me? Po' I'm telling you that I am madly in love with Eagle Monroe, and it's not just me...Po'Em, he loves me! Wish it was possible for mom to understand, I tried to get through to her, just to get her to say something to me; I hand delivered her birthday present, she had nothing to say. It's been like a week now, and nothing from her end at all. Went to the Flea Market yesterday, Eagle met me there, can you believe he'd never been before? Well, I don't know what to do today, He left this morning, and I can't go to work they won't let me. Hmmm, she said, and she told me that maybe I should just stay home, and take care of all the stuff I just bought...

Bummer.

I looked over at the wagons, and thought about what I would do with all of it. The divider was easy, that would cut off the bed from the rest of the place. The dishes, I washed and put away. The pillows/cushions I had to think about. I decided that I would move the sofa, and pile up the cushions on the floor... Of course that would happen after I got the rug back from the cleaners...I ran down the street and picked it up, I had forgotten all about it! I came back, and finished with the living area. I had found a mirror for my dresser, it was ovious where that should go. When I was done, I collapsed on the sofa and slept. Woken by the phone ringing; who could that be? I answered the phone, it was my father (Rudy). Hi dad, how are you? I've had worse days, but Marijuana, I've also had better. Can you tell me exactly what is going on with you and Eagle? Oh god Daddy. Why are you asking me now? I just need to know. I love him dad, and he loves me, what's this about? He wouldn't answer me. Are you sure he loves you? Yes daddy, come on what's this about? I spoke with Eagle today sweety, and I just wanted to talk to you before I spoke with your mother. She loved your gift honey. I have to go now, I'll talk to you again soon. That was it. No real answers, he just asked me a bunch of questions, and got off the phone.

2391 Rudy:
Char! I've gotta get going, are you ready? I didn't know exactly what it was that Eagle wanted to talk about, but I had an idea, and since he hadn't called Char, I was beginning with every minute to be more concerned that it was about Marijuana. I'm coming she yelled down the stairs...what are you in such a hurry for? I'm meeting someone in about an hour. Who? she wanted to know, I was almost certain that if I told her, she would insist on coming with me. It's...I thought about it, and decided that I couldn't lie to her. Eagle, he didn't say what it was about, and you have to be at the photo shoot so no you can't come with me. I hoped that she wouldn't argue, and she didn't. She wasn't happy about it, but she didn't argue, she had to work.

2391 Eagle:
Rudy, I want to thank you for meeting me here. I was praticing what I would say to him. This was just so difficult and I knew I should be talking to both of them and yet I wasn't sure that Char would listen to me.For that matter I wasn't sure that she would believe that I loved their daughter. This was impossible! I would wait for 1 hour, and then go.

2391 Eagle : I stretched out on the floor of the apartment after dinner. I had eaten too much and was tired . I had been working on music-songs. They weren't coming . I had just this one little tune running over and over in my mind and it wouldn't go away. I fell asleep, right there on the pillows we had recovered that afternoon. Later I felt her lie down beside me and cuddle up . It felt wonderful. And I went back to sleep.
I woke to ? Fruit salad, I asked ? What no power drink ! I've got to do something about my rotten breath and get a shower . Maybe I should just head home. I got up stretched and stuffed my face with fruit. Then headed for the shower.

Eagle: Rudy, I want to thank you for meeting me here. I was practicing what I would say to him. This was just so difficult and I knew I should be talking to both of them and yet I wasn't sure that Char would listen to me.For that matter I wasn't sure that she would believe that I loved their daughter. This was impossible! I would wait for 1 hour, and then go.

Po'Em :

Come on Aiden, tell me what you really think. It was a Thursday and I had taken Aiden out of school again. The only way I let him convince me to do this is if we could do something together before he went back to his _Hole _ as I call it. Today he was required to share a picnic with me in the park. So here he was . We were drinking milkshakes and eating fried chicken and a few other things mom would not approve of. Aiden. The story , what do you think will kids like it ? And Don't even -tell me that you don't know! He told me he would take it with him and let me know tomorrow. Tomorrow, I asked , what about tomorrow . He wanted me to get him out again! Impossible! It is too soon! Do you want mom and dad to get wind of this?
NO! He yelled. So, how soon would be alright . We went over the same ground every time we did this . Every other week that is. We set the date and he made me write it in my planner. Just because I forgot once ..or twice It was important -to me! I decided to let him know about Hennesy and me and swore him to secertcy. I mussed his hair and he kissed my cheek . Bye I yelled , he was already half a block away.

2391 Marijuana: I miss my car... It may be time to get a bike, at least it would be easier, without the cost of a car. I tried to go to work today, and my boss firmly informed me that I was not to be back for another week. I tried to explain that I needed the money, and she reminded me that she had given me a PAID vacation, and sent me on my way. I called Eagle, and told him that my boss wouldn't let me in the door til next week. I let him know that I'd be at the flea market if he wanted to join me.

I was searching for something interesting, I knew that I needed things, and I knew that I didn't like some of the things I had, I actually bought a wagon to carry all the stuff I found. There was an 18th century room divider, it appeared to be from China, and didn't look as though it had ever been touched. I found some dishes, which needed to be mix-matched, not a problem. I bought as much of the things I found as my wagon and arms were capable of carrying, and then I saw Eagle, he looked at me, and shook his head. I bought another wagon...and took Eagle on what seemed his first flea-market adventure. It was an experience. Then we took all of our purchases (mostly mine) back to my apartment.

I could see that he was pleased that I had taken some time to marijuanify the place... I told him that I had given mom her gift, but hadn't heard anything from her yet. I noticed that he was looking again at some of the pictures on my wall, and went over to him, 'You know when this one was taken?' It was the first time mom/Char and dad let me go on tour with them, and this was the night Po ditched me for Hennessey, I walked home. The twins 3rd birthday party...Socrates was afraid of the balloons, I told him that it wouldn't be a birthday party without them...I trailed off- I miss them. Then the timer dinged and I pulled dinner out before it had a chance to burn.

After we ate, and had taken time to relax together, I found the box which held my gift for Eagle, and pulled it from under the couch...I told him before he opened it, that he wasn't allowed to take it home with him. I wondered what he would think of it...and got a little nervous. When I looked closer, I realized that the man I was talking to was asleep, on the new pillows we just bought this afternoon. I washed the dishes, grabbed some blankets off the bed, lay down with Eagle, and went to sleep on the floor.

Morning came, and I woke up a little stiff from sleeping on the floor, Eagle must have been really worn out from yesterday. I made breakfast, fruit salad...this way he could eat when he woke, and not have to reheat anything. I went for a morning run, came back and took a shower, putting my new robe on. When I came out, Eagle had just woken up, I went over and sat next to him, good morning. Want some fruit salad?

2391 Eagle:
I can't believe how different she has become. She hasn't just bloomed , it's like she exploded. It has only been a few days since our talk-correction melt down-occurred. It's hard to believe that someone can twist you up that way. I feel much better since I blew my top. However I do not plan to have to do it in the future. I told Marijuana that episodes like that could kill me. So if she ever wants to get rid of me, that might be the way to go! Not sure she appreciated the humor. I plan to enjoy the rest of my vacation. Don't have many ideas of what to do with it while she is working though.

Sarah Cash

Aiden, well it worried me that he wouldn't play with the other kids, it also worried me when I called the other moms to find out why none of their children had showed up at his last birthday party; I was informed that my son was not someone they wanted their children to play with, he was a bad influence... So when Henry told me that we were going to try and convince his principal to allow him independant study, I was aboard. He needed to be in school, and he needed a challenge; if it was possible to challenge him. I talked with Aiden, and he gave me the names of some people who might help his cause. I then had to turn that list over to Henry, because these were not people that were going to listen to me.
The project Aiden had in mind, was mammoth in proportion to Po's Whale. It frustrated me to be unable to help him, Henry thought I should spend more time with him, but Aiden.... Aiden kept me in the dark about all of his projects, he insisted that it was too dangerous for me to know anything about. Henry had more information about what was going on than I did, and he was NOT able to tell me anything. The only help I was to my son, was in finding more information , if I could find new information on arms, warfare, and security, I had been helpful to him. Other than that, I was reduced to charming people into helping him, and thus the dinner party Henry requested.

Henry Cash

Sarah and I love both of our children. They both have their passions. Po'Em is nyphomanic and it is very hard for us , as her parents to deal with. It has been horrific coming to face it and to try to help her. At first we just thought it bad behavior. When she and her mother confronted each other over it and Po .. Well when I came in,she was in process of giving her mother a description of sex she'd experienced. I cut her off the minute I saw Sara's face. Later Po'Em asked us for help. The Quack she went to didn't work out . The others wanted to either drug her up of lock her up. One wanted to Study her. Like a rat in a cage. We didn't like any of these choices. She finished school . Designed her Whale, she had a passion for them ..Ah ,well Her mother helped her find people and materials and I helped finance it.
Since then, that is where she has lived . Aboard a floating casino.

Aiden's passion is for armaments, defense weapons and systems. He can design ..Well I am NOT at liberty to discuss it. He is binomial at what he does . But as for his social development , it needs help.
Po'Em came to Aiden when he was THREE and asked that he design something to protect her cashmere clothes from sagging with wear. He did. I don't want to think about what other applications has put it to. She has asked and paid for a defense system for the Whale.

Aiden is also having problems in school too. The other children are put off by him . He is smart and doesn't hide it. I know first hand what this is like.
The adults around him ,most feel threatened and so they laugh at his ideas. Still others are quick to punish him for knowing more than they do. I don't like to put him through it . But he needs to be able to interact with and play with people his own age. He will not play. I shouldn't talk ! If , forget if . You do the best you can and hope they come out alright. I think he should spend more time with his mother, maybe that would help.

Sarah ,Aiden and I are arranging a dinner party for the principal, his wife . Aiden wants to see if he can get extra credit for the things he is working on. His mother and I want this man to realize that Aiden's ideas are not just rubbish. We are hoping that if we get the right mix of people together Mr Jonn , will see the light. We can but hope and it should be a very interesting night.

Po'Em has recently started building-designing . Her company is Fantasy Furniture. I think she has a feature in children's books.

2391 Marijuana

I was wrong! He did love me. I had never been so happy to be wrong before! I felt reborn, and called mom. I was relentless, she would talk to me. I remembered her birthday, and sent her a gift that I knew she would enjoy. I had gone to great lengths to get all the photos, but I had put together an album of the two of us, me and her. I found out where she would be, and delivered it in person. I love you mom, I'm sorry for not giving you much reason to be proud of me, I've missed you all. I wasn't going to stay any longer than it would take to do that, and then I left, it was time to go shopping for myself. I went downtown, and browsed the little shops...I found some glass bottles, they had all different shapes sizes and colors. Then there were candles, mmmm such wonderful smells. I needed candle holders too, I needed so many things to make that apartment feel like home...but I was running out of funds. I could wait til next week to get more, and then I remembered that I had the money from selling my car. I could do a lot with that money. I called up another friend to go to the space station with me. I needed a specialty item; it was referred to as mood fabric, because of it's tendency to twinkle when exposed to body heat. I found the one I wanted, and paid for a large quantity. My friend would do the sewing for me. When she was finished, I had cushions for the sofa, a bed spread, and two robes, one for myself, and one for Eagle. He would see it when he came tomorrow night. Next stop the grocery store, something oh I don't know. I called Eagle and asked him what he felt like for dinner tomorrow...surprise me he said. K hon, how's peanut butter and jelly? I joked...before getting off the phone feeling just as lost as to what food to buy as before I had called him. I decided on salad, stuffed mushrooms, and chicken.

Aiden (continued)

I couldn't tell you why I was designing weapons and security systems, it just happened, I was good at it. I had heard about what Po'Em was good at, and I guess it was sort of like that. All I tended to think about was weaponry, I had watched every single show, movie and documentary from every planet, that involved technology and war. I'd also read every book, visited every web-site, and museum that existed. I knew all of it; and my photographic memory didn't hurt my cause. I had learned the strengths and weaknesses of every military in known existance, I had spent special time studying the war with Ceriton, as it had been the first time that Earth designed defences and armed forces had failed to protect us from defeat and conquest.

Hennesy loved her. She had known it all the time but, to hear him say the words and hear herself repeat them, well that took her breath away. I love you - had not been apart of their vocabulary. Gratification, desire,lust and sex that was what their relationship was about from the beginning. She and Marijuana had discovered the House by accident. The car they weren't supposed to have broke down and this gorgeous babe named Duncan fixed it. They had been invited to party , so they did. Marijuana lost IT there. Po' had lost IT to her steady boyfriend months ago and had recently broken up with him.
There were four men living at the house, sometimes more. Parties happened all the time and if you wanted to get laid, that's where you went. This is where Po's reputation began. Po slept with anyone she took a fancy to. Marijuana was more selective. This was something PoEm was really good at. Men wanted her and the stories they heard made her that much more desirable . She and Marijuana pretty much scared the other girls away. When they wanted a man they got him. By the end of the first week Po had slept with every man in the house, including Eagle Monroe. She had one exception Ceritons.

Aiden Cash--

It didn't work, I asked Dad to get me out of school, but it took nearly being killed in our home to convince him that it wasn't safe. I don't know who they were, but they wanted something. If it was the US government, they simply wanted the plans, if it was an intrusion from another planet, they would want me too. I couldn't help it if I was smart, I was born that way. Unfortunately everyone either wanted to kill me, or just thought I was being funny when I told them I would one day be the security, arms, and defense king. All these other ideas from so called 'specialists' were outdated, used up, and just plain didn't work. I'd probably be killed before it happened my way, but that was why it was so important to get the designing and planning out of the way now, while I was still young.

2391 Eagle

Marijuana I'm 42 years old, your only sixteen. Are you telling me that you would like to spend the rest of your life with me? I already knew the answer she would give me . I wanted to hold her, tell Her that I ...I loved her marry the girl ...but she was just sixteen. How could I do that I'm supposed to be the responsible adult. The thing is, I didn't feel like one. So I did what I felt instead, I took her in my arms, told her that I loved her and kissed her.

2391 Marijuana: What I want is for you to look at me, and believe me when I tell you I love you. I want you to forgive me for all of the rotten things I've done. I want you-- this part would be the hardest for me to say to him-- to love me, I don't need you to love me, it's just what I want.
That said, I sat down on the bed, and pulled on my t-shirt and shorts. I didn't know what to do now, so I sat back on the couch, and began putting my things back in their box. I stood, and placed it gently on top of the modestly sized television, and returned to the couch; waiting for him to say something, anything.

2391 Eagle.
Well I guess you will just have to wait until I rest a bit . I'm just as tired of the rollercoaster you have me on as you . Right now Marijuana I feel like a puppet and you are the puppet master. Tell me, plain and clear just what you want of me. I hear words all the time from women, just as you must from men. I'll grant it that throwing underwear at you isn't something you have to face much, but it all adds up to the same thing . So forget all the extra garbage and Tell me what you want of me, honestly.

2391 Marijuana: I'm sorry grandma, I should have listened to you. If you were here, you'd listen to me... know just what to say to make it better.

I looked up and saw Eagle, I hadn't realized that he had even heard any of it... No, you never did treat me like a whore, and you do listen, and I hate not being able to shut up when I should. Grandma would have told me long ago how stupid I was being. Here it is Eagle, it's all out now. I'm taking a shower. I left the box and it's contents where they were, It didn't matter if he knew, I loved him, and I felt like my heart had been ripped out a million times already. There was a small photo of Garin, and another of Eagle. I had made a note on the backs of them, though it couldn't be read anymore. Mom's picture, it was me and her just the two of us, playing in the yard...there were a lot of things in that small box, and he was the first to see them after me. The shower I needed badly....When I got out, I put my robe on, not bothering to tie it up, it wasn't like I had an actual bedroom here. I went to my closet, and found something to wear.

2391 Eagle :
She was angry now . I was a ways away when I caught her words and started walking back. This was too much! She wasn't going to let it go. I had a few choices, I could walk away, even though I had started walking toward her . Or We could go some where and finish thrashing it out and see where it led us . Did I want to? I didn't know but I had turned and I was walking toward her. I guess I would.
She had turned now, not waiting . So who was walking away from this .. Whatever it was that we were having. Resignedly I followed. I wasn't going to chase her, I would walk.
I let the whole of her conversation go through my head one more time as I climbed the steps to her apartment. A lot of it was just garbage she had used to get me here. She knew I had never treated her like a whore. She also knew that I did listen to her. As a matter of fact, from all the trash she was throwing at me, she was the one who wasn't hearing what I was saying!
She had succeeded in turning up my temper yet one more time. I reached the landing her apartment was on and saw the open door, and stamped in.

2391 Did you happen to look in the box under my bed Eagle? Did you? This is all I have Eagle, Char don nay kept me locked in a cell for a year, most things that I had that were really important to me, She wouldn't let me have. I'm not allowed to visit my brothers, your friend finds a way to avoid me at every turn. I don't have anything special aside from those photos, that box and well, I guess I don't have you either. So forgive me if I've been a little hesitant about sharing what's important to me, I have hardly even been at home since you were here last, because every single time that I am, I pull out that box...and think about all the stupid shit I've done to screw things up. I'm not going to apologize for that box. I'm not going to apologise for not expecting you to show up, next time I'll leave everything out on the damn coffee table and you can snoop through it for yourself. Hell, you should talk. At least I can look at you and tell you how I feel, you can't even do that. You want to know me Eagle? I'M THE WHORE Eagle, I'm the girl that everybody wants to screw--and nobody wants to listen to. NOT EVEN YOU! Isn't that right Eagle. Well fuck that, I've never been a whore. I'm just a woman, I've been walked on, beaten up, spit on...Hell I've even been robbed since I moved in to this hole. But ok, let me just dump my most valuable possessions on the table to be stolen. Everybody fucks up Eagle...even you. Everybody has thier week of avoiding things, of not taking care of themselves. I have never and will never buy flowers for myself. I will never put a table cloth on my antique table, and fuck you for not telling me I was wrong when you thought it.

Having gotten what I planned on being the last word, I went back to my apartment, leaving the door open. I pulled that box out, and carefully put it's contents on the table. Grandma's pearl necklace, she gave it to me when I was 10, the year before she died.

Continued:
I took the deep red paint and wrote in large letters I love you , but no . I quietly packed some of my things and left the apartment. I went to the one place I new he would never think to look, Rhett's. Then I changed my mind and came back. Brian was still asleep. I put my things away, wiped the but no off the wall and wrote yes, instead.

Sheridan:
I finally Dipped a brush into the thick gel of color and timidly began to paint. As I went along my strokes became bolder and my thoughts and feelings became the bright splashes of color on my walls, then on my canvases. I thought only in terms of color not shape or structure. Then reality slammed into my thoughts.
I was going to have a child. The thought of a baby was not an unpleasant one, I loved children, I just would have liked a little more time before plunging into the world of childhood. I would have this child and I would love it . Once again it seemed Brien had taken control of my life, would never let me go!
I left a note for my love on the table, I'm showering , was all it said. I would tell him the rest later.
I wrapped my silk robe around me and stepped into the bedroom. Brian was there asleep on the bed. He would be a rumpled mess when he woke up. I took his shoes off and set them on the floor and pulling a blanket from the closet, covered him. I knelt on the floor and watched as he slept. I loved this man and because I did l would give him up. After a while I rose and gently kissed his hair . I would , couldn't ask him to raise his father's child.

2391 Continued.
As soon as I got it all out I felt relief . The only thing I regretted was yelling.
She had just told me that she loved me and now she looked like a deer caught in the headlights of a car. I didn't know what to do so I left.

Marijuana came after me blocking my way. I moved around her and continued down. Stopping momentarily I answered, repeating her question. Would I mind coming back to your apartment, Yes I would mind and I added, I have never in my life spoken that way to a woman before. I am too far out of control ! So no, I will not go back to your apartment. The thing , as you call it with your mother . Here I continued down the steps, Why don't you start thinking of her as a person Marijuana . Go ahead and say her name Char don nay! Char is a friend of mine . Show some respect for my friends, I always have for yours! I REALLY do not want to do this now Marijuana. I said, as we broke through the lobby door and out into the night air. I kept walking , then stopped abruptly . As for your apartment, do you really want to know what I think about that? I was moving again, when she didn't move I said over my shoulder , didn't think so!
She had done it again, the steam inside me was coming to a boil again and I started to Jog. She had taken the time to think and was now beside me
again. The apartment I said, is just that Marijuana, an apartment . It isn't
yours . I stopped the jog and walked instead. She started to object but I stopped her. When I opened that door earlier tonight and looked around I couldn't find anything of you there. Yes, yes, you have pictures. They don't seem to be special to you . Nothing in there seems to be anything but what it is. No special touches, table cloth nothing! You could spend all that money on flowers, that you weren't even sure would reach me but, couldn't find the time to get any for yourself.
Marijuana, I can't magically make you love yourself. Until you start to do that,you can't love someone else. I think the reason I came to see you tonight was to see if you had yet.
You .. you ... Take care of yourself.

2391 I didn't know...I'm sorry, please... He began to yell, and all I could do was pull away from him, my heart in my throat. Why hadn't he said anything? I had been selfish, cruel even... And once again I felt like a little girl... only this time I stopped myself...he was trying to walk out on me, now that his steam had run out. This was not me, and I would not continue to allow him to think it was. I ran after him, I had gotten fast this past week, and I cut him off. I asked him if he would mind coming back in, so that we could finish this conversation in private rather than in the hallway. I let him know I intended to finish it.
I explained to him that I had thought it wasn't good enough because his reactions to me and it had been less than supportive, and I had been pulling away because I was realizing how much he meant to me; I am sorry about the whole mess with my mother, I hadn't meant to hurt you, yes, I had been stupid, selfish, and nasty. I'm sorry, don't you get it? I've been trying to convince myself that I didn't care about you, and look where it got me, absolutely nowhere. So go ahead and do whatever you want, but it isn't going to change how I feel. Now, I need to go and buy some real food before I starve, would you mind giving me a ride to the gocery store, it's kinda hard to run with a cart full of groceries?

2391 continued
I'm begining to get angry with her. I can feel it coming to the surface and I find my voice not rise but lower. I tell her all the things i've held back ! How I felt about the way she talked to Char in front of me. How much of a whore she made me feel, when she talked about Po' telling her how it was to make l excuese me have sex with me. How much I disliked the my last visit here. Her insunation about my wanting to sleep in my own bed . She seemed to be saying to me that nothing she had was good enough. THEN i YELLED AT HER

2391 Eagle

It has been a week since she drove me home that day. I know she has been sending me flowers , everywhere and I've been told that my front stoop looks like someone died there. Tributes to the dead someone said. I don't know how I feel. So I came here,to see what it is that she wants to say to me.
I wanted to be here alone, so I waited until she was gone and then came up. I was looking for something but, I don't know what. When She came in she seemed glad to see me. Said that she missed and loved me . I hear her words but they are just that , words . I'm not sure what is going to happen I just don't know. She doesn't look well and I'm begining to worry about her.

2391 I buried myself so heavily into my work that my daily routine consisted of waking up, drinking an energy shake, work, another energy shake, and sleep. When they wouldn't let me work, I started running, and decided that I didn't need a car, I sold it quickly. Now my daily routine consisting of waking, running and the energy shake, work, another run, a small dinner, and sleep. Concerned, My boss told me I could either take a vacation, or find another job. I told her I would take the vacation, and she told me that she would see me in two weeks. It had felt like a year since I had seen him last, it had only been a week. I was a mess, I had fallen for him, just like I told myself I wouldn't. Eagle hadn't tried to call, or visit. I had red roses delivered to his house, and anywhere else I thought he might be. I had instructed them that if he wasn't there or expected to be there that they should be delivered to his home. Each bunch contained a note saying: Eagle, I'm sorry. I love you, please come see me, I'll be at home, I hope you haven't lost the key... I miss you -- Marijuana. In an hour I recieved a call from the florist, letting me know that all of the roses had been delivered to his home. All I could do now is wait. I am not good at waiting, I left a note on the door: I'll be back shortly, Marij. and went for a run, I must have run about 100 miles by the time he came. I walked in, hoping to see him; and there he was. I couldn't have been happier than I was at that moment. He was looking at the contents of my kitchen, all that I had in there was fruit, some vegetables, whatever it was that I put into those energy drinks I'd been living off of. 'You're not taking very good care of yourself.' he said, turning towards me. 'no' I replied, I walked over to the refridgerator, pulling out yet another energy drink. 'I've missed you so much.'

2391 Eagle :
When Marijuana came over the other day and Was on the phone with her mom, I just couldn't believe what she was saying but, hey, her business right. She looked beautiful, she always did. Then later Char called. I knew Marijuana didn't want her to know she was here so I just pretended she wasn't. Not an easy thing for me. She was coming and I knew it. I gave Marijuana the chance to rebuff me. I thought I was acting way over the top. But I guess I went over board and well. When Char came I let her in. No sense in hiding, I would face the music. Char was different now, somehow and I realized that she was a mother, not just the person I always saw her as. I felt strange. After her mom left she wanted sex. I let her lead me into my bedroom. I am a sap.
I could feel her pulling away, inside herself and I knew she was about to leave me. So I tried to make it easy for her the next time I saw her. Eagle the phony!

2391 marijuana cont'd-- I watched him carefully, while I set dinner on the table. He was looking the photos I had mounted on the wall; Family, Friends, Places I'd been, and some autographed photos of mom's friends. I grasped his hand and asked him simply if he was hungry.

We ate, and though I doubted he'd use it I handed him his own key to my new apartment, I admitted to him that I didn't think he'd be likely to use it much, but if he wanted to, he would at least know that he was welcome. I secretly hoped that I wasn't falling in love with him; I also hoped that if I was, that I wasn't the only one. I'd had plenty of that already with Giran. I thought about it, and came to the realization that the only other man I had continued to sleep with while I was with Giran had been Eagle. Things were getting too serious. I asked Eagle if he wanted me to take him home, since I had done what I had brought him here for. Eagle didn't know what was going on in my head (I hoped), but I didn't know what he was thinking either.
I had been right. Mother hadn't been the one to make me feel like a child, I had done it myself. I looked down at my plate, stood and put the dirty dishes in the sink. Let me take you home Eagle, I'm not feeling so much like company as when I brought you here, and you'll want your own bed to sleep in. I wouldn't let him kiss me, he hadn't done anything wrong; I just want-I don't know what I want Eagle.

continued:
Dionne' did like to dance and a few times I would catch her in the middle of one . She would be waltzing around the room with herself , like cinderella . I even joined her a few times.

With Brien II in jail, Dionne' went to stay with her son Lacey for a while.
I let her know that she was still welcome to stay if she felt the need and gave her a number to call if she needed to.
I guess I must have grown on her. She would call and Lee would let her know when I would be coming home.

She was fixing meals for me and attempting to leave before I got there. I caught her at it. Once when I got there she was backing out locking the door and I was there and I kissed her. I think that was the night we shared more than just a dinner and a dance, much more.

2391 Marijuana: I shook myself, WHAT I said to him, WHAT! It was difficult to be angry with Eagle kissing me, after all, that was part of the reason I had come here in the first place. I had a whole hour before she got here, I could... Eagle, I said, she'll kill you. He didn't seem concerned, and I gave in to him.

She hadn't lied, an hour later she knocked on his door. I was entirely to satisfied to move from where I was laying. Unfortunately, it would not prove productive to be seen this way in his living room. Of course, I didn't know what Eagle would do. He had proven to be somewhat unpredictable. I stood, dressed, and got prepared to either kill her, or lie to her; I hadn't decided which would be my path of choice. I had thought that Eagle would put more than a towel on when he answered it. I tidied up, I didn't want her to know how long I had been there...though knowing my mother, she had already felt the engine of my car to see if it was warm or not. I stopped, sat on the couch, and began to look for apartments as I should have been earlier, before I found out Eagle was home. I couldn't help but smile at the thought of him. oh yes, an apartment.

I turned the infernal phone back on, she couldn't call, she didn't need to. She was standing in the doorway. I was hoping that it would ring... It didn't. Eagle had invited her in. I looked up as she walked into the room, she was going to kill me. What is it mom? I have to find an apartment to stay in when Eagle wants his other girlfriend to stay here with him. I was being obnoxious, but I thought it was funny, and smiled. Her eyes turned red, mom I said, what is it that you want me to say? I want you to tell me that you haven't been sleeping with Him-again. Mother, that would be lying. I have been sleeping with Eagle. If you'd like to know what it's like though, you'll have to ask Po'Em, If I was going to tell you it would have happened when you made me a prisoner in my room. I'm a big girl mom, if I need to find my own place I will. I have a good job, and a place to stay if I don't find a place right off. In fact, I've had a key here since about two days after graduation. You want this she asked me...I just want the opportunity to do what makes me feel good, without a guilt trip from you. It's amazing that you haven't said anything about the other photos you've undoubtedly seen of me.

When exactly do you want my stuff out of my room? You have until the end of the month to have all of your things out of my house she told me. Just as I said on the phone with you earlier. I will not have you as a live-in role model for Homer and Socrates. I bit my tongue, and watched her leave. I downed the rest of whatever it was I had poured myself earlier. I hadn't yelled, cussed, or anything like that. If it had been anywhere but here, it would have been worse. I was numb, completely numb. The hand holding my glass was limp. Eagle took it from me, setting it down on the table. He sat next to me, pulling me close. I couldn't cry in his arms, I just couldn't. It was just not something I was ready to do with him. I stood, and the tears ignored my mind, trickling down my face. I couldn't stand, and so I fell back into Eagles arms. I put my head on his chest and cried. I didn't love him, I knew he didn't love me... I looked up at his face, searching for something... All I found was an intense desire for him. Fighting this feeling was almost as hopeless as my situation with my parents. I kissed him, and taking his hand, I led him into bed. When I woke the next morning, I called in to work, telling them I was sick. Eagle was busy with his normal morning workout, and I got busy looking for a new place to live. I may stay here a lot, but I still needed my own place. I called a few places, and let Eagle know that I was going to be out looking at places.
I called Po'Em, and had her come with me. I found a place that I could live with, at about 3pm, after an entire day of searching. I could move in that night if I wanted. I had the utilities turned on, and after dropping Po back at home, I went to mom and dad's house. I gave the twins each a hug, who knew when I'd get to see them again, no thanks to mom. I started packing my things, my blankets, clothes, photos, everything. I didn't forget my juicer, they weren't going to use it anyways.

I had some friends help me move stuff into the new place, and I took a cab back over to Eagle's... I didn't even have a couch to sleep on yet. I made it to the chair in his room, and I was asleep. i woke sometime in the dark, and lay next to him. I woke with his arms wrapped around me. I kissed his cheek, and carefully maneuvered out of bed, took a shower, and got ready for a day at work. Eagle was still on his vacation, but he should have been awake by now. I made breakfast, and all the morning stuff. Then I took it in to him, and woke him up gently, telling him I would call later.

After work, I went to the new apartment, and got to work making it look like I lived there. I had found some furniture, and dishes, all the things I knew I would need. When I was done, it was time for dinner. I called Eagle, and told him that I needed his help with something...I would pick him up in about an hour.

I brought him back with me, it wasn't as plush as his home, but I wasn't rich...I wanted to know what he thought, but I wanted him to look around first. I told him to go ahead and check things out, I would make dinner. I watched him explore while I cooked. He looked in my closet, carefully examining it's contents.
It's nice he said to me, you did well. I heard something in his voice which might suggest that he would have preferred my moving in with him.

2391 The phone rang and I picked it up. Hi Char how are things , tour going well? You what ok I'll tell her next time I see her. No problem Bye. I went back to the hot tub and kissed Marijuana's back, her neck, her lips. Your mother called I said as I kissed her deeply . She says she will see you in about an hour.

She looked at me and blushed. I stood and walked to her table . Her eyes followed me traveling from my boots to, well lets just say that by the time I reached the table she had found my face.
I introduced myself, she nodded and took my hand.
I put my other hand at her waist to guide her. The orchestra started playing and she lifted her hand,the one I held , above her head and turned into me,my other hand still at her waist. Seems she wanted to dance. So I obliged her. My mother raised a gentleman and no gentleman makes a woman look or feel foolish , especially not in public.

We danced ,ate dinner talked, she talked , and drank.
She was dressed seductively . The dress itself followed the lines of her body without clinging and was backless. I have a weakness for backs and waists. I'm not a breast or butt man.
A smile spread across my face and she blushed. She needed help and I was ready to supply it. There couldn't be a safer place her. Brien II would never look there. I said that I was seldom there , on the road most of the time and that the house was big enough that she didn't even have to see me if she didn't want to. Then I asked if she had a better offer.

Inside of me I prayed that I would never see BrienII . My mother had taught me a lot and I would be forced to find a way to kill hem. I forced my thoughts away. Away from my niece , Dionne's son was he taking care of Sheri ? My mind came back to the present and I said , Tomorrow then? You'll come. I will be here at 10 am to get you . I walked to her room with her and checked it out. Then I waited outside until I heard the click of the lock. Then I said good night.

Russ:
I called ahead and reserved my usual table. One of the perks of being me. The quiet one I added,I have a song playing in my head, so is you could supply- Yes, thank you. I should be in about 8 then, and I signed off.
I used the transport right after the show. Traveling this way cleans,debugs,showers and decontaminated you , so that by the time you reach your destination you arrive like brand new.
Lynn commented on my leather suit saying she likes the cut of it. I thanked her and she let me lead the way to my table. She checked everything and took my order. One hour please, she nodded. My bottle of Rum ,dark, arrived . I poured myself a drink .

I took my first swallow ,picked up my pen and the music flowed onto the pages , then the words joined it. It had taken only twenty minutes.
I finished what was in my glass and started another. Now I was relaxed. I heard a murmured conversation going on near me and looked around for the source. It came from a table not far away. I took another drink and as I watched her and listened I realized who it must be , my niece Sheridan's friend, Dionne' King , that was her name now. She was playing with a couple of rings . One on a chain around her neck and the other she held in her hand. I sat listening to her talk , and drink. Her bottle was emptying faster than mine. Then she kept asking were she could go, hide. By this time I was beginning to feel apart of the conversation and so I said, you can stay with me.

It wasn't too long after the Valentines dance that Ransom came to me, and spilled his guts. I of course knew that he had a great talent for getting what he wanted, right up front. So not trusting him, I told him he was nuts. I never expected that he was telling the truth. After that, he wouldn't back off, he was everywhere. Roses in my locker, all kinds of things that earlier this year, he would have seen as damaging to his image... I knew I loved him, and that feeling got stronger as his attention continued. Finally, I had to end it. I couldn't take it any longer, this all had to stop. The next time I saw him, he was begging again, I backed him into a corner, and said I would see him after school.

When I saw him, I told him there was only one way I would finally believe what he had been saying. I kissed him, with all the passion I had been building up inside. When I felt him respond, I knew what I was going to do. I pulled away, looked up at him, and asked him. Do you seriously, truly with all your heart want this for the rest of your life? He responded with yes, Dionne, it is. and I said, I'm all yours then Ransom King, sealing my promise with another kiss.
In April, it was final. He was headed off to the Space Academy after school ended that year.

I wrote him every day, while he was gone. He only got mail once a week, so in return, he would write one letter weekly, covering all the letters he had gotten from me the week before. It was strenuous waiting to be in his arms again.

Ransom : He Thought it all out and there was only one way he could be sure that she would wait for him and not forget him all together. One never knew and it was sooo true in his. He Ransom, without asking Belize, would go for broke and tell Dionne how he felt and If it didn't work he would beg plead and hound her until she admitted that she loved him, and did marry him. The words would come out the way they should he knew from experience they would.

Po'Em:
He was gone. Just like that! He must have memorized it before he came into the room. Well except the part when he got mad anyway. Thank god he hadn't knocked, if he had knocked she would have known it was all over.
She looked down at the long sleeved cashmere sweater dress she had worn to remind herself that sex,with Hennesy,was not the reason she was here to see him right now and laughed . She couldn't help it. Shock she thought, it must be shock. She put both hands across her stomach and sat down on the bed. She wanted him to stay so she could tell him he was wrong. All my men ? Why she had been practially celibate for heavens sake!
Until recently (once )and it was only one other man besides, Matt. The rest was just angry talk to Marijuana. I should have respect, for those drunks who would promise anything,ask me anything if they thought it would get them between my sheets! Me, me childish, Now I was working myself up. I almost called Marijuana,to bitch her out . Was she telling Hennesy about everything and every move I made? I was begining to hyper-ventilate. I couldn't catch my breath. I grabbed the plastic bag from the bed and put it to my mouth. Stupid! It's suposed to be paper! I sat down again and tried to slow my breathing, taking deep lungs full of air slowly filling my lungs and then slowly letting is out again . After a while it worked.
Hennesy had just, for the first time in our lives together, said I love you . Not ,me too, or ya , but - I love you . He said that I was important to him! Marry him, oh god ,YES. yes I would marry him. I picked the ring box up off the bed and opened it. Wedding bands . They were beautiful .
I went to search for him in the first place I thought he might be waiting for me, his office, but as I passed the small chappel I saw him just sitting, and I went in. Hennesy, is that you? He stood, and came out. We found a quiet place on deck . He was still a little surly and stood next to me his hands on the rail, waiting. Look at me Hennesy. He turned but we still hadn't touched . Hennesy, I said again , I love you too. And , was the next word out of his mouth. AND, he asked. And, Yes I will marry you.

2391 Marijuana thought her parents might be catching on to what she had been doing in her spare time...the next chance she got, she went home. The juicer was still sitting in it's box on the counter, untouched. Dad had left a note for her, mom's tour had been extended, but they would be home in about a month.

I opened up the juicer and put it to work, had to be something I could put in it! Yes! I've invented my new favorite juice. Pineapple, banana, passionfruit, and strawberry.....yummy! I poured my fresh juice into a glass, and the rest into a pitcher, and then in the fridge. I thought about getting some exercise, and why not, I went out for a swim, when I got bored with that, I tried something else, and about the only exercise I wanted involved a bed. I drove over to Eagle's, and prayed that he would be there.

He wasn't, I made myself some more juice, and plopped on the couch. Immediately upon sitting down, my cell started ringing. I looked to see who it was, it wasn't Eagle, but it might do for a distraction. I answered, It was my little brother well one of them. What do you want Homer? Mom sent us home, where are you at? I'm at a friends house. When do you think you'll be back here to make us dinner? Since when do I have to make you dinner? Well, somebody has to, unless you want us to burn the house down trying to cook for ourselves? How about I order you a pizza? I might be a while. Ok, can we get all our favorites on it...? Yea sure. I'll be paying ahead for it, so you shouldn't need anything, there's some fresh juice in the fridge you can drink. And you know the rest of the rules. I got off the phone, and thought to myself, now there goes a great month I could have spent here.
When Eagle arrived about a half hour later, I was in the hot tub, trying to figure out how this would work with me having to take care of the twins. Stinking 11 year olds. In actuality, I didn't have a clue that He had gotten home, So I sat in the bottom half of my bikini, muttering to myself about how mom must have heard something, and this was her way of trying to control me. Couldn't they just send the twins off to camp, like normal parents? No, of course not. Normal parents don't name thier children after drugs, or ancient philosophers. DAMN! And then again with the cell phone! I picked it up from the side of the hot tub. Hello. Mom now. Mom, I'm fine, I'm in the middle of a session here. yes with Chrissy. They are fine mom, I had pizza sent over right after I heard they had gotten home. Mom, I gotta go. No you don't have to get off the phone she said to me. You need to get the hell away from Eagle. I don't know what you're talking about mom. I'm not stupid Marijuana, I am sitting here looking at a photo of you having a very intimate dinner with him. Mom, can we talk about this in person when you're done with your tour? Fine she says, have it your way, we'll be home in time to help you move into your new apartment. WHAT? If you aren't going to follow the rules, you can use your job to take care of yourself. Find a new place to live, and have your things packed when we return. You want things your way, and now you've got it. She hung up on me! Now I needed an apartment, and I had to take care of the buttheads til mom and dad got home. Time to get out the laptop. I pulled myself out of the steaming water, and went inside. I grabbed one of Eagle's shirts to put on, and sat back on the couch, pulling my laptop out of my bag. Looking up, I could see Eagle in the kitchen, getting his juice. Always with the juice.
It relaxed me just to see him, and I set the computer down, moving for the kitchen. I put my arms around him, and kissed his back. You are a beautiful man Eagle. I really wanted something stronger than juice, but I settled for my creation instead. I had to figure something out, this was just too much. Again with the stinkin phone! I grumbled as I went looking for it. Hello? I forgot something my mother's voice said. What did you forget mom? Two things, you need to drop off the twins at camp thursday. What's the other thing mom? I headed for Eagle's bar. If you move in with him, I will burn his ass alive. MOM! Do you get pleasure out of this? I'm here trying to have a productive session with the masseuse, and you feel it neccessary to kick me out, force me to babysit, and threaten people I care about! I'll deal with you when you get home, call me again, and Eagle won't be the one to get burned! IT'll be YOU! With that said I turned off my phone. Poured myself a drink of something from the bar, turned and headed back to the hot tub. I took off his shirt, and climbed right back in. There was just no dealing with that woman. I wasn't a little girl anymore, not by any means; and she wasn't going to make me feel like one again. I thought about it, and called her back. Hey, I forgot one more thing, the juicer I bought you guys...I'm KEEPING IT. and turned off my phone again.

2391 Marijuana could definitely deal with this day. Her boss was seeing her potential, Eagle wanted to take her out in public...

Things with work were indeed improving, she had been given a promotion and a raise, people didn't look at her like she was just a kid when they came in...She knew how to help them, the other girls that worked there still needed some training, she would have to schedule a session, Sunday would work just fine.

That Sunday, she began boot camp...these girls would be prepared to do their job the right way next time she saw them. No more jeans and wrinkled shirts...they were employees not customers. It took about 3 sessions to get them completely straightened out. Of course, she only was willing to give up one Sunday a month to do it. She had better things to do...

Po'Em still didnt understand what would cause me to bar her from the Whale. I decided to make it clear to her. I walked into the room, and said to her, think about it Po, you have all these men offering thier lives and hearts to you...You'd think that you could have some respect for them. Here's something for you to think about while you're not busy having sex. I tossed the box holding that diamond ring on the bed....it's time to make a decision about what's important to you. I have already given you enough reason to believe that you were special to me, very special. I love you Po, and either you marry me, or I'm getting the hell out of here and you can keep your damn boat, your men, and your childish behavior...you aren't 14 anymore Po! I had gotten angry, and before I said anything else, I slammed the door and left her alone.

Po'Em waited for in the suite for Hennesy. She already knew that he was aware of her being there. What she wasn't sure of was how she would be greeted. Or why she had been banned. She had racked her brain, gone through every, almost every move she had made and couldn't figure it out. She wanted to know. Depending on that answer she wanted to ask him another. She would just have to wait.

2391 Marijuana, I need you to take a look at this and tell me what you think we should order... It was one of those catalogues from the main headquarters, I sat down and went to work, lunch time came around, and I listened to my messages, Eagle wanted know if he could pick me up, and take me to Spangles for dinner later...hmmm well yes, of course he could. I called him back, and got- an answering service? I'd ask him later what that was all about.

2391 Eagle had arranged to take a month off. Starting right now! He decided to say he was going out of town so that he wouldn't be bothered by pesky people. He was having his calls all of them directed to an answering service. That would take care of that. They knew who to put through. He needed time. He called Marijuana, left a message and sent out his cleaning. Skip came once a month to collect them and would bring them back the next day or so. He had an ordered life for the most part. Now was way past workout time, he better get going most of his morning was gone and he couldn't account for it. Too much thinking and too little movement .

2391 Eagle finished the sauce set it aside Kissed Marijuana and she was gone. Excuse me she kissed me and was gone. I headed toward the living room and walked into Ell with our drinks. Well now they were all over us. She had to get the tea out of the dress, quickly. I told her to help herself, she knew where things were . I grabbed some things from my room and was out of her way. I told her to help herself if she needed clothes. I quickly changed in the other bath and tossed the clothes in the hamper. I would never be able to wear them again. Cleaned up the mess and was just putting food on the table when she came back in wearing Marijuana's skirt and one of my shirts. She looked hilarious! I laughed at her and sent her back to take off the skirt. And don't ruin it . When Ell and I were done with dinner we talked a bit more about general things . Like what was I doing with that little girl. It bothered me that she had called Marijuana a little girl and I asked where she had put the skirt. Ell looked at me for a long time after telling me it was on the bed and that she had been careful with it.
Then she turned my head towards her looking in my eyes and told me again that it was fine, that she hadn't intended to wear it and was sorry. I believed her. Shall we clean up before getting down to business? YES was the answer I gave and so we did. Ell is my manager and we have never had sex, together that is, it would complicate everything. I think at different times we've thought about it though. About 1 o'clock she finally left and I went to bed.

Aiden Cash (not continued)--There were only a few more things to tweak to make the security system mom and dad let me install work perfectly. Too bad I hadn't had a chance to fix it before a bunch of government agents ripped the house apart, looking for me, or my weapons plans at the least. We barely got out alive.

Aiden Cash--I've been working on this thing, and my 14th birthday wasn't going to distract me from it. Neither was school for that matter. I told mom and dad I didn't want a party. I had weapons to design, security issues to address. The current project was a plane of sorts. Capable of leaving earth's atmosphere, and returning without exploding. I just had to build it now. I had tested my materials, figured out the schematics, the armaments, and the costs. I went to dad first, he would understand. He couldn't understand however, what I would need over a million dollars for. I had to show him my plans, tests, everything. Dad was both impressed and scared I think. This was the first glimpse he had gotten of what exactly it was that I did when I wasn't in school.

School, was the most boring experience of anything. The courses that sounded interesting seemed like they were planned for preschoolers, maybe that was just me though. My teachers didn't know what to do with me, to keep me interested, so they gave me projects to do. It was still easy. I went to the principal, and asked him to allow me to work on an independant study for a year. He wanted to know what kind of things I would be studying, and I told him, I was going to design a defense weapon for the Space Station. He laughed at me and I walked out, walking downtown to Cash Enterprises, maybe if I talked to dad, he could have it out with the principal to let me do it for credit in school, instead of just having hobby time to work on it. Or maybe I could even get out of school all together!

2391 (Continued) If he did bring someone else with him, she left...I heard him walk into the room, not stumbling, and he didn't turn and walk out after seeing me either. I heard the shower start, and then stop. I could smell him getting closer, I opened my eyes, and he was looking down at me, a smile on his face.

Did I fall asleep? I asked in a groggy voice. He lifted me, set me in a chair, and pulled the covers back on the bed, I still wasn't quite aware that I wasn't dreaming. He lifted me again, and placed me back on the bed under the sheets, and blankets. I curled right up next to him, and slept again. When I woke, he was in bed next to me, already awake, and watching me...I saw him as though for the first time, not remembering his homecoming.

You're back! and then, Oh gosh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to fall asleep in your bed, I just...he interrupted me with "It's ok, I'm glad you're here." We made breakfast together, and after eating, I had to get ready for work. I took a shower, got dressed and ready to go, I didn't know if I should come back to him tonight, or wait for him to call, so I decided that I would leave him my Cell phone number, and I told him if he needed anything, he should call me, I'd be out of work at 6pm.

Work was...well how fun can it be working with stupid people. These people didn't know how to place product, how to present product, hell they didn't even know how to use the cash register. I would have to work extra hard today just to fix everything the people had screwed up while I wasn't there. I looked at them clumsily folding sweaters, and decided that today, I was going to prove exactly how much I knew about retail environments. I stopped the girls, and demanded that they figure it out the right way. Then I organized them, and made them help me move things around. My supervisor came out from her office, and stood there watching. She had given up on them long ago, but I wasn't about to. I had an energy flowing through me, that I had almost forgotten. By lunch I had moved every single garment to a new home. When it was time to go home, there had actually been an increase in customers.

I was tired, and I'd have to go back home and meet mom and dad now. The question was, how in the heck was I going to cover up this key around my neck?
When mom and dad (Char and Rudy to everyone else) got home and asked about it, I just bragged about my new necklace, it would be the next "cool" thing soon. I stayed for dinner, and decided that I would visit the natural foods shop, I had noticed Eagle was running low on some things, and my parents needed to eat healthier too.
I picked up some fruit and veggies, a juicer for dad, and a recipe book as well. When I left there, I saw a little shop around the corner, a book store. I went in for a better look. I picked up a book, filled with photographs; looking at them, I saw the most wonderful photographs of the original hollywood movie stars...I had to have it. I asked them to wrap it for me, after I had written a note on the inside cover. I went over to give it to Eagle, I walked in (he gave me the key remember!) said hello to the woman he was entertaining at the time, she asked me if I didn't know how to knock, and I explained to her that I had a key. I went into the kitchen with the book and the food I had brought, said hello to Eagle with a kiss, put the food away... I pulled the last thing out of my bag, and set in on the counter near him, so that he would see it. I told him to open it, I could take over cutting up the vegetables. He opened it, and I watched his eyes light up. He thanked me for it, and I told him not to forget his friend in the other room. I gave him a kiss, telling him I was going to go grab my stuff from earlier, get my duffel bag out of his way. I left him to finish making dinner, and grabbed my things from where ever I could remember leaving something. I stuffed everything in my bag, and when I passed his guest again, she looked as though she was about to leave. I walked over to her, and let her know that I was just picking up my things, I had been watching the house for him while he was gone.. I walked through the kitchen on my way out, and told him to call me when it was safe for me to come back. I gave him a kiss that he couldn't forget, and left. I was in a good mood.

2391 HOLY crap, Po! Guess where Marijuana is....I didn't expect it, and I didn't plan it, but here I sit, in Eagle's kitchen. I only came to apologize, since I knew it hadn't been fair to him, and I couldn't do it sooner because I've been in lockdown. I've been here with him for about three days! He had to leave this morning, and he told me I could stay while he was gone for a few days...so he left, and half an hour later he was back; oh my gosh Po'Em, he had a key made for me, a silver key...

I never expected this with Eagle Po, I just felt bad about it... I think I'm gonna have to go home though, I forgot my cellphone, and mom's flipping out right now, I just know it; I'll have a full voice-mail...plus, I gotta take care of the plants and stuff...

Marijuana went home, and found her cell-phone, just as she had expected it was ringing... hi mom, sorry, I lost my phone. Yes I know, uh huh, I'll take care of it mom. Are you having fun? ok, tell daddy I love him...bye mom, love you too.

Good, mom and dad were taken care of, now to get these plants watered, and clean up a bit, can't clean my room too much, because they'll know I haven't been here. The house-work finished, I could relax. I fell on my bed, clutching the silver key around my neck. I didn't want to have to wear Eagles clothes next time I saw him, so I packed up a small bag...a duffel bag, you know, some clothes, makeup, stuff that could be thrown back in the bag easily... something nice, a bunch of casual stuff.

Po called back, not believing that I was telling the truth, so I told her she should come over and see the key for herself, I was at home. I lay in my bed, unable to stop thinking about him. Po walked into my room and I sat up, trying to pull the key over my head, but I couldn't he had tied it just right, so that it wouldn't fit over my head. Po came over and sat on the bed, taking the key in her hand, and said ok, it's a silver key, does it work...? My response was that I had some stuff I wanted to take over there anyway, so she may as well come with me.

We went over to Eagle's house, and tested the key, much to both of our suprise, it did work, and we went inside. Believe it now? Ok she said. I dropped my bag by the couch, and left with Po for coffee. We chatted for a while, and Po left to do some more work on her whale. I went back to Eagles, tidied up a bit from the last two days, and went back to my parents house.

I returned again to Eagles, just to make sure I was there before he got back. I fell asleep on his bed, not in it, I just needed to smell his scent. He came home late that night, I don't know if he was alone or not, it didn't matter much...I was too tired to think.

2391 April Continued: Eagle carried her to the extra large tub and they washed and explored each other. He let her go through his clothes to choose something to put on. Eagle didn't seem worried that she would find something that was not his. That made her happier about what she had done. They spent the next two days together like this and then Eagle had to go. He told her if she wanted she could stay he would only be gone two, three days at most. He told her once again how wonderful she was, kissed her and was gone. Half an hour later he was back. He had a sterling sliver key made for her. He slid a ribbon through the hole in the Key and tied it around her neck. Kissing her once more he left.

2391 Continued: The next day Eagle pulled himself together and went to see Henry Cash and family. When the door opened it was Po'Em who stood there. I should like to speak to your parents Po' Em ,may I come in? She seemed ready to say something then changed her mind. Leaving the door for me to close , she led me to a comfortable looking room and shut the doors after her I asked her to open them and she did. She sat in one of the chairs and I sat across from her. She started to apologize and I stopped her. Then she just came out with it. She had been angry a controlled anger and Had told her mother what it was like to have sex with Him. She was sorry she really was and was there any way to make it better . Eagle rose,told her no and left. There was no way he would see them again for a long time.

Eagle had just finished his work out and was pleased with the results he had been getting since he had changed his regime. He had just finished pouring his carrot juice, when he heard the door bell ring. He set the glass down and went to answer it. Marijuana he said, come in. She was wearing a mid length skirt that floated around her as she walked and a light weight cashmere sweater. She walked in the same hip swaying way he remembered.
eagle offered her juice and she accepted it, then set it down. She turned and offered her apologies for last year. She had it planned just right and was now close enough to touch him. She lightly touched his arm as she apologized for everything she or Po'Em had done to cause him problems.
He accepted, adding that he had not been blameless. She moved closer. Eagle was now pinned against the bar. Since he hadn't run for the hills Marijuana reached up took his face in her hands and brought his mouth down to hers, slowly and gently and kissed him. She let her hands slowly glide over his skin and undid his pants Then she let her skirt fall to the floor. His hands had removed her sweater before she realized he had done it. He lifted her up his body, the friction and tension building Eagle took her there as she sat on the back edge of the sofa. After that he gave himself over to her blissfully oblivious of anything but Marijuana. He felt that if he were to die now it would be a wonderful way to go.

2390 Eagle
I was home trying to calm myself. The director I had to deal with was driving me crazy! The phone was ringing off the hook . I ignored the phone and Instead of the fruit juice, which I should have been downing , I choose something from the hard liquor side of my bar. I downed three of them one after the other. Then I helped myself the water. Of course I know it should have been the other way around. Who cares now, it's over. That's when I realized there was someone banging on my door. The last thing I needed tonight was company . I answered it. Sarah was standing on my mat. Normally I would have been happy to see her, not tonight. She looked upset so I opened the door. She gave me a punch to the Stomach. She spends plenty of her time pounding metal to shape it into something artful so she had plenty behind that punch. I swear, if I had eaten before hand it would have been all over the floor. Not wanting my neighbors hearing or recording for prosperity any thing that might occur , I helped her into the house. ( I yanked her). Led her to a chair, I knew I didn't want to be close to her now. Then I went to the bar and poured another drink , and handed her water. I could tell that she was barely holding her self together. I stood over by the bar. Ok, what's wrong? I asked and she started to tell me. She asked about a house and did I go there. Easy one yes . She went on to ask and I saved her the trouble yes people have sex there if they want to . I have yes and then She asked if I had been having sex with her baby! No , I said I don't even know your daughter . She was loosing it. She pulled a picture out of her pocket and held it in front of my face as she told me this was her daughter. I managed to take hold of it and take a good look at it. I almost told her about my bad day but, decided that her's just might be worse than mine. Yes it might be . No, it is her. But I didn't know ..Then she was screaming again . There was a knock at the door and I went to see who it was. There was no way I was going to open that door. Sarah grabbed the picture from me and opened the door to leave . She stood looking at Henry for a brief moment, then she took his arm . The look he gave me well , does the expression if looks could kill have meaning for you. They left. I shut and locked the door. I went straight to my shower and stepped in clothes and all. What in the name of heaven had I been thinking, a teenager? As I stood there I thought about look a likes and realized that The other woman must have been Marijuana. It was and is unreal!

2390 Sarah Cash-- I couldn't believe it! Po'Em had asked us for help with her problem, and then tried to leave the house again, and I calmly told her No, it wasn't happening. In response, she sat on the sofa, and asked me if I wanted to know what sleeping with Eagle Monroe was like...without giving me time to speak, she began describing it to me, and I became blind with rage. I slapped her across the face, but she didn't stop. Henry came in and said something, and Po was on her way to her room. I was shaking uncontrollably. It had been a long time since Eagle and I had been in college together, he was my friend; and it never got further than that...though I did want it to.

My friend, and my close friend's brother, had been fucking my child. I walked out of the house, and banged on Eagle's door. I wanted to kill him, He couldn't get a word in edgewise. (he can tell you better what actually happened, because as I said before, I was in a rage, and a lot of it I just plain don't remember.)

2354 Dionne' and Ransom had been married almost four years but had spent only about 7 months together. Hardly your normal marriage.

Poems:
Death by Dylan
Death is a dark deceiver it promises you peace and calm.
It strikes like a bolt of lightening and sears like a branding iron.
It spreads pain like the ripples a stone makes when tossed into a pond.
Oh death is a great deceiver and the dead ,they have no more pain. But their loved ones are left to suffer like the ripples in the pond...

Why by Dylan
She lay in a pool of her own blood exactly where he left her to die.

He took a knife and he sliced clear through her neck .
She died because she protested and tried to save other lives
She died because of a cause, one she new nothing of.

She lay in a pool of her own blood exactly where he left her to die.

And all we are left to ask is why why why

She lay in a pool of her own blood exactly where he left her to die.


Us Two by Kate Gitano

He smiles at me and I drop my eyes afraid to looking into his.
He cups my chin in his hand and lifts my head hoping to catch the look, the truth in my eyes. His eyes I catch a twinkle and I know he has found the TRUTH I love him!

The Mirror by Sheridan Cassidy

She said smile and everyone will want to be your friend.
She said talk and others will talk to you.
So here I stand before my mirror smiling and It's smiling back.
I talk and she talks too!
The only problem is when I turn and walk out the door she doesn't.
She stays safely there in the mirror and I'm left to face the real world>

Ceritans, she wouldn't have sex with them. Marijuana unfortunately, fell head over heels for the Ceritan who owned the house. After that she seldom slept with others. Po'Em had her favorites too. Duncan, the babe who fixed the car and Hennesy. Hennesy was number one on her sex list. He could make love for hours. Fore play,after play and every sexual pleasure in between. Hennesy was then and still continued to be the best lay she had ever had and he just got better with time. Whenever Po'Em needed sex and she did need it,she could count on Duncan or Hennesy to supply it.

Po'Em and Marijuana were 14 years old when they discovered sex and 15 when their parents found out. There was hell to pay. Po'Ems' mom , Sarah , while in college had a friendship with and crush on Eagle Monroe. As it turned out Eagle admitted to having sex with both girls. He denied knowing who they were at the time. Po'em hadn't known that there was anything wrong with what she did. She enjoyed it , but she asked her parents for help all the same. They told her not to worry they would find someone to help her, someone she could talk to. Later that night when she just couldn't stand it any more . She tried to go out. Her mother stopped her with a no. Calm as could be no. Po was in no condition to take a calm anything, she put on her game face and sat down tucked her feet under her and quietly asked her mother if she would like to know what sex with Eagle Monroe was like. Once she started, she couldn't stop herself until She heard her father's voice commanding her to stop and go to her room. She went . Later she couldn't remember if her mother had said anything or if she had slapped . The second she was alone she made her panicked call to Hennesy, asking him to meet her some where , anywhere, that she needed him . Hennesy came . When Po'Em stopped calling them as often, Duncan and Hennesy both knew what kind of help she was getting. Soon her parents did too. They switched doctors and thought about whether it would better for their daughter to sue and bring the man up on charges.
The next doctor told them that she couldn't be helped if she wouldn't help herself. They either wanted to drug her up or lock her up. Duncan helped Po' more that any doctor. He had always treated her with respect and as a person, not just a sex toy. They became very close. Po'Em tried to channel her energy into a project . She took her Whale idea and had it built , with a little help from her parents.

I found Her!!!!!!
2384 Marijuana is 9 her parents are Chardonnay and Rudy
She has Two Brothers: Twins Socrates and Homer they are 4 years old this year.
Now didn't I say that she must be in that family?? Yes I did.
2399/8 June Socrates wed Chrissy
2399 March 19 ( they had a child who I guess wasn't named by us yet.)

2399 August 6 Homer died the same time as Breeze, Kitt Dean, Kendall , Angel and Ben Clay, Anna and David Walker, Brook's dad, Peggy, Joy and Austin.

Hospital: Latham, Eagle, Mercedes, Anita. Not sure if Socrates died too or not.
Machine gun fire automatically went off on stage and in audience. It was a huge event and was being telecast.

Continued:
Ariana Monroe:
Ariana Monroe a blanket did throw across the back of her mare. When all saddled up he mare she sat atop waiting to hear her name.
Ariana Monroe, it's your turn to go ,they announced over the speaker.
So she sat up straight praying they wouldn't be late making it over a jump.
Around the course they flew like a precision tool and never did they touch a crossbar.

Rebel Dean Hunter
I'm Rebel Dean Hunter Evangeline's brother and the son of Nicolette and River. I've role models a plenty , some people haven't any but, what will I do with my life?

Mercedes McGuire:
There once was a girl named Mercedes who wanted to send all men to Hades. And so was required that Miss McGuire would have her own way after all.

Anna Lewis:
Anna Lewis official greeta and glad to meet ya, Sorry Got to go, see ya!

Samanthia Hill:
Very few spills are taken by Sandy Hill, soccer player extrodinair.

Dion Chandler:
Dion Chandler is my name information is my game. So when I get the chance you'll find that I am the one who's on prime time!

Andre Chandler
Andre' Chandler, republican . If Andre' can't do it no one can. Here's another phrase your bound to here Chandler for chancellor.

Kitt Dean
My name is Kitt Dean,I'm not very mean and I think that a nice guy can finish first.

Jason Baylor
This rhyme has no basis in fact and is just a pitiful attempt to rhyme Jason Baylor with a name, like Tina Taylor, so that I may be done with this task.

Continue:
Lionel Chandler was a wild animal handler A working for the circus
One day while feeding the Big Cats, the long and the thin cats, Lionel disappeared.
Under the big top in the center ring the cats they did perform.
The panther paced and the tiger circled, while the Lion he lay still.
The animal trainer took his whip and snapped it in the air
The panther danced and the tiger pranced but the lion he stayed still.
The whip it snapped at the lion's nose and so he slowly rose and roared Lion---el (burp)

Faith Ellsworth:
Have Faith in a diamond worth more than Ell the others worths.
It will bring you joy. Don't think it's a toy or your life will be shortened, for toying with a diamond called Ellsworth.

Continued:
Denzel McGuire:
Denzel McGuire flies higher and higher
A toke on his pipe sends him into flight-
should he relight or be content in the starlight?

Lauren Malone:
Lauren Malone did so want to go home.
She built up a boat
which just wouldn't float
The falls came too fast
she could not react
and she fell and fell and went Splat!

Adara Doss:
Adara Doss the goddess of chaos
wherever she goes a violent wind blows. When ever she cries the salt tears make plants die. Make her angry and tornadoes strike. So if I were you I would stay out of sight.

Poems

A Gift
Ifind I have great trouble picking gifts to give. I find I have no trouble finding gifts to keep. This says alot about me, I'm sure you will agree.
Ithink about the gifts I give and wrap them tenderly..
The gifts I find for me to keep require very little thought. It doesn't matter what the are, I like to ..shop about! Olivia

My rubber ball goes bouncing down the hall
so now is the time I have to call
come back ! come back! come back!
Oh bouncing ball!
by Jo

Olivia I had a little frog he went hop jump it was little more than a polywag I went hop,skip , jump and the frog went splat
now what do you think of that?

Paul Hanson:
Paul Hanson is not aalways clever and not always nice to be sure But I do try to be handsom on the outside if not always on the in.

Ben:
I haven't Ben to many places . I haven't flown across the sea. But I can tell you of a place that you can never see. A place deep within my mind ,where the sky is green and turtles fly and there is a queen who rules with an Iron Dream.

Patrick MacKenzie Cash:
Patrick MacKenzie Cash wint to take out the trash
when he threw it out it loudly did fart
and blew them all away.

Evangeline Hunter:
Eva Angel took the line
and went before the Hunter.
She took her stance and before
him did dance until she became
just an Angel.

2294 September 1 Terrice born to Troy and Bonnie Green(wed 2292 June 3)


poem :
Po'Em Cash My whale

My whale is big
My whale is wet
My whale tends always to forget

Rebel Dean Hunter



I'm Rebel Dean Hunter Evangeline's brother
and she is as smart as they come. She's finished her college studies!
To be a doctor is only one of her dreams. She has a boyfriend-not kid stuff-for he is much older than she.
I've stopped trying to out do her, did I ever try, of course not for that I'm to smart.

Two hours of sex with Po' wore him out and his body reminded him once again that he needed to sleep. He shut his eyes and slept. Po'Em wanted more. For awhile she lay quietly listening to Matt breath. As she freed herself from him she thought how sweet he looked. Then gently she placed a kiss on his forehead and went to shower.
Back in her own rooms with time on her hands Po'Em thought of Hennesy-and with the thought,came the man. He came up behind her catching her by surprise when he gently slid his hands down the sides of her body and starting and the base of her neck continued kissing her until he reached her ear lobe. At his first touch her knees began to buckle and her body trembled . She couldn't remember a thing . Hennesy was everything, everywhere.

Matt knew that Po'Em wasn't playing games with him but, he had questions. Why did she have to find him a room. This had never happened before , he always had a room waiting for him. Then she stopped and as he read the plaquac, he forgot about the questions he had. Po' slid the plaque off the door and entered. She led him around the rooms and although he was used to getting the best, this was something else. Matt thought she would stay . She was in his arms and just the smell of her hair made him want her. The light touch of her hands on his chest or the brief touch of her lips against his and then he felt her hesitate. He moved away from her claiming the need of a shower and sleep. Matthew heard the door gently close as he headed for the shower, travel bag in hand. One name came to his mind-Hennesy. He liked the man which made everything more complicated.
He and Hennesy understood how things worked with Po'. He and he assumed from the things he had said , Hennesy could have sex with whom ever they wished aboard the Whale . Matt seldom wanted to be with another woman. Po'Em slept with only two men of which he was one. He didn't want to share her with anyone. Not for the first time did he wonder why he was here. He hadn't missed a weekend with her since the day they met. She was like cashews, have one and you want more. He stepped out of the shower , not stopping to towel off and walked into the bedroom where he stopped dead in his tracks. Po had just stepped out of the tub. Hair and body glistening she didn't foreign modesty, she just walked over to him, her eyes not leaving his face. Matthew couldn't stop his eyes traveling over her body. They took in every curve,plane and angle as she made her way to him. As she finally reached him he was more than ready for her.

It was the year after that dance that we married, and then I waited what seemed like forever to graduate so that I could be with him again, he was going to train to become a starship captain, and he would have to leave to go to the academy on the space-station. Once again, my parents had proved themselves strange. Ransoms parents weren't exactly normal either. Something had possessed them to allow us to do it, I was just happy that it had, and I could be with him for the rest of our lives, little did we know it would only be 10 years. I graduated from highschool, and there he was, waiting for me at the ceremony. I couldn't wait to jump into his arms, it had been 3 years of agony waiting to finalize us. I saw the pride and love on his face, and it meant more to me than anything in the universe.

We left for the space station shortly after, and it was like nothing I'd ever imagined there. I started making clothes, and had a little shop. I got pregnant with Lacey, and the feeling of it was magnificent, we were so excited and happy. That was Feb 16th 2356. Shortly after, the war with Ceriton began, and when Lacey was 4, Ransom left on his last mission, we were hiding in our room scared, and Ransom kissed me and our son for the last time, he told us that we should get to earth as soon as possible if anything happened to him.....

He left, and I watched his ship fly off guns blazing, from our window. I watched his ship explode, and the fear I was feeling before was dwarfed by the horror I then faced. I had to remain calm for Lacey, but I could hardly breathe. I looked for an escape route, and found an unguarded transfer platform. I went straight home, clinging our son to my chest.