THE RETURN OF BLACKBEARDS GHOST

THE RETURN OF BLACKBEARDS GHOST (KREE KRUE VERGO GEBBA KALTO KREE) The very, mystic, words, which had summoned the ghost, of Blackbeard, the Pirate, so long ago. The question was: COULD these words aid a new generation, in time of need? Yes, even "Ishmale" had been astounded, as the ghost had departed the shore, behind the pirate inn. Through a misty type of fog, all present, that night, on the shore, had caught vague glimpses, of Blackbeards ship, and crew. Over time, the events, of that night, had turned to legend, as the story was told, and re-told. Each retelling becoming more embellished, for the thrill of the listeners. In fact, by the time the last, of the senior ladies passed away, due to age, the last, of the senior women had laughed as she heard a version, of the tale, wherein one of her compatriots had been proposed to, that evening, by Blackbeard. The story claimed that the pirate had offered the woman "immortality", if she agreed to become his bride. My, how stories do become embellished, with the passage of time. In time, the inn, itself, would be taken apart, crated up, and stored away, as a historic treasure. While there was plenty of TALK, about re-building the inn, at another location, no one could agree upon WHERE the inn should be re-built. While some claimed it would make an excellent "tourist attraction", bringing in needed dollars, to keep the community alive. Others felt that it would be stupid to build a pirate inn, in the middle of town. These people wanted the inn re-built, along the water-front. While there were some choice properties, which would have made EXCELLENT locations, for the inn, the owner, of said property, was asking more than the city could afford. This is why there was TALK, of developing some waste land, which had set, un-used, for decades. While neither developers, nor land owners, had any problem, with this, the media would report that the COST, of making the land usable, would be equal to meeting the property owners price, for available land. This is when, for some reason, the people began to wonder what would happen, if Blackbeards ghost DID return to the area. Would the pirate scare the land owners into a realistic selling price? As if by "magic", when the city council began reviewing titles, and ownership, of the area, a "document" materialized, which seemed to be a classic treasure map. At first, everyone thought it was a fake, due to the fact that a local person, and a local restaurant, had "kids meal" "treasure maps", which followed, more or less, an old legend, about Blackbeard. The legend claimed that Blackbeard not only took a wife, but that he buried some booty, near the area. Most locals just put the story down to camp-fire tales. This since, every spot, where Blackbeard may have walked, was searched, many years before. IF the booty was stored in the classic wood, and metal, chest, which pirates were known for, then metal detectors would have picked it up "ages ago". When found, by a records staffer, the "map" would be filed away, to be returned to the business, when the clerk had time. While the next couple of days presented both plenty of rain, and plenty of opportunity, every store, that the clerk visited, all denied issuing that particular map. After all, all modern maps are made of disposable, recyclable, paper. It was only after four shops noticed that the map was written on parchment, that the clerk would wonder "Who would pay CASH, for parchment, just to print a "map", on it?" When the clerk took the parchment to the local church (One of those who was in favor of re-building the inn, by water-front ), the priest would ONLY verify that the ink APPEARRED very old. That, and the parchment APPEARRED genuine. When the clerk asked "How do I find out whose property this is?" The minister would say "Give me until sunday mass. I will mention it to my members, and see if anyone has lost it." When the clerk agreed, still, they took the parchment to the university, with the question "Could this be real, or is it just an elaborate fake?" What the clerk had no idea of was what the university student would do with this find. In fact, the university student had done such a fine job, of creating a fake copy, in the hopes of luring funding to the area, that the clerk never saw the "switch" taking place. All that the clerk knew was that, when the student ran the tests, the student told the clerk "No question. You have a "re-production" there. One of many, I would presume." After the clerk departed, looking dis-appointed, the student would smile, brightly, knowing that THEY had information, which NO one had, at the time, of the original story. While the original research started out as a punishment exercise, for failing to draw proper conclusions, on a history exam, when the student was ordered to do a complete thesis, on Blackbeard, the student had decided only to START with LOCAL records. To show the teacher that the student could do QUALITY research, the student "cast thier net" far and wide, for information, on the pirate. While most, of what returned was little more than rumor/legend, some of the leads turned into promising information. One item, which the student REALLY savored, was the story, that one, of Blackbeards wives, had stolen some of the pirates hair, then had a witch make a charm, of the hair. If the witch were being truthful, then, anytime Blackbeard was in port, his wife could control his actions. Like an animal, or a child, on a leash. It may have taken the student a few months, but they managed to locate the amulet. Using "re-directed" funds, from the university, the student had paid for the amulet (with the intention of re-paying, should Blackbeards treasure be found.) Now, thanks to the historical society, the clerk, and some well-placed payments, the student had all they needed, to summon Blackbeards ghost. The spell, the map, and the amulet. The only question left was if Blackbeards spirit was in the proximity. If it were, the student could control it. If not, the student would have to re-pay the university, out of their own, limited, resources. It was as simple, as that. While the county clerk awaited word, on the document, the student would take the document, spell, and charm, to the nearest shore-line, and repeat the words. Everyday, for a month, the student repeated the process. What the student could not understand was the reason WHY the spell worked, the first time, for the coach, yet not for the student. It was not until the student realized that Blackbeard was NOT coming, that the student called out, to the water "You coward! Why dont you show yourself! You little creep!" After this, the student recited the incantation, once more, before walking away from the waters edge. The student would curse Blackbeards name, all the way back to the university. The student knew that their only choice was to return the document, claiming that they could not translate it. It would not be until the student returned to their work area, and were preparing to close up, for the night, when they would see a worker, whom they did not recognize. When the student would ask "WHO are you?" A massive hunk, of man, dressed in pirate garb, would turn, to the student, asking "Who be YE?" When the student would say "**I** work here. WHO are you?" The pirate would ask "Would thy name be Derek?" And the student would ask "Who wants to know?" The pirate would say "Ye have summoned me, yet ye not know why?" When the student would say "Mister, either get out of here, or Ill have security throw you out." The pirate would say "Oh, will thee really. Do ye want a bar-room brawl? Tis been such a long time." When Derek would say "Either identify yourself, or I am calling security." This would be when the pirate would say "Do you think the constables will be believing ye?" When Derek would ask "What are you talking about?" The pirate would say "Kree Krew, Vergo Gebbe Kalto Kree", then add "WHY did you summon Blackbeard, from my immortal rest?" When Derek would say "Impossible! Blackbeard was a fat, drunken, sot. You, sir, have your character all wrong." When Blackbeard would draw his sword, asking "Now, matey, what were ye saying?" as the pirate held the sword to Dereks neck. While Derek thought that the pirate would not see his movement, towards the push-button alarm, Blackbeard had made his career, on piracy, by noticing details. A smile even came upon his face, as Derek pushed the button, three times. When security charged into the room, Derek was surprised when the officer asked "Whats going on? A prank?" When Derek looked at Blackbeard, saying "This looney has me, at sword-point." When Derek saw Blackbeard laughing, and asked "Whats so funny?" The guards would warn Derek "You know, prank week is not for another two weeks, yet". When Derek would call out, to the guards, asking "Dont you see him?" The guards would ask "WHO?" Derek would point at Blackbeard, saying "HIM!". The guards would say "Fun is fun, but we are going back on duty. Dont buzz, again, unless there is a real problem." After the guards left the area, Derek would ask "WHY didn't they SEE you?" Blackbeard would hand Derek the spell, saying "You never, actually, READ it did you?" When Blackbeard would shove the paper, into Dereks face, saying "READ it!", Derek would do so. Derek would do so, saying "To bring the deceased into the sight, and sound, of onesself". When Derek would say "I dont understand." Blackbeard would say "Now, who is the stupid, little pip-squeek?" When Derek looked confused, Blackbeard would "lay it out", for the student. "Even with all your fancy book-learnin, you dont understand a simple spell. It means, by thunder, that ONLY YOU can see, or hear, me." When Derek would mention "There is nothing, in the story, about that." When Blackbeard would ask "What tale do ye speak of?" Derek would relate the story of the university coach, whom Blackbeard had aided, so long ago. Blackbeard would say "A fine lad, that one was. Full of spirit. Noble as any gentleman I ever knew." Only at this point, did Derek remember the amulet. When he pointed the amulet, at Blackbeard, saying "By the power of the sorcerer, Asmodi, I command thee to do my bidding." When Blackbeard reached for the pennant, Derek would say "Did you hear me? You MUST do my bidding, as long as I hold this. You cannot harm me, either." To Dereks shock, Blackbeard reached out, took the pennant, sniffed it, then said "Its Hilda's work, alright. Tell me, young sailor, where did ye come upon this?" When Derek looked like a kindergartener, first day in class, Blackbeard would repeat his question, then, remembering the funny, new, version, of English, which the coach had used, Blackbeard would ask "Where did you FIND this trinket?" When Derek would ask "What does that matter? It is supposed to make you heel." Blackbeard would say "Make me heel?! No one makes Blackbeard heel! Do ye hear me?! No one!" When Derek would say "But, I thought that track-and-field coach had you on a short leash." Blackbeard would draw his sword, while saying "Watch thy tongue, matey. Coach Walker be a fine lad, even if he did need a wee bit, of gusto. No, I sailed, by his side, because of Aldeetha's wretched curse." When Derek would say "Sure, the curse which has bound you, in limbo, for centuries." Blackbeard would say "And I thought I was out-of-date. You, matey, are even further off-course, than I was." When Derek would ask "How is that?" Blackbeard would say "Matey, Coach Walker freed me from that dreadful curse, before you were, even, born." When Derek would say "Impossible! Aldeetha's clan had very powerful magic. No way could a mortal break her spell." Blackbeard would say "Laddie, you failed to learn the entire curse, then, did you?" When Derek would ask "WHAT entire curse?" Blackbeard would say "The curse stated that I was bound, in limbo, until I undertook some measure, or repentence." When Derek would ask "So?" Blackbeard would say "MY matey, Coach Walker, aided my quest, for eternal rest. I have performed my deed, and have been at rest, ever since." When Derek would ask "If you are "free", of the curse, then WHY have you appeared?" Blackbeard would say "I come before thine eyes, to give you this warning. Foul deeds be afoot. Thine call has brought forth another spirit. A spirit which, if not shackled, will destroy this whole area." When Derek would suggest "If I can shackle YOU, with this charm, then it will work, on any other ghost, as well." That is until Blackbeard grabbed the amulet, gave it a good rub, and sniff, then announced "Matey, thy have been shanghied. Thy have given up thy booty, for a childs trinket." Derek realized that he had been taken, when Blackbeard placed the amulet in his own pocket. The very amulet, which the seller had promised would repel, and control, the spirit. When Derek produced the map, asking the ghost "What about this treasure map. Is there, really, treasure? Or, did you tell Coach Walker the truth." Blackbeard would say "There be no treasure, around these parts. No, sir. Not one dubloon." When Derek would ask "Did you, really, spend it all, in Port Royal?" Blackbeard would correct the student, saying "I said there be no treasure, around THESE parts, and I meant that. There be no treasure, HERE!" When Derek would ask "So, WHERE IS your treasure?" Blackbeard would say "Steady, matey. Before I go giving up my treasure, I will be needing to know that thy heart is true. For what purpose do you desire the treasure?" Derek would say "Are you kidding? I could pay off my student loans, buy myself a nice home, and live off the proceeds, for the rest of my life." Blackbeard would say "Then, it is not pirate treasure you be searching for." When Derek would say "Who CARES what KIND of treasure it is? Hand over the loot, and be on your way." Blackbeard would say "Oh, dear. You have forgotten what I have informed thee of." Derek would say "Forget the fancy talk, and hand over the loot." Blackbeard would howl "Abast, ye land-lubber! Foul deeds be afoot. There will be no treasure, until ye prove thyself worthy of the booty." Over the next three weeks, and even AFTER returning the "map", to the clerk, saying it was a worthless scribble, Derek would find that he was no more "free", of Blackbeard's ghost, than Coach Walker had been, after telling the ghost to "get lost", in the tale. When Derek would, finally, tell Blackbeard "Either TELL me who this spirit is, or dry up, and get LOST!" Blackbeard would, only say "Matey, it is Ye who have called the spirit forth. Twas not of my doing". Derek would ask "Fine! If I called them up, HOW do I find them?" Blackbeard would, only, say "Not so fast, there, matey. First, I want to wet my whistle. Where be the nearest watering hole?" When Derek would say "If you mean tavern, there are four, just OFF campus." When Blackbeard went to depart, Derek would ask "WHERE are you going?" Blackbeard would say "Why, to wet me whistle, matey. Why ye be askin?" Derek would ask "How can you go out, drinking, when you dont even have any money?" Blackbbard would say "Watch me, matey." With that, Blackbeard would vanish, right THROUGH a closed door. That night, Blackbeard's ghost would make his presense known, BIG time, all across town. Everything from stealing police pistols, and a motor bike, to swiping a cruiser, while officers were collecting coffee. Atleast three taverns put in reports, saying that rum, brandy, and whiskey, bottles, had "danced" out of front doors. Blackbeard even robbed two criminals, for gambling money. Gambling money, which Blackbeard then used, in a local parlor, to run up enough winnings to buy half the town with. The old pirate even remembered the old trick, of wiring the table. The old pirate never got tired of watching the board controller "light up", when they pressed the power switch, only to be shocked, by their own device. While Derek never remembered showing Blackbeard where his place was, come morning, Derek would find himself being bumped, out of bed, as Blackbeard took the bed, for a morning sleep. (Derek was left to sleep on the sofa). When Blackbeard awoke, asking "Matey, ye have somethin for a poundin head?" Derek was about to say "Stop calling me matey", when he remembered "Wait a minute. You are a ghost. HOW can you be hung over?" That was when Blackbeard would say "Ye be right, matey." This is when Derek would say "Stop calling me "matey". My name is Derek." Blackbeard would say "Right, matey." When Derek would ask "Aside from getting drunk, did you do anything else, last night?" Blackbeard would say "Me thinks I have a clue who be here." When Derek would say "Spill", Blackbeard would ask "Spill what?" Derek would ask "Tell me what you learned, last night." When Blackbeard would ask "How about some rations, first. MY belly, she be empty as a church box." Derek would say "Would you forget about food. You are a GHOST! You cannot be hungry. Now, tell me, WHAT did you leearn?" The old pirate would say "When ye were crusing the waters, of the bay, while reciting Aldeetha's curse, it seems ye woke the spirit of old Aldeetha, herself. Her spirit be roaming these parts, in search of a life." When Derek would ask "Any life, in particular, or just anyone?" Blackbeard would say "While ye be a man, of sorts, it be your curse, which brought Aldeetha back, from the dead. It be your life she will be coming for." When Derek would say "Fine. Give me her description, and I will inform Security". Blackbeard would Howl "Abast ye! Have I not informed ye that Aldeetha be in spirit form? A ghost, like me?" Derek would ask "Okay, WHAT do I do?" Blackbeard would say "We need to find us a man of honor. A man of strength, and courage. A man, like me old ship mate, Coach Walker." When Derek would remind the ghost "Man, you have been away, for a long time, haven't you." When Blackbeard would say "Matey, if thy be insulting Blackbeard, again." Derek would say "What I mean is Coach Walker retired years ago. I doubt hes even still alive." This is when BBlackbeard would wail "By thunder! This be worse than the time I was shipwrecked, and had to give up rum, for six months." When Derek would add "Would you make sense. If Aldeetha is coming, HOW do I protect myself?" Blackbeard would say "never fear, Blackbeard is here. We shall meet this evil face-to-face. Perish if we must, but we will go out as MEN! Do ye hear me. MEN!" Derek would say "Thats fine, for you. You are already, dead. She cant harm you. I, however, am ALIVE. She can kill me." Over the next two months, while Derek made the most of his time, by searching the internet, for any informatiuon, on Aldeetha Teach, Blackbeard would spend his time out in public. While Derek had no proof, that Blackbeard was involved, the fact that a record number, of bottles, of Rum, had been disappearing, was enough proof for Derek. Blackbeard had kept atleast one promise, so far. The pirate used part, of hiws winnings, to pay back the money, which Derek had taken, for his project. While Derek was busy, at the computer, Blackbeard was busy as well. The pirate showed his "code of honor", when the only people the pirate robbed, were shoplifters, drug dealers, and even a shady banker. By the time Blackbeard reported in, to Derek, the old pirate would report "I have entered the metal case (the bank vault), and I bring disturbing news. It would seem that the lender has some dubious intentions." When Derek would ask "Like what?" The old pirate would say "There be plans, in the making, for a fire. Something called a "ware-house". 27 I believe is the number." Derek would say "Impossible. That is where the Inns parts are being stored. There are armed guards, on watch. No one could start a fire, without being noticed." Blackbeard would correct the student, saying "Lad, do ye know how simple it would be, to pass by a watch-man? I did it, plenty of times, in my day." When Derek would reemind the pirate "In YOUR day, video camera's did NOT exist. Nowadays, these camera's are everywhere." When Blackbeard would ask "Video camera's? What would these things be?" Derek would explain "Video camera's reecord visual impressions, of their field of view. These images are stored for later review." When Blackbeard would ask "Where they be stored? A strong box?" Derek would say "Try a "mainframe"" When Blackbeard would ask "A frame of main? What this be my lad?" Derek would say "Not a frame, like a picture, of window frame. We have devices, called computers, and the heart, of these devices, is the mainframe." Realizing that the pirate was, hopelessly LOST, as far as computer jargon went, Derk would say "No one can approach the warehouse, without being recorded. Niether man, nor beast." It was not until Blackbeard would ask "What about spirits?", Derek had no idea of an answer. The pirate would, also, inform Derek that there was another plan, in the works. A plan, very similar to Silky Slims original plan. At some upcoming fund-raisers, designed to raise funds, for when the inn was re-built, there was a discreet agreement, in the works. In return for what would appear to be organized crime trying to thwart fund-raising efforts, a local bank was willing to back the latest expansion, of gambling, into the state. After Blackbeard made his "report", the pirate would ask "What have ye to report, matey?" Derek would inform the pirate "There is, almost, nothing, from your day, on your wife. Just her date of birth, and the date she was burned, for witchcraft. The only "leads", if you can call them that, are from some group, claiming to be a coven. They claim to have been the enemies, of Aldeetha's coven. I will be meeting, wiith them, in a couple of days." When Derek saw Blackbeard chugging a bottle of Rum, Derek would ask "Would you cut down, on the booze! If you keep this up, you will be caught, and sent to prison." When Derek watched as Blackbeard went to a mirror, and checked his features, "Derek would ask "Why are you bothering?" Blackbeard would say "Matey! I may be a ghost, but I will look proper, while on patrol." Two days later, when Derek met with a woman, who called herself a "high priestess, of the coven", the woman would provide Derek with more information, from hand-written ledgers, than the internet could consider carrying. While the records showed that Aldeetha was no "angel", the same could be said, for the pirate. In fact, from the covens point of view, the witch, and the pirate, were "made for each other." The one piece, of "positive" "news", the woman shared, was "Our coven has been tracking Aldeetha. She has noot found a host, yet, since she neeeds a person, whose heart is as DARK as her own." When Derek would ask "In this world?" The priestess would say "Aldeetha needs a soul, as black as her own." When Derek would ask "What IF she cant find a soul?" The priestess would say "In that case, her power, in the mortal realm, would be, severely, limited." As the coven predicted, Aldeetha Teach had little patience, with the world. The woman was only willing to spend three, whole, weeks, searching, for a soul, before she decided to take on her husband, even under the restrictions, of the mortal realm. The problem was that, when the battle started, Derek found himself in the middle of the action. When Aldeetha confronted Edward Teach "Blackbeard", and Derek suggested "Time out, while innocents take to the side-lines." Aldeetha hissed "NO!", in a voice, which only the three of them could hear. Whiel Blackbeard simply danced around Aldeetha's best shots, taunting her with "Missed", and "Missed again", whhen some of the shots came un-comfortably close, to Dereks hiding place, Derek reminded the pirate "You may be immortal, but I am NOT. Draw her fire, elsewhere." Derek had no idea of HOW Aldeetha knew of him, yet, when Derek called out, to Blackbeard, Aldeetha turned on Derek, saying "YOU!", in a hiss. Derek had to jump for cover, behind a large stone, as his former hiding place, a bush, went up, in flames, courtesy of Aldeetha's fire-balls. When Derek called out, from hiding "Lady, I done nothing to you. Why you trying to kill me?" Blackbeard would call out, to Derek, "Lad you DID call her forth. That be wht ye did." Even as Derek called out "That was a mistake. I only wanted you!" Aldeetha let out some kind, of animal cry, as she hurtled a fire-ball, at Derek. One which was so hot that Derek swore that the stone would melt, in time. When Derek chanced a look, at Blackbeard, Derek noticed that the pirate was, in fact, off, to the side, making gestures, trying to attract Aldeetha's attention. For some reason, however, Aldeetha was "laser-focused", on Derek. When Derek asked Aldeetha "What do you want, lady?" Aldeetha would his, like a snake, as she said "I want the vessel." When Derek would say "What vessel? I dont have any vessel." Aldeetha would hiss "The vessssel." When Derek would call out "I dont understand." Blackbeard would say "Lad she wants your BODY. If she can inhabit you, then she can "kill" me". When Derek would call out "Sir, you are, already, dead. How can she kill, you, again?" The next thing Derek knew, he felt "eyes" on his back. When he turned, slowly, for a look, he found Aldeetha Teach standing over him, her eyes burning with fury. The next thing Derek knew, his world went black. It was, now, up to the pirate, to fix what Derek had broken. Over the next two weeks, a number, of auctions, and raffles, were held, in the fund-raising attempt. Organized crime made its presense known, yet Blackbeard made his presense known, as well. Just as the old pirate had done, in Silky Slims casino, the pirate, discreetly, removed hand-guns, from shoulder holsters. As a result, when organized crime members opened coats, to scare off bidders, all that biddeers saw, under suit coats, was empty holsters. A few people said "Nice coat", but that was all. When hoods reached, for guns, they realized that they had been dis-armed. While Blackbeard performed his "victory dance", bystanders only saw what looked like siding moving about. When Blackbeard saw that some, of the hoods, were prepared to become violent, drawing out clubs, the pirate used the hoods own guns, to knock out the hoods. While Blackbeard was busy, saving the public, from the hoods, Derek was dealing with Aldeetha's spirit. One which was determined to inhabit his body, whether he was in it, or not. The blood she used, to wipe streaks on his body, made him regret having tracked the old witch, for the amulet. When Aldeetha began carving, on his body, Dereks main thought was "WHY did I conjure Blackbeard, in the first place?" Then, he remembered the answer. Derek had been certain, from his research, that the pirate had hidden away various caches, of loot/booty. Blackbeard was not so much, of a drunken sot, that he did not "hedge his bets."" The question was: Would the pirate reach the human, in time, or was Derek bound for the "Great Beyond"? While the remaining hoods, at the fund-raisers, were busy, trying to figure out who/what they were fighting, Blackbeard was konking them, one at a time. Their own guns were knocking the hoods dead out cold. The banker MIGHT have made a clean "get away", except that the coven prevented his departure. After the coven turned the banker over to the pirate, the coven set out, to deal with Aldeetha. By this time, however, Aldeetha was invoking dangerously powerful demons, in her quest to inhabit Dereks body. While Derek promised the woman, repeattedly, that her conjuring was an accident, the woman, finally, approcached her victim, whispering "Foolish mortal. Not accident. I come, when HIM invoked." After Blackbeard would finish dealing with the shocked hoods, and sent them on their way, too who-knows-where, the old pirate would just the Wiccans, in challenging Aldeetha's dark magic. While the coven admitted that they KNEW where Aldeetha was located, it would seem that Aldeetha Teach had cast a spell, around her location. A spell, so powerful, that, by comparison, her security would make White House security seem like a joke. When Blackbeard joined the Wiccans, whoo told the old pirate "You see those black masses, around the structure? Those are demon hounds. Any mortal, who tries to move close, to the building, they will shred, to bits." When Blackbeard Would ask "You say "mortals can not get near the place?" When the priestess would say "Thats right. Not even me." Blackbeard would ask "Lassie, what about immortals?" When the priestess would ask "Wht do you mean?" Blackbeard would suggest "What about a spirit. A ghost, if you will. Would the demon hounds destroy a ghost?" The Wiccans thought about this, for a long moment, before shrugging their shoulders, then the high priestess would inform Blackbeard "We are, simply, not certain." This is when Blackbeard would throw the women a smart salute, then say "Blackbeard, at your service. Brace for attack". The Wiccans, then, watched as Blackbeard marched right up, to the demon hounds, then began dazzling the beasts, with his trickery. This is when the Wiccans realized that the hounds were directed to watch for mortals. Tha hounds did not know WHAT to do, when the spirit began "playing games". What impressed thee Wiccans, however, was when Blackbeard succeeded, in diverting the hounds attention, from their duty, then lead the confused hounds AWAY from their post. The coven then used their combined powers, to breach Aldeetha's defenses. By the time the Wiccans reached Dereks bound body, Aldeetha's voice hissed, from the form, whispering "Too late. He is MINE!". Now, the Wiccans had only one option, to be certain that Aldeetha hurt no other mortal. Since the Wiccans KNEW that, once a spirit is un-leashed, from torment , that exorcisms ONLY drive the spirit fom a single hosts body (BUT that exorcism does NOT prevent the spirit from entering another body), the Wiccans KNEW what had to be done. No one was "in favor", of "plan C", but the plan had been prepared, "as a precaution". While releasing any "tether", which Derek had, to his own body, would kill the man, the Wiccans saw no alternative. One Aldeetha had complete control, over his body, she would be nearly un-stoppable. While Blackbeard had leadthe hounds on a playful romp (even as the hounds wondered WHO they were pursuing), Blackbeard saw the blue tint, in the distance, then felt the ripple, in the air. At that moment, Blackbeard knew that he had lost another mate. Just moments later, the hounds dis-engaged, from their attack, walked away, and dissolved, into the night. When Blackbeard met up, with the Wiccans, all that the high priestess would say was "I am sorry." Later, and after Dereks body was laid to rest, Blackbeard would visit a community gathering, where the town council was trying to explain, to the public "Until the former economy returns, we need this revenue. Gambling is NOT my favorite activity, either, however, if I must shake hands, with the Devil, to do the Lords work, then so be it." When arguments went up, including "If you can find money, for gambling, then WHY cant you find money, to restore the inn?" The town council would explain "Currently, there are NO funds, for restoration, or remodelling. The only funds, currently available, are for gambling." While the town council was trying to make people understand that, in the current economy, gambling was the only alternative, locals were shocked, when a set, of blueprints, and notes, "floated" into the area, and spread out, wide, in front of the audience. When the public realized that the town council had turned away nearly $25 million, in restoration funds, on favor of the hundreds, of millions, for a gambling casino, no one found it surprising that the town council resigned. To the point of view, of Blackbeard, and the coven, while Dereks loss was tragic, it was accepted. This, because Derek had "messed with forces", which only trained Wiccans should deal with. While Derek had intended to blackmail the pirate, into turning over his treasure, Blackbeard had decide that the boy was not all "bad". Just mis-guided. As a rewsult, Blackbeard would make an anonymous donation, to the restoration fund. Blackbeard would, then hand over ALL of Dereks materials, to the Wiccans, saying "I believe you lassies are best equipped to know how to handle such matters." With a bow, and a salute, the old pirate would, once again, reutrn to his grave, in the sea.

SHARON DAN AND I

SHARON, DAN, AND I It would seem that Sharon came to me, as a sort of "last ditch" attempt, to convince her boyfriend to "get healthy". Sharon was referred to me, by a mutual friend. A woman who was just as impressed, with my physical condition, as she was deterred by my "light" voice. A voice, the woman warned Sharon "MUST belong to a homo. No REAL man has such a high voice." To Sharon, however, my sexuality did not matter. Atleast not at first. Sharons first priority was making her boyfriend understand what he was doing to his body. While the man was, only, five years beyond high school, his once-firm body had gone soft, just as his belly was "on the spread". While Dan would insist that this was just "middle age spread", Sharon would remind Dan that he was nowhere near middle-age. This is why Sharon came to me. When Sharon came to me, she admitted that one, of her main reasons, for approaching me, was because she remembered the days, when Dan was an atlete, in school. The days when Dan could have sex, with Sharon, five times, yet barely break a sweat. He had been light, on his feet, agile, and as mobile, as any animal. More recently, however, Sharon was noticing how Dan was "sweating up a storm", just trying to give Sharon a single time. Sharon even admitted that, the last time she had sex, with Dan, SHE had taken the top position. Sharon had hoped that this would give Dan more endurance. Problem was, even this did not help. When Sharon looked at me, she would find herself whispering "I wonder", before even asking me to meet with Dan. According to Sharon "Dan has decided that, since most, of the men, who he knows, are in the same shape, that he is in, that Dan thinks that this is "good health" This is why I want you to meet him. I want Dan to see how a man CAN look." Ofcourse, when Sharon presented me, to Dan, saying "If he can look this good, at his age, then why cant you?" (To be polite, at this point, I will not use Dans profanity, and profane responses) In short, however, Dan told Sharon that, if she thought I was "better", than him, Sharon should try having sex, with me. Dan, then made a "joke" claiming that, IF I could "get it up", that I would not last long. In order to teach Dan a lesson, Sharon took up Dans challenge, asking me "Are you game?" When I responded "In private", Sharon smiled as she said "Ofcourse". What Sharon did NOT expect was that, between kissing, and other, seduction, techniques, by the time I entered her body, her, natural scent was like a fragrance, filling the rooom. I did notice that, the more I attended her breasts, and her womanhood, the more, and passionately, that Sharon moaned. After awhile, though, Sharon called a "break", saying I needed to re-fuel. After an ashamedly large "snack", Sharon, then, found herself enjoying giving, and receiving "oral". If Sharons tale was believable, she claimed that Dan was so profane, during every kind of sex, that her favorite time was when he was finished. When I asked Sharon "Why do you stay with him?" Sharon would say "Even a bad lover is better than starting out, from scratch." For reasons I will, never, understand, not only did Sharon have me escort her, to Dans house, on her next visit, hoowever, I was amazed at how much DETAIL Sharon Provided Dan with, regarding our love-making. (This, even when he did not WANT to listen. Sharon told him anyway) When Sharon finished her "discussion", I was amazed when Dan decided that he would be "Back, in shape", within a single month. (Even I doubted thii, based upon how LONG it had taken ME, to get back into shape.) While Dan just wanted to set a weight-loss goal, Sharon told him "Thats not enough. You have to become atleast as toned as HE (I) is". When Dan asked Sharon for "some", as a "down payment", on his gooal, Sharon told Dan "Until you are back in the shape you were in, back in high school, I am HIS (mine)". Sharon had resorted to all of this only after she had accompanied Dan, to doctors appointments, and listened as his doctors told Dan that NO intimate activity was safe, in his current condition. Would Dan listen to the doctors? What neither Sharon, nor myself, could believe was how Dan had waited, until his weight reached 390 pounds, before deciding to go on a "crash diet". What Sharon, also, could not believe, was how, once she and I became lovers, Sharon realized just how much more EFFORT I applied, to my exercises, than even Sharon did. In fact, it was not until Sharon went, more aggressively, into her own exercise program, that she realized just how far OUT of shape she was. Now, ofcourse, I do NOT mean that Sharon was "flabby", or even "fat". Not when her own diet was as healthy as my own. No, Sharon was shapely, and beautiful. She just was not in "high school" coondition, any more. That is, not until Sharon and I decided to combine our daily exercise routines. While Dan was sitting back, eating his snack foods, drinking beer, and watching his stomach sag, Sharon and I found our "endurance" increasing, as she exercised her way back into the beautiful body she had, in high school. At the same time, I was working, even more powerfully, to return to the condition my body had been in, thirty years before. Between exercise, grilled meats, and plenty of HUGE salads, Sharon found that, for the first time, in years, she could fit into her high school clothes. This, while I would find that my belly retreated, enough, that my "bulge" was, barely, there. Another benefit, of our returning to fitness was that we could kiss, even while I carried her about a room. In Dans case, however, it would seem that he did not "see the light", until after his legs gave out, and he went into a wheel chair. Still, Dan was willing to argue that it was "not so bad", seeing as how many other men, of his same age group, were wheel chair bound, as well. In a last ditch effort, to aid Dan, Sharon had me take her into my arms, for a deep kiss. Sharon hoped that, between the kiss, and his wheel chair, Dan would, finally, "clue in". While some people told Sharon and I that we had, allegedly, move into "advanced" health maintenance, in order to remain fit, Dan insisted upon embarking on a level, of fitness training, normally reserved for body builders. All because Sharon had shown him our kiss. Well, Dans doctors warnned him, that this could be dangerous, but did Dan listen? Sure, Dan lost over 100 pounds, in just over one month, but, as my own doctor had, once, warned me "Rapid weight LOSS is just as deadly as rapid weight GAIN." While Dan did survive his heart attack, his doctors had Dan committed to "controlled care", to avoid overdoing, again. As for Sharon, what concerned her, once Sharon returned to being "high school" fit, was when she realized that her friends had lost their fitness, as well. Some of these women actually thought that "exercises", such as child crae, were enough to retain figures. When the ladies saw Sharons renewed fitness level, the women started a "pool". The wager was that, within a years time, the friends could get just as fit, as Sharon was. (The condition, for Sharon, to win the pool, was that Sharon was required to remain fit). For some reason, though, when her friends saw how beautiful, and fit, Sharon became, over that next year, the women cried "foul!". Their excuse: All Sharon had to think about was me. Sharon did not have to DIVIDE her time, between nursing, dirty diapers, and so on. All the same, Sharon became so magnificent, of body, that some people claimed Sharon seemed like "high school, re-invented". As for me, while it took much LONGER, than expected, I did, eventually, get rid of my belly, and return to being in shape. While I did shave, and let my hair grow, a bit (at Sharons request), people actually began to believe that Sharon and I were an actual couple. Maybe, one thing, which contributed, to this, was that Sharon had memorized my eating, sleeping, and drug-use habits. Maybe this was why people began to wonder about us. Sharons only real "complaint" was that, due to my affections, she was, nowadays, wearing maternity bra's. Funny thing was, however, the day she switched, she threw a bra, at me, saying "YOU did this, to me." When I looked at the bra, and Sharon said "That right!", I asked her "Do you want me to stop loving you?" Sharon came up to me, embraced me, then whispered, softly "If you do, I will cut it off." As far as Sharons friends were concerned, I think they "suspected" Sharon and I were a couple. This, mostly because, when people are single, they are, always, "on the prowl". When Sharon decided to join a group, which was more focused on events, schedules, and so forth, her friends decided that, if Sharon was not interested in "prowling", then she was "taken". Sharon would inform me that the BEST part, of this, was that, while her friends believed that Sharon was "taken", her friends told the "one nighters", and these men ceased to bother Sharon, asking for sex. Then, from what Sharon reported, to me, she heard that the "controlled environment" placed Dan into isolation, since his weight loss plan was turning him into an "enraged bear". While Dan did, eventually, make it back, to 175 pounds, before his release, from care, his doctors noted "We agree that we give Dan six, to twelve, months, before his weight exceeds 350 pounds, again." By the time Dan was released, from care, Sharon was so accustomed, to my gentle affection that, when Dan, profanely, ordered Sharon to give him what he wanted, Sharon just smiled, and walked away. After three dozen, other, women, turned Dan down, for his profane advances, Dan did exactly what Sharon, and his doctors, predicted that Dan would do. Dan "consoled" himself with plenty of booze, and snack foods. When Sharon asked me, perhaps for the seventieth time, "How can I help him?" (Sharon still held onto that vision, of Dan, as the hard-bodied, high school, athlete). When I informed her "It must be HIS decision.", Sharon playfully slapped me, saying "I thought you loved me." While Sharon debated how to encourage Dan to return to the healthy path, she thought about, then decided not, to ask her own mothers advice. Sharon was annoyed, at both her mother, and her family, over the groups prejudices, over Sharons choice, of dating partners. Even while in high school, Sharons family had said nothing, about her dates. (In a family, like Sharons, being silent was a very BAD sign.) When Sharon decided to date Dan, all her familly would say was "Its YOUR life." What really annoyed Sharon, however, was when, as a joke, Sharon had taken me before her family, in order to show that she could "diversify". Problem was, when Sharon presented me, to her family, the families questions, changed from "Is he REALLY the best choice?", and became "When are the two of you going to start a family?" After Sharon overheard her mother, and her sisters, telling me what a "catchh" Sharon was, I accepted Sharons suggestion, that I not attend any further, family, functions. While Sharon also learned to live with the fact that, being "my woman" meant that Sharon, too, was "widowed", at times, Sharon was proud of my ambition, of being an author. Besides, being "widowed", to an author, was much more interesting than being "widowed", for sports seasons. While sports enthusiasts turned away spouses, during "big games", Sharon culd "pull me away", from the computer, any time. All it took was a kiss. While Sharon and I, eventually, made it into "competition shape", when Sharon asked my plans, I reminded her "This is for you and me. Not for the world." (Sharon agreed that it felt great, being back in shape.) Sharons main concern remained over the fact that, once women began turnning down Dans profanity, he had piled the weight back on. When Dan reached 400 pounds, and his heart gave out, Sharon expressed her concern, to her mother. Sharons concern was that, while Dan had been her "boyfriend", his death just left her feeling numb, un-caring. To Sharon, it was as if a stranger had passed away. To ease her daughters guilt, mom suggested that, eventually, even I would pass away. Still, Sharon could not shake what she had seen, at Dan's funeral. Since Dan had done nothing, with his adult life, the presideing minister spoke, of Dans childhood, and high school years. Sharon would note that Dans grave had no head stone, since there were no funds available, for such things. I would "comfort" Sharon, after Dans death, reminding her that SHE, still, had so much potential. I just never realized how LONG I would be "comforting" her for. How was I to know it would be YEARS?

TRUE FRIENDSHIP

TRUE FRIENDSHIP I would say that Sharon and I had one of the TRUEST friendships, which a man and woman can have. While Sharon had "bluffed" her way, through high school, with only a second grade reading level, atleast one, caring, teacher, had warned Sharon "You cant bluff your way through life. Eventually, LIFE will catch up, with you." Sure, Sharon had graduated under "No Child Left Behind", but Sharon was living proof of what a BLUNDER that program was. Classes, way too large, and so much content, that teachers just never had time to take questions. In short, under "No Child", teachers were required to "cram" as much as three class periods worth of work, into a single class period. What "No Child" would, ever, admit, was just how many students were failing, since information was being "shovelled" at the students, in a break neck pace. This is why, like many, of her class-mates, Sharon just bluffed, and guessed, her way, to graduation. Sharon even remembered how a few, of her classmates, marched out of school, in protest over the fact that, when teachers were supposed to be teaching students how to complete job applications, that the instruction went so fast that only the top one percent could understand the lessons. As a result, of "No Child", and "Race to the Top", many students left school understanding less than ten percent of what they needed, to survive, on their own. In the end, students, such as Sharon, were left to apply for Disability, since they could not find an education program, which progressed at THEIR rate of study. Still, for awhile, after school, Sharon had thought life was good. She had her monthly benefits check, and kept her bills paid. Sharon DID, however, wonder what life was like, beyond her small apartment. Then, there was me. One might say that I was "self-taught", since I came out of a school system where, even before "No Child", teachers raced, to fill chalkboards, with information. Once the board was filled, and for just one half second, the teachers would turn to the class asking "Any questions?" Before returning to writing on the board. By the time students caught up, to the teacher, and began submitting questions, the teachers favorite response was "We have moved PAST that point. You should have asked, before." "Natural intellect" was how I made it through adult education, and into the world. As to how Sharon and I met, that was as simple as A,B,C. From what **I** was told, Sharons "boyfriend" was charging her "excessive" amounts, of sex, for even the most minor, of tasks. Sharon was not only "paying" him for everything from "reading" her mail, to "coaching" her, on various purchases. While Sharon, openly, admitted that she was no "angel", smoking reefer, often, and drinking her share of beer, what she had declined to do, for YEARS, was to use I.V. style drugs. Thanks to her past few "boyfriends" gambling habits, Sharon had become a real "regular", at local food pantries, as well as asking charities for rent/utility money. This because, the men Sharon thought she SHOULD date, turned out to be not only boozers, themselves, but most were high-stakes gamblers. Because the men were "well-endowed", though, Sharon was willing to put up with a LOT. This included the times when the men would say "If you love me, you will give me the money". The first time I became involved, with Sharon, was the time when some group was calling her into collections court. She just did not know why. When Sharon noticed that I was reading, and "translating" some mail, for a friend, of hers, Sharon asked me about HER own mail. While some, of her mail, was just the usual, junk, mail, instead of just tossing it aside, I told Sharon was each piece was. When I came to one piece, of mail, and Sharon suggested "That looks important", I opened it, knowing what it was. Sure enough, the contents, of the envelope, which bore a fake, federal, seal, were nothing more than an offer, for satellite television. It was only the last envelope, which Sharon did not understand. The letter was from a payday loan place, and it suggested that a loan was 90-days past due. When I whispered, to Sharon "Do you know this place?" I knew what her answer would be. This, because the loan place was the most well-known, and longest operating, in the city. And, no, I did not mind, at all, when she whispered "Baby, I know this place, and, while some of its staff are my friends, I never took out a loan." When I teased her, a bit, by snuggling up, to her, and asking "Did you co-sign someone elses loan?" Sharon gave me a light kiss, as she said "Ofcourse, not." Then she looked thoughtful, as she whispered "I remember that HE did bring me some papers to sign. I didn't understand them, but he had me sign them anyway." When I asked "Did he leave you a copy?" Sharon would say "The only time, when I saw the papers, was when I signed them. I thought they were just the I.D. papers, which he said he needed, for something." When I escorted Sharon to the payday loan place, and asked to see the paper-work, which she had signed, it took Sharon all of five seconds to realize that the signature was NOT hers. Naturally, staff wanted to verify her denial, so a comparison was fed through a machine, and the results were, surprisingly FAST. In under two minutes, the machine read out "Probability of match: 50%" Naturally, the loan places next question was "Do you know where we can find him?" Sharon knew, as did others, that most, of her past men, never stayed in one place, much beyond sixty days. In fact, more than once, Sharon had footed some of the mens bills, while the men moved from place to place. The men did not CARE how often they moved, until they would find their "dream homes". Until that time, the men told Sharon "If you love me..." Currently, not even Sharon had HIS address, since he was in transitional housing, while the latest "deal" was being made, for his housing. Yes, HE did have a LARGE number, of previous places, as well as a habit of being evicted. The man was DETERMINED not to pay rent, for a place, which did not suit him. No one was, really, sure, of how many times HE had been evicted, and from how many places. All Sharon knew was that the man had lived just about everywhere, in town, over the years. When Sharon and I departed the payday loan place (after the manager had warned that, if the man tried, for another loan, he would be arrested) Sharon told me "I hope you understand that I DID tell them the truth. I wont know where he is, until the next time he wants sex." As part of my "payment", for escorting Sharon to the payday loan place, Sharon decided that some deep, french, kisses, and a bit, of "oral", was enough to cover that. In return for my escorting her, to the loan place, Sharon let me SAVOR her beautiful breasts. While she had offered me just thirty minutes, it seems that she enjoyed my attention. No doubt, this was why she allowed me two HOURS. By the end of the month, however, we came to the time, when Sharon said she hated. That last week, of the month, where her body practically cried out "I want a MAN!". While Sharon did the best, that she could, to pleasure herself, she would tell me "For some reason, its worse, this month." While she turned down my offer, saying "We dont know each other, well enough, yet." I DID notice that, when she could not seem to satisfy herself, she did not complain when I inserted into her body. In fact, all she did was whisper "bastard", then she kissed me, and had a powerful climax. We, then, intentionally, had sex, multiple times, since she wanted to see if I was a "one shot". What she hated most, was afterwards, when her body felt satisfied, while she snuggled up, to me. Later, while I wont repeat the words, which her "boyfriend" used, when, on payday, he came to her, for both sex, and cash, It was, basically, nothing more than "Hand over the cash, and strip.". When Sharon reminded him "I have company." He said something about "He can watch, if he wants to, but I want what I want." And, talk about FAST. I would swear, on a Bible, that he was finished before I would even get started. It seems, however, that, this time, he left even sooner than usual. This because not only would Sharon NOT give him her money, but she followed my directions, about not signing anything, which she did NOT understand. While Sharon sounded like she was kidding, when she said "Im all YOURS, for the month." What I did not dare hope was that she MEANT it. It seems, however, that Sharon DID mean it. Once HE was off, trying to find drinking, and booze, money, elsewhere, Sharon asked ME to aid her with her finances. This, ofcourse, after she bought herself a case, of mini-kegs, and a couple bags of reefer. While, that following thursday, Sharon asked me my weekend plans, and she smiled when I suggested "Other than loving you, I have no plans", Sharon had hoped for a better weekend, than she had, in years. On friday, when I saw she had some of that "Spanish Fly", stuff out, and asked her why, all Sharon would say was "I want you to want me ALL weekend long." When I kissed her, saying "Not a problem." She told me, softly "It had better not be.", even as she put the bottle away. While I spent the weekend making her feel more like a woman, then she had felt, in a while, Sharon did notice something "different", about that weekend. Specifically, she did not wake up, hung over, and sick at her stomach. In fact, while I rested, she found herself gazing at a beautiful sun-rise. Sharon, also, noticed that she wasn't sick at her stomach, and "studying" the inside of her toilet. Sharon spent part, of that weekend, watching families play, and couples enjoying themselves. By monday morning, when we shared a "until later" kiss, Sharon would tell me "I hope you are this good, all of the time." And, just as Sharon predicted, after HE blew his money, on long-shot bets, HE ended up spending the month inside a homeless shelter, even as social services worked on finding him another place to live. The number, of places, willing to take a boozer, and gambler, with a LONG record, of evictions, was growing smaller, by the day. Atleast, for HIM, it was. The following week, Sharon snuggled up, to me, as she whispered "I wonder if he will end up like Ray, and Frank?" When I asked, Sharon snuggled, closer, then whispered "Ray, and Frank, had so many places, in town, that NO one would rent, to them, anylonger. Their payee's had to send them OUT of town, to find them a place to live." That friday, as Sharon lit a reefer, and opened a beer, I asked her if I were that un-interesting? When she said "Ofcourse not. I just like having an occassional buzz." This is when I offered Sharon a deal. "All that I ask is that you not drink beer, when I am around. When I am not around, you can drink all that you want." When Sharon asked "What about the reefer?" I whispered "Reefer is fine, as long as you dont overdo." When Sharon would say "You sound like my mother" I reminded her "I only ask that you not be drunk, when I am around." When Sharon put the beer down, then kissed me, saying "Ill think about it", I kissed her, whispering "Thats ALL I ask." Several hours, of passion, later, and Sharon saw me out. Since she could not decide, on her own, Sharon decided to consult her mother. Sharon was just surprised when, at her mothers place, the elder woman just kept asking Sharon "WHAT is more important to you? Your man, OR your vices?" When Sharon insisted "Yes, I THINK I love him, but I am NOT giving up my fun, for him." This is when mother spelled it out "Based upon what you have told me, it does not sound like he is ordering you to give up anything. All he is doing is asking you NOT to be drunk, when he is with you." Without thinking, Sharon would ask "What if he needs me, on short notice? What if he wants me, on a day, when we have not scheduled anything ? How can I know when it is safe, to get plastered?" When her mother would say "If THAT is your concern, then, girl, you are in, and in, DEEP." When Sharon would say "Very funny. I wanted your help. I wanted to know what I should put, first, in my life." All her mother would say was "Child, follow your heart." What Sharon did not realize, for a while, was what happened, next. Without knowing it, Sharon cut back, from up to twelve bottles, of booze, during mall-meets, with her friends, to just one beer (just to be sociable.) Sharon them cut back, on her reefer, since she enjoyed being sober, around me. She did so partly because she wanted to FEEL my presence, even more, and the fact that I was asking her to review my stories, before I posted them. And, yes, this is something else which made me different from her exes. While three, of her exes, all promised only to gamble to the point, where they won a life-time supply, of money, then they would stop all gambling, another, of her exes, was a real "winner". The man came out of high school, with a "big dream", of becoming a race car driver. He, and some friends, even pooled money, to buy an old "junker", from a salvage yard. The women, including Sharon, then watched as the men shined the car up, and sent out for price quotes. When the price quotes came back, the men broke out a case of beer, and some bags of snacks. The question the men were pondering, was "HOW do we afford these parts?" When one man suggested "Our booze, and snack, money?" the others said "Not a chance." When the men began discussing bank robbery, as a source of income, the women withdrew, to a safe distance. What the women did not hear/know, they could not be charged with. Soon after this, three, of the racing "partners" were arrested, after shooting up a convenience store, to break into a cash register. Two others had a more "sane" idea, of home burglary. What made the idea "sane" was that the burglars would wait until victims were not at home, to rob the places. Since Sharons "boyfriend" was a two-time loser, he had to be much more careful. He was only one felony, or even misdemeanor, away from life, without chance of parole. By the time he issued his ultimatum, to Sharon, saying "Its him, OR ME", and Sharon responded, preferring me, he was more-or-less settled into the life of a social security recipient. While Sharon was happy to have me, she wondered how much more exciting life could be. After all, my main goal, in life, was to be a successful artist. A writer, and a builder, of crafts. While Sharon enjoyed the many times, when we just snuggled, and carressed, just "because", she did, at times, become annoyed, especially when I was on "creative streaks". While Sharons mother mentioned being a "sports widow", during the sports seasons, Sharon admitted that, at times, she felt like a "widow" as well. After all, there were times when I was so devoted, to the computer, that Sharon had to kiss me, to bring me away, for meals. What I could not understand, at all, was the reason why, when some, of Sharons friends asked my aid, in opening packages, Sharon had reminded the women "This is MY man." When the ladies said "Excuse me!", and I took Sharon aside, asking "Whats up?" I was surprised when Sharon would say "You are MY handy-man." When I would say "Okay. Yes. I am yours. What has that got to do with the package your friend wants me to open?" When Sharon would tell me "The "package" she wants you to open, is HER." When I would ask "Really? I thought she was talking about a bathroom vanity." Sharon woulld tell me what this meant, in "woman-speak." While, a few more times, Sharon was "on-guard", for some reason, there was one day, when her friend, Heather, asked me to give her an opinion, on a swimsuit she wanted to wear, to a party. Since Sharon was off, on an errand, I saw no harm, in agreeing to the offer. Since I figured that a swim suit could not be "mis-construed", I found out the truth, when Heather got me inside her apartment, and behind her locks. Her first swim-suit was a gastly green. It made her look terrible. I didn't have to say a word, for her to say "You hate it." Her second suit was more of a tan color, yet I had to tell her that it made her look like burned toast. Her third suit was my favorite. A soft red, which made her brown skin look magnificent. I told her "Thats the one I would pick." To my surprise, she whispered "One more, to show you." Like an idiot, I would say "Cant wait." When she stood before me, next, did a slow turn, then asked "How do you like this one?" All I could do was ask "You know, you are beautiful, when naked, however, do you think you should be seen, in public, like this?" When Heather smiled, then sat on my lap, giving me a kiss, then saying "This one, it is." I was just surprised when she asked "Want to help me remove it, for storage?" I will admit that I left Heather smiling, while trying to figure out WHAT to tell Sharon. Sharon, who had been right, all along. How could I tell her that a friend... Dont ask me how, but, before I said a word, to Sharon, Sharon told me what had happened. She, then, told me "Until I speak with my mother, you will have bedroom priviledges." What I could not believe was how, after just a while, with Heather, I was renewed, for Sharon. Man, did I want her, more than ever. By the time I left Sharons place, Sharon would, in a low voice, say "Dont be expecting any, for awhile." When Sharon went ot her mother, expecting support, what Sharon got was "Did he come home, to YOU?" "Did he go directly to bed, without so much as a kiss?" "Did he ignore you, or say "Go Away!?" When Sharon could get a word in, she reminded her mother of what it was like. (Her mother saw Sharon smile the bright smile, of being in love). When her mother summarized "So, he spends some time, with your friend, then he comes home, and gives you the best you have had, in awhile. I dont see the problem." When Sharon would say "**I** am his woman. I should be all he needs." He mother would laugh, even as the woman recounted how she kept Sharons father happy, for so long. When Sharon would question "You are his WIFE!" Her mother would say "I am his PARTNER, not his JAILER. You need to understand the difference." That night, Sharon would hug her pillow, wondering if her mother were right. Her mother HAD to know SOMETHING, since she had been married, for decades. Funny thing was, at about three a.m., Sharon woke, from a dream, and realized the reason why her sheets were soaked. Sharon had been dreaming of me, and our last time, together. In her dream, she must have been pleasuring herself, while dreaming of me. When Sharon reminded herself that I was on her "bad" list, for Heather, Sharon remembered her mothers words: "Remember this. If YOU dont give him what he wants, another woman will." Sharon had to learn that, while we were "committed friends", she did not own me. One thing I found hard to accept, was when Sharon gave up her hand-bag, for a purse, the size her mother carried. The very size of bag which Sharon swore, to me, she would, never, carry. Sharon used the excuse that she needed the extra space, to carry "copies", of all of the drugs I used, everyday. What thrilled me, however, was the day when Sharon told me "If you can "do" my friends, then I can "do" others, as well." I just hoped that she would express herself. She would deserve this. The bad thing was that her mother was right. Now that Sharon had me, she did not WANT other men touching her. There was only one mans body she wanted to taste, and touch. Sharon found out the truth, of this, when she TRIED for another man, only to cringe at the thought of him having her. He just wasn't me. Still, this did not stop her from visiting a friend. A woman she had dated, in high school. A time when the only girls not hounded, by aroused boys, were lesbians. Sharon just did not know how to tell the boys that she was not a virgin. Unlike her friend, however, Sharons first man had NOT been her father. In Sharons case, her first had been her brother. A boy who, when he came into his manhood, it had hit him, like a motor vehicle. After Sharon watched him trying, and failing, to satisfy his need, she had offered him what he needed, to fulfill his need. Sure, it had taken a few times, but, in the end, her brother had said "Thanks, sis." (The siblings agreed that, what their parents did not know, would not hurt the family). Still, while her brother had been "good", Sharon found that her friend was "better" in ways. The girls even joined a school-wide lesbian group. Thankfully, identifying as lesbians allowed the girls to study, for class, while the boys sought out "willing" girls. After graduation, the women turn their group over to a new batch,of girls, then headed off, to face life. Still, Sharon had remained friendship-close to a friend, and fellow "lesbian". In fact, about the only thing the women did not/could not "swap" was monthly cycles. And, no, I did not mind, or object, the day I visited Sharon, and found her, and her friend, "tearing up the bed", like newlyweds. I had told Sharon I wanted her to express herself. If this was the way she wanted to, then that was her decision. I DID have to beat down my arousal, as I watched the women, enjoying themselves. What did amaze me was that, when the woman was ready to depart, I have no idea of why, but, when Sharon saw me, she introduced me, to her friend as "This is my husband." When her friend asked "Husband?", Sharon would say "Sorry, my beloved." Her friend would ask "Whats the difference?" I would suggest "NO wedding ring." I think it was about three weeks, after this, when I bought Sharon a ring. Reason: The "men", who wanted just sex, were beginning to question how we could be together, for so long, and not be married. I even made it "official", by saying "I am, officially, proposing, to you." When Sharon would ask "So, whens the date?" I would remind her "This ring, and proposal, are to keep trouble from your door." Sharon would roll her eyes, as she said "Baby! A ring, and a proposal, dont mean much, without a date." I would tell her "Fine." Then we sat down, with a calendar, and agreed to a summer wedding. June would be the best. When Sharon would suggest "Why not June 10th. That is the date when my mother, and grand-mother, were married." (We just didn't set a YEAR was all.) Thankfully, the ring, proposal, and date, kept the "vultures" at bay. Still, Sharon agreed with her mother. It was part, of being a woman, to want children. It was a part Sharon knew she was missing. When I asked Sharon about how things were going, between us, she admitted that she had not felt so loved, since leaving home. The problem was that, for Sharon, having the bills paid, on-time, food, in the cupboards, and a regular man, in her bed, were just not enough excitement. Sharon wanted the "excitement", and the "danger", which she felt motherhood would bring. When I asked her if reviewing my stories had begun to bore her, Sharon would, only say "You are a good writer, but I need to be me". I think that what really surprised me was the day when, after a weekend, of great sex, Sharon hugged a pillow, while telling me "Baby, I just wanted you to know. My friend is back in town, and I am going to visit her." When I kissed Sharon, and whispered "Have fun." Sharon would mention "So, you dont mind my visiting my former, lesbian, lover?" I told her "I, still, love you." While I have no idea what the women did, when they met, I did notice that, when Sharon came home, she bedded me, like I did her, after Heather. Afterwards, when she lay there, smiling, Sharon would say "No one is better than my husband." Later, when we saw her friend, in public, and Sharon introduced us, the woman asked "How about a three-way?" I, simply, looked at Sharon, then whispered "Its your home, and your body." While the lady and I took turns, giving Sharon the best sex she ever had, I think that her friend was envious of how passionate Sharon and I were. When the action was finished, Sharon and I rested, in one anothers arms, while her friend embraced Sharon, from the rear. The next day, I made two mistakes. The first was leaving two, nude, smiling, ladies, in bed, preparing for more sex, while I told them to enjoy themselves. Hours later, when the police called, saying my wife had been arrested, I used the wrong term, when asking about bail. I should have asked how much Sharon's bail was. My mistake was in asking "How much is THE bail?" As for why I was called, about Sharon, that was simple. Just because we had been dating, for more than two years, first some mailing lists began sending mail addressed to Sharon, as my "Mrs.", then Sharon's I.D. renewals began coming in as "Mrs." Now, before Sharon had met me, she did, as her friends did. When bureaucrats got fresh, saying "I have a title, and that means I am right", Sharon was one of the ladies, who had been "thrown out", of various offices, for "assaulting an employee". Then, I had come along, and Sharon was controlling her fiestiness, more. Her concern was "What would happen if I needed her, while she was in jail?" When people begun screwing up her identity, Sharon asked my advice, and I embarked on a campaign, to correct the government. So far, however, all various agencies would respond with was "We are reviewing the matter". Thankfully, my web-site was a considerable success. This allowed me to place the $25,000 bail, on the ladies. It was only AFTER I had paid that I found out that only $5,000 was for Sharon. Sharon was being fined, for slapping a woman about, after the woman claimed that I could not be much, of a man, if Sharon had a woman, as well. The $20,000 came from her friend. It was a result, of the antagonist telling the women "All you need is a couple of REAL men, to set you straight." Sharons friend had attacked the woman, with gusto, and the woman was in the hospital, undergoing treatment. While Sharon had tried to back away, the video showed Sharon slapping the victim. Not beating, but slapping. It was when we arrived, at Sharons place, that Sharon reminded her friend "My husband put up your bail money. I hope you will respect that." Her friend would, only, say "Boy, jump bail two, whole, times, and you are labelled, for life". When Sharon said "Promise me." Her friend would say "Promise". Just a few days later, however, and Sharon visited her friend. This, after hearing rumors, that the woman was preparing to jump bail. When Sharon arrived, the very first thing her friend offered Sharon was a deep, french, kiss. After that, when Sharon asked "I am hearing rumors about you jumping bail." The woman would say "Would you believe it. Ever since we were arrested, people have been asking me if I plan to jump bail." When Sharon would ask "So, it is just rumor?" Her friend would say "Boy! Jump bail, twice, and you are framed, for life. NO, I do NOT plan to jump bail. You would never forgive me." In truth, I believe that the lady would have received probation, just as Sharon received, had it not been for an incident, just outside the courthouse. I was escorting the ladies in, for their court date, when some creep whipped out his shaft, and told the lady "How about a REAL man. I can make you a woman." While Sharon snuggled up, to me, her friend, fiesty as ever, tackled the man, even as she, proudly, announced her sexual preference. While Sharon and I entered the courthouse, through the main doors, her friend would be arrested, and dragged in, through the jail doors. It seems that, due to the nature of the incident, and the fact that it happened, in a public place, the court had the video sent out, to find out what was being said. When the report came back, saying that the "victim" seemed to be heckling her attackers, and that Sharon had done nothing more than slap the woman, the judge issued a surprising ruling. The judge ruled that Sharon would serve a maximum sentence, of ninety days probation, for her actions. Her friend would serve two, to five, years, not just for attacking the woman, but for resisting arrest, both on the mall, and outside the courthouse. While Sharon would say "None, of this, surprises me", she would add "My friend has, always, been fiesty. She will serve her time, easily." About the only "good" news was the fact that, since the attacker had a LONG history, of provoking others, she was ordered into treatment, in order to "learn respect, for other people". As for Sharons identification problem, we had to sign an incredible amount of paper-work, before the government would even begin to investigate. By the time everything was done (and Sharon and I had severe, writers, cramps), the government would, only, reply "It would seem possible that an error might have been committed. Should this be found to be correct, then the evidence will be revealled, and reviewed, to correct any mis-information." By the time the I.D. fiasco was resolved, Sharon had decided that nearly four years, of her love, was plenty of foundation, for a family. This is why she gave me a choice. "Give me a family, or we are through." When I went to pack, however, she whispered "Not right now." I kissed her, reminded her that I loved her, then we spent the next few hours proving that our "flame" still, burned, brightly. The mistake, which Sharon made, after our break-up, was in the fact that she made sure that ALL of her friends knew Sharon was available, for dating. This, however, lead to a problem, which Sharon had forgotten about, while with me. The "one-nighters". Men who only wanted a single night, just to PROVE that no woman was "beyond reach". No sooner had Sharon declared herself "available, for dating", when the "one-nighters" were waiving theirs in front of her face. After five, of these men did this, to Sharon, Sharon rose, from her friends table, and marched away (with another friend in pursuit). Inside the ladies room, the woman listened as Sharon would say "The nerve of those guys. I would, rather have my husband, for five YEARS, than them, for five minutes." When Sharon lit a reefer, her friend would say "That wont help. It will just, numb you, for awhile'". When Sharon entered a stall, and closed the door, her friend would call, through the panel "that wont help, either. What you need is your husband." When Sharon exited the restroom, and called me, she just hoped that her voice did not sound overly romantic. She wanted to sound like "I need your love, for today", but she did not want to sound like "I want my husband back". When I arrived, at th mall, to deliver her to her place, I followed Sharons directions, in taking her before her friends, where we embraced, while she told her friends "My husband is taking me home. I will see you later." With that, I gave Sharon a DEEP kiss, then we departed, for her place. At her place, a longer, deeper, kiss followed, then she whispered "Do you have to leave, so soon?" When I told her, softly, "No, my love. I am here for as long as you want me." By the next morning, her bed sheets were covered in our scent, as we rested, arm-in-arm. I was just happy that I was the reason for her smile. When I asked her about the mall, Sharon would say "I THOUGHT that, if I told my closest friends, that they would, only, tell eligible men. Turns out, they told EVERYBODY." When I snuggled, even closer, to her, whispering "What now?" Sharon told me "The first item, on my "to do" list, is to give my husband ALL that he wants. After that, maybe some breakfast." As a result, breakfast turned into lunch, which included a call, from her mother, saying "Barbie called me, saying your husband took you home. I HOPE you give him ALL he wants. Dont let that boy go." Sharon smiled at me as she told her mother "Dont worry. My husband is not going home until I KNOW he's happy." Over the next few weeks, Sharon made me offer, after offer. On weekends, she would spread, before me, suggesting "If you are not doing anything, on wednesday..." On weekdays, she smiled as she suggested "If you have no plans, for this weekend..." Soon, I whispered to her "Careful, my love. If we keep this up, people will assume we are back together." This is when Sharon smiled at me, whispering "Who CARES what people think?" When Sharon escorted me out, of her place, and her neighbor saw us sharing a friendly snuggle, the woman called out "Boy! You KNOW she loves you. When you gonna give her some kids?" Sharon placed a finger, to my lips, then we walked away. After another couple of years, of passionate love, Sharon made me another offer. Like she said "Being a woman, I KNOW what women look for, in a man, but you know my record." When I kissed her, whispering "Yes, my love, I do." This is when she made me an offer. The offer was simple. She would give me all that I wanted, before each date, in return for my HONEST opinion, of her date. When I cautioned her "You do understand that it is YOU who will have to spend your life, with this person." Sharon just kissed me. When I agreed, to the deal, Sharon found it most annoying when, at the start, it seemed that we, barely, got started, when it was time, for her date. When neither three, six, or twelve, hours, seemed enough, this is when I suggested a full day. This way, we could relax, and be ready, for her date. I THOUGHT it was a good plan, but only until we went right through three of her dates, without stopping. After that, I set her alarm, and Sharon snuggled up, to me, as I delivered her to her dates. While I did not mind, at all, when she snuggled, close enough, to be inside my clothes, what annoyed me was how, just as she had, when we were dating, Sharon could "read" my face, and know my thoughts, before I mouthed them. While, with her next two dates, we were maybe five minutes late, per date, while Sharon was focused on the muscle development, of the man, what I saw was the empty beer cans. A third man, whom I kept Sharon away from, was a man who, after a few beers, began making "offers" to passing women. After a few more, disgusting, "dates", Sharon told her friends NOT to set her up, for awhile. Sharon just settled back into being my "wife". Besides, she knew me better than I knew myself. This is why I didn't even TRY to keep anything from her. No question, though, what the most annoying part, of our friendship was. That was Sharons outspoken grand-mother. While Sharons mother had suggested, more than once, that Sharon halt her birth control, then tell me, AFTER she knew she was pregnant. Mothers reason: She wanted more grand-children. Grand-mother, though, was much less discreet. While mother made all suggestions, in private. One-on-one. Grand-mother was as vocal as a politician. While mother had withheld her objections, to Sharons previous men, telling Sharon "If you are happy, thats what counts" Grand-mother had told the previous men things like "Get a job", or "Cant you keep an apartment, for more than a few days?' While mother was happy, when Sharon took up, with me, grand-mother had made a point of telling me "Young man, my grand-daughter is a fine, healthy, girl. She can give you a fine family. So, GET GOING!" At hearing this, Sharon had turned so red, in blush, as she said "Grand-mother." Then Sharon kissed me as she said "Sorry, my love." The problem Sharon had was that, un-like myself, she was, still, searching for what she wanted to do, with her life. Like me, she wanted to do "something special." Something which only she could be great at. While Sharon had been considering this, I did notice how she began to keep house, and tend to me, more than ever. When I reminded her "You know. You are not my slave." Sharon would only say "I am practicing, for when I DO get married. Consider this "Home Economics: The REAL Deal" I made her promise that she would do so ONLY as long as she wanted to. How was I supposed to know this promise would hold, for years? After nearly 100 terrible "dates", Sharon gave up, on dating, and just focused on keeping house, for me. While Sharon investigated hundreds of career options, her arrest record prevented her from doing just about everything that she wanted to do. Employers just would NOT look PAST the arrest record, to the person. This is why, when her friend suggested I talk to Sharon, about joining her friend, in doing some porn, I agreed to ask Sharon. I ws just surprised when Sharon asked "You WANT other people to see your wife, nude?" I reminded Sharon "Its just a job. You are NOT "stepping out". It took a bit of romance, and some soft words, but Sharon agreed to try "just a couple." For their first three videos, the women were paid just $200.00 per scene. Sharon brought home $800.00, while her friend put down $100.00, on a bet. Was it "luck" that the woman turned $100.00 into $500.00. By the fifth video, Sharon was earning $500.00, per scene, since she had "fan mail", coming in. While Sharon was offered even MORE roles, outside the lesbian market, Sharon made it known that she would do lesbian only. (The only man she wanted was me.) While on-screen roles were, sometimes, hard to come by, I am proud to say that Sharon made herself just as useful BEHIND the scenes. Turns out, her work ethic made my wife a real "draw", for roles. When word went out, that a crew was looking for movie scripts, Sharon became enough, of a producer, to allow my script to be filmed. Low budget, yes. But even the title "Hard Times: How FAR would YOU go, to survive, in the new economy?" seemed to attract interest. By the time the movie was finished, and out, for distribution, Sharon would learn that her $200.00 would earn her a $20,000.00 return. Best of all, porn was the one field of work where criminal records were NOT a bar, to employment. By the time Sharon was ready to retire, from the industry, she had earned enough money that, when I invested it, in utility stocks, Sharon would end up with enough interest income, that she could live, work, or even DATE, anyone she wanted to. While her "change of life" came and went, Sharon knew that she HAD made her contribution, to life. She could, now, relax, knowing she had made as much a contribution, to the world, as I had. How much better could life be?

THE TRAPS

THE TRAPS Boy! Were Stanley and Warren, real "class acts". I should have known something was suspicious, when BOTH men offered me seperate weekends, with their girlfriends. I should note that neither the ivory Sharon, nor the ebony Heather, said anything, either. The men knew, of my interest, in their women, since I had tried to "make nice", with the women, from time to time. This is how the men decided to try and frame me. I must admit that Sharon really had me fooled, going first, and spending a whole weekend making me think that there was something "real" between us. I "knew" that I should have been suspicious, when the normally-distant Sharon, suddenly wanted to cuddle up, and make "nice", with me. To say I was surprised, by Sharons offer, of a full weekend, of her love, would be an understatement. For three, fantastic, days, I hoped that Sharons moans, and smiles, were in appreciation for what I was giving her. Come monday, though, Sharon seemed almost sad, as she whispered "funs over". What baffled me was how, the following weekend, Heather acted in the same way. While I pondered the sudden changes, in behavior, I considered myself lucky, that both women were "safe", since both they, and their friends, used prescription birth conrtol. What surprised each woman, when she told me she was pregnant, was when I questioned them, about their boyfriends, yet all the women would say was "I KNOW its yours." Shortly after these proclamations, Stanley, and Warren, came to me, claiming "You knocked up my woman. You will PAY, big time." They actually thought they could scare me into admitting guilt. Neither man seemed to know what I was talking about, when I mentioned "Just wait until the kids are born. Then we will find out WHO the fathers are." For most, of the next nine months, Sharon, and Heather, seemed to avoid me, as much as possible, while Stanley and Warren, threatened to "expose" me. To the dis-belief, of all four of them, I presented a sample, of my D.N.A., for analysis, while Stanley and Warren, openly objected to the idea, of being tested. It was when the women went into labor, and I refused to sign the papers, admitting paternity, that Stanley and Warren realized that extortion, and blackmail, having failed, that both men broke their probation, by crossing state lines, then "vanishing". By the time the children's D.N.A. was analyzed, and compared with mine, the women admitted their part, in the trap. Both admitted being pregnant, BEFORE our time together. It seems that both had hoped I would be a gentleman, and accept paternity. When they realized that I would not "play father", to their children, both Sharon and Heather released newborns, to child welfare. Both women then slapped me, saying "This is ALL YOUR fault." (Why that was, I have no idea.) What I DO admit to is "using" a friend, just to verify that both, of the female children, HAD gone out, to homes, in order to be adopted. Still, it would be MONTHS before first Heather, then Sharon, returned to being my friends. This, after each one agreed that our "weekends" had been wonderful, and that monday sadness had been that, after I had loved them, that they were prepared to complete the deal, and frame me, for paternity. As for Stanley, and Warren, not only did the blackmail fail, but the two ended up robbing banks, to cover expenses, as well as to finance new identities. Sharon "confirmed" this, when surveillance video captured "likenesses", of both men. When Sharon wanted to see what an adoptive home was like, I arranged for us to visit four, seperate, homes. While none of these was "perfect", Sharon did admit that neither of these homes was any worse than her "real" home, either. While Sharon HOPED for the best, for her daughter, Heather did her best, to wipe her child from her memories. As a result, only the memory, of the pain, would follow Heather around. Sharon had another problem, to deal with. While Sharon changed her address, seven times, over the years, somehow, Warren kept locating her. While it was, never, anything more than a brief note, saying "I KNOW where you are", to me, the notes were funny, especially since Warren had multiple arrest warants pending. Each time a letter arrived, I turned it over to the police. Stanley ws much more cruel, to Heather. Stanley continually sent pictures, of a growing family, along with the message "Look what you are missing". When I asked Heathers permission, to investigate, I found out information, such as the fact of the panel number, which portrayed the front of the house. I, also, located the portfolio's, of the models, seen in the pictures. I, even, paid the photographer to replace Stanley, with myself, in duplicate pictures. When I presented this information to a grieving Heather, and she asked "Why?" I suggested "I suspect that Stanley wants to cause you pain. If he is not happy "on the run", then he doesn't want you to be happy, either." As time passsed, Sharon secure a job, as an office worker, even as Heather enlisted my assistance, in "pounding out the details", of her friends "money laundering" scheme. In fact, though, my only, real, contribution, to the plan, was to take the plan to the next level. Drawing out the details, then leaving him to handle matters. As the man told me "I have access, to thousands of dollar bills. All I need to know is HOW a successful person would change a $1.00 bill, into a $500.00" After I explained what I knew, of the process, and how past counterfeiters had gone wrong, it seems I shocked "vending machine man", when I shook his hand, wished him good luck, then kissed Heather. I did not take part in the actual process, since I wanted to make certian that, IF the plan "blew up", my "attachment" would be so minimal that, even IF arrested, I would receive, at most, probation. Maybe two months later, Heather brought me a box, of money and she smiled as she said "Your share". I only asked "No problems?" Heather would smile as she said "Not so long as everyone keeps their cool." The ONLY reason why "vending machine guy" got caught was because he went around, "spraying" money, on expensive purchases, and gambling. In my opinion, the man might as well have worn a sign, saying "counterfeitter". His actions were in complete opposition to my instructions, which were that any spending be conservative. My example had been: "If you can ONLY afford Ford, or Chevy, DONT buy a Rolls-Royce." When "vending machine" ignored my advice, and went on a spending spree, it was no time, at all, before he was nailed. Funny thing is, he was NOT arrested, for counterfeitting. He was arrested on suspicion of bank robbery. Nothing could be tied, to Heather, or I, since I made a point of having us wear gloves, whenever possible. Heather would inform me, later, that, while out of jail, on bond, and awaiting trial, "vending machine guy" was found, floating, face down, in a river. As for my share, of the profits, I used just a small part, to pay a web-page designer, to build me a web-site, then I just put the rest aside, for a "rainy day". Due to Stanleys stalking, I could understand why Heather paid out a large sum, of her share, of the take, in order to "vanish". From then on, it would be impossible, for Stanley to track her. Funny thing was, Stanley also knew where I was, and the idiot tried to threaten me, with "exposure", more than once. What Stanley just could not understand was that I had NOTHING for him to threaten. No wife. No Children. NOTHING. As for Sharon, the ONLY reason why I assisted her, out of a problem, was because Sharon used the old "You loved me, once. Could you love me, again?" line. In short summary, while performing an illegal search, to find out how her daughter was doing, Sharon got caught. Worse yet, she got caught by her own, former, probation officer. The "price", of her freedom, and the P.O.'s silence, was $100,000.00, in cash. Sharon KNEW I had the money, since my web-site was generating millions, in sales. This is why Sharon made me an offer. If I paid for her freedom, I could have all of her, that I wanted, until the "bill", was "paid". While I paid the $100,000, to the parole officer, I added another $30,000, to the due amount. This time, for a more discreet search. THIS search verified that Sharons daughter was growing into a fine, young, woman. Her grades put Sharons to shame, and the girl was the athlete, which Sharon only dreamed of becoming. Sharon DID blame herself, for the girl being born addicted to Marijuana. Even worse, it seems that the girl had some kind of rare, genetic, need for the drug. This is why the girl had been prscribed "medical Marijuana", until her addiction could be broken. When I performed some research, of my own, I located medical records, which stated that children, born of addicted parents, were, too often, either BORN addicted, or grew into addiction. This, my research showed, happened far more frequently than is reported. In the case, of Sharons daughter, the child had been taken in by a loving, and supportive, family. A family who stood by the girl. It would seem, however, that, once Sharon found out that her daughter was an addict, by birth, that this knowledge pushed Sharon into visiting a crack house, where she could wallow in drugs, and booze, while whimpering that her daughter had been born an addict, because of Sharons actions, of years ago. When I dragged Sharon out of the crack-house, then dunked her head, repeatedly, until she said "enough. Whats your point?" This is when I dragged Sharon, before a mirror, asking "Is this REALLY how you want your child to remember you?" When Sharon would cry "She doesn't even know I exist. What is to remember?" This is when I forced Sharon to sober up enough, to review some web-sites. While court records MIGHT be "sealed", thanks to computers, and hackers, some, adopted children had found parents. The drawback, to this, was that, in a majority of cases, the only thing the young wanted to know was "Why?", "Why did you give me up?" "Was I that bad?" While Heathers daughter would end up making the exact same mistakes, as Heather made, including gangs, drugs, and so on, Heather had been wondering what she could do, for the girl, when, as if by miracle, the girl became one, of about 100, chosen for placement, at Father Flanagans Boys (and Girls) Town. Heather just hoped that this would mean that her daughter would have a better life, at Boys (and Girls) Town. By the time Sharons daughter found Sharon, through one of those "Who's your mama?" web-sites, Sharon had spent weeks practicing her apologies. Trying to sound sincere, yet honest. I dont know why, but, when mother and daughter, looked upon one another, I did not need telepathy to read their emotions. Their thoughts were "written" all over their faces. Sharon looked like a child, whose parents had taken away her bicycle, as a punishment. The young woman, named Angela, was as full of questions, as any child would be. I just dont know whether to be greatful, or not, when Angela informed me "I KNOW you are NOT my father. SHE, however, WAS my "mother"." While even I could see the deadly venom, in Angela's eyes, Angela's voice was deadly quiet, as she informed Sharon "MY REAL parents made me promise, years ago, to forgive you. Well, you may have given birth to me, but you were, NEVER there, for me. My REAL mother was. I only agreed to this meeting, to let you know what you will, NEVER, have." When I asked Angela "About the man, who created you..." Angela would say "...found him before I found her. That creep has enough warrants, for his arrest, to cover his next two, lifetimes." When I asked Angela "Are your parents treating you well?" Agnela would smile as she said "They have been great. Encouraged me, all through school. Helped me become a woman. Cared for me, during my first heart-break." Angela then cast Sharon a deadly look, as Angela said "All you gave me was an addiction. One I dont know if I will, ever, out-grow. You missed it all. As far as I am concerned, you DIED the day I was born." After Angela turned, and walked away, another, older, woman, approached Sharon and I, saying "I want you to know that I TRIED, my best, to discourage Angela from finding you. She must get that determination, from you." When Sharon whispered "I missed it all." The woman would, simply, say "Yes. But, I DO thank you, for that. Thanks to your giving her up, at birth, **I** was allowed to ENJOY it all. My daughter may be addicted to a drug, but our FAMILY will take care of her, just as we, always, have." After the woman turned, and departed, with her daughter, Sharon would reflect on all she had missed. Nursing, first steps/words, so very much. When Sharon came out of her reflections, she would say "I gave her the best chance, and she made the most of it. What more could I ask?" While a search, of records, did verify that, at times, Angela DID suffer seizures, which were normal, for addicts, it was, also, true that her family stood by the girl. Since the seizures were listed as "genetic", no charges were, ever, even considered. Sharon stayed around (deep in the shadows), as Angela graduated high school, and celebrated, with friends and family. Sharons only concern was the fact that, thanks to her own abuse, of Marijuana, her daughter would have to wear a medical alert tag, maybe for YEARS to come. Sure, Angela's family might be strict, on some matters, but once Sharon knew that Angela was in these good hands, this is when Sharon did something, which I, never, expected. It would seem that Sharon found a stash, of some of the counterfeitted money, and paid to change her identity, to th point where even I could not find her. While I did hear rumors, that Sharon ended her life, living in a whore-house, the rumor, which I hoped was true, would be the one, where it was claimed that, once over the border, into Mexico, Sharon had used the last, of the money, bought enough drugs, to overdose with, ten times over, and that her body was recoverred, from a river, maybe two weeks later. The reason why I preferred the drug overdose story was because it meant that Sharon had met a quick end. As for Angela, once high school was behind her, the young woman took what SHOULD have been one of the most gut-wrenching tasks, of young adulthood (choosing a college, to attend), and turned it into a family game. Still, before Angela departed, for college, she snuggled up to her mother, whispering "I hope I can make you, and dad, proud." Her mother would, only say "We ARE proud." I cant, really, say, for certain, what happened, to Heather, either, since, once her daughter was in the churches care, Heather "dropped off the radar", as well. The women wiped out their lives, to the point where it was like neither had existed. As for me, I just went on, to build my web-business, and take my profits. I DID replace the money, from the counterfeitting, that I used, for my business, then I, never, touched that money, again. I didn't have to. My web-site generated enough, CASH, income, to make both my monthly benefits, and the "other" money, look like less than "pocket-money". I did have to wonder, though. After the MONTH Sharon spent "re-paying" me, for buying her way out of trouble, I did wonder how OUR children MIGHT have turned out. Then I remembered what a pure terror I was, as a child. No way would I wish that on ANY woman. As for the Parole Officer, it seems that, after blackmailing Sharon, and several other former, and current, parolies, the Parole Officer was captured, in a sting operation. In short summary, the feds created a criminal record, for an agent, then sent the woman out, for parole. When the Parole Officer gave the woman his "terms", for successful parole, the feds arrested the man. As for Stanley, and Warren, I really dont know more than rumors. Some say the men lived out their years, on the run, while others say that the men died, either of drug overdoses, or from gun-fire. Personally, I could not care, less. I would say that the only, remaining, question was "How would the girls turn out?" The problem is that this would be a whole, nother, story.