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.

THE HAUNTING PAST MYSTERY OF THE WILL

THE HAUNTING PAST: While undergoing our latest round, of re-supply, and re-fuelling, which included a complete, U.S. Air Force inspection, of every system, on the plane, Tami and I relaxed, and began reviewing Lysia's latest situation. In this case, however, the culprit was not a quack, who preyed on young women, to cover his criminal tracks. This time, it was another, of Lysia's friends. This friend, a recently-married man, and a man who had been planning to move into another new house. According to Lysia's research, her friend had not even known that he was an heir, to the subject house, until AFTER he was married. (It seems that some clause, in a will, about only inheriting, once married, and, therefore, "stable"). According to Lysia "My friend, and his bride, were, fully, prepared to find their own housing, until thier marriage paper-work brought forth an attorney, from a distant relative, whom the man did not know existed. The attorney brought the papers, to the new couple, just after they signed the papers, for their own place. While the couple had been, fully, prepared, to move into own housing, they had been "swayed", by the attorney, saying that, once the terms, of the will were fulfilled, the couple could SELL the subject house. What baffled Lysia, and her "team", was how the terms, of the will, were, nearly identical to the plot line, of a 1990's "comedy" titled "The Super". In the will, like the movie, a person was ordered to LIVE in a house, for a specified time. In the movie, performer Joe Pesci portrayed a slum landlord, who is sentenced to serve four months "house arrest", inside one of his own slums. He is only allowed to leave the building, for food, medical emergencies, and to arrange maintenance, of the building. That, ofcourse, was Hollywood screen writers. In the REAL world, where Lysia's friend lived, it was no movie plot. There was no going home, to a comfortable trailer, at the end of a days filming. Also, this case concerned an old house, NOT an apartment building. Tami and I understood Lysia's suspicions, about the will, especially since the movie was not filmed, until the 1990's, while the will was signed, in the 1930's. It would have been impossible for the family to plageurize a movie script, which would not be written, for 60 years. Still, the conditions, of the will, were clear. "To inherit this home, you, my heir, must move INTO the house, (with any spouse, and children), and LIVE in the house, for five YEARS. If you do this, you will become the owner." "To be clear, you MAY leave the house, for work, groceries, medical care, and for other, essential, tasks. What you may NOT do is just move in furniture, and clothes, then live elsewhere". When Tami would say "Unusually strict, isn't it? Almost like saying "You may have a currect spouse, but no ex-spouses. No less than six children." I would agree, both on this, and that the will was most unusual. When Tami and I vid-linked, with Lysia, for more information, Lysia would say "Sorry, my co-workers do not trust electronics. Probably due to the fact that they design, and build, such devices, regularly. For this reason, they understand how easily these devices may be tampered with. I do, however, promise you a FULL review, upon your arrival". Soon, however, Tami and I learned the reason WHY the U.S. Air Force wanted such a thorough review, of our plane. It would seem that, while other, stealth bombers had been in service, for years, no bomber, to date, could do what Ghost Ship Two could do. Namely, flying beyond the sound barrier, while fully loaded, and making vertical take-off's, and landings. While our plane had been modified, several times, for the needs of our cases, these changes had inspired the air force to re-examine the design. Sure, a special, experimental, spray, had been developed, which would both adhere to our composite hull, AND absorb long wave, radar emissions. Also, our "mounted in place" jet engines had been replaced with rotating engines. What our flight performance had proven was that the engines were just as stealthy, in vertical flight mode, as in horizontal mode. Aftre surviving being attacked, multiple times, with nothing more than "scratches", It would seem that the air force was re-examing the design. The air force thought that, if Ghost Ship Two could carry our supplies, including motor vehicles, freezers, labs, and so on, while remaining stealty, the plane should have no problem carrying bombs, just as easily. G.S.2 had a proven record, of "survivability", and the air force wanted to know more. What Tami and I doubted, that the air force took into consideration, was our pilots exerience. Because the men had twenty YEARS, of experience, with everything from helicopters, to cargo planes, THESE men knew how to make planes "dance". While Tami remained convinced, that 80% of the reason why G.S.2 was so successful, was due, more, to pilot experience, than to plane design. I just could not make up my own mind, if the percentage should be 70%, or 90%. Yes, Ghost Ship Two is a marvel, of engineering, however, Tami and I wondered if its record would be so "bright", with LESS-experienced pilots, at the controls. Even as we cruised, to the college town, where Lysia was based, Tami and I considered cases, handled by amateur "ghost busters". Tami and I knew of atleast twenty cases, where less-experienced "ghost busters" had done nothing, except enraged spirits, sending humans fleeing, from homes. Once the cheap amateurs had created worse trouble, experienced, professionals had to be called in, to resolve the trouble. This is why Tami and I were so relived, that the air force retirees had signed on, then stayed on, for our cases. WHERE would WE be, without them? While Lysia met the plane, at the landing area, Lysia would say "Sorry for all of the hush-hush, but my team believes it is better that the university NOT even know you are here". When Tami would ask, Lysia would say "Officially, spirits are only in whisky bottles. The university reputation is built on this" When Tami would ask "Where is the briefing to be held?" Lysia would lead us to a nearby, foreclosed, house. As Lysia said "The owners lost the house, after a potato chip manufacturer built a plant, and hired 500 locals, only to find that South America offered cheaper labor, and non-existant, health laws. After that, a telemarketting group came to town, offering workers 20.00 per hour. While the telemarketers DID secure some office space, there is no record of supplies being moved into the space. When workers, including the home owners, applied for, and showed up, for work, the workers found the office doors locked, and local police being sent in, to tell the workers to disburse. After that, the family could no-longer afford to retain the house, so they moved out, and the realtor has been TRYING to "move", as in sell, the house, ever since." When Tami would ask "How long is your groups lease?" Lysia would say "Since the realtor suggests that it will increase the homes value, being inhabited, we will be allowed to stay, either until our work is completed, OR until the home is sold." Inside the house, Tami and I found the kitchen well in hand. This, even as Lysia introduced students, from the universities cooking classes. As the lead cook would inform us "This is good for extra credit". It would seem that this project was similar to those new types, of vocational schools. The places were, instead of just memorizing the content, of text books, students no-sooner MEMORIZE a lesson, when the students learn the practical applications, of their studies. Places where forgotten lessons could, very easily, lead to an ambulance ride, to a local hospital. For Lysia's team, however, the goal was to AVOID the "ride", and use learned information, to determine IF, HOW, and by WHOM, a property might be "haunted". Tami and I would be introduced to trades students. Students, whom Lysia had requested come along, in case the "haunting" was nothing more than loose pipes, or poorly-installed wall board. The culinary students "job" was to make sure that the team had plenty of nourishing, energy, food, as well as energy drinks. When our group went into "conference", Lysia would begin the discussion, reminding attendee's "It is fine to make comparisons, with other cases. What is important is to remember why we are HERE". According to Lysia's historians, "The current house is, maybe, 95-110 years old. The prooblem is that our research has shown that this is NOT the FIRST house, built on this site." When Tami would ask "Can you estimate?" The student would say "Based upon ancient "record keeping", we believe that this is the fifth, or, maybe, the seventh, house to be built on this site". When Lysia would, patiently, say "Define that, for our guests." The student would say that, "Based, purely upon personal journals, and several, written, church, records, we have traced stories, of some of the homes, such as a seventeenth century home, which, allegedly, "lept" into the sky, and never came down." When I would ask "Tornado?" The student would say "Nothing on record. Possible, though." When Lysia would tell the student "Please continue." The student would add "In atleast one, possibly three, of the cases, it would seem that the community burned the homes down." When Tami would ask "For what reason?" The student would say "In one case, un-confirmed reports, of children being sexually molested. In the other cases, un-confirmed accounts suggest that Devil Worship was taking place." (Tami and I, never, failed to "get a kick", out of Lucifer being blamed, for mans actions) The student did seem hesitant, to mention one, un-confirmed case. A house, owned by a man who, allegedly, had great sex, with his wife, after cooking, and eating, each of their children. Tami would be first to emphasize "Un-proven and un-verified." The student would say "Correct. Nothing but journal entries, of suspicions." When Lysia would, next, turn to the Geology students, asking "What have you learned, so far?" The Geology students would say "So far, we HAVE verified that multiple structures have stood, at this site, over time. Some were larger, like barns, sheds, maybe dormatories. Others seemed to be small, like one, two, or three, room cottages. Building materials vary, as well as style. We have found evidence, of mud-brick, waddle-and-dowl, as well as mortice and tendon. In fact, I have little doubt that, if we continue, we will find the remains, of indian teepee's." When Lysia would turn to the Plumbing students, asking "What have you to report?" The leader, of the plumbers, would say "To date, our test holes have located everything from hollowed out, petrified, tree logs, to lead piping. Stone joints, here and there. Cant say we have found much, from the twentieth century, though. I should add that it seems odd that all, modern, plumbing, ends some 500 feet, from the edge, of the property, and well inside the towns land." When Lysia would ask the Landscapers "What have you to report, so far?" The lead landscaper would say "Our research has turned up that, over the years, of the 1770's, through 1850's, tenants did attempt to engage local landscapers, to beautify the property. It would seem, though, from journal entries, it would seem that the landscapers feared something, about the property. Claims of ghosts, and, get this, floating equipment." When Lysia would say "Define, please", the student would say "Some workers claimed to see not only spades, wrenches, and screwdrivers, floating about, but, atleast one source claims to have seem a steam-powered tractor levitate from one place, to another". When Tami would ask "Was it a John Deere?" The student would say "No, maam. Based upon the approximate date, of the entry, John Deere did not even exist, at the time." When Tami would say "Sorry, small joke." Lysia would tell the student "Proceed." and the student would say "As near as we can understand, from the journals, the floating unit was a European import. One of those fifty ton monsters. Heavy, iron, construction." When Lysia next called upon the Sociology students, they would report "Our research has turned up that, even though the occupants, of the homes, were, generally, well-liked, in the community, sightings, of floating masses, howling, and other, classic, horror film effects, are reported, regularly. Whether or not these are just the products, of active imaginations, is anyones guess." When Lysia turned to the landscapers, again, asking "Show our guests the map you have prepared, of the property." The head landscapers would indicate a series, of red "X's", saying "Caution at these points. As near as we have learned, three of these are depleted wells. One has a rusted, metal, cover, while the others have just been overgrown. We have marked each, with glow-in-the-dark paint, but be careful, nonetheless. While we have located some kind of "chamber", or box, in the yard, there is NO confirmation that this was a "punishment room", for land-owners children. Caution should be exercised, at all points." When Lysia would turn to the Carpenters , the lead Carpenter would state "While the house may APPEAR to be, generally, sound, we are not committed to this. The house had sat, vacant, for decades, and squeeky floors abound. Curently, we are awaiting some scaffolding, to shore up the second floor. The basement consists of nothing beyond walls, and an age old boiler, which should be in a museum. There is NO flooring, in the basement." When Tami would ask "Would anyone, on this assignment, have grown up, locally?" Even I would be suprised to learn that the cooks would say "Three, of my staff, have been here, since we were born." When Tami would ask "Besides great food, and beverages, what can your team contribute, to this investigation?" The head cook would say "I have been to the property, three times, during my life. Everytime I go near the place, I feel dozens of eyes, on me, as if watching." Another cook, a woman, would admit "I took a couple of "dare" dates, in the house. We never went half as far as we were dared to, since, on one occassion, an ear-splitting laughter scared us from the house." When Tami asked "The other date?" The woman would say "We heard what sounded like heavy footsteps, coming from above, on the second floor. When my "date" went up, to see who else was present, I heard a scuffle, and a scream, then a thud. After that I bolted." When Tami would ask "What did the police find?" The woman would say "It took me hours, to get the police to look at the house. Before they took me to the house, they sermonized me, about Trespassing, and Breaking and Entering." When Tami would ask "What did the police find, on site?" The woman would say "I expected to find my date, sitting, out font, laughing at me." When Tami would ask "What DID they find?" The woman would bow her head, then say "Signs, of a fight, but no sign, of my date, or anyone else. The official story is that the man just wanted a dramatic exit, from town. What better story, than disappearring, from a haunted house?" When Tami would ask Lysia "What do you have on the previous owners, or any others, who might be haunting the property?" Lysia would say "Thats the problem. As both of you know, from previous cases, official records did not come into existance, until the world wars. Before that, family bibles, and church archives, are the best we can do." When Tami would ask "Can you "ball-park" it, for us?" Lysia would say "As few as thirty, maybe as high as four hundred." When our group travelled, to the subject house, even Tami and I felt the "energy", eminating from the place. Some-THING was calling this place "home". I can only think that, when this place was built, it was bright, and airy. This because, behind the streaks, of rot, I could see the remains, of the original paint. Two, and a half, stories, above ground, and basement walls, which were only half buried. The windows were grimy, from decades, of not being washed. The paint was well into the process, of peeling off. The construction students would say "That "scent" you smell, is advanced rot. Filters must be worn, in-doors, at all times." When I would ask "So, you HAVE been inside the home?" The students would say "We did as much as we felt SAFE, doing, inside there. With dipped, and bowed, ceilings, and wall-board, hanging out, we felt it best to deal with the ghosts, first." When Tami would ask "What do the ghosts do?" Lysia would begin listing such things as "Moving tools about", and "Un-plugging tools, while in use." "Sometimes, the ghosts whisper to my staff". When Tami would ask "Threats?" Lysia would say "More like "If you value your lives..."" After seeing the site, Tami and I would begin our own research. The problem was that, so very much, of even American history, is not yet even recorded. Even history books are written from the authors point of view. This is why we had Ghost Ship Two, and Mr. Browns infinite resources. Tami and I would spend six WEEKS just sorting through age old "records", and trying to verify which accounts were true. I do have to admit that the cooking class students did an amazing job, of making healthy food taste flavorful. Lord alone knows how the students made coffee, and tea, taste, and smell, so good, while providing so much caffeine. While Tami concentrated on the "records", I would join the "blue collar" workers, whose job was to document, and tag, every sink hole, and well, which inhabited the place. While I was amazed, that anyone would let a well-head sink, below ground, the construction crew, and the landscapers, had an alternative theory. They thought that, originally, the well head was ABOVE ground, and that it had, simply, sunk, over the centuries. While the general thought, at the site, was that the arrival, of scaffolding, would make th place safer, for investigation, it would turn out that the opposite was true. While the flooring supported our weight, when the students tried to brace the upper floor, to make it safe, for walking, the opposite happened. As the braces were being jacked into place, not only did the ceiling NOT go up, but the floor boards, under the scaffolding, actually, sagged, into the floor. The idea, of pouring cement, in the basement, seemed practical, however, the concern was the fact that, once the cememt hardened, the force, of using even sledge-hammers, to break up the chunks, might destroy fossils. As for the idea of bring in pre-cast slabs, this idea had been considered, and abandoned. While the basement windows were spacious, there was, simply, no way to use them as an entry point. The real hold up was the fact that the team KNEW there were house foundations, underneath this place. It was not until I had the crazy idea, of suggesting "Since there is no floor, under these walls, why dont we just dig DOWN, beneath a wall section, then slide the panels in, from underneath?" Surprisingly, just as my consideration was under advisement, Tami brought us an update, on history. The very FIRST story, which she had sought to verify, was the story of the man having great sex, with his wife, after cooking, and eating, his children. Tami looked most proud as she said "Thanks to Mr. Browns sources, I have confirmed this story, or, atleast, most of it." When Lysia would say "Lay it on us." Tami would say "The story started out as a rumor. History says that, when a few, HARD, years, hit the area, that the couple sent their children away, to live with relatives. The parents did not think the children should share, in the hardship, of the frontier. The story goes that, while the couple struggled, to survive, about the only "amusement" they had, was sex. The story says that the wife gave birth, twice, both to still-born children. Children who "Vanished", soon after birth. While local records do not record the burials, of the newborns, the wifes diary states that she, and her husband, buried the children, at the western edge, of the property. The "legend", of the COUPLE, then the HUSBAND, cooking, and eating, the children, started out as camp-fire stories, and grew from there. All anyone knew was that, at two points, the wife was pregnant, then she wasn't. With no children being added to the community, rumors, and gossip, evolved, into the story." When an Architecture student would ask "What became of the couples already existing children?" Tami would say "Near as I can find out, after a number, of bad years, the couple moved on, to "more promising" land, and their children followed the parents." When a Sociology student would summarize "So, since the woman got pregnant, yet no children were seen, on the property, people begin to spin tales". Tami would add "To pass the time, during the foul weather." When the Sociologists would suggest "Can we confirm WHERE the infants were buried?" The landscapers would ask "Whats the point? After centuries, do you THINK the bodies would, still, exist?" The Sociologist would suggest "We could, atleast verify that the infants were buried whole and intact." When Lysia would ask "You REALLY think that parents would eat their own children, then bury the bones?" The Sociologist would say "Only one way to be certain." Since the journal referred to a location, where tree's had fallen, over the centuries, it would take a week to find the childrens remains. Even when the remains were excavated, atleast a few students insisted that the bite marks might be human. That is, until Lysia had the bones sent to the university lab, which verified that the bite marks were from various animals. As for the rest of the research, Tami was having even LESS luck, in verifying who was who. What Tami could verify, via research, was that the reason why several crosses, made of copper, were found, in one level, was because, at one time, this land had belonged to a Quaker man. The Quaker owner was religious enough that he had crosses, in every room, of his home. Whether he qualified as a "fanatic" depended upon ones point of view. One things for certain, and that was that history speaks of the man being able to quote the Bible, on a moments notice. In another layer, however, were found the remains of objects, which would have been common, inside a whorehouse. If the layers were correct, however, the whorehouse had stood AFTER the Quaker house was abandoned/demolished. Tami and I wondered if THIS might be the source, of the un-rest. Could it be that a Quaker was not happy, with hookers on thier property, even LONG after the Quakers death? At another point, there had been a blacksmith shop, on the location. We found evidence, of the shop, while digging UNDER the foundation wall, for the concrete panels. While Tami, Lysia, and the researchers, were busy, trying to piece together what truth there was, in the past, I was assisting the carpenters first with the digging, then laying, of the panels, then the scaffolding. In the opinion, of several of us, it would have been cheaper, just to level the place, and build, brand new. Alas, such is the case, with history. Preservation, often, costs more than replacement. In preservations favor, though, is that history is being maintained, for future generations. As w had suspected, from the start, the first floor was the only level which was safe, for access. The only places, where the second floor did not sag, were the spaces where modern scaffolding was in place. Off of the edges, of each scaffold, fell pieces of wall-board, and ceiling board. It was during the construction, of the scaffolding, that even I had an "encounter", with a spirit. While I would not call it terrifying, the spirit did suggest "If you value your life, you will leave this place." When I asked "Why? What is so terrible, about this housee?" The spirit would say "This place has not been safe, for many years. It is dangerous to remain." When I would clarify "You mean, due to the condition of the building." The spirit would ask "What else did you think I would mean?" When I reported this conversation, to Tami and Lysia, Lysia would ask "You had an actual conversation, with a spirit?" I would define "Not really a conversation. More like a friendly caution." This is when Lysia would ask "I wonder if THAT is what the other workers have been reporting. Not so much a "threat", but a caution." Tami would say "That DOES make sense. After all, atleast one of the homes, on this property, was built, and maintained, by a construction worker." When Lysia seemed "spooked", by the knowledge that there were, in fact, spooks, in the area, Tami would suggest "The question is: If the spirits are inhabiting a house, which is NOT safe, for any human to enter, then HOW do we make contact?" This is when one, of the carpentry students came up with a thoughtful suggestion. "Why not demolish this place, and let the class re-build it, as it, originally, was. New material, old craftsmanship?" Over the following days, Lysia was working, with her staff, to justify such an expense. The university trustees would want to know what the group planned to do with the house, after the project. How could Lysia explain that the idea was just to build a shell, which was safe to walk through? The "answer" arrived, just three nights into the discussion, when a severe thunderstorm ravaged the area. Yes, it was severe enough that our pilots even declared G.S.2 un-safe. Even as we raced, to pack the gear, and supplies, the location seemed to "come alive", with a fearsome groaning. When our group ran out, from cover, to see what was causing the sound, we watched as the pouring rain finally "broke the houses back". The house imploded, falling in, upon itself. One, of the construction students would mention "Dont worry, we can dig out the equipment, after the rain stops." After a furious night, of rain, followed by a slightly less powerful morning, of rain, the group returned to the site, where we found what we expected to find. A pile, of rotted lumber, which smelled, strongly, of mold, and rot. When gloved hands touched the lumber, it was more like touching soft sponges. To the groups amazement, when one of the Sociologists looked to the left, of where we stood, and asked "Who are they?" Tami was the only one, who recognnized the spirits, from old photographs. When Tami asked the spirits "May we help you?" a man, in an eighteenth century great coat would stand erect, asking "Young lady, would it be possible for me to speak with one of the gentlemen?" At that moment, Tami had to remind herself "These spirits are from the days before the nineteenth amendment. The days when women were SEEN, but NOT heard." When I joined my partner, asking the spirits "May we help you?" The spirit would ask me "YOUNG man, would it be possible to put our house back together?" When I would ask "That hunk of junk?" The man placed a commanding tone into his voice, as though speaking to an impertinent child, saying "YOUNG man, you are speaking of our home!" When I would say "Apologies, sir. Allow me to consult with my co-workers." While our group consulted, Tami and I did not mention that several spirits were "eavesdropping". This, even as one, of the male spirits seemed angry, when a construction student would suggest "Now, that the house is gone, why dont the spirits either "get lost", or find someplace else to haunt?" Tami would suggest "Its never that simple. We need to learn the REASON, which is retaining the spirits to THIS land." When a Sociologist would ask my partner "Just HOW do you intend to do that? All we have, now, is a vacant property." Tami would suggest "Why dont we try a variation, on the carpenters idea. The only difference being that we build a relica, in every detail. After we see the spirits off, the house can be sold." The carpenters would caution "While our idea, for a shell, woulkd have cost about $35,000, we should be cautious of total re-building." When Tami would ask "How much more can a complete re-build cost?" The carpenters would say "$350,000, to $400,000." Lysia would be first to say "I DOUBT that the university would go for such an idea." Then Tami had another idea. "What if we made the re-build a class project. Let students re-build the house, to learn how such homes were built, while under the direction, of experienced teachers." Lysia would, only say "I guess it cant hurt, to ask." As it turns out, when Lysia took the idea, to the university deans, the primary condition, for the project, was that the foundation be dug, deep enough, for proper Archeology to be completed. Once a firm base was secured, then the home could be re-built, on this sound foundation. It would seem that, while the spirits were in agreement, with the excavation, to be done, one man asked "Please be careful. My final request was that my body be buried, on the property. If you find my bones, I ask that they be treated with respect." Oddly enough, once the excavation began, Tami showed me the truly "odd couple", who were observing the dig. Yes, the Quaker man, and the whorehouse owner, were observing the work, like a city inspector would do. Side by side, the man and woman watched the humans dig the ground. At one point, the madam asked that the workers stop digging. When the workers asked, most turned white, when the madam came full form, reached into the loose Earth, and withdrew some kind of broach, or charm. When the spirit put the chain around her neck, the workers stood, un-certain, until the madam would say "My father gave this to me, when I was a child. I thought I had lost it. It thank you all, very kindly, for locating this treasure." The Quaker man came forward, full form, when some sort of cask, or chest, was found. The man was most proper as he asked the workers "Stand aside, gentlemen. You have located MY property." When the Quaker opened the container, even I was surprised that the container held a scroll-type version, of the Holy Scriptures. The Quaker would say "This has been handed down, through the generations, by my fathers." The next day, the carpenter came forward, when his tool chest was located. When the remains, of a mans skeleton, were found, partially inside the dig site, Lysia did as the law required, and had the bones analized, by the lab, while promising the spirit "If these are, in fact, your bones, then we can decide where to re-bury them." Twenty-four hours later, the bones were verified not just human, but a match, for the build, of the spirit. As a result, a discussion was held, about WHERE to bury the bones. The mans re-burial demand was simple. He wanted to be re-buried, someplace where he could rest in peace. Not some place we, pesky, humans would dig up, within the next 250 years. By the time the team located a proper place, for the re-burial, Tami was working, with the designers, on color schemes, while I was working with the contractor, on the "nuts-and-bolts", of the place. Using modern standards, it would have been very easy, to build the home, in a factory, then ship it to the site. The trustee's, however, wanted the students to gain the knowledge, of HOW the ancients built such homes. Result, the house would be BUILT, on-site. The one, good, thing, about the "stick-build", was that this drew out the spirits, allowing Tami to do her "thing". Conversing, and finding out WHY each spirit remained with the property. In this case, and most bizzarre, of all, Tami would be told, time and again, by spirits "I have no where else to go. This is why I remain. I mean no harm. I just feel that I belong here." Almost suspiciously quickly, as Tami suggested the thought of "Mother Superior. Where are you when we need you?" The spirit would show up, saying "My child, I am always, near you. Your welfare is my assignment." When Tami introduced our latest "band of souls", Mother Superior would surprise us when she would turn to the Quaker man, saying "Sorry, the Chairman feels you went too far over-board, with your family. Christianity is supposed to be about love, and acceptance. Aiding others, to see the light, of the Lord. It is NOT about "cracking the whip", and demanding absolute obedience." When the Quaker man would say "Madre, I did do my best, to teach good Christianity, to my family." The nun would say "No, good sir. You taught CONTROL, DENIAL, and the other, bad, parts, of our faith." When the Quaker would argue "Allow me to stand before St. Peter. I am sure he will acquit me." The nun would say "While the verdict is, already, in, I will not deny your request. I do caution you, though. Do NOT try to force the Chairman to see YOUR point of view. The Chairman is compassionate, but he has no time for fools, who translate the Word, to their own ends." When the madam would suggest "If the Quaker is not good enough, for Heaven, then that leaves me OUT, as well." All Mother Superior woulld ask was "Says WHO?" It would be to the carpenter, whom Mother Superior gave her highest commendation, saying "Sir, you are a good son, of the church. You have used your abilities, to enhance the lives, of others. You are most welcome, at the Lords table." When the man thought about the affairs he had, with two, married, women, while their husbands were away, the nun would say "The Chairman knows all there is to know. Since no harm was done, you have been allowed leniency." When Lysia would ask the nun "I thought Heaven was only for the righteous, and perfect." Tami stifled a smirk, as Mother Superior would say "How typical. How many times must I remind you mortals. Heaven is NOT some ultra-exclusive, country club. No one needs a special pass, to enter. It is what you DO, with your life, that matters." While the Quaker man would be sent to a "place of Contemplation", where he would be allowed to consider his actions, in life, and consider attonement, the other spirits would join Mother Superior, in dissolving into thin air. Tami could only guess that, with this group, there was no need, for the Enforcer Demon. No wonder it did not show up. While the house was only 25% built, when the last, of the spirits, were sent on their way, it seems that the university decided to continue the build. The idea being to show that quality construction was not a dead art. When Tami turned in our final report, on this location, Mr. Brown would say "Excellent work. Now, if you would not mind looking over the in-coming file, I would like your observations, on this one." Oh, well, life, and death, go on...

THE HORROR OF WOODRUFF HIGH SCHOOL

THE HORROR OF WOODRUFF HIGH SCHOOL While I have, over the years, had nightmares, about the time I spent, in this place, nothing has reminded me, more, of this "house of horrors", than a recent, memoribilia, article. One of those "How have you been, since high school" articles. Yes, I remember the year I spent in this place, located in school district 150. Woodruff High School is located on the north east side, of Peoria Illinois, in one of the lower income areas, of the city. An area where, in MY day, violent students, openly, beat on peaceful students, while calling peaceful students "homo"(sexual), "lesbian", and worse. For most of my freshman class, the only way to prove ones life was of value, was by beating on, and, even, killing, other students. In my class, I was considered an "outsider", just as much as Mr. Spock, of the planet Vulcan. The only difference was that, while performer, Leonard Nimoy returned to his home, each night, to relax with his "Star Trek" paycheck, I, on the other hand, was, openly, TERRORIZED, daily, by fellow students. People who just could not live with the idea that a student, in their midst, wanted to live peacefully. As for the staff, of Woodruff High School, these people, deliberately, turned a "blind eye", to the violence, of the freshmen. In the case, of my "classmates", I am certain that my male classmates have gone through life, beating, stealing, maybe even killing, for what they want. The worst part is that this "gutter trash" is EXACTLY what management WANTS, to encourage employee turn-over, and keep "seniority" non-existant. As for my female classmates, I am certain that these "women" have gone on, into adulthood, to become the kind of "women", who enjoy be-littling gentlemen. The kind of "women", who shout, in gentlemens faces "You are NOT a man!" and "You dont deserve a WOMAN!". The kind of women who are DRAWN to the abusive type, of men. The type of women who adore men like Conan the Barbarian". While management has, openly, REWARDED the cruelty, of such students, students who punched students, openly and publicly, as well as slamming victimized students into school lockers, while using various profanities, on the victims (While Woodruff staff members look the other way) This is why my own "memories", of Woodruff High School always lead me back to the reason why I was FORCED out of this "gladiatorial arena", which was Woodruff, and into adult education. At Woodruff, I am certain that staff cheered the "Conans" brutality, while ignoring victims pain and suffering. I, also, have no doubt that this savagery was a definite amusement, for district administrators. This is why peace-loving students, such as myself, were forced OUT of Woodruff. My freshman class proved, beyond a doubt, that they were NOT evolving, toward adulthood. These people proved that they were DE-volving, back to animal instincts. I would, also, add, that I am certain that the Imperial Roman Empire would have given Woodruff High School the highest marks, in sheer, student, brutality. While most of these brutes, and bullies, no-doubt will go on, to lives, which will end in obscurity (since all that they know is violence), I will guess that most will pass away, forgotten by the community. For those, who do NOT end up in nursing homes, I would suggest that most would end up in prison (Since violence is the only life they know). As for myself, I am planning a legacy, which no BULLY can, ever, take away. A legacy, in a rich tapestry, of short story fiction, as well as my unique arts and crafts. **I** willl be remembered, by this world, LONG after the bullies, who profaned me, are long dead, and Woodruff High School, itself, has been bulldozed.

CANDLESHOE THE CHALLENGE

CANDLESHOE: THE CHALLENGE When Casey Brown opened her phone, she would be surprised to see Cluny's name, on the Caller I.D.. When Casey would ask "Whats up?" and Cluny would ask "Do you, presently, remain awaiting your departure, at the airport?" Casey would switch back, from American English, to the more formal, British, English, of the British Isle, as Casey would say "Presently, my transport remains approximately thirty minutes, from airport arrival. How may I assist you?" Cluny would say "A matter has arisen, which requires our attention. Would it be possible for you to return to Candleshoe?" When Casey would say "If the matter is so urgent, allow me time to secure alternate transportation. If fortune favors my travel, I shall arrive, at Candleshoe, within an hours time. Two hours, at maximum." Fortune must, truly, have been favoring Casey, since her rental car had not even been processed, into inventory, when Casey Approached the reservations desk. When the reservations desk attendant would say "Welcome back, Ms. Brown. How may we be of assistance?" Casey would ask "Has my rental been re-assigned, to another customer, at this time?" The clerk would say "Why, no. We have yet to begin the processing." Casey would say "Excellent. May I extend my rental agreement, at this time?" The clerk would examine her station, saying "There will be no need. As I indicated, neither the motor, nor the contract, has been terminated. Do you wish an extension, of your current, motor, agreement?" Casey would say "Yes, for the present. I will be extending the agreement." Keys, back in hand, Casey would remind herself "When in England, drive on the LEFT side of the road." On her way back, to Candleshoe, Casey wondered what WAS going on. Casey remembered not only packing her belongings, but double-checking this, with Cluney. Since Casey was certain she had all of her travel supplies, in the car, Casey wondered for what REASON that Cluny was requesting Casey's return, to Candleshoe. Still, Casey had to admit that Compton-in-the-Hole remained a beautiful place. No matter how often Casey had seen the landscape, in the time since Harold Bundage, first, brought Casey, to meet Grandmother. As Casey passed through the village, however, she noticed the same, guarded, expressions, on villagers faces, which Casey had observed, when she, first, travelled, here, ith Harold Bundage. It was only after Caseys arrival, and exchanged curtseys, with Cluny, that Casey was surprised to see constables, and not Wilhelm, come, for Caseys bags. When a constable "dented" a bag, upon entering the house, Casey would call out "Hey!", then adding, in American English "If you break it, you bought it." When the constable seemed confused, by Casey's remarks, Casey would remember her British English, saying "Take care, my good man. Personal possessions contained, within." When Cluny, and Casey, entered Candleshoe, and Casey found the constables going through her belongings, Cluny would capture Caseys hand, whispering "The sooner you are OFF, of the suspect list, the sooner we may proceed to learning the true criminal's identity." When Casey would ask "What criminal? Whats going on?" Cluny was about to explain, when a detective inspector would interrupt, asking "Miss Brown? Miss Casey Brown?" When Casey would say "Right here, in front of you. What is going on?" When the detective would begin by asking Casey's business, both in England, and at Candleshoe, followed by questions such as "Were you aware of any observations, which seemed out of the ordinary?" When Casey admitted "When I departed, I wasn't being very observant. Cluny and I processed my belongings, to my motor, then I departed, for the airport." When the detective would ask "At, precisely, what TIME was this departure?" Casey would say "I dont know. Maybe two hours ago. Why?" The detective would say "**I** will pose the inquiries, at this time." Casey would say "Not if you want MY help. Now, tell me. WHATS going on, since I departed?" When the detective would begin listing names, of items, Casey would ask Cluny "WHY is this guy asking about Grandmothers stuff?" The detective would say "Miss, IM in charge of this inquiry, at this time." Just a moment later, a constable would join the group, telling the inspector "NO sign, of the contraband, in the luggage, nor the motor." Casey would say "Now, wait a minute! Are you implying that I would have stolen Grandmothers belongings?" The detective would say "Miss Brown, you DO have a rather extensive, juvenile, incarceration document, in the colonies." When Casey would stand her ground, asking "Why would I steal from my own grandmother? A woman who would have given me anything I wanted?" Cluny would interrupt, saying "Inspector. Your search has failed to locate the missing items..." When Cluny saw Caseys surprise, Cluny would say "Unless you have more substantial evidence, than a decade-old, juvenile incarceration, document, might I suggest your inquiries would be better suited towards locating the missing items?" When the detective would say "Very well, miss", then, as though staring right through Casey, the detective would say "I will be observing your behavior. Count on this." The detective, then departed the room, to join the constables. Once the detective was engaged, with the other officers, Casey would take Cluny, by the arm, to another room, then Casey said "Out with it." When Cluny would say "Out with what?" Casey would correct herself, asking "The thieves. WHAT did they steal, from Grandmother?" Cluny would say "All I know is that Wilhelm noticed some items were missing, during his regular review." When Casey would ask "HOW could you consider ME a suspect?" Cluny would say "Neither Wilhelm, nor I, considered you, as the theif. The police requested your recall simply due to the fact that we informed the police that you had departed, just recently." Casey would say "A recent departure, and a juvenile incarceration record. Talk about flimsy, or rather, transparent, evidence." Cluny would add "Now that you have been cleared, I was hopeful of gaining your cooperation, in locating both the perpetrators, and the missing items." When Casey would ask "Do you know what has been taken? I mean stolen." Cluny would say "Wilhelm is preparing a list, as we speak." When Casey grabbed Clunys hand, and said "Lets go. I want to know what people would steal, from our grandmother." When the ladies found Wilhelm, he was sipping a mug, of ale, then, upon seeing the women enter the room, Wilhelm would ask "Cluny, was it Grandmothers biscuit tin, or her sugar candy tin, which we sent for cleaning, and repair?" When Cluny would say "The biscuit tin", Wilhelm would say "Then, it was the sugar candy tin, which is missing." Casey would ask "You dont mean Grandmothers hand-molded, hand-painted, tin, do you?" Wilhelm would say "That is correct." Casey would snatch the partial list, from Wilhelms hand, and, when Wilhelm would say "Hey!", Cluny would silence him, with an arm touch, as Cluny asked Casey "What are your observations?" Casey would say "I remember most of this junk. Its all hand-made. No way a regular pawn shop would touch it." When Cluny would ask "What conclusions would you draw, from this?" Casey would say "For this kind, of antique stuff, the thief would have a buyer already lined up. No one else would touch this stuff. But, WHO would be in the market, for one-of-a-kind, British, ceramics, silverware, stoneware, and pottery?" The detective would enter the room, saying "My curiousity is, also, aroused, especially with a petty THIEF in residence." When Casey would tell th detective "Dry up." The detective would ask "Dry up? Is that American slang?" Cluny would say "Inspector, Ms. Brown is consulting, with us, on this matter." When the detective would say "A petty THIEF! Consulting, at a crime scene? On whose authority?" Cluny would stand, firm, as she said "As mistress, of Candleshoe, on MY authority. Now, detective, no matter your prejudices, regarding Ms. Brown, I have requested Ms. Browns assistance, in this matter. Have I made that quite clear?" When the detective would mention "If you dont mind her making off, with Candleshoe, in her front pocket." Casey would say "thats BACK pocket, constable. The term is "In the BACK pocket." After the constables departed, Casey, Cluny, and Wilhelm, would sit, in the kitchen, drinking coffee, while Casey would say "I wont bother asking how the crooks entered the house. Even **I** know this place is full of secret passages. The question is "WHY would anyone WANT Grandmothers belongings? I mean. Is it a land feud? Bitter, past, memories?" Cluny would say "Hard to say. England has a very LONG history." While Casey KNEW that the police would be stupid enough to watch the local pawn shops, Casey decided to turn in, early. Casey wanted to be up, EARLY, and to be out, and about, before the village had a chance to make itself alert, to face the day. Casey would be out of bed, coffee made, and a thermos, in her hand, as the sun rose, over the estate. While Casey wanted to make it APPEAR that she was simply out, for a sun rise stroll, Casey spent her earliest, morning, hours, checking as many, of the secret entrances, to Candleshoe, as she could remember. Rather than finger-prints, though, Casey checked for FOOT-prints. (Casey was quick to discount her own, and Wilhelms, from his, earlier, "tour", of the area.) Casey wanted to see if anyone ELSE was using the passages. After finding five, in-conclusive, locations, Casey would borrow a bicycle, from Candleshoe, and begin pedalling, to the "pawn shops", which the police knew nothing about. Of the seven shops Casey visited, that day, Casey found only one, which sought the "merchandise", which Casey was searching for. When Casey inquired, of the shop owner, all that the owner would say was "Yes, miss. There have been inquiries. Shall I add your name, to the list of "interested parties"?" Casey knew better than to say "Yes". Instead, all Casey said was "I will check in, later." After departing the "specialty" pawn shop, Casey contemplated the question of "Who would WANT Grandmothers belongings?" Casey knew, from her time, at Candleshoe, thhat the estate was full of "one of a kind" stuff. Artists signatures were to be found on almost every stick of furniture, book, and painting. Every police man, in the area, would know Candleshoe property, even from a "mmile away". Ofcourse, even the Lady, St. Edmund was as much a "fixture", of the local community, as the local church was. In fact, her ladyship had not only raised her own children, however, once these were adults, and, after Margaret/Casey had been whisked off, to America, by the girls father, then the mother had died, a year later. The Lady St. Edmund had gone into social/community service, and even presided over many primary school students. Her Ladyship not only knew the "back story, of almost everyone, in the community, however, it was, also, true that most of the community had visited Candleshoe, over the years. Caey knew that there was no WAY a thief could "move" Grandmothers stuff since, by day, everyone, in the village, would have recognized the property, on the spot. This left only night time transport. This would mean creeping, slowly, through the village, while locals slept. Wwhen Casey returned to Candleshoe, for dinner, she found Cluny, and Wilhelm, in the kitchen. This is when Casey would ask both of them "WHEN was the last, inventory, review taken, prior to my return?" While Wilhelm would say "A few months", CLuny would add "To be proper, a review is conducted, every three months. The soolicitor insists upon quarterly accounting, due to the value, of the articles, and the legends, of escape tunnels." When Casey would say "So, okay. Prior to my return, WHEN was the previous inventory review taken?" Wilhelm (with head bowed) would say "Six months previous." When Cluny would ask "Six months? You KNOW the solicitor requires quarterly reviews." Wilhelm would say "Apologies, CLuny, but with the spirits being present, I just did not acknowledge the value, of the pottery, when this was compared to the excitement of observing luminous spirits." When Casey would interrupt, saying "So, the preevious review was completed SOME-time BEFORE Cluny asked me to return." Wilhelm would say "Correct." When Casey would ask "Weree there any storms, in this area, BEFORE my return, to Candleshoe?" Wilhelm would say "You were only departed, for four hours." Cluny would correct this, saying "Pardon, several times, incliment weather has been a bother." Wilhelm would add "I think I was compelled to restore the power circuits, atleast eight times." When Cluny would ask Casey "What is the motivation, for this inquiry?" Caey would say "The only, recent, prinnts, which I located, near the secret entrances, were from Wilhelm and myself. I was wondering if the thieves came, and went, prior to my arrival." Cluny would say "If the previous review was six months ago, then WHO knows what might have been stolen, and at what point." Casey would add "Or, where." When Peter stopped by, to ask "What is this non-sense I am hearing, about Casey perpetuating a home burglary, against Grandmother?" Cluny would provide Peter with the short version, while Casey looked the man over. (Boy! had Peter "filled out", as a man) Once the "report" was completed, Peter would say "This is all nonsense. Caey spent almost as much time, at Candleshoe, as any of us did. If Casey wanted anything, she had, practically, a decade, to "pinch" the items." When Cluny would remind Peter, about Casey's, childhood, incarceration, documents, Peter would ask "What relevance does that have, in the present?" Cluny would say "It is my belief that the constables would prefer to place blame on a living, touchable, person. Namely Casey. This, rather than trying to trace "persons unknown", or even "spirits"." When Peter would ask Casey "What have you discovered, during your inquiries?" Casey would say "I knew that there is atleast ONE buyer, out there. A "secure" shop verified this. However, I do not believe that the merchandise has been made available, at this time." When Wilhelm would ask "Upon what evidence do you base this conclusion?" Casey would say "By the way the broker said things like "interested parties", and the fact that the broker declined to show me even a sample, of the merchandise." When Cluny would ask "What conclusion have you drawn, from this evidence?" Casey would say "If this weere Los Angeles, I would have my gang find a safe place, to hide the loot in." To which Cluny would correct, saying "To secure Grandmothers beloongings?" Caseey would go on, saying "We would need to hide the stuff, until the "heat was off". When Wilhelm, Peter, and Cluny, seemed puzzled, as Wilhelm would say "The heating system, in Candleshoe, is not operational, at this time." Casey would say "Pardone. I meeant "Until the constables lose interest, in the matter." When Peter would ask "If YOU were the intruder, WHERE would you hide the pilferred property?" Casey would say "Somelace, where no one would think, to look. I would have to ditch the take, FAST. The longer a theif holds oonto the loot, the more likely the cops will nail them." Then Casey remembered "This is not Los Angeles. This is England." When Peter would say "Your suggestion, while worthy of further inquiry, would leave so very many opportunities, for concealment. Right, Wilhelm?" (The boys knew of hundreds of spaces, on the grounds, of Candleshoe, where people could hide, and this did not even count the number, of spaces, INSIDE Candleshoe, where such items coulld be "stashed") Whiile the SEARCH began more as a treasure hunt, it was not long after Wilhelm returned, from the village, with carpentry supplies, that Wilhelm also brought news. The constabulary had "Information Requested" posters out, on Casey. Suddenly, the SEARCH had become a CHALLENGE! The CHALLENGE, for the family, was to find the stolen items, before Casey was arrested. When Peter brought forth a map, of Candleshoe, suggesting "Let us begin the search with the most spacious locations." When Casey would say "FIne. We start there, but I have to tell you.. NO, good, theif, would store all of their loot, in a single location." Cluny would say "So, let us proceed upon the assumption that we are dealing with a BAD thief." In less than an hour, all of the LARGE spaces, around the property, had beeen searched. Peter had marked off each location, on the map, to prevent repeat searches. It was the smaller spaces which would consume multiple days, of searching. There were just so many of theese spaces, and so many of these spaces had secret entrances. Casey found herself wishing that the spirits, of Candleshoe, would aid in the search, as they had, the previous time. While thesee groups were searching Candleshoe, finding spaces which the young people never knew existed, constables, in the closest, large, city, were busy taking calls, and charting Caseys past. What the constables could not understand, however, was the rationale, behind the detective inspectors desire, to have the American being so thoroughly investigated. Sure, Casey Brown had a substantial, JUVENILE, arrest record, but, as the constables noticed, this information was a decade old. What, possible, bearing could this information have, on the present? It was a known fact that, in the time, since Casey Brown departed both Los Angeles, and the United States, Casey had "fallen off" of the "criminal radar map". Maybe, this was part of the reason why the detective inspector was trying to find CURRENT information, on Casey Brown. Trouble was, all the constables ended up doing was compiling, and verifying, recoerds, from twenty-five years, past. When the detective inspector told the crime scene investigations unit "I want you to take Casey Brown apart. I want to know everything. Her toothpaste, deodorant. Even her bra, and panty, size. Fine me SOME-thing, which I can use, to put her behind bars." While the detective inspector was busy, trying to buiold a case, against Casey, Casey was meeting with some old "chums", from secondary school. (High School, in America), to find out more, about Englands underground, antiquities, market. That is, when Casey was not involved in searching for Grandmothers lost property. While Casey met up, with some ex-cons, her, primary, focus, was on those, currently working the "trade". What Casey was able to llearn was that there were as many as twenty buyers, bidding for the hand-made treasures, wwhich Candleshoe would offer. Items which, once purchased, would NEVER, see the light, of day, ever again. Sure, Casey understood that the actual thieves, who stole the merchandise, were, lucky if they received payment, of about fifteen cents on the dollar, for the objects real value, even from underground pawn brokers. People who would, then, sell the stolen goods, at 85-90 cents, on the dollar. This is the reason why the most successful theieves, whom Casey knew, only stole CASH. Steal money, then "sit on it", for ninety days, then relax. This time, however, Casey Brown was not llooking to score cash. Caseys goal was to retrieve Grandmothers property. When one, pathetic, criminal, arranged a meeting, with Casey, on the claim of "I KNOW where the goods are". The fool did not understand WHO he was dealing with. When the thief saw the dress suit, manicured nails, and comfortable shoes, the thief thought exactly what Casey hoped he would think: "This dames a push-over. I can take her for a fortune." While Casey started off, playing this very role, when the thief cut, directly to the chase, saying "If you want the antiques returned, bring $100,000 pounds, to a pplace which I will call you about, later." No-soonere had Casey said "Wrong answer", when she dragged the startled man into an alley, and began roughing him up. When the man saaid "Stupid little nutter. I will tell you nothing." Casey would, again, say "Wrong answer." When Casey noticed a barrel, of rain water, nearby, and drragged the man over, dunking the man, he cursed her, even as she kept saying "Wrong answer". When the man, finally stopped squirming, Casey dragged him out, of the barrel, dumped him, on the ground and, as the man coughed, and caught his breath, Caey would saay "Just a friendly reminder. No one stealls from my Grandmother. Tell yopur friends." After the theif sacrambled away, Casey returned to Candleshoe, to resume the hunt, for the missing items. Upon returning to the estate, however, Casey would listen as Peter, and Wilhelm, would agree "We wre, never, aware of how MUCH, of Candleshoe, we never saw, before. A person could build a housing development, within these walls." When CLuny would mention "I wish we could use hunting dogs, or even police dogs." Peter would ask "What good would that do? Those dogs are trained to sniff out bodies, or drugs. We are searching for Grandmothers household items." This is when Casey had an idea. "What if we brought in metal detectors?" Wilhelm would say "Nice idea. Not practicale, though". When Casey would ask "How so?" Wilhelm would remind Casey "Most of the doors, and hatches, in Candleshoe, are made of metal. No matter where you pointed such a device, it would sound off." Casey would say "Too bad we dont have a panel-peeking device, to see through walls with." When Cluny would say "If you mean ground penetrating radar, England IS modern enough to have possession, oof such devices." When Casey would ask "How much would one cost?" Wilhelm would say "IF a unit wer available, locally, it would, still, cost thousands of pounds, to survey a property of this size." When Casey would say "We dont have to survey the whol;;e place. Just enough to find Grandmothers stuff." Peter would add "Unless we know WHERE to look, it is entirely, conceivable that we COULD survey the entire property, beforee finding the lost items." Then, Casey had another idea. When Casey laid out her plan, then asked Wilhelm "How long, after you travel, to the village, to order the unit, do you think it would be, before the whole area finds out what we are planning?" Cluny would say "The village will know, by night fall. The entire county would know, by the following evening." Casey would, then, ask Cluny "How long would you need to arrange a large group, of observers? If need be, tell them that we have another active ghost. We will need spotters, to play "Hide and Seek". Cluny would say "Unless you want me to phone the people, I would require atleast a couple of days." When Peter would ask "May I inquire what your next action would happen to be?" Casey would say "Simple. After Cluny contacts the locals, then Wilhelm orders the radar, we watch the grounds, and see who "takes the bait". Once word gets around, of the radar, I believe that the thieves MAY try to recover Grandmothers items. When they return to the property, our spotters will alert us as to WHERE the theives are located. After that, we simply follow them to Grandmothers items." The next day, while Cluny set off, to notify the neighbors, of the "game", Casey agreed to drive into town, for groceries. However, just as Casey enetered the towns main street, she found that her car was stopped, by constables, both front and rear. When Casey would call out "For goodness sake. I am just going to buy groceries." The constables would sya "Sorry, miss. Detectives orders. We are to assume that your real intent is to leave town. As a result, we are to arrest you." At the police station, Casey was thankful that Cluny had attached an answering machine to the homes phone. When Casey got the nachine, she would say "Peter, Cluny, Wilhelm. I am at the village police station. Bring bail money." Two hours later, Cluny, and Peter, wer arguing, with the constable, over what Casey was, actually, doing, in the village. When Cluny insisted that Casey was, in fact, buying groceries, the constable showed Cluny a note, asking "Is this your signature, miss?" When Cluny would say "Ofcourse. THIS is the list I provided, for Casey." Still, the constable would say "You will need to return, tomorrow. The detective was quite clear. The thief goes nowhere, until the detective inspector has a go, at her." When Cluny, and Peter, left the police station, Peter would suggest "As long as we are here, we might as well bring back the groceries." The next day, when Cluny, Peter, and Wilhelm, returned to the police station, all three noticed how the detective was "handling" the investigation. The man was being just cleverly obtuse enough, in his accusations, to make Caseys twenty year old crimes seem like all had just occurred, the day before. The man must hav been going at it, most of the morning, since Casey was looking stressed, and exhausted. The more that Casey tried to say "Yes, twenty years ago, I DID do such things." The more the detective would say "So, you ARE a thief." When Casey would say "WAS". The detective ignored her, saying "Alright, thief. WHERE are the Lady St. Edmunds items?" When Casey would stretch, and say "I, really, dont know." The detective would say "So, you admit that you stole, and sold, the items. You just dont remember who the buyer was." When Casey would say "NO!", the Detective would say "Refusal to cooperate, with an investigation. Well, young thief. American or not. You are about to spend ten YEARS, as a "guest", of their majesties." Casey was being transported, to a womans prison, even as Wilhelm updated his inventory, and reported more items missing. When Peter would ask Cluny "What do we do, now? This was Caseys idea." Cluny would say "We see it through. For her sake. We find Grandmothers items. Turn the REAL criminal over to police, and HOPE that is enough to clear Casey." What no one planned on was for the "game" to take over a week, to be played out. Spotting the property was no real problem. Plenty of people, willing to help out. Still, it would seem that it took the REAL criminal a full week, to learn that the radar was on its way, to Candleshoe. Once spotted, by an observer, Peter, Wilhelm, and Cluny, would follow the trespassers trail, then watch as the theif grabbed some kind of cart, and began loading the stolen items into the cart. When Cluny would whisper, to Peter "Should we detain them, now?" Peter would whisper back "Not yet. Lets find out where they take Grandmothers items. Maybe we can learn more, along the way." By the time the "children", of Candleshoe, found out WHERE Grandmothers items were headed, the three also learned the identities, of atleast two, of the buyers. When the three rushed the court house, for Casey's arraignment, Cluny, Peter, and Wilhelm, no-sooner listenened to the prosecutor listing Caseys PAST crimes, but, then, the three were surprised when the judge brought forth Casey's JUVENILE documents. When the judge began emphasizing the DATES, th prosecutor insisted "The defendant HAS a previous, arrest, record!" The judge, however, would say "The accused HAD a PAST criminal record. A record, from, almost, TWENTY YEARS ago." When the prosecutor would hear the judge say "Unless you have CURRENT information, to charge th accused with." The prosecutor would say "Surveillance has observeed Miss Casey Brown, entering a KNOWN, underworld, pawn broker shop." When the judge would ask "For what reason?" The prosecutor would say "We BELIEVE Miss Browns intentions were to find an establishment, which would fence the items." Aftre the judge, and the prosecutor, would "jockey", back and forth, several times, including over the fact that it is NOT illegal to enter a pawn shop, or to ask questions." The prosecutor would say "She tried to leave the area, with-OUT proper approvals." The judge would ask "How FAR, from th village, beyond Candleshoe, was Miss Brown detained?" The prosecutor would say "I am proud to say that we apprehended the defendant, as she ENTERED town. We never gave her a chance to make her get-a-way." When the judge would say "In that case, just how much contraband DID the accused have, in her motor, at the time of detention?" When the prosecutor would press "Your honor. The defendant is a known, and admitted, THIEF! How can the court question her guilt?" The judge would say "So far, Mr. Prosecutor, ALL you have done is reminded this court of the distant PAST. This court has been provided with NO evidence, of RECENT crimes." When the detective inspector would interrupt the court, saying "Your honor, the defendant IS an acknowledged THIEF! Give me a few hours, and I WILL get a confession out of her." The judge would bang his gavel, saying "Baliff, remove the detective inspector from this court rooom." The judge would, then, turn, to the prosecutor, saying "This is NOT America. The British Empire does NOT torture people, into confession. Now, Mr. Prosecutor, unless you have RELEVANT, current, information, to present to this court, this court is inclined to dismiss the case, against Miss Casey Brown." Looking just like his heart had been ripped, from his chest, the prosecutor would say "No objection, your honor." Later, back at Candleshoe, Cluny, Peter, Wilhelm, and Casey would celebrate both the actions, of recovering Grandmothers items, AND Casey's freedom. Even now, however, Casey was no fool. Casey KNEW that the local constables would be waiting, and watching, for the slightest error, on Caseys part, to provide an excuse, to apprehend the woman on. Desite this and, even with the appearance, of yet another, previously unknown, part, of the estate, Wilhelm and Peter agreed "It should make for a jolly good time, finding out what ELSE lies beneath our feet." Casey would caution "Be careful what you wish for. You just might get it." According to the ground-penetrating radar results, there were stairwells, and passageways, which Peter doubted that even Priory had known about. When Peter found a deep passage, which seemed to lead AWAY from the property, Peter would ask Wilhelm to join him on a walk. This, while asking Cluny "Would you prepare us a days worth of food, just as a precaution." When Casey would say "You dont intend to WALK the whole thing, do you?" When Peter would ask "What not?" Casey would say "You have no idea of where that passage terminnates. You COULD wind up under the ocean." Peter would say "Dont exagerate. It is probably, no-longer than to the county seat. Besides, we will turn back, if there is trouble. Right, Wilhelm?" Wilhelm would say "Right ho!". Since both Casey, and Cluny, were curious about what the passage might look like, the ladies prepared the food, then accompanied Peter, and Wilhelm, down th ancient, spiral, staircase. Before begining the descent, however, Peter would take notice of an ancient-looking block-and-tackle, bolted to the basement ceiling. After this, and for what seemed like half an hour, the four adventurers descended the stairs, until they came to a landing. While none, of them, really knew WHAT to expect, down here, none of the young, were prepared for what they would find. It was a doorway, without a door, yet the frame was decorated in the height of beauty, of ancient, British, carving. What caught the groups attention, though, was what was IN the doorway. The spirit, of Captain Joshua St. Edmund, himself. When Wilhelm would ask "Sir, WHO are you?" (Thinking this person might be another intruder) Captain Joshua would remove his captains hat, then, bow, before his visitors, saying "Captain Joshua St. Edmund, Maquis of Candleshoe." When Peter would say "Sir, you have been dead, for centuries. Why do you remain?" Captain Joshua would say "I know of your plans, to search this passage. I have come to caution you against this endeavor." When Casey would ask "Why? It looks safe enough, to me." Captain Joshua would say "Young lady, I have been around, longer than you can imagine. I have walkeed this passage, both in life, and now, in death. Believe me when I inform you of this. Within the next two centuries, the passage will fail, and this entire level will be flooded." When Peter would ask "Sir, where did this passage lead, in your day?" Captain Joshua would say "This was a transport tunnel. I built it for my crew to use, in order to avoid the prying eyes, of townsfolk. They are good people, but nosy." When Peter would ask Captain Joshua "Sir, what is your desire, that we should accomplish, with this passage way?" Captain Joshua would say "To ensure the survival, of Candleshoe, I recommend a wall, no less than six bricks thick, be built, to close off this opening." When Casey would ask the captain "What else is there, which we are not, yet aware of?" Captain Joshua St. Edmund would smile, and give a wink, as he said "Candleshoe holds many delightful, and some frightening, surprises. Brick up this passageway, and forget about it. Other wonders await thee." When the four adventurers climbed back up the staircase, to the basement, Peter would say "Atleast we can, still use this block-and-tackle, to carry loads of bricks." When Casey would ask "How do we KNOW that tunnel was un-safe? Just because of some, old, ghost?" Cluny, Peter, and Wilhelm, would step back, and watch, as the captain appearred, behind Casey. When Casey saw the looks, on the others faces, she would say "Let me guess. The captain, or atleast his ghost, is standing right in back of me." When the captain would say "Right, young woman." The four left the basement, and had a "final meal", before Casey would say "I have been away, far too long, anyway. Lord knows what my own family has been up to." After two adventures, in one month, Casey was ready to return home. Casey did wonder what her home would look like. After all, America did not have the strict rules, of behavior, which Great Britain was so proud of. This time, Casey made her flight. Casey just wondered what might lie, ahead.