Joseph Andrew Collins

The following is a pure work of fiction and is the property of the author.

If you are looking to get off quick, read something else. This story is presented in serial form and you'll read a lot of background, before you get any mind-blowing sex scenes and then not as many as in the past.

If you are bothered by same sex relationships, read no farther. It's a story with some sex, not sex with some story. Please remember this is fiction. Representation of characters and institutions may not be relevant to today's society. I do not usually acknowledge e-mails, instead using my time to write. I do appreciate hearing from you to let me know if this story is meeting your expectations. Hope that you continue enjoying the story. LJB

Joseph Andrew Collins Chapter 5

"Joe, are you still awake ?" Kirk asked me as we lay in our beds.

"Yeah." I responded.

"You know what Brad and that other Brother said, in the locker room this afternoon, about DPD not putting up with bigotry of any kind ?"

"That other Brother was Andrew, the Past President of the Chapter." I clarified. "What about what they said ?"

"I don't understand how they could boot that guy out," Kirk continued, "just because he got pissed when he thought you guys were fags. It was just a misunderstanding."

"So you think what he said was okay if we had been a couple of gay guys ?" I asked.

"I can't stand those people." he declared. "They're not human. It just isn't natural."

"How many of 'those' people do you know ?" I questioned further.

"Well, none really." he stated after thinking for a minute. "How would I know people like that ? We don't have any of that stuff at home. Well, there was that one fag in my gym class a couple years ago. He tried to hide what he was, but he didn't last very long. My friend, Elmer caught him lookin' at guys in the dressing room and that was the end of him. He got taught a lesson and didn't come back."

"Kirk, are you telling me you were a part of hurting a guy you thought was gay ?" I queried incredulously.

"Well, no, not me personally." he responded. "I didn't know about it at the time. They beat him up a bit. Told him to get out of town. Nothing too serious."

"And if you had known about it at the time, you would have helped out." I stated.

"Yeah. Likely. I guess so." he admitted. "What's the big deal ? It was a while ago and just some fuckin' fag. Why's it so important to you ?"

"Because I'm gay."

That ended our conversation the night following the Basketball Tournament. Kirk had no more to say to me and I just went to sleep eventually. When I got up the next morning, Kirk was gone. I had heard him up earlier, but didn't pay any attention, as it was too early. He had dressed and left our room, so I didn't have to deal with him further first thing anyway.

"Where's Kirk ?" Pete asked as we walked to the cafeteria.

"I'm not really sure." I replied. "He was gone when I got up this morning."

"How come he's out so early ?" Chuck questioned. This seemed as good a time as any.

"I'm not certain, but it's likely because I told him last night that I'm gay." There was the moment of deathly silence.

"Thank God." Chuck stated, looking at Pete. "Now we won't have to always try to be so damn quiet sucking each other's dick at night." Pete's eyes got as wide as saucers as his head snapped to look at me.

"Well, snap my suspenders and call me Nellie." I muttered. "I didn't have any idea. Are you a couple, or is this just convenience ?" They stopped walking and looked at each other.

"I don't know." Pete answered. "Let us get back to you on that."

{Kirk sorts things out.}

I could hardly sleep all night. "I'm gay. I'm gay. I'm gay." Joe's voice kept echoing in my mind. He had to be kidding me. Teaching me a lesson of some kind. This was Joe. In two weeks he had become the very best friend I've ever had. Practically the only friend I've ever really had. If it weren't for him, my life here would be the same torturous, lonely hell it had always been at home.

"Because I'm gay. I'm gay. I'm gay." It kept ringing over and over. My mind kept coming back to it. I thought about the first couple days after he had to straighten me out. I remember starting the bullshit sex stories you hear in the locker rooms about my sexual exploits and conquests. I never had any friends; I sure as hell never had any dates. I'm as cherry as the top of a sundae and I don't know how, but he knew it. I remember him listening politely to my bull and then changing the subject. I never started that crap again.

I must have dropped off to sleep finally at some point. I remember dreaming that I was back at my old high school. A group of guys were outside, over in a corner of the grounds. I walked over to them and saw they were standing around the gay kid. He was naked and crouched down and had his arms up shielding his head. Someone kicked him. "Your turn, Kirk." someone told me. "Give the little fag a smack and straighten him out." I bent forward with my fist drawn back, ready to punch the little sucker. His hands came down and his bloodied face looked up at me. "I'm gay." he said and it was Joe. I woke up with a start and found myself crying. Looking over at Joe, I assured myself he was safely sleeping in his bed.

Too afraid to go back to sleep, I got up and dressed. I had no plan as to where I would go, but I knew I had to walk. I must have walked for a couple hours around the campus. It was quiet and no one else was around. My mind was spinning. Joe told me he was gay. Gays are evil. Joe is..., no Joe isn't evil, or vile, or any of the things I had understood or heard about men who choose to be that way. I don't know what to think or feel. This makes no sense to me.

"Is there something we can do for you Kirk ?" a voice asked, filtering into my thoughts. I looked around and realized the sun had come up and it was morning. I was sitting on the front porch steps of the Frat House. As I looked up, I realized one of the Brothers was standing on the porch speaking to me. "Kirk, do you need something ?" Tears started streaming out of my eyes. I started to cry, sitting on the Frat House porch steps, in front of one of the Brothers.

I heard another voice behind him saying, "What's up Andrew ? You need help ?"

"Go and tell Brad I need him right now. No delay." Andrew's voice echoed in my ears, seeming far away. I felt arms wrap around me and a voice coaxed me to my feet. I couldn't seem to stop crying. I didn't know where I was going. Next thing I remember, I was sitting on a couch in the big reception room of the Frat House and Andrew was sitting next to me with his arms still wrapped around me.

"I'm here Andrew." a voice said and I knew it was Brad, without seeing him. The arms around me left and I felt all alone, then Brad was sitting beside me, holding me. I heard him speaking to me and I turned my head to look at him.

"Kirk, what's wrong ? Is Joe all right ? Is he sick or injured ?" he spoke to me softly and evenly, but I knew he was very worried. Did he know ? Did he know his little brother was a queer ? Or was the guy in the shower yesterday more on track than anyone ever let on ? Was everyone gay ? Was I the only normal person in this whole place ?

I guess I must have just been staring at Brad blankly. He asked me again about Joe and what was wrong.

"He's gay." I heard myself say, but it didn't sound like me, it sounded like someone else was saying it. "Joe's gay, he told me so." I could see Brad pause for a moment then relax, the worry leaving his facial expression. Someone took my hands and wrapped them around a cup of hot drink. Brad told me to drink it and I did. It was sweet, hot and very warming. In a few minutes my senses started to come back to me.

"C'mon." Brad instructed me. It was an order and even though he put his arm around my shoulder, I knew he was in charge, which I somehow knew I needed him to be. We went through a doorway into another lounge and up a staircase, then down a hallway. He opened a door and took me into a room, which I somehow understood was his room. There were two beds in it and he peeled back the covers on the one that was neatly made up. Hands removed my shirt and slid my pants to my ankles. I realized someone else was with us. "Get in." he stated and I did without hesitation. I felt him take off my runners, socks and bunched-up pants, then cover me with the blankets.

"I'm afraid to sleep." I told him. "The dreams are..." I stammered when I tried to give a description.

"You can sleep." he assured me. "Either Andrew or I will be here all the time." Knowing they would be here seemed to make me feel a lot better. He ran his fingers through my hair gently. "Now go to sleep." I did as he told me.

I opened my eyes and even with the dimness of the room with the drapes drawn, I knew it was still daytime outside. As I slowly looked around the room, I located Brad lying on his bed, reading from a book. He must have heard me move my head, because he looked over at me.

"It's about time you woke up." he said. His voice was normal, not indicating he was angry or upset with me. "It's five o'clock, Friday afternoon. You've been asleep about 11 hours." He sat up, swinging his legs over the side of his bed. "What's more important to you, a shower, or something to eat ?" I realized I was hungry as soon as he mentioned food.

"I think something to eat." I responded, realizing my throat was somewhat sore. Then I remembered all the crying I had been doing. I felt embarrassed. "You must think I'm a real wacko, showing up like I did this morning." I suggested.

"No." Brad quietly assured me. "John Bayer, the Psychologist you've been seeing, thought when you had your security threatened, you would likely turn to him, or us. He left the sedative with me we gave you this morning to help you sleep. It was in the drink."

"I don't know how I even got here." I admitted. "I could have gone off anywhere."

"Dr. John felt you would likely come here. You knew I was here and would look after you." he told me. I sat and thought about that.

"I thought you hated me." I told him.

"I didn't like you at first, but Joe was pretty positive and insistent about your potential." he explained. "When I really analyzed my feelings, I realized there were things about you I didn't like, but it wasn't you. When I saw you working to straighten yourself out, I changed my initial opinion. John felt through his sessions with you that a realization had occurred on your part that I would help you, when you needed it. You also have formed a sense of attachment to the Brothers, so we were the logical place for you to come."

"Joe has said to me, more than once, you would be the one to support me. I just never saw it." I admitted.

"Maybe not on the outside, but on the inside you did." Brad suggested.

"What am I going to do, Brad ?" I asked. "I said some pretty cruddy things to Joe about fa... gays. He must hate me. I show up here like a little child, crying over everything. My chances with the Brothers must be done. I don't blame them for dumping me. I've really let it fall apart."

"No one's dumping you." a deep voice, which seemed familiar said. I looked to the doorway and the Brother known as Andrew was standing there. Joe had mentioned him a number of times and seemed to really like him. Andrew held a tray and Brad jumped up from his bed and took it from him. "All the Brothers who live in the House are regular people, Kirk. We all have our ups and downs. We value more the tenacity of those who remain open enough to ask for help when they need it, than those who would carry the load alone and eventually damage themselves beyond repair. No one here thinks any the less of you for what's transpired today. They know you came for help and you are welcome here."

"And as far as Joe goes," Brad added, "you're going to have to face him and talk about your difficulties. Wandering around in a fog is not getting you anywhere. Grasp the bull by the horns and deal with it. Keep an open mind and you will find knowledge will resolve your dilemma."

Brad told me to sit up with my back against the wall on the one side of the bed. He then placed the tray Andrew had brought on my lap. It had an assortment of items on it, all designed to make the hunger in my stomach disappear. When I was finished eating, I was given a couple big towels and some soap and shampoo and sent into the shower room. They even included a clean pair of someone's boxer shorts for me.

When I was clean and dressed, Andrew and Brad took me through the hallways to a meeting room. In it, seated in a circle were four of the Brothers. There were three chairs unoccupied and I realized as we entered the room and they shut the door, they were for us.

{At the dorms.}

"We have him. He'll be back when we're done." That's all the message from Brad on my answering machine said. It was enough. I knew Kirk was safe and was being looked after.

It was Friday evening, the night before the big Rush Ball at the Frat House. I think we were all excited. It seemed like everyone in Roberts Hall had been invited and many were starting their preparations tonight, making certain their suits had lost the wrinkles of transportation from home a couple weeks ago, seeing that their dress shoes were shining like a boot camp cadet's and finalizing arrangements with their dates.

The four of us had dates. We had acted early and invited some of the girls from our classes. They had seemed just as anxious to go as we had. The DPD Frat House Rush Week Ball was a tradition at the College and could be considered somewhat on a par with your high school graduation prom. The guys were out to put their best foot forward for this final chance to make an impression before the Invitations to Pledge were delivered. The Freshman girls on the other hand were making their first visit to the famous House and hoping they would have an opportunity to be there again. Their best bet was if their date to this party ended up being one of this year's class of new Brothers. Best impressions were on the minds of everyone.

"Joe, I want to really thank you." Pete said to me as the three of us sat in my room watching some TV. "If it weren't for you, I would never have even been invited to the Rush Events for Delta Phi Delta. I'm no social animal and I wouldn't have made it on my own. I don't expect to be asked to Pledge, so I don't even need to think about making the Trials. This has been an experience I'll never forget."

"Me too." Chuck added. "For everything he said."

"I think you guys are underestimating yourselves and the perceptiveness of the Brothers." I responded to them. "This is a very special Fraternity. They are not just jocks running around for thrills, parties and good times. They do a lot of good that you are not yet aware about. The people invited to Pledge will be men of not only some athletic prowess, but with stature of spirit and commitment. They will be caring, intelligent, service-minded men, who want to be part of a unique family, not just a body in a jock motel."

"You make it sound so singular." Chuck commented.

"It is, that and more. I've had the edge of knowing these men and having them be my friends." I continued. "They haven't just been nice to me, they are nice people to begin with. They demand a lot from each other and give it back willingly. I believe you two have a much better chance than you think, because you are each a similar type of individual. If you are not asked to Pledge, then there are candidates out there way beyond human levels and DPD believe in humans."

About 9:00 p.m., there was a knock at the door and I went over to see who was there. Opening the door, I discovered Kirk standing there with Brad and Andrew. Kirk stood looking at the floor in silence. After a couple moments, Brad poked Kirk in the shoulder, prodding him to speak.

"Joe, can I come...can we come in and talk with you, please." he asked.

"Of course you can come in." I answered, I'm sure with my voice full of questions. "It's your room as much as mine." They entered and I closed the door. Seeing who had arrived, Chuck and Pete stood up and moved toward the bathroom door, in exodus to their own room.

"Don't go." Kirk said to them. "Please, stay and listen to what I need to say." They looked at each other and then to me. I nodded fairly emphatically and pointed to my bed. They sat down on it. Andrew and Brad, still having said nothing, went and sat on Kirk's bed. He and I pulled our desk chairs next to our individual beds and sat down. There was a moment of quiet.

"You guys all know first hand what an asshole I can be." Kirk stated. "Well, I went and proved it to Joe again last night. I spouted off a lot of crap about something which until this evening I really knew nothing about and understood even less." He had been looking at the floor, but paused and looked directly at each of the three of us.

"I spent two hours tonight with a group of Brothers who gave me information I had never heard before. I opened my mind and allowed some light into it. I actually learned some facts, which surprised me and some history, which horrified me. Joe, I ask your forgiveness for what I said last night and the attitudes I conveyed. I understand how inappropriate my attitude and values were and assure you, I will never be so ignorant again."

I guaranteed Kirk his apology was more than adequate and how glad I was that he had been open to the information provided to him. We all talked together for a while and I could tell Kirk's perspective had expanded to a concept of gays being ordinary, regular people who were entitled to respect and consideration. When everyone left, we sat a while longer and settled ourselves that the other was over the irritations felt the night before.

"Joe, are you still awake ?" Kirk asked me as we lay in our beds.

"Yeah." I responded.

"Do you think I could suck a cock ? he asked.

"Would you want to ?" I questioned. There was a pause.

"Not really." he admitted.

"Then you would be breaking my Dad's first rule of sex." I informed him. "Never do anything that makes any participant feel uncomfortable."

"That's a good rule. I'm going to remember that and follow it." he declared. "Are there others ?"

"A few." I said. "Always play safely. Think of your partner's needs first. Be honest. That about covers it."

"What, no don'ts ?"

"You shouldn't need them if you apply the others." I explained. It remained quiet for a few minutes.

"Joe." Kirk called out quietly. "You could do me sometime if you wanted. I'd let you, you know. You're my best friend and I love you. I could never have told anyone that before, but the Brothers made me understand that I can own my own feelings, without shame or embarrassment. Feeling strongly about another man doesn't make me gay, it just allows me to be human." I was certain his offer, although stated somewhat inappropriately, had been made with the best of intentions and he was in fact expressing an offer to open himself to my potential needs.

"Anything sexual that went on between us would just be physical, Kirk." I informed him. "I love you as a friend, a brother, but my emotional heart belongs to someone else. I can see a lot of potential unfolding with him. Besides, after tomorrow night you're going to be full-time busy with a new girl friend and a lot of other cute chicks you're going to meet."

"Thanks for saving me, Joe." he added quietly.

"Thanks for being saved, my friend." I returned.

{The Party} It was everything I'd been told and more. Brad had described everything to me before, but as much as he tried for accuracy, he wasn't even close.

There weren't any limousines or stylish cars. This was a 'walk to' affair. After calling for our dates from their residence, we strolled the College paths until we rounded the bend of the walkway to the House. The view literally took your breath away. The House had multiple coloured lights flooded on it, which basked the main building in a water blue colour and each of the four peripheral structures in a different complimentary colour. A few lights had been passed through prisms, which caused the effect of visual texture to the structures. It was indeed striking when first seen.

The front lawns, all manicured and landscaped with precision detail, had tables set out on them. The tables were covered with white linens and refreshments had been placed on some of them, allowing guests to help themselves and wander unhindered around the grounds. Coloured strings of light were wound around the front porch railings and balusters, drawing your eyes up the stairway, through the wide-open double front doors and into the brightly lit room of the main lounge.

A guiding walkway rope had been erected and led guests through a check-in point, where names were compared to a listing of those who had been issued invitations. One of the most impressive sights to first be seen was our hosts. The Brothers were all dressed in grey/brown, tuxedos with short-waist coats and ¾ tails over white, ruffled shirts, bow ties and cummerbunds a deeper, rich browner colour than their outfits. Each one of them was an image off a cover from GQ. The scene had the appearance of a clip from the lawn party in 'Gone with the Wind', only this one may have been more dazzling.

We reached the check-in point. Each of us gave our name to the young ladies marking off the lists.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Collins," the beautiful woman behind the registration table I was standing at said, "but your name does not appear to be on the list." I felt my heart drop into my stomach. "If you just wait a moment Sir, I'll page the Supervisor." My three companions and their dates had been quickly admitted and my date and I remained standing to the side of the lines. I saw a chair and brought it over for Linda, my date, to sit on.

"I'm sorry about this, Linda." I apologized.

"Mr. Collins. The Supervisor has arrived." I was informed. I turned around and found myself standing almost nose-to-nose with Vince Willows. The light bulb finally flashed on.

"Ah, Mr. Collins." Vince spouted loudly. "You do seem to have a problem with attending DPD functions, don't you ?" It was a rhetorical question. "If you should eventually become a Pledge and then a member of this Fraternity, do you think you'll ever get the hang of showing up at the right place at the right time ?" Also rhetorical. He had reached the point where the smile on his face was breaking into little sputters of laughter. "Now who is it you said invited you to this Party ?"

"Let me see." I began. "I have been invited by Andrew, Brad, Chris, Steve, Bruce, Cliff, Nathan, Duane, Hogan and about twenty other Brothers."

"But it seems all of those individuals have been negligent and not placed your name on the all important guest list." he commented.

"And then of course there was you." I stated. "If I should ever become a Pledge and then a member of this Fraternity, do you think you'll ever get the hang of not leaving me out of everything ?"

"I think he's had enough, Vince." a voice behind me commented. I turned to find Chris, Steve and Brad standing with my friends having a good old chuckle.

"Mr. Collins, on behalf of the members of DPD, I welcome you to the DPD Rush Week Ball." Vince stated and offering my date his arm, led us all past the check-in and to the party activities. Music blaring from speakers on the porch had come to life and an announcer welcomed everyone, inviting them to participate and enjoy themselves. The party was officially underway.

It was not until I had occasion to enter the House, I found out the music was live. A group of five musicians and two singers were on a platform, which had been installed across the rear of the lounge area. There was an open bar in this room and two outside. At check-in each person had been given 2 tickets for free drinks. After that, it was cash as had been previously advertised.

We all danced both inside and outside and our dates accepted offers from several of the Brothers to dance as well. There was a lot of mixing, meeting other students from your classes, who you never had a chance to talk with during the week. About 11:00 the Brothers brought out trays and platters of food and placed it on tables, which had been set up. There was pizza, chicken wings, deli meats and breads or rolls and all the condiments that were desired. There were tossed salads and vegetable platters with dips, as well as submarine sandwiches of all kinds, potatoes as French fries or chips and fruit plates, nachos and chilli/cheese dip as well. Paper plates, loads of napkins and plastic utensils made everything easy to handle.

About an hour after the food was brought out, there was another surge of tuxedoed Brothers carrying out trays of dessert goodies ranging from cookies and cakes to apple pie and chocolate éclairs. About a half hour after that the music started up again and continued on as couples started to drift home for some much needed rest and sleep. We took our dates back to their dorm about 1:30 and then went back to the Frat House to help with the cleanup. I suggested doing this and none of my friends objected.

Over the course of the evening, a number of the young male guests had overindulged at the bar and showed the results of it in a number of differing ways. In each case one or more of the Brothers had interceded and seen that the individual was taken back to their residence or put to bed in the Frat House. In the case of young ladies who succumbed to the effects of the spirits, a Brother would walk back to their residence with the woman and her date to assure there were no misunderstandings.

At 2 in the morning the live band stopped and some recorded music of a much slower and more romantic nature came over the speakers. It was now, for the first time tonight, the Brothers took a little time for themselves and danced with their girlfriends. There had been a dozen women tonight who had helped with the check-in and circulated, chatting and dancing with a few men who had not brought dates, that I recognized as steady girlfriends of some Brothers. Donna was Steve's girl and I had danced with her a couple times. I've always liked Donna and hoped she and Steve were able to make a go of it.

While the Brothers had their time, our group of four started clearing and stacking. We had half of the front yard straightened up, when Andrew came over to where we were working.

"Hey, fellas." he said. "Thank you for pitching in. We're all worn out. You know we can't include your help here in our considerations tomorrow." I gave him a dirty look.

"You know that's not why we came to help out." I told him. Andrew walked over to me and put his arms around my neck, facing me. He leaned his forehead against mine.

"Yes, I know it." he replied. "I had to say it anyway."

"I know." I allowed. He hugged me tightly and I hugged him back. When he released me, he turned and walked back into the house. We finished the yard cleanup and went back to the dorm and to bed. It was about 3:30 a.m. Sunday morning.

"Hey, Joe. Come for a run with me." Kirk was saying. "It's 8:30 already. Come on get up."

"Eat shit and die." I growled at him. He went away and I slept on.

"Joe. It's Pete." the voice said softly to me. "We're going to go and have the brunch in the cafeteria. Do you want to come ? Kirk made me come to ask you."

"Time." I demanded and waited for his response.

"It's 11 o'clock, Sunday morning." the voice announced.

"Eat shit and die." I responded. He went away and I slept on.

"Oh, Joey. Sweetie." A different, but familiar voice trilled to me. "GET YOUR ASS OUT OF THAT BED, NOW!!" my brother, Brad shouted. I sprang up to my feet at attention with my eyes wide open.

"You got him trained gooooood." Vince, who stood beside Brad in front of me commented and smiled. My senses had caught up with my body and I suddenly realized I was totally buck-naked. What was worse, my morning woody was poking at full extension straight out in front of me. What was I to do ? Was this my brother and potential boyfriend standing in front of me, or was it the Pledge Master and one of the Brothers ?

"Looks like you need to take a leak, Tick." Brad commented with a chuckle. As soon as he said 'Tick', I knew he was just being my occasionally obnoxious big brother with my now, soon to be former if he isn't careful, potential boyfriend. I was going to kill both of them, but first I grabbed my towel and hightailed it into the bathroom.

"I hope this doesn't mean you're going to start being shy." Vince cooed as I exited the bathroom with my towel wrapped around me. I sat on my bed.

"What the hell are you two doing here on selection day ? I grumbled. "Aren't you suppose to be in the House with everyone else, slandering the Freshman Class ?"

"You're wanted." Brad announced. He looked at me seriously and I felt a chill run through me.

"Why ?" I asked hesitantly. Both of them had taken on serious looks.

"The Executive Council has recommended that the Brothers interview you on matters of Fraternity confidentiality." Vince told me. "Our instructions are to toilet you, feed you and then present you to the Brothers." Well at least the continuing problem of my morning woody was gone.

I give up!!

137 e-mails in 24 hours is an awful lot of appreciation. Thank you to each and every one of you who wrote and who will still write yet.

I really need to make a number of points, so that those few who have assumed (that's always such a wonderful word) knowledge of my intent can possibly re-think their view.

• I am not soliciting or inviting compliments or even criticism. I am making you aware that I determine the merit of the product I produce by the reaction of my audience. If that reaction is insufficient to warrant my further effort or the continued use of Archive space, then I am obligated to scrap the project and begin over again.

• I write fiction, which sometimes may be based on fact. The FRATERNITY in this story is fiction. For those outside the North American continent, please do not believe the group as described in this story will be found at any institution of higher learning. Some Fraternities do noteworthy charitable projects, but they are not the rule. A counter-image comes up in a few chapters further along.

• My chapters are presented every three or four days because I don't ever begin posting a story until I am at least 80% done writing it. No, your notes don't have any effect on my storyline, because it's already written, besides if I made changes all the time it would be your story, not mine.

• I don't want to start, or even continue any argument with those who didn't want to send a note (to me in this instance), because "I don't usually respond to e-mail, using my time instead to write.". Is that position not the same as, "I didn't say anything about the present you sent to me, because you wouldn't send me a thank you for my thank you." ? I think we storytellers may be better off without any in this case.

For those of you who took the hint and let me know you wanted this story to continue, I note that I had already indicated it would continue in my original message. It looks like the anticipated 12 chapters isn't going to do, so I am now projecting this as a 15 -- 18 chapter series. Sequels are definitely possible over time. Thank you again for showing you care as much as I do.

Now, how about sending that long due "congratulations and thanks" to some other storyteller who has provided you with entertainment, stimulation for thought, or maybe just a good cleansing cry ?