Being Moved When You Age

Being Moved When You Age

 

 

I recently fell ill for five months and found myself... not in my home but in Brookdale Park, a Senior Independent Living community.  It was quite a change from my retirement to the woods where I expected to live my final days and die in the comfort of my own home.

It's very beautiful here and the residents and hosts are friendly but it doesn't feel like home.  Instead of cathedral ceilings, I have straight, cracker box ceilings.  It took everything I had left from my retirement (which was basically nothing) after spending it on trying to heal Diane's stomach cancer in order to purchase a double-wide trailer with cathedral ceilings.  Now it's taking everything I have to live here.

It's alright I guess.  It's just not what I'm used to.  I was trying to get away from the hustle and bustle of the big city and have enough room between my place and the neighbors to work on my music without disturbing them too much.  Now I'm in an apartment and the neighbors are close but so far no one has complained about the music.  In fact, I'm becoming a bit of a celebrity around here.  Of course, I'm playing an acoustic guitar right now and not my electric.  There ARE some people here who like blues but most of them seem to be into Country music (yuk) rather than the type of music I generally play.  I even got cussed out by two different people for not knowing San Antonio Rose.  Boy, those old ladies can get MAD if you don't know their favorite song!  I'm just glad they didn't pick up their purses and start hitting me over the head!  Haha

I'm trying to make the best of things.  I get one meal a day... the large meal being lunch in the dining room.  Sometimes the selection isn't optimal for me since I have no teeth so I have to get creative in my ordering.  I don't REALLY want to order a ten dollar hamburger everyday.  They have a nasty habit of substituting a pasta dish when I order potatoes... sometimes with cheese, which is bad for my IBS, and the pasta makes me choke because it gets stuck in the flap where I pulled out my vocal cords trying to pull out my breathing tube after my second CABG.  I guess I'm going to have to be more firm about getting what I ask for instead of what they WANT to give me.  I realize that there are a lot of people ordering a lot of different things, but they DO have electronic devices on which they can write the orders.  These are the same devices on which they charge you for your meal.

I need to start cooking again.  My sister did buy me some new pots and pans.  They're not the expensive ones I bought and are used to but I COULD cook with them.  I just have to wait for payday and see if I have any money left for food.  I have very little in my refrigerator and pantry at the moment.  That's another thing I have to get used to.  It's just strange being without a way to get the things I need.  I can starve myself of some of my medication if I have to in order to buy food.  They seem to be overdosing me on blood pressure medicine at the moment anyway.  Either that or my heart is just on its last legs with the arteries being so plugged.  I DO still seem to be getting around fairly well with my mom's rollator though so as long as I don't have a sudden blood pressure drop, I'm okay.  I can cook what I need when I get some food and what I need right now is spinach.  Strangely enough, if I start getting warts, I know that I need spinach.  I had three on my foot and ate spinach everyday for two weeks and they went away.  Fifty-nine years of trial and error has let me know what my body needs.  Oh, and I also need to learn to cook meat that's tender enough for me to eat.  My heart still needs it to heal.  I really don't get enough protein from Vegan diets or even eating just fish for some reason.  Eating beef seems to line out my blood pressure generally.

Socializing is strange at first.  I'm lucky that I smoke or I probably wouldn't have many friends yet.  Playing guitar and singing helps as well.  They keep wanting me to perform for the Fun Friday event but I'm not performance ready at this time and I don't have the equipment that I really need to make it a better experience.  Some people are suspicious of strangers at first because they're afraid that you're going to "narc" on them for smoking cigarettes outside their door instead of going to the designated areas.  Heck.  I don't care what they do.  If they want to drink in the smoking area (which I don't think is allowed since the American Bistro serves alcohol), I don't care.  It's cheaper for them to buy their own than pay $4.00 a beer.  I know what it's like to be on a very strict budget.  I just try to get along with everyone and stay out of their squabbles with other tenants as much as possible.  Being probably the youngest tenant here makes things a little strange sometimes and I feel like an outcast most of the time except when I'm with my friends at the smoking table.  I try to keep them laughing as much as possible but there are some days that it's hard for me to joke around.  It would be nice to find someone who can make me laugh too.  A couple of the ladies come up with a nice zinger on occasion but many of the people here can't hear or don't have the mental faculties to carry on a conversation.  Sometimes people avoid me because they think I'm one of the staff unless I'm carrying around my guitar.  I guess I need to carry around my guitar more often.

I HAVE gotten the nickname Superman here since I generally wear a Superman shirt when I play guitar for the ladies.  It was my performance outfit online so it may as well be here too.  The old folks like Superman anyway.  As long as it makes people happy, who is it hurting?  The only people who seem to object are my family.  Ah well.  I think they're at least used to it by now.  I really don't know what they have against Superman.  Maybe they're Batman fans.  hah

If I had my vehicle, the Willowbrook Mall is only one block away.  I could probably make it with the rollator if I took enough sit breaks but I'm a little uneasy about getting out of the range of my locator until the doctor gets my blood pressure medications straightened out.  Right now my body is holding me captive from going and exploring the hot spots.  Of course, money is an issue at the moment as well.  After having someone somehow getting my new debit card number (which I haven't even had a chance to use) and putting a bunch of $39.00 charges on it, it hasn't left much to even pay the bills.  My sister went to the bank and thinks that she finally got it straightened out.  They cancelled the card again so HOPEFULLY they won't be able to get the new card number AGAIN.  Every time I ordered the MIDI cables for my electric piano, my mom lost the card and cancelled it anyway so it was useless for me to try to order anything online.  I'm not sure what happened this time.  I went to the websites listed on the bank statement and they appeared to be phishing sites though so I suspect that someone tried to order something with my card, perhaps by accident.

I guess the biggest adjustment to being moved into a place like this is the loss of control over your own life.  Yes, I forget people's names sometimes and I can't remember telephone numbers since the mini-stroke but other than that, my brain seems to be functioning fairly well.  Maybe I'm not functioning as well as I think I am but everyone here seems to feel that I'm functioning just fine.  Yes, I have problems when the diarrhea hits and my blood pressure drops making me nearly pass out or completely pass out once but I'm on a medication to help control that now.  If it works, I should be fine.  That and not eating milk products does make a difference.  It's probably good to be in a place where there are people in case something DOES happen, but it's still hard losing control over your finances and possessions.  I'm not BIG on possessions but I WOULD like to have what I need to do the things I'd like to do to at least bring a little happiness to others.  Knowing that you're probably serving a life sentence in a place, even if it's nice, is a difficult adjustment.  A nice prison is still a prison.  I'm not really confined since I can leave when I want as long as I check out and back in so they know why the locator alarm is going off but it still feels as if you're being monitored.  I understand that it's for my health but it's still disconcerting.  I don't feel old enough to be in this situation.  I'm pretty sure that even the 80+ year olds feel the same way.  Still, I'm quite a bit younger than most of the people here so my feeling this way is probably a little more justified.

I guess I'll get used to it eventually.  I might have to have a few good cries with some of the other tenants who feel that they were snatched from their lives and abandoned in a place out of the way of the family on occasion, but I'll get used to it.  It's just a major adjustment.

This isn't the first time that God has moved me around.  I know that I'm helping people but I thought that I had finally finished my work and was moving on in the place in which I chose for that purpose.  Maybe I'll be miraculously healed again and be able to travel around to other places to cheer up the elderly again.  Maybe I'll just finish my time here.  This place wouldn't be so lonely if I had a mate and a vehicle.  I envy those who do.  I guess I'll just have to wait to see what God has in store.  I'm just having to do without so many of the things that I used to have at my fingertips and having to do without the company of my pets that I'm feeling stir-crazy.  Well, it's almost 2:00am and my mind is very tired so I guess I had better go back to bed.  Maybe one of these days I'll get used to this place enough to be able to sleep at night.

Love, Hope, Peace, and Christ Be With You,

Cal-el

Hiding in Plain Sight

Hiding in Plain Sight






Ah ha!  I just had a brilliant dream... a vision if you will.  It told me about all of the secrets of the universe 🌌.  Well, not exactly, but exactly how the universe operates and what's important.




You see, all this mumbo jumbo about positive thinking and wishing for what you want are actually detrimental.  By blocking out the unpleasant details that you don't want coming near your thoughts you are losing vital information that would later come together as sort of a code to let you know exactly what you need to know.  These pieces don't come out and tell you all at once but are sort of links in a chain.  While seemingly unpleasant at the time, each link fits a later link that will also come to you as something unpleasant so that you don't forget it.  Once you have enough links of the chain, you get the all-important, vital message that can not only give you what you desire but also prevent you from repeating a serious mistake that is part of your personal history.  In some cases, these historical chunks of knowledge are also part of human history which should never, never be repeated.  Once blocked though, you have lost important pieces of the message that the universe wanted you to retain.  It may seem very complicated but it's relatively straightforward. 
This isn't to say that you should constantly dwell on the negative links.  Once received and acknowledged, they will remain in your consciousness enough for you to link it to the next link.  Since they fit together so perfectly, all you need do is acknowledge them and wait for the next link of the message to come along and they will join together like magic.  Don't lose one of those pieces of seemingly negative information though or you will completely lose the message and will be doomed to repeat your failure until such a time until you learn not to try to ignore or hide the pieces of information from your history.




I cannot stress to you the importance of this revelation.  It is not only vital to you but also to all of humanity.  A lesson blocked is a lesson unlearned.  Remember... all of these pieces of information were hiding in plain sight before you decided to erase them from history.


DO
NOT
ERASE!

Test for Rev. Laura

Wednesday May 6, 2015 Saved By His Love Finding Truth By Reading Between the Lines
Good afternoon, welcome to Covenant of Hope Ministries. My name is Rev. Laura A. Neff, the Rainbow Minister. The choice for Rainbow has to do with the fact that the rainbow symbolizes a promise made and one that can and will be kept. I made, long ago, a promise to God that I would do all I could to keep that faith within me. We are normally posted on Sundays for sermons and Wednesdays for studies. You can find these posted in the following locations.
Main Site: http://covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com/
Rev. Laura’s Other Sites: Facebook & Twitter &Google+ & Blogspot
Prayer List: We have many on our prayer list. Some wish to remain anonymous, and others only wish to have their first names mentioned. Our prayer list has grown from last week. This is our current prayer list for this week.
- Please pray that the good tidings which have occurred for my family far away from me would continue for as long as it can be.
- Please pray for a friend Susie Bartholow as she is in hospice. She is in very grave condition with cancer. Hospice care is in her home with her family. Keep them all in your thoughts and prayers.
- Pray for my sister-in-law who has been in the hospital with a dangerously high fever and an elevated heart rate.
- Please pray for my nearby family members as we are going through some tough times here.
- Please pray for Elder Cal Jennings as he is going through a whole lot health wise and emotionally as well. Please pray that he will be able to find and follow inspiration still.
- Please pray for a friend of ours, Lucy, whose liver is failing. She is going to be on medication but may need a transplant. Pray that the first option works and she returns to health.
- Pray for a friend of my brother’s, who is far from home right now. There have been many problems for her right now. It is our hope that she will return and be here to complete her healing and more.
- Pray for our members Theresa and Wayne who had a very rough year last year. Theresa has had even more chaos in her life regarding family and finances. Wayne has been very ill and I haven’t had an update in a while. May some of their trials and tribulations end in time for our celebration of the birth of Jesus.

- Pray for those near and far who have been suffering in battles that do not have to be. Pray that peace can be found amidst the fear and anger, frustration and more. May hope blossom and bring that peace once more.
- Pray for our friends and our enemies, may they all find that the gift of God’s Son, Jesus, holds the hope and faith everyone seeks.
- Pray for some friends who have had all manner of chaos, sorrow, and more. May the Lord bless them with peace and solace.
- Keep hope alive in your prayers no matter the pain or strife we might suffer.
- May God bless every one of us as we continue on.
Prayer: Father in heaven, we thank You for this day and for these who are here to share it with us. We thank You for the blessings brought, and for those yet to come. We pray that You can remind us always what we should be looking forward to. We bring prayers for those who have been seriously ill. Help those who are working to fight serious illnesses by bringing the ability to find solutions. We pray for those who suffer pain, that their pain be relieved. We pray for those lost and those who mourn. We pray for all those who are victims of violence. We pray for patience and courage for those we love and care about, and ourselves as well. We pray for peace to reach out from the heart and be heard, felt, and understood. We pray that Your grace and love would fill the hearts of the many in this world. We pray all this in Your Holy Name through the Savior Jesus Christ, and the gift of the Holy Spirit, Amen and so it shall be.
Opening Song: You Are Loved https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGLSk3AVcUU&index=154&list=FLys7UjSJHrgrNHy9kLrkxpw



Sermon:  Good afternoon. Today’s inspiration came very early this morning after reading an article about how many Christians worship via doctrine as opposed to “reading between the lines” to find the true meaning, as opposed to just the words written. Truthfully many have left Christianity for this very reason. Bringing people back to Jesus is no easy task, and never has been. However, the article brings up interesting points of view. Take, for example, the man beside Jesus hanging on the cross, dying with him and simply seeing truth. It doesn’t take doctrine to see the truth. This is why Jesus told him he would go to heaven. Some say this is favoritism, yet, in truth, Jesus was showing that loving one another is more than just words written in doctrine. That’s one thing people often forget. Let’s take a look at some verses in Scripture that portray this view.
 Luke 23:39-45 KJV – And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple rent in the midst.
The thief has a simple request. “Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.” He didn’t know his Scripture. He knew what love could be, should be. Love is the ability to give as much, or more, than we receive. Love is the ability to ‘read between the lines’ whether written or spoken. Love is the gift of forgiveness. Hope is offered in these facts. You can’t write everything love is about. It doesn’t matter how hard we try, speaking or writing as to how much love affects us is nearly impossible to put into words. Yet we can share that love without a single word from our mouths. We can do so without a single verse of Scripture. The thief proves that, even within his sinning, he remembered God. In his request to be remembered he was also asking forgiveness. Someone I know went through a very hard time and felt as though they had been abandoned by anyone and everyone. When asked what they wanted most these are the words that person had to say. “Someone to remember me.” Jesus always remembers. God always remembers. Otherwise we wouldn’t be here. They keep their promises. God promised salvation. Jesus promised He was the path toward that salvation. His resurrection provided that path in more ways than one. Read between the lines and see what really must be seen within Scripture. Doctrine only goes so far. Faith is knowing where doctrine meets the heart and finds the truth. Now that’s something to think about as we pray in the prayer that Jesus brought us.
Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. (Matthew 6:9-13)
Closing Song:  Open the Eyes of My Heart https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHZ9iuo1kRs


~Shalom~
Rev. Laura A. Neff ~ The Rainbow Minister
Facebook & Twitter & Google+ & Blogspot
Calvin Jennings ~ Facebook & Twitter &Blogster
Covenant of Hope Ministries
Main Site: http://covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com/ 

Scripture Excerpts: The New Open Bible Study Edition: Copyright © 1990: Thomas Nelson Publishers, Inc.
Scripture Excerpts: Holy Bible: Copyright © 1982: E. E. Gaddy and Associates, Inc.
Scripture Excerpts: Holy Bible: Copyright © circa 1890-1910: International Bible Press,The John C. Winston Co.; Philadelphia, PA., USA
Sermon or Study Copyright © 2015
http://covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com/
Our mission for Covenant of Hope Ministries and Poetic-Expressions is not to exploit fear, but to conquer it, and overcome all that is created through fear together as the rainbow in the darkness.

This mission statement speaks of the rainbow in the darkness. Every time I would have a seriously traumatic thing happen in my life I would wake in the middle of the night. When I do I see a rainbow at the end of my bed, or even through the window behind my head. I’ll see that rainbow in a dark room even during the day. It will hover in the shadows and reassure me that God is with me.

The Reflecting Pool and

The Reflecting Pool

My grandmother returned to her uncle's plantation home for a final visit before her marriage.  Her mother died in childbirth which led to her being raised in a convent while her dad worked as an engineer on the railroad.  He died on his way to see her engagement ring when his train hit a stretch of bad track.  Her uncle was all the family she had left.
The outside of the plantation home was nothing but painted plywood, the home having been burned by the Yankees after the civil war.  Because they had been treated as sharecroppers, the negroes stayed and continued to work their share of the crops.  The sharecroppers houses out front remained undamaged and were a couple of acres in front of the main house.  Out back, though, the old trees and reflecting pool remained.


My grandmother used to play here with her assigned "servant" whom she merely considered a friend.  As she sat reflecting on those days, a servant about her age approached.  It was Simone, her old friend from her childhood.




My grandmother jumped up and embraced Simone.




"How are you doing, Simone?  It has been forever since I've seen you!"




"I'm doing just fine, Miss Delhomme.  I heard you done got engaged!"




"What's this 'Miss Delhomme' nonsense?  It's Lorraine just lime before.  Yes, I met a man.  His name is Albert Hamilton Tribe.  He performs on the radio in the Rice Hotel in Houston.  He's so dreamy!  He finally popped the question!  See the ring?  Isn't it beautiful?"




Yes, it's beautiful, Miss Lorainne!  I'd better keep the 'Miss' so the master of the house doesn't think I'm being disrespectful to our guests.  What brings you back to Louisiana, Miss Lorraine?"




"Well, as you know, my father died and I just needed the company of some family.  I'm an orphan now, you know."




"Yes, I know.  I'm sorry, Miss Lorrraine.  Let me give you a hug."




They embraced once again and my grandmother started crying on her shoulder.




"There, there, Miss Lorraine.  We're still here for you and you know that your uncle loves you dearly.  Besides, you'll soon be Mrs. Tribe and you'll have a man to look after you."




"Yes, I know.  It's just hard losing my father.  We were so close even though he rarely got to come home.  It's a shame about all of those hobos who died in the wreck.  My dad wasn't supposed to let them ride but he could never turn down a poor person who needed a hand.  My step-mother took all of the money from the train company.  She was always so jealous of me.  Dad had to sneak away to come visit me at the convent."




"It's sad, Miss Lorraine.  She sure weren't mother material.  As much as you hated that convent, you were probably better off than being raised by THAT selfish witch.  I feel for you."




"So, is Uncle Curtis still treating you alright?  Have you married yet?"




"Your Uncle Curtis is treating me just fine.  Things were tight last year because of the bad crops but he saw that we were fed and taken care of.  I sure do miss the extra desert you used to sneak me when you were here when we were young though."




"Haha!  I'll order double again tonight and you'll have your extra dessert."




"Oh, thank you, Miss Lorraine.  It will be just like old times.  Hehe"




"Just like old times.  Now, if you don't mind, could you leave me here alone for awhile?  I have a lot of things to think about at this old reflecting pool."




"Sure thing, Miss Lorraine.  Just ring this bell if you need me.  I'll be sitting in the shack over there catching up on my knitting."




Simone reached in her pocket and pulled out a small, ornate silver bell with an ornate handle and handed it to my grandmother. My grandmother took the bell and put it into her pocket.




"Thank you, Simone."




"My pleasure, Miss Lorraine."




My grandmother turned back to the reflecting pool as Simone walked to the shack.  She stared at the Japanese Carp swimming and floating around the pond and started thinking about her childhood.  She thought about the harp that her real mother owned... and her stepmother despised... and remembered how much she wished that her mother had lived so she could grow up listening to the harp being played as she grew up.  She thought about how much she hated the convent and the cruel nuns who raised her but how much more special that made it she her dad came home to visit.  She thought about how much she missed him and wept awhile.  Her thoughts then turned to her future.  She would soon be married and having children.  She would no longer be mistreated by the Sisters in the convent.  She would leave the church and become a Methodist like her husband.  It was both exciting and scary at the same time.




Ah, the reflecting pool.  She remembered listening to the workers working the fields and singing hymns.  She remembered the feasts after harvest.  She remembered everyone sitting with the workers and eating watermelon on hot days.  It would soon be time to return to her apartment in Houston and get on with the business of planning the wedding.  For now though, she had family and the reflecting pool.

The Woofie

The Woofie



Hello.  You, yes you.  I look like a stuffed dog animal toy, don't I?  Nothing could be further from the truth.




I can imagine that you are starting to feel that something very strange is going on here.  Indeed it is.




First, notice that you're listening to what you think is a stuffed animal speaking to you.  You're intrigued so you can't pull away.  Something else is going on as well though.  Maybe you're starting to sense that something is wrong?




Yes, by now you are.  You want to turn and walk away but you can't.  That's because I've homed in on the motor cortex of your brain and made you completely defenseless.  That's how I start.  Once I have your attention and have made you defenseless, there's really nothing you can do about it.  You can't run: You can't hide: You can't scream for help.  You are totally defenseless and you are totally in my power.




Now what will happen is I shall drain you of all of your knowledge except for that which you need to serve me.  You wouldn't think something so sinister of such a cute little stuffed toy, would you?  That is why we chose this form.




You see, we are a race from a distant planet outside of your solar system.  We call ourselves Woofies.  Our minds became so developed that we didn't have much use for a physical body.  Eventually, though, we realized that we needed corporal bodies to accomplish certain menial tasks... like reproduction. 




You will find now that our minds are slowly becoming linked.  We will start to share in each others' thoughts, feelings, and emotions in as much as I allow it.  As I said, you are totally helpless and there is nothing you can do about it.  Soon I will ask you to pick me up and carry me to my mate who, by now, inhabits a member of the opposite sex.  Yes, you are my sex slave.  You are my love slave.  The female of your species will carry the offspring made today to term and it will carry not only psychic information of my mate and I but some genetic information which we shall soon impart to you.  Once the child is born, he will start to grow in both body and intellect at a slightly higher rate than human children do.  He will receive another shipment of Wolfies and shall distribute them among other human children to be carried into their households where those childrens' parents will be taken over as easily as you were.  We may keep your bodies for our pleasure once in awhile or we may decide to create more offspring , forcing you to mate with the victim of our choice.  You are totally and completely unable to do anything about it.  Soon, we will be in control of your entire planet. 




Since there is nothing you can do about it anyway, I may as well tell you the last part.  Once we decide that you are no longer useful to us, you will be terminated.  There really is nothing you can do to stop us.  We may have you fight each other in games for our amusement.  We may cause you to walk off of a tall building or into a hot, live volcano.
If you had stopped listening to me as soon as I began speaking to you, you may have had a choice.  Now you have none.




It is time now, sex slave.  Pick me up and take me to my mate who is awaiting our arrival.  You may as well enjoy the sex anyway since YOU HAVE NO CHOICE.

A Coin In the Fountain

A Coin In the Fountain



 

Jack stood at the fountain and sighed. He was over his divorce from his cheating wife and he felt lonely. He had tried asking out women from church but the only ones available were at least ten years older than he was. He didn't have the smooth way of picking up women that most guys seemed to have. All he needed was a break.










 Jack reached into his pocket and pulled out some change. In his hand lay two pennies, one tarnished and the other shiny, a dime, and a quarter.










 "I don't want to be cheap and get a cheap woman so I'll use the quarter" he thought, somewhat amusing himself.










 Jack took the quarter in between his left index finger and thumb then returned the rest of the change to his pocket. He then placed the quarter in his right hand, made a fist around the quarter, and whispered his wish into his fist.








 "I wish for an intelligent, charming, beautiful woman with whom I can share this lovely day."




 He tossed the quarter into the fountain, visualizing the woman he would like to meet. The splash of the quarter in the water brought him out of his visualization.






 Jack looked to his left and saw nothing then turns to the right and started walking to the fence to stare aimlessly at the pond. Just as he took his third step, a woman ran right into him. They both paused, startled. The woman began to speak.






 "I'm so sorry. I didn't see you. I beg your pardon."






 "It's no problem at all. I should have been more careful as well."






 They had grabbed each other instinctively to keep from falling and were still holding on. Suddenly their eyes met. It was instant attraction. It was as if their souls had been ripped apart at birth and they finally found each other but both were too shy to be forward about it. Still, the eyes said more than the words ever could have. All at once they noticed that they were still holding each other and slowly and awkwardly let go.






 Jack spoke.


 "I haven't seen you around here before, have I, Ms...?"






 "Jill. My name is Jill. No, I don't believe so. I just came in on a flight from out of town."






 "There's a concert in the park over to the left in a couple hours. Would you like to get something to eat and watch it with me, Jill?"






Jack quickly glanced toward her ring finger.


 "No, I'm not married. What about you? I know that guys sometimes don't wear rings."


 "No, I got divorced a few years ago. Shall we?"

Jack reached out his hand and she put her hand in hers. They started to walk to a nearby restaurant.






 At the restaurant, Jack pulled out Jill's chair for her then seated himself. Jack motioned for a waiter and they ordered. Jack had a confession to make.






 "Jill, you may not believe this but just before we bumped into each other I made a wish at the fountain. I don't normally believe in such things and didn't see anyone around so I started moping over to the pond when we ran into each other. Maybe there's a little magic in that old fountain after all?"






 Jill laughed, "Maybe."






 "Do you believe in fate?"






 "Not really but stranger things have happened. By the way, which group is playing in the park?"






 "Blood, Sweat, and Tears. They're from my high school years but a free concert is a free concert."






 "That's true. Besides, I like them."






 "Wonderful! We should enjoy it then. It's an early concert. It starts at six and will probably end at eight."






 "That will work great for me. If things go well, I might have something we can do afterwards."


 "Such as" asked Jack with his eyebrows raising and lowering.






 "Not that. Haha You'll see."






 Jack and Jill received their orders and began to eat.






 They finished their dinner then headed over to the concert area. Jack walked up behind the car and opened the trunk. He pulled out a styrofoam blanket and a quilt.






 "We're here early enough to get a good spot. I know the best place to set up."






 Jill followed him to the top of a man-made hill and watched as Jack selected the spot. She then helped him lay out the large quilt.






 "Isn't this a bit far back" asked Jill.






 "No, really... this is just the right distance. You'll see when the annoying people in their lawn chairs start to set up and block most peoples' views. This is just far enough back to see over the lawn chairs and just the right location for the best sound."






 "Okay. You're the boss."






 Jack opened up the ice chest and pulled out a can of Sterno and a strange contraption made of a twisted coat hanger. He lit the Sterno and placed the contraption over it. He then pulled out a small aluminum pot and placed a cake of brie in it and set the pot on the homemade pot stand. As the brie started warming, he pulled out a bottle of chardonnay and a wine opener. He produced two wine glasses and handed them to Jill. He then opened the wine and poured. The last item he pulled out of the chest was a box of fancy crackers. Soon the brie would be warm enough to eat.






 The band came on and played hit after hit as Jack and Jill sat on the hill eating their crackers and brie. By the end of the concert, the brie and wine were gone and they stopped for a long, romantic kiss. Afterward, Jack turned to Jill and spake.






 "That was a nice concert, wasn't it?"






 "Oh, wonderful! The refreshments and kissing weren't bad either."






 Jill gave Jack a wink.






 "Well then, Jill. What was this thing that you wanted to do afterwards?"






 "It's a surprise. Get in the car and drive us to the planetarium."






 "The planetarium? That seems an odd surprise."






 They loaded the trunk with the quilt and ice chest and Jack shut the trunk. He then went to the passenger door and let Jill in then went around to the driver's side, got in, and started the car.






 "Off to the planetarium" exclaimed Jack. He really didn't see why they couldn't have walked since it was just a block over.






 "Off to the planetarium!"






 They arrived and Jack parked the car then went around and opened Jill's door for her.




 "So, what's the surprise" asked Jack as he locked and closed her door behind her.




 Jill reached into her purse and pulled out two tickets. Jack still had no idea what they were doing there.






 "Let's get in line" said Jill.






 When they got to the door, the doorman tore the tickets and gave each one of them a ticket. Jack looked at his stub.






 "The Pink Floyd laser light show" Jack exclaimed. "I've always wanted to see this but never took the time!"






 The show was a dazzling set of laser effects set to Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon album. By the time the show was over it was getting late.






 Jack turned to Jill and invited her to his place for the night. She agreed.






 It was a thirty minute drive to his place once they got out of downtown Houston. Jill sat next to him and he put his arm around her shoulders as they drove. They had conversations about their hopes and dreams and found so many things they agreed on.
 When they finally reached Jack's house, they went inside. Jack put on some romantic music and sat down on the couch beside Jill. After about thirty minutes of making out, Jack stood up, took Jill by the hand, and led her to the bedroom where they made passionate love. When it was over, Jill turned to Jack and spoke softly to him.






 "That was a wonderful fantasy, wasn't it, darling? What are we going to do for our next anniversary?"

The Swing

The Swing



 The chores were finally finished. The cows were milked, the chickens were fed, the garden had been tended and watered, and the pastures had been brush hogged. The once overgrown mess was now a beautiful pasture where the cows could roam and take a trip to the pond to drink without fear of being struck by snakes hidden in deep brush.
 It looked as if it might rain. That would be good for the crops. It had been awhile since we had decent rain. I asked my grandmother permission to swing since the chores were done. She said okay but come back in if it started raining.
 I got on the swing and let my cares drift away. There wasn't much to do on a farm so I used my imagination. I swung as high as I could, imagining that I was Superman in the comic books I read. I was far away from the big city problems of Houston and my parental discord. I would fly up to the heavens, land on a cloud, and talk with Jesus. I would hear the angels singing in perfect harmony with overtones so clear that you could hear the pronunciation of each word. I would swing and fly, swing and fly. One day I would reach those heavenly clouds but tomorrow was another day of chores.

 I swung and daydreamed until it began to sprinkle then I ran into the house, lay on the bed, listens to my uncle's classical music, and grabbed another Superman comic book to read as I heard the rain splattering on the tin roof. It had been a good day and the crops would get fresh rain. Perhaps tomorrow the sun would shine and we could go swimming in the Mulberry River.

The Betrayal - Creative Riters Challenge #11

Creative Riters Corner # 11












You have reached a point in life where you're throwing the old debris out, your way of preparing to start over and restarting your life. As you rummage through old stuff, you find something which you received earlier in the year which meant a great deal to you then, but which only causes pain now.








Tell us about it by showing us who gave it to you, where it's been, and what has caused it to fall out of favor. Write in the voice of your opposite gender for this challenge -- if you're female, write as a man, if male, as a woman.




No word limit.

The Betrayal

She was to have been my lesbian wife. She had been following me on the Internet ever since I had my live show on LiveVideo but had stayed mostly hidden in the background since the site closed.









About four months ago she came to me and confessed how much she needed me. I was fed up with women and I certainly didn't want any of those foul men. Men are dirty and disgusting. I tried to discourage her at first because my heart had been broken so many times before by lesbians who just wanted to use me. I guess they saw my Supergirl outfit and thought that I was just crazy and could be easily used.









Margaret pled and pled with me to give her a chance. Our personalities seemed to be a match made in heaven. She was the most wonderful butch I had ever met. We lived in separate areas of the UK. I lived in London and she lived in Houghton Regis. I didn't care that we lived a distance apart. I was more than willing to travel to her or have her travel to me.  Even though I didn't have much money left over each month I had secretly started saving the moment I met her because she was the one.  I simply quit eating some days and suffered rather than taking my pharmaceuticals just so we could be together one day.




She was so thin and handsome.  Everything a fluff like me could want.  She was MY Princess Charming, nay, my queen to whom I would devote my life and services.










I always loved the way she teased me and ordered me about, sending me to the step when I was naughty.  When she started sending me to the pink fluffy step, I knew that her feelings had deepened.  One day, she finally admitted that she had feelings for me.
I was so happy that she finally admitted it that I was overjoyed.  She, like I, was afraid of love because we had been hurt so many times before but she finally said that she loved me.  I had to do something special.










I started writing her a song and she wanted to hear what I had written.  She had put on a Superman shirt for me to match my Supergirl outfit.  When I saw it, I became so hot and wet that I almost slipped off of my chair.


I told her that for me to be able to let her hear it, I would need a picture so that I could put the song in a YouTube video to send to her.  She gave me permission to take a screenshot picture of her in the Superman shirt to use for the song.  She got out of her chair and posed and I snapped the shot.  It was the only thing that she ever really gave me.





She got scared and blocked me.  I knew that she feared her feelings so I wrote her a letter.  Finally, she unblocked me but told me never to post on her wall.  I found that strange but I was so in love that I obeyed her wishes.  She was so forceful and strict that it really thrilled me.










The next day, she showed me the wedding outfit that she wanted and chose the ring that she wanted.  Knowing that she was sick and broke, I was ready to buy anything she wanted.
She told me that she wanted to get married in a castle so I found the best castle which used to allow wedding ceremonies.  They said that they no longer allowed weddings there so I showed her a few other castles but I was secretly going to make a large donation to their restoration fund if they would allow our wedding.  I wanted it to be a surprise.  She said that she wanted to come visit so I secretly started saving for her ticket as well.  By stopping all of my pharmaceuticals and eating only once every other day, I was able to save more quickly than I realized.









We continued to talk and one day, because she had started being stand offish, I told her I was going to start dating someone else if she couldn't commit.  Every time I told her I loved her, she would send me to the step because she was afraid of love.  I told her I was afraid of marriage and thought that she rushed it a little.  It hurt her feelings and she didn't talk to me for a few days.










The third day, she wanted to Skype again, so we did.  After we talked and laughed awhile, she told me that she had to tell me something.  I was all ears.











"I don't want to tell you this... but... I love you with all of my heart and soul and I'm afraid of losing you."










I was overjoyed!  I was finally loved by another woman and I'm sure that my face lit bright enough to light a thousand lighthouses.  I gave her my reply.










"I love you with all of my heart and mind and soul as well.  I can't wait for us to be in a large, pink , fluffy bed with satin sheets and please one another sensually.  I can't wait to be your wife!"










"I'M NOT GETTING MARRIED!"










"You're the one who brought it up."










"STEP!"










"Look, darling.  Don't be afraid of your feelings.  You know that we love each other and can't stand to be without each other."










She looked angry and went silent and logged off.










I knew that something wasn't right.  When she came back on a few days later though, she explained that a friend of hers died.  She said that she wished that she still had her care bear but someone stole it.










We continued to talk for awhile and I listened to her feelings about her friend passing.  I talked with her about her feelings and when she started crying, it pulled my heart strings.
I knew I had to do something to help her past this so I found the kind of care bear of which she was so fond and posted it to her.  It came to almost triple the price with the postage and handling but I didn't care.  I knew that she needed its comfort.










It arrived a few days before my birthday.  She seemed so happy to receive it.  It filled me with joy that I was able to make my foxy little queen angel mistress so happy.  I KNEW that we were going to be happy together. I found it strange later that she didn't tell me so much as "Happy Birthday " but she kept talking tenderly and lovingly.










She started letting me say that I love her on occasion but sometimes reminded me that she didn't like that word.  We grew closer and closer and one day I offered to buy some Super special friendship rings that were more than just friendship.  SHE SAID YES!










I started to order the expensive rings but something about her telling me that she didn't want to use the word love bothered me.  I bought a set of rings that would bond us but I bought the cheapest set of rings I could find to see whether or not she would send me my ring.  It was a test.










We continued to talk and she finally got the rings just before Valentine's Day.  Since it was a set, she was to send mine back to me.  She said that she loved it and was sending my ring the next day.  She asked for my address again to be sure that she got it right, which seemed strange, but I figured that since she asked she truly intended to send it. 










I surprised her on Valentine's Day posting the picture of the ring she sent me and tagged her so she would have a copy of the picture on her page.  I also posted a couple special Valentine's Day cards on her page to make her day special.  I told her that I had the money to get her to London and she said, "Don't make any plans."  She became angry that I posted something on her page.  I explained to her that I was just trying to make her Valentine's Day special since we were so far apart.  I started crying and told her and screamed at her that she couldn't let me enjoy even one moment.










"Oh, good grief.  Okay."










"Thank you" I whimpered.










People started making comments on the post and some were jealous and others had to try to make it about themselves, telling her how much better THEIR rings were.  I defended her and she told them that it was the most wonderful ring in the world.










The picture had posted twice on her page because of a facebook error so we left that post and started flirting with each other on the other post.  Some MAN jumped in and had to make a smart ass comment.










"This is all bullshit."










"You're bullshit!"  I was pissed that some MAN would try to ruin our wonderful moment.








Margaret jumped in.








"Not on MY page!"








She then blocked ME and I never heard from her again.  I never received my ring and I was glad that I had tested her with the cheaper rings first.  That wanker.  That cunt!  She gave me up for a fucking MAN!










I know it won't last as big of a lesbian that she really is.  I know that he's just using him for his money.  That trollop!  I'll never speak to her again!










The only problem is that picture is still on my song.  Everytime I see it, it breaks my heart.  I would have treated her so well and given her everything she wanted and he was probably going to beat the shit out of her like the last MAN did!  Good!  I hope he breaks her fucking NECK!  Still, I miss all of those sweet moments of laughter and fun we had, revealing our bodies to one another and running to the bedroom after to give ourselves release. 


Even though I removed the pictures of her from my favorites, they still come up on my cell phone.  Everytime I see that picture, my heart breaks again and tears flow from my eyes.  I so longed to kiss her tender lips and fondle her sweet breasts as she fondled mine.  I know that will never happen now and it tears me apart... EVERY TIME I SEE THAT PICTURE!  Fucking men!  Daft fucking cunt!

The Release

The Release


It had finally happened.  For all of her prior threats and attempts, she had finally done it. 
He was tired of her always running back to the abuse and using again and told her it was over.  He just didn't care anymore.  He was tired of having his emotions jacked with.  This time he was through and he let her know in no uncertain terms.  Her lies and attempts to drag him into her drama were going to end whether or not she liked it.




"Susan, it's over.  I can't take anymore.  I'm tired of the bullshit.  You've fucked me over and fucked around on me one too many times."



"I'll cut myself.  I'll take all of my pain meds if you do this to me.  I'll drink alcohol with them and you'll never see me again, Bob!  I'll kill myself!"




"Yeah, yeah, yeah.  How many times have you told me that and how many times have you tried?  You end up in rehab, call me, tell me that you're going to get yourself straightened out, then go right back to drinking and doing drugs and fucking every Tom's hairy dick you see!  I'm DONE!"




"No Bob!  You can't!  I love you.  Those other guys didn't mean anything!"




"Yeah, well evidently I didn't mean anything to you either.  They got way more of your pussy than I ever did.  All I wanted to do was love you and male love to you and you slept around like a hairy little TRAMP!  If they turned you inside out, you'd look like a pin cushion.  How much did THEY love you?  How much did THEY sacrifice for you?  A man can only take so much and you pushed me WAY beyond that point.  I MEAN it!  This time it's OVER!"




"I'll kill myself this time!  I really will!"
"Fine!  Kill yourself!"




Bob slammed down the phone and went out to drown his troubles and forget.




Susan started to cut herself but decided on another course of action.  Instead of just taking her sleeping pills this time she would mix all of her pills and wash them down with a bottle of vodka.




As she sat on her bed, she opened the drawer on her bedside table.  She took out each bottle of her meds and unscrewed the tops.  She unscrewed the top from her bottle of vodka and started deciding which pills to take first.




"I'll start with the Dilaudid and let is start making me drowsy then I'll take my antidepressants and my heart medications" she thought.




She took the remaining held bottle of Dilaudid, washing it down with a big gulp of vodka.  Next, she grabbed the antidepressants and slugged them down.  She was starting to feel really drowsy now and was afraid that she might pass out before she got the red of the meds down.




Susan summoned her will and grabbed her blood pressure medications which had just been filled and started gulping them down with large shots of vodka.  It took her a few handfuls to get them all down but she managed to swallow them down.  Once they were down, she put the bottles back in the drawer so no one could see them and finished off the vodka and hid the bottle under the bed. 




She lay in bed for a few minutes and the phone rang.  The called ID showed that it was Bob.




"He must be calling to apologize" she drowsily thought."




She reached for the phone and had massive heart failure.  Yes, she had done it this time.  The blood pressure medications had done the trick.  Her lifeless body lay on the bed, her arm loosely hanging off of the bed.




When she didn't answer, Bob called back.  No answer.  He tried again.  Still no answer.  After the third time he called the paramedics.




When they got there, rigor mortis had started setting in.  Bob was 1,800 miles away so there was no way he could be there but he had instructed the paramedics to call him and let him know.




The phone rang.  It was the paramedics.
"Hello," said Bob.  "How is she."




"I'm sorry to tell you this.  Are you sitting down."




"Yes."




He already knew what they were going to say.




"She's dead."




"I'm sorry.  I knew it had to happen soon or later."




"We're sorry too, Mr..."




"Bob is fine."




"We're sorry too, Bob."




"Alright.  Thank you.  Goodbye."




Bob hung up the phone, let out a long sigh, then felt a sensation different than what he thought he would feel.  He had been released from the constant worry and torment of her whining and crying about her problems.  What was this sensation coming over him?




For the first time in a very, very long time he felt... relief.



Fairytale Ending

Fairytale Ending




Lucy finally came over from England and filled my life with love.  Besides adopting her son, we had two children of our own.




I went on to complete the WORLDstock project and it was enough to make the world leaders take notice because of the massive amount of participation in the project.  Each major city in the world was overrun with people wanting to live together in peace rather than continue the never-ending wars.




People started looking on others as their neighbors and there was a new level of cooperation in the world.  Whenever there was a problem, people banded together to find a solution.  The air and waters became clean again and the greedy were put out to pasture.
Lucy and I both had illnesses that plagued us from time to time but in the glow of each others' love, they seemed trivial. 




I had lived much longer than I had expected and had now become old and somewhat wrinkled.  Lucy was older too, something she hadn't anticipated at our first meeting, and her medical problems had taken a toll on her as well.




One night after making love, we lay in each others arms and passed from this world into the next.  Our kids, now grown and on their own, got together for their last goodbye and, as we had instructed, threw a party with video clips of the fun and silly moments from our life.  It wasn't a grieving of our deaths but a celebration of our lives and what we had accomplished.




Having been the only true love of my life, Lucy and I were as one in heaven.  We walked the streets of gold, praised God in song, and would stop by ponds to skip rocks across them.  We lived all of eternity living and laughing with one another in our heavenly form and were an inspiration to all who saw us.

Final Chapter

Final Chapter



My life has become dull and boring compared to my younger days.  I wish that I could still go chase down bad guys, go play guitar or cornet and sing at bait camps along the Gulf of Mexico, go dancing and eating at the most exclusive clubs in Houston, and date the most beautiful women in the city but those days are over for me.  Now I lie in bed watching TV, reading facebook, and writing stories and music wishing that my days would soon be over.  Without love in my life nothing seems worthwhile. 






Diane died thirteen years ago on December 19, 2001.  It left a huge hole in my life.  Although I've done some great things in my life since then, nothing even filled the void temporarily except the short periods of love I thought I had found again.  Sadly, every one of those moments were very temporary.  Not one of them really lasted for more than a year.  To have another "'til death do us part" relationship would be wonderful but I don't see it happening again in this lifetime.  Women are too dishonest and greedy these days.  As much as it hurts, I guess it's better to just fade away as I reflect on my former glory... of days spent making love, on days exploring Mayan ruins, of days spent snorkeling in Cancun and Jamaica, of days apprehending criminals, and on days of trying to help the less fortunate, the addicted, and those with psychological problems.  My heart is no longer up to doing those things again without love.

The Pink Pussycat

The dark gray clouds billowed over the seedy part of Houston.  It was Prairie St. which houses various strip clubs, the most obviously named one being The Pink Pussycat.  As a kid I thought it had a pink cat.  As an eighteen year old I learned that it was a strip club.  I had always wanted to go there to find out why they called it The Pink Pussycat. There was also a very old movie theater whose attendants were 98% African American and a few old warehouses.


I had come to the strip to see a double feature of Bruce Lee movies.  I hadn't expected to be the only white martial artist there and was uneasy at first but nobody bothered me.  A huge black man came down the aisle dressed in some type of martial arts armor acting "bad" and stopped a second to stare at me.  I glared back, showing no fear and he moved on.
The movies were great but when they were over I was pumped up and wanted to see what kind of nonviolent entertainment I could find. 
I walked down the street past a few musty buildings with shady businesses and a black woman came out from across the street yelling to me.


"Do you want to get laid?"


"Uh, no thanks."


Being eighteen and having my hormones pumping, I might have considered it but she was a very hefty, ugly black woman.  I just looked forward and kept walking hearing her scream, "Are you queer?"


A few sprinkles started coming down and I came upon a strip club.  Never having been in one, decided to go in and see what they were all about.


I sat down at the bar in the musty old place and ordered a drink.  Soon a barely dressed woman came out and started dancing.  She was wearing pasties but I couldn't keep my eyes off of her stomach.


I couldn't figure out if she had stretch marks or had been slashed across the stomach several times by a knife.  She looked hideous.  I couldn't figure out what the appeal was to men to come to such a strip club.  It turned my stomach.


I finished my drink and ordered another which I gulped down to forget what I had seen.  I tipped the bartender and started making my way back to my car.


When I got to the movie theater, three black men tried to mug me.  I let out a flurry of punches and kicks and they quickly fled.  I then made my way to the back of the building to my car, got in, and left.


I went back several times to watch other martial arts movies but never made it to the end of the block to The Pink Pussycat.  That one experience had been enough for me.



The Jade Dragons

The Jade Dragons

"We've reached it" said Tom.  "There's the entrance to the temple of the twin dragons."

"Do you think the fables are true?" asked David.

"If my research is correct and the dying man was in his right mind when he sold me that info in exchange for giving his children a percentage it is but we'll have to get past the guards in order to get to it."

"Well, what are we waiting for?  Let's go!"

"I said we'd have to get past the guards first.  The old man said that there were two guards hidden on the other side of the gate and several posted throughout the garden leading up to the Jade Dragons.  We'll need a distraction."

"I brought the dynamite.  I could throw some over the gate into the building."

"Alright.  When the guards run toward the building I'll run through the gate and shoot the guards in the back."

David walked up to the wall close to the building and unzipped the green canvas bag he was carrying over his shoulder.  He took out two sticks of dynamite and some twine.  He then tied the two sticks of dynamite together and twisted the dynamite fuses together.  He took a silver toned cigarette lighter out of his pocket, lit the fuses, and waited for them to burn down to about three inches.  At that time he hurled the sticks of dynamite directly at a window with all of his might.  The glass shattered as the dynamite went through the window then a second later there was a huge explosion that collapsed the side of the building causing it to top over toward the wall.

There was mass confusion everywhere as people tried to crawl out from under the furniture and get themselves out of the building to safety.

Both guards ran toward the building expecting that the person who set the charges was somewhere near the building.  Tom ran through the opening and shot one in the back and the other in the chest when he turned around to see where the shot came from.  David had now caught up with Tom.

"Okay Tom.  Which way?"

"The old man said to step on the stones in the water until one of them started to give.  He said that it would activate an entrance to the cave where the Twin Dragons were held."

"Do you think the stories about the ghosts guarding the statue are true?"

"I doubt it.  They were probably Dragon warriors with white makeup on so be on guard for guards on the way to the cave."

The two men started walking on the stepping stones and as soon as Tom stepped on the seventh stone an opening appeared in the nearby brush.

As Tom and Dave moved toward the opening a Dragon warrior jumped out from behind the bushes simultaneously drawing his Samurai sword.  Tom jumped back as the blade narrowly missed his head.  David pulled his gun and fired.  The Samurai dropped to the ground, dropping his blade.

"I guess they weren't ghosts after all." said David.

Tom untied the scabbard from the guard's waist and died it around his own then took the sword in his hand.

Tom and David moved forward finding themselves in a maze.

The hedge maze was intricate, having circular spaces with trees and sometimes a small, clear pond from which to drink.  It took them two days to get to the center.  When they arrived, they saw it.  A double dragon made of jade similar to the one on the entrance.

"It's supposed to have mystical powers" said David.

"We'll see" said Tom.

Tom gently lifted the jade dragon from its pedestal.  Arrows fired from four directions.  Tom and David hit the deck.  One of the arrows scraped David's ear.

"Maybe this statue DOES have mystical powers" said Tom.  "We could have been goners."

"Yeah!" said David.  "Look at my hat pinned to that tree."

"Well, we'd better check our guns and you'd better reload.  Don't forget you fired some shots at that Samurai with the white paint."

"Yes, but he was no match for my pistol, was he?"

"No, but don't get overconfident.  The guards will probably be back at the gate and they may have more posted after the explosion.  We'd better be ready with the Mac 10s this time.  I'll use this sword to clear brush if we need to until we get back to the entrance of the maze."

"Okay boss.  Good thing we made a map so we can get out of this place quicker.  Our food is almost gone."

Tom and Dave dug into their bags and readied their Mac 10s, being sure they were fully loaded and being sure that they could easily reach their spare clips on their belts.  Tom stuffed the Jade Dragons into his backpack.  They were ready and it was time to get started.

"How much did they say they would give you for this statue again, boss?"

"Ten million dollars.  The collector believes that it has lots of special powers."

"Do you really believe that, boss?"

"Who cares.  That's five million clams for each of us.  We'll be living like princes if we can get out of here alive.  Oh, and watch for traps.  Removing the statue may have triggered more than just the arrows."

"Okay, boss."

"Why don't you go ahead and check for traps since I'm carrying this heavy statue."

"Me, boss?"

"Yes YOU!  This statue is going to slow me down.  You can jump out of the way easier."

"Okay, boss.  Wow, I'm going to take a vacation in the Bahamas with lots of pretty girls when we get our money!"

"Just keep your mind on what you're doing.  Stop to read the map then be careful as you proceed.  We don't know what we might run into."

"Okay, boss."

The two men checked their guns and ammo once more and began on their was back to the entrance.  About a quarter way back when they had almost thought that it was going to be easy, two long axes fell from each direction.  They jumped back but the axes cut the tip of the sole of Dave's boot.

"That was close" said Dave.

"Yeah, that's why I said that you should go first.  I wouldn't have been able to jump back in time."

"Smart thinking, boss."

"Be careful as you proceed.  Try not to use your gun unless you have to.  We don't want to alert those gooks that we're back here."

"Okay, boss."

The men proceeded carefully on their way.  Again, it was another quarter way before Dave felt something move down under his foot.

"Jump!" yelled Dave.

Two swords shot out from the hedge in each direction, one of them knocking the gun out of Tom's hand.  Tom bent down and picked up his gun.

"That one was closer" said Tom.

"Do you think we'll get out of here alive?"

"I don't know but we're going to have to be more careful."

"Okay, boss."

The two men started on their way again, this time trying to watch for anything that could trigger another trap.  They got a little over three quarters of the way back and heard a growl.

"Did you hear that, boss?"

"Yeah.  Keep a look out."

"Do you think it's a dragon" asked Dave.

"It sounded more like a big cat to me.  Be careful.  They're dangerous and powerful.  I'll try to use the Samurai sword to kill it if we have to but you keep that Mac 10 ready just in case."

"Okay, boss.  Do you think you can kill it with a sword?"

"Samurai swords are very sharp.  They're supposed to be able to cut through metal.  Let's just hope they can cut through the bones of a lion or a tiger.   If we get near some trees be sure you look up before proceeding.  Some big cats pounce on their prey from a tree limb."

"Okay, boss.  I'm scared though.  I don't want to become tiger food."

"Just keep your eyes peeled and your ears open.  Remember, they can jump pretty far and their muscles are like steel."

"Now I'm REALLY scared, boss!"

"Just relax and stay sharp and we'll make it out of here."

"Okay, boss."

They came to the next opening and David stopped to check the map.

"RAAAWWrrr!"

"Boss, it sounds closer.  Are you sure we're going to get out of this maze alive?"

"You never know."

"Don't say that, boss.  You're scarin' me!"

"Keep your boots on and keep your gun ready.  If the cat comes after us, jump back beside me and keep your gun ready so I can take a whack at it first."

"Okay, boss.  I'll remember."

They followed the map back trough the maze.  Dave stopped under a tree at the next turn.  A giant jaguar pounced on him ripping the map in two and knocking Dave to the ground.  Tom struck out with the Samurai sword slicing the Jaguar's head neatly off.

"Damn it Dave!  I told you to watch the trees!  You could have been killed."

"I'm sorry, boss.  I'm sorry, boss."

"Yeah, you'd be sorrier if you were dead right now."

"How would I be sorry if I were dead, boss?"

"You know what I mean."

Dave pushed the jaguar's limp body off of him and got up.

"Look.  Your arm is bleeding" said Tom.  "Stop here a minute and I'll bandage your arm."

"Okay, boss."

Tom took off his backpack, reached in, and pulled out some medical supplies.  He opened the bottle of alcohol.

"Brace yourself.  This is going to sting a little."

"Okay, boss.  I'm ready.  That jaguar's claws were so sharp that I didn't feel it."

"It's okay.  It's just a scratch.  Maybe this statue DOES have some kind of power of protection."

Tom poured some alcohol on Dave's wound.

"OUCH" yelled Dave.

" Keep quiet!  We're getting close to the entrance.  I told ya it was going to sting a little."

Tom put the top back on the alcohol and returns it to his backpack.  He then took some gauze and tape and bandaged Dave's arm.  When the first aid supplies were put away the men stood up.

"Let's get on our way.  You go first again."

"Why me, boss?"

"Do I really have to tell you again?"

"No, boss."

The men started making their way back through the maze.  They were getting tired and hungry so they stopped to eat.

"Well, this is the last of the food" said Tom.  "We'd better eat and rest awhile.  We don't know what else we might run into."

"Okay, boss."

They ate the last of their food and laid on the ground using their backpacks as a pillow.

"Do you think we'll run into anymore cats" asked Dave.

"It's hard to say.  Removing that statue seems to have triggered a number of traps."

"I sure hope we make it out alive.  I can almost taste those drinks in the coconut shells and feel those pretty women all over me.  What are you going to do with your money, boss?"

"I haven't decided yet.  I'll probably invest most of it but I'll buy a new house and car for sure.  Nothing too fancy but comfortable and reliable.  I'll probably take a short vacation too."

"Good ideas, boss.  Where are you gonna go?"

"I have a gal in the UK that I might drop in on for a surprise visit.  I've never been there and I'm sure she'll be surprised to see me.  Maybe TOO surprised if you know what I mean.  I'll see how it goes.  She broke my heart but maybe things will go better in person:  Maybe they won't."

"I sure hope they do, boss."

"Thanks, Dave.  So do I.  I don't think I can take the heartbreak a second time.  Now, let's get some sleep."

"Okay, boss."

When the two awoke the next morning, a cobra was on Dave's chest.  Dave froze up and the cobra spread its hood.

"Don't move a muscle" said Tom.  "I'll try to get the sword out of the sheath and cut its head off."

Dave didn't say a word.  He just lay there staring into the cobra's eyes.

Tom slowly pulled the sword out of its sheath trying not to make any noise or sudden movements.  He slowly got up on one knee next to Dave and readied the sword.

SWOOSH!  Off came the cobra's head.  Dave jumped up as fast as he could, knocking the body on the ground and the head into the hedge.

"Why it didn't strike when you jerked, I don't know."

"It must be the statue, boss."

"Yeah, yeah.  I don't really believe in that mumbo jumbo but I'm starting to wonder myself.  Check your weapons and let's get a move on."

"Okay, boss."

They continued toward the entrance of the maze without further incident.

I guess they figured the jaguar would get us if nothing else did" said Tom.

"I guess so, boss."

As they approached the entrance they heard some Chinese yelling and heard the shuffle of a large number of feet.

"Oh crap!" whispered Tom.  They must have found the body of the ghost Samurai.  Take the safety off of your Mac 10 and get ready for a fight."

Tom and Dave approached the opening and saw a company of Samurai awaiting them with their swords drawn.  Tom and Dave unleashed a hail of fire each using short bursts for maximum effectiveness.  Dave ran out of ammo first and quickly ejected the clip and grabbed a new one from his belt.  The remaining Samurai charged and Tom took two of them out before his clip was empty.  Tom grabbed a clip from his belt and the remaining Samurai took a swing at him.  Tom jumped back and wasn't cut but his ammo belt was sliced in half and dropped to the ground.  Dave shot the Samurai in the back.

"They know we're here now" said Tom.  We're going to play hell getting past those guards at the gate.  Do you have any ammo left?"

"I have one clip left."

"Good.  Let me stick my clip in my gun and get the last clip off of my ammo belt."

Tom inserted his clip and cocked his Mack 10.  He then bent down and removed the clip from the severed belt and put it in his pocket.

"We have to get back over the stones and make a run for the gate.  Try to take out the guards on our way.  Watch for guards coming from the rear."

"Will do, boss."

The men made it across the stones and made a run for the gate.  The guards called out and more men started coming from the area of the damaged building.

"Take out the guards at the gate first" yelled Tom.

Dave complied then they both turned and fired at the approaching crowd.  The crowd stopped and turned back for a moment as Dave and Tom ran through the gate toward their jeep.  Just as they got the backpacks loaded into the jeep, men started coming through the gate.  Dave and Tom released one last hail of bullets toward the gate killing enough men to semi-block the entrance.  Tom jumped into the driver's side and David into the passenger's side and the men sped off to meet the buyer.

The men arrived at the buyer's house and were met at the door by the bodyguard.  The bodyguard led the men inside to the buyer's chamber.

"Do you have the jade dragons?"

"Yes" said Tom as he pulled it out of his backpack.

"Good, good" said the buyer.  "Here is your money."

"What does that thing do" asked Dave.

"Do you really want to know?"

"Yeah, yeah" exclaimed Tom and Dave in unison.

The buyer rubbed the Jade Dragons.  The statue started to glow.  Suddenly, they buyer turned into two green dragons and ate the men.  The statue stopped glowing and the buyer turned back into a man.

"Put the money back in the safe" said the buyer.

"Yes sir" said the bodyguard.

"It's a shame that they were so curious.  They could have been rich men."

Copyright © 2015 Cal Jennings