tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29644397132935377082024-03-20T03:07:25.941-04:00Cynful RomanceThe important thing is not the object of love, but the emotion itself. ~Gore VidalAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02195205047957153349noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125truetag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2964439713293537708.post-28809994856140956012015-10-22T23:48:00.001-04:002015-10-22T23:48:55.157-04:00Cynful Romance: R.I.P. My Pretty Baby, Gizmo...<a href="http://soullesscynner.blogspot.com/2015/10/rip-my-pretty-baby-gizmo.html?spref=bl">Cynful Romance: R.I.P. My Pretty Baby, Gizmo...</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02195205047957153349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2964439713293537708.post-29813091568520677462015-10-22T23:47:00.002-04:002015-10-22T23:47:12.713-04:00R.I.P. My Pretty Baby, Gizmo...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02195205047957153349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2964439713293537708.post-21450293252659773942014-06-04T22:50:00.001-04:002014-06-04T23:09:58.376-04:00Made To Be Broken - Novel By: AMS1971<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.booksiesilk.com/gay_and_lesbian/novel/ams1971/made-to-be-broken/chapter/43#OYydXkk69X4rVKyq.15"><span style="color: lime;">Made To Be Broken</span></a><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">is a great read. I found it very inspiring. I laughed and cried throughout the story.</span></span><br />
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<i><span style="color: lime;">Blurb: </span><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">At age 14, Noble Richmond becomes devastatingly aware that he is gay. Being raised in a Christian home and church, Noble believes that being gay is a sin, and desperately seeks God's healing and deliverance – telling no one of his secret. Now, nine years later, Noble is engaged to a Christian girl, Rebecca, who he believes he is genuinely in love with. Convinced that God has answered his prayers and delivered him from the sin of homosexuality, Noble sees his future with Rebecca as bright and promising. But when Rebecca's step-brother, Jonah, shows up at their engagement party – Noble is forced to question his deliverance and finds himself struggling with emotions and desires he insists is not natural for one man to feel for another.</span></i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02195205047957153349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2964439713293537708.post-38014386875132030382013-08-31T22:36:00.001-04:002013-08-31T22:36:36.212-04:00"ALYSSA LIES" The Original Video in High Definition HD<span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>This song makes me cry every damn time I listen it. It's so sad. I hope that one day, songs like this won't be needed anymore, because abuse will be be extinct. I doubt it will happen, but I hope for it nonetheless.</b></span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/nLh5vbBLpxI" width="480"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02195205047957153349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2964439713293537708.post-67895025177849614002013-08-12T05:03:00.001-04:002013-08-12T05:03:15.840-04:00<span style="font-family: MedievalSharp; font-size: 28px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: orange;">AAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02195205047957153349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2964439713293537708.post-28415520705895169222013-06-03T20:34:00.001-04:002013-06-04T21:58:03.247-04:00Sims 3 Video for Jammi<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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AHHHH! I got an evil kid! AHHHH!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02195205047957153349noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2964439713293537708.post-64591873858191550152013-04-24T00:03:00.000-04:002013-04-24T00:05:21.418-04:00Prompt 151 - Destiny<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Here’s a short story I wrote based on a prompt from a free story
site. <b>Prompt 151:</b> Everyone is always
saying that if they could change just one thing, everything in their life would
be perfect. The opportunity came, only instead of better, your life
became so much worse. What did you try to change and why?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b><span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Destiny<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A voice called softly to me, “Richard.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I ignored the voice. I wanted to sleep. I
wanted to sleep and forget.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Richard,” the voice called again, and
again I ignored it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I turned over on my side, putting my back
to the voice. I squeezed my eyes shut tight, trying not to let the images back
in. The images only brought pain and tears.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Richard, look at me. I can make your
pain go away.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Anger poured over me, through me, and I
sat up. I turned to face the voice, fully intending to rip him a new asshole,
because nothing, <i>nothing</i> would make
the pain go away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My angry retort died in my throat as I
looked up into the most beautiful face I had ever seen. The face was a little
angular with a strong jaw, full lips, and deep brown eyes. It was a face I
thought I would never see again outside of my nightmares.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Perrin! Is it really you?” My voice was
soft, awestruck.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Perrin smiled, and my heart flipped. Oh
God, I’ve missed that smile. “Yes, Richard, it’s me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Oh Perrin! I’ve missed you so much!” I
said. I threw myself at him, and he caught me in his big, strong arms, just as
he used to do before he—“But how–you’re dead!” I blurted, pulling away
slightly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yes, I am dead, my sweet Richard.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He leaned in and kissed my lips softly.
My eyes fluttered closed, but before I could respond to the kiss, he was
nudging me to sit back down. I sat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Richard, I’ve come to offer you a gift.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My heart skipped a beat. Was he going to
offer to come back to me, to the land of the living? That’s impossible though,
isn’t it? Okay, if I were to be honest, the very fact that my dead husband was
standing before me was impossible, or so I thought. My heart in my throat, I
finally asked, “What gift?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“It is a rare gift, one that should be
used with great caution and a lot of thought.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Perrin, what is it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He hesitated, and I saw the struggle in
his eyes. He didn’t like this gift, and he didn’t like being the one to give
it. This realization made me leery.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Your gift is a
do-over. You get to go back in time and change one thing from your past.
However–“<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“But that’s <i>great!</i>” I said, my heart suddenly racing
at the implications. I could have my husband back, alive and well! I could go
back and choose to take a different route home, or stay a little longer at the
restaurant, or something. I could totally avoid the accident that killed Perrin
three months ago, but left me without a scratch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“However,” Perrin
said, breaking into my musings, “once you have changed your destiny, it cannot
be changed again, and it cannot be undone. You will have to live with the
consequences for the rest of your life, whatever they may be. And Richard? The
consequences are very rarely good.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I don’t care,” I
said. I would not be talked out of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. “I
accept the gift. I want to go back and change that night. I want to take a
different route home.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Perrin smiled sadly at
me. “I knew you would want to do this. I am forbidden to encourage you either
way, so if this is what you really want, close your eyes and think back to that
night.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I closed my eyes and
allowed myself to remember that night for the first time. Perrin and I had
dropped Will and Sam off at my brother’s house so we could have a much needed
night alone. We loved our sons to death, but at ages two and four respectfully,
Will and Sam were a handful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I heard my brother
laughing as Perrin said something to him. The laughter sounded close, much
closer and much more real than a memory. I felt the cold against my skin, and the
scent of cinnamon rolls wafted out into the night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I opened my eyes, and
I was both delighted and amazed to see not the inside of my bedroom; instead, I
saw Perrin talking to my brother, Will snuggled up into his chest. I smiled, my
heart aching at the beautiful sight of my husband and our child.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I was really back to
that fateful night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Come on, Per,” I
said. As much as I loved looking at him, I wanted to hurry up and leave so I
could be with him again, alone. I’d missed him so much.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Perrin turned to look
at me, flashing me his mega-watt smile. He handed Will off to my brother, and
then we were off. Perrin drove us to the restaurant, navigating the icy streets
with ease. I watched him the entire way there, hardly able to turn away, so
afraid was I of him disappearing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dinner passed quickly,
with lots of laughs and flirting. It was fun, and I was finally able to relax,
at least until it was time to leave.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I drove us home
carefully, taking different streets than I had the first go-round. I was tense
and silent until I finally pulled into the drive. Letting out a sigh of relief,
I cut the engine and got out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We had a wonderful
night in which I convinced myself that everything was finally okay. We had
avoided the accident, so I could relax.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We picked the boys up
the next day and took them to the park. Everything was fine at first. The boys
were having a snowball fight while Perrin and I sat on a frozen bench and
talked. We talked for a good half an hour, glancing up at the boys every few
minutes, when we finally decided it was time to get them inside. It was getting
colder, and the wind was picking up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We went to a fast food
restaurant for lunch, and then headed home. Will and Sam settled in front of
the television with a pillow and blanket for some cartoons and a nap. Perrin
sat on the couch with a word search book, and I sat at the other end of the
couch, rubbing his feet. It was a nice, stress-free day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dinner was full of
laughter, and bedtime came too soon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Daddy, I don’t wanna
go to bed,” Sam said petulantly. “I’m a big boy now. I don’t need a bedtime.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I grinned down at him.
“Does that mean you don’t want Papa to read Harry Potter to you anymore?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">His big brown eyes, so
like his father’s, widened. “I’ll go to bed!” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I tucked him into bed,
and then sat next to him, Perrin doing the same with Will, and then Perrin
began to read, his deep voice changing for each character.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">***<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Daddy,” Sam said as
he entered the kitchen. “Will don’t feel good.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Okay, buddy. Come eat
your cereal with Papa while I go check on him.” I kissed his forehead and left
the kitchen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I made a quick stop at
the bathroom for the thermometer, and then headed for the boys’ room. Will was
still in bed, and even though he was under a warm comforter, he was shivering.
That didn’t bode well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Hey, little man,” I
said softly as I sat down on the edge of the bed next to him. “I hear you don’t
feel good.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He opened his eyes,
and my heart melted. Will looked just like me with his blond hair and blue
eyes. I gently brushed a strand of his hair off his face. His skin felt warm,
too warm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Will, I’m going to
take your temperature now, so I need you to give me your ear be very still,
okay?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Okay, Daddy,” Will
said, his voice soft and groggy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He turned onto his
side so I could get to his ear and held still. I placed the ear thermometer,
and soon I had his temperature. I frowned and took it again, my heart beating
faster. When the reading turned out to be the same as the first time, my frown
deepened.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Daddy?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes, bud?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“My thwoat hurts, and
I hurt all over.” Will’s voice was so quiet; I had to lean in to hear him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I leaned down and
kissed his forehead, my heart aching at how hot his skin was. “I’ll be back in
a minute. I’m going to call the doctor.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Out in the hall, I
took out my cell phone and called the pediatrician. The receptionist connected
me to the doctor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Dr. Pierce,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Dr. Pierce, this is
Richard Gilman. I’m calling because…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">***<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Fifteen minutes later,
we were all in the car on our way to the hospital. As Perrin turned onto High
Street, I glanced back behind him. Will was strapped in his car seat with a
blanket wrapped around him. He was asleep.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“He’ll be okay,”
Perrin said quietly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I flashed him a
grateful smile. “I know he will be. I just can’t help worrying.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You know, we should—“<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Perrin, look out!” I
yelled right before an SUV slammed into us, the sound of metal on metal grating
on my ears. Just before everything went black, I heard a scream.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">***<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Numb. That’s how I
felt as I stood near the graves, surrounded by friends and family as they laid
my husband and our son to rest. The preacher’s words were lost on me, and I
barely felt Sam clinging to me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: Kalinga, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Some of the numbness
began wearing off as the coffins were lowered into the cold ground, and I couldn't stop the wave of guilt from washing over me. I had been warned that
there would be consequences to this “gift”, consequences that were so rarely ever
good, but I wanted my husband back; I </span><span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: Kalinga, sans-serif;">didn't</span><span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: Kalinga, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> care about the consequences.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Now, as I picked up
Sam and clung to him, I cared. My selfish decision had taken my husband away
from me again, only this time, one of my sons was also taken from me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I fell to my knees
and, still clinging to Sam, I cried. I cried, and I hoped to God that nobody
else would be foolish enough to accept such a “gift”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02195205047957153349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2964439713293537708.post-77177605726104454662013-02-14T02:42:00.004-05:002013-02-14T03:43:47.113-05:00Forgotten Prince Ch. 6<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #333333; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 13.5pt;">
<b><span style="color: red;">.::Taz::.</span></b><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #333333; line-height: 13.5pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #333333; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 13.5pt;">
<span style="color: cyan;">After Dane’s surgery, he was moved to
the ICU, so the doctors could monitor him. Taz and his parents had taken turns
sitting at his bedside for the next forty-eight hours. Dane had slept through
most of those two days, only staying awake for a couple hours at a time.</span><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: cyan;">During one of those brief interludes, Taz had told him of his decision to marry Tepin.</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: cyan;">"Dane," he had said haltingly, "I told Tepin I'd marry him. I'll be leaving as soon as I get my passport." He chewed his bottom lip as he waited for his brother to reply. He was a little afraid of how he'd react to the news.</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: cyan;">"That's great, Taz," Dane said. He smiled, but it was sad, resigned smile, making him look older than his fifteen years. Taz hated to see that look on his brother's face.</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: cyan;">"But...?" Taz prompted, because he knew there was something his brother wasn't saying.</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: cyan;">Smiling sardonically, Dane said, "I knew you'd pick up on that." Dane looked out the hospital room's big window, as if the mid-morning sun would tell him how to continue.</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: cyan;">Taz said nothing as the silence stretched into a minute. He took the time to examine his brother. Dane's hair was disheveled, and his skin was a little pale. He looked tired and sore, but otherwise healthy, considering he's just had open-heart surgery.</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: cyan;">One minute became two. Taz was eternally grateful that his brother was okay. When the doctor had come out to talk to them after Dane's surgery, he had told them that the hole had been successfully closed. Once he was fully healed, Dane should be fine for the rest of his life.</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: cyan;">Two minutes became three, and Taz was beginning to think that his brother might not tell him what was bothering him. He was about to say something when Dane sighed. His brother turned away from the window and looked at him. Dane's light brown eyes bore into into his own. Taz held his gaze, and Dane nodded, seeming to come to a decision.</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: cyan;">"You're doing this for our parents and me." Taz just looked at him, and his brother continued. "You're going to go off to some foreign country, and marry some guy you don't know, all so you can spare our parents from going into debt.</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: cyan;">It wasn't a question, but he answered as if it were. "Yes."</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: cyan;">"Why?"</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: cyan;">"Because I love you guys," he said, shrugging as if it were no big deal. And to him, at this moment, it wasn't. "If there's a way I can help, Dane, you know I'm going to take it."</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: cyan;">"What about kids?"</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: cyan;">"What about them?" Taz asked, frowning. He wasn't quit sure what his brother meant.</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: cyan;">Dane had raised the head of his hospital bed earlier, so that he was sitting. He now leaned forward a little, careful of his chest. His face was earnest as he said, "You've always wanted kids."</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: cyan;">"And?"</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: cyan;"><i>"And,"</i> Dane said, clearly exasperated, if you marry this guy, and he doesn't want kids, then what? You won't be happy if you can't have kids."</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: cyan;">Taz sighed. He dug two pieces of Werther's Original hard candies form his pocket and offered one to Dane. When his brother took the proffered candy, Taz popped his own in his mouth, sucking thoughtfully on it.</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: cyan;">It was true that he loved kids. It was also true that he wanted to be a father someday.It was definitely something he would need to discuss with Tepin. However, as long as his family was safe and debt free, Taz thought he could be happy with or without kids.</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: cyan;">He smiled, a small quirk of his lips. "We'll work it out."</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: cyan;">Dane looked skeptical, and he had to laugh.</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: cyan;">"You know, I find it amusing that I'm about to marry somebody I hardly know, and yet your only concern seems to be if I'm going to be able to have kids or not," Taz said, smiling wryly. "Aren't you worried about the serious lack of love?"</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: cyan;">Dane grinned mischievously, his eyes lighting up like the night sky on Independence Day. "I don't think you'll have to worry about that for long."</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: cyan;">"Why not?" Taz asked, frowning.</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: cyan;">"Mom said he came over here with you."</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: cyan;">Momentarily thrown by the non sequitur, he blinked. "And?"</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: cyan;">"Mom thinks he has the hots for you."</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: cyan;">Taz just stared blankly at him.</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: cyan;">Dane rolled his eyes and sighed dramatically. "Mom said that Tepin couldn't keep his eyes off you."</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: cyan;">Tepin had been watching him? His heart skipped a beat. But that made no sense, because he had sounded bitter when they were talking about it in Tepin's hotel room. Tepin had seemed to resent that he had to marry him, instead of ruling his own island.</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: cyan;">"Are you loopy? Is the morphine making you imagine conversations?"</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: cyan;">"I'm serious, Taz," Dane sais earnestly. "Mom said that Dane stayed close to you at all times. He even had his hand on the small of your back," he said triumphantly.</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: cyan;">Taz snorted derisively. "He stayed near me because where else would he go? This is a hospital; he's not going to just stroll down the halls, sightseeing."</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: cyan;">"I'll give you that, he conceded, "but what about his hand at your back? That's an awfully proprietary touch. I'm telling you," he said cheekily. "The man was staking his claim."</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: cyan;">"Oh please," Taz muttered, his cheeks heating. "That's nothing."</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: cyan;">"You, brotha, are in serious denial."</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: cyan;">They looked at each and laughed.</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: cyan;">"Ow," Dane said, his laughter almost immediately stopping, his hands moving up to clutch gingerly at his chest. "Laughing hurts."</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: cyan;">"Do you need me to get the nurse," Taz asked, his heart racing. He was ready to panic, but Dane calmed him.</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: cyan;">"I'm fine, dork," he said, smiling a little. "It's already starting to feel better. I just can't laugh."</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: cyan;">Dane yawned suddenly, a big, jaw-popping yawn that startled them both. He started to giggle, and then hissed.</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: cyan;">"Damn it. Not laughing is gonna suck," he complained.</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: cyan;">Taz smiled, his chest tight. He loved his brother. He was protective of him, and he absolutely hated seeing him so frail in that hospital bed. It infuriated him that his brother had to go through this hell, and there was nothing that he could do to make it stop. The only think making this even remotely bearable was that according to the doctor, he wouldn't have to go through this again after this. Dane could live his life as a normal, healthy teenager.</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: cyan;">Taz reached over and ruffled Dane's dark hair. Then he got up from the uncomfortable chair. "I'm going to go home for a bit. I'll get Mom."</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: cyan;">Dane just nodded sleepily as he lowered the head of the bed. He snuggled down under the thin white blanket, his eyes already closing. Taz quietly slipped from the room.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02195205047957153349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2964439713293537708.post-4636466071309933342013-01-14T00:09:00.006-05:002013-01-14T00:12:31.019-05:00Depression<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #99ff33; font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Depression. It’s a word we’ve all heard
before, one we think we know the meaning of.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #99ff33; font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #99ff33; font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">To me, it’s not just a word; it’s a feeling,
a state of being. I suffer from depression, and it sucks, big time. Most of the
time, I don’t feel like doing jack shit. Sometimes I just want to lie in bed
all day. Sometimes I get choked up at the littlest thing—a sad scene in a book
or a movie, or a sweet one where the guy tells the other guy (or woman) how
much he loves him/her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #99ff33; font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #99ff33; font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lately, though, since before Christmas, it’s
gotten so bad that I start crying for no reason. There was this one time a
couple of weeks ago, where I was washing the dishes—the goddamned <i>dishes!</i>—and I had to stop, turn the
water off, and sit down, because all of a sudden, I was crying.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #99ff33; font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #99ff33; font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Needless to say, depression is seriously
kicking my ass. I think this is part of the reason why I am so lazy, why I have
yet to get up off my ass and get my GED and a job.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #99ff33; font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #99ff33; font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa";"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">I also feel completely inadequate. Sometimes
I don’t believe I’m smart enough to get either my GED or a job, despite my mom
telling me I can do it. I guess I’m too afraid to try, and my depression </span></span><span style="line-height: 18px;">isn't</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> helping.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #99ff33; font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa";"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #99ff33; font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I know most of you probably think I’m saying
all this to get sympathy, or attention or something, but I’m not. I’m just
feeling particularly down at the moment, and I can’t find the words to continue
with either of my two top priority stories, and I can’t find the words to write
a new poem, but I feel as if there are words bursting to get free. So, when I loaded
up Word, this is what came out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #99ff33; font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #99ff33; font-family: "Estrangelo Edessa"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I hope everybody else is faring much better.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02195205047957153349noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2964439713293537708.post-20655196623454836412012-11-28T20:46:00.002-05:002012-11-28T20:46:53.857-05:00Forgotten Prince Ch. 5<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #3deb3d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">.::Tepin::.</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">It
was nearly one in the morning by the time Tepin got back to his hotel room, and
all he wanted to do was crawl into bed and sleep for about eight hours
straight. He gazed longingly at the bed, knowing that it would be awhile before
he could turn in for the night.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Hanging
his jacket on the hook by the door, he walked to the window and drew the
curtain back. The view wasn't anything special, just a fairly busy street lined
with small businesses and restaurants. The street was wide, with little
“islands” separating the directions of traffic.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">He
let his mind wander back to his conversation at the hospital with Taz. Back
there, he'd shut his emotions down so he wouldn't have to feel anything. He was
better at shutting his emotions down completely than he was at hiding them, and
it would have killed him to have Taz, a near stranger, see those feelings. So
he'd become a robot.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Now,
though, he was alone, so it was safe to feel. Not that he really knew what he
was feeling, anyway. But that was okay, because he had time to figure it out.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">He
smiled as he remembered the look of determination in Taz's eyes as he'd asked
about the king of Hotep's money. He admired the hell out of Taz for doing
something he clearly didn't want to do, all for the sake of his family. It was
something he could relate to. He'd do anything for his own family.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">At
least he knew one of the emotions he felt. Admiration.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Tepin
was pulled from his thoughts when his phone buzzed in his pocket. He frowned.
Who was calling so late? He took his phone out and... Dekklahn. It was Dekk
calling this late. He briefly contemplated letting it go to voice mail.
Instead, he answered just before the fifth and final ring.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Hey,
Dekk,” he said tiredly.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Where
have you been,” his brother replied tersely.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“At
the hospital with Taz. Why?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“The
<i>hospital</i>?!” Dekk said, his voice almost shrill. “What happened? Are you
okay?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Relax,”
Tepin said, amused. “It wasn't me.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Thank
the gods.” His brother's relief was palpable. “Was it Taz?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“No.
It was Taz's kid brother.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Taz
has a brother? There are <i>two</i> princes of Hotep?” Dekk asked,
incredulously.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“No,”
Tepin said, laughing. “Dane—Taz's brother—belongs to the Langleys, not King
Bakhoun.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“And
the Langleys are... the commoners King Bakhoun entrusted Taz to?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Bingo.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Is
the kid okay?” Dekk asked, and Tepin knew that the concern in his brother's
voice was real.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“He
had to have open-heart surgery,” he said, suddenly very tired.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“What's
wrong with him?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Congenital
heart defect. He has holes in his heart.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“That
must suck. I hope he gets better.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“So
do I.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">They
lapsed into silence, and Tepin's mind wandered. He wondered what it would be
like to be married to Taz, a man whom he knew very little about. Would their
marriage be in name only? Or would they be intimate? Would they get along? Or
would they eventually hate each other? Gods, he hoped not. He did <i>not</i>
want to hate his own spouse. He could handle a loveless marriage, but only if
there was at least a little respect, and maybe even friendship. A marriage full
of hate...? He shuddered at the thought. He would do his damndest to make sure
that didn't happen.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Well then,</span></i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"> he thought dryly, <i>I have a lot of work ahead of me.</i></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“...reach
you.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Hm...?”
Tepin was chagrined to realize he hadn't been paying attention and had missed
what Dekk was saying.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“I
said,” Dekklahn said, his haughty tone exaggerated, “that Mother called me a
few hours ago. She was near hysterical that she couldn't reach you.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Tepin
grimaced. He loved his mother, but sometimes she could be way too
overprotective.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">He
sighed. “I will call her when I get off with you.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Good.
Then I'll let you go.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Dekk,
wait.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Yeah?'</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Taz
agreed to our marriage.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“That's
great!” Dekklahn said, enthusiastically.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Yeah...
great,” Tepin replied, his voice subdued.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">His
brother instantly caught on that something was wrong. “But...?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Tepin
smiled, a small, almost pensive smile. “Figures you'd pick up on my lack of
enthusiasm.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Yeah,
well, I know you. You're my brother and I love you. Now spill.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">He
seriously contemplated not answering. He wasn't sure he wanted his brother to
know his insecurities. But... maybe if he used Dekklahn as a sounding board,
he'd feel better about the marriage.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“We
don't love each other, Dekk,” he finally said. “We don't even really know each
other. He only agreed to marry me so he could use King Bakhoun's money to pay
his brother's hospital bill. I don't really mind that, because, as I said,
we're not in love. I understand his motive. What I <i>don't</i> understand is
why our union is so damned important.” Tepin was unable to keep his frustration
from leaking into his voice. He started pacing the ten steps from the window to
the end of the bed.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“I
overheard Mother and Father talking before I came here,” Dekk said, haltingly.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">His
heart skipped a beat, and he stopped pacing. Was he finally about to get an
answer?</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“What
were they saying?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“I
didn't catch all of it, but... I think it was about money.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Money?”
Tepin was dumbfounded. He'd thought they had plenty of money.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Mother
thought Father was spending too much on our army.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“But
that makes no sense!”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“She
never was one for violence.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“That's
true,” Tepin agreed. Their mother had always done her utmost to resolve any and
every problem with words. He sighed his frustration with this whole situation.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Dekk?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Hm?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“<i>Shokran
gazillan</i>,” he said, quietly.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“You're
welcome.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">There
was a moment of silence, then Dekklahn said, “'Night, Tep. I'm going to bed.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Alright.
Good night.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Tepin
sank down onto the edge of the bed. His exhausted mind was going about a
million miles a minute, running through question after endless question, trying
to put all the elusive pieces of the puzzle together to make a coherent
picture.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">It
wasn't working.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Admitting
defeat left a bitter taste on his tongue, but he was too exhausted to think
anymore. He wanted to crawl under the covers, but he had one more phone call to
make. His mother answered on the first ring.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“<i>Where</i>
have you been, Tepin?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Tepin
winced at the shrillness of her voice. She had to be really worried to sound
like that. He actually found himself feeling slightly guilty. The guilt pissed
him off, though, because, damn it, he was twenty-five years old. He shouldn't
have to call his mother every time he was going to be out of touch for a few
hours.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">He
looked around his hotel room, from the utilitarian dresser and TV, to the
white, slightly dingy walls, to the open door leading into the bathroom. He
prayed for the patience he'd need to deal with his mother.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Taz's
brother, Dane, went to the hospital. I went with him to see if he was okay.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“How
long does it take to see if somebody is okay?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Momma,
he had to have open-heart surgery, which is very dangerous, and can take quite
a bit of time to perform.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Oh,”
she said, her voice slightly deflated, her ire completely gone. “Is he okay?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“He
was resting comfortably when we left.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“That's
good.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Yes,
it is.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Next
time you know you are going to be out of touch, call me,” she said, briskly.
Her voice softened. “I was worried. I know I worry too much, and I tend to
smother you kids, and I'm sorry for that. I love you.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Tepin
sighed, but said, “I love you, too, Momma.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Good
night, Tepin.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Momma,
wait!”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Yes,
<i>habib albi</i>?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Taz
agreed to marry me.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Of
course he did. Who wouldn't agree to marry you?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Tepin
knew the question was rhetorical, so he didn't answer.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“When
should I expect you two here?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Not
for a while. He does not have a passport, and that may take some time.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Make
sure you tell me when he gets it, so I can prepare for your return. I want to
see you before you marry him, and move to Hotep.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“I
know, Momma. We'll come see you, I promise.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Good.
Now get some sleep, <i>habib albi</i>.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Smiling,
Tepin said, “I will happily get some sleep. Love you.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Tepin
placed his phone on the nightstand, then stripped down to his boxers. Finally, <i>finally</i>,
he was under the covers. His body relaxed, and sleep enveloped him. And he
dreamed of Taz, of making love to him.</span></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02195205047957153349noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2964439713293537708.post-52739183288056587182012-11-23T04:26:00.001-05:002012-11-23T04:30:01.435-05:00Forgotten Prince Ch. 4<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #3deb3d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: small;">Before I get to the good stuff, let me first say I hope everybody who celebrates it had an epically awesome Thanksgiving. Mine was great. Full of Guitar Hero (or was it Rock Band? <span id="goog_1467637596"></span>=/ <span id="goog_1467637597"></span>) and great food. Oh, and I guess the company wasn't so bad, either. :P </span></span></span></b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #3deb3d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"> </span></span></span></span></span></b></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #3deb3d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">* <span style="color: orange;">* <span style="color: yellow;">* <span style="color: lime;">* <span style="color: blue;">* <span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: purple;">*</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><span style="background-color: black;"></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #3deb3d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">.::Tepin::.</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"Don't
you have anything . . . less stuffy?"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Tepin
looked up, his gaze meeting Taz's honey-whiskey eyes. Heat suffused his body. <i>God</i>,
he wanted Taz bad.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"Hm...?"
he murmured.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"Your
vest. Don't you having anything less stuffy to change into? Like maybe a tee
shirt?"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Tepin
looked down at the vest he'd pulled out of the closet; it matched the one he
had on now, minus the chocolate milk stain. "What's wrong with this?"
he asked defensively.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"It's
stuffy," Taz said bluntly. "Personally, I never really liked the vest
look."</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"There
is nothing wrong with this."</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Rolling
his eyes, Taz moved from his perch on the bed and came to stand next to him.
"Take off your soiled shirt and vest," he said as he surveyed the
contents of Tepin's closet.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Tepin
reluctantly pulled off his vest, then the white button-up shirt. The chocolate
milk had seeped through the vest to stain the shirt beneath. <i>I'll have to
soak these</i>, he thought as he dropped them unceremoniously to the floor at
his feet.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"Aha!"
Taz exclaimed, pulling a white tee shirt from a hanger. Turning to face Tepin
again, Taz said, "This'll... do..." His voice trailed off as his eyes
roamed Tepin's now very bare chest. Tepin cleared his throat, and Taz's eyes
snapped up to his.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">As
Tepin gazed into Taz's eyes, they darkened with the flames of desire. His heart
beat faster, liquid heat engulfed him, and he felt slightly dizzy as all the
blood seemed to drain down into his cock. He couldn't, for the life of him,
remember ever wanting another man so much. He wanted to feel him, taste him, as
they—</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Tepin
very slowly leaned forward, his eyes searching Taz's for any sign that he was
going too far, moving too fast. But then Taz began leaning forward as well,
meeting him halfway.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Just
before their lips met, they both paused, as if it had been choreographed. Their
breaths mingled as Tepin gazed into Taz's hooded eyes, losing himself in that
honey-whiskey abyss. Then he leaned in that last half-inch, touching his lips
to Taz's in a gentle kiss.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">A
hot rush of desire punched him low in the gut and he had to fight the need to
kiss him harder, deeper. Instead, he forced himself to go slow, to gently lick
Taz's lips. Slowly, he coaxed his mouth open, sweeping his tongue inside to
taste him. His taste was a heady mix of hot chocolate and banana cream donuts.
But under that? Was all Taz, all man. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Taz
groaned into the kiss, then deepened it, kissing him hungrily. Tepin pulled him
close, kissing him back fiercely, their teeth gnashing together as their
tongues dueled for dominance. He shuddered at the feel of Taz's nails gently
raking down his spine. His hips jerked forward when those sinful nails dipped
down the back of his slacks, and his cock rubbed against Taz's own erection.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Taz
broke the kiss, resting his forehead on Tepin's shoulder as he gasped for
breath.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"Wow,"
Taz whispered hoarsely.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"Yeah,
wow." Tepin's own breathing was ragged from that incredible kiss.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Taz
raised his head, and Tepin kissed him again. Deeper. Harder. Somehow, Taz's
shirt came off, and Tepin's hands roamed over his heated flesh, trying to touch
as much of him as he could. He felt himself falling, helpless to do anything to
stop it. But then his back hit the bed, and he realized that somehow, they'd
moved back.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Taz
was straddling him, his hips rocking as he strained to get closer, even as his
cock rubbed against Tepin's own throbbing erection. Tepin moaned, kissing him
deeper, his hands moving to his hips. Taz immediately grabbed his wrists and
shoved them above his head, pinning him there as he rocked against him faster.
Taz broke the kiss in favor of skimming gentle, nibbling kisses along Tepin's neck.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Taz...”
he moaned, his back arching off the bed. If Taz didn't stop now, he'd explode
right in his slacks.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Well,
<i>this</i> is interesting.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Taz
jumped off him and scrambled off the bed, leaving Tepin feeling bereft. He sat
up, and, trying to hide the fact that he was trembling from pent-up need, he
began unwinding his long hair from its French braid.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“What
are you doing here, Dekk,” he asked, when he felt his voice would be cool and
calm.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Sadiki
left his carry-on bag by the door. I figured, since I swiped one of your key
cards earlier, that we could come and get it. Imagine my surprise at finding my
brother being ravished by a stunning man?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Oh,
shut up,” Tepin growled, even as he felt his face flush.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Now,
is that any way to speak to your brother?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Brother?”
Tepin scoffed. “Right now, you are nothing more than a royal pain in my ass.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Well,
at least—”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Guys,”
Taz said. “Knock it off. You're not five.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“He
sure acts—”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Tepin,”
Taz said, the warning clear in his voice.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Fine.
Sadiki, grab your bag, then please escort Dekk out.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Yes,
Your Highness,” he said, bowing low.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Tepin
watched as Sadiki bent down beside the door and grabbed his bag. Then they were
gone, leaving Tepin alone with Taz once again. Maybe he should have had two of
the guards stay in the room, with them, rather than send them all off with his
brother again.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Taz
cleared his throat, and shifted his weight slightly, clearly uncomfortable.
“So...”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“I
apologize for my brash behavior just now. I know you are not ready for such
intimacies with me. I can only hope that this will not result in a setback,”
Tepin said, as he looked up at Taz. He noticed that Taz had put his shirt back
on, albeit inside out and backwards. The sight made him want to smile, but he
suppressed it; this situation called for seriousness, not humor.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Tepin,
I'm twenty-three, not a little kid. I know how to take responsibility for my
actions.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“But
I star—”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“You
may have started it,” Taz said, “but I was a willing participant. Hell, I was
the one to step it up a notch or five.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Tepin
felt his face flush as he remembered just how far they had gone. He'd come so
close to coming, and they hadn't done anything more stimulating than make out.
Well okay. They had also humped each other like two sex-crazed teenagers.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Closing
his eyes, he could still feel Taz's lips on his own, then on his neck, his hot
breath tickling his sensitive flesh. He recalled, quite clearly, the heady rush
of being dominated as Taz ground down into him feverishly, as if he couldn't
get enough of him. The feel of his imminent orgasm—</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Tepin
opened his eyes, mentally shaking the new memory away. He shifted, attempting
to alleviate the pressure of his cock pressing against his slacks.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Do
all princes blush as much as you?” Taz asked, his voice laced with amusement.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Looking
up, Tepin saw the teasing glint in Taz's gorgeous eyes. “Uh... no,” he mumbled.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Grinning,
Taz flounced down onto the bed next to him, making it bounce. He pulled his
legs up under him Indian style, and, with his elbows on his knees, he cradled
his chin in his hands.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“So,
tell me about yourself.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">The
question startled him. He'd have thought that Taz would start by asking about
his parents and his own island country, not about him. Not yet, anyway.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Um...
You want to know about... <i>me</i>?” Tepin asked, dumbly.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Taz
rolled his eyes and nodded. “Yeah, I want to know about... <i>you</i>.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“What
do you want to know about me?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“How
old are you? How many siblings do you have?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“I
am twenty-five, and I have two siblings; Dekklahn and Delila.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“You're
the oldest?” Taz asked.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Yes,
I am the oldest. Then Dekk, then Delila.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“What
was it like, growing up in a castle?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Tepin
shrugged. “Being a prince can be stifling. You cannot go anywhere without at
least two guards, and although you are <i>never</i> alone, sometimes you feel
as though you are. It is hard to make friends, because you have to be cautious.
When you have money and power, it is sometimes hard to tell a true friend from
those who only want a piece of your wealth.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“When
you are outside the castle walls, you are not a person; you are merely an
ambassador for the king and queen. You are expected to dress and act a certain
way. You are required to always be on your best behavior, and never besmirch
the crown name, lest you feel the wrath of the king and queen.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“It
sounds... lonely,” Taz said.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Yes,
it is,” Tepin replied, feeling suddenly melancholy.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“So,
what is your family like?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“My
mother and father are a bit stiff and prudish, but they love us fiercely.
Father inherited the crown from his mother, being the eldest child. In
Nefer—and Hotep—the eldest child, regardless of gender, inherits the crown, and
full power over the country.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“They
treat Dekklahn, Delila, and myself equally, even though Dekk is the crown
prince. He receives no spe—”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Wait
a minute,” Taz said. “Aren't <i>you</i> the crown prince?”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“No,”
Tepin replied, unable to keep the bite from his tone.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Why
not? I thought you said the oldest—”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“I
am not the crown prince, Taz,” he interrupted, “because I am promised to you.
Since you are the crown prince of Hotep, I cannot rule Nefer.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Tepin
winced inwardly, immediately regretting his harsh words. The flash of hurt he
saw in Taz's honey-whiskey eyes just made him feel even worse. The hurt shifted
quickly to anger as he glared at him.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Well,
ex<i>cuse</i> me for putting a crimp in your plans! It's not like I <i>want</i>
to marry <i>you</i>!” Taz shouted.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">The
silence was deafening. His angry words seemed to permeate the room.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">It's not like I </span></i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">want<i> to marry </i>you<i>!</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">He
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">It's not like I </span></i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">want<i> to marry </i>you<i>!</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Taz
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him, hands on her plump hips. <i>If you don't have anything nice to say, don't
say anything at all. One day, you're going to say something hurtful you don't
mean, and won't be able to take it back.</i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Tepin,
I'm—”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“I
think you should go,” Tepin interrupted him, his voice quiet.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">He
wouldn't look at him, and Taz's heart sank. He'd royally screwed up.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“I'm
sorry. I didn't mean—”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Please,
just—”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">The
chorus of Linkin Park's “Leave Out All the Rest” <i>s</i>uddenly blared through
the room, startling them both. It took a moment for Taz to realize that it was
his cell phone, letting him know he had a text message. He frowned. His friends
and family knew that he hated text messages; they were so unreal, for lack of a
better term. He much preferred actually talking. The only time anybody ever
texted him was if there was an emergency.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">With
that thought in mind, he dug his phone out of his pocket, and flipped it open.
The text was short, but heart-stopping.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Took Dane to ER. Not breathing. Come quick.</span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Oh,
shit,” he said, jumping up from the bed. “I gotta go.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“What's
wrong?” Tepin asked.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Dane.
My brother. He's in the hospital.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“I'll
come with you,” he said, and got to his feet.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #3deb3d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">* <span style="color: orange;">* <span style="color: yellow;">* <span style="color: lime;">* <span style="color: blue;">* <span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: purple;">*</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">The
twenty-minute cab ride was uncomfortably quiet. Tepin had tried to talk to him
a few times, but Taz had just ignored him and stared out the window. His right
foot tapped the door rhythmically as he watched the lights lining the streets
whiz past them.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Taz
could imagine the sound of a ticking clock in the back of the cab with them,
counting down the time. It ratcheted up his fear for his brother. It was
overwhelming. Some part of him knew he shouldn't be quite <i>this</i> scared,
but his mind liked to make up worst-case scenarios. What if Dane had had heart
failure? What if he needed surgery? What if he <i>died</i>?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">He
shuddered at that last thought.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Taz,
your brother will be fine,” Tepin said, for what seemed like the thousandth
time.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Taz
was too caught up in his mind to really listen to Tepin.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">The
cab finally pulled up to the entrance to OSU Medical Center's ER, and Taz
jumped out. He led the way into the ER. He looked around frantically, searching
for either of his parents, his heart pounding. God, he hoped Dane was going to
be okay.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">He will</span></i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">, he told himself sternly. <i>Dane is going to be fine.</i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Taz!”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">He
shifted, looking toward the voice. His father was a few feet ahead, standing
near a set of double doors. Stephen Langley looked haggard and disheveled; his
face was gaunt, and his hair looked as if he'd been running his fingers through
it. Some of his shirt had come untucked on one side. The look in his light
brown eyes, though, was the worst. If you mixed worry, fear, pain, suffering,
and torture together, you might come close.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Taz
hurried over to him.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“What
happened?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Dane
said he wasn't feeling good. He passed out, and almost immediately started
turning blue. So we rushed him to the ER.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Blue?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“He
wasn't breathing.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Is
he going to be okay?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Before
his father could answer, the double doors opened, and his mother stepped
through, her face red and blotchy from crying. Taz's heart sank, and he rushed
to her side. He wrapped his arms around her in a tight embrace.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Mom?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“He
needs open-heart surgery. Immediately,” she said, her voice shaky.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Are
you sure?” His dad asked.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">He
gave his mother one last comforting hug, then released her, and stepped back.
She went straight into her husband's arms.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Yes.
Oh, Stephen, we can't afford surgery. We'll have to sell the house, the car...
everything.” The dejection in his mother's voice was palpable. His father
stroked her back, and, as if the dam had burst, she began sobbing into his
shoulder. Her body shook with the force of her sobs.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Time
to give his parents a little privacy.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Taz
moved away from his parents, motioning for Tepin to follow him. When they
reached the vending machines, he turned to look at him.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">He
gathered his thoughts, trying to find a nicer way to ask what he needed to. He
didn't want to hurt or offend Tepin again.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Tepin,
this is going to sound really bad, but... If I go to Hotep and marry you, will
I have access to any of the king's money?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Tepin
hesitated, but then said, “I believe so, yes.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“And
I'll be able to use it to pay my brother's hospital bill?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“I
do not see why not.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Closing
his eyes, he took in a deep breath to steady his nerves. He could do this. He <i>had</i>
to do this. For Dane and his parents. A sense of calm enveloped him with the
resolution.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Opening
his eyes, he looked at Tepin. “Alright. I'll marry you. But it probably won't
be in two weeks, as planned. I don't have a passport, and I've heard that they
can take a while to get.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Okay.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“If
you want to go back home—”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“I
will stay until you can accompany me. This will give us time to get to know
each other before the wedding.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Okay.”</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02195205047957153349noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2964439713293537708.post-422885878285581692012-09-12T09:35:00.001-04:002012-09-13T06:54:27.521-04:00Forgotten Prince Ch. 3 Continued<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">.::Taz::.</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Taz was walking down North High Street, lost in thought,
when the door to The Chamber burst open, startling the shit out of him. A group
of men stepped out onto the sidewalk, bringing with them a gust of laughter.
The group looked incongruous coming from The Chamber dressed as they were in khakis
and purple vests.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">The Chamber was a sex/Gothic store; they sold whips,
chains, ball gags, Tripp pants, corsets and short skirts, porn—GLBT and
straight—and more. Taz fondly remembered buying some edible underwear from The
Chamber once. It was his favorite sex store.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"Did you really need <i>all</i> of that, Dekk?"
one of the men asked, laughter in his voice.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">He knew that voice. It belonged to—</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"Tepin! Shush! Or shall I mention what caught <i>your</i>
eye in there?"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"Nothing caught my—”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"Amun, did you happen to see the big, green v—”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"Okay! I'm sorry!" Tepin said desperately.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Taz wanted to laugh at the embarrassment etched on Tepin's
beat-red face. He was just so cute. He hadn't figured him to be a blusher, and
the sight was oddly endearing.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">He must have made a sound because Tepin's head whipped up,
his gray eyes locking on Taz's own honey-whiskey eyes. Electricity arced
between them, and his breath hitched. As he lost himself in the gray gaze, the
world fell away until it was just Taz and Tepin. His heart beat faster, and
heat pooled down into his cock, making him almost rock hard.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"Tepin?"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Tepin's eyes darkened, until they were more of a charcoal
color, and Taz knew where his thoughts had strayed, because he was thinking
about the same thing: sex. Hot and hard, sweaty bodies moving together in
perfect synchrony. His ears were ringing with the harmony of two voices panting
and moaning their pleasure. He could almost feel Tepin's body moving above him,
under him, <i>in</i> him, his hard body slick with sweat, as they rode each
other to completion.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"<i>Tepin!</i>"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Tepin looked away, breaking the intense eye contact, and
with it, the spell. Taz felt his cheeks heat.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"Tepin, where are your manners? Introduce us."</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"Taz, this is my brother, Dekklahn. Dekk, this is
my—ah, this is Theodore, though he goes by Taz."</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"This is him?" Dekklahn was looking at Taz, but
his question was directed at Tepin.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"Yes, this is him."</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"Damn, he's sexy. When are you bringing him
home?"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Taz narrowed his eyes at Tepin's brother. "<i>He</i>
is standing right here. And <i>he</i> hasn't agreed to go anywhere with
anyone."</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Dekk looked back at Taz, his lips curved into a sheepish
grin. "I apologize. I should have spoken directly to you."</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Dekklahn looked sincere, and Taz found his irritation
slipping away. "Apology accepted," he said grudgingly.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"So, Taz," Dekk said nonchalantly. "Why
haven't you agreed to come home with my brother?"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Tepin groaned. "Dekk, leave it alone. This is between
Taz and myself."</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"And all of Nefer and Hotep," he said, grinning.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"Shut up," he grumbled.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Taz would have been amused if Dekklahn's question hadn't
reminded him of his life falling apart. One minute he'd been happy with his
life. He'd gotten good grades all throughout school, made valedictorian, and
had won a scholarship to almost any school he wanted. He was well on his way to
realizing his dream of becoming a social worker. But then, in the blink of a
storm-gray eye, everything changed. He no longer knew who he was.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">In that moment, as Taz watched the interaction between
Tepin and his brother, he hated him. Hated the way Tepin knew who he was. Hated
that he knew where he belonged. It wasn't fair that Tepin should be so happy
with his life when Taz's own was crumbling down around him.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Although okay. Taz knew it wasn't really Tepin's fault, and
it was childish to blame the messenger, but that's how he felt.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"So?" Dekk prompted, breaking into his thoughts.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"Hm?"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"You never answered my question."</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"What question?"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Dekk rolled his eyes. "I asked you why you haven't agreed
to go with my brother."</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"Oh. That question," Taz said inanely. "I
haven't agreed to go with him for a number of reasons."</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"What might those reasons be?"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"One, I don't know him. Two, I just found out about
all this. Three, I don't trust him. Four... He hasn't <i>asked</i> me to go
anywhere."</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"Ah. That's all rectifiable," Dekklahn said with
a decidedly wicked smile gracing his handsome face.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"Dekklahn..." Tepin said warningly, his voice
almost a growl.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"What?" Dekk asked, his eyes wide as he tried to
look innocent. It didn't work.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"Do not do anything."</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"I wouldn't dream of it, <i>habibi</i>."</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">When Tepin looked back over at him, something inside Taz
twisted just a little. <i>Must be the tacos I had for lunch</i>, he told
himself. <i>No</i> way <i>do I feel something for this man I just met. Not</i>
this <i>man, at least.</i> No way would he feel something for the man who had
turned his world upside down.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"Theo—Taz, would you like to go somewhere and talk?
Without my dolt of a brother?"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Taz hesitated. He wanted to go with him somewhere alone,
and he hated himself for it. He didn't want to like the man who had irrevocably
changed his life. But they needed to talk. Taz needed to know who he was and
where he came from. And since he wanted to talk to his parents even less, Tepin
seemed to be the best person to get answers from.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"Okay," he finally said.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"Great." Turning, Tepin looked at the four other
men who Taz had completely forgotten about. With Tepin's back to him, Taz was
surprised to see he had long auburn hair, longer than was normal for a man. In
fact, it was so long, that even with it French braided as it was now, it
reached the backs of his knees. "Amun, Fadil, Gahiji, Sadiki. I am
counting on you to keep an eye on my brother. Get him a room in the hotel I'm
staying at. Actually, get two rooms. With double beds if they have them. Close
together. That way, two of you can stay on guard, while the other two
rest."</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"Yes, Your Highness," one of them answered,
bowing.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"Have fun, Tepin. Don't do anything I wouldn't
do," Dekklahn sing-songed.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Rolling his eyes, Tepin started walking down the street.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">As Taz fell into step beside him, Tepin asked, "So,
where do you want to go?"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"I don't know," he said, shrugging.
"Somewhere quiet."</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"Your house?"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"No. Connor's parents are visiting for the weekend.
They got here about an hour after you left earlier."</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"Connor lives with you?" Tepin asked, stopping in
the middle of the sidewalk.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Taz stopped walking, too, and turned back to look at him.
The look in Tepin's eyes was one of horrified confusion. Puzzled by his
reaction, he said, "Tepin? Are you okay?"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"You <i>live</i> with him?" he finally managed to
get out.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Taz sighed in exasperation. "Yeah. It's the only way I
could afford the apartment."</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"But," Tepin said, his brows knitting in
confusion, "you have plenty of money!"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"<i>No</i>," Taz said sharply. "<i>I</i>
don't have plenty of money. <i>I</i> didn't grow up in a castle." He
paused, took a deep, calming breath, then let it out slowly. "I grew up as
a middle-class American. Dane, my brother, was born with two holes in his
heart," he said quietly. "My parents are trying to find the money for
the operation he needs to get the holes sewn up. I've been giving them part of
my paycheck to help. So no, I don't have plenty of money."</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Tepin was silent for a moment; then, he said quietly,
"I'm sorry."</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Taz looked into his eyes, and he could see the truth in
Tepin's words. He sighed, his anger sliding away as fast as it had slithered
around him. "It's okay." And surprisingly, it was.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">They began walking again, side by side, and the silence e
between them was companionable. Taz found his thoughts wandering to his birth
parents. There was so much he wanted to know about them. What were they like?
Did they have any other kids? If so, had they given <i>them</i> up, too? He
didn't even know their first names.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Shaking his head clear of these melancholy thoughts, he
turned to look at Tepin and asked, "Do you want a hot chocolate?"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"Sure," Tepin responded. "Sounds
great."</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"Good. Brandon's Café has <i>the</i> best hot
chocolate. <i>And</i> it's cheap."</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Half a block later, they arrived at Brandon's Café. It was
a quaint little shop that sold small pastries, coffee, and hot chocolate. There
were three booths along the right and left walls, and one on either side of the
door. There were four two-seater tables, total, and in the center, dead ahead
of the door, was the glass counter. The counter held pastries inside it. On top
of the counter were displays of candy bars, brochures for charities and health,
and cookies. Also on top of the glass counter were two cash registers. Behind
the only open register stood a tall, gangly redhead. The young woman had one of
those sweet, angelic faces, complete with a smattering of freckles across the
bridge of her nose.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"Hi! Welcome to Brandon's Café!" she greeted them
cheerfully.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Taz grinned. "Hey, Sheila! Brandon's got you manning
the register today?"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"Yeah. Dad's in the back, going over some
paperwork."</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"Tepin, meet Sheila, Brandon's daughter. Sheila, this
is Tepin."</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"Pleased to make your acquaintance, Sheila,"
Tepin said.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"Why, hello there, handsome," Sheila purred,
taking his outstretched hand.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Taz felt an irrational flare of jealousy as Sheila held
Tepin's hand longer than was strictly necessary. He barely managed to bite back
a growl.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"He prefers rainbows, babe," he said, his lips
curved into a tight smile.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Her lips puckered into a playful pout. "You get all
the sexy ones, Taz."</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Tepin blushed. "Um... Thank you..."</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"Speak for yourself. Danny is pretty sexy."</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"Speaking of Danny..." Sheila smiled, her pretty
blue eyes softening.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"Mommy!" a little voice called from behind them.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Taz turned in time to see little Devin running up to the
counter, a blue teddy bear held securely to his chest in his left hand, an open
container of Nesquik chocolate milk in his right. Devin was a four-year-old
version of his father, Danny; black hair that refused to conform to any
semblance of order, brown eyes, high cheekbones, a nose that was slightly too
big, and he was a little tall for his age.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"Mommy, Mommy! Guess whut Daddy and-and-and I?"
Devin looked back to his father, his brown eyes huge.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"That's right, Dev. It's 'Daddy and I'," Danny
said, ruffling the kid's unruly black hair.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Devin grinned toothily, then turned back to his mother.
"Guess whut Daddy and I sawed—”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"Saw," Taz corrected gently.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"—saw today, Mommy!"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"What? What did you see?" Sheila asked, sounding
almost as excited as her son.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"We sawed—saw—a baby ducky!"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"Oh, wow! A baby ducky? Where?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“At the pawk!"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"Park," Danny said.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"Paw—puh—” Devin scrunched up his nose in
concentration, determined to get the word right. "Park. Park! Park, park,
park!" Devin said, jumping up and down happily at finally getting the
pronunciation right. His chocolate milk spilled out of its bottle, arcing through
the air. Taz held his breath as the drink landed on Tepin's vest.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Tepin blinked down at his vest, as if not quite believing
the chocolate drink now staining the purple fabric.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"Devin, settle down!" Sheila said, a little too
sharply. The little boy looked up at her over the counter he could barely see
over, his lips quivering. She sighed, and, in a much gentler voice, said,
"Devin, honey, what have we told you about jumping when you have an open
drink?"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"Sowwy, Mommy," he said dejectedly, his eyes brimming
with tears.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"Don't apologize to me. Apologize to Mr. Tepin."</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"It is okay," Tepin said. Taz nudged him, and
when Tepin looked up, he shook his head. The kid had to learn.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Devin turned to look at Tepin, a tear rolling down his
cheek. "I'm sowwy, Mr. Tepin," he said, in a small voice.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Tepin knelt down, so he was at the little boy's level,
surprising Taz. He looked Devin in the eye as he said, "It is okay. I
forgive you."</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Devin stared at him, his watery eyes wide.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"Devin, I think you have something behind your
ear."</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Shaking his head, Devin said, "Nuh-uh."</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"Yes-huh. It is shiny. Let me—” In a move that
completely surprised Taz again, Tepin pulled a quarter out from behind Devin's
ear. He'd had no idea Tepin knew magic tricks. Or that he was so good with
children... Taz felt his heart melt a little.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">He hadn't thought it was possible for the little boy's eyes
to get any wider, but they did when he saw the quarter.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"Wow," he said, completely awestruck.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Tepin held the quarter out to him. "Since I found it
behind your ear, you may keep it. If,” he hastily added, looking up at first
Danny, and then Sheila, "your mommy and daddy says it's okay."</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Turning to look up at his parents, he said, "May I?
Pwe—pretty please?"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Sheila and Danny shared a look between them, one of those
legendary, romance-novel looks, where the couple seems to have a whole
conversation without saying a single word. Finally, Sheila looked down at her
son. "You may keep it, but," she said when Devin started to squeal,
"you have to remember to not jump anymore while you are holding an open
drink. Am I clear?"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"Yes, Mommy," Devin said, then he turned back to
Tepin, who still knelt down at his level. He took the coin and put it in his
zippered knee pocket. Looking up at Taz, he said, "Uncle Taz, will you
pease—please hold Bonkers and my drink?"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"Sure, pardner," Taz said, taking the bear and
the drink.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Tepin had started to rise back to his feet, but Devin threw
his arms around Tepin's neck, dragging him back down some. Startled, he wrapped
his arms around the little boy, his eyes darting to Taz's. Taz grinned,
shrugging. Devin planted a big, wet, slightly sticky kiss on Tepin's cheek.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"Thank you, Mr. Tepin."</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"You are very welcome, Devin."</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">A moment later, Devin was wiggling to get down, so Tepin
set him on the ground.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"Sheila, we better get going before his shirt
dries," Taz said. "Can—May we have two hot chocolate specials,
please?"</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"Coming right up, Sugar Pie."</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02195205047957153349noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2964439713293537708.post-52818487662002066462012-05-11T22:27:00.000-04:002012-05-11T22:27:36.776-04:00Gizmo<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwlnS045xR-l_odi-qpwVigliuh5l3f8ArO2IgFNHhgBvQzqXyQLcPagxOQbrhHNplJwXk4o0tYfCoQeguUcQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This is my baby.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02195205047957153349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2964439713293537708.post-38538578029035906002012-05-11T15:00:00.001-04:002012-05-12T04:35:40.275-04:00Drawing<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">Here's my first attempt at drawing anything in a long, long time. I tried drawing Taz and Tepin.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">Black and white.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisahKTd7qP7V338KPqZ40x3AwGR38wyFGpnNxiaX3EogPVN_Y_2FNICHwaPGAsXudR32NqBuFtzmFGxJwv771tnbDwM8S42l_-R0jv1Phxjw80KOHLUTSBM1u25w3aKQXyfP7fatcWCO4/s1600/DSC03854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisahKTd7qP7V338KPqZ40x3AwGR38wyFGpnNxiaX3EogPVN_Y_2FNICHwaPGAsXudR32NqBuFtzmFGxJwv771tnbDwM8S42l_-R0jv1Phxjw80KOHLUTSBM1u25w3aKQXyfP7fatcWCO4/s320/DSC03854.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">Colored.</span></span></span></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02195205047957153349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2964439713293537708.post-41523642719722981862012-04-26T10:48:00.004-04:002012-04-27T09:28:43.250-04:00My Favorite FaceBook Shares<br />
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<span style="color: #23ff23;"><span style="font-family: Vrinda,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>So,
I added somebody from GA onto FaceBook, and then I went on his page.
3 guesses as to what I found?</b></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ni6EmM7CfmetJQ3YN-3XhP07r5i-rEVMJWDbgmxJjP2TyG9nfFru5xwdY6Vhc3MNkDDuC91cl4vjCcx330ZSpPG-nBIq1aMbr2AR7quj6-WR4rsq0FHr3lwBxRgYsFVA3LtLFjBUGhk/s1600/546440_10150635509408365_507753364_9142748_1080953738_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ni6EmM7CfmetJQ3YN-3XhP07r5i-rEVMJWDbgmxJjP2TyG9nfFru5xwdY6Vhc3MNkDDuC91cl4vjCcx330ZSpPG-nBIq1aMbr2AR7quj6-WR4rsq0FHr3lwBxRgYsFVA3LtLFjBUGhk/s320/546440_10150635509408365_507753364_9142748_1080953738_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #23ff23;"><span style="font-family: Vrinda,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Oh,
that's right. You don't need to guess, because you can see it. :P</b></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU06-HRkoo6-gHV0CaqX5L48BJKovvVLh_818DS4HE0hdOmJm0nX1TDGdlwYidA2W6soDLfNAypFj-f6uF8PQhxKndUA1a5sCj4r5WCGDDTPTib5vCJ-go88BjZI2WZzeEiryFkPt9e8A/s1600/527355_400430039978558_279526542068909_1346986_1450888292_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU06-HRkoo6-gHV0CaqX5L48BJKovvVLh_818DS4HE0hdOmJm0nX1TDGdlwYidA2W6soDLfNAypFj-f6uF8PQhxKndUA1a5sCj4r5WCGDDTPTib5vCJ-go88BjZI2WZzeEiryFkPt9e8A/s320/527355_400430039978558_279526542068909_1346986_1450888292_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #23ff23;"><span style="font-family: Vrinda,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Also from FaceBook, we have attitude comments. :D </b></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR9-PQeELi8GjCXfq6QSyZczdRF8taJPhCT6TqehXEtuHTyx1BBTRi-mpYw5kECzh0diteYwP2p4uk4Ltipy1BhC5oNyam_b__CK_HmN6-PRKiX_WetPb-W99ImRt6_xpEZKIY-T15-Js/s1600/535397_410583405628253_324883320864929_1544061_1104605047_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR9-PQeELi8GjCXfq6QSyZczdRF8taJPhCT6TqehXEtuHTyx1BBTRi-mpYw5kECzh0diteYwP2p4uk4Ltipy1BhC5oNyam_b__CK_HmN6-PRKiX_WetPb-W99ImRt6_xpEZKIY-T15-Js/s320/535397_410583405628253_324883320864929_1544061_1104605047_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #23ff23;"><span style="font-family: Vrinda,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b> Don't you just <i>love</i> Daffy? I sure do! :P</b></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJWoGV-TFXCH5lGGugifLNjVa-r4HXcjD62lV3Zi3DUrgvvTqHEXqxbi_EV9p-zBj6CJnTSmbVwChGh-EW-mz-wCi35_g32fibrF6DXuaR3ivocDGZtSBUKUCWd-uT1CF5kTgrb2b9b18/s1600/Approval+Not+Needed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJWoGV-TFXCH5lGGugifLNjVa-r4HXcjD62lV3Zi3DUrgvvTqHEXqxbi_EV9p-zBj6CJnTSmbVwChGh-EW-mz-wCi35_g32fibrF6DXuaR3ivocDGZtSBUKUCWd-uT1CF5kTgrb2b9b18/s320/Approval+Not+Needed.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #23ff23;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Vrinda,sans-serif;"><b>Who doesn't love a dog in glasses?</b></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXV6sGOTYES5MTuZ7etL59sRN0wrWO7i4aGpgzNxuV1MPnb0PujtvDGET7EWaDn-i65C1pTFEvieimF_cOftCJ8ppuTt4Ry0NtTM0yfh7Mo3MZuqBSLmSsCdUOeObYEwUr8Qb4NTzkdkc/s1600/550175_287984787953572_264520100300041_657229_448407411_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXV6sGOTYES5MTuZ7etL59sRN0wrWO7i4aGpgzNxuV1MPnb0PujtvDGET7EWaDn-i65C1pTFEvieimF_cOftCJ8ppuTt4Ry0NtTM0yfh7Mo3MZuqBSLmSsCdUOeObYEwUr8Qb4NTzkdkc/s320/550175_287984787953572_264520100300041_657229_448407411_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #23ff23;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Vrinda,sans-serif;"><b>Strangely, I am not offended by this obvious dig about women. =/ </b></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRoGa84Gb2XEYuB42k2m8SCrybh7WvbYODwpPoJMmj_NIshdCE_s7GpyagsRuPWTn7hyphenhyphenUOae1ukWf6sQ-klW9Zcp4Ep-LKgB2FigQdatolgvSbUET0dlPbMb1xv9_Jfgflwuu-46gQM80/s1600/549399_426510014043637_210109559017018_1541533_391859949_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRoGa84Gb2XEYuB42k2m8SCrybh7WvbYODwpPoJMmj_NIshdCE_s7GpyagsRuPWTn7hyphenhyphenUOae1ukWf6sQ-klW9Zcp4Ep-LKgB2FigQdatolgvSbUET0dlPbMb1xv9_Jfgflwuu-46gQM80/s1600/549399_426510014043637_210109559017018_1541533_391859949_n.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #23ff23;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Vrinda,sans-serif;"><b>Truly, this is the best dog ever. :D</b></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivtB0snUmJInqaCzBIkvfrFpzVlQPbS_tBHZLMWu9ywZUuPuF52FbAHBULJL-a4uXXrJzgCziNTxt9dse4y6JVEFg5IvaEiJqJaRbUSosuFphS0nFlmdUGOF51LK3U3Q8sYI5vdQAYeno/s1600/No+Perfect+Man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivtB0snUmJInqaCzBIkvfrFpzVlQPbS_tBHZLMWu9ywZUuPuF52FbAHBULJL-a4uXXrJzgCziNTxt9dse4y6JVEFg5IvaEiJqJaRbUSosuFphS0nFlmdUGOF51LK3U3Q8sYI5vdQAYeno/s320/No+Perfect+Man.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #23ff23;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Vrinda,sans-serif;"><b>How true this picture may turn out to be...</b></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_G0Xxhs9IOVgFbQGYMenlV4T2_AnoRzflH13GtCSKOE09lKfKLzWIkP1CeYmv1QLfrwe1kjnnk2MLOH95ktj_9YdcOfzLzF5GIiP_OTKg4BjGyi-KJnOANO_AwJW4EcO_malwT-94rCA/s1600/Poked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_G0Xxhs9IOVgFbQGYMenlV4T2_AnoRzflH13GtCSKOE09lKfKLzWIkP1CeYmv1QLfrwe1kjnnk2MLOH95ktj_9YdcOfzLzF5GIiP_OTKg4BjGyi-KJnOANO_AwJW4EcO_malwT-94rCA/s1600/Poked.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #23ff23;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Vrinda,sans-serif;"><b>Is this true for any of you? :P</b></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV5MA-FxgDq4hXDJMieL0XaXoqIzGy2-w6u1tTQi4gNLKHNiHl7UEaWhxQ1I7_RYggIGs3Hl7UwLJT4472sgntA_1LO84yxZ3nm2fWKl2MFP9D0Zv5AvK9yPwQO5hvhbKZ0yJ3D4ubkrU/s1600/Retirment+Dick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV5MA-FxgDq4hXDJMieL0XaXoqIzGy2-w6u1tTQi4gNLKHNiHl7UEaWhxQ1I7_RYggIGs3Hl7UwLJT4472sgntA_1LO84yxZ3nm2fWKl2MFP9D0Zv5AvK9yPwQO5hvhbKZ0yJ3D4ubkrU/s320/Retirment+Dick.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #23ff23;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Vrinda,sans-serif;"><b>I guess he lost the memo that said "Buy Viagra."</b></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpiDyr_6uhLkv02nuU3ClttTxthiK7D4a8UjT3CctOBEDRGFbA5mv8f_amD44FtgtKLkTn4M_xG7ZPLyYbvmwUnel9xK8ZgltxAqqsHDcB-x47hyphenhyphen4mlivxMCkIwlu7Oqa0N7eXiPGOmmo/s1600/Stressed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpiDyr_6uhLkv02nuU3ClttTxthiK7D4a8UjT3CctOBEDRGFbA5mv8f_amD44FtgtKLkTn4M_xG7ZPLyYbvmwUnel9xK8ZgltxAqqsHDcB-x47hyphenhyphen4mlivxMCkIwlu7Oqa0N7eXiPGOmmo/s1600/Stressed.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #23ff23;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Vrinda,sans-serif;"><b>*Turns around and leaves noisily*</b></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivkFE3-cXWKOzFJIH8WPh1i_VdB-vpTMdomBkcp-sFg-OnEWVpHFy8gOcsVjUBwRhuPa3UPrKhavMOvzl3frQUQT7Tjjq7Oz7bmBBifAZe-GMPMbvxXsw9hglqVXc6DNCA1EkqZ5hD6a8/s1600/Still+Retarted+Kitty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivkFE3-cXWKOzFJIH8WPh1i_VdB-vpTMdomBkcp-sFg-OnEWVpHFy8gOcsVjUBwRhuPa3UPrKhavMOvzl3frQUQT7Tjjq7Oz7bmBBifAZe-GMPMbvxXsw9hglqVXc6DNCA1EkqZ5hD6a8/s1600/Still+Retarted+Kitty.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #23ff23;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Vrinda,sans-serif;"><b>Now that's just mean. :P</b></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #23ff23;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Vrinda,sans-serif;"><b> </b></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPlmlJbqvIz7KDOVOndDZMpqgXQIwL5oGvQlh3V24xI4EP7kw5oN9Y18fcrgDG3VXvLCJAXjx5or-TxoqFyJWKwD5_vGZhLB1OLIWgvot217OUzxaF0CFAtiHivMAM8zrZumSq2gvVQ0o/s1600/Sperm+Frogs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPlmlJbqvIz7KDOVOndDZMpqgXQIwL5oGvQlh3V24xI4EP7kw5oN9Y18fcrgDG3VXvLCJAXjx5or-TxoqFyJWKwD5_vGZhLB1OLIWgvot217OUzxaF0CFAtiHivMAM8zrZumSq2gvVQ0o/s1600/Sperm+Frogs.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #23ff23;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Vrinda,sans-serif;"><b>They DO look like little tadpoles n every pic I've ever seen... =/</b></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #23ff23;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Vrinda,sans-serif;"><b> </b></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPRukdgRcFCMAqEglS7Vh2-3AYX1wklhtYVSjBkG3MkXfX-te2gKt3TRvj0UplSduT_ehjiUH3t1WGXnYsNEKyN8aiZNmc8BsFiNFjmDumhB2wsoJYRwDi1PeEo5g3mUOeA18GAnlZCrg/s1600/That+Awkward+Moment.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPRukdgRcFCMAqEglS7Vh2-3AYX1wklhtYVSjBkG3MkXfX-te2gKt3TRvj0UplSduT_ehjiUH3t1WGXnYsNEKyN8aiZNmc8BsFiNFjmDumhB2wsoJYRwDi1PeEo5g3mUOeA18GAnlZCrg/s320/That+Awkward+Moment.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #23ff23;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Vrinda,sans-serif;"><b>Mmm. Has anybody had this happen to them? I have. It really is awkward.</b></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #23ff23;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Vrinda,sans-serif;"><b> </b></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KGF2kRgXmwo/T5lS2TQsLmI/AAAAAAAAAJw/DeEOkbo3-9I/s1600/The+Dangers+of+Masturbation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KGF2kRgXmwo/T5lS2TQsLmI/AAAAAAAAAJw/DeEOkbo3-9I/s1600/The+Dangers+of+Masturbation.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #23ff23;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Vrinda,sans-serif;"><b>I dunno... I kind of think the scrawny half is hot. :P</b></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnyacPx5ibLdSAynzlocn_aCsW-BjAhjluzUjXPLaeyfp9kNXtXmsGAq6luA4dFpMxzu_IKAu97S1xutUI3plMt6SSB-q0-O-jnHSE3ktvloVicerNZ8e_mDKnC6STjLqK2bOHVYu4YpY/s1600/Woke+Kitty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnyacPx5ibLdSAynzlocn_aCsW-BjAhjluzUjXPLaeyfp9kNXtXmsGAq6luA4dFpMxzu_IKAu97S1xutUI3plMt6SSB-q0-O-jnHSE3ktvloVicerNZ8e_mDKnC6STjLqK2bOHVYu4YpY/s320/Woke+Kitty.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #23ff23;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Vrinda,sans-serif;"><b>Definitely me in the mornings. Mornings are cruel and vile.</b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #23ff23;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Vrinda,sans-serif;"><b>I hope you guys liked the pictures, if not my little comments on them. :P</b></span></span></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #23ff23;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Vrinda,sans-serif;"><b>Do you have a favorite? </b></span></span></span></div>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02195205047957153349noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2964439713293537708.post-20229939957467579652012-04-24T11:59:00.002-04:002012-04-24T11:59:54.275-04:00Hiya<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #23ff23;"><span style="font-family: Vrinda,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Hiya,
folks! Just wanted to say hi, and that I have another new project or
two! I'm working on a short for <a href="http://www.gayauthors.org/forums/" target="_blank">GA's</a> anthology, <a href="http://www.gayauthors.org/forums/topic/34380-2012-summer-anthology-choices/" target="_blank">Choices</a>. And I'm also
working on a new story idea about puppet masters and magic. :D</b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #23ff23;"><span style="font-family: Vrinda,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Oh,
and I wanted to show off my dog! He is so cute!</b></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBGVyXc9qBJdGn6c8pPWGp06bGk6gUB327sh_Degvi3hfuFPK8bR770IBBZe6UA_FAlVrARF35RnO1BdumSNAbpLcO9tfsTKbLBzKH9S13SBHjMzdDn8U4zyjdXdJ0zLqim8RuzGrJqUU/s1600/DSC03445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBGVyXc9qBJdGn6c8pPWGp06bGk6gUB327sh_Degvi3hfuFPK8bR770IBBZe6UA_FAlVrARF35RnO1BdumSNAbpLcO9tfsTKbLBzKH9S13SBHjMzdDn8U4zyjdXdJ0zLqim8RuzGrJqUU/s320/DSC03445.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #23ff23;"><span style="font-family: Vrinda,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Gizmo,
Connie, and Big Bear</b></span></span></span></div>
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02195205047957153349noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2964439713293537708.post-31957050049643080572012-04-09T09:18:00.002-04:002012-04-09T09:18:52.086-04:00My Muse<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">So,
my friend Cianna drew my muse.... His name is Tobiah, and he's
awesome. :D Here he is!</span></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbClKJN0W6OiyghxhzIaGuC9JNH-Uz9eES_Q0sgwHbYO9lYeb6BO3v-iP7xC7JRd5dx1_DmTwgpFvy3rkUqaV6ZKJVZGVhIIlEdKYYERg5k42Db6OGRQH-cAHeMA3kqF1IlUjVFMoIg3g/s1600/Tobiah+colored+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbClKJN0W6OiyghxhzIaGuC9JNH-Uz9eES_Q0sgwHbYO9lYeb6BO3v-iP7xC7JRd5dx1_DmTwgpFvy3rkUqaV6ZKJVZGVhIIlEdKYYERg5k42Db6OGRQH-cAHeMA3kqF1IlUjVFMoIg3g/s320/Tobiah+colored+.jpg" width="166" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02195205047957153349noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2964439713293537708.post-50230654668366827102012-04-08T14:04:00.002-04:002012-04-08T14:04:20.122-04:00Follow The Rainbow<div style="color: yellow;">
There once was a little man, quite old,<br />
Dressed in green from head to toe.<br />
He said he’d give you his pot of gold<br />
If you but follow the rainbow.<br />
<br />
You looked up and around,<br />
But saw no colors in the sky.<br />
Then rain began to wash the ground.<br />
When the shower stopped, you looked up high<br />
<br />
And saw the promised rainbow!<br />
So you followed it to the end,<br />
And found the leprechaun with the gold!<br />
He smiled, gave you the gold, and said, “Someday we’ll play again!”</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02195205047957153349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2964439713293537708.post-5591469909696737202012-04-05T14:13:00.002-04:002012-04-05T14:13:48.817-04:00InuYashaI rather love this pic. It's awesome. xD<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAQR1f97WZMGhkD13L9_cFSJN_lNVWsnhRl3SpDYsJhyuT6arH6jjibnVdMxxrSIgPKLaQ6SAfW5kz-gCyrJ5HKJaLgpgGeRifDB5p2-74CB1TzFs1zaTnz8N6XMsJGcdyQx9LjJupiZA/s1600/Inuyasha_x_Sesshoumaru.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAQR1f97WZMGhkD13L9_cFSJN_lNVWsnhRl3SpDYsJhyuT6arH6jjibnVdMxxrSIgPKLaQ6SAfW5kz-gCyrJ5HKJaLgpgGeRifDB5p2-74CB1TzFs1zaTnz8N6XMsJGcdyQx9LjJupiZA/s320/Inuyasha_x_Sesshoumaru.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02195205047957153349noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2964439713293537708.post-86142666465092689062012-03-31T03:14:00.003-04:002012-03-31T03:14:41.602-04:00Sympathy<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Everybody
says they're sorry</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When
faced with somebody's pain.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">They're
just words to fill the empty space,</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Because
they don't know what else to say.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">They're
just empty words</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Meant
to make us feel better.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">What
they don't understand</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Is
that it just makes us uncomfortable.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: yellow;">“<span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I'm
sorry” tells us they don't understand.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">They
haven't lost someone the loved;</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Haven't
been betrayed by someone they trusted.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">They
haven't just been told that they're dying.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">No,
they don't understand anything.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">How
could they possibly know how we feel</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Unless
they've gone through it, lived it.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Unless
they've breathed it, tasted it.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Two
little words never meant less to me</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Than
those two little words of sympathy.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
don't want empty words filling the void.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
just want everything to be normal, happy.</span></span></span></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02195205047957153349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2964439713293537708.post-26284526108449198032012-03-20T05:46:00.001-04:002012-03-20T05:46:49.299-04:00Asshole Father<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: orange;">Love.
Such an innocent, small word, and yet it has such a big meaning, with
very intense feelings. For Gabriel Harmon, that one word, that one,
intense emotion, had led him to the most horrible feeling he could
imagine: Heartbreak. All because of one person: Gage Immerson.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: orange;">Gabriel
came out of the bathroom in only a pair of jeans that rode low on his
hips, his blond hair slicked back from his shower. Grabbing his cell
phone, he collapsed onto his bed, staring up at the white ceiling,
bare feet on the floor. Taking a deep breath to slow his racing
heart, he speed-dialed Gage, both hoping he'd pick up and praying he
wouldn't. One ring. Two rings. As he listened to the rings, memories
of last night came to his mind unbidden.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: orange;">Gabriel
stood by the train tracks, watching as it disappeared into the night.
The rain picked up momentum, switching from it's lazy drizzle to a
downpour, soaking him almost immediately. His broad shoulders heaved
as he sighed, his heart cracking a little more. He brushed his blond
hair back, out of his face, then took a step back. He took another
step back, then turned on his heal, and walked. Without so much as a
backward glance, he left the train station, head bowed in defeat, the
rain hiding his tears.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: orange;">"Hello?
Look, I know you're there, Gabe. I can hear you breathing."</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: orange;">Jolted
from his reverie, Gabriel sat up.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: orange;">"I
need to see you."</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: orange;">A
pause; then, "I can't right now."</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: orange;">"When
can you?"</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: orange;">"Later
tonight. Meet me at our spot at eight." Gage clicked off.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: orange;">Gabriel's
heart skipped a beat. Gage had actually agreed to meet him! He felt
like running a marathon. Glancing at his watch, he saw that he had a
little over three hours to kill. Maybe he could get some work done.
And some laundry. But that wouldn't take long enough... Maybe he
could go grocery shopping. Yeah. He'd toss a load of clothes into the
wash, run the grocery store, and get some work done. That oughta keep
him plenty busy until eight.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: orange;">~~~</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: orange;">Gabriel
arrived at the secluded park five minutes early. He was dressed in
his best body-hugging jeans, a Caribbean blue tee shirt that was
tight enough to be a second skin, and black Nike's. The shirt made
his blue eyes stand out, and his blond hair was combed back, out of
his face. In short, he was dressed to impress. Now here's to hoping
Gage would actually notice. He glanced at his watch. Eight o'clock.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: orange;">Gage
appeared from behind a stand of trees, his gait slow as he walked
forward. Gabriel's heart sank a little; Gage didn't look too happy.
When Gage reached Gabriel, he was silent, his head down, gaze
studying the grass. When Gage still refused to look at Gabriel a
minute later, his heart sank the rest of the way to the pit of his
stomach.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: orange;">He
began speaking quietly:</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #9999ff;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">"I
waited for you yesterday.<br />I waited and missed the last train.<br />I
waited to say<br />That I'd fallen in love with your way."</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: orange;">"I'm
sorry," Gage said, finally looking up at Gabriel. But Gabriel
didn't care. It was like something had finally snapped within him,
and he needed to say this. So, staring directing into Gage's sad
green eyes, he continued:</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #9999ff;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">"I
waited for you yesterday.<br />Eventually walking home in the rain.<br />I
waited to see<br />If you felt the same for me."</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: orange;">Gage's
eyes widened, and for a moment, Gabriel felt his hope rising. The
hope died a moment later when Gage looked away, his expression sad.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: orange;">"Gabe,
I love you. You know I do, but my da-"</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: orange;">Gabriel
cut him off:</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #9999ff;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">"But
you don't<br />And you won't<br />Go against you asshole father."</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: orange;">He
paused only long enough to take a deep breath.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #9999ff;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">"Going
broke,<br />Quitting dope<br />For your folks.<br />Why did I even
bother.<br />Why did I..."</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: orange;">It
was clear that Gabriel's words were made Gage uncomfortable; he
fidgeted the whole time Gabriel talked.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: orange;">"I'm
sorry, Gabe, really. I love you, but I can't- My dad-" Gage must
have seen the hurt in Gage's Caribbean blue eyes, because he stopped
what he was saying. When Gage reached a hand up to caress Gabriel's
cheek, Gabriel flinched away.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #9999ff;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">"I
waited for minds to change.<br />Pointing their fingers of blame.<br />It's
not my fault you're ashamed<br />Of how you feel.."</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: orange;">"I'm
not ashamed of how I feel!" Gage exclaimed indignantly. "I
just-"</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #9999ff;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">"But
you don't<br />And you won't<br />Go against your asshole father.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #9999ff;">Going
broke,<br />Quitting dope<br />For your folks.<br />Why did I even
bother...<br />Why did I...."</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: orange;">Gabriel
turned around and started walking away. He'd had enough. Enough of
Gage's indecision, of his excuses and his lies. Just... enough. His
heart was broken and bleeding. He felt like the biggest idiot on the
planet. All because he had the gall to love Gage Immerson, a real
daddy's boy. Gage's father was straight-laced and extremely
homophobic. God forbid his precious son love another man. That was
totally unacceptable. Disgusting, even. And Gage...<br /><br />"Gabe,
wait." Gage grabbed Gabriel's arm, halting his escape. "Why
can't you see that I really do love you? I just can't be with you.
Not right now, at least."<br /><br />...Gage did absolutely nothing,
except let his father run his life. If Benny Immerson said jump, Gage
says How High? If Benny says "Dump that piece of trash,"
Gage would say, "Yes, Father. Right away, father." So how
the HELL can Gage just stand there and tell Gabriel that he loves
him, yet do not a fucking thing to prove it?<br /><br />Wrenching his arm
free, Gabriel said:</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #9999ff;">"Cause
you don't.<br />Just admit it.<br />Cause you won't.<br />Just admit
it,<br />Just admit it,<br />Just admit it,<br />Just admit it,<br />Just
admit it!"</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: orange;">Gabriel
turned around, and Gage took a stumbling step back when he saw the
rage in Gabriel's eyes.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #9999ff;">"I
called you a whore<br />And broke down your door,<br />But you don't even
hate me."</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: orange;">Gage
couldn't think of a single thing to say as he stared, mesmerized,
into Gabriel's cold, hard eyes. He wished he hadn't been the cause of
the desolation he'd glimpsed in them a few times during the last few
months.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #9999ff;">"And
how could I heal<br />When you won't even feel.<br />Why won't you hate
me."</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: orange;">Gabriel
closed his eyes, unable to look at Gage any longer without feeling
such total desolation, such emptiness, and he didn't want to feel
like that. So he closed his eyes, closed out everything except his
words. Well, he tried to, anyway. Gage intruded into his thoughts,
though.<br /><br />"I could never hate you, Gabe," Gage said
softly.<br /><br />A surge of anger hit Gabriel then, and he couldn't
hold himself back anymore. He shoved Gage back, knocking the other
man off balance. Too bad Gage quickly straightened.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #9999ff;">"But
you don't<br />And you won't<br />Go against your asshole father.<br /><br />Going
broke,<br />Quitting dope<br />For your folks.<br />Why did I even
bother...<br />Why did..<br />But you don't<br />Cause you're
nothing<br />Broken down Daddy's Little Daughter.<br />Aren't'cha."</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: orange;">Gage
flinched at the anger in Gabriel's voice, his expression, his whole
being.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #9999ff;">"Going
broke,<br />Quitting dope<br />For your folks.<br />Why did I even
bother...<br />Why did I...."</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: orange;">Finally,
Gabriel was done. Tears had started running down his cheeks a few
minutes ago, and he didn't bother to wipe them away. Let Gage see
just how much he'd hurt Gabriel. Let Gage see how much his choice
hurt. Gage had picked his father over his love.<br /><br />Gage stepped
up to him, but Gabriel stepped back. He couldn't bear to be so close
to the one he loved, yet be so far away. But now he was trapped
between Gage and a tree, and Gage stepped close again. He reached his
hands up, cupping Gabriel's cheeks, his thumbs drying his tears.
Gabriel's eyes drifted closed at the touch, savoring the feel of his
love.<br /><br />After a moment, he started to pull away, saying, "I
have to-"<br /><br />His words were cut off when Gage's soft lips
pressed against his own. Gage pulled away just long enough to
whisper, "I chose you. I finally chose you. I love you,
Gabriel." Then he was kissing Gabriel again, and Gabriel was
letting him. His heart soared at Gage's words, even as he struggled
briefly to get away. Very briefly. When his lover's tongue ran along
the seam where his lips met, seeking entrance, Gabriel's
self-restraint snapped and he groaned, opening his mouth to receive
the best kiss of his entire life.</span></span></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02195205047957153349noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2964439713293537708.post-12885989562333844532012-03-17T13:44:00.000-04:002012-03-17T13:44:06.979-04:00Wings<br />
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Wings,
black as night,</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Beat
the air as they climb.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Higher
and higher, they rise,</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Lifting
you up, above the darkness.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Wings,
bright as day,</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Threaten
to pull you under.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Under
the waves of despair,</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Stripping
you of all hope.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Wings,
gray as love,</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Beats
the white away.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Soothes
the darkness</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And
shares the Dark's burden<b>.</b></span></span></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02195205047957153349noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2964439713293537708.post-41611261646493554312012-03-17T10:01:00.001-04:002012-03-17T10:01:53.439-04:00Him Again<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He's
drunk again tonight.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
house is quiet and dark.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
comes into my room,</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Because
he knows I'll be awake.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
says he just wants to play a game,</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But
he's not looking at the X-Box.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
look he's giving me chills me,</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And
I can't move; my feet are frozen.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
is bigger than me, much bigger,</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And
I'm afraid of what I know is coming.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
pushes me down onto my bed,</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And
I shrink away from his touch.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
leans over me, his face so close to mine.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
can smell the alcohol on his breath.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
try to fight him, really I do,</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But
he's stronger than me, much stronger.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
uses my fear to make me submit.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">His
hand holds my mouth shut,</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Robbing
me of more than my voice.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Robbing
me of my dignity.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
leaves when he's done,</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And
I curl in on myself.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I'm
a little numb and scared.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Did
I make him do this to me?</span></span></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02195205047957153349noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2964439713293537708.post-83656197637695581232012-03-16T03:20:00.000-04:002012-03-16T04:11:56.992-04:00Forgotten Prince Ch. 2<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #944794;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">.::Tepin::.</span></b></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">Back
in his hotel room, Tepin collapsed onto the single bed, his arm over
his face. He was angry and exhausted. He'd gotten off the plane only
two hours ago. The cab ride to this modest hotel had taken an
agonizingly slow half hour. Traffic had been horrendous due to an
accident out on the freeway.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">Another
drunk driver had plowed into a minivan with a toddler and newborn. He
only knew that much because his phone had internet service. He'd gone
online and watched the live newscast. The news anchor had said that
the newborn was miraculously unscathed, the mother had only minor
injuries, but the toddler was in critical condition. He remembered
feeling grateful that most people on his island country used bicycles
and motor scooters. There were very few cars in Nefer.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">Once
he'd arrived at the hotel, he'd taken a shower, shaved, and changed
his day-old clothes. Then, just as he was about to leave for his
consort's, his mother had called.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">"Have
you arrived safely?" His mother had asked in lieu of a greeting.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">"Yes,
Mother."</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">"Have
you made contact with Theodore yet?"</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">"No,
Mother."</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">"Why
not?"</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">"I
just got here. I've only had time to get myself presentable,"
he'd said, some exasperation leaking into his voice.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">His
mother had clucked at him, but he knew she wasn't upset with him.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">"Call
me when you've talked with him. I love you, <i>habib</i> <i>albi</i>."</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">"Love
you, too, Momma. I will call and let you know how it goes," he'd
said, smiling.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">Now,
as he lay on the lumpy hotel bed, staring up at the ceiling, he
wanted to kick himself. With a flick of a wrist he lifted the other
pillow and pulled it to him, hugging it close, like a favorite teddy
bear. That was the very first time he and his consort had met since
he was five and Taz was three, and he'd ruined it by telling him
things he should have already been aware of. He sighed heavily,
wishing things had gone a lot better. But Gods! The Langleys were
supposed to have raised Theodore knowing who and what he was. That
was the plan.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">Well,
at least the kid hadn't thrown him out on his ass, or worse. Maybe
things would still turn out all right. Maybe Theodore would talk to
Stephen and Bethany Langley, and they'd talk him into accepting his
fate. Gods, but this had to work. It just had to.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">Because
Taz was his soul mate.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">When
a Neferian or Hotepian first meets their soul mate as an adult, they
experience a </span></span><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">zing</span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
upon touching for the first time. He had felt that </span></span><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">zing</span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
today, when he shook his consort's hand. That </span></span><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">zing
</span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">changed
everything for him. He wasn't going along with this arranged marriage
because he had to, but because he </span></span><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">wanted</span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
to. Soul mates were greatly cherished by their people, partly because
only thirty percent of their people have found their soul mate.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">He
pushed the thought aside for the time being.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">With
another, softer sigh Tepin dug his phone out of his pocket and dialed
his mother. He'd promised to call when he got back, and he always
kept his promises.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">"Tepin,
<i>habib albi</i>. I trust everything went according to plan? When
shall I expect you here?"</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">"Mother..."</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">"What
went wrong?" His mother asked warily.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">"He
was not aware of who he was. The Langleys raised him ignorant of his
royal blood. He didn't know he was a prince, let alone engaged to be
married."</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">His
mother drew in a sharp, indrawn breath. "He knew nothing?"</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">"Nothing,"
Tepin confirmed.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">"I
shall have words with King Bakhoun. This arrangement has been made
since before you were born, <i>habib albi</i>."</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">"Before
I was born? Don't you mean before <i>he</i> was born?"</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">"No,
<i>habib albi</i>. Before you were born. We made this arrangement
while I was pregnant with you. King and Queen Bakhoun were trying for
a child of their own at the time, it just took them a few years to
conceive."</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">"Oy,
Mother. I still do not see<span style="text-decoration: none;">—</span>”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">"It
is not your job to see or understand this arrangement," she
said, much too sharply. He felt her ire like a punch to the gut. But
then, in a much gentler voice, she said, "I love you, <i>habib
albi</i>, but I cannot tell you just yet."</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">"Do
you know how frustrating that is, Mother?" he asked, the
resignation clear in his voice.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">Chuckling
softly, she said, "Yes, I do."</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">"Mother,
is this arranged marriage really that important to you?"</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">"Yes,
<i>habib albi</i>," she said, not unkindly. "This is very
important for your father, myself, you, and our country. I've got to
go now. I love you, <i>habib albi</i>."</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">"I
love you, too, Momma."</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">Tepin
closed his cell phone, and just stared at it for a moment. Then, with
a sigh, he reached over and set it on the bedside table. Flopping
back down onto his back, he stared at the ceiling, resignation and
frustration battling within him. He knew something wasn't right, but
he couldn't quite figure it out.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">Ten
minutes later, he snorted his disgust, no closer to the truth than he
had been before. Figuring he'd have more luck and a clearer mind
after a nap, he rolled over onto his side, flipped the light switch
on the wall by the door off, and shut his eyes. He hadn't thought he
was that sleepy, but he felt himself drifting off almost immediately.
And surprisingly, the image of Taz floated through his mind...</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #94476b;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="background: transparent;">.::Taz::.</span></b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">"Mom,
Dad, <i>what</i> is going on?" Taz asked as soon as he entered
his parents' house. It was a nice </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">house.
Two stories tall, three decent-sized bedrooms, big living room, and
an open kitchen/dining room. The living room walls were painted a
light blue. Framed photos of Dane and himself growing up hung on the
walls. A few family portraits were up there, as well as framed
certificates they'd gotten in school, such as the Honor Roll.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">There
was a stone fireplace at one end with an overstuffed light green
couch facing it. A dark wood end table with a glass center and a
Tiffany lamp sat at each end of the couch. More pictures of Dane and
himself adorned the mantle. In the center was his parents' wedding
photo. They looked so young and happy in that picture. And totally in
love. The picture made Taz want to smile every time he saw it, and
this time was no exception.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">At
the other end of the big living room was another light green,
overstuffed couch and two matching recliners. The recliners were on
either side of the couch, a little closer to the flat screen HDTV,
and at a slight angle, so the furniture made a semi-circle around the
TV. There was an end table that matched the ones by the fireplace
next to the recliners, on the side closest to the wall. Two more end
tables sat at either side of the couch. The tables closer to the wall
held a clear glass vase of fake flowers, while the ones by the couch
held Tiffany lamps.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">A
coffee table—a match to the end tables—sat in front of the couch.
Another clear vase of fake flowers were neatly arranged atop the
coffee table.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">Taz
looked at his parents now, waiting for one of them to answer him. His
father had short, dark hair. It wasn't quite black, with silver at
the temples. He had crow's feet at the corners of light brown eyes
that lit up when he was excited about something. He had a slightly
cleft chin and a strong jaw, and straight white teeth. He was tall,
six foot four and well-toned.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">His
mother, on the other hand, was only five foot seven. She was a little
on the plump side, had long black hair, and a quick smile. She also
had laugh lines, but they weren't as prominent as his father's. Her
eyes were a deep brown, framed by long lashes.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">"What
do you mean, son?" His father finally asked.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">"You
know damn well what I mean, Dad. This guy showed up at my house this
morning, spouting nonsense about me being a prince of some island
country next to his."</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">His
father's face conveyed his chagrin as he gazed back at him.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">"Oh
dear," his mother murmured in dismay. "I thought we'd have
more time."</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">"More
time for what, Mom?" Taz asked, his stomach churning with dread.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">"Well,
we had hoped to talk to you before he got here," his father
said. "We were going to sit you down this weekend and explain
everything to you."</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">"Explain
it now," he said, suddenly angry with his parents for keeping
something this big from him. He felt angry at this whole situation.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">"Perhaps
we should all sit down, my lovelies," his mother interjected.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">When
they were all seated—him on one of the recliners, and his parents
on the couch—his father took a deep, fortifying breath.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">"Twenty-five
years ago," his father began, "King Blankht's brother,
Charlie, attempted to assassinate King Bakhoun. Charlie was caught,
and the king recognized him. Since Charlie was a royal, the two kings
argued over where Charlie should be held prisoner. After months of
discussion and arguing, King Bakhoun told the king of Nefer that he'd
allow them to punish Charlie, but in return, he wanted the heir to
Nefer's throne to wed his own heir."</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">"What
does that have to do with <i>me</i>?" Taz asked, incredulous.
Although, he had a bad feeling he already knew.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">"You
are King Bakhoun's heir," his mother said, simply; confirming
what he already knew., and supporting Mr. Tepin Blankht's story.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">Still...</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">"But...
I'm only twenty-three," he protested.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">"You
are their heir, their <i>only</i> heir. It took the queen a while to
conceive."</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">"But,
then, why am I here? Why did they send me away?"</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">"They
sent you away because Charlie escaped his prison cell when you were
three," his father said. "He went after you, because he
knew it would hurt King Bakhoun to lose you. They sent you to your
mother and I, and told us to come here, to America. He gave us
temporary custody until they caught Charlie again, but Charlie
vanished."</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">Taz
was silent for a moment, his brows furrowed in consternation. "If
I was already three, why don't I remember any of this?"</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">"Because,
lovely," his mother said, "you were <i>only</i> three. You
were so young still."</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">"So
why did you keep this from me?" Taz asked, suddenly angry all
over again.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">"We
were supposed to raise you knowing who you were, but..."</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">"But
what?"</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">"But
your mother and I thought it would be better for you to not grow up
always looking over your shoulder, waiting for Charlie to show up."</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">"Maybe
I <i>should</i> have grown up always looking over my shoulder!"
he yelled, jumping up from the recliner. "Then at least I'd know
who I am!"</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">"Son,
you're still<span style="text-decoration: none;">—</span>”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">"<i>Don't</i>
call me that!" he said vehemently. Then he cringed at the hurt
he could see in his father's eyes. He knew they'd been doing what
they thought was right at the time. They hadn't sought to hurt him
with their deception and lies. They never meant to make him question
his very life.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">Taz
sighed, then said softly, "Look, I'm sorry. I just<span style="text-decoration: none;">—</span>”
He paused, then; "I just need some time to process this. I'll
talk to you guys la<span style="text-decoration: none;">—</span>”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">"Taz!"</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">Turning
around, Taz saw his little brother coming toward him from the hall.
Dane had shaggy black hair, his father's light brown eyes, and his
mother's full lashes. He had the sweetest smile, despite being a
teenage boy. He was five foot nine inches of skin and bones. And like
their parents, Taz, and Mr. Tepin Blankht, he had light brown skin,
almost like a permanent tan.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">He
smiled at Dane, because he could never <i>not</i> smile at the kid.
Although, okay, Dane had turned fifteen the month before, so
technically he wasn't a kid anymore, even if he sometimes acted like
one.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">Dane
threw his too-thin arms around Taz's waist and buried his face in his
chest. "Please don't be mad at them," he said, his voice
muffled.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">Taz
hugged him back, his chest tight. "Dane, just because I'm mad at
them, doesn't mean I love them any less. Besides, aren't you a bit
too old to be eavesdropping?"</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">Dane
looked up at him, smiling sheepishly. "How else will I know
what's going on? Nobody ever tells me the important stuff."</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">Grinning,
Taz chucked him lightly under the chin. "If it's really
important, then somebody will tell you." He paused dramatically,
then said, "Eventually."</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">Dane
smiled. "Tell me about this island country you mentioned."<br /><br />He
drew in a breath to answer, but then he frowned. "I don't know
much about it. I only had enough time to do a quick Google search to
make sure it even existed. I know it's called Hotep, and that it's
part of a group of eleven islands that form a star. But other than
that, I know nothing about it."<br /><br />He purposely left out the
memory that had come to him earlier. He wasn't ready to deal with the
fact that he had identified a woman who wasn't Bethany Langley as his
mother. It brought home the fact that Bethany <i>wasn't</i> his
mother. She had never <i>been</i> his mother. He had just been some
kid that had been thrust upon her.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">Duty.
That's the word. It had been her duty—and Stephen Langley's—to
take care of him. He doubted their love for him now, and he hated
it.<br /><br />"Dad, can you tell us about Hotep?" Taz asked,
pushing those destructive thoughts aside for now.<br /><br />"If you
sit back down and have one of your mother's brownies, I will tell you
about Hotep and At—the surrounding islands."<br /><br />"I'll
get the brownies!" Dane volunteered excitedly.<br /><br />When
everybody was seated again with a brownie and a drink, Stephen
began.<br /><br />“Our islands were officially discovered in 1507 by
the Portuguese. We have resisted the colonization of the
Portuguese—and several other empires—until the eighteenth
century, when we were finally recognized as our own people.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">Taz
felt conflicted. He wanted to know more about the place of his birth.
He wanted to know what it looked like. He wanted to know about the
kingdom, and the king and queen.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">The
need to know more also scared him. It felt like the worst kind of
betrayal—the betrayal of his heart and family. Which didn't make
much sense to him, because of this knew doubt of Stephen and Bethany
Langley's love for him.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">The
inside of his head was beginning to look like a kaleidoscope of
emotions. Fear. Self-doubt. Confusion. Curiosity. It was starting to
make him dizzy.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="background: transparent;">“<span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">What—”
He stopped to clear his throat.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">Taz
took a few Werther's Originals caramel candy from his pocket, and
popped one into his mouth. “Anybody want one?” he asked.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="background: transparent;">“<span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Yes,
please,” Dane said. Taz tossed one to him.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">When
he looked at his parents, they shook their heads. He put the rest
into one pocket, and the wrapper in the other pocket. He had been
taught from an early age to never leave trash lying about.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="background: transparent;">“<span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Dad...
what do the islands look like?” It was a safe, neutral topic. He
didn't want to get into the more volatile subjects yet.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">His
father looked around the room, collecting his thoughts, but then he
turned his gaze to Taz.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="background: transparent;">“<span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">All
eleven islands were formed by volcanoes, though none of the islands
have had recorded volcanic activity since 1510. Sheer black cliffs
fall into an ocean that is usually a good temperature to swim. There
are mountains great for climbing. Rolling emerald valleys surrounds
huge craters of sapphire water. We have geysers, waterfalls, hot
mineral springs, and, of course, there are volcanoes.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">There
are no busy cities on our islands, no cars or buses; we have
villages, feet, and . . . horses.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="background: transparent;">“<span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Horses?”
That hesitation before the word 'horses' told him that wasn't what
his father had been about to say.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="background: transparent;">“<span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Yes,
horses.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">Taz
opened his mouth to ask what his father had really been about to say,
but his mother cut him off.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="background: transparent;">“<span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Stephen,
we need to go, or we'll be late.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">His
father looked up, startled. “Is it that time already?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="background: transparent;">“<span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It
is. The Johnsons are expecting us in a half hour.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="background: transparent;">“<span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Then
we should be getting ready,” his father said.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">His
parents got up and left the room, presumably to get ready.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">"So,
you're some prince, huh?" Dane said, smiling.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">Taz
ruffled Dane's shaggy black hair. "Hey! I <i>just</i> got my
hair how I wanted it! You big jerk!"</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">"You
wanted it to look like a bird's nest?" Taz easily danced away
from his brother's shove. Then he got serious. "You know I love
you, right? That, even if I'm some prince, even if I go live there,
you'll always be my baby brother?"</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">"<i>Shokran</i>,"
Dane said, quietly.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">Taz
hugged Dane again, said goodbye to his parents, and left. He had a
lot to think about.</span></span></span></span></div>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02195205047957153349noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2964439713293537708.post-79501521455921497522012-03-16T03:19:00.002-04:002012-03-16T03:19:21.050-04:00Forgotten Prince Ch. 1<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: #944794;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">.::Taz::.</span></b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">"Yo,
Taz."</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">"Mmm..."</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">"Taz,
wake your ass up."</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">Taz
blinked, yawned. Scratched his nuts and groaned. "Wha' the fuck,
man? I was having the best dream," he complained, his voice
thick and husky from sleep.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">"Was
he hot?"</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">"Wouldn't
be the 'best' dream if he wasn't."</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">"For
you, maybe."</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">"What,
you want an ugly dude?" Taz asked, knowing full well that his
best friend was unswervingly straight. A shame, really. Taz would
love to show him the joys of gay sex. At a solid six feet three
inches tall, Connor</span></span> <span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">was
every gay man's wet dream. He should know, having had plenty of them
himself.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">Connor
shot him a mocking glare. Taz just grinned, showing perfect white
teeth. Connor's lips twitched and he finally smiled, shaking his
head. "You're hopeless, Taz. Utterly hopeless."</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">"True."
Taz got up from the bed, his black cotton boxers riding low on his
slim hips. "So... was there a reason you interrupted my slumber,
Con?"</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">Connor's
sea green eyes widened. "Oh shit!"</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">Opening
a dresser drawer, Taz pulled out his favorite jeans, an old, faded
pair of Levi's.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">"There's
some fancy dude here to see you."</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">"Fancy
dude?" Taz asked, looking up, a question in his eyes.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">"Yeah,
some very dressed up guy. I left him in the living room. Told him
you'd be down in a minute."</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">"Huh.
What do you suppose Mr. Fancy wants?"</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">"Dunno,"
Connor said with a shrug of one broad shoulder. "He wouldn't
say. Said it was a private family matter."</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">"Family
matters?" Taz, in the process of pulling on his pants, froze.
What the hell was going on now?</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">Balancing
on one leg, with the other poised to step into his jeans, Taz's
weight shifted. Hopping frantically around the room—with Con
laughing hysterically—Taz crammed his other leg in the pants and
faced Connor.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">Correctly
reading the horror on Taz's face, Connor hastily went about
reassuring him. "Don't worry; nobody's dead or dying. Nobody is
hurt, I asked."</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">Taz
visibly relaxed. "Tell him I'll be out in a sec, will ya? Pretty
please, babe?"</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">"Yeah.
I put on a pot of coffee before I came to get your skinny ass up."</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">"I
love you. Let's get married. I've heard Boston is extremely gay
friendly. And the marriage will be—oomph!" Taz caught the
pillow Connor had thrown at his face before it fell to the floor.
"I'll take that as a maybe?"</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">Laughing,
Connor said, "Put a shirt on and get your ass to the living
room."</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">"I've
noticed you have a thing for my ass."</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">"Just
hurry."</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #944794;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">**********</span></b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">Five
minutes later found Taz in the living room with clean teeth, an empty
bladder, and a mug of fresh coffee. He hadn't yet met Mr. Fancy; he'd
stepped outside to take a phone call about a minute before Taz found
his way to the living room.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">Now
that Connor had reassured him that everybody was okay, Taz had to
admit to an intense curiosity about the man and what he wanted. Maybe
Mr. Fancy was here to tell him he'd won the lottery. Wouldn't that be
nice? Then maybe Dane, his younger brother, could have that operation
he so sorely needed to fix his heart.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">Of
course, in order to win the lottery, he'd have to actually play.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">Just
then, the door opened, breaking into his musings. Mr. Fancy himself
stepped back into the house, quietly shutting the rich mahogany door
behind him. Connor had been right; this guy was definitely dressed
up. He was wearing black loafers, tan slacks that might as well have
been painted on they were so tight, and a purple vest with a white
button-down underneath. The vest had a crest over the left breast,
right above the heart. The crest was circular, with a phoenix flying
over an ocean at sunset. It was pretty and very well done. The colors
really popped. Taz couldn't help thinking he'd seen it somewhere
before.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">Mr.
Fancy looked to be about an inch or two taller than Taz, which would
put him at about six foot four or six foot five. Soft, full lips
graced a face with a strong, square jaw and a firm mouth. Lips that
Taz could well imagine wrapped around his dick. And okay. That was so
not something he should be thinking about. Taz shook his head, trying
to dispel that image from his mind.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">He
finally looked up, into Mr. Fancy's eyes... and promptly stopped
breathing. The man had gorgeous eyes; dark gray, like a stormy
night's sky, ringed by the longest eyelashes he'd ever seen on a
person, man or woman. What was that expression all romance books
seemed to use? Bedroom eyes. Mr. Fancy had bedroom eyes. He could
imagine gazing into those eyes as he—</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">"Taz!"
Connor said, nudging him.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">With
a jolt, he realized he'd been staring, and probably drooling.
Smiling sheepishly, he extended a hand to Mr. Fancy. "Hi, I'm
Theodore Langley, but you can call me Taz."</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">Mr.
Fancy smiled, and Taz swore he heard angels sing. He felt a jolt of
electricity as their hands touched, and he jerked his hand back in
surprise. "Sorry. Static electricity," he muttered when Mr.
Fancy frowned. Then, louder, "What can I do for you, Mr....?"</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">"Blankht.
Tepin Blankht," he supplied, and his deep, melodic voice made
Taz's knees weak. "May I speak with you privately, please, sir?"</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">"Call
me Taz, and Connor is my best friend. You might as well just say
whatever it is you came here for, 'cause I'm just going to tell him
everything as soon as you leave. We don't keep secrets."</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">Mr.
Fancy—er, Mr. Blankht—hesitated, then tentatively asked, "Is...
Connor... your—how do you Americans say—boyfriend?"</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">Taz
very nearly spit out his mouthful of coffee, managing instead to
swallow it all, and the hot liquid burned his throat. Connor coughed,
no doubt to hide a laugh.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">"Um,
no," Taz said. "He's<span style="text-decoration: none;">—</span>”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">"Straight
as a nail," Connor finished for him.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">"Why?"
Taz and Connor asked simultaneously.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">Ignoring
their question, Mr. Blankht asked another of his own. "Is there
another?"</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">"I'm
not romantically involved with anybody at the moment," Taz said,
some of his exasperation showing in the tightening of his lips.
"These are awfully personal questions to be asking a stranger."</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">"But
I am not a stranger, young Prince Theodore. I am your consort. We are
to be wed in a fortnight."</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">Taz
stood there, staring uncomprehendingly at Mr. Blankht, feeling...
bewildered. He didn't know how to respond to Mr. Blankht's claims.
Maybe he was on something? Taz looked into his eyes, but he saw no
signs of intoxication or drugs; his eyes were clear and focused. No
redness. So okay, he didn't appear to be high or drunk. <i>Appear</i>
being the operative word.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">He
still had no clue what Mr. Blankht was talking about. He wasn't a
prince, and he certainly wasn't getting married. He'd remember
proposing to somebody. Although... There was that one time, about a
month ago, when he'd gotten so shit-faced, he still couldn't remember
anything he'd done that night. But still.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">He
didn't know what to think.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">"What
are you talking about?" He finally asked. "I'm not engaged,
and I'm no prince."</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">"No
one has told you?" Mr. Blankht asked, his face a mask of
consternation. "They were supposed to have told you by now."</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">"Who
was supposed to have told me what?" Taz felt a certain anxious
dread. He shook his head, as if by doing so, he could somehow prevent
what was coming next.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">"You
are the son of King and Queen Bakhoun. You are the prince—the <i>only</i>
prince—of Hotep. Hotep is one of a group of islands in the Atlantic
Ocean, off the east coast of North America. I live on an island very
close to yours. Nefer."</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">Taz's
eyes narrowed in concentration, a niggling memory trying to burst
free. There was a faint ringing in his ears that sounded vaguely like
a bell. He closed his eyes, trying to coax the memory closer, and...</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">“<span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Mommy?”
Theodore said, tugging at his mother's dress.</i></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">“<span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Yes,
Carmie?” His mother asked in her musical voice.</i></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">“<span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>What's
that?” He was pointing at an emblem on a dignitary's chest.</i></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">She
chuckled. “That, my little sweet tooth, is the crest of Nefer. Do
you remember what we learned yesterday?”</span></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">Theodore
nodded, his eyes wide. He was clutching his mother's hand, because
there were so many people there he didn't know. She gently squeezed
his little hand, reassuring him that he was safe.</span></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">“<span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>There
are two kingdoms. We rule one, and...” he scrunched his face up,
trying to remember. “And Teremun rules the other one.”</i></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">“<span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>That's
right, Theodore.” She patted his hand. “King Teremun Blankht is
here, and he brought his son. Why don't you go and find him?”</i></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">Taz
frowned, shaking his head to clear away the memory. It disturbed him.
The memory was fuzzy; he couldn't make out any details, but he
somehow knew he had been looking at the crest Tepin wore over his
heart.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">But
that's not what disturbed him. What disturbed him was the fact that
the woman in his memory wasn't Bethany Langley. Sure, it was fuzzy,
but the woman's image had been just clear enough to determine she
wasn't Bethany. It scared him a little, but he pushed the fear aside.
It wouldn't change anything.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">"What
are you talking about?” He finally asked. “My parents are Stephen
and Bethany Langley. I have a brother, Dane."</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">"They
really haven't told you. I see. Perhaps I should take my leave for
now. I will come back tomorrow, so you will have a chance to talk to
the Langleys." Mr. Blankht bowed elegantly, then left.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">Taz
stared after him, his head buzzing, trying to block out everything
Mr. Blankht had said. He knew with a sickening certainty that his
life had just been turned inside out and upside down.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">With
shaking hands, he took his cell phone from his pocket and pressed
speed-dial number one. Connor caught his eye, and he shook his head.
<i>Later</i>, he mouthed.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Andalus,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">"Mom,
we need to talk," Taz said when the other line was picked up.</span></span></span></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02195205047957153349noreply@blogger.com1