Several people have asked why the Carissa stories were not continued. Here, in response to them all, is a short dedication to a wonderful woman.

I met Carissa online in May of 1998, in response to some of the stories posted on here. She was in an abusive relationship and wanted a friend to talk with and an outlet for her sensual imagination. We became very close, as is wont to happen between two lonely people online. One of the things I learned about her is that she was in remission from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, an almost always terminal disease. She shared with me her work with others having this condition, including one special little boy who ended up dying in her arms when his disease eventually took it's final toll. She was one of the most caring and giving people it has been my good fortune to "meet".

We began writing stories together in September of 1998. What is posted here are the few that we wanted to share with others.

In early November, 1998, I received a call from her in tears, telling me that she had discovered a lump on her chest. Her remission had ended. Over the next month, our contact was sketchy at best because of all the time she had to spend in the hospital. Carissa's pain ended just before Christmas, 1998. She was a wonderful friend and I still feel the void she has left, but I'm happy for her that she has found peace and has left the pain and dispair of her life behind.

The last I heard from her was on my birthday in July, 1999, the time we had talked about meeting each other in person. As much pain as she was in before her death, she knew that I would be missing and thinking about her then and created an e-birthday card for me to be delivered at that time. Even in death, she still took the time, energy and effort to touch my heart.

Sweet Carissa...you will always be missed...

Rick