By  Your  Side

 

jmhenderson

 

 

 

 

To Journal; January 8th, 1977

 

         I ran into a couple of men four days ago.  Literally!

        They’re cops, and they were chasing some bad guy down the street ahead of me as I came home from work.  I heard the sirens, but I guess I had the radio up too loud, and didn’t realize they were so close.  (Although I will NOT be admitting that in traffic court!)  Anyway, long story short, this unmarked cop car comes flying out from the alley beside me and crashed into the side of my poor Chevelle.  Even knocked me out a little while.  But I’d almost say it was worth it.  When I opened my eyes, these two pairs of gorgeous blue eyes were looking down at me, all filled with concern.  They were asking if I was okay, telling me not to move.  Their concern was touching. 

        They’re detectives, but not like any I had ever seen before.  Quite different from the ones you see on TV.

        The blonde one, named Ken, was apologizing all over the place for hitting me, even though I’m sure the court is going to say the accident was my fault.  I told him not to worry, that I was fine, but I must’ve fallen unconscious again, because the next thing I knew, I was in the hospital.  They were still with me there, too.  The doctor said I had a concussion and two fractured ribs and some minor contusions.  The only thing that I thinking was what a mess I must look!  I kept falling asleep and waking up, and that whole evening those two were right there with me.  I couldn’t believe it.

         The other one, his name is David, was so sweet.  He was attending to me better than the nurses; asking me too often if there was anything I needed.  (If only he knew!)  He’s got the most gorgeous curly brown hair, and brightest blue eyes that had my heart fluttering every time he looked at me.

         The doctor made me stay in the hospital for a few days, and they were there all night with me the first night; then they came in at different times the whole time I was there afterwards.  I kept telling them they didn’t need to do that, but they kept coming anyway.  (I was secretly glad of that, too!)

         Their concern for me was touching.  I was sure it was out of feeling guilty for hitting me and totaling my car.  But the better I have come to know them, the less I am so sure of that.

         When the doctor finally said I could leave yesterday, they were there to take me home.  I never told them I didn’t have anyone around like family and all; just moving to California two months ago, but they found out somehow.  (Guess that must be why they’re detectives.)

         Anyway, I didn’t realize how sore I was and how much pain I would have until I got up and started moving around.  But they knew.  They not only took me home, but got groceries for my apartment and got my prescriptions filled for me and even called the school, letting them know it would be a couple of weeks before I could return to work.  (They had called there when I was first admitted, too.)

         So there we all were, me, Ken, and David; sitting in my living room.  They were the first guests I’d had in the apartment since I’d moved in.  I felt bad that I wasn’t more ‘entertaining’, but they were pretty good at entertaining themselves!  What a couple of goof-balls they are.  (You can tell they are really the best of  friends.) 

         When my medicine started kicking in, I somehow ended up in my bed.  (I suspect one of them carried me in there.)  Perfect gentlemen and very sweet to look after me so well.  When I woke up, I even found my teddy bear sitting beside me.  (Now how sweet is that?)

         This morning, I insisted they leave.  I knew they had lives of their own and their girlfriends must certainly be upset from them being here with me instead of with them, and I told them so.  But they both admitted that their lifestyles, because of their career choice no doubt, had made their social lives a bit scarce lately. 

         That’s when we really started becoming friends.  We talked about ourselves and opened up to each other.  Told a few secrets.  We sat around playing cards and discussed things that I wouldn’t tell my best friend, but yet felt comfortable enough with them to discuss.  And they told me many things about themselves; from their work and all the craziness they have to deal with on a regular basis, to their love lives, strained on any given day; somewhat stagnant at the moment.

         When the pain from laughing at their petty pickings on each other made my chest hurt and head throb, I ended up having to take the pain medication, which is very quick and effective, and also puts me to sleep very easily.  I didn’t want to.  They were worried and I didn’t want them to be.   I had avoided taking the medicine long past the time I was supposed to.  I wanted them to see I was okay and stop feeling guilty about me and go on with their lives.  Instead I had them for ‘roomies’ another night; they were too worried to leave me and I was suddenly too tired to argue.

         So that’s why it’s been five days since I last wrote in this journal.

 

To Journal;  January 10th, 1977

         Ken had a date with a young lady this evening, and David came by alone.  He said he’d told Ken that he wouldn’t come over, trying to give me time to heal and enjoy some peace and quiet.  But he just wanted to come over and make sure I was alright.  He told me he’d leave if I wanted him to, but I didn’t want that.

         We sat and watched TV and ate way too much pizza.  Sometimes we didn’t speak to each other for twenty minutes at a time; then there were times when we talked on and on, like we’d never be able to stop.  He’s such good company.  I could’ve sworn he was staring at me a couple of times.  Probably wondering if I was really okay.  (He does want to ‘nurse’ me a lot, not even letting me wash the few dishes that sat in the sink.)

         He’s out there on the couch sleeping as I write this.  He looked so comfortable and relaxed that I didn’t have the heart to wake him.  (He must’ve been really tired.  He looked at me for a moment and smiled when I put the pillow under his head, and his eyes stayed closed when I put the blanket on him; a lopsided grin staying on his sweet face.)

 

To Journal;  January 13th, 1977

         Today I went almost the whole day until I needed to take something for the pain.  It was like the cold rain that came also brought with it a stiffness to my chest, and my head was throbbing.  I took it around 5pm, and dern if David and Ken didn’t come by after work, just wanting to check on me.  They caught me at kind of a bad time.  I had taken a shower, taken my medication, and then tried taking a nap.  I must’ve looked a site when they arrived, because when I opened the door, the smiles on their faces dropped suddenly when they looked at me.  They brought food and sodas and I let them in, sat down, then promptly fell asleep in the chair.  I woke up around 11pm.  They’re still here, asleep on the couch and love seat in the living room.

 

To Journal;  January 15th, 1977

         David and I are forming some kind of connection.  I think.  Today I tried going back to work.  I’ve been missing it, and getting pretty bored around this apartment.  It didn’t work out as well as I thought it would.  I was too weak to handle chasing the children around for some reason, and tired after only being there an hour.  Who suddenly pops out of no where to take me home?  Dave.  Seems he knows me better than I thought.  

         When he called there to tell them I wouldn’t be in for two weeks, he also gave them his phone numbers at work and home.  He told them to call if I tried going in and didn’t seem well enough to do my job.  And they did.  A conspiracy?  Perhaps.  But he made me come home.  I was so angry.  I wouldn’t speak to him the whole drive home.  He made several attempts to start conversations.  I just looked out the window.  I was furious and tired and hurting.  When we got to my apartment building, he cut off the car and just sat there.  Looking at me.  I could feel tears welling in my eyes.  Well, I didn’t want him to see that, so when the tears started coming, I ran upstairs to my apartment as fast as my body would let me.  I got inside and just went in my room and let it out.  I’m sure now that it was from not being able to do what I wanted to; having to admit that I couldn’t handle getting back into my regular routine yet.

        Well, he followed me up into my apartment.  He sat with me.  He held me.  He talked to me in that calming tone of his, never once letting go.  I remember the calm that took me over as he gently rocked me in his arms, rubbing my back, letting me cry and get it out.  I barely remember falling asleep.  When I woke up, he was lying there beside me, his arm still around me.  It felt so good.

         This has got to be more than pity.  It has to be more than guilt over me getting hit by the car he rode in with his partner.  I hope it is, anyway, because I can feel myself falling for him.  When he looks at me I just want to melt in a puddle.  I feel a wanting for him that’s more than I should admit to.  Where will this lead, if anywhere?

 

To Journal;  January 18th, 1977

         Hutch came over today.  His car is all fixed, barely showing the dents that it got from hitting my car.  David teased him about getting it fixed almost a week ago, telling him he didn’t need it worked on it since it looks so bad to begin with.  They are so cute, having petty little ‘mock’ arguments back and forth with each other; teasing one another about everything from the cars they drive to the food they eat.

         Anyway, Hutch came by, just to check on me to be sure I was alright.  David is catching up paperwork that got behind while they were off taking care of me.  (I later found out that Dave asked Ken to come by and make sure I was okay.) 

         I had to do it.  I asked him about David.  I wanted to know if I was getting some sort of syndrome, feeling like he might be liking me when all he was really concerned about was my getting better and nothing more.  Sort of like those doctor/patient relationships where the patient falls for the doctor because the doctor makes them better.  I had to know, and I knew his best friend would know the answers, because he knew everything there was to know about David … probably more than David did himself.   I remember Ken smiling at me.

         He told me that he knows that David likes me.  Alot!  (I feel like a teenager in school again!)  He told me that Dave is talking about me all the time, and he’s sure he’s falling for me.  (I am grinning!)

 

To Journal;  January 20th, 1977

         David asked me out to dinner. 

         He called me this afternoon, just asking me out of the clear blue.  I got myself ready an hour ago, not wanting to keep him waiting for me.  I have my favorite dark red corduroy jumper with a black turtleneck on.  I fussed almost an hour and a half with my hair, and have my make up on; hoping I’m going to impress him.  He’s never seen me dressed and all made up before.  I hope I won’t disappoint him. 

 

To Journal;  January 21st, 1977

         Wow.  Wow.  Wow. 

         I was hoping to impress David.  But boy, did he ever impress me!  First of all, he arrived with flowers … roses.  Big, beautiful, red roses that smelled divine.  He was dressed in a brown corduroy jacket with blue jeans and a white shirt.  He had a tie on as well, and a man in a tie always does something to me.  (This man was doing more than just ‘something’!)

         When I opened my apartment door, he looked at me hard.  First his mouth dropped open a little, then a huge smile spread across his face, making me feel like the effort I had taken was giving me the effect I wanted, and was definitely worth it.

         He smelled so good, wearing a light, almost musk cologne that smelled heavenly when he leaned in to kiss me on the cheek as he handed me the roses.  Sometimes I wish I wasn’t a lady.  I wanted to grab him and pull him inside and lock the doors then and there.

         We went to a very nice Italian restaurant just outside of town.  The setting was very romantic, right down to the candlelight.  

         He told me I was beautiful.  Not cute.  (I always despised being called ‘cute’.  Puppies are ‘cute’.) 

         He held my hand a lot as we talked.  And boy, did we talk.  We talked seriously that evening.  He talked about some of the women in his life before now; before me.  I wonder how he can smile, dealing with all that pain inside him.

         I wonder if he told me about them to try and warn me.  Like he wanted me to know that being with him was like a time bomb.  Well I don’t believe it.  Not for a minute.  I hope he wasn’t trying to scare me away from him, because it didn’t work.  Just because he’s had a run of bad luck, or bad timing, or whatever it was, doesn’t mean that I fit into that grouping.

         When he took me home, I let him come upstairs with me to my apartment.  We talked a couple more hours still, just about “stuff”; nothing in particular other than Ken, whose name came up so much that I think I know him almost as much as I know David.

         Out of the clear blue, while we sat at my kitchen table, he kissed me.  Oh, it was wonderful!  I feel my heart beating faster again, just thinking about it.  His lips are so soft and his touch was so gentle that it took every ounce of strength I had not to ask him to stay.  (But I wanted to.)  And if he had asked to stay, instead of being the gentleman that he was, I know I would not have been able to deny him.

 

To Journal:  January 22nd, 1977

         Maybe I pushed myself too much the day before, but I really felt bad today.  Almost like I had caught something.  David and Ken came by to take me to the doctor,  as today was the day I was supposed to be released to go back to work.  I must’ve looked awful, because Ken wanted to take me to the hospital instead.  I know I felt bad.  David was so worried.  It bothered me, seeing him so upset over me like that. 

         The doctor said I couldn’t go back to work just yet after all.  He says I have a bug; some virus, and it’s caused me to have a little fever, and he wont release me until it’s run its’ course.

        I miss the kids.  I want to go back!  They’ve sent me hand made cards and I know they miss me, too.  Especially Sally.  She must’ve sent me five cards already this week.

         Anyway, the doctor said I could come back and see him in four days, and maybe I could be released back to work then.  I got a little upset, but I think I did a very good job of keeping it to myself.

         When Dave and Ken took me home, I found the latest batch of cards from school in my mail box.  I couldn’t stop myself from crying.  To appease me, they  promised me they’d go over and check on the children for me tomorrow.  I called the school; they said it was okay.

 

To Journal;  January 23rd, 1977

         I felt so good this morning that I called the doctors’ office and made him give me an appointment.  I rode the bus in, and he could see the difference in me, and , when he examined me, said that I could indeed go back to work Monday after all.  (Hurray!)

         When I got back home, I stopped by Bellamers’ Market; the local store that’s just around the corner from my place, and picked up a whole bunch of groceries.  I was there for almost an hour because they had missed seeing me in there and were talking to me.  I usually go every evening to pick up a paper and some milk, and I really enjoy the night time walk.  It’s become a routine for me to go there.  And it was really nice to be missed. 

        But I was on a mission!  I bought a few steaks and baking potatoes and the makings for a salad.  I knew Dave and Ken would be coming by to tell me how their ‘day at school’ went.  And they did!

         They came over and I had dinner almost ready.  I had showered and even put on a little make-up and spent the whole evening proving to them that I was really better. They both were skeptical; saying a woman can put on make-up and hide all sorts of things.  They are so funny!  (Although I believe they were halfway serious when they said that.)

         Anyway, we all enjoyed a good meal and they told me all about playing basketball with ‘my kids’, (as Dave calls them).  The school was so impressed at the way the children responded to them that they will be going by there on a semi-regular basis from now on.  Ken says they had so much fun together because David is just an over-grown kid himself.  I agreed, telling him it was a very endearing quality!  (I couldn’t tell if he was going to hit Ken for his remark, or blush at mine!)

         We had a great evening together.  They are my ‘bestest buddies’  Dave is my best friend.

 

To Journal;  January 25th, 1977

         I hate to see this weekend end.  It has to be the best weekend of my entire life.

         Dave and I have been inseparable the entire time!  He is the most romantic man I have ever known.  He took me car shopping Saturday, but we didn’t find too much, even though we had a wonderful time looking around.  The best part was that he held my hand the whole time.  We talked non-stop throughout the day.

         That night we met with Hutch and his girlfriend, Christine, meeting at Huggys’, (what a fun place he has, and what a good friend he is to them!) and we sat around, drinking beer and talking and just having fun.

         Dave and I had our first slow dance together.  We stared into each others’ eyes and never spoke a word.  He held me close to him.   I could tell he didn’t want the evening to end.  Well, neither did I.

         So we made sure it didn’t .

         We said our good-byes to everyone at Huggys’ and went back to his place.                He is very romantic.  There were candles all around, and soft music that we danced to in his kitchen, through his living room, and finally into his bedroom.  His kiss was so gentle and endearing.  His touch sent shivers of pleasure throughout my body.  And his eyes spoke to me; he never needed to actually say a word.  He was so sweet, and gentle, and caring, and more than I ever expected from a lover.  (I never knew it could be so wonderful.) 

         I was scared, but couldn’t stop myself from telling him that I loved him.  Most men are afraid of those three little words.  Not David.  Instead, he smiled so brightly at me and kissed me so intensely; telling me that he loved me too, then we made love over and over again.

         This morning I awoke to breakfast in bed.  (A first for me, unless I count the times, when I was a child, that my Mom would bring me breakfast in bed when I got sick!)  There is nothing better than waking up to the smell of breakfast and having those blue eyes smiling down on you!!!  We fed each other, then made love again.  Like I said; the most romantic man in the world.  God I love him.  I spent the whole day showing him just how much.

         When he took me home, he stopped on the way and bought me more roses.  I can’t get over how wonderful he is, and don’t ever want to.

         The only good thing about seeing this weekend coming to an end is finally being able to go back to work in the morning and being with all the children again.  I sure have missed them terribly.  I plan to show them how much by having a little party to get us all reacquainted.  I hope they will be pleased.  They are special children, but more so, they are very special to me.

 

To Journal;  January 27th, 1977

         It’s been two days since I last put an entry in this journal.  A lot has happened.

         When I got back to work Monday morning, the children, along with Dave, Ken, their friend Huggy, and all the upper staff of the school were waiting for me, throwing me a surprise ‘Welcome Back’ party!  It was so wonderful.  I cried a lot.  I couldn’t help it: they made me feel so loved.

         After I got done with my day of fun at work, mingling with the children and catching up to speed on their work while I was gone, I was picked up by my two heroes, who had some great news for me.  It seems that I won’t be going to court over the car wreck after all!  All pending charges against me for “failing to adhere to the sirens of approaching emergency vehicles” have been dropped.  I don’t know how they did it, but I was certainly glad they did!  (I guess it is true … it’s good to have a friend or two on the force!)

         The next day, today, my class and I went on a field trip, visiting police headquarters down at the Metro Division.  The children had a wonderful time!  I was able to meet all of Dave and Kens’ coworkers.  Their captain is very nice.   (They fuss about him now and then, but when I listen to them, it sounds more like sons fussing about their Dad.  Now I know why.  I watched the captain as he watched Dave and Ken interacting with my field trip class.  He looks like a proud father!)  Captain Dobey was wonderful with the children.  All the people who work there were very kind and patient with my special kids.

         When I got home tonight, I knew I would not be seeing David and Ken because they were working late on a very important case, but it’s okay.  I’m so tired from ALL the activities since this past weekend that I’m going to bed early.  I’ve already been to the store and had a warm bath and it’s time.  Goodnight, Journal!

 

To Journal;  January 30th, 1977

         This has been quite a week for me.  I am grateful the weekend is here now.  Dave and Ken are working on a big case this weekend, so I may not see them at all, but that’s okay, as long as one of them calls me and lets me know they’re okay.  They are so good to me, and I find myself worrying about them a lot.  But I am very grateful in the knowledge that they have each other to rely on, and that in itself is comforting.

 

To Journal;  January 31st, 1977

         Dave and Ken came by this evening, just getting done with a very important case; “wrapping it up”, as they said.  They called first to see if I was going to be awake.  (Making me laugh since it was only 7:30pm!)  They came over, bringing a couple of pizzas and some beer and sodas.

         When I saw that they had driven in separate cars, I became suspicious with them, ‘interrogating’ my two friends, enjoying teasing them.  They were happily stuttering with excuses.  (I knew David was up to something, and was secretly very happy about it!)

         After we had eaten and were sitting around like bums at the kitchen table,  I accused them of trying to fatten me up: of course they both denied it.  Then David decided he would ‘frisk’ me when I got up to do the dishes, checking to see if I had actually gained any weight since this friendship had begun.  Ken took this as his cue to leave, and said his good-byes as David had me in the floor, tickling me ruthlessly!  Once Ken had left, Dave turned from menacing to loving, and our night was spent in each others’ arms; more than I could’ve hoped for.

         Another weekend to smile about.

 

To Journal;  February 5th, 1977

         This week was a long one.  That’s why I haven’t written much in this journal.  Lots of testing at school, (the poor children!), and grading and evaluating, (poor me!), and hardly any time spent with my best friend. (Woe is me!)

         Dave and Ken have been working on a string of robberies going on in local stores, which has kept them pretty busy.  I don’t mind though, as long as they keep each other safe from harm.  I am so thankful that they have each other to  depend on.  They are a wonderful team.

         Anyway, I did get to see David yesterday evening, and it was a most pleasant surprise!  I was sitting at my desk here, doing some paperwork on the childrens’ progress, and there was this knock on my door.  I asked who it was, and a strange voice said “Delivery, ma’am!”.  I looked through the peep hole and saw nothing but red roses and a broad smile that could only be his!

         I opened the door, falling into him and the roses as I kissed him.   He was trying to pretend he was blushing, telling me that I shouldn’t be so forward with him, since he was only a ‘shy delivery boy’.  I grabbed him and pulled him inside the apartment, holding him tightly.  I whispered in his ear, telling him I would be gentle, and for him not to worry, that my boyfriend would never find out.  We laughed and he attacked me, both of us landing on the sofa.  Need I say more???

 

To Journal;  February 7th, 1977

         We spent this weekend as one big happy group; Ken and Christine, Dave and me.  It was great.  Saturday we went to the park, getting on all the rides.  (My favorite is the giant slide.)  We went to the movies that evening, and acted like teenagers, necking in the back row. 

         Sunday we went to the Putt-Putt golf course, and I have discovered that David is very competitive when it comes to Ken, in a fun kind of way.  It was so entertaining, watching them playing and goofing around!  Christine and I just laughed and laughed at them.     

         Then went over to Daves’, after stopping off at Huggys’ to get some food to bring back with us, and played Monopoly.  It’s becoming one of our favorite things to do.  Poor Dave; he just can’t win.  But it’s so much fun watching him try!

         Back to work tomorrow for all of us.  But it’s okay, this weekend was well worth any paperwork I am now behind on from neglect.

         

To Journal;  February 9th, 1977

         Ken and Dave came by after school today to play a little basketball with the kids.  The boys did most of the playing, and we girls were the cheering squad.  It was such fun.  I haven’t seen some of the children laughing like that in a long time.  This is going to be a weekly event now, as often as Dave and Kens’ schedules will permit.  The children really enjoy their company; they don’t treat them differently like many others do.  It is really something to watch … these two grown men transformed into children when they play.  I love them both so much; the best friends a girl could ever have.

 

To Journal;  February 10th, 1977

         David has promised me a special surprise this Saturday.  He wont give me any hints, either, which is driving me nuts!  He said it’s just going to be me and him and that’s all he’s going to tell me on the matter.  I tried using my best pout:  it didn’t work.  That devilish grin that appears on his face each time he brings it up is going to make me crazy!  I hope this weekend will hurry up and get here, but quick.  The suspense is killing me!

         Dave and Ken came by my place this evening, and when the opportunity came, I innocently asked Ken if he knew what David was up to this weekend.  All he did was smile at me, telling me he had already been sworn to secrecy.  (Darn it!)

        

To Journal;  February 11th, 1977

         Today a dozen red roses were delivered to the school, courtesy of Dave.  I love that man.  The card read, “With all my love, see you first thing Saturday morning.”  (I may lose my mind before then, as the anticipation is definitely going to make me insane.)

         He came by the apartment this evening after work, even though it was late, just having to tease me just a little bit more before the weekend arrived.  He also had to tease me about my flannel pajamas, which are very comfortable, but also very worn from being my favorites.  That was okay though, because I explained that I didn’t HAVE to wear them, and told him I probably wouldn’t wear ANYTHING when I went to bed.  (Two can play that teasing game!).  He gave me his best puppy-dog eyes and pouted as I tried to send him out the door.  But his kisses melted me, and it wasn’t long before I gave into him.  Hardly a sacrifice.  (I think I still won this one.)

 

To Journal;  February 18th, 1977

         On February 12th, I went to the corner store like I always do during the  evening, and the store was robbed while I was there.  It was frightening.  Two men came in and one of them shot me.  Out of the clear blue. 

         I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve this.  I have a bullet lodged in my head, just above my left eye.  The doctors say they can’t remove it or I will simply die.  In fact, they have told me I will die regardless; it’s only a matter of time.

         I was given a choice.   Either stay in bed and maybe, just maybe, live a year or so if I remain immobile; or get up, leave the hospital, and try to live a somewhat normal, if not protected life, where I could live anywhere from three weeks to a year.  They really just don’t know. 

         David wanted to help me decide, but I couldn’t let him be involved in that.  Either way, I am going to die.  I don’t want him to carry the burden of helping me to make such a decision, for surely he will blame himself no matter how long or short my life becomes. 

         I feel so alone, so helpless.  I’ve tried not to act like anything is different.  But the children are already asking why I am gone again.

        David is being so gentle and careful about everything that I feel like an egg about to crack open at any moment. 

        Ken just looks at me, and his eyes are so sad, they bring tears to my own.

        What did I ever do to deserve this?  What did they ever do to deserve having to deal with me in this predicament?

 

February 19th, 1977

         Dave took me over to Kens’ place, where we met up with Christine and played Monopoly and had a somewhat good time.  Things are strained.  They’re afraid to speak their minds around me.  Scared to say anything that concerns the future, because they don’t know if I’ll be a part of it.  They don’t seem to realize that I am just as scared to talk about it too.  I’m scared to leave them; scared of what comes next. 

         I’m also tired.  I don’t want them to see how tired I am of being scared.  I’m tired of worrying, and tired of this damned time bomb that floats around in my brain, waiting at any given moment of its’ choice to take me away from this world that I am so very fond of.

         I am also angry.  So damned angry that I actually started throwing and breaking things in my apartment; things that used to have so much meaning to me, but now just don’t seem to matter.  I cleaned it up before David came by.  If he noticed that things were missing, he didn’t say so.

         I hate that my life has been taken away from me!  Yes, I am still alive right now, but for how long?  It’s only a matter of time before that is taken from me and I have absolutely no say-so about it. 

         I wanted to marry David; have three children, maybe more, and live happily ever after.  Suddenly, this is no longer a reality for me.  Not for him, either.  I know it is killing him inside.  I know he loves me, too.  Oh God, how I wish I could take his pain away.

 

To Journal;  February 20th, 1977

         This will be my last entry.  I feel deep down inside that my time is drawing near, and I must get my affairs in order.

         I am no longer in a self-pity mode, but more into planning for things that are meant to be.  I have made my own funeral arrangements.  I used my savings and bought my burial plot.  They rest of my savings will be donated to the school after I am gone.  I have left a couple of items for David and Ken, which are wrapped and ready to give to them when they pick me up this afternoon; along with specific instructions.

         This afternoon we are going to the school for a game of basketball so the children wont feel neglected.  (I know they must be feeling that way by now, and I hate that there is nothing I can do to make it better.  But I am thankful in the knowledge that Dave and Ken will help them.)

         As I said, this will be the last entry of this journal.  I am wrapping it up and taking it to school; putting it in the very capable hands of Mrs. McGeorge, the schools’ principal.  She has already agreed to give it to David after I have passed, one month to the day.  So he will know how wonderful my life has become because of him.  So he can know it is time to move on with his life.  And so that he can know how much I truly loved him.

         It’s time for me to go.

         I’m afraid.  But I’m not.

 

David … I’ll always be there for you; by your side.  I’ll love you always.  Terry.

 

The End

 

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