Beginnings, Middles, And Endings

Alex and I were both part of the witness protection program. He had
been a mob informant and I was his girlfriend. Alex had sung like a
canary in front of the grand jury, but still treated me like shit, even
after the Justice Department had said we could be married. I was under
the impression that being his wife was the only way I could stay
alive.

The last night we were together he had murder in his eyes. He stared at
my pale unwashed face, streaked with the thoughts of a million years.
The portals of my soul were wide open to his utter dismay. His gaze was
deeply penetrating, my eyes dispassionate, blank and haunted. He
backhanded me across my mouth, screaming out his words again. " You
stupid Bitch, you've embarrassed me for the last time! " I expected
nothing less after I refused to sleep with his biggest client, who
offered him a 10 million dollar account for the pleasure of my
company.

Alex struck me with a one, two uppercut blow. He landed his last punch
for good measure, sending me sprawling. My head didn't take kindly to
his fists or the hardwood floor as familiar stale secrets rudely
waltzed through my mind. They are like the dazzling white ballgowns I
used to wear to coming out cotillions in high school and college. They
pose a problem, though..they are no longer elegant, beautiful with
luminescent beaded designs. They are much like me, unpolished and
unpoised, with no flowing grace. We are both heavily stained, caked
with the dead weight of a mummified mudslide.

Meeting Loki

My soul rises in lemon-torture from my slack, stupified body. I slowly
descend a steep winding staircase on a downward journey to my final
destination.
" Welcome to your very own personal, one of a kind ' Grand Inquisition
'. My name is Loki..the great god of internal discord, just in case you
might be wondering. "

I have become a fellow-trekker as he takes me with him to his demonic
dimensions.
We tred with shoeless feet, down an endless road of rocks and snares.
Loki is jubilant.
" Do you see who's come to join us? My best of friends. " He introduces
them one by one.
" This is Discontentment..he deals in dissatisfied unhappiness.This
next bloke is Discouragement..he's known for loss of motivation, lack
of confidence, and fading optimism. And last, but not least,
Disappointment..he sure can sadden and frustrate! "

He hands me a bill for my travel expenses. The list includes filling
every inch of my being with hopelessness, desperation, and frustration.
" Of course there are the extras, " he says as he squelches the last
dying ember of my uncorrupted innocence.

I look at him in disbelief. " How do you expect me to pay for this?
"

" That's a tough one, for sure! " He laughingly condemns my unheard,
droning confessions. " In my final judgement, I find you guilty of
numerous inborn sins. " His gavel reverberates throughout my brain. "
Freak, Curiosity ! " He pierces my eardrums.
" You are hardheaded and obstinate, a spend-thrift who squanders her
time.Your morose misery is concealed within your shameful cement shoes.
Your total bull-headed addiction has laid this burden squarely upon
your shoulders! " He imposes the prison sentence of itemized isolation.
" This should break that haughty, arrogant spirit of yours."

Am I truly deserving of my just rewards? I plunge into a retrograde of
collective confoundments. My brass-polished coffin visibly appears
before the near-side of my unbeliving comprehension..a silk-lined
crimson chamber which will house my transitory temporal soul.

An Escape

My consciousness returned in a depth charge detonation of firebright
hellish explosions..camera flashes again and again. Is it real or just
another one of my myriad delusions?

I forced my aching naked body to the bathroom, hoping for a release
from the prison cell I had created of my own freewill. This was the
first time that Alex had knocked me into unconsciousness..and it would
definitely be the last. My loving husband believed that I was finally
broken, a ruined woman compelled to bend to his will. My thoughts on
the subject rang bright with crystal clarity. I dressed with haste,
quickly putting a few essentials into a small bag. I would leave Alex
high and dry. Thank god I had enough sense to keep money in a bank
account under an assumed name. The time was going on 3am. I called my
only real
friend and told her I was on my way to her house. She had begged me to
leave Alex on numerous occassions. Jessica knew the right people to
contact in order for me to leave the country with a false passport and
papers. I walked to the safe where Alex kept a goodly stash of money,
knowing it should be more than enough to get me where I needed to go. I
wonder who I'll be?

When I arrived at her door, I saw a goodlooking man standing behind
her. He smiled when Jess introduced him as ' My brother. ' No names
were mentioned, which is all well and good for both of us.

" The camera is set up in the den..I just need a few face shots of you.
Give me one hour to get everything in order. " I sat for a few minutes,
then went to find Jessica so
he could develop my pictures and forge my passport and documents.

In the kitchen, Jessica had made a hot steaming pot of coffee for us to
drink. " Thanks, Jess..you're the best. " I gave her a bearhug.

She said, " You've always been there for me, and this is just a small
favor which doesn't begin to cover anything. I've come up with a plan
to make it look like you're dead, so Alex won't come searching for you.
My brother is going to take your car and drop it off at the marina
where you and Alex keep your boats. He knows a lot about
explosives..he'll rig the cutter and use a remote control device to
blow it up over open water. I'll pick him up while you're on your way
to.." she smiled. " Everyone will assume that you took the boat in
order to get away from Alex for a few days..I can always mention that
you called me and said you were going to your cabin at Grey Dolphin
Cove. " She held out her hand, palm up. " Purse, please. "

I gave her my bag with keys to the apartment, my car, and the boats we
owned, along with every bit of my old identity inside. I've kept my
other bank card on my person in order to transfer my funds to a
numbered Swiss account once I'm settled in. Jess went to the den and
returned with a new purse. She kissed me on my cheek. " I've called a
taxi to come pick you up and take you to the airport. " She slid an
envelope into my hand. " Just a little something to tide
you over. " A horn honked as the cab made its presence known.
" I love you, Jess, " Jessica was my witness protection program
contact. She had done this for me out of the goodness of her heart. On
the way to the airport, I dumped everything out of my new purse. My
name is Sara Rossman, and I have a ticket to Montreal, Canada. My
papers state I'm the proud owner of SR Detective Agency, and have been
in the US on official government business. There are legitimate credit
cards, marked keys and an address book. Jess had thought of everything.
The envelope itself contains $10,000. The plane rolled off the runway
at 8am without a hitch.

A week after I've settled in I turned on the tv and the last part of my
funeral was being played out on the six o'clock news. The priest talked
to all my friends and relatives. " I would ask you to call on your
unfailing faith, unlocking your vastly overflowing storerooms. Your
wife.. " He looked directly at my husband, " can faintly hear immortal
angelic voices, beseeching as they pray their Kyrie Eleison,
their never ending Angelus at morning, noon, and night.
Angel Of The Lord have mercy
Angel Of The Lord have mercy
Angel Of The Lord have mercy upon her soul

Beginnings

Carson O'Connor walked past the reception area, not waiting to be shown
into my private office by my secretary. He slammed the door behind him.
" You'd best tell me what's going on, Blaine! " I trusted Carson with
my very life..he was and had always been privy to all my secrets. We
were best friends, as well as being cousins. I knew he was royally
pissed when he called me by a name I no longer thought of as my own. He
slung a small box my way. " Open this and explain! "

I rolled my eyes. " It's best to let sleeping dogs lie, Carson. Blaine
no longer exists
for any of us. "

" That's not what anyone thinks now..Sara! "

Whatever was in that package must be worse than bad news. I removed the
lid, then jumped back as if a rattlesnake had struck me! " Hellfire and
double damnation..where the shit did you get these pictures? " I was
horrified, not at the nudity or explicit poses, but by the fact I was
the one who was exposed in her birthday suit.

" It gets better by the minute..as if you didn't know. What were you
thinking when you let that son-of-a-bitch take these pictures of you?
Weren't you the least little bit
embarrassed, Blaine? " Carson came up behind me and typed in a web
address on my computer keyboard.

" Would you be referring to that piece of crap I had the non-pleasure
of being married to for 5 years? " A lewd internet e-zine presented
many more naked photos for all computer owners with a credit card to
see. A sinking feeling sucker punched me and I felt physically ill.
Just when my life was getting back to a sense of normalcy.. " Carson,
calm down for a minute..we've known each other for years, and I've
never kept any secrets from you. You know better than to think I would
do anything like this. " I went back to the e-zine's homepage..Alex was
listed as the photographer who had submitted the photos. On closer
inspection I saw that text went along with each photo. The words were a
first stanza to one of my original poems, adding insult to injury. Alex
was the only one who had access to anything I had written. A portrayal
of what I wanted to do in and with my life came across loud and clear,
even though it was a pack of lies.

And she stood right there before him
In all her shining glory
Only asking that the pages in her history
Should start with this beginning

" I'd love to get my hands around that bastard's scrawny neck!? "
Carson's face turned purple with rage. " Well, Sara..are you going to
daydream or tell me what's going on? " Carson sat down and put his face
close to mine.

" Carson, nothing that you see here was done with my consent or
knowledge. " My overwhelming emotions had left me numb, while my nerves
were stripped as raw as my body had been. " Alex is very capable of
many brands of revenge! The last night I spent with him he wanted me to
sleep with his richest client so he could snag the biggest account of
his miserable life. " I breathed deeply. " Alex beat me numerous times,
but he said my non-compliance on this issue was the straw that broke
the camel's back. It only took a few blows for him to knock me out
cold. He had plenty of time to humiliate me, but never had the time to
put his plans into action because he thought I was dead, but why do it
now? " A horrific thought came to mind.
" Does Uncle Devon know ? "

" It's doubtful Blaine, but the shit will hit the fan soon enough.
Somebody will be bound to see this layout and ask him all kinds of
unanswerable questions. First on our list is to tell him
everything..I'll do that. "

" There's too much is at stake here, Carson. Find out what Alex has up
his sleeve. "
I snorted. " You know how much he relys on you. "

The intercom buzzed. " Ms. Rossman, a messenger is here to see you.
"

" I'll be there in a minute. " Carson sat and waited.

I came back in with a worried frown on my face. " What's wrong, Blaine?
"

" Read this and weep! " I handed him the message, knowing that Alex
wanted to draw me out into the open. ' S, Alex knows you're alive. J
'

" What are we going to do, Carson? "

Middles

I entered the lobby of the newly renovated Downtown Dunairre Hotel on
53rd Avenue. I bypassed the desk and walked at a fast clip to the row
of elevators. It was going to take a few minutes worth of time before I
would be able to board one, as they were all on the higher floors. I
wondered if it might be faster to take the stairs, but decided to wait,
tapping the toe of my black 9 West low-heeled shoe.

I glanced at my watch. " Good enough, " I thought. I breathed deeply,
relaxing before my next appointment. The bell dinged and I squeezed
tightly into the small compartment along with the other passengers. I
thanked my lucky stars I didn't have the slightest hint of
claustrophobia. Men, women, and children got off at their respective
floors and I was left alone. I smiled to myself, checking my lack of
makeup in the compact mirror I held. I untied the sash on my trenchcoat
and fluffed my curly blond hair.

The elevator stopped at the penthouse suite, and I was met by my
client. He looked as good as ever, but I was way beyond that phase of
my life. I took the smooth hand he offered, walking into the familiar
surroundings. " Have a seat. " He pointed to the Italian leather chair
which faced the matching couch. Not much had changed since the last
time I had been here. The coffee table had one manilla envelope on the
glass top. " Would you care for anything to drink Ms.Rossman..coffee,
tea, scotch and water perhaps? "

" No, thank you. " My gaze was steady, and I knew that the brown
contacts I wore were perfect. Hiring a voice coach had been a stroke of
genius. I knew the man sitting across from me would not be able to
detect an accent of any kind.

He withdrew papers and photographs, spreading them out before me. "
I've heard from reliable sources that you're the best in the business.
These are the pictures and a short bio of the woman I want you to find.
" The face which stared at me, the black as midnight hair, hazel green
eyes, and red pouty lips..we had been acquainted for years. I picked up
the page which told me all my client thought I should know in order to
get the job done.

" And if I accept? "

He opened a small briefcase filled with stacks of $100 bills. " 1
million now, and another million when you bring her to me. " I took the
money from him.
" You have 48 hours in which to find Blaine Marshall. "

He walked me to the elevator, and I was met by his right-hand man. "
Mr. O'Connor will escort you down. " He pressed a button and in minutes
we were on the sidewalk.

Carson had the doorman hail me a taxi.. " Driver, take the lady to
Lagunas. " I could change there with no one being the wiser. There was
no telling who Alex might have watching my every move. I knew his way
of thinking..if Sara Rossman could lead him to Blaine Marshall, then he
wouldn't have to shell out any more money for services rendered. A
blonde in a trenchcoat would be going in and a redhead wearing a white
frilly blouse and leopard print skirt would be coming out. The car
pulled up to the ritzy restaurant. I paid the fare, tipping the driver
$50.

The door whooshed, and I was enveloped by cool air and the wonderful
smells of the house specialty. LaShrimp Lagunas..breaded fried shrimp
drizzled in cocoanut and pineapple juices. Jeffrey, the head waiter,
knew Carson very well, and I followed him to Carson's usual table near
the kitchen door. It would be an easy slip through the pots, pans, and
chefs to the alley. He wrote down my order and came back a few minutes
later bearing a tray with the house specialty and unsweetened tea.
Jeffrey always took care of Carson's lady friends. " If anyone should
ask about me, you know the rules. " I took five $100 bills from my
purse and pressed them into his hand.

Jeffrey went about his business, whistling a tune with a smile on his
lips. I ate my lunch, reading the two page report, while glancing at
the images and the memories they conjured. It told me nothing I didn't
already know: age, weight, height, likes, dislikes, places I
frequented, the clothes and perfumes I liked to wear.

Jeffrey had supplied me with access to the employee's keyed lockers,
having made me a copy of the masterkey. I unlocked # 43, drawing out my
wig and clothes. I walked to the last stall, removed everything that
could arouse suspicion, and dressed in my new outfit. I adjusted my red
pageboy wig, and slipped on dark sunglasses. Everything I had worn went
into a paper bag which I stuffed into the bottom of the trash bin. I
wound my way past cooks and stoves, avoiding the dumpsters in the short
alleyway, then turned left onto 52nd Avenue. I strolled leisurely, just
another face in the throng of people headed home from work.

One last contact and all things would equal out. Ben's cabstand was
right around the corner. With any luck, I could be on my way in
minutes.

" Damn! " Nothing available. The blaring horn across the street caught
my attention, and bittersweet thoughts faded like bluejeans washed on a
daily basis. " Where to, Lady? " The burly cabbie asked. The stench of
cigar smoke hung heavy in the air. Sheer perfection. The odor would
cling to my clothes, just reinforcing the idea that I had spent the
afternoon in the boardroom with the moguls who ran DecoWorx, LTD.

" Nottingham Financial Towers, please. " The radio was tuned to soft
rock. Celine Dion sang, " When you need it the most, there's no easy
way out. " That was so true in my case.

The cab double parked in front of the ultra modern building. I looked
at the amount on the meter, and handed the driver $100 for a $25 ride.
" Gee, thanks, Lady, you can ride with me anytime you like! " He tipped
his baseball cap and roared off down the street.

The 19th floor beckoned, as my heart raced and my breathing quickened.
The President of Quartermaine Diversified Banking met me at his private
office. " Ms. Rossman, what can I do for you this afternoon? " He
closed the door for privacy. I knew Devon Quartermaine was a man who
took his business dealings seriously.

He stepped back abruptly when I kissed him on the cheek. " Uncle, I'm
so glad that you agreed to see me on such short notice. " I slipped off
my red wig, my raven tresses cascading around my shoulders.

Devon Quartermaine smiled in delight, then hugged me to him. " Carson
said I would be in for a huge surprise today. " He had tears in his
eyes. " Why did you let everyone close to you believe you were dead?
And why in heaven's name are you pretending to be Sara Rossman? "

" Have a seat, Uncle Devon. This might take some time. "

He picked up his phone. " Cancel this afternoon's 4 o'clock meeting.
Reschedule it for Monday morning. " He turned to face me, taking my
hands in his. " Tell me what's going on. "

I explained the events which had shaped my life..both past and present.
I paced back and forth as I talked. " I accepted the fact I could never
come home, but life has been known to throw you a curve ball when you
least expect it! This past May I got a tip from a reliable source that
Alex assumed I wasn't dead and was putting out feelers to detective
agencies across the USA and Canada. I made a decision to confront
him..as Sara Rossman, of course. " Devon didn't seem the least bit
pleased by that bit of knowledge. " He's paid me $1 million dollars
cash upfront and expects me to deliver myself to him in 48 hours. " I
handed my Uncle a stack of bills from the briefcase. " Alex is one
tricky bastard, that's for sure. Could these bills be counterfeit?
"

Devon left his office for a few minutes.When he came back, he said, "
No news is good news, Blaine. They are the work of a pro, but fake
through and through." He spoke into the intercom. " Get me Ryan
Andrews. " He put his hand over the mouthpiece. " Ryan owes me a favor,
and I want to help you bring Alex to his knees. "

Even though a lengthy conversation ensued, Devon didn't divulge details
about my former or current identity. I would be spending the evening in
my Uncle's private office, which had a room off to the side with a pull
out couch. We would be meeting Andrews the next morning at his
residence in Winston Harbor.

" Uncle Devon, there's one more piece to the puzzle. " I gave him the
e-zine address, and told him I was going to the ladies room to freshen
up. I didn't want to see the disapproval or disappointment in his
eyes.

When I returned, the computer was back at it's former page. " Blaine,
when I talked to Carson this afternoon, he told me about this sleazy
article. I'm sorry that there are men in this world willing to do
anything for easy money. " Devon put his arm around my shoulders.

Devon's executive secretary brought sandwiches and coffee. " I hear
you're a grandfather now. I always hoped to have babies, but being
married to Alex quashed that idea. " I shivered. " Alex definitely
wouldn't qualify as father or parent material. I haven't allowed myself
to get close to anyone since my 'death'. "

" You're a strong woman, Blaine. One of these days you'll find a man
who can give you everything you want and need in this life. " He
glanced at his watch. " I have to leave, but I'll return at 8am. Get a
good night's rest. " Devon kissed my cheek.

I tossed and turned, finally waking up at 7am. I had just finished
adjusting the red wig and putting on appropriate make-up when Uncle
Devon unlocked the door to his office.
" Are you ready to meet Ryan Andrews? "

Devon drove us to Winston Harbor where we met Ryan Andrews at his
houseboat, berthed in slip 27. He sat in a deck chair, coffee cup in
hand. He wore cutoffs, his back and chest bronzed, brown hair streaked
blond by the sun. I never knew him by name, but did recognize him
immediately as the man who had given me life as Sara Rossman. He got up
when he saw us. " Mr. Quartermaine, it's nice to see you again. " They
shook hands.
" Shall we ? " He led the way down to a small, but tidy living
area.

" I owe Devon a bigtime favor and I'm a man who always pays his debts.
" Ryan nodded at Devon. " He helped me recover a huge amount of money
from an unscrupulous investment company, underwritten by Alexander
Marshall, Amalgomated. "

" Yes, I know all about Alex Marshall. He's a scam artist
extraordinaire and a sly dog who usually has his back covered. " I gave
Ryan a hard stare, but kept what I knew about him to myself.

Devon handed a cellphone and piece of paper to Andrews. He scanned the
information, then held out his hand to me. " It's a pleasure to meet
you, Ms. Rossman. " Ryan winked at me and then dialed the number. "
Yes, Alex Marshall, please. " He held the line for a minute. " Mr.
Marshall, we've managed to locate your wife. " He listened while Alex
gave him instructions, then gave the phone back to my Uncle. " We're
supposed to meet him at his wife's cabin, Grey Dolphin Cove this
afternoon at one. "

" Then that's what we'll do, as I have the info that Alex wants. Ryan,
I need you to pose as my associate." I didn't let on to my Uncle that
Ryan and I had dealt with each other before. " From what I know about
Mr. Marshall, he has very little faith in the human race as a whole,
and none whatsoever where women are concerned. " I smiled at
Ryan.
" Devon says you have a boat that we can use. "

" I have a 16 ft. speedboat that should get us to the cove and back
with no problems. " Ryan looked pleased as punch. " Miss Bee should be
ready to rock'n'roll by noon. "

My Uncle rose. " I'm trusting Ms. Rossman to you, Ryan. Take good care
of her. "

Ryan said, " Wait up a minute and I'll walk you to your limo. "

The bayview was pretty much the way I remembered it. I jumped out of my
skin as a hand laid itself on my shoulder. " Devon said you'd explain
everything to my satisfaction, because that's the only way you'll get
my help. "

" Only if we can go below deck. " I went first, removing my wig and
sunglasses when I was sure I was out of sight.

" So it really is you. Jess never told me your real name, although my
gut instinct tells me you're Alex Marshall's wife, Blaine. It's a
pleasure to make your aquaintance. "

" Yes, I'm still married to that son of a bitch, " I hissed though my
teeth. " Devon is my uncle and he wants to keep me safe and sound,
while sticking it to Alex! I'll give you $50,000 for your time and
trouble. "

Ryan's phone rang, jangling my nerves. " Yes, I'm on my way. Let's go,
Ms. Rossman, or would you prefer I call you Sara or Blaine? "

" Whichever one you can remember will do just fine. "

I followed him to his jeep, climbed into the front seat, and buckled my
seat belt. " By the by, this afternoon is on me. No charge except for
the adventure itself! " I had given Ryan a short explanation of what
was to transpire.

It took all of two minutes to get to Miss Bee. She was red and sleek. I
knew she would be fast as greased lightning on the open water of the
bay. " She's a beauty. " I ran my hands up and down her polished
side.

" She's my pride and joy... runs like a charm. " The saltwater tasted
good on my tongue as we sped over choppy waves for about 30 minutes.
The shortcut to the slew came into sight and Ryan slowed to idle speed
in the brackish narrows. Grey Dolphin Cove was an area well protected
from public view. It was private land which had been in my family for
years. A lone figure stood next to the boathouse at the end of the
dock, awaiting our arrival. As we approached, I noticed it wasn't Alex
who stood there, but his right-hand man, Carson O'Connor. Events were
slowly falling into place.

Carson tied us off, and we stepped out of Miss Bee. He brandished a
blue-steel .38 revolver.
" You know the way to the cabin, start walking! " I led the way,
trudging uphill at a slow pace.

Alex was waiting inside. He paid no attention to me or Ryan. " Good
job, O'Connor. Your information was reliable, I trust? " Carson nodded
as he pulled off my wig and stripped me of my sunglasses. Alex kissed
me hard on my lips, as his hands dug into my arms, then pushed me away.
" You slut, you'll get what's coming to you this time...in spades! " He
turned to Carson.
" I don't want any loose ends. After you've tied them up, burn this
place to the ground! "

Carson gave an order which we obeyed. " Sit! " He tied each of us up to
chairs while Alex watched with glee. Alex took out a pistol and would
have killed us on the spot, but Carson intervened. " Let me have that
honor, Sir. " The tranquilizer gun worked its magical effects. Ryan and
I were out cold, giving Alex enough time to leave before my cabin was
torched.

Earlier in the day Carson had set up a meeting with a gang leader who
was now the proud recipient of the $1 million counterfeit dollars that
had been given to Sara Rossman. In exchange, Carson received cocaine
and weapons. In an effort to be Mr. Nice Guy, Carson dropped the gift
of coke and guns by Alex's penthouse suite. Alex would have guests that
would want an explanation, namely agents from the FBI and the CIA. The
prison system would welcome Alex back with open arms and their own
unique brand of hospitality.

Endings

A hand shook my shoulder.." Wake up, Blaine. You too, Ryan. It's time
to
get out of here. " Devon cut the ropes, and we beat a hasty retreat to
his limousine. With only seconds to spare, he pulled onto the main
road. We heard a loud explosion, and saw black smoke and red flames
rising from the cabin's remains.

" That was a close call, Blaine. " Excitement twinkled in Ryan's eyes.
" When can we do it again? "

" Never is soon enough for me, Ryan, but I do have a proposition for
you. Seeing as you're lacking essential elements of fun and danger in
your life, how would you like to become my business partner? I'm going
to open another detective agency, and I'll need a man with your skills
and qualifications to help me run it. "

" How long do I have to think about it? " Ryan asked.

" Until we get to the airstrip at Macer's Grove. It's a now or never
type deal offered only once. Your former life is over and done with,
Ryan. Carson has a passport and papers for each of us. Whether you take
me up on this or not, you're a dead man as far as the world is
concerned. "

Devon made a left turn at the next street, getting on the interstate.
He turned the radio on. The announcer said in his most dramatic voice,
" The big news of the day folks, is the explosion at Grey Dolphin Cove
less than an hour ago. It belonged to Alexander Marshall. In a strange
twist of fate, Marshall has been arrested for drug dealing and gun
running. " He gave a short laugh.
" And heaven knows what or who was in that cabin when it blew? We'll
keep you updated on the hour. "

" Thank god that chapter in my life has ended. " The limo stopped while
the small twin engine Piper warmed up. Carson was there with a
briefcase in his hand. " Blaine, this is for you. It's money from
Alex's illegal investments..enjoy. " He kissed my cheek, then
whispered, " I'm going to miss you, Cuz. "

" The same goes for me, Carson. You know I'll be in touch, when all of
this dies down. " I hugged him tight and walked over to Devon. " Uncle
Devon, I love you,
you're the best! "

" Blaine, I wish you could stay, but I know it's a dangerous situation
for you. If you ever need me..." He held me tight. I kissed him
good-bye as the pilot motioned that he was ready to go.

I wondered what Ryan had decided but got my answer when he climbed into
the backseat. We left land and old lives behind us.