My wife and I always get an early jump on Valentines Day because we where married on February 10 over 35 years ago and it has been the best 35 years in my life. at least I can say I have been married more years than not. Marriage is a time for change for both the man and woman, not just one or the other. The most important thing you learn is the word no. There are so many ways it can be said to what "no" really means.

But for now I will just be happy that there is still someone to tell me "NO"

Dee

I will be out of touch for a little while I have had quite a lot of things going on. For those who don't know me I started a project about a year ago ( Used Medical Aids Foundation ) I just got several truck loads of wheelchairs walkers scooters from a county hospital and have 2 truck loads from another hospital to get. I go threw the items and fix them up as close to new as I can then I post them in other groups that I belong to. There is no money involved no donation required only the need. I have several letters from people in my area that need something so I am trying to get as many ready as i can. I am getting help from the Boy Scouts in my area because I'm still not up to par yet but I can turn a wrench. so if I don't respond to the wonderful stories, poems, jokes, or pictures its because this santa is really busy right now.

Dennis

The Present

By Dee 

Christmas is a wonderful time of year walking along the store fronts lingering at the bakery shop with the fresh smell of goodies. Watching people go in and out of shops, with arm loads of packages. Hearing a bell ring at in front of a toy shop is reminding us, that there are others that need help.

 As you drive home you stop at a park where the kids are going as fast as they can down the hill on their sleds. There are no barriers between kids, no black, white, red, or yellow they just want to have fun. A little girl falls down and a woman picks her up and brushes the snow off and then gives her a hug.

Then Rose wakes up and realized it was a dream, remembers this last summer her husband and three kids, 2 girls and 1 boy won’t be sharing Christmas together anymore. Coming down out of the canyon her husband lost control of the car and went over the side. All Rose has now are pictures of times past that they shared together.

Rose goes out to get her mail the wind is bitterly cold and it looks like snow will soon come. As she gets to her front door a neighbor waves to her and says Marry Christmas. She waves back but says nothing. Looking at the mail that came that day reminds her of her lost family once again. She looks up into the mirror of the bathroom and sees a tear running down her cheek.

Why am I doing this still, it’s been 5 months and I need to get on with my life she says to herself. But a small voice says to her, “Mommy I love you”.

Her heart is aching and she can here herself saying I love you to. Then the tears start to flow and the tissue box is empty, so she uses the paper on the roll to dry her eyes.

Just then the phone rings and the man on the phone say’s “I am trying to raise money for those children that won’t have a Christmas”. Rose cuts him off by hanging up the phone.

As she goes to the bedroom and lies down on the bed to cry her eyes out like she has done so many in the last 5 months. She is saying to herself I’m not strong, I can’t take it anymore I don’t want to live. Again she hears another voice say “watch what I can do mommy”.

By the December 23^rd Rose is loosing her will to live and is trying to think of the best way to end the pain and suffering. But nighttime has come and she takes a pill to help her sleep.

In the morning she goes to the drugstore to pick up her medicine for depression and for sleeping. As she drives home she sees some girls in front of a store selling cookies. Again she hears a voice that says “Mmmmmm mommy they taste so good can I have another one”.

At home she says to her self NO! NO MORE! And then she sees the medicine that she just bought and says that’s how I will do it. When I go to bed tonight I will take all my meds and never wake up.

That night was the 24^th of December the worse night of the year to her remembering how the kids would try and sneak in to the living room to see what Santa had brought. Her eyes are red and her mind is filled with the missing images of Christmas in her home. She sits down to watch some TV but is started feeling sleepy so she lay down on the couch and closed her eyes.

The headline in the morning announces, “ANOTHER TRAGATY HAS HIT A HOME IN LESS THAN 6 MONTHS”.

Rose could hear something then she heard it again but she had a hard time understanding what it was she heard. It came again but this time she heard mommy?

Rose opened her eyes and there in front of her was a little girl and beside her was another little girl with a little boy beside her. And standing behind them was a man holding out his hand. As she touches it, all of her thoughts comes to her. It’s her family she hugs them and kisses them. And starts to cry and says, how can this be. It’s another dream you are not real I have to wake up.

Her one little girl says, no mommy it’s not a dream we are here with you.

Headlines on the local news, “ANOTHER TRAGATY HAS HIT A HOME IN LESS THAN 6 MONTHS”. A local woman dies in her sleep it seems that she had a faulty water heater and the pilot light went out but the gas didn’t stop.

Rose looked at her husband and said you mean I didn’t take all those pills like I was planning?

Her husband said no I was watching over you this whole time and it hurt me so to see you in such pain. I went to plead to help you and was told that I didn’t need to you where coming tonight to be with us forever.

Just then she heard singing it was the most beautiful song she had ever heard. And then there was a bright light, brighter than any she had ever seen before.

CHRISTMAS

Now that Thanksgiving and Black Friday are over with and you have plenty of leftovers what else could you need.

Christmas is just a few weeks away and if you where smart you would have all your Christmas shopping all done.

My self I have a hard time sleeping because so many people have fallen on hard times. There is a family down the street that is just at the end of their rope and its 300 feet to the bottom.

Every year my wife and I look for just a family. To no fault of their own he has lost his job the first of the month and his wife is expecting their 4^th child. He is working part time just to put food on the table. His wife does a lot of craft things and has helped in cub scouts and as a room mother for her oldest child who is in 2^nd grade. But this year she has not been able to do much because the doctor told her that she should have waited another year to have another child. She has to be on bed rest till the middle of Feb.

My wife and I choose to do sub for Santa to a family just like this and we have gotten a few things for the family. I received a e-mail from someone that I helped this summer with a wheelchair. In the e-mail it said we know that you will not take money for your foundation. And we also know that your wife has been working to pay bills and help taking care of her mother. Tomorrow a truck will come to with presents for a family that you feel needs some help with Christmas. Along with an envelope with a check for $1,000.00 the payee will be blank. Plus there will be a special card that will have $200.00 on it for gas.

I couldn’t believe it I know this family could use it and more but the biggest thing was that there was a job for either the father or mother working as a janitor at a place that is really good to the employs.

They had also heard that I had been in an accident and wasn’t able to do my part this year.

I have to tell you that I have put on a Santa suit almost 30 years and I have helped deliver sub for Santa to families from other people. But this year I feel that for one night I really am Santa and its like magic far stronger than even superman. They have three little girls and they are the cutest always with a smile. And I know that when the time comes there will be the wonderment in their eyes anticipating what’s in the boxes. I just wish I could be there when they open their presents but I’m afraid that I may have some plumbing problems that I couldn’t control.

I remember one Christmas when my girls where little and they had cut backs at my job several had been laid off and the rest that still had a job our hours went from 40 to 32. I had told my wife that it was going to take everything I got on my check just to pay the bills. But then someone told me about a place where I could do some piece work making rubber valves for pipe lines. I worked real hard for 5 weeks in my spare time and was able to get enough to have a little Christmas. But the week before Christmas one of our girls got real sick and was put in the hospital for a couple of days.

Back then we had to pay a co-pay which took everything we had for Christmas. It was the 23 of Dec. and all of a sudden we heard some noise outside and there where friends and neighbors with boxes of things.

I have always thought of myself as someone who doesn’t need help. I didn’t want to feel like a charity case but I always knew how I felt when I was able to help someone in trouble. My wife told me its time you let someone else feel good by helping you.

So if you think you see something in the night sky on the 24^th don’t be surprised if you see me in a sleigh.

Ho, HO, HOO Marry Christmas

Dee

CHRISTMAS

Now that Thanksgiving and Black Friday are over with and you have plenty of leftovers what else could you need.

Christmas is just a few weeks away and if you where smart you would have all your Christmas shopping all done.

My self I have a hard time sleeping because so many people have fallen on hard times. There is a family down the street that is just at the end of their rope and its 300 feet to the bottom.

Every year my wife and I look for just a family. To no fault of their own he has lost his job the first of the month and his wife is expecting their 4^th child. He is working part time just to put food on the table. His wife does a lot of craft things and has helped in cub scouts and as a room mother for her oldest child who is in 2^nd grade. But this year she has not been able to do much because the doctor told her that she should have waited another year to have another child. She has to be on bed rest till the middle of Feb.

My wife and I choose to do sub for Santa to a family just like this and we have gotten a few things for the family. I received a e-mail from someone that I helped this summer with a wheelchair. In the e-mail it said we know that you will not take money for your foundation. And we also know that your wife has been working to pay bills and help taking care of her mother. Tomorrow a truck will come to with presents for a family that you feel needs some help with Christmas. Along with an envelope with a check for $1,000.00 the payee will be blank. Plus there will be a special card that will have $200.00 on it for gas.

I couldn’t believe it I know this family could use it and more but the biggest thing was that there was a job for either the father or mother working as a janitor at a place that is really good to the employs.

They had also heard that I had been in an accident and wasn’t able to do my part this year.

I have to tell you that I have put on a Santa suit almost 30 years and I have helped deliver sub for Santa to families from other people. But this year I feel that for one night I really am Santa and its like magic far stronger than even superman. They have three little girls and they are the cutest always with a smile. And I know that when the time comes there will be the wonderment in their eyes anticipating what’s in the boxes. I just wish I could be there when they open their presents but I’m afraid that I may have some plumbing problems that I couldn’t control.

I remember one Christmas when my girls where little and they had cut backs at my job several had been laid off and the rest that still had a job our hours went from 40 to 32. I had told my wife that it was going to take everything I got on my check just to pay the bills. But then someone told me about a place where I could do some piece work making rubber valves for pipe lines. I worked real hard for 5 weeks in my spare time and was able to get enough to have a little Christmas. But the week before Christmas one of our girls got real sick and was put in the hospital for a couple of days.

Back then we had to pay a co-pay which took everything we had for Christmas. It was the 23 of Dec. and all of a sudden we heard some noise outside and there where friends and neighbors with boxes of things.

I have always thought of myself as someone who doesn’t need help. I didn’t want to feel like a charity case but I always knew how I felt when I was able to help someone in trouble. My wife told me its time you let someone else feel good by helping you.

So if you think you see something in the night sky on the 24^th don’t be surprised if you see me in a sleigh.

Ho, HO, HOO Marry Christmas

Dee

The Fishing Pond

It never ceases to amazes me what kids do in their spare time. I was watching my grand kids one day this summer and saw them stuck to the TV tube. It didn’t matter what anyone did, the kids wouldn’t leave.

In the other room they where at the computer it was like a magnet so strong that it would pull others to it.

I decided to try something it wasn’t big and I told my wife what I was going to do. The dish where done the living room was clean. No one thought to bring an I pod with them to grandma’s and grandpa’s house.

Just then we lost power the TV was off, the computer was off. The kids where looking, and checking the plugs but everything was in order.

It was 11:00 in the morning so it was warm out side but there weren’t any kids outside.

Well the first thing the kids did was to tell me to fix the problem so they could go back to what they where doing. I know they wanted me to do my magic and fix it.

I just told them that my magic wouldn’t work this time I needed to get something at the store to help me.

The kids looked like they where lost couldn’t think for themselves. I went into my garage to look around and asked the kids to come and help. Up in the rafters I had made some storage places for like camping gear and things like that. I told the kids that what I needed was way in back of all the stuff. So I went up the ladder and started handing things down to the kids. First a tire came down and then a couple of sleeping bags and a tackle box and then some fishes polls.

Then one of the grand kids said “I’ve been fishing before” as though it was a big thing. So I asked would you like to go again. Of course he said yes but he said we went far, far away and it took them all day to get there.

I smiled at him and said well I know one that is closer and will only take about an hour to get to. Then the rest popped up and said can we come. Sure I said I have to check with grandma first.

My wife had made sandwiches and put them in a box along with some other things. But she said I’m coming along as well or you can make your own sandwiches.

So off we went. I had turned the radio off and they didn’t even notice. Grandma asked do any of you know a song we all can sing. So we sang songs the whole way. When se got there some wanted to fish others wanted to go for a hike.

We caught several fish and I showed the kids how to clean them.

We spent about 5 hours there and not one of them complained and on the way back I taught them some songs from when I was a kid.

When we got back home and their parents came that’s all they could talk about. The showed the parents the fish and other things they had found and the songs they learned.

As they where about to leave I asked would you like to do it again some time.

Their answer was yes “tomorrow”

After the accident the kids thought that was the end of the trips. But grandma told them she had plans for going on a trip before Christmas.

We shall see how it turns out.

Dee

Sun Rise Sun Sets

I use to thing when the sun came up in the morning that some day it will be gone and there will be no light. When I would see it go down in the evening I would think could we live in the dark.

Science has gone so fast in the last 2 decades that most people haven’t had time to catch up to it. More and more babies are being born and we are trying to mold them into something better than what we did.

It’s sad to see young people start out in school with the fear that another child will snap. Who knows what will happen? I see more and more people home schooling their kids because of that fear.

Drugs play a big part! It is so easy to get and is sold at the market, school grounds, and yes even in the churches.

Someone says something wrong and all of a sudden a war breaks out. With the new weapons that are coming out so you can kill more people. They range from grandfather to a newborn girl. It can’t be stopped because man has not found a way to live together. What’s even worse its all done in the name of god or a god.

Now I don’t worry if the sun will burn out because I believe that we will blow it up along with ourselves.

I just pray that I am not going to be around when it happens!

Dee

You would have thought that if one of the guys didn’t come back the rest would go searching for the guy. It didn’t mater because it just meant that they either had a little too much of a buzz or didn’t care or best yet “to stupid”.

By midnight they had most of them gagged and tied and where asleep. Of course Ben and Jerry took everything from the guys to see if useable or indemnification. It turned out that at least half of them had a gun of some kind. By 4 A.M. they had them all tied up and disarmed and gagged and hanging from trees.

In the morning Ben took his motorcycle and drove to the phone and dialed 911. With in 45 minutes there were a couple officers putting cuffs on the guys.

Jerry and Ben told the officers that at least one was wanted and has a poster in the police station. Then they handed the weapons and the wallets the guys where carrying. Then they gave a full report on the whole situation and why they where there.

One of the officers told the boys that they better pack it up and head on home.

Jerry said why everyone camps here at one time or another. We didn’t break any laws I just came out here to clear my head and get some rest.

The officer said well this area is now a crime seen and we don’t want things messed up.

Ben jumped in and said will move on because we don’t want to get in anymore trouble and then thanked them for coming.

Jerry on the other hand turned and gave Ben a look of we just got here, but said nothing.

After everyone was gone Jerry told Ben that they had only been there 2 days and now we’re heading home?

Ben said of course we will be heading home but not today or tomorrow. I just told the officer that we would pack it up and leave but I didn’t tell him when I would pack it up. We can set up camp further up stream. I saw a place that looked a little nicer and it had Ben used before.

Jerry gave Ben a pat on the back and said what a friend.

Sense they really didn’t get any sleep they moved camp climbed into their sleeping bags and crashed for a few hours and then got up and went fishing again. They didn’t keep any they just wanted something to do.

The next day they decided to hike up to the mountain top to see what was on the other side.

Jerry said that’s a long way up there are you sure we can make it.

Ben chuckled and said at least we can try.

They thought if they would take a light load so it wouldn’t get to tired and be able to enjoy it. The problem they had been that what they thought wasn’t it was kind of a hill and kept on going up to the top. They didn’t care it was just something to do.

They finally stopped to get their bearings and see how far they had come. After talking it over they figured that they had gone up a couple thousand feet in elevation and had walked about three miles.

Something they didn’t think about was it started to get a little chilly. Even though it was late August being up that high it would get a little chilly. They put on there light coats and kept on going.

About 3 P.M. Ben turned around to look out over the valley and figured they where close it the top. But coming from the north they saw dark clouds had just started to blocked the sun and it looked like they where going to get rained on. But they where up so high the clouds might go under them. When the clouds got closer they knew they where going to get wet but it didn’t rain it snowed and snowed.

Jerry said we better head back on down before we get stuck up here.

They turned around and the path that they where on was gone, no trace of it but just three inches of snow. It was really snowing hard now and there was about a foot on the ground. Ben stepped on a rock and slipped and landed on his rear, but he was ok. Ben said we better not try going down until the snow stops, even if we have to stay here all night.

Jerry said lets see use the snow for a shelter and see if snow cave really works. But they where having trouble trying to find a flat area to make there cave.

The wind started picking up and the snow was going sideways now. That wasn’t good because no mater what they tried to build the wind would blow it away. A foot and a half of snow was on the ground now and the wind was really blowing harder than before.

Ben said there’s a big pine tree over there and the ground under it only has a little bit of snow.

There was a large bolder on the north side of the tree which acted like a natural beerier from the snow.  The bolder was also blocking the wind from coming under the tree, and if they could build some side walls from snow it would be a good shelter.

Both Ben and Jerry started working on the only shelter and they didn’t have any problems with there walls blowing away. Ben was looking at the ground under the tree and found several branches so they used a few big ones to support the walls of snow. Jerry was looking for other tree branches and was planning to get some fire going.

After about an hour working on their shelter their fingers where numb and Ben had the chills, they needed to get some warmth fast. Jerry had a lighter so they would be able to start the fire. Ben scraped what snow was on the ground away till he got to some pine needles and made a small pile of it. Then he placed small pieces of the wood that Jerry had gotten on top of the needles. Then Ben tried to light a fire, but the lighter wasn’t working.

Ben started to panic but Jerry put the lighter to his ear and he could hear the gas hissing. So that meant that the flint was wet.

Jerry got out a piece of TP and stuck it in where the flint was and tried to dry it. Ben tried it again and got some sparks so he pushed the lever down and hit the flint at the same time and there was a flam but the wind blew it out. So Ben bent down and cupped his hands around the lighter to block any wind and touched it to the pine needles and they started to burn. And before long they had a nice little fire going.

Now they could work more on there shelter as long as they had a fire to get them warm. Another hour and there shelter was as good as it was going to get and they moved the fire closer to the shelter.

Jerry smiled and said he was tried and needed to go to sleep but he didn’t have a sleeping bag.

Ben said I made a couple of blankets so I’m sure with some pine needles you can make a nice bed. Then Ben pulled out a bunch and cut strips of tree limb and wove them till there was a patch big enough to cover a person. He handed it to Jerry and told him to try it out.

Jerry had made a real nice nest with pine needles and put the blanket over him and 5 minutes later he was asleep. Ben collected all the wood he could find, so that there was enough to keep the fire going for the night.

In the morning when they woke the sun was shining and there was 3 foot drifts all over the place but they didn’t want to be stuck out there for another night. Also during the night it was one thing not to be able to see and relying on a stick or your feet to find your way.  But during the day they could see what was in front of them and there was no guess work.  

They didn’t waist any time on heading down the mountain where they could some food. They made sure their hiking stick was with them at all times so that they could test cracks or hollow places. So if there was a spot that was covered by snow their hiking sticks would be find out if it was safe to stepped there.

They had to take it slow at first till they got down out of the snow. But once they where out of the snow, they went as fast, as they dared.

When they got into camp they hurried and ate a good meal and decided to try and get a little sleep.

They came out to the tent real groggy and were just about to get a campfire going. When all of a sudden there was a voice behind them telling them to raise their hands. They did as instructed and turned around.

Jerry recognized instantly, as the other guy in the attempted robbery.

Ben asked who are you and what do you want?

Jerry said this is the other guy I told you about. But I thought he was with the bunch that the police took with the rest of his buddies.

The guy gave a laugh in mockery over that statement and said those guys where so stupid. I told them to lay off the beer till after you 2 where caught, but they didn’t listen, and so they are in jail and not me. I stayed in the car, and then when I heard the commotion I looked up and didn’t see any of my guys. So I figured you had surprised them and tied them up one at a time.

I slipped out of the car and went down the road till I found a shack and spent the night there. In the morning I went back to your camp and you weren’t there and neither was my guys. So I waited and thought how I was going to get the upper hand on you guys and you gave it to me when you went in for a nap.

Ben asked do you really want our deaths over your head.

The guy said doesn’t matter because if I go before a judge I’ll be a three time looser. I go up for life this time and there are a few old inmates that will be glad to see me. Because I owe them money and they won’t make things pretty for me, if you know what I mean.

Jerry said you must have hated your mother or something.

The guy laughed again and said I never knew my parents I was raised by my aunt and uncle. And every day I was told that my parents where no good and my aunt would haul me off to her church every Sunday, weather I was sick or not. When I turned 14 I had, had enough. One night I snuck into there bedroom while they where asleep and took both their wallets. There wasn’t much cash but the credit cards got me about 4 thousand dollars before one ATM said there was a problem and kept the card. That was ok because I had enough to get me started in my line of work. You don’t trust anyone and it’s always you first, and then your buddies second.

So Ben said you believed your aunt and uncle about your parents and then you robbed them. I bet you still hate them and wish you could steel from them again.

Ben was trying to keep his attention because he saw Jerry working on the tent rope with his foot, and hoped it would cause a distraction.

It did the trick and Ben sung into action. Ben with a round house and a swift kick knocked the gun out of his hand. But the gun went off when Ben hit the guys hand, and he didn’t see where the bullet went. But he didn’t stop he worked on the guy till he was out cold.

When Ben straightened up he saw Jerry lying on the ground. Ben ran to his side and saw blood coming out of Jerry’s left shoulder. Ben tore Jerry’s shirt open to see if he could do something. There was a lot of blood and Ben figured it must have hit an artery and so he put pressure on the wound to stop the bleeding.

After a few minutes the bleeding had stopped but Jerry had lost a lot of blood and he needed to get him to a hospital as fast as he could. Ben had heard of an idea that had helped in saving other lives. He found a stick and scrapped the skin off the stick so that he had a smooth surface around the stick. Ben was trying to hold stomach down he had to do this, and repeated to him self I am helping him not hurting him. Then he took the stick and shoved it into the wound in front until it went through the other side in back. It was luck that the bullet went all the way through then packed it with gauss.

Ben heard the guy start to move and so he ran over to the guy and hogtied him. Then he put jerry in the motorcycle trailer and took off. He made it to the country story where he ran inside.

No one was in the store except the woman who ran it, and said, friend has been shot.

A woman went outside with Ben and asked, “What can I do to help”.

Ben said, call 911 and get someone out here fast he has lost a lot of blood. Ben looked at the wound again to make sure Jerry hadn’t started bleeding again. The woman came out and told Ben they where on there way, but to Ben they couldn’t get there soon enough.

When the police got there Ben told them that a guy was hogtied back at their camp and he was the one who shot Jerry.

The police officer said they would take care of that guy you go with your friend and we’ll meet you at the hospital.

Ben could hear Jerry start to moan and when he looked at him there was very little color in his face. Ben tried saying a prayer for his best buddy but he didn’t know how to pray other than maybe blessing the food. He had gone to church every Sunday but he hadn’t paid attention to what was said.

The woman from the store came over and said your friend will be ok but to make sure let’s say a prayer for him now. As the woman said a prayer they could hear a siren in the distance. When she had finished the ambulance had just pulled up.

They jumped out of the truck and started working on Jerry one of the men put an I V in his arm while the other took vitals.

Ben said he wanted to go with his friend but the men said no they needed to work on his friend and that he would be in the way.

Ben unhitched the trailer and asked the woman if he could leave it there.

The woman said sure I’ll keep an eye on it for you.

Ben didn’t have much trouble staying up with the ambulance till they got into the city.  Where he had to obey the signals, but the ambulance was close to the hospital and with the signs pointing the way he made it. He ran inside, and asked a nurse where his friend was. The nurse said we need to get some information about your friend first but you won’t be able to go in there until the doctors say so. Besides its late and while your calling his parents I’ll make sure a cot is set up for you in the waiting room.

In the morning was wakened by his parents and Jerry’s parents, but it took Ben a minute to realize where he was. He sat up and started telling them what had happened, when a doctor came in and told them that Jerry was going to be OK.

It was a close call but if it hadn’t been for Ben, Jerry probably wouldn’t be with us today. But I just want him to rest for 2 days, and then you can take him home. He will need some help getting around the first couple of days, and then I would let him tell you what he’s up to doing.

Jerry’s mom asked can we go in and see him.

The doctor said only two at a time, but yes you can.

 The sheriff had just arrived and started talking with Ben. He took down all the information about what had happened out at Ben’s and Jerry’s campsite.

Ben told the sheriff how they where able to get the drop on all those guys and tie them up.

The sheriff said well what you told my officers, is true about those guys. I don’t know if you are the smartest kids or if those guys where real dumb, but anyway there is an award for the capture of a couple of them.

Ben said I wasn’t looking for an award but I do know how to spend some of it.

Two weeks later Jerry and Ben, where enjoying there foot long hotdog, at a hockey game with a couple of dates.

The End

As they searched the internet for possible places to go they came upon a place about sixty miles away. There was a stream near by, a mountain to explore, and not to far from a country store.

That night in Ben’s room, Jerry and Ben planed everything, even all the camping gear that they would take.

The next morning his mom said I have planed for your food so you won’t eat a lot of junk food.

Ben said, oh mom you know we won’t eat a lot of junk food.

She turned to him and said that’s why I have your food already packed.

They both said ok and headed over to Jerry’s house to talk to his mom. He wanted to make sure that his sisters weren’t around either because they would just make trouble.

So Jerry said, I would like to treat her to an ice cream so we can talk and if she would drive them to the malt shop.

Jerry’s mom looked at him with a question but then said ok.

At the malt shop Jerry ordered the ice cream and then found a table that wasn’t to dirty. About half way through the ice cream jerry said, mom I had some trouble two nights ago and told her had happened. Then he went on to say I need to get away for a bit because of all the fighting and the stealing going on in the house. Then he said that Ben was going as well to keep him out of trouble.

Jerry’s mom said well I don’t know I need to talk with your father and then we’ll let you know.

Jerry said, mom you don’t understand I’m not asking if I can go, I have to get away. Jerry went on to say that Ben has to call his parents every third night and if she wanted she could call them to get the latest up date on them.

His mom said, I guess it is time for you to start cutting the apron strings.

Then he said mom what’s happened, why are my sisters treating me this way. They never treated me like this before.

His mom looked at him and said what do you mean Jerry?

Jerry looked deep into her eyes and said well there are some things that just don’t add up. For one thing how come everyone in the family has brown eyes and I have blue eyes? How come everyone in the family has type O blood and I have type AB? Why is it that when I come into the room everyone shuts up and goes on to another subject?

 Jerry’s mom looked down and with a shy she said I have wanted to tell you for years, but your father and I wanted to tell you at the right time. She cleared her throat and said when you where 3 weeks old your father and I adopted you. We knew your real mother; she was still in high school and didn’t know what to do. She was the daughter of some good friends of ours. So we suggested that we adopt you and that we would pay for all doctors’ visits and that she could do her school work at home and they would pay for that as well. We told her that she could come and see you any time she wanted.

The lawyer had told their friends that was not a good idea but it was up to all of us. She signed the papers and we took care of everything. Your real father was already in trouble with three other girls and he was never told about you. When you where born you where a little yellow that is common but you where a little to yellow and so the doctors kept you in the hospital for an extra 2 weeks.

Jerry looked at his mom and said, where is my real mom now?

His mom pulled out her wallet and behind her driver’s license she pulled out a newspaper clipping that said the she had a fight with her ex boyfriend because he had been drinking. He forced her into the car and took off but they never got to where going because he hit a big oak tree and both where killed.

Then his mom said your sisters found out that you where adopted just before they moved back home. We pleaded with them not to say anything and they both said they needed to have a place to live. Your dad offered to rent an apartment for them and they sad no we want to move back home. From that time on didn’t want to share anything with you not even your home because they said you where not part of the family. That’s when they moved in and it’s about ready to kill your father.

That’s what most of the fighting is about and I can see the gray hairs on your father is getting bigger. Then she opened up her purse and handed Jerry his money. I called your sister’s ex and he said he hadn’t given her anything for 3 months because he was looking for a new job after she had gotten him fired from his last one.

Jerry said I’m glad we had this talk mom and now that’s something else I will have think about. Now you know that I really have to get away and when I come home we all going to sit down for a family meeting.

Jerry’s mom gave him a hug and the 3 of them went back to their house.

When they arrived at the house both of his sisters where carrying things out of the house. When his sisters saw the car they hurried and put the things that was in their arms into his one sister’s car and locked it.

But was too late, they had been seen and Jerry saw that it was his stuff.

As soon as jerry got out of the car he headed over to his sister’s car but his sister got in front of him blocking his way.

Jerry looked at her with a stern look and told her to move aside because I don’t want you to get hurt.

Of course his sister said are you threatening me?

His mother said he’s not but I am.

That started a big fight out on the front lawn with screaming and hollering at each other. Ben and Jerry went around and opened the passenger’s door and Jerry said this is all my stuff.

So Ben and Jerry took it all out and started carrying it upstairs but when he saw that the lock was off the door he just about lost it. Ben had to hold him from trying to get to his sisters.

When they went back down to get the rest of Jerry’s things, his mother and sisters where just about ready to start throwing punches.

Both Ben and Jerry pulled his sisters off and his mother said leave this house today and I will let you know when you can come back.

One of his sisters had a smirk on her face and Jerry said don’t worry sis I know about the adoption so you can’t hold that over mom and dad’s head any more. Now mom told you two to get your things and live somewhere else. Is that right asked Jerry?

His mother said I will talk to your father about what’s going on and then you can come and sit down tonight and tell you what will happen or not happen in this house!

Jerry went back up stairs and checked the spot where he had $300. And it was gone. He went back down and told his sisters I don’t know who has it but one of you has some money of mine by the time I get my room straighten the money better be on the coffee table or I will have to call the police and I have a way to know who did take it. I treated the bills with a special dye and I know how to make the dye show up, and then it will just have to wear off.

Jerry and Ben went up stairs to see what damage they had done and try and get it back in shape. When he went back down there was no money of the table.

He told both of his sisters that there were still some things missing so I will take your car keys and open up the trunks. At first his sister wasn’t willing to give up the keys but his mother gave her a stare that would make anyone do what she said.

He went through the car and then the trunk and found the rest of his stuff but there was no money.

Jerry was starting to get really mad and his mother could see it so she stepped in.

She said we didn’t bring you up this way and so we don’t know why you’re doing it now. But in this house we respect others property, and you both are about ready to go to jail for this, is that what you want!

His sister’s kids where crying because of the arguing and Ben took the kids into the kitchen and gave them some ice cream.

The oldest of the kids was 5 years old and Ben knew that this was not a good place to see all these problems.

He could hear them yelling in the front room and so he took the kids out into the back yard and was playing a game with them. Twenty minutes later Jerry’s mom came out and thanked him for helping and said that there is going to be some changes. Both of the girls are going to move out but leave the kids here so that they can be watched over. And before they will be able to come back to the house they will have had a job for at least 3 months. And if they break this agreement the police will be called and they will be arrested for theft.

When the young kids, Jerry’s mom and Ben went back into the kitchen there was some money on the kitchen table. Jerry came in and counted the money, and said its all here and he went upstairs and put it in a safe place, one that no one knew about but Ben did.

After Jerry got everything he needed for the trip both boys headed back over to Ben’s house. It was about 8:30 in the evening so Jerry called his mom and dad and said good-by to them. They where planning to leave bright and early the next morning and used what time was left to pack Ben’s motorcycle.

Ben’s father had gone next door and had asked if Ben could borrow the motorcycle trailer that he had. The neighbor said sure and helped them hook it onto Ben’s motorcycle. It was a good thing because they would have never been able to get all their stuff on the Ben’s motorcycle.

The next morning they took off. They knew the place where they would set up camp and there was a nice fishing stream close by.  Ten miles away was the nearest town and 2 miles from the nearest phone which was a country store. The most important thing was it was about 60 miles from home.

It didn’t take them long to get there and set up camp. The first thing they did was to get their fishing poles out and try the stream. After a while they got tired of fishing because they had caught enough fish for dinner.

Ben had snuck a combo tv/cd/radio into the trailer with out his parents knowing it, because Ben knew what they would say. “Why are you taking that you’re going camping and there is no TVs in camp grounds”. Plus they had also taken a solar charger for the TV.

Jerry brought out a deck of cards out so the boys played until it got dark to see the spots on the cards. Then they cooked their dinner and talked for a while and then decided to turn in. they thought about watching some TV but Ben said it would only lasted for about 30 minutes. With out the sun to give it that extra power they would get from their sun charger. They decided to use the radio and with fresh batteries it would last for about 5-8 hours. So they listened to the radio and sang along with some of the tunes till their eyes started to get heavy

The next morning they went fishing again, but today it was going to be all catch and release. But at noon they got tired of fishing, and decided to go on a hike up to this cave, that the woman at the country store told them about.

The guy that was on the loose had called on one of his friends to find out where Jerry lived. So he followed Jerry and Ben from the courthouse to Ben’s place, and then when he saw the boys packing the motorcycle trailer. He knew they where planning to go somewhere, so he got up close to an open window. Luck was with the guy he heard the boys talking, and heard where the boys where planning to go.

Then the guy reported back to the guy that was on the loose.  Now there were several of his friends with him. They where going to help take care of Jerry, and anyone else that might be with him.

It was a good thing that the boys had gone up to the cave to explore it. Because when the bad guys got to their camp, the boys where gone. So the bad guys looked around, and with the amount of stuff they knew the boys where going to be there for a while, so they would wait for them. The bad guys got tired of waiting, and decided to drive back to the country store to get something to eat, while they where waiting. What they got was some sandwiches and a whole lot of beer.  

The boys finally headed back down to their camp, they had no idea what was waiting for them. When Ben and Jerry got about three hundred yards from camp, they could see glimpses of their camp from a ways up the trail. All of a sudden Ben grabbed Jerry’s arm, and said wait a minute Jerry something is wrong in camp.

Jerry looked at Ben and asked what do you mean?

Ben said that’s not the way I parked my motorcycle; let’s wait until it gets dark and then go in from a different way.

When it got dark they quietly got about 20 feet from their camp, they could hear someone talking. Then they saw someone with a cigarette. They got a little closer so that they could hear what the guys where saying.

They heard one guy say when we get those kids we are going to make them beg for their lives for as long as they can and then we’ll take care of them.

Both Jerry and Ben looked at each other and backed away till they where a good safe way from their camp.

Jerry said I couldn’t see who they were but I would guess somehow the guy that got away from the robbery was able to find out where we were. Now their going to try and kill the both of us, and you had nothing to do with it.

Ben said well we are in this together and I’m not going to back out on you. Plus we have the element of surprise on our side and we have time as well.

Jerry smiled, and said thanks.

They went to work making snares and traps because they didn’t want to really hurt anyone.

One thing they had on their side was all the beer the guys where drinking. With it being dark and the guys would go off into the bushes to relive them selves.  It was easy to deal with one guy at a time. They would gag and tie the guy up, and then drag him off to where they had the other guys hanging from a tree.

Dead Ahead

Jerry and Ben where the best of friend, but Jerry came from a bad home life.

It seemed that his parents where always fighting with his two older sisters. They both had been married had a couple kids each, and after their divorces they moved back home. With one sister it was kind of crowded but with two sisters, there was no room to move around without bumping into one of them.

Both of his sisters wanted Jerry’s room and tried several times to move into his room with out telling anyone. But Jerry would tell them that this was his room and move them out. He got tired of this and finally put a lock on his door to keep them from trying.

The reason they wanted his room is because he had worked hard on weekends and days during the summers to get a room he wanted. He had bought several nice things like his own phone line, computer and a nice stereo system.

Jerry was the kind of a person that kept money in his room, but kept it hidden.  Sometimes after he would cash his check he would bring it home, and divide it up to different piles for things he wanted. With the rest of the money he would put in his bank account for safe keeping.

One time when he moved one sister out of his room, he found that $500.00 was missing out a bank he kept the money in. He didn’t know which one of his sisters took it so he went through their purses and found it in one of their wallets. His sister clamed, that it was hers, from her ex husband for child support.

But Jerry had found a couple of bills that had marks on it that he had put there for indemnification just in case. On a couple of the bills he had put his name on it.

When Jerry’s mom asked his sister about it she just said I don’t know how it got there, but insisted the money was hers. Jerry’s mom tried to call his sister’s ex husband to find out if he really did but couldn’t get a hold of him. So his mom said I will keep the money till we get a hold of your ex.

Jerry really didn’t like being at home because when a fight would start he would get mixed up in them. That made him so angry that he would go up to his room and turn the stereo on and put the head sets on. Someone would beat on his door and he would know when they did, so finally he would just leave the house. Some times it would be all night or at least 1 AM before he came back.

Jerry use to go to Ben’s place, but then when he started getting phone calls from his family there, Jerry stopped going to Ben’s house.

Then one day Jerry called Ben and said he was down at the police station, and he didn’t know what to do, but he didn’t want to call his parents. So Ben talked to his dad and they went down to the station to see what they could do to help.

Jerry’s story was that he was on his way over to Ben’s place when two guys came out of a alley way to jump him and get what ever they could from him. Both guys where armed one with a knife and the other with a gun.

Jerry and Ben had taken marshal arts together for several years, and Jerry moved fast and disarmed the guy with the gun first.

The one with the knife was about behind Jerry and was ready to stick him in the back. But Jerry moved to the side, and the guy with the knife stuck the guy that had the gun instead. When the guy with the knife realized what he had done he took off running and left his buddy there with a knife stuck in him.

Jerry bent down and tried to administer first aid. After he did all he could he went to a pay phone and 911 to get help. When the paramedics got there they said that the guy was in bad shape but they would do what they could.

With no other witnesses the police had no choice but to bring Jerry down to the station.

*

At first they weren’t going to let Ben and his dad see or talk to Jerry unless a parent or a lawyer was present. But Ben r ecognized one of the officers and asked if he remembered him. The officer said that he did and then asked what he was doing at the police station?

Ben said that his friend was being held at the station and they where trying to see what they could do for him.

Both Ben and Jerry had gone on a lot on ride-a-longs with officers for a project they where doing at school. The officer asked why his parents didn’t come in.

Ben told the officer about the problems Jerry was having with his family and if his mom and dad weren’t there at the house then neither of his two sisters would lift a finger to help. The officer said let me see what I can do.

Twenty minutes later the officer came back, and said we can let him go with you but your dad has to be responsible for him.

Ben’s dad said that he would and 10 minutes later they where walking out into the parking lot.

When they got into the car Ben’s dad said, Jerry you will have to come and stay with us tonight, because they told me that you have to see a judge tomorrow. But if you don’t show up they will arrest me and then I will be in a lot of trouble.

Jerry said, he would stay with them because he didn’t want to cause any more problems.

Back at Ben’s house Jerry told them what had happened in detail and that the only thing he did wrong was to walk down that street.

Ben’s dad said we will do what ever we can but you know that it’s the judge that says what happens. If you can prove your story to the judge I’m sure he will let you go.

The next day at the court house they where waiting in the hallway to see the judge in his chambers. In the hallway there they saw wanted posters on a lot of people. To pass the time Ben and Jerry started looking through them, then Jerry stopped and said there’s one of the two guys he had, had a run in with. Looking through more posters Jerry found the other guy as well. I don’t think any of the officers know that those guys are wanted.

Soon they where ushered in to a room where there a man behind a desk and writing something on a piece of paper.

When the man looked up at Jerry it gave him the feeling that he was guilty, before hearing what he had to say.

Ben’s dad put a hand on Jerry’s shoulder and said, relax just answer the questions he asks and nothing else.

They sat there waiting for the judge to do something and finally he said. How where you able to disable two older guys that you say tried to rob you?

Jerry said I have taken marshal arts with my friend here, pointing to Ben and I was defending my self.

What happened to the other guy asked the judge?

Jerry said, I’ll tell you the whole story if you want me to, and then if you have any questions I will answer them to.

The judge said I think that would be a good idea and then we will go from there.

When Jerry had finished telling the judge, then he then said while we where waiting for you out in the hallway we were looking at the wanted posters  and both of those men that tried to jump me where on posters. I don’t didn’t know it and I don’t think the officers knew that the guy that got stabbed was wanted either.

The judge said hang on we will see about this and then picked up the phone and made a call. As the judge was talking on the phone everyone in the room knew what was being said on both sides.

The judge finally said, in a loud voice. Slap that guy in cuffs and have an officer there, till we get him into jail. I want to make sure that guy, doesn’t walk away.

When the judge had finished he said to Jerry, Ben, and his dad, I’m sure all of you herd what was being said and if what you say is true, then you should be rewarded and not be in front of me.

Twenty minutes later the judge received a call to confirm that what Jerry said was true. The guy had been placed under guard and moved to a room where he was locked in.

Jerry asked, what about the other guy has he been caught?

But Jerry didn’t need an answer because he knew that the police had searched for him and had no luck. So the guy would hide in a hole like he had done many times before.

But what Jerry didn’t know was that the guy who got away had picked up the gun as he was running away. And was planning a revenge on Jerry for the trouble he caused.

The guy wouldn’t take any chances on meeting Jerry again without help. This time he would have a couple of other guys with him, to make sure this kid was going down.

Back and Ben’s house Jerry asked Ben, will you go with me to my house. So that I can pick up some things because, I have to get away. I feel like I’m under a lot of pressure and I need to just get away to clear my head for a few days.

Ben said of course I’ll go with you and maybe we can go camping or something like that. Ben had a motorcycle and for a long time he wanted a chance to go somewhere. Without his mom and dad telling him do this, or don’t do that.

Ben finally went to his dad and mom and said, Jerry says he’s under a lot of stress and needs to get a way for a few days. He asked me to go with him and I think I should.

Both his mom and dad looked at each other and then back at Ben. Then his dad said let your mother and I talk about it for a while, and then we will let you know.

After 45 minutes, Ben’s mom went up to his room and said, its  alright with us as long as you don’t plan to take your motorcycle.

Ben said, but mom you need to let me do this, Jerry needs me to do it for him.

His mom said, that’s not going to happen so if you want to go somewhere we will take you and pick you up.

Ben said, he doesn’t want to be around a lot of people. Jerry wants to go camping. So if I can’t take my motorcycle then I guess we will have to hike where ever we go. I just hope we don’t run into any problems like if one of us breaks our leg or an arm.

That night after dinner they where sitting at the table. Ben’s dad said I understand that you would really like to use your motorcycle?

Ben said well mom said no.

His dad then said, I had to remind your mother that when I was your age I had a horse. That’s how I got around and if it wasn’t for my horse I don’t know how I would have been able to work out my problems. But I do want you to know that we expect you to call us every third night and that you wont be gone any longer than a week.

Jerry and Ben agreed to this and ran up stairs to start planning their trip.