Count your blessings

[Deena in GA]

Excellent writing! I feel like I'm in the back of that pickup with them. I don't ever want this story to stop...

[kaijafon]

ya know after all these disasters finish up, this just may be the safest place in the WORLD to live!!!

[Rabbit]

I bet there isn't going to be anything left for them to go back to. If the fires sweep through town I wonder what rat will be flushed out of his hiding place (or not)? Someone not familiar with forest fires might not know about the need to flee.

[2ndEviltwin]

I don't know how you do it, but you keep every reader on the edge of their chairs. You have a talent and thanks for the wonderful story.

[PacNorWest]

#22
The wild ride up the mountain was complicated by the ruts that were impossible to miss in the darkness. Driver and passengers were tossed about as they fell from one rut into another. Finally, hurting and terrorized by Ev' driving, Cheryl had to ask if he would please slow down.

"Ev, I can't stand much more slamming and banging. Please slow down a little," Cheryl asked sincerely as she grabbed at her stomach to hold herself together.

Ev eased up on the accelerator and the jostling was reduced to a minor pitch and sway. The group in the back finally threw a blanket over themselves to stop the thick, choking dust and smoke.

At the top of the ridge, Ev stopped and they all looked back at their homes and Evergreen. Off to the left where Ev and the Hanson's lived, the fire burned brighter as it consumed their homesteads. Slightly to the right, a different prong of the fire started eating it's way through the town.

Stunned at the rapid destruction and close call they had endured, the silent adults repacked themselves into the pickup and drove slowly down the mountain side. As the pickup bounced and bobbled down the road, Clora thought from the faces she could see that each one of them had harbored hope that the fire would miss their places.

The problem of moving had been effectively taken care of. They were refugees without a home wandering in the wilderness, so to speak. Clora reached for the hand next to her and found Wayne, the other side was Lainey. In true Evie fashion, she started praying aloud the gratitude they all felt for having their lives spared, and for guidance for the upcoming battle of survival. Clora threw in a petition for Inga, and a thank you for the blessing of Ev and his pickup.

The support went all around the pickup bed as the cool night air started them shivering. Ev eased the old rattletrap onto the highway and down the pavement, picking up speed as he drove for maximum fuel mileage.

They were just coming into the outskirts of a small town when the last of the gas drained through the carburetor and the pickup died. Ev steered the crew cab into the parking lot of a old diner and turned off the key

[SheWoff]

Where's Lainey? Did she go with Evie and krew? Man what a bunch of bad luck they're having!

[2ndEviltwin]

of course she did, you think ben would have left her. She helped pack the truck before they left.

[Hickory7]

Ah... Brett to the rescue. He is working at that diner. Family all back together except for Inga. Thank You, Pac.

[sssarawolf]

Scary thats for sure, thank you.

[Rabbit]

Thank you Pac.

[PacNorWest]

#23
Ev squinted at the hours sign posted on the door. "We've got 4 hours until they open at 5. Might as well rest as much as we can."

Yawns met his announcement and the group in the back huddled together and pulled the few blankets they had around them tightly.

In the front, Cheryl started crying silent tears. All of the hard work they had put into their homestead, gone. The shock of loosing so many years of their life stuck in her throat and opened the flood gates of pent up emotion. "Oh, I can't believe it," she sobbed. "It's all gone. Just gone. What are we gonna do?"

Ev reached over Christy's sleeping form and touched his wife tenderly on the cheek. "We will do, darl'in, we will do."

Cassy and Willie curled together, the expectant mother uncomfortable in the tight confines of the back seat with Willie thrashing around in his sleep.

Evie leaned against the door window, enjoying the coolness of the night as it sucked the fever hotness from her face. There was no denying the fact that she needed to see a Doctor. Sitting so long had caused her feet to swell, and with the infection in her toe she could feel her heartbeat thumping away.

In the quiet, as everyone tried to snitch a few winks of sleep, Evie stayed awake praying for Inga. There was no sleeping for the Grandmother of the clan, she was on prayer duty.


When Brett came to work, there were already customers waiting for the cafe to open. The ratty looking old pickup was crowded with a group of unsavory looking characters. Brett would have looked away, but there was no mistaking the face of his Grandmother looking back at him.

Swallowing hard, Brett walked to the pickup and opened the door for Evie to speak to him. At the noise, the dogs barked, and hands flashed as guns appeared ready to defend what precious little they had.

"Whoa, guys. I didn't mean to startle you. What's going on, you all lost or something?" Brett's attempt at humor fell flat as he really looked at his family and friends. "Geeze, what happened?"

"We got burned out." Clora told him in a tired voice. "A forest fire burned it all. The ranch, the town, everything. We lost it all.
As sad as I am, I've got a good notion to climb out of this pickup and punch you in the nose for running away." The more she thought about it, the better the idea seemed, and she got down by swinging her legs over the side of the box and sliding down to the ground.

Rolling up her sleeves, Clora advanced on her brother, fully intending to keep her word. Both Wayne and Will jumped down behind her and grabbed her arms as Clora drew back her right hand to vent her fury on Brett.

"Clora!" Evie's shocked admonition had little to nothing effect on Clora's hard headed anger.

"Sis!" Wayne shouted, causing the dogs to bark, waking the kids and creating a general hub bub.

"Hey," Wayne had his hands up in front of him, "Take it easy."

"Maybe she can, but I can't" Ben came around Clora and struck Brett with a hard driving right hand. "Don't you ever do that again, do you hear?"

"I hear," Brett mumbled as he rubbed his jaw, "loud and clear. Look, no more beating up on me, I have to work." he dusted off the seat of his britches. "Give me 10 minutes and I can open the cafe."

True to his word, Brett unlocked the door and waved his arm to invite the sorry looking group in. Every one piled out of the pickup and headed inside.

"Hey, where's Grandma?" Sandy questioned.

Evie was sitting in the pickup, unable to use her feet. Tears brightened her eyes and she sniffed hard. "My foot is so bad I can't walk on it." she sniffed again.

Husky Brett swooped in and scooped Evie up, carrying her inside the cafe. "I need to use the bathroom," she whispered in Brett's ear.
"Please take me there right away."

"How about a tickle," Brett teased back. "Would that solve the problem?"

"Don't you dare," Evie severely warned her Grandson. "Just hurry."

"Clora, Sandy, get yourselves over here, help Gram." he requested.

Evie had her black stocking pulled over her foot but it was really obvious that her foot and toe were grossly swollen. "Stop looking at my toe and help me get to the toilet," that was an order to be obeyed! Promptly!

Standing outside the ladies bathroom in order to give their Grandmother a bit of privacy, Clora and Sandy looked at each other in concern. Evie was in danger, no two way's about it. She was going to the doctor, no matter how she objected.

Brett fed the crew short stacks and eggs, using the grill to the best of his ability. The party of 12 ate gratefully, the men pulling wadded and crumpled money from their pockets to pay for their families food. It didn't cover the bill, but it was all they had. Brett figured he would kick in the balance, it was good to see everyone.

Evie let them pay, but slipped a fifty under her plate. She couldn't eat, and naturally Brett's coffee was weaker than Clora's so she sipped on the insipid brew and pretended that it was her preferred strength. Her stomach was rolling and churning, protesting her state of affairs.

Willie and Christy played chase around the table, bouncing it and sending the opposite table leg bumping into Evie's hurt foot. Evie passed out and slid out of her chair and onto the floor. No one noticed as they were talking and eating. It was Christy who said in a loud voice, "Hey, something's wrong with Grams."

[sssarawolf]

Gads poor Evie, they best get her some help, glad they found Brett.

[Rabbit]

I bet that announcement got everybody in motion. Another great chapter Pac.

[debralee]

Sure hope they have enough gas in that truck to get them to safety. This would have me freaking out.
Thanks Pac. Your chapters just keep getting better and better.

[kua]

Goodness, my heart is just a pounding! Good thing there is a pause between chapters or I couldn't handle it. Please take good care of Evie. She is so important to that clan of people. I know she has taught them a lot and they could probably get along without her but it would be a shame to have it come to that.

[PacNorWest]

#24

When Evie woke she was disoriented, fuzzy headed and dry mouthed. Shutting her eyes against the sharp ray of sunshine fighting to get in the narrow hospital window, Evie blinked hard to clear her vision. Clora was on one side of the bed, Sandy on the other and Lainey was propped against the wall. All were sound asleep.

Taking inventory, Evie started with her head and went down her body. Everything was checking out okey dokey until she got to her foot. That was when things went from curious to bad to worse. Her foot was in some kind of boot that was holding it immobile.

Dreading what was going to have to be done next, Evie wiggled the big toe and then the rest of her toes on her right foot. Pausing for strength and a quick prayer, she wiggled the big toe on her left foot and nothing happened. The smaller toes responded a little, but beyond that, nothing moved.

Stunned with the discovery, she contemplated the various outcomes that no movement might mean. Taking a deep breath of courage she lifted the sheet and looked at her foot. That didn't help, as there was a huge bandage covering it.

"It's gone," Clora whispered quietly. "The Doctor had to take the big toe off to save your foot." She tried to smile, but the tears misted her eyes. "I'm so sorry Grandma, there was nothing they could do."

Evie nodded, blinking her eyes hard against the sting of her own tears. Then she relaxed, understanding how fortunate and blessed she was to have not lost her foot. When it happened Evie could feel that Junior's sharp puppy tooth went deep in her toe, so it was indeed a blessing and a miracle to be able to walk at all.

Evie reached over to pat Clora's hand where it rested on the sheet. "I am very fortunate to have lived this long with out major sickness or accidents; so I am way over due." she smiled at Clora.

"You are so much like my mother and myself, it's like looking in the mirror. I have, had," she corrected herself, "a picture of Grandma, me and mom taken when I was about seven. There is such a strong resemblance between us three, and then along you came to make 4. Now Sandy on the other hand, favors her mother's looks, but could pass for my sister when she was that age.
I've probably never told you about Vera, she died when I was sixteen or so. She had TB, and didn't live more than a year after she was stricken."

Clora listened with her heart, smiling at the love she heard in her Grandmother's voice. "Now Brett and Benny favor my father and Hap's mother's Dad. I only met them once, but Grandfather Ivarson had this enormous handle bar mustache that he would twirl the ends around as he was thinking. One time, Hap grew a handlebar; but he broke one side of it on an especially cold morning before we left Maine. It was -30 that morning. He was so upset." Evie giggled a little.

Clora reached over and enclosed Evie's hand with hers. Soon Sandy's rough fingers covered the other hand.

"Now Wayne, he is the spitting image of Hap and Pete when they were young. Only he's taller," Evie yawned and her voice faded off as she fell asleep.

The room door opened and Ben stuck his head in. Clora put her finger to her lips, and gently placed Grandmother's hand on the bed spread. Sandy did the same and they gently shook Lainey's shoulder to wake her. The three ladies tiptoed out as quietly as possible and met their brothers outside the door.

"Let's go down to the waiting lounge," Clora suggested, as she led the way. The family was talking , when Borg and Davis stepped out of the elevator.

"Hey, how is Evie? Davis could hardly take the time to say hello, before he asked.

"She just woke up." Clora repeated the latest news. "She also knows that her big toe is gone. Do you know what she said?" and her voice wobbled a little. "She said praise the Lord that her foot was spared. I don't know if I'm that strong," she finished with a watery sigh.

"Sounds like Grandma," Wayne said what they all were thinking.

Davis, Ben and Brett were talking, and Ben rubbed the back of his neck. Clora looked at him sharply, and he said in a flat monotone, "Davis would like to look in on Grandma, would you want to take him to her room?" he asked Clora.

"I need to walk," Sandy interrupted, "I'll show him the way."

Borg studied the family as all of the interaction was taking place. Such a diverse bunch from so many different mothers. Kids that really didn't have much in life going for them, but yet were united stronger than most pure blooded families due to the old lady. He looked up to catch Clora studying him with that calm, self assured attitude she projected.

"Mr Lindstrom?" she greeted him in a friendly way. "It's good to see you. Please tell me, how is your son Mark?"

"Recovering, with some days better than others." Borg watched as the tightness left her face to be replaced by a brilliant smile.

"That's very good news to hear, please, give him my regards," Clora said pleasantly, a wealth of meaning in the brief words she spoke.

"Would you care to visit with him? He's here in this hospital," Borg took a chance that the feelings Mark talked about were mutual.

"I certainly would," Clora responded immediately with an antimmated expression, her eagerness in opposition to the calmness she was trying to project. "What floor and room and I'll stop by today."

"It's not quite that easy," Borg admitted slowly. "I have to have a visit from you approved, and you will need to be escorted. Let me find out the particulars, and I'll get right back to you."

"I'll be here or the cafeteria, and I'm really looking forward to seeing Mark," she said with a little rush, her eyes sparkling.

"I think this is where they brought your Aunt, but she is in ICU, so no visitors," Borg passed on his information from Jennings. "Perhaps we can ask for short visits from the next of kin," he offered kindly.

"That would be wonderful, the news will cheer Grandma greatly." Clora smiled in gratitude.

"Let me talk to Mark's Doctor, and I'll be right back," Lindstrom stepped into the elevator and the door closed

[debralee]

Now thats weird. My above post was posted before the last 2 chapters and it shows up being posted at 11:40 p.m. last night. I didn't get online til after 1:00a.m. last night because we were playing dice until after midnight.
I am sure glad they made it safely away from the fire and found Brett. Now to get grandma to a dr. pronto.
Thanks Pac. Now I need to get some ice tea and cool off a bit.

[PacNorWest]

#25
Clora didn't get to see Mark, but she spent 10 minutes with Inga. Auntie Inga was still alive, but so battered and bruised with brain swelling that she was comatose. Clora spent her ten praying aloud, asking that Inga be healed of her injuries. The nurse tapped on the window, impatiently pointing toward her watch, indicating that Clora needed to get herself out of there.

Clora reached over to pat Inga on the hand and was startled to be grasped tightly by the woman's fingers. Inga locked her hand on Clora's wrist and Clora could have sworn that she heard Inga say "pray for me."

Clora pointed to her Aunt's hand imprisoning hers, and the nurse thinned her lips in annoyance and turned away from the window.
Sitting down again, Clora grasped both her hands around Inga's small one. "Heavenly Father," she started in a whisper, "we ask a blessing for our loved Aunt." Praying ceaselessly as she had been taught, Clora asked for healing and that her Father's Will be done.

The longer Clora prayed, the more hospital workers strolled by to watch the happening. Inga's vitals increased in small increments, and where she had been in danger of flat lining and her brain activity going the same way, she was now beginning to hold her own.

The Doctor making her rounds of the critical patients, stood at the door and listened. Personally she totally believed in what she was seeing, but hospital policy dictated she examine each ICU patient twice a day.

Entering the room, the Doctor felt the healing happening to her patient. She turned the heart and brain monitor so it could be read from the window and walked back out without disturbing the two women.

Ben appeared at the window still wearing his Sheriff's uniform. He got many furious looks, as the onlookers thought he was there to remove Clora, but that changed when he went to the bedside and dropped to his knees. Speaking in his manly whisper, Ben added his prayers to those of Clora. It wasn't long before Wayne wandered down the hall, looking to see what was keeping Ben and Clora.

He had to give the charge nurse the evil eye as she rushed up to prevent him from entering the room, but as he walked in, he gladly added his prayer to those of the family. Sandy and Evie were praying in Evie's room, Davis sitting in a chair blocking the doorway so they weren't disturbed.

Borg had a hard time finding Clora to tell her today was not a good day for Mark to have visitors. He had to wend his way through the gaggle of people standing at the room door, finding that the family was deep in prayer for one of their own.

"Those people are in violation of hospital rules," the charge was on the phone to security, demanding they be removed. "This floor is in an uproar with no thought to the other patients."

Borg called his golf buddy, the hospital administrator, and got an overdue favor returned. The admin called the security and got the removal order rescinded. A note was passed to the indignant Charge nurse and she deflated like the air had been drained from her.

"There were to be no exceptions," the charge was heard muttering as she went to the chart room and shut the door.

Hour by hour Inga improved, as the praying went forward. Davis fell asleep exhausted in his vigil, and fell out of his chair. Brett had to leave to pickup Trey from the daycare. He went back to the diner to help the Wilson's and the Pendleton's get fuel for the pickup and find a campground for the night.

Cassy was close to being over emotional, thinking about birthing a child into the nothing she had to provide for it. Trey was beyond excited to find Christy and Willie to play with. Cheryl sat propped up against a tree and prayed that they would survive.

Ev and Will discussed what kind of work they might be able to find, and speculated what kind of proposition Ben might have cooked up for them. The lowlands were much hotter than where they had been living, so everyone stuck to the shade and drank water.

Brett asked if the guys would watch Trey while he pulled a second shift cooking. He hated to leave old Mom and Pop in a lurch, as they had been so good to him. Ev and Will agreed, and Trey played trucks with Willie while Christy ignored the 'boys' to play with her favorite doll.

[sssarawolf]

Great chapters Pac.

[Rabbit]

I always love it when I find two new chapters that I haven't read. Thanks Pac

[kaijafon]

thank you for so many updates!!! I almost didn't stop by this evening!! so glad I did!

[PacNorWest]

#25

Inga lay listening to Clora pray. There were different voices that faded in and out but she could feel the strength returning to her body. She had been going upward towards a brilliant, welcoming light, when there was a voice that said,... 'it is not your time.'

Inga had prayed to die, but Clora had called her back to the world. Why, she wondered. What possibly could she do, say or accomplish in this life she had left, that would be of any consequence? She felt helpless and hopeless. The only peace and solace was listening to Clora pray. That gave her a calmness she had never experienced before, a feeling she began to crave with all her being.

Clora prayed and whispered until she was so exhausted she could speak no more. Ben helped her up, supporting his sister when she couldn't stand. He half carried her to Evie's room, placing her in the chair Davis had vacated.

Evie and Sandy looked up in alarm, and then relaxed when Ben said proudly, "She prayed Inga better. She's got your touch Grandma."

"Praise the Lord," Evie and Sandy said together. Smiling at each other they squeezed hands and closed their eyes in relief.

Ben outlined his work for the three of them. "I have to go get the pickup fueled and find a place to stay. You ladies are secure here. Say, where is Lainey?"

"She went for a bowl of soup, Ben come over here please." Evie requested. She handed him a folded bill. "Lainey needs to eat, she is having blood sugar problems and you don't want them to get worse. I don't want any stiff necked pride interfering with your good sense, take care of your woman!"

The stubborn look flitting across Ben's face was replaced by the desire to ensure Lainey was alright. "OK," he finally said, placing the money in his pocket. "Thank you Grandma. I am keeping track, so I can pay you back."

Evie merely said "thank you," never intending to take a penny from Ben.

Sandy said, "take me to food, I'm starving. Grandma, you eat what's on your tray, you don't want that nice nurse thinking you don't like the food." Laughing she walked out the door with Ben.

Evie smiled a little devious grin. She would talk Clora into eating the unappetizing looking meal, and they both would be happy. Clora was a harder sell than she expected, resisting taking the food out of her Grandmother's mouth, so to speak. Finally she tasted the chicken A' La King. Two bites and she smiled, "I wouldn't dream of depriving you Grandma, you need to keep up your strength. I'll eat the jello." And she promptly did.

"You rat," Evie played in the food, pushing it all around the plate wishing it were something else. She ate the small green salad and the pear and fruit cocktail. "I'm full," she declared. "Couldn't eat another bite." She tried the coffee and couldn't gag down a single swallow. Even the water tasted foul.

There was a knock at the door. "Physical Therapy" the bouncy young woman announced. "How are we doing. How about a walk?"

Evie instantly decided she didn't like the over cheerful person, thinking that she would get up and walk when she was dog gone good and ready to do so.

The PT woman decided she was ready, and Evie tried walking. Hating every second of the walker, she made the short round by the nurses station, her gown and bathrobe flapping with every hard won step. "How old are you Ma'am," the perky woman asked, trying to put her patient at ease, just meaning to ask a casual question.

That was a question that royally ticked Evie, so she answered, "don't know. My birth date was never recorded. I might be a hundred for all I know." She hid the smirky little grin that threatened to undo her announcement.

In the room, Clora heard the snappy retort as Grandma and the lady stumped down the hall and grinned. Grandma thought that was a personal question, and she would never answer.


Ben gathered up his ladies and sent them upstairs full and sleepy. "I'll be back tomorrow, we are looking for a place to stay, rent or camp. We need security for the family."

Sandy snagged two more comfortable chairs and pushed the straight chairs out in the hall. Evie used the bathroom, they dimmed the lights and were asleep before the visitor's announcement was broadcast over the intercom.


Ben walked away from the hospital and down a couple of blocks into the sporting goods store. He bought tarps, tents, sleeping bags air mattresses, water containers, water filters, fishing gear and a camp grill. He hated spending money on a taxi, but the load was more than he could carry.

The pickup was still at the diner, and Ben unloaded the stash in the bed. Paying and thanking the cabbie, Ben went into the diner to collect his friends and family. The ladies were excited to be in their own place for the night, and picked up and moved out faster than Ben thought possible.

The grassy area behind the diner was the campground du'jour of the night. Four tents were erected in the shortest time, and sleeping bags laid out. Mama's washed their children and tucked them in. Trey was bunking with Ev's family and went to bed without a fuss. Mama's went to bed shortly after and the men sat discussing the guard rotation. The old picnic table held the lone camp light, as Ben took the first watch.

For the first time, he wondered where Wayne had wandered off. He suddenly realized the man hadn't been at the hospital, nor was he here with the families. Annoyed, he put Wayne out of his mind and concentrated on patrolling the camp site.

[debralee]

Wonder what Wayne has gotten himself into? Glad Grandma and Inga are doing better.
Thank you very much Pac.

[2ndEviltwin]

uh oh. what is wayne getting himself into....

thanks for another great addition.

[Hickory7]

Thank You, Pac. Maybe Wayne just needed some alone time and he will come back.

[SammiP]

But, he WAS at the hospital, wasn't he? Post #138, paragraph 8? Did he fall asleep and roll under the bed? Or did someone in the hospital waylay him when he left? The hospital people thought he was never going to be normal again after all, do they want to zombify him again?

[Rabbit]

Maybe that full of herself charge nurse nabbed him and put him in the ward with Mark?

[sssarawolf]

Hope Wayne's alright. Thank you Pac.

[Deena in GA]

Wonderful chapters, especially the praying-to-health one! And, yes, Wayne was at the hospital, but then wasn't seen again. Wonder what he's up to now...

[MrsClaus]

If I remember right, Wayne isn't much of a people person. Maybe there is a park across the street from the hospital

[Rabbit]

Wayne, where are you? Inquiring minds want to know. Addicted minds need to know. It's getting hot in here and I'm starting to shake and my right eye is twitching. I think I'm in the need to know group.

[PacNorWest]

#26

It was way past 11pm when Wayne walked through the gravel parking lot toward the pickup. Purposely he made noise, fully expecting there was a guard posted. "Hello the camp" he spoke low but firm.

"Identify yourself," came the terse command.

Wayne responded with two short whistles a pause and two more. "Hey Ben, I got us jobs for tomorrow. We have to be up early and downtown by 8. I heard a short on the TV while I was waiting for Clora and hoofed it down there to sign up. Best part, it pays 7.50 an hour with a 5 hour minimum. Is that a great deal or what?"

"Doing what?" Ben sounded interested.

"That's the best part," Wayne laughed aloud. "We're pooper scoopers in the parade tomorrow. Isn't that a kick?" Tickled at his own wit, Wayne laughed again.

"Shhhh," Ben tried to hush the happy man, "Don't wake the ladies, they didn't have all that great a day. Say, have you been drinking?"

"One beer," Wayne looked around and discovered the tents. "Hey, are these out new diggins?"

"Yeah, the gents tent is the green on the right. The red on the left is for the gals when they get here. How long will it take us to get downtown tomorrow?"

"A little over an hour, it would be shorter to take the bus, but that's spendy. Hey man," Wayne paused to gesture at Ben's uniform," that's probably not the best thing to wear. Your gonna get some grief."

"I'll see if Brett has something." Ben eased Wayne into the tent and pointed him toward a sleeping bag. The tall lanky man simply folded up in a heap and started snoring.

Will relieved Ben and got all the instructions to wake the men early. They had jobs.

[PacNorWest]

I have to be gone until Friday night. Mr. Pac is due for another checkup.

Thank you everyone for reading and caring about the people in my story. It helps me to write what readers enjoy reading.

[Jeepcats 3]

Have a safe trip and good luck with Mr Pac's checkup!
I'm sure with your good care he is doing well!
Thanks for the chapter.

Jeepcats3

[debralee]

Pac you drive safe and take water with you. Hope Mr. Pac is doing well.
Thanks for the chapter. Nice to know that wayne is ok and not another worry for the family.

[Rabbit]

Safe travels. I hope this trip is easy on both of you and that Mr. Pac gets some good news. Thank you for letting us know what happened to Wayne. Great story.

[Deena in GA]

Hope all goes well in the checkup! Thanks so much for this fantastic story!

[sssarawolf]

Thank you and yes please be safe as you can.

[PacNorWest]

we had a long HOT trip, but Mr. Pac was x-rayed, poked, prodded and announced to be on track for healing.
I should be able to get a chapter up tonight.

[nancy98]

Pac, so glad things are looking up for Mr. Pac.

Thanks for checking in and, of course, looking forward to a new chapter.