The Last Phoenix

Tom followed the bus as Oliver maneuvered his way through the city traffic to the interstate.  After they were cursing along, Tom said to the boys, "Guys, Right behind each you is a box with your name on it.  It was what that place had stored in a locked room and had kept from you.  I thought you might like to see what was there, here by yourselves, rather than in front of everybody else."

"Thank's Dad," Neal said, as he and Brian retrieved their boxes.  They opened them and Neal was soon crying and Brian was quietly examining everything in his box.

Neal said, "They had pictures of Mommy and Daddy, and never told me.  I could have had this all along.  Why did they tear them up?  And these look like some kind of legal papers like Uncle Fred does.  What is all this, Dad?"

"Each of the boys that lived there, has a box like that.  I think they were systematically draining all the money they could from each of the estates and trust funds.  Neal, you actually are pretty well off, if what I glanced at is correct.  You should have been able to live very well with all that you had left to you, but obviously they were taking the money and spending as little on you as they possibly could."

Brian looked up from his box, "Are these pictures of my parents?  I don't remember them.  I wish I had had these while I could remember.  None of this means anything to me."  He closed his box and put it back behind his seat again and went back to the book he was reading.

Neal looked through the rest of the things and suddenly said "Hey, a letter from John!  It's from just before I ran away!"  Neal tore the letter open and read.  "Dad!  John has moved again.  Where is Saranac Lake?  Is it far?  Can we go visit?"

"Slow down, Neal, I think I've heard of Saranac Lake, It's somewhere in Upstate New York I think.  We might be able to go there this summer.  Why don't you write him and tell him what you are doing.  Maybe he's a Scout and would like to do Summer Camp with you."

"Oh, man, that would be so kewl." Neal forgot about his box for about half an hour while he was telling Brian about his friend from before Juvy.  Then when he went back to the box, he couldn't believe what was in there, "Buffy!" {no not that Buffy} the Buffalo his father had given him.  Neal hugged the stuffed animal and thought about his parents and how his new Dad was so loving and how much his real parents would approve of Dad.

Brian was asking Neal questions about his parents and history before coming to Juvy.

About two hours out on the road, they pulled into a rest stop, all the boys got to run around. Then Tom gave Neal and Brian a stack of brand new One Dollar Bills, "Guys, go get each boy a soda for the bus.  Remind them that they are to be careful and not spill them, or there will be no more for anybody.  Bring me back one too, please."

Oliver said they were making very good time and should be at the motel at about five o'clock just as they had planned.

"Good," Tom said, "That way we'll be able to swim for an hour or so before going to dinner.  Have you made reservations for dinner?"

"Oh yes, Sir, I mean Tom.  They are for six o'clock and they are expecting the boys.  I had them do six tables for eight, and one table of six for the adults.  I have done the same for breakfast tomorrow at a very nice place I know just the other side of the state line." Oliver informed Tom.

Soon they were back on the road with some very happy boys.  Oliver actually started them singing '100 Bottles of Beer On The Wall'.  

Right at five O'clock, Oliver pulled off the interstate and up to a little three story motel.  He told the adults to have the boys gather their things and he would be back when everything was ready.  Neal and Brian joined the others and Tom and Oliver entered the motel.  The woman behind the desk smiled, "You must be the Phoenix group that reserved the hotel.  I'm here at your service.  I'm Mrs. Kline, My husband and I own this motel."

Oliver said, "Hi Harriet, how's Earl?"

"Oh, my!  Ollie!  I didn't recognize you.  How long has it been?" Harriet Kline asked as she came around the counter and hugged Oliver.

"Must be five or six years now.  My former employer didn't like to stop.  With all these boys we stop a lot." Oliver laughed.

"Yeah, the last time you stopped you had just delivered something and were on the way back," Harriet said.

Tom noticed the clouded look that passed over Oliver's face, before he smiled and said, "Yes, that was quite an eventful time.  Luckily everything has worked out now, although I had no idea just how bad it was there for a while.  Now that my old employer is gone, these new folks are first class and I'm so happy to be a small part of this."

"Well let's get these fine folks registered." Harriet said as she stepped behind the desk again, and soon the boys were all checked in and headed to their rooms to change into their swimming suits. 

In the elevator, Tom said to Oliver, "I have a feeling that you are going to be much more than a small part in this, Oliver.  You seem to have a natural way with the boys and that is a very special talent.  These guys need adults they can trust and rely on.  I believe you are just exactly what some of them need.  If you are willing, I think your role in this venture could expand a great deal."

Oliver smiled, "I sure would like that.  I have always missed having a family."

The elevator stopped, the doors opened and they went to change, then herd the boys back down to the pool.

With the older boys helping the younger ones, the gang was ready to head for the pool in record time.  At the pool, Neal, Brian, Andy, Jimmy, Danny and Donny all dove right in and started swimming.  Most of the Phoenix boys had stopped and were watching. 

Lee noticed what was happening and approached the boys, "Hey guys, any of you know how to swim?"  No one raised a hand or nodded.  "Ah, Okay then, those who are seven and younger, how about the shallow pool for now, the rest of you let's get in the shallow end."

Soon Linda and Martha were playing in the Kiddie Pool with the little ones.    Neal and Andy organized the other swimmers and they began a swimming class.

Jason, true to form, once again let his mouth run before thinking, "So what?  Why do we need to learn how to swim?"

Glenn replied, "Jaaaason, Shut up.  We want to learn."

Before Jason could answer, Andy, who was holding him up said, "Well, you don't have to learn.  But we have a really nice pool, and you all do too.  And then of course there is Summer Camp, but if you don't want to try..." Andy removed his hands and Jason dipped under.  He naturally panicked, like any non swimmer would.  Andy grabbed him and pulled his head above the water.  "Then there is the issue of survival, and now you need to learn, so you can get revenge."

Jason tried glaring at Andy but just couldn't, he began laughing and the tension was broken and everybody had a good lesson.  Tom finally said, "Enough lessons, play time!  We have to go get dressed in twenty minutes."

Andy immediately started a splash war with Jason and soon the pool was fully involved.  The boys had burned off a good deal of their energy by the time Tom called them to leave the pool. 

On the way back to the room, Jason asked Andy, "What is this Summer Camp you mentioned?"

"Oh, Scouts, we're all Scouts.  You guys can join too.  You really should give it a try.  We have a lot of fun and go camping every month.  It's great to get away from the 'rents.  My new Dad and Mom are really cool, but it is a nice break.  I've also earned some cool Merit badges and got to do some awesome stuff like Fly in an airplane, visit a nuclear plant, and we've done some of the Appalachian Trail.  We have troop elections coming up, and I'm running for SPL, that's Senior Patrol Leader, I'd be the guy running everything." Andy explained excitedly.

Jason scoffed, "Oh come on, they let you think you run it, don't the adults tell you what you have to do?"

"No, actually they don't, only if there is a danger or violation of safety codes.  The patrol leaders meet and we discuss what we want to do, then the adults approve it.  They almost never say no, they might recommend a few changes, but that almost always makes it better.  Mr. Little, he's our Scoutmaster, is really cool and he has this kewl rule, 'If you're not having fun then something is wrong.'  He asks the guys all the time if they are having fun.  Sometime we have to do some not so fun things so we can do the really fun stuff, but it's not as bad, if you know what you are doing it for." Andy explained.

"Maybe Scouts aren't all dorks.  It sounds kinda fun." Jason admitted.

"Yeah, there are even special programs for us older guys called High Adventure, I'm doing the River Rafting this Summer Camp.  Now that is going to be fun!" Andy went on to explain what all they would get to do in their week on the river.

At dinner that night, the Phoenix boys sat by their squads and one of the other boys sat with them.  The conversation at all the tables centered around, what this place called Haven they were headed for was like.  By the descriptions given to them, most of the boys were thinking it should be spelled HEAVEN.

After dinner, Tom had the hotel unblock the kids' movie channel in all the rooms and got enough dollar bills so the boys could get snacks and drinks later.  Once they were up in their rooms Tom called the Squad Leaders and gave them each money and reminded them that they were going to get an early start, about five thirty, so wake up time would be five.

All the boys enjoyed the movies and snacks later, and few of them went to bed before midnight.  The adults, Andy and Jimmy were asleep by nine o'clock.

Reveille was right at 5:00 o'clock AM.  Andy gleefully went down the hall pounding on doors, yelling insults and in general doing a good Drill Instructor impersonation.

At 5:25, Oliver was pulling out of the Hotel parking lot.  He had spent a wonderful evening with his old friends and they all vowed to keep in much better touch from now on.

By 5:26, most of the boys were asleep again.

At 6:30, the bus and van crossed the state line.

The bus pulled to a stop in front of the restaurant at 7:00 o'clock.  Nick and Martha got off to go in and see if they were ready for them.

The Waitress greeted them, "Hello, are you the group that called?"

Nick smiled, "Yes we are; there will be six adults and forty seven boys."

"Yes sir, we have a double room all set up for you.  It is right through there.  If you will show everyone where to go, I'll let the kitchen know you are here and get the buffet ready to refill."

"You sound like you have had this kind of thing before." Martha remarked.

"Oh, yes Ma'am, the bus drivers all know us and we see lots of school trips and Boy Scouts on their way to camp outs.  They always stop by cause they know that we know how to feed them."  Maggie replied, grinning.

Linda and Lee were leading the boys in and Nick pointed out the room.  Lee sent one Squad at a time to the restroom to wash up and whatever.  Most of the boys were already attacking the buffet by the time the adults came in.

"National Geographic needs to send a film crew, Boy Feeding Frenzy, Fact Or Fiction." Nick said.

"I want a steel cage for protection." Lee said.

Linda giggled.  "I can imagine you two at that age, behaving exactly the same way."

"Of course, that's exactly why we're so scared.  We remember how that is.  Why don't we go sit down and wait for the first wave to clear." Nick said.

The four sat at a table set for six.  Tom, Oliver, Neal and Brian came in at that point. The boys made a bee-line for the food and the adults joined them at the table.  They hadn't been there long when Maggie the waitress came out of the kitchen with a tray and set a small version of the buffet on the table for the Adults.

"Way too dangerous over there." She said grinning broadly.

Tom said, "She knows our boys!"

"Boys is boys.  God just gave them different faces so we can tell them apart." Maggie came back.  All the adults laughed.

Soon the staff was refilling the buffet and the first boys through the line were already back for seconds.  Oliver laughed, "Where do they put all that food?"

Lee, in a stage whisper, "All of them have a hollow right leg."

By the time the adults had finished eating; the boys had had thirds and were as satisfied as boys can be.  Tom told them to go wash the syrup off their hands and faces, then line up to get back on the bus.

One of the boys whined about wanting to go next door to the gas station mini mart and get some snacks for the rest of the trip.  This sounded like a wonderful idea to the rest of them and the clamor rose to a dull roar.  "Okay, okay. I think you guys should wash up by squads; then we can go in to the Mini Mart that way. There isn't enough room for all of us in there at once.  Each of you can get a soda, two candy bars and a bag of chips."

The resulting cheer was nearly deafening. The boys in Squad 3 were the first ones to get through in the restroom, so they were the first to go to the mini-mart.  Tom walked them over.  Jason's Squad Two was next and they waited outside for the first group to finish. 

When they got to go in, Jason pulled Glenn and Juan aside.  "Guys, there is a kid hiding back there behind the dumpster.  I think he might be living back there, he was pretty dirty.  When we leave, I want you two to go past the dumpster then go behind and block him off and I'll go in the other way and we can catch him.  Then we got to sneak him on the bus and get Neal and Brian to agree to rescue him too."

Juan said, "Oh man, this could be trouble.  Shouldn't we just tell the adults and let them handle it."

Glenn said, "Adults will call the cops and get the kid taken away and he could end up in a place like we were.  We got to sneak him in with us and then get the guys to fight for him.  They say they have the power to do that."

"I don't know man, we could get in big trouble here.  We could get ourselves kicked out." Juan complained.

"Yeah, but if we don't, what's going to happen to the kid?  Juvy or sellin' it for food." Jason said.

"Damn!  When you put it like that, of course, you're right.  Okay, I'm in." Juan said.

"Yeah, Me too." Glenn agreed.

The boys got their drinks and candy, then went back outside Jason stopped at one end of the dumpster to tie his shoe and the other two went past.  When they turned, Jason moved quickly behind the dumpster.  The boy saw him and started to bolt in the other direction, but was caught by the other two.

"Let me go!  ARTY!!  HELP!!" The little guy screamed.

"It's okay; we aren't going to hurt you. We want to help." Jason began.

"Leave my little brother alone." the threat in the voice was unmistakable.

"Chill, Dude.  We ain't hurtin' nobody.  We want to help you guys.  We are headed to a place that is really cool and we want you guys to come with us." Jason tried to explain.

The older brother was holding a knife and looked like he knew how to use it.  "I said leave him alone.  Howie, over here behind me."  The little guy scurried behind his big brother.  They both had red hair and green eyes.  Arty, the older brother, was 13 and Howie was eight.

"I'm sorry Arty, but they snuck up on me."

"It's okay.  Now you guys leave us alone.

Glenn looked at the two and said, "No, I won't leave you alone.  You need help, we offer you a choice, come with us and let us help you, or we tell the adults and they will call the cops and then you get split up and sent to Juvy.  Your choice, and hurry cause if we don't get back on the bus soon, they will come looking for us."

"What kind of choice is that?  Can't you just leave us and not say anything?" Arty asked.

"No.  That would mean that we would leave you to freeze or starve or get picked up by some pervert.  Those ain't choices.  It's us or the cops."

"Shit."  Arty put the knife away and took his brother's hand.  "Okay, we'll go with you."

"Thanks, I'm Jason, by the way. This is Juan and Glenn.  Come on let's get you on the bus.  When the adults were busy with other things, five boys crossed the parking lot, boarded the bus and went to the back.

A few of the boys that were near the back of the bus made a comment or two about something smelling bad, but were quickly silenced by the older boys.  Eventually everyone was on the bus; each Squad leader said their squad was all present and the bus pulled out.

About twenty minutes later, Nick Regnad realized he hadn't used the bathroom before leaving.  He made his way to the back and sensed something was up because there was absolute silence as he went by.  After taking care of business, he came out and silence fell once again.  The 'innocent' looks were enough to convict them on the spot.

Nick locked eyes with Jason, now there was a ring leader if he ever saw one.  He grinned, "Okay Jason, what is it?" 

Jason turned red, but before he could answer Nick said, "Don't even think of lying to me, I can sense a lie a mile away."

"Well, ah, Mr. Regnad, ah well, ah we, ah kind'a, ah, found, ah ..."

"Dog?  You found a dog?" Nick guessed to try to speed things along a bit.

"Ah, no, not a dog..."

"Cat?"

"No."

"Beaver? Ardvark?"

"No that's silly!"

"Then what in God's name did you find, boy." Nick said in exasperation.

"Yeah.  How'd you guess?"

"Huh?  Wait. You found a boy?"

"No, not A boy, two boys."

Nick sat down on the seat across from Jason that was stacked with backpacks that started moving under him.  He stood back up and quickly uncovered the two red haired brothers.  "Whew, you guys stink.  Come on, I got an idea."  He took the boys to the bus bathroom.  "Now, there's a shower stall.  You guys strip and climb in.  Here is a bar of soap and a bottle of shampoo.  Wash your hair and body twice.  Here are some towels.  I'll go find some clean clothes for you.  Go ahead and get started and I'll be right back."

Nick exited the bathroom and there were forty five pairs of eyes looking at him.  "So, you all are in on this, huh?  Well, I need two sets of clean clothes."

Boys grabbed their packs and in a flash, clothes were being passed to Nick.  He picked out the sizes he thought would fit best and passed the others back.  By this time, Martha, Linda and Lee had their attention on the scene in the back of the bus.  They couldn't hear the conversation, but from the looks on the boys' faces, they could tell something BIG was happening.

Nick spent the next few minutes returning the boys' glares until he heard the shower turn off.  He opened the door and re-entered the bathroom.  The brothers were toweling each other off.

Nick handed the boys the clothes, his trained eye noted the faded bruises and he noticed that the little boy's upper left arm had been broken and healed crooked.  "Okay boys, get dressed and then come up to the front of the bus.  You can bring a couple of the guys that brought you on the bus if you would feel more comfortable.  I want you to know that you are not in trouble.  I know you don't believe that, but it's true."  Nick smiled and then left them to finish.

"Andy, Jason, Glenn, to the front of the bus," Nick commanded, as he went by.  The three older boys followed behind, slowly.

Once they had joined the other adults, Nick began.  "Linda, we have two new boys."

"WHAT!?!  How?" Linda asked.

Jason answered, "It's my fault.  I saw Howie hiding behind the dumpster at the restaurant and got some of the guys to help and we caught them and made them come on the bus.  Don't punish them, please.  It's my fault, send me back to Juvy, but you got to help them."

"Whoa, there," Nick said to Jason.  "We aren't mad.  We're surprised, not angry.  We just need to figure out what needs to be done.  Have they talked to any of you?"

Andy and Glenn shook their heads, 'no', and Jason said, "A little, Just that they ran away from a really bad foster home."

Linda was all ears now, "What else, Jason?"

"Well, I think the foster dad beat them." Jason said.

Nick added, "Someone sure did.  Both boys are covered with bruises and the little one had a broken arm that wasn't set correctly.  My guess is he never saw a doctor."

Lee interrupted, "Here they come."

A funeral march would have been faster than the two boys making their way up the isle.  They finally arrived and took a seat while watching the adults very closely.

Oliver had been listening to the conversation, since the group was right behind him, "Glenn, In the back there is a refrigerator, how about getting these two each a soda and sandwich, I don't think any of them are fuzzy."

Glenn was off like a shot, very happy to be able to get away, if things were going to get bad, he didn't want to be there.  As he got the food and drinks, the others wanted to know what was happening.  Glenn told them what he knew so far and the others hurried him back up front to be their eyes and ears.

When Glenn left, Linda introduced herself, "Hello, boys.  I'm Mrs. Harris and it just so happens that I am the director of Child Protective Services for my area, which, by the way, we just happen to be in.  I would be very interested in just exactly what has been happening.  But first, how about telling us who you are?"

The older boy said hesitantly, "My name is Author Gilbert White; I'm thirteen and go by Arty.  This is my brother Howard William White; he's eight and goes by Howie."  Arty then looked around at the others.

Andy spoke next, "Hi Arty and Howie, I'm Andy.  You guys are safe now.  I know this is all pretty scary, but we really do want to help you.  Most of the guys here are going to a brand new place and you can join them.  They were all in a really bad place before, and we just closed it down and are taking them home."

Jason continued, "There are like forty one of us, plus Danny and Donny and their parents.  We have split up into smaller groups we call squads.  Each squad has like six or seven boys.  When you get to know some of us better, you can find a squad to join."

Howie looked hopeful and was squeezing Arty's hand.  Arty looked back at Linda, "Does that mean we aren't going to be sent back?"

Linda smiled, "Yes it does; that is exactly what it means.  We would never send you back where you were being hurt.  Mr. Regnad said you were both beaten, and Howie has had his left arm broken."

"Yeah that was a bad day.  Old man Morris had just dropped his coat when he got home from the liquor store, then he was yellin' like mad for us to get him somethin' and Howie was runnin' real fast, to obey him, and tripped on the coat and fell.  Morris grabbed his arm and yanked him back up.  I could hear the snap across the room, Howie screamed in pain and that mean mother fucker hit him and knocked him out.  I tried to help and he beat me till I passed out.  I didn't wake up till the next day, and Howie was out till the day after.  I found an old book with some first aid stuff and I did the best I could on his arm and put on a splint and all.  I knew he would never take Howie to the hospital."  Arty was crying and so was Howie and the brothers were clinging to each other.

Linda moved over next to them and pulled them into a hug.  It didn't take long for the two of them to be in her lap, soaking up the love that was being offered.  Linda smiled at the two of them, and held them close.  "It's okay now.  You ARE safe now, and that...will NEVER happen again, that I promise you."

Linda realized all her professional ethics just flew out the window, again.  So much for remaining detached and uninvolved in the cases.  Well, she had never been very good at that anyway, just look at her sons and Tom's.  Now there were the Phoenix Plethora.   Jeez.

Glenn returned with sodas and sandwiches {No Fuzzy Sandwiches}.  Arty and Howie sat up at the sight of real food, not trash.  They ate hungrily but made no move to leave Linda's lap.

After finishing his second sandwich, Arty said, "Thank you."

Glenn, Linda and Oliver all replied, "You're welcome," then blushed.

Arty and Howie giggled and that was music to Linda and Martha's ears. 

Arty looked at Jason, "Sorry I pulled the knife on you."

"Not a problem, dude.  You were protecting your bro.  We'd all do the same.  Just be careful who you do that to.  I'd been on the streets long enough that I'd have taken you down in seconds if I'd wanted to.  Anyway we didn't want to fight.  I'm glad we didn't.  You gonna stay?"

Arty looked confused, "Huh?  You mean we got a choice?"

Nick chuckled, "Son, you got lots of choices.  Let's see, you can go to Phoenix House with this bunch, you can go into the county youth facility and maybe get a foster placement, you could opt to go back where you were, you could run away again and risk your's and your brother's lives.  Some of those are good choices, some are bad ones, but they are all choices."

"Ah, yeah.  I guess the best choice now is to hang with these dudes and see what happens."  Arty looked at Howie and he was smiling so he figured that was their decision.

At that point they felt the bus come to a stop and realized Oliver had pulled into a rest stop.  The boys were off in a flash to go to the rest room and drink machines.  Linda said to Andy, "Son, go get Neal, Brian and Mr. Richards, please."

"Okay, Mom."  Andy said, and was off the bus.

Arty and Howie followed Andy, Jason and Glenn off the bus and headed for the restrooms.

Martha grinned at her husband, "My, my, Nick.  You certainly are handling all this very well."

"Well sure, Dear.  I mean it's not like we're taking them home or anything." Nick responded.

Martha scowled at him.  Nick paled, "Are we?"

Before Martha could relieve Nick's worry, Tom, Neal and Brian climbed abord the bus.

Linda indicated that they'd better sit.  "We have some serious business."

Neal's eyes sparkled, "Kewl."

"What's up, Aunt Linda?" Brian asked.

"It seems we picked up a couple of new boys at the breakfast stop."  Linda smiled and waited for a response.

Tom scowled, "Linda, you don't just pick up boys."

Nick laughed out loud, "Now THAT'S the pot calling the kettle black, isn't it!"

Tom, at least, blushed.

"What we need to do now is for the Board of Directors to approve adding them to The Phoenix House." Linda said.

Neal spoke up, "Yeah, I'm sure it's kewl, but we don't have everyone here so we will need to meet after we get home and everyone is there."

Tom hugged Neal, "You are very sharp there, Son.  So what's their story?"

Lee answered, "They are runaways, were badly abused and Jason found them at the restaurant dumpster."

"That was quick," Nick commented.

"Okay, we'll meet tonight after dinner and work out the details." Tom said.

Everyone nodded and the adults made there way off the bus and headed to the restrooms.  As they neared the building, the boys were coming out.  Neal heard a red headed boy say, "Oh shit!"

Then a little red headed boy took off running towards Tom, yelling, "DADDY!"

Author's Notes:
Yup, Howie said Daddy.  No, this is NOT a cliff Hanger.  No one is in any danger (well except maybe Tom from a heart attack).  And no, Tom doesn't have any Love Children.  But there is a very good reason for this, and I'll explain it all to you when I finally figure it out.  No, Arli, I'm not kidding.  
I think Andy needs that BSA Lifeguard.  They should not have run and Jumped in the pool without checking out the others.  Well, anyway, it all worked out.  Andy sure does handle Jason's mouth well.  I hope Jason can learn to control it better.  
Well they are almost home and we will see just what surprises are waiting for them there.
Let me know your thoughts.
          Str8mayb

Editor's Notes:

Now let me see, That was quite an exciting chapter. The first thing I am going to comment on is that we now seem to have two more boys. I know that is a piddling amount compared to forty one new boys, but hey we can't go around adding forty or fifty boys in every chapter, can we? They seem like nice kids don't they?

Going back a little farther, I think it is fair to say that Lou has been given a wonderful gift. You may have noticed that he is something very special. You kind of have to wonder just how he got to Juvy and why he was treated so badly.  Now, of course, Mitch and Travis have taken him under their wings. It is really sweet to see how much they are all bonding to one another.  If you were paying close attention, you might have found a clue buried in this chapter about Lou. I am going to guess that most everyone has missed it, but it was there.  I will be very curious to see if anyone picked up on it. Let Str8mayb know what you think the clue is. Or you could drop me a line at RadioRancher@crackerwriter.us  I am curious to see just how many people figured it out. I must say that it is a small clue and you could have easily missed it.  I do promise that it is a fair clue no tricks. {Yeah, right.}

I do urge you to be around for the next chapter, so you will know more about what is going on. I promise that all will be explained in due time.

Well, I am getting tired, so I will see you all next time and remember to be kind to each other.

Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher

Fort Chief Editor's Note:

Well I am glad to be back to work after taking off for over a month recovering from a pinched nerve. This is turning out to be a wonderful spin-off from Haven and Fire. I really feel sorry John and Becky but not as sorry as I feel for Nick! I think Martha has a big surprise or two or three for him.

I think it is going be a very interesting ride with Neal, Travis, Mitch and Brian running the Phoenix House as members of the Board of Directors.

I am not sure whether to be afraid or not regarding the next chapter, I hope everyone has figured out why 'Phillip' designed Lee and Linda's house.

Another wonderful bunch of words including the Large Amount of words added by our wonderful Radio Rancher!

Fort Chief Editor aka The Story Lover