The Last Phoenix

After lunch, Samuel and Oliver bravely loaded the boys onto the Phoenix Bus and took them to their new home.  Most of the staff seemed quite pleased to see the new residents, the two notable exceptions, of course, were Majordomo Hoffstetter and Chï��telaine VonGerring.  Their look and attitude suggested that dumping a truckload of horse manure in the entranceway would have been far more pleasing to them.

Samuel led the boys to the second floor where the squad areas were.  Each area had a panel over the entrance with the squad number written on it.  The boys were anxious to explore their new home, but Samuel got their attention first.  "Boys, you are here this afternoon for two reasons.  The first is to pick your room and second is to decide on the colors for your personal room and your squad rooms.  In each suite, you will find a social area then a game room and four bedrooms.  The small room with the private bathroom is for the Squad Leader.  He has a private room so that if someone needs to talk to him privately, there isn't another room-mate to overhear.  Now if each squad leader will come forward, I will give you the paint samples you have to choose from.  We will be returning tomorrow to paint, and Sunday afternoon to do the trim and install the fixtures.  Monday we have the furniture delivered and Tuesday we can move you guys in."

The guys cheered and busily went about their task.  Samuel and Oliver stayed in the central area ready to help anyone who asked.  The Squad Leaders had their hands full but mostly things went pretty well.  'Philip' had printed out a sheet for each room, to be filled out by one of the boys.  That made the job so much easier.  After about an hour, most of the haggling was done and boys were happily exploring. 

It was during this time that a 9 year old came into the room and walked up to Oliver.  "Excuse me, sir.  Is your name really Oliver Jones?"

Oliver smiled at the young boy and said, "Yes, it certainly is, well actually it's Oliver Lucas Jones."

The boy's eyes got big and he jumped into Oliver's lap and wrapped his arms around Oliver's neck and just hugged the stuffing out of the startled man.

Oliver recovered somewhat and gingerly repositioned the lad's knee to avert possible tragedy and then returned the hug.  "So, I guess you like that name?"

"My dad said I had an Uncle... I was named after him... I'm Luke Oliver Jones."  The boy did not release his grip at all.

Oliver felt his heart skip a beat and his whole world shifted in that moment.  "You're Sherwood's boy?"

There was a giggle, "Daddy hated that name."

"I'm sorry.  Did he ever tell you how he got it?" Oliver asked not realizing just yet how natural and comfortable it was to hold this youngster.

"No, he just said he hated it, but the other choice was worse.  He even hated his nick name and said someday I would understand.  But now I guess I won't 'cause he and Mommy was killed by that bad man driving drunk.  Are  you really my Uncle?  Daddy told me once that you wasn't evil like Gramps used to say you was.  We weren't even allowed to say nothing about you or grams and Gramps would get all upset and start yelling and stuff then we'd have to leave.  It happened once, before we even had dinner.  I was real hungry by the time we got home."

Oliver started laughing, "Whoa, slow down there champ.  Yes, it sure sounds like I'm your Uncle, all right.  We'll check with Linda on some things to be sure, but I'm pretty sure I am.  Some things happened a long time ago that your Gramps, who was my father, didn't like, and he told me to change or get out.  Since I couldn't change, I packed up my clothes and left before I had to face my Mom, too.  I ended up in the Navy for a few years, then I drove buses.  About eight years ago, I got hired to drive for this really rich Doctor.  He had a custom bus and a limo that I drove him around in. I never liked him much, but now he is dead, and I work here for The Phoenix Foundation."

"Gramps was mean to you?  That's not right, you're really nice, I guess that's why Gram always got mad at him.  I'm sorry." Luke hugged Oliver even tighter.  Both of them held each other tight and cried.

Jason came in and walked over to Samuel, "Here is the paperwork.  I don't have Glenn and Aaron's room and Texas wants to talk it over with Juan.  If it would be acceptable, can we give this to you later?"

"Well, I was planning to go to the paint store from here.  How about this, we'll go to the master suite and use the computer there to conference with them?" Samuel offered.

"That would be cool.  I'll go get Texas."  Jason turned and rushed through the door.

Samuel led the boys to the computer terminal when they returned.  In seconds the Phoenix Computer and Haven's were connected and the three boys in question were onscreen.  Jason began, "Guys, we need to pick colors for the paint in your rooms.  Juan you and Texas go first."

Texas stood in front of the screen,  "Hey, I was thinkin' ya'll might like this here blue on the walls, It's the same as the Cubs on your hat and maybe white for the trim."

Juan thought about it, then shook his head, "Thanks, but I thin we aught to trim in dark blur like your Dallas Cowboys.  That way we both got our teams."

"Oh, that's kewl.  Ya'll's right smart, for a Mexican." Texas giggled.

"I'm Cuban and third generation.  I'm goin'a get you, Redneck."

Jason nudged Texas out of the way, "Okay, let's not start World War III.  Glenn and Aaron, how about your room?"

Aaron spoke first, "I want something happy and light, no dark."

"Yeah, like a light blue or just white.  How about light blue with white trim."

"That would be nice, Glenn.  You got that, Jason?"

"I got it.  You two decided faster than anybody else.  Thanks, Guys, we'll catch ya later."  Jason closed the conference.

Samuel was then approached by a couple of other squad leaders so Jason and Texas were free to go exploring.

*  *  *

He watched from his secret place as the bus unloaded all the boys.  He wished he knew what was going on.  His 'Master' hadn't come in a long time.  There had been all this construction and so many new people; he had never seen anything like it before.  The worst thing was the two evil ones were still here, he saw them sometimes.  The fat one was bad but when he had to go to those two it was horrible.  He hoped something would happen soon, the food was gone, he really hated to eat the animal food but...

*  *  *

After all the squads had given Samuel their selections, he called the paint store with the large order.  They promised to have it ready for pickup at eight o'clock tomorrow (Saturday) morning.  Samuel thought as he hung up that for the extra he was paying, they better have it ready.

When it was approaching Dinner time, Samuel rounded up the boys and they were off to Haven for food.  Now that was a plan they could all support.

Luke sat in the seat right behind Oliver and watched everything he did driving the bus.  The boy hoped that he really was related and he could have a family again.  Squad six was really cool and Mr. and Mrs. Gregory were alright, he thought, but Mr. Jones might actually be his Uncle Oliver.  All too soon they arrived back at Haven.

As they entered, 'Philip' announced that 'Dinner is served' and the boys thundered down the hall and up the stairs to their rooms to wash up and then the herd of hungry boys stampeded back down to the dining hall.  Luckily, John, Becky, Bobby, Beth and their kids had been through the buffet line already and were seated when the stampede arrived and turned into a plague of locus attacking the delicious food.

"Oh my God!" Bobby said as he watched.

John beamed proudly, "Those are my boys."

Patty and Genny came over and asked Sarah and Julie if they wanted to join them.  Bobby told his girls to go and have fun. Danny and Donnie were excited to see that their parents had come down for the meal and carried their plates, heaped with food, over to join them.  Becky introduced them and there was instant friendship with David and Dean.  The three year age difference didn't seem to matter to them. 

Bobby asked Tom and John just what his job was going to be.  John grinned and answered, "Well, we have around fifty growing boys.  We need someone to be sure all the paperwork gets done and that all the bills get paid on time and that all the records for each of them are kept up to date and in order.  Also each of them has an inheritance that the old facility was milking and they need to be restored and managed.  It is a very big job and you will probably need assistance."

Bobby started to react but Tom jumped in, "Yeah, we have an awesome computer system, the most sophisticated ever built, and he will make a lot of the task pretty easy, but you may need a secretary to manage your schedule and do some of the repetitive tasks."

"Oh sorry.  I guess I'm a bit sensitive about this damn chair.  I'm not used to being around people who don't see it, but see me. Thanks."

"Jeez, Bobby, After what you did to Mr. Miller, You earned my eternal respect."  Tom laughed, and Bobby reddened.

David and Dean noticed their dad blushing and of course wanted to know what they missed.  Tom began laughing hysterically.  Leo looked at his partner, sighed, then said, "I guess his Meds have worn off." Which of course, didn't help at all. 

Bobby looked desperately to Beth for help.  She shook her head and told him, "You're on your own here, Big Boy.  I don't have any idea who Mr. Miller is and no clue what you did to him."

"Yeah, Dad, who is Mr. Miller and what did you do to him?" the twins asked.

"Um, well, you see, Mr. Miller was our science teacher and homeroom teacher." Bobby trailed off, hoping that maybe by some fluke of luck that would satisfy the boys.  No such luck and several of the closer tables, like the one the girls had moved to were quiet and giving him their undivided attention.  "Well, we had these science projects and I totally innocently mixed some things together and well, when he opened the tin, it kind of exploded and made a really big mess and most of the mess was on Mr. Miller."

Tom renewed his laughter.  Beth said, "That doesn't sound all that bad."

"Well, it was a model of a cell and I had used things in the kitchen.  I thought it might get a bit gamy, so I put a layer of what I thought was Baking Soda under the wax paper, then added the parts, then the lemon gelatin, closed the tin and put it in the fridge.  Well, as it turned out, it wasn't Baking Soda I had used, it was Baking Powder and well, by the time we got to homeroom, it had already reacted and when Mr. Miller opened the tin..."

Tom, recovering, said between snorts of laughter, "The goo was all over him, even when he cleaned up, there was gunk in his hair and by the end of the day, he even was smelling bad."

Bobby glared at Tom, "I thought I was sooooo dead.  The next day, he called me up front and talked to me.  He asked me just what I had done in my project.  I told him, and he actually laughed. And told me those things can happen in science."

"So Dad, what did he do to you?"  Dean asked.

"He had me redo the project, leaving out the Baking Powder.  I actually got an A." Bobby grinned.

Tom made a pouting face, "No fair, I only got a B on mine."

"Yeah, you just glued construction paper blobs on the bottom of a shoe box."

"But I didn't trash the teacher."

Beth remarked, "He sounds like a very good teacher.  Most would have been really p... ah, angry."

"Mom almost said pissed!"  David blurted out.

Dean smacked him, "Watch your mouth, asshole.  Oh Shit! Damn."

All the adults were laughing way too hard to correct David or Dean.

*  *  *

Glenn and Juan were playing on the PS2 while Aaron napped.  Glenn looked at his friend and put down is controller.  "I'm really worried about him, Juan."

"This stuff sure is hitting him hard.  I mean you're sick and weak, but Aaron is really out.  I think we need to let Dr. Leo know.  Aaron seems to be just too sick."

"Those people at Juvy should be charged with attempted murder.  He wasn't there all that long and he got so sick.  Those black spots on his chest and legs got bigger and bigger each week and those assholes just ignored it.  If they cared at all they would have done something."  Glenn lay down and hugged Aaron who instinctively cuddled into him.

Juan smiled at the caring and love that Glenn was giving to Aaron.  "Do you feel like eating?"

"Not really.  Maybe if they got some of that soup like we had for lunch.  You are probably starved.  I heard the guys a few minutes ago, so why don't you go down and eat and then bring us back some of that soup."

"Okay, I'll tell Doc Leo to come by too."  Juan waved and left.

About a half hour later, Juan returned, carrying a tray with two big bowls of Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup, with Doc Leo opening the door for him.  Glenn sat up and sniffed the delicious aroma of the soup.  Aaron rolled over got a sniff of the soup and grabbed for the waste can.

"Juan, why don't you just set the soup over there on the desk, and help Glenn if he needs it."  Leo waited for the older boys to clear the bed then he turned to examine Aaron.  "Hey there, Champ.  Let me look you over."

After an assessment, Leo said, "I'm not real happy with how you are responding.  You shouldn't be this sick.  These are the drugs you were on before... Okay, I'm going to cut the dose in half and see if you get better, if not, we're going to the hospital Monday for some more tests."

"Thanks.  I don't mean to be a problem." Aaron whispered.

Leo hugged him, "I know you don't, Son, and I really don't mind.  I just want you to be as good as I can make you."

Glenn asked quietly, "Is he going to be okay?"

Leo sighed, "Well Glenn, I honestly don't know.  I am not going to lie to you boys and tell you not to worry, that everything is going to be fine.  It's not.  HIV and AIDS are life long conditions, and will be a factor in everything you do.  Sometimes the drugs you need will have bad reactions sometimes they just stop working and eventually at some point, they don't work well enough anymore.  We are getting better at it, and your lives should be pretty good and much longer, but there are still many things we simply don't understand and can't predict."

"It's okay, Glenn," Aaron whispered.  "I'm not afraid.  They are doing everything that can be done.  I'll be fine, no matter what.  I'm safe and loved now."  Aaron smiled and drifted off to sleep.

Leo and the boys all wiped the tears from their eyes.  Leo then went into the bathroom and got the medicines.  He filled a cup with Glenn's dose and then did one for Aaron, about half of what he got the last time.  He took them back and gave Glenn his and watched as he took them.  "Make sure Aaron takes these before you guys go to sleep.  Let him sleep for a while.  Glenn, if you're still hungry, go ahead and eat the other bowl of soup, Aaron won't be able to eat much anyway.  If you need me, just ask 'Philip' and he'll be sure to get me."

"Thanks Doc.  I love you," Glenn said.

"I love you two too, to tell you the truth." Leo chuckled, as he left to go worry about his other patients.

Before Breakfast the next morning, Leo was back to check on his patients.  Glenn was still feeling weak, but the nausea was almost gone.  Aaron wasn't quite as out of it as he had been yesterday.  Leo got them their meds and told Juan to go shower and dress to go with the other boys to paint.

"But I need to stay here for them." Juan said, plaintively.

Leo smiled, "I think Texas needs help painting your room and they will need help getting Glenn and Aaron's room done.  I'll be here if they need anything, and you can take over when you get back and then you can let these two know how everything over there is going."

"But..."

Glenn cut him off, "Juan, go.  Be normal today.  Texas misses you, the squad misses you and needs you.  We'll be fine.  I'm feeling better, and I can call for the Doc if I need him until you get back.  Go, Please."

Juan nodded and reluctantly left their room.  Texas was just getting up when he entered their room. 

"Hey, Juan.  It's good to see you, man.  I kind of missed ya."

"Yeah, I'm going to hang with you guys today.  Figured you could use the help."

"Yeah, we got that extra room with Glenn and Aaron out."

"Well come on, let's get our shower and get ready for the day."

At the adult table at breakfast, Eddie was telling everyone about his day with the lawyers.  "It was an amazing thing, the Corps Jag was trying to blow smoke and this Navy Captain just wasn't buying any of it.  I really hate to say it, but the Marine was a total disgrace to the uniform.  As much as it goes against tradition, the Navy rocked.  Between that Captain and young Fred, they were tearing the jerk a new one and when the older Fred and 'Philip' jumped in, it was pathetic.  I hardly said anything.  I think everything will work out now.  When things wrapped up, the Captain asked what I wanted to have happen.  I told him that I had a responsibility to my sons and that I was willing to retire.  What I wanted most was an honorable discharge and to have my record cleared of these stupid charges.  He smiled and nodded, then closed his connection.  Fred and I went out and celebrated with a nice dinner and that's why I was a little late last night.  Don't look at me like that, Tiger.  It was just a friendly two guys having dinner; it was not a romantic dinner with soft music and all.  I'm straight!"{Str8mayb?}

"Maybe." Tom grinned, then burst into laughter as Eddie blushed several shades of red.

After breakfast, the kids and adults went out to the bus.  Oliver explained that there would be paper covering the seats for the trip home.  He did NOT want paint on the upholstery.  When the bus was full, there were still kids and adults left over.  Bobby and his family naturally went to their van, Lee drove the 'Phoenix' van. Tom drove his van, and everyone was able to squeeze in somewhere.  When they arrived, Samuel was waiting and had each of the older boys carry two gallon cans of paint and the younger guys to carry the rollers, brushes, tape, plastic drop cloths and other miscellaneous items from his truck.  He had them put everything in the upstairs hall.  He then instructed them on preparing the rooms for painting and sent them off.  While the boys were taping the drop cloths to themselves and the floor, the adults started sorting the paint for the various rooms. Before any paint was given, the room had to be checked by Samuel.

It went amazingly quickly and soon paint was being applied to the walls.  Majordomo Hoffstetter and Chï��telaine VonGerring chose this time to make an appearance.  It just so happened that Neal was carrying an open can of paint to the room he was helping paint, when Hoffstetter blocked his path, "Just vhere do you schink you are goink vish zhat."

"Ah, to the room we're painting."

"And jhust who told you, you could do zhat?"

Neal set the gallon of Royal Blue Paint down.  "As a matter of fact, the contractor I hired for the job did, if you must know."

"Ja, you hired, you think I am a fool?  Let's just see who is in charge here."

By this time, word of the confrontation was spreading to all the kids and work had totally stopped. Everyone was standing in a doorway to watch the fireworks.  Neal led the way to where the adults were.

When they entered the room, the adults stopped their conversations.  Hoffstetter said, "Who is in charge here?"

John wheeled around and said, "It is rumored that I am."

"Vell zhis little impertinent whelp vas carrrrying an open can of paint in zee hallvay."

"Neal, how dare you do such a thing!  Zere are fifty uzzer boys here to carry zee paint." John exclaimed in a very poor German accent.

"Huh?"

Gretta VonGerring stiffened, "You speak as though zee brat is royalty."

Neal grinned.  He obviously liked the idea.  Tom, in the background muttered, "Oh, nooooo."

Timing is everything; Brian, Mitch and Travis joined the group and stood behind Neal.  Mitch, who had Neal's bucket of paint said, "Neal, what's up we were waiting for the paint."

"More of them.  Are all of zee brats zhis rude?  I vill see zat is corrrected.  Ja!"

Brian looked at Hoffstetter, "What is his problem?  Doesn't he know his side lost the war?" followed by giggles.

"Why you impertinent whelp!"  Hoffstetter drew back to slap Brian.

He never got the chance.  Neal grabbed the paint from Mitch and dumped it over Hoffstetter's head.  There was a cry of rage that was quickly cut off as Hoffstetter was not too gently restrained by Master Sergeant White, well Eddie, but in full combat mode.  "Freeze, Asshole, unless you want me to mail your arm to you."

"This is an outrage!" squawked VonGerring.

John wheeled up in front of her.  "Yes, I totally agree.  Assault on one of the owners of the Phoenix Foundation that owns and operates this place is indeed quite an outrage."

Neal, wiping the paint off his hands in the voluminous folds of Gretta's floor length skirt.  "Yeah, you both are fired.  Pack up your shit and get the heck out of here,  Now. Today!"

"You can't order us around."

Tom stepped forward, "As a matter of fact, he can.  You see, he is the president of Phoenix Foundation, and what he says goes, unless the Board of Directors overrides his edict.  All in favor of support for Neal, raise your hands."

Brian, Mitch, Travis, Tom, and Lee all raised their hands. 

"The edict stands, by unanimous vote of the Board present.  You two had best get packing.  I'll call a moving company.  You can even have the furniture; we don't want it."  Tom said with absolute authority in his voice.

Eddie released the dripping Royal Blue, Ex-Majordomo. 

Neal watched as they left, then surveyed the floor.  "I kind of like the blue rug, but maybe a less intense blue.  What do you guys think?"  Everyone burst into laughter.

*  *  *

The bus, three vans and the truck were here.  Also a huge black animal.  It was the biggest animal he had ever seen this close.  It might be a dog of some kind, but it was huge and looked like it was all muscle.  It followed a little kid like a shadow and even went inside.  Now it was back out and sniffing around.  He quickly left his spy place and made sure everything was locked, that was silly really, since he didn't have the keys and the doors were padlocked on the outside.  He even stacked some heavy boxes in front of the 'doggy' door he had let the lab animals out of, he had tried to get through it himself, but it was too little.  At least they would have a chance out there, rat and rabbits could live wild, right?  He knew that the fat doctor would punish him and maybe even kill him for letting them go, but he was out of food;  he had eaten the last of the 'Rat Chow' this morning.  When he heard the creature sniffing at the 'doggy' door, he nearly panicked.  He moved as fast as he could, back to his hiding place in the ceiling where he could watch the back of the house through a small gap between the roof and wall.

*  *  *

 After the horde left for Phoenix, Martha went to organize the kitchen staff to prepare a picnic lunch for 80 hungry kids and adults.  Linda and Becky went to go over case notes and Leo went to his clinic to research the HARRT treatment drugs and their side effects.  There was something about Aaron's reaction that made him uneasy. It just didn't seem right somehow.

At about eleven, Leo went to check on his patients.  Glenn was sitting up doing something on his laptop, Aaron was snuggled up to him sound asleep.  "So Glenn, how are you doing today?"

"Okay I guess.  I'm pretty tired and doing more than sitting is really hard.  At least I'm not puking up my guts, today."

"Well, that's good news.  A few more days and you should be getting back to your old self.  How is Aaron doing?"

"He just sleeps.  At least he isn't puking.  He'll wake up, give me a smile and a hug then right back to sleep."

"Okay, do you want more than soup for lunch?"

"Yeah, that would be great."

"I'll get Martha to fix us something nice, before she leaves."  Leo left Glenn to his computer, trusting that 'Philip' was monitoring what he was doing.

In the kitchen, the staff was working together quite well now and they were almost done with the cold cut subs they had been making, gallons of potato (Potatoe for you republicans out there) [Yes, that is a Dan Quayle joke] salad, coleslaw and bags and bags of chips.  Three huge Iglooï�� drink coolers, one with iced tea for the adults and two with bug juice (miscellaneous fruit drink familiar to Scouts world wide) for the kids. [God, I hadn't thought of bug juice in years.]

Leo waited by the huge basket of Martha's chocolate chip cookies, which he of course partook of a few of, until Martha was free.  "I was wondering if you had anything that Glenn might be able to eat?  I think he can handle more than soup today, but nothing real spicy."

"As a matter of fact, I was thinking of some grilled cheese sandwiches for the boys, and maybe a Ruben for you.  The pot of soup is still on the back burner.  Are they ready for lunch now?"

"Martha that is a silly question.  Aaron will just have the Jewish Penicillin, Glen, a couple of grilled cheese and they both can have some milk.  That Ruben sounds really good to me, could you make it on Rye, with lots of sauerkraut, please?"

"Sure, It will be just what the doctor ordered."  They both laughed at Martha's pun.

Martha fixed the lunch for Leo and put it on a cart he could wheel up to the boys, provided the rickety old elevator kept working.  When he left, she began getting the staff loading the back of Frank's truck, which of course had been scrubbed clean and had been treated to a generous dose of bleach for good measure.  When everything was loaded in the back, she climbed in the cab with Frank and he drove off.

*  *  *

The evil ones came out then, and for some reason the man looked blue.  They seemed to be having furniture loaded in a truck.  He could tell they were quite angry.  Before they got in their car, he saw the bitch point towards where he was watching and say something to the evil man and they both laughed.  They drove off, leading the loaded truck.  They almost hit a truck coming in, that had 'HAVEN STABLES' written on the sides.  He was so tired, and hungry, the past three days he had only had a handful of that rat chow each day and now that was gone.  He smiled as he saw all the food being carried into the big house.  He closed his eyes dreaming that he was eating some of that food.  He slipped from sleep to unconsciousness.

 

Author's Notes:
Yes, of course it's a Cliff Hanger.  At least none of the boys we know and love are in danger.  I know, Darryl, you love him too, but... Jeezï��.  You also know who is going to die. [Well, I still hold out some hope, and I am the editor, so I might just be able to do something about that. I am sure going to try.]
Well Neal got to get some painting done.  I somehow think there should be at least a section of blue carpet put in, to commemorate the event, maybe even a wall plaque...
I'm glad Glenn is getting along and I hope Leo can get Aaron's medications regulated so he can improve and get better.  I'm sure he couldn't be getting better medical care.
            Str8mayb

 

Editor's Notes:  Now it's my turn.  I am so glad the house Nazis are out of there. I like the idea of the blue carpet in that room.  It's too bad Neal didn't turn her blue as well. 

I wonder who this watcher that has been peeking at the activities from his vantage point is, and I sure hope someone will get to him in time to save him. I have my editing pen handy just in case though. Oh dear, am I giving anything away? I just re read this, and I think I am safe.

As is always the case with Str8mayb's stories, there is intrigue, humour and heart wrenching sadness, all mixed together into what we all love to read. I for one am eagerly waiting for the next chapter to come across my desk as soon as possible.

I think there has to be a couple more chapters of Phoenix and possibly a chapter or two of Fire before Book 3 of Haven can start.  There are some things that need to happen before the events in Haven 3 can happen.  
Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher

Fort Chief Editor's Notes:  I also have my editing pen handy to make sure that everyone remains safe and sound; well at least the good guys.

I have contacted 'Philip' and I am awaiting the pics of Neal dumping the paint. I wish I could have seen it.

As for Aaron and Glenn I am keeping my fingers crossed for both of them. As to the system that could let such a travesty happen *^*&&*(*&%! Unfortunately most bureaucrats and bureaucracies don't seem to have a lot of common sense or intelligence. If there is a treatment for an illness or injury that just happens to be outside of their limit rather than trying to get approval; they just keep paying their authorized limits over and over again.   Hmmm pay $25,000 once or $2,500 a month for years; makes perfect sense to me. NOT!!!!

Thank you again for another wonderful chapter Str8mayb; and Darryl I already have Chapter One of Haven 3. I wasn't supposed to say that? Okay I will fix it.

The Story Lover