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Innocent Collector

By: thornapple



by Philip Johnson



Chapter One

"Paul, it's Dale."

"Talk fast because you're signal is breaking up."

There was a pause and then Dale said, "That should be better, I was in a bad spot."

"That is better, what's up?"

"Tina asked me to call and see if you were available to join us for dinner Friday night."

"I am available in fact."

"Invite a friend if you'd like, but that's up to you."

"I'll call Renee."

"That would be great, we've not seen her in a long time. How's the writing going?"

"Not bad actually, you and your dad still talking?"

Dale laughed and told him, "Yeah we're still talking. I don't often see him in fact, so working for him isn't the issue I was afraid it would be."

"Glad to hear that."

"We'll just go to Logan's. It's noisy there, but the food is great. Say five so we beat the rush."

"That works. I don't know how Mishawaka can have so damn many places to eat and it's still nearly impossible to avoid long lines on Friday nights."

"Even with the economy in the toilet."

"Even with. Okay, see you two there, and thanks for the call."

With Dale getting into his father's accounting firm, he had been very busy as he slaved to please his dad. That meant that Paul hadn't seen Dale or Tina in recent weeks.

He was still home and in his office when his phone rang again. "Paul, it's Megan."

"This is a nice surprise, how are things in Battle Creek?"

"Fine. I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but Tony has been diagnosed with lung cancer."

"Oh shit, no. I talked to him a week or so ago and he said he wasn't feeling a hundred percent. How bad is it?"

"Pretty bad I'm afraid. It's quite advanced in fact."

"Damn it, I've told him to stop smoking over and over."

"I have too. He asked me to call you and said he'd be in touch later."

"When did you talk to him Meg?"

"This morning. God that was so hard, he was crying when he told me and he didn't want you to hear him like that."

"Damn it, is anybody with him other than Sybil?"

"Yes, his brother and sister are there with him. From what his brother Jimmy said, he's had symptoms for quite awhile, but he wouldn't go to the doctor. I'm not sure that things would be any different had he gone, but we'll never know."

"Should I come up do you think?"

"That's up to you of course, but I'd say give him a few days to accept the diagnosis."

"What is the prognosis?"

"I haven't heard, but it can't be good. I'll keep you posted of course. Listen Paul, when you do come up, don't get a motel room. You'll be a lot more comfortable if you use my guest room."

"Thanks, I appreciate that, but I'll likely be in and out."

"If you come during the week I'll be at work so I won't know the difference."

"I'll see you Saturday morning then, and Meg, thanks again for calling."

"You're welcome."

Paul sat there and stared at the far wall as he thought about Tony. They had been great friends since childhood and Meg had been friends to both of them for several years, long before Carl, her husband, had died in a car accident. Now he wished he'd never moved down to Mishawaka to be closer to his mother, because she was now in a nursing home suffering with dementia. She often times didn't even know who he was. Were he still in Battle Creek he'd have been there for Tony. Of course it wasn't likely that would have changed anything, but he could have been there for him right from the first doctor visit.

Meg called Paul as soon as she got home from her office and told him, "I think you coming tomorrow is a good idea. Paul, it's really bad. Tony is far beyond benefiting from any kind of therapy, so it's just a matter of time."

"How could the cancer progress so rapidly?"

"It's pretty clear that it's had plenty of time to grow. I talked to him and his brother and sister. Tony admitted to me that he's been coughing up blood for weeks. Not a lot, but more lately. As you know, his lifestyle is pretty sedate so as he noticed that he got tired and out of wind more quickly he wrote off as being the result of him not getting any exercise at all. Bottom line Paul is it's good that you'll be here tomorrow."

"Are you sure I won't be interfering with your life?"

"I'm sure. I'm planning on seeing Tony too and in fact I'm sure my weekend will be focused around him."

"Will it be too much for him when both of us show up?"

"I'm sure that won't be a problem. Paul his time could be measured in hours, days or weeks according to Gina, his sister."

"I'll see you by ten then."

Paul's thoughts were still on Tony as he and Renee joined Dale and Tina at Logan's Steak House. He had told Renee about Tony, but he didn't mention his sad news to Dale and Tina as they talked over dinner. 

When there was a moment's pause in conversation, Paul told Tina, "You're looking especially bright and fit, has there been a change in your lifestyle?"

She smiled and after glancing at Dale told Paul, "Thank you for noticing. I have made some changes in fact. Nothing major, but I'm trying to lead a healthier life."

Then Renee said, "I agree, you're looking great."

"I've been under a lot of stress and the only way I've been able to cope is by exercising."

Then looking at Dale, Paul said, "You on the other hand, look a little worse for wear."

"Like Tina, I've been under a lot of stress too, but I'm fine. Just not getting out in the sun so I'm getting more pale than you're used to seeing me."

"That must be it. You know, golf is great for stress and sunshine."

Dale laughed and added, "Golf is stress to me and I can get sunshine by walking around the block a couple of times."

Then Tina said, "Paul you're looking less than effervescent this evening."

He looked at Renee and then told them, "I didn't want to say anything and spoil this evening with sadness." Then he told them about his very good friend Tony dying of cancer.

Tina was quick to take his hand in hers and told him, "Oh no, we met him last year. I'm so sorry, what can Dale and I do for you?"

"Nothing that you or anybody else can do I'm afraid. The whole ugly thing has to play itself out. He's a great guy and doesn't deserve the sentence he has been given, but I guess that's said about many people that are dying or have died. I know I'll miss him very much. I hurt for Sybil, his wife, almost more than anything. Those two were...are inseparable."

Renee and Paul had talked about his writing before they had joined Tina and Dale, but to get away from the sad subject of death and dying, she asked, "So how is your new story coming along?"

He smiled at her in appreciation and said, "Slowly, but that's how it always is when I'm getting into a new project. I'm happy with how it's shaping up though."

"Good." That broke the spell of sadness and their evening of dinner and drinks ended on a much happier note. As Paul and Renee left, she told him in a soft tone, "I think Tina is looking pretty thin."

"I think so too, but I wasn't about to bring that up."

    Chapter Two

Paul pulled into Meg's driveway right at ten Saturday morning and she met him with open arms. Their embrace lingered in silence until he told her, "You look great Meg."

She smiled and told him, "Thank you, so do you."

"Anything new about Tony?"

"Nothing new. Put your bag in your bedroom and we can talk over coffee."

He met her in the kitchen and she poured his coffee as he sat down. She sat across from him then and he asked her, "How are you holding up?"

"I'm okay. Not great, but okay and I know it's going to be harder for you than for me."

"I'm working hard at coming to terms with the inevitable."

"Paul, I stopped over there last night and saw him for just a few minutes and told him you were coming. I better warn you, he looks awful."

"I have an idea of what to expect. I know it will still hit me hard though."

"How long can you stay?"

"I was just planning for tonight and tomorrow night."

"You're welcome to stay as long as you want or feel the need to, so if you decide to stay longer I can wash your clothes for you."

"Thank you Meg, but I don't want to get in your way."

She smiled then and told him, "My life is very simple and uncluttered so you won't be in my way at all. It's nice to see you again and we need time to get caught up."

"I wish we didn't live so far apart."

"Two hours isn't so far."

He smiled and asked her, "Then why don't you come down to see me?"

"I could ask you the same question you know."

"I know. Okay, once things settle down we both have to promise to do better about getting together."

"I agree."

"Meg, I'm not trying to pry, but how has it been for you since Carl died?"

"I'm okay now. As you know, the first several months I almost lost my mind, but time really is our friend when we're trying to get on with our lives after a disaster of that magnitude."

He reached across the table and taking her hand in his, he asked her, "Are you dating now?"

She showed a crooked smile and said, "No I'm not dating now."

"So I'd say you're still in the healing mode."

"I'm just not interested in dating is all. I'm sure I will one of these days, but I'm not in any hurry either. And what about you? Are you planning to be a bachelor the rest of your life?"

"Can you imagine being married to me? I'd be under foot almost constantly. I spend hours in my office sometimes. Other times I'm restless and pace or even talk to myself as I try to work through an issue with what I'm working on. I can even get pretty anti social sometimes."

"I have to admit, the lucky woman would have some adjusting to do, but so would you. Having her around might drive you nuts when you're trying to be creative."

"Exactly, so I think I'll just keep things the way they are now."

They put their cups in the sink and Meg put her arms around him again as she asked him, "Are you ready to go see Tony?"

"I'm dreading this, but yes, I'm ready."

Meg drove and it took them less than fifteen minutes to get to Tony and Sybil's and Paul held Meg's hand tightly as Blake, Tony's brother, let them in. Paul shook his hand and the three of them talked softly for a minute before leaving the foyer and entered the living room where Tony was sitting in his recliner. Tony smiled and tried to ease the moment saying, "You'll have to forgive me for not getting up." Paul went over to him, knelt down and put his arms around his friend, something the two of them had very rarely ever down before. That triggered tears and they held onto each other and silently cried.

Tony looked gaunt and pale, but his eyes were reasonably bright and his mind was still sharp. "Really fucked up didn't I Paul. You and Meg both warned me."

Paul didn't know what to say to that, but after stumbling a little he said, "Hey, who knows, maybe it all started from some damn virus or something."

"Yeah, who knows. Man, I'm sorry I had Meg call you instead of me, but I just couldn't make that call."

"I understand and don't worry about it. What can I do for you friend?"

"Not a damn thing I'm sorry to say." He pointed to an I.V. hanging next to him and added, "This is keeping me hydrated and the nurse uses it to give me medication to keep the pain under control. I've pretty much given up on eating other than that liquid shit they push on me. As long as I can swallow that is. Paul, this isn't going to last long. I'm full of cancer now."

Paul wiped his eyes again and said, "This really sucks. I mean it really sucks."

"Very true. Not very eloquent for a man that makes his living with words though."

"Fuck eloquence and writing, this is the real thing."

"No shit."

Meg had been standing aside watching them and then went over and knelt down on the other side of Tony. She kissed his cheek and he said, "Hi beautiful."

"Hi Tony."

"Thanks for bringing Paul over and for coming to see me."

"No thanks necessary. I put him in my guest room, so you'll have to put up with seeing both of us for a few days."

"That's great. Listen would you two do me a favor?"

"You know we will."

"Go to Stoney's and have a couple of beers for me and maybe some of their extra spicy buffalo wings."

"I'll do the beer part, but Paul will have to do the wings for you, is that okay?"

"That would be great."

Sybil got home from shopping and joined them and more hugs and tears were shared, but nothing sad or negative was said in front of Tony. The visiting was tiring Tony, so with repeated promises of having beer at Stoney's and after promising to be back, Meg and Paul left. They made it as far as Meg's car before they shared another long embrace and Paul cried as she held him close. "Damn that was difficult Meg."

"We both knew it would be."

"Do you mind going to Stoney's?"

"Of course not."

"Let's go later today and make it dinner then."

"Okay. Are you going back to see him later?"

"I don't know. I'll call and talk to Sybil later and see what she has to say."

The strain of seeing his friend looking so frail and ill really bothered Paul and he found a way to escape. When Meg came into the living room she found him on his back on the couch sleeping. 

Paul woke an hour later and sat up and saw Meg in the side chair reading. He rubbed his eyes and smiled weakly as he said, "Sorry about that Meg."

"No need to apologize, feeling better?"

"Much better actually and I think I'm ready to call Sybil." Then he smiled and added, "I hope I didn't snore."

"Not much at all in fact."

After talking to Sybil, he told Meg, "She asked that we wait until tomorrow to go back."

"I'm not surprised, he was looking very tired when we were there, but he was so glad to see you Paul."

"I think he was too. What a mess life can be sometimes."

"If you want to use my office to do some work, that's fine."

"Thanks, but I'm okay. I'll check my email later, but that's all." He looked at his watch then and said, "How about five for Stoney's? That will give us time to have a beer or two for Tony before dinner."

"That's fine. In the meantime I'm going to run to the store. Can I get you anything?"

"Nothing, and don't buy a lot of things because I'm here. I'm taking you out to dinner tomorrow night."

"Paul, you don't have to do that just for staying in the guest room."

"But I want to." 

She just smiled then and said, "Okay, then I accept."

   Chapter Three 

The weekend seemed to be flying by for Paul. He'd been back to see Tony and had managed to control his emotions much better. He and Tony even laughed when they talked about things they had done when they were younger, but again, Paul didn't stay long. Tony tired easily and Paul was still struggling with his emotions.

Meg said she would drive them to dinner, so he sat back and said, "Okay, you pick the place."

She just smiled and took off. When she pulled into Hooter's he said, "What the hell, you must be kidding."

She smiled and said, "If I left it up to you, we would have gone someplace very nice and pricey and that just isn't necessary."

"But Hooter's?"

"You can't tell me you've never been to one."

"Well yeah, but...now? Tonight?"

"They have good food I'm told."

"Oh, so you've never been in one."

"I never have."

"Okay my love, let's dine on the finest Hooter's has to offer us." They sat on tall stools at their tall table and they smiled at each other. "Meg, you amaze me. You're normally soft spoken and gentle and not taken to impulse."

"Where did you ever get that idea?"

"Well you are. I don't mean stuffy or withdrawn of course, but...I don't know how do explain what I mean I guess, but you definitely surprised me this time."

She just smiled at him and when the waitress came to their table she ordered a vodka and tonic and he ordered a Miller draft.

"Okay handsome, I saw you check out our waitress, how do you rate her?"

"I didn't check her out."

"Of course you did and that's exactly what you were supposed to do."

"Well okay I did glance at her. For a place called Hooter's, she comes up a little short."

Meg laughed and said, "I think she has a nice figure. Of course she can't be more than her early twenties and that helps."

"She does have a nice figure, but her boobs aren't very impressive."

"What does it take to be impressive? How about that dark haired one over at the counter?"

"Not bad at all, but not impressive. I mean if you're going to call the place Hooter's then they should have big hooters."

"You're hard to please I see."

"Not at all. I'm not here for take out, so I can be as selective as I want to be."

Meg laughed and said, "Oh, so your personal standards are less demanding."

"By my personal standards our waitress is nicely shaped. A lot like you in fact, but on a smaller scale."

"Thank you very much, or I think I want to thank you. Smaller scale?"

"She's shorter than you and smaller proportioned than you, but over all a shape similar to yours."

"I'll assume there's a compliment in there somewhere." Their drinks were delivered and after placing their orders she nursed hers and glanced around. "I really expected the women to be more showy. You know strutting their stuff and throwing their shoulders back."

"The first time I went to a Hooter's I was a little let down too. Of course their very short shorts help to make up for any other short comings."

"I'm glad to see that you are a healthy guy."

"You expected otherwise?" She just smiled at him and focused on her vodka tonic.

"Their simple dinner and drinks didn't take them long and they went back to Meg's and by ten thirty both of them were in bed and asleep.

It was close to three in the morning when Paul, lying there more awake than asleep heard a distant rumble of thunder. He turned on his side and glanced at the clock on the bedside table and stretched. He was still tired, but he lay there and heard the thunder a couple more times, so he sat up and then pulled the sheet and blanket back and stood up. He went to the bathroom and got a drink of water and then wandered out to the living room and on to the little den. He saw lightening in the west through the sliding door, so he went over and after sliding it back, he stood in the opening and leaned back against the edge of the door frame. The night air was cool and calm, but he knew that once the storm reached them, the wind would kick up and it would rain. The heavy storm clouds blocked any light from the night sky and the house was dark, so when the lightening flashed it seemed especially bright and dramatic. He let himself be pulled into the nighttime drama and marveled at the elaborate designs the lightening was drawing against the blackness. He was prepared to stay there and watch the show until the storm forced him to retreat into the dry safety of the house.

His mind went to Tony, but then wandered to a hundred different places as he allowed his world to become just him and the storm and the night air brushing over him. He was lost in thought when Meg's voice came to him. "Are you okay Paul?"

He was startled, but he recovered and smiled as he said, "I'm okay, just watching the lightening. It's quite a show, did I wake you somehow?"

"No, the storm did that. I was coming out to do the same thing that you're doing. It's beautiful isn't it."

"It really is." Then he straightened up and said, "Damn, I'm sorry, I'll go put my pants on."

Meg smiled and said, "I wondered when you would realize that you're standing there in your briefs." He moved inside and she said, "No, stay where you are, I don't mind. I've seen men in their underwear before."

"Are you sure? I don't mind....I mean I could get dressed."

"Don't bother on my account. I'm in my...well I have my robe on but...let's just watch the show while we can." She moved close to him and the two of them watched the storm as it slowly moved toward them. The lightening was getting ever brighter and the claps of thunder were getting louder. "Aren't you even a little cold Paul?"


Innocent Collector



"A little, but not bad, are you?"

"Maybe a little."

He put his arm around her waist and pulled her up against him and said, "Maybe this will help both of us. 

Her arm went around his bare waist and she said, 'You're skin feels cold."

"And your hand feels very warm and nice on me." They stayed huddled together and she let her head rest against his chest as they continued to watch the spring show. 

"Paul were you thinking about Tony when I came out?"

"Not just Tony, but a whole host of things. Nothing life altering, either. My mind just went on a little trip I guess."

"Sorry I spoiled that for you then."

"You haven't spoiled anything, it's nice to share this with you." When one of the lightening bolts seemed especially bright he said, "It won't be long now." It was only seconds later when there was a very bright flash and the thunder clapped so loud the world seemed to tremble. Meg jumped and pulled herself into him with both arms. He held her close to him and they stood there for just a second before she said, "I think we better give this up."

"Yeah, that was just a little too close." They relaxed their hold on each other and stepped inside and Paul slid the door closed and locked it. Meg was still close to Paul as lightening again flashed bright and the thunder reminded them the storm was overtaking them. The wind kicked up and the rain pelted against the glass as they watched as Paul said, "That was quite a display of power."

"That was impressive. Now I hope I can fall back to sleep."

"Me too. Oh, and thanks for not making me get dressed because I would have missed part of the show."

"You're welcome, night Paul," and she headed to her bedroom. 

"Night Meg," he called after her. He stood there for another few seconds and then went down the hall to his own bed. It took him awhile to settle down, but he managed to fall asleep and didn't wake until almost eight in the morning.     

Meg had left Paul a note and it was propped against the coffee maker. "Paul, thank you for last night. It was so nice sharing the storm with you even if the thunder and lightening scared the life out of me. I'll be home by five." He smiled as he pictured her holding onto him when the loud clap of thunder surprised them. That whole event had been a soul healing experience for him. The impressive lightening show, the building thunder and having his arm around Meg as they shared the experience.

While Meg was at work, Paul called Sybil and had a long talk with her. Then just before he hung up she told him, "Paul I'm so glad Tony got to see you because his condition is getting worse so very fast."

"Sybil, are you sure there's nothing I can do for you? Anything at all."

"There really isn't Paul, but thank you. Were you going to come out and see Tony again?"

"I don't know, what do you think?"

"I know you'd like to see him and he'd like to see you, but he's so weak."

"Then I won't come. It's more important that you be with him than me or anybody else."

"Thank you for understanding."

"Just call me if you need or even want something okay?"

"You know I will." After he hung up the phone, he knew he'd never see his friend again. He sat at the table and wrote Meg a short note. "Meg, thank you for your sweet hospitality and for being there with me through our ordeal. Having you to talk to and to lean on helped me more than you can know. I had a talk with Sybil and we decided it's best to allow them to be together for what little time Tony has left. I also can't tell you how much I enjoyed sharing the fantastic light show with you last night. Now I can go home feeling like I can deal with Tony leaving us. Thank you love, and I'll call you tonight." He put the pen down and went to his room for his bag. Then he stopped and smiled as he unzipped his bag, took out his last clean pair of briefs and carefully arranged it on the bed. Then he zipped his bag, picked it up and headed home.

    Chapter Four

Paul was picking at his seventh chapter when Meg called him. "Hi Meg."

"Hi, you doing okay?"

"I'm okay. I just hope I'm doing the right thing by not going back to see Tony."

"I just talked to Sybil and she seemed pleased that you would do that for her, so I'd say you did the right thing."

"Anything new about him?"

"No. He's tough by nature so he'll hang on even if he doesn't want to."

"Probably so. You doing okay?"

"I am. I thought about us sharing the lightening spectacle several times today."

"I have too. I'm glad I was there to share that with you."

"I am too. Oh and speaking of sharing smart ass, thanks for your underwear. Nice touch."

"Thanks. I still can't believe it took me that long to realize I wasn't dressed."

"It was fun watching you when you realized you were almost naked. You really were rattled."

"I really was and I'm impressed how smoothly you handled that."

"Well part of that was show to help you relax because before I spoke to you I have to confess to staring at you in surprise. I never gave it a thought that you might be up in the middle of the night."

"And in my skivvies."

"That part took me even longer to get past."

"Sorry, I guess I should have gotten dressed."

She laughed and said, "By then it was far too late for it to matter. I almost retreated because of the way I was dressed...or rather wasn't dressed."

"You looked very sexy by the way, at least what I saw of you when the lightening flashed."

"You were supposed to be watching the storm."

"I was, but I still managed to look at you when we talked."

"I think you're more devious than I would have ever guessed. Are you sure you didn't plan any of that?"

Paul laughed then and said, "Yeah, I logged on to Amazon and ordered a very special storm just so I could see you in your little whatever and I could stare at your legs."

"Very funny, okay so that was a dumb thing to say. Besides I was wearing that robe."

"That flimsy thing? It wasn't even fastened."

"I was holding it closed smarty."

"For the first couple of minutes."

"My god, you really did check me out."

"Nah, but I was lucky enough to see what I saw. I can talk bravely now that is past and I've had time to think about it. At the time I was a little flustered."

"Paul you were not flustered. Well not after you recovered from realizing you were almost bare assed."

"That was just an act. I was flustered because, in the eight or nine years that we've known each other I've never even seen you in short shorts, let along a...a nightie or whatever. On top of that I had my arm around you and I could feel your warmth like you were wearing nothing. Oh I was rattled alright."

Meg was getting uncomfortable as they talked so she asked him, "Will you be coming back up to Battle Creek?"

"I'm sure I will love, but when will depend on Tony I guess."

"And you'll stay here again then."

"That's up to you, but I'd like to do that."

"Well of course I want you to, I probably won't get to see you again for months after then if not even longer."

"Unless you decide to come down here and stay."

"You know, I've never done that."

"I know. You were going through your own trials and then all of the emotional baggage left over from that and then...well I don't know what your excuse was after that."

"I was still healing."

"I know. Well anyway, the offer stands. I'll take you to Grape Road and you can drag me around shopping until I drop."

"I can see you tagging along with me while I shop for clothes."

"I'm your man, and remember I know where all of the stores are."

"That's bribery."

"I can live with that."

"I'll think about that in the coming weeks. Paul, seriously, I really did enjoy having you here." Then her voice lightened as she said, "And thanks again for your briefs. That's a nice memento of our stormy night. Now I'm going to have a big salad and crash with a book."

"Thanks for calling Meg."

"Night, handsome," and she hung up. It was only a minute later when she called back and asked him, "Hey, how can you know where the women's stores are. Is there a woman in your life that I don't know about?"

"Nope. Okay so maybe I don't know exactly where they all are, but I can find out in a hurry and be ready when you get here."

"Okay, just checking. Night," and she hung up again. 

The phone receiver hadn't even cooled when Tina called him. "Hi Paul."

"Hi Tina, nice of you to call."

"I wanted to hear how Tony is doing."

"Not well at all. I spent a little time with him, but he's weak and tires easily so I didn't push it. I'll be surprised if he lasts much more than another week."

"God, that is so sad and unfair."

"I couldn't agree more. Hey, thanks again for the dinner invite last week. Renee and I really enjoyed the evening."

'Um...Paul is that your way of saying that Renee spent the night with you?"

"Very funny, but no, I took her home and I was in bed...alone I might add, by midnight or so."

"Too bad. I think she's hot for you."

"She just spent too much time at the tanning salon."

"Very funny. Okay hon, I just wanted to hear about Tony. Let us know if we can help in some way."

"You do help me just by keeping an eye on me love."

"That was sweet, thank you. Night Paul."

"Night pretty one."

Paul sat there and thought about his life. He was so damn lucky to be healthy and to have friends like Tony and Sybil and Meg, to say nothing of Dale and Tina. He didn't know how to classify Renee. She certainly was a friend but maybe in a different way than the others. Just how or why he had no idea however. He decided he had a convoluted way of sorting things out in his mind. Even he couldn't make sense of it a lot of the time.  

   Chapter Five 

Paul's life settled down for the next week. He worked in his office, but he kept getting distracted. It was nearly impossible to be productive if he couldn't focus on a thought for more than a couple of minutes at a time. Tony was still very much in his thoughts and he had talked to Sybil a few times along with updates from Meg. Tony continued to lose ground, but he was still conscious and mentally functioning. It had to be a living hell for Sybil.

After ten days, Tony was still alert even though his body continued to waste away, and he required more and more pain medication to make it through each day. Paul was doing better in his office, but Tony was still right there and he talked to Meg again. Storms and underwear didn't come up in their conversation again, but they talked as only very close friends talk. Honestly and openly. He mentioned Renee and tried to explain how he couldn't decide about her, but Meg said she couldn't help him with that problem. 

Then Paul's life took another turn for the worse. He went out to pick up a small branch that had fallen from his only tree when something made him look to his right toward the corner. He stopped breathing as he watched a small van quickly stop at the curb and a second later the back two doors flew open and two men plus the driver were forcing a woman into the back. It was all over so fast that he hadn't run more than fifteen feet before the van left with tires squealing. It was over before Paul could even pull a deep breath. It took him a few seconds before he could even think about calling the police.

The first police car arrived in what seemed like less than a minute and his nightmare continued. Question after question came at him and he answered all of them, but there was little he could tell them. He had seen little and could identify no one or the van other than it being a dingy gray color. One of the questions that they came back to a couple of times was, "Are you sure it was a woman that was abducted?"

"I'm pretty sure. She...or he, had a slight build, and the hair was too long to be a man. There was a struggle, but not like you might expect were the victim a male."

"No sounds."

"None, no shouting or anything, but I thought I saw a glimpse of silver, like maybe they put tape over her mouth. I could hear their feet as they forced her into the van, but that's all." Paul knew he was giving them nothing to work with, but that was all he could tell them. The only evidence they could find was a short black mark on the pavement where they had spun a tire as they raced away. 

Paul went back inside then and paced as he replayed the kidnapping over in his mind again and again. Was he missing something? Did he see more than he could remember, or was he blocking something for some reason? He really didn't think so, but he couldn't stop replaying the event in his mind. He was still pacing when Meg called him and said, "Paul, Tony is unconscious now and he's having trouble breathing. I think it's coming to an end."

Paul dropped into his chair and said, "I'm glad for his and Sybil's sake."

"I am too. Your room is ready if you decide to come back up."

"There's nothing I can do, but thanks, unless you want me up there."

"I'd love to have you here again, but I'm okay."

"If he's still with us Saturday, I'll come up and go see Sybil."

"Paul, tomorrow is Friday."

"Oh. Okay, then I'll see you Saturday if that's okay."

"That would be great. Tony won't know, but I'm sure Sybil could use some support now."

"I'm sure she could. Okay, see you by ten then. And Meg, thanks again for keeping me posted."

"You're welcome. I told Sybil I'd call you, and for her not to worry about either of us. She's starting to fall apart from the sounds of it."

"She's been so damn strong through the whole thing, but even she has to have her limit. Okay, see you day after tomorrow then."

"Bye Paul."

Renee called Paul the next morning and said, "The abduction was just on the television, are you okay?"

"I'm not sure."

"Want me to come over?"

"There's nothing you can do, but thanks. Tony has taken a big turn for the worse so I'm going back to Battle Creek Saturday morning."

"Your life sure is a mess right now."

"I feel like I'm dreaming all of this crap; that none of it's real."

"Paul, don't try to deal with all of this alone okay?"

"I won't be alone. I'll see Meg and of course Sybil, Tony's wife, and I'll talk to you when I get back."

"Okay, you know where to find me."

Paul was packed and on the road by seven thirty Saturday morning and was at Meg's door well before ten o'clock.

Meg opened her arms for him and he walked into them. They stood in the doorway for a minute holding each other. He took his bag to the guest room and when he came back out she asked him, "How are you doing?"

"I'm okay, how about you?"

"I was going to say fine, but...well you know."

"I know. Let's face it, this is a nightmare for Sybil, but for you and me it's a very sad time. Having so many weeks to get used to the idea of Tony dying has helped me a lot, and with him unconscious now I feel better for him. He isn't suffering mentally or physically anymore."

"That's what's making all of this easier for me too. I was over and visited with Sybil last night, so when you go I'll stay here if you don't mind."

"Of course I don't mind. Dinner at the Outback when I get back?"

"That would be nice, but Paul, just because you're staying here doesn't mean you have to keep taking me out for dinner."

"I know and also it isn't because I dislike your cooking, but it's easier for us to relax if somebody else is doing all of the dinner chores."

"I could get so spoiled with you around."

"Good."

"It's good to have you back in town Paul."

"It's good to be here and to see you love." They talked over coffee and he told her about witnessing the kidnapping.

"Oh my god Paul, that's awful."

"It's driving me crazy. I couldn't do a damn thing to help her and I didn't get to see enough to help the police. With no evidence and only me as an eye witness, there's nothing the police can do. They were going to check through missing persons, but I haven't heard if that helped any."

"But you're sure that a woman was kidnapped."

"As sure as I can be. Meg, I keep seeing her eyes like she was looking at me. I could feel her eyes on me and all of that keeps coming back to me. Whoever it is, is haunting me."

"I wish I could do something to help."

"I do too. Okay, enough of that, I'm going over to see Sybil. I'll call you later and let you know how things are going and so forth." He put his cup in the sink and said, "I'll see you in a few hours."

"Be careful and I'll be here waiting for you."

     Chapter Six

When Sybil opened the door and saw Paul, she went to his arms and cried. He pulled her into him and held her close and let her cry as he worked to keep from joining her. "Paul, the hospice nurse is with him now. Tony just passed away." He looked at her and she said in a near whisper, "It's over."

There was nothing he could say but, "Sybil honey, I'm so sorry, but I'm glad for him that it is over."

She managed to mumble, "I am too." They released their hold on each other and went to the living room where he sat close to her on the couch. "The funeral home is on the way over."

"Let's stay in here then okay? We don't want to be there when they arrive."

"I don't know if I do or not. I feel like I should be there for him."

"Sybil, he's not there anymore. If anything he's watching over you now."

"I've known this day was coming and I tried so hard to know what I needed to do, but now I can't even think straight."

"I'm here to help you however I can Sybil. First, give yourself time to settle down. Right now, nothing requires you to be anywhere or do anything. I'm not going anywhere and Meg isn't far away if you need or want her."

"Oh god that's right, she needs to know."

"Don't worry, I'll call her." With one arm still around Sybil, he punched in Meg's number and when she answered he pulled Sybil closer to him and said, "Meg, it's over."

"Tony's gone?"

"Yes, he's free now."

"Should I come over there?"

"Just a sec," and he asked Sybil and then went back to Meg. "She said that's up to you, but there's nothing you can do. She said she'd need you more later."

"Okay, but all she has to do is call."

"She knows, but I'll remind her anyway."

"Paul, don't worry about coming back for dinner. Sybil probably needs you there."

"I'll let you know, but it will be awhile."

"I'm sure it will. Just see to Sybil and we can talk later."

"Okay, bye." He closed his phone and asked Sybil, "Is there anything you have to do concerning the funeral home?"

"No, it was all arranged by Tony. There will be a service for him, but then he'll be cremated."

"I didn't know that was his wish."

"It has been for several years."

"I'm glad you don't have to go through the agony of the funeral and the graveside services."

"That's the reason he prearranged everything. He was always thinking of me."

Paul and Sybil ended up in the kitchen sipping coffee and he told her his kidnapping story and she asked him, "Shouldn't you be back there in case the police need you?"

"They have my cell number, but there's not much they can do, so I won't be hearing from them."

They traded the coffee for wine and for the next hour they sipped white wine and reminisced about thing the three of them had done together and stories they had told. Then Paul got a call. "Paul, it's Dale. I don't know where you are and I'm sorry to bother you."

"That's okay Dale, what's up?"

"I just wanted to let you know that Tina left me."

"What? But you two had a good thing going I thought."

"I did too. I don't know what happened, she just left me a note, took fifty grand, her purse and a couple of bags of clothes and disappeared." 

"That's crazy, Tina wasn't the impulsive type."

"I know, so she had to be thinking about leaving for some time."

"I'm really sorry Dale, is there anything you need?"




Innocent Collector



"No, I just wanted to let you know. We can talk later when you're home."

"Okay, I'll be in touch," and he closed his phone.

"Bad news Paul?" Sybil asked him.

"My friend's wife left him without warning."

"Oh no, that's awful."

"I guess something was working on her. Of course they are a private couple, so things could have been worse than they let on."

"Do you feel the need to get back home? I mean in case he needs you?"

"No, he knows how to contact me, and really there's nothing I can do for him. Besides, it's more important that I be here for you."

Sybil was relaxing to the point that she told Paul, "You better get back to Meg."

"I came for you though Sybil."

"I know and thank you, but I need some time to cry and accept the reality of what happened. I'll be okay I promise, and I know that if I need either of you all I have to do is call."

"If that's what you want then okay. Mind if I come back over tomorrow?"

"Of course not, I'd like that. I may even be in better shape by then."

"Sybil, you have been incredibly strong through everything, but don't feel like you have to put on a brave face for Meg or me."

"I'm done putting on a brave face Paul, so from now on, what you see will be the real me."

"That's good. Okay, I'll head back to Meg then and see you tomorrow."

"Thank you Paul and you know without me telling you that I love you."

"I do know and that's very important to me. I love you and will do anything in the world for you, so don't hesitate to ask."

"Before you leave, Tony left an envelope for you and one for Meg. Would you give Meg hers?"

"Of course."

"He left me one too, but I haven't had the strength to open it. Maybe in a few days."

They shared another long embrace and he kissed her cheek and told her goodnight. As he pulled away from the house he called Meg and told her he was on his way back.

Meg was watching for him and had the door open when he went up the walk. He walked into her arms again and she asked him, "How are you doing Paul?"

"I'm okay actually. Something of an emotional mess, but better than I thought I might be. Sybil is holding up phenomenally well considering how long this has gone on. She didn't say so, but I have to believe that she too feels a sense of relief. She might not even be able to admit that to herself right now, but that's what I saw when I looked at her."

"You still feel like going to the Outback?"

"I'm starved so the answer is yes."

She smiled and told him, "Good because I am too." He held up the two envelopes and said, "One for each of us from Tony."

"Oh God."

"Yeah I know. I'm not sure when I'll read mine, but I know it won't be tonight."

"Me either. I want to have a good nights sleep behind me before I have a good cry."

"You'll likely see me crying right along with you if the letter says the things I think it will say."

"Tonight we'll just enjoy our dinner and a drink or two and then try to relax."

After dinner, as they were enjoying their last drink she reached for his hand and said, "I'm really going to miss seeing you Paul."

"I'm not moving out of the country."

"You and I both know that it will be a long time before we get together again."

"Not if you come down to my place for a change."

"I know, and I want to do that soon. But the one bright thing when Tony got sick was we got to see a lot more of each other."

Paul laughed and said, "That's for sure, you saw me almost naked."

She laughed and slapped his hand saying, "I walked right into that one. Oh and just for the record, they aren't calling for storms tonight."

"I'll have to invent another reason to go wandering in my underwear then."

"But I won't have the storm to wake me up, so whatever you do, I'll sleep right through it."

"Okay, you go wandering through the house in your panties then. We'll reverse our roles."

"I can just see me doing that."

"You do when I'm not here."

"Now how...of course, that was just a safe guess."

He smiled and asked her, "Are you sure?"

"Stop that. I'm not wandering through the house in my panties so relax."

"Too bad, because if you would I'd stay up all night to be sure I didn't miss that."

"Paul, now behave. Now you'll have me lying in bed wondering if you are up or if you were awake hoping to catch me in my panties. Oh, and another thing, how do you know I wear panties when I sleep?"

"Ooh, you got me there. Wow, now I can sit up and hope to catch you in nothing."

"My god, you're starting to embarrass me."

"I'll bet I'm not."

"Well you're close to it."

"Here's another thought. Maybe I'll wander the house wearing nothing too."

She was smiling as she said, "Now stop it."

"I wonder if either of us will get any sleep now. I mean those are high stakes to gamble on. Stay awake? Walk the house looking for you? Oh, I have to think about all of this."

"I am not going to walk the house naked."

"Oh okay, I'll look for you in panties. Maybe pale blue ones. No, I'd guess coral or maybe a subtle pink."

"Take me home you pervert."

"I'm a pervert because I have a panty fetish?"

That time she laughed and got up. Rather than wait for a credit card transaction he threw three twenties on the table and followed her out.

They were almost at Meg's when she said, "Paul, thank you, it felt wonderful to laugh again."

"I'm glad, because it was great seeing you laugh again."

    Chapter Seven

It was just past two thirty in the morning when Paul gave up and left his bedroom. He'd been tossing and turning for what seemed like forever as the kidnapped woman kept coming into his mind. Then Tony would invade his world and he'd tear up the bedding in his half sleep condition. He had to accept the fact that it was going to be a long night and he was going to go home feeling very tired. He just had to appear alert and supportive when he went back to see Sybil.

Paul looked through Meg's refrigerator, but found nothing he wanted. He went back to his post at the patio doors again and that made him smile as he thought about Meg. Just hours ago he had teased her about her catching him in his underwear again and as it turned out he really was there. It was only a few minutes later when Meg came out and they smiled at each other in the weak moonlight. "I never thought this would happen again," Meg said as she walked over to him.

"Now tell me how you knew I was out here."

"I thought I heard you moving around and close the fridge door. Of course I was listening pretty hard too."

She stepped close to him and as their arms went around each other, his hand went inside of her light weight duster and touched her bare side. She took a quick breath and moved even closer to him as she said, "Don't you dare look down right now." But he did and he got a quick glimpse of her breasts as she said, "Paul, I told you not to do that."

"I'm sorry, but that was a reflex."

"I'm all but naked under this thing you know. And what is your hand doing on the inside?" He hesitated as he tried to focus on her eyes and his hand explored her back. No bra and he was beginning to wonder about panties as his hand found the curve of her butt. Then just before she said something he felt the very small and delicate seam of her panties. 

"Damn, you really are all but naked."

She was smiling slightly as she said, "You didn't answer my question. How did you manage to get inside of my duster so quickly?"

"It's a talent that all men have. It's genetic I'm sure. Other than that I have no idea and it wasn't intentional...well on the conscious level at least."

"You just be careful with your eyes handsome."

"It's too dark to see anyway," he lied. 

"If it's genetic skills that made that happen, then it must you must have some genetic talent for seeing in the dark."

"Only when I'm in the dark with you."

"It may be the middle of the night, but I'm not falling for that line. Okay, seriously, why are you up again? Is it Tony?"

He pulled her into him and her head rested on his chest as he told her, "Yes, that and the kidnapped woman. Damn it, I keep seeing her eyes boring into me as she was being loaded into that van. She's haunting me, and the more time passes, the more I feel her eyes on me. I couldn't even make out her face, but I swear I could still see her eyes."

She looked up at him and with her hands on his back she pressed into him and asked, "What can I do to help?"

He looked down and met her eyes as he told her, "Meg honey, you're helping me right now. I loved it the last time you and I were here, and even without the lightening, right now is so much better."

"Because you're hands are inside of my duster right?"

He smiled and said, "Well that and I saw your breasts and..."

"You did not."

"Not well I'm sorry to say, but yes I did." Then his hands went back down and inside of her panties as he cupped her butt.

"Paul Gibson, what are you thinking?"

He kissed her lightly and told her, "I'm thinking you have a very sexy butt"

"Get your hands out of my panties...oh my god I can't believe I just said that."

"Good, because I like where my hands are."

She still held him close as, in a soft tone, she said "That's not what I meant. I meant that... how can I explain this. I'm addled because the whole idea of your hands in my panties doesn't even seem real. That we've...you and I have never..."

He was slow to remove his hands and then he kissed her softly before he said, "I know what you mean Meg. I don't know what even made me do that. It feels so good to have our arms around each other, and to feel your warm softness under my hands...it's all so nice, and feels so natural. To see your breasts, if only for a few seconds, made me hold my breath."

"Paul honey, I like being here with you like this. Like you, I like feeling our arms around each other and I loved feeling your hands on me." She looked up at him and smiling added, "Yes and even on my butt. Paul I was so surprised. Maybe even shocked.

"Maybe I better go to bed and have a talk with myself."

"Will you stay tomorrow night?"

"I don't think so. I don't think I better, because I can't promise you that I wouldn't want to be close to you again, and maybe even kiss you or caress your butt again. I don't know what's happening with me, but I'm sorry if I've disappointed you." 

"Let's talk in the morning after we've both had some sleep, okay?"

"Okay. I guess if you're still talking to me we'll be okay."

She kissed him and told him, "We'll always be okay."

Paul was in bed for less than half an hour when Meg eased his door open and said softly, "Are you asleep Paul?"

"I'm awake Meg." She went over to his bed and he asked her, "Are you okay?"

"I guess. I still can't sleep and I thought that if you were still awake we could talk."

"Sure, lie down next to me love."

"Paul I don't think that would be a good idea."

He raised himself up on one elbow and turned to his left side. He let the blanket and sheet slip down as he said, "You on top of the bedding and me under it, plus you're still wearing that duster or robe or whatever."

He couldn't see her smile as she said, "This duster or robe didn't stop you earlier."

"And shame on me." She got on the bed and moved close to him before she lay on her right side. "See Meg, you're still safe. I have one arm to put around you like this," and his hand went behind her and he pulled her closer. 

Her arm went over his waist and she felt his warmth as she said, "I'm sorry but I'm not so sure I can trust myself either. Paul, one thing I wanted to say was, you've been through a lot recently. First Tony and of course Sybil and then the kidnapping and you having this thing about her eyes haunting you. All of that has to take a toll on you. I'm here for you and we've shared some very intimate time together, so it isn't surprising to me that you have reached out to me. I'm not much better. I've gone through the loss of Tony and feeling so sorry for Sybil and you've been there for me. We hold each other and even kiss here and there. We've seen each other nearly naked and we've had our hands all over each other. What I'm trying to say I guess, is you putting your hands inside of my panties was okay. I'm not at all mad at you about that, and in fact, I liked how it felt and that scared me.

"Meg, you might be right about the emotional overload. But I have to tell you, I loved holding you and feeling you under my hands."

"I did too, but I know you'll be fine."

"Easy for you to say, you haven't had your hands all over my ass."

She smiled as her hand went from his waist down his hip and on to his ass. She found only skin and her hand stopped as she said, "You're naked."

"That must be because my underwear is on the floor."

"You should have warned me."

"Now why would I do that? I like having your hand on my butt."

"Now why are we determined to tease each other now?"

"We liked to tease each other before."

"Not anything as intimate as we have tonight."

"Maybe it's the darkness that has freed us from the bonds of conservative behavior."

"That's just a fancy way of saying we're allowing ourselves to be out of control."

"That's not right, because had we been out of control, I would have seen to it that you wouldn't have kept your duster and panties on earlier."

"You wouldn't dare."

"I wouldn't have dared to touch your sweet butt earlier, but I did. You wouldn't have dared to even consider even touching my butt, and yet where is your hand right now? So my answer to you is, oh yes I would dare." Then as he rolled onto his back he pulled her with him until she was more on him and off of him. "So am I forgiven?"

"You're forgiven, but what are you up to now?"

"I'm up to asking you to sleep with me tonight."

"My god, you are crazy do you know that?"

"I'll behave more or less and you can keep your panties on."

"Well of course I'd keep my panties on, but I wouldn't sleep well in my duster."

"I'm sure not, but you'd be under the covers, so you won't need that."

"Paul I don't think that's a good idea."

"Even if I promise not to make love to you? Even if I promise not to put my hands in your panties again?"

"But what if I'm the one that can't behave?"

"Then I promise I'll forgive you"

"Okay, I'll sleep with you, but you have to close your eyes until I'm under the sheet."

"I can live with that too, but I've already seen your breasts honey."

"You couldn't have seen my breasts."

"I promise you that I saw your breasts. I can prove it too. You have two of them and each one has a nipple on it. Neither has a sun tan." Then taking a chance on statistics, he added, "Oh and one is very slightly smaller than the other one."

"Oh now aren't you clever. Wait, how do you know one is larger than the other?"

"That was a trick question. I said one was smaller than the other." 

She laughed and said, "Okay, which is smaller?"

"I can't say because I'm dyslexic and I get my lefts and rights mixed up."

"Paul you are not dyslexic."

"I'm not? Are you sure? Damn, I was sure I was. Now take your duster off and join me under the warm sheet and blanket."

"You promise to behave right?"

"Another trick question and I caught you again. I said I wouldn't make love to you and I wouldn't put my hands inside of your panties. That's not the same as behaving."

"I know I can't trust you and yet I'm going sleep with you."

The moonlight was improving, so she saw his smile and then he saw her breasts as she undressed for him. What she didn't see was him getting very hard as he stared at her nearly naked form.

She quickly slid under the sheet and blanket, and even more quickly he pulled her closer. He moved over her and kissed her as her arms went around his back. Then he lowered himself until he could feel her breasts against his chest and then he told her, 'I love you Meg."

"Paul, whatever you do, don't tell me you love me when you're on top of me like this. My god, my heart almost stopped. Honey, I know you love me, and somehow you've talked me into sharing the bed with you, but I'm nervous as a spring bride. I don't trust either of us one bit."

In a fast move he was straddling her with the bedding sliding down his back as he quickly pulled her panties down. She nearly screamed, "Paul!

He used one foot to push her panties farther down her legs as he said, "I did not put my hands inside of your panties so I didn't break my promise."

"But I'm naked now and you can see me."

He lowered himself onto her again and told her, "Only your breasts. See, now we're both naked and yet as I lie on top of you, we can't feel the difference. Oh and I still promise not to make love to you." 

"Yes I can feel the difference. Paul, you're so hard and it's pushing against me."

"Sorry, I've talked to him but he refuses to listen."

"I can't see you well enough to tell if you're smiling."

Meg honey, as wonderful as I feel right now, I can't stop smiling. And I do not love you."

"What?"

"I'm not allowed to tell you I love you when I'm on top of you, remember?"

"You're crazy."

"You told me that earlier, and if you keep that up I'm going to believe you."

"Paul, neither of us is going to sleep now."

"You know what honey? I'm good with that. If I sleep I'll miss lying next to or on top of you, and if I sleep I'll miss how wonderful it feels to have my body against yours." He moved off of her but stayed very close as he said, "Okay, now I can tell you I love you."

"Paul be serious, can you really not make love to me?"

"I will keep my promise." He moved onto his side with his head resting on his left arm and as close to her as he could get. His right hand moved down her belly in a caressing motion and she held her breath as his hand stopped on her mound. "Oh god Paul, you said you wouldn't touch me."

He kissed her lightly and said, "I said I wouldn't go inside of your panties. That's why I had to get rid of them."

"But honey, why are you teasing us like this?" His hand made his answer unimportant for a moment as he found her lips and felt her warm divide as one finger moved between her lips. Her hips rose to meet his hand as he said, "I know we can't make love, but I'm going to work very hard to please you and to please us. Then we'll sleep close to each other and have sweet dreams."

She turned her head toward him and their lips touched and as they kissed, and his hand and fingers found her wet dewy inner lips. She moaned softly into his mouth and he continued his exploration as her hand moved over his chest and belly. 

Meg was rapidly losing her inner battle. Her resistance was evaporating and when her hand found his hard cock, her battle was lost. Her passion boiled to the surface and she stroked him as his finger dipped into her honey. "Paul I want you so much," and he wasn't about to remind her that he wasn't allowed to make love to her.

Eight years of being good and close friends and without the complications of sex or intimacy beyond the occasional kiss, and now he was positioning himself to enter her. Meg's hand guided his cock to her entrance as her knees bent and she eagerly submitted herself to him. 

    Chapter Eight

Meg was up ahead of Paul in the morning and was sipping coffee as she leaned back against the kitchen counter as he appeared. He went over to her and kissed her lightly and then retrieved a cup and filled it. "Paul you were so awful last night." He stopped and stared at her but then realized she was smiling. 

"What did I do that makes me so awful?"

"You seduced me."

"Oh no, you were a temptress and I succumbed to your wily ways."

They both put their cups down and walked into each other's arms as she told him, "You tricked me and lied to me."

"How can you say that, I didn't lie to you."