Chapter 13: Peace, Love, Blood

Tom was good to his word, at finding an engine at Gus' yard. Clay threw some plywood in the bed and picked it up with him. Three hours after bringing it back, Moon went in and started it up. The engine had almost half the mileage, than the old one, giving them hope, the bus would be running for many more years to come. Moon promised to come by often for servicing and making sure they stayed in touch with one another. Moon and JT took it for a test run and also used the time to share some final thoughts with one another. Moon extended an open invitation to him, to come anytime he wished. JT was happy to know there was a place he could go, when dark skies were threatening and he needed shelter. The drive ended and Moon was very pleased with everything. He felt assured in his heart, that everyone who rode in it, would arrive safely at their destination.

Jake gave JT and Piney the afternoon off, so they could help them tear down the site and help them get packed up. They'd become close, as friends, sharing many good times together after work, sitting under the stars and enjoying the chance to share thoughts freely. Both groups melded well when they were together and enjoyed the time to bond, many becoming sad at their departure. One had the need to make a decision at that point and looked at both sides she had to choose from. Ann-Marie looked at Wally and her eyes welled with tears, ones she shed for her choice of leaving him. Her choice was to become Azure Cloud and live a life of free love with her spirit twin, Golden. She stood beside her and held her hand, both of them glowing happily in the sunlight. Wally couldn't deny her, her happiness, clearly finding what her heart was looking for. He felt the pangs of hurt in his heart, that he wouldn't enjoy her company each night, but he knew it was selfish to feel like that, knowing she would never truly be happy with him.

Her bags were packed and she was ready to say goodbye to everyone and the life she knew. She looked at the office, hoping to see Marlene one last time, maybe just to thank her for opening her up to this part of herself, maybe just to be with her physically one more time and feel her body next to hers. It never came to be, as she climbed in with the others and the bus started up and ran smoothly. Peace signs were flashed back and forth between them, hands held high, smiles large and bright on their faces. The radio came on in the middle of Eric Burden's, San Franciscan Nights and Moon turned it up, filling the van with the sound of their city.

The week had gone well, work was coming in and business was getting better, the faster they worked. Jake took off on Thursday, saying he had an appointment in town. He never said what it was about, but Jake appeared to be pleased about going. Friday saw a re-appearance of Moon and Spirit in the micro bus, on their way back to San Francisco to pick up the last of their things from Moon's apartment. They would be heading back through later in the day and hoped to meet up for a bit. JT said he'd love to get together, but they had a run to do and hoped they'd catch up soon. Saturday was a building day and one that everyone was happy to work hard at. Despite the hours of breaking concrete with a sledge hammer and shovelling away the debris, they had all the trenches dug and sat drinking beer, taking a well earned break.

The plumber was installing the last section of sewer pipe, an elbow joint with a flanged end, where the common bathroom would go. The guys had smashed the concrete and dug a trench to the main line for each sewer line they needed. In JT's room, the pilfered toilet and sink were being installed by the guys, as they tightened down the nuts and screws. With everything all connected and ready, the plumber had Otto turn the water main on and waited for the water to fill the pipes. The sound of it could be heard running all around them, as the water filled every space it could. When the sounds stopped, the plumber went to the sink and slowly turned the cold tap on and released the air pressure that had built up. The spurting water came out and finally ran clear of air. He turned it off and did the same to the hot water line. He gave the toilet a flush and checked for leaks, proclaiming it ready for use. When they had the floor done properly, he told them to replace the gasket and it would be alright.

They hadn't procured another sink and toilet yet for the common bathroom, but Tom had taken care of that end of things and he and Wally were picking up a set. Clay had gone along with them in his grandfather's pick up, the objective to obtain the bar and pool tables that were available. Lenny rode with him and they took the ride time, to get to know each other better. Lenny asked him if he had decided on what he would do on his tour.

“You figured on what you're going to do over there next year? Jumping is a helluva lot better than humping.”

“Yeah, that much I got figured out. I'm still not sure on the jumping part yet. Heights aren't one of my favourite things.”

“Don't worry, Clay. You join up with the Sky Rangers, they'll get you over your fear of heights. It's funny how the bullets flying all around you, tend to make you forget about falling from the sky and you can't wait to get down.”

“Great, that makes me feel so much better about it.”

Lenny laughed and clapped Clay on his shoulder, as they pulled in front of the closed bar. Tom took them around the back, where he jimmied the lock and they went in, The place looked like hell inside, an obvious closing party taking place, before it was abandoned. The bar was cleared off of empty bottles and dust and they looked it over. It was in decent shape and not too badly worn. Wally looked to see how it was mounted and took a screwdriver from his back pocket and began loosening the screws. Once it was free, they lifted it up and hauled it to the back door and outside. The pool tables were okay, no rips in the table's surfaces, but it was badly stained from spilled drinks and ashes from cigarettes. They unbolted the top from the legs and carried the top outside and leaned it up against the bar. The did the same to the other one and Wally pocketed the bolts and washers in his jacket. They carried it out and the legs, then Clay went to get the truck and Tom stopped him.

“We have something else we need first, remember?”

The guys followed him back inside and into the washroom. He stopped and pointed with both hands at what they needed to get. They looked and realized the need for another couple of sinks and toilets, despite the deplorable state they were in now. Lenny used his foot to flush both toilets, then Wally took a pair of pliers out and began loosening nuts and bolts to lines, as well as the water inlet on the first toilet. Several times he got up and let out his breath and gasped in another, before going back and finishing the job.

He was more than happy to be finished with them and moved to the sinks and started on them. Lenny strong-armed the toilet off its base and tipped the thing over, letting the water and whatever waste and refuse was still in it, pour out onto the floor. The stench had complaints coming from the others and Lenny laughed.

“Fuckers get all bent out of shape over a little stink like this? You guys ain't smelled nothing yet, till you smell the insides of a man all blown open.”

“Fuck off, Lenny. That's gross, man. That stuff is just fucking awful, dude, c'mon.”

Wally's words were commonly felt by the others, as they covered their noses and mouths, fending off the fetid smell as best as they could. Lenny carried the unit outside and set it beside the other things, then went back in. The other three came out with two sinks, a paper towel dispenser and a wall mounted soap dispenser, they obviously never bothered unscrewing from the wall. Wally looked at him as they passed, a snide look on his face.

“The toilet's for you, shithead.”

Lenny laughed loudly, not bothered by the insult at all. He went in and emptied the contents on the floor again and picked the porcelain commode up and carried it out to the other one. He put it down and looked at the other guys just standing there and not moving. He looked around where they were looking and noticed the two black guys standing there at the corner of the building, handguns pointed at them. The meaner looking one spoke, using his gun to point at them.

“What are you guys doing here?”

Tom figured it was his place to speak up, seeing that it was him that had them in this situation.

“Hey man, we have permission from Marco to take this stuff. Who are you?”

“I'll tell you who I am. I'm the guy with the fucking gun pointed at your face and I say you don't have permission to take shit from here, it's our shit.”

Lenny started to laugh uproariously, like he had just heard the funniest thing ever.

“What the fuck you laughing at, asshole?”

Through the hitches between laughs, Lenny tried to explain.

“Dude, we didn't take your shit, we only took the toilets. We left your shit on the floor.”

Despite the threat of death, the others couldn't help but catch the humour and laughed as well. At first it was mostly snickering, but it soon turned into belly laughs, making the hoods look at them strangely.

“What the fuck you talking about?”

“Hey, go look for yourself. We told the guy we needed a couple of shitters and sinks for our clubhouse, he says sure, help yourself. You want your shitters back, that's cool, here they are. Up to you to put the shit and piss back in, if you want it the way it was.”

The two black teens looked at the two toilets sitting in front of them and the stench that was coming off of them. Neither had any objection to them leaving their presence. The one who seemed to be in charge, moved closer to Lenny and pointed the gun at his head.

“What else you think you're taking?”

“Just the sinks, the bar, the two pool tables and that's it, nothing else we want.”

The leader of the two, looked at the tables and the condition of the bar, then looked at his buddy behind him. He turned back to Lenny and squared him up.

“Gimme a hundred and it's yours.”

Lenny laughed, as he looked at him, then in trained combat fashion, he disarmed the young man and pointed the gun between his eyes, pressing the barrel hard into the skin, making sure he knew what his position was. Lenny knew this one was subdued and looked with certain death in his eyes, at the other one.

“Put the fucking gun on the ground and kick it over. Do it, or I empty your buddy's brains onto the pavement for you to see, then I'm going to shoot your fucking balls off and let you bleed out. Drop out it, now!”

The immediate threat to his buddy's life and his own, was more valid than their own was to them, so he slowly lowered it and dropped it to the pavement. He kicked it towards Clay, who picked it up and walked with right back to him and held it to his head, the same way Lenny was doing.

“Now, who the fuck are you assholes?”

“This is our turf, man. Anything that's here is our shit.”

“Looks like it's our shit now, right?”

The black youth flinched, as Lenny was holding the gun to his head and pressed it in harder, making his point. He nodded agreement to him and waited.

“You still haven't said who you are. What's your name, Sambo?”

The eyes shot back at him, hearing the insulting slur.

“What? Don't like being called, Sambo? Alright, what the fuck is your name, nigger and no more bullshit.”

The eyes shot pure hatred at Lenny, but it didn't phase him in the least, having seen the same look dozens of times in Vietnam, on the faces of prisoners he had questioned. He smacked the side of the gun off the back of the black teen's head, letting him know he had the power to do it and get away with it. Lenny spoke quietly now, in almost a friendly tone.

“I'm so sorry. I didn't realize you were a retarded nigger and don't understand English. I want to know what your name is, boy and why you're pissing me off and trying to ruin my day?”

The teen toned down his emotional responses, knowing it would only result in further beatings from Lenny. He tried to look back at his friend, but Lenny held him fast and made him pay attention to him.

“My name is Bennie.”

“Thank you, Bennie, nice to meet you. Now, why are you making me have a bad day?”

“We're supposed to get that shit. Fat fuck that owned the place, owed us and never paid up. We were taking what's supposed to be ours, man. You white boys are fucking us over now and we're still not getting paid back what's owed to us. Who's given who, a bad day, whitey?”

Lenny never took offence at the slurs shot back at him, as he looked at his opponent.

“Well excuse me. No one told me you had rights to any of this. When I went in, I didn't see any notice posted and I don't see anything out here either, so how am I supposed to know it's yours? I got a need for those shitters and sinks, don't suppose they were high on your list of things to take, were they?”

Bennie looked at Lenny, seeing he wasn't trying to be mean to him, just trying to maintain control and talk to him. He eased up on his stance and backed down his aggression towards him and felt an ease in return. Lenny lowered the gun from between his eyes, but kept it pointed in his direction just in case.

“No, don't want no shitters, man.”

“Tell you what, Bennie, here's what I'm going to do and try to make this a good day for all of us.”

Bennie was amenable to listening to a deal that ended the threat and things could move forward.

“We really want all this shit. We need it for our clubhouse and that means more than your debt with Marco, to us. You said you wanted a hundred for all of this and as you can already see, I ain't happy with paying that kind of money, for something I already have for free. You can understand that, right?”

Bennie nodded, but kept waiting to hear where he would be walking away happy at the end.

“You don't really need any of this shit, do you? You were just hoping to bust it out of there and make some money off it, right?”

“Yeah, yeah, that's all we want, man. Just make some money, so we can live, you know.”

Lenny could see this was more an act of desperation, instead of a turf related issue.

“What do you usually sell to make money? What kind of shit do get your hands on?”

“What you want to know for? None of your business what we do?”

“Bennie, Bennie, I'm trying to help you out here. I'm asking, because I might have something for you to replace the money you lost in this deal, just give me a chance and listen.”

Bennie tried sizing up Lenny to weigh his words and see where he was coming from and if it was some kind of trick. He could see from the others, that there was a definite reduction of threat to them, from their captors, giving him reason to believe his words were true.

“We try to score shit and sell it cheap, you know. Find a warehouse, or a truck with some good shit in it and take as much as we can.”

“Tom, I think we have another source of distribution for your business. Now Bennie, I'm going to put this gun down and my buddy over there is going to do the same and I want you both to sit and listen to me and my friend here, because we want to make you your money back and a lot more after that, are you in?”

It took nothing for Bennie to know that he was being offered something far better than a bullet in the head and agreed, turning to his friend and seeing a concurrence from him to accept the offer. Lenny released the hammer and put the safety back on, then held it out to Bennie, who looked at it and saw the trust being showed to accept it and call a cease to hostilities between them. He tentatively took the gun and slid it into his pants at the back and waited for what came next. Clay followed Lenny's lead and gave his captive back his gun and went back and stood beside his brothers.

“You guys like smoking grass? Don't mind smoking it with a bunch of whiteys?”

“Nah, nah man, it's cool. Look, sorry about the shit earlier man, you know how it is? Just making a dollar to live another day, you know.”

“Yeah, yeah, I get it, Bennie. Sorry for the names I used. I knew you guys weren't looking to cause trouble with us and figured you were just looking for money. We all are, fuck, that's why we're taking shit like this, brother. We can't afford fuck all either. Look, might as well put this bar to some good use. Let's just stand around like we know each other and smoke some grass, listen to what we have to offer and if you don't like what we have to say, you can leave at any time, but I think you're going to like what we have for you.”

Bennie looked around at the guys at the bar, none of them showing any animosity towards him, or his buddy, Lamont. Baggies were on the bar and joints were being rolled, letting him know that things were, as they were supposed to be, according to Lenny.

“So let's start this off better and do this right. Bennie, I'm Lenny, that clean cut, college boy is Clay, the guy with the fine herb, we're about to smoke, that's Wally. This guy here on this side of me, this is the guy you really want to know. This is Tom, or as he's known around town, Uncle Tom.”

Bennie's eyes went wide in surprise, at hearing his name.

“Shit, dude. I heard of this guy. You're like some kind of magician, or something. I hear you can get into any place you want and get anything at all. My cousin told me all kinds of stuff about you, man. Says you're the best in the business at this shit.”

Tom looked humbled by the thoughts about him, never really realizing how he was thought of, on he street.

“Who's your cousin?”

“Randal, has a set out the west end he runs with, Bay Black Brothers, they call themselves the Three B's.”

“I know him, Sold him some electronics and stuff, I found in a container.”

“Yeah, yeah, that's him, man. That's my cousin. Shit, dude, Tom, right?”

“Yeah, Uncle, if you please.”

“Right, Uncle Tom, dude, my cousin has been looking for you. He's been freaking out, you know? Made a shitload of money off of it and wanted to do another deal, but you disappeared and no one knew how to get a hold of you.”

Tom smiled broadly, so did the others, finding out their former foes, were actually allies looking to hook up again.

“And you almost shot the poor fucker instead. Wouldn't that just fuck up your cousin, man?”

“Shit yeah. Hey, really, we're sorry about the guns and shit earlier, alright? Like we said, we're just looking to make a buck of our own.”

“Bennie, I told you were going to go away happy, didn't I?”

“Yeah, you did, Lenny.”

“Well, let's finish these joints and listen up, because this is your lucky day, brother. Your cousin will be shitting himself happy, once you talk to him.”

“Cool, bro', you white dudes are alright, man. You're like a bike gang, right?”

“We like to think of ourselves as a motorcycle club. We're just enthusiasts enjoying a simple pleasure and causing no one any grief.”

“What's the club called?”

“Sons of Anarchy.”

“Club, yeah, right.”

Lenny heard the sarcasm in Bennie's voice and read it on his face and laughed, getting everyone laughing and the atmosphere at the back of the closed down bar, became jovial and friendly, despite the ever-present odour of human waste from the toilets, lingering in he air. The ideas were discussed and after another half hour of talking and another joint, Bennie was hugging Lenny like a brother, as was Lamont. The barrier of racial separation was broken, setting up a partnership of sorts between them, that offered a very sizable increase in the personal wealth of those involved.

What had started out between them as hostilities and a possibility of death, turned into a kinship of sorts, where instead of hatred and animosity between them, there was a growing respect and kindred feelings forming between them. Tom said he'd be in touch with Bennie soon and sit down with his cousin, Randal to discuss the terms and conditions. With the set up he had now, he could conduct his business in a faster and larger scale, as long as he had a way to move the goods he acquired. Randal had a decidedly large customer base to rely on, making him a valuable partner to have. Consumer goods were big ticket items in the hoods and ghettos of city cores and out lying areas and they had an in already to the business and clientele.

Bennie and Lamont gave the guys a hand loading the bar and tables into Clay's truck, then, reluctantly, sliding the toilets along side. The sinks went in the cavernous trunk of Wally's Chevy and after a round of shaking and hugging, the guys waved goodbye to their new allies and headed back to the clubhouse. They shook their heads in laughter, in both vehicles, as they talked about the whole thing again and the way everything turned out. Somewhere, in the far off corners of their minds, everyone, but Clay, were thinking about the gift of love and if it somehow played a role in what happened.

The pair were blowing their horns, as they came down the lane way, letting the guys know they were back. Bodies began appearing and then the roll up door was opened. Clay backed the truck up as far as he could. At first, the guys rushed to the back to get to everything, then smelled the stench and were stopped in their tracks. They backed away, holding their noses and waving at the invisible assault. Lenny and Clay got out laughing, seeing the reactions of everyone.

“Awww, little bit stinky for you little boys? C'mon Clay, grab a shitter and bring it to the shop and we'll hose them down.”

Clay and Lenny grabbed a toilet each and walked them to the shop door and turned the hose on them, letting it run as clear as it could. A rag was taken to the outside and in no time, they looked almost usable, despite the memory of their former glory, still fresh in their minds.

The others waited until the air was dissipated enough to breathe, then took the table and legs out of the back and carried them in, then hands grabbed the bar and hauled that inside, close to where it would eventually go. Lenny and Clay brought the cleaned out toilets over, no more signs of the vile contents remaining inside, then took them to their perspective locations. A wax seal was put on the flange and the toilet was carefully lowered down and pressed into place and seated. The nuts and washers were slipped over the bolts and tightened down securely. JT attached the water inlet and turned the shut off valve open, listening to the water fill the tank and checked for leaks. The tank finished filling and JT looked at everyone, as he readied to push the lever.

The release of the tank water and the swirling torrent in the bowl finished and began the start of the cycle again. They checked for leaks and saw there were none. A rousing cheer for their efforts went up and talk of having decent bowel movements in a proper toilet, were brought up. Tonight was the night for picking up the panelling and the guys were going over anything they could think of that might happen and how to deal with it.

The tables were put back together and set on the floor, but cues and balls were still needed to play. Tom said he would pick some up in a day or two. No one questioned where he was going to get them, it was now generally understood by all, that if Tom said he was getting something, it was only a matter of when and no need to know from where.

They sat around and listened to Lenny tell them about Bennie and Lamont and the new connection made with them. JT called for a vote, to officially accept the new arrangements and it was passed unanimously. Having Tom as the club adviser for their new profession of merchandize distributors, gave a great sense of relief, knowing they weren't going in blind and facing all the unknown traps awaiting them. Tom would make sure that they always had a good supply of sleeping pills on hand and explained the need to let a sleeping dog lie, as they went about their business. He informed them how peanut butter and a few slices of bread, with the pills crushed on top, could quieten an entire pack of dogs if he needed to.

The door opened up and to everyone's amazement, Piney's dad, Stan, was standing there. They welcomed him in, but he waved them off and to their surprise, called JT to him. JT had no idea what it was about and went to the door and then outside. Piney went over quietly and got as close to the door as he could, to listen. His father's words were too quiet to hear, but the sound of JT beginning to cry, made him alarmed to what it was. He didn't know whether to walk away, or go out to him. Despite the infringement on his privacy, he couldn't bear to know his best friend was hurting badly, just yards away.

He walked out and saw his dad holding JT in his arms and consoling him. JT was weeping hard, the tears coming in steady streams, as JT continued to hold Stan's coat in his fists. Piney looked at his dad, his concern showing for his friend and his need to do something for him. Stan called him over with a nod of his head and Piney came over and gently put his hand on JT's shoulder. JT felt it and saw who it was, then turned to him immediately and continued to cry, as he held on to him.

“Piermont, JT's mother just passed away in hospital. She'd been suffering from complications, from her problems with drinking and she wasn't strong enough to fight anymore. Her sister called us, because we're the only ones she knows, to tell us about it and hoped we could let JT know.”

Piney looked at his dad, the sadness he was feeling for JT, as much as when Lester died. His own heart broke down and felt the loss, as his mind played back moments he could remember with her. Stan patted the shoulders of both young men, as they stood in support of each other and walked inside the clubhouse again. The guys turned towards him, wondering what had happened and why JT and Piney didn't come back in. He came over to the bar and stood with them, summoning up his strength to speak to them. He saw the bottle of Jack Daniels and asked for a shot, happily hitting it back and wiping his mouth, before he looked at them.

“Guys, I have some bad news. JT's mother has just passed away. We got a call about an hour ago and his aunt told me the news about her. I just figured you guys would be here.”

The guys were crestfallen, hearing the information about her death. They were lost in that moment, unable to come to terms with it and what response would be appropriate to JT. Lenny didn't care about frailties and appropriate measures and headed outside. He looked at JT and Piney sitting on the picnic table, Piney's arm over JT in comfort, both of them distraught by the news.

“JT, man, I'm so sorry about your mom. What happened?”

JT looked at Lenny, despite his size and strength, the softness in his eyes told him he was feeling the hurt he was, even though he'd never even met her. He knew in his heart, that that level of pain, could only come from the devotion and commitment Lenny had for him. He looked into Lenny's eyes with his tear soaked ones, seeing the soul and spirit of the man before him. For all his tears and sobbing, Lenny never thought less of his president, nor was he diminished in his eyes.

For all that the club members looked to JT for strength in his leadership, they were eased to know he could temper that strength with a kindness and know he was leading them with heart and not just power lust.

The guys took strength from Lenny and soon followed him outside and into the scene of suffering. Clay seemed to understand better than anyone, what JT was feeling at that moment. For over seven months, he'd been waiting to feel the same, once his grandfather passed away. Several times already, he'd raced out to Stockton to be with him, his grandmother calling to say it could be his time, only to have him get past the episode and recover, keeping the suspense of grief in check until later.

He stood in front of JT and crouched down, so he could look up at JT's bowed face.

“JT, I know how hurt you are right now. I understand what you're feeling and going through. It hurts to know you'll never see her again, or talk to her, but if you think of her and not you, you'll see she's in a better place. I'm not going to get all preachy and shit, on ya, I ain't like that, but, you know in your heart, that she is. Lenny told me a while back, how you haven't really kept in touch with her, but we all know you really loved her, JT, we know that.”

JT raised his head slightly, looking at Clay and feeling the understanding between them.

“You're a good son, JT. You loved your mom, like any good son would. Just 'cause we don't always see them as much as we should, doesn't make us bad guys. We just have lives we got to live and they know that. It's no one's fault that shit happens, man. We all gotta die at some time, we know that. This was just your mom's time to go, that's all. I love you, brother and I'll do whatever I can to help you get through this.”

Clay's words did more for him than anything else at that point. JT raised his head up completely and looked at Clay and then the others, looking back at him. He felt a depth of connection with Clay, his words coming to him, with a strength of conviction in them, As much as every member's face held sadness and sympathy on it, Clay's words brought him past the grief and back to an understanding of himself, that he found the comfort in knowing, that he hadn't dishonoured his mother, by not seeing her as much, or taking better care of her.

He got off the table and hugged him tightly, getting the same in return from him. Any doubts about Clay were washed away from his mind and anything he already felt against him, he let it go from his thoughts. He felt the many hands of his brothers laid upon him in conjoined sorrow and loss, the weight of that burden, being lifted by them.

They closed up the clubhouse and Stan said he'd meet them back at his place, once they got cleaned up. There was no real immediacy to be quick, knowing no matter how long they took, nothing would have changed, from the way it was at that moment. The bikes were ridden slowly, somehow in honour of the woman who had passed. They cruised into the lot and parked and the girls began coming out to greet them, but the somber expressions they wore, took any thoughts of happiness away.

A dower gloom hung over everyone, knowing the loss of a mother, was hard to take. What made it worse for JT, was the end of his past and any connection to it. They were all crowded into JT and Piney's room, when the door knocked and slowly opened. Jake stuck his head in and looked about at the faces everyone wore and knew a tragedy had struck.

Jake noticed the focus was on JT and his heart sank. JT looked at him and knew he was suffering hard. His face softened into a look of empathy and compassion, as they looked at each other.

“What happened, son?”

“Mom died, Jake. This morning. I didn't even know she was sick. She's gone, Jake, my mom is gone.”

Jake walked in and took hold of JT's cut and pulled it slightly. JT was breaking down again, as the thoughts rushed in to haunt him again.

“Come JT, take a walk with me, son. I think you need to get a lot out right now and I know you can't do it with your friends all around you.”

JT nodded his head, as the tears he was doing his best not to shed, spilled down his cheeks. He went out with Jake and they walked towards the road, all eyes watching them from the room. The pair stopped just beyond the hedge and out of sight, but even behind walls and closed windows, JT's wailing could be heard by all of them.

Jake knew he had to let it all out of him, as JT sank to his knees and continued wailing and railing at the skies. He caressed his head softly, not saying a word, letting JT have the healing relief of grieving openly. Once JT had finished the greater part of his sorrow, Jake helped him stand and hugged him tightly, feeling JT respond and connect. He understood the guilt he was feeling, not being a better son, he knew losing her, was JT's severance with his birth into this world and all connection to it. Despite his age, JT had become orphaned, alone in the world now, with no roots, or history.

Jake knew from his own life, what that meant to a man, in his heart, in his soul. He waited until JT was standing under his own strength and then led him down the road, to begin voicing all his heart was feeling and come to terms with the reality of it. Jake made the offer of helping with arrangements and JT said he wanted his mother to be buried next to his dad, if it was possible. Slowly, with each step, JT came closer to his future and walked away from his past.

The others began talking of flowers and headstones, the coffin something the girls felt they knew would be best for his mother. No one had a clue how to pay for it all, but it became an onus they wanted to bear the weight of and spare JT any further anguish, in dealing with it. They knew it came down to favours being called in and favours to be done. The girls had whispered conversations of clients at the club they danced at, going beyond the bounds they normally lived by and talked of sexual services.

The guys had to take a walk outside to discuss other means of raising the much needed cash. Piney spoke to Chico, in front of the others, knowing it was all about club business, despite the personal loss by their president.

“Chico, we need to do a big run and fast. You heard what we need to get and it doesn't take a whole lot, to know this is going to be big money to cover it. Get a hold of your cousins and tell them you need to do another run and this time it's huge. We're taking Wally this time and doing the trunk run, like we thought of before. If it can hold as much as I think it can. This will make us the money we need and more, which is good all around for everyone.”

They all looked at Chico with expectancy. The idea was clearly a yes from them all, as he looked at their faces. He looked away to a spot no one occupied and thought, rubbing his chin, as he thought of what he knew.

“Okay, okay, if we take Wally, we have to do a couple of runs from the drop off, back to where Wally can park the car. If we get there a little earlier, we can clear the path a little better, so no one gets hurt this time.”

Eyes turned to Keith and all agreed it would be wise to make it safer, but at the same time, keep it disguised.

“How much should I say we're getting?”

Piney looked around at everyone and announced the weight.

“Five hundred pounds.”

Whistles and gasps flew, hearing the number and quick minds figured out the end amount of money.

“Shit Piney. You know how we get it over the border, man. It'll take hours to get that much over in one shot. Two pounds a piece means catching two hundred and fifty of those fuckers and running them back to Wally, wherever he ends up sitting.”

“Lenny, unless you have something to throw down instead to make this money, we're out of options. Anyone got something, anything, we're all listening?”

Piney looked at everyone, an expectancy that someone would have something better, but heads were blank of thoughts and ideas.

“Chico, make the call now and get things started. We'll have to map out the route for Wally, so he doesn't get lost. It's best if we go in first and get started on our end and Wally can get there an hour later, that way no one puts us all together. Like we talked about before, Wally will be after us and he'll follow behind. If anyone is going to get any attention, we will, so Wally can keep going and make it to Oakland and do the drop. We'll be clear of anything, so we'll get a pass and be back on the road.”

Chico spoke up, before anyone else did, feeling what he was going to say, to be of consequence.

“Amigos, listen up. You know last time we had a fly by from our friendly border patrol, we had everything timed for that. We're going to need to figure out how long it's going to take to shoot those things over, before we have a visit. We can't be spotted by them, or we can just sit and wait until the patrol gets us, because we'll never get out of there, before they arrive. One thing you might be forgetting as well, mi hermanos, not only do we have our side watching for shit, the other side is watching as well. Mexico is getting pressure from our government, to stop the flow of drugs coming in, so they're going to try and make it harder to get shit across, including people.”

The last part of what Chico said, had them wondering what he meant. Otto was the most interested and needed to know what he was talking about.

“Chico, what do you mean people?”

“Mexicans, mi amigo, wetbacks as you call them. I was lucky enough to be born on this side of the border, that's the only reason I'm American. Mi mama, she made it across in time to give birth to me on U.S. soil. Many wish to come here, many don't make it. They are willing to pay to get across, whatever way they can. The border is being patrolled more and more, making it harder to find spots to cross. Some are making a fortune, off the life savings of these people. If I could find a way to do it, I would make sure many come here and find better lives.”

“How much money does it cost, to get across?”

Keith's question had the others wondering as well.

“Five hundred dollars per head. They arrange to meet at a certain spot on the other side, then they bring them over in the middle of the night.”

“How many come at a time?”

“As many as the car, truck, bus, whatever, can hold. It's a thirty mile dash to freedom, muchachos. They get dropped off in a safe area and they have to find a way to get from there, to where they want to go.”

“Wait, you're telling me it's five hundred a head and it's as many as the thing will hold? So even taking five or so, that's twenty five hundred bucks right there.”

“Si, there is much money to be made doing it, but the risk is just as high. It's some serious time in prison for importing illegals into the country. Just cross with some shit you don't declare and see how much they get in your face about it. How do you think they'd feel about bringing in a hundred illegals in a night?”

“Shit, fifty grand, man. Fifty fucking grand. Imagine making that in one night?”

Everyone tried to imagine Wally's words and what fifty grand was even like to see in their hands, at one time. It sparked a light in every one of them, a light that would continue to glow, with the desire to make it glow its brightest, when making that amount became a reality. Piney brought it back to the present quickly, not letting any of them drift off into thoughts of it.

“That ain't happening anytime soon, so let's focus on what we do have on the table and that's making this run as profitable as we can. I think we need to see just how much weight Wally can take, without looking like his bumper is scraping. I know that trunk is big enough to hold it all, just wondering if the shocks and springs can handle it.”

“I can put some helpers on the leafs and that will stiffen them up and take more weight. Okay, I have an idea. Piney, Keith and Lenny, you weigh at least six hundred or more pounds in all, so you guys get in the back and that'll be the weight of the dope and more.”

That made sense and they squeezed into the back seat and everyone looked it over, to see how much clearance was left. Tom had a thought and asked Wally to open the trunk. Wally opened it and then Tom asked the three to stand in the trunk together. They stepped in and held on for support. Now they saw that the weight hanging over the axle, made it drop twice as much.

The three jumped out and the Chev went back to it's normal height.

“Yeah, thought that might happen. If all the shit is in the trunk, it's going to bring the ass end down real low and they'll know you're carrying something heavy. Let's get those helpers and we can put those on. I'd like to ride with you Wally, if that's okay with you guys?”

“Fuck yeah, Tom. If your bike was up and running, you'd be riding with us. For sure come with Wally and help keep an eye out for shit.”

“Cool, give me a chance to use those binoculars I picked up.”

“What binoculars?”

“Last week. Thought I was getting electronics. I saw the ics at the end, in the dark and thought that was one of the boxes. Turns out it was optics and there was a case of the things inside.”

“I could do with a pair of those.”

“Sure, Piney. Anyone else?”

Every hand went up and Tom knew to just bring the case and let everyone help themselves. No one wanted them and he couldn't unload them any where, so he was happy to be rid of them and ultimately, come to good use and help the club as well.

The guys were standing around smoking cigarettes, when the door opened and Lorraine came out. She came to Lenny and walked him away from the others and began discussing something in hushed tones. Lenny's loud exclamation of 'WHAT', made everyone look at them closely. They walked further away and Lenny was obviously blown away with whatever Lorraine told him, but he was also smiling about it, as well. He was shaking his head, as he walked back to the others, smiling bigger and bigger.

Lorraine didn't stop, but kept walking back into the unit and closed the door. The click of the latch, once again brought attentions turning from a woman, back to the guy responsible, for the answers. Lenny looked at the faces, waiting to see what he had been told and saw faces in the window looking out at him, waiting to see what happened when he told them the news.

“Okay, the girls say they can raise most of the money in a week. Now, here's how they figure on raising it. The girls, while they're at the club they dance at, make extra on the side, doing, ahem, favours for guys. They know what kind of money they can make between now and a week's time, doing that. Now, what they're going to do, I have no fucking idea, man, but they said they want some protection, just in case, because none of them have done this kinda shit before, so they'd like us to watch their backs, while they do their thing and get paid. What do you think of that?”

Every guy looked at his brothers, then all heads turned towards the window, faces vanishing behind closed curtains.

No one knew how to start that off, still coming to terms with their women doing things with other guys. Lenny looked at them, stuck in indecision and gave his thoughts.

“Guys, it's like this. The girls love us, that's obvious, right? I mean, they wouldn't be doing this kind of shit, if it wasn't for us, right? Whatever they decide to do for money, is their business, not yours, as long as they come back to you every night whole and not getting fucked up out there. I got a lot of feelings for Lorraine, you know that. Shit, we been through all kinds of shit and we're still together. I figure it's because she knows I care about her and even though she fucks up some times, she knows I can forgive her, just like she does for me. Otto and Piney will tell you straight, I've let more guys than you can imagine feel her tits and it's nothing. She wants to fuck some guy, it's her business, not mine. I can tell her not to, beat the fucking shit out of her and tell her not to, but you know what? She's going to fuck that guy, whether I know, or not. Women are like that. We're like we are. Tell me a sweet piece of ass doesn't lay her tush in your lap and says she wants you to fuck her silly and you're going to say no? I don't care how much you say you love Cindy, or Gloria, or Mary, or whoever, you know, you're going to go for it and hit it hard. Fuck the consequences. Right then, it's all about your cock and her pussy and you wanting to fill that gash up with every drop of your cum. Call me a fucking liar, I dare ya to.”

No one could, because they all knew they would and have in the past. They had a rethink of things, after coming at it from a different perspective.

“Guys, isn't anyone looking at the big picture here?”

They looked at Lenny and waited to see what they were missing.

“It was only a half hour ago, we figured out how to make a shit load of money to cover the costs for JT. It'll cost fifteen bucks for the helpers and ten minutes to put them on. It's another twenty, if Wally wants to get heavy duty shocks for it. We could load close to a half ton in the back and it wouldn't show. We know that's going to give us a huge amount to bank for the club and shit and then we can try to do it that way more often. The girls, doing that shit for us, come on. Steady cash. They can make tons of daily for us and they can stop anytime, right? But hey, they stop, doesn't mean we can't hire new talent to replace them, riiiiight?”

That instantly made all the sense in the world, after Lenny's explanation. Heads started wrapping around the idea of sexually active women and a steady cash flow, no one finding anything objectionable to the idea. As they stood pondering ideas about it, they saw Jake and JT coming back down the road to them. JT seemed more in control of himself and Jake was telling him things, JT nodding, giving them hope the worst was over for their president. Piney went to them, while they were out of earshot and joined them the last few hundred feet, asking his friend how he was doing.

JT threw an arm over Piney's shoulder and found the gift of a smile in himself, as he neared his brothers, who stood in worry of him.

“I'm okay, man, thanks. I just needed to get it out of me. It just hurts the most, not knowing, or having the chance to see her one last time. I gotta have some time, Piney, sort all this shit out and what's happening. Jake knows what I mean. I can't be leading the club and dealing with all this. I need you to run things for a while.”

“Me run things? Shit JT, I don't know how to run all this.”

“Lenny will help you, trust him, okay. I just can't do it right now. Jake's going to help me out with my mom whatever way he can, so I feel better, knowing I can lay her to rest properly.”

Piney looked at his best friend, coming to terms with what was and the past fading into memories of who he was. It was a time of transition for him, the strings of family severed from his reality, leaving him adrift in the world and he needed to get back on course.

“I'll do it JT. Lenny knows the deal. Are you up to some good news?”

JT looked at Piney, his normal gruffness smoothed out to a gentleness on his face, that said there was something to smile about, amidst all the gloom.

“Sure, Piney. Let's hear some good news, buddy.”

Piney slung his arm over JT's shoulders and walked him over to the guys and stood with them. The curtains were moving slightly, female eyes looking at the scene twenty feet away. Piney began explaining the need for Jake to go and be with Marlene and he knew things were being planned, that weren't in accordance with the law and hoped they weren't planning anything that would end in the situation being far worse, than it was.

Once the door closed to the office, Piney began explaining the new run down and the amount they were coming back with. That shocked JT out of his grief and made him focus on what they were planning. Lenny and Chico said they would take care of everything and explained to JT, how they had thought out the new route, the path getting cleared and making sure the air patrol was figured out. The risks were big, but the rewards were greater, if they pulled it off. JT asked about guns and Piney said they wouldn't need them, the run looking like what it was, nothing else.

When Piney thought JT was up to speed on the run, he looked at the others and told him what the girls were thinking of doing. JT shook his head and looked stunned by the announcement. Piney calmed him down again and Lenny jumped in at that point and explained it the way he had before. JT listened to his reasoning and it made sense that way, but he wasn't sure if he was good with Suzy, or the others giving themselves up like that, for the sake of money.

When the guys faces turned to the unit, with the girl's faces looking back at them, it was time for them all to talk about it. Despite some faces peering out of other units, wondering why the congregation was happening outside, they came together, as couples, assuring them that they still were and not to worry.

Talking about what they were willing to do, or at least try, had the guys thinking again, as they looked at them and imagined them doing things with strange men, the same things they had enjoyed doing with them. Thoughts changed expressions, as they looked at their women, coming to a harder realization of what they were thinking of letting them do. Eyes searched in their partners eyes, searching for an answer that might be there, somewhere after it all went down. Would they still feel the same about each other? Would they be able to get past what their woman had done with others? Would it be worth the cost in love, to make a financial gain from it?

Suzy spoke out for the girls, letting their side of things be heard, before a decision was made. She knew JT was hurt by the thought of it, despite the well meaning intentions for his benefit.

“Guys, listen. I know this is freaking you out, but think about it? All of you guys have seen us naked and let's face it, seen us having sex. Most of the girls are getting naked for guys every day and no one says a thing. All of us have made a little extra, letting guys have a little feel, or stroked some of their cocks. It's part of the business, always has been. All we're saying, is that, we're willing to step it up a notch and just do it for the money, that's it, that's all. It's a half hour, in and out and he's gone. All we want is for you guys to protect us, so no one hurts us, or tries to skip out on paying.”

She could see that the guys were thinking about it, the girls not doing anything one way or the other, to persuade them.

“If you guys say no, that's okay, it's cool. We don't have to do it. We just thought it was a good way to make some fast money for JT's mom. Baby, you're the one that needs to say yes or no, not me. I'm okay with whatever you decide, I want you to know that.”

JT looked at Suzy, her eyes showing her trust and belief in him, then looked at the other girls and saw a similar look in their eyes. The weight of decision immediately felt crushing, having so many lives to be responsible for. He wasn't sure he could bear that burden, trying to add it to the one he was already dealt with.

He looked at his brothers and knew what they were ready to put themselves through, for him. Everything kept coming back to him and his choice of leading them, grew heavier and heavier with responsibility, with each thought he had about them. At that moment, he became lost in his world and fell out of touch with it.

He looked at the eyes looking at him and he knew they could see him failing. Whatever strength was in him, was fading rapidly and leaving him weak and vulnerable to his emotions, ones now spinning out of control. He lost his reasoning, his logic, his focus on everything. Nothing was right at that moment, nothing he really wanted was happening, it was all skewed around by things out of his control. The more he looked at their faces, the more his illusion of being their leader faded.

He saw it on their faces, as he crumbled to the ground, unable to face anything else coming at him. Nothing Piney said, seemed like good news and even the club going all out for him, left him feeling guilty. The entire world caved in on him at that moment, consuming his entire being. Suzy knelt beside him, stroking his hair, her own tears flowing abundantly. She looked about at them, a need for help being given.

The group stood and looked at him, on his knees before them, unsure what to do, as he sobbed once more into an oblivious state. Piney didn't care what was going on in his mind at that moment, all he was concerned about was his best friend lying on the ground helplessly. He scooped him up in his arms and carried him to his unit. Lenny opened the door and Piney laid JT down as gently as he could on the bed and Suzy laid beside him and cuddled in behind him, holding him close. Piney and Lenny didn't need to be told and left Suzy to tend to JT. They closed the door as quietly as they could and went to join the others.

The faces spoke all that was needed to be said. Lenny and Piney looked at them all and showed their disappointment in them, their faces saying the man inside grieving, had lost face with them.

“That man in there is my best friend and I know what kind of man he is. I look at you all standing here and I can see you thinking he's weak and not a good leader. How much is one man supposed to bear on his shoulders, before he crumbles, like he just did. I know some of that is my own doing, by being stupid enough to tell him about you women. I should never have said anything. The run we have to go on, is more than he can bear doing at this point. More than anything, he needs our support, not more problems to worry about. We fucked up, plain and simple. We put him over the edge and that's why he's in there like that now, not because he's weak.”

Piney stood there like an angry bear, ready to battle anyone who disagreed with him. No one wanted to, no one felt they had anything they could say against it, for they all felt the guilt. It was a guilt born of selfish feelings, of monetary gain, as the end result. As much as intentions were good, the moment to bring them about, was completely wrong.

Suzy was doing her best to calm her lover beside her. His sobs had subsided to softer whines and whimpers, as thought after thought invaded his mind and tortured him. Beaten into emotional submission, JT wanted nothing more than to vanish and become invisible. Through course sobs, he tried to relay his feelings to Suzy, his only need, to be at peace in the world he was in. Suzy knew her man had lost all sense and reason about himself and nothing she could do, could help him. Her own tears fell hard and heavy, knowing she had to accept part of the blame, for speaking out so casually about doing sex for money.

JT lay there a broken man, having been pushed beyond his limit to bear so much weight and crumbled under the burden of it. She got up and went outside and waved Piney over to her.

“I don't know what to do, Piney? Nothing I say or do, seems to help him. All he said he wants, is some peace from all of it. He wants to disappear, or something, just make it all go away. Piney, what should we do?”

Piney stood looking down at the helpless woman, half his size, but equal, in caring for the man inside suffering. He tried to think of what his friend needed and suddenly walked away from Suzy and over to Wally.

“Wally, I need your car, man. I need to take JT somewhere, so he can get over this. He's hurting man, bad, real bad. Make me a map, so I can get there.”

Wally understood Piney's need and tossed him the keys. He went and brought the car to the door of the unit and left it running, as he went in to get JT. Everyone waited, held in suspense and disbelief of everything happening, as they watched their president being carried in the arms of Piney, out to the car. Suzy opened the back door and Piney laid JT on the seat and helped him get in. Suzy closed the door and ran around to the other side and got in beside him.

“I'm taking him to see Moon. I don't know anyone else right now, who can help JT find the peace he needs.”

The guys put the words peace and Moon together and knew Piney was making the right choice. He jumped in the car, looking at them with concern. Wally finished drawing a crude map and pointed out landmarks to watch for. Piney thanked him and looked at Lenny.

“You're in charge Lenny, keep this shit together, until I get back. We don't need anything else happening, to make things worse.”

Lenny understood Piney's concerns and assured him he'd be on top of everything, then Piney pulled out of the lot and headed towards Calaveras. The guys and girls stood still, the sense of shock still holding them to their places. In a matter of hours, the day had gone from one of a positive outlook, to one of great pain and misery and nothing they said or did, made it change the direction it was going in.

As they stood talking about it, nothing they said, seemed to ease the guilt they felt, knowing they hadn't thought of the ramifications of their words to him. JT was feeling bad enough about his mother already, compounding his own guilt onto the loss, then hearing how the guys wanted to do a run that was far beyond what they had done and were prepared for, the burden of responsibility for them all, landing on his shoulders, to make sure they made it there and back whole. It was hearing how the girls would cheapen themselves for money, despite their intentions and reasons for wanting to do it.

He couldn't bear the thought of seeing them having sex with strange men, allowing themselves to be plundered for all of their worth, giving away all that was good about them. He knew in his heart, if he agreed to it, he would forever damn himself, for treating a woman he cared about, in such a low manner. Realizing how callous they were towards JT in his time of suffering, the good intended thoughts, became more like insults to them. They put themselves in JT's position and imagined what it must be like to be in his shoes and walking the mile of misery he was.

Piney had to make several course changes and go a different direction, but he started seeing the landmarks Wally described and knew he was on the right road. The gate at the end, was just as Wally had said and he knew, with a growing sense of relief, he hoped he had found the peace that his friend needed. He drove down the lane and stopped at the door. It burst open and Azure came running out to greet them, thinking it was Wally. She never even made a motion to cover herself, now following Golden's directions to be naked and be one with nature. Piney stared at her nudity, as she stood close to the car, unable to avoid enjoying something so pleasingly presented to him.

Piney got out and Azure looked perplexed why he was driving and Wally wasn't. Piney tried to keep his eyes above shoulder height as he spoke to her, but they dropped several times, to glance at Azure's bountiful display of her breasts.

“Go get Moon, Annie, JT needs him bad.”

Azure looked in the back seat and saw Suzy comforting JT to her and ran in, holding her breasts, to stop them from bouncing around wildly. Moon came running out to them, after hearing Azure's cries for him to come. He opened the door and looked at JT, curled up in the seat, divorcing himself from the world around him. He looked at Suzy, his face a mix of worry and compassion, as he helped her out and went in beside him. Suzy went in with Azure, unconcerned about her nudity and into the living room. It took her a second to look around to shake her from her state of mind and toss her into one of equal concern.

Everyone was sitting around in the nude, waiting for her to come in and then came to her. They welcomed her, just as they had before, except now the people she hugged, were stark naked and pressing themselves to her. She looked at Star and saw him before her, waiting to greet her, then felt the arousing sensations inside, as her eyes saw his toned body and exposed manhood. Nervously, she held him and felt his body pressed to her. So many thoughts rushed about in her head at that moment, lust, desire, guilt, remorse and the longer she held him, the more she felt. She let him go and Phoenix was next. His body was even more defined and muscular, yet despite knowing it would cause her more unrest, her eyes had to look at what was between his legs. He was endowed with something much thicker and longer than Star, or JT, making her breathe in quickly, in surprise. He eyes shot up quickly to his face, but her guilt showed, as she hugged him and accepted his welcoming to her.

Moon was helping JT in, holding his arm over his neck and assisting him with every step. They all rushed towards him, concerned about his state of well-being, but Moon waved them off. He helped JT up the stairs and into his bedroom, then laid him on the bed and sat on the side, letting JT find his own comfort in himself. He patted his shoulder and told him he'd be right back and left him in the room.

Downstairs, Suzy was still coming to grips with five naked girls and two naked men standing around her, all happy to see her and be with her. She was happy to be with them, but the sensuality of naked bodies all wanting to be near her, threw her out of her element, leaving her reeling in conflicting emotions.

Moon came down and saw the circle of love around Suzy and the confusion she was in, trying to accept it. He came to them and broke the circle apart, ending the session. Suzy looked visibly relieved and Moon took her in and sat her down in a chair, giving her, her own space.

“Suzy, what happened to JT? All I understood was that his mom died and the world was black around him.”

“Oh Moon, it was terrible. Piney's dad came and told JT his mom died and he was really feeling shitty about that, because he hadn't seen her in like, a long time. He didn't know she was even sick and then he found out she died this morning. He's been blaming himself, saying she'd still be alive, if he'd gone to see her more. Jake had him calmed down and then all of us tried helping him and we kind of fucked up and made things worse and now he's like this.”

Piney came in, after having a cigarette and looked at all his naked friends, smiling to himself. They welcomed him in and he declined and said he was okay just standing at the door. They could tell he wasn't that accepting to their lifestyle yet, but he wasn't opposing it either.

“I have to get back to the others and then talk to my dad. Do what you can Moon, I know you can do some peace stuff on him and help him get his head in the right place again. I can give you a couple of days, maybe three to bring him around, but he has to bury his mother, whether he likes it or not. Suzy can stay here with him too and do what she can, so between the two of you, I'm counting on you to get him out of that shit in his head and get him thinking straight again.”

Moon and Suzy could see the need in Piney's eyes, for them to do whatever it took to bring his friend back to him. Piney had a look of fear he was trying to hide behind his strength, but the group could sense it and knew it was his fear of losing JT in any way. Moon came to him, his robe flowing about him and hugged him. Piney accepted it as graciously as he could and was glad when it was over, the awkwardness passing between them.

Suzy came over and hugged him, receiving a warmer reception from him.

“Take good care of him for me, Sweetheart. I need him. We need him.”

Suzy smiled and nodded her head to him. Piney bent forward and gave her a kiss on the cheek and smiled back at her. Piney waved goodbye and walked out to the car, saying he'd be back in a few days, then drove Wally's car down the lane and back to Charming.

Moon went into the kitchen and put water in the kettle, then came back to the living room and put it on the grate, over the low fire in the fireplace. Golden went into the kitchen and began preparing some herbs in a cup, crushing them and added honey and spices to it. She brought the cup to the kettle and waited for the water to come to a boil and poured it in the cup. She took Suzy with her and went upstairs and she had Suzy sit JT up, so he could drink the tea.

Slowly, JT responded and sat up, hearing nothing but soothing voices talking to him. He didn't show any awareness of Golden's nudity, as he looked at her offering him the cup. Suzy coaxed him to take it and drink it. He sipped the hot liquid and felt the calming effects of it come to him immediately. He sipped more and more, then stopped and closed his eyes, breathing deeper breaths and relaxing the tremors he was having.

Golden stroked the hair back from his face and tucked it behind his ears. JT opened his eyes and looked at Golden, instantly fixed on her eyes. The peacefulness in them, held him in that spirit, letting him join her and feel it himself. The soft stroking of her fingers through his hair, continually soothed him, taking him further away from the horrors in his mind and into a more peaceful state.

Suzy just sat and watched the transformation of her boyfriend before her eyes. Just moments ago, he was nothing more than a ragged mess of nerves and stress, sobbing and weeping. Now he was calm and at peace, at least in his face and eyes, but that was more than enough to give her hope, that the beautiful, naked woman, was more than she appeared.

Almost as if she sensed her thoughts, Golden stopped and looked at Suzy, the same calm in her eyes, lulling her into the same state of peacefulness.

“Undress Suzy, then help me undress JT.”

Suzy was stunned by what Golden asked of her. She looked at her with confusion, wondering what purpose it would serve, for her to get undressed. Golden saw her hesitancy and smiled.

“We need to do a healing circle for JT and let the power of our love heal him. You can't do it with clothes on. We were just showing Azure how to do it, when you came, so we are in a common vibration with each other right now. You felt it when you came in, didn't you?”

Suzy thought about how she felt, when she stood among them downstairs and felt the energy coming from them. Understanding the purpose for getting naked, Suzy began slipping off her clothes and stood naked, waiting for Golden's next instruction. She held her hand out to her and Suzy came beside her and helped undress JT. He sat there in a euphoric state, oblivious to the girls and what they were doing to him. They had to struggle at times, but the girls undressed JT and took his hands, walking him down the stairs.

The others were sitting on the living room floor in a circle, hands joined together. Smiles were present on every face, as they sat with eyes closed and focused. Moon broke the moment and rose, helping the girls bring JT to the group and sat him in the centre of them. He sat with legs crossed, his hands loose in his lap, a dazed look still on his face. Everyone shifted, to make room for Golden and Suzy to sit down. Suzy took her hand and held Poppy's hand beside her, as she waited to know what to do.

Moon looked about at everyone, a soft smile on his face.

“Brothers and sisters, a loved one has fallen upon troubled times and needs the gift of our love to heal his injured soul. We need to drive away the darkness in his heart, so he can feel the joy and peace of love in it, once more. I want all of you to concentrate on love and feel its power within you. When we are ready, we will focus our love on JT and fill him with it, in our minds. I want you to imagine the darkness being driven out and replaced with the pureness of love's light. Let us begin, everyone focus on love and feel it within us.”

Suzy looked at everyone carefully, to see what they did, but it was nothing more than closing their eyes and meditating. She closed her eyes and thought about love, in as many forms as she could imagine, each one becoming unsure, if it was the right love to focus on. After five minutes, she could sense a change in herself, a warmth coming over her and consuming her. It was comforting and made her feel at peace with herself, dawning on her finally, what she was feeling. She almost lost her focus, but recouped her thoughts and continued.

Moon spoke softly, asking everyone to focus their thoughts on JT and fill him with the love they were feeling. Suzy cracked her eye open slightly, looking around to see what changes anyone had made, but they hadn't changed at all. She closed her eyes and tried to do what she was told to do and thought of JT only. After a few minutes of doing it, she could sense a change in herself and she could swear, if she opened her eyes, she and everyone around her, would be glowing.

JT started moaning very softly, his head moving back and forth slightly, his eyes closed, but not tightly. He had a look of calm on his face, no signs of distress or anxiety, as they continued to meditate around him. Suzy snuck a peek through slitted eyes at him and saw the transformation in progress. It made her heart feel lighter and freer, giving her a release inside herself, that consumed her warmly. She felt the tingling everywhere in her, not even the tiniest spot was left untouched by its effects.

She lost all track of time and space, letting herself become more as one, with the feeling. JT's moans became more pronounced, as though he was releasing agonies from within. Suzy did her best not to break her concentration after hearing them and knew something was happening to him. JT sounded like he was almost crying again, but it was different than before, it was a cry of release, one of being happy again, feeling a great joy.

Moments later, Suzy felt her hands being raised up and held high above her. It became hard to stay focused on the moment, the desire to see what was happening so great, but the energy she was feeling in herself astounded her, it was such a beautiful thing to experience. She felt her hands being lowered slowly, until she felt they were pointing at JT directly. A buzzing started in her ears and grew louder, the longer they pointed their hands at JT. When it became so loud, she was becoming irritated by it, she felt her hands being released and laid them in her lap, feeling so much at peace inside herself.

Slowly she opened her eyes and saw the sun's rays shining on JT in the middle of them, seemingly aglow with the brightness, but Suzy could swear that it seemed to be coming from within JT. He was sitting there in a very calm and peaceful state, no pain or distress on his face, then he opened his eyes slowly to the world again. She watched as he looked around, becoming more aware of where he was and who he was with. A smile crept to his lips and stayed there, as he looked about at the faces looking back at him.

He looked at Suzy and his smile broadened slightly, seeing her there, then began to notice that she was naked. He looked around at everyone then and took stock of the nudity about him. In a moment of thought, he looked down at himself and saw himself bared to everyone and took a look of wonder to his face. He turned until he looked at Moon, connecting with him visually, eye to eye, knowing this was his doing, that he was in this state. The look from Moon's eyes, was one of love, the same look he saw in all of their eyes. It took him a bit to accept it and come to terms with things, then looked at Suzy again, seeing a happiness in her, that made his heart feel joyful.

“Welcome, JT. We are so happy to have you back with us. You came in such a troubled state, Piney told us what happened. JT, we are so sorry to hear of your mother's passing. We know the connection between mother and child is strong and when it is broken, the spirit suffers in that separation. I know more is troubling you, JT, but that too, will come to pass.”

JT nodded, agreeing with Moon, that all was not well within him yet, but a peace had settled in him and he was able to function again.

“Come, let's go outside and let the last of the sun wash upon you. Feel the energy and strength it will give you. Tell me what troubles your spirit and we will help you find the right path for you to chose.”

Moon rose and held his hand out to JT, who took it and stood beside him. Together, they walked out, naked and natural, no thought to their state of dress. Suzy watched them go out, then her own awareness of self came back. Her first thought was embarrassment, but soon realized all that were around her were in the same state and it somehow seemed okay to be like that. Slowly, the realization of being free came to her, as she saw it on the other faces around her.

Azure was positively beaming with happiness, her eyes brighter than they ever were before. Suzy looked at her and knew in her heart, that she had truly found herself and who she wanted to be. Everyone rose and Azure came to Golden, putting her arm around her waist, then turned to Suzy.

“Did you feel it? Did you feel the power of love?”

“I think so, I don't know. Near the end, I started feeling all tingly everywhere, like the hair on my arms was sticking up. When it was over, I felt like I was really at peace, you know? Like I never had a problem to deal with.”

Golden moved and hugged Suzy closely, pressing herself to her and holding her tight. Suzy was surprised at first, unsure of what Golden's intentions were, then felt the radiating sensations coming from her. Suzy began to realize what was happening and hugged her in response and felt the surge of energy between them. The more she felt a sense of love for her, the more the feeling between them grew.

Suzy felt the love washing through her, engulfing her being, the entire spectrum of love taking her soul. Golden pulled away and held her, looking in her eyes. Suzy felt her knees getting weak, looking at the love in Golden's eyes for her, the sensations coursing through her body and felt the unity of them becoming one. Suzy had no idea how to respond to her feelings for Golden, her only recourse to just kiss her, letting her baser feelings speak for her.

Golden understood and responded the way Suzy needed, loving her lips with hers, taking it beyond a kiss and into a dance of the tongues. It wasn't about sexual lust, or a satiation of desires, it was just an expression of love she felt coming to her. Suzy relaxed and began enjoying the experience she was sharing, Azure came up from behind and cuddled into the back of Suzy and caressed her body. Suzy moaned deliciously, enjoying the sensations her body was feeling, as Azure and Golden showered her in love.

JT and Moon stood on a small outcropping of rocks and grasses, looking out over the serenity of the shallow valley, towards the rising mountains in the distance. The sun wasn't done shining its brightest yet and still gave its warming rays to them, washing their bodies in healing light. JT breathed in the pure air deeply, feeling it regenerate him, invigorate his spirit. The calm and peace he felt inside and being with Moon, allowed him the need to let go of his inner turmoil, express it to a soul who understood what his was going through. One who could help make sense of it all again and know where his path lay inside him.

It took a couple of deep breaths and JT began emptying his soul of all that he felt wasn't right with the world. Moon listened patiently and intently, letting JT voice everything from himself, never stopping him, or breaking him from his thoughts. Whatever JT needed to voice, he voiced, sometimes in a whisper, no louder than the breeze passing their ears, sometimes shouting to the top of his lungs, drowning out nature and filling it with his anguish, only to have it washed away on the wind, leaving them in blissful silence once more.

Golden and Azure took Suzy out side, where the other girls were picking herbs and wildflowers and went over to them. Suzy felt the freedom everyone talked about, feeling the air and the sun on her naked flesh. She felt a oneness with everything and everyone, sensing how they were all joined. The girls hugged her and Suzy responded warmly, no thought to nakedness brought to mind. Golden wanted to do a uniting with Suzy, now calling her by the name they gave her, Stardust.

They went to the patch of daisies, where a circle was flattened in the middle of them and sat on the soft grass. Stardust was put in the middle of them, facing the sun, while the others sat around her, holding hands and closing their eyes. Golden told Stardust to just focus on the feeling of love inside her, letting nothing else enter her thoughts. Stardust closed her eyes and meditated on the feelings she had just felt with Golden, using them as her point to focus on.

The others sat and meditated, focusing themselves on her and began the process of blending their spirits into one. They each spoke their name in turn, asking to be welcomed to her and Stardust welcomed each one to her, accepting them as a part of her. They continued focusing and Suzy felt at one with them, as one with herself.

The circle finally broke, with Golden rising and having the others rise with her. Stardust stood and looked at her, awaiting the next step. She stepped to her and once again, hugged and kissed her, then stepped back, then announced their joining.

“I am at one with you, sister Stardust, are you one with me?”

“I am.”

Flower stepped in and did the same, then each of the others, until she had welcomed each of them to her. With the ceremonial joining over, they stopped any formalities and went back to their normal selves, now excited about joining with Stardust. The girls went back to picking the herbs and flowers, leaving Azure with them, as Golden went for a walk with Stardust.

Piney pulled into the lot and up to his unit, where several of the guys were hanging around. They wanted to know how JT was immediately, their concern, now where it should be. Piney explained his beliefs, that Moon would be able to calm JT down, as well as any doctor, or shrink could. It was just too much for him to handle all at once and he overloaded. He assured them JT would be just fine in a couple of days, after some rest and time away from everything. One thing he said he needed to do, was see his parents and take care of things there. Lenny said he'd join him and shortly, everyone was going.

Bikes were started and warmed up, as the girls came out to see where they were going. Piney explained his need to see his parents about JT's mother and the guys were riding with him. They stayed behind, knowing there would be enough time for mourning and feelings of loss. Hugs and kisses finished, they watched the guys pull out and fill the air with thunderous vibration, as they headed into Charming, to see Stan and Lorelei.

The girls headed back into Cindy and Otto's room, sitting about on the beds again, getting back to their discussion on flowers and what to wear. No one noticed the black, 1966 Cadillac Coupe de Ville, as it pulled into the parking lot and up to the office entrance. A tall, well dressed man, wearing dark sunglasses, got out and looked around the lot and units. He closed the car door and opened his sport coat, checking inside and closed it again. He walked to the office door and paused, as he looked around once more, then went in.

The girls were deciding between lilies or roses for the bouquet, when they heard loud reports, like firecrackers going off. They got up and went outside, looking up in the sky, then saw the office door open and a man in a light blue sports coat and black slacks, ran out and got in the Cadillac. He started it up and backed out quickly, spraying gravel under the car. He put it in drive and the tires dug grooves into the gravel, as the engine raced loudly. The tires hit the pavement and began squealing loudly, leaving black lines, as the Cadillac roared away from the scene.

There was a deathly quiet that hung over them, as they wondered what had happened. Lorraine walked up to the office and listened inside, then shrugged her shoulders, not hearing anything. She opened the door and shouted in hello, still not getting any response, so she walked inside. The girls waited outside the office for her, then heard a gasping scream, then a pause, then a long, blood curdling scream came out. The girls rushed in, heading to the living room, then saw Lorraine standing in the doorway to the bedroom, sobbing uncontrollably, unable to look away from what she was looking at.

The girls rushed over and stood behind her, looked past her to see. There lying in the bed, were Jake and Marlene, two red spots getting bigger and bigger on the sheet covering Jake's chest and two soaking the sheet over Marlene. Other than the ever-growing pools of blood staining the sheet, they looked peaceful, as though they were only sleeping. Screams rose, one after the other, until screaming wouldn't take away the horror of the scene. Cindy had enough of her wits left in her, to dial for the police and an ambulance, then stood looking around, trying to think of what had happened.

There was nothing but the sounds of silence, as eyes stared in disbelief at the scene.