The Mismatched Match

Anderson pulled his Tacoma into the parking lot behind the bar. He didn't like this. Nope! Didn't like it a bit. Darn his mom. Why did he always say yes to her? How many times did he have to tell her he was fine. Everything was just friggin fine. If he said it enough he might actually believe it.

But, nope, roped into another blind date. 'My best friend, Betsy has a daughter and she's smart, beautiful, accomplished ... and tall. Oh, and hasn't been on a date in quite a while. Just like you, Hon.' Barf.

Coffee! He'd suggested they meet some place during the day and have coffee or get dinner, but she was insistent on this bar. He was pretty sure this was a bad idea. Bars--hell, he'd only been in a bar a few times in his life--and those were sports bars to watch a game he could't get on TV or his computer.

Nope! Not his kind of place. Why pay seven dollars for a beer when you could get a six pack for that? But he didn't drink much anyway. He'd made some bad choices in college that still haunted him. Nothing too bad in the big scheme of things, but things he regretted even now five years later. Why the hell did memories from the past suddenly and unexpectedly pop up and plague you for a while before disappearing again?

But here he was, fifteen minutes early. Figured he'd scope out the place. He rubbed the dash of his Tacoma. He loved this truck, had to, he guessed--every spare dime he had went to support his family. And it had been good to him. Two years of high school, four years of college, some graduate courses and nothing but oil, filters, tires and batteries.

He now had two hundred and fifty thousand miles on it, an '08, and the same dents it came with. He smiled to himself, no extra charge for those the guy had said. 'Gives her character.' Sure. And gray, plain old gray. If it would just holdup for a few more years...

Tacomas were small back then, not the big old things they were now, but it was affordable and the seat went back far enough so his legs weren't all crunched up. Damn, he still felt like one of those daddy long legs or some spider or something. Nothing but arms and legs; good for basket ball, but not a real chick magnet. Could be the shortest date ever.

God, why was he doing this? He hated this part of town--never came here. He saw enough of this part of town on the news every night, well, at least when he watched the news. Heck, all he wanted to know about was the weather, he was too busy to take on the world's problems.

But he watched it enough to know he shouldn't be here. What kind of girl would want to meet here? He chuckled to himself, maybe she was one of 'those' girls and he'd get lucky. He shook his head. Not much chance of that. It'd been quite a while.

He opened the door, hesitated, almost turned around; no, his mom would be really ticked if he didn't at least meet her. Who the hell was Betsy anyway? He walked in and up to the bar. "Diet soda, please." The bartender frowned at him and he noticed a woman at the end of the bar studying her phone who also suddenly frowned. Ah, just another day of being judged by the inhabitants of this universe and found lacking. Wonderful.

Dang! Maybe he could use that for a game. A tall, gangly spider type guy out of sync with the universe who manages to... he'd have to work on it. She was pretty, though and he kept glancing her way as he looked around the bar.

Not much of a bar. Dark, neon lights, beer adds, and of course, the new hot drink--tequila. He'd tried that before. Yuk. Beer, maybe wine, a little bourbon... but not tequila. Definitely not tequila.

Despite the neons, the bar was poorly lit, tables and booths, a pool table in the back, a number of screens with different sports events, and noise--way too much noise. Way, way too much noise. A constant rumble of voices punctuated by too loud speech or laughter. He liked... quiet, peace, order.

But oh, no, 'Let's meet at some piece of crap bar.' And like the man he was, he'd said 'Sure, that'd be great!' He hadn't used the exclamation point. That would have been oh, so gauche. He chuckled to himself. Way to step up and be the dominant male.

He glanced at the woman at the bar again as she studied her phone. On second thought, she was beautiful. Long blonde hairy that glistened on the dull overhead light, soft, feminine features that somehow seemed hardened or roughened. He nose had a slight bend in it. And she looked great in that tee shirt. He chuckled again and she frowned. 'Save the Planet.' Who the heck wore a save the planet shirt anymore? But she looked good in it--great, in fact.

His phone went off. 'Andy, sorry. Will be a half hour late. Work stuff.' He knew it! She probably wasn't going to show at all. He should just say the hell with it and leave. Enough of this blind date crap, but... 'That'll be fine. No problem.' Gag. Why was everything fine? Why did he just let the world do what it wanted to him? Ever since his father left, his life was never fine. It just... was.

Shit, he wanted to be home working on the games or apps--new characters, new weapons, new terrain, or de-glitching. Always a challenge when they sent him a file that had to be straightened out. Find the bad code, put in some new, and then maybe just enhance everything a little bit.

The one he'd just gotten though was a pisser. He hadn't been able to track down the problem. He was getting close though, he could feel it!

His clients loved it. He'd been offered in-house jobs, but he preferred freelance. More control, he could take some time off and hike or take a kayak down the river, but good insurance and a 401k would be nice. But then, he never actually took the time to hike or do those things. And there never actually was any free time. Work and family took all of his time--and then some.

Dating? No time for that. Every day seemed like trying to cram a day and a half into twenty-four hours. Taking care of his mom and siblings... Damn! There was always something to do or pay for or fix. So dating was way, way down the list of to do's.

Although, as he thought about it, he really missed having someone in his life other than family. His thoughts flashed back to Tiffany. Tiffany Grainger. Best friend as they grew up transformed, at least in his mind, into something special by the time they hit the eighth grade, but then her dad left and her mom moved to California--she was gone. Probably once a year he searched online for her in every way he could think of--nothing.

Anyway, he looked around and spotted a girl sitting alone in a booth nursing a beer and nervously looking at the guy with the women in the corner. There was some kind of link there. She wasn't happy. Her whole being seemed sad or tired or something--and fearful. She was scared. Really scared. Her hand was trembling as she reached for the beer and took a sip.

Wait! He knew her! TIFFANY! It couldn't... how could it... He slid off the bar stool, although his feet were nearly to the ground anyway, walked over to the booth and slid in across from her. She looked up--startled, frightened. "Tiffany Grainger! I haven't seen you since your folks split up and you moved away in the eighth grade! How have you been?"

"You can't be here. You have to leave! Go! Now! Who are you anyway?"

"Anderson Jackson. Remember, you lived across the street? We did everything together from kindergarten to eighth. But I thought you moved out west somewhere. Do you live here now?"

"Andy! You have to go! Now!" Looking up and pleading, "Bart! No! He was just a neighbor..."

Anderson was lifted by the back of his shirt, which ripped, and thrown to the floor. "I told you! Unless there's money sliding across the table you don't talk to anyone but me." He slapped her and she stared at the table.

"I'm sorry, Bart. I told him to leave..."

Anderson tapped Bart on the shoulder. "Hey! You can't treat her like..." The fist hit him in the mouth, he felt his lip split and he went down again. Dammit. Blood on his favorite tie. He grew angry, untangled his limbs and stood back up.

"Tiff, you and I are gonna have a long chat. I've warned you about..."

Anderson came up behind him again, "Hey!..." Without even looking, Bart slammed his right hand straight back over his shoulder directly into Andy's face and he went down a third time.

"Don't you move a muscle, Tiff. I'm gonna teach this piece of shit a lesson." He turned around, bent down, grabbed Anderson by the front of his shirt and his tie and pulled him within striking distance. He raised his right hand to deliver the first blow, but a hand caught it.

"Hold that thought, Bart. Wait just a second." He went to pull his hand away, but she had it firmly in her grasp.

"Who the fuck are you? You're next, right after I beat the shit out of..."

"Oh, hush, Bart." Looking at Anderson. "Are you Andy?" Anderson nodded.

"You're the girl at the bar. Are you Antonia?"

"Yup. Sorry, Scooter. I can't let you hurt him. He's my date. You know it's kind of a his mom, my mom sort of thing... I can't let him go home... well, anymore beat up than he already looks. I'm sure you understand."

Bart stood up. "Scooter! No one calls me fucking Scooter."

"Why not? It's cute. Bartholomew Scott--Scooter."

"Guess I'll do you first and then spider man over there.'

Feigning fear and using high pitched voice, "Oh, please, Scooter, don't hurt me."

He swung at her and she redirected his blow with her right and punched him in the face with her left. A look of surprise filled his face. He growled and got ready to lunge at her, but Anderson stepped up grabbed him and then put his hands up in a boxing stance. Bart laughed, Antonia groaned, "Bart!" The fist went between his arms and Anderson hit the deck again.

"Scooter, I told you not to hurt my date. I would kick you right in the nuts, but I'm sure with all the steroids you've taken," sarcastically, "to get your manly physique, that they're about the size of peas. Having a little trouble gettin' it up there, Little Fella? A little shrinkage?"

Bart turned red with rage. Both hands out to grab her neck, he charged, but was met with a foot to his face. He staggered. Her knee hit him once, twice in the belly and then her left hit him once again on the side of the head and he collapsed in a heap to the floor. "The bigger they are... Mr. Bartender, have you called the police?" He nodded. "Tell them we need an ambulance. Thanks."

"Now, Andy," she lifted him off the floor. "Damn, you're a tall thing. 6'4" or something?" He nodded. "Play basketball?"

He nodded. "In high school."

"Well, Drew, you have a seat right here," she lowered him into a chair, "nice tie by the way. Now you just sit here a minute." She turned and slid into the booth across from Tiffany. "So, Tiff, I'm Antonia, Toni. You don't look like you've been at it too long. How'd a little sweetie like you get hooked and working for a guy like Bart?"

"I... I don't use..."

"No? It's hot as shit in this hell hole and you've got long sleeves and long pants. You got spots on your hands and you're shaking a lot. Time for another fix, right? Look, I can help. That's what I do. Do you like what's going on now?"

Tiff was crying, "No, but..."

"Would you like to quit?" She nodded.

"But I..."

"But you and I both know that after what I did to Bart, you'd be lucky to survive. So how long?"

"About nine months. I grew up here and flew back just to visit a friend. We came to this bar and next thing I remembered was waking up strapped to a table with one of those lines in me; and every time I'd wake up..."

"They'd squirt more stuff in until the craving got so bad you'd do anything and Bart put you on the street to make money?"

"Yes."

"What about your friend?"

"I haven't seen her. Since that night. I don't know if she's okay or not. I've tried to run away, get help, but he always finds me."

"Open your phone and give it to me. Shit, Tiff, you location finder is on and I'm sure there's some malware on here that tracks you. Probably sends an alarm every time you go more than a block or so. Someone as sweet as you brings a pretty good price, right?" She shrugged. Toni popped out the SIMM card and smashed the phone. "Sorry. Dump out your purse."

Toni rummaged through it, "Here's one, here's probably another." She smashed them. "She opened Tiff's wallet. "No ID. Nothing to identify you."

Tiff shook her head. "He took it all."

"Okay, Tiff. Time for some straight talk. First, I would leave all this crap here. We can buy you replacements for like twenty bucks, right?" She nodded. "Stay here and you die or at least wish you were dead." Antonia had a flash of being tied to a bed... "So you can't do that. Do you have a place to stay? Can you go home?"

"I haven't talked to my mom since I got here. And I... I can't call them while I'm like this. Not while I'm falling apart. I live in this dump with some other women. It's where HE keeps us. We're locked in most of the time."

"So could you stay at Drew's?"

Tiff looked at her strangely, "Drew's?"

Getting an equally weird look back, "That guy! The guy that was sitting with you. The guy that came to your rescue twice. Andrew. Andy."

"His name is Anderson. Not Andrew."

Barking out a laugh, "I swear to God. Why didn't he correct me?"

"That's Anderson, well, at least the Anderson I knew in the eighth grade. Go with the flow. 'Whatever.'"

"So you can stay at his place. What about testifying against this creep?"

"I don't know... I."

"Look, Tiffany. He may have killed your friend... or I guess your friend may have set you up, but if she'd done that you probably would have run into her. Anyway, he is a danger to you; a danger to Drew, er, Anderson; and he's going to do it to some other women.

"You need to be strong and make him pay for what he's done. Crap, the police are here already. You HAVE to do it. For you, for them, for the next girl."

"Why if it isn't the lovely Antonia Bailey. Care to explain?"

Smiling, "Why sure Lieutenant Robert James. Big Bad Bart, beat up my blind date, which is neither here nor there. More importantly, he drugged and kidnapped this woman, made her a junkie and then trafficked her. Her friend..." turning to Tiff...

"Gloria Reynolds."

"Is missing and may be dead. So, Bart needs to go to the hospital and then jail. No release if we can prevent it. He is a danger to the three of us and a flight risk. My 'date' needs to get evaluated. He needs stitches and has a concussion. And I need to take her to the Crisis Center and start the treatment protocol. Sooo, speed would be appreciated."

"Sure, you Highness."

"And, it would probably be a good thing to get a search warrant to search his place. Guarantee you there're plenty of drugs there, right, Tiff?"

"Always."

Tiffany, you know the address?" She nodded. " And she lives with other women who are also being trafficked, so they need social services and I will be there as soon as I drop Tiff off to help." Smiling, "Questions officers?"

"Of course not. Toni to the rescue--again" and laughed. "Your dad'd be proud."

"Not sure about that." She walked over to Anderson, "Drew, Honey, how are you doing?"

"Just fine, Darling. Our date has been something to add to the scrap book of wonderful memories. Can you take a selfie with me? Not sure I can do it. You know, so my mom and your mom know we had fun on our date. You look beautiful tonight by the way. Love your hair. Did we win the game?"

She stared at him. Beat to shit, lip bleeding, and he's popping out one liners? Laughing, "Drew... I swear to God, I might actually start to like you. Where the hell did you play b'ball?"

"St. Marks."

"Father Ryan! You played for Father Ryan!" She burst out laughing again. "No wonder this is no big deal. The whole conference knew they could beat the crap out of you all and if you ever so much as threw an elbow, Ryan would yank you from the game. My girlfriends and I used to go to some of the games, just to watch you all get beat up!" Still laughing.

"I always wondered about the crowds. And, I guess all the cheers when the blood flowed. Made no sense since we always lost."

"Now the girls' team with Sister Mary--meaner that cat shit. We knew we were going home bloody when we played them. Ah, Drew, I'm so sorry." Laughing, "What about college ball?"

"I played for Father Ryan, remember? No one would even let us walk on. Figured it was a waste of time."

"So, Drew... Dammit, Drew, I can't quit laughing. I'll bet I saw you play. What was your number?"

"Twenty-eight."

"I did! I remember watching you play! You were pretty good."

"Thanks. Led the team in points and rebounds--not that there was a lot of competition from the rest of the team, the bar was pretty low. But that's where I learned to take a hit so well."

She stroked his face as she laughed, "Oh, my poor baby. So, anyway, Drew. We have to talk. After they take your statement, is there any way you can drive yourself to the ER."

"So our date is over already? Damn, and I wanted at least one dance and a little smooch. You know, so I could tell my mom."

She stared at him not knowing whether he was joking or not until he finally smiled. "What's the matter, Sweetie? Cat got your tongue?"

"Drew, see that pile of crap on the floor over there, the one they're loading onto the gurney? That could be you."

He chuckled, then winced. " I kind of feel like him..."

She smiled at him again, "So anyway, can you use your one and a half eyes to drive to the ER?"

"Sure."

"And Tiffany has to live with you for a while. The Center is full, she needs help, I'll check on her and be available..."

"Sure."

"Just like that?"

"Yes, just like that."

Looking at his swollen, puffy face she was filled with uncertainty. What she was doing wasn't right. "Drew... I'm sorry I can't come right with you, to take you I mean, but I'll come as soon as I can."

"I heard you talking and I understand that these women need help. You need to see to Tiff and the others--even though I have no earthly idea who you are or what you do, or why the hell I had me meet you here." She stared at him, uncertain how to respond, "But, I'm glad you did. Good things are happening it seems. I'll manage. I always manage. It'll be fine. Just fine.

"I'll be there as soon as I can."

"It's alright, Antonia. Do what needs to done. I'll be fine."

Six hours later, Antonia walked into the ED waiting room. Packed even at three in the morning. Looking around she spotted Anderson, apparently doing something on his phone. Face swollen, right eye shut, she noted an ice pack full of water sitting on the floor next to him."

"Drew! Are you okay? Sorry it took so long. Oh my God, you look awful. What are you doing?"

He smiled at her, "Uh let's see if I get these right. Yes, I'm okay. I figured it would take you most of the night. So by my estimation you're here early. My face feels like it looks awful, but you, Antonia, look just as beautiful as before, although you look tired. Oh, and I'm working."

"Why haven't they taken you back?"

He waved his arms around indicating the full waiting room. "And they keep bumping you down the list as new folks come in." He shrugged. "Unacceptable, completely unacceptable. You sit tight."

But she continued to stare at him. Who was this guy? Anyone else would have gone ballistic at the bar, if they'd even shown up. And now this--five, no six hours, no big deal, he'll just wait until they get to him. What was it Tiffany had said, 'Whatever.'

She felt her heart reaching out to him, but WHY? Why would she give a shit about this guy she knew nothing about other than the crap his mom had shared with her mom which probably in no way resembled the truth? Why did she even care? But she did. Why hadn't she just gone home? Because she knew she couldn't.

"Sure."

She went up to the desk. "Hi, Toni. What's up?"

"I need to see Hannah."

"Sure, she's in the, uh, yup, East Pod. I'll buzz you in. Is he one of yours?"

"Yes," and she realized that maybe he was one of hers. "Thanks."

She walked through the doors and to the East Pod. Hannah was sitting there finishing some paperwork. "Hannah. I need your help."

"Good to see you too, Sis. That's never good. What's up?"

"Sorry. First, what's up with Bart Scott?"

"He went to Trauma. Woke up, getting his head scanned, but seemed to be doing well. I understand that was some of your handiwork."

She nodded, "Yeah. He was beating the crap out of my date." Waving her hand, "Long story. He has a split lower lip. It's simple, just needs a few stitches. Nothing fancy. We can do it on a stretcher, in the hall, or anywhere. Should only take a couple of minutes... Hell, I'll do it.

"He tried to defend me! He tried to stop Bart for me, Hannah. Me! Nobody...

"Anyway, he's swollen as shit and he's been out there at least five, six hours. Is there any way..."

"Sure. Let me grab a stretcher, if there's even a free one, and we'll do him in the lounge. Go out there and get him."

Moments later, she walked Drew back to the lounge. "Where?" Hannah pointed to the couch.

"Drew, lie down on the couch and put your head up here."

"Oh, my. I'm getting the deluxe treatment. I mean I've read about it..."

The women looked at each other and Hannah laughed, "Drew this is my sister, Hannah."

"Hi, Drew, take off your shirt and put this gown on. Your shirt and tie are kind of ripped, and dirty and stuff."

"Sure." He quickly removed his shirt and she stared at him.

"Wait a second. I thought you were like one of those gamer guys, living in a dark room in your mothers basement doing stuff I don't want to know about. Where the hell did your skinny ass get all those muscles? I expected to see a pudgy, I don't know. I didn't expect this?"

"Sorry if I disappointed you. I mean if you prefer pudgy I can work on it. I hear some women do like the soft and squishy guys." Both women stared at him not certain how to respond. "And yes I am a gamer, but I design, build and fix the games. I only play them to make sure things flow right and are as lifelike as possible.

"And sometimes the room is dark so I can see every tiny detail, oh, but it's in my own condo. As to the stuff you don't want to know about... anyway, and the muscles, well I put these little electrodes on while I work..."

Both women started laughing. "Toni. This is/was your blind date? This guy! I mean I don't see a single tattoo or scars from gunshots or stabbing or anythng." Antonia was still looking at him as his one squinty eye moved towards her and stared back.

"Let me do this one, Hannah."

"Sure. You want the biiiig needle?"

"Here, Mike Tyson, put the gown on and lie down and I'm going to numb you up. I'm going to cover you with a drape. A wee little needle stick."

He jumped and let out a scream. "Shit! What the hell is wrong with you?"

Chuckling under the drapes, "Sorry, couldn't resist. You were so serious and I know you're in a hurry so you're going to squirt it in quickly and make it hurt instead of doing some nerve blocks or anything. Remember? I played for Father Ryan? I'll be good. Promise."

"Toni, who the hell is this guy? I mean he's an ass like the other guys you date, but he actually has a brain."

"Our mom's set us up."

She bent over in laughter. "A blind date and he ends up looking like this! His mom'll go nuts. Our mom might go nuts! Where'd it happen?"

"Freddie's Bar."

"You asked THIS guy to meet you at Freddie's?'

Antonia looked guilty, "In retrospect..."

"Guess that's the end of the romance."

From under the drapes, "I hope not. If tonight doesn't lead to date number two, I... well, I'm pretty sure that I am going to miss you, Antonia. I think maybe... a lot."

Antonia's face turned red and Hannah shoved her shoulder into her. "And look at those long fingers, Toni. You know what they say about guys with long fingers."

Anderson chuckled under the drapes. "In this case, they'd be wrong."

"Well, that's too bad."

"No, I mean, my fingers should be longer." There was a moment of silence and then both women started laughing. "Why don't we commence, ladies. Slowly absorbing suture like Dexon or Vicryl. The muscle looked split so close that in one layer, close the subQ in another layer and then what? Horizontal mattress on the pink part? You know to evert it some so my lips stay as kissable as they were before I ran into a fist. Should be simple since it's just muu, uh, mucosa and didn't cross the vermillion border.

"Just throw some fucking staples into this wise ass, Hannah. How the hell do you know all that?"

"You Tube. I've been waiting a while."

"Holy shit am I going to have to have a chit chat with our mother."

Hannah turned to her and mouthed, "I like him. You should give him a try."

Whispering back, "I know. I'm scared, Hannah."

"Just go with it. What have you got to lose?"

"Everything." Antonia felt the fear, the pain, the darkness she kept buried inside starting to claw its way out; its tendrils squeezing around the blocks she'd set up. NO! She had to clamp down, feel nothing, keep it at bay.

"I don't feel any tugging and pulling, ladies."

Hannah elbowed Antonia and then watched as Toni stuck the suture needle into his upper lip. Instead of the expected result, Anderson laughed from under the drapes. "Guess I deserved that."

Antonia's phone buzzed. "Crap! I have to go get Tiffany. I guess, I'll bring her back here."

"Uh, no need." He reached into his pocket. "Here. Just leave me the big key that goes to my truck. She'll be tired and with the meds they probably gave her, she'll be out for a while once they kick in. Put her in the master.

"Yes, Sweetie, the sheets are clean. I figured I'd be getting lucky tonight from what your mom told my mom..." he started laughing again and the women looked at each other and grinned.

"No comment, eh? Anyway, I'll sleep in the guest room where all the computer stuff is. That way I can just play my little games..."

"Wait. So if you design and program those games, you make all those super busty Barbies in all the programs?"

"Uh, yeah, I guess. In some of the programs."

"So let me get this straight. You sit there in the dark, diddling yourself looking at the hot women you're creating."

"Well, yes and no. I mean they're not all hot. I mean some are trolls and deformed and stuff. But if I don't find them 'diddle worthy' then how can I expect others to like them? You know it's product research, kind of. All part of the job."

"I see. So how do you get any work done?"

"Well, I can type with my left hand so..."

Both women lost it again and Hannah looked at Antonia and whispered, "If you aren't going to date him let me know, because I sure as hell will! Don't worry. This guy is safe."

With an urgent whisper, "No! No, he's not. I'm afraid I'll freak out and hurt him."

"Drew, you should make Toni one of the characters in your games."

"Way ahead of you. I have it all planned out. I think, you're really going to like the outfits I have planned as options. Light, not enough to get in the way..."

"Pig! Don't go putting me in some skanky outfit to satisfy your fantasies while you type with your left hand."

Hannah chuckled. "No! You misunderstand. I was talking about an outfit to accommodate your sword, knives, pistol, rifles, ammunition, bow, RPG... You know, those kind of things."

"Uh huh. Sure."

"Did you ever see that really old movie 'Barbarella' with Jane Fonda?"

"You mean you're going to make me look like an elephant?"

"That's Babar. She wore this sexy corset type thing and the cups at the top were clear so you could see..." She stuck him in the upper lip again and he laughed. Hannah laughed aloud and Antonia smiled.

"Oh, nothing like the creative mind creating it's never gonna happen fantasies. Hold still, Drew, and quit moving. One more stitch. Hannah, can you finish up? I've gotta go. Okay, Drew, see you in a bit. Sorry about tonight."

"Tonight was great, Antonia. Quite an adventure. Nothing to share with Mom though."

After she left, "Why does she call you Drew? That's not what you put on your sheet."

"Nope, my name is Anderson Horatio Jackson, Junior. I'm not sure where she got Drew from. All I know is that Bart had me on the floor and was about to permanently alter my natural good looks when she asked if I was 'Andy.' That's what my mom calls me.

"If she'd have asked if I were Drew... bad things could have happened." Chuckling, "Actually, I probably would have lied and said yes to see if she would help. I had no idea she could do what she did. Pretty amazing."

Hannah laughed again, "Anderson Horatio Jackson, you're quite a piece of work. Okay, all done. Here're your instructions, but I'm sure you looked them up online. And I guess you're going to take your own stitches out in a week to ten days."

He nodded. "Well it was a pleasure meeting you, Anderson. And, Anderson, she likes you, in fact I'm not sure I've ever seen her look at anybody the way she looked at you, at least not since... and I'm her sister, I should know."

"You think she likes me? That'd be great, but a little hard to believe. I mean we really haven't even talked to each other and, I mean, all I did was get the crap beat out of me."

"She's an incredible woman, but she is probably scared shitless about opening up and being vulnerable. Some bad experiences a while back. So please be patient."

"Understood. And thanks for getting me back here. Sorry I acted up."

"No, you were a very pleasant break from the drunks and rowdies I'm going back to. Good luck with everything, Anderson. I hope to see you again, soon."

It was a tough drive home--one eye shut and the other one partially closed. He opened the condo door with the spare key he kept in the truck. As he stepped in, Antonia was already in motion and ready to strike. Anderson only saw her at the last moment and flinched.

"Oh, sorry, Drew. I was asleep and..."

"It's fine. How's our patient?"

"Sleeping. Here are instructions and her meds. You need to hang on to them; don't let her have access. It's going to be a rough ride for a few days, but she has a lot of spunk, or at least I think she does, and is not broken like the others seem to be. And," looking into Anderson's eyes, "I think you will give her strength. She knows you and trusts you... was there anything... you know between you two back then?"

"Nothing official. We were best friends and confidants and I guess I always hoped something would happen, but then she moved away in eight grade and we had zero contact. Done."

"Well, you'll be living with her for a while and helping her a lot. It's normal for... an affection to develop."

"So what should I do?"

She continued to study him. Tapping his chest and letting it linger just a second, "Whatever your heart tells you, Drew." Taking a deep breath, "Well, I have to go. There are four others in a holding cell and they're not doing as well as she is. So I need to check on them."

"They're under arrest?"

"No! No. No. It's just that the center is full and..."

"So what happens to them?"

"That's the problem. They'll get put out on the streets with an outpatient follow-up, with no money, no place to stay and no way to get there while the need for drugs eats them alive and they end up back where they started. It's awful, but, we can only help so many at a time.

"I don't know, it's like the animal shelters. When they get too many animals or they have one that nobody wants then they euthanize some to make room for the next batch."

"Well, could they stay here? I'll move my computer stuff to a hotel or something and then the five could be here... And I could bring food or clothes or whatever. Or I guess they could stay at a hotel, but here would be better, don't you think? Would being together help or hurt."

"I think together would help. They've lived together quite a while. But you would do that? Move out and give them the condo? Help support them? Why? You don't even know them!"

"They need help. You can help them too. I mean I guess you can, I still don't even know what you do. But I guess they need round the clock supervision and it's not really appropriate for me to be doing that, so you could stay here too or some other helper. Hell, I don't know. I'm just free spooling here. Whatever you think. But I'm willing to help and I have a little savings..."

"About that, Drew. Make sure you keep all your access codes, bank stuff and financial things somewhere else. Like at your mom's. I don't think she will, but you never know. I had one case where the woman got close to this man who was helping her, a Good Samaritan. He came home from work and she had completely cleared out his apartment and his bank accounts.

"They caught her, but a lot of it was already gone."

"Understood. This is a world, I'm only marginally aware of, and never for a moment thought I would come in contact with. So some in person, non-online help would be appreciated. See how the others are doing and if moving them here makes the most sense... then I'll move my stuff out somewhere."

She stood still, staring at his eyes or where his eyes should be. He was so swollen that there weren't many clues. She felt drawn, pulled, sucked into his world. What the hell? She had to find out and moved forward and kissed him.

He never flinched as her lips squeezed against his sutures. Hesitant at first, then more and more passionate. Her tongue slid across his sutures and between his teeth where it was met by his. He squeezed her to himself and she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer.

She sighed. It was wonderful, special, she felt, well maybe not sparks, butterflies, all the crap she'd only believed lived in books and movies, but she felt it. It was there! But coming out of the corners, along with butterflies; the darkness, the memories, the fear, the helplessness! The table! No! She froze, ready to scream, then pushed herself away. "No! There's too much going on. It not the right time. I'm not ready... I have to go!"

She turned and pulled away, but he grabbed her arm and used his strength to pull her six foot frame back to himself. He moved his head around trying hard to see her face through his one partially closed eye, "You feel it don't you." It was a statement, not a question. "I know you do."

"I do, Drew. But it's.... No man has ever tried to protect me. No man has ever done any of the things you've done and offered without strings attached. But I'm scared, Drew. I... You don't understand..." He pulled her closer and kissed her. One by one her switches were turning from red to green. The shields were collapsing. There were strings reaching out and Drew was attached to those. She could feel those strings becoming ropes.

As she melted and surrendered herself to the feelings, the darkness was coming out in a wave, but she needed him. Maybe he could be the one. Maybe he could stop the pain and the memories... She needed him; needed him like no man before, she could feel it. He could do anything he wanted... but the shadow...

She was about to scream and pull away... but he stopped. "What?"

"Like you said, it's complicated. There is nothing I would rather do than continue. To hold you, kiss you, get to know everything there is to know about you|. Have you spend the night, the weekend." He smiled and wiped his swollen lip, "I'm having a hard time taking my one squinty eye off you, you're just a wonder to look at and you feel just perfect... but you need to check on those girls or women or whatever they are."

"They're younger than Tiffany, but been there longer."

"They can't stay in that cell. They're not criminals by choice. They must be scared to death after living in hell for however long they've been forced to do what they're doing. While they sat there, I assume withdrawing like Tiff," she nodded, "I would feel guilty and it would ruin things. And you'd feel the same.

"And besides, I know absolutely nothing about you. Nothing other than I was supposed to look for a tall woman named Antonia who it turns out is a professional fighter, who knows all the cops, social workers and hospital personnel."

"I'm sorry, Drew but..."

"Who for some unknown reason calls me Drew."

The fear and trepidation eased from her face and she smiled. "Because 'Andy' was just not right. Nobody over like twelve should be called Andy. I figured your name was Andrew--hence Drew." Touching his face, "Drew just kind of fits, but I love the name Jackson. I don't know."

"What about Horatio?"

Chuckling just a little and shaking her head, "No. Not Horatio. That's out. You're not some British navy guy. Doesn't fit. Is that where it comes from?"

"Yup. My dad loved sailing, loved the books," suddenly looking angry, "and sailed off leaving a wife and four kids behind when I was sixteen, never to be seen again. Anyway... Truth is, I don't care what you call me as long as you're close enough to call me something."

There it was again. That beautiful, beautiful soul. His heart reaching out, trying to lock onto hers and not letting go. She wanted to stay. She wanted to kiss him and feel him and...

"So, I'll keep an eye on Tiffany. You figure out what needs to get done and get some sleep."

"Drew, I..."

"I know, I feel the same.

He snuck in and checked on Tiffany. She seemed to be asleep from the meds, at least for now. He got the clothes basket and went into the computer room and started putting his financial files and everything else he could think of, carried them into the hall and came face to face with Tiffany. She saw what he was doing, burst into tears and ran back into the bedroom.

He dropped the basket and ran after her "Tiff, I'm sorry."

"No, I'm sorry, Anderson. I can't be trusted. You shouldn't trust me. I have become the worst kind of creature in the world. Lying, cheating, stealing, doing things that a few months ago I would have never dreamed of doing. I... I just want to end it. Please help me die, Anderson. PLEASE!"

He pulled her into a hug. She put her head on his shoulder and started sobbing. Yup, she had the symptoms. She was warm, sweaty, her heart was pounding and she was almost panting. He stroked her hair; how many times had he dreamed of doing that in the past, but it felt different than he imagined.

More like a sister? Not like Antonia. Nope, not like Antonia. He could feel his own growing addiction for Antonia, a craving, even in her absence. Only the need to help was what he was feeling for Tiff.

Antonia. Damn! It was too fast. Made no sense. What was it about her? But he could feel the chill deep within, but growing; the fear. The fear that she would leave, that she would not be a part of his life. The fear and the craving became one, but he forced them down.

She was hiding something, something awful, something she feared. Not good for a long term relationship. So he shoved the feelings down, back to the depths. Dammit, he'd only just met her. It would be fine--he always made sure he was fine. Everything was just fine.

Even while he'd stayed close to home and worked himself to death during school to help his mom support and take care of his younger brother and sisters. He was fine. He still did that. He was very successful, but no real savings, no special vacations and that old fucking piece of shit Tacoma. All the money went to his family.

He went to their games, celebrated their birthdays, Christmas, picked them up and brushed them off when things didn't go right or that guy broke their heart. He was the substitute father. Just the thought of his father filled him with rage. Take all the family resources, buy a fucking sailboat and sail away. Free on a voyage of self discovery.

That was one of the things that pissed him off almost like a reflex. That whole 'if you don't take care of yourself, put yourself first, you can't help anyone else.' Bullshit! Whether it was finding God, searching for enlightenment, self discovery, abandoning your family to sit by the river--it was bullshit! You had responsibilities first. Maybe then you could get around to you.

There was always a need in the family. Time for a car. Then the class trip, the prom, repairs at home, someone got sick. He told his mom that it was fine. Everything was always fucking fine, but it wasn't. But his brother was through college and had started a new business that was doing well. One sister was a sophomore in college, the other a senior in high school. Maybe the end was near.

And now he had Tiffany, who he'd dreamed of for years AND Antonia. He'd make it work, he could keep his feelings and emotions sorted, right? He should just put a pin in all this stuff for now. Why was he even thinking about it? Well, because he was tired and his face hurt like hell...

Pretty soon Tiffany would either run back to the streets or back to her mom; and Antonia would find that he didn't fit into her life. What had her sister said? No tattoos, no scars, no gun shot wounds?

Shit! Who the hell was she? She'd go out to the streets and he'd be back in his darkened room creating fantasy worlds for others to enjoy hour after hour. No fantasy in his world. Just work and responsibility.

But he didn't want that life anymore. He could feel it. Maybe if he took an in-house full time job with one of the companies... But then he couldn't go to their games, help them with homework, take them on vacation... One fucking night and the fabric of his universe was being ripped to pieces.

He chuckled to himself, he could see the screen views he could create. A video game of his world as he knew it crumbling, but his universe expanding. It would be fine. Everything was okay.

But Antonia, Antonia scared the pants off him. He knew she was a guaranteed heart ache. She was the wild card. Her life, her world--could they be any more different than his? They were a total mismatch. No tattoos, no knife scars, no other side of the tracks... nothing. His nice little, safe, white picket fence world of duty and responsibility.

Tiffany stirred and brought him back into focus. Duty called. "Why, Anderson? Why me? I tried to be a good person even though my mom started drinking all the time and losing control. I stayed strong and helped her. I can't believe you even want to touch me or even come close to me. I feel dirty, disgusting. I should have killed myself rather than do the things I did."

"You're free now, Tiff. A survivor. We just need to get you healthy again. Remember--YOU, didn't do this. That bastard did it to you. DO. NOT. LET. HIM. WIN! You CAN'T let him win! You need to be strong.

"I will help you, Antonia will help you, but you have to be strong. Look to the future, not the past or even the present--at least for a few days. It's apparently going to be kind of a rough ride for a few days and then the need still kind of sits there I read.

"I guess it'd be like if your mom quit drinking or when a loved one dies or something. At first you think about it all day every day, then every few minutes, every few hours, a couple times a day and so on until it only rarely creeps in.

"Remember, YOU did not do all those things. He forced you to do them. The drugs did it. You had no choice. It was in a different lifetime. Whatever. Forgive yourself, let it slide away.

"You were one of the kindest, most giving persons in the world when I knew you, with plenty to be proud of. That girl is still in there, I know she is. Use this as an opportunity to grow, develop. Let's work together to find her again.

"I mean, you still need to talk to a Counselor and they can help. We can do it online or I can take you there. I'm sure they have some through the center that specialize in this. Tiffany, we can make this work for you. Really."

"Anderson, thank you. I should have called you, written. We left so fast. Lord, I missed you so much when we moved, but my mom kept yelling about the need for a clean break, a new beginning, but I thought of you a lot."

"And I thought about you, often, and hoped you were doing okay." If she only knew how much he'd thought about her--year after year. He'd tried to look her up so many times, hell, every year at least once, but always came up empty. Even with his techy skills he came up empty. He figured, finally, that she must be married, with a new name... And now there was Antonia.

She held on to him and cried and cried, then jumped up, ran to the toilet and vomited. He went in, held her hair back and rubbed her back. "It'll get better, Tiff. When you're ready, I have a pill for the nausea and I think it's time for another dose of that medicine. Oh, and I need you to drink some water, or something so you don't get dehydrated. When you're ready of course.

"And maybe if you took a shower it would make you feel better. Heck, I don't know. I've never been through anything like this, uh, but I'm guessing you haven't either. Just let me know what I can do to help. Well, anything but drive you back there. That would be the end of you, I think."

Dawn was approaching when he finally tucked Tiffany in and she fell asleep. He just grabbed a blanket and flopped down on the couch after rechecking the double dead bolt using the key in his pocket.

It seemed he had just laid down when he heard a key in the door, Drowsy, but instantly awake like a parent who hears his child cry, he scrambled up and looked around for something to grab, but instead of danger, it was Antonia pushing four tired, shattered young women into the room. Tiff still seemed to have her wits about her. These four looked like frightened, broken little kids, with no idea what was going to happen to them next.

"Ladies, this is Drew. He is a kind, gentle, caring man who will do whatever he can to help you get better. AND YOU WILL GET BETTER! Do not let that asshole win. You have too much life ahead of you.

"Drew, this is Isabella, you may need to help her with her English, Victoria, Ronnie, and Amelia."

"Hello. It is a pleasure to meet you. Antonia, is this place big enough. I mean I only have one bed..."

"Drew, it's almost three times as large as the shit hole the five of them were held in. It'll be great."

Starting to panic, "So I should get my stuff and get a room..."

"Nope. I have to get to work. You need to stay here and keep an eye on them, feed them, give them their meds, keep an eye out for problems... you know, you'll be like the dorm mother."

"But they're all girls! It wouldn't... you know."

"These WOMEN lost their girlhood quite a while ago. They've been working the streets, Drew. There is nothing you could do..."

"Except make them feel powerless again or not in control of their choices again. Oh, and screw everything up." Antonia looked deeply at him. So hard to read with all the swelling, but he was very concerned for them--complete strangers. He worried about their emotional and spiritual well being.

"But I don't know..."

"Didn't you say you had sisters?"

"Yes, younger. One in college, one is going to be a senior."

"Great! So you know exactly what to do and how to do it."

"But I thought you were..."

She looked at him and he saw fear and uncertainty fill her face. "I can't, Drew. I just can't."

"Girls, I..."

"Ladies."

Flashing Antonia a disgusted look with his contorted face that struck her like a fist, "Antonia, may I talk to you a moment in the computer room?"

"Ladies, please have a seat, we'll be right back." She followed him like a condemned prisoner.

"Drew, I..."

As his anger built, "Don't fucking, Drew, I... Do you really think for one fucking moment that they feel like WOMEN! I guarantee you they feel like lost little girls. You said I should treat them like my sisters and that's how I'd fucking treat my sisters. Sorry if it offends you."

She cringed as he spoke. His face was still grotesquely swollen, one eye still almost shut and the other partially shut. Had to hurt like crazy, but he'd never said a word. No ice, no rest... and she had made him go out and get supplies to care for himself. Why hadn't she done it?

He was stronger than his appearances--braver. He had to know he had no chance against Bart, yet he had defended Tiff and defended her. Foolish, but brave and self sacrificing.

And he was struggling, struggling with the weight of his new responsibilities, struggling with his lack of knowledge, afraid he was going to screw up. She just wanted to hug him, comfort him. What the hell! They'd just met. No other guy... the draw, the need, pulled at her, but the nightmares... she could lose herself in those nightmares if she wasn't careful.

"Five hours ago you kissed me. Five hours ago we told each other there was a connection. Five hours ago I thought we'd at least be partners in helping these 'women.' And now it's good luck, see you later, sucker. What the hell, Antonia?

"I knew you were a heart ache waiting to happen. Although I know absolutely nothing about you, I would bet everything I've got that we are very, very different. I knew you'd shit on me, probably just disappear and leave me hanging, but I thought the heart aches would start in a week or two, not five fucking hours."

She was surprised by his continued anger. She'd misread his complexity. She figured he'd take a deep breath, just say 'whatever' and move on. Shit! Drew wasn't fine, she could see it. He wasn't okay. There was anger, hostility... pain; pain just below the surface, just like her own. "Drew, I'm sorry. I... I just can't do this."

"Do what?"

"You and I. I can't do you and I. Yes, I felt, feel, something. Yes, I will stop over each day. But I want to be just friends. Okay?"

He took a deep breath, sighed and shook his head. He knew it! Why the hell had he opened himself up. It wasn't fine. He wasn't fine. "Fine. No! No, it is not okay. No! We will not be friends. We will be business associates or colleagues or something and I will endeavor to treat you as such."

Sarcastically, "So now, colleague, I have one bed, two rooms and five women. I have no idea what the fuck you do for a living, but I work ten to twelve hours a day. I support myself, help support my sister in college, help support my sister in high school and assist my mom. I pay for any unexpected problems or repairs, their auto insurance, her homeowners and who the fuck knows what else. I. HAVE. TO. WORK!"

She squirmed, she hadn't realized any of that. He had stepped up and volunteered to help so readily. "Throw me a friggin' bone, will you please? Given the layout of my condo, can two of them share my bed and then I will get three single beds for the other three?

"Can they all be in the same room?" She nodded. "So I could keep my computers where they are and work while they're watching TV or sleeping, or puking their guts out and stuff?" She was afraid to speak. She nodded.

Bitterly, "I don't wish to put an undue burden on you, colleague, I know you have to get back to whatever work you have to get back to, but can you watch them for like three hours, while I buy beds, sheets, blankets and clothes on my first trip and then food, drinks, supplements, soap, shampoo, tooth brushes, tampons, pads and who the fuck knows what else on my second trip? She nodded.

"I'm outfitting five women from scratch. I don't know what sizes they are, what kind of undies they wear, what cup size they are or style they like. What, am I going to go out there and ask them to jack up their shirts and drop their britches?"

"Scrub clothes, sports bras and regular underwear is fine. Yes, I will wait for you to return."

"I assume I should not trust them for a bit and need to keep them inside and locked?"

"Yes."

"What about counseling, check ins at the clinic... What does your sister do?"

"She's a Physician Assistant."

"Great! Can she come over and screen all these girls, make sure their heart and lungs are okay, no bladder infections, and do some swabs or something to make sure they're not infected or anything?"

"Why? Are you..."

His swollen face turned red and his fists clenched, he fought for control. In a chilling, steely voice, "No. They've been on the streets fucking strangers. They've been shooting up with dirty needles, they've been eating who the fuck knows what!" Deep breath, " I simply think they should be checked. Don't you? Wouldn't they be checked out at the rehab center?"

"You're right, Drew. I... I'm sorry for implying..."

"Not the kind of 'implying' that colleagues working together should express. And I will NEVER, NEVER lay a finger on any of them at least until they are better and ready to go home or wherever. I guess that'll be like in a month or six weeks or something?"

"Even Tiffany?"

Giving up and feeling helpless, "For the love of God, why do you even fucking care? Yes, even Tiffany."

She was shaken, this was much harder for her than she had anticipated. She couldn't stand the pain he was feeling. He was overwhelmed. Trying to come to grips with this new responsibility. And she was making it worse!

He tried to hide it, but she didn't like the feel of it. She wanted to hold him, comfort him, make it easier, let the strings become ropes... But the darkness was creeping out again...

"Yes, four to six weeks, I guess. They all kind of respond differently. But even then... well, that's kind of the halfway time. I mean, back to their families? Back to work or school? They'll need to transition..."

"So, like a year..."

"Maybe?"

"Great! Good to know. I'll be back from trip one as quickly as possible. Shit, I better give them the tour." He walked out the door and put on a cheery voice, burying all the hurt down deep. He was way too good at that and he no longer liked it, but responsibility for these four took over.

"Hello ladies. You all look tired and worn out. No fun spending the night in the cell. Look, you all have had an awful time. I don't know how long it's been going on, or how you got there, or what your lives were like before.

"But I will. I will do everything I can to help you get better, to help you get free of the drugs, to resume a kind of normal life, to go back to your families or wherever you want to go or do whatever you want to do."

As Antonia listened, she continued to be even more impressed and struck by his sincerity, his empathy--he really cared! Cared for the women he didn't even know. A wave a guilt ran through her as she realized how much harder she had made it for him.

"I have sisters," they simply stared at him, "and know something about what women need, but I know very little about drugs, getting you better or any of that... But I will listen to you whenever you want to talk, I will treat you like my sisters, " smiling, "well, maybe even better." No response from the four.

"Right, so, I cannot promise that I won't screw up, but I'll do my best. If you need something--tell me. If I'm screwing up--tell me. If you hate the way I make coffee--tell me."

He looked them over. Two B's, two C's, oh and Tiffany was a B. Small scrubs, gym shorts, tee shirts, undies... a little more iffy. "Okay, first question, there are five of you and one queen sized bed. Can two of you sleep in that or do I need to get four beds?"

From behind him, "Two of us or even three, I guess could sleep in it."

Tiffany. He turned around and tried to assess how she was doing. "Tiffany. Good to see you. How are you feeling?"

Shaking, "Like crap! Drew, anything you do is better than what we had. So three beds. Where are you going to sleep?"

"Well, if I sleep, I will be in the guest bedroom, I guess. To be honest, Tiff, we're going to have to play it by ear. So, I'm going to run out to the store and start getting things since you all are traveling pretty light." He smiled, but no one returned it. "Believe it or not, my colleague, Antonia, is in the bedroom and will be here if you need anything while I'm out.

"Oh, bathroom there, another one in the bedroom at the end of the hall. Help yourself to any of the food and stuff I have around. Here's the TV control. Antonia can help you with the rest?"

An hour and a half later, he returned with two sets of bunk beds and an air bed which he carried in load after load up the stairs to the condo while Antonia made sure no one tried to escape. He quickly pulled out his tools, assembled the frames, placed the mattresses and tried to figure out the best arrangement in the room."

"Antonia, see if you can work with them, or at least Tiff, to figure out the bed placement. I got the bunk beds to leave as much floor open as possible. I'll go out for another load. Thanks." She nodded.

Off to the department store, scrubs, sports bras, underwear, gym shorts, tee shirts, socks! Damn, he almost forgot socks. What about shoes? Did they have shoes on? Next trip. Starting at the top: shower caps, rollers, brushes, tooth paste, tooth brushes, mouthwash--and on and on. Shit! Sheets, blankets, towels... back for sweat shirts. The back of his truck was full again.

Back to the condo, load after load up the steps. "Uh, Antonia, could you have the girls kind of make the beds and sort through things. Make a list of what I forgot? Tampons. I forgot those. I'll get them at the grocery store.

Off to the grocery and filled two carts and was about to check out when he got an urgent call from his security company. He called and answered the security questions and explained that yes, the charges were legit. Then checked out. One thousand trips up the steps then started putting things away.

"Sorry I took so long, Antonia. Where do we stand with the meds and stuff? Did they eat?"

"I gave them their meds and they drank some coffee and stuff, but they're not really hungry. Pretty normal." Looking at his swollen, puffy face, she could feel his fatigue. "Drew? Are you okay? You look exhausted."

"Sure, everything is fine. I'll just finish putting stuff away, check on everyone, blow up my bed, move my stuff to the guest bedroom, and see about starting something light for dinner. His phone went off. "Oh, it's my mom. I have to take this. Thanks for hanging around, sorry it took so long. See you tomorrow, I guess?" She nodded.

He walked into the computer room and shut the door. "Hi, Mom. Oh hold on just a second. Antonia, keep that key and please lock the door on your way out. Thanks. How was the date? Uh, very interesting. Yeah," smiling, "Antonia was just leaving. Well, yeah, we kind of spent the night together. What, her mom said that Hannah told her that Antonia really liked me?"

He sighed, "I'm pretty sure she got that wrong." Smiling again, "Uh, I met Hannah when I was getting sewn up at the emergency room. No, no. I'm fine. Nope don't need anything. Just the usual bar room brawl. No big..."

There was a knock on the door, "Drew? I'm about to barf again. Could I get one of those nausea pills and a Tylenol?"

"Uh, sure. Give me just a sec okay? I'm on with my mom."

"Oh, sure. Drew! You look awful! You need some ice and... you need some sleep! Now! Your mom! Say hi to her for me."

"Who was that?" He grinned, "Tiffany Grainger. Yup, been a while. She caused the brawl. How'd we meet? So what happened?" Chuckling to himself, "You'll never believe me. What was last night like?

"Well, let's see, I bumped into Tiff, got the crap beat out of me, went to the emergency room for stitches, fell in love with Antonia who dumped me this morning, oh and I now have five addicted women, including Tiffany, living in my condo who are going through withdrawal. Not much to report, pretty uneventful really."

"Mom! Language, please. Uh, no it would be better if you... Mom? Mom? Shit!"

He shook his head. All he wanted was a couple hours of sleep. No, not an hour... 30 minutes, fifteen minutes. God, he just wanted to sit for a minute, but he looked at his watch--fourteen minutes and counting.

He walked out and Antonia was gone, as he'd expected. He sadly shook his head. 'Those who insist on being alone, end up alone and lonely.' Where had he read that? Maybe he'd just made it up.

He walked into the bedroom. The girls were sitting on beds just kind of staring, looking shell shocked. All of them shaky, anxious, rubbing their arms and fidgeting--withdrawing.

"Ladies, it's going to be a rough ride for a few days, but I'm here for you. I will do everything I can to make it as easy as possible. I don't know who you are, where you came from, how you got wrapped up in... in the stuff you were doing. But you're free now and safe."

They just kind of looked at him. What should he say, what were the right words. "Look, I'm, going to level with you. I design make believe worlds for a living and never, ever in my wildest imagination would I have imagined ending up in this world--that I would go on a blind date, end up looking like this and have five wonderful women in my condo.

"So, I have no idea what I'm doing. If you need or want a certain food, tell me. I don't cook real well so if one of you does... I bought a bunch of clothes just to start with. You can share them, split them up, whatever. Anything that doesn't fit or you hate, put aside. Once the dust settles and you all are feeling better we'll go shopping.

"Please consider the place your home. Do whatever you want, whenever you want, but I do need to keep the front door locked to, uh, to keep the bad guys out, you know, uh, to keep you safe." And to keep you from maybe running back to the streets and Bart. A twinge of fear ripped through him. Bart who he hoped was in jail.

"Are there..." He heard a knock on the door. "Ladies, I need to apologize in advance. Be prepared to be mothered to death." He walked out and unlocked the door.

"Why won't you ever give me a key? OH, MY GOD, ANDERSON! Your face! You look awful!"

"Thanks, Mom. That's about how I feel."

"Now what the heck was Antonia doing here? Your first date and you... you..."

"Nope, I didn't."

"And look at your place! Bags everywhere. Food that needs to be put away. What, are you stocking up for the winter or something?"

"Uh..."

"And Tiff? And what is this crap about five women..."

"Come see for yourself."

They walked into the bedroom and the girls hadn't moved. Still just sitting, slumped, staring at the floor while they fidgeted and scratched. Olivia Jackson froze. "Oh dear, God, Anderson. Look at them! It's so sad! Tiffany?"

Tiff looked up. "Mrs. Jackson!" She ran to the doorway grabbed her and started sobbing. "Mrs. Jackson, it's been so awful, terrible. But Anderson and Antonia..." She was crying too hard to say anything else.

Olivia looked at her son who just shrugged. She guided her to the big bed and sat there hugging her. One by one, the girls looked up and took notice, shuffled over and sat with them; arms around each other they all cried as the reality of what they'd been through rushed to the surface. Olivia cried along with them and tried to cuddle all of them at once, like a mother hen on a cold night.

Anderson wiped tears from his swollen, puffy eyes and went out to put the food away. Duty, responsibility--sleep later. Maybe. Dammit! He still had to figure out what was causing that glitch! It was fine. Everything was fine. It wasn't, he knew, but maybe...

He cut up fruits and vegetables and put out some chips for the girls when they were ready. Then figured he should check on the cry fest in the bedroom. No one had really moved, but the girls looked more relaxed, calm. He looked around the room.

"Mom, I have to run back out to the furniture store. We need some dressers to put this stuff in. I'll get taller ones and move my stuff into the other room when I get back. Will you be alright for a bit?" She nodded. "I cut up some fruit and stuff in case they got hungry... Oh, and don't open the door for anyone but me." She nodded.

And tissues, he needed tissues, and those scrubby things they used in the shower, and towels--yeah, he'd need more towels...

Lugging two dressers up the stairs, even with the drawers removed, and the small love seat he bought so he could have some one-on-one conversations with the girls in his room, finally did him in. Of course, since he was essentially going to be a prisoner in his own home, he bought dumbbells in various weights. Not as bad as the dressers, but the final straw.

He lay down on the small sofa/love seat and immediately fell asleep. Tiffany walked by the door, waiting for her turn in the shower and saw him lying there--almost half of him hanging over the end. She made his bed, covered him with a blanket and kissed his forehead. Maybe she could get through this. Maybe, with Anderson's help she had a future. Twenty-four hours ago she was hoping she would overdose and end the nightmare. Now... maybe?

A few hours later he bolted awake. Someone was in his room. Flipping on the phone light, he noted five women staring at him. "Uh, I guess I fell asleep." He was stiff, his knees hurt from hanging over the end, and he still couldn't see squat out of his one eye.

"Well, ladies, how are you doing? Guess I fell asleep. Sorry." Glancing at his phone, "Oh, crap, I'm sorry. You all need meds. Did you get something to eat? You all look pretty snappy in those scrubs. Crap, I forgot Pj's. Maybe I can get some tomorrow."

Blank looks except from Tiff. How had she managed to keep her spirit alive and not succumb to the hopelessness the others displayed? Tiff looked at him, "I think we're okay, Anderson. Your mom got some food together for us, but we weren't really hungry. And, yes, we need some medicine. I... uh, I think we're all getting pretty shaky, but we didn't want to wake you up."

Standing up and stretching some, "I would advise against falling asleep on that thing." Nothing except a slight smile from Tiff. "Okay. Let me say a few more things to you lovely ladies. Please, never hesitate to wake me, interrupt me if I'm doing something, whatever. My number one priority is to help you all, each and every one, get better and get back home or wherever you want to be--other than back on the streets. Please! Not there."

Pretending like he was ready to cry, "Please not back there. I mean this is my first time and I'll feel like such a failure and..." Nothing. "Tough crowd.

"Got it? Right now we have to keep the front door locked. First of all, we need to keep it closed for your protection. I have no idea what's going on with Bart and his buddies, but we have to be careful." Looking a little ashamed, "And, Antonia, who knows all about this stuff, said that sometimes, especially in the first few days, uh, you might feel hopeless, helpless, desperate... I don't know, but feel the need to get another fix.

"Please. Please! If you feel like that, help each other, let me know, let my mom know. We CAN and we WILL get you better. Try to be strong, you have so much life ahead of you." Looking at them, "Questions?"

Tiff raised her hand, "Yes. Are we supposed to call you Anderson or Drew. Antonia called you Drew."

He chuckled, "Not exactly the question I would have anticipated." Thoughts of his father's betrayal and abandonment flashed through his head, "Drew. Call me Drew. Nice and short. Anderson is no more.

"Okay, let's get that medicine. Oh, and tomorrow, Antonia's sister is coming over to examine each of you, probably take some blood and some, uh, other samples--you know to make sure you're healthy and everything is fine.

"Also, I'll call and set up time for you to talk to the counselors from the Center. It's probably best to do it by video, but we'll see what they have to say.

"In the mean time, PLEASE. This is your home. Do whatever you want, whenever you want, and please look out for each other and care for each other. You five know what you've been through better than anyone else. So please help each other and let me know how I can help."

The next morning after struggling for hours until he finally, finally found the wrong code and fixed it and improved it's structure and efficiency, he talked to the Center. They were firm that they needed to check on the women in person and to interview him; obviously to make sure he wasn't abusing them himself. Whoever Miriam was, pissed him off. Shit, he was going to have to work on his anger issues.

He tried to explain that he owned a truck, an old truck with two seats total and there was no one to keep an eye on the others. Hell, even his mom's car could only hold five. He got the 'not my problem response from the screener. Thanks for your freakin' help. He went on line and started searching... and searching. After an hour and a host of dead ends, he found what he was looking for and made a down payment.

At noon, Hannah came over with all sorts of stuff. "Hi, Drew, you still look like crap. When do you think I'll get to see those naturally good looks you were referring to last night?"

"I only took a quick peek this morning when I took a shower." Smiling, "Looks like it'll be awhile. Hey, I can't really go in and help, right, I mean they're women, right?"

"Right. But it would be nice if I had someone around..."

"I called my mother. I asked her to come over around noon or so."

"You asked you mom?"

"Uh, sure. I'm a real momma's boy. No, she came over last night and it really seemed to help the girls. Should be here soon. Once she..."

"Now, before you say another word, how did things go with Toni?"

He frowned. "Obviously I was too gross or something. We kissed twice and she dumped me. She wanted to be 'just friends' so I explained that if that's what she wanted we would be even less--we'd be colleagues or coworkers or something..

"Dammit! Drew, she likes you! You..."

"I don't have to do a fucking thing, Hannah. I opened myself up. Let her know how I felt and bam! You may have noticed I have five women in my condo that are sick as crap with all kinds of issues and who are in the process of bankrupting me. I already help support my two sisters and my mom.

"Oh, yea, and the friggin' Center says I have to bring the 'ladies' in for counseling. They won't do a video. Probably because they think I'm screwing them. I own a little truck, Hannah! A fucking truck. So as soon as my mom gets here, I'm going to go buy a van with an '08 truck to trade in that has 250,000 miles on it that's worth about a dollar fifty and I have almost no down payment and will get absolutely hosed on the interest rate.

"By the end of today I will have spent about $25-30,000 on this little endeavor. So, no, Hannah, I don't have to be patient, understanding or anything else.

"I need to concentrate on making this all function and somehow squeeze in the ten hours a day I usually work! Oh, and continue to make sure my mom and sisters are doing okay, since my asshole father abandoned us on a voyage of self-discovery."

Hannah stood close and looked into his one open eye and then hugged him. "I'm sorry, Drew. My sister is screwed up when it comes to relationships. You are making an incredible sacrifice which almost no one else would do. Hell, no one in their right mind would do this. If not for you, the girls would have been put back on the street and the next Bart would have come along and swept them up and they'd be back on the junk to try and make life bearable.

"It's hard for you, I know, but remember, you're saving five lives. Five lives! I will do whatever I can to help. If you get too strapped for cash I will give you some or give you an advance--hell, whatever you're willing to take. But I'm pretty sure you won't take it. You're one of those 'everything is fine' guys, aren't you?

"There's the door. Let your mom in and go get the van. And the hell with my dumbass sister. You don't have to do this alone. Please let me know how I can help." He nodded and walked out of his bedroom. Hannah shook her head, "Dammit, Toni, you really fucked up. This is the guy to bring you back, make you whole again... and you fucked him over. You're going to end up broken, alone.

"Oh, hi! You must be Drew's mom. I'm Hannah, Antonia's sister, I need to examine each of the women, get some blood, which may be a real bugger, and then I have to swab them for infection, uh, down there. Okay?"

"Sure. I met them all last night and getting a swab is a whole lot different than what they've been getting."

"Amen to that. You realize the sacrifice your son is making for these girls."

"He's done nothing but sacrifice since my husband bailed with all our savings. I wish he could or would just stop. But he won't until the job is done. He's never let us struggle, and he won't let these girls do without. I just hope that soon he can relax and have fun. I don't know any of the details, but I don't think your sister helped the situation."

"Nope, she made it harder. Not what he needed right now."

Hours later, "So anyway, the women look healthy, no signs of infection anywhere. They all seem anxious, irritable, fidgeting and depressed as shit! Runny noses, cramps, nausea, and on and on. They've got them all, all the usual signs and symptoms, but the medicine seems to be working pretty well. Being together is helping them; they've been through a lot together.

"Dang, Olivia, they nestle right in with you. Maybe that 'mother' thing was just what they needed. But if Drew can keep an upbeat, relaxed approach and try to have fun with them... Dang, you should have heard the way he carried on while we sewed him up. Antonia put the needle in his lip..."

He drove back into his condo parking lot and decided he used to like his truck. The van wasn't bad, handled okay, brakes were good, transmission seemed fine. Just SO much bigger and clunkier than the truck. Hell, the truck had felt like a sports car compared to this thing.

It felt like it leaned going around corners, guess the shocks need to be checked. Two bucket seats in the front, bucket seats and then a row in the back plus storage. Better like it, he thought, he'd have to have it for a while--quite a while.

Hannah was gone, his mom was still there. "Hello there, ladies... and mom." She slapped his arm, he got a grin from Tiff. "Tough crowd. So I have here, in my grubby little fingers, cheeseburgers, fries and vanilla milkshakes from the world's number one fast food place.

"I thought it may have been a while since you'd had one. Mom, you're welcome to stay, I got that giant burger for you." He winked at the girls. His mom swatted him again.

"No, thanks, Anderson, I've heard enough of your insults. I'm going to get some healthy food."

"But, Mom, it covers all the food groups. meat, carbs, vegetables from the pickles and ketchup, oh, and the onions. And the potato fries and milk... We've covered all the bases."

"As you might say, bullshit!" The girls watched the interaction. They seemed to enjoy it, but were obviously nervous and anxious, fidgeting with their food and hands were shaking as they tried to take a French fry. Drew looked and felt like crying. Their suffering was ripping him apart and his heart reached out to each of them.

"What if we all sit at my brand new table and I'll pass everything around. They sat down without a word. The food was distributed and they didn't make any move to eat it. Finally he turned to Tiffany. "Tiff, as apparently the only verbal member of this group... what am I doing wrong? Why won't they talk?"

She looked around the table at the lowered eyes, "We couldn't eat until Bart and his friends were done and we weren't supposed to talk. 'We had nothing of importance to say.'"

"So how do I change that? Is it better if I leave. I mean, I don't mind. I'll go in the room and do some work or something."

"That may be best. Drew, you're doing everything right. It's us, not you. They talked a little to your mom. So they're coming along."

"So why aren't you like them?"

She sighed. "I wasn't there as long, and for some reason Bart took it easier on me, except when I tried to escape, and I refused to let him break me. He would have, of course, if I had been there longer. Another month or so and I would have been like them.

"They, we, 'come alive' with customers or we get punished, but then withdraw into ourselves and wait for the next dose, the next release or escape from reality. You can't believe how grateful I am that you were there to help. They are too, we talked about it."

"Oh, so they do talk?"

"Yes, Drew. We talk."

"Okay, girls!" They looked up at him. "You are really, really going to hurt my feelings if you don't at least try some bites, a few fries, or drink your milkshake before it melts. Please! Would you like me to leave? They barely, just barely shook their heads. "Do you want me to tell you some jokes?" They actually looked at him and a slight smile lit their faces and they shook their heads again.

"Well, ladies, looks like burgers and fries were the answer. You all actually ate something. I was starting to think you had candy bars squirreled away in your beds or something. Remember, part of getting better is taking care of your body, you know, healthy body healthy mind, so I would like to lead you all in some exercise to start..."

All eyes were on him and starting to sparkle just a little. "Drew!"

"So, I'm guessing, that's a no, Tiff?" She nodded. "Well, there's no football on the TV, not even any lame preseason games. There is a great National Geographic special about the amphibians of Borneo. Really incredible. Seen it twice before. Learn something new every time. There's this one that produces this toxic slime..."

"Drew."

"So, here's the deal. I'm here with five lovely women and we are going to be joined at the hip for, well, for as long as it takes for you to get better and then go home, go to work, go to school...

"See that's my friggin' problem. It's Sunday evening and I don't even know your names or anything about you. Let's see if I've got this right," pointing fingers at one after another, "You're Rosie, Lily, Ivy, Pansy, and Gertrude. Right?"

A little more sparkle. "No, I know it's Ronnie, Victoria, Amelia, Isabella, all beautiful names by the way, and Tiffany. I knew just about everything about Tiffany up until the eighth grade, but nothing at all since then; and absolutely nothing about the rest of you.

"Well, I guess you don't know anything about me, either." Looking around the table, "Hi, I'm Drew Jackson, formerly known as Anderson Jackson. I'm twenty-eight, drive a sparkling new, to me, piece of crap van; I design, build and work on computer games for multiple platforms. I am a creative genius, a prince among the gaming world...

"No, huh? Anyway, I work hard at it, take care of my mom, brother, and two sisters since my asshole father left on his voyage of self discovery when I was sixteen, not that I harbor any hostility towards him, oh, and I obviously have a really crappy sense of humor, because I can barely get you to even look at me when I make a funny. Any questions?

"Let's see, you already met my mother, my sisters are jerks... No, they are wonderful and I love them to death. Much smarter and better looking than I am, especially now. I'm really fairly handsome when I'm not all bruised, swollen and lumpy--and I can assure you that both eyes actually fully open.

"Don't do it! I thought I saw a tiny smirk on a couple of faces. You are not permitted to smile... Yes! Yes you are. You have to learn to smile again, please?

"So what if I take you one by one into my interrogation center and you tell me a little about yourself. Ronnie, so glad you volunteered to be first. Why don't you step into my office and I'll be in in a moment." She shared a look with the other women and walked into his room and closed the door.

"Now the rest of you, I have a Kindle and you could download a book, I like to read, but I don't really have much time except for technical stuff, the TV. Antonia and the folks at the Center told me not to let you all have phone or computer access; I feel really badly about that, but they're afraid that you might contact the wrong people... Sorry. Soon, I promise.

"Anyway, let me go talk to Ronnie. Remember, when it's your turn, share what you want. Or, just sit there like a bump on a log. Your choice. No pressure."

He turned and opened the door. Ronnie was standing, facing the door with no clothes on, ready for Drew to do whatever. He stared for a moment, his mouth started moving, but nothing really came out. "Er, uh, Ronnie, NO!" Quickly turning his back, " I only want to talk to you. I said I wanted to get to know you, you know, not like in the Biblical sense, but like in a friend to friend kind of talk, uh, or something. I mean your beautiful, lovely, but..." He mopped his brow.

"Go ahead and get dressed, if you will. Maybe we should try this later... like tomorrow or something."

He walked out and the girls were all looking at him. "Looks like you've been out in the sun too long, Lumpy."

He looked around and the girls were actually smiling a little. "Uh, thanks, Tiff. Glad you all enjoyed my discomfort." But actually, he was glad. Ronnie came out and sat at the table. "Oh, so very good to SEE you again, Ronnie. No, really, I'm really sorry if you misunderstood.

"Errr, I will never ask you women to do anything like that and you should never again let someone force you to do, well, to do anything. It's your body, your mind, your life. You are in control of what happens from here on out. Got it?" Nothing.

Smiling, "We've got it, Drew. Thank you."

"So, Isabella, habla usted Ingles?"

Smiling just slightly as he struggled with the language, typing furiously into his online translator,"Bueno... y... yo hablo Espanol solamente... uh, un pokito? He pinched his fingers together to demonstrate.

"Si. Y muy malo."

"Verdad. Uh, gracias. I guess."

Isabella smiled, "I speak English, Drew. I pretended I didn't. It... it was easier."

"Oh, thank goodness. I was going to sign up... and have you sign up... and get an AI program... well, never mind." Taking a breath, "So, would it be easier if I talked to like two of you at once?" Tiffany nodded. "Okay, we'll try that. Tiff, Amelia, what if you two go in and then I could talk to Victoria and Isabella?"

He gave them a few moments then followed. As he opened the door the two women were standing with no clothes on facing him. He glanced at Amelia, but stared at Tiff for just a second, but the scene was etched in his memory--forever. Better than his dreams. But even as he looked he was turning around, walking out and closing the door.

The three in the living room were trying not to laugh. "Are we next, Dreeew?"

Shaking his head, but smiling. "No, Victoria, I think I've SEEN enough."

"Lame, Drew."

"My apologies, Isabella." Tiff and Amelia returned. "I think we've had quite a break through tonight--no need for the speech therapist like I thought. So, I am going to work for a bit. You all do whatever. Oh, it's probably medicine time, you're all looking pretty anxious and shaky. Who needs nausea medicine?

"Look. So here's the deal, I... I'm really proud of you all. You are all doing so much better than I imagined or how I read about online. It's been about 48 hours, or almost. Step by step, hour by hour, day by day..." A tear filled his one open eye and Isabella reached over and touched his arm with a tremulous hand.

"Thank you, Drew. Thanks for everything, but I am a little hurt that you didn't want to see me without clothes."

"I, uh, I..."

She patted his arm again, "It's alright, Drew. Just relax, you're doing fine."

Monday morning was bright and sunny, the curtains were open and he took a final look before he knocked on the door and entered the bedroom. "Good morning, Ladies! The sun is shining and you all have appointments at the Center in a couple of hours so, you need to get up, and dressed. I've got coffee, scrambled eggs, toast, and that delightful medicine for you. No, grumbling will not help.

"You all are looking pretty rough, kind of right on schedule for this getting over it thing. So, of course, the Center wants me to drag your asses in to talk when all you want to do is stay in bed, right? Sorry. All part of the process. So, enough grumbling and bad mouthing me. But really, do you need anything besides..."

His phone went off and he walked out, closing the door, "Antonia. How are you doing? Yeah, I actually have two eyes now or one and two thirds anyway. No, I think they're doing really well.

They started talking a little--nervous, anxious, on and off depressed, nausea, shaky, runny nose, fast heart rate. Just go down the checklist and they have it. Right on schedule.

"Nope. Nope. I'm fine, everything is fine. No problems. Uh, no, you're welcome to come over and check on them, I'm sure they'd like to see you. The woman who rescued them. But I'm about to take them to the Center for counseling session number one and health check. Yeah, Hannah was here. No lab results yet.

"No, uh, my mom is going to come over for her maternal counseling session after that. Uh, no. I got a van so I can transport them all. Yup. How's the song go, 'Another day older and deeper in debt'? Hell, as soon as the bills come in they'll be sending me to the workhouse or debtors prison or, hell, I'll just declare bankruptcy like a lot of the others struggling with debt.. So no problem.

"Yeah, I'm a little afraid, one of them will bolt and run off. Yeah, I figure I can out run them and just to be safe I got ankle chains and some zip ties and was going to march them all in. Kidding, Antonia. Well, the demons are about to emerge from their den. I need to get their meds.

"So, thanks for calling and thanks for your help the other night. My face appreciates it. And sure, stop in to see them if you like. Have a great day. Bye."

Dammit. A crunch of emptiness gripped his chest. He should have told her he wanted to see her, begged her to give him a chance. Smiling to himself, that would probably have been a mistake. He'd already demonstrated his unmanliness by getting punched so much. Begging was probably not a good idea. Especially with Antonia.

He missed seeing her... But she'd made it pretty clear he wasn't the guy. No tattoos or scars, and couldn't fight worth a crap. He chuckled about that. No, he couldn't fight worth a crap, but didn't really want to learn.

On the other end, Antonia clicked off her phone and also felt an emptiness, a longing to be with him, to feel him. He'd been right. There was a connection. She did feel it but she also knew she'd hurt him, but he... he seemed to have dismissed her from his life. He was okay, right? Or had he just buried it?

Damn she wanted to be with him. What was she doing? Why was she running away from him? Hannah said he was fine, but never really answered any of her questions.

She missed him. She realized she missed him. Stupid! They'd spent so little time together. But if she let herself go she would hurt him. He'd want to get close and she'd get spooked and run. He'd want to get married and she'd run. He'd want kids and she'd run.

No matter where their relationship led, she'd end up hurting him. Dammit, no! She only knew him for the one day! One damn day. She'd get over it, he'd get over it. Right?

He pulled up to the Crisis Center. "Drew, do you actually have a license? I swear, driving with you was more dangerous than being on the streets."

"Maybe his mom should drive us next time."

He smiled to himself. "Maybe it was better when you didn't talk." He heard a couple of little chuckles. "Besides, it's not my fault, it's this van. It just kinda weaves all over."

"Uh huh. 'It's a poor a poor carpenter who blames his tools' they say in my country, Drew."

"I'll take that under advisement, thank you, Isabella. Alrighty then." Turning around, "I'll come in, but then they'll... well, I don't know what they'll do, but just talk to them. Let them know what you're thinking and your concerns. Just act like you're on a podcast and this is your chance for fifteen minutes... or an hour of fame. Oh, and we'll stop for milkshakes on the way home. My treat."

"Come on, let's go. Drew, have you ever actually helped anyone?" More laughter. They climbed out, were met at the desk and were escorted to the back. Drew had to stay up front and fretted, worrying about how they were doing and what they'd be like when they came out. He thought of the movies he'd seen where the folks have breakthroughs and then fall apart and cry all over the place. He had tissues ready.

One hour, two, three hours and the girls emerged in a tight clump looking none too pleased. They walked to the car. "So how was it?"

"Pretty much a waste of time. They talked to me about my home life, how I started drugs, why was I depressed. She just couldn't get it through her head that I was perfectly happy, got drugged at a party and woke up an addict."

"Mine couldn't get the fact that I wasn't a run away. Someone kidnapped me from my bedroom while I was sleeping!"

"So... Well remember, this was just the first time and it'll take a couple of sessions or so for you to get to know the person you're with and for them to know you. Oh, and no therapy, no drugs, they said. When are you supposed to come back?

"Friday."

"Did you all have the same therapist?"

Two, two, and one. All women."

"Really. Were they good looking?" A crumpled paper hit him in the head.

"I did tell them how you made me undress to get to know me."

"No, I..."

"And I told them about those cameras you put up in the bedroom."

"Yeah, and in the bathroom."

"So I'm going to jail. Maybe it would be easier than trying to keep up with you five," but he smiled. Day three was where things were supposed to get really bad, but the five seemed to be doing fairly well. Shaky, agitated, sleep problems and on and on, but they seemed to be getting some spirit back.

They were working as a team with shared experiences to support one another. After all, they'd lived together and done awful things together for months. "I... I give up." He heard a few giggles.

They settled into a routine, but things were still chaotic. His mom came over every day to visit with the girls, try to interest them in making cookies or something, but most of the time they just sat and talked. When she showed up, he went to the store for whatever they needed.

But they were nervous, anxious, someone was always awake at night pacing, their irritability led to squabbles. Nightmares, hand wringing--even with the medications, he felt anxious just being fully immersed and surrounded by it. He was ready for some meds.

Frankly, he was overwhelmed. Laundry, dishes, cleanup--the girls would volunteer to help, but then get distracted or nauseated and abort the mission. And work! Damn, he'd start losing contracts if he didn't get caught up. So he tried to squeeze work in whenever he could during the twenty-four hour cycle.

He was exhausted. Yawning all the time, never more than an hour's sleep before something went on to wake him up. He forced himself to talk to them, learn everything he could about each one and he spent a lot of time with Tiff sharing together how their lives had evolved. But they were short sessions. The girls were too agitated to talk for long.

Friday came--day seven since the women were rescued-- and he was hoping, just hoping. The articles all said day three through seven were the worst, even with meds; but some extended that out to ten.

To Drew they seemed better, but he was kind of a zombie, even with massive amounts of caffeine, so he couldn't really tell for sure. His mom said they were, but he was pretty sure that was just for his benefit.

Friday, counseling session number two. The girls were somewhat the worse for wear and quiet. No one seemed ready to give up and run away, but just another thing for him to worry about. He was also worried about what the counselors might say.

Into the Center, the girls were taken behind the double doors and he sat, and paced, and fell asleep with his head resting on his hand. He felt a hand on his shoulder and he sprung awake. "Oh, look. Sleeping Ugly has awakened. Drew, Drew, Drew. You're in deep doo, doo, doo. The boss wants to talk to you."

"What! Why?" All he got was shrugs and they pointed to the double doors.

"Back there, Drew. First door on the right. Better leave the keys."

Ronnie laughed, "And your wallet."

He walked to the doors and looked back at the girls who shooed him to go in. His tired brain was racing trying to figure out what he'd done. The condemned man tapped on the door and went in. "Uh, Ma'am, I'm Drew Jackson. The ladies said that you wanted to see me?"

She went around the desk and shook his hand. "Mr. Jackson, I'm Miriam. I'll have to admit that I was a little skeptical about you keeping the women in your apartment, uh, unchaperoned, but Antonia said that you wouldn't lay a finger on them and do everything you could to get them better."

"She did?"

"Yes. And Mr. Jackson, you have done a remarkable job. congratulations. Physically, well physically they're a mess, but improving. But mentally, spiritually, their feelings of self worth, looking to the future--the stuff that really matters--they are way ahead of schedule."

"Well, they find strength in each other..."

"Yes, but according to them that's because of you and your mother. Drew, I heard them out there teasing you--like a friend or more like a brother. That's remarkable. It wouldn't have happened if they were here and I guarantee you one of them at least would have left by now.

"So, I'd like them to come back Monday and we'll see about adjusting their medications. Just keep doing what you're doing Drew... and thank you. And no," laughing, "you're not in deep doo, doo, doo.

"No offense, but you look about as bad as they do. You need to get some sleep."

"Yeah, there's been a lot of wandering around and waking up and stuff. I'm not used to the noise yet; and I guess it's like a new parent listening to make sure their baby's okay at night. I don't know. But it's okay. I'm fine. Everything is fine. The articles all say by day seven or ten they start..."

"Right. Withdrawal wise they do better, but that's when we start dealing with depression, remorse, anxiety, well just about everything negative you can think of; but these women may skip over some of this because of you and your mom. But that's also why we want to keep seeing them."

"Got it. Thanks. See you Monday."

Miriam smiled and shook her head as he lowered his head, slumped his shoulders and shuffled through the door.

"Drew! What's the matter? What'd she say?"

"Let's just go, I don't want to talk about it."

They climbed in the car. "Drew? Please, what's wrong?"

He turned around, "Miriam said that YOU WERE ALL JERKS AND I need to have my head examined for taking care of you all this long!"

"You're the jerk, Drew. What'd she say, really?"

"She said I'm the one that should be getting counseling for volunteering to do this."

"Drew!"

"Okay, she said you all were doing better than anticipated and I was doing an okay job. And then something about making you all do more chores and stuff."

"Drew, you're hopeless."

"True enough. So what would you like to eat? No, I have a better idea. Let's. Go. Shopping! I don't know who picked out your clothes, but they lack any sense of fashion whatsoever. And, I guess that includes, uh, undergarments as well."

"Undergarments? You mean we won't have to wear mom undies that don't fit?"

"Uh..."

He felt a hand on his shoulder. "Thanks, Drew. Thanks for everything."

He parked the car in front of the condo and the women filed out with their bags. He grabbed the two pizza boxes. He fumbled for his keys, unlocked the door and ushered Victoria inside. "No, Drew, go ahead."

"Okay." As he stepped into the doorway she bulled herself in as well and shouldered him against the door jam. He stumbled forward dropping the pizzas as he landed on his knees. His laughter joined that of the women.

"Good one, Victoria. Remember, paybacks are hell." He bent over to pick up the pizza and as he rose he came face to face with Antonia. He froze for an instant. "Antonia! Uh, good to see you again."

The hubbub stopped and all faces looked at Antonia, then Drew. "Hey, Toni. Good to see you again. Father Christmas finally bought us some decent clothes..."

"Yeah, and real undies. The man must be a couple generations back, I mean look at what he's wearing."

Drew looked down, shirt and jeans, "It's okay, Drew, we like you anyway. Drew, we're, uh, going to try everything on. We'll be in the bedroom."

They walked back, the talking and laughter began again, with the crinkling and noise of multiple bags being moved about, but Tiffany lingered just a moment looking at Drew, Toni, and the interaction.

She was confused as she turned to follow the others. On the one hand she wanted Drew--really wanted him. She'd always thought they would end up together in her eighth grade dreams, but then she moved. She wanted to hug, kiss, love... and make him happy, strong, fill the emptiness she could tell he felt. But Toni and he... shit.

Antonia was carefully searching his face, full of concern. She wanted to reach out, touch that face, hug him, but although her arm made it part way there, she let it drop. "Practicing your falls, Drew?"

He smiled, "Yeah, never know when that might come in handy."

Isabella stuck her head back out the door, "Drew got in big trouble with Miriam today for all those cameras he put in our room."

"Drew. Care to explain?"

Laughing, "No cameras." He shrugged, "Miriam said I was doing an okay job with them and we can start slowly tapering."

"No, Drew. She said you were doing an incredible job and... Drew they look amazing. How?"

"I think it was mostly my mom. She comes every day and mothers them. They're still anxious, agitated, shaky, but better each day." Another shrug and self effacement. "Some of their spunk is coming back. I don't know. Maybe they'll start sleeping at night."

"Your face looks a lot better. I'm starting to see those 'naturally good looks' again." Smiling, "Someone did a hell of a job on your lip."

He continued to search her eyes, her face, and his hand automatically started reaching towards her. With a voice tinged with pleading, "Antonia..."

She stepped back and he let it drop. "But you look exhausted, Drew."

He shrugged and his frame collapsed a little as the fatigue and disappointment caught up to him and replaced his initial excitement. His abrupt change was painted clearly on his face. A stab of pain from the pain she was causing iced its way through her chest. "Sorry. Yeah, a little tired. But I'm fine. It's starting to settle down some. It's all going according to plan."

"You have a plan?"

"Uh, no."

"What about work, Drew?"

"I'm way behind, I'm probably going to start losing jobs if I don't get caught up, but, you know, it's okay. It'll all work out."

"No, no it won't, Drew. I... I'll tell you what. You go to your mom's for the weekend. Sleep or work or whatever. Take a break. I'll stay here with the ladies, give them the meds, and keep an eye on things."

"No, Antonia, I mean, I couldn't..."

"Drew, please, you don't have to do this alone, remember? Let me help. Please!"

"Are you sure?"

"Yes! Now gather up some things and your computer or whatever you need and git!"

"Alright. I could use some sleep." Assuming his disinterested, colleague, voice, "Uh, here are the new instructions from Miriam, you have my phone number, do you need the van?"

"You bought a van? Hannah didn't tell me about that. No, Drew, you won't fit in mine. See you... well, whenever."

He gathered his things and took a couple of trips to the van with his computer gear., but knocked on the door to say goodbye. "Ladies, I..."

In a siren's voice, "Come on in, Drew. We know you want to see us try on our new clothes for you."

He grinned and heard stifled laughter. "No thanks, I know that trick. I'm going to go to my mom's for, I don't know, maybe the weekend, Antonia's going to stay, I'll be back..."

The door flew open and all five came out to hug him. They knew how Tiffany felt and pushed her so she could hug him front to front as the others all snagged a piece. Tiff looked into his eyes,

"Drew, we are never going to be able thank you enough, but thank you, thanks for every tiny thoughtful thing you do, every stupid joke you attempt," groans from the others, "and for making us feel like we are worth something, that we are not to blame, that we might just have a future."

She reached up and kissed him on the lips, then backed away as the others, one by one, hugged him and kissed his cheek. Antonia watched him as he teared up. He could do whatever he wanted to these women, but all he did was care for them. But Tiff... the girl from his past, she might end up staying.

She felt a different stab of pain and realized it was jealousy. She wanted to kiss those lips again, even with the sutures in. She wanted to stay with him... No! It would never work. And no one was ever as good or as nice as he seemed. It had to be a front.

She took a breath and erased the thoughts. Casual affairs or weekend affairs suited her just fine--or did they? And she hadn't even had one of those since... The doubts bubbled to the surface again.

He pulled away and wiped a tear from his eye. "Oh, poor Drew. We made him cry like a little girl."

"And you better exercise some. You're gettin' all pudgy or something." He looked down at his belly. "Just kidding, Drew." He turned and took a couple steps down the hall and Amelia fell to the floor and grabbed an ankle. Veronica did the same. Faking tears, "Don't go, Drew. You can't go! We're going to miss you too much. You have to stay!"

"Oh, knock it off. Antonia will think I've been doing all sorts of... well, I don't know what."

"We're gonna tell her, Drew, as soon as you leave. I still have those marks on my back."

"And that place where you pierced me still hurts when I put my pants on."

He turned red, "We're going to tell her just like we told our counselors. Please call us tomorrow? Please?"

"You're all very sick monkeys, but sure, I guess, I mean, if you want."

"We don't want. We want a break from you. Get out of here." He left and all the women deflated a little, so did Antonia. It was like some of the sunshine or the joy in the room has disappeared.

"So, ladies, show me those clothes. Let's see what you got. Then we'll have to rewarm the pizza and you can tell me all about how you've been doing."

"So, it's been a week. How has it been with Drew?"

"Great! He frets about us and babies us. He does everything he can to make the shit we're going through less shitty."

"And he gives us hope for the future. We can get better, we can get over this, we can put it behind us and have kind of a normal life--maybe. God, I don't know how I could ever go back home and tell my folks what really happened. I mean, I just disappeared. Drew says he'll help when we're ready.

"So you like being with him?" All nodded. "Has he... you know..."

"Alright. So when we were told we'd be staying in some guys house, I guess," looking around, "that we all assumed he would expect bedding privileges. Didn't matter much, that's what we did. So when Drew said he wanted to talk to us one on one, I just sort of assumed... you know.

"So I went in his room and took off all my clothes and stood there waiting. When Drew came in I thought he was going to crap himself. He turned so red, even with his puffy, swollen face," laughing, "and he was so flustered he couldn't say a word. Just turned around and walked out."

"Yeah, and then he figured he could try it two at a time so Tiff and I went in and took off our clothes. He sort of gawked at Tiff a little bit, turned all red, but just turned around and walked out."

"So, you wouldn't want to..."

"Oh hell yeah, Toni! I'd jump his bones in a minute. Well, less. I think we all would. Hell, I'd probably marry him and have his babies if he asked." They all laughed.

"And you're okay with him just being a friend or brother..." They looked at Tiffany, "Except for you, Tiff. What do you think."

"I think I'm extremely thankful for being rescued, and maybe that's... why the hell are you asking all these questions! I'm done.

"You don't really know what to do with us, do you Toni? We were not teen runaways, we didn't come from broken homes, we weren't druggies. We were drugged and kidnapped out of every day normal lives! Hell, Isabella was kidnapped out of her dorm room.

"You don't need to probe or check to see if we're screwing Drew. And even if we were, so what? Screwing a man who's kind and gentle, who cares about you instead of some derelict who scraped together some dollars and smells like dirty clothes and alcohol?

"Or entertaining at parties with drunk gang members? So even if we all were screwin' him all the time--so what?" She got up and left, seeking some solitude.

"Toni, look. She always expected to grow up and marry him, but then she moved away. I think she still hopes things will happen again, but Drew? Drew treats us like little sisters or something. Which is weird since Tiff is about his age, we're in our twenties, Isabella's the baby at 19. He does have sisters our age. One's a senior in high school, one's in college.

"Toni... if we're in just a tee shirt or towel or something he gives the once over appraisal that all guys do, to see if something's showing that shouldn't, but there's no staring or lust or anything.

"Our biggest problem is you, and the way you make him feel. He lit up when he saw you just now. When you started to reach for him it grew even brighter. And then you snuffed it out. Hard on him, hard on Tiff and it looks like it's hard on you too. Better figure things out, Antonia.

"But you're struggling with us aren't you Toni? Tiff's right. You don't know where to meet us. It's like she said, Isabella and Amelia were in college, Ronnie was a teacher, Tiff was running a big remodeling business, and, heck I have a psychology degree and a Master's and work in a psychological testing company. Just thinking about what your psychological tests would be like, Toni, scares the shit out of me."

Looking her straight in the eye, "They scare me too, Victoria. And that's why I am not the girl for Drew. I would run or hurt him. Hell, I'm already hurting him and we've never even sat and talked or been on a date.

"He needs and should have someone like Tiffany Or hell, any one of you. Not me. I'm his age, but I feel like I'm forty. Tiff's right, though, I should never have asked these questions and you all are nothing like the women I usually work with... Fuck. I'll go warm up the pizza. Sorry."

Victoria touched her arm. "Maybe there's more to you than you think. I don't know what happened to you, but it's still messing with you. Maybe Drew is tapping into the woman you've buried. The woman you used to be. The woman you'd like to be again. Maybe it'd be good for both of you."

"And maybe I don't want to be psychoanalyzed." She got up and left to heat the pizza.

Victoria turned to the others, "Well that bitch may not want to be psychoanalyzed, but she's fucked up. She may not want him, but she needs Drew or somebody like him--turn her ass around onto a better course.

"She's so full of... No. She's empty inside, cold and empty, except the emptiness is filled with doom, gloom, and dissatisfaction. I've seen it before in my volunteer work, she's either gonna blow her brains out or get someone to do it for her if she stays like this. Hard to believe that she's Hannah's sister." Frowning and wrinkling her brow in thought, "I wonder what the hell happened to her?"

Frowning and throwing a pillow across the room, "Well this is shaping up to be a lovely evening. Could be a very long weekend. Damn, I wish Drew were here. You have to feel happier just being around him." Laughing, "And damn, I wish I could get outside, in the woods or something.

"I swear when I get a new job, if I can find a new job since I just disappeared and have a big gap in my job history, my apartment is going to be nothing but glass so I never feel cooped up. Maybe an outside job." Tears formed, "God, my life is so fucked up!"

They all held each other on the bed. All their lives had been fucked up.

At midnight, Antonia lay down on Drew's bed. She turned on her side and rubbed the blanket imagining Drew was there. Why couldn't she let herself go? Why couldn't she just let herself soften and love Drew the way the girls idolized him after their week of hell? Amazing.

No! Tiffany was the girl for him. Not someone like her that spends her life prowling the ugly side of life searching for victims of traffickers, runaways, and other unfortunates who stumbled or fell into lives they could't escape from.

Hell, she was a almost a certified counselor, a paramedic and graduate of the police academy--and yet, she teared up, and yet she couldn't counsel herself into feeling better or letting someone like Drew into her life. Why couldn't she open the shades and let his bright light enter her? Maybe she'd find some peace.

At noon on Sunday, Drew showed up. "Alright, everybody get off your butts, get your sneakers on, the sun is shining and... We. Are. Going. For. A. Hike. Keep alert because there will be ticks, leeches, poisonous snakes, uh, and skunks. Lots and lots of skunks.

"You all have been inside too long... Hell, you look all pasty and need some vitamin D. So let's go!"

The women grumbled, but were actually happy to be going somewhere, anywhere to get out of the condo. They needed sunlight and Drew's light, his positivity, his joy.

Antonia approached him, "Drew, are you sure this is a good idea? I mean..."

"They've had plenty of opportunity to bolt and I'm pretty sure that Bart's henchman aren't waiting in the woods for these five. So, yes, I think it's a good idea and yes I think it will do them a world of good, although," whispering, "they may bitch and moan about where I take them."

He looked at her, "You're welcome to come, Antonia. Those shoes of yours'll be fine."

She hesitated for a moment, then shook her head. "No. Better for me to go, uh, I have some work and..."

"Of course, whatever the work is that you do and wherever you do it. Got it. Thanks for baby sitting, I pretty much got caught up with work, although still way behind on sleep and exercise. I can't thank you enough for giving me the break. I guess, well, I really needed it."

Antonia grabbed her stuff and left without another word. The longing to let Drew into her heart, to surrender control, to share her life, to fill her emptiness was nearly overwhelming and she wanted to run back up the stairs and drag him into the bedroom and hold him forever.

But she got into her car and drove off, snuffing out the tears that had started. Why the hell couldn't she just wash her hands of him? He was just another guy,

Drew drove for an hour to the trailhead in the State Forest. He was was relieved that no other cars were there. "Okay, here we are. So who brought the compass?"

The women looked at each other. "What! No compass! We're as good as lost."

"Uh, Drew, there is an easy, well marked trail over there."

"Oh, yeah. Anyway, the goal is to climb to the top of yonder mountain and back down before it gets dark. I may have miscalculated and gotten here a little late. Oops. It will symbolize the way you all have climbed out of the pits of despair and liberated your bodies, minds, and your souls or is that s. o. l. e. s. Anyway, liberated yourselves and..."

"Drew, have you always been this full of shit? I swear, next time Olivia comes over we're going to ask her how many times she dropped you on your head as a kid."

"She probably threw him on his head, Ronnie, as soon as he started talking."

"Someone must have held too much pressure on your soft spot when you were a baby."

"So, Drew, if going to the top of the mountain is a metaphor for us getting better and liberating ourselves from the pits of despair, what does it mean when we go back down the mountain and get back in this piece of crap van?"

"Hmmm. I, uh..."

"Gotcha, didn't we?"

Getting solemn for a minute and looking each in the eye, "No, going down the mountain is easier than going up. I'm hoping it represents how easily you can each re-enter the fold of your families and friends, find new jobs, go back to school..." he teared up, "find happiness, joy and someone to love. I pray every night that it will be easy for you.

"You aren't the same. You will never be the same. You have changed. But you are smart, wonderful, beautiful women--inside and out--with so much to give to the world and you each deserve the joy and happiness that life can bring."

"Drew, you are such a friggin' sap. I am for sure having a talk with your mother." But each of them gave him a hug and each of them realized just how different they'd become and the uncertainty of life beyond the condo. Fear of the past replaced by fear of the future.

Four hours later the weary women made it back to the van. It really hadn't been much of a mountain, more of a hill. Drew figured they'd been kept in a cell except for brief walks for, well for Ronnie, fifteen months so he wanted a pretty easy hike with lots of stops, a stream and a little waterfall along the way.

They heaped abuse on Drew--too far, too hot, too steep, too many bugs. He took it in stride. It all sounded just like his brother and sisters when he used to take them out on a hike or, as he used to call them, 'death defying excursions.'

The women thought it was beautiful and great to get out, except for Isabella. She'd grown up in the desert landscape of Baja and then to Mexico City for school; and then... to slavery. For her, this was all so new, so lush, so green, and the ground was completely covered with grass, pine needles, leaves, bushes. No open areas.

If she ever made it back to school, no! When she made it back to school she wanted to study forests and nature studies. A shift was occurring. New plans for the future growing inside of her. She was different. Her future would be different.

They grabbed takeout for dinner and Drew addressed the five, "So, I need to get my sutures out. I tried it and it's kind of hard, you know, working backwards in the mirror. So... who's taken out stitches before?"

All five hands went up. "I'm having a little trouble believing that. So who has done it without causing pain or making things bleed?" All five hands went up.

"I must confess, I'm having even more trouble believing that. Amelia, are you willing to try?" The others groaned in disappointment.

"That's not fair, Drew. What if we each take out one?"

"Uh, no. That means I'd have a rookie on each stitch. This way, well, let me see how Amelia does with the first one."

"I'll be easy, Drew. Why don't you go sit in your chair and let me gather up some supplies? I'll be right in."

"Okay?"

Amelia winked at the others and a few minutes later walked in with a carving knife, pliers and a roll of paper towels. Drew looked up and laughed. "Nope. Not happening. Thanks anyway." He went to the bathroom and took them out with splinter removers and nail clippers--and a lot of time.

All of the women were waiting impatiently for him to finish. As he stepped out, Ronnie fanned her face, "Oh, Drew, you are so, so hot. What is a poor girl like me to do when she knows you are laying on your bed in your skivvies in the very next room. It's just so... unfair."

He turned red and marched to his room and Victoria yelled after him, "Don't let it go to your head, Lumpy Lip."

The trail abuse was nothing compared to what he got Monday morning. He opened the door and imitated a trumpet sounding the wake up call. Multiple pillows flew his way and he laughed.

"Counseling this morning at ten. I have pancakes and sausage out there and a bottle of Advil. Oh, and you're all going to look so darling in your new clothes. Move it! Move it! Move it!" He turned and a shoe hit him in the back. He laughed again.

He was not worried about counseling anymore and so got three hours of work done as he waited. As the women came out, "Oh, Dreeew, the principal wants to see you. First door on the right..."

"Thanks, but even my little pea brain is capable of remembering that." He walked through the door and entered the office. "Principal Webster, it's so good to see you again."

She laughed, "Principal? No wonder the ladies are doing so well. You look much more chipper than Friday, I guess the time off Toni gave you was helpful."

"Ah, so she discusses things with you."

"Of course, I..."

"Have just managed to shut that portal of information. Thank you. Yes, it was very beneficial. Kept me from losing a number of contracts. "

"Drew, I..."

His hackles went up, "What do you want to know, Miriam? Was the hike inappropriate, too risky, not consistent with your guidelines?"

"Actually, I thought it was genius. And your explanation of the meaning of the hike was quite remarkable. They are pretty stiff and sore today. And that's a good thing, Drew. Getting out was what they need."

"Yeah, I think it helped them feel better about themselves and no one ran away, well except Antonia."

"There's a lot more..."

"Not interested. The ladies in my care feel she is, uh, to paraphrase, 'one sick bitch who is pretty friggin scary and is either going to blow her own brains out to get someone to do it for her."

"Victoria?" He made no response. "Scary, yes. Issues, yes. Sick? I don't know. What has she told her about her past?

He laughed. "What has she told me! I know absolutely nothing about her other than she should be on TV in some sort of octagon match. How old, where she lives, family, well except Hannah, what her job is, what she likes or dislikes.

"Nothing, absolutely nothing. Hell, I don't even know her last name. Oh, sorry, I do know she played basketball in high school and used to watch my team get the crap knocked out of us for entertainment."

"Before you give up or pass judgement..."

"I have done neither. She's done that to me."

She frowned, "Drew, see if her sister, Hannah, will talk to you. Maybe she will. See you Friday, Drew, and thank you. Oh, one more thing, you have volunteered to help these five. At what point would you say your job is done? Just so we can do some planning."

He shrugged, "When they have adjusted to their new selves; when they are back with their families and friends, if that is where they want to go; when they're back in school or back to work or doing whatever they love; when they've found peace, joy, love--love for themselves, love for another. Maybe never."

"See you Friday."

Miriam watched him go. What a remarkable man, truly remarkable. It was obvious that Toni liked him.. it was obvious because she was trying so hard to stay away from him. Damn, if only he could fix her like he's fixing these five.

What she'd gone through must have been horrible, but even Hannah didn't know the details. It was all bottled up inside. And all those dead men that were found right after she resurfaced...

Drew was fixing these women, making them whole again while because she kept pushing him away, Toni remained broken. Shaking her head sadly, Victoria was probably right. And that would be a shame.

She picked up the phone. "Hannah, Miriam. I just had a chat with Drew, yes his lip looks fine. He is doing incredible things with these five women. He... I may have been way off base, but I told him to talk to you about Toni.

"I know, but I don't think he knows anything about her. Nothing. And if he can do for her what he is doing for the others... So anyway, just a heads up. Share what you think is appropriate. Or nothing. We both know he won't share his knowledge. Thanks."

With difficulty he parallel parked the van, the thing was a beast, he was sure he missed his Tacoma and should have kept it. He opened walked around and looked--over a foot away. Should get closer. Oh, screw it, he'd take the ticket. He put money in the meter and walked towards the cupcake store. The five had decided that that was where they wanted to go after what they considered another worthless session. They all felt that Drew was better at counseling, and so were Victoria and Olivia.

He was a few steps ahead when he heard Isabella scream. "Come with me, bitch! Where the hell have you been? Have you forgotten that we own you?"

As Drew turned he saw that Isabella was being dragged by her long black hair down the sidewalk. The other four were just starting to respond and chase after him, but Drew was in motion and shoved the women apart, grabbed the man by the hair and continued running with him until his face ran into the parking meter.

Drew pulled him off and slammed his face into the sidewalk. He raised his head and was ready to do it again when an hand grabbed his arm, "DREW! DREW STOP! Please stop. It's safe." He looked up into Tiffany's pleading eyes.

Drew looked back down at the puddle of blood forming on the sidewalk and started shaking. What the fuck! He had never, never done anything like that. With trembling hands he pulled out his phone. He couldn't dial and handed it to Tiffany. "Call 911. We need police for assault and attempted kidnapping and an ambulance."

He rolled the man to his side and almost gagged at the damage. The skin of his forehead had torn so Drew ripped off his shirt and held pressure and made sure he could breath through the broken teeth and blood.

The police and ambulance arrived together. Rodrigo Franklin was loaded up and taken to the hospital with an officer by his side. Drew was cuffed and told to sit on the sidewalk as Isabella was separated from the group and interviewed. The four women clustered around Drew.

"So, Drew Jackson, you grabbed this guy and wrecked his face."

"Yes, Officer, but it's Anderson Jackson."

"Anderson Jackson who was with Antonia and got the snot beat out of him?"

Drew nodded, "And these are the five women that were rescued. They're all at high risk as you just saw. They were witnesses so you'll need their statements too, right? Franklin apparently was one of the ones that held Isabella so probably add, kidnapping, rape, torture, imprisonment and trafficking. So, in any event, can we all go together or in separate cars, or... I can drive us all in the van there so I can take them home when we're done?"

"Uh, we don't usually... what the hell, you're friends with Antonia. Drive the van and we'll follow."

"Thank you, Officer. Really, thank you. They've already been through so much and..."

A very subdued group climbed into the van and Drew started the engine. With tears in his eyes he turned around. "I'm sorry! I am so sorry. I was too careless, too cavalier, too, I don't know. I promise..."

The normally quiet Isabella interrupted, "DREW! Stop! Just stop. WE decided to get cupcakes. WE decided to all get out of the car and parade ourselves on the sidewalk. WE weren't paying attention. And YOU SAVED ME! YOU! SAVED! ME! So quit taking responsibility for things that weren't your fault. It was a learning lesson for all of us. Now drive."

It was almost eleven when they got home. Between the sitting around and the interrogations, they were all shot. Drew was still blaming himself and looking at his hands; remembering what he had just done. How had he been capable of that? He knew he would have killed the man if Tiffany hadn't stopped him.

The women grabbed something quick to eat then went into their room. Drew took a quick shower and flopped on the floor on his air mattress and stared at the ceiling. What the hell was happening to him?

He never heard the door, but suddenly felt a warm body slide onto the mattress next to him. Tiffany! He started to get up and she pinned him. "Drew! Stop!" She hugged him to her naked body and kissed him. Drew didn't respond at first, but then relaxed into the kiss. She sighed, he got more urgent--but then stopped.

"Tiffany, I swear I've dreamt of this since, I don't know, probably the seventh grade."

In the dark, Tiff smiled, "Me too."

"But it's not right, I mean, I'm kind of your guardian and..."

"Drew, you're doing it again. Taking it all onto yourself. I need this. YOU need this. And WE have to figure out what is going on with US. So we are going to make love TOGETHER, not me doing you or you doing me."

She pulled him close, yanked off his tee shirt and ran her hand across his chest and shoulders as their lips met. Within moments his hands found those breasts that he had dreamed about when they were little buds so many years ago and now since he had seen them a few days ago. "Incredible, Tiffany. You're just incredible."

Hours later he quietly opened the door and headed towards the bathroom. It was the middle of the night and figured no one would be up. Things had gotten a little quieter at night and he couldn't find his underwear, so he decided to risk not wearing anything.

He finished in the bathroom and opened the refrigerator door to get a can of soda. "Looking good there, Drew. A lady usually has to pay for this kind of show."

He choked and tried to cover himself with the cold can. "Ronnie, I'm so sorry. I..."

"Should relax, Tall Stuff. I've seen a naked man or two in my recent past and the circumstances weren't nearly as pleasant."

"Yeah, but..."

She got up and approached him. She stroked his cheek, "Drew, honey, you're going to have to relax a little. What was it you said in one of your painfully boring fatherly pontifications about life?

"Those who do everything alone, who don't let others help them, who can't share the burdens or their hearts--end up alone. Drew it would break our hearts if you end up alone because you continue to take on everyone else's burdens."

Chuckling, "Now get back in there and use what the good Lord gave ya." Shaking her head, "Damn, you're a skinny thing, Drew. You need some meat on them bones, Boy." Smiling again, "Oh, better be careful when you open that can of soda. Night niiiiight." She kissed his cheek.

The sky was just starting to lighten as he reached for Tiffany. Shit! She was gone! He sat bolt upright. Dammit, he knew better, he'd screwed up everything, betrayed her trust. It... it was like a doctor messing with a patient or... shit! It was like doing it with your sister or something. He had to fix this.

He rolled onto the floor and knelt as a cup of coffee was thrust under his nose. "Here, I think you need this."

"Tiffany, I..."

"Drew, shut up! Don't say another word until I'm done. First, last night was MY choice. As you told us, way back when, we should never have to make love to anyone again--unless we wanted to. And I wanted to.

"Drew, I needed it, you needed it. We both needed some closeness and human contact and we had to figure out where we stood with each other." She reached out and ran a hand across his hair. "It did all that and was fun, and wonderful to boot. After night after night of being fucked, it was nice, God if you only knew how nice," she teared up, "how nice it was for someone to make love to me. Thanks, Drew.

"So, it was great, you were wonderful, love your equipment, but it wasn't love, was it Drew? It was like friends with benefits or something, although to be honest I've never done that and I doubt you have either. So what say you, Drew?"

"I was thinking the same, I guess. I mean I love you..."

"But as a friend or sister. Not the hot, burning, I can't think of anything but you, love."

"Right. Is that? I mean, is that okay?"

"Absolutely. Okay, I'm going to go back to bed for a while and catch shit from the others. Drew, before you start work; and we know we have cost you a fortune and you need to work; before you start, why don't you go out for a run. I think you need that. Please?

"And thank you," she teared up again, "God, Drew, I could spend my whole life thanking you for recognizing me in the bar, saving me, and making me feel like I can make it through this. We all feel like that. I don't think it would have happened if we had gone to the Center. You are such an incredible man."

She leaned forward and kissed his lips. Her breasts moved forward and rested on his chest, but he didn't reach for them.

"And thank you, Tiffany for stopping me. I would have... I was so angry at what he'd done to Isabella and what he was planning to do again... I... I know I would have killed him! I would have killed him without even questioning it!

"Drew..."

"No! I've never even hurt anyone! I would have killed him! I... I never even thought about what I was doing... and his face!"

She put a finger to his lip and stroked his hair. "Drew, we all wanted to kill him. If we had all caught him instead of you we would have... I don't think we would have stopped either. You were protecting the family, Drew. Protecting us from evil, from harm. What would have happened if you'd just grabbed his arm and told him to stop?"

He shrugged. "He would have either beat the crap out of you, if you were lucky, or more likely shot you, stabbed you or did something like that. He would have killed you without thinking twice. He would have taken Isabella, she would have been punished--severely--and never, ever have a chance to get away again. Her life would be over. Got it, Drew?"

"Yeah, but..."

"No buts... Like she said in the van, 'You saved her!' So take it a little easy on yourself, but that's why you need a run." She hugged him and kissed his lips. "Thank you, Drew. Thank you for everything." Smiling and rising once again, "Now to face the squad."

He decided to take her advice and go for a run. It had been a while and it would calm his thoughts, help him make sense of what was going on. He got a quick flash of the blood on the sidewalk and the face! The ripped forehead and... yup, he had to run.

But before leaving, he chuckled to himself as he put a picture of the five women on the fridge, along with a note, 'I put you all in the game. You look great, right?' He knew what was coming. He'd done the same to his sisters, but they actually were in his games instead of just a print.

Three miles, five miles, seven miles and finally the inner chaos was nearly gone. He laughed, as that one documentary used to say, 'And peace returned to the jungle.' He walked the last half mile, took a deep breath--peace--but then he walked in the door to five women staring him in the face and throwing cushions and things at him. "So! You think we're sluts! You made us look like tramps for those sick little monkeys that play your games?"

He tried not to laugh, "Well, I guess I didn't consider that. I mean, I thought you looked really sharp. True, I could probably have put a little more fabric on... and maybe you're not quite as big or bulgy... but look at those waists and long legs."

"You are impossible! And so immature." They stomped off back to the bedroom, but Amelia grabbed the picture as they passed. As the door closed, "Can you believe he can make this stuff? It looks just like us," more laughter, "well sort of like us."

He went in his bedroom and got his things so he could shower and put up the next one. The women were dressed like nuns with a big huge hat like on that old 'Flying Nun' show. Of course they had bandoliers across their chests to accentuate their un-nunly assets and rifles on their backs and things.

He came out of the shower and the women were grabbing something to eat. "Really, Drew? Nuns! And what's with the hat?"

Trying to look sheepish, "Well, you said you wanted more clothes. And the hat let's you fly and has weapons in it..."

"Of course, and with push up ammunition thingees. Just how many nuns have you seen like this?"

"Well, I did go to a catholic school and there was this one..."

"Enough, Drew. Get to work and no more time off, or," smirking, "other stuff, for you." He did turn sheepish, and red with that and glanced at Tiffany who only smiled.

An hour later the women were in the bedroom watching TV and chatting. He took the nun one down and put one up where they'd been modified into piggies. Snouts, curly tails, and lots of weapons. His sign read, 'Think before you eat!' He went in and locked his door.

A half hour later, "Look at this shit!," followed almost immediately by someone trying his door and then banging on it. "You'd better hide, Mr. Skinny. You'd better be very, very careful about what you eat from here on out. Especially with all those little snacks you cram in your face all day."

Later, just before dinner he put his last one up--warrior women--tall, strong, confident, rippling muscles and ready to tackle anything that came their way. 'This is what I really see you as.'

They left that one on the fridge.

On Wednesday, he took them to a park on the outskirts of town so they could walk around, breathe the air, just get out of the condo. They were doing better, so much better, but they all lived in fear of someone stumbling upon them again, so they were careful and observant and didn't go out much.

And their schedules were still random--they had none. Someone was always up, the TV was always on. They were still so restless or anxious that they didn't want to try a hobby--and he'd tried. He bought supplies and instructions for painting, sculpting, models, games, jig saw puzzles. No go. Short attention span theater, but it was improving.

That afternoon there was a knock on the door and the women all got ready to dash for the bedroom and grab their sprays, clubs, and other defensive things.

But Drew opened the door and a treadmill was uncrated and assembled. They stared holes in Drew as the workmen put things together and tested it, but as soon as they left, "What the hell, Drew? Do you think we need to put that piggy drawing back up? Trying to tell us something?"

"No. You all look incredibly beautiful, but, you have to be just bored to death from sitting around all day, and I thought... well, I thought that a little exercise would make it easier for you to sleep. I mean, I understand the issues, or at least i've read about the issues, and all, but you all are still wandering around all night and having trouble sleeping.

"And that way I can run in here and not worry about leaving you alone..."

"And make us look bad."

He smiled. "Well, there is that."

His routine sucked. Go to bed at ten, sleep for a couple of hours, work most of the night, sleep for another few hours and then get up when the women tumbled out of bed in search of coffee or something. What a mess, but at least he could sleep with one ear open while the TV was on, the refrigerator door slammed, another load of laundry was done.

Tonight he was waiting. He heard Ronnie going to bed. 10, 9, 8... and then a blood curdling scream. "THAT JERK! He put a snake in my bed!"

He heard the door open, stomping feet, 7, 6, 5... His door burst open and Ronnie stormed in and started hitting him with a long plastic snake--hard enough that he felt it, but not so hard that it hurt. He tried, oh how he tried not to laugh, but was unsuccessful. Whack! "I can't believe you did that!" Whack! "What are you, like five or something!" Whack! "You scared me to death!" Whack! "How's it feel to be a jerk!" Whack!

"Just don't hit my lip, you know, I've been through so much and..."

"Shut up, Drew. It's not going to work on me," but she bent over and kissed his forehead, headed for the door and threw the snake at him and its tail hit him in the lip. He laughed.

Thursday--Drew couldn't believe how much his life had changed in two weeks. He'd gone from busy techy who worked his ass off to care for his family to an overwhelmed guy caring for essentially two families--five women going through drug withdrawal, who'd been rescued from prostitution, who... Who, thank God, were getting better and actually seemed like they might be able to return to their lives or some kind of life... but when?

He was afraid to even think about getting them out of the condo and back to their families or whatever. And now here he was ready to talk to Hannah to find out what had happened to Antonia so he could help her.

Why? What was it about Antonia? He never would have dreamed of dating a cold, hard, abrasive woman like that before. But that kiss! He could still feel it.

But there was a different person inside--locked up, walled off. He felt like that person had almost emerged, but then got locked up again. The way she looked at him, he could feel that other person wanting freedom, but not knowing how. And that person had a lock on his heart--the one that kissed him, the one that stuck him in the upper lip and laughed. She was there, somewhere.

He walked into the coffee store and looked around, no Hannah. Maybe he'd be lucky and she wouldn't show. He ordered two regular coffees and pastries and waited. He was early, again, so wasn't really worried; and she seemed really nice in the hospital. But, maybe he'd didn't want to hear what she was going to tell him. Maybe he'd be lucky and she wouldn't want to talk...

A hand pressed his shoulder, "Hi, Drew. Good to see you again, hope you haven't been waiting long." He went to stand and she pushed him back down. "Glad to see that lip didn't pus out or fall apart. I guess that pastry is for me?" He nodded. "Trying to sweeten me up, Drew?"

He wasn't sure how to respond, but she reached across the table and put a hand on his, "It's alright, Drew. Relax. A joke, yuk yuk, you know?"

"Yes, it's for you. I... heck, Hannah, I don't even know why I'm here. Miriam said I should talk to you about Antonia and it would help me to understand. I like her Hannah, absolutely no idea why. We are so mismatched, I'm not sure I've ever even talked to someone like her. But there's just something... someone trying to get out. Sounds stupid, I know.

"So, I thought... but then she..."

"She does like you, Drew. She likes you more than any man I've ever seen her with, but she doesn't know how to deal with it.

"Once upon a time I had a sweet older sister, just eighteen months older. Dad was a cop and she idolized him, wanted to be a policeman from early childhood. She was about twelve when my dad got beaten up pretty badly, had to leave the force, and swore that if Toni was going to be on the force, she would be ready.

"So all sorts of fight training, time on the range, using those poles the karate guys do; you name it, she tried it and loved it all. Those special driving schools, motorcycle.

"What about you?"

Laughing, "No way! What, chip a nail? No, I made cookies with my mom, went to college and became a PA. Toni went to the police academy, graduated with honors was on the beat for a few years and then disappeared on the way home after a routine Saturday night.

She was gone for two weeks. Two weeks! The whole force turned out to look for her--gone. We figured that the gang or somebody had gotten her and we'd find her dumped somewhere. God, my folks were wrecks.

"But then in the middle of the night she showed up at my door. My God, Drew, she had cuts, burns, bruises--and she was an addict starting to go through withdrawal. I wanted to take her to the hospital to get her checked out--she refused. I wanted to take her to the Center and get her into the system--but she refused. So I patched her up, took some days off and helped her go cold turkey. Drew it was awful. Damn, just thinking about it!"

"So what had happened to her?"

"She never would really say, but she sent me out to the pharmacy for the morning after pills, pregnancy tests and had me do a culture down there and of her throat and get some blood work. So my guess is what happened to her was the same as what happened to the women at your place. Well, except that she had rope burns on her wrists, neck, and ankles.

"And... except that on that Monday, they found ten guys dead in a warehouse. The whole gang--dead. The boss was dead at his desk. Looked like a spike had pinned his hand to the desk with a gun in it and something smashed against his skull several times. In a room with a bed that had ropes still attached, a man with his lips bitten off and his neck broken was found.

"The others looked like they had one by one or a couple at a time, returned to the warehouse and been stabbed with something and then struck repeatedly. Some had their knives out, some with guns, some apparently caught by surprise.

"All signs pointed to Toni; she had busted some of the gang members before, but there was never any real proof. And the guys on the force loved her, and loved my father, and she had me burn her clothes, she said to get rid of the memory and she cleaned her car.

"I finally asked her how? All she would say was a screwdriver and a hammer."

"Shit! So she never told you what happened?"

"No. And wouldn't get help, or counseling or anything... She quit the force, got EMT training, took a bunch of paramedic courses, she's working on a counseling certificate, but all the while was walking the streets at night trying to rescue women like your crew.

"So she resumed her life, or rather 'a' life. It wasn't Toni. Gone was the friendly, open, giving woman who loved the holidays, always laughing... that woman was gone. All buttoned up, closed off, impregnable barriers around her... and then my mom finally talked her into a blind date, which, of course, she mixed with her prowling, and she met you.

"Drew! When she sewed you up she was happy, laughing. I hadn't heard a laugh out of her for at least four years. The old Toni was seeping through the cracks."

"And then she got scared and sealed the cracks."

"But you did something to her, Drew. She won't talk about it, but I can see it in her eyes when your name is mentioned. Please! Please don't write her off. Be patient, but if you like her..."

"I do. I have no idea why, but I... I feel like I need to be with her."

"Then you're going to have to force the issue. Throw her against the car, pin her against the wall, don't let her run--until she gives in." Smiling and patting his hand, "Or beats the shit out of you."

"Well, that would take about a second. I don't know. I mean I never."

"I knew it. You're one of those guys."

"Those guys?"

"Yeah. The type of man that second guesses himself and is intimidated by women or something. I'll bet that ninety percent of the women you've ever dated asked you first. They kissed you first; they put your hands... well, you get the idea. Right?"

He shrugged. "Fine, I could give you a whole lecture on how stupid that is. The worst the woman can do is say no, right. Oh, but the rejection..." She laughed again.

"All I'm saying is YOU will have to take the initiative. YOU will have to make it happen. But if you do, I promise you will find the most wonderful, thankful, woman underneath. And she's pretty hot too."

"I tried that, uh, being forceful the first night. She left anyway.

"So try again. And, if she beats the crap out of you, at least you tried," and smiling, "and I will patch you all up and take good care of you. Look, Drew, she said you stood up and tried to protect her, the only man who has ever done that. You were ready to fight for her. Now fight for the Toni locked up inside. Please!"

"Okay, uh, I'll try. But I'm going to have your number on speed dial."

She laughed, "Drew, you're a heck of a guy. But please. Do this."

"So what about about your dad? Can't he?"

"My dad wasn't the same after he got hurt. Started running around, drinking more. My folks separated and divorced, he sells guns and ammo at the sports store in Reidsville. We see him some, not much. I live with my mom to help out and keep her company. She's a teacher at Archer Grade School same as your mom."

"So that's how you two know so much about what's going on at the condo."

"Yup. Your ladies tell your mom everything. She tells my mom everything. She shares with me or 'us' if Antonia visits.

"Drew, where are the five ladies?"

"At my mom's making cookies or bread or something."

"Drew, first, it is remarkable that they can be trusted not to pick up the phone and call someone to pick 'em up. I mean it's not even two weeks. Most folks are still climbing the walls and looking for any excuse to go back."

"Well, they're still very nervous, antsy, and up at all hours of the night--no schedule."

"But it's remarkable that, Miriam says, they really are a merry band of women. I mean, they're still kind of labile and stuff, but they seemed, 'happy' according to her."

"I try. But, you have to remember. They're different than most of those women. They weren't druggies, they weren't street people, they had family, friends, jobs, school--they know there is a great life out there they hope they can go back to, even if that life is different.

"They're not like so many I've read about that came from a shitty situation and can only see going back to another shitty situation if they get better."

"I think you're right about that, but I think Drew Jackson has given them the feeling that they will still have a life. My sister needs that feeling of hope, the light at the end of the tunnel, the forgiveness of self, the optimism--all the things you have given to those ladies. Try my sister, Drew, stick with her, don't give up, please!

"And Mom says you put a snake in Ronnie's bed?"

"How'd you here about that?"

"I told you, mom. They talk all the time."

"Well, there's another little surprise for tomorrow night. So anyway, thanks, Hannah. It all makes more sense." Smiling but shaking his head, "Eat the pastry after I'm gone so you won't feel like I'm judging you. I didn't have one."

She laughed, "You are kind of an ass aren't you, Drew?"

"I try, but if it'll make you feel better, I already ate mine and slid the plate over to that table."

She laughed. "Drew, I want to see more of you so Fix! My! Sister!"

"Yeah, sure. Fix her and hope she doesn't fix me if I mess up." Waving his arms like he's looking into the future, "I see a visit to the ER in my future..."

"Get out of here, Drew. And I AM going to eat this pastry. Thanks."

"Okay, Ladies, iiiiit's Friday! Counseling at nine this morning. Sooo, you have to get up early. Sorry. Please wear some nice clothes. Wait. No! You have to wear your exercise clothes, oh and those trendy sports bras I got you, please, sneakers, a small amount of tasteful makeup..."

"Shut up, Drew! Go away! What torture have you got planned for us?"

"As The Beach Boys said," and he sang, "And we'll have fun, fun, fun..."

"Don't give up your day job, Drew."

"That's it! That's what we need--a karaoke machine."

"Drew, if you start singing, we're all going back to drugs. Just saying."

They drove to the Center and Drew went in with them, "Now I want you ladies to make me proud." They turned around as one and flipped him the bird. He laughed out loud thinking they must have rehearsed it.

As soon as they went beyond the double doors, instead of sitting down to work, he drove back to the condo. His first task was to put a remote controlled rat under the big bed. Then he stripped off the covers and short sheeted each bed so when the girls climbed in their feet would have nowhere to go. He made sure each bed looked just as it had when he came in and threw all the clothes back on top.

Having completed his tasks, he drove back to the Center and went to work in the lobby. At around noon the five filed out, pointed for Drew to go in and see Miriam and used one index to rub across the other in a shame shame motion. Drew sighed, but smiled. The women were doing better. Getting some spunk back.

"Hello, Miriam. In answer to your first question, 'No comment.'"

Miriam smiled at him. No wonder the women felt so comfortable with him. "So, Drew, about that snake..."

He stared at her a moment and then shook his head, "I swear to God, you all gossip like some old ladies' sewing circle or something. How..." waving his hand, "No, I don't even want to know. No comment."

Miriam smiled. "Drew, you are doing a fabulous job with these ladies. Any thoughts on the transition out of your place?"

"Lots of thoughts. No plans. I plan to talk to them about it this weekend and maybe shoot for kicking them out of the nest at four to six weeks. A lot will depend on whether they want to go home, stay in the area, stay together... I don't know. Again, these are not your typical down and outers. They were out in the world building futures before this.

"But they have no ID, driver's license or anything. I was going to see if we couldn't get copies of the birth certificates, use those and my address to register to vote, use both ID's to get a driver's license here--I don't know.

"I guess they could just go home and do all that for themselves, but if I could jump start some of it? I also plan to ask them this weekend if any of them feel up to calling home. They may surprise me, but I don't think they're ready, we'll see. Thoughts, oh Wise One?"

She smiled again, "Drew, you know those ladies better than the Counselors. I think the ladies are mostly feeding them crap and getting more counseling from you and your mom than they're getting here. I think we should go to once a week if they feel okay with that and let me know what they think of your plans."

"Sure thing, Miriam, but you'll probably already know. See ya. Have a great weekend. Oh, and thanks for not asking about Antonia. 'No comment.'"

"You too, Drew, and you're welcome." Miriam stared after him wondering just how the heck he was managing to get all this done.

"Okay, la... Antonia. Uh, good to see you. Just visiting or do you need something?"

"I just wanted to check on the ladies and... and to apologize for being such a stick in the mud..."

"Ass."

"Okay, Victoria, I apologize for being such an ass last weekend. I also wanted to see if you needed another break."

"Absolutely not. Can't. We have an exciting, fun filled, excursion which will challenge life and limb..."

The girls grumbled, Antonia actually smiled as she looked him.

"Drew, do we have to?"

"No whining permitted, Amelia. And yes. I brought some drinks and something light to eat. I don't want your bellies too full. Antonia, you should probably come with us and ride shotgun. It'll be fun for you too. I won't take no for an answer."

She stared at him, but then nodded. "Great! Let's head out."

It took a half hour to drive a couple towns over. The women in the back chattered back and forth, made fun of what they had told their counselors, and watched the interaction in the front seat. Drew tried several times to start a conversation, but one word answers and a stony face finally shut him down.

As he pulled into the parking lot, he heard groans from the back--Rock Wall Adventures. "No way, Drew! No way are we doing that!"

"Oh, come on, Tiffany, I saw this on line and... well, they had these misfits... not that I'm saying that you five are anything..."

"Enough of your crap, Drew! We're not doing it."

Never losing a beat, "Oh, dear. The van won't go into gear, the windows are stuck and the heat has suddenly turned on. Whatever shall we do?" The van motor whined as the heat poured out into the van.

"You are one sick monkey, Drew."

"I'll take that as a compliment."

"Don't. Come on, let's go in before we die of heat exhaustion. It's hot enough in this stinkin' van anyway."

Antonia stared at Drew during the interaction and watched him chuckle, feign offense and tease the girls--and he treated them like girls, not women-- teasing them like kid sisters or something. Kid sisters that he loved and cared for.

"Ready, Antonia?" She nodded. She felt the pull. The gravity of his universe was pulling her in, closer and closer and she was having a harder time resisting. But why was she resisting? Why didn't she just let go and fall into his world? But if she let go... the darkness, the memories... being touched again. She shook her head, pulled away and followed the group into the building and then to the base of the wall.

"So, who's done this before?" No hands. "Alrighty then, Isabella, you're first. We just put you in this harness. And it's attached to this safety rope which I'll hold, so if you slip off, which you won't, I'll have the rope and no way can you fall or get hurt. Completely safe.

"You know, I mean if it weren't safe and people got hurt, they would like sue and the company couldn't get insurance, and they'd have to close their doors, declare bankruptcy, the owner would lose his house, his kids would be out on the street in torn up clothes on the corner begging..."

Ronnie punched his shoulder, "Back to earth, Star Man. Leave that imaginary world you live in. It seems only right, as our leader, to demonstrate the correct techniques and show us how it's done."

The women started chanting, "Drew! Drew! Drew!..." Ronnie handed him the harness and touched his cheek. "It's okay, Little Drew, I'll be holding the rope so it will be completely safe. Really, really safe."

He looked nervous, anxious, as he put on the harness and approached the wall. He looked up the wall and acted scared. He reached up to the first hand hold, hesitated and stopped. "What's the matter, Dreeew?"

"I... I forgot to tell you, I'm kind of afraid of heights. I think..."

"Drew is a puss! Drew is a puss! Drew is a puss!"

Shame faced he said, "You're right. It was my idea. I guess I will have to look within and find the strength I need. I know it's in there somewhere." He ripped his shirt off and stood in a tee that had a fanciful take off on Spider-Man, but with his face and frame. The women all laughed and stared.

"Okay, uh, Ronnie... you have the rope,, right, because," glancing at Antonia, "you know how easily I fall down." Turning he grabbed the hand hold, pulled up, and clamored up the wall just like a spider and in moments was at the top." The ladies, including Toni just gawked.

"Ronnie! I'm going to push off and kind of jump down the wall. We in the know say repel. So just keep a little tension on the line. He pushed off and let his arms hang, but Ronnie held too much tension on the line and he crashed back in against the wall.

"Less tension, Ronnie."

Ronnie was laughing and turned to the others and whispered, "I've done this before. I knew that would happen." Then up to Drew, "That's what you get, hot shot." They all laughed then as Drew repelled down.

Antonia stared and looked at each face. Friends. She was the outsider, she wasn't in his band of merry women, her heart screamed at her, 'Just let go!' But her mind shut it down and pushed it into the corner again. Back into the emptiness.

"So, nothing to it. You just reach up with your hand, pull up so you can put your foot on one of the holds, then push with your leg and grab the next hand hold. In moments he was half way up again, repeating each motion as he went. He jumped off again, Ronnie held the rope taught and he slammed into the wall again.

"Good one, Ronnie."

"Never gets old."

Drew walked to a bag he'd brought, reached in and pulled out shirts. Each had a strong, muscular, spider-like warrior with the correct face and frame on it. He tossed one to each. As they looked at them, "This! This is what you have inside of you. Let it out, unleash it, believe it, live it. Please.

He handed one to Antonia. "I didn't think you would be here, but... but I thought you needed one too. Hers was different. It showed a beautiful, glowing woman emerging from the carapace of the spider. She took it and stared at it, then stared at Drew. She wanted to throw her arms around him and kiss those lips again. She felt the weight coming off her right foot, and got ready to move, but then stood in place.

"Thanks, Drew."

He pursed his lips and nodded curtly. "So, Ronnie, I hear you have done this before. Please put on the shirt and hop to it." Ronnie took off her shirt and put the tee on, grabbed the first hold, then turned around, kissed Drew on the cheek, but yanked the rope from his hands and handed it to Isabella.

"Not that I don't trust you, Drew. How the hell did you hear me?" Turning to the others, "I told you he hears everything. Mr. Owl Ears. So, Isabella, a little slack on the way up, more on the way down so I can just sort of glide down--and not hit the wall like Mr. Grace over there." A round of laughter and cheers of encouragement as she started up.

Toni stared at her shirt. Why couldn't she let that girl out? She used to feel like that, be that, but... but now she feared that woman was gone for good. Still, as she looked at Drew, she could feel him reaching through the hard shell and searching for that woman on the inside clawing at the carapace.

But all the horrors she had also buried might come out of that crack along with her and crush that beautiful woman. She was scared to death to remember, to experience the pain, humiliation, the feeling of helplessness, hopelessness, day after day--begging, begging for death. Then praying, praying for death. And so the walls went back into place and she dropped the shirt to her side.

Drew watched it all and felt like crying, he wanted to reach out and hold her, help her, let her cry for a week if she wanted, but she wasn't ready. He turned his attention back to Ronnie and helped Isabella with the rope.

One by one they made it to the top and were congratulated by their friends. "So, ladies, this was not easy. It took time, effort, and the will to swallow your fears and make it to the top, trusting on others to keep you safe if you slipped or lost your grip. No mountain is insurmountable, especially if you take strength and support--love--from friends or family members.

"Now sometimes the climb starts from an easy place like," he indicated the floor around him, "like here. Other times you start in a deep hole and have to climb way up just to get out of the pit. But your friends, your family, those you love, and sometimes even strangers will help you on your climb. Look for them. Use them. It'll be easier.

"And especially since each of you have so much to share with others, with the world around you. Remember: those who are focused on themselves, who don't share their lives or their love with others, end up alone. Not good. Or at least I don't think so." He quickly glanced at Antonia.

"So, let's head back to the club house. Oh, but I'll swing by the Center so you can get your car, Antonia."

Antonia was silent on the way back to the Center. It was after six, but still light out. The days were shortening, just like his days with his five, and the likelihood of anything happening with Antonia. He felt a wave of sadness, loneliness.

What was life going to be like when they all left? He still had his family, and he'd been kind of neglecting his sisters and hadn't called his brother for, hell, for a couple weeks, but they would still be there. These wonderful women wouldn't. Life wouldn't be the same.

He took a deep breath as he stopped next to her car. "You're welcome join us as we get some.." He turned around, "What kind of food are we getting?"

Victoria shouted out, "Thai! Let's get Thai." She stopped and tears formed, "I used to get Thai with... with Noah." She put her hands to her face and the others all reached out to her. Tiffany unbuckled her seat belt, knelt beside her and cradled her in her arms. The others all reached to put their hands on her.

"Why don't I head for home and I'll run out and get it. Antonia?"

Antonia was staring at the closeness, the support. She wanted that, but... "Uh, thanks, Drew, but..." looking at her shirt crumpled in her hand and then staring at him, the pull, the pull, switches turning green... No!

"... But you have a lot to do. Got it. You know, Antonia...," he reached for her, but she shied away and slid out of the car, but looked back as she climbed into hers.

Drew watched her drive away. "Sorry, Drew."

"Sorry about what, Ronnie?"

"Nothing. Just sorry about every fucking thing. How do we ever go back?" She collapsed into Isabella's arms.

A tear rolled down his cheek as her statement crystallized his fears for them. There was no going 'back.' Except for Tiffany, they'd been 'dead' for a year or longer. Their families had moved on; their friends, boy friends, had moved on; their apartments, jobs, place in the world were gone; hell, the whole world had moved on without them.

Their disappearances had left holes where they had been. But those holes had been filled in and healed. Like skin, the wound had healed with a scar; a scar that would have to be removed, then revised, expanded to allow them to re-enter the space. The space would be different, though, no matter what.

Questions. There would be so many questions. What would they, could they, share? What would everyone think if they actually gave their loved ones a peek into the world they had lived in? The hell of life as an addict, of a thief, as a whore, as a slave.

Like a prisoner of war re-entering society, they would have to create a new space for themselves, find a new place, a new way to fit it. Their families would welcome them. It would be awkward, strange. Mistakes and misunderstandings would occur.

Most people could not even imagine what they'd been through. Some would ignore it, some dwell on it, some blame them for not escaping or getting in the situation to begin with. The families, the women, and, hell, the whole world would have to create a new 'normal' and the women would have to determine if they still fit into that new normal... or find a new one.

The families, friends, colleagues, acquaintances had all changed, but perhaps an even bigger issue was that the women had changed. Their whole view of the world as a nice, loving, safe place had been destroyed. That had been taken from them forever.

But they had to get back. They had so much to give, so many years ahead of them. It would be a very different future, but it could still be great. They could find love, family, but how! How the hell could he make it happen?

Drew started the van and drove home, tears in his eyes. How could anyone do to these women, or anyone, what had been done to them? How could they just lose all of their own humanity and treat others like their lives didn't matter? Like they were objects. The anger grew within him and he understood the anger that Antonia lived with.

Pancakes tonight, but the women didn't eat they just wanted to go to bed. He stopped them and went about fixing their sheets. Tonight was not the night.

"Drew?"

"I, uh, modified your sheets some. Sorry."

The women clustered around and hugged him, "Thanks, Drew... for everything," they went about helping each other put their sheets in order.

The women were subdued Saturday morning and none rushed out of bed. Drew had spent a lot of the night working, had gone out for his run and made a light breakfast for the girls. As they moped around, he had an idea and made a phone call. "Thank you, I think it may help. We'll be there soon.

"Ladies! We need to take a trip. Nothing scary, nothing dangerous. I... Hell, I don't know, I think it will help."

Sarcastically, "What? The mighty Drew doesn't know just what to do? There's no 'Drewism' to share with us?"

He took the hit as Victoria put a hand on Ronnie's arm. "Nope. I've never really known what to do, sorry. But I think this idea will help and... we can bail or you can sit in the van anytime you want. So humor me. What if we leave in a half hour or so?"

He drove to the outskirts and pulled up into the lot of a rescue mission. Lines of people, worn out, tired, shuffling people lined up outside. Old, young, kids--all waiting and anxious. Drew led the ladies into the back and introduced them to the church volunteers. He knew most by name and many of the women stepped up to hug him

"So, there are several areas, Saturday is a big day. You can serve meals, help the cooks prepare the meals, hand out food boxes, help folks find clothes for themselves or their kids--or you can walk around outside or sit in the van. Lots of options.

"As you know, my cooking skills are minimal and my fashion sense is questionable, so I am going to work with the meals. If, and I mean if, you feel up to it, talk to the folks and the kids and find out what's going on in their lives. Uh, it might... well just try it." Tiffany joined him and she started serving meals while he mostly carried trays from the kitchen to the serving lane.

The doors closed around five and they all spent an hour cleaning, straightening up, organizing. "Well, Drew, these ladies really helped today. We got a lot more folks than usual. Maybe if the economy picks up or... I don't know.

"Say, Drew, I hate to ask, but do you know anything about bookkeeping or accounting or that stuff. I mean I hate to even ask, but Charles usually does that, you know, the church Treasurer, but he got Covid and well, it's been six weeks and he's still not up to snuff."

"I don't really know much. I mean mine is contract work and pretty simple. I can..."

"I can probably help. I manage, or I managed, a pretty good sized remodeling company and had to deal with all the accounts and payments. What software program do you use?"

"Well, Charles does it on all these big sheets of paper and I, well, I don't really know where you put all the numbers so I just have a big stack of papers. What I wrote checks for, the bills I paid, the Sunday collections, donations--you know. I kept hoping he would come back soon."

"It's probably too late now, but I could come back tomorrow..."

"That's Sunday, dear, I'll be a might busy with my sermons and duties all day."

"Oh, yes, sorry, I forgot. What about Monday then?"

"Sure. After ten? I have, well, I always counsel the couples about to marry and I have a session before that."

"Great. Drew?"

"I'll make sure you get here. Okay, Reverend Edith. A pleasure as always. You all do such good works. Thanks for the opportunity to serve."

"And thank all you ladies for coming. You made the unmanageable manageable."

They went out and climbed into the van. Drew didn't say anything. "What! No words of wisdom from our leader and guide?"

"Uh, no. I was hoping maybe you would tell me what you got out of it."

Amelia spoke up, hesitantly, "Well, I'm in school, or I was, and have worked some summer jobs and stuff so I don't have a lot of experience..."

"That's alright, Amelia, just tell us your impressions."

"Thanks, Tiff. Well, there seemed to be two groups. One group had been doing well in the world until something happened--divorce, illness, injury, or the layoff. There were a lot of folks talking about the plant closure. A lot were here because of that.

"They had their props knocked out from under them, but they were doing well before and seemed optimistic that this was temporary and if they could just get some help for a while, if they could get some help to get them back on their feet, they would be alright.

"The other group grew up poor, were poor now, and didn't seem to think there was any future or anything to look forward to. Life was a matter of survival; mostly relying on others or the government to get them through. Since they didn't see a brighter future, they weren't interested in going to school, looking for work, learning a trade.

"One woman told me that there was no point. Her mom lived like this, she lived like this and imagined her kids would live like this. It was pretty sad. I don't know, maybe I got it all wrong."

Victoria touched her arm and spoke, "No, Amelia, you got it all right. It shows the difference your parents and upbringing can make. That's the difference that generations of poverty can make. Folks give up hope. Some can escape and climb out of the pit," she looked at Drew, "but most stay in the pit with their family and friends."

"And there we have it, ladies and gentleman, Reverend Drew's lesson of the day. Right, Drew, we're in the first group temporarily down on our luck. We had something before--family, friends, a future--and we should be able to climb out and see the sunshine again, right, Rev?"

"I..."

Ronnie jumped out of the car and ran around to the driver's side and yanked on the handle, it was locked. "Drew Jackson, you unlock this door right now!" Drew complied and she flung open the door, grabbed Drew, kissed him long and hard, then hugged him and put her head on his shoulder.

"Drew Jackson, I love you more than anyone in my family and any man I've ever known. You are the most giving, most incredible person I have ever met and," stepping back, "I would make you marry my ass if you weren't so hung up on Miss Sunshine."

She started to tear up, "If you hadn't noticed Tiffany and stuck around to get beat up, Tiff would still be there and they never would have found the four of us either. You saved us, Drew; saved our lives and much more. Thank you." She kissed him again.

She climbed back in the seat, "That lip is kind of lumpy, Drew. No wonder she's staying clear of you. What is her problem anyway, Drew? She like eats happiness. Did she come that way?"

Drew hesitated, "I don't know the details and she will surely turn me to a bloody pile of protoplasm if you say anything, but she was a policeman who successfully arrested a number of gang members. They weren't too happy about that so apparently did the same to her that these other guys did to you all--only worse. She was tied up."

In a voice just above a whisper, "Oh, my God! She was on The Bed! No one gets away from The Bed!"

He shrugged, "That's my understanding. She's still in the pit and can't find a way out."

"Oh, God. That explains a lot. You have to help her, Drew. You have to. Force your way in." Then laughed, "But you'd better do it right 'cause she WILL pound you to a pile of mush if you mess up.

"I think what I would do is pat her on the ass next time you see her. Women like that you know, don't you agree, ladies?"

"Yeah, it shows that he has your best interests... in hand." They all laughed.

He smiled, "Good suggestion, Ronnie. I'll take under advisement."

They then sat quietly and pondered, as he drove, what it would have been like if Drew hadn't stumbled into things or hadn't agreed to help. With no room in the Center, and no money or anything, the odds are they would have been released onto the streets and ended up back where they started ... or worse.

The women perked up after dinner, watched some TV and went to bed. Drew waited until midnight then stood outside their door and turned on the remote controlled rat under the bed. He made it squeak once, again. "What was that?" Squeak, squeak.

"Holy crap there's a mouse in here or something and it sounds like it's under your bed!" By now they were all awake and Drew walked the rat out from under the bed. Squeak, squeak. "Who has a light! If I run for the door he'll bite me!"

"Here, I have that little penlight." Tiffany lit the floor and Drew turned the rat towards her and walked it in what he figured was her direction. "Okay, Isabella. You're the closest. Run for the door and flip on the light!"

"I don't feel good about this." Squeak, squeak.

"Come on. You're quick. Here I'll put my hand down and," Drew made the rat rush towards Tiffany. "Oh shit! Do you think it can climb up! Go, Isabella. Now! Before it climbs up."

Drew ran back to his room and locked the door, continuing to watch through the rat's view finder. Isabella ran over, flipped on the light, opened the door and ran down the hall. The rat went under the bed and the rest followed. They started banging on Drew's door. "DREW! There's a rat in the bedroom!" Squeak, squeak. "Oh, God, it's coming down the hall! Get it, get it! DREW!"

Drew stifled his laughter and pushed the button to make the eyes glow red and the whiskers move. Ronnie went over and picked it up and threw it against Drew's bedroom door. "Drew Jackson, we hate you! I take back all those nice things I said and I wouldn't marry your lumpy lipped ass if you were the last man on earth! And your mom would be so ashamed of you!"

Yelling through the door, "Now that one was uncalled for. And let me guess, she dresses me funny?"

"You are such a child!"

They stomped back to bed and slammed the door. But then laughed, "Can you believe he did that? I guess he had to make up for fixing the sheets yesterday."

He worked on and off through the night, ran, showered and made coffee and some breakfast. When the women came out in a clump, "Good morning, ladies. My you're looking chipper today."

"Shut up, Drew, it's too early for your cheeriness."

"Well, then you'll be glad to know that I'm going out for a bit. I... I think it's okay for you to go out and around the neighborhood or to the pool or whatever. Just, please, don't go alone and while you're here, keep the door locked."

"Remember, I keep it locked to keep people out, not you in. Here, I've made you keys. But I think we're pretty safe. Uh, and when I get back, I'd, uh, like to talk to you all for a bit. Adios, amigas!"

Two hours later he came back with some packages. "Alright, I have to put some stuff away, but why don't you all cluster around the couch and let me talk to you?"

He came out fifteen minutes later and three were on the couch and one on each arm--topless, only a thong on. "Yes, Drew?"

Drew didn't say anything, just grabbed a chair and sat down in front of them like he hadn't noticed anything. The girls posed a little and shared looks. "Alright, thanks for gathering here. Uh, you've been here a little over two weeks and I think you are doing fabulously as does Miriam and the other staff there.

"So, first of all, Ronnie," looking only at her face, "and the rest, if there is anything I am doing wrong or could do better, other than looking fit and naturally good looking, I mean I've kind of maxed out. No, sorry. You have to tell me if I'm messing up.

"Also, if there is something you would like to try, some place you would like to visit or see, other than like Mexico... at least for the time being. Tell me. If you want to go somewhere by yourselves and not have me tag along, tell me.

"Now, because you have done so well and because you've been so cooped up, I got you each an iPad. I didn't set them up, because you'll probably want to set up your own password, facial recognition and that stuff.

"Also I did not give you email addresses. So take a few minutes, set it up, let me know if you need help, and send me an email or a text. So I have it. I put my stuff in your contacts. But it's 'Drewisohsohot!. com.'"

They stared as he handed them out. "Oh, and you're each signed up with that book club so you can download and read as many romance novels as you like... or listen to them. I like the fantasy ones myself... oh, and Spotify so you can listen to music or podcasts or whatever."

"And here are some blue tooth headphones for each of you so you can all listen to your own things or watch your own shows. Whatever."

"Drew, no. You shouldn't... I mean you work so much now... and spent so much money..."

"It's fine. You five are worth every penny I can get my hands on. I still haven't quite maxed out my cards. And I could always knock over the Quickie Place down the street for a few bucks or meet some nice rich old lady.

"Anyway. You deserve it. Another step. I would caution you about social media because you never know who's going to stumble onto it. Right?

"Alright, the final thing for today. And I appreciate your patience and lack of verbal abuse... Since you're all doing so well, would you, I mean, do you think you would want to reach out to your families... or anyone..."

As one the women got up, went to the bedroom, put clothes on and came back out. "That was not the response I expected. Look, no pressure and I think there are two main ways we could approach it.

"And again, Ronnie, I admit I'm flying blind here, but I could call, tell them I'm like a social worker or something and tell them that you're alive, that bad things have happened and that you would like to talk to them. I could share as much or as little as you like. But that way they're over their initial shock and might be, I don't know, it might be easier.

"The second option is that you call and talk to them directly. And then we could consider hybrids or combos of the two. Thoughts? Too soon? Want to think about it and get back to me? Absolutely no pressure. No rush, you can do it a month from now. Or whenever.

"I think I would prefer the first option, but you know your families and... well, what the hell do I know?"

"Thank you, Drew. We need to talk."

"Did I..."

"Not with you, Drew. The five of us have to discuss this."

"Okay. I'm going to grab some lunch and then do a little work."

One by one he got texts: no, no, no, no, and a maybe from Tiffany.

At one o'clock Tiffany knocked and walked into Drew's office bedroom. "Drew, I think I'd like to call my mom. It's ten out there and she'd be up and, I don't know. I'm scared."

"I understand. Do you want me to be in here? Or I can go out and leave you alone... Whatever you think'll be easiest."

"Let me have your phone and then go join the girls or something."

"Okay. Good luck. Remember, it wasn't your fault. You did nothing wrong. And you are a wonderful, wonderful woman. Now relax and breathe."

She kissed his cheek. "Thanks, Drew."

She dialed her mom's number. "Hi, Mom, this is Tiff. How... No I didn't run away. Yes, I know I left the store in a lurch. No I couldn't call... Mom? Mom! No, I'm not sorry. MOM! SHUT THE FUCK UP AND LISTEN!

"Why didn't I call? Because I was I was drugged, thrown in a trunk and kidnapped, turned into a heroin addict and forced out on the street as a whore. Drew Jackson, I mean Anderson Jackson found me and rescued me.

"GOD DAMMIT, MOM! No! I'm not making it up! Yes I tried to escape, and was beaten senseless twice. He said if I did it again he would break my legs, tie me spread eagle on the bed and let his men get a quickie whenever they wanted. So I didn't try the third time.

"FUCK! DAMMIT, MOM! Enough! Oh, in case you're wondering, I'm still alive, I'm recovering and getting better." She disconnected. "FUUUUCK!"

Victoria turned to Drew, "Well that could have gone a little better. Maybe there is no going back, Drew. Get off you're friggin' ass and help her. Move it!"

Drew walked out, tapped on the door and went in. Without speaking he pulled her out of the love seat and hugged her. "Tiffany, I'm so sorry. I think your mom..."

"Don't make excuses for her, Drew. Please don't. Just hold me. Please just hold me." He pulled her to the love seat and held her close.

"Maybe there is no going back, Drew."

"Maybe she..." but he caught himself. No advice, just listen. "Maybe, but I hope there is." Tiffany buried her head on his chest and sobbed. Eventually she fell asleep and he lifted her, bent over and put her on his air mattress.

Then went out to see about patching up the others. This was not at all what he was hoping.

He still had a very subdued group later in the afternoon. He'd tried to explain that Tiff's mom was probably not like their moms, etc., etc. The ladies were still down in the dumps and worried about what their futures might look like. Too soon. He had really screwed things up. Dammit!

Finally having discussed their fears with the women, he sat at his computer and went to work as quietly as possible. The sky was dark when he felt hands on his shoulders and a kiss on his head. With tears in her voice, "Drew, I really need my friend with benefits again."

"Are you sure that's a good idea? I mean..."

"Please, Drew. This is not negotiable. I need closeness, contact, I need to feel the caring, concern and love you have for me. So, no words, no regrets, get your ass out of your friggin' chair and make me feel better."

He slowly rose and as he turned around she kissed him and pressed her naked breasts against his chest, never breaking the kiss until she finally shoved him down onto the air mattress and started taking off his clothes. "Drew, you need to get a real bed."

Two hours later she was asleep again. He silently got dressed and went back to work. She was incredible! Beautiful, soft, loving--he loved the way she felt and how wonderful it was to make love with her. But... he realized more than ever that he loved her to death--as a good friend. He loved her, but was not in love with her.

He hoped he wasn't complicating things or making things worse for the recovery. He shook his head knowing exactly what Miriam would say.

Back to work, but his first project was a fun one to see if he could perk up the girls. At midnight, plodding through lines of code, his phone lit up with a text--from Brie!

'Tiff, mom just told me you called and what happened. YOU'RE ALIVE! I have prayed twenty times a day that you were okay. God, I am so excited. YOU'RE ALIVE! Tiff, I went there and searched for you for two weeks, filed a missing persons thing in every town around, tried to find Anderson or his mom or Emily. I hired an investigator...'

'I'm sorry! I failed you. I couldn't find you. But now, let me know what you want me to do. What I can do to help. Anything. Where are you? I can be there tomorrow or send you money or a ticket. Please, Jared and I are not like mom. You know that. Call me. Call me! CALL ME! Please?'

'I'll never sleep again until I hear from you. PLEASE! Call me.'

Damn, could things get anymore complicated? He didn't really know Brie. She was a couple years younger than Tiffany and 'just a stupid sixth grader' when they left without a word. But... it felt right. He didn't think Tiffany would return the call, at least for a while, and if it worked it would help all five. If it didn't... he didn't even want to think about that.

Yup. Decision made. It was the right thing to do. He sent the five minute video of the girls in their thongs and lots of weapons, battling creatures together in a make believe battlefield to their iPads.

He'd tried to make them as anatomically correct as he could. Two could play this game. He took a poster of the five of them posing with their weapons and little else, showing the effects of leaning over on their, uh, assets with the headline, 'check your email' and pocketed his phone.

The poster went on the refrigerator along with the pictures of the women on the hike, at the church, watching TV, laying on their beds flipping him off. Everyday photos of everyday things. Then quietly opening the door, he went outside and dialed the number, "Hello, Brie? This is Anderson. I... well, I don't know exactly where to start..."

He felt better after the call. Brie was so excited, so thrilled to hear something that she kept breaking down on the phone. The space where Tiffany had been in Brie's life had never closed. Not even a tiny bit. If anything, that space had expanded--taken over a large part of her life. No closure, not even any thoughts of closure.

Drew emphasized that Tiffany had changed and was still pretty fragile, but Brie said nothing mattered except that she was alive and would do everything she could to help her get better.

She could send her money if she didn't want to come home, or Brie said she would move to where Anderson was to join her and take care of her. Anything, anything at all because she knew Tiff would do the same for her. Jared would too, but he was in Japan out in the boonies somewhere, doing something with some kind of animal and there must not be any phone service.

Their plans were finalized. He went to sleep on the couch for a while and then went in to work. Tiffany was gone. At first light, run, shower, coffee, work.

Then "DREEEW! You are one sly mother whatever. Girls get out here and look at what the sick mind of this sick monster has created now! 'Oh, I'm so cool, I'm not even looking.' Bullshit! You've got that scar on Ronnie's thigh way up there; Amelia's mole on her breast, and..."

"It's like a photograph or something. Our nipples are right, our hands, even those ugly feet of yours Victoria. Dang your toes are so long... Drew this is remarkable. BUT YOU'RE STILL AN ASS! In fact, you should drop the '-son' off your name and switch it to '-ass.'"

"Oh, good one, Ronnie. Have you fine ladies happened to check your iPads? Never mind, I'll just send it to the TV." He went to his room, locked the door and sent the video to the TV. The women were silent as they watched, but he heard the whispers, "Holy crap! How does he do that? It's... it's freaky. It looks just like us running around doing things."

"Yeah, with no clothes on!" They pounded on his door. "Come out here and take like a man, Drew Jackson!"

"I am taking it like a man; I'm hiding in my room."

"My boobs do not bounce that much!"

"Sorry, Amelia, but to be honest, I haven't really seen you leaping and running around without some support. I'll take it up with management."

"And if you're going to make pornos for those trolls that live in the dark and play these things, the least you could have done is even out my breasts."

"That'll be in the next version. This is just the beta. Okay, what about this one..." A new version popped onto the screen; once again, the strong, powerful clothed women he had placed on the refrigerator. The women watched themselves overcome obstacles, rescue captives, kill horrible beasts through skill, cunning, confidence and working together.

They watched in silence and sat for a moment as the the words covered the final scene 'THIS IS WHO YOU WERE. BE THAT PERSON AGAIN!'

The women had perked up. And they started giving him crap, "So, Drew, did anything interesting happen last night?"

He forced himself not to look at, Tiffany, "No. went to sleep, worked, went out for a run..." He shrugged.

"Yeah, okay, stud muffin. I heard it last night, 'Oh, Drew, you are the best and you're so big! Ouch, be gentle, baby."

He turned red. "Yup, we all heard it."

Tiffany interrupted, "Drew, can I borrow the van? Remember, I'm supposed to go help the Reverend with the books since Charles isn't around.

"Oh crap, that's right. Uh, no. You don't have a license or ID so if you get stopped or breakdown... uh, not that that piece of crap would ever break down. Tell you what. What if I take you there, then I have to run out and do some errands and shopping. You're going to be a while, and I suspect you won't finish it today."

"Surely, it can't..."

"Trust me. Charles did not have it under control."

As they drove to the church, "Drew, thanks for letting me cry on your shoulder. My mom...

"You can't really expect folks to be more than they are, I guess kind of like my dad. Sorry it was so hard on you. Not what you expected, I'm sure. It kind of set the others on edge too."

"But then you helped me, us, feel better. Last night, your videos this morning... Drew, thank you." She reached over the console and kissed his cheek. "Of course, now I don't know what I'm going to do."

"There's time to figure it out, Tiff. Hell, it'll take more time than that to get Charles' stuff straightened up."

"Drew... what do you know that I don't know?"

"I know Charles and the Reverend. Here, let me walk you in and find the Rev, then I have to head off.

"Drew, I hate to ask, but it sounds like they're not using any software for their books. Could I... damn, you've already done so much..."

"Sure." He pulled out his wallet and handed her a credit card. "Get whatever you need to get the shelter on track. My only recommendation would be to keep it simple.

"You know, something designed for home use, amateurs, not accountants. I don't think their computer experience is very sound. They do such good work here. A lot of the funding comes from the church, but there are a number of donors..."

"Like you."

"And fund raisers and things. But it's, uh, very loosely managed. So let me walk you in and get you going, then I'm going to run and do some stuff. Oh, here's the Rev now."

Drew drove the hour to the airport and waited. Blue shirt, blue jeans, 49'ers hat. Should be easy to spot as she comes out--or not. The plane was late, of course, but finally a large clump of passengers came through at once because of multiple landings.

He looked around trying to find someone. A fairly short woman with blond hair running down from underneath a cap stood to one side looking anxiously around. Maybe. He walked over, "Excuse me Miss, but are you..."

"Anderson!" She jumped into his arms and hugged him. "Thank you for calling. I was scared to death that after what Mom said, she would never call."

"To be honest, I don't think she would have. The call kind of set the whole group back."

"I wish she'd have called me first. Mom is... limited, very limited. But I have missed 'T' so much!"

"Okay. So, I haven't told her I talked to you..."

"Because my dumb ass sister might have said no, but you and I both know she needs me."

"Right."

Looking him up and down, "Hell, Anderson, you're a friggin' giant. I mean I remember you were kind of tall back then, but now... So are you two..."

"Just friends, yes. Let's say close friends. So let me get your bag, the car is this way."

It was still raining hard as they dashed across the lot to the van. "What's with this rain, Drew. It's like some kind of monsoon or something."

"Just regular rain. It'll be here a few days they said. You don't get rain?"

"We're in southern California, you know, 'It never rains in Southern California?' No, eh? So you call this bucket of bolts a car?"

He laughed. "Best I could do when I suddenly inherited five women to take care of."

"Oh, poor Anderson. Five women strutting around his condo. Must be hell. Are they as pretty as my sister?"

"Well they..." They both laughed. They conversed easily on the drive. Brie looked at him sideways every time he sidestepped a question, but Drew figured less was better. Tiffany and the others could share as much or little as they wanted.

Pulling up to the shelter office. "So, Brie, I know you're in a hurry, but give me about five minutes. I want to show her your texts and then while she's giving me hell, you can walk in. Sound okay."

"Risky, but no other choice at this point. Okay."

"But first, what did your mother tell you?"

"A bunch of crazy stuff about kidnapping, drugs, prostitution, getting beat up. Sounded nuts, I mean I figured..."

"All true, and worse, but you didn't hear it from me. The four other girls and Tiff went through hell and back and are a family."

"So don't be surprised if she wants to stay with them. Reasonable. So what's their plan, I mean, how far along..."

"They're only a little more than two weeks down the road. They're doing well, but... I asked if anyone wanted to call home and only your sister said yes. The response she got from your mother kind of put a damper on things."

"My mom is so stinking stupid. God she pisses me off sometimes. So, I say... happy to see you, love, love, emotional support, no pressure to do anything." Smiling, "And blame you if it turns to stool."

"Interesting term."

"I'm a nurse. So get your ass in there and let's get on with it. I am so friggin' excited! I hope she is."

Drew walked into the office. Tiff was surrounded by stacks of papers and an ancient computer, busily entering numbers into the software screens.

"So, just about done?" She looked at him and saw he was smiling.

"You were right, Drew, and this computer--well it's not worth a hoot. I downloaded software. Here's your card and have been loading stuff in."

"Great. I, uh, Tiffany, I may have messed up." He pulled out his phone and showed her the texts from Brie.

"These are from midnight! Why didn't you tell me? Drew, dammit, how could you not show me this!"

There was a knock on the door, Brie walked in, "Well, big sis, aren't you going to say hi?"

Before Tiff could even fully stand up, Brie had her enveloped in her arms."Oh, 'T', God how I've missed you. And I tried, I tried so hard to track you down... I ran out of money and could only make phone calls."

Pushing her away, "Let me look at you." She ran her fingers along Tiff's arm noting the scars and thickenings. "Oh, 'T', it must have been so awful. Are you..."

"No! Hell no. Still on some meds, but the worst is over. Brie, if you only knew what I've done..."

Brie put a finger on her sister's mouth. "You didn't have a choice. You are the victim. Not your fault. No blame. No guilt. YOU ARE A-FUCKING-LIVE! And that is all that matters. Lots of decisions to make about the future. But, 'T'! You HAVE a future! No rush. Just concentrate on getting better. I guess you're getting some counseling?"

She glanced at Drew who nodded. "And I hope the Jolly Green Giant over here has been taking good care of you. No human should be that tall."

Tears filled Tiff's eyes. "Drew saved me, Brie. He saved all of us. If he hadn't recognized me, if he hadn't taken us in, we would have ended up back on the street. I... I'd still be there!" she grabbed Brie again and started sobbing.

"Brie! I have missed you and Jared so much. I didn't think I would ever see you ever again! I..." she started sobbing on Brie's shoulder and Brie stroked her hair.

"It'll get better, big sis. You are the strongest person I know. You can do this! And I am here, if you want, to help you and your friends any way I can. I am a nurse, you know, and we're pretty stinkin' smart.

"Not like computer nerds. The crap those guys do in their rooms is just sick!" Tiff chuckled slightly, but then sobbed and couldn't stop. The pain, the sorrow, the helplessness, the nightmare all burst forth as she held her sister.

Drew guided them to a couch, saved and closed everything on the computer and then went outside--and did some work. New software, new computer for the shelter... No, wait, he had an old one in the closet, a monitor, keyboard, mouse. Hot damn--cost free and much better than anything he would have bought.

Drew ran to the van and pulled it as close as he could. An hour later when the two emerged he opened the door. "Get on the bench seat." He went back and locked up, climbed in and drove back to the condo. Still raining, they ran up the steps, Drew unlocked the door and Tiff and Brie went in arms around each other.

"What the heck, Tiff. You spend the night with Brainiac and you leave for a few hours and come back with a girlfriend." Ronnie looked up and saw Drew slicing his neck. "Oops."

Brie looked at Tiff and then Drew and laughed. "Well, ladies, sounds like my big sis and Stretch have a lot of explaining to do. Hi, I'm Brie, 'T's' sister. And you all are the other members of the club. Let's see it was Isabella, Amelia, Victoria and Ronnie. Isn't Ronnie the one you kept talking about, Anderson?"

"Uh..."

"Well, that Anderson was always a liar. He said you all were a homely bunch and real heavy and it was horrible to have you gals struttin' around around the condo in tee shirts and crap. Isn't that what you said, Anderson?"

She winked at the ladies while Drew choked, then, "No. I believe you misheard me. I said they were exceptionally beautiful and it looked like the surgeons had done a remarkable job."

Brie laughed, "Anderson, I had my doubts about you on the drive to the shelter or whatever that place was, but I might actually end up liking you. But ladies, my heart goes out to you all bein' cooped up here with him."

"Yea, Drew's a piece of work. Should have seen what he came up with this morning."

"Now, that was not intended for public distribution, well except for what I hope will be the millions of 'trolls' that buy the software. And in the Special Features at the end..."

"What the heck is this Drew stuff."

"That's Antonia's doing. She was told her blind date's name was Andy."

"Cute name for a ten year old."

"Yup, that's what she thought. She saved his life, figured his name was Andrew, hence Drew, and since Anderson is cumbersome, it stuck. They're in kind of a love/hate thing. We're trying to decide whether she's going to rip his clothes off or rip his limbs off. It's a toss up."

"Well she sounds like a woman who knows how to handle a man. I'm gonna have to stick around long enough to meet her. Dreeew, honey, would you get me some damned coffee and something to eat before I rip your friggin' limbs off!"

They all chuckled. Stepping towards Tiff and taking her hands. "Tiff this is a wonderful crew you've been with and I can tell by the shared looks that you all have, uh, been through a lot together, share a special bond and need to stay together at least for a while. Am I right, ladies?" Nods of agreement all around.

Winking at the four, "Now, I'm a little afraid to inquire about the sleeping arrangements, but... seriously 'T' is there room for me? Or, if it's easier for you I can go to a hotel or... for God's sake, please just don't make me sleep with Ander... I mean, Drew. No, really, 'T', whatever you want."

"You're sleeping with me and if you leave before I give you permission, I..." She teared up and hugged her again never wanting to let go, "Brie, I love you so much and missed you... I thought... I thought I'd never see you again."

She held her tight. "I'm not going anywhere until you tell me to scram. Remember, you are the victim, it wasn't your choice, no blame, no guilt, no self-judgment. Okay. And that goes for the rest of you.

"Oh, you know Jared would have come. He looked all over the place with me, but he's in Japan studying the mating habits of some kind of animal or something. Hell, I don't even know what he's studying anymore. Anyway, I left messages. I don't think they have cell service."

Looking over Tiffany's shoulder, "Hold on! What in the hell is that on the refrigerator! It looks like, no it IS the five of you with almost nothing on! Damn! Drew, you did that? Talented, but you're one sick monkey. Bring my stuff into the bedroom, the girls and I have some talking to do."

Drew continued to smile. This was working out better than expected, but his brow creased with concern, "And then there were six..." He felt a hand on his arm and turned. "Uh, Tiffany, I hope..."

She stepped closer and kissed his lips, briefly and squeezed him to herself. "Drew, thank you. I will say it every day--thank you. But we're all getting worried about YOU. We know this is costing you a fortune and you're working... shit, Drew, you're working all the time just trying to keep up. We'd like to help somehow. You don't have to do this alone!"

"I... I feel more like we're doing this 'together.' Sure money's tight, but this is only the third week! It's not like we can even get you a job making fries at the burger place, I mean none of you have any ID's or anything. Maybe tomorrow we could start working on that, see if we can get your birth certificates, driver's licenses replaced--get your identities and place in society back. What do you think?"

"Great idea, but more money."

"Not much, in the big scheme of things. Oh, and if you are going to go back to the shelter, I have a computer, monitor and all that which is ten times better than a new one I'd buy. Maybe we could put the software on that... save you a lot of time and we can back everything up to thumb drives.

"Great, Drew, but it's time to think about Drew. What Drew wants, what Drew needs. Is it Toni?"

"I don't know, Tiff. That seems like a lost cause, but I do need to check in on Sam and see if Sophie needs anything else for this semester--she's in summer school and working--but not making enough to cover it all, even with grants, loans, scholarships."

"So, you've been looking after them this whole time and now us? When is there time for Drew?"

"Look, Tiff, seeing you all get better is a gift and help enough; seeing Sam and Soph, and Bryan, be happy and successful; well, that's enough for now. 'Drew's time' is some time in a couple of years or so. So, it's fine, Tiff. It's fine, everything is fine. I've got it all under control."

"That's not true, Drew. We all know you're missing something right," she patted his chest, "here. Anyone of us would do whatever we could to fix that, but it's not going to be one of us, is it? We're getting better, we'll be out of your hair soon..."

"And if I'm being honest, Tiff, I want you all to resume your lives, whatever form that may take, but, Lord, I'm going to miss you all."

"We've only talked a little, I think we're afraid. The thought of leaving each other... the thought of leaving you... the thought that there is no place for us in our old world. None of us even wants to think about those things.

"This feels right, Drew... This is home... This is family. And we just don't want to think about what happens in a couple of weeks or so. Thank you for doing that."

"Make sure they all understand there is no time limit, no deadline, there is no rush. If you all or some of you need to stay for a few months or longer--that's fine. If you decide to stick around here and need a place to stay while you're getting established, well, that's fine. Whatever it takes.

She gave him a quick kiss. "Well, let me rejoin the crew and, yes, I'd like to go to the shelter tomorrow. More rain so..."

"So, work on ID's and skating. "

"Skating?"

"Yup. Roller skating. I figured that would be pretty safe. Here, take this to Brie if you will."

"Okay, Ladies. It's Friday, the end of week three and time to visit with your favorite women at the Center. And because they know that you are feeding them a lot of crap, they have changed the times to nine for the first batch. So rise and shine."

Brie propped herself up on her elbows, "Girls, he IS an ass just like you said. And dammit, 'T', how the hell you let that stretched out, skinny assed guy do... well, I'm still in shock." The girls chuckled. "Drew is coffee ready? Good, now scram. You're not going to hang around and go peeking at me in a tee shirt with no bra and put my picture on the fridge. Nope, ain't happenin'.

"So you just turn around and march out that door and let us make our selves beautiful," looking at the others, "and of course that only takes a couple of minutes for we beauties, right girls?" They all laughed as did Drew as he closed their door. "He does have sort of a cute little ass, doesn't he? NOT YOU, DREW. WE WERE TALKING ABOUT SOMEONE ELSE."

"So, 'T', was it really all bone or could you just wrap your arms around, put a hand on each cheek and just," she cupped her hands above her pelvis and violently thrust her hips forward with each, "uh, uh, uh...

Tiff used her legs to shove her out of the bed, but Brie was laughing so hard she just rolled out onto the floor and continued laughing. Tiffany jumped on her laughing as well. The others joined them. "Damn I'm glad you're here, Brie." A good start to the morning.

Off to the Center, the women went back to talk to the counselors, Brie wandered around while Drew worked, but returned and waited with him. At noon they all came out together, wagged their fingers at Drew and pointed at the door. "Time to see Miriam, make sure you show her a good time." She thrust her hips forward, "uh... uh... uh..."

The women and Brie all cracked up and laughed aloud; Drew just looked at her with a smile, "Sure, Ronnie. Not likely."

"Oh, come on, Drew. We know it'll only take you about a minute to finish."

"Or less, but that's a minute too long." All the women laughed along with him.

He walked through the doors and into the office. "Top o' the mor... well I guess it's not morning anymore. Good afternoon, Miriam. Questions?"

"So you screwed things up, but fixed them."

"I think it's more like I screwed things up and then improved them."

"Yes you did. Brie sounds like an interesting addition."

"Yup. She brings a lot of life to the party."

"Antonia?"

"No comment."

She nodded. "Why don't you send Brie back so I can meet her and I'll see you next Friday."

Drew smiled, "Sure thing."

He walked through the doors, "Oh, Brie. The headmistress would like a few words. Something about bony asses."

Brie turned to the others, "He heard that?"

"We told you, he hears everything. Freaky."

Brie approached, "First door on the right." Brie smiled and went in.

A half hour later she came out, hair a mess, clothes all wrinkled and partially unbuttoned, rubbing her face. The girls jumped up, Tiffany stepped forward, "Brie, what on earth happened?"

"Well, since quick shot wouldn't service her, I had to. The things I do for you, 'T'. Where's the darn restroom so I can wash my face?" The women stared for a moment that roared with laughter as her words sank in... as did Miriam in her office. Drew smiled.

Brie straightened herself and they all walked outside and noted Antonia leaning against the van. Ronnie whispered, "It's Antonia." Then sarcastically, "Oh, yea."

As the group approached, Antonia straightened. Brie stepped ahead. "You must be Antonia. Good to meet ya. I'm Brie, Tiffany's sister. I have heard so much about you and it's nice to put a face on things." Antonia glanced at Drew. "No, no, not from mister strong and silent over there. He never says a word. So, Drew, what wonders do you have planned for this afternoon."

"I am so glad you brought that up, Brie. First, we have a stimulating lecture on self defense for women focusing on prevention--lunch will be provided--followed by another lecture and demo, and then the afternoon will be topped off with an exhilarating activity.

"All those in favor?" No hands went up. "Great, the motion carries. Antonia, I could maybe use your help on the first one. Well, you might want to go to all of the sessions."

Smiling, "I'll see. Will the women be losing their lunches as a result of your lecture?" The women looked at Drew and smiled.

"Uh, well, my sisters didn't when they got the lecture and they got it more than once. You know, occasional updates as additional information became available."

"Of course."

"But no promises. So let's head over to the picnic bench."

They walked over shaking their heads and Drew put a variety of food and drink on the table. "So let me first say that none of this is really based on you all. Except for Isabella, I don't know where you all got drugged or taken or the circumstances...

"So first is situational awareness...

"So, Drew, in summary, before we fall asleep from this stimulating lecture..."

"Uh, sure. So, situational awareness, always be aware of what's going on around you; pay attention, don't be distracted; trust your instincts, trust your gut; stand tall and confidently, eye contact; maintain your personal space; no means no; recognize lures or manipulations; never hesitate to yell or ask for help; never let your attacker take you to a secondary place if you can prevent it; use simple weapons."

"Anything about first dates in dive bars, Drew?"

He locked eyes with Antonia, "Ordinarily, Ronnie, you should meet to have coffee or something in a very public space instead of a sleazy bar in a place you don't want to be, but then I wouldn't have met six remarkable women, oh, and you Ronnie."

Half a sandwich hit him in the face. Laughing and turning his gaze to Ronnie, "Baseball?" She nodded. "Seven remarkable women."

"Or look like someone put a hose up your nose and blew up your face."

"He looked like that girl on Willie Wonka that had to go to the juicer."

"Okay, time for the next adventure. Antonia, we could probably use your help as a former policewoman. Could you follow us? It's not far."

"Sure."

Brie spoke up, "I'll go with Toni and meet you all there. So, Toni..."

Drew drove fifteen minutes and pulled up at a gun range. "Ladies, how many of you have fired a pistol before?" No hands.

"And we don't want to do it today."

"Sure you do. I am not suggesting that we stop on the way home, but... number one it's fun and number two you never know when it may come in handy. You know, your in the wilderness and your guide breaks his arm and a rabid bear shows up..."

"Oh, yeah, then. Of course. Makes perfect sense."

"First, in a few moments they will give you a gun safety course and teach you all the ins and outs. Then we go to the range inside and you get to make holes in targets.

"Can we put your face on those targets?"

"Funny you should mention that. I actually have a number of targets with my face on them." He showed them targets with a picture of himself grinning."

"Drew, what the hell is wrong with you?" But they all smiled and chuckled.

"Oh, and if you'd prefer, here's one from prom."

They looked it and howled. "Drew! A dork! You look like..."

"Cute and cuddly?"

"NO! Is that what your date said?"

"Hot, yes, she said I was ever so hot, but, uh," he looked sad for a moment, "Sophie got sick, mom was working so I, uh, I took her to the ER and she had her appendix out. My date... well, doesn't matter. Oh, such memories. Come on, it'll be fun."

"Sorry, Drew. I think my brother would have waited until after the date."

"Yeah, mine too."

They filed out of the van, each one putting a hand on Drew's shoulder as she went by with a look to say how sorry they were for him. But the grousing and grumbling resumed as they met Toni and Brie who were laughing as they got out of her Camry. They all looked at the two suspiciously. "Did you two stop for drinks on the way over?"

"No, 'T', just talking."

Antonia looked at Drew. "So turning them into an armed militia?"

"No, just information and a new skill--and fun." She nodded.

They walked through the door and up to the counter. "Toni! Lord, girl it seems like a million years since I've seen you. You taking the course too? Need some practice?" He came around and gave her a quick hug.

"No Lester, not shooting much since I left the force. But I would like to sit in while you entertain these folks if that's alright."

"Sure, sure." Winking, "If you promise not to point out all of my mistakes. Maybe you can give me a hand when we pass out the guns and clips, oh, and back on the range."

"Sure, you'll have to speak real slow for that tall one." Drew smiled. Progress?

"So wasn't that fun? And just think, now, if a rat happened to show up in your bedroom one night..." Tiffany leaned closer shoved him sideways.

"All those that enjoyed it raise your hands." No hands. "So, Antonia, I bought a bunch of frozen fish sticks I was going to throw in the microwave until they got real soft and mushy. You're welcome to come over for some."

Antonia smiled and stared at him once again, always bright, always sunny, but there was some sadness buried in there, something poisoning the aura that surrounded him.

Sadness that popped out from time to time. Lost opportunities? Lost choices? Responsibilities? She wanted know what they were; grab them and pull them out of him... another switch turned green. NO!

"Drew, I swear, you'd eat a dead possum off the road."

"Thanks, Amelia."

"As delightful as that sounds, Drew..."

"You have a place you have to be..."

A brief look of sadness flashed across Antonia's face. "Right. I am working on that thing you asked. Not as easy as I thought. But I'll keep working at it. Oh, and I'll see you tomorrow. Nine?"

He nodded. "Thanks. Thanks for today and all the other things."

"So, the six of you climb in the van. Let's figure out what you want for dinner. If I see a semi-ripe possum or raccoon I'll stop. Maybe a squirrel... no, they're too small..."

A protein bar hit him in the head. "What the hell is at nine tomorrow, Drew, honey?"

All right, ladies! It's Saturday morning, glad to see you're all dressed, the sun is shining and we have to be at the park by nine or Antonia will be very, very mad. And I think you will agree with me that that is a very scary thing to imagine.

"Grab some coffee, feel free to water it down with one of those disgusting creamers if you want, grab a bagel and let's head out in about fifteen minutes."

"How can he be so stinkin' happy early in the morning?"

"Oh, come on, girls, he's doing this for us." Brie winked at them, "I'm sure he'd much rather be in the dark making those porno things of his. This could be fun depending on how Antonia feels today. I'm sure he'll be the dummy."

"He's always the dummy."

A half hour later they were on a field at the park. "So, ladies, your erstwhile leader has asked me to teach you all a little self defense. The things he told you yesterday were," she looked at Drew, "were absolutely correct and right on the mark. Remember them, they could save your life.

"But if prevention doesn't work you need to know a few things you can try. Remember, men can be tall, short, skinny, fat, old young--but the odds are they are still stronger than you! So you have to stay calm, use your wits, be faster than they expect... And remember! Your goal is to disable him so you can escape.

"A wounded bear will eat you. You have to wound him enough to have time to get away or wound him enough that he can't come after you. Some of the suggestions are very counter intuitive.

"Drew, thank you for volunteering, when someone grabs you, the tendency is to hit him in the chest. You've all seen the shows where the woman pounds the guy in the chest," she punched Drew in the chest.

He stepped backwards, but Victoria put her foot out and he stumbled and fell down. All the women smiled at that, "Drew, I swear you flop easier than the guys in the NBA trying to draw a foul." He glanced at Victoria who was looking away with a grin on her face.

"But, please note, only his pride is hurt. Thank you, Victoria. He's not hurt and ready to return for action. Chest, arms, legs, jaw--don't waste your time. Drew got hit three times in the face, his lip was split and he got back up to defend me."

She stared at him remembering. No one had ever done that, especially knowing he would get a beating for trying. Dammit, Drew! "Eyes, nose, throat, solar plexus, balls. Those are your targets. Two fingers to the eye, your fist or heel of your hand to the nose, fist or edge of your hand to the throat, and anything to the balls.

"Now, ladies, speaking of the family jewels, the tendency is to punch straight in. Wrong. Where is your clit? Well, dicks are in the same place and unlike our little princesses, dicks are tough. Guys beat the hell out of them, I swear from the time they find it as a little kid, and they never get sores, or bruised or anything." The women laughed at that and Drew smiled. "Am I right, Drew?"

"Yup."

"So if I punched him straight in..." she threw a punch that just touched his shorts and she imagined what was underneath.

"It wouldn't hurt him because he has a pair of socks in his drawers to make himself feel more manly."

"Probably right, Isabella." They all laughed and Antonia smiled to herself as he took the ribbing. Like a close knit, loving family. She wondered how he was with his real family. Despite the sadness or whatever it was, he was comfortable with himself.

Drew shook his head and smiled, "Thank you, Iz. I didn't think you'd noticed."

"We all wondered why you had so many socks." He chuckled again.

"So, if you want to stop him, hit him lower, about where your opening is. But as you've probably noted, some men have tight sacks that snug everything up high and others have way too much fabric and they hang low. So, if I were to punch Drew.."

"Which would be no problem since I've sucked them up inside like a Sumo wrestler..."

Antonia grinned, "Care to test that, Drew?"

"Er, no."

"So if I punched him, I might or might not hit the magic pain beads. Sometimes it's better to hit with an open hand. Like this!" She simulated swatting him hard and once again imagined holding him and feeling it get hard. she shook her head to clear her thoughts, but the women noticed the pause.

"Now with a knee or your foot, remember you're not aiming for the front, you want to go between, like this!" She grabbed the front of Drew's shirt, pulled him close and brought her knee up between his legs and held it there as he looked into her eyes.

"That's a nice pair of socks there, Drew." The women lost it. Taking one final look, click another red one turned green. No! If the barriers broke, the memories, the nightmares would overwhelm her. She couldn't let that happen.

"So let me show you some specifics."

Drew walked Antonia to her car. "Thank you for this, Antonia. I think it was a lot better than having some guy at the workout or karate place demonstrate things. I brought some lunch then we're going to the shelter to help out for a while. People needing help helping others sort of thing?

"Not your cup of tea. Okay. If we don't see you before, we will see you Saturday, right?"

"I'll try, Drew. It's just..."

"It's fine, Antonia. No pressure."

The ladies were tired, but whipped together some oven fried chicken in the oven, baked potatoes in the microwave, a bag of frozen peas, and some brownies from a mix. Didn't take long and they all took showers and relaxed. More and more they off loaded Drew who had done nearly everything the first two weeks.

"You ladies have had a busy weekend so far..."

"And we're not doing anything tomorrow, Drew."

"Really, I thought..."

"NO!"

"Actually, you need to study the signs and study for your drivers' tests. You each have appointments at the DMV Monday morning, fear not, it's until ten.

"What!"

Brie spoke up, "Another step ladies. Another step on the road. Great idea, Drew."

By ten they were all in bed. Drew worked with his door closed waiting... waiting... finally, "AHHHHH! There's something moving in my bed! Someone help me! I'm afraid to move." One of them flipped on the light and the others stood at the bunk bed watching a lump move under the covers.

"Oh, for God's sake, it's probably just..." Victoria burst out laughing, "Probably just a cute little box turtle. I wonder where he got that?"

"We don't have those, do they bite?"

"Nope." She picked it up and everything got tucked into the shell as the turtle hid itself. "See? I swear! How does he do it? One thing after another to make us laugh. Damn, we are so lucky, well, lucky they found us, but really lucky we ended up here, with him and all of us together..."

They all teared up and held each other, even Brie joined the crew. Brie knew how unusual this was. Three weeks down the line the folks she'd seen were still wandering with no idea of where they were going to go, what they were going to do, what was going to become of them? True, these women all came from functional, happy lives, but still.

"So, let's just act like nothing happened. Let's put this guy in the closet and let Wonder Boy stew in there and wonder what happened."

"Good idea."

Used to being at work by six thirty, Brie was up at five and wandered out to get some coffee. Drew was in working and she got up and wandered in with her cup, "Making pornos this morning, Drew?"

"Nope, trying to find the glitchy code. Have to kind of go line by line and figure out... Well, doesn't matter." Looking at her expectantly, "Did everyone sleep okay? I mean, I thought I heard some noise, but I was sleeping so..."

"Nope, no, uneventful. I think everyone was worn out. That was a great thing you and Antonia did. And," stroking his face, "Casanova, I think you may be putting some cracks in that shell of hers."

"I don't know. She throws such mixed signals."

"Nah, she looked at you too much and I think she just wanted like hell to grab onto those jewels of yours." She used her hand to illustrate and laughed.

Drew just looked at her, "Yea, sure."

"Have faith, little Drew." She laughed again, "Sorry to interrupt. Guess I'll have some cereal. You need to go do your run and stuff, don't you? May make those meaningless things you're staring at make sense.

"Oh, just a little something for you to chew on while you run; if you break that shell and start pulling out that shining person, yes I heard about the tee shirt, a whole lot of blackness is going to come out with it. I just hope she, and you, can work your way through it. She's may need more 'Drew' than these five combined I think."

"Well, that should add an extra five miles at least to my run. What happened to the turtle?"

"What turtle?"

He laughed as he went out the door and started running.

As soon as he was gone, she grabbed the turtle out of the shower, hurried over to the woods and let it go.

"Congratulations, ladies, you now all have driver's licenses." Looking in the rear view mirror, "But, Isabella, I didn't realize your father was an American."

"Is that a problem, Drew?"

"No, uh, not at all, but I guess I'll have to sit down with you and find out about the story, I mean if you want to share."

"Sure." She elbowed Amelia next to her and took off her tee and bra. "We can do it now if you want."

"Sure, how..." He looked in the mirror and saw her topless... and choked. Brie looked at him, then at Isabella then back at Drew and started howling.

"Isabella, you should see how red his face is! I swear it looks like he's been out in the desert for days." She reached over and touched his arm, "Oh, poor Drew. The ladies played a funny ON HIM for a change."

Recovering and clearing his throat, making sure he didn't look in the mirror, "So, ladies, congratulations again, you all have your licenses, but, oh my! You have no where to put them.

So, why don't we go to the store and you all can get a wallet and purse and then start cramming your purse full of all that crap that girls put in there. Guess we have to get 'stuff' too. You know, combs, tissues, keys, old gum wrappers, chap stick. That tiny raincoat, one of those shiny survival blankets... Stuff, so much stuff. My sisters..."

"You went through your sisters' purses?"

"No, Amelia. As you can imagine that's an executable offense. They would dump them out every two years or so and we would pack the stuff into boxes...

"Drew!"

"I did look in them once, I was searching for a... a missing turtle."

"A turtle! That's just crazy! Who would ever bring a box turtle into the house?"

"Aha, Isabella! So there was a turtle. You knew it was a box turtle."

"No, I'm simply saying that turtles belong outside and no one who didn't carry an extra pair of socks with him would..." The women all laughed and Drew smiled.

"Enough said. I was going to select them myself, but Brie wisely, suggested that my fashion sense was questionable and 'no, it's not cute to make them all the same.' So... which store should we..."

"Drew, no. That's more money..."

"It's another step on the path and," putting a hand on his heart, "it would bring me so much joy..."

"So how long did your mom hold you under water?"

As they walked to the van, "Excellent choices, ladies. Didn't realize it would take so long and so many stores, but... great choices. Now for something to put in them other than just your license, I have a prepaid debit card for one hundred dollars, sorry Brie, not for you, a key to the condo on a colorful key ring, oh, and a picture of me to put, you know in that clear plastic sleeve? I actually stapled one into my sisters' wallets."

One by one they stepped up, hugged him and kissed his cheek--the tears in their eyes matched those of Drew and Brie.

"Drew, can I drive this piece of crap home? It's been so long..."

"Uh, sure, Victoria."

"Here, Drew, why don't you sit up front with her?"

Winking, "Oh, no, Brie. That's your seat, I'll be better off in the back." A punch to the arm pushed him sideways.

"Drew Jackson! You are a real ass. You drive like some sixteen year old and you have doubts about me?" She reached out and hugged him, "But I love you so much for what you've done and will send you thanks every day. Now get your ass up front!"

"Alrighty there, ladies, the counselors have a whole new battery of questions for you. I am going to sit right. Over. Here. And do some work while you're back there."

The girls looked at him, Ronnie grabbed his sleeve, "The keys, Junior! We're not going to go home to one of your Friday night specials!." He reluctantly handed them to her. "Here, Brie. You hang on to them and don't let Funnyman do anything he shouldn't."

"Sure thing."

The ladies marched through the double doors and were gone. Drew sat down to work, "What the hell are you doing, Drew? We have to go do that sheet thing you were going to do. And I got these little candies that taste like all sorts of disgusting stuff. Come on!"

Drew chuckled, "Great minds..."

"Don't give yourself too much credit there, Drew."

They drove back and went to work. "You do those top bunks, they're too hard to reach...

"Great, now let's put a piece of this candy on each bed. I unwrapped the original ones and rewrapped them in a specialty chocolate wrapper. Let's see, there's vomit, rotten egg, ear wax, skunk, and rotten fish. One for each, but we can't put them on their pillows now.

"Tell you what, just before bed, I'll say that the sink is all clogged up and you can come back and fix it..."

At noon, the women came out shaking their heads and hooked their thumbs towards the door. "Wasted another Friday morning, the scary lady wants to see you." They grinned.

He walked through the doors and to the office. "Miriam, good to see you again."

"So smooth sailing like usual?"

"Like usual, but not necessarily smooth. We have a party for Tiffany, my mother and one of my sisters tomorrow. A little surprise during it, but then, I guess we have to discuss next steps on Sunday."

'What do you think about that?"

"The question is whether I call first to kind of break the news to their family or whoever they want to call or whether they call. Didn't go well for Tiffany, but then Brie came and was a great addition."

"And put on quite a performance last week."

He grinned, "Yup."

"But peeling those five apart from each other... and from you... is not going to be easy, right."

"It sure as hell won't be easy for me. And before you ask, the ladies say Antonia is softening," he shrugged, "I don't know. Sometimes the look in her eyes is like she's begging for help. Other times it's like she wants to put a knife in me for making it harder." He shrugged again.

"Keep up the great work, let me know if I can help, and figure out how to start weaning them from you, from each other, from your condo.

He nodded, left the office and closed the door behind him. Then pulled out his shirt, undid his belt and unzipped his pants. Miriam watched it on her video of the hall, smiled, and then turned towards the waiting room monitor.

He staggered through the doors like a drunken sailor. The women started laughing. "Damn! She's like a tiger or something. I have bite marks. Bite marks! Brie, you should have warned me. I think we're going to have to take turns or something."

"No way, lover boy, she's all yours."

Ronnie poked Tiff, "So, Drew, didn't take very long. I guess we SHOULD call you quick shot."

"Yea, and your socks are showing." Drew smiled and shook his head.

"... And for our next adventure, I thought we could go to the lake and you can dangle your feet in the water, rent kayaks, paddle boats, paddle boards, whatever."

"What about suits?"

"Well, you're not going to fall or anything, right?"

"Drew! We need suits!"

"Okay, tell me where you want to go. Family Dollar?"

"Alright, I hope they still have suits. The way things go they probably have their winter coats out already. When you pick them out..." He felt and hand on his arm and glanced at Brie. He understood. ""Well, I guess I'll see what you got at the lake."

The women were excited. They were going to be able to shop for their own suits and buy it with their debit card. A big step forward, a step towards independence. Drew waited in the car. One by one they came to the van wearing their suits under their shirts. They seemed so proud of themselves, happy with the fact that they had done this on their own--like... before. He had to start letting them go and stand on their own two feet again.

They spent the afternoon playing at the lake and as the concessions were getting ready to close, they climbed in the van, jabbering away and sunburnt.

"So, why don't we go to an actual sit down restaurant. I realize some of our meals have been pretty hum drum, so why don't you all decide what kind of food you want. Feel free to go outside and discuss it, Brie and I will remain neutral."

"Bullshit! I vote Italian...."

In the end they settled on Applebees so every one could get whatever they wanted. Dinner took two hours as they all sat around and talked.

By the time they got home it was time for showers, lotion for the sunburn, hair bundled up and time to sit around in the living room for a few minutes.

"Drew, this darn sink is clogged up again. Too much long hair or something. Get that wire thing of yours and give me a hand and I for one am ready for bed."

"Be right there, Brie." He grabbed his stuff and made a lot of noise in the bathroom while Brie put a 'chocolate' on each pillow.

"Okay. All done. Well, I'm going to bed, ladies, hope you had fun."

"We did," and each gave him a hug and a thank you. He controlled himself so as not to cry. What was he going to do when they left. 'Start the weaning process.' He had, but when they finally left the nest... He locked his door and waited.

"Oh, look. One of those fancy chocolates. That Drew..." Ronnie unwrapped it, put it in her mouth, bit down on it, "Aaaagh!" She spit it out onto the floor. "Don't eat them, God, mine tastes like barf or something. That ASS! JUST WHEN I SAID SOMETHING NICE ABOUT HIM!"

Drew was carefully hidden in his room. He was going to have to be careful for booby traps for the next few days.

The others unwrapped and smelled theirs, "Eeeww! It smells awful."

They stomped out and banged on his door. "Drew Jackson! Paybacks are hell. Just remember that."

"Got it. Why don't we all sing happy birthday to Tiffany since it's her birthday tomorrow. Oh, and at noon we have to be at my mom's for a party. It's my sister's birthday and my mom's too. Or close enough to celebrate together. So, all together now, happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you..."

"Brie, he remembered. He remembered, but how..."

"Come on, girls, let's leave him to his hand exercises and get some rest. I can't believe he did this, what an ass."

"You're right, Brie, I'm shot."

They climbed into bed as Brie turned out the light leaving just the small light from the bathroom on. She ran and jumped onto the bed she shared with Tiffany and started to laugh.

"Dammit! He did it again! He fucked up our sheets or something!"

"Mine too. How'd he, dammit! Brie, I gave you the keys! You drove home with him and did this! YOU DID THIS! TRAITOR!" Tiffany shoved her out of the bed again and Brie lay on the floor laughing. The others all got up and pummeled her with pillows while she laughed. Finally they all laughed and went about fixing their beds.

Laughing, "I swear this is like college or summer camp or something." Growing sad, "I never would have thought a few weeks ago..."

"Right, Amelia, but what's next?"

As the mood darkened and fear crept in, "Fear not, ladies. Between Drew, his mom and me, it'll work out. Drew told me it might even take a year. So you won't be like some foster kid turned out of the system on your eighteenth birthday, we will help you get wherever you want to go.

Smiling, "Unless we beat him to death for all the corny stuff he does."

"Right, or Antonia freaks out and does him in."

"Okay, ladies, it's party time! It's been six weeks and now time for a little celebration, complete with some surprises. And just to get you in the mood, I got you each a little something." He handed each of them, including Brie, a wrapped box.

"Is this some kind of Drew trap?"

"Uh, no, I just think you need something besides, shorts and jeans and stuff."

They opened the boxes and stared. "It's a sundress! Drew!" A squeal of delight as one by one they pulled theirs out and looked at it.

"It's been so long... Drew?" One by one they hugged him and kissed him.

"Drew..."

"You all deserved them. I'd like to take credit but Sam and my mom picked them out. I mean I showed them the print of you all without any clothes..."

"DREW!"

"No, I didn't, my mom has enough doubts about me already. I hope they're okay and fit. I mean I know nothing about women's sizes..."

Fifteen minutes later they came back out with grins on their faces as they posed. Drew was speechless for a moment. "You five and Brie--incredible. I have to get some pictures." He got out his phone and took a few. "You, for sure, are going in the next game, with ammo belts and stuff over your dresses, of course.

"Maybe my mom was right. I mean, I picked out a stylish black burka. You know ladies always rave about their little black, burka. But my sister overruled me." He shrugged. "I realize I'm like the super cool emotionless macho man, but you all just bring tears to my eyes. You're incredible inside and out."

More hugs and thanks, even from Brie for what he had done for Tiffany.

"Climb on in the van, ladies, and sing our little tune, 'Over the river and through the woods to my mother's house we go.' Come on, all together now!" Silence, but a stick of gum bounced off his head.

"Three birthdays. Pretty exciting--Mi madre, Sophie's, and you'll get a chance to meet her today, and our own, Tiffany. Oh, and there will be three cakes. Tiff, if I recall correctly your favorite was vanilla cake with vanilla frosting--extra heavy and lots of it."

Staring at his face in the mirror, "Drew, how did you..."

He tapped his head, "Like a steel trap."

"Yeah, like a rusty rat trap."

"Thanks, Ronnie."

"Wait!"

"What's the matter, Tiff? Did we forget something?"

"No! Drew, your birthday was a couple of weeks, no a month or so before mine. When was it?"

He shrugged, "It was the Saturday you all showed up. It kinda got lost in the shuffle, but I got five wonderful presents so, it was fine. Couldn't have asked for anything better." Brie reached over and touched his arm.

"You didn't even get Antonia, Dreeew?"

"We're just, uh, colleagues, Victoria."

"Sure."

"He better wish she doesn't pulverize his ass when he tries to get frisky."

"Ooooh! Antonia. BAM! Lights out for baby Drew."

"I'll have you know that when I turn the on the charm, and with my naturally good looks..."

"Drew, you are so full of crap!"

"I still think you need to pat her on the ass."

"Well, enough gaiety, here we are, let's go in. There will be name tags. Here, they're butterflies with your names on them."

"Drew! We are not wearing these!"

He shrugged and put his on. Victoria ripped his off as she walked by.

They walked up the steps and into the living room. The room was decorated with flowers, streamers, balloons and a big 'Happy Birthday' banner. The four in the room stood as the seven of them entered. The women all said hi to Samantha and hugged Olivia.

"So, some introductions. Olivia, my mom, who you've all met and who tried to make bakers out of you all. She still cries at night--or so I'm told. Samantha, Sam, our token high school kid who's going to State in the Fall. Where's your honey, James?"

"He knew you were going to be here so he cancelled." Drew grinned. "No, we're going to do something tomorrow."

"This is my sister, Sophie who's a sophomore at the University. Struggling with choosing a major, I mean I recommended helminthology, you know those little parasitic worms, but she didn't seem too enthused." He stepped forward and hugged her. 'Sorry I haven't... well, I've kinda of ignored you for, well, for a while. I've missed you."

"And I've missed you, but Anderson, you do too much for me and holy crap, mom said they were good looking, but..." winking at the women, "I'll bet it's been hell."

"If you only knew. See these gray hairs? Gray hairs! And last but not least, this is Bryan. Just out of college and started his own business. He's our entre-manure." He stepped over and hugged him, "Sorry, Bry, I keep trying to stop by the shop..."

"Anyway, these ladies are, Isabella, Amelia, Ronnie, Victoria, and Tiffany, and her sister, Brie." Pointing at each in turn, college, college, teacher, psychologist, business manager, and nurse. Our candlestick maker is coming later." Groans. "So..."

There was a knock at the door, "Now, who could be behind door number one?" He opened it, "Antonia! Glad you could make it. And with her is..."

Tiffany shrieked! "Gloria! Oh, my God!" The two ran together and hugged. Tears fell, "I thought you were dead. I never saw you..."

"Oh, Tiff, I'm so sorry. I... I still don't know how it happened. I mean we walked into the bar, ordered a glass of wine and next thing I remembered was waking up in this scary room. The IV must have messed up or something, my arm was all swollen, I was all scrambled but was able to get untied, went out the window and started running.

"I ran in front of a car and got hit. Broken arm, broken leg, head injury. By the time I got better, I couldn't find your mom or Brie's numbers; I went to the police, but I didn't know who had done it, or where I was, or... or anything. I looked for you, but I was scared... I just couldn't go back at night. I'm sorry. God I'm so sorry. I've been a wreck just worrying about you."

"Drew, uh, Anderson, recognized me at a bar. He's the one from when I was a kid? And he and Antonia rescued us, rescued all of us, well except Brie.

Gloria hugged Antonia and then Drew. "Thank you. When Toni said she wanted me to come to a party with you, Tiff, I thought I was going to burst with excitement! This is so wonderful. The best birthday, Christmas... everything. And you're all living at Anderson's condo?"

"We call him Drew, and... Gloria it's three times the size of the place we were kept. So..."

Multiple conversations started and Drew noticed Antonia heading for the door. He grabbed her arm, "Antonia, stay. Please stay. You've played such an important part in all this..."

"It's been all you, Drew. I'm not sure I helped much," pausing for a moment as she searched his face, "except maybe to demonstrate how not to recover from this sort of trauma. I... I should go."

"No, you should come and watch me cook the burgers while you cook the hot dogs and brats. I mean it's not every day you can watch the grill master at work.

"Come on, I dare you to relax and have some fun. I won't use my charm or naturally good looks on you. And I won't ask any questions about you, your past, what kind of work you do or anything else. Just the weather and cooking."

She stared at him--the pull, the pull, the desire to just grab him and hope he could make the pain go away, make her look and feel like these other women. Look like that shining figure escaping from the carapace... These women had looked hopeless, shattered, broken, lifeless but now they were alive again. Their joy and spirit was coming back. They laughed, joked, talked. She wanted that, but was too afraid of the darkness she felt inside.

Those days of torment, pain, humiliation, hopelessness. She never knew how long it was--day was the same as night; man after man, until she managed to wear through and break that one rope... and then... If that blackness, that pain engulfed her again... She had to keep it buried control it. If she lost control; lost control for even an instant,,,

"Okay, Drew. Nice party you put together..."

Twenty minutes later as they carried the platters to the kitchen counter where the buffet was set up, the doorbell rang again. "Maybe it's Hannah." Drew put his tray down and opened the door.

"Hello, son. Good to see you again. Aren't you going to ask me in?"

He turned his back and and called his mother as his father walked past him into the house. "Mom!" Anderson slid by him and the talking stopped when they saw the look of anger and hate on Drew's face. A new face. A face they'd never seen before.

"Hi, Olivia. I've missed you..."

"What are you doing here, Anderson?"

"Well, I decided it was time to come home. Sold the boat and here I am. My it's good to see you. Still the beautiful woman I married."

"And abandoned eleven years ago. This isn't your home anymore, Anderson."

"Sure it is. You never divorced me. It means you must still love me."

"But we are divorced, Anderson. I started the process the day after you left. It took a while since they couldn't find you to serve you. But we've been divorced over a decade and you owe us a ton of child support and restitution."

"No! No way!" Pointing to the the group of people who stood staring, "I'm their father. This is my house."

"No, Anderson, this is my house. I can show you the paperwork, and which ones of these folks are your kids?"

"Well, that's Anderson, and, uh, I guess the others were so young... doesn't matter. I'm their father and I'm here to make it up to them. Anderson, you know I'm your father. You recognized me."

"My name is Drew and I have no father."

Getting frustrated, "What the hell do you mean your name is Drew? I named you after myself."

"And that's the problem. I don't want to be named after a man who abandoned his family, took all their money and forced me to take his place. MY! NAME! IS! DREW! And you are not my father!"

Bryan stepped forward. "Drew is my father. He taught me to throw a ball, a spiral, went to all my games in high school, helped me get a car so I could take the girls to school, helped me get into college and get loans... helped me start my business. Drew is my father."

Sophie stepped forward, "Drew is my father. He taught me to roller skate, ride a bike, paid for my dance class and helped me with it. Yes, Drew, I know all the things you paid for. We all do. He taught me to drive, to hike, to camp. He picked me up when someone broke my heart, he gave me strength and made me proud of myself. And that's just a drop in the bucket of what he's done... Drew is my father!"

Sam stepped forward, "Drew is my father. He made sure we had a roof over our heads, food to eat, clothes to wear. He helped me with homework, taught me to skateboard, to fish, to know all about nature and the wonders of the world around us. And that's just the start. When I get married, Drew is going to be the man marching me down the aisle and I can guarantee you," smiling, "the gentle, wonderful man will be crying his eyes out like a little baby. Right, Drew?"

Victoria stepped forward, "And Drew is my father, our father..."

"Yea, Father Mischief," they all chuckled a little.

"Right, Isabella. I was broken! Despondent. I only wanted to die, to end the agony I was going through, but he took me in, all of us in, when probably no one else in the world have. Take in five druggie prostitutes? Who the hell would do that?

"But he never hesitated. He gave us a place to stay, something to eat, and gave us a chance to get control of our lives, to stabilize. He gave us a chance to heal. He brought us back to life; gave us hope; showed us once again the wonderful people we were inside; made me feel like a woman who could re-enter the world and hold her head up high." Tears filled her eyes, "Drew, the hardest thing I will ever do will not be leaving that life and the nightmares behind, it will be leaving you and our home and the cocoon of love, safety and caring you have surrounded us with.

"I will thank you every single day the rest of my life, but it will never be enough." She rushed over and hugged him and kissed his cheek. One by one, each of the women did that including his sister and his mother. His brother hugged him and thanked him.

Drew just stared and mopped his eyes. "I..."

"Who the fuck are you, Drew Jackson? What are you some kind of robot or special being?" All faces turned towards Antonia. "You got your ass beat up trying to defend Tiff and then me, you made me feel like I have never felt in my life! And now all this!

"It's bullshit! It has to be. No one is that good, that loving, sacrifices that much. There has to be a bad side, there has to be!" She started trembling, "Where's the bad Drew? The Ying to the Yang, the balance of good and evil, the negative to match the positive?"

She started to visibly shake as the smooth shiny shell started to crack. The shiny figure started to emerge, but then the blackness, the memories, the nightmares snuffed her out and the shiny figure disappeared. 'Antonia' disappeared. Her mind was engulfed by the nightmare world she had suppressed. She moaned in pain. "I can't... God the nightmares... I have to go! I have to go!"

With a panicked look on her face she bolted for the door with Drew it close pursuit. He grabbed her arm and she back handed him. Immediately he felt the blood dripping from his nose, but he didn't slow. "Antonia, STOP! Stop running! We can get help. Let me help."

He grabbed her again and she swung behind herself again. Her fist hit him in the face and he could feel it start to throb and swell. He growled in frustration and anger, "Antonia, STOP!"

She ignored him and kept running. His van was parked on the street and as she approached it he turned her around and lifted her off her feet. His long arms pinned hers straight out to the side, his long legs spread her thighs and he had her pinned, spread eagled against the van.

She let out a piercing scream of pain, frustration, anger... and fear. She screamed again. "NOOOO! Untie me you bastards! Stop, let me go! Let me go! Nooo! STOP! Let me go! Let me go. When I get free I'm going to kill you all. Each and every one."

(From the porch, "We need to get down there and help him. She's going to kill him. This is the 'rip his limbs off' part.")

Victoria put a hand on Ronnie's arm. "He's winning, she's wearing out, she's about to crack. But be ready."

She slammed her head forward, Drew had time to start to duck, but she hit his eyebrow and blood started running down his swollen face. "Let me go, just untie me! Take the ropes off. Now! Stop! Stop!"

(God, look at all the blood. Victoria?"

"Soon.")

"Just kill me... please just kill me." She started sobbing and he started to relax his grip. "Antonia, look at me. It's Drew. You're safe. There's nothing to fear. You're not there anymore. You're with me. You're safe. Please!"

As the pressure released she suddenly yanked her arms free and grabbed his neck. He grabbed her thumbs as she had described in their lesson and pulled her hands away from his neck. His body shifted right so when the knee came it had nowhere to go.

"Antonia please! It's Drew. Please. Let me help you, be with you, hold you, make the pain go away. Let me love you."

He turned her around and pinned her arms. She swung her head back, but only got his shoulder. She dropped low to get slack and he went with her. She lunged forward, but he followed and had her pinned on the ground. Like a wrestler he kept her from pushing off with her hands and every time she tried to to kneel he pushed her forward onto her face again.

("Drew must have really paid attention to her lecture. Now, Victoria?" She shook her head.)

Antonia was panting, having trouble catching her breath. "Kill me! Please, just kill me. I can't..."She started sobbing, "Please. Kill me. I can't live like this. I'm sorry. KILL ME!"

He flipped her over, pinned her pelvis and thighs with his body and kept her arms pinned, but to her sides. Panting hard and crying, her struggles became weaker, she was giving up. Surrendering. But to what? "Antonia! Antonia, open your eyes and look at me! It's Drew! Drew! You're safe. No one is going to hurt you. Let me help you. Please! Antonia, OPEN YOUR EYES AND LOOK AT ME! LOOK AT ME, NOW!"

Her struggles slowed more and she continued to pant. Slowly she opened her eyes. "Drew? I thought... I thought. I was there! Tied. Back on the bed!" Drew heard a gasp from the porch. They knew what that meant, but almost no one made it off the bed.

She touched his face, "Oh my God, Drew. I'm sorry! What have I done to you? You're covered in blood! I would never hurt you... but I thought."

"It's over, that's over, you're here with me and you're safe. We need to go to the hospital and get you checked out or whatever they think."

"No, I'm fine."

"But you're not. You thought you were before, but you just buried it. At least let them talk to you and make sure you're going to be alright. I mean if I'm going to be with you the rest of my life..."

"What?"

Hurriedly, "I mean if you want."

"I think I want, Drew, but I'm such a mess. I... Okay, let's go. But you're coming too, right?"

"Absolutely. And I think I need a couple more of your stitches."

"Oh, Drew, I'm sorry, so sorry. And your neck! Your neck has fingerprints! I thought... I thought... God, it's like I'm on a bad trip or a nightmare that keeps pulling me in. I keep... it was like I was still there and all I wanted to do was kill them--kill all of them for what was happening. Drew, I could have killed you!"

"But you didn't. It's fine." He pulled out his phone and called Hannah. "Hannah, we're on our way to the hospital. It's happened. Yea, she needs some help. Yup, kind of a mess.

"And blood! Drew, there's blood everywhere! I don't even remember..."

"You were kind of somewhere else." Smiling, "I'm just glad I paid attention during your demonstration to the women."

"Oh, no! We were at the party. Where?"

"On the porch watching us." Turning, "Would one of you drive us to the ER?"

Bryan, spoke up, "I'll take him."

"No, Bryan. I need you here to make sure Anderson leaves. Sam, Sophie, grab some towels and take my car. That way the girls'll have the van to drive home. Tiff, I'm so sorry, your birthday, well all our birthdays, I guess kind of went off track."

Tiffany touched her arm, "Olivia, if this turns out the way I hope, it will be a terrific birthday. Drew needs someone, someone of his own, and I think Antonia's the one. Gloria?" Gloria was just staring, watching the whole thing.

"Druggy prostitutes? Oh, dear Lord, Tiffany. And now this!"

"Gloria, it's okay. This was a good thing, I think. It's a long, long story... Where do you live?"

"I'm about an hour away. I wanted to stay close to my family, but not too close to, you know."

"What if I spent the night at your place and we do the catching up we never got to do?"

"Sure, that'd be great."

"Brie?"

"Yup, I'll stay with these hoodlums. And I get that big bed all to myself and no Drew mischief. Go, 'T', it's time to start figuring things out."

Bryan spoke up, "Didn't I hear that you managed a remodeling business or something?"

"Yes, Bryan. Why?"

"Well, I'm ready to expand to a second location, it's just nuts, and I'm going to need to hire a manager for the current location... No pressure. Just something to put in the back of your mind, unless... seems I remember your mom moving to California or somewhere out there. So anyway, think about it, if you want."

Sam and Sophie hurried by with a wet towel and some dry ones Handed them to Drew who took Antonia's arm and helped her to the car.

"Uh, before you go, Tiff, we all bought you presents, small things, but..."

"Ronnie? You guys didn't have to do that!"

"Yes we did, we're family, Tiff. We love you, and... see you tomorrow or whenever you get back. It... well, we'll miss you, but I guess this is just another step. Call and let us know you got there safely." Touching her arm, "Just kidding, don't you dare call." They all hugged, but realized the family was starting to slowly separate a little.

"Olivia, I guess we should be going too. Unless..." she looked at Anderson. "On second thought we'll stay for a bit."

"So, Anderson, time to leave. This is our home, our family and there's no extra room for you."

"Bryan, I am your father..."

"We've been through that."

"But where am I going to stay? I sold my boat..."

"And I hope you got a lot for it, because you'll need a place to stay and start looking for a job and things and I would recommend that it's not close to here or Mom may decide to go after the child support the courts said you owed. Ten years plus interest--that probably equals a boat."

"But I don't know what I'm going to do?"

"Buy another boat? I don't know. Drew would never say it like this, but since he's not here, well, Anderson, I guess I'd discuss it with someone who gives a shit. And that ain't us. As Drew says, people who focus on themselves and don't share their lives with others die alone and lonely. And you deserve all the shit that comes your way.

"You just saw ten people who would give everything they own and every drop of blood they had to help Drew. You'll never be like him, but you could change, Anderson, find someone, but it won't be here. Bon voyage." He closed the door and they watched him drive away.

"Nicely done, Bryan."

"Thanks, Mom. Now which of you can tell me a little more about Tiff before you leave and you ladies really should stay for a hamburger and all the other great stuff before you go. I have so many questions.

"'Father Mischief,' eh? Darn, he did so many things to us! We never knew what prank he might pull next. Tell me about some of those tricks and I'll tell you if he did them to us and maybe forewarn you of others he gets a kick out of."

"Sure, Bryan, you need to talk to Brie about Tiffany, but we want to know about the mischief for sure. Maybe we can prank him first.

Drew continued to hold Antonia nestled against himself in the back seat of the car as she continued to break down and weep. He never stopped talking to her and periodically shook her if she started drifting off into the shadows. Soothing, calming, keeping her focused on the present as the dark clouds and tortuous memories attempted to engulf her.

Suppressed for too long, the memories had become a torrent and she was being drawn back into the past, those two weeks... but, each time she went under, Drew reached out with his voice and gentle hands to pull her out of the nightmare current and refocus her.

From the front seat, Sam stared at her brother. How did he do it? How did he know how to help? She watched as more blood oozed from his brow and he brushed it away using the towel with barely a notice.

But as she looked back, he'd had plenty of practice. He'd consoled her when she was eight and realized her father wasn't coming back; the same for Soph; and helped their mom with the feelings of loneliness, heartbreak and hopelessness.

He'd risked his life to save Sophie when she stumbled and went over the edge of the ravine, ending up on a ledge below. She still couldn't believe he had been able to climb down, pick her up and carry her up the hill. That rock had cut his arm and he never even looked at it.

He'd jumped in front of her and grabbed the dog that was about to bite her. The dog bit his hands and arms over and over until the owner was able to grab the lead and control it. Wading in after she road her bike into the blackberry patch. He had cuts and scratches everywhere, but never hesitated. First her, then the bike.

And these women! They were scary, lost, like the walking dead, except maybe for Tiff, when they first came to the house and Mom had tried to make cookies with them. Slumped, heads down, spiritless, hopeless--it'd made her want to cry just looking at them. But Drew brought them back to life. How?

She knew from the way they looked at him that he could have been with any one of the five--probably all of them--and probably Brie, yet he'd chosen Antonia. Weird. Why? Sam had only met her briefly, but from what the others said, she was a hard assed, ball buster, with a few screws missing, who shut her brother down every time he tried to reach out.

That's not what he needed. He needed a woman who would love him to death, be his partner, fill in the gaps, make him focus more on his own needs. But her brother was upset. Antonia's pain caused him pain. Antonia was the one, well, at least for now, at least until he fixed her. Would he still want her then? Worse, if she got better would she still want him?

Sophie looked in the rear view, whispering, "Sam. He's so swollen and awful looking."

"Oh, you should have seen him the Saturday he got all the women. He had a blind date with Antonia and got the snot beat out of him. This is nothing... well, it kind of is, I guess, but I don't think he even notices."

"But, Sam, she..."

Whispering, "I know, Soph, I don't get it. Of the six, seven including her, that are around, why her? I just wish he would start focusing on himself; his needs. He got me a car so I can work and get to school. He got me a dress for the Junior Prom, he makes sure everything is fixed around the house and that Mom and I have everything we need."

"He does the same for me. I keep yelling at him to stop, but he just makes sure I'm okay. And think about it, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter--every holiday he makes so special. He works too hard, takes no time off. I just wish he would stop and take care of himself--even if we struggle more. Keeping all those girls fed and clothed must have cost him a fortune; and the van? You know he didn't get anything for that truck."

"I know, Soph, we need to figure out how to make him concentrate on making himself happy and stop spending all his time making everyone else happy."

"But then, I guess, he wouldn't be Drew."

"I guess. I just hope Antonia can make him happy." Getting tearful and in a harsh whisper, "AND I FORGOT HIS BIRTHDAY!"

"I know. We all did. I put it in my phone for the next decade with alerts before it."

"Me too, Soph. I just hope she gets better and doesn't kill him. I mean, when she grabbed his throat, I started to scream and Victoria wanted us to just stand there."

"I guess she was right, though. Whatever was bottled up inside certainly erupted. Any idea what happened?"

"Drew won't really say much and I don't think anyone really knows, but she apparently was kidnapped like the others and went through a short but very intense version of what they did."

"What the hell is 'the bed.' Doesn't sound like fun."

"No idea. God, I can't even imagine what it must have been like for any of them. I'd just want to kill myself I think. I would never, ever get over it. Even if I were rescued, I think I'd be done."

"Me too. Well, here we are. Who's that running towards the van?"

She tapped on the passenger window. "Hi, I'm Hannah, Toni's sister." She looked into the back seat, "Oh crap!" She flung the door open and stared at Drew and Antonia, then climbed in and hugged her sister. "Antonia? Antonia?"

Antonia slowly lifted her head, "Hannah, the nightmare came, I was back there, and I hurt Drew. I keep slipping back. I..."

"Come on, I've got a wheelchair to take you back to a room and we'll get you all sorted out. You're going to get better, Toni. Just like all those other women."

"But Drew did that and I hurt him. God, look at his neck!"

Hannah looked and sucked in her breath, "Drew, are you okay. I mean you've got blood all over you..."

"I'm fine. And the blood on her is mine. So no bodily injuries there."

"Good, well, not good, but... so Toni, get in the chair. Drew, you can walk?" He nodded.

Hannah wheeled Antonia to the psych area of the ER and had her get in a chair. "Drew we need to..."

"NO! I need Drew here! If he leaves, I'm afraid, the darkness, the memories. I need him to hold my hand, to be here, to talk to me."

"I'm right here, Antonia. I'm not going to leave. I mean even when they come to talk to her there's no reason I have to go, is there, Hannah?"

"Uh, they like to talk to the patient alone..."

"Then I'm leaving! Drew, if you go, I'll... we'll, I don't know, but I need you here."

"Let's see..."

"Hello, I'm Dr. Roberts, Juanita Roberts. And you are Antonia, right?" She nodded.

"Yes."

"You look pretty nervous and anxious, uh, and covered in blood; which I'm assuming is his..."

"Drew."

"And you are..."

"Friend, I guess?"

"Well, what if you and Hannah step out for a few moments..."

"NO! Drew has to stay! If he leaves, I'm leaving."

Hesitating, "Okay... Antonia, what if we gave you some medicine to help you relax..."

"NO! I have to stay in control. If I lose control... the memories... the darkness... the pain..." She looked at Drew and started weeping, "Drew, I am so sorry."

"So what happened to you, Drew?"

"I fell down and hit my head..."

"And got hand prints on your neck?" He shrugged.

"Alright. Antonia, I'll let Drew stay if you promise to be completely honest with me."

"Okay."

"So what happened to you to cause the bad memories?"

"I was a policeman. I stopped to get coffee and I felt a hood go over my head, got punched, smelled something weird and woke up tied on a bed with a needle in my arm and a man on top of me." She started sobbing and could barely speak.

"Day after day, twenty-four hours a day... No food, always confused because of the drugs, just one man after another on top of me. And every one said he hoped he could be the one to kill me."

She stopped talking and started looking off at nothing..."Antonia! Look at me! It's Drew. You're safe, that's all in the past. Talk to me. Talk to us. Antonia!"

She started to refocus on Drew and once again looked shocked at his appearance. "Drew, I. m so sorry!" She grabbed his hand, "Please..."

"Just finish the story, Antonia. Share it, let it out"

"But, Drew, I can't! If I let it out I'll get lost in the nightmare."

"And I will be right with you to pull you out if that happens." He squeezed her hand, "Just talk. I'm here, Hannah's here..."

She nodded, "All day I dragged my wrists across the bed frame until finally one rope broke. I untied everything and... then..., uh, then escaped."

"Sounds like you're leaving something out, Antonia."

"No, Dr. Roberts, I freed myself and escaped."

"Tell me about the escape..."

She lost focus again, but then..."I can't. I can't do it."

"Doctor, is this part necessary?"

"I don't know, until I hear it, but it might critical."

"No. I can't tell you all."

"Doctor, is this information, uh, protected? Doctor, patient..."

"Yes."

"Antonia, it may help, you know, help the doctor understand..."

She screamed, "I KILLED THEM! I KILLED THEM ALL! When that fat bastard who always burned me, 'to get me warmed up,' and hurt me, climbed on top, I bit his lips off and broke his neck. He had no weapons. All I could find was a screw driver and a hammer.

Starting to get get frantic as the memories forced their way out to be told, "I walked into the leaders office, nude, he pulled a gun on me. I buried the screw driver through his hand and into the table and beat his brains in.

"I wandered out and acted seductive and drugged; as the men came to take me back to the room, I stabbed them with the screw driver and killed them with the hammer. One after another, one by one as they came home, until I had killed every one of those assholes who had fucked me for all those days.

"All except one--Victor Weiland. The monster that runs the whole business.

"I took the clothes from the smallest dead man and walked... well, forever until I got to Hannah's."

"Does killing those men cause the pain, the darkness?"

"No! Not at all. They deserved it. It was what I went through and the agony of withdrawing cold turkey that haunts me. Day after day..."

She started to drift and Drew squeezed her hand, "Antonia. Stay with me, look at my face."

Antonia looked and let out a long painful groan, covered her face with her hands and wept. She could speak no more--stuck in her own mind, remembering face after face...

"That's plenty for right now. I'm sorry, but I think I need to have her come in for a day or two, maybe more. She can do it voluntarily... or since she presents a danger to others and perhaps to herself..."

Hannah spoke up, "She'll stay. Could one of us stay with her? I think it would help?"

"It's not what we normally allow, but in this case, I think we should probably make an exception--if you get him fixed up and in some clothes that aren't all covered in blood, Hannah. What does she do now? I mean, what kind of work?"

Hannah and Drew looked at each other, then at the doctor and both shrugged. "We don't know for sure."

"Well, that's interesting. I'll go do her paperwork and try to find a room. We're kind of full as you know, Hannah, so may be a while. Just sit tight, and please, don't let her leave."

GIRLS BACK AT THE CONDO

Things were fun with Bryan and Olivia. Full of tales, memories, and hijinks. They swapped stories of Drew's mischief and enjoyed Olivia's birthday cake. They saved Sophie's and Tiffany's for their return. But a cloud hung over them and they left shortly after the cake.

Holding up the keys, "So who wants to drive this ugly old van home?" No takers. "I guess that leaves me."

Victoria got into the driver's seat and started back to the condo. "Victoria, how did you know she wasn't going to do something really bad to Drew?"

Quietly, "I didn't know for sure. And to be honest, when she grabbed his neck I was scared to death. But there is such a connection between those two... the looks she gives him... she wants to be with him, surrender, but..."

"But she was afraid the memories would overwhelm her."

"Right, and I thought Drew would be able to break through to her. It was touch and go there for a moment, but he did it. We may see a new and improved Antonia when they get back, but that could be a bit. Unless Drew pulls one of his magic rabbits out of the hat, she'll be in for several days-- at least.

"Well, here we are." The women trudged up the stairs and looked around. Drew was gone. Tiffany was gone. Things were changing and each of them could feel it. They were about to start considering emerging from their condo cocoon and coming face to face with next steps.

"Well, it appears that we have escaped the pits of Mordor and the Fellowship of the Condo is starting to come to an end. I don't know if I'm ready for that. Brie? What do you think?"

"Amelia, I know it feels strange with no Drew and no Tiff. There's a hole--something missing. But you know Drew meant it when he said there was no rush. I talked to him and he was thinking it might take six months to a year.

"And even if things get serious with Antonia, he's not going to change his mind about that or the way he feels about each of you. That said, if any of you wanted to call home... or I guess call someone..."

She looked at Ronnie, "someone you left behind... well, you can all use my phone. You could either talk... or even video chat if you wanted. I'm sure your family would love to look at you to make sure you were okay.

"So, thoughts?"

"Damn, but after what happened with Tiff..."

"Our mom... well, let's just say, Mom has very limited social skills and understanding. She... well, just don't use her as an example. When Drew answered my text, I went nuts with excitement. I had prayed every day that she was alive and I would see her again and even spent a couple of weeks here until I ran out of money.

"Your family, friends, or others probably still feel a big hole where you used to be. And remember, when you talk to them, you don't have to tell them everything. Tell them if you want, but you can also say you were drugged, kidnapped, rescued and receiving treatment--you know, as much or as little as you want. Leave out the drugs, and... the other.

"And if you want to go home or fly home... or have them come here... Well, I will try to make it happen. After all," smiling "if Drew can ruin his credit score for a good cause, I guess I can too. Remember, like Drew said, no pressure, no rush. Whatever works for you."

"But what if they want to come and I don't think I'm ready?"

"Just tell them, Amelia. Or, I'll tell you what, just give me the phone and I will tell them I am the nurse taking care of you and that it would be best to wait a little bit before the visit." Smiling, "That way they'll blame me."

"And I guess if it's too awful, we can just tell them to fuck off like, Tiff did and hang up."

"She did that, Ronnie?" Brie laughed, "My mom said she was a little 'not nice' on the phone, but..."

"Oh, she dropped about a dozen f-bombs before she hung up."

Isabella stepped forward, "Brie, I think I'd like to call my parents. I mean, we don't have passports so can't really get together, but I feel a little guilty not letting them know."

"Sure, why don't you go in Drew's little hell hole. Or go outside if you think that's better. And remember, if Mom starts asking too many questions, just tell her you can't discuss any of the details, but you're doing well and are well cared for. And if you want, flip on the video so they can see you."

"Okay. Dang, this is harder than I thought it would be. No wonder I've been putting it off.'

"Remember: not your choice, not your fault, nothing to be ashamed about, you were the victim, no opportunity to call or communicate. I mean, I guess I or we could go in and help..."

"Nope. I have to be strong. Where're my bandoliers and rpg's and stuff..." They all laughed. "Here goes..."

A half hour later she came out wiping tears from her eyes. "God, I miss them so much... but we videoed and... I just told them I was kidnapped from the dorm, gave them the outline, said it was awful, I couldn't discuss it and they just asked about the here and now and filled me in on what had been going on while I was gone. They were crying so much and so happy. So was my sister.

"Brie, I need to call every couple of days or so if that's okay. They're going to get passports and check with the consulate about what they can do for me. I... I have to go to bed and think about things."

"Okay, guess it's my turn. Hand me the phone."

"Sure, Victoria. Good luck."

She went into Drew's, but spoke more loudly than Isabella had. "Hi, Mom. It's me. Sorry I haven't called, but... yes, I know it must have awful for you. Yes, I'm sure you have a thousand questions. Wait! Stop! Mom!

"I went to William's party at the bar. There were a bunch of folks there I didn't know, I drank part of one beer and was leaving when I got all woozy. I'd been drugged, was kidnapped, shipped to North Carolina and forced to live in hell for over a year before I was rescued. Not my choice, not my fault, no way to escape, no way to call... but it's over and I'm getting better.

"Nope. No more details for now. I hope you can understand. Yes, I'm doing fine--now. Yes, people are helping me and taking good care of me. I... I don't want to talk about it.' Starting to get tearful and cry, "So how're things at home? God, I have missed you all so much..."

She walked back in, "Well, kind of a slow start... but then it... it was fine. I think... I think I might leave tomorrow or well, soon. I guess I can rent a car..."

"I can help you with that. In fact, maybe it would be easiest if I rent it and get you as a second driver. Sure, just let me know when you're ready. Any other takers?"

Two hours later they were still waiting in the evaluation room. Drew sat with his arm around Antonia as she slept. A nurse came in with a cup of ice cream. "Hi, I'm Emma. The doctor thought that a little ice cream might help Toni a little, you know, while you waited."

"Maybe it would." Drew gently shook Antonia, "Antonia, wake up a minute."

She roused up and opened her eyes to look at Drew. "Drew, thank you. If not for you..."

Hannah handed the cup of ice cream to Toni, "Here, Toni. Have a little of this. It'll make you feel better."

"No, I can't eat. Give to Drew. We know he'll eat it." There was a slight flicker of a smile on her face as she said it. Drew took it and immediately put a spoonful in his mouth.

The nurse lunged at him, "NO! DON'T! Toni has to..."

Almost immediately, Drew's face changed, his eyes widened with alarm, "Something..." His eyes closed and he went limp, resting against Toni.

In a second, Antonia was in motion and had the nurse by the throat. "What did you do?"

Fear and panic filled the face of the nurse. "I don't know! I don't know! He just told me I had to do it or he'd tie me to the bed until I died." Visions erupted in Antonia's mind and threatened to engulf her, but she threw them back and walled them off.

"Victor!" She nodded.

"I'm sorry, I..."

Antonia threw her into a chair. "You move, you die! Hannah! Narcan and lots of it. He's OD'ed. She yanked the emergency chain to call for help and eased Drew onto the floor. His breathing was slowing as he stared at nothing.

"Drew! Drew! Look at me! LOOK! AT! ME! If you die on me, I'm going to; Drew, you can't die on me. Not now! His eyes looked towards her, but his breathing slowed, then stopped. "Dammit! He's not breathing!" She started giving him mouth to mouth as the other nurses responded.

"Quick! Nasal airway, ambu bag, start the oxygen... Where the hell is the nasal Narcan?"

Hannah ran in and ripped open a pack of nasal narcotic reversal and handed to her. She squirted it in each nostril and then continued bagging him. Drew stirred some, but then slowed again.

"Shit! Give me another one! Now!" The room and hall were crowded as the resuscitation cart was prepared. They had an IV line out and ready to start and a physician was pushing his way into the little room.

He pointed at the nurse sitting in the chair, "You! Out! We need some room!"

"No! She stays. She did this, we need to test the ice cream. Hannah! Where the fuck is the spray?" She handed it to her and Antonia squirted another dose in.

In moments, Drew took a breath and stared, then started to look around, glassy eyed, but then his vision locked onto Antonia."Antonia? What..."

"Everything's fine, Drew." She teared up, "You're going to be fine."

The doctor stood. "Get a stretcher, we're going to have to admit him until he's stable. Get that ice cream down to the lab and see what's in it. Hand me the..."

"NO! We have to get out of here. Now! If we stay, we're all dead. You! Get me a wheelchair." Reaching into his pocket for the keys... "Where are the keys? Shit!"

"Sophie drove. I think they're in the waiting room."

"Crap! Hannah, run to your car and pull it around to that back side entrance. Oh, and give me another box of that stuff in case he starts fading again.

"And do not let anyone touch the ice cream with their hands. There must be a shit load of fentanyl in it if he went down that fast." Turning to the nurse who cowered and wept in the chair, "You! If you stay, you know he will kill you, right?"

She nodded, "So you have to come with us. It's your only chance." She nodded again.

"I don't think..."

"Sorry, Doc. I'm Antonia Bailey, part of a special task force. We have to go. Now!"

She wheeled him to the side loading dock and she and Hannah helped him into the car and buckled him in. She grabbed the girl and pulled her into the back seat with her and then they drove off. "Where to, Toni?"

"I guess the condo to pick up a few things and then hit the road for a while."

"What do you keep looking for, Toni?"

"I want to make sure no one is following us."

They helped Drew into the condo, but he started getting weak again. "Shit! Hannah, let's just stretch his long assed body out here on the floor. Ladies! Get the hell back, please!"

"But, what?"

"OD. Hannah, open that box. We need to give him another dose. Damn, how much stuff was in that ice cream? She squirted it in his nose."

"You're wasting your time, Antonia." They all turned as two men entered the condo. The one in the front had a long knife held out in front. He's going to meet an untimely end."

Laughing, "As are you, Antonia. Nice and quiet like. And the rest of you..." looking around at the ladies, "Well, we'll just load you into the car and take you back to Mr. Weiland. He's really missed you. Now for slim..."

Before he could take another step, Victoria grabbed his knife hand and knocked the knife to the floor as Ronnie stepped forward and kicked him in the groin and punched his throat. The other girls tackled the man behind and in moments, both were unconscious on the floor.

They smiled, "Now that's some teamwork. Thank you, ladies. I'll call 911."

A voice from the doorway spoke up, "That won't be necessary. Put the phone down, NOW!" They looked and saw Victor Weiland holding a pistol in front of him, safety off, silencer screwed onto the barrel, ready to fire.

"I don't mind a little noise, so... Now all you ladies, please move into the kitchen. Oh, I can't wait to sample all of you again. My little harem of nightly entertainment. We've all missed you so." Their worst nightmare had returned. They were going back to hell. Shell shocked, they moved towards the kitchen.

He reached over and slapped the 'nurse' who'd brought the ice cream knocking her onto the couch. "And I have a special treat for you my pet. You'll get to lie around in bed allll daaay. Won't that be fun?"

"Mr. Weiland, I'm so..." He slapped her again.

"You're confusing me with someone who gives a shit about how you feel. Your life, all of your lives are mine. You are mine. Now, everybody to the kitchen, well, except Special Agent Antonia Bailey. Time to meet your maker, Antonia."

He stepped forward and kicked Drew. "Who the hell is this guy?" Drew's eyes opened, "Well it doesn't matter. First you, Antonia, then this guy, and then I load everyone into the car and back to a brand new little room. Any last words, Special Agent..."

Drew saw the knife in his peripheral vision and slowly grasped it in his right hand. "Tell you what, Antonia, let's just count down your final seconds. I want to see you beg and plead. Ten... nine..."

But Antonia stood tall and stared at his face. Like a freedom fighter proud and strong. Every face in the room was glued on Antonia and the gun, "Eight... seven..."

The ladies started fidgeting, but suddenly Drew reached his long left arm up and grabbed the wrist with the gun. The gun discharged and Drew felt pain in his thigh, but at the same time pulled himself up and buried the knife in Victor's belly. He pushed hard and then again and again!

Victor looked down at him and then fell forward onto the knife.

Drew tried to get but, but Ronnie put a hand on his arm. "Drew. It's over, lay back and let's look at your thigh."

Antonia had been frozen for a moment. Ready for the last moment, wondering if she would hear the blast, hoping it would be quick, but refusing to look frightened or give him the slightest sign of fear and... suddenly Drew! Drew had saved her! He'd come to her defense--again. And killed Victor!

Red lights turning to green and without thinking, just feeling, she was letting the barriers down. The fear, the darkness, the memories started to emerged, but dissipated. The waves of pain and remembrance broke to pieces on Drew's rocky shores.

She stared at him a moment. She took a deep breath. Maybe he WAS the key, the key to freeing her from the painful recollections. Damn she wanted him...

She jumped into action. "Brie! Call 911. We need the police and an ambulance. Tell them who I am and that we have Victor Weiland. Make sure those other two don't get any ideas. Find some rope or zip ties. Hannah, see if Victor's alive.

"Victoria! Call Sam and tell the two of them to get out of the hospital, NOW! Go to to a public place--that restaurant over on Maple and then to call Olivia. No. Ronnie! Call Olivia and tell she and Bryan to leave the house NOW! Don't pack anything--just go! Tell them they need to go somewhere... that hotel the next town over... or, no! Go to Bryan's, call the girls and keep the place locked up.

"Drew, let's get those pants off... Crap! It's bleeding like stink. Must have hit the artery. She held pressure on it, "Isabella, get me a belt and some wash cloths. Let's see if we can stop this red stuff."

She pushed her fingers down on the hole, but blood continued to ooze between her fingers and out the hole in the back of his thigh. "Drew? Are you doing okay?"

He was trembling, looking at his hands, then at Victor, who was still lying face down, not breathing. "Drew, look at me. I know it's hard, but you saved me, saved all of us. He would have taken them all back... and you saved yourself. He was going to kill you too. You had to do it. You had to! It was the right thing to do!

"I know it's hard. I... my first, and only, time was ten people. So I know. But you had to do it! So, try not to think about it. Try to relax a little.

"Maybe we're not so different, so mismatched afterall."

"Maybe not. Not if you can help me bring back the old Toni. But relax. Can we get you anything? Some water..."

He smiled, "Do you have any ice cream?"

She looked at him. "You are such a fucking ass! You scared me to death!" She leaned forward and kissed him, "But you saved me, Drew! Twice in one day. I would have been... well, either one would have... well, I'd be dead."

Back to business, "Amelia, pull those pants off the rest of the way." She grabbed the cloths, put them on the wounds, wrapped it with the belt and cinched it down. Tight enough to stop the bleeding.

Turning to Ronnie and smiling, "Ronnie would you get me a clean pair of socks, uh, for Drew?" and she pointed, "You know, for the trip to the hospital?"

The girls all laughed, a little, in relief. Maybe they could relax. "Right. So let's lock the door to help prevent another surprise. Hannah?" She shook her head, "Well, that's too bad... Not. I have searched for Victor for four stinking years." Shaking her head, "The lives he's destroyed... and ended. Brie?"

"On their way."

"Where's Tiff?"

Brie looked at her, "She's at Gloria's for a day or so. To catch up." She glanced at the other women, "I didn't go so I could stay with these guys since, well, we didn't know how long everyone would be gone and..." She shrugged.

Drew looked hard at Brie trying to determine if there was more to the story, then looked at the others. A shift had occurred, but what did it mean?

Antonia turned to the woman from the hospital. "So what's your story?"

Amelia spoke up first. "She's Michelle. She was in another group, but we... we were both at some of the same parties. There were special, uh, red head parties. You weren't there very long, were you Michelle?"

"Seemed like a lifetime, but I guess it was about nine months or so. I... I lost my job, my boyfriend broke up with me, I had too much to drink and... woke up in hell. Just like the rest of you, I guess. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry about the ice cream, but... the bed... I should have just let him kill me... or killed myself."

Antonia reached her hand out to her. "It's alright, Michelle. I understand. I was on the bed, or at least a similar bed in a different place, so no one could ever blame you."

"You were on the bed? But..."

"I managed to escape. Now, Drew?" She placed her hand lovingly on his cheek, then leaned forward and kissed him. "Drew, honey, I have big plans for you, so you'd better get better very quickly."

There was a knock on the door. "POLICE! Open the door!"

"Victoria, check the peep hole first."

Victoria was closest, checked and nodded. Then opened the door and the officer came in carefully with his gun drawn. Shaking his head, "Why if it isn't Antonia Bailey."

"In the flesh, Lieutenant James. Victor's days are done, these two are his buddies and need to get checked out and then drugs, prostitution, trafficking and maybe attempted murder. I'm sure there're plenty of other things. With Weiland gone, they may be able or willing to spill their guts about other women, drugs...

"Michelle, can you take us to where you were kept?" She nodded.

"There were four of us. And..." trembling and wringing her hands...

"And you're starting to withdraw. How long?"

"It's been twelve hours, I... Victor said I could get more when I finished... when I gave you the ice cream."

"Do you want to quit?" She nodded.

"More than anything. I tried to leave... to run away..."

"But that didn't turn out so well." She shook her head. "So, Drew, darling, I have to get you to the hospital and then..."

Brie spoke up. "No! You need to stay with Drew." Looking at the lieutenant, "I assume we're going to be a while. They'll want statements from all of us and especially Michelle. I assume they'll interview those two at the hospital?"

The lieutenant nodded. "I can go with the police and Michelle and help get all the new women to the Center, on some meds and into the system. And then..." she shrugged.

Hannah spoke up, "These ladies'll be fine. I'll go with you. I can examine them and maybe get some blood and cultures at the Center and then make sure they're physically okay. And then... I mean I could take them to my place, but I have to work tomorrow, so, I just don't know.

"Why don't we bring them here. I mean, if it's alright with you, Drew. Being with these others would help them--a lot, I'm sure. And you wouldn't have to pay for anything. I have some savings and..."

"And I can help too, Brie."

"And some of the ladies may be moving on."

Drew's head snapped up. So that was the shift. Sadness filled him as he thought about life without all of his 'sisters.' "Just remember, there is no rush."

Victoria cleared her throat, "And some of us may be changing our minds. I mean, we had a big discussion before, but now? I want to catch up with my family, I miss them to death, but my family is," she opened her arms and looked around, "my family is here. Here with all of you. I'm going to write a book about all this and see if I can get a job of some sort at either the University or State or some place. Both are pretty close."

"And I'm sure one of the high schools around here could use a teacher and assistant coach."

"And I was thinking of transferring to one of the schools to finish my degree..."

"And, Drew, the forests that you showed me are so amazing and everything is so green, I was going to see about transferring from Mexico and studying environmental science and the trees and plants. And Bryan wants to talk to Tiff about a job..."

"And I already have an application in at the hospital, although maybe I'll be babysitting a while longer."

Drew's face lit up. "That would be incredible. But you need to talk to your families and at least go visit and things first, don't you think?"

"We already talked, while you were goofing off at the hospital. Tiff leaving sort of gave us the... made us realize we were ready. I was going to leave tomorrow for a visit, but now with these new ladies, maybe I can help with some of my psychology training."

She shrugged. "I don't know. And I don't know if I'm up for a five alarm, round the clock pity party at home. God, it would really piss me off."

Ronnie looked at Drew. "For the love of God, Drew. I'm going to go buy some great big walnuts that you can use along with the socks to help with those pea sized nuts of yours. I swear you can turn on the tears easier than any spoiled little girl I ever met. But," she got down on her knees next to him and hugged him, "but that's why we love so much, Girlyman."

Michelle stared at all of them. "So you ALL were..."

"Yup, until six weeks ago. These two, well, especially him, saved us."

"And we saved each other."

"That too."

Drew smiled as the ambulance crew came in through the open door. "Uh, sorry it took so long, it's nuts out there and... Why, Hannah Bailey, it's so very good to see you. And you... you just look beautiful as a sunny day. And hi, Lieutenant."

"Cut the crap, John. Gun shot wound, superficial femoral artery, the nerve's okay, through and through, all that other blood and his forehead are from earlier today. This guy's dead. Those two are coming back around, but will need to be evaluated. Drew is the urgent one. And you'll have to take Toni with you."

Smiling, "Uh, sure, boss. Hi. Drew is it? I'm John, that's Kenneth. We need to get this shirt open, get some pads, blood pressure cuff, start an IV and make sure you're doing okay before we move you. Despite what Ms. Bailey is implying, we don't just throw people in the meat wagon and race off with the sirens going. There's more to it than...

"Not much more to it. Probably a good idea hurry along before he bleeds to death." John looked at her and smiled.

"Oh, Hannah. Some day you will see the error of your ways and go out with me."

Smiling, "Not until you show me a copy of your divorce decree and I verify it."

"Soon. Just another couple of weeks unless that..." he caught himself, "that wonderful soon to be, ex-wife suddenly has some additional demands." Smiling and turning back to Drew. "Uh, you got shot, right? Doesn't it hurt?"

"Hell yea, but the ladies just insulted my manhood, so, you know, I'm fine. Everything is fine."

"Oh, poor, Drew. Go ahead and cry if you want to."

Smiling, "Thanks, Ronnie. If you emergency folks could get me out of here fairly quickly..."

They laughed. "Sure thing. So how is it that all these women are in your condo?"

"They live here. Well, except Hannah."

"WHAT! Kenneth, we may have to just drive around in circles until we hear this story."

"Not a good idea. Antonia is coming..."

"Alrighty then. Sirens, lights, and no conversation. Kenneth, let's throw him on the stretcher and check him out as we go. Uh, you ride back there with Antonia." He winked at Hannah, who smiled back at him.

The next afternoon he was discharged--the artery had been ligated, the wound debrided, and both holes left open with a drain in place to allow fluid to drain out, and a big, bulky dressing held in place with an ace bandage.

Antonia helped him up the few steps into the condo where he was greeted by the women who frantically checked him to see if he was okay and then started to relax. Brie stepped over and locked the dead bolt. "Drew, are you?'

"Yup. I'm fine. Everything is fine and it looks like, Hannah, that I'll have those gunshot scars you said Antonia preferred. I'm getting the tattoos tomorrow." Hannah laughed and shook her head. Toni held his arm and stared at him while the others rushed forward to hug him and welcome him back--relieved that he did appear to be doing fine.

"Drew, we have a welcome home cake for you. It's, well, it's actually Tiff's."

"Looks good, Brie. How is she doing? Have you talked to her?"

"Yea, I called a little bit ago. She freaked out, but I got her calmed down. She's on her way back with Gloria, should be here soon..." Drew nodded his understanding. "And you have some ladies to meet.

"You already met Michelle... at the hospital."

Michelle looked at the floor, trembled, anticipated punishment. Hearing nothing, she then looked up briefly at his face then quickly back at the floor, "Drew, I am SO sorry. I..."

Drew wrapped his long arms around her. "Michelle, it's fine. It's over. You had to do it. The only thing I want you to do to make up for it... is to get better and help your friends get better." She looked at his face, peering into his eyes. She couldn't believe...

"I will." She broke down. "If you had died... I don't know what I would have done. I could never have forgiven myself. I should have just let him put me on the bed. Or... or eaten the ice cream myself."

"No, Michelle. That would have been pointless. He just would have gotten someone else to do it. And look how well it turned out."

She squeezed him tight. "Drew thank you for taking me, us, in. We had no where to go!"

"Well, this is kind of a little rescue Fellowship or something. So who are these others?"

"This is Emily, Emma, and Kayla." He hugged each in turn and greeted them.

Brie wrinkled her brow some, "Uh, Drew... if you remember the two groups at the shelter? These three are from the generational group and have kind of been on the streets and on drugs for a while so..."

He smiled at the three women, "So, we have a little more work cut out for us." The three were fidgeting, anxious, wringing their hands... all the early signs. "You all want to quit, right?"

They nodded. "Six weeks ago, these four looked just like you. And now look at them...," smiling, "well, maybe they're not the best roll models..." A spoon bounced off his shoulder.

He laughed. "Well, maybe they are. Thank you, Ronnie. We can help you. We can help you get on your feet. Michelle, we can help you get back to your life; you'll be different, but you can be happy and successful again.

"And you three, maybe we can provide you with the helping hand you need to get on the right track. The options are there, the options are limitless... I know that's not something you ever thought you could have or that you deserved, but you DO deserve happiness, love, meaning to your life, a future. We just need you to trust us and tell what we need to do to help. Deal?"

They all four looked up from the floor, looked at his puffy face and nodded.

"Here, Drew, have a seat at the table and I'll cut you a piece of cake. I put a towel down, you know, just in case you were leaking or something."

He looked at her suspiciously, but sat down. He felt a pop and moments later the water from the rupture balloon started soaking through the scrubs he wore home. A slight smile twisted one side of his face as he took the first bite of cake. "Oh, this IS good! The lady at the bakery said it was one of her favorites. Sooo... you all talked to Bryan, did you?"

Another water balloon exploded on his chest. "Drew Jackson! You are such an A. S. Ssss! You know damn well that skinny as hell, bony ass of yours are soaking wet and you won't even give us any satisfaction!"

"You have to admit, Drew, that was a good one."

Smiling, "Okay, that was a good one. So I guess I shouldn't have left you all alone with Bryan."

The women looked at each other. "What makes you think..."

"You can fool some of the people some of the time..."

"That's not how the saying goes, Mr. Knowitall."

"Dang, it's good to be home." Turning to the new ladies, "See what you have to look forward to? And they used to be so nice." Despite feeling awful due to withdrawal, the new women actually smiled.

"Guess I'll mosey along and get some dry clothes on." He got up and started towards his bedroom. With no underwear, the fabric of his scrubs clung to his buttocks.

Ronnie made a gagging sound, "For the love of God, Drew! Pull that fabric away from that skinny little misshapen ass of yours. Not sure I'd be struttin' around showing that thing off!" He smiled to himself, but kept walking.

Brie put her hands in front of her pelvis and and thrust vigorously, "Uh! Uh! Uh!" The five started howling with laughter like the previous time. The new ones laughed too, a little, although they weren't completely sure why.

"Guess we won't be seeing Mr. Skinny Butt for a while."

Antonia had stood and watched the entire display. Smiling, even laughing a little when the balloon hit his chest. She wanted this. She wanted friends, an expanded family, and Drew. More than anything on earth she wanted Drew. She followed him in and closed the door. A round of cat calls followed her in.

Victoria turned to Ronnie, "Maybe now Drew will actually 'be fine.' The women all nodded.

Antonia smiled, but then had a worried look on her face, "Drew, is it alright if I stay?"

"I would love it if you would stay."

"You have made such a difference in my life, Drew. You defended me, you saved me, you took away my darkness, you let me laugh again. I still... I still am not who I used to be. She's been buried a long time, but," tearing up, "I think you'd like her, Drew. Or at least I hope you do because she sure as hell likes you."

She stepped forward, clutched him to herself and kissed him. Long, hard, passionate. Her need was growing, small remnants of the shadows and darkness emerged and she tightened momentarily until they were shattered against his rocky pillars of love and protection. Gone. She relaxed, surrendered--mind, body, soul.

"Drew, I love you and need you more than any man or anybody I've ever met. Please! Please hold me, make me feel safe, make me feel loved, make me feel like I'm home."

He stepped forward, embraced and kissed her. Long, slow, loving. Urgent, but gentle. "We need to get you out of those wet clothes, Drew." Not waiting, she reached down and encircled him in her fingers. A moan of need and anticipation escaped her throat.

"Love me, Drew. Please love me. And make love to me. Please!"

"Always and forever."

A few minutes later she climbed on top, straddled him to avoid his thigh, and he entered her. Then paused. "Drew? Are you okay?"

"I am perfect! Everything is just perfect!"