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This story may NOT be archived in ANY FORMAT whatsoever in existence today or under development now or developed in the future for public display, FOR FREE or PAY without the expressed WRITTEN consent of the author. Midnight downloads is available electronically, for free. It will NEVER be found on a pay to access site with the author's permission!

This is a work of fiction. Any people, places or locations within are purely fiction and the product of the author's imagination, or their names are used to add realism and/or for satirical purposes. Their use does not constitute any type of endorsement or agreement, in part or in whole, with any belief or message, expressed, implied or otherwise inferred by the author and the story/story line, nor do they imply any endorsement of the story or author.

This story contains scenes of EXTREME VIOLENCE, mature subject matter and deals with alternative lifestyles. If you are not comfortable with these concepts and materials, STOP reading NOW. If you are under the age of seniority and consent where you live, or if these types of materials are illegal for you to read, possess or download, you must STOP reading NOW and you may NOT download this story. If you are very religious, this work will probably anger you. Do not read it. Do not download it. Hello, nice to see you, GO AWAY. You'll be more comfortable at http://www.disney.com please go there instead of here.

 

Midnight Downloads
by Wendy-J
Wendy-J@KimEM.net
© 1999-2004 Wendy-J All Rights Reserved.
Unauthorized distribution or archival prohibited.

 

Part-10
Sunday Morning September 6^th

"Hello, Janice," Jennifer said. "This is a very dear friend of mine, Joanne Ayers. Joanne, meet Janice Wilson, one of my best customers and the woman I've been telling you about. May we come in, Jan?"

A bit flustered, Jan replied, "Pleased to meet you, Joanne. Umm…"

Jan found herself momentarily at a loss for words as she stared at Joanne. Joanne was the first bald woman Jan had ever seen up close and she found herself staring. Worse still -- in her mind, anyway -- she was appreciating the shape of Joanne's head; the graceful curve made between Joanne's skull and neck…even the faint hint of the new growth of hair was fascinating. Suddenly Jan realised that she had been staring, although Joanne's friendly smile belied any sort of irritation.

Finding her voice, Jan continued, "We're in the parlour; would you please come in?"

"Yes, thank you," Jenny replied as she motioned Joanne in ahead of her.

They proceeded into the parlour, a large room decorated in a delicately carved French-Provincial style. The furniture was elegant, and not as uncomfortable as appeared. Linda and Dr. Dewinter were ensconced in the love seat facing the hearth, talking animatedly. Brandy, noticing Janice escorting Jennifer and Joanne into the room, stood and welcomed the new guests effusively. "Jenny, Joanne! I had no idea you were coming over on this! It's so nice to see you again."

Turning to Linda, Janice said, "Why do I have the feeling that somehow you're behind all of this?"

"I think you need to sit down, Jan," Linda said, taking her friend by the elbow and steering her over to the sofa. "There are some things you need to know about me and the organization I work for." She guided Jan into a seat on the corner of the sofa. Linda perched on the edge of the cushion next to her friend and continued. "Basically, I work for Jenny and Joanne." She motioned to the two women that were still standing. "They run the organization. That 's what we call it... 'The Organization.' We never could come up with a good name for it that didn't sound just plain silly.

"What we do, in part, is look out for women and children everywhere. In instances of abuse, like Samantha's, we provide physicians, psychological counselling even monetary support when needed. We also provide foster homes and families when the situation warrants. And most of all, we find ways to correct the underlying cause of the situation. All of this costs money, lots of money. That was the reason they hired me in the first place. I have a knack for moving money around and investing it in bigger and better ways. I suppose, some day, that's going to catch up with me. But, until then, I'll continue to find ways to make the money."

Linda's eyes burned with an intensity Jan had never seen before. They seemed to burn into her like a torch into soft metal.

"As it turned out," Linda continued, "they found that I also have a talent for controlling the thugs, both men and women, that habitually abuse those we seek to protect. In Samantha's case, we'll let her decide how she wants to handle her father. But we also need to find her a place to live and get her into counselling. Are you with us?"

Jan felt as though she could have been knocked over with a feather. Linda, her closest friend and confidant, had just revealed a deep, dark secret that even she, her best friend, didn't know. Normally happy-go-lucky Linda had become an intense, almost demanding, force in something she didn't quite understand. As compelling as Linda was, Jan just sat and stared at the women gathered about the room in turn.

Dr. Dewinter stood with Jennifer Winchester and Joanne Ayers in the centre of the room. They all stared at her, somehow expecting something of her. What they got surprised them all... Jan started to cry.

"What do you want me to say, Linda? I have one of the most perfect young girls I've ever met, lying in a bed in my guestroom, looking like a Mack truck ran her over, and for what?! Because she doesn't live up to the mental image her father has of her? My son looks, sounds and acts like my daughter; and he likes it! I have my best friend in the world asking me to help her do god knows what to both of them, and there's no-one I can turn to for guidance anymore. Just what do you want me to do? Go over there and put a bullet between that Neanderthal's eyes? I'm barely keeping myself together here!" She broke down in deep, heart wrenching sobs.

Linda pulled her friend close and held on tight as Jan sobbed and sobbed.

Witnessing the emotional scene before her, Jennifer Winchester silently signalled the other women in the room to follow her. They silently filed out the front door.

"I had no idea she was on such an emotional edge," Jennifer began, addressing the group of women. "Brandy, see what you can do for her when she's done crying. I don't want her seeing that quack of Linda's if I can help it. I know he's good, but I just don't feel comfortable using him for this. Joanne and I are going to go to the shoppe. When you have her calmed down, see where we stand and whether or not she'll work with us. In the meantime, I have things to do and some wheels to put into motion. All right?"

Brandy nodded silently and started to return to the house. Stopping in her tracks, she turned to Jenny and said quietly, "She's with us, Jen, she just doesn't know it yet, but she is." With that she returned to the house.

Jenny looked up into Joanne's eyes, there were tears forming in the corners. "I don't know about you," she said, "but I need a fix. And then…" She trailed off, unable and perhaps uncertain of what steps to take next. Jenny's voice dropped to a stage whisper as they walked to the car. "There has GOT to be a way to make him pay."

"Come on, love," Joanne said. "Let's get you home. I'll phone ahead and have your 'fix' ready… It's one scoop of French vanilla, one of vanilla bean, chocolate fudge and marshmallow sauce with whipped cream and cherries, right? After that… well, you owe me a shave." Joanne impishly rubbed the stubble on the top of her head as a tear slowly ran down her cheek. "We'll forward the calls from there."

"I do believe you know me all too well, Chilli," Jenny said as she ran her fingers over the stubble on her friend's head. "But you're not getting off that easily. You said one month, and I'm holding you to it."

*************************

Later that day, Dr. Dewinter was examining Samantha for what, to Sam, seemed like the billionth time.

"I'm fine, Doc, really," she lisped through swollen lips.

"You aren't 'fine,' as you so blithely put it, young lady. You have a broken nose, which I managed to set, no thanks to your squirming, a concussion, a laceration of the scalp that probably should have been stitched, several severe contusions and abrasions and quite possibly a cracked rib or two. That we won't know for sure, unless we take some x-rays, which I can't do here; at least, not yet. But even if I could, there's nothing we can do for them but let them heal on their own. You're lucky to be alive by the look of things."

"I've had worse," Sam said quietly.

Brandy's stomach churned at the thought.

"So, how soon before I can get out of this bed?"

"I suppose tomorrow will be all right for that," Brandy replied, "but I really would feel better if you were in a hospital and not here. That monster really did a number on you."

"Well, I feel much better, thank you. Why can't I get up now?" Samantha asked. "I mean, what's it gonna hurt?"

"Hurt?" Brandy asked. "My dear girl, just look at you! You look like a raccoon! With the concussion you sustained, you probably shouldn't be allowed out of bed for a week! It's entirely possible that there has been some damage to the cranial... Oh, who do I think I'm talking to, anyway?!?" Brandy said, exasperated with her patient.

"No, you may not get out of bed, you will stay there until I say you may get up. I don't care if it takes two weeks! And that's final! Now lie back and get some rest!

"And be careful of that nose! That's the best set job I've ever done!"

"Yes, SIR!" Sam lisped, trying to smile.

Tina, sitting in a chair by the bed, giggled quietly.

Brandy just laughed, "You're as bad as any football player I've ever treated. You really could have done some damage up there," she said, lightly tapping the young girl's forehead with the tip of her index finger. "Now get some rest!"

Brandy left the guestroom and went down the hall to Jan's room. "Now then, how's my other patient doing?" she asked of Jan as she opened the door and walked into the room.

Jan, still dressed, was sitting on her bed, propped up with pillows. "This is ridiculous, Dr. De..."

"The name is Brandy, thank you," Brandy said as she sat on the edge of the bed, "and you have been going through an awful lot of stress, judging by the way you broke down earlier. And since I am a doctor of medicine, I will determine what is ridiculous and what isn't, not my patient. Now then, how do you feel?"

"Like a big cat in a cage at the zoo; will you let me get up and get back to..."

"I think you need to relax a bit more. Why don't you turn on that TV of yours and watch a movie? It's time you lightened up. Your daughter -- and she is your daughter, by the way -- is taking good care of Samantha. And your friend here -- Lord knows what you see in her -- can take care of you," she said, indicating Linda.

"Are you sure I can't prescribe a mild sedative or antidepressant? The sedative will allow you to get some much-needed rest. The antidepressant will help you adjust to the changes that seem to be so overwhelming at the moment."

"No, I really don't like drugs of any kind. I just need some time to adjust. At first, I thought that Tina was just a transvestite like her father, but after seeing her and the way she's been acting and reacting to people around her, I just don't know anymore. All this was just supposed to be a lesson in humanity. The next thing I know, the person who's supposed to be my best friend is suggesting otherwise and schemes behind my back to make my son my daughter."

"Now, wait just a minute, Jan!" Linda said from the club chair in the corner. "I didn't scheme anything. The first thing I did was to get her to see a counsellor. They decided what was best, not me. I just set it in motion. And from the look of things, I was just in time, too. The bet was to be only if she made the choice she made, not regardless of her choice, as I recall."

"I'm sorry, Linda, I know. I'm feeling a bit..."

"Overwhelmed?" asked Brandy.

"Well, yes," Jan said reluctantly.

"If that lovely young lady in there is your son," Brandy continued, "I'll eat every sheepskin I've ever earned, and I've earned quite a few. I have two PhD's, you know. And as for Sam, she's received a systematic beating worthy of the Gestapo of Nazi Germany. It's a miracle she wasn't killed. That's not an exaggeration. You are the one responsible for their continued good health. Your finding a way to manage that has taken quite a bit out of you. Given the circumstances, it's no wonder you're feeling the way you are.

"As I was saying before you're facing a lot of stress right now. I can recommend someone if you like. In the meantime, why don't you relax? We'll watch some TV and get to know one another. Something tells me I really would like to get to know you."

"Okay, D…Brandy," Jan said with a wan smile. "Why don't you sit back and help me find something to watch on this 200 channel satellite thing Tina insisted we get? You should see the southern roof, it looks like something out of a science fiction movie with all the satellite dishes." They all laughed at her quip.

Back in the guestroom, Tina was sitting on the bed, propped up with the pillows, while Samantha's head was cradled in her lap. She stroked Sam's hair gently as they watched the TV together.

*************************

As evening approached Janice, with the help of Brandy and Linda, made a simple, light meal for all. Tina ate hers upstairs with Sam, while everyone else ate in the kitchen. Jan pulled one of the matching chairs to the antique table from its home in a corner as Linda set the table. The discussion over dinner centred on Tina, Sam and what they should do about it all. They spoke quietly, leaning over their plates with their heads together, as though they were conspirators in a Machiavellian plot.

When it started to get late, Brandy insisted on staying over. She said she felt uncomfortable leaving Sam without professional medical help about. Acquiescing to her wishes, Janice installed her in one of the smaller guestrooms next door to "Sam's room" and loaned her some nightclothes.

"Sam's Room," that's what she'd come to think of her largest guestroom, anyway.

"I'll be damned if I'm letting that girl go back to that monster so he can kill her! I have the room, so why shouldn't she have a home here? 'Sam's room' it is," Jan thought to herself. "Besides, it has a nice ring to it."

The goodnights almost sounded like the end of a "Walton's" episode as everyone settled in for the night.

After lying restlessly for several minutes, Jan rose from her bed and silently walked down the hall to "Sam's room," then tapped gently on the door.

"Come in?" came the quiet invitation. "Oh! Mrs. Wilson, thanks for letting me stay here tonight," she began.

"Shush, dear," Jan said as she crossed the room and sat on the edge of the bed.

"There's no reason you have to go back to that…" Jan's voice almost failed her. "This is your new home if you want to stay with us, Honey. We'll worry about your things later. I just wanted you to know that you have a home, here with us, if you want it."

"I…" Sam began to cry quietly. Jan just held her as she would her own child and cried with her.

Hearing the hushed voices, Tina walked down the hall to investigate. She saw Sam's door was ajar, and peeked inside. Seeing Sam cradled by her mother, she quietly closed the door and padded back to her own room and "The Monster" for another session of her "Midnight Downloads" before crawling between the sheets and going to sleep and dreaming strange dreams. Even with the knowledge that Sam was safe in the next room, she slept fitfully.

*************************

Monday Morning September 7^th

The next morning, Brandy came down the stairs in a pair of borrowed jeans and a sweatshirt. Her hair was still damp from her morning ablutions. Seeing Jan at the coffeepot, she smiled and chirped a bright "Morning!"

"Oh!" Jan said, jumping a bit. "Good morning, Brandy. You startled me. Normally, I'm the only one awake for another couple of hours. Come on in and sit down. Coffee?"

"Yes, thank you. I didn't mean to startle you, Jan, I normally get an early start on the day."

"How's our patient?" Jan asked.

"I peeked in before coming down," Brandy said. "She's resting comfortably, from what I could see. Every time I look at her I cringe inside and want to kill that brute of a father. I can't believe what he did to her."

"I know," Jan said. "I just don't understand it. How can someone do something like that to their own child?"

"It really is an illness, Jan. That's no excuse, but it is an illness. I'd wager he was abused as a child. Now he's just passing it on to the next generation. It's hard for him, Jan; the only parenting style he knows is abuse. In a household like Sam's, and I dare say his as a child, the only reaction to stress, anger, and frustration that the children see is physical. Of course, drinking doesn't help. Alcohol only seems to magnify and exacerbate the abusive parent's reactions to minor infractions of household rules. He really needs to get into therapy. Sam's lucky he didn't kill her. Once she's well enough, she needs to get into therapy herself. If she doesn't, she runs the risk of becoming just as abusive as he is."

"Why do I find that so hard to believe?" Jan asked.

"Believe it. It's depends upon the level of abuse the abusive parents and spouses received as children. If they were dominated through fear, intimidation and mild physical abuse, I'd say a large percentage of them, perhaps as high as ninety percent, will become abusive parents and spouses themselves. It's the only way they know how to act, because that's how they were taught to act.

"If the abuse is as bad as Sam's, it can go either way. It's a fifty-fifty chance that she'll escape being an abusive parent. She might refuse to be a parent out of fear -- fear of her own temper. The real damage in cases like Sam's is emotional. It's crippling. Some children that have suffered this level of abuse can't show any emotion. Some just have difficulty relating to others. Some will never trust anyone. The worst cases retreat inside their own heads and become walking zombies.

"I wouldn't be surprised if Sam refuses allow any emotional intimacy at all. I'd be very surprised if she has more than one or two friends. I can almost guarantee that they aren't really close, either. She'll keep them at a distance. I don't think she trusts anyone at all.

"The abuse is cyclic, Jan. Just like brainwashing. Things go really nice one day, then they level out for a day or two. Then there is an incident of abuse. The abuse is immediately followed by a stage of remorse on the part the abuser who then showers the victim with gifts, or an almost smothering amount of love and praise. Sometimes both. Then it levels out again for a day or two. The cycle repeats itself, over and over again. It never stops. Don't be surprised if every time you do something nice, or if something good happens, Sam acts like she's waiting for the other shoe to drop. It's all she knows."

Jan sat open-mouthed, unable, or perhaps unwilling, to believe something so horrible could actually be happening to someone as sweet as Sam.

"She needs to get into therapy and unlearn that type of behaviour, or she runs a fifty-fifty chance of continuing a most vicious cycle or living an empty life. She needs to learn to break the circle of violence and become human again. To trust again."

"I know," came a small voice from across the room.

"Sam! What are you doing out of bed?" Brandy snapped.

"I woke up and couldn't bear the thought of another day on my back. I just had to get up." Sam said.

She stood in the doorway to the back stairs, dressed similarly to Brandy, the hem of her tight, bell-bottomed jeans dragged on the floor. They were obviously borrowed from Tina. The bruises on her face were starting to turn really ugly shades of purple, green and yellow as the healing process began. And, because of her broken nose and the additional trauma caused while setting it, she looked a bit like a perversely coloured raccoon with a metal nose guard.

"I wish I knew how to get my father into therapy."

Seeing the looks of fear on Brandy's and Jan's faces she added, "Oh, don't worry, it's not for my sake; well… not entirely, I'm never going back there if I can help it. But he needs it for my Mom's sake. She lives in terror."

"That's one of the things we were going to address in the next couple of days, Hon. Right now, come over here and sit down," Jan said, patting the seat beside her.

Sam took the seat beside Jan and hugged her tight. "Thanks, Mrs. Wilson... for everything."

Brandy stood up and asked, "Coffee, Sam?"

"Yes, please," she said from under Jan's chin.

"I'm not your mother, Sam, and Mrs. Wilson sounds so formal, not to mention silly. I don't have a neighbour's son named Dennis running around in the yard either. So how about calling me Aunt Jan? Is that all right with you?"

Sam's response was to squeeze tighter and mumble an affirmative "Umm hmm" into Jan's bosom. Then, without releasing her grip on Jan, she pulled back slightly.

Looking up at her, Sam said, "Yes, Aunt Jan, it's perfect." With that she buried her face into Jan's bosom once again and held on as if for dear life.

"Okay, you little snuggle bunny, here's your coffee," Brandy giggled as she put the cup down in front of the bruised girl.

Just then, a wail was heard from upstairs. It was a forlorn, pathetic sound, as if a mother had found her child dead in it's crib. "NOOOOOOOooooooooo!" Brandy nearly dropped her mug from the shock of hearing it. "MOM!!!" came the shriek following it, coupled with the sound of elephants on the stairs. "MOM!!! SAM'S GONE!!!"

"Oh gods," Sam moaned, shaking her head, a smile of relief on her battered face. "It's alive!"

Jan and Brandy giggled helplessly at this remark, at once relieved that nothing was wrong and amused at the words from Sam.

Tina burst into the kitchen to find the trio, giggling helplessly. "I don't see what's so funny," she said.

"You are, silly," Sam squeaked, obviously in pain from her ribs. "C'mere you lunk-head," she said, holding out her arms for a hug.

Crimson with embarrassment, Tina, clad in a scanty, pastel pink, baby-doll nightie and sheer satin robe with fluffy white trim, made her way across the room to Sam's outstretched arms and wrapped her in as tight a hug as she dared.

"When I saw your bed empty, I got so scared," she mumbled into Sam's hair. "Don't do that to me!"

"What?" Sam asked, an evil smile crossing her swollen lips. "Get out of bed?" With that, the room broke out in gales of laughter.

"I'm not going anywhere, Sweetie, I live here now. My, don't you look a-dorable in your little nightie," she giggled.

Tina flushed darker still. "I need a cup-a-coffee," she mumbled in embarrassment as she broke the embrace.

"Well, go get it, Honey. I'm not going anywhere," Sam replied.

Breakfast, consisting of scones, coffee, and juice, was a light-hearted affair, ending with a cursory exam of Samantha by Dr. Dewinter, right there in the kitchen.

"Well?" Sam asked.

"Well, double-you - ee - ell - ell, well. Generally a circular shaped hole in the ground with a pocket of oil, gas, or water at the bottom," quipped Brandy.

"Oh! You know what I mean!" said an exasperated Samantha. "I can't take another day cooped up in bed. Puh-Leeze!" she begged.

"If you mean are you whole and hale, unbelievably, yes. I'll never fully understand the magic of youth. Your concussion is fine and your cuts are healing nicely. Just be careful of that beautiful nose and those ribs of yours," Brandy said, shaking her head in amazement.

"Can I go shopping?" Sam asked brightly.

Shaking her head in disbelief, Brandy said, "If you promise to take it easy and rest a lot, okay. But you're not to make a day of it. Four hours only! Do you understand?"

Hearing the news, Samantha vibrated with enthusiasm, thrilled to be released on her own recognizance. "I promise, Doctor. Can I go now?"

Nodding her head in the affirmative, Brandy watched in amazement as Samantha scuttled out of the room, like a child given a reprieve from punishment and sent out to play.

"I'll never understand them," she said to Jan. "One minute they're bashed and bleeding, unable to move, the next it's as if nothing ever happened."

"I know," Jan said. "Tina's the same way. I'd better call Linda, we promised her she could be there when Tina broke in her new credit card."

Brandy laughed. "Here," she said as she handed Janice a business card, "she'd never forgive me if I didn't give you that. She'll be at that number."

"That's right!" Jan exclaimed. "It's Monday! I'd completely forgotten, with all the craziness of the past couple of days. I have to call my office, too!"

Chuckling, Brandy said, "I'll stop in and check up on Sam in a couple of days. In the meantime, I have to get going. I have patients to see."

"Thanks for everything, Brandy. When you come over, plan on dinner. We'll make a night of it."

"Now that's the best offer I've had in months! Count on it. I'd better get my things and get going. I'll wear these things home if that's all right with you?"

"Be my guest," Jan said. "If you'll excuse me, I have calls to make."

Both women started out of the kitchen in different directions.

*************************

Meanwhile, upstairs in Tina's room, Sam was helping Tina with ideas for decorating, while Tina got dressed.

"I'm telling you, Tina, some scarves over the lamps, a couple of pictures of hunky guys on the walls and a few stuffed animals on the bed and in the chair and this place is gonna be sooo cute!" Sam teased.

"I'm not putting any pictures of any guys on the walls!" Tina exclaimed. "I'm not gay! Annnd when did you ever have an interest in 'hunky'-guys, or anything that's cute, anyway?"

"I'd think about what you just said while looking in a mirror, little girl," Sam said as she turned Tina to face one of her mirrored closet doors.

"Bu..." Tina started. She fell silent as she stared at the young girl in panties and bra reflected back at her.

"If you hang pictures of 'babes' on the walls, it's gonna look like you're gay, Honey. See what I mean?" Sam asked. Tina swallowed and nodded her head in silent agreement. "And I don't have an interest in hunky guys. I just thought that since you look so cute in a skirt, that just maybe you might like to give guys a try?" she said mischievously.

"Why, you..." Tina faked a swat to the top of Sam's head.

"Now then, what are you gonna do about school?" Sam asked.

"Mom's enrolling me at Cliffside. I wish you could go there too..." she trailed off. "Hey," she remarked, you could almost see the light bulb lit up over her head. "Why couldn't you go there?" Enthusiasm filled her voice. "That's it! I'll bet Mom would enrol you there!"

"Are you crazy?" Sam snapped in reply. "I could never afford Cliffside on my salary. That's the school for the arts and the hoity-toity. Where would I ever get that kind of cash?"

"Who said anything about you paying for it? Mom'll pay for it!"

"No way. No way in hell..."

"Sam!" Jan said sharply from the open door.

Both teenagers' heads instantly turned towards the door.

"The first thing you're going to have to remember is that we don't speak like that around here. The second thing is that, yes, I will spring for Cliffside and that is where you'll attend. I know you're at the age of consent, but if you go back to Central, you leave yourself open to further abuse from your father. Now, as for the money, I have it and I'll spend it as I see fit. I've already started the paperwork to have you declared my…dependant, since I'm responsible for your well-being from here out. Is that understood?"

"Oh! Aunt Jan…" the tears springing forth as she rushed to Jan's arms. Tina just stood there in her unmentionables, a smile beaming from ear to ear.

"If we're going shopping, I suggest we get a move on," Jan said to the girls.

"Um... Aunt Jan?" Samantha began.

Tina's head snapped back to Sam, a shocked, questioning look on her face.

"Yes, Sam?" Jan asked in reply.

"Um... Could I... um... would you... I mean..." Samantha was blushing furiously as she tried desperately to get the words out.

"Buy you some boy's clothes?" Jan finished for her. Sam just blushed and nodded her head yes as she stared at the floor in embarrassment.

"Of course, dear," she said with a smile. "Anything you need. Why don't you see what Tina has that you can use? We'll make a list of the things you'll need to supplement them. At least this way they won't go to waste."

Sam just beamed.

When Jan left the room, Tina spoke. "I don't know when my Mom became Aunt Jan, but I like it. And I know which guy's pictures to hang on my walls now."

Sam stared at her with a puzzled look on her face. "I thought you just said…"

"Yours," Tina said. "Sam, will you be my boyfriend?"

**********************

Continued in Part-11

  

  

  

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