Chapter One
***************
Gary quietly closed the front door and locked it, before turning to lean his tired body against it. He sighed deeply, trying to muster enough energy to climb the flight of stairs to his bedroom.

Slowly, he put one foot in front of the other and made his way up the stairs and into his bathroom where he got ready for bed. When he was done, he walked over to his side of the bed, where currently, Cat had taken up residence.

"Shoo!" Gary whispered harshly.

"Meow!"

"You heard me. Scat!"

Reluctantly, Cat got up and moved to the foot of the bed, before curling up in a ball.

Carefully, so as not to wake Bailey, Gary climbed into bed. He inhaled the scent of the freshly laundered sheets and began to relax.

Bailey turned her body towards his and wrapped her arms around him. "He was only keeping your spot warm. Rough night?"

Once again he sighed. "Mmm hmm," he responded as he placed his arms around her.

"Wanna talk about it?"

"No....not really."

"You work too hard, Gary."

"What else am I supposed to do?" he asked sharply.

"You could let someone help you. You could let me help you," she replied.

He raised his hand to run it across his face. "Bailey, we've discussed this," he said, before moving his arm from around her and turning his back to her.

Bailey knew the conversation had ended and once again, Gary was the winner. She would let it go, for now. Tonight he was too tired and it was late. They could have this discussion another time--and they would.

She maneuvered herself so she was sitting up and began to massage Gary's shoulders and back. She heard him moan softly. Slowly, the tension in his muscles relaxed and he raised one hand up to grasp hers.

"I'm sorry," he apologized.

She leaned down and kissed his shoulders softly. "Shh, just go to sleep. You need the rest."

He squeezed her hand before drifting off to sleep.

*~*
"Meow!" *thump*

As Gary woke up, he became aware of the familiar feeling of Bailey's body curled up next to him.

"Meow!" the cat repeated.

Bailey stretched, causing her body to move closer to his, making him wish he could forget about the paper and stay in bed with his wife.

"Meow!!" Came the cry, more insistent this time.

"Morning," she smiled before getting up and making her way to the door. She opened it, and Cat walked into the room and rubbed against her leg. She squatted down next to the cat and scratched his head.  "You think you could give Gary a break today? He's really tired."

"Meow."

"Well, it was worth a try," she said as she stood up and handed Gary, who had gotten out of bed, the paper.

"What's all this?" he asked as he waved his hand to the suitcase filled with clothes. 

Chapter Two
***************
"Gene and I are going to your parents' this weekend. You forgot......that's okay. You've been so busy lately," Bailey stated.

Gary plopped down on the bed and ran his hand across his face. "I'm sorry."

Bailey sat down next to him and placed her hand on his leg. "Gary, why don't you come with us?" she suggested.

"I can't! I have this," he growled as he held up the paper.

"You take Gene to your parents, and I'll take care of the paper."

"No.....this is my responsibility. I'll take care of it," he said sternly.

"Gary, you're my responsibility too. Why don't you let me take care of you?" she replied as she gently squeezed his leg.

Gary took her hand in his. "Bailey, you take very good care of me. It's just......well, the paper comes to me. So I am responsible," Gary told her as he let go of her hand and stood.

"I worry about you, Gary."

His shoulders drooped slightly before he turned to face her. "I'm okay.....really I am. I promise, one day I'll be able to take you and Gene away for a weekend. Maybe even a real vacation," he said as he placed his hand on his heart.

"Gary, the vacation isn't what I'm worried about. I'm worried about you."

"I'm fine."

Bailey still wasn't convinced. Something was gnawing away at Gary and she knew it, but she couldn't get him to share.

She smiled slightly. "Okay...I'm going to go on downstairs and start breakfast. Any requests?"

"No, whatever you fix will be fine."

*~*
"Pawpaw....Gammaw!" Gene chanted as Gary carried him into the kitchen.

"Yes, we are going to see Gammaw and Pawpaw today," Bailey answered.

"Ew too?" Gene asked as he looked at his dad.

"Listen partner, I would like to come with you, but I just can't," Gary tried to explain.

"Ew come too!" Gene insisted.

"I wish I could, but I have responsibilities."

Gene stuck out his bottom lip and it began to quiver. "No!" Gene snapped, before the tears started to fall down his cheeks. Gary looked over at Bailey, who raised an eyebrow.
 
"I tell you what, partner. I'll do my best to get things taken care of and meet you at Gammaw and Pawpaw's. Okay? Come on now. Don't cry."

Gene's tears stopped and he sniffed as Gary wiped the tears from his face.

Bailey sighed as she took Gene and placed him in his high chair.

She walked back over to Gary. "It's one thing to make promises to me that you won't keep, but don't make them to our son," she whispered angrily.

"I *will* try to be there," Gary said defensively.

She raised an eyebrow. "I certainly hope you do, because your son will be jumping at every car that drives by, hoping it's his daddy."

Gary ran his hand across the back of his neck. "I do my best, Bailey. I don't know what more you want out of me."

"Oh, Gary...." she began as she reached her hand out to touch him.

"I'm gonna go take a shower," he declared as he moved away from her touch and walked out of the room.

*~*
Bailey and Gene were finishing breakfast when Gary rushed down the stairs and into the kitchen.
 
"Hey partner! Daddy's gotta run now, but I want you and Mommy to have a great time at Gammaw and Pawpaw's. You be good," Gary said as he hugged
his son.

"And you be careful on the drive," Gary said as he placed his hand on the side of Bailey's face.

"Gary, I'm sorry."

He quieted her with a kiss. "I love you."

"I love you too. Are you not going to eat?"

"Don't have time. I'll grab something later. Be careful!"

"You too, Gary. Please!?"

"I'll be fine. I love you," he said again, before he rushed out of the house.

Chapter Three
***************
Bailey pulled her jeep into the driveway at Lois and Bernie's house. Both came out to greet Bailey and Gene before she even had time to turn off the ignition.
Lois opened the car door. "How's my baby? Oh my goodness! Look how you have grown!" she exclaimed as she got Gene out of his car seat and hugged him.
Bailey got out and made her way around to the passenger side of the jeep where Bernie gave her a big hug.

"How's my girl?" he asked.

"I'm fine," she answered as she returned his hug.

Lois finally turned her attention to Bailey. "Hi, sweetheart. Did you have a good trip?"

"Yes, we did. The traffic was light and we made good time. And Gene here wasn't fussy," she said as she reached out and ruffled his hair.

"Oh, poo. He's never fussy. Are you?" she asked Gene, who giggled in response.

"Gary couldn't make it?" Lois asked sadly.

"He's busy," Bailey responded briefly.

Lois opened her mouth to say something, and Bailey quickly shook her head  and glanced down at Gene.

Lois, realizing that Gene had wanted his daddy to come, dropped the subject.

*~*
"Gary, why don't you go home? You're beat," Marissa suggested.

Gary raised his head to look at her. "No.....there's nothing to go home to."

"Have you eaten?" she inquired.

He chuckled softly. "All right, I get your message. Are you sure you'll be okay if I go home?"

"Gary!"

"I know, I know. You're more than capable of handling things."

"I'm not Superwoman, Gary. Just as you aren't Superman. We all need help from time to time. Sometimes we may have to ask for that help...or, accept it when someone offers," Marissa stated.

Gary rubbed his hand across his face as he contemplated her words.

"Marissa......I think it's time to get you some help around here. Jake is great, but he's not enough. Why don't you put an ad in the paper?" Gary suggested.

Marissa smiled. "Gary, I was talking about you, not me."

"I know you were. But you need more time off too. You have a husband at home, and I'm sure he would like to spend more time with you."

"Yes, Gary, he would......"

Gary took hold of her hand. "Marissa, getting you some help is a problem I can easily solve. My problems are a little harder. Let me take care of the easy ones first."

"Of course, Gary. But if I can....."

Gary kissed her on the cheek. " 'Night, Marissa."

Marissa sighed. "Good night, Gary."

*~*
Gary leaned on the door of the refrigerator, scanning the contents. Bailey had fixed several meals and put them in containers for him, but eating them without her made them unappetizing.

He walked into the living room and turned on the lamp next to his recliner, before sitting down.

He sighed heavily as he stretched his long legs out and yawned. He spied a letter on the table next to his chair and picked it up. It was from Eve. He pulled the letter out and began to read it.

Dear Bailey and Gary, 

I just wanted to write you a quick letter to let you know how things are
going for me here.  I love my grandparents. They have lots of pictures of
my mother and tell me lots of stories about her. I find I miss her less now
that I am with them.

I have a great room and Grandpa is teaching me to ride. I am having so
much fun. I'm going to summer school to catch up on the classes I missed
last year. There is an art school near here that I've applied to and I'm
waiting to hear back from. I hope I get in.

There's also this guy in my class who is so cute. But I'll have to write
more about him later. I've got to go now. I just wanted to say hi, and
thanks again for all your help.

Hope to see you soon,
Eve

Gary smiled as he placed the letter back in the envelope and returned it to the table. Saves like Eve made this whole paper thing worthwhile, but he still wondered if he could keep doing it.  

He closed his eyes and placed his hands behind his head, when the phone rang.

"Hello?" he answered.

"Hi, Gary. Are you okay? I called McGinty's and Jake said you had gone home," Bailey told him.  

"I'm fine. I think I was bugging Marissa so she sent me home," he tried to make a joke.

He could hear Gene in the background. "Just a second, honey. Let me talk to Daddy first," he heard Bailey say.

"Are you having a good time?" Gary asked.

"Yes, we are. How about you? Another hard day?"

"Oh, the usual. Hit and run, choking, grease fire, drive by shooting," he replied as he held up a finger for each incident.

Worry knotted Bailey's brow. "You were able to take care of all of them?"

"Yes, fortunately."

"Gary, I love you."

"I know you do, Hon. I love you, too."

"No, Gary. I really.....I, well, I want you to know that I do. I tell you every day but I don't want you to think it's out of habit. You really are a special man...."

Gary blushed in spite of himself. "I...well, it's good to know. Thank you."

She smiled. "Are you blushing?"

Gary couldn't help but laugh. "You caught me."

Bailey laughed also. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to embarrass you."

"That's okay." He dropped his head and lowered his voice. "It's nice to hear you say it."

"Daddy!! Daddy!!!! Daddy!!!" Gene repeated insistently.

"Your son is demanding to talk to you," Bailey said as she handed over the phone.

Gene began to chatter into the phone, and Gary didn't understand most of what he said.  He swallowed the lump in his throat. "You don't say?" he responded. "I wish I could have been there for that."

"Ew come tomowwow?"

"We'll see, son."

"Mommy say haffa go," Gene said sadly.

"I'll talk to you tomorrow, partner. Good night."

"Night, night. Wuv ew."

"I love you, too."

"Hon, I better go so I can put Gene to bed," Bailey said as she took the phone from her son.  Before Gary could reply, he heard his mother's voice in the background.

"Are you ready for bed? How about Gammaw read you a bedtime story?" Lois asked. "You go ahead and finish talking to Gary and I'll tuck Gene in."

"Thank you, Lois......I'm sorry about that, Gary. Your mom is putting Gene to bed for me."

"He sounds like he's having fun, although I couldn't understand most of what he said."

Bailey laughed softly. "He was wired for sound tonight. Are you doing okay?"

"I miss you guys."

"We miss you, too......We can come home in the morning," Bailey suggested.

"No..no. Gene needs this time with Mom and Dad, and you could use a break too."

"A break? From you? Oh Gary! You don't think that, do you?"

When he didn't answer, Bailey said, "Gary, I wish you would tell me what I could do for you. I'm just at a loss as to how to help you."

"I keep telling you I'm fine. It's late. We'll talk tomorrow," he said curtly.

"Gary!"

"Good night, Hon. I love you," he said quickly, cutting her off.

"I love you, too," she said as she heard the dial tone.

Gary sat with his hand on the phone, debating if he should call her back, when the doorbell rang.

Chapter Four
***********
Gary opened the door to find Chuck standing there holding two brown bags next to his face, grinning ear to ear.

"Hey, buddy. I hope you haven't eaten. I stopped by Woo Ling's on the way over," Chuck said as he walked past Gary into the house.

"Chuck," Gary stated flatly as his eyes followed Chuck as he passed. Gary stuck his head out the door and looked back and forth. "Where's Emily?" he asked as he shut the door and followed Chuck into the kitchen.

"She's not speaking to me," Chuck answered simply.

"What did you do now?"

Chuck looked perturbed. "And why would you assume I did something?"

"Oh, I don't know." Gary paused as he cocked his head. "Just a funny feeling I have."

"Thanks, Gar! You sure know how to cheer a guy up."

Gary began opening the little white boxes to see what Chuck had brought. "So what happened?" he wondered.

"You know women. You say one thing, they hear another." Chuck began opening drawers and shutting them till he found a fork. "Can't eat with those darn chopsticks." He looked up at Gary, who was waiting for an explanation. "Oh, right. I asked her a simple question and she got mad at me. That is what happened."

"Really? What exactly did you ask her?" Gary asked as he tried to hide a smile, knowing Chuck's propensity to stick his foot in his mouth.

Chuck stabbed a piece of beef from his Moo Goo Gui Pan and stuck it in his mouth. "Well, I told her since I stayed at her house so much anyway,
it would be cheaper if I moved in with her."  

Gary laughed.

"What?" Chuck demanded.

"Nothing. You sure have a way with words," he replied, shaking his head.

"Well, not all of us have your ability to charm the ladies."

Gary blushed. "Yeah, I've got charm alright!" he said sarcastically.

Chuck stuffed a bite of egg roll in his mouth.  "Hmph! You've got a beautiful wife and child. I'd say you got charm."

"No....I just got very lucky."

"Yeah! You're pretty good in that department too. You get tomorrow's newspaper a day early. How lucky is that? Of course you still don't see the paper's full potential," he commented, shaking his head sadly.

Gary frowned at Chuck.

"What?" Chuck feigned innocence.

Gary groaned before he sat down.

"Hey, bud. Is something wrong? Bailey didn't really leave ya, did she? You didn't make up the story about her going to your parents'?" Chuck asked, dropping his voice to a whisper.

"No, she didn't leave me and yes, she is really at my parents'."

"Ah, I see. You're a little down cause you couldn't go too?"

"That obvious, huh?"

Chuck shrugged his shoulders. "Why don't you go?"

"Well now, that's a stupid question, isn't it?"

Chuck looked offended. "You been like this long? Maybe Bailey was glad to get away for a few days," he snapped back.

Gary ran his hand across his face. "You're probably right."

"Aww, hey. Come on now. I didn't mean it, Gar."  Gary placed his elbow on the table and rested his chin on his hand, lost
in thought.

"Gar?"

Gary took a deep breath before he spoke.  

"What would you say, if I told you I had decided to stop getting the paper?"

Chapter Five
********
"What would you say if I told you I had decided to stop getting the paper?"

"I'd say, let me take it," Chuck laughed, then sobered as he saw Gary's expression. "You're serious? Can you do that? Just stop getting the paper?"

Gary shrugged. "Remember when I told you about the time I saw my obituary in the paper, and I got trapped in that old carpet store?"

Chuck nodded.

"And I saw Snow," Gary said hesitantly.

"Mmm hmm. I remember."

"Well, he told me then, that it was my choice. It always had been."

"But why now? Why after all this time and all that you've been through with the paper, do you not want it any more?"

Gary laughed sarcastically. "Why would I want it?"

"Well, for a lot of reasons. Not even including the money you could make, since you don't use it for that anyway. Do you think you could go back to the way it was? I mean, now that you've looked into the future, can you just stop cold turkey?" Chuck wondered.

Gary let out a deep breath. "I'm about to find out."

"Do you think whoever sends the paper will punish you?" Chuck asked, his eyes growing wide with the thought.

"Punish me?"

"Yeah, you know...make your life jinxed or something?"

"I don't know. I never thought about that," Gary stated.

"Well, maybe you should think about it, buddy. You know, once you stop taking that paper, you lose all advance notice of tragedies. Including your own. This is a big step to take."

"I just want to live a normal life. Spend time with my wife and son.....maybe have a couple more kids. Is that too much to ask?" Gary wanted to know.

Chuck raised his eyebrows. "You wouldn't think so, but I'm wondering why you need to give up the paper to have that."

"Howzat?" Gary asked as he scratched his head.

"If I remember correctly, you thought you could never get married as long as you were getting the paper, but then the paper led you to Bailey. You told me so yourself."

Gary moved the food around on his plate with a fork before shoving the plate away. "The paper is so demanding."

"So are most jobs if you let them take over your life. You know what your problem is, Gar? You worry too much. You over think things instead of just letting them work themselves out. Life is like a puzzle and the pieces have a way of falling into place."

Gary cocked his head and looked at Chuck. "Who are you and what have you done with Chuck?"

"What?! Is Marissa the only one allowed to give sage advice?"

"Well, it's just not very often that you give it."

"Sometimes I surprise myself. Are we done talking about you now? I've got problems of my own that need solving. What do I do to get Emily to forgive me?"
Gary sighed. "Have you tried apologizing?"

"For what? I made her a money saving proposition. All she had to do was answer yes or no. I think she's just looking for a way out," Chuck said as he got up and walked over to the refrigerator and pulled out a couple of beers. He popped the caps off before he returned to the table.  "It all started New Year's Eve, when she told me that she wanted to start her own business. She quits the show and opens up her own beauty salon, and now this."
 
"Emily told us she couldn't work with the actors anymore. They were too demanding. I don't think her quitting had anything to do with wanting to break up with you," Gary said, reassuringly.

Chuck began peeling the label off his bottle. "I think Em had the right idea. Show business is for the birds. You know, I'd really like to walk in there tomorrow and say, 'Take this job and ...' Chuck was interrupted by the ringing of his cell phone. "Fishman here," he answered. "When? Well, how soon? That soon, huh?" Chuck let out a deep breath. "Sure. Later."

"Is everything okay?" Gary asked as he sat straighter in his chair.

"The show's been cancelled."

"Howzat?"

"Yep, just like that. They're yanking it, pronto. Can you believe it? Network executives don't know beans about anything."

"Hey, buddy. I'm really sorry."

"Well....it's not like I wasn't thinking about leaving. I just would have liked to leave on my own terms. I guess I'm gonna have to hunt for a job," Chuck mumbled before he took a long drink of his beer. He set the bottle down with a loud thud. "You're not needing any help at McGinty's, are ya?"

"Oh boy."

*~*
Bailey looked down into Gene's crib and softly stroked his hair. He was the miniature version of her husband. Identical in every way, even to the V at the base of his hairline. She leaned over and kissed his forehead before going to her room and climbing into bed.

Before she turned off the lamp on the night stand, she picked up the photo of her and Gary on their wedding day. Gently, she ran her finger over the image, then returned the picture to its original place.

She snuggled under the covers and closed her eyes and tried not to worry about Gary.

*~*
Gary tossed and turned--disturbing dreams invaded his subconscious.

~He strode up the front walk to his house, carrying a bag of groceries and a bouquet of roses. He inserted the key in the lock, but it wouldn't work. He knocked and no one answered. He retraced his steps down to the front walk and turned to face his house.

"Hon! I'm home!" he called out. "Hon?"

An upstairs window opened.

"Happy Anniversary!"

Gary knew this moment. He had lived it before--he knew what was coming.

"Head's up!"

"Marcia?" he uttered under his breath as he stepped back out of the way of the falling suitcase.

He looked up to see Bailey stick her head out of the window.

"Bailey?"

"I see you remembered my name. I'll make it easy for you, Gary. I won't make you choose between me and the paper," she yelled, before disappearing into the house and slamming the window shut.

"I choose you! I don't want the paper any more," he cried out.

"Meow!"

Gary looked around to see the cat sitting on the front porch.

"You hear me? I don't want it any more!"

"Meow!"~

*Click*

"Good morning, Chicago!" The radio blared as it kicked on.

Gary sat upright in bed, his heart racing. He slapped at the alarm till it was quiet.

"Meow!"

Gary slung the covers back, stomped over to the door and yanked it open.

"Meow."

"Meow, yourself. After today, looks like you will have to find yourself a new home," Gary stated as he jerked the paper from under the cat, leaving him to sit and stare after his master.

Chapter Six
******
Gary handed the driver his fare before he got out of the cab and began to scan the crowd. He opened the paper. 'Infant Killed in Mishap at Midway.'

"Mikey Simpson, 6 months old, was pronounced dead at the scene after his stroller rolled into oncoming traffic at the Midway departing gates. He was struck by an airport shuttle van at approximately 7:40 a.m. yesterday.'

Gary stuffed the paper in his back pocket and looked once more for a stroller.

"Rolls into oncoming traffic! Parents should watch their kids better," he grumbled.

He glanced at his watch--7:35 a.m. He scratched his head and wondered if the paper had sent him on a wild goose chase as punishment for his decision about the paper.

"Punish me! That's what you get for listening to Chuck," Gary spat.

A cab pulled up to the curb, several yards away, and a family got out. A mother put her small child into the stroller and pushed it to the back of the cab, where she helped pull suitcases out of the trunk. As she set one on the curb, she bumped the stroller and it began to roll.

"Hey!! THE BABY!!" Gary called out, raising his voice to be heard over the noise, before he began to run.

The mother looked around and realized that it was her child rolling into the path of an oncoming van. She screamed but remained frozen to the spot.

Gary reached the child and jerked the stroller out of harm's way. The baby began to cry, and the mother ran out to retrieve her child.

"Thank you so much," she stated gratefully.  "Thank goodness you reacted so quickly. I just froze. My baby would have been killed if not for you."

"You..you're welcome. You might put the brake on next time," Gary suggested.

"Yes, yes, I will. I've learned my lesson. Thank you again," she called after Gary as he walked away.

Gary's mind drifted back to what Chuck had said last night. "Quit that, Hobson. When did you ever take stock in anything Chuck told you?" he mumbled as he checked the headline. Satisfied that it had changed, he looked for the next save.

'Morning Robbery Leaves One Dead.'

'Sandra Watson, an employee for the 7-11 on the corner of 47th and
Cicero Avenue, died yesterday from a gunshot wound to the head. Two men,
described as being in their mid 20s and wearing Chicago Cubs jackets,
entered the store at approximately 8:15 yesterday morning.'

"Looks like I'm gonna have an easy day," Gary said sarcastically as he stuffed the paper in his back pocket. "But that's okay. This is my last day to worry over this stupid thing."

He stuck out his hand to stop a cab and gave the driver the address after climbing in and shutting the door. They made it out of Midway and onto Cicero, when the cab began to smoke and sputter. The driver cursed out loud before pulling over.

"Hey! What are you doing? I need to get to the 7-11."

"Can't you see this cab ain't goin' nowhere, mister?"

Gary mumbled under his breath before he tossed the driver some money and got out of the cab.

After trying unsuccessfully to hail three different cabs, he decided to walk. It wasn't too much further to his destination, and it would probably be quicker on foot than to try and get another cab. He looked at his watch--7:50 a.m. He should have plenty of time.

Time to do what? These guys are armed and are willing to kill someone. He mulled the situation over in his head before his thoughts began to drift.

"Just one more day and I can get up and not know what is going to happen. Just one more day and I can have the kind of life I always wanted. No complications from this thing and no more cat!" he said out loud as he walked.

He thought about the things he would do with his free time. First, he would take his family on a vacation. Then he would teach his son about baseball and football and hockey. He would watch games on tv. He would go to games. He would sleep in with his wife wrapped in his arms.

Lost in his thoughts, he didn't realize he had slowed his pace.

"Meow!"  The cat cried as Gary tripped over him.

"What the...?"

"Meow!"

Gary shook his head, trying to clear the view before him. He felt like he was looking through a fish bowl. He blinked rapidly again; the cat was gone and his vision cleared.

Gary continued on his way, grumbling about the paper. Was it possible that Chuck was right about the paper punishing him or causing him to have a jinxed life from now on?

"Think about that later, Hobson, you've got other things to take care of right now," he stated as he walked across the parking lot of the 7-11. He pulled the paper out of his pocket and opened it just as he shoved the door to the convenience store open. He took one step and froze as he saw the headline.

The bell jingled and Gary heard someone cry out. "Look out, Izzy!"

Gary caught a fleeting glance of someone raising their arm as he turned his head in the direction the voice came from. Then there was a flash, followed by a loud pop before he felt a searing pain in his chest.

"Oh man! You shot him, Izzy!! Oh man! Oh man!" Gary heard the same voice cry out, and the clerk began to scream.

Gary clutched his chest as he staggered a couple of steps before losing his balance. He grabbed a newspaper rack next to him for support but brought it crashing down with him--scattering newspapers everywhere.

He heard footsteps and felt the breeze as they jumped across him and ran out of the door. The grip he had on the paper loosened, and it joined the rest of the
scattered papers on the floor. His eyes focused on his watch--8:15 a.m.--before they fluttered shut and blood began to soak the paper, covering the headline, 'Local Bar Owner Dies From Bullet to the Heart.'

Chapter Seven
*******

Music played over the store's intercom system and the words filtered
through to Gary's muddled thoughts.

~I can hear her heartbeat
from a thousand miles
Hear the heaven's open,
every time she smiles
When I come to her,
it's where I belong
Still I'm running to her,
like a rivers song~

"Mister? Hang in there, help is coming--You better hurry," Sandra said into the phone, "he doesn't look good and there's, there's so much blood," she finished, her voice shaky with fear.

Gary's eyes fluttered. He was going to die. He knew it. This was his punishment. He had upset whoever sent the paper and this was the price he would pay.

Memories began to flash through his mind as he closed his eyes.

~*He was sitting in an empty McGinty's.

"Maybe it'd be worth it if there was someone to come home to at night. Someone who cares about you." *~

~*He was in a carpet store, covered by debris.

"Lousy day to die. Sure you wanna do this?" Snow said.

"You brought me here."

"My experience, we all get pretty much where we want to go.......Havin' a problem with that paper aren't ya?"

"I can't do this anymore." *~

~*He was arguing with Brigatti on a street corner.
 
"You don't even have a life, do ya? Which is fine by me, but cut me some slack. Let me have one."

"I have a job to do."

"I know all about jobs. I'm an expert. Everything's so urgent you get lost. You figure you'll get your life next week or next month. I don't want to suddenly wake up and be 65 years old and say, Gee Gary, you did a great job......But you forgot to get a life." *~

~She gives me love, love, love, love, crazy love
She gives me love,
love, love, love, crazy love~ 

~*Gary was leaning over the railing of the Lake Street Bridge, gripping Bailey's hand before pulling her to safety. "It's okay. I've got you," he said before she wrapped her arms around him.

"Thank you." *~

~*He was standing by Bailey's front door.

He put his hand to her face then leaned his head closer and kissed her softly. He drew back, then kissed her again. "Good night, Bailey. I'll see you soon."

He held onto her hand as he turned to walk away, then slowly let her hand drop. *~

~*He was standing by a closed door in the front of the church.

"Hon, it was only a dream. You're as much my destiny as that darn paper is. I can't run away from you, anymore than I could run away from it and the cat." *~

~*Gary gave a low whistle as Bailey walked towards him, wearing a peach satin nightgown and robe with ivory lace. "My God! You're beautiful."

He moved his hands to her throat where he gingerly ran his fingers down the side and underneath the collar of the robe. His hands lingered there on her shoulders before he dipped his head lightly and touched her lips.*~

Gary was vaguely aware that the clerk had left his side.

~She's got a fine sense of humor,
when I'm feeling low down
When I come home to her,
when the sun goes down
She takes the troubles away
and she takes my grief
Takes away my heartache
in the night like a thief
She gives me love, love, love, love, crazy love~ 

~*He looked down at the mush on his plate. "Is this some kind of joke?" he asked.

"No, that's strained lamb, mashed peas and applesauce," Bailey answered.

"Where's yours? I don't.....why are you feeding me this?"

She sighed heavily. "You're taking all the fun out of the surprise, Gary Hobson."

"This is definitely a surprise."

She walked into the kitchen and returned with 3 small jars and set them down in front of Gary.

"Baby food? Why in the world would you feed me baby.......Why would you feed me baby food?"

"It wasn't stress or a bug," she smiled.

"It wasn't?"

"No."

"Are you saying?'

"Yes, I'm saying."*~

~Yes, I need, yes I need her
in the day time
Oh I need, yes I need her
in the night
I wanna throw my arms all around her
To kiss and hug and hold her tight~

~*Gary felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see his dad standing next to him. "Quite a feeling, isn't it, son?"

"Oh, yeah."

"I remember the first time I laid eyes on you. I thought my chest would explode," Bernie stated.

"Thanks, Dad."

"For what?"

"For everything." *~

~*"Hey buddy," Gary said as he picked up his son. "Are you having trouble sleeping? Come here. Daddy will rock you and see if he can get you back to sleep."

He settled into the rocker and positioned the baby in the crook of his arm as he took the baby's tiny hand in his. *~

"Mister? Mister?" the clerk asked, raising her voice. "I'm gonna try and turn you over. I need to stop the bleeding. Or at least slow it down."

"Bailey," Gary rasped.

"What was that?" Sandra asked.

"Tell her, I.......I......love......her."

~I'm returning from so far away
so give me sweet,
sweet lovin' to brighten up my day
She makes me righteous
and she makes me whole
Makes me mellow,
don't try my soul
She gives me love, love, love, love, crazy love
She gives me love, love,
love, love, crazy love~ 

She glanced down at the ring on his finger. "Bailey. Is that your wife? Well, we'll just have to make sure you survive this, so you can tell her yourself. I'm gonna roll you over now," she informed Gary before she placed her hands under him.

She groaned with the effort and Gary groaned with her.

"Oh God!" she exclaimed as she froze momentarily at the sight of all the blood. She looked at Gary and realized his eyes weren't focusing. That drew her out of her stupor. She wadded up paper towels she had brought with her and pressed them to his chest.

"So, mister. What's your wife's name again?"

Gary didn't answer.

She gently slapped his face. "Come on now. Stay with me. What's your name?"

"Gary," he whispered.

God, his throat was dry. He blinked at the light that was blinding him.

~* "I didn't ask for it. I don't want it! Do you know what it's like to wake up every morning and know what's gonna happen? I don't wanna know. I don't wanna care. I just wanna wake up in the morning and not know. Please! I just wanna wake up."

"The choice is yours. Always has been. Time to accept that." *~

"Okay, Gary. I'm Sandra. Hear that?" Sandra asked as she cocked her head. "That's probably the police and the ambulance and they're gonna take good care of you. You're gonna make it. You hear me?"

His eyes were unfocused again and he was speaking softly. She leaned closer to try and make out what he was saying.

"You of all people know how fragile life is," he spoke, barely above a whisper.

She strained to hear what else he said, but could only make out, 'find time to live it.'

Gary's eyes closed and he took a ragged breath.

"Oh please, please, please don't die! If I could change things I would. If I could only have known this would happen!" she cried out as she watched Gary close his eyes.

Chapter Eight
******
Bailey awoke with a start and looked at the clock -- 8:15 a.m. She took a deep breath and rubbed her eyes before she got out of bed and put her robe on and made her way downstairs to the kitchen. She found a note from Lois, informing her that they had taken Gene to the lake and would be home by noon.

Bailey started a pot of coffee before dialing her home phone number. When she didn't get an answer, she tried Gary's cell phone. She frowned when his voice mail answered. "Good morning, Gary. I..I...well...I hope you have a good day. Can you call me when you get this? I just need to hear your voice. I love you."

She sighed as she hung up the phone, then picked it back up and dialed McGinty's.

"McGinty's."

"Marissa, hi. It's Bailey."

"Good morning, Bailey. Are you enjoying your visit with Bernie and Lois?"

"Yes, I am. They spoil me. Uh..is...ah, Gary there?"

"No, he isn't. I haven't seen him since last night," Marissa answered.

"Oh," Bailey said as she dropped her voice and began to trace imaginary circles on the counter top. "I tried the house and his cell phone and couldn't reach him. Will you have him call me when he comes in?"  

"Of course I will. Bailey? Is everything okay?"

Bailey sighed heavily. "Yeah, Marissa.  We're......I'm....Marissa, has  Gary talked to you about what is bugging him?"

"Gary isn't much of a talker when things are bothering him."

"I know, but I thought maybe....I hoped that he had talked with you and......I don't seem to be able to .....I'm sorry, Marissa. I shouldn't bother you with this," Bailey apologized.

"That's alright. I've noticed that something has been bothering Gary and I did try to talk to him. Whatever it is, he will talk to you when he's ready. Be patient with him, Bailey. He'll work through whatever it is he's dealing with. I know he will. I've learned from experience you can't push him to talk when he doesn't want to," Marissa reassured her.

"You're probably right. Thanks, Marissa."

"I'll have Gary call," Marissa said before hanging up the phone.

Bailey ate a bagel with cream cheese before heading upstairs to take a shower. Once she was cleaned up, she took her camera case and went back downstairs. She grabbed the cordless phone, before she walked out on Bernie and Lois's front porch and inhaled deeply of the fresh spring air.

After setting the camera case and the phone down, she grabbed the front of her shirt--actually Gary's shirt--and tied the ends together. It was entirely too large for her, but she liked wearing his clothes. Somehow it made her feel close to him.

She took her camera out of the case and walked across the street so she was able to get a good view of the house. The sun was behind her, shining bright this morning, illuminating the scene before her. She took several shots before she walked back across the street. There were a couple of squirrels playing in the shade of an oak tree, and she cautiously sat down and began to take pictures of them as they scampered to and fro.

The sound of a vehicle drew her attention, and she looked over her shoulder to see Bernie's truck pull into the driveway. She stood up and walked over to it. Lois had Gene out before she reached them.

"Mommy! Mommy! We fed da big birds!" Gene said as he waved his hands around.

"Big birds, huh?"

"Yeah, they go 'quack--quack'."

"Sounds like you had a good time," Bailey smiled.

"Yes, we did. He reminds me so much of Gary when he was this age," Lois said as she hugged Gene close to her.

"Lois and I decided a fish fry was in order for this afternoon," Bernie said as he opened the back of the truck and pulled out a stringer of fish.

"Sounds good to me. But don't count on me cleaning the fish," Bailey teased.

"Well, you're in luck. I clean my own fish. Got in the habit years ago when Lois butchered this 12 pound catfish I caught." Bernie shook his head sadly. "She made a mess of it."

"Will you ever quit complaining about that catfish?" Lois asked.

Bernie gave her a disgusted look and shrugged his shoulders.

"I'll never live that down. You would think I had committed a horrible crime or something."

"Well, it *was* a 12 pound catfish that ended up having less than a pound of meat left fit to fry when you were done!" Bernie grumbled as he walked past.

"I've never had to clean another fish," Lois whispered as she winked at Bailey, who was laughing.

"Looks like you caught enough fish to feed an army," Bailey commented as she and Lois followed Bernie towards the house.

"We'll send some of it home with you so Gary can have some," Bernie offered.

"That's a good idea. Gary loves fresh catfish," Lois added.

"Daddy? He comin'?" Gene asked.

"Honey, I doubt Daddy will make it," Bailey tried to explain.

"Pwomis," Gene pouted.

"I know, honey. If he could be here, he would."

"He come," Gene answered optimistically.

Bailey sighed.

"Come on, sweetie. Let's get you cleaned up and we can start getting dinner ready," Lois said as she opened the screen door.

Bailey stopped to put her camera in its case while everyone else went into the house. She leaned back against the porch railing, silently wishing--praying--that Gary would show up.  She knew Gary loved his son and wanted to spend more time with him, just as a lot of other fathers who had demanding jobs wished they could spend more time with their children.

At times like this she wished she was much wiser than she was.

She slapped her palms against her thighs as she straightened herself. She was reaching for her camera case when she heard a vehicle pull up to the curb and stop. She turned and was blinded by the sun reflecting off of the windshield. She raised her hand to shield her eyes from the glare and blinked as she saw a pair of long, denim clad legs emerge from the vehicle.

"Gary?" she whispered.

"Daddy! Daddy!" Gene cried as he pushed the screen door open and toddled past Bailey and scooted down the steps and ran into the open arms of his father.
Bailey's heart raced at the sight of her husband as he strode across the lawn before bending to catch his son as he launched himself into his father's arms.

Gary smiled up at her and she returned his smile before closing her eyes and sighing.

Chapter Nine
**********

"You made it," Bailey said softly, almost in disbelief, as she walked down the steps of the porch.

"Come 'ere," Gary instructed as he placed his hand behind her head and pulled her close for a lingering kiss.

Slowly he pulled back. "You didn't believe me when I said I would try to come?" he teased, his eyes twinkling.

She shrugged her shoulders slightly.

"I missed you," she whispered against his lips, as she leaned forward to kiss him again.
 
"I see you did," he replied as he placed his forehead against hers. "I missed you too. So very much......What's this?" he asked as he tucked his finger inside the front of the shirt Bailey wore. "No wonder I couldn't find it."

"Sorry. I had to bring something of yours along," she said sheepishly.

"You wouldn't happen to have brought my blue plaid sleep pants with you too?"

She had the decency to blush.

"How would you like it if I started wearing your clothes?" Gary teased.

"I think you would look pretty silly wearing my clothes. Plus I think they would be too small."

Gene laughed. "Siwwee."

"I guess you're right. I would look pretty silly," he laughed as he ruffled his son's hair.

"See fiss," Gene insisted as he squirmed out of Gary's grasp, then grabbed his hand and began pulling him towards the house. Gary took Bailey's hand and pulled her along.

"Gammaw!! Daddy here!" Gene announced as they walked into the kitchen.

Lois spun around. "Gary!"

"Hi, Mom."

"You came!" she exclaimed as she hugged him. 

"You're squishing me," Gary informed her when she hugged him too tightly.

"Oh, sorry," she said as she backed away, a huge smile plastered on her face.

"I guess no one thought I'd make it," Gary commented.

Lois put her hands on her hips. "Well, when was the last time you actually came home for a visit?"

Gary frowned slightly. "Okay....you got me."

"I'm just glad you're here now. Your dad will be thrilled too."

"Where is Dad?"

"He's out back cleaning the fish," Lois answered.

"He still won't let you clean fish?" he asked, trying to hide a smile.

"Oh, I don't want to clean his stupid fish anyhow!" Lois declared.

"Of course," Gary smirked.

"Ooh, I'm just so glad you're here," Lois repeated as she hugged him again, causing Gary to laugh.  He sighed and tightened his hold on his mother before letting her go.

Bailey cleared her throat. "What did you do with the uh.." She moved her hands back and forth as if thumbing through the pages of a newspaper.

"Chuck's taking care of it," Gary said nonchalantly as he opened the cookie jar and pulled out a chocolate chip cookie.

"Chuck?" Lois and Bailey asked in unison.

"Yes, Chuck," Gary replied before he took a bite of his cookie.

"You gave Chuck the paper. Why?" Bailey asked in amazement.

"I couldn't take care of the paper and be here too. I made a decision. Plus...I took the Sports section and the lottery numbers," Gary said as he winked at her.

"So you're going back tonight?" Bailey asked, her smile fading.

"No....no. I'm here for the weekend."

"But the paper......" Lois stated.

"Hopefully, it will come to him tomorrow."

"But what about the Sports section and the lottery numbers in that paper?" Lois was curious.

"I've been getting this paper long enough to realize the only thing that will be in that paper tomorrow is what Chuck needs."

Bailey cocked her head and looked up at her husband. "Did something happen?"

Gary stepped closer to her and slid his arm around her waist.

"Yes. I realized I wanted to spend time with my family."

She placed her hands on his chest as she looked at him, her brow furrowed. Gary was keeping something from her, still.

Chapter Ten
**********
"I'm glad you could make it, son," Bernie expressed.

"Me too, Dad. It's been a long time since I've done something like this," Gary answered as he waved his two forefingers around the yard.

"Well, I know the paper keeps you busy and you don't always get to do the things you would like....I guess that's just part of life, no matter what kind of job you have. I always wished I had more time at home with you and Lo, but it never worked out that way and now that I'm retired, you're grown with a family of your own and I'm right back where I started. Not having enough time to spend with my family."

"That's gonna be different now. I'm gonna do my best to be around more for my family. That includes you and Mom. I missed not having any grandparents and I want Gene to have fond memories of you two."

"How are you going to manage that, with the paper and all?" Bernie wondered.

"I haven't worked out all the details yet, but..."

"It's such a beautiful afternoon, why don't you take your wife and son for a walk and show them your old stomping grounds," Lois interrupted as she cleaned off the table.

"That's a good idea, Mom. I think I will. We won't be gone too long," Gary said as he stood.

"Take your time, we'll be here when you get back."

"Mom suggested I take you and Gene for a walk around town. How does that sound?" Gary asked Bailey as he approached her.

"Sounds perfect. Let me help clean up and then we'll go."

"No, no. You two kids go on. Bernie will help me clean things up. There isn't that much to do anyway," Lois insisted.

After making sure Lois wouldn't take her help, Bailey got Gene's stroller and she and Gary began walking through the streets of Hickory.

"So, tell me what was it like growing up here?" Bailey asked.

"Oh, I don't know. At the time I thought it was pretty boring. Never enough to do. Too much time to sit around and think of what I would do when I could leave this town."

"And now what do you think?" she wondered.

"Now, I think they were some of the best years of my life. I..I knew everyone in town, I could come and go as I wanted. I had so many friends and the football games, the baseball games, the state championships. I had this sweet 1977, limited edition, black Trans-Am with a T-top roof, and the girls...." he stopped and looked over at Bailey, his face flushed.

"Go on. I would like to hear about these girls," she teased.

"Oh well, you know how it is in high school. You break up with one and the next week you have another steady. It's after high school and college that the pickin's get slim. That is when you really cherish the one you find that you can spend the rest of your life with," he stated.

She laughed. "You're so full of it, Gary. You know you loved having a date every weekend while you were in school. I bet there wasn't a night you sat home cause you didn't have a date."

"Well....what about you? I bet you didn't sit home too often."

"I went to a private all girls school. And spent my free time mastering my tennis skills."

"Oh, that's right. I'm sorry," he apologized.

She shrugged her shoulders. "That's alright. I made up for it when I went to college," she said, with a mischievous gleam in her eye.

"You did? I should have known, with a friend like Emily," Gary said light heartedly.

"Oh, and like you didn't get into any trouble having a friend like Chuck," she accused.

"Well, nothing that I would tell you about in front of our son.....What?" he asked as he noticed Bailey looking at him intently. "I never did anything really bad. Just a few things I've regretted," he tried to explain.

"Oh, no, no. I wasn't thinking about that, but if I want to know what past dalliances you had I will ask Chuck. I'm sure he'd only be happy enough to tell me," she paused as Gary made a face.

"Really, I was just thinking how nice this is. Taking a walk with you and talking. We haven't talked much lately."

Gary nodded as he continued to walk, not looking in Bailey's direction.

"What happened, Gary? Why the sudden change in your mood?"

"Why do we have to talk about it? Can't we just let it be? Let's just keep enjoying our walk, okay?"

"Do you not trust me any more?" she asked as she stopped pushing the stroller.

"Of course I trust you. I trust you with my life. I trust you to take care of our son and love me and be there for me. I trust you to not ask too many questions," he finished, as he ran his fingers through his hair.

He could tell his words hurt Bailey. That is not what he intended. He hadn't quite figured out what had happened to him yet, so how could he explain it to her? He did owe her some explanations for his behavior, he knew that. He just wished she would give him the space to tell her in his own time.

"Dammit, Bailey! I'm sorry. I do owe you...I should talk to you...I, I, I just...."
 
"No, you'll talk to me when you're ready.  I shouldn't have pushed. I'll...I...we should be heading back. It's starting to cool off out here and Gene isn't dressed warm enough," she replied as she turned the stroller in the direction of the Hobsons' house.

Gary looked around, expecting to see the cat perched somewhere, eyeing him warily. Surprised when he didn't see him, he followed Bailey home.

Chapter Eleven
*********

Bailey flipped off the bathroom light with her elbow as she rubbed the lotion into her hands. She silently padded down the hall to her room, but stopped when she heard Gary still reading to Gene. She walked over and leaned against the door frame and saw Gary quietly close the book and lay it on the nightstand. He got up and pulled the covers over Gene's chest and stood there next to the crib, watching his son sleep.

Bailey turned to go to her room when she heard Gary speak and she stopped.

"Every morning I wake up with the future waiting right outside my door and I have 24 hours, sometimes less, to set things straight. I never know if I'll succeed or fail," Gary said softly as he turned to face her. "Of all the things I do in my life, that I do everyday, this, this is the one thing that I'm most afraid of failing at," he said to her as he looked back down at his sleeping son.

"Gary, you're a good father. You know that. Gene adores you," she said as she took a step towards him.

"Well, I...uh...I want to be."

"Gary, you've never failed him. You've never failed me."

She saw something flicker across Gary's eyes as he looked up at her, and she desperately wanted to ask him to talk to her, but instead she waited and hoped he would open up when he was ready.

Gary looked back down into the crib before taking Bailey's hand and leading her to their bedroom, where he closed the door behind them and ran his hand up and down the back of his head.

Bailey held her breath and waited.
 
"It's been a long day and we're both tired. Can it be enough for you just to know I'll be around a lot more than I have been?" Gary asked, avoiding her stare.

"Gary, I didn't say anything."

"No, but you were thinking."

"Oh, so now I can't ask you anything, and I can't think about what you are going through that you won't talk to me about?"

"You're not gonna let this go, are you?"

"I guess I can't. You worry about failing us and I feel like I've failed you. How am I supposed to get past that when you won't open up to me?" she asked as she raised both her hands, palms up, and shrugged her shoulders.

She mentally kicked herself. She had sworn she wouldn't push him. "You're right, it's been a long day and we're both tired. We should just go to bed and ....and..." she stammered as she turned the covers down on the bed.

"I..I guess it all started last night when I decided not to get the paper any more," he began.

Bailey spun around to face him. "Gary! You didn't?! Without talking to me? Chuck isn't?" Bailey couldn't even finish her statement.

Gary placed his hands on her upper arms. "Calm down and let me finish my story. You wanted me to tell you what has been going on, so let me tell you."

She nodded as she sat down on the bed. "Go on."

Gary took a deep breath before he continued. "I guess this has been building up for a while. This feeling that the paper was taking me away from you and Gene. Each day it was more of a chore to leave you two and take care of the paper. Then...then last night I had this dream that you left me because you couldn't compete with the paper."

Gary held up his hand to keep Bailey from commenting.

"I got up this morning, intending for this to be my last day of taking care of the paper, but the paper or whoever sends it had something else in store for me."

Gary began to pace back and forth, his hands motioning here and there as he spoke.

"I was on my way to my second save, ah, ah, a shooting at a convenience store, when the cat showed up. I damn near broke my neck tripping over the thing, then everything went....well, everything went wrong."

Bailey held her breath, fearful of what he was about to tell her.

Gary sat down next to her and took her hand. "Bailey, what I'm about to tell you is...is...well, I don't know what it is. I don't know if I have the words to explain, so just bear with me and know that everything has turned out all right. I'm here and I'm safe."

His words were intended to comfort her, but they only caused fear to grip her heart like an icy hand. But she remained quiet and let Gary continue.

He let go of her hand and rubbed his hands across his face, briskly. "When I tripped over the cat, everything around me looked like....like....like when you look through a fish bowl. All wavy and blurry like. I shook my head to clear it and when it did, I went on my way. I...I..had to walk because the cab I was in overheated. I was thinking.....distracted," he said as he stood and resumed his pacing.

Bailey grabbed a pillow and hugged it to her stomach. She had wanted Gary to talk, to tell her what was going on, now....now she just wanted him to stop talking, wrap his arms around her and make this feeling of fear and dread leave her.

"I didn't realize so much time had gone by. I pulled the paper out to look at it just as I opened the door to the convenience store.....it, it all happened so fast.   There was a flash....a loud pop....then....this, this burning pain," he explained as he placed his hand over his heart.

Bailey's eyes opened wide as she realized what Gary was telling her. "Oh my God! Gary!" she exclaimed as she got up and rushed over to him.

He wrapped his arms around her and realized that she was shaking. "Bailey, I'm alright. I didn't get shot. Well, I did......but I didn't."

She stepped away from him and looked up into his eyes. "Gary, what are you trying to tell me? Nothing you've said makes any sense."

"I know...but this is the paper we're dealing with. Sometimes it's hard to make sense of what it does."

This is exactly why he hadn't wanted to tell her. He knew it would scare her and it had--she was shaking like a leaf. He led her back to the bed where they sat down. He grabbed a throw off the foot of the bed and wrapped it around her shoulders before he continued.

"The pain was awful. I..I tried to take a step but I stumbled. I...I tried to grab onto something for support, but it gave way and I fell. The robbers jumped over me and I heard the clerk as she talked to the 911 operator. It was getting harder for me to breathe. I don't know if I closed my eyes....but things went black...then...then I started to remember things. Moments from my life....you..when we met, the..the first time we kissed..when, when Gene was born and then Snow...Snow was there or he..I could hear his voice telling me 'somewhere between the pages of our newspaper, Gary Hobson, find time to live it.' Then I heard the clerk, Sandra, say, 'Please don't die. If I could change things I would. If I could have only known this would happen!'"

Chapter Twelve
*********
"When I heard her say those words, suddenly everything went black. I...I thought I was dead, but then I was back on the street, tripping over the cat," Gary tried to explain.
 
"So you had a premonition?" Bailey wondered.

Gary shrugged his shoulders. "I guess that's what you'd call it. I immediately checked the paper and saw the headline. It was the one saying I was going to die."

Bailey silently willed her heart to stop beating so fast, before she spoke again. Gary was okay. He was sitting here next to her. She could see him, feel him, smell him, taste him. She leaned close and kissed him.

"Wha...what was that for?" he asked when she pulled away.

"Just cause I could," she answered simply.

He smiled at her and ran his thumb back and forth on her hand.

"What did you do? After you saw the headline?" she asked.

"I stopped at the nearest pay phone, because I forgot my cell phone at home, and called 911. I told them there was a robbery in progress and the location. When I hung up, I called information and got the number to the store, and called the clerk to warn her, in case the cops didn't get there in time."

"Did they? Get there in time, I mean."

"No..no, they wouldn't have..."

~*~
"Sandra?"

"Yes. Who's this?"

"I..I'm a friend. Sandra, there are two guys who are headed to your store to rob you. I've already called 911 and the cops are on their way, but in case they don't get there in time, you need to know," Gary tried to explain to her.

"Who is this?" Sandra repeated, fear evident in her voice.

"That's not important. You need to get some place safe," Gary urged.

He looked down at the paper. The headline now read, 'Robbers Captured after Standoff - 1 Dies.'

"I'm hanging up. This isn't funny!"

"Sandra, listen to me. This isn't a prank call. You are going to die if you don't get out of there."

"I can't just leave. Who is this? You're scaring me!"

"I don't want to scare you. Honestly, I want to help you. Please believe me," Gary pleaded.

"Wha...what's your name?" she asked hesitantly.

"My name? It isn't important."

"Tell me your name or I hang up!" she yelled at him.

"Sandra, my name is Gary. I overheard two guys say they were going to rob your store. One has a gun and they are both wearing Cubs jackets."

"Gary? Do I know you? You knew my name."

"No..no..I don't think so."

"Your voice, it sounds so familiar...." her voice trailed off.

"Sandra! It is really important that you believe me."

"Oh my God!!" he heard her cry before she dropped the phone.

"Sandra? Sandra!! Are you alright?"

He could hear noises in the background, and he placed a finger in his other ear to block out the sound of traffic. He looked at the headline, it was the same. "Come on, Sandra. Get out of there," he uttered. He was about to hang up and go to the convenience store when he heard static on the line.

"Gary? Are you still there?" Sandra whispered.

"I'm still here. Are you okay?"

"Yes, but I'm scared," she answered, her voice shaky. "I saw a car pull up out front and a guy got out wearing a Cubs jacket, just like you said. I ran and locked the door. What if he breaks down the door or shoots through it?"

"The cops are on their way. Where are you at?" Gary asked.

"I'm down behind the counter."

"Good girl. I'll stay on the phone till the cops show up. You stay behind that counter out of sight."

"I think they're leaving. No, wait. They're going around back."

"Sandra, stay down."

"I am, I am. I just peeked around the counter. When will the cops be here?"

"Very soon, I hope. Sandra, is there a door in the back that they can get  in through?"

"There is one, but we keep it locked and bolted. I hear sirens, Gary. Help is coming," she said as she heaved a sigh of relief.

Gary looked, once again, at the paper.

'Robbery Attempt Foiled by Anonymous Tip.'

"Sandra, you're going to be fine," Gary assured her.

He could hear the sirens and see the lights flashing down the street and could hear the screech of tires.

"The cops are here. They, they got 'em," Sandra laughed happily.

Gary hung up the phone and paused before leaving the booth and looked to his right. There sat the cat, licking his paw nonchalantly. He looked up at Gary and for a moment, Gary and the cat just looked at each other.

"Thanks," Gary offered.

"Meow!"

Chapter Thirteen
******

"Hey Buddy! What's up?" Chuck asked as he opened the door to find Gary standing there.

"I need a favor," Gary responded as he walked into Chuck's apartment.

"Sure, ya know I'm here for ya."

"Good, good. That's good to know," Gary said as he rubbed his hands together. "I need you to take care of the paper for me. Just for a couple of days, so I can spend the rest of the weekend with my family."

"Really? I'll get the paper?" Chuck asked as his eyes lit up. He wiggled his fingers excitedly, before trying to grab the paper from Gary.

Gary moved it out of his reach. "Now hang on just a second. You have to promise me something, Chuck."

"I knew there would be strings attached," Chuck grumbled.

"I want you to promise me.....That you'll do your best," Gary smiled, before holding the paper out to his friend.

"What? That's it? No, don't bet on the sports scores, Chuck? Or, don't buy a lottery ticket, Chuck?"

Gary grinned. "Nope."

Chuck snatched the paper from Gary's grasp and began to thumb through it. "Very funny. You took the sports pages." Then he stuck his finger through a hole where the lottery numbers had been. "Thanks a lot. It's nice to know you trust me."

"You're on your own tomorrow. I won't be here to chaperon, so whatever you do with the paper will be on your conscience. I have confidence in ya, Chuck. You're a changed man, right?"

Chuck stood there stunned. "Yeah, a changed man."

"Good." Gary looked at his watch. "I gotta go. There's not much else in there today. You should be able to handle it. If not--maybe you can call Emily and ask for her help," Gary suggested as he turned to leave.

"Yeah," Chuck mumbled as full realization dawned on him. The paper had been put in his care.

~~
"Then I went home, packed a bag and came here," Gary finished.

Bailey's brow creased as she tried to comprehend what she had been told.  "Are you okay?"

"Hon, I'm okay. I'm all in one piece."

"I know, but ....that had to be unsettling to go through something like that," she said as she gently stroked his arm.

"I'm fine, really.  It's good that it happened. It...it makes me see things more clearly."

"But..why? Why did this make you change your mind about asking for help with the paper?" she asked.

"The paper has always seemed like a burden for me, but I realized it was a gift I had been given and I shouldn't look it in the mouth. The paper has helped me make a difference in other people's lives and it's made a difference in mine. I've been able to save the lives of friends and family, and it has brought new people into my life. It brought me you," he said as he ran his hand across her hair.

"I can't give up the paper and I...I don't want to. I realized that the paper, or whoever sends it, takes care of me. Your grandfather kept trying to tell me to 'live my life' and I think it's about time I did. I think with a little help I can learn to..to live my life with tomorrow's news--today and still spend time with my family."

Bailey squeezed his hand. "I'm so glad," she replied, sounding relieved. "Do you think you should check on Chuck?"

"No...No. I'm sure if he had a problem, he'd call. Right now I just want to hold you," he said, lowering his voice as he pulled her into his arms.

*~*
"Chuck? Is that you?" Marissa asked.

"Yes, it's me. Or, what's left of me," Chuck grumbled as he sat down next to Marissa at the bar.

She sniffed the air. "Have you been painting?"

"No, I haven't been painting. I've been taking care of this stupid thing for Gary," Chuck snapped as he smacked the bar with the paper.

Marissa's fingers reached out to touch the paper. "You have the paper? What happened to Gary?"

"He didn't tell ya? He went to Hickory for the weekend."

Marissa smiled. "I'm glad -- But I can't believe he left the paper with you."

Chuck frowned at her. "Can I get a beer over here? And a wet towel? Thank you," Chuck called out to the bartender.  "And why shouldn't Gary leave the paper with me? I am his best bud," Chuck said as he turned his attention back to Marissa.

She raised an eyebrow and cocked her head.

"I don't know how he does it. Day in and day out. People are just ungrateful! Take this last save, for instance. This guy is on a ladder and the paper says it's gonna fall and the guy will break his neck. I show up just as the ladder begins to tilt and stop it. The guy drops the paint on me then tells me it's my fault and wants me to pay for the paint *I* wasted. If it wasn't for me, that guy would be strapped to a bed in some hospital, with no hope of ever walking again."
 
Chuck took the towel and the beer from the bartender and, after taking a long gulp of the cold brew, began to try and wipe the paint splatters off his arms and face. He stopped in mid swipe and looked at Marissa. "If it wasn't for me, that guy would be strapped to a bed in some hospital, with no hope of ever walking again," Chuck said, his voice filled with amazement. "I actually saved that guy's life."

"Yes, you did, Chuck. I'm very proud of you," Marissa smiled.

"Hmm, well whadya know? It feels kind of good to be the hero for a change. Maybe I'll just take over from Gar since I no longer am gainfully employed."

"Did I miss something?" Marissa asked.

"Mmm, yeah. My show got cancelled."

"That's too bad, Chuck."

"That's okay. I was looking for a career change anyway. I'm thinking something a little more respectable than show business. I'm gonna have to find a way to win Emily back, and it's not gonna be easy if I'm unemployed."

"You and Emily broke up? I really need to get out of this bar more often," Marissa said as she shook her head. "I know I will probably regret this...there's no probably about it. I will regret this, but Chuck, Gary and I were discussing hiring someone to help me out. You wouldn't be interested in coming back would you?"  

Chuck choked on his beer. Once he quit coughing, he asked, "Are you serious?"

"I'm tired, Chuck. You better give me an answer before I have time to rethink my decision to ask you."

"Yeah, I would love to come back here. Just like old times. The three stooges and all that good stuff."

"It won't be exactly like old times. We'll need to discuss this with Gary first. But it may work out for all of us. I just need you to promise that you won't make any deals with suppliers and you can't touch the books. That is my territory. Do you understand?" she warned.

"I totally understand. This is great. Wow, in one split second, everything can change."

"Chuck?"

He spun around on the barstool at the sound of his name. "Em?"

"What happened to you? Are you alright?" she asked as she noticed his appearance.

"I'm fine. What are you doing here?" he asked cautiously.

Her gaze flickered to Marissa, then back to Chuck. "I came to apologize. I was wrong."

"Sure you were, honey. But that's okay. I forgive you. Just let me say good bye to Marissa, and you can take me someplace and buy me dinner."

Emily placed a hand on her hip. "Oh, you think so, huh?"

"Yeah, I do," Chuck whispered as he flashed her a smile.

In spite of herself, Emily returned his smile. "I don't know what I'm going to do with you."

"And you don't know what you'd do without me," he replied, his blue eyes twinkling. "Nor would I, without you."

Emily smiled and shook her head. "I'll be waiting in the car. Good night, Marissa."

"Good night, Emily."

"I'll be right there, Em," Chuck said softly as he reached out to touch her hand before she left.

He turned back towards Marissa. "Well, whadya know? Just when I thought my life was falling apart, it all fell together. I guess I should take my own advice. Sometimes life is like a puzzle and the pieces do fall into place."

~The End

Email the author:   darbyross@webtv.net
 

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