I grabbed her neck tighter and pulled her as close to me as I could. I was so sad right then that I thought I would die – not of a heart attack, but of a broken heart – and deservedly so for all the grief I had caused the only woman in the world I ever wanted to be with.

I gathered all my strength and knew what I had to do. I began to talk, to whisper into Ks neck. I want to babe, I want to so badly to share those things with you, but sometimes I cant. I dont know why I am such a moron, K, I truly dont. I need you more than I need the air I breathe, that I do know. Help me K, please, help me not to hurt you, help me talk to you, to trust you with my secrets. What should I do, babe, tell me what to do?

As I sat back on her lap to listen to her answer I glanced on the bed and saw BETTE, sitting there with Elvis, stroking his neck and nodding her approval at my pleas for help. She smiled and gave me a thumbs up and a real sense of relief passed through me, like a weight had been lifted from my soul.

K softly grabbed my chin and directed my attention to her eyes. Look at me Beach. Listen to me. She stared at me, looking deep into my eyes, trying to find my soul. I loved when she did that. I think you should continue seeing the shrink. Dr. Repp was very good for and you really did seem to be getting somewhere with her. And you just need to talk, babe, talk to me. Even when you think you cant, when you think I cant help, just talk to me, tell me what you want, what you need. I am here for you babe, always.

I bit my lower lip to keep from crying and mumbled I love you, K, I love so much. Again I leaned into her and grabbed her around the neck and just sat there holding her, my hand in her hair pulling her close. She was my one, the one I wanted to be with, to do things with, to accomplish goals with, I knew that now more than ever.

As we sat at the edge of the bed rocking in each others arms I thought I heard a beeping sound and looked up to see the computer screen on the desk on the other side of the room.
The screen saver features a row of ducks with bulls eyes on their sides traveling back and forth – just like the ducks you would see in a shooting gallery at a fair.

As I watched them slide across the screen one of the ducks stopped and looked right at me. I blinked twice, grabbing Ks neck just a little tighter, just a little scared. He winked at me and waved a wing in my direction as if to call me over. And I swear I heard him say, Come on Beach, well find a way to fool K again. She doesnt need to know everything does she?”

I blinked again and the ducks moved back and forth without looking at me. But I couldnt help but think that maybe he was right. She didnt need to know everything did she???

The End for now . . .