The following story is a work of gay fiction. If the subject matter is offensive to you or you are too young, please exit now. This work is the property of the author and may not be reproduced without permission. John Tucker JETjt@aol.com
SUPER JEFF
Chapter Thirty-two
DR. JEFF RICHARD'S POV
At last we were on our way to London. The trip to Tel Aviv was fairly short and the Israelis very polite and accommodating though the "interview" with Mel and me took over three hours. In the meantime Tyler had a meeting with some politicos of the Knesset and not only signed an agreement with them for a combination water/hydrogen plant but had offered a million dollar gift from us for the design work. Due to the late hour, it was arranged for us to spend the night in a hotel near the airport. Israeli troops, as well as World Wide (Aztec) Security provided armed security services to make sure there was no retaliation by terrorists. Mel and I had time to buy a change of clothing at a shop in the hotel which had stayed open late especially for our shopping.
Tyler and his new President of Aztec-Turner Security Gary Franklin met us for breakfast then after checking out, we headed for the airport. The Gulfstream V was refueled and ready to depart. Ten minutes later we were over the Mediterranean on our direct flight to London.
Both Mel and I were anxious to see the kids again. We had talked to them twice, once in Haifa and again at lunch in Tel Aviv. They would be waiting for us in London. We had again agreed to grant an interview with the CIA, representing Homeland Security, and with Scotland Yard, representing Interpol, while we were in London. Apparently the Homeland Security Department was upset with Tyler that he had not included them in the rescue attempt. We had talked about it before his conversation with them and decided that he would tell them that the decision was made by his client, Jeff, and that he had no other choice but to work with the Israelis. They were still unhappy but accepted the excuse.
I can see why Jeff and Amanda had trusted Tyler. He made no moves until he was prepared and once committed, followed through. The Israelis was effusive in their pleasure with the whole incident even though the fate of Osama Bin Laden was unknown. For them the offering from Tyler's company of unlimited water and an inexhaustible supply of cheap fuel was worth more than 1000 dead terrorists.
During the trip, Mel and Tyler got into a conversation about desert ecostructure and how unlimited water in a desert environment had helped ancient Mesopotamia thrive, but how the leeching of minerals from the ground had ultimately resulted in a failed agricultural system. A similar occurrence had begun to happen in the Imperial Valley of Southern California which is a booming agricultural region of our own country irrigated with water from the Colorado River. The run-off there of salts and other chemicals resulted in the creation of the Salton Sea, a large inland lake which, like the Great Salt Lake in Utah, was as `dead' as the Dead Sea in the holy land. Before they had finished their conversation, Tyler agreed to fund research though the Turner Trust and had asked Mel to head an effort to study desert ecosystems and the potential effect of infusions of large amounts of water on desert environs. She warned that such a study could take years and be very expensive. Tyler just nodded and smiled. When it became obvious that he was serious, she finally agreed even though it was not her area of expertise. Tyler explained that he understood and was looking for her to be an administrator with common sense, rather than a research scientist. Before we landed, a deal had been struck.
The long flight to London was comfortable, to say the least. The aircraft was beautiful, spacious, and the service was impeccable. The food was great and I spent some time watching satellite TV trying to catch up a bit on current events. Mel and I were glad we had taken a couple of hours in Tel Aviv to purchase some new clothing since what we had on before was worn and dirty. What little we'd had in Damascus was left in our rush to escape. The new clothing and personal items weren't much and not fancy but at least the clothing was clean and comfortable and our personal needs were met. We looked forward to shopping a bit in London to restore our wardrobes.
Low clouds obscured the ground as we descended into Heathrow Airport near London. As our plane taxied to the executive terminal we saw rain falling outside, a not uncommon sight during the English summer. Reaching our designated parking spot, we were provided with umbrellas for our walk to the terminal. We were told that our scant luggage would be delivered to our hotel so we simply stood, walked to the now-opened doorway, carefully climbing down the metal stairway, and made our way to the terminal doors. Our eyes immediately caught the sight of our greeters: our kids, their lovers, and a London contingent. Passing quickly through customs, we embraced the kids with tears of happiness flowing from both our eyes and theirs.
After the happy exchange with Jeff and Mandy we moved on to their partners. I was surprised at the change a few short weeks had made in Chris. When we first met him he was shy and almost reclusive. Now that boy, weak in will and stature, was taller, buffing out, and self-assured. It was like magic. I could see that Mel was as surprised and pleased as I. Rick was handsome, full of confidence and very polite. He was I'm sure, glad that the whole incident of our incarceration was over. I can assure you that his happiness didn't hold a candle to ours.
"We're invited to Sir Reginald's for dinner," Jeff announced. "We have plenty of time. Dinner is at eight, and the cocktail hour is at 7. Wait until you see their place. It's huge!"
"Who's Sir Reginald?" I asked.
"He owned a company called Worldwide Security," Tyler explained. "It was the largest security company in Europe. Our company, Aztec-Turner Security, bought it from Sir Reginald but he has stayed on to run our European operations. It was his people and connections that helped us find the two of you."
"He deserves our thanks then," I said. "I'm really a bit tired and normally I'd pass on the invitation, but in this case it would be more than rude to refuse his invitation."
"We won't stay late," Tyler promised. "Then we'll head for the airport. The flight home will be long, but the plane is perfectly suited for sleeping. The sofa folds out into a double bed which will be yours and Mel's. The chairs fold flat too, so any of us that want to sleep can do so. We'll fly to New York where Gary can catch one of our other jets to Atlanta. Then we'll continue on to California, non-stop. At that point I'll return to Las Vegas to my family."
We left the airport building and climbed into two waiting limos. The younger set took one, and Tyler, Gary, Mel and I were in the other.
"We'd be pleased to have you and your family as guests in our home whenever you can make it," Mel said as we settled into our seats and the car began to move. "We are deeply in your debt."
"Don't worry, you'll get an invoice," Tyler said laughing. "I'm sure it won't be as bad as you fear, but it won't be cheap. Thank you for the invitation though. I'm sure my family would love it. As for the cost of the rescue, having the Israelis perform the operation saved you a lot of money. The mercenaries we'd have had to hire, the equipment we'd have needed and our own people would have probably been nearly as expensive as your gift to the Israelis. The way we did it worked out better in the long run."
"I'm sure that having a sovereign government do the rescues saved criticism from our government too," I commented. "I'm sure that Homeland Security takes a dim view of private citizens or even U.S. companies playing commando abroad."
"You're right about that," Tyler agreed. "I'm glad we didn't have to make the choice between doing it ourselves or enlisting the aid of the U.S. military."
"I hope your water and hydrogen deal with the Israelis won't be detrimental to your company," I ventured. "I got the impression that it was the catnip that made them anxious to cooperate."
"You are probably correct, but don't worry. The deal I made with the Israelis is a win-win situation. We are simply licensing our technology to them and will get royalties virtually forever. The royalties are small but over the long haul will produce significant income. They will purchase the converter units from us, recognizing our patents. We will make some money on that too, but not a lot. We want the water to be cheap to the consumer. The hydrogen converter plants are a different matter. We will make about a dime a gallon on the actual hydrogen produced. There will be millions and millions of gallons produced so that turns into real money. We will furnish the actual converters too, like we will for water desalinization. The units are designed to self-destruct internally if they're opened. If there are any operation problems with the units, we simply exchange them for new ones at no cost to the user, and bring the old units back to the U.S. where they will be destroyed. In the long run, it should keep the pirates from trying to clone our technology. Our deal is so inexpensive that it's foolish to spend millions to duplicate."
"Will you be able to produce enough units?" I asked. "It sounds like the demand will be huge."
"Our current converter designs will produce an acre-foot of water per hour. That's 43,560 cubic feet of water or around roughly 150,000 gallons or put another way, around 3 ½ million gallons per day from one unit. With modest water conservation, a person uses about 250 gallons per day, so each unit will provide enough water for roughly 14,000 people. Our current plant design utilizes 5 units and can produce enough water for about 70,000 people. We could easily scale that up where necessary for large cities or large agricultural regions but at some point the cost of transporting the water, even through pipelines, becomes more expensive than building a plant closer to the end user. The only thing cheaper than our plants is captured rain where that is easily done and wells, which in the desert is a diminishing resource. We also have on the drawing boards a design for a ten acre-foot unit. It isn't constructed or tested yet, but assuming that it works in proportion arithmetically to our smaller unit, it would be suitable to produce large amounts of water for those really large cities or agricultural areas. Our scientists believe that the theoretical limit in unit size is about 100 acre feet per hour. We'll work toward that goal after the 10 acre-foot design is proven."
"It all seems too fantastic to believe," I said. "The entire earth will be a different place in 100 years."
"Make that 40 years," Tyler countered. "The scientists that lead our research organization are geniuses. They believe that the hydrogen and water discoveries are just the tip of the iceberg. Let me just say that their research is in atomic conversion. Splitting the uranium, plutonium or hydrogen atoms are like child's play to them. That's like performing surgery with a sledge hammer while they're performing it with finely tuned microscopic surgical instruments. They are so excited it's hard to make them go home at night. A great deal of our early profits will guarantee that they'll never want for research funding."
"It gives a lot of hope for the future," I said. "I can see why you're enthusiastic."
"Yes," Tyler replied, his face getting a far-off look. "A few years ago Americans believed that we could do anything we set our minds to. That optimism has faded in recent years because of the great cost of progress. Our discoveries will rekindle that optimism, I believe, and not just for America which is a rich and fertile land, but for the whole world. We're running out of fossil fuels with America being by far the largest single consumer. What will we do when the whole world wants to consume as we do? We have to find a better way than we have now! I believe that we're not even limited to this planet. There are vast resources on other worlds and moons that we haven't even considered. I believe that 100 years from now we'll be utilizing those resources as well as the resources of our own world. It's all new technology that we're working with now. But there is always a danger that we'll mess up our own planet if we're not careful. That's why I'm glad that Mel will be heading the effort to see that we don't."
"Hey, I thought I was working on the Desert Ecology thing," Mel said.
"That too is just the tip of the iceberg my dear lady," Tyler said. "I will promise you one thing though, if you find that we're causing damage to our world, we'll stop until we can come up with solutions. You are the one person that can pull the plug and I promise you that you'll have that authority, regardless of the chaos or cost that might result from it."
"That kind of a challenge is hard to resist," my dear wife said. "Both Jeff and I have worked hard on our careers. I'm sure that it will be a challenge, but I have to warn you, the next few years our main attention will be on Jeff and Amanda. They've grown up almost in spite of us, and have become really decent human beings. I'm afraid that we're finding out that we don't have much time left with them in our household. It's not that we're going to lose them, it's just that our priorities need to be shifted."
"I have to agree with Mel," I said. "When Amanda and Jeff were tiny we always had a nanny that saw to their needs. When they entered school, they no longer needed her and Frank looked after them. I'm ashamed to admit that they must look at Frank as more of a father than me. My practice has always been my top priority next to my love for Mel. I'm afraid that they came in third. We don't have much time left to really become a family. I give Frank a lot of credit. They are great kids, and I'm really looking forward to becoming close with them."
"I'm really glad for you," Tyler responded. "Sometimes what we do in our careers shoves aside what's really important. As much as my brother Ron and I, as well as our spouses, love our work we love our boys more. I wish you could have known Douglas. You would have seen such bravery in facing death that it was unbelievably uplifting while at the same time terribly tragic."
"What happened to him?" Mel asked.
"He had cancer, but all though his losing battle he thought of others, not himself. We all miss him so, but his spirit is with us still."
"Yes, I see much of that in my work," I said. "When you're a doctor, especially of an insidious disease like cancer, it's hard sometimes to even go to work. It's heartbreaking, yet at the same time there are victories. We're seeing successes today that 30 years ago were impossible. One of the hardest things for a doctor to do is to let the patient know that you really care about them without it tearing you apart inside when all hope is finally gone."
"I'd like to come back to health care in a minute," Tyler said returning to our earlier discussion. "Ron and I have had long talks about priorities, especially after Douglas died. Unfortunately, even the huge resources that we have are insufficient to attack every problem of mankind at once. Now we've gotten an opportunity with the water and hydrogen discoveries to do so much more than we ever dreamed possible. When we had our talk we decided to put a lot of our efforts into saving the planet. I know that sounds like a `tree hugger' mentality, but it really isn't. What good is conquering cancer if our world becomes uninhabitable? We want to use our resources that are generated by the development of the discoveries to make certain that we aren't wrecking our world in the process. I can foresee the day when we'll be spending billions to protect our ecology," Tyler said, "maybe even trillions."
"I guess I don't completely understand your motivation," I said in wonder at the whole conversation. "You and your family certainly have enough money."
"Money is only a byproduct of what we're trying to do," I said. "We already have plenty of money for anything we want and for our families' needs for generations to come. Money is not the reason."
"What is it then?" I asked.
"It's for people," Tyler answered simply. "People are the only things that matter. Why should a small child in Africa be denied a chance live because of diseases that are preventable or curable or to grow up to accomplish anything they want, just because their country or family is now poor? Why should people live a life of hunger and poverty? Why should people have to be uneducated? Why should people have to live a life of back-breaking toil just to survive? I love my partner and we love our boys^Å.but why should that love be limited just to them? We want our family to have all they'll ever need. Shouldn't we want that for others outside of our family? Shouldn't we want that for all people? What we're doing will produce great wealth, certainly more than many countries have. What good will it do if all that wealth just sits in a bank? The trusts that we've created and manage are as wealthy as we are and, if things go as planned, will be much wealthier. That money is used for others. It's not for `gifts', but for opportunities. Right now our trusts though rather large, are limited because their assets are limited. As time goes on, they will be far less limited. There are many things that our businesses can't or won't do, because they tend to be specialized and we don't have the expertise where it's needed. Health is one example. Your field of oncology alone is an immense undertaking. The Turners hope to see that day when all cancer is curable. We even hope some day cancer can be prevented. Not long ago we created the Emma Thorsruud Fund for cancer research and care. The results of that investment have already reaped great rewards."
"Every oncologist in the world is aware of that program," I said in surprise. "I've even gone to Houston to study the procedures and cases. I must say, that I'm impressed. I had no idea it had anything to do with your family. I guess the name of the fund threw me off. Who was Emma Thorsruud?"
"She was the grandmother of one of our family's sons," Tyler replied. "When she died of cancer, we started the fund in her memory."
"I can't begin to tell you what breakthroughs have been the result of that research," I said, still in awe. "It has made successful treatment of leukemia a reality."
"That's why we need people like you, Jeff," Tyler said. "We Turners don't have the expertise to make successes like that happen, but we do hope to provide the money for research and treatment to insure it DOES happen."
"That's just one example," Tyler continued, "and there's a lot more than just medical science to fund. We also have a Trust for the Arts. Life is more than just eating, working and sleeping. There is beauty out there waiting to be enjoyed, but we also realize it's hard to get too excited about seeing Tosca when you don't have enough money to eat or you're sick. The challenges are enormous, but you have to start somewhere, and we believe in starting, and starting now."
"I can only applaud your vision and your efforts," I said with sincerity.
"And I applaud yours Sir," Tyler countered. "We all do what we can."
CHRIS' POV
We anxiously waited for the RET Gulfstream V to arrive at the airport. We had arrived early and sat in the executive terminal. I looked at Jeff and his sister Amanda as they sat talking. I couldn't help but remember the past months since Jeff found me in the park. At first I was so astounded that he even found me and bothered to stop. Of course I recognized him at once. At our school, he was `the man,' the envy of everyone to the point that most of us felt unworthy of his notice. When he offered me a place to stay I was overwhelmed by his generosity. Then I met his parents. They were so wonderful it was unbelievable. I could see their one shortcoming was closeness with their kids that Jeff, particularly, craved. It was a big thing to him, but I thought he was just wishing for perfection. Compared to my parents, his were outstanding.
I had never met anyone like Jeff before. He was so disciplined. Oh, I knew that things came easy to him, but that only seemed to make him want to excel even more. He worked at being the best at whatever interested him. He was pretty successful at it too. In spite of all that he didn't seem to notice that he was admired. When we'd be out and around, like shopping or going out to eat, people would stop and look at him as we entered the establishment. It was like he never noticed. If it had been me alone, I would have thought that someone was feeling pity for me. With Jeff it was admiration, yet at least at first he seemed to act like it was his due. Not that he was haughty, it's just that he was used to it.
It was at camp that Jeff really began to change. For once other people were the focus of his attention. He came to love his cabin kids and really tried to instill in them a pride of accomplishment. He was so gregarious that he soon had the whole camp under his spell. I watched him in awe, but he would really have none of that from me. He began to instill in me a pride in myself that I'd never had before. At the same time he began to notice how people perceived him.
Then the disaster with his folks being kidnapped occurred. I could see how much it really got to him, though to others he appeared calm and collected. It was like he was on the edge of really developing a relationship with his parents, when it was taken away.
His relationship with Mandy was another mystery. From all he said, I expected to meet a fire-eating dragon when she arrived. Nothing could have been further from the truth. I'm sure her sweet disposition knocked him on his ass, he was so surprised. Maybe it was Rick that caused the change in her, or maybe she just decided that being a bitch was not what she wanted. In either case, Jeff now had a sister in whom he could be proud. It was a gift from God that he grasped with both hands while they joined together to face the uncertainties of their parents' survival.
Tyler Turner had a big effect on Jeff too. He was probably the first person, other than Jeff's own family, that was equal to Jeff in intellect and accomplishment. The fact that Tyler was a hunk and in addition was gay, did not escape Jeff's notice. I'm sure that Tyler gave Jeff a new appreciation that being gay did not define the person, but rather just revealed their sexual attraction. Being gay then was just a part of that whole person, but didn't in itself place limitations who they really were or who they could be. I know Tyler gave me a whole different outlook on who I am.
Through all of this time, Jeff had mellowed. He changed from a person who was primarily interested in himself to one who was interested in the welfare of others. I was happy that I became the primary beneficiary of the reversal. I began to actually believe that he really loved me, though it was hard to fathom at first. My worship of him never ceased, but was outpaced by the love that developed once he convinced me that I was worthy.
When at last the beautiful plane pulled up to the business jet terminal I could feel Jeff's excitement. For one thing he was squeezing the shit out of my hand. I didn't complain though as I knew how much he loved his folks. I loved them too. I couldn't forget how giving and accepting of me they were when I was sprung on them by Jeff, and how they provided for my welfare, taking in a stranger as a new son. Now finally, they have a chance to be the kind of parents that Jeff always dreamed of. Somehow I believe that they will be. I hope so. I love Jeff beyond belief, and would give my life for him without hesitation.
JEFF'S POV
I can't believe how relieved I feel. Seeing the folks step off that plane was the best present I'll ever receive. I was gripping Chris' hand so tight I'm surprised that he had any circulation left in his fingers. At first I thought that my dad would look down on the tears that I shed in our reunion. I needn't have worried. Tears were on all our faces as we all grasped each other in joyful hugs and kisses. I think that my parents were more surprised at Mandy than with me. The hard exterior she had developed growing up was gone. Rick stood back giving Amanda room to welcome her parents, but in seconds, she had him in the middle of all the celebration. Even Tyler shed more than one tear as he reveled in our reunion. We all know we can never thank him enough. He'll always be in our hearts.
For me, I couldn't believe my parents. Gone was the invisible shell that had separated us from being a real family. As they took me in their arms, I felt a closeness I'd never felt before. It was almost like Mandy, Chris and I were the lifeblood giving them strength. It was what I had always wanted and longed for. As we finally separated and they picked up their carry-ons that they'd dropped, we headed for the waiting limo that would take us to our hotel. As we rode through the streets of London, I looked at them and my mind pondered the events since they had left.
It seemed like forever ago when they departed for their trip to England. So much had happened since then. When they left I was more than enamored of Chris, but I had no feeling of assurance that it would be a forever thing. That sure changed. I can no more think of waking up without Chris by my side than I could about not breathing. He's become a part of me and me of him. It may be hard for the `rents to get used to, but I'm sure they'll see how much I love him and approve. I know they care for him as a son, I just hope they care for him as much as a son-in-law. I know in my heart that he's all I'll ever need.
It's hard to believe that school starts next Monday too. I really need to get back and check in. It's going to be a busy year and one that's very different with Chris and I as partners. I'm all in favor of coming out for the entire world to see, but I think Chris is more than afraid, not just for himself but even more for me. He seems to think I'm the BMOC (big man on campus) and that I need to protect my image. I don't understand why it means so much to him. It certainly doesn't matter to me. I'm sure we'll work it out some way. I'm so confident in our love that I'm ready to face any obstacle.
When we got back to the hotel the folks, Tyler and Gary all checked in even though we were not going to stay the night. The folks took a quick nap before lunch, then after lunch went shopping before meeting with Homeland Security and Scotland Yard. Tyler and Gary went directly to Scotland Yard hoping to get their part of the interrogation done before the folks arrived there.
While the folks were still sleeping, Kayden and Terry took the four of us kids' on the gigantic Ferris Wheel thing they have erected in London. Wow! It's incredible. You can see forever if the weather is good. It wasn't too good while we were up there, but I guess you have to expect that sometimes. Afterward we returned to have lunch with the folks then they left for their short shopping spree and their interviews. The four of us youngsters' hung out with Kayden and Terry touring London in the Rolls that had originally picked us up when we arrived in London. We got back to the hotel around 5:30, then Terry and Kayden left promising to see us at Kayden's home later.
When Chris and I got back to our room I pulled him to me, giving him a passionate kiss as we wrapped our arms around each other. It had been an emotional day, one that I'd never forget.
"I've been wanting to do that all day," I said when our lips disconnected.
"Not any more than I wanted it," he replied. "This is all so new to me that I'm overwhelmed. Remember I'm just a poor country boy not used to all the bright lights."
"Yeah, and I'm Mother Theresa," I said in rebuttal. "You're far more hip than even you realize. You've been put down so much by your parents that you still have lingering doubts as to your self worth, but that's all behind you."
"You're probably right," he admitted. "It's just that sometimes when I'm alone, I still wonder what in hell I'm doing as part of your life. It's a lot to comprehend."
"You're making me whole," I rejoined. "At the same time you're blossoming into a man that any father should be honored to have as a son."
"Perhaps, but my father doesn't want me," he responded.
"Not having you is his penalty for his own ignorance," I argued. "My father wants you and so does my mother. Neither one of them are fools. Most importantly though is the fact that I want you. I more than want you, I need you. I never realized what I was missing before I met you and now that I know it, I'll never let you go."
"I wish I could believe that," Chris said shaking his head.
"Time will prove it," I promised. "50 years from now we'll still be together."
"I'd consider myself the luckiest guy in the world even if I only had you for a short time," Chris stated.
"I feel the same way about you," I said. "The only difference is that I am the luckiest guy and I intend to stay that way. All I really need is you. You see Chris; I'm in love with you and want no one else."
"Jeff, if you knew how much that means to me and how much in love I am with you, you'd blush."
"I'd like to give you just a token to show how much I really love you," I said as I reached for the buttons of his shirt."
"I guess I owe you the chance," Chris said with a smile and a wink, as he began to unbutton my shirt in response to my actions.
An hour later, we lay in each other's arms, aglow with the oneness that only satisfying lovemaking can instill. All the frustrations and fears of the past few days had disappeared and our bodies relaxed in the aura of the spent bliss that we'd experienced. I looked at my beautiful lover, with a contentment I'd never really known before. We have the future ahead of us; a future that we'd face bravely together in our love for each other.
After a delightful evening at the estate of Sir Reginald, we said our sorrowful goodbyes to our new friends and having checked out before leaving for dinner, regretfully headed for the airport. The Rolls limo made good time whisking us to our destination where the G-V was fueled and waiting for us. By midnight London time, we were in the air headed for New York.
As the white corporate jet crossed the west coast of Ireland continuing its climb over the Atlantic, I looked into Chris' eyes as I held his hand and I felt his love filling my every being. Yes, Dad and Mom were safe and our lives would never be the same. Yet in my heart I knew that the hand I held was my future. It was this young handsome man who had stolen my heart. I knew that nothing that the world could throw at us would ever break the bond that we shared. I smiled at my lover and he smiled back. We didn't need to speak. It was all there in our touch.
The End
Author's note:
I hope you've enjoyed this story. It's been fun writing it. I'd like to thank Bill H., my editor, for the yeoman's job he did working on it to make it more enjoyable for you. Next I'd like to thank those of you who've written. It's the one real reward a writer has; to have his work read and be appreciated. Writing can be a lonely business and the e-mails are the fuel that keeps the fires burning.
Will there be a Super Jeff II? I'm not sure yet but I'd be interested in hearing if you'd like more. I've started another story, but it's not far enough along to start posting yet. The tentative title of it is `A New Man' and will be found (probably) on Nifty/gay males/adult youth. It will appear on www.crvboy.com and www.rainbowcommunitywritingproject.com under "JET"
I'm planning on not posting for some time. During the hiatus I'll be working on the new story, but also will be visiting with friends and a couple of other authors in September. I suspect the new story, if I get enough chapters ahead, will appear in the second week of October. The reason I put the condition on its starting date is that I'll be on a cruise in the Mediterranean (principally Italy and Greece) at the end of October. If I have enough chapters ahead to bridge that time, I'll start in October. Otherwise it will be early November. If any of you wish to be notified when the new story starts please drop a note at JETjt@aol.com and I'll put you on a notification list.
Thanks. I love you all. HUGs. John Tucker.