Twilight Earth Read Free

seen to that. I've also set up scholarships for all of you that can be transferred to any University you choose for anything you may wish to learn to any level. That includes Marcy and Jorga. By the way, I've asked Deirdre to investigate the possibility for Kait and Marcy to test out of high school so they can get to their real educations." Tom blinked a couple more times and put his head in his hands. "Damn, blind again, I'm going to have to ask you to help me back to my room, Ben."
    Ben nodded and stood. "Marcy and Kait have already left for the mall. They should be gone the rest of the day."
    As Ben helped Tom stand up, Tom asked. "When are you and Deirdre leaving?"
    "In a little bit. We're picking Jorga up around four at her place," Ben replied.
    "You should ask Jorga to move in here, Ben. You'll need each other more often now. Besides, it would be better to have all of you in one place," Tom said.
    "I'll talk to her about it Dad," Ben said.
    "Be sure to do it tonight," Tom said, it seemed to Ben he was getting weaker.
    "The drugs are really doing a number on you tonight, aren't they?" Ben asked.
    Tom nodded. "It's not just the drugs Ben. This grenade in my head is pressing on a lot of stuff and that isn't helping either." His speech was getting very slurred.
    Ben got him to his room, got him in bed and made sure he was comfortable.
    "Make... sure... I can get... to... pills...... please," Tom said, obviously in pain. His nose was starting to bleed as well.
    "I will, Dad. Hang on, your nose is bleeding, I need to get a washcloth," Ben said and ran to his bathroom.
    When he got back, Tom was motionless and had stopped breathing. Ben checked for a pulse and found none. Tom Bedouin, Ben's father and best friend, was gone.
    ––––––––

B edouin Residence
    Fulton's Prairie, Missouri
    United States
    ––––––––
    B en took a moment to let himself cry. He took out his cell phone and called his girlfriend.
    "Hey Ben, has something changed?" Jorga asked as she answered the phone.
    "Dad just passed away, Jorgie. I'm sorry, but I think I need to cancel our date tonight. Do you think you and your Dad could come over? I'm supposed to call him as well as Doctor Lyam," Ben replied sadly. Jorga's Dad was a Deputy Sheriff for their county, and Dr. Jon Lyam was not only a family friend, but also the family doctor.
    "I'm so sorry, hon. Yeah, I'll get Daddy and come over as soon as we can. How are Deirdre and Kaitlin holding up?" Jorga asked.
    "I haven't told them yet. Kait and Marcy already left for the mall and Deirdre is still getting ready for our date. I was talking to him when he got a nosebleed, when I got back with a washcloth he was gone," Ben replied. It was clear to Jorga that Ben was only barely holding it together.
    "Okay Ben. Go tell Deirdre before you call Doctor Lyam. I'll call Marcy and Kaitlin and have them come home. Help is on the way baby, just hold it together for a while longer," Jorga said.
    "Okay, I'll do that. Thank you Jorga. I'll see you in a few minutes," he replied and hung up the phone. It was a sign of how upset he was that he hadn't told her he loved her. He got up woodenly and went to Deirdre's room.
    She answered the door in a robe, but it was clear she had been getting ready to go out. "Ben? What's wrong?"
    He hugged her and started crying. "Dad's gone. He just died."
    "How? He wasn't going to take the pills until later!" Deirdre asked as tears began forming in her eyes.
    "His nose started bleeding and that was it. He didn't take any pills," Ben said between sobs. He fought hard and managed to pull himself back together. "I've already called Jorga and canceled our date tonight. I asked her to come over and bring her Dad. I still need to call Doctor Lyam," Ben said, as he pulled away from the woman slightly. She was still hanging onto him and put her forehead against his chest.
    "What about Kaitlin and Marcy?" Deirdre asked.
    "Jorga said she'd call Marcy and have them come home. I