THIS STORY IS COPYRIGHT © 2017-2024 BY ART WEST. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. DISTRIBUTION FOR COMMERCIAL GAIN, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, POSTING ON SITES OR NEWSGROUPS, DISTRIBUTION AS PARTS OR IN BOOK FORM (EITHER AS A WHOLE OR PART OF A COMPILATION) WITH OR WITHOUT A FEE, OR DISTRIBUTION ON CD, DVD, OR ANY OTHER ELECTRONIC MEDIA WITH OR WITHOUT A FEE, IS EXPRESSLY PROHIBITED WITHOUT THE AUTHOR'S WRITTEN CONSENT. YOU MAY DOWNLOAD ONE (1) COPY OF THIS STORY FOR PERSONAL USE; ANY AND ALL COMMERCIAL USE EXCEPTING EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS REQUIRES THE AUTHOR'S WRITTEN CONSENT.
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This story was finished by me last summer as I recovered from a fractured shoulder, and the surgery to repair it. Every day I had some form of therapy to regain as much use of the shoulder as I could. Writing took my mind off my discomfort.
The story was actually started two and a half years before, as I was recovering from a series of heart attacks suffered at work and at home. I thought it was gas and no matter what I did I could not get that last burp up. My roommate and his boyfriend took me to the hospital and 3 hours later I was life-flighted to a famous cardio center in Miami. The reason I'm telling you all this is to tell you, if something doesn't feel right get it checked out! In my case there was no pain at all, just the feeling I should burp.
On another note, if it wasn't for The Story Lover's Home and Nifty I think I would have gone crazy during both my recoveries. Reading kept me going while my world was shattered around me, I swear, it is one of the major things that has made my early retirement bearable, that and the original Eskimo Pies. Please donate. It does not have to be a fortune. These folks that provide hours of escape, from whatever in your life you need a break from, need our support to carry on the good work we know they do.
I also want you to know that this story has been the inspiration for a story I recently wrote that will be appearing shortly here on The Story Lover's Home, The Start of Something Great. Although the characters are different, the settings are different, both stories reflect people I have met and inspired me, as did the locations, which are very dear to my heart.
I truly feel that had some things that happened in my life did, or did not, happen, the way my characters live would have been the way I wanted my life to have been lived.
So join me on another adventure into someone else's life, the life that could possibly have been mine, or might even be yours.
The photos that will be appearing or are already in place are a combined effort by my brother, Richard, my cousin Joan, my friend Rodger, and TSL. Without them there would be no visuals to enhance your reading, and to remind me of home.