             ,,*APT] ,,SEV5
     ,,VISITS ,,F ,,! ,,O!R ,,SIDE

,N[ T ,I H GIV5 EXAMPLES ON H[ 6TALK AB
D1?1 %[N Y H[ 6PROP]LY FILL \ YR ,LIV+
,W1 & MADE Y AW>E ( "S (! "QS Y NE$ 6ASK
:5 DO+ S1 X'S "T = YR REW>D4 ,NO BOOK AB
D1? WD 2 -PLETE )\T AT L1/ A LL BIT (
MAGIC4 ,= "O ?+1 X WDN'T SELL4 ,= ANO!R1
X IS RE,Y N POSSI# 6WRITE AB L1V+ YR
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  ,I D N -E 6Y Z "O ( ^? WRIT]S :O _H
BE5 D[N ! TUNNEL & 8CAME BACK40 ,I H R1D
MO/ (! 8TUNNEL BOOKS0 S* Z ,DANNION
,BR9KLEY'S 8,SAV$ 0! ,LI<T0 & 8,AT ,P1CE
9 ! ,LI<T10 & ,I ?9K !Y >E WOND];L
BOOKS4 ,M IMPORTANTLY1 !Y H D"O A GRT
D1L 9 HELP+ P >.D ! _W OV]COME MO/ ( \R
FE> AB L1V+ \R BODIES4 ,H["E1 2C (!
UNIQUE NATURE (! EXP]I;ES ( P :O H BE5
8OV] "!0 & H -E BACK 6TELL AB X1 MO/ ( U
?9K ^? P >E SEP>ATE F U1 & WE CD N"E H
ANY?+ CLOSE 6_! EXP]I;E4 ,I H "!=E
DECID$ 6WRITE ? *APT] 9 ORD] 64PUTE T
!ORY4
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0LI<TN+1 AL? ,I PROBABLY %D H BE5 S"EAL
"TS4 ,DOG GUIDE H>;SES & COLL>S >E FULL
( METAL4 ,Z _M "TS Z ,I H WAIT$ ) MY WET
DOG AT ! BUS /OP 9 ! RA91 X IS A MIRACLE
T ,I H N BE5 /RUCK4 ,I AM N PSY*IC4 ,I D
N D 9DIVIDUAL R1D+S 9 : ,I TRY 6PR$ICT
:5 OR IF YR BOYFR W CALL OR :AT ! ,LOTTO
NUMB]S >E1 NOR AM ,I "PICUL>LY 9T]E/$ 9
DO+ S1 UN.S ,I RCV 9=M,N AB "S?+ T MI<T
HAPP5 6^? P 7S* Z MY FRS & CO-"W]S74
  ,:5 ,I 2GAN WRIT+ ? BOOK1 ,I -PIL$ A
LI/ ( 9/.ES ( :5 ,I _H BE5 VISIT$ BY 8^?
P F OV] "!0 & :5 ,I H BE5 GUID$ 0!M &
LIV$ MY LIFE ACLY4 ,! 9/.ES H BE5 S
NUM]\S T ,I DECID$ 63CLUDE ? BOOK
0DESCRIB+ !M4 ,MO/ ( ? BOOK D1LS ) H[
6MAKE ! PROCESS ( L1V+ YR BODY G M
SMOO?LY 9 T]MS ( LE>N+ 6MANIPULATE YR
REL,N%IPS &! M$ICAL SY/EM 2FH&4 ,9 ?
*APT]1 ,I W />T ) VISITS 9 ^? 9/.ES :5
,I "K :O ! \-(-BODY VISITORS >E4 ,:5 P
ASK ME1 8,:AT D \-(-BODY VISITS H 6D )A
BOOK ON ,LIV+ ,WILLS80 ,I ALW ANSW]1
8,"EY?+40

,:O OR ,:AT IS A 8,GU>DIAN ,ANGEL01 OR
AN ,\-(-,BODY ,VISITOR8
  ,A GU>DIAN ANGEL IS :AT"E Y >E -=TA#
?9K+ X IS4 ,"S P 2LIEVE 9 GU>DIAN
ANGELS4 ,ANGELS >E 2+S :O N"E _H A BODY4
,"S >E ASSIGN$ 6WAT* OV] P ON E>? :O H
BODIES4 ,! ,R"E5D ,BILLY ,GRAHAM ONCE
CALL$ ANGELS1 8,GOD'S SECRET AG5TS40
,ANGELS C MANIFE/ !MVS 9 ANY WAY : MAKES
U HUMANS -=TA#4 ,"S P 2LIEVE T AF _!
LOV$ "OS DIE & L1VE _! BODIES1 "S ( !M
*OOSE 6HANG >.D E>? 9 ORD] 6WAT* OV] !
LOV$ "OS :O >E LEFT 2H4 ,O!RS 2LIEVE T
WE >E ALL J TALK+ 6,GOD1 & T HE IS
MANIFE/+ HMF 9 A WAY T WE HUMANS W
RECOGNIZE4 ,P]SON,Y1 ,I T5D 6SIDE )!
8GU>DIAN ANGEL0 P4 ,IF Y 2LIEVE T ,GOD
IS ! 8BOSS0 9 ,H1V51 :Y WDN'T HE H
ASSI/ANTS8 ,E O!R CORPORATE EXECUTIVE
DOES4 ,:AT"E Y 2LIEVE A GU>DIAN ANGEL IS
--_S GUIDE1 DEC1S$ LOV$ "O1 \-(-BODY
VISITOR1 OR ,GOD--MO/ ( U ?9K "! IS A
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9T]E/4 ,I USE ! T]M 8\-(-BODY0 VISITOR
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  ,I AM N WRIT+ ^! TWO *APT]S ON GU>DIAN
ANGELS 6*ANGE YR 2LIEFS4 ,AL1 = ^? FEW (
Y :O >E UNCOM=TA# ) ANY?+ HAV+ 6D )
ANGELS1 OR 8\-(-BODY VISITS10 LET ME SAY
"H T X IS N NEC = Y 6R1D ^! TWO *APT]S 9
ORD] 6B5EFIT F ! RE/ (! BOOK4
  ,I W />T ) \-(-BODY VISITS 9 ^? 9/.ES
:5 ,I _H FELT L ,I KNEW :O ! VISITORS
W]E4 ,X IS ACTU,Y M -MON ?AN Y MI<T ?9K
6FEEL Z IF Y H _H A MESSAGE F A LOV$ "O
AF HE OR %E HAS DI$4 ,B1 Z ,I H SD 2F1
MAYBE WE >E ALL J TALK+ 6,GOD4

,"F ,VISITS
  ,! F/ \-(-BODY VISIT CAME F MY "F TWO
"DS AF 8 FUN]AL4 ,I 3TRIV$ 6H ! H\SE
6MYF 9 ORD] 6PREP>E 6G BACK 6HI< S*OOL
AF HAV+ BE5 (F A WEEK4 ,:ILE ,I 0 9 !
%[] WA%+ MY HAIR1 ,I 2GAN 6WORRY AB MY
"F'S BODY 2+ RA9$ ON & GETT+ DIRTY 9 !
CEMET]Y4 ,MY "F 0 V N1T 9 APPE>.E & :5"E
HE DID GET DIRTY1 HE ALW CL1N$ UP Z SOON
Z HE CD4 ,I PUT A ROBE ON & 0 AB 6DRY MY
HAIR :5 ,I 0 DRAWN T[>D \R KIT*54 ,9 !
KIT*51 ,I FELT MY "F'S PRES;E S /R;GLY T
,I OP5$ MY M\? 6SP1K 6HM \ L\D4 ,I _H
HE>D /ORIES ( P HAV+ EXP]I;ES S* Z ^! S
,I 0 N SURPRIS$4 ,I SAT D[N AT ! KIT*5
TA# & WAIT$ 6SEE :AT WD HAPP5 NEXT4
  ,HE DID N APPE> Z A FULL MAN-SIZ$ BODY
COV]$ ) :ITE OR SILV] LI<T1 ! MO/ -MON
MANIFE/,N ( GU>DIAN ANGEL VISITORS4 ,=
"O ?+1 ,I H NO PLACE 9 MY NEUROLOGICAL
SY/EM 6PUT LI<T OR D>K;S4 ,I USE ! "P (
MY BRA9 T IS ! VISUAL CORTEX 6P]=M TASKS
T DEM& H&-TO-SPACE 3CEPTS S* Z :5 ,I
PICK UP "S?+ ,I H LAID D[N4 7,I H M$ICAL
DOCU;T,N 6V]IFY ? F "S NEUROLOGICAL TE/S
,I TOOK 6ASSI/ A DOCTOR )A RESE>*
PROJECT AT ! ,SAN ,ANTONIO BRAN* (!
,UNIV]S;Y ( ,TEXAS ,M$ICAL ,S*OOL47
  ,R1 HE APPE>$ Z IF HE 7 A PUFF ( /1M1
L :5 Y F/ TAKE ! FOIL (F YR BAK$ POTATO
& H 6MOVE YR H& AWAY 6LET ! /1M ESCAPE4
,I _H R1D "S": T "O IS N SUPPOS$ 6TRY
6T\* \-(-BODY VISITORS1 S ,I MADE X A
PO9T 6KEEP MY H&S /1 AL? ,I 0 V TEMPT$4
,HE ROSE L A PUFF ( /1M F ! KIT*5 TA# &
2GAN FLOAT+ >.D ! CEIL+ & P]=M+
ACROBATICS4 ,X 0 Z IF MY "F _H PLANT$ !
SC5E 9 MY H1D 2C ,I CD N SEE X VISU,Y4
,HE !N DIVID$ HMF 96S"EAL SEC;NS & _H
EA* ( !M D TRICKS4 ,EA* _H A VOICE1 &
EA* ( !M LAU<$4 ,?9K+ BACK1 ,I ?9K T 0
PROBABLY H[ ,I 0 A# 6KEEP TRACK ( _!
AC;NS4 ,:5 ,I 0 V SMALL1 MY "F & ,I US$
6PLAY A GAME T 0 V HELP;L 9 ! DEVELOP;T
( MY AW>E;S ( OBJECTS >.D ME4 ,! OBJECT
(! GAME 0 = ME 6TELL HM :5 HE 0 HOLD+
"S?+ 7USU,Y 8 H&1 OR "S"TS A BOOK7 9
FRONT ( MY FACE4 ,? IS R EASY 6D :5
SP1K+ 2C ! S.D B\NCES (F (! OBJECT 2+
HELD & CR1TES A MU6L$ S.D4 ,WE PLAY$ !
GAME ! H>D WAY2 9 \R GAME1 ,I 0 REQUIR$
6SIT QUIETLY & P]=M ! SAME TASK4 ,BATS
USE ? SY/EM :5 !Y FLY4 ,AL? _! EYESI<T
IS V POOR1 !Y N"E FLY 96OBJECTS1 UN.S _!
E>S >E COV]$4 ,WE HUMANS :O DEVELOP ?
TE*NIQUE USE \R E>S & \R P91L GL& : IS
LOCAT$ 9 \R =EH1D SLI<TLY ABV & 2T \R
EYES4 ,I D N 2LIEVE MY "F R1LIZ$ H[
HELP;L ^! LESSONS WD PROVE 6BE LAT]1 HE
J ?"\ X 0 9T]E/+ T ,I CD D X4 ,Z A
RESULT ( ? GAME1 ,I H>DLY "E RAN
96FURNITURE :5 ,I 0 V SMALL 2C ,I CD
8HE>0 ! FURNITURE4 ,Z ,I GREW TALL]1 ,I
BRUIS$ MYF M :ILE 5GAG+ 9 S* DIGNIFI$
ACTIVITIES ) MY SI<T$ FRS S* Z /1L+
HUBCAPS1 TOILET-PAP]+ C>S1 BU%ES1 &
H\SES1 PLAY+ *ASE1 ETC44 ,& NO1 ,I D
,,N1 REP1T1 ,,N1 WI% 6"PICIPATE 9 A
SCI5TIFIC /UDY4
  ,S MY "F & ,I PLAY$ ! GAME AG1 ONLY ?
"T HE DID N H A BODY4 ,:5 HE DECID$ 6PUT
8 LL ANGEL BODY BACK 96"O PIECE1 HE _H
ALL 8 DIVID$-UP SEC;NS SWOOP D[N AT ONCE
& -E TGR N M ?AN AN 9* OR TWO F MY FACE4
,I JUMP$ BACK & ALM SCR1M$4 ,HE ?"\ T 0
ABSOLUTELY HIL>I\S T HE CD MAKE ME D T4
,!N HE GOT S]I\S & GAVE ME A MESSAGE T
,I / RELY ON :5 ,I TAKE *.ES1 S* Z :5 ,I
SU$ MY BOSS :ILE ,I 0 / "W+ =! -PANY4 ,!
MESSAGE 0 V SIMPLE1 T HE 0 ALL "R1 & T
,I WD 2 ALL "R 9 ALL WAYS 9CLUD+
F9ANCI,Y & EMO;N,Y4 ,I 0 FILL$ ) S* AN
9T5SE FEEL+ ( P1CE T X 0 ALM UNPL1SANT1
& !N HE 4SIPAT$4 ,HE LEFT1 N 0OP5+ OR
EV5 GO+ "? ! DOOR OR WALLS1 HE J
4APPE>$4

,SECOND ,"F ,VISIT
  ,HE CAME BACK "O O!R "T1 B T 0 6*ECK
ON MY "M AF A S]I\S HE>T ATTACK4 ,9 ?
CASE HE LET ME "K HE 0 9 ! H\SE1 B
REFUS$ 6D ANY?+ B TELL ME HE _H J -E
BACK 6*ECK ON "M & 6QUIT ASK+ HM "QS4 ,I
HATE HAV+ MY CURIOS;Y ?W>T$ & TOLD HM T
IF HE 0 GO+ 6BE P]V]SE 5 6MAKE 8 PRES;E
"KN & !N N GIVE ME 9=M,N AB H] M$ICAL
FUTURE1 HE %D QUIT HANG+ >.D ! H\SE & J
G 6! HOSPITAL & L1VE ME AL"O4 ,HE TOOK !
"T 6LET ME "K T HE _H PD = T H\SE & T HE
CD HANG >.D ="E IF HE FELT L X4
,FUR!RMORE1 HE MADE MY HE>TB1T SPE$ UP1
MY RESPIR,NS 9CR1SE1 & MY H&S SW1T4 ,I 0
N F"R5$ 2C ,I KNEW HE 0 8%[+ (F0 & T HE
WD N HURT ME4
  ,MY "F1 :O 0 Q GREG>I\S PUBLICLY1 0 A
V MOODY P]SON AT HOME4 ,I US$ 6R\T9ELY
3FRONT HM AB 8 2HAVIOR4 ,EV5 :5 ,I KNEW
,I _H G"O TOO F>1 ,I MADE X A PO9T N
6BACK D[N & GIVE 96HM Z MY "M DID4
,"SH[1 ,I FELT Z IF ? 7 ANO!R TE/3 ,WD
,I /& UP 6HM N[ T HE _H NO BODY8 ,I TOLD
HM1 8,I DON'T C>E :AT Y MAKE ME D1 IF Y
>E N GO+ 6GIVE ME ANY 9=M,N AB ,MAMA1 Y
%D G 6! HOSPITAL40 ,I KNEW IMMLY T ,I _H
D"O ! "R ?+4 8,OH10 HE SD1 8Y M1N Y >E
GO+ 6FI<T ) ME EV5 ?\< ,I DON'T H A BODY
ANYMORE80
  8,( C\RSE10 ,I REPLI$1 8:Y %DN'T ,I80
,HE LAU<$1 & ONCE AG1 FILL$ ME ) T ALM
OV]:ELM+ P1CE4 ,HE -=T$ ME & 0MA9TA9+ !
SAME P]V]SE NATURE (! REL,N%IP WE _H
DUR+ 8 LIFE"T1 ,I _H -=T$ HM4 ,HE LEFT !
H\SE1 B N ! G5]AL >EA4 ,! NEXT MORN+ :5
,I WOKE UP1 ! F/ ?+ ,I DID 0 *ECK 6SEE
": HE WAS4 ,:5 ,I CD N FEEL 8 PRES;E &
,MAMA _H N LEFT H] BODY DUR+ ! NI<T1 ,I
KNEW T %E WD RECOV]4 ,%E LIV$ = S"EAL M
YE>S4 ,LOOK+ BACK1 ,I N[ R1LIZE ,I FAIL$
6TAKE ADVANTAGE ( :AT CD H BE5 A V
P1CE;L EXP]I;E :5 ,I 0 "U GRT /RESS4 ,MY
"F MI<T N H "KN HMF :E!R ,MAMA WD /AY 9
H] BODY4 ,NEXT "T ,I HOPE ,I H ! GD S5SE
6SAY1 8,HI1 DA4Y1 H "S C(FEE4 ,H[ D Y L
! H\SE ,I H B"\8 ,Y DON'T H 6"K ANY?+ OR
TELL ME ANY?+1 J SIT ) ME =A M9UTE40

,MAMA ,VISITS
  ,= R1SONS 2Y MY 3TROL1 X TOOK MY "M
L;G] 6L1VE H] BODY ?AN %E OR ,I WD H
LIK$4 ,S1 Z NO SURPRISE 6ME1 ONCE %E
LEFT %E _H NO DESIRE 6HANG >.D4 ,%E DI$
9 ,AUGU/ ( #AIIC1 & UNTIL #AIIH ,I 0
3V9C$ %E WD N "E -E BACK UNTIL MY TURN
6L1VE CAME4 ,T HAS PROV$ N 6BE ! CASE4
,:ILE ,I 0 S++ ! SOLO AT H] FUN]AL 78,2Y
! ,OP5$ ,DOOR07 ,I *ECK$ 6SEE IF %E _H
-E BACK 6CRITIQUE MY "W4 ,%E 0 AN
EXCELL5T MUSICIAN 9 H] [N "R & SANG ON !
RADIO )1 AM;G O!RS1 ! GRT ,PE>L ,BAILEY
9 ! #AICJ;S DUR+ ! ,DEPRES.N4 ,%E 0 N 9
! *UR*1 AL? IF ,I _H 6SPECULATE1 ,I _H !
IMPRES.N %E KNEW ,I WD S+ & DECID$ %E WD
R HE> AB X F ANO!R 2+4 ,"! 0 "S O!R 2+
WAT*+1 B N H]4
  ,X 0 AF MY LA/ BACK SURG]Y & DUR+ !
-POSI;N (! MUSIC 9 ? BOOK T %E HAS
APPE>$4 ,! ,"W]S' ,-P5S,N ,SY/EM (
,TEXAS 0 PAY+ = MY SECOND BACK SURG]Y &
DUE 6! SEV];Y (! RUPTURE 9VOLV$1 N MAK+
M* (A FUSS AB X4 ,AC 6! ,"W]S' ,-P5S,N
RULES1 X IS NEC & PROBABLY EV5 PRUD5T
6OBTA9 A SECOND OP9ION :5 SURG]Y IS
REQUIR$4 ,! F/ SURGEON 0 A V SWEET MAN
:O MADE SURE 8 ASSI/ANT R1D ME ALL !
PAP]"W 9CLUD+ ! ,LIV+ ,W & ,DURA# ,H1L?
,C>E ,P[] ( ,ATTORNEY POR;NS (! 3S5T =MS
= SURG]Y4 ,H["E1 ,I 2CAME 3C]N$ :5 ,I
ASK$ HM SPECIFIC "QS S* Z :5 ,I CD />T
"W+ MY DOG GUIDE ,VAL AF ! SURG]Y4 ,HE
_H NO CLUE4 ,HE AL _H NO SU7ES;NS Z 6H[
,I CD P]=M CAN9E MA9T5.E TASKS S* Z DI%+
UP H] DOG FOOD F H] DOG FOOD BAG1 : SITS
ON ! FLOOR ( MY G>AGE4 ,I FELT M* M
SECURE )! SECOND-OP9ION SURGEON1 :O
HAPP5$ 6BE FEMALE4 ,I FI<T )1 B RE,Y NE$
AN AU?ORITATIVE DOCTOR :O W SAY 8N NO1 B
HELL1 NO ,I D N WANT Y "W+ YR DOG = AT
L1/ A MON? '''0 & 8MAKE YRF AT L1/ A
MON?'S SUPPLY ( M1L-SIZE BAGS ( DOG FOOD
& PUT !M ON TOP (! CLO!S DRY] OR ! KIT*5
C.T] OR "SPLACE ": Y WON'T H 6B5D D[N
6R1* !M4 ,& RELOCATE H] WAT] B[L 6A
PLACE T IS AT L1/ ?I< HI< ON Y40 ,I
WANT$ H] Z MY SURGEON1 B 0 TOLD T 2C %E
0 ! SECOND-OP9ION PHYSICIAN1 & N !
SURGEON ( RECORD1 ONLY ! SURGEON (
RECORD CD 2 PD 0,"W]S' ,-P5S,N4 ,I 0
WORRI$ AB L1V+ MYF 9 ! PO/- SURGICAL H&S
( "S"O :O DID N H ! ANSW]S 6MY MO/ BASIC
AFC>E "QS4

,5T] ,MAMA
  ,I WD L 6SAY T %E %OOK ME G5TLY AWAKE
& TOLD ME QUIETLY :AT 6D4 ,AC 6TRADI;N1
%E 0 SUPPOS$ 6APPE> TW5TY YE>S "Y] ?AN
%E 0 :5 %E DI$1 LOOK+ S]5E & BA!D 9 :ITE
LI<T4 ,NO S* LUCK4 ,%E %OOK ME AWAKE S
VIOL5TLY F 9SIDE MY H1D T ,I JUMP$ Z IF
,I 7 HAV+ A FALL+ DR1M & SAT /RAI<T UP 9
B$4 8,*ANGE DOCTORS60 %E YELL$1 8,Y C D
T40 ,I 0 AMAZ$ T ,I 0 N 9 ANY PA9 F !
AC;N ( SITT+ /RAI<T UP S ABRUPTLY1 S ,I
LI/5$4 ,! NEXT ,MON"D1 ,I SPOKE ) "S"O
HI< UP 9 ! ,* ,SUPPORT ,DIVI.N ": ,I
"W$4 ,!Y HELP$ ME 3TACT ! "R P 9 !
,"W]'S ,-P5S,N ,DIVI.N1 9 ORD] 6/>T !
PROCESS ( /R1ML9+ ! PAP]"W S T ,I CD
*ANGE SURGEONS4 ,AL? X DELAY$ ! SURG]Y =
A:ILE1 ,I H N REGRETT$ X = "O M9UTE4

,TWO ,MAMA ,VISITS 9 ,"O ,WEEK
  ,MAMA APPE>$ TWICE DUR+ ! WEEK AF ,I 0
4*>G$ F ! HOSPITAL 9 ORD] 6HELP ME TAKE
C>E ( MYF PHYSIC,Y4 ,MY FRS & CO-"W]S
CAME OV] Z (T5 Z !Y CD1 BR++ FOOD & EV5
P]=M+ MA9T5.E TASKS S* Z %AV+ MY LEGS AF
9SUR.E WD N PAY ! HOME H1L? "W] ANYMORE4
,_H X N BE5 = MY CO-"W]S1 ,I WD N EV5 H
_H A HOME H1L? C>E "W]4 ,! HOSPITAL &!
,"W]S' ,-P5S,N ,DIVI.N _H GOTT5 ! PAP]"W
5SN>$ 9 A HOPE.S MAZE ( BUR1UCRACY4
  8,T'S OKAY10 ,I SD F MY B$1 8,I DON'T
NE$ A %[] OR PHYSICAL !RAPY OR ANY?+4
,I'LL J G BACK 6SLEEP40
  8,Y GET "SBODY \ "! "R ? DAMN M9UTE1 ?
WOMAN LIVES 0H]F40 ,MY CO-"W]S SAY X 0 R
AWE"S 6HE> MY SUP]VISOR YELL+ AT MY
,"W]S' ,-P5S,N CASE"W] ALL ! WAY D[N !
HALL4
  ,N"E!.S1 =! MAJOR;Y (! "T1 X 0 LEFT
6ME 6D MY [N COOK+1 BA?+1 ETC44 ,S "O
F9E "D ,I DECID$ J =A *ANGE ( SC5]Y1 ,I
WD L 6LAY ON ! C\* 9/1D ( 9 B$4 ,I =GOT
AB GETT+ UP4 ,"SH[1 ,I GOT 9 A POSI;N S
T ,I KNEW T IF ,I MOV$ AT ALL1 ,I WD
FALL (F ! C\* & ONTO ! FLOOR4 ,9 A4I;N1
"S WELL M1N+ S\L _H TAK5 MY PH"O (F !
C(FEE TA#1 UND\BT$LY ?9K+ ,I MI<T TRIP
ON ! PH"O CORD1 & _H PLAC$ ! PH"O ON !
FLOOR ON ! O!R SIDE (! C\*4 ,X MI<T Z
WELL H BE5 ON ,M>S4
  ,I LAY ON ! C\* 9 A BIG METAL BACK
BRACE T KEPT MY BACK RIGID4 ,I AL _H #FJ
/IT*ES GO+ F MY WAI/ DIAGON,Y ALM 6MY
%\LD] BLADE4 ,X _H BE5 NEC 6APPROA* !
SURGICAL SITE F MY LEFT SIDE1 : 9VOLV$
MOV+ MY RIBS \ (! WAY & COLLAPS+ MY LEFT
LUNG1 S ,I AL _H A HOLE ON T SIDE ": !
*E/ TUBE _H BE54 ,S9CE ,I _H NO DISC T
CD 2 REPAIR$1 X 0 NEC 6USE A PIECE ( "O
( MY RIBS 6MAKE A FAKE DISC S TWO
V]TEBRAE 9 ! MI4LE ( MY BACK CD 2 FUS$
TGR AT ! ;,T#AA-;,T#AB LEVEL1 : IS ALM 9
! MI4LE (! BACK4 ,AF F\R H\RS ( SURG]Y
9/1D (! #DE M9UTES WE _H PLANN$1 ,I 0 V
W1K & V SORE4
  ,! PROSPECT ( FALL+ F ! C\* ONTO !
FLOOR 0 V F"R5+4 ,= "O ?+1 ,I KNEW X WD
2 EXTREMELY PA9;L4 ,I AL KNEW T ,I WD N
2 A# 6GET UP 0MYF F ! FLOOR4 ,I CD N R1*
! PH"O4 ,NOBODY 0 S*$UL$ 6-E OV] T "D1 &
EV5 IF !Y _H BE51 ,I CD N GET 6! DOOR4
,I 2CAME V F"R5$4 ,I 2GAN 6%AKE1 MY
/OMA* GOT V UPSET1 & ,I 2GAN 6SW1T A
LOT4 ,I DRANK ! WAT] 9 ! GLASS ON !
C(FEE TA# S ,I CD ?R[ UP 9 ! GLASS4
  ,!N ,I 2CAME AW>E (A H& TAPP+ ME ON !
%\LD] F 2H1 NO?+ ELSE1 J MY "M'S H& &
^WS 2+ PLAC$ 9 MY H1D1 8,RELAX ALL YR
MUSCLES1 ,I W TELL Y :AT 6D40 ,I 0
ABSOLUTELY 3V9C$ T IF ,I DID T ,I WD
FALL ONTO ! FLOOR4 ,I DID X ANYWAY4 ,&
:5 ,I TOT,Y RELAX$1 ,I ROLL$ AWAY F !
$GE (! C\* & NE/L$ 2T ! S1T &! BACK4
  ,I 0 S RELIEV$ T ,I SIMPLY LAY "! =
A:ILE 5JOY+ ! FACT T ,I _H N FALL54
,GRADU,Y1 A PICTURE APPE>$ 9 MY H1D Z
6H[ ,I CD WI7LE & SQUIRM >.D 9 A WAY T
WD ALL[ ME 6GET UP4 ,AL? ,I SAT ON ! C\*
Z A WAY 62G9 BUILD+ UP MY 5DUR.E S ,I CD
G BACK 6"W1 S"EAL WEEKS W5T 02F ,I WD
LIE ON X :ILE ,I 0 9 ! H\SE 0MYF4
  ,MAMA MADE ANO!R VISIT "U CIRCUM/.ES T
7 M* M PL1SURA#4 ,MY AG5T & S"EAL
HOSPICE "W]S 3V9C$ ME T ,I J _H 6WRITE A
*APT] ON ! GRIEF PROCESS4 ,I 0 AL TOLD
0MY GU>DIAN ANGELS 7Z ,I EXPLA9 9 NEXT
*APT]7 T IF ,I CD PUT MY MUSICAL F+] ON
! PULSE ( :Y MO/ P 9 ? C.TRY H S* A H>D
"T GRIEV+1 ! BOOK WD 2 GRTLY 5H.ED4 ,I
_H 6SE>* 9SIDE MYF1 0MYF1 =! ANSW] & !N
TRANSLATE T K 96^WS & MUSIC ) : O!R P CD
ID5TIFY4 ,AL? ! PROSPECT ( S* PA9;L
SELF-ANALYSIS 0 R DAUNT+1 ! MUSICIAN &
WRIT] 9 ME 7 8*OMP+ AT ! BIT0 6G 6"W4
8,WRITE "S?+ T W MAKE P DRIV+ HOME LI/5+
6YR AUDIO BOOK PULL _! C>S OV] & CRY4 ,!
9=M,N 9 ? BOOK W MAKE P ?9K4 ,Y AL NE$
6WRITE MUSIC T W MAKE P FEEL10 CAME !
9/RUC;NS F MY GU>DIAN ANGELS4
  ,I WRITE ALL MY MUSIC 9 ! SAME WAY1
9CLUD+ MY C.TRY MUSIC4 ,I SIT D[N )A
CASSETTE RECORD] & D BO? ! ^WS & MUSIC
AT ! SAME "T4 ,I MAY D L9ES1 V]SES1 &
*ORUSES \ ( ORD]1 B ,I WRITE ! ^WS &
MUSIC AT ! SAME "T 0SIMPLY S++ !M 96!
NE>E/ RECORD]4 ,AF ,I H ! ^WS & MUSIC ON
TAPE1 ,I !N SIT D[N ) MY GUIT> 6FIGURE \
DETAILS S* Z *ORD /RUCTURE & H>MONY4
,DUR+ ! S++ "P1 ! "P T TOOK PLACE 2F ,I
PICK$ UP MY GUIT>1 MY "M SWOOP$ 9 F
8"S":0 J L;G 5 6SAY 8*ANGE KEYS "H0 & %E
9DICAT$ ! ^W 8FE>0 9 ! S;G1 8,= ,^? ,:O
,GRIEVE40 ,I SANG ! NOTE ,I ?"\ %E 0
9DICAT+4 ,X M/ H BE5 "R 2C %E LEFT
IMMLY4
  ,"S WEEKS LAT] ,I SAT D[N ) MY GUIT> 9
ORD] 6*OOSE ! *ORD /RUCTURE ,I WANT$ =!
S;G4 ,I REFUSE 6PLAY 9 A RECORD+ /UDIO1
B ,I D PLAY WELL 5 6%[ ! 8R1L MUSICIANS0
:AT H>MONY /RUCTURES ,I WANT & ": 9 !
MUSIC ! H>MONY %D G4 ,ON ! ^W 8,BR1!0 9
8,= ,^? :O ,GRIEVE10 ,MAMA CAME 9 =
ANO!R 85D RUN0 J L;G 5 6%APE MY F+]S 96!
*ORDS T G ) T "PICUL> ^W4 ,! PRES;E ( H]
H& 0 S P[];L T ,I 0 TEMPT$ 6TRY 6T\* X4
,! AIR >.D ! BACK ( MY H& %AP$ MY F+]S
96! PROP] *ORDS4
  ,X HAS BE5 MY EXP]I;E T ! ANGEL
VISITORS >E L \R MO/ 2LOV$ & TEMP]A;TAL
CATS4 ,X'S F9E = !M 6RUB AG/ U1 T\* U1 &
D ALL MANN] ( PHYSICAL ?+S 6U1 B WE _H
BETT] N TRY 6T\* !M 9 RETURN OR !Y W H
6L1VE4 ,X IS J N POSSI# 6T\* A 2+ :O HAS
NO BODY ANYMORE4 ,USU,Y !Y >E LUCKY 6BE
\ ( _! BODIES4 ,X IS V FRU/RAT+ = ^? ( U
/ TRAPP$ 9 \RS N 6BE A# 6RETURN ! HUG (A
LOV$ "O :O HAS -E BACK = AN \-(-BODY
VISIT4

,DR1M ,VISITS F ,MAMA
  ,MAMA N ONLY VISIT$ ME :5 ,I 0 AWAKE1
%E AL VISIT$ ME DUR+ MY DR1MS4 ,9 !
SUMM] ( #AIIG1 AF ,I _H MADE ! -MIT;T
6,GOD 6WRITE ? BOOK & ;,,CD1 ,MAMA CAME
6ME 9 MY DR1MS4 ,I _H ! DR1M S"EAL "TS
DUR+ T SUMM]1 &1 AL? DETAILS V>I$
SLI<TLY1 ! BASIC 3T5T (! DR1M 0 3SI/5T4
,Z ,I DESCRIBE ? DR1M1 REMEMB] T :5 WE
DR1M1 \R REL,N%IP 6"T IS DI6]5T ?AN :5
WE >E AWAKE4
  ,I D N "K H[ OLD ,I 0 9 MY DR1M1 B ,I
_H ! SAME DOG GUIDE T ,I _H :5 ,I 0 9
COLLEGE4 ,I AL _H ! SAME BODY Z ,I DID
!N--HAIR D[N 6MY WAI/1 A TW5TY-9* WAI/1
& M ?AN AMPLE BR1/S & HIPS4
  ,X 0 ALW W9T]1 MY FAVORITE "T ( YE>4
,I FELT EXHIL>AT$ & 5]GIZ$ 0! COLD4 ,I
WD ALW -E 9 F \TSIDE AF HAV+ VISIT$ )
FRS4 ,DESPITE ! COLD1 ,I1 ) MY SLIM
WAI/1 & L;G HAIR1 ?"\ ,I 0 8HOT60 ,I AL
_H ! G5]AL IMPRES.N T ,I 0 N LIV+ AT MY
,MAMA'S H\SE ANY M1 B 0 VISIT+ H] H\SE
=! WEEK5D4
  ,I WD ALW 2 GREET$ 0! M\?-WAT]+ >OMA (
MY ,MAMA'S BEEF /EW2 ,MAMA MADE ! BE/
BEEF /EW 9 ! _W4 ,WE WD HUG1 &1 9 MY
DR1M1 H] BODY 0 Z R1L Z X _H BE5 :5 %E 0
ALIVE4 ,"H IS ": "T WD *ANGE4 7,REMEMB]1
,I GRADUAT$ F COLLEGE 9 #AIGD1 ,MAMA DI$
9 #AIIC1 & ,I _H ? DR1M S"EAL "TS DUR+ !
SUMM] ( #AIIG47
  8,OH1 ,I'M S GLAD 6SEE Y6 ,H[ H Y
BE580 ,MAMA WD ASK4 ,!N %E WD 2G9 S]V+
\R PLATES ) /EW & CORNBR1D4 ,I WD 2G9
FIX+ \R DR9KS & SETT+ ! TA#4 ,! 3V]S,N
WE _H DUR+ ? "T 0 ALW ! SAME4
  8,I'M S GLAD Y C TALK1 AG4 ,"! >E "S
?+S ,I H BE5 WANT+ 6ASK Y40
  8,WELL1 ( C\RSE1 ,I C TALK10 ,MAMA WD
REPLY SCORN;LLY1 Z IF %E _H ALW BE5 A#
6D S4
  ,I !N PROCE$$ 6ASK1 8,:5 Y 7 9 ! NURS+
HOME AF YR /ROKE1 CD Y HE> ! ?+S WE SD
6Y80
  ,%E WD ALW PAUSE1 & !N ANSW]1
8,"S"TS40
  8,H[ -E Y CD ONLY HE> U1 "S"TS80 ,I WD
ALW ASK4
  ,I WD ALW FEEL H] TRY+ 6?9K ( H[ %E CD
EXPLA9 H]F S ,I CD "U/&4 8,I FELT Z IF
MY S\L 0 2+ TRAPP$ 9 MY BODY4 ,I WD
"S"TS 2 A# 6GET \ ( MY BODY1 !N "S?+ WD
PULL ME BACK 96X4 ,I FELT Z IF MY BODY &
MY M9D 7 HAV+ A TUG-(-W> OV] MY S\L4
,"S"TS ,I WD GET 6L1VE MY BODY & MY S\L
WD />T FLOAT+ D[N ! HALL (! NURS+ HOME4
,!N MY BODY WD PULL ME BACK1 AG40
  8,S1 ,I 0 "R60 ,I WD EXCLAIM
TRIUMPHANTLY4 8,REMEMB]1 ! "T ,I CAME
6VISIT & ,I TOLD ,GREGORY Y W]5'T 9 !
ROOM EV5 ?\< YR BODY 0 BR1?+8 ,I SD HE &
,I MI<T Z WELL G \TSIDE & H A CIG>ETTE
S9CE Y W]5'T "!4 ,HE ?"\ ,I _H LO/ MY
M9D40
  8,I WASN'T F> (F1 J D[N ! HALL A LL
WAYS10 ,MAMA WD ANSW]4
  ,I WD ALW WAKE UP AF T1 4APPO9T$ T ,I
_H N"E GOTT5 6ASK ! MO/ IMPORTANT "Q1
8,B IF Y 7 SUPPOS$ 6DIE SOON] ?AN Y DID1
:Y DIDN'T Y J H A HE>T ATTACK1 OR ANO!R
/ROKE T WD H MADE Y /OP BR1?+80 ,AL? %E
N"E ANSW]$ ! "Q ,I WD H ASK$1 ,I ALW
WOKE UP "K+ T %E _H 6LIV$ TRAPP$ 9 H]
BODY =A R1SON4 ,IF %E _H DI$ ! "D %E _H
H] BIG /ROKE1 ,I WD N"E H WRITT5 ? BOOK4
,& SP1K+ ( WAK+ UP SOON] ?AN ,I WANT$
TO1 ,I N"E DID GET 6EAT ANY ( H] /EW1
EI6

,MAK+ X ,RA9 9 ,CORPUS ,*RI/I1 ,TEXAS
  ,! "D AF MY FR ,JOHN DI$ 7SEE 8,N"E
,M9D ! ,LI<TS071 ,CORPUS ,*RI/I1 ,TEXAS1
! T[N 9 : HE 0 BURI$1 GOT _! F/ RA9 9
S"EAL MON?S4 ,RA9 _H N BE5 PR$ICT$1
DESPITE ! GRT NE$4 ,I ?9K ,JOHN _H "S?+
6D ) ?4 ,I AL ?9K X 0 ,JOHN :O MADE ME
MISS MY FLI<T AF 8 WAKE & KEPT ME F 2+
ON A PLANE 9 : S"EAL P 7 HURT4 ,E "T ,I
WD R1* = MY PURSE 6*ECK MY >RIVAL "T1 ,I
WD FEEL Z IF MY PURSE 7 HOT & WD BURN MY
H&4 ,? HAPP5$ S"EAL "TS1 B ,I ?"\ ,I
REMEMB]$ ! CORRECT "T4 ,MY FLI<T _H LEFT
:5 ,BILL & ,I GOT 6! ,D5V] AIRPORT1 S ,I
TOOK A FLI<T 6! O!R AIRPORT 9 ,H\/ON1 ":
,I LIV$ AT ! "T4 8,BE GLAD Y DIDN'T GET
"H AN H\R AGO AT ! O!R AIRPORT10 SD "O
(! VAN DRIV]S ,I _H GOTT5 6"K ON "O ( MY
_M TRIPS \ ( ,H\/ON1 8,"! 0 AN A3ID5T ON
T PLANE & S"EAL P 7 HURT40 ,?ANK Y1
,JOHN4

,ANIMAL ,VISITS
  ,"! HAS BE5 A LOT ( SPECUL,N Z 6:E!R
ANIMALS H S\LS & ": !Y G AF !Y L1VE _!
BODIES4 ,ANIMAL 2HAVIORAL SCI5TI/S DON'T
EV5 GIVE ANIMALS CR$IT = GRIEV+ AF !Y
LOSE A MATE1 OR EV5 A HUMAN FR4 ,! FACT
T !Y LIE >.D & W N EAT = "DS IS J A
CO9CID;E4 ,X IS = T R1SON T ,I 9CLUDE !
FOLL[+ EXP]I;ES 9 ? BOOK4 ,"H IS ALL !
P]SONAL 9=M,N ,I H ON ! SUBJECT2 Y MAY
DRAW YR [N 3CLU.NS4
  ,I H _H ?REE DOG GUIDES1 TWO ( :OM H
DI$ 9 MY >MS AF ,I MADE ! DECI.N 6ASSI/
!M 9 L1V+ _! BODIES4 ,VAL1 MY ?IRD1 HAS
_H "O M9OR B\T ) C.ER B IS1 AT L1/ AT !
"T ( ? WRIT+1 9 GD H1L?4 ,ALL ?REE ( MY
DOGS H1 9 ! C\RSE ( _! "W1 SAV$ MY LIFE
AT L1/ ONCE DUR+ ! "T ,I _H !M4

,F/ ,ANIMAL ,VISIT
  ,MY F/ DOG1 ,MEGAN1 0 A B1UTI;L R$
,GOLD5 ,RETRIEV] ^: COLOR+ IS (T5 3FUS$
) T (! ,IRI% ,SETT]4 ,%E 0 V QUIET &
RAIS$ ! PHRASE 8LAID BACK0 6AN >T =M4 ,!
"W ! ,CR1TORS *OSE H] 6D 0 SE5 0H] 6BE
AN 9T]RUP;N ( H] LIFEL;G NAP4 ,AF H]
D1?1 %E APPE>$ DUR+ A ?"U/ORM 9 ! CORN]
9 : %E US$ 6SLEEP4 ,%E 0 V AFRAID (
/ORMS & WD USU,Y USE ^? O3A.NS 6HIDE "U
A B$ OR 9 A CLOSET "S":1 %AK+ & PANT+
6B1T ! B& 7?\< IF %E _H 6"W DUR+ /ORMS1
%E WD & CD D X74 ,I WAS1 H["E1 H>D
PRESS$ 6KEEP ! PUBLIC'S H&S (F ( H] 2C
,I _H 4COV]$ "? TRIAL & ]ROR & ADVICE F
O!R DOG GUIDE US]S1 T AN ABUND.E (
SYMPA?Y ONLY S]V$ 69CR1SE H] LEVEL (
FE>4 8,"EYBODY IS PETT+ ME ) MY H>;S ON
& HU7+ ME & "EY?+ S "S?+ RE,Y BAD M/ 2
AB 6HAPP50 0 :AT %E ?"\ DUR+ ^? O3A.NS4
,TR1T+ H] NORM,Y & N GIV+ H] ANY SYMPA?Y
DUR+ /ORMS :ILE %E _H 6"W SEEM$ 6-=T H]
& GIVE H] /ABIL;Y4 ,%E _H BE5 D1D AB A
WEEK :5 ? "PICUL> ?"U/ORM O3URR$4 ,%E
MANIFE/$ H]F 9 ! =M ( ?REE OR F\R NICE1
BIG1 P1CE;L DOG SNORES4 ,I F.D ! EXP]I;E
6BE EXTREMELY -=T+4

,SECOND ,VISIT F ,MEGAN
  ,MEGAN CAME BACK A C\PLE ( YE>S LAT]
6W>N ME T "O ( H] DOG FRS 0 N GO+ 6LIVE
"? ! WEEK5D4 ,? "PICUL> DOG _H BE5 ILL B
0 CURR5TLY "W+ = "S"O :O _H A HI< (FICE
& L1D]%IP ROLE 9 ! ,N,NAL ,F$],N (! ,BL4
,WE 7 9 ,WA%+TON $UCAT+ "S MEMB]S (
,3GRESS AB "S BILLS WE WANT$ PASS$4 ,I
JO9$ H] AT ! PODIUM 6GET MY ASSIGN;T4
8,H['S ,PUPPY-DOG BE5 FEEL+ LATELY80 ,I
ASK$4
  ,%E 2GAN TELL+ ME H[ HE _H BE5 V ILL B
N[ 0 WELL 5 6-E "W =! WEEK5D ) H] AT !
,CAPITOL4 ,X 0 AT T PO9T T S"EAL ?+S
HAPP5$ AT ONCE4 ,I R1*$ \ 6PET H] SLEEP+
DOG 7,N[ DON'T />T ON ME1 ,I "K :AT Y
?9K ! RULES >E AB T4 ,S LET ME /OP "H &
TELL Y :AT !Y RE,Y >E74
  ,P 9 ! G5]AL PUBLIC :O APPROA* A DOG
GUIDE >E N"E "E SUPPOS$ 6PET ANY"O'S "W+
DOG "U ANY CIRCUM/.ES )\T OBTA9+ P]MIS.N
F ! H&L]4 ,H["E1 )9 ! DOG GUIDE -MUN;Y
XF1 WE Z DOG GUIDE US]S R\T9ELY PET EA*
O!R'S DOGS BO? 9 & \ ( _! "W+ H>;SES4
,MA9LY ? O3URS 2C WE ALL "K :5 & H[ M*
PETT+ C 2 TOL]AT$ 9 ORD] N 6CAUSE TOO M*
4TRAC;N F "W4 ,WE D N SAY ! DOG'S "N1
NOR D WE TRY 6GET X 6LOOK & WAG XS TAIL
AT U4 ,I SU45LY R1LIZ$ T ! S.DS 9 ! ROOM
7 FAD+ AWAY4 ,I WAS1 H["E1 PL1S$ 6NOTE T
,I 0 / MAK+ APPROPRIATE 3V]S,N4
  ,Z ,I R1*$ \ 6PET MY FR'S SLEEP+ DOG1
,I 0 SURPRIS$ 6F9D ,MEGAN1 MY F/ DOG1
RO>+ 9 F :]"E %E _H BE5 ) S* F]OC;Y T ,I
J]K$ MY H& BACK S Z N 6R1* "? H]4 ,%E
CAME 9 H] FAVORITE POSI;N1 LY+ D[N1 & ,I
_H C]TA9 K T MY FR'S DOG WD N LIVE "? !
WEEK5D4
  ,^? ( Y :O ?9K Y WANT 6"K ?+S T W
HAPP5 9 ! FUTURE %D /OP & ?9K AB :AT Y
?9K Y WANT4 ,FUTURE K 7EV5 IF X ONLY
9VOLVES YR SMALL _W7 IS BO? A B.S+ &A
CURSE4 ,ONCE Y H K AB FUTURE EV5TS1 Y >E
!N MADE RESPONSI#4 ,& "!9 LIES ! RUB1
6TELL OR N 6TELL4 ,I DID N TELL H] 2C1 =
"O ?+1 ,I DIDN'T ?9K %E WD 2LIEVE ME4
,ANO!R R1SON IS T ,I WANT$ H] 65JOY H]
LA/ H\RS ) HM Z A "W+ T1M4 ,I DID :AT ,I
3SID]$ 0 ! NEXT BE/ ?+4 ,I MADE A MUTUAL
MALE FR PROMISE HE WD SEE 6X %E WD N 2
LEFT AL"O 6"W H] DOG T WEEK5D4 8,BOY10
,I TOLD HM1 8IF ,PUPPY-DOG COLLAPSES 9 !
MI4LE (! /REET1 H] LIFE CD 2 9 DANG]40
,( C\RSE1 LAT] T WEEK5D1 ,PUPPY-DOG
2CAME S ILL HE _H 6BE TAK5 6! VET ": X 0
DET]M9$ HE %D H M$ICAL ASSI/.E S HE CD
L1VE 8 BODY QKLY4

,RITA ,VISITS A ,FR & ,PR$ICTS ,8 ,D1?
  ,MY SECOND DOG1 A YELL[ ,LABRADOR "ND
,RITA1 PD AN \-(-BODY VISIT 6A MUTUAL FR
( \RS4 ,? 0 N A SIMPLE VISIT4 ,X 0 !
PR$IC;N ( 8 D1?4 ,MY FR1 ,KIM1 0 "O ( MY
CO-"W]S :5 ,I "W$ 9 ! ,H\/ON1 ,TEXAS1 ,*
,SUPPORT ,(FICE4 ,HE 0 SI<T$1 B 2C HE 0
AL A JUV5ILE DIABETIC1 HE WORRI$
7JU/IFIABLY7 AB LOS+ 8 EYESI<T4 ,HE 0 V
9T]E/$ 9 ! SPEE* PROGRAM = MY -PUT]1 & 0
2G9N+ 6LE>N "S (! -M&S T WD ACTIVATE X4
,HE 0 N T 9T]E/$ 9 ,BRL1 ON ! PREMISE T
Z A DIABETIC HE MI<T AL LOSE MO/ (!
S5S,N 9 8 H&S & FEET1 A 3DI;N CALL$
NEUROPA?Y4 ,HE _H ALL K9DS ( "QS AB H[
DOG GUIDES 7 TRA9$1 ON ! ASSUMP;N T HE
WD "S"D NE$ "O4 ,:5 HE 4COV]$ T ,I _H
PROS!TIC 7PLA/IC7 EYES1 HE _H "QS AB H[
!Y 7 MADE1 :E!R ,I "E TOOK !M \ 6CL1N !M
& :AT 0 2H !M1 ETC44 ,HE AL _H "S V
FUNNY SU7ES;NS Z 6:AT WE CD D ) !M = \R
[N AMUSE;T4
  8,Y'RE S BAD10 ,I TOLD HM "? MY
LAU<T]1 8,I AM N GO+ 6PUT !M 9 P'S C(FEE
CUPS S !Y W SEE !M :5 !Y -E 9 6! (FICE 9
! MORN+4 ,2SS1 PLA/IC EYES D N FLOAT = V
L;G1 & ,I WD 2 AFRAID "SBODY MI<T SWALL[
!M40
  ,ONCE WE 7 HAV+ LUN* :5 A CO-"W] T NO
"O LIK$ 0 AB 6SIT ) U4 ,? "PICUL> WOMAN
_H BE5 M1N 6\R RECEP;NI/1 :O "EYBODY
LIK$1 & X _H BE5 MY PL1SURE 6HELP !
RECEP;NI/ WRITE H] =MAL GRIEV.E AG/ ?
WOMAN4
  8,GIRL10 EXCLAIM$ ,KIM1 8IF %E SITS )
U1 ,I'LL J DIIIIIE1 ,I C'T /& H]40 ,%E
DID SIT ) U1 B WE MADE SURE X WASN'T =
L;G4
  8,KIM10 ,I ASK$ Z SOON Z %E SAT D[N1
8H[ IS YR FR ) MULTIPLE SCL]OSIS DO+80
,KIM RE,Y DID H A FR ) ,,MS :O WASN'T
DO+ WELL1 B HE CAU<T ON "R AWAY4 ,WE BO?
H LOTS ( FRS ) DI6]5T 4ABILITIES1 & WE
4CUSS$ !M 9 GRT & LURID DETAIL4 ,WE AL
MADE UP "S1 ,I'M PL1S$ 6SAY4 ,WE TALK$
AB \R FRS ^: LIMBS _H BE5 AMPUTAT$ DUE
6DIABETES1 \R FRS :O _H ,,AIDS1 P WE
KNEW :O _H J _H /ROKES OR HE>T ATTACKS1
ETC44 ,%E F9,Y MOV$ 6ANO!R TA# & DID N
ORD] DESS]T4 ,KIM & ,I ATE QUIETLY UNTIL
%E LEFT ! CAFET]IA2 WE 7 AFRAID 6SP1K4
  ,:5 %E LEFT1 WE ?REW \R >MS >.D EA*
O!R & COLLAPS$ 9 S* L\D & HELP.S LAU<T]
T P />$4 ,WE LAU<$ TILL WE CRI$ & _H
6HOLD \R SIDES4 ,= WEEKS1 IF HE WD WALK
0MY (FICE & :ISP] H] "N1 ! SAME ?+ WD
HAPP54 ,I WD "S"TS H 6PUT CLI5TS ON HOLD
S T ,I CD GET MYF BACK TGR4
  ,"T PASS$1 ,I GOT A PROMO;N1 & 0 MOV$
6,AU/91 ,TEXAS4 ,KIM GOT A PROMO;N F
CASE"W] 6TRA9]1 AL? HE /AY$ 9 ,H\/ON4
,WE BO? B"\ H\SES AT ! SAME "T & KEPT 9
3TACT 0;E-MAIL & PH"O4 ,RITA1 MY SECOND
DOG1 AL AG$1 & _H 6BE RETIR$ 2C %E CD N
KEEP UP ) MY FR5ETIC TRAVEL S*$ULE4
  ,KIM & ,RITA _H 2COME GD FRS 9 ,H\/ON4
,HE WD 8DOG SIT0 :5 ,I WD G 6LUN* ) P :O
DID N WANT DOGS 9 _! C>S1 OR :5 X 0 TOO
CR[D$ = U ALL 6BE -=TA#4 ,!Y SOON />T$
GO+ \ AB ONCE A MON? 0!MVS1 EV5 IF ,I
/AY$ 9 ! (FICE4 ,ON ^! O3A.NS1 ,I WD
REMOVE H] H>;S S %E WD "K X 0 OKAY J 6BE
A REGUL> DOG4 ,!Y WD PLAY BALL \TSIDE1 G
= WALKS1 & SIT & EAT TGR4
  8,I HOPE Y DON'T M9D1 B ,I F$ ,RITA "S
( MY SALAD4 ,%E 0 S GD TD1 ,I WANT$
6GIVE H] A REW>D & ,I DIDN'T H ANY DOG
TR1TS40 ,:5 ,I ASK$ :AT %E _H D"O1 HE
EXPLA9$ PR\DLY T %E _H BLOCK$ 8 BODY )
H]S & KEPT HM F 2+ HIT 0A BICYCLE4
  ,9 ! SUMM] ( #AIIB1 X 0 DET]M9$ T
,RITA'S QUAL;Y ( LIFE 0 NO L;G] GD 5 6BE
MA9TA9$4 ,%E SLEPT ALM ALL ! "T1 CD N
GET UP OR D[N )\T ASSI/.E1 & CD NO L;G]
3TROL H] BODY FUNC;NS4 ,S ! C\PLE %E _H
LIV$ ) Z A PET = ALM TWO YE>S & ,I TOLD
H] H[ GD %E 0 & H[ M* WE LOV$ H]1 & !N
AU?ORIZ$ ! VET]9>IAN 6S5D H] 8D[N !
TUNNEL04 ,RITA DI$ ) H] T;GUE \1 LICK+
MY H&4 ,AF ,I PUT ,RITA 6SLEEP1 ,I TOOK
"S VAC,N "T4 ,:5 ,I GOT BACK ,I _H A
FRANTIC VOICE MAIL F ,KIM1 8,AUNDREA1
CALL ME1 ,I HE>D AB ,RITA & H 6TELL Y
"S?+ RE,Y WEIRD40 ,I PHON$ ,KIM AF ,I
RETURN$ 6"W4 ,:AT ,KIM TOLD ME TURN$ \
6BE PROPHETIC4 ,"O ( ,KIM'S DUTIES Z A
TRA9] 0 6ORI5T NEW EMPLOYEES 6!
POLICIES1 PROC$URES1 & B5EFITS (! ,TEXAS
,ATTORNEY ,G5]AL ,* ,SUPPORT ,DIVI.N4
  8,AUNDREA10 HE SD1 8! AFN AF Y PUT
,RITA 6SLEEP1 ,I 0 DO+ A NEW EMPLOYEE
ORI5T,N & %E WAS1 L1 "!4 ,I />T$ LOOK+
"U ALL ! TA#S & *AIRS 2C ,I DID N "K Y
_H PUT H] 6SLEEP S ,I ?"\ Y'ALL _H -E
6VISIT4 ,!N ,I />T$ LOOK+ = Y & Y 7 N "!
EI4 ,S ,I J />T$ TALK+ AB ,RITA4 ,X 0 L
,I J ,,_H TO1 & ,I H N"E D"O T DUR+ "O (
MY LECTURES40
  ,I MADE AN IMM DECI.N N 6TELL :AT ,I
KNEW ) ABSOLUTE C]TA9TY4 ,X WD ONLY
WORRY HM4 ,I KNEW T MY DE> FR 0 GO+ 6DIE
V SOON4 ,ONCE AG1 ,I DECID$ 6KEEP K AB
UPCOM+ D1? Z MY [N SECRET4 ,I ONLY HOP$
,I CD KEEP MYF F CRY+ :ILE ,I 0 ON !
PH"O4
  8,KIM10 ,I SD1 8,>5'T Y SUPPOS$ 6G 6!
DOCTOR 2F Y -E 6,AU/980 ,HE SD 8YES0 2C
HE _H BE5 TIR$ LATELY1 & !Y MI<T H
6*ANGE 8 9SUL9 DOSAGE4 ,! RE/ (! 3V]S,N
IS R A BLUR4 ,I TOLD HM ,I LOV$ HM & HE
SD HE LOV$ ME & WD SEE ME 9 ,AU/94 ,HE J
_H 6SEE MY NEW H\SE & NEXT "T ,I CAME
6,H\/ON ,I ,,BETT] /AY ) HM S ,I CD SEE
HIS4 ,WE _H "S 4CUS.N AB IF \R DOGS & 8
CATS WD GET AL;G & DECID$ WE WD "W X \
"O WAY OR ! O!R4 ,I DID N TELL HM T HE
WD DIE 2F HE GOT 6SEE ! DOCTOR OR -E
6,AU/94
  ,AB A WEEK LAT]1 HE 0 F.D D1D 9 8
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