He could barely hold back his smile. He was ready to sink the 9-ball into the pocket. He looked out and noticed his one-member audience. The attractive blonde winked at him. She would be a nice reward after a well-played game. He had hustled this guy beautifully.

Quite sure of himself, he pulled back his stick and struck the cue ball. It was a nearly perfect shot like he knew it would be. The off-white ball hit the 9 and sank it right in. He had won. He didn't have to say a word. He grabbed the 100 dollars sitting on the edge of the pool table and pocketed it.

He watched his opponent's reaction. Usually the men he beat got mad, knowing they'd been played. This man simply looked defeated. It almost gave him a small twinge of guilt. Sometimes his guilt got the better of him but mostly he ignored it. He had to. After a couple of beers and a night with the blonde, whose name he didn't know, he'd forget all about the game. After all, it was only a 100 dollars.

He was on his way over to the girl when another girl walked into the bar. She was on a whole other level of attractiveness, and it was immediately obvious she didn't belong. She had medium brown hair and light blue eyes that were almost a clearish color like a reflective pool. She looked distressed and lost.

If he didn't make a move, the poor, unsuspecting girl would get pounced on by all kinds of seedy characters. He was the most upstanding person in this place and that wasn't saying a lot. "Can I help you, ma'am?" he asked.

She looked relieved that there seemed to be a good Samaritan among this den of sinners, and she smiled. He swallowed hard. He'd never seen a prettier, more genuine smile. "It's my car. It broke down, and I need to use a phone."

"Maybe I can take a look at it for you." He silently cursed himself as soon as the words escaped his mouth. The blonde had already taken an interest in someone else. He knew he didn't stand a chance with the brunette in front of him. She was surely not into one-night stands or any stands that didn't come with marriage.

"I guess it wouldn't hurt. It's right outside." There went that beautiful smile again. It was contagious too, as he felt himself smiling back.

"A 1957 Lincoln, not too shabby," he commented outside as he popped the hood.

She shrugged. "I just had some money saved back and decided to spend it on a nice car. I'm not rich or anything."

He chuckled. "It's okay. I'm not going to rob you blind if that's what you're thinking."

"Oh no," she assured him. "I don't think that. I'm really just not that rich. I'm a waitress."

"So you're not married?"

"I don't think that's any of your business, Mr…"

"Addington but please just call me Will."

"Mr. Addington," she finished with a fold of her arms.

He hid a smile as he peered back at the engine. She was spunkier than he had given her credit for.

It was hard to see because it was so dark, but he spotted the problem. It would be a simple matter to fix it. Her spark plugs needed cleaning, but he was debating whether or not to fix it. If he fixed it, she would ride away, and he'd never see her again. He shook his head. There were plenty of other girls in the world, available girls. He cleaned them off as much as he could with his handkerchief. "Okay, check and see if it's working."

She walked over to the driver side and opened the door. She bent over, and he watched her blue skirt lift higher. It figured that she was so shapely. Why did she have to be a goody two-shoes? The engine roared to life, and she shut it back off.

"You fixed it, Mr. Addington," she said, standing back up.

"I fixed it," he agreed, and he started to go back inside.

"Wait, let me pay you."

"Keep your money. I was just doing a nice thing for a pretty lady."

"I would have paid a mechanic. It's only fair I pay you."

He shook his head adamantly and said firmly, "I'm not going to take it."

She smiled again, and he wondered if he'd ever stopped being amazed by that smile. "Then let me treat you to some coffee."

"Now that is a good idea," he said, perhaps a trifle too enthusiastically. He wondered if he had a chance with her after all. "I know a place just down the corner. It has great coffee."

She looked at the bar. She had probably meant going back inside Mike's Place, too naive to know that Mike's didn't serve coffee. "Can we walk there?"

"We could walk, but someone will probably jack your car while we're gone."

She sighed and then motioned for him to get in. That further confirmed his suspicion that she didn't do one-night stands because she was leery of strangers, even ones that had helped her out, but he felt a little more hopeful now.

He didn't have to give her any further directions because it was apparent which building it was, as there was a cup of coffee on the billboard.

"Are you ever going to tell me your name?" he asked, as they stepped out of the car.

She didn't look eager to share, but she said, "Dee Dee."

He grinned as she still hadn't said what her last name was. "Dee and Dee? That's your whole name? Well, Dee, are you ready to get that coffee?"

sss

"I'll give you the 2 minute autobiography of William Joseph Addington," he told her as he nursed his cup. "I was born in Arkansas. I grew up on a farm with 5 brothers and sisters, left as soon as I was old enough to Nashville. My friend in high school had a pool table, and I got pretty good at it, so I thought I'd try a tournament for some easy money. I didn't win, but I met a guy who thought I wasn't bad at it, and he sets up games for me."

"Hmmm," she remarked in an interested tone as she took a sip of her coffee.

"What about you?" he prodded.

"Nothing much to me. I was born in Virginia. I had a mother and a father. I moved to Tennessee after high school. I waitress."

"You're a woman of few words," he said, taking a drink of his coffee.

"Not really," she smiled. "I just have to get warmed up. So you play pool, huh? I've never played the game myself. Is it hard?"

"You have to work at it. A lot of people think it's just sticks and balls and holes. It looks deceptively easy."

"For instance?" she asked, leaning in to hear better.

That excited him. He'd never met a woman genuinely interested in his pool playing before. She got more and more intriguing by the minute. "Well, you can't let the cue ball, that's the ball you shoot with, go into the hole. It's all about geometry, figuring out the right angles and force to apply. Then there are multiple games you can play eight ball, nine ball, three ball, one pocket. Eight ball is what I play most often."

She had been watching him intensely and looked impressed. "I never knew it was so complicated. I guess I've been taking pool for granted."

He reached across the table and took her hand. His heart skipped a beat when she didn't recoil. It was possible she liked him back. It felt good to hold her hand. It felt right and exciting. He was getting more enjoyment out of just holding her hand than from the dozens of girls he'd been with. "Do you mind dropping me back at my hotel? My friend was actually supposed to have picked me up an hour ago, and he hasn't."

That made her take her hand back. "Your hotel?"

"We travel a lot around Tennessee; my backer and I found it easier to stay in hotels, especially as my income varies."

"I guess I could do that," she said.

He told her where it was, and they were there in no time. She appeared to have no intention of getting out of the car. She stared stiffly ahead as she waited for him to get out. He took a chance and leaned over to kiss her. "Mr. Addington," she said before he was even halfway there.

"Will," he said.

"Will, I don't know what kind of girl you think I am. I like you, but I don't kiss on the first date, and we weren't really on a date. I dated a guy for 3 years and even he was only allowed kisses. The point I'm making is I don't rush into relationships."

He nodded and then stepped out of the car. He watched her white Lincoln drive away until it was out of sight. He had known it was unlikely, even impossible.

He went into the hotel bar for a drink.

"Buy me a drink?" asked a cute redhead, sitting down beside him.

He bought her a drink, 3 drinks in fact. He took her to his room and spent the night with her, but he couldn't stop picturing Dee Dee. She was on his mind, and it appeared that was where she was going to stay.

sss

That afternoon, after Mary or Annie had left (he couldn't remember exactly which it was and didn't really care), he met Beamer, his backer, down in the lobby.

"I've got a high stakes game for you tonight. The jackpot is 500, and I know you can beat this idiot with your eyes closed. Nice of you to leave me sitting in the car waiting for you last night by the way, not surprising though."

His head still hurt from the drinking he had done last night, so he only managed a grunt.

"You look like you could use some coffee and maybe a little lunch."

He followed Beamer out to his car. He drove them to a cheap, little diner.

There was music playing in the background and people chattering, hurting his head. A heavy set, middle-aged woman took their order. He looked around the diner, scoping out the other waitresses, and that's when he saw the girl from last night, Dee Dee.

She was pouring some lucky guy a cup of coffee. The guy had a great view when she turned around, and he knew it too as he reached over and pinched her butt. Will found rage come bursting forth deep inside of him. It was obvious Dee Dee was mad at the man, but Will was madder.

Before he could think about what he was doing, he'd made his way over to the table, stood the guy up by his shirt, and slugged him. "You need to learn some manners," he told the stunned man.

"Will?" Dee Dee said, surprised to see him, and then she looked over at the man who was now leaving the diner, but it quickly disappeared. "You shouldn't have done that."

"I'd do it again," he stated bravely. He could tell that despite her protest she had liked his protection. "What table do we have to move to for you to wait on us?"

She laughed and pointed to an empty table. He went back over and told the other waitress, "We want another table. One with a better view." He motioned for Beamer to follow him.

Beamer shook his head. "I have to hand it to you, you work fast. I'm not trying to play big brother here, but don't bring her to the game. You always shoot lousier with a woman you're interested in watching."

"I do not," he said, "and you're right, you're not my brother."

He shrugged. "Whatever. Just keep playing. That's all I ask."

They sat down at the new table, and Dee Dee came over to them. "What would you like?"

"A cheese and tomato sandwich," Beamer said.

"Just coffee for me," Will said.

She put her free hand on her hip. "I know you had 'just coffee' last night. Have you had anything to eat since then?"

"No," he answered honestly, "but—"

"No buts. I'm bringing you a hamburger," she said, marking it on her pad and walking back behind the counter.

Beamer laughed. "So she's the girl from last night. She has you whipped. That's what you get when—"

"Nobody asked you," he said, "and for your information, she's not the girl from last night. I fixed her car, we got coffee, and she gave me a ride back to the hotel. That's all. She's not that kind of girl."

"And you would know because you tried, right? So that's what it is. You can't have her, so you want her all the more."

"Would you shut up?" he snarled.

Dee Dee came back with their coffee cups and filled them up. Will watched her in fascination as she scuttled around the place with energy and a good humor.

Beamer laughed. "I think you just found yourself your new favorite place to eat."

Will just looked at him darkly. After they finished their sandwiches and a couple of coffee cups later, she came back to their table. "Another cup?"

He wanted to say yes, but he had to say no. He'd bust if he had another cup. Beamer had paid for the meal, but he had stashed a 50 under his coffee cup for her. She was right in that it didn't appear she made very much. "You know I have a—"

"No," whispered Beamer.

"A pool game tonight. Maybe you'd like to come see it. To see how it's played since you were interested and all."

"I'd like that," she answered.

"It's at the Billiard Blues. It's classier than Mike's Place. You'll be safe there."

"I know the place. What time?"

"6:00," Beamer answered in defeat.

"I'll be there."

Will smiled and almost hit into the wall as he was walking out but moved just in time.

Dee Dee laughed and waved and then went back to work. She wasn't stupid. She could tell that he was a little rough around the edges, but she could also see the lost, little boy who needed someone to take care of him and love him. She knew he had the potential to be a great man with some help and more than that she knew she was falling in love with him. He was smart, protective, and sweet. She looked upward. She was falling in love with exactly the kind of guy she shouldn't fall in love with. "God, have mercy on me."

sss

He smiled when he saw her come in. She hadn't been lying about coming, but then she wasn't the lying kind. He'd already taken a couple of shots, but they'd been weak. Beamer was looking nervous. He took another shot, a risky one. Beamer had put his hands over his eyes, especially when he saw Dee Dee, but he sank the shot. Beamer was surprised. He checked to make sure Dee Dee was still there and she was. He was kind of surprised too. Beamer hadn't been wrong. His games usually suffered with a girl around or with one on his mind, but Dee Dee was different from other girls.

She gave him an encouraging smile when he looked at her again. It helped that she was truly interested in him winning the game rather than sleeping with him when it was over. That was a major difference. He won the game. Dee Dee clapped for him, and when he went over to her, she gave him a hug. He wondered if she had any idea just how much she was affecting him.

"You weren't kidding when you said you were good," she praised him. "I bet you could play professionally."

He felt himself blush and then he blushed harder when he realized he was blushing. "I don't think I've ever played that good. You're my good luck charm."

"Stanley."

"What?" he asked.

"I figured you ought to know your good luck charm's last name, and I don't have a middle name."

"Well, Dee Dee Stanley, how about we have dinner to celebrate?"

"Oh, I'd like to, but I'm working another shift tonight. This is actually my dinner break, and it's about over but maybe tomorrow night. We never did get to have that first date."

He was speechless. She kept smiling and said, "I'll pick you up at your hotel at 5:30 tomorrow if that's alright."

"That's alright," he answered quickly.

She left, and Beamer came up to him and counted the wad of cash he'd won. "I like this one, Will. May she never give into your advances, and we'll make a fortune."

Will barely heard him. His mind was still happily spinning. A girl with curly, light brown hair approached him, and he noticed her. "Want to come to my place?" she said, getting straight to the point.

A couple of days ago, he would have smiled and followed her out the door without a second thought. This time he paused. He knew Dee Dee would probably dump him if she found out, but she wouldn't. It's not like he was married to her anyway. They hadn't even started dating yet. The 5 seconds of thought made him wonder though. He followed the girl out.

sss

Will rolled over and looked at the clock. It was 5:15 p.m. He was horrified. He had slept the day away, and he had 15 minutes to get to the hotel where Dee Dee was picking him up for their date. He swore as he put on his clothes. He couldn't be late for their date. Why had he slept so late on today of all days? He didn't have a car of his own. He relied on Beamer's car. The girl had driven him here. He woke her up. "I need to use your car."

She groaned and rolled over. "Forget it, and I'm not getting up."

He swore again and ran out the door. He'd run there if he had to. He wasn't going to miss it. It wasn't as far as he thought, but he didn't get to the hotel until 6:37. He didn't bother to look around the parking lot for her car. There was no way she was going to wait for him for over an hour, but when he got in the lobby, he saw her stand up. "It's about time you got here."

He was surprised, "You waited on me, but—but—"

"Well, for a moment I thought you might have stood me up, but then I thought about how eager you've been to date me, and I knew you must have been held up somewhere to miss our date, so I waited. Of course, I was starting to worry. I was afraid something might have happened to you."

He smiled. "I'm fine, and it won't happen again." Just when he thought he couldn't like her more, he was wrong. Not many girls would have waited.

They went on their date. He started to order wine with their dinner, and she cleared her throat. He took the hint. She didn't drink and probably didn't approve of others drinking. He ordered juice instead. The date didn't go badly. They never ran out of conversation. It turned out they liked the same movies and books. At the end of the date, all he got was a hug, but it still sent his heart racing, and he also got another date.

They set up another date for Wednesday and then after the Wednesday date, they set up a Thursday date. He didn't think he'd ever dated a girl this long before, or at least, had been interested this long before. He hadn't been with a girl since Monday night either.

After the Thursday date, he began thinking about where it was going. Was he going to stop after he got a kiss from her? Was he going to try for more? Could he get more? What if he got more he asked himself. Then what? He realized he never wanted to stop seeing her. He wanted her there watching him play his pool games. He wanted to live with her day after day. He wanted her, and there was only one way to get her.

He realized he was in love. That surprised him all over. He'd never been in love. He'd never come close to the M word. He'd pictured himself living his life out as a bachelor. He already got the marriage benefits. He'd never thought he would want to spend his life with one woman, a moral woman, but he wasn't afraid of marriage, not with Dee Dee. The only questions left was would she marry him and how long would it take before she would even consider a proposal?

On their Friday night date, he asked her to marry him. He didn't make any bones about it. He got up from his booth seat across from hers and slid in beside her, took her hand, and just asked her, "Dee, will you marry me?"

"Yes," she responded. She hadn't even thought about it.

He wasn't sure he had heard right. "Yes?"

"Yes, I love you. I thought you knew that if you felt confident enough to ask, or were you just joking?" she asked with a worried look.

"No, I love you too, Dee."

She laughed. "That's good then if we're going to get married. We probably should have worked that out first."

"When?" he asked eagerly.

"I don't know," she said, still smiling.

"How about tomorrow?"

She laughed. "Tomorrow? I have to work tomorrow."

"You can quit your job now."

"I'd have to get a dress, and we'd have to figure out where to get married and—"

"How about Sunday then? We can use Saturday to make the arrangements. You can find a dress easily enough, and I know where I can go to get us a license. Why should we wait, Dee? We're in love, and that's all that really matters. The rest is just details."

"I must be crazy. I've never done anything this impulsive, but let's get married on Sunday."

He hugged her excitedly. Then he pulled back. "Am I allowed to kiss you now?"

She laughed, "Yes, now we can kiss."

They did, and he'd never had a better kiss in his life. It was all the movies and books lead you to believe: fireworks, bells, everything and more. He knew he was making the right decision.

sss

He went to the jewelry shop right after their date to get her a wedding ring. He spent over an hour in the shop trying to decide on the right ring for her, one that was Dee Dee, but they were all too ordinary. He needed a unique ring for a unique girl. He told the jeweler that and the jeweler said he could get one made special by Sunday for the right price, so he did, and he spent more money than he should have, but she was worth it.

They got married on Sunday at 1:00 in the afternoon. It was just the two of them and the obligatory witnesses. It happened in a blissful blur. The only thing he could remember was how beautiful she looked with the flowers in her hair.

After the ceremony, she asked him where they were going for the honeymoon. He pulled out a wad of cash that he'd won recently and said proudly, "Honey, we're going to New Orleans."

"New Orleans," she said excitedly. "I've always wanted to go there. I hear the bands and food they have down there are amazing."

"We'll do it all," he said.

They got in her car and started for the airport. They hadn't gotten far at all when their car broke down.

"What is it with your car?" he asked impatiently. He checked under the hood, and it starting raining pretty hard. She got outside with him. "You should wait in the car," he told her. "You're getting all wet."

She shook her head and hollered back, "I won't melt. It's my baby, you know, so what's the diagnosis, doctor?"

He laughed. "It's my baby now too by marriage. This car isn't going to make it to the airport, Dee, which means we're not making it to New Orleans. We're going to have to call a tow company."

"Will, you don't think this is some sort of bad omen, do you?"

"There are no such things as bad omens. Listen, I know a place where we can call about the car and get a nice room, but we'll have to walk a ways."

"We're already wet. What's the difference?" she said good-naturedly.

A nice middle-aged lady greeted them in the foyer. "What happened to you two?" she asked in a genteel, southern accent. "Ya'll look like drowned rats."

Not waiting for their explanation, she left momentarily and came back with towels.

They thanked her. "Our car broke down," Dee Dee explained.

"Our car?" she asked with raised eyebrows at Will. He'd stayed at the boarding house for a couple months, and she'd seen the lifestyle he led and his many girlfriends.

"More her car than mine," Will said. "Sara, this is my wife, Dee Dee Stanley. I mean Addington. Dee Dee Addington."

"We just got married today," Dee Dee said with a laugh.

Sara looked tickled. "Oh, it's about time he settled down and got married," she said going over and hugging the wet couple.

"We were on our way to our honeymoon," Will explained. "I know it's technically a boarding house, but—"

"You don't have to say another word," she said. "I have a room for ya'll, and you don't have to pay a nickel."

Dee Dee started to say something, but she held up her hand. "No, I'm not offering. I'm telling you."

She gave them the key, and they went up to their room.

"Look at all this antique furniture," Dee Dee said in awe. "It's pretty."

"I only see one thing, and she's beautiful," he said, stepping closer.

"We're still sopping wet," she said, laughing.

"We won't be for long," he said in a husky tone.

She stopped laughing. "I'm not exactly sure how to go about this."

He smiled. She was so innocent and adorable. "One step at a time," he said, helping her out of her jacket.

sss

They stayed there until Saturday and had a grand time. Their wedding night had been worth the wait. He was on cloud 9, and he swore to himself right then and there that he would never look at another girl or take another drink for Dee Dee's sake.

They decided they were going to live in Dee Dee's apartment, at least when his work didn't take him elsewhere. Will found her bed was comfortable and easy to sleep on, not that he got much chance to test the sleep part out that first night back.

Their first week had been nothing but marital bliss and then the next Sunday, at the apartment, reality began to set in. Dee Dee was an early morning riser. He wasn't, but normally she didn't wake him up.

"Will, it's Sunday."

He smiled groggily. "Our anniversary. We've been married an entire week."

She leaned over and kissed him. "Well, there's that, but I was thinking more along the lines of going to church."

That made him fully alert. "What?"

"The place where you go to worship God, church," she repeated, putting a nice dress on over her slip. "We got married last Sunday, but this Sunday we ought to go to church."

"I hate to tell you this, Dee, but I'm not a church-going man. I didn't get raised in church or anything."

"Neither did I, which makes an even stronger case for why you should go and try it out."

"I wouldn't fit in," he said, not moved by her reasoning.

"Everybody fits in. Church is for everybody."

"Not me. If you want to go, I'm not going to stop you, but don't try to drag me with you."

She looked at him sadly, and he felt guilty. Then he felt indignant. It was his choice after all.

"You do believe in God though, right?" she asked.

He'd never really thought about it. He supposed he had as a child, a lot of children do, along with Santa Claus and the Easter bunny. Then he'd grown up and took to a lifestyle where God didn't seem to be. He wasn't sure what he believed in, but if there was a God, He hadn't done anything for him. When he didn't answer, Dee Dee got sadder, and he could see the pity she had for him. She pulled a Bible out of the drawer beside the bed.

He got worried. "Dee, do you mind being married to a heathen? You're not going to divorce me, are you?"

"It's my fault as much as yours that we're just now finding this out. I should have asked all this before we were married. According to this book in my hand, I can't divorce you for your unbelief. We may be unequally yoked, but we'll make this work," she said, giving him a reassuring hand squeeze.

He smiled in relief and laid back down.

"But give God a chance, Will," she pleaded. "You might find out you're missing something mighty important."

He mumbled an unintelligible answer. He was just fine. He didn't need God, and God didn't need him.

sss

On Monday, Beamer came knocking on the door. "I should have looked for you here earlier. Where have you been? We lost out on a week's pay. You're going to have to play double the games."

"I'll make them up. I was going to look for you today. I've been with Dee."

"I can't believe you've gone and corrupted that little girl," he said with a smile. "You ought to be ashamed of yourself."

"I didn't corrupt her. I married her."

Beamer's mouth dropped open. "You what?"

Dee Dee came up behind Will. "Beamer, right? It's nice to see you again."

"Well, great. Bring her along," he said, "but we've got to get you playing some games."

sss

Dee Dee sipped her coke as she watched him play. He looked up and grinned at her every now and then, and she grinned back. She loved being married to Will. She could tell that he was really trying to be a better person, and it made her love him all the more. He had a long way to go. She didn't approve of his hustling, but she wasn't going to bring that up right away. It was going to take time, and the guys he played shouldn't have been gambling anyway, so there was only so far she could feel sorry for them.

A guy sat down beside her and smiled. "I'm Harley."

"I'm married."

"Nice to meet you, Married," he joked.

She smiled but didn't make eye contact.

"Is your husband in here?"

"Yes, he's playing pool over there."

"That's bad," Harley told her.

"Why?" she asked, a little worried.

"He's playing against a good pool player. His nickname is the Baron. He may not be the king, but he's hard to beat."

"My husband is pretty good himself."

Harley watched the game. "If you say so, ma'am." Dee Dee watched too, a little more anxiously than before.

They played 3 games and then they were done. "I'm sorry," Harley said.

"For what?" she asked. "I admit I'm new to the world of pool, but didn't he win?"

"He lost," Harley told her.

Will strolled over. "You wouldn't be over here flirting with my wife, would you, Harley?"

Harley jumped up. "Your wife! You got married?" He looked at Dee Dee. "You're married to the Baron?"

She looked at Will with amusement flickering in her eyes. "I guess I am."

Will shrugged and explained to her, "It's my nickname. I didn't come up with it. Dee Dee, this is Harley. He's a friend of mine."

"Your wife," Harley repeated. Then he looked at Dee Dee. "Maybe you can convince your husband to stop hustling and enter a tournament where the real money is."

Will shook his head. "You can't make money that way. There are too many people to compete against."

"But you're exceptionally good," Harley said.

"Harley, I just won a thousand. That's good enough for me. Come on, Dee. Let's go out and celebrate."

They got in their car.

"Why don't you, Will?" she asked.

"Why don't I what?" he asked.

"Try a tournament. You're better than the first time you tried it."

"I'm not good enough for you now? You want me to become a fancy gentleman pooler."

"That's not it. I just—"

"You think I'm lying and cheating my opponents?" he finished for her angrily.

She sighed in frustration. "Do what you want. I was just telling you that you're good enough to consider tournaments."

They kept an angry silence for the rest of the night, but they made up again the next day.

sss

The weeks became months and still happily married, Dee Dee hardly ever missed a game. One night, Beamer set them up with a drug dealer. Beamer tried to hint to Will that Dee Dee shouldn't come along, but she did anyway.

Beamer and Dee Dee sat in the corner to watch.

It didn't take long for the drug dealer to see through the scam, and the anger he felt wasn't lost on anyone.

Will looked over at Dee Dee whose anxiousness showed through the way she fiddled and adjusted her clothes.

"I can see the game is about over. What do you say we play another and double the stakes?"

"Tempting, but I've got to make this quick. My wife is not feeling too well tonight, and I want to get her home."

"Ah, the little lady's got you on a tight leash. Well, that's too bad."

"Hardly," he said with his teeth gritted. He knew what the man was trying to do. He recognized that the only way he could win this game was if he irritated him into making a couple bad shots. "One game is plenty."

"I got you. I know when a woman owns a man."

Ignoring the comment for the moment, he drove another ball into the pocket. 2 balls left and the game was his.

"It's a shame that she's holding you back from playing another game though. You could be a very wealthy man without the ball and chain."

He made a final shot that sank both balls. "If it's all the same to you, I'll keep my ball and chain."

The drug dealer threw the cash on the pool table, and Will wasted no time in picking it up. The drug dealer pulled out a gun. "And if it's all the same to you, I'll keep my money."

He illustrated his point by shooting over Will's head, causing Dee Dee to shriek.

Will pocketed the money and blocked Dee Dee with his body as they ran for the car. Beamer took his car in the opposite direction, knowing the drug dealer would be after Will.

Will floored the gas pedal, and they were doing at least 70, but it was clear the drug dealer had the faster car and would plow into them in moments.

Will took the curve and used the opportunity of being momentarily out of sight to pull off the road into the dark, wooded area. The drug dealer's car kept going until a waiting police car about a half mile up the road gave the drug dealer chase. The siren made him do a 180. The car and police car both passed them, and Will waited a few seconds later before pulling back out onto the road.

He let out a hearty laugh. "That was close."

Dee Dee stared at him in disbelief. "That was more than close. I don't like this, Will. Hustling is too dangerous. You're going to hustle the wrong person, someone like that drug dealer, and I'm going to find myself a widow before I have a single gray hair."

"You fret too much, Dee. I know what I'm doing and so does Beamer, but if you think it's too dangerous maybe you should stay home."

"You're trying to tell me that you didn't almost just get killed or seriously injured? What if the car had decided to pick now for one of its famous breakdowns. It's only a miracle of God that it didn't."

"You don't own me," he snapped, thinking back to the drug dealer's words.

"No, I don't," she said tight-lipped. "I don't want to either. I just want you to be safe. Is that too much to ask?"

His anger evaporated. "It's nice to know someone worries about me, but like I told you, I know what I'm doing."

"I certainly hope so," she said.

sss

Dee Dee was sitting on the living room chair alternately tightening and loosening her robe as worry filled her mind. They'd had another argument over the hustling, and Will had gone out without telling her where, but at about 3:00 in the morning, he came stumbling in.

"You're drunk," she said immediately.

He grinned. "I was feeling exceptionally thirsty."

"I don't find this humorous. You could have told me where you were going. For all I knew, you were lying dead in a ditch somewhere."

"Oh, lighten up, Dee," he said, embracing her in his arms and trying to kiss her, obviously amorous from all the drinking.

"I will not," she said, breaking up from his grasp. "At least tell me that you didn't drive in your condition."

"I made it in one piece, didn't I?"

"Will," she said in frustration. "Sometimes I think you're begging for an early grave."

"Well, you better get used to the drinking because I've found it takes the edge off your constant grating."

She slipped into their bedroom and just as he was about to follow her in through the doorway, she came back out with a pillow and sheet.

"I suppose you expect me to sleep on the couch," he slurred.

"No, you can have the bed. I'll take the couch."

"I don't think so," he said, snatching the bed and pillow from her. "If anybody's going to be sleeping out here, it's going to be me."

"Have it your way," she said, slamming the bedroom door behind her.

sss

It wasn't but a month later when the phone rang early in the morning. Will wasn't home yet. His late night drinking had developed into a habit, and Dee Dee had grown accustomed to it and now went to bed at a normal hour, but she always felt when he crawled into bed beside her and a glance at the clock usually read somewhere between 1:00 to 3:00 in the morning.

"Hello," she answered groggily.

"It's me, Dee."

She sat up and looked at the clock. It read 3:46. "Where in the world are you?"

"I'm in jail."

"Jail?" she repeated in disbelief. She was wide awake by now.

"Would you just come and get me, please? I'll answer your questions later."

Dee Dee went down to the jail and paid the bail.

"A word of friendly advice, you keep an eye on that husband of yours. He's a troublemaker, and if he's not careful, he's going to be doing more time than just a night," the deputy said to her.

She glared at him and then she got defensive, "He won't, and I suggest instead of dispensing friendly advice, you stick to your job description." She'd have liked to say more, but she didn't want to land herself in jail too.

"You sure shut him up," Will said with a laugh when they got out of the building.

"Laugh it up, Will. Life's just one big joke, ain't it?" she said, trying to stem the tears in her eyes. "I am mortified. I've never had to talk that way to an officer in my life."

"Relax. It won't happen again. I let my temper get in the way when I was at the bar, and I hit an officer. How was I to know he had a badge; he wasn't wearing a uniform."

She looked over at him. She wanted to believe his words, but she had heard similar promises a lot over the past month. He won't go drinking tomorrow. He won't drive the car when he was intoxicated. He broke them repeatedly. Something told her it was only the beginning of her trips to see the police.

sss

Dee Dee still attended his games fairly regularly, although now it was more to keep him out of trouble than anything else, and she was practically an expert on pool by now. It wasn't even a few shots before she could tell the way the game was going to go, and she could tell that Will was losing his current game big time, and there was no excuse for it. If he had been sober, Archie, a fellow pool hustler, probably wouldn't have been much of a challenge, but as it stood, Will didn't have a chance.

Dee Dee let out a small gasp when Archie suddenly began doing some crazy shots and was full of confidence as he did it. He put the pool stick behind his back with one hand to take the shot and closed his eyes. It wasn't normal for any pool player, unless they were a barfly trying to do a fancy trick to impress his friends or they were a child. Archie was neither. She'd also learned enough about the world of pool to realize Archie had been doped.

She looked at Will. He had to have done it. Who else had a motive? He was the one losing, and he was drunk out of his gourd. She watched carefully though when Archie lost, and Will got the money. Will had to know that Archie was doped, and if it had been someone else, she was sure he would give the money back, but he didn't.

Dee Dee drove while Will rambled on and on about the game. She figured she'd better stay quiet on the subject for the sake of peace, but he noticed her angry silence even in his drunken haze. "What's the matter with you?" he asked. "You know how much we needed this money."

"We didn't need it enough to use unethical, immoral methods to get it."

"What are you talking about?"

"Don't tell me you didn't know Archie got doped."

"Of course, I know. You're not accusing me, are you?" he asked angrily.

"If you didn't do it, why don't you give the money back and play when you're both sober?"

"We need that money, Dee," he growled.

"Then let me go back to work and you won't have to worry so much about the finances."

"I can support my own wife."

Dee Dee didn't say anything else, as she might as well have been arguing to an empty seat, but she was still angry.

sss

Dee Dee smelled the smoke and then she saw that it was coming from under the kitchen door of the pool hall. "Fire!" she yelled.

It was as if she hadn't said a word at all. Everyone was too into their pool games.

She went over to Will. "Will, the kitchen's on fire."

He turned his head and saw the smoke and joined in the alarm.

"Fire, fire!" they shouted, warning all the pool players personally, but the players may as well have been stone-deaf.

The cook stuck his head out the kitchen door. He was sweaty and sooty and panting from exertion. "It's okay, everybody. The flames are under control now."

No one commented one way or the other as he went back into the kitchen.

Dee Dee just shook her head. "You pool players would rather burn up than stop in the middle of a game."

He put his arm around her. "Well, you have to admit, it's an absorbing game, especially when the stakes are high, which reminds me I have to go finish showing Chuck a thing or two."

She shook her head again but with a smile and moved to where she would have a better view of the game.

sss

Will angrily grabbed up the car keys after one fight and ran out of the house. Dee Dee didn't like it one bit because he was drunk and shouldn't be driving, but she didn't want to physically force the keys away him in his angry state. He looked dangerous. She was sure by the time he got to the end of the street he'd be cooled off enough to come home.

Instead, she heard a horrible, sickening crash almost as soon as he got out of the driveway. He had crashed into the telephone pole that was on the other side of the street. The car looked damaged beyond repair, but she was more worried about Will. She ran to him without even putting her shoes on. She jerked the car door open. He had a bruise starting to form on his forehead where he must have bumped his head on the steering wheel, but he was still conscious.

"Are you okay?" she asked. She was afraid to touch him, in case he had injured something else.

He looked surprised. "You care?"

She looked at him in disbelief, her voice mixed with anger and concern, she practically shouted, "Of course, I care. I may be married to a gambling, idiotic drunk, but I care."

"That's the sweetest thing anybody's ever said to me." He grinned at her, pulling her onto him and kissing her.

When they broke apart, she couldn't help but smile. "What are the neighbors going to think?"

"That I'm lucky to have survived a crash and gotten the most beautiful girl in all the world."

She got climbed out. "I'm still mad at you, you know. You totaled my car," she told him as she helped him stand up. "Are you sure you're alright?"

"I'm fine," he replied. "I think the car might not make it."

She gave a small sigh as she looked at the 1957 Lincoln, a car that held so many memories for them. "I think you're right, but I'm just glad you didn't kill yourself."

sss

"Calm down, Will," Dee Dee begged as he threw all the objects off the mantle into the floor.

"I can't help it. He just ticks me off. You know what that son of a—"

"Will," she warned.

"Beamer's only been giving me 20 percent of the side bets and calling it 50."

"You knew he wasn't an honest man from the get go."

"Yeah, but," he saw the wisdom in her words and sighed, "yeah. Maybe it's time I tried those fancy tournaments again."

She showed her pleasure with a smile.

"Let me call around and see what I can find out," he said, running a hand through his hair and then going over to the phone.

She got the broom and dustpan and swept up his mess.

sss

A few days later, they had just finished dinner when Will announced, "It's our anniversary this weekend."

"I'm surprised you remember that," she told him as she started to clear the table. "And you don't have to tell me. I'm not the one that's out of my head half the time."

"I know I've been drinking more than usual, but I lost the tournament. I'm not sure I can do this after all, and we don't have that much more money to blow. Who am I going to get to back me now?"

"It was one tournament, and you came in second. You need to find confidence that doesn't come from a bottle."

"I know, and I'm really trying to make a new start."

"I know you are," she said, softening, "and I appreciate it."

"I think we need a new start too," he told her.

"You're not getting any argument from me," Dee Dee said, turning the spigot on to get the water ready for dishes. "Are you trying to ask for a divorce or something?"

"I have this aunt."

She looked surprised. "Really? I didn't know you had family you were in touch with."

"Just Aunt Belle and you, of course. She's a really great woman who helped raise me as a matter of fact. When my dad died, Mom couldn't take care of us all the time, so she shipped us off with different relatives during the summers. I got Aunt Belle. That's part of why I came to Tennessee. You know you've never told me about your relatives or childhood either."

She shrugged. "There's nothing to tell. So what about this aunt of yours?"

"She's got this cabin we could stay in. It's pretty isolated, and there's a boat and fishing and maybe we can you know rekindle our romance. We can use it as a weekend retreat whenever we need it. Aunt Belle hardly ever uses it herself, but there is one condition. We have to eat supper with her in order to use it. She wants to meet you. You'll like her, Dee. I swear you will. She's a lot like you in some ways."

Dee Dee laughed. "Relax, Will. You don't have to sell me on it. I think it's a great idea, and I'd love nothing more than to meet your aunt if she's as nice as you say or even if she's not," she said, looking back at him with a smile while she wiped a dish dry.

He went up behind her and hugged her. It was as close as they'd been in a while. Dee Dee was hopeful. The first year was always roughest, and they'd survived it, and Will was willing to kick his addiction. Maybe they would make it.

sss

"Well, Will, didn't you go and get yourself a pretty wife," were the first words out of Aunt Belle's mouth.

Dee Dee smiled in response and offered her a hand, but Belle gently shoved it away and brought her into a hug instead. "We're family, girl. I think we can skip the formalities."

"Well, thank you," Dee Dee said, surprised and happy at the warmth from the woman. "I'll certainly remember that, Mrs. Addington."

"Aunt Belle," she corrected. She noticed the golden cross hanging from Dee Dee's neck, an anniversary present from Will. "I take it you're a praying girl?"

"I am," she affirmed.

"Well, good because this boy needs to be wrapped in continual prayer," she said, ruffling Will's hair affectionately. "And it's a comfort to know I have another prayer warrior to join me in the battle."

Dee Dee knew she would like his aunt the moment she saw her and now she was sure.

During supper, she and Dee Dee began exchanging harmless Will stories that garnered laughter and embarrassed Will.

The evening flew by, and when they left, it was plain to see that Belle was sorry that it was coming to a close.

"We'll be in touch from now on," Dee Dee assured her. "You can count on it."

sss

"Oh, it's beautiful," Dee Dee breathed, when she saw the cabin.

"Let's go fishing," he said as soon as they had set down the bags.

"Fishing, me?" she asked questioningly.

"Sure," he told her. "You'll love it. I always put the fish back, and I've got this great fishing boat. I've been using it since I was a kid."

He talked up all the boat's great qualities while he helped her in it. Once they got out on the water, everything seemed to get more peaceful. "Isn't this great?" he asked her. "It's like you can't have problems when you get out here."

"I wouldn't go that far, but I know what you mean."

"You're beautiful, you know that?"

"I'm in jeans and a flannel shirt. I look like the guy on the Brawny paper towels."

He leaned over and kissed her softly. "Trust me I wouldn't have married you if you did," he teased.

Pretty soon they were kissing hard and heavy, completely forgetting about their surroundings until they crashed into a rock. The boat flipped over. Will was the first to pop up. He looked around for Dee Dee. She hadn't come up yet. Just as he started to get worried, she surfaced. Will still had a hold of the boat. Dee Dee was flopping and kicking frantically to stay afloat. "Let's get to the shore," he said.

"This is probably the wrong time to mention this," she said anxiously, "but I can't swim a lick." She was starting to sink under the surface again.

He had to let go of the boat and get her. He helped her swim to the shore. There was a current to struggle against on top of it all. By the time they made it, it was too late to go back and get the boat. It had done sunk to the bottom of the river. Dee Dee looked guilty. "I'm sorry."

He didn't say anything, but he wrapped his arm around her. When they got back to the cabin, he got the fire going again. They soon forgot about the boat and thought about other things like celebrating their anniversary.

sss

It wasn't long after their anniversary when Dee Dee decided she wanted to surprise Will. They'd decided that she wouldn't go to tournaments that were out of town to save money, but she knew he was still drinking and that he wouldn't if she was with him, and every day that he didn't drink was a victory. He had been doing well at the tournaments, and they were making enough to scrape by again, so a bus ticket wouldn't be too expensive.

When she got there, his game was already over; she had been hoping to catch some of it.

She asked the hotel clerk. "May I have the key to my husband's room? I'm Mrs. Addington. My husband Will is staying here. I know I could just call him down to the lobby, but I'm here to surprise him."

He looked at her a little strangely but looked at the registry. "William Addington?"

"Yes," she showed him her driver's license as proof of who she was. "See? Addington."

He hesitantly handed her a key, and she wondered what the problem was.

She quickly forgot about it and went up to room 420. He was there alright with some blonde lady. They both looked up and saw her enter. She immediately turned around and left the room as quickly as she'd come.

She was stunned, angry, and heartbroken all at once. Before she even made it to the elevator, Will was chasing after her, and he turned her around to face him. "It's not what it looks like, Dee Dee."

"You weren't in bed with a blonde?" she asked sarcastically. "Does she know you're married or does she care?"

"She knows it means nothing," he told her. "I got drunk and lonely without you, and I made a mistake."

"You bet you did," she said, stepping onto the elevator and trying to go down, but Will put his hand in the door.

"Move your hand," she said.

"Not until you listen to me."

She got off and started heading for the stairs. "I'm through listening. You've gone too far this time. I was willing to look past the alcohol and hustling because I believe you're a good man underneath everything, and I'm willing to fight for our marriage, but if you don't believe in it anymore, I can't fight the battle alone."

She started down the stairs, and he followed.

"You can't go into the lobby in nothing but your boxers and undershirt," she pointed out, when they reached the door.

"Says who?"

"Says the sign. Shirt and shoes required."

"I don't care. I need you to listen to me. I love you and only you. I couldn't live without you. I know if I can stop the alcohol, I could stop the women. I'll try, Dee. I swear I will. Just don't leave me. Please, don't give up on me. Not yet."

She was weakening to the pleading. "No more women?"

"She was the last one."

"Maybe I should start going with you everywhere and keep you from getting lonely," she said with a wry smile.

He pulled her into a hug. "That sounds wonderful. I'll be a better husband, Dee. Just watch."

She hugged him back and then wiped her tears. "What are you going to do about that woman?"

"Nothing. We'll go out the back, and I'll have the hotel ship my stuff or something."

"You can't do that. It's cold outside and that's unfair to her even if she deserves it. You wait here, and I'll go get your things."

The woman was sitting up and waiting for Will to come back. Dee Dee silently gathered up his clothes. Then she glared at the woman. "Stay away from my husband."

She shrugged. "Sure thing, honey. I have a husband of my own. We just have fun together when there's no one else to have fun with. It doesn't mean a thing to me, but Will has a reputation. If it's not me, it'll be some other broad."

"You heard what I said," she said coldly, before slamming the door shut.

sss

They were in another one of their fights. Will was still getting drunk every night even though he swore he wasn't with any other women, and she was seeing signs that he was taking drugs too.

"You know what I don't even care anymore," she said at last, an outright lie as the problem was she cared too much. "Go back to the bar, hustle, fight, sleep with every woman there. I don't care."

The next thing she knew, she saw his hand come flying toward her. It struck the side of her face, and he sent her to the floor. He hadn't made a fist, but her jaw hurt something awful. The open hand had probably been the difference between a broken jaw and the severe bruise she was bound to get.

"You hit me," she said, still surprised.

He looked at her angrily. "If you don't keep your mouth shut, I'll hit you again. It's about time I did it. You talk too much, and it's my God-given right to hit you. Keep your wife in submission and turn the other cheek. Isn't that what it says in that Bible of yours?"

"What a terrible way to twist God's word, William Addington. It's true the Bible tells the wife to submit but not for the husband to make her," she said, standing up angrily. "The Bible says nothing about hitting either. The husband is supposed to respect and treat his wife kindly. Jesus taught non-violence. That's what turn the other cheek means. You listen to me, Will. Don't you ever hit me again or I swear I'll leave, and I won't come back."

He simply laughed though the laugh held little humor. "I only hit you once, and you drove me to it."

"Get out!" she yelled. "Get the heck out of this room and the heck out of my life!"

Will had never heard or seen her looking so angry and that was saying a lot. It scared him, and he backed out of the room. She slammed it shut. He heard her burst into tears from behind the door. Her heavy sobs wrung at his heart. Dee Dee was the kindest, most loving person he knew, and he had hurt her. He'd never hit a woman before, least of all his wife. She deserved better. A lesser woman would have left him by now.

He knocked gently on the door after a few minutes. "Dee, I'm sorry. I really am. I don't know what came over me."

She opened the door; tears were still streaming down her face. "I know what came over you. It's a demon called liquor and dope, Will. It makes you into something you'd never be sober."

"I know," he said, a tear rolling down his own cheek. "Do you forgive me?"

"I told you I did, but I'm warning you. I left my dad, and I'll leave you."

"Your dad?" he asked. She'd never talked about her family before.

"My dad beat on me too. They say you marry the same kind of man your father was. I guess that's true, but I won't take it like my mom did. I won't."

"Your dad beat you?" he asked angrily. "Is he still alive?"

"No, both my parents are dead now, but, Will, I saw him in you tonight. He'd stay out all the night drinking and then he'd come home and take it out on me and Mom. As long as you hit me, you're helping carry on the legacy. If you want to help me, help me by stopping your drinking."

He said, still crying, "I'm sorry, Dee. I promise it won't happen again. I won't ever hit you again, and I won't let anyone else hit you either." He cried harder. He hugged her, and she hugged him back.

"I'm holding you to that promise, Will."

sss

The hitting stopped for a while. He never even tried to stop the drugs, alcohol, and the women.

Dee Dee was seriously contemplating leaving him after a 2 week bender that brought an angry, abusive husband home every night or morning, depending how you chose to look at 4:00 a.m.

Despite her threats, she didn't have the heart to leave him, but she came close to packing her bags one time after a nasty fight that had left her with more than one bruise. The bruises didn't hurt half as much as his stinging words. He'd told her he didn't love her and that he found more satisfaction in the arms of other women. Her suitcase was out of the closet, and she was contemplating where to go.

Then he brought her a white rose, her favorite flower, and he was completely sober for the first time in a while.

"What's this for?" she asked, surprised.

It wasn't their anniversary, but it had turned out that he was better at remembering special dates than she was, so maybe it was something besides their marriage anniversary.

"It's a rose for the most beautiful lady in the world outside and in," he said with all sincerity.

She was suspicious. He must have wrecked the car again or something and was trying to soften her up before he told her.

He laughed, sensing her suspicion, and hugged her. "I mean it. You put up with too much from me, Dee. I just want to let you know that I know it, and I'm sorry. I love you. I've never loved anyone but you, and I never will."

She couldn't help the smile that spread across her face.

An hour and a half later, she climbed out of bed. There were tears in her eyes. He could be so frustrating one minute and the sweetest man in the world the next and like the sucker she was, it didn't take much for her to forget the bad times and only remember the good. She took her white rose and pressed it into her Bible. Will had noticed she was missing and patted her pillow, signaling for her to come back to bed. She did, and he wrapped his arms around her.

"Will, are you happy with me?" she got up the nerve to ask. She couldn't help but wonder why he had to seek women elsewhere.

"The happiest," he said, his eyes still closed as he kissed her shoulder. He must have felt how tense she was because he opened his eyes. He knew what she was getting at. "Dee, it's got nothing at all to do with you. It's the drugs and the alcohol. You know that. It makes me say yes before I can say no. I'm never clean and sober when I'm with them. I wake up, wishing it was you beside me. You're the only person I truly enjoy being with."

"Then why do you take them?"

He looked at her rather sadly and said truthfully, "Because I can't stop."

sss

Their second anniversary came and went.

"Will, we have to talk," Dee Dee said one night.

"Not tonight, Dee Dee," he said, flopping onto the bed.

"Tonight, Will. I've been trying to wait until you're sober, but the truth is, you're never sober anymore and when you're hung-over you can't talk because you have a headache or you have more pool to play or some woman to see. We never talk."

He only grunted.

"Will, I'm tired of it all. You need counseling," she said.

He didn't answer.

"I'm serious. I've checked into it, and there's a clinic nearby. We can afford it, and you can get some help," she said.

He sat up. "I don't need any help!"

"You can check in on Monday."

He grabbed her roughly by the wrist. "I'm not going, and I'd appreciate it if you'd stop treating me like a child. I'm a man, and I can make my own decisions."

"Sometimes even men need help. Just look at all that's happened to you lately, Will," she told him, her eyes burning with tears that she was trying to hold back. "You're not the same man I married."

He threw her back against the bed and began to pace. Then he looked at her. "Have you ever thought that maybe this is who I am? I'm a drunk, a drug addict, a womanizer, a violent man."

"It's not who you are. I made a promise to you, Will. That I was going to stick by you for better or worse and I am, but I think this is something you should do."

He laughed. "I'm not the one with a problem. I like my life just fine. You have no idea how I feel."

"You're not happy."

"You're right I'm not happy!" he yelled. "You're supposed to make me happy and all you ever do is nag. I feel empty, and my addictions fill me up."

"Then why do you need more and more? I can't remember the last time your eyes weren't glazed. Yes, I do. That night you brought me the rose. It's been months since then."

"Just shut up!" He hit her harder than he ever had before. The slap landed on the side of her head and blood trickled out of her ear. Will saw it and ran out of the apartment. He knew he'd never darken the doorway of their home again. He was messed up, and he didn't deserve her, but more importantly she didn't deserve all the things he had done to her. She was better than that. He'd send her the divorce papers in the mail.

sss

Dee Dee didn't want to because she knew she couldn't afford it, but she had to go to the doctor. There was a strange ringing noise that wouldn't go away, and the blood hadn't been a good sign either. Will had done some damage this time for sure.

"I want to know all your symptoms," the doctor told her.

"It's just this ringing noise in my ear and some blood came out at the time of injury."

"What happened to you?" he asked.

"Nothing. I just hit the side of my head."

He didn't look like he particularly believed that. "Do you have any other symptoms, Mrs. Addington? Anything could be important."

"Well, I've been nauseous and tired lately, but that was before I busted my ear."

"Is that all?"

"I've been getting aches in my back and head, but like I said that was before the blow to my head."

"I see. Have you had your period lately?"

"I don't know what this has to do with my ear, doctor. I—" Her eyes widened. It's what she had been afraid of. It's one of the reasons she had been afraid of going to the doctor when her symptoms hadn't gone away. Will's sleeping around had finally come to haunt her in a more physical way. "I have a disease, don't I?"

"I wouldn't call it a disease. I think you may be pregnant."

Pregnant. The word seemed to echo in her head. She and Will had never once discussed having children. Of course, it's not that they had gone to any extreme measures to prevent it. Will carried protection in his wallet, so that he wouldn't have children with any of the other women he was with, but they were for the other women. They never bothered with it when they were together, but at the same time, they'd never planned to have children either. She had paid attention to the time of month and when she told him it wasn't a good time, he listened. It was kind of an unspoken agreement between them. It wasn't that she didn't love children, but children just didn't fit into their life. "But what about my ear?"

"That's another problem entirely. It's very possible you've damaged your eardrum, but it's also likely that it'll mend itself."

"And then this doggone ringing will stop?" she asked, rubbing her tender ear.

"It should," he told her.

sss

She had thought that she'd receive an apology phone call from jail or maybe even an apology in person, but she didn't. Then she got the divorce papers, and she'd heard through mutual acquaintances that he was living about 30 minutes away with Harley, one of his more decent friends.

She was surprised at first and then she cried, but it wasn't long before anger took over. She had stuck by him through some bad times. She had wanted to leave many times and get a divorce, but she hadn't. He had hurt her physically and emotionally more times than she could count and if anyone deserved the right to leave, she did.

She realized though that he had done her a favor. Maybe God even had a hand in it. If he abused her, he would probably abuse the child and that was something she couldn't abide by. She wouldn't have a problem keeping him away. He was a stubborn man and if he had made up his mind, he had made up his mind. Nothing, short of his finding out about their baby, would bring him back into her life.

She couldn't help wonder why he'd divorced her. Yes, she had nagged and fought with him sometimes, but she had been the best wife she could be. He was the one who had beat her, cheated on her, and started most of the fights. He'd probably fallen in love with one of his mistresses and had been looking for an excuse to leave her, and the clinic was it. That thought was enough to harden her heart further and the ringing in her ear helped serve as a reminder of the abuse and how she had to protect the baby. She was done with William Joseph Addington.

sss

6 months later, she gave birth to a baby boy and when she saw his face for the first time, she saw some of Will, which brought unwelcome moisture to her eyes. He was a part of this baby whether she liked it or not, and whether she admitted it or not, she still loved this baby's father, although she was working hard to change that. Even if she couldn't tell Will about their son, she could name her baby after him. It was fair, since he wouldn't be bearing Will's last name. So William Joseph Stanley went on the birth certificate. She decided to call him Billy Joe for short, which was different enough from Will.

Whenever she went out into public with her baby, she was afraid. What if she ran into Will, one of Will's friends, or his aunt? Anybody could guess he was Will's son. She made a decision to move to Oregon. She didn't know why she chose Oregon. Probably because it was on the other side of the country, and it was a random state that she knew nothing about, a state that Will would never think about going to. She did call up Will's aunt though and told her that she was moving there just in case something went wrong with finalizing the divorce. She figured that Belle would probably tell Will that she was moving out there, but there was no reason at all for him to go chasing her down. Aunt Belle said she understood and offered to help her move, but she had to decline because of the baby.

sss

"Billy Joe," she called out laughingly, as he took running off down the grocery store aisle. She was trying to catch him. He was a fast runner to be so little.

A man scooped him up for her. "Are you trying to escape your mother, little one? You're a lucky, little fellow. I'd stick close to her if I were you. Here you go, Dee Dee."

She smiled and took him from the man. "Do I know you?"

He blushed. "We go to church together. I'm Frank Campbell."

She smiled. "I thought you looked familiar."

He smiled at her bashfully. "Would you and Billy Joe like to have dinner with me?"

"I'd like that a lot," she said. A lot of men had asked her to have dinner, but no one had ever invited Billy Joe to come along. She liked Frank already. Then she realized something especially strange. After 2 whole years, the ringing in her ear had just stopped. She felt like it was a sign from God.

Their courtship lasted for 3 months, which was considerably longer than her courtship with Will. She really liked Frank. She told him everything, and he told her everything. It was a completely honest relationship, which was something she'd never fully had before. They were very similar to each other, and she knew that meant little or no fighting. She knew his love for Christ was strong and that he loved her and Billy Joe, so she saw no reason to say no when he proposed to her. There was only one problem really. She didn't love him in a romantic way, but she had had her fill of romantic love with Will. She knew Frank knew that, and Frank was willing to overlook it. In time, she could grow to love him. It was only a small step between like and love.

sss

"Mrs. Campbell?" came the man's voice on the phone.

"Yes?"

"I'm—"

"Hold on a second," she put her hand over the mouthpiece and looked at her 10-year-old son sternly. He had grabbed a stack of cookies and was trying to sneak off with them.

"You can have one before supper and that's it." He grinned mischievously but obeyed and put all but one of the cookies back. She removed her hand. "I'm sorry. You were saying?"

"Ma'am, this is the Pineville Hospital. I'm sorry to be the one to tell you this, but your husband has been killed. We're going to need you to come and identify the…" Her concentration dwindled after that. She heard words like electric storm and power line but not a lot was registering. At last, she heard, "Ma'am, ma'am?"

"Yes?"

"I'd recommend finding someone to drive you."

"Thank you," she answered, and she hung up. Is that what you said in a situation like that? She didn't know, and she was still in a state of shock. She and Frank had been married for 8 years now. The liking had turned to love. Frank had become her best friend. She'd even learned to stop thinking about Will somewhere along the way. Frank was a good father and a good husband. What more could she ask for? Her life had fallen into a comfortable routine and now that routine was seriously disturbed. Billy Joe had finished off his cookie.

"Can't I have just one more cookie, Momma?" he asked her.

She nodded and pleased, he went for another cookie. She didn't know what to tell him. He knew that Frank wasn't his biological father. She and Frank had felt that important to tell him, and pictures don't lie anyway. She had never told him who his father was, other than to say he was in heaven, and being so young, he didn't press for details yet. It had helped that he thought of Frank as a father; he called him Daddy Frank. He was going to be devastated. She was devastated. She felt the hot tears forming in her eyes, as it finally began to sink in.

sss

After they buried Frank, they went back to the house. She surveyed the mountains of food brought over by neighbors, church members, and friends. "Are you hungry?" she asked him.

Billy Joe just shook his head.

He wasn't crying, at least not now. She knew how he felt. She was all cried out. You still felt like crying, but you didn't have the energy or the tears left for it. The feeling tended to ruin your appetite.

Billy Joe was looking out the window. It was raining. It often rained in this part of the country. Today it was particularly noticeable. It seemed like the sky was doing the crying for them.

"Momma, can we move somewhere where it doesn't rain so much? I'm tired of the rain."

"Me too, son," she replied. Maybe it was time to move back to Tennessee. She wanted another fresh start, but she didn't want a completely new one either. Enough time had lapsed. Who knew? Maybe Will had moved somewhere else.

sss

After a long day of unpacking, she and Billy Joe had gone to eat at a charming, little diner that reminded her of the one she used to work at before she married Will.

"You have a lovely diner here," she told the elderly woman serving her and Billy Joe with a smile. "I used to work in a diner. I thought about owning one of my own one day."

"This must be fate then," she answered with a return smile. "Because if you're still thinking, I'm selling the place."

She knew of an old friend who would probably be willing to loan her the money. He'd been a friend of Will's too. She knew she couldn't get a loan from the bank. She was willing to swallow her pride and see someone from the past. Now that she was back in Tennessee, it was even possible she'd see Will sooner or later.

She took Billy Joe with her to the pool hall. While he watched the men play pool, she found Gary.

"Dee Dee! I didn't know you were back in Tennessee," he said, greeting her with a hug. He motioned for her to sit down. "What have you been up to all these years?"

"I've been living out in Oregon. I got myself another husband and a wonderful son, but Frank, my husband, passed away a couple months ago, so here we are. I'm looking to buy a diner to support us."

"I'm sorry to hear that, Dee, but it's good that you have a plan."

"A start of a plan anyway. I got some money when my husband died but most of that went for his burial," she explained. "It's getting so a person can't afford to die."

"I hear you," Gary said.

"I've already taken a loan for our new house. It wasn't much, but I wanted Billy to have a yard to play in, you see. The problem is I don't see them giving me another sizable loan with no real collateral, and I was hoping you could help. The loan isn't so big. Once the business gets going good, I'd pay you back with interest. I'm thinking it'd be paid back in 5 to 7 years tops."

"No, Dee. No interest."

"Gary, I can't take your money and not pay a little extra. What's in it for you?"

"Helping a dear friend," he said as he wrote out a check. "Just fill in however much you need."

Dee Dee put the check carefully into her pocketbook. "I'll pay you back as soon as I can."

"I know you will."

"Don't we need to draw up a contract?" she asked.

He shook his head. "I don't need a contract from you. You're as honest as the day is long."

"Thank you. I won't forget this," she said. "I don't know if you're still in touch with Will, but I'd appreciate it if you didn't mention seeing me."

"I haven't talked to him since he left you like he did, but I'll tell you something, Dee, it was the best thing he ever did for you."

She only nodded and looked out at Billy Joe, who was still watching the pool game intently.

"Jane and I'd like it if you and your son came to dinner one night."

"I'd like that too," she smiled. "It's be great to catch up with Jane."

"He's a cute kid," Gary said.

She laughed. "He takes after me."

He joined in her laugh. "No doubt. I bet he misses his father something fierce."

"Yeah, the death was unexpected. We needed a change, and I missed Tennessee."

Gary laughed. "Look at your son."

She did. One of the men had handed him the pool stick and he took some crazy shots, bringing laughter from the men at the table.

Dee Dee, however, was chilled. For the first time, she saw more of Will in him than a couple of facial features. "We have to go, Gary. Thanks again."

She got up and handed the pool stick back to the man and drug Billy Joe out by his hand.

Gary watched Dee Dee's reaction closely. It set him to thinking. The boy was about the right age to be Will's son, and why else had his pool playing seemed to upset her so much.

Outside Billy Joe was asking, "Momma, can't we go back so I can play that game? The man says it's called bill-something."

"It's billiards or pool."

"Whatever it's called it's the most fun game I ever played in my whole life," he said as he looked up at her pleadingly.

She sighed. There was no point in keeping him from pool because of his father. Maybe he would get tired of the game.

She took him back to Gary's the next day.

Gary smiled at her pleasantly. "Did you buy the diner?"

"I did. Are you sure Will doesn't ever come here anymore?"

"He wouldn't dare," Gary told her. "Why?"

"Well, my son seems to have taken an interest in pool, and I'd just as soon not run into Will. Memphis is a big place, but taking him to pool halls would just be asking for it."

"That's the truth," Gary told her. "Of course he's welcome to. I'd even be willing to teach him about pool."

"I appreciate it."

"He's Will's son, isn't he?"

"Yes, and Will doesn't know about him, and I won't lie if the question should ever come up from my son or Will, but I'd rather it not come up."

"I understand that."

"I think it's best for everybody. Billy Joe knows Frank wasn't his real father. Will isn't tied down by a child."

"You don't have to convince me," Gary assured her. "I guess the first thing I better do is teach that boy how to hold a stick."

"Be my guest, but don't forget I aim to teach him a couple things myself. If there's one thing I learned married to Will, it's pool."

sss

Running a diner turned out to be harder than she had expected. She was stressed and very tired when she served one of her customers, so she didn't notice who she was until she said, "Why, Dee Dee, how great to see you!" It was Will's aunt.

"Ma'am," she answered nervously.

"Don't give me none of that ma'am stuff. I'm still Aunt Belle to you. You look bushed. I think you could use some time at the cabin."

"You do realize Will and I are divorced?" she asked, wondering if Aunt Belle had had a slip of memory.

She laughed, "Of course I do. I was terribly disappointed to hear it and even more disappointed when you didn't keep in touch with me, but I like you, Dee Dee, and I still consider you to be one of the family. I do hear from Will every now and then, but he hasn't used the cabin since he went there with you, so you won't bump into him. You just need to get away from it all for awhile. Be alone with nature and God as your only companions. We all need that from time to time."

"But I have a—"

"A what?" she asked.

She hesitated about whether she could trust Will's aunt not to say anything. She didn't get a chance to decide. The bus dropped Billy Joe off at the diner, and he came rushing in and hugged her like he always did when he got home. "Mrs. Thompson wants to have a meeting with you, Momma."

Dee Dee sighed. "What'd you do now, son?"

"Jeremy started it, Mom."

"Never mind. We'll talk about this later. You get started on that homework of yours if you want to go to Gary's."

He looked at her sullenly but went to do his homework.

"A son," Dee Dee finished. "I have a son. I'd have to take him with me, but as you might can tell, he can be a bit of a handful sometimes. It wouldn't be a vacation at all. I'd have to watch him every minute in the woods. He'd be up on the tallest branch there is and into the poison ivy before I could blink twice."

She smiled. "He's the splitting image of Will at that age."

Dee Dee was alarmed that she knew. "Will doesn't know about Billy Joe, Belle, and I'd like to keep it that way."

"Honey, I think you're only prolonging the inevitable. I'll tell you straight out that I think you 3 should be a family. I think a son could do the trick on making Will responsible, but I'll stay completely out of it. My offer still stands. If you have no objections, I'll take care of Billy Joe, and you go to the cabin."

"But—"

"We'll be just fine. He's my grandnephew, and don't forget I had Will for whole summers, and I tell you, he wasn't that much different."

Dee Dee smiled and hugged her. "You're the greatest. I'm sure Billy Joe would love to spend time with his Aunt Belle."

sss

18-year-old Billy burst through the door. "Guess what, Mom? I found somebody to back me."

"You're not going to hustle, are you? Please tell me that you're not going to hustle."

Billy's Joe's face went dark and angry. "Why can't you just be happy for me? It's a way to make a living."

Dee Dee immediately backed down. She wasn't going to push her son away even if she didn't approve of his lifestyle. He was following in his father's footsteps all the way. "If you're happy, I'm happy."

He smiled and hugged her. "I'm moving out too. I'll be living out of hotels and going wherever the games take me. I don't know when I'll be seeing you again."

She tried to hide the pain she felt. She was being left all over, but that was life. "I want to give you something, son," she told him. "Maybe it'll bring you more luck than it brought me."

He followed her into her bedroom, and she pulled out a dusty, old jewelry box. It contained the ring that she had taken off when she'd gotten too pregnant to wear it. It was the only thing she had kept from Will. She had burned all his pictures, partly out of anger and partly out of necessity. She didn't want Billy Joe to know what his father looked like, in case he ever ran into him.

"This is the ring your father gave me. He had it made especially for me," she said, placing it on his palm. She started to tell him how she'd met his father and other things that would interest him to know, but the words got stuck in her throat, and she had to fight back the tears.

He obviously thought it was because she was still upset about the pretend death she had made up and so he didn't push the subject but hugged her tenderly. "Thanks, Mom."

She didn't know why she couldn't take talking about Will. It was just a painful period in her life that she didn't feel comfortable talking about or even remembering.

Billy Joe put the ring in his pocket and kissed her on the cheek. "I've got to go pack."

sss

Will was driving along the road one Sunday when he spotted a church, and he got an overwhelming longing to go in there.

Will had been divorced from Dee Dee for 12 years, but he thought about her every day. He wondered if she thought about him. He wondered if she missed him like he missed her. He knew the answer was no, but even if he knew the answer was yes, he was doing what was best for her for once. He wasn't going to be selfish. His drinking had gotten worse after she left if that was even possible. He tried a couple of times to be intimate with a woman, but he only pictured Dee Dee and ended up crying before it ever got very far. He still carried their wedding picture in his pocket. He knew he wasn't ever going to marry anyone else. You just didn't get struck by the same lightning twice, not lightening like that. He wondered if he would ever get over her. He hoped so. He couldn't take the aching pain in his chest much longer.

Maybe he thought it would make him feel close to Dee Dee, but whatever the reason, he went inside the church. It was a pretty, little Baptist church. He sat down in the back pew quietly, thankful that no one seemed to notice him. They sang Amazing Grace, but he didn't join in.

"You know a lot of folks think that song is rather square. That some little, old church lady composed it. There's a real story behind it. First of all, a man wrote it, and he hadn't been a church-going man all his life, not even close. He drank and gambled for one thing, and he was a slaver and womanizer. He was about as unchristian as they come. He was a true wretch. You know what saved him and brought him a new lifestyle? It wasn't religion, and it wasn't church. It was God. It was Jesus. He woke up to the fact that God was real. That God could change him. That God could forgive him. That God could make him happy because He loved him like He loves us.

"Have you woke up to that fact, friend? I don't care about your past; God forgives and gives you a future that you can live with. Is there any among you who wants God in their life? Because I tell you, it makes this life a lot easier to travel through when you have God on your side and the promise of eternal life. If you want that peace and love, I'm not even going to make you come up here. Some people like coming up here, so don't feel shy if you're ready to publicize it, but all you have to do is repeat this prayer. 'Jesus, I know I am a sinner.'"

Will found tears forming in his eyes. He wanted that forgiveness and that peace. He wanted the God that Dee Dee served in his life because he needed Him, so he repeated, Jesus, I know I am a sinner.

"I know that You died and rose again for sinners like me."

I know that You died and rose again for sinners like me.

"I want Your love and forgiveness in my life. Please come into my life."

I want Your love and forgiveness in my life. Please come into my life.

Will felt a peace that he'd never felt before. Something had changed in him. Maybe this time he could really change his life.