Hi all.

I'd like to introduce myself by saying that I am NOT a writer. To quote another reluctant author,

I do not enjoy writing at all. If I can turn my back on an idea, out there in the dark, if I can avoid opening the door to it, I won't reach for a pencil. But once in a while, there's a great dynamite-burst of flying glass and brick and splinters through the front wall and somebody stalks over the rubble, seizes me by the throat, and gently says, "I will not let you go until you set me, in words, on paper."

from Illusions, the Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah, by Richard Bach

There are many amazing writers on this site who truly deserve to be called writers; that is, they live to write and love to write. I feel no need to do so, generally, though if high school and college professors are to be believed, I have some skill at it. So by now, you're probably asking, "Why the heck are you here if you don't like to write?"

That, my friends, you can blame on my dear friend, Heart'sandEye'sDelight.

I'm a bit of an insomniac, and I put myself to sleep generally by telling myself a story, most recently a GSR story. On one occasion, I told my friend about some of these stories, and she was particularly interested in one and suggested I write it (which suggestion I promptly ignored). However, it is a strange thing; when in the position of knowing that her birthday was coming up, and wanting to do something to celebrate it, I found myself at a loss. What can you get or do for someone who you've only met online? An e-card just didn't cut it.

So, I bit the bullet and wrote the story below, and sent it to her, one chapter at a time, in the month leading up to her birthday. She enjoyed her gift, and I was satisfied, and there it may have ended, for in my opinion, the story belonged to her now, not me.

However, she wasn't satisfied with that. She urged me to publish it, and I will admit to some curiosity as to whether other people will enjoy it as well. So, here it is. But don't expect me to write again! (It could happen...perhaps for my friend's next birthday, lol, but it's unlikely).