Later the same day, my twin brothers showed up to give Ty his guitar lessons. They were shocked to see that I was actually home. They hugged me tightly. I squeaked out that I couldn't breathe, then they let me go.

"Heh, sorry sis. Didn't mean to hug you that tight. We're just glad to see you. Been a while."

I smiled.

"Its ok, Sean. I know its been a while, but both Throttle and I have been busy. Between me training the new recruits at Camp Pendleton during the Summer and Throttle and I managing the Blackhawks during the winter, we're lucky to have time during the Spring and Fall."

"We get it, sis. We're just glad we get to see you today."

I looked at Seamus and cocked my head to the left. "You ok, Seamus? You look troubled."

"He's been bummed lately."

I looked at Sean, confused. "Bummed? About what?"

"He wouldn't say. He's been secretive."

"I think I might be able to find out." Then I put my antenna on his head, then we shut our eyes. I was able to see what Seamus was being so secretive about. There was no way I could tell Sean what I saw. I almost cried, myself.

I looked at Sean. He noticed that my eyes were glistening with tears. He knew that whatever I saw nearly made me cry.

"What did you see, sis?"

I shook my head back and forth. I couldn't tell him and I wasn't going to have Seamus tell him if he didn't want to.

I looked at Seamus. "I'm so sorry, bro. I had no idea."

Sean looked at us both while I was wiping the tears from my face.

"Bro? Sis? I'd like to know what's going on."

I looked at Sean then back at Seamus. "Its up to you, bro. Do you want Sean to know?"

"I….I don't think he would understand."

"Does Jake know about how you feel towards him?"

"No, and I'm not sure how to tell him. Any ideas, sis?"

"Not at the moment, but I will think of something before you and Sean leave. Right now, I'm gonna go for a ride while you 2 are teaching Ty."

"You taking your bike or the other one?"

"I'm taking Lady for a ride. Throttle has yet to take my bike for a ride." Then I looked at Ty. "Please let your father know I went for a ride, Ty and that I'll be back later."

"I will mom. Be careful but have fun."
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

While I was out for a nice, quiet ride, I felt my cell phone buzz in my pocket. I pulled over and took my helmet off, then pulled out my phone to see who's calling me.

I was surprised to see who was calling. It was Tredz. 'I haven't heard from him in a long time.'

I answered the call. "Hey Tredz. I'm so sorry about Silverdawn."

"Thank you. How's my son doing?"

"I think he took real hard. He spent 2 yrs. at the ball field after her passing."

"He was always protective of her growing up. Any chance I can talk to him?"

"I'm not home right now. I'm out for a ride since it's a nice day. Do you have the house number?"

"I'm not sure. If anything, I can get it from Anthony. I know you've been busy with hockey during the winter and training during the Spring and Summer, so maybe no one has gotten a hold of you yet."

"About what? I know that Tony is going into the Marines, cause I have to pick him up on my way to San Diego."

"How close to Charley were you?"

I didn't like how that sounded. "Why? What happened to Charley?"

"I guess Modo hadn't called you. He called Throttle and told him. Didn't my son tell you yet?"

"Please spit out what you're trying to say. What happened to Charley? Is she ok?"

"About a month ago, she lost the baby she was carrying. Both her and Modo were devastated. Charley fell into a deep depression and Modo tried everything to help her. He even got her into therapy. Nothing helped."

I really didn't like where this conversation was leading, but I let him continue.

"Are you saying what I think, Tredz?"

"I'm afraid I am. Modo found her hanging in their bedroom."

"Did she leave a note saying why she did it?"

"Yes, she did. Modo had asked me to help get her down and then he laid her down on their bed. If I hadn't of helped him, I think he would have done the same thing. He had the same look in his eye. He is so heart broken."

"Oh god! I can't believe Charley would do that. She had such a strong will. Has she been laid to rest yet?"

"Not yet. He's having a hard time coming up with the money, which is why I'm calling. He asked me to call you. He knew you and Charley were good friends."

"Is Modo around so I can talk to him?"

"Yeah, he is. Give me a couple of mins. to get him."

I ended up shutting my bike off after hearing the bad news about Charley. I was glad that I was at a rest stop. I got off the bike and went to sit down. My mind was still processing the information I got. It didn't seem like something Charley would do.

Modo got on the phone after I had sat down at a bench.

"I am so very sorry, Modo. Tredz just told me about Charley."

"Thank you, Michelle. He also told you that I'm having a problem with finding the money, didn't he?"

"Yes, he did. Charley was my good friend. Whatever you need, I'll take care of it. I'll call the General at the base and tell him that I have a family emergency and both Tony and I can't make it for training. We'll all be there for her funeral, Modo."

"Actually, she wants to be buried behind the Last Chance since it had been her home for a long time."

"Of course, Modo. Again, I am so sorry. Please promise me you'll never go down that road like Charley did. I love you like a brother."

"I love you like a sister. I promise I won't go down that path."

"I wish Throttle had told me after he got the news."

"He didn't tell you?"

"No. I'll call the coroner after I call the General. I will have her released to you and we'll find a way to get her transported."

"Thank you, Michelle. We've tried so many times over the years to have children and when we finally get good news, she loses the baby 3 months into the pregnancy."

"I don't want you to feel uncomfortable answering this, so, if you don't wanna answer it, you don't have to. What was the reason why she couldn't get pregnant 'til recently?"

"I had a low sperm count. All the hot dogs and root beer over the years. The Dr. told me I had to change my diet, so I did. I started eating healthy and then when I went back in for a follow-up, they wanted to check it again. I'll be honest, I don't like to 'self serve', but it was to see if there were any changes."

"I get it. Not all guys like to do that, but sometimes its necessary when they're single or their girl isn't in the mood. With all the problems Throttle and I had, he had to 'self serve' a lot, so I get it. So, what did the Dr. say since you had started eating better?"

"He said that my sperm count is much higher now and so we tried again. I was over the moon when I found out I was going to be a father."

"Then she loses the baby 3 months later. I can't even imagine what she went through after hearing that horrible news."

"I'll be honest, I did feel uncomfortable talking about it, but you were very understanding about the whole conversation. You didn't judge me for trying to have a child so late in life."

"Why would I do that, Modo? Its understandable to wait later in life to have kids. Some wait 'til their late 40's to have children. I get it. I know you 2 have been trying since day one when you first got together with her."

"I hate to cut this short, but I have to pack up Charley's things and take them to the used place in town. Let me know when you have had her body released to me."

"I will, Modo. Once again, I am so, so sorry for your loss."

"And again, thank you, Michelle." Then I hung up. I hadn't realized that I had been crying 'til I saw water spots on my phone as I was looking up the General's personal number.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

After waiting for about 5 mins., I heard a click on the other end, which meant someone had picked up the phone.

"Hello?"

"Afternoon General."

"Major, what can I do for you?"

"I have a family emergency that just came up and Tony and I won't be able to make it this Friday."

"I am so sorry to hear that, Major. I can find someone to take care of training while you and your son are away. Do you have any idea when both of you will be here?"

"No, I don't. At this point, I don't know if I'm going to be doing any more training of the troops. I'm getting up there in age, General. Some things are getting hard for me lately."

"I understand that, Major. The Brigadier General has been so grateful for all you've done since he called you. I will tell him that as of right now, you are officially retired…again and don't plan to come back. When you're ready to, I would like you to bring Tony to the base for training."

"I will, General. Thank you for letting me go back to being retired. Now I have more time to spend with my sons, Tyrone and Richard."

"Richard? When did you have another baby, Major?"

"I had adopted him after his parents were killed. It was their wish."

"I see. My condolences for your loss. When you bring Tony, I'll give you your final check."

"Thanks, General. I have another call to make, so I will call when I know Tony is ready to start basic training."

"Alright, Major. Take care."

"You too, General." Then I hung up. I googled the coroner in Scottsville and the surrounding area.