Chapter 3- Soul Mates This chapter is dedicated to JBE.

It was a sunny day in May, some two odd months after the affair between Kevin and Tracey; Slowly, but surely, Kevin was returning to his 'normal' self, still depressed, though not so badly, as right after Tracey, had played so wickedly with his feelings. He was back to work and enjoying his basket ball practise, once more.

Joan and Grace were walking in the park, talking about the up-coming mid term exams and what a drag they were. Joan, got a touch of nostalgia as they neared the swing set and ran over to one of the swings and sat down, Grace followed her example.

Before they knew it, they were competing to see who could go the highest! Grace won! When they'd slowed down a bit, they counted to three and jumped ship, landing on all four in the sand. They laughed like a couple of sixth graders! Oh boy, did it ever feel good, letting themselves go like that, not caring who heard or saw them!

The two of them got back onto the swings and talked about Luke and Adam, while they swung gently back and forth, the wind whispering in their ears.

Deep in conversation, Grace and Joan, dind't see the mother and son, that took place on the swings to the right of them.

The mother and son, swung back and forth, looking at one another, smiling broadly, they hadn't a care in the world, or so it seemed. Things, aren't always what they seem.

Grace, glanced over to her right and saw the new comers and observed them. The boy, might be 7 or 8, judging by his statute. Looking at his eyes, which showed such wisdom and his serious expression, he might as well have been a grown man! This young boy, had been through a lot for a kid his age, that was obvious.

His mother, too had something serious about her, something painfull, that lay deep inside her, yet it could be seen in her eyes. This young woman wasn't as carefree, as one would think, if they just glanced at her.

Yet, here they both were swinging and smiling happily, enjoying the sun and the freedom they felt, with the wind embracing them.

As Grace's thoughts trailed off, Joan too saw the boy and the woman. "Rocky! What a nice surprise to see you two here!" Joan said, her voice joyous.

"Hi Joan! I got mom to come along! Who's your friend?" Rocky said seriously and walked over to Grace. "Rocky, this is Grace, Grace, this is Rocky, whom I babysat." Joan said, introducing the two of them. Rocky and Grace, stared at one another for a while, then Rocky sat down on the swing, that Joan had left dangling and they started talking.

Joan, feeling left out, had a seat on the swing next to Rocky's mom. Joan, asked her how she was doing. She was fine and was glad to meet her unexpectedly. Joan cast a glance at Rocky, which was an open book to his mother. "Joan, he isn't doing to well. His disease is winning the battle that his body has been fighting for so long. He's getting weaker. He knows that. It bothers me a lot more than him. He cheers me up! I feel so guilty. I'm his mom, I should be comforting him, not the other way around!

Crying, Joan says, "Oh my God! I don't want Rocky to die! He's so special! He has thought me so much; how to appriciate life itself, my friends, being healthy, having a caring and loving family. Why, telling Kevin about Rocky, and his disease, made him realize that he's not all that bad off being paralyzed, as he still has his health!" "I know Joan, I don't want him to die either. But it's still going to happen!" Rocky's mom said in a comforting voice, putting one hand on Joan's shoulder.

Grace, felt a connection between her and Rocky, that she'd never felt before, not even with Luke! This kid, had been there! He had experienced all life's hardships; pain, illness. Why, he was a kid and he was dying! Yet, he was so full of life, happiness and so filled with death, all at the same time! How, could all these things, be joined in one body? Especially in the body of a young kid! Grace, too was full of doom, but hey, she was a teenager, she had a right to be. But a kid!

Rocky, tells Grace, to lighten up. "I'm gonna be okay in a while. It won't be long now, berfore I die and then I'm okay. No more pain, no more breathing problems." Shocked, Grace, says: "How can you talk about dying? You're just a kid!

"Oh but Grace, I'm a dying kid. You see, I've got this disease that's killing me." Rocky replied seriously, looking Grace in the eyes.

"Oh my God! I thought life sucked, now I know for sure! Grace said sarcastically.

"Grace, It's nothing to be afraid of, death doesn't hurt, life does at times!" Rocky said calmly. Grace, just looked at Rocky and couldn't believe what he was saying. A kid more into death, than she was? That was unheard of! This kid, was taking his nearing death so lightly. This gave Grace, something to ponder about. Was her life as bad as she thought it was? Should she be living her life differently? As if he had just read her mind, Rocky said: "Grace, life sucks, but you're healthy, appriciate that and you'll be better off!" Wow, he sounded so grown up that Grace couldn't believe her ears. "Rocky, did you just say that?" Rocky, replies, by telling Grace snippily "You deaf? You burrie a bit of that rebel in you and swallow some pride and be real!"

Wow, Grace, thought, these words are coming from a kid! He's telling me to grab a life! What does he know about life? Thinking about what Rocky had just said ti her, Grace, realized he had actually lived more than she had and experienced more than she ahd. That was awfull. She was so ungratefull! Life had so much to offer, which she didn't take notice of, until Rocky, a young boy, pointed it out to her.

Rocky waved to his mom. She waved back and got up from the swing. "Joan, it was nice talking to you. Hope to see you soon!"

"Yeah, I hope to see you both again soon!" Joan, said slowly, giving Rocky a big hug, as she realized, it could be the last time that she saw him. She knew he was dying, though she wasn't willing to believe it.

"Bye Grace. Have a nice life!"

Holding hands, Rocky and his mom left Grace and Joan, by the swing set, Rocky turned his head towards them, showing a big smile and waved vigorously with his free hand.