Lia06- Well here is more of her family and stuff. Hope you like it too.

Klinoa- You find one of those boys, make him tell you where one is for me! LOL Enjoy your trip.

Meadow567- No I didn't make the connection on dates! You'll just have to see what happens, but I love all your theories!

Flowersc781- You crack me up. Just to be safe I am not telling you anything. You have to see how everything works out.

XX- And Paddy is hot is another fact of life, LOL. And you'll just have to wait and see what's up with Craig. It's all planned and will be revealed in time. So deep breath. I had chickens once too. A bunch that I hand raised, mink got in the coop and no more chickens. ;-( And I can so see Phil being one of those dads. My brother is that way now that he has a daughter…but I remember him in high school and stuff. LOL

Emador- And you'll just have to wait and see what happens with Craig. Geez everyone is getting impatient. I might get lynched.

March 22, 1980,
Arlington, VA

I had driven all night to get to Arlington Cemetery. I felt the need to talk to Jake. I was kinda hoping that he'd come to me in a dream again or something, but no such luck. Now I was walking across the rows and rows of fallen soldiers to the place where Jake was laid to rest.

I came upon his white headstone. I looked at his name, birth date, death date…it was all too familiar.

"Hey big brother, I brought these for you." I said and laid down a bunch of lilies. "I thought you might like them with Easter being in a few weeks. I know I usually bring a few beers to drink with you, but this time I…well it just wouldn't be right."

I sat down still looking at his tombstone. I wished that it was more decorative. Jake was too full of life to be remembered by a colorless piece of rock.

"Why aren't you coming to me now? Why did you come to me back when I was happy and my life was in order? Now that things are falling apart is when I need you." I told him. "In just a few weeks my life has become a mess. I don't know what to do anymore."

I sighed and looked around. It was warm and peaceful. I saw no one else.

"Jake, I think Craig doesn't want me anymore. He's been acting weird for three weeks now. In the past week I only talked to him twice. And when I do talk to him, he's always distant…not himself. And I miss him so bad I hurt. I love him so much. I knew it would be hard being away from him, but this is the worst pain I've felt since you died. And I think it's made worse because he seems to be pulling away from me." I said started crying. "His phone calls are getting fewer and shorter. I try calling him and can't reach him at home or his office. And Jake, I think I am in real trouble."

I wiped my eyes. "I even thought about going to see him in New York City, but I don't think he'd be happy to see me because when I mentioned flying up to see him, he made 500 excuses why I shouldn't. I mean I knew he'd be busy starting a new job and moving to a new city, but he shouldn't be so busy that he can't call me."

I reached out and touched the letters on his stone. "Jake, I am so scared. Things are so messed up; I never wanted any of it this way. Why aren't you helping me? I was happy in November when you came…I need you now. Now is when my life is a mess and I don't know what to do. Less than a month ago I was the happiest woman in the world. A month ago today I got that miracle you promised……where is that miracle now? The least you could do is be my big brother and haunt Craig's dreams…not like you can black his eye for treating me this way."

I leaned my head against his stone. "What am I going to do? I don't even know how to talk to Craig about this." I sighed. "I miss you so much. This is one of the times I hate you for leaving me…but you know that I love you so much."

I stood up. I wanted a sign that everything would be okay, but nothing happened. I stood in silence wondering what I should do. I decided to go home. At least there I could be with my family, and try getting in touch with Craig.

March 23, 1980
Qualla, NC

"Hey baby, are you okay?" mom asked when I walked into the house.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I just needed to be with Jake." I said. "Did Craig call while I was gone?"

Dad and mom exchanged looks and dad hung his head.

"No sweetie, he didn't." Mom said. "Why don't you sit down, I was about to fix lunch."

"I don't feel like eating." I said and slouched into a chair.

"You should eat, you haven't been feeling well lately." Dad said.

"It's just my nerves." I shrugged.

"Well I understand you're upset about the way things are going with Craig, but you have to quit letting it affect you like this. You've thrown up a few times." Mom said.

"It's just because I am upset is all." I sighed.

"I know you cared about Craig, but sometimes relationships just die out. Maybe that's what happening." Mom said.

"Maybe." I sighed; knowing mom was only trying to help.

"After Easter why don't you go visit some of the boys from the team? You said a lot of them invited you to visit them anytime." Dad said.

"I might do that." I said.

"Well I am making chicken, would you like some?" Mom asked.

"Yeah I eat something." I sighed.

"Why don't you take something to settle your stomach? You do that and quit letting your nerves run away, you'll feel better." Dad said.

"I'd rather not take any medicine and just let things run its course." I said. "Actually I am feeling better having been with Jake and now home again."

"We missed you at services this morning." Dad said.

"I know. I'll go Wednesday night." I said.

"I am so glad you have gone back to church." Mom said. "I don't know what changed your mind, but I am so happy about it."

I nodded. "I think I'll shower before lunch."

I walked upstairs and into my bedroom. I sat gown on my bed and looked at the picture next to my bed. It was of Craig and me outside the Olympic Ice Arena.

"What's going on with you Craig?" I asked. "I need you more than ever and can't find you."

I sighed and went into my bathroom to shower.

(11:45PM)

It was late that night and I was trying to call Craig in NYC. I had been calling his apartment for over an hour with no answer.

"Hello?" Craig finally answered.

"Hey, it's about time you got home. I have been trying to get hold of you for an hour." I said.

"Oh….yeah I had a charity appearance to make." Craig said.

"Well I am glad I caught you. I feel like I haven't talked to you in a long time." I said.

"I've been busy." Craig said.

"Yeah that's what you keep telling me." I said. "What have you been doing? Besides team stuff?"

"Not much." Craig said.

"Craig, you sound ill are you okay?" I asked.

"Fine, it's just a hangover. I've fought with it all day." Craig said.

"What? Craig, you don't drink enough to get drunk and certainly not enough for a hangover." I said.

"Well last night I just felt like getting falling down drunk and…….it was a one time mistake. It won't happen again." Craig said.

"Are you sure everything is okay?" I asked.

"I'm fine. Listen I need some sleep. Maybe it will help with this hangover." Craig said.

"But I just got you on the phone…and I…….Craig, are you mad at me? Have I done something to upset you?" I asked.

"NO, Kylah you've done nothing wrong. Nothing is your fault……please don't think that." Craig insisted.

"Then what is going on?" I asked. "Do you know how much I miss you? That I am going crazy without you?"

"I…..I got to go. I'll call later in the week." Craig said and hung up.

I sat looking at the phone. I put it back on the cradle when I realized I was shaking. I didn't know what to do. But I felt like Craig was pushing me away and didn't want me anymore.

I picked up the phone and dialed to Buffalo, NY.

"Hmmmhuh?" came a sleepy answer.

I was shaking and tried to steady my voice. "Mac…Mac I got a big problem."