I cannot believe Stan moved to that apartment. I know it is right on top of the ocean and it's easier than keeping a house, mortgage, all of that. Our age and distance makes it hard to get around sometimes, however Ida comes over time to time with our husband or if me and Lucille dont make our way, Lois will pick us up for the holidays.

It makes me laugh how upset Stan was when I lost all of this weight. He said I was his "favorite pillow" and that I'm not allowed to wear his clothes.

I remember one time staying over his apartment for the new years holiday and waking up in the middle of the night. Stan has a weighted resentment over the past, mostly for his actions. He was standing over me in the darkness like a demon guardian or angelic vengeance. His fists were closed but fingers moving against palms.

As he sat down on the guest bed, with his head lowered, I turned to him quickly, asking him what was the matter.

"I should of told you everything from the beginning, Babe. I always tried to handle things myself. I always did. I felt it was my life and everyone around me chose to latch on."

I looked down, then rubbed his shoulder and back.

"Stan, I just let you handle things. It was easier and it still is. As long as we are together, that is all that matters."

I then sat up in bed behind him, leaning against his back and laying my head on his shoulder. I purposely put my lips close to his ear for privacy reasons, because Ida was in the next room and to bring a close comfort for the both of us.

"After all these years... We are here together."

"I dont deserve your companionship..." Stan said solemnly.

"Will you fight what has sustained for so long and brought to you? We dont ask for a lot of things, Stanley, but I'm glad for this. My favorite bed."

"This bed? Tis' a dime a dozen, full-size roll out, Babe."

I wrapped my arms around his torso, curling into his neck and frame. The tension in his body relaxed with a deep, breathy sigh. He laid his arms with mine.

There could of been so many things Stan was sorry for. Was it this... No, Ha, ha.

Or that...? Maybe.

"I should of told you..." That is what he said. Hum...

We became closer over time, especially around the filming of 'Babes in Toyland'. Myrtle was in a treatment center, Stan was having trouble on and off set and he'd injured his leg.

We both stood together against Hal trying to steam roll us. I understand he was a businessman and he gave us a lot of freedom to do our work, but we didn't like so many other factors of the process. All we wanted was to be treated equally, just be together on things.

I think I recollect now. Even though there were so many things, there was one time where I thought it would be just a "professional" relationship.

It still hurts thinking about it now, and I see Stan is certainly remorseful.

We were sitting at a table on set, finishing up a scene, talking about different things. Fin and Charlie sat with us and started teasing.

"So when is your next honeymoon?" Finlayson coughed out.

"Yea, it's been a few years since your first one to Britain!" Charlie smiled.

My face automatically and unwillingly started blush and smile in embarrassment. With all of the card playing I never developed much of a poker face. Didnt know what to say and stumbled like I had greased shoes on ice.

"Why, would you like to watch?" Stan snapped.

I quickly turned my head to him almost breaking my neck and freezing in place. Stan sat back in that defiant kind of open range of his.

"So, is it going to work this time?" Hall asked, leaning forward in his chair, lacing his fingers together. "Babe is a nice fella, you two work together. It would be awkward, you know."

I looked at Stan, Charlie, James and then at Stan again.

"Stan...? What are they tal-"

"Babe and I are fine. Just worry about staying on contract and your moral clause warning, Charlie." Stan fired back.

Charlie and James looked at one another wide-eyed then let out rolling laughter. Hall wiped his tears with a smile.

"Ok, Mr. Kettle!" Charlie chuckled.

"In truth Stan, we like you and Babe, he's good for you and we can all tell you sincerely care about the fellow. Keep this one." James said.

The air around us became thick and still as everyone went quiet. We all could hear Stan's lungs fill with smoke and exhale. He then tipped the cigarette on the gate of the table, leaning forward. I could tell his mind was racing yet standing still as if he was a fish caught within his own webbing.

I didnt pry. As a man you let men tell things on their time. I let Stan handle Stan, however, could Arthur handle Stan...? Not always.

Maybe I should of asked looking back, I did not wish to pull something out that he wasn't ready to tell. I feel bad that he is so remorseful now. There were mistakes, missteps' on both our shoulders.

A day or two, if I remember correctly passed. Stan told me that he told Fin and Hall about us being close. It took me a back because I didnt wish for others to get the right idea about what was supposed to be something between us!

Though it was more of a passionate companionship and with mostly trying on his side, we still did not become too intimate. He assured me Fin and Charlie could be trusted.

Stan and I were so heartbroken over Fin's passing. I got a stoke around the same time, I want to say before he passed. Stan was right about both Charlie and James in the end.

That day we had to do some publicity shots with Durante and Keaton again. Buster was trying to revive his career in the world of talking film by teaming up with Jimmy.

After the shoot the two couldn't wait to part ways. It was a arranged marriage of oil and water.

We had a coffee and smoke with Buster, sitting between me and Stan. The three of us joked and had a lively conversation until Keaton pulled out a flask and asked if anyone of us wanted to "Irish up" their coffee. I spoke up saying it was too early in the day. Buster paused on me, put away the flask and rested his chin as he famously did on his closed hand.

I felt he was looking into my soul trying to find something. Stan looked over at me, then at Buster.

"He takes real good care of you, Stan. I know why he doesn't want to flavor the Joe. Does it not get boring?" Buster asked.

Stan looked around, swallowed, cleared his throat and looked at Keaton. "Buster, Babe is right. Lets relax and catch up. We have not sat down and chewed the rag in a while and you barely know Babe at all."

"Yeah Buster." I chuckled and smiled in a friendly way. "What is your favorite color."

Buster froze again, took one look at me then turned to Stan, putting his hand on Stan's face and suddenly kissed him deeply on his mouth.

To Be Cont.