Hi everyone. I want to thank VogueCharlotteVogue, CherryPezFoo, and celestialstarynight for reviewing chapter one. I'm glad you guys liked it.

Here's chapter two. I decided to go back to Gordie's childhood where he reminisces about meeting his wife. Hope you guys like it and review.

"His heart stopped twice but yet he survived and as he took his first breath his mother took her last. And his father knew that he wasn't to blame but he never quite looked at Tom the same after that." -Tea and Toast by Lucy Spraggan

"Ready for school?" Chris asked me plainly as the guys and I strolled through the small and boring town of Castle Rock. It was a late August day, warm and relaxing, yet we were all in a weird mood. School was beginning soon and the four of us had just returned from one hell of a journey, looking for the body of a dead kid. It was the first real adventure we had ever shared together, one that had completely changed our lives and one that we would never be able to forget.

I shrugged at Chris' question, "I don't know." Who was ever ready for school? No one ever really looked forward to it.

Chris' arm was slung loosely across my shoulder, protecting me from the harsh realities of life, especially life in a small town in the late 50's. Teddy and Vern walked behind us, not really communicating with Chris and I. They would occasionally say something stupid to each other, one of them would get ticked off, and the usual would ensue. Teddy would always end up punching Vern twice in the shoulder, something they called "Two for flinching."

I felt Chris' eyes bore into my cheek for my right. Whenever I said something without showing any emotion, or if I spoke only a few words in a sentence, his face would show all the signs of someone who was worrying. The insides of his eyebrows would lift up into the shape of a triangle, he would purse his lips ever so slightly, and he would retreat back a few steps so that he could look into my eyes. Then, he would ask the ever so expected question, "What's wrong Gordo?"

I always dreaded that question. It made my insides churn and it made me want to run and hide. But with Chris, there was no escaping that question.

I gulped, "Ah nothing, it's just school."

"What about it?" he asked, concern etched on every crease in his face.

"Do you want to go back to that shit hole?" I asked, a small amount of anger rising in me. School to me represented a prison. Though, in a town like Castle Rock, it seemed worse. The place consisted of nothing but hopeless, depressed, crazy people. The most feared gang in the town consisted of seven beer drinking idiots, who found they enjoyed beating up kids nearly half their age. Otherwise, there were many middle aged people in the town. Many stayed home, not daring to step outside, afraid to meet some nightmare they feared. Others went to the Blue Point Diner, where they sat all day, stuffing themselves with food. For Vern especially, it was a happy place, but others loved it as well. It was perhaps the only true nice part of Castle Rock. Other businesses were closed, shut down forever. The town was simply sad.

I looked at Chris again, meeting his gaze. He knew why I didn't want to go back to school. I didn't want to be back under the control of the teachers. He understood it more than anyone. He was Chris Chambers, leader of the little gang that Vern, Teddy, him, and I belonged to. Chris Chambers, son of a drunk and a mother who didn't care. The whole town despised him. As my best friend, I hated seeing him picked on all day. Kids gave him dirty looks, teachers called him by his last name at all times, and when they said it, they said it with pure disgust.

The name was considered filth, muck. Every time someone heard it in town, they tried to ignore it, or they listened in closely. "Oh, I wonder what the Chamber's did now."

Chris looked back at me, his arm still placed on my shoulder, "Come on Gordo, we'll survive."

I wasn't reassured, yet I marveled at how positive my best friend could be. He had it so much worse than I did. I may have lost my brother, the only one who cared for me besides my friends, but he had no one besides us three boys.

"I don't know, junior high." I shook my head. Who knew how much worse it could get?

"Jesus Vern, quick being such a pussy," Teddy suddenly spoke from behind us. A small bug had just landed on Vern's shoulder.

"Get it off!" He shouted, squirming and jumping, trying to brush the insect from him. I shook my head, ignoring the epidemic.

I tried to enjoy the last few days of freedom I had. I saw no point in moping around anymore as I observed my surroundings. I liked walking in this area. It was a small, secluded part of Castle Rock. It was much more beautiful than the downtown area. There were no rusty old cars or boarded up buildings. This was the baseball part of town. There was one huge field that all the children of the town came to with their friends. It was a way to break free from the hell of the every day.

As the four of us walked past it, as we often did, I noticed someone I had never seen before. The person was tall, had long, sleek blonde hair, and was holding a baseball bat. This was no ordinary baseball player though, this player was a girl.

I halted to a stop right at the tall fence of the field and peered through it. Chris, Teddy, and Vern didn't say a word at first. But I stood there a few moments, just watching her play. It was something I had never seen before. Most girls around here didn't go outside unless they absolutely had to. Most stayed inside all day, probably doing their makeup and spraying their hair all up with hairspray. But this girl was unique and different. I was immediately drawn to her. I couldn't take my eyes off of her.

"Jesus Christ, what the fuck are you staring at Gordo?" Teddy asked finally, impatiently, stepping up to the fence.

I didn't take my eyes off of her though, I just kept them glued to her.

"Ohhh, Mr. Lachance here has found himself a lady," Teddy winked, snickering, after realizing what I found so enticing.

"Well well Gordie," he chimed, "I-," He was cut off. In a moment's time, a baseball had come whirling through the air, hitting Teddy full on in the head, "Oww! What the fuck?!" He burst out, grasping his head and leaning forward. Vern broke out in complete laughter while Chris took his hand from my shoulder, beginning to snicker as well.

I couldn't laugh, because the girl was running towards us.

"Aw shit, I'm sorry," she said, breathing heavily as she came to a stop at the fence. Concern was etched on her face, looking over Teddy to make sure he was alright.

"Ah gee thanks for almost killing me," Teddy said rudely, not bothering to look her in the eye.

I shook my head, horrified at his impoliteness, "Don't worry about him. He's always like this."

The girl smiled at me, "That's okay. I don't totally blame him."

There was a moment of awkward silence, in which Teddy held is head, Vern played with a paperclip, and Chris said nothing, which was unsual.

"Um, hey, could you hand me the baseball? I've got a game to finish," the girl smiled, directing her question at me.

"Oh, yeah sure," I answered, immediately responding by leaning down to pick up the ball.

Launching it to her over the fence, I smiled back, hoping I didn't appear weird.

"Thanks," she said gratefully, easily catching the ball, "Well, sorry again for hitting you. Maybe I'll see you guys around soon."

I nodded, not able to say anything. The girl jogged off, disappearing back into the field.

Boy, I hoped she meant what she said.