First published in the Nifty Archive in a condensed serialized version.
Nifty Archive edition: April 2002 - January 2003
Ted Louis Website: October 2008
PZA Boy Stories: January 2012
Castle Roland: October 2014
Enhanced/Revised Edition: March 2016
The Story Lover's Home: October 2018
AC's Corner Café: October 2018
Very few things in life are conceived of or produced in isolation - this story is no exception. The initial version began as a solo effort to tell a very special young fellow something. I knew that the more traditional ways of saying what I wanted to express would not have worked, so I hit upon this as my way of doing it. After I was about three chapters in I told him what I was doing, showed him the early drafts, and asked permission to continue. He agreed, then slowly began to open up and helped by telling me more about some of the things that had happened to him.
Once the story began to be published many kind people wrote with comments as well as suggestions for improvement. I also promised that special young fellow that someday I would revisit the story and try to do a better job. The requirements of life and work interfered for quite a while, but finally the time has arrived. To him, I once again rededicate this work, and I hope he knows that this edition is saying the same thing that the original was trying to say so many many years ago. To all those that gave their time and kind help I express my thanks and appreciation. And finally to those that have graciously assisted in the publication of this story on their websites I give particular thanks, for without you the struggle and eventual triumph of a young boy over abuse and despair would never be known.
All people, places, and organizations described are completely fictional. While this story draws inspiration from real events that involved real people it is nevertheless a complete work of fiction.
1 - Accidental Meeting
2 - Work Intrudes
3 - Fate Takes a Turn
4 - Harsh Reality
5 - First Steps
6 - Taking Flight
7 - A Visit to Paradise
8 - New Friends
9 - The Fear Within
10 - Island Life
11 - The Christmas Barbecue
12 - Nightmare Run
13 - A Decision is Made
14 - If You Love Something Set it Free
15 - Fight For Life
16 - A New Beginning
17 - Epilogue
18 - Afterword
Thank you for bringing meaning into my life,
Thank you for allowing me to make the journey with you,
But most of all thank you for just being you.