Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience.
 
 Ed and Kathy by Lazlong

   -----------------

   Prelude

   ----------------

   I am Edward Dobson, known by everyone except my mother as Ed.  I'm six
feet tall and weigh 190 pounds.  I have blondish hair and blue/gray eyes.
I'm sixteen years old and I've been told by all of my teachers that I'm
exceptionally gifted.  So, what is wrong with this picture?  I'm also a
nerd.

   I am the middle of three children.  My brother John is two years older
than me and last year he was quarterback and captain of the Medford High
School football team.  John had been offered, and has accepted an athletic
scholarship to UCLA.

   I also have a sister, Kathleen.  At fifteen, she is a beauty.  As a
freshman, she was elected to the homecoming queen's court at the exclusive,
private school where mom had her enrolled.  Everyone figures she'll be
queen for the next three years.  Kathleen isn't a bad kid and she isn't
stuck up at all.  If it hadn't been for mom's constant reminders that she
felt Kathleen was more important than me, we might have been very close.

   Now school is about to start again.  I'm not looking forward to it.  I'm
going to be a senior this year and most seniors are anticipating all of the
parties and dances and sports, but not me.  I've never had a girlfriend; in
fact I've never even been on a date.

   I am trying to do something about that.  I had a full time job all
summer, working for a local software company.  I bought myself an older car
to drive to work and it will also give me some more mobility at school as
well.  I started working out at the beginning of summer.  I've put on some
muscle weight and lost all of my baby fat.

   I knew I look a lot better than I ever have.  I also know that looking
better hasn't helped me get over being tongue tied around girls.  I run
into Mindy Toliver a couple of weeks before and I thoroughly embarrassed
myself as I usually do when I'm around a pretty girl.

   ------------

   Things hadn't changed at school.  I knew it as soon as I had parked my
car and started toward the building.  Two of the football jocks who had
given me trouble all the way through school were leaning against one of
their cars and I had to pass right by them.

   "Hey, it's the computer weenie," Jeff Wilson said to his buddy, Sam
Silvers.

   "Looks like he's growing up a little bit," Silvers said.

   "Yeah, but he's still a geek," Wilson replied.

   "Hey, Dobson, you still fucking your right hand?" Both of the jocks
thought that was hilarious.

   I didn't.  I just walked on passed them as if I hadn't even heard them.

   --------------

   Things did seem to be a little bit different though, or maybe it was
just my imagination.  When I went into Home Room, a couple of girls, who
wouldn't have even spoken to me last year, seemed to be checking me out.

   My first class was Advanced Physics.  I've always been interested in
Physics and I was looking forward to this class for another reason as well.
It was very unlikely there'd be any jocks in it.  In fact, there weren't
many people in the class at all.

   I counted fifteen kids before class started.  Only two of them were
girls.  One of them I knew.  Marsha Phillips and I had been competing in
class for the last four years.  I knew Marsha, but I didn't like her.  She
had one of those personalities that left you feeling she thought she was
better than you.

   The other girl, I'd never seen before.  Not that there was much to see
now.  She had reddish, brown hair that was not much darker than mine.  I
couldn't tell how tall she was because she was already sitting down when I
came in.  Her body?  With the clothes she was wearing, I assumed she had a
body, but I really couldn't tell.

   She had on a long, loose skirt that came down to her ankles.  Her blouse
was loose and bulky.  It had long sleeves and it was buttoned all the way
to her throat.

   Her face was cute, but nothing to write home about.

   Physics class was great.  I'd had the teacher, Mr.  McClasky, last year
and I liked him.  He described the curriculum and it sounded interesting.
Everyone in the class seemed to participate, which is always a plus.

   My second period class was Calculus.  I hadn't expected there would be
any more in that class and there wasn't.  Fifteen kids again with the same
two girls.  Now, how the hell was I supposed to meet a girl and build up
enough courage to ask her for a date when there weren't any girls in my
classes?

   Third period was a little better.  Senior English was a mixture of about
half boys and half girls.  It was also a much larger class.  There were
probably 25 or 26 people in the class.  The problem was, I'd gone to school
with most of the girls in the class since seventh grade.

   I ran into Skippy Henderson going in to lunch.  Now, if I'm a geek,
Skippy is a GEEK.  Skippy is into computers as much or more than I am.  At
least he was someone I could talk to during lunch.

   My first class after lunch was Advanced Computer Languages.  I figured
it was going to be a fairly easy course for me.  I could already program in
almost every programming language known to man.  I'd had Mr.  Abreze in
class before, so I knew he'd keep it interesting.  The same new girl was in
this class as well.

   I had to take an American History class as well.  I had it in sixth
period and then I had a study hall in seventh period.  I figured I'd get
most of my homework done in the study hall.  That would leave my evenings
at home to work on my real interest.

   I'd had an idea for the last couple of years for a different type of
operating system for computers.  Most operating systems have to be so
diverse and have to be able to run so many different types of programs that
they are very slow.

   That's okay for most computer users and applications, but for a computer
operating in real time, it's a real drag.  I've been working for some time
on an operating system that has a basic core that handles things like disk
operations and anything else that is needed for the machine to function as
a computer.  Then, they'll be modules that can be added on as needed.

   My biggest problem has been getting the modules to work with the core
and with each other.  I've had more failures than successes so far, but I'm
sure the concept is valid and so I keep plugging away at it.

   By bedtime, I was starting to get a little frustrated, so I knew it was
a good time to quit.

   --------------

   Mr.  McClasky has a method of teaching a class that makes it very
interesting.  He requires a lot of class participation and he seems to be
able to draw every student into the discussions without making them feel
pressured.

   It's inevitable in a small class that you get to know the other
students. Physics was no exception.  By the end of the period I knew that
the mystery girl was Kathy Rienke and that she had transferred in from out
of state.  She was dressed just as dowdy as she had been yesterday.

   When class ended, I stopped to ask Mr.  McClasky a question.  We talked
for a minute, and then I told him I had to get to Calculus.  When I got
into the hallway, I saw something that made my blood run cold.  Wilson and
Silvers were badgering the new girl.

   Kathy was backed up against a bank of lockers and Wilson and Silvers had
her blocked off so that she couldn't escape.  Silvers was saying, "Come on,
nerd girl, show us your pussy."

   I don't know where I got my courage from.  Maybe it was just rage that
had built up over the years.  I walked over to them and said in my deepest,
most menacing voice, "Leave her alone.  Just back off and leave."

   Wilson whirled around and looked at me.  "Well, if it isn't the geek,"
he said.  "Get the fuck out of here if you don't want to get hurt, geek."

   I laid my books down on the floor and balled up my fists.  I didn't say
a thing, I just glared at him.

   "You heard him, geek, get the fuck out of here," Silvers said as he took
a step toward me.

   "When I get through kicking the shit out of both of you, Silvers, I'm
going to rip your dick off and shove it down your throat.  Then, I'm going
to rip Wilson's dick off and shove it up his ass.  It's your choice.  Give
it your best shot."

   I don't know if it was my tone of voice, or the look in my eye, but
something got through to Silvers.  They could have killed me on the spot
and I was well aware of that, but I wasn't going to let them know it.

   They postured for a minute or two, then made a retreat throwing threats
over their shoulders as they went.  I looked over at Kathy and asked, "Are
you okay?"

   "Yes... Thank you."

   "You're very welcome.  I'm Ed Dobson."

   "I know.  You're in all of my classes.  I'm Kathy Rienke." Her head was
down and she was looking up at me through her eyelashes as she spoke.

   "It's nice to meet you, Kathy.  Can I walk you to Calculus?"

   "That would be nice, but I think it's too late for us to go in now," she
said.

   I looked at the clock and she was right.  "What a way to start the
semester," I said.  "We cut a class on the second day of school."

   Kathy laughed and the entire hallway lighted up.  My God, she's
beautiful when she smiles.  "There's a bench right outside that door," I
said, pointing.  "We could sit out there until English class."

   Kathy hesitated for a minute, then nodded.  She followed me outside and
we sat on opposite ends of the bench.

   "So, you transferred in from out of state?" I asked, just trying to make
conversation.

   "Yeah, California.  My dad is in the army."

   "I'll bet that makes it tough.  Have you had to be in a lot of different
schools?"

   "Yeah, I'm usually never in a school for more than a year or two."

   "Wow!  I've been here all of my life.  Sometimes I wish I had been able
to go to another school though."

   "Why is that?"

   "Well, you heard those two goons call me nerd boy.  That's been my name
since the fifth grade when I got a double promotion."

   Kathy was looking up more now as we talked.  "I've heard the female
equivalent of that a lot myself.  Can I ask you something?"

   "Sure, go ahead," I said, dreading her question.

   "You don't seem like a violent person, but from what you said to those
two, I think you had them peeing their pants.  Would you have really done
to them what you said you were going to do?"

   "Kathy, I'm not a violent person.  I've never been in a fight in my
life. I've been beat up quite a few times, but I've never fought back."

   "So what made you say what you did?"

   "I've been trying to figure that out myself.  Last year, I was
overweight and under muscled.  I worked out a lot this summer and it paid
off.  Deep down, I'm still afraid of bullies like Silvers and Wilson, but I
decided that this year I wasn't going to let them know that."

   Kathy had a very serious expression as she asked, "Isn't that
dangerous?"

   "Maybe a little, but not as bad as you might think.  I did a lot of
reading on psychology during the summer.  I found out that most bullies
just intimidate the people they think they can get away with intimidating.
If someone stands up to them, they usually back off."

   "It's still dangerous and I really want you to know how much I
appreciate what you did," she said.

   "You're welcome," I said.  "Now, we'd better get moving or we're going
to miss English class too."

   Kathy and I sat side by side in English class, front row, center. 
Whenever I'd glance over at her during the period, I'd catch her looking at
me.  Each time, she'd blush prettily.

   When I was gathering up my things after class, I noticed she already had
hers and she was waiting for me.  Wow!  That had never happened before.

   As we started walking toward the door, she asked, "Would you like to eat
lunch together, Ed?"

   "Sure," I said.

   We started toward the lunch room and I saw Skippy coming toward us.  I
waved him off without Kathy seeing me do it, then winked at him.  He got
the message really quickly and gave me a big grin.

   After we had loaded up our trays, we found a table for two.  There
weren't many of them and they were usually hard to come by.

   We talked for a while about our first assignment for English class.  It
was to be a news article about an event, either real or imagined. 
"Remember the five Ws," I told her.

   "What are the five Ws?"

   It's the five things an editor always wants in a news article.  They
stand for Who, What, When, Where, and Why.  You should also add How."

   "That's interesting.  Are you into writing?"

   "Not really.  I'm more into computer programming.  I'm working on a new
operating system now."

   "Ah," she grinned.  "So you're a computer nerd."

   "Yep."

   "So am I.  Why a new operating system?"

   I explained my theory to her and then told her of the problems I was
running into.

   "I'd like to see what you're doing sometime.  I might even have some
ideas that would help you."

   "That'd be great," I told her.  "God knows I could use come help right
now."

   I was really feeling comfortable talking with Kathy, so I told her so.
"Kathy, I've never been able to talk with girls, especially pretty girls.
For some reason I feel very comfortable talking with you."

   "Thank you, Ed.  For some reason I feel very comfortable talking with
you too.  Maybe it is because you were my knight in shining armor."

   "There's a soccer game tomorrow, after school.  Would you be interested
in going with me?"

   Kathy hesitated for a few seconds then said, "I'm not much into sports,
Ed.  I guess it'd be okay, though."

   "Actually, we could blow off the soccer and just get something to eat or
something if you'd like."

   "No, a soccer game might be fun.  Maybe we could get something to eat
afterwards, though."

   I know I was walking on air when we went to our computer class.

   The rest of the afternoon dragged by, but we finally made it through. 
When I got home, things went down hill even farther.

   Evidently my brother had called, and my mother was in one of her John
periods.  John was all she could talk about for the rest of the evening. 
You'd think the sun rose and set in John's asshole.

   Mom tended to be that way when it came to my brother and sister.  She'd
tell everyone who'd listen to her about the touchdown pass John had thrown
in a game last year.  She'd talk about him until everyone around her wanted
to kill him off just so she'd stop talking about him.

   She'd go on for weeks about the dress Kathleen had gotten for the fall
dance and about how pretty she looked in it.  She'd talk about Kathleen's
new hair style until I wanted to barf.

   Did she talk about me?  No.  Was I jealous?  Probably.  Dad never talked
or bragged about any of the kids.  Then again, dad never talked about much
of anything.  I doubt he'd said five hundred words to me in the last year.

   ---------------

   As soon as I got out of my car the next morning, I knew there was going
to be trouble.  Wilson and Silvers were standing where they'd been a couple
of days before.  With them were Bill Simpson and Tony Gates, two more
football thugs.

   Before I even got to them, Simpson stepped out and blocked my path.  "I
hear you've been making threats, nerd boy.  We don't like little shit heads
that make threats against our team mates."

   "Bill, I don't know what you've been told, but those two were
terrorizing a girl.  She was afraid they were going to rape her, so I
stepped in." My heart was beating ninety miles an hour, but I was
determined I wasn't going to let them know that.

   "That's not the way we heard it, shit for brains," he sneered as Gates
started moving around behind me.  Wilson and Silvers started moving as
well. "Now, you're going to pay for showing your ass."

   I felt more than heard Gates coming at me from behind, so I swung my
elbow back as hard as I could.  I made good solid contact with something
just before someone else grabbed me.  After that, the fight became a blur.

   I know I got in a couple of good licks, but for the most part, they used
me for a punching bag.  Then I was on the ground and some of them at least
were kicking me.  The last thing I remember thinking before I blacked out
was that I hoped I had broken Gates' nose.

   --------------

   I awoke to the sound of someone crying.  My head was being cradled in
someone's lap and someone was smoothing the hair out of my eyes.  I tried
to open my eyes, but my eyes didn't want to cooperate.  Finally I managed
to get them open enough to see that it was Kathy holding me.

   "Hi Kathy," I said, weakly.  My upper lip was split and it really hurt
to talk.

   "We've got to get you to the hospital, Ed," she said, almost
hysterically.

   "I'll be okay," I said, not really believing it myself.

   "No!  Ed we have to get you to the hospital!"

   "Can you drive?" I asked her.

   "Yes."

   I managed to get my keys out of my pocket and handed them to her.  "It's
the blue Ford over there.  Can you help me get to it?"

   Kathy helped me to my car and helped me get inside.  It was a struggle.
My arms and legs seemed to work okay, but my chest hurt something terrible.

   "Who did this to you, Ed?" Kathy asked as she pulled out of the parking
lot.

   "It was Wilson and Silvers and two others," I told her.  "I might have
held my own against two of them, but the four of them used me for a
punching bag and then used me for practicing field goals."

   "I was afraid of that.  It's all my fault, Ed.  I'm so sorry."

   "It wasn't your fault at all, Kathy.  You have nothing to be sorry
about."

   "Oh, but it is my fault, Ed.  If you hadn't been protecting me, none of
this would have happened."

   "Kathy, you are worth protecting," I told her softly.

   I reached over and took her hand and gave it a squeeze just before we
pulled into the hospital emergency entrance.  Kathy stopped the car and ran
into the hospital.  She was back in a few seconds with two orderlies and a
wheelchair.

   The orderlies helped me get into the chair and one of them pushed me
inside.  Kathy walked beside me and held my hand the entire time.  She
followed me into the treatment room and stayed until the doctor ran her
out. Before she left, I gave her my mother's phone number and asked her to
call.

   The doctor gave me a cursory exam then sent me off to x-ray.  They took
several pictures of my chest, then sent me back to the treatment room. 
Kathy must have been watching for me to come back because she sneaked back
in almost as soon as they had me in the room.

   "I called your mom.  She's on her way down here," she told me, looking a
little confused.

   "Thank you, Kathy.  I appreciate that."

   "Can I ask you a personal question, Ed?"

   "Kathy, I've been able to talk with you better than I've ever been able
to talk with anyone in my life.  You can ask me anything, anytime."

   "Do you and your mother get along okay?"

   "Good question.  Why do you ask?"

   "When I told her what had happened to you, she didn't seem all that
concerned.  I don't think she was even going to come down here until I told
her that she would need to sign some forms to give the doctors permission
to treat you.  Then she sounded disgusted, but she did say she'd come."

   "Okay.  You probably hit it right on the head.  Mom doesn't treat me
badly; she just ignores me.  She's crazy about my older brother and my
younger sister.  Me, she just tolerates.  I know that sounds paranoid, but
I believe it is accurate."

   "Why would she be that way, Ed?  You're very intelligent.  I'd think
she'd be proud of that."

   "I heard her telling the minister one time that she had wanted two
children, a boy and a girl.  She told him that unfortunately she had ended
up with two boys and a girl."

   "That sucks."

   "Okay, can I ask you a personal question?"

   "I guess turn about is fair play," she smiled.

   "You are a very pretty girl, Kathy.  Why do you wear such ugly clothes?"

   Kathy almost looked like I had slapped her.  "That is a very personal
question, Ed."

   "I'm sorry, Kathy.  Forget I asked." I felt bad that I had made her feel
bad.

   "No, Ed, I guess you deserve to know.  I've never told anyone this
except my parents, so please bear with me." Kathy let out a big sigh then
continued.  "Two years ago I was raped."

   Kathy's head was down again as it had been the day I first saw her.  She
looked like I was going to blame her for being raped.

   "Kathy, I am so sorry.  You don't have to talk about this if you don't
want to.  Just remember, it isn't your fault that you were raped."

   "Daddy says it IS my fault, Ed.  He said if I hadn't been wearing `whore
clothes' it wouldn't have happened."

   "He's full of shit, Kath.  I don't care if you had been naked, it isn't
an excuse for rape.  What did your mother say?"

   "Mom is as bad as dad.  She said I had been tempting boys for years and
that I had gotten what I deserved."

   "That's not right, Kath, and you know it.  You could be naked with a guy
and making out furiously.  If at the last instant you decide you're not
ready and say stop, he has to stop.  If he doesn't, it's rape."

   "I know, Ed.  It's just that they've made me feel so bad about it."

   Before I could say anything else, mom came storming in.  "What's going
on here?" she asked shortly.

   "Four guys beat me up, Mom.  Kathy brought me in to the hospital."

   "I came in and signed the papers for you to be treated.  I'm expecting a
phone call from John, so I have to go.  I hope you have a way home," she
said, then was out of the room before I could even answer.

   Kathy just stood there looking at the door with her mouth hanging open.
I couldn't help but smile at her expression.  When she finally looked back
around at me, I said, "It happens all the time.  That's just the way she
is. If she had shown any concern I'd have been surprised."

   "But... You're her son and she doesn't even seem to care that you were
beaten up."

   "You were raped and your parents don't seem to care."

   We just looked at each other until the doctor came in.

   "Well, son, it could have been a lot worse," he said.  "We don't see any
signs of internal injuries.  You have three cracked ribs, a couple of black
eyes, a few loose teeth, and a split lip.  You are going to be sore for a
while, but there's nothing serious to worry about.  We'll tape up your ribs
and I'll give you a prescription for some antibiotics and some pain
medication, then you can go home."

   "Thank you, doctor.  Did you tell my mother about my injuries while she
was here?"

   "I haven't talked with her yet.  I'm going to do that right now."

   "She's already gone, doctor.  I'll pass the information along when I get
home."

   The doctor looked incredulous.  "I'm sorry, Son," he said and patted my
hand before he left the room.

   ---------

   A different orderly wheeled me back out to the car when they had me all
taped up.  Kathy was very solicitous about my comfort and I really
appreciated it.  She asked for directions to my house and I asked her if
she'd mind driving us to the park first.  She agreed, so we headed in that
direction.

   "Kathy, I need to talk some things out with someone.  I hope you don't
mind, but I don't have anyone else to talk to."

   "I don't mind at all, Ed.  I can see you can't go to your mother about
anything."

   "Dad is almost as bad.  All mom can talk about are John and Kathleen. 
Dad doesn't say anything to me.  In fact, dad doesn't say anything to mom
or Kathleen either.  Sometimes I wonder if he talks at work."

   "I'm sorry, Ed.  What did you want to talk about?" she asked as she
pulled into a parking space in the park.

   "I've been thinking about this for a while now.  I just wanted to get
someone's opinion before I did anything.  I'm thinking about filing for
manumission and moving out on my own."

   "What's manumission, Ed?"

   "That's where a minor child can file with the courts and be declared an
adult.  Then, the child can move out on their own and be in complete
control of his or her life."

   "Are you thinking about moving out of your home?"

   "Yes.  I qualify for the work/study program at school.  The software
company I worked for last summer has already told me they'll hire me for as
many hours as I care to put in if I go into work/study, so I could make
enough money to afford to do it."

   "That's a big step, Ed, but... in your case it might be the best way to
go.  Have you talked to an attorney about any of this?"

   "Yeah, I talked to a young attorney at Legal Aid.  He says they can do
it.  He said I'd need a statement from the school saying I qualified for
work/study.  I'd also need a statement from the software company saying
they planned to hire me if I went into work/study.  I'd have to make a
sworn statement about my home life and the lack of support from my parents.
He said I'd have to go into court, but that it wouldn't be a problem."

   "It sounds like you've thought it out.  Maybe you should talk to your
parents about it first.  It might wake them up as to how they've been
treating you."

   "Yeah, I've been trying to work up the courage to talk to them.  I'll
have to talk to them separately though.  I never see them together any
more."

   "Well, right now I think I'd better get you home and in bed.  I can see
from looking at your face that you're in pain."

   I didn't argue with her.  I was in pain.  Besides that, I felt like
Kathy and I were developing a bond between us and I didn't want to do or
say anything that would jeopardize that.

   -------------

   Kathy drove me home, then helped me up to my room.  We walked within
fifteen feet of mom, but she didn't even act like she knew we were there.

   Kathy just stood there looking at me.  When I didn't do anything, she
said, "Strip."

   Oh, well, this should be interesting.  I stripped down to my boxers
while Kathy turned down the bed.  I got in and she pulled the covers up
around me, then sat on the edge of the bed.  "How far is it to school from
here?" she asked.

   "It's about ten blocks.  Why don't you take my car and you can pick me
up in the morning?  I'm not sure if I'll feel like driving then anyway."

   "Are you sure?" she asked.

   "Yes, I'm sure.  Thank you, Kathy for everything you did for me today.
Maybe I can make it up to you sometime."

   "I really didn't..."

   Mom came slamming into the room without bothering to knock.  "What the
hell's going on in here?" she stormed.  "Who is this slut and why is she in
your room?"

   "This is no slut, Mom.  This is Kathy.  She helped me today when you
wouldn't.  You speak nicely to her or I'll make sure you regret it." I had
never spoken harshly to my mother and she looked like I'd slapped her.

   "Just what do you think you're going to do to make me regret it?" she
sneered.

   "I'm seriously considering reporting you to Child Protective Services
for abusing me.  The doctors and nurses are well aware that you just signed
those papers today and then abandoned me."

   "But... I was waiting on a call from John."

   "Okay, Mom.  I think it's time I told you a few things.  You might want
to take a seat.  This may take a while."

   "I want this woman out of here first." She said.

   I took Kathy's hand and held it.  "She stays, Mom.  First off, I want to
get this out in the open.  I know you didn't want me when I was born. 
There's no need for argument here.  I heard you telling the minister about
it several years ago.  Secondly, your lack of interest in me or my
wellbeing is a form of abuse."

   Mom didn't say anything, she just sat there and looked at me.  Kathy
squeezed my hand.

   "I'm tired of the neglect, Mom, so I've talked to an attorney about
manumission."

   She asked what manumission was and I explained it to her.  "I'm going to
talk to him again tomorrow and get the paperwork started.  That way you
never have to be bothered with me again."

   Mom looked thoughtful for a minute then said, "Maybe that would be best.
I'll talk to your father about it, but I'm sure he'll be willing to sign
anything we need to sign, as I will."

   She got up and walked out of the room without looking back.

   I know I had tears running out of my eyes when she walked out.  I knew I
was going to do it, but I thought she'd have at least tried to talk me out
of it.

   Kathy put her arms around me and I started sobbing.  She held me until I
subsided, then she said, "I just came to a conclusion, Ed.  Your parents
don't want you, so fuck `em.  My parents don't like me, so fuck `em."

   I looked into her eyes and I could see how serious she was so I said,
"Fuck `em!"

   Kathy kissed me on the end of my nose then left to get back to school.

   I slept a little while, probably about an hour, then called the Legal
Aid attorney.  He said he'd get the paperwork started, but that I should
get the statement from the school and from my employer.

   After I hung up, I called Marv Barnette at the software company and told
him what I needed.  He told me he'd take care of it and he'd have it
notarized.  He said the paper would be on its way to me by tomorrow.

   Mom didn't call me to dinner and I was hurting enough I wouldn't have
wanted to get up anyway.  I guess I was feeling sorry for myself.  I
thought someone should have offered to bring me something.

   It was about 8:00 PM when dad came in.  "I hear you got in a fight," he
said.

   "No, Dad.  I was beaten up by four guys.  When they got me to the
hospital, they thought I had internal injuries, but luckily I didn't.  I do
have three broken ribs though and various and sundry other injuries.  Mom
didn't even bother to talk to the doctor when she came to the hospital to
sign the papers."

   "Your mom says you want to move out."

   "I called an attorney this afternoon.  He's getting the papers started
to have me declared a legal adult.  Then, I'll be moving out."

   "There's no reason to wait until it's legal.  Find an apartment and I'll
pay the first year's rent.  Then you're on your own." With that said, he
got up and walked out of the room.  God I wished Kathy was there.

   --------------

   Kathy picked me up the next morning and I was certainly glad she did.  I
was so sore I could hardly move.  On the way to school, she told me, "I got
a ration of shit from my parents last night about having your car.  They
thought it was scandalous for me to be driving a boy's car.  Fuck `em."

   I had to laugh, then the pain in my ribs drove the laughter away.  "I
talked to the attorney after you left.  He's getting the paperwork going. I
also called my former boss and he's mailing a statement to me today."

   "Cool.  Did your father talk to you last night?"

   "Yeah, he said there's no reason to wait until the papers are filed.  He
said to find an apartment and he'd pay for the first year's rent, then I'm
on my own."

   Kathy looked at me and grinned, "Fuck `em," she said.

   "I have to see Mrs.  Calzone this morning and have her get the paper
saying I'm eligible for work/study made up.  Then I think I'm going to blow
off school and go looking for an apartment."

   "There's an apartment building about two blocks from where I live.  They
have a sign up saying they have an efficiency apartment open."

   "That would be perfect.  You'll have to give me directions of how to get
there."

   "I'll do better than that.  I'll take you.  To hell with school today.
Fuck `em."

   "You sure are saying Fuck `em a lot, young lady," I teased as we were
walking into the school building.

   "You know, until yesterday, I don't think I'd said the `F' word five
times in my life.  I guess I shouldn't be saying it now, but I guess I've
had a big attitude change.  It just feels right."

   ------------------

   Mrs.  Calzone knew exactly what I needed and she assured me she'd have
it ready for me to pick up tomorrow.  I asked if she could have it
notarized and she said she'd have it done.

   Kathy stayed with me while I talked to Mrs.  Calzone, then we headed out
to the apartment building she knew of.

   Al Finney was the apartment manager.  He was a little reluctant at first
to show us the apartment because we looked so young.  I told him the rent
would be in my father's name and that we'd be paying a year in advance.

   The apartment was basically two rooms and a bath.  There was a decent
sized bedroom and a living room, dining room, kitchen combination room. 
The rent was reasonable, so I told him I thought we'd take it.  I asked if
I could use his phone to call my dad.

   I called dad at work.  He talked to Mr.  Finney for a couple of minutes
then wanted to talk to me again.  He told me to stop by his office and he'd
give me a check for the rent.

   I had Kathy wait in the car when she took me to dad's office.  I went in
and he handed me a check.  I said, "Thank you, Dad." He just went back to
looking at the papers on his desk.

   We took the check back to Finney and asked him when I could move in.  He
told us the rent was paid and handed me a set of keys.

   Kathy took me back by the house so I could pick up my checkbook.  I
wanted to get a few pieces of furniture.  When we got there, there was a
note in my room telling me I could have all of the furniture in the room as
they were going to make it into a sitting room for Kathleen.

   Oh, well.  It looked like they were anxious for me to be out.  At least
I got a bed, dresser, chest of drawers, a computer desk, and a couple of
chairs out of it.

   I grabbed my checkbook and we went by to see Mr.  Pettigrew at the
supermarket where I worked summer before last.  Mr.  Pettigrew and I had
gotten along really well and we had talked a lot.  I explained to him what
was going on with me and asked if I could borrow his pickup truck to move
my things over to the apartment.

   "That bad, huh?" he asked.  "You don't appear to be moving too well, Ed.
What happened?"

   I told him about being beaten.  "I'll tell you what I'll do for you, my
lad.  I've got three young men working for me this year, doing the same job
you did for me last year.  They'll show up when school's out.  I'll bring
two of them with me and we'll load your stuff and unload it for you."

   "You don't have to do that, Sir."

   "If you're going to be an adult, I think you should start calling me
Dave.  Now, is there anything else you need besides the furniture you
have?"

   I told him what I had.  "We have an old sofa we need to get rid of. 
I'll bring that along.  My sister has a dinette and chairs sitting on her
back porch she doesn't want any more, so we'll bring that too."

   "Dave, I don't know how I can ever thank you for this.  It is really
appreciated."

   "That's okay, Ed.  Like I said, I've got three boys doing what you did
by yourself.  You're a good man and a good worker.  I'm proud to call you a
friend."

   We had to get out of there or I was going to start bawling.  Dave said
he'd meet us at the house at 5:00 PM.

   It was just after noon, so we stopped at a burger joint and got
something to eat.  While we were munching on our sandwiches, I asked Kathy,
"Can you be there at five or do you need to be home?"

   "I'm going to have a big fight about it with mom, but I'll be there.  I
probably should go by later and tell her what I'm doing."

   "I don't want to get you into trouble, Kathy.  I'm sure I can drive
now."

   "Fuck `em!" she said with a big smile.

   After we ate, we went over and loaded all of my clothes into my car.  I
should say, Kathy loaded all of my clothes into my car.  She threw a fit
when I tried to help.

   We took them back over to the apartment and she hung everything in the
closet, then put the boxes of clothes in the closet as well.  By the time
she had everything put away, it was time school would be letting out.

   "Would you like to go with me when I tell my parents I'm going to help
you move tonight?" she asked me.

   There was no place to sit in my new apartment and I didn't want to go
home, so I agreed to go with her.  As I was locking the door to the
apartment, I noticed there were two identical keys on the ring the manager
had given me.  I took one of them off and handed it to Karen.  "Would you
like a key to my apartment?" I asked.

   For a moment, Kathy looked stunned, then she smiled and asked, "Is this
like giving me a pledge pin?"

   "If you want it to be, it is," I said.

   "You haven't even asked me to go out with me yet," she said shyly.

   "Kathy, would you go out with me?  I mean like would you go steady with
me?"

   "Yes, I think I'd like that," she said.  "Since you're my boyfriend now,
don't you think you should kiss me?"

   I put my arms around her and she put hers gently around me.  The kiss we
shared was full of promise.

   ----------------

   Kathy's mother is a piece of work.  She's just as bad as mom and
probably even more obnoxious.  "Who IS this?" she asked before Kathy even
had a chance to introduce us.

   "Mother, this is my boyfriend, Ed Dobson.  Ed, this is my mother."

   "It is nice to meet you, Mrs.  Rienke," I said.

   She just ignored me and glared at Kathy.  "Boyfriend?  You know you're
not allowed to have boyfriends."

   "Mother, that was two years ago.  I'm seventeen years old.  For less
than a hundred dollars in costs, I can have myself declared a legal adult.
Is that what you want?"

   "No, that's not what I want.  I also don't want you being raped again."

   "I'm not going to be raped again, mother.  I am going to help Ed move
into his new apartment this evening though.  I should be home by nine
o'clock or so."

   "Kathy, you know what happened to you on your last date.  I don't want
that happening again."

   "I'm seventeen years old, Mom.  I'm passed the legal age of consent in
this state.  If anything happens between Ed and me it will not be rape."

   Mrs.  Rienke looked a little shocked.  I guess she wasn't used to Kathy
standing up to her.  Finally, she said, "Okay, no later than ten though. 
Tomorrow is a school day."

   "Mom, Ed took a beating yesterday because of me.  He has three broken
ribs and you can see how his face is messed up.  Ed needs help getting his
apartment set up and he needs someone to take care of him.  I won't be
going to school tomorrow, but I should be home by ten."

   Karen took my hand and pulled me toward the door before her mother could
reply.

   "Feisty little thing, aren't you?" I asked as we got in the car.

   "Fuck `em." She said with a big grin.

   Kathy insisted we buy some groceries before we met Dave.  We had a lot
of fun going through the grocery store.  Kathy loaded my refrigerator then
we went over to meet Dave.

   ---------------

   When we walked in the house, both mom and dad were there.  Neither of
them acknowledged us, so we went on up to my old room.  I started to unhook
my computer, but Kathy made me sit on the bed while she did it.

   When she had it all unplugged, she went over to the top of the stairs
and yelled, "Mr.  Dobson, could you come here for a minute?"

   I almost crapped my pants.  No one and I mean no one ever yelled for
dad. He came up to my room and Kathy asked, "Could you carry the monitor
and tower down and put them into the back seat of Ed's car Please?  They're
too heavy for me and Ed isn't allowed to lift anything because of his
broken ribs."

   Dad didn't say a word, but he did pick up the monitor and carried it
out. I looked at Karen in disbelief and she said, "Fuck `em."

   Dad came back and got the tower then left again.  He didn't come back
that time.  Dave showed up a little later and he and his two helpers made
short work of loading my furniture.

   One of the first things they brought into my apartment was the sofa. 
They set it where I asked them to, then Dave made me sit there while they
finished unloading.  When they had finished, Dave came in and sat on the
sofa with me while his two boys retrieved my monitor and tower.

   "There are some boxes in the kitchen," he told me.  "There are some old
pots and pans, some old dishes, and some silverware.  It's not much, but
it's the best we could come up with on short notice."

   I thanked him for everything, then Kathy thanked him and gave him a
little kiss on the cheek.

   After Dave had gone, I looked around for Kathy.  I found her in the
bedroom, making my bed.  "Sweetie, you don't have to do all of that," I
said.

   "Just take it easy, Ed.  By the way, I swiped the sheets from your
mother.  I also got you a couple of rolls of toilet paper.  Tomorrow, we'll
get cable turned on so you can get your computer hooked up to the
Internet."

   "It's a good thing that electricity and gas are part of the rent," I
said.  "I don't have to worry about them for at least a year."

   Kathy made me sit on the couch while she hooked up my computer and got
it running.  Then she came over and sat beside me.

   She snuggled in beside me and I put my arm around her.  "Tomorrow would
you show me the new operating system you're working on?" she asked.

   I told her I would, then our snuggling got a little more serious.

   Kathy left a little before ten and I was alone in my new apartment.  I
told Kathy she could take my car home, but she said it was only two blocks,
so she'd walk.

   It felt a little strange, walking around the place, touching things. 
Everything here, as little as it was, was mine.  Neither mom nor dad could
tell me what to do with it.

   I was also free to set my own bedtime and to decide what I wanted to
eat. I was free.  Free to swim with the dolphins, or to be eaten by the
sharks.

   I went to bed at my normal time.

   --------------

   I was working on my operating system the next morning when I heard a
knock on the door.  When I opened it, Karen was smiling at me.  She hugged
me gently, being careful of my ribs.

   "Why didn't you use your key?" I asked her.

   "Because I knew you were here and I thought you might be curious as to
who was knocking at your door."

   I stepped back to let her in and asked if she'd like some orange juice.

   "Not right now.  The first thing I'd like to do is fix us some
breakfast. Would you be willing to tell me about your operating system
while I cook?"

   "Sure," I said as I pulled out one of the dinette chairs.  "Maybe
talking about it will give me some ideas of what to try next."

   I told her about the operating system.  I told her about what I wanted
it to do and about the problems I was having, getting the modules to talk
with each other and with the core unit.

   "So, are you thinking of multiple processors for the system?" she asked.

   "Yeah.  I think that's the only way to take advantage of a system like
this."

   "Is each processor going to have it's own RAM?"

   "Well, I've been trying to use only one bank of RAM, but I guess it
would make more sense to have each processor have its own."

   "I'm just trying to think of the hardware as well as the software, Ed.
If you gave each processor a couple of gigs of RAM, the RAM would only be
accessed by the processor it was assigned to.  That would speed up RAM
access.  It would also let you have the processor and a couple of gigs of
RAM on a relatively small plug-in card.  You could also have a dedicated
core operating system in PROMS on the same card."

   "You're saying to make the core operating system into firmware instead
of software.  That makes a lot of sense."

   Breakfast was wonderful.  We continued talking as we ate.  Kathy is one
smart computer woman.  Before we finished breakfast we had roughly designed
a super computer.  Well, at least we had a concept of what a super computer
should be.

   We talked for a couple of hours then decided we'd get cable hooked up
for internet access.  We went down to the local cable company and got all
of the paperwork filled out.  I had to leave a hefty deposit since I didn't
have any credit established.

   We came back to the apartment then worked together to make lunch.

   We spent the afternoon learning about each other.  The more I learned
about Kathy, the more I liked her.  She had always been one of the bright
kids, like I had.  This, of course, also made her an outcast.  Her father
being in the military and their moving around so much made her even more of
an outcast.

   "I had a talk with dad last night after I went home," Kathy told me.

   I just raised my eyebrows in question.  "He wanted to know what I was
talking about when I told mom I'd have myself declared an adult.  I told
him all about manumission."

   "How did he react to that?" I asked.

   "He was pissed off, but he controlled himself.  He told me I wasn't
going to do that.  I told him if they kept treating me like a whore I
would."

   "I'll bet that went over big."

   "Yeah.  They want me to stay living with them.  I told them the only way
I would is if they didn't try to control me.  He argued some, but I didn't
budge.  We'll see how it goes."

   "That was a big chance you took, Kath."

   "Fuck `em," she laughed.

   ------------------

   Intermezzo

   ------------------

   Over the next couple of weeks, I managed to get everything set up for
the work/study program.  The attorney got all of the paperwork filed with
the courts for my manumission.

   I was ready to start my part time job on Monday and I was very glad to
be doing so.  My savings were dwindling quickly as we were buying things
for the computer as well as for the apartment.

   Kathy and I had started work on the design of our new super computer. 
We had to buy a CAD program for the hardware design part and that had set
us back quite a bit.  Kathy was doing the hardware design of the processor
modules while I worked on the firmware for them.

   We needed to work closely on this, so Kathy moved her computer over to
my apartment.  My computer was still on my desk and Kathy's was on the
dinette.  It wasn't all work.  It was a lot of fun and we took frequent
breaks.

   During our breaks we talked a lot.  She told me about her life and I
told her about mine.  We'd sit on the couch and hold hands or snuggle. 
Sometimes we'd kiss.  We hadn't said anything about it, but we both wanted
to take things slowly.

   After I started work again, Marv was looking over something I'd done for
them and remarked that he'd like to have six more just like me.  I hadn't
talked to Kathy about it, but I told him I knew a girl who was as good a
programmer as I was and who might be interested in getting into work/study.

   Marv told me to bring Kathy in and he'd talk with her.  Within a week,
she was in work/study and was putting in the same hours I was at the
software company.

   As time went on, Kathy was spending more time at my place than she was
at home.  She told me her parents were grumbling a lot about it, but there
wasn't much they could do about it.

   Thanksgiving came and went, then Christmas followed.  It was right after
the first of the year when I asked Marv if he could come by my apartment
over the weekend.

   -----------------

   Kathy and I were anxiously awaiting Marv's arrival that Saturday
morning. We had made a pot of coffee because we knew Marv drank it by the
vat.  We'd even moved Kathy's computer off the dinette so we'd have a place
to sit and talk.

   When Marv came in, Kathy got him a cup of coffee while I started telling
him about our super computer.  After I'd finished telling him about it, I
said, "Marv, this is for industrial applications mainly.  Things where
you'd like for one computer to run a warehouse.  I could also see it being
used by businesses where everything that is being done in an office is
being controlled by one computer.  It could also be used where you need the
power of a mainframe computer, but don't want to spend the money on that
much hardware."

   "Do you guys have anything concrete, or is this just a concept?" he
asked.

   "Kathy has completed the hardware design of the core modules and of what
we're calling the Core Router.  I've completed the firmware for the core
units and the software for the Core router.  We'd still need to do the
software and hardware designs for the other modules."

   "The problem is, Marv," Kathy continued.  "We're kind of at a standstill
now because although the design of the core modules and router are
complete, on paper, we don't have the money to develop the hardware so we
can continue."

   Marv thought for a few minutes then asked, "Have you guys looked into
patenting this?"

   "We did a little searching and we can't find where anything like this
has been patented.  We have no idea what we should be doing to get the ball
rolling though.  We were hoping you could give us some advice," I said.

   Marv wanted to see the hardware design drawings and schematics.  He was
impressed.  Then he wanted me to go over more of the details of the
firmware and software.  He went through three cups of coffee while we were
doing this.

   "Okay, I can hook you up with a patent attorney.  It'd going to cost a
couple of thousand to get the patents, at least.  Do you kids have that
much money?"

   "Not even close," Kathy laughed.

   "I think this could be really big," Marv said.  "Would you guys be
interested in a third partner?  I could pay for the patent work and I could
probably come up with enough money to at least get prototypes of the core
modules and the router."

   We told him we thought that would be fantastic.  We worked out our
partnership agreement by just talking about it.  I trusted Marv and so did
Kathy.  Over the years it was proved that our trust was warranted.

   We spent most of the day going over things.  It was almost dinner time
when Marv finally left.  Since I'd moved into the apartment, although Kathy
and I considered ourselves a couple, we hadn't really "dated" much.  Today,
we decided to go out to dinner, then a movie.

   Kathy went home for some "dating" clothes and I showered and shaved. 
When she came back over, she looked fantastic.  I had been watching with
much interest as she had changed her style of dress over the months.  She
had gone from a frumpy late middle age look to a stylish twenty something
look.

   When she walked in, I was stunned.  She walked up to me until our bodies
were touching and I leaned down and kissed her.  We'd done a lot of kissing
over the last few months, but this was special.  I could feel her love for
me and my love for her was almost overwhelming.

   "I love you, Kathy," I said as we ended the kiss.

   "I love you too, Ed."

   "You're the first person I've ever said that to," I told her.

   "Yeah.  I've never said that to anyone else either."

   Both of us were very thoughtful as we got ready to go to dinner.  The
restaurant we went to wasn't the most expensive one in town, but it wasn't
Burger King either.  We had a nice meal and enjoyed each other's company
more than we ever had.

   The movie we went to was a romantic comedy.  We laughed our way through
it, snuggling together and exchanging an occasional kiss.

   As we were driving home, I asked Kathy if she'd like for me to drop her
off at her place.

   "No, if you don't mind, I'd like to talk for a while," she told me.

   When we got in the apartment, I got us some sodas and Kathy and I
snuggled up on the couch.  I didn't know what she wanted to talk about, so
I just decided to wait until she was ready.

   Finally, Kathy sighed and said, "Ed, we've practically lived together
for months.  During that time we've kissed and cuddled.  You've touched my
breast a time or two through my clothes, but you've never tried to go any
farther.  Why is that?"

   "Kathy, I love you.  One of the first things I learned about you was
that you had been raped.  I know there is a lot of trauma associated with a
rape so I've never pressed you for any physical contact.  I don't want you
to be afraid of me."

   "I'm not afraid of you, Ed.  I'm glad you've never pushed me, but I
think it's time we started acknowledging that you are a male and I am a
female and that we're attracted to each other.  That is, if you are
attracted to me."

   "Oh, I'm attracted to you alright.  Every time we kiss and cuddle I get
a hardon you could break rocks with.  I just haven't wanted to put you in a
situation that would remind you of the rape."

   "Maybe it's time I told you what happened.  I was fourteen almost
fifteen.  I had never dated, so I was clueless.  Jim Gilroy was the son of
one of the most prominent men in the town we lived in.  He was sixteen and
a football player.  When he asked me out, I was overwhelmed."

   Kathy looked me in the eyes then went on, "When mom found out who wanted
to take me out, she was all for it.  We were supposed to get something to
eat then go on to a movie.  We got some burgers then Jim started driving
out of town.  He asked me if we could just go somewhere and talk for a
while and I agreed."

   She was almost shaking as she told me this, so I said, "You don't have
to tell me about this, Love."

   "Yes I do," she told me emphatically.  "He drove us out to the local
makeout spot and parked the car away from any of the others that were out
there.  When he turned the car off, he started kissing me.  I'll admit that
I was thrilled.  When things started getting a little too heavy, I broke
off the kiss and told him I thought he wanted to talk.  He laughed and told
me he thought we were communicating quite well."

   I hugged her tight when she hesitated.  "He started trying to kiss me
again, but I pulled away and told him I'd just like to talk for a while. 
He said we could talk after we fucked.  I told him I wasn't going to fuck
him so he slapped me and told me that's what I thought."

   "Ed, he was much bigger than me and much stronger.  I didn't stand a
chance.  Every time I'd try to fight him off, he'd hit me.  My face was
worse than yours was after you were beaten.  I was a virgin and he raped
me. When he was finished, he pulled his pants back up and started driving."

   "I managed to get my clothes straightened back up just before he dropped
me off a few blocks from my house."

   I held Kathy while she cried softly.  She her tears had stopped, I said,
"Kathy, you were a virgin and you are still a virgin.  You've never
willingly had sex with anyone, so your virginity is intact.  Your virginity
is something that can't be taken from you, it is something you give
willingly."

   "Intellectually, I agree with you, Ed, but that's not how I feel."

   "Kathy, my love, when you're ready for it and we make love the first
time, I think you'll feel like it was your first time too."

   "Oh, I'm ready for it, Ed.  I've been ready for it for months.  I just
haven't known why you didn't seem interested."

   I took her hand and pulled it down to my throbbing erection.  "Does this
seem like I'm interested?" I asked.

   Kathy giggled.  "Very interested, I'd say," she said.

   I pulled Kathy in for the most passionate kiss we'd ever shared.  Our
tongues dueled as our hands stroked each other's bodies.  We were totally
breathless when we pulled apart a few minutes later.  Kathy spoke one word,
"bedroom."

   We jumped off the couch and practically ran into the bedroom, leaving
clothes in our wake.  We stopped by the bed and finished undressing each
other.  When we were standing there, nude, I said, "Kathy you are
absolutely beautiful."

   "Thank you, Ed.  Now get on this bed and make me a woman."

   We kissed and I fondled her marvelous breasts for the first time.  It
was wonderful.  I kissed her nose and her chin, then the hollow at the base
of her neck.  I moved my lips across her chest and down to her wonderful
mounds.  I worshiped them with my lips and my tongue for several minutes
before I pulled one of her nipples into my mouth.

   I sucked and nibbled on her nipples until she was gasping, then I
started working down her beautiful body toward my ultimate goal.  Her lower
lips were swollen and wet as I approached them and her scent would have
aroused a Priest.

   I had no idea what I was doing, so I just started licking her pussy from
bottom to top with broad strokes of my tongue.  She seemed to like this, so
I kept it up for a while.  I then started trying to delve into her pussy
with my tongue.  This got an even better reaction from her, so I tried to
see how far I could get my tongue into her body.

   I knew what a clit was and I knew it was the center of a woman's
pleasure.  I hoped I'd find it and I did.  When my tongue passed over it,
Kathy's butt bounced up off the bed to try to maintain contact.

   I experimented with it, licking, sucking and nibbling it.  Within a
couple of minutes Kathy was having a massive orgasm.  She moaned and mewed
and her body thrashed around on the bed so strongly I thought she was going
to throw me off.  When she finally started to come down, I moved up beside
her and held her.

   "That was the most fantastic thing I've ever felt," Kathy told me after
she was back to normal.  "I've masturbated, but it was nothing like what
you just did to me."

   "I'm glad," I told her.  "I had no idea what I was doing.  I've read a
few things, but I was mostly flying blind."

   "Well, blind man, do you think we could finish this off?"

   "Only if you really want to, Love.  We'll take things at your speed."

   "Oh, I'm ready, Ed.  I don't want to wait any longer.  I need you inside
me."

   We kissed then I moved between her legs.  When my cock touched her pussy
for the first time, I thought I was going to explode.  Kathy smiled at me,
bravely, but I could tell there was a little fear there as well.  I forgot
all about my feelings and my desire and concentrated on making this as easy
for her as I could.

   She helped to position me at the opening to her vagina and I just let my
cock rest there for a moment.  I was looking into her eyes as I applied a
gentle pressure.  When the head of my cock popped inside her, I stopped
immediately.

   When I thought she looked comfortable with what was going on, I inched
forward, then moved back to where I had been before.  She smiled and
nodded, so I did it again.  I continued in this manner until our pubic hair
meshed, then I stopped again.

   "Are you okay?" I asked her.

   "More than okay, Ed.  This feels wonderful.  You can go ahead anytime
you're ready."

   I did.  I started with long, slow strokes.  Stopping briefly each time
when I was all the way in.  Kathy started moving under me, so I picked up
the pace.  I wish I could say I held off while Kathy had a half a dozen
orgasms, but as soon as her pussy started fluttering with her release, I
went over the edge as well.

   We both ended up as a pile of boneless protoplasm on the bed.  When I
was finally able to regain my sanity enough to speak, I asked her how she
was.

   "I'm perfect," she said.  "There's no way in the world I could feel any
better."

   We laid there for a while and I glanced over at the clock.  "Are you
aware it's one thirty in the morning?" I asked her.  "Would you like for me
to walk you home?"

   "I thought I'd just spend the night here if I may," she said.

   "What about your parents?" I asked.

   "Fuck `em," she said with a big smile.

   ---------------

   Finale

   ---------------

   It was on a Friday afternoon, two weeks before school was out, when Marv
came into my cubicle and asked if he could come by the apartment and talk
with Kathy and me the next day.  We didn't have anything planned, so I
agreed.

   Kathy and I had decided we would both go to our local community college
for our first year.  She was going to move in with me after school was out
and we'd work full time during the summer to have a nice nest egg.

   When Marv showed up the next morning, we got him some coffee and talked
about work for a few minutes, then he dropped the bomb.

   "So," he said with a half smile on his face.  "How would you kids like
to be millionaires before you get out of high school?" he asked.

   Kathy and just looked at each other, totally stunned.

   "You know the patents came through about a month ago," Marv continued.
"Well, I've been negotiating with a company since long before the patents
came in.  They're big in factory automation systems and they were very
interested in your design."

   "Okay," I said.

   "They've made us an offer of fifteen million up front and a substantial
royalty on every unit using your design that they sell.  To me it sounds
too good to pass up."

   "Damned straight!" Kathy said.

   I just nodded and he went on.  "That's five million each, kids.  We're
rich!"

   We made love after Marv left.  After the first time, we'd made love a
lot.  It got better every time.  Kathy had been staying at the apartment
frequently after that first time.  Her parents had threatened her, but
there wasn't anything they could really do.  She'd be eighteen in just a
few days and I was legally an adult.

   We came down from our orgasms and I asked, "Karen, I've come to love you
more than life itself.  Will you marry me?"

   Karen squeezed me tightly, then said, "Yes, my love, I will marry you.
The day I'm eighteen if you'll have me."

   I had been in the apartment for eight months when Marv came to see us.
My parents hadn't tried to contact me even once during that time.  I guess
it's petty, but I was looking forward to doing a little gloating

   Kathy and I talked about it and she was all for me showing off a little.
We decided to pay my parents a visit.

   When I rang the doorbell, dad opened the door.  "Hello, Edward," he
said, but he was standing, blocking the door and he made no move like he
was going to let us in.

   "Could we come in, Dad?  There's something Kathy and I would like to
talk to you and mom about."

   Reluctantly, it seemed, he stepped aside and let us in.  Mom and
Kathleen were in the living room when we went in.  As we entered the room,
Kathleen saw me and squealed.

   "Eddie!" she screamed, then she ran over and threw her arms around me.

   "It's good to see you Leenie," I said as I picked her up and hugged her.
"I've missed you."

   "I've missed you too, Eddie.  Why haven't you called us?  Where have you
been?  None of us knew where you were."

   "I'll tell you later, Love," I told her.

   Mom nodded her head at us as Kathy and I took a seat.

   "I just wanted to let you guys know that Kathy and I are getting married
as soon as school is out," I told them.

   "We've already told you we will not help you out financially," mom said.

   "We know that, Mom.  We won't be needing any help from you," I told her.

   Dad had an almost evil look when he said, "I certainly hope you're
right, Edward.  When you decided to have yourself declared an adult, you
cut off all ties with us.  As far as we're concerned you're not our son any
more,"

   "That's fine, Dad.  You never really were parents to me anyway.  Leenie
is still my sister though and we'd like for her to come to our wedding."

   "Oh, I'll be there," Leenie said emphatically.  "Just tell me when and
where."

   "We'll see about that, Kathleen," mom finally spoke up.  "You know,
Edward, it's really kind of stupid to think that two kids just out if high
school are going to be able to make it financially."

   "Not really, Mrs.  Dobson," Kathy said with a smirk.  "You see, Ed and I
are probably worth a lot more than you and your husband are right now. 
We've spent the last eight months developing and patenting a new computer.
We've just sold the rights to it for ten million dollars, plus a sizeable
commission on every computer the company sells.  I think we're pretty much
set for life."

   "Oh, Eddie," Leenie squealed again.  "I'm so happy for you."

   "Thanks, Leenie," I said.  "Honey, mom and dad knew where I've been ever
since I left.  I haven't called here because they made it quite clear they
didn't want me to."

   "Eddie!" Leenie looked shocked.

   "Leenie, honey, I think we should get going.  You can tell by the
atmosphere that we're not welcome here."

   "Can I go with you, Eddie?" Leenie asked.  "There's so many things I'd
like to talk to you about."

   "Sure, Leenie, we'll bring you back after while," I said.

   "Kathleen, you're not going anywhere," mom shouted.

   Kathleen just looked at her and followed Kathy and I out to my car.

   "Mom and dad are going to be pissed at you," I said.

   "I know," Kathleen said, looking a little apprehensive.

   "Fuck `em," Kathy said.

   All three of us cracked up as we got into the car.

   Kathy and I had a good talk with Leenie that afternoon.  I learned a lot
about my sister that afternoon.  I think she learned a lot about us, too.
When we dropped her off, she kissed me, then kissed Kathy.

   Kathy's parents seemed indifferent when we told them that evening that
we were getting married.  We never even told them about our good fortune.

   Over the last several months, the four guys who had beaten me up had
some unfortunate experiences themselves.  It seems that each of them had
found themselves alone at some point and had suffered much the same thing
that had happened to me.  None of them could or would supply any
information about who had attacked them.  Each of them had given everyone
the impression it had been a gang that had done it though.

   That's the first time I'd ever been called a gang.