I know you're out there, somewhere out there -- 1994

I had called Charlie to come to Egypt because there was something that I could nto tell him through an owl.  I paced in my living room waiting for my brother to com eto my house.  I heard th eknock on the door and went to answer it.  I saw Charlie and pulled him inside.  "They found her," I said, skipping any pleasantries.  I could not believe it.  They had found Annette's body in all the rubble and she was somehow alive!  She was comatose and they were not sure if Ann would make it or not... but we had already buried the empty casket ofr her.  I could not go through losing her again.  Not righ tnow.

I stared at Bill, dumbfounded.  I was not sure if I understood what he was getting at.  I had not wanted to make another trip to Egypt since I had just seen him and gotten him to start livign again.  And now he was frantic again, I had to com eand make sure that he was okay.  "Bill... they found Annette?" I clarified.  I could not believe it.

I nodded and ran a hand through my red hair.  "I didn't know they were still trying to get into that cave and they found her.  Somehow -- miraculously -- she lived.  She's in a coma, but alive." I  had no idea what to do.  What was going on?  I thought the mother to my child was dead.

I made Bill sit down.  He looked a little shaky and I was even more worried that he would end up passing out or something.  "Bill, that's good news," I told him.  I could read my brother well, though.  "She's alive.  I know she's in a coma... but that's better than being dead."  I had to say it like it was.  I knew he had been feeling guilty about wanting to end things with her before the accident.  But that did not mean if she lived that he had to stay with her, either.

I smiled at my brother.  "I know... Seth has a chance to possibly know his own mother," I said, feelign relieved that my son could know her.  Annette really was -- is -- a wonderful person.  "But I don't think I can go through losing her again."  I stood back up and walked to the other room to check on my son.  He was still napping soundly.

Ah, there it was.  I had followed him and I smiled as I looked at my nephew.  He was so adorable.  "Try to think optimistically here.  one step at a tim.  Focus on her being alive," I told him.  Why was he worrying so much?  He should focus on the good news rather than thinking about all the wron gthat could possibly happne.

I tore my eyes away from my little boy.  Of course hcarlie was right.  "I know," I said quietly.  "But... I just want to see her smile and to apologize to her.  And now I could have that chance.  How often do second chances happen?  And yet... I'll still be telling her what I was plannin gon saying to her in the first place.  Which mean s that I won't even get to see the smile taht I miss."  I hoped Charlie would understand what I was getting at.  Even though I did not want to be in a relationship with Annette anymore, she was still a huge part o fmy life and I hoped to stay on good terms.  She was one of my best mates.  "Does that make me a horrible person?" I sure felt like one.

I shook my head.  "No because it means you'll use this second chance to be completely honest with her," I said, putting a hand on his hsoulder.  "And that'st he best thing for everyone -- even your little boy." I hated seeing my big brother like this.  I was glad I could be there for him, though.

When did my player of a younger brother get so wise in relationships?  He was right of course.  "I do have a big favor to ask of you, Charlie," I told my brother.  I hoped he would do this for me.  Ir eally need ed him... more than he knew.

I could not help but laugh.  I smiled at him.  "Wasn't coming from Romania a favor enough?" I suggested, giving him a hard time.  Ireallly hoped that he knew I wanted to get him to relax.  He was stressing way too much about this.

My brother was an ass.  I rolled my eyes at him.  "Fine... another favor," I said simply.  I really hoped that he would just help me.  I did not want to go alone.  I needed someone -- besides a one year old -- to go with me.

I was glad that Bill had indeed calmed down a bit.  "Okay, okay... that sounds reasonable.  What would you like from me?" I asked.  I really didn't mind any of this.  I knew that Bill needed me right now.  And I did enjoy spending any time with Seth and Bill as possible.

"Would you go with me to see her?  To go see Annette?" I aske.d  I hoped my brother could go.  Besides, he would end up helpign wtih Seth too.  I just needed him to com ewith me.

I smiled at him.  "Of course," is aid willingly.  I knew there wa sno way that I would leave my brothe rhigh and dry.  That was not my style.  "When would you like to go?" I asked.  I figured that visiting hours wree limited.

I was so grateful that Charlie had agreed to help me with all of this.  I was not sure how I would be able to do this on my own.  "Thank you, Charlie," I said sincerely.  I looked at the time.  "robably tomorrow afternoon.  I don't want to wake Seth or anything.  Visiting hours are almost over an dI don't want to rush seeing her."  I was hoping Charlie would stay here instead of a hotel.  "Want a beer?" I questioned.  If elt lik getting a bit tashed.  I was tired of feelign like crap.  Charlie would help with that hopefully.