“Ready?”  Sam asked, her small quick fingers removing
the bandages from Shane’s eyes.  “Open up
nice and slow.  Don’t do it too quickly,
just nice and easy Shane.”  Sam said
softly, the room at a total hush.  Dana
closed her eyes, waiting, ever so patently.

            Shane cracked open an eye, blinking
and said in a soft voice as she looked down at her feet, her pursed lips and
grunt making Sam step back.

            “*****.”  She said with some disappointment.  And a dark hush came over the group, Dana
rested her forehead on Shane’s shoulder. 
She hugged Shane hard, and Shane rubbed her hand.

            “Shane, it doesn’t matter….”  Dana began and Shane burst out into laughter
she tugged Dana into her arms, kissing her full on the lips and said.  Dana stepped back, confused but happy that
Shane was smiling.  It was a good sign,
of what, she wasn’t sure.

            “Oh I can see.  But it means I gotta be the one to tell
them…”  Shane said dramatically, her
mouth open and laughing.  Tina yelled
over the gasp of the crowd.

            “Tell us what?  Come on Shane, spill the beans!”

            “That two weeks ago I married Dana
***** Fairbanks.”  Shane announced.

***** 

Independent

12.6.04

Never
bite the hands that feeds you

I
know the lie in your voice

Hands
reaching out for something more

Of
the life that’s led me here

I’ve
learned the lessons you’ve taught me

My
self destruction, bustling to break out

Take
what I’m given

I
don’t think so

I’ll
make something more of me

I
don’t need a map

To
find my way there

I’ll
never listen to the voices

That
tell me I’m not good enough

I’ll
listen to myself

The
voice that keeps encouraging my life independent

I
will bend before I break

I
will die before I’m caged

I
will never falter in my gaze

I’ll
never stumble in the haze

I’ll
always find my way to me

I’ll
make up my life

Independent
as can be

I
don’t need a map

To
find my way there

I’ll
never listen to the voices

That
tell me I’m not good enough

I’ll
listen to myself

The
voice that keeps encouraging my life independent

My
own solutions

Better
than being led by the nose

Even
if I’m wrong

At
least I’m the only one that knows

I’ll
learn the answers

By
hook or by crook

My
lessons those I’ll love to learn

The
pain of failure making my victory

That
much sweeter

If
I fall, I’ll find my way to my feet

I
don’t need a map

To
find my way there

I’ll
never listen to the voices

That
tell me I’m not good enough

I’ll
listen to myself

The
voice that keeps encouraging my life independent