No More 7

Hello everyone! It's good to be back home for a while. I'm sorry for being gone so long, but because of the book signings as well as the lectures, it was necessary. I hope you all enjoy this story, as it's one that I've been working on for quite a while. Please keep in mind that it is a FICTIONAL story, as well as the fact that ANYTHING CAN and usually DOES happen in a fictional tale. For those of you that like it, let me say "Thank You" in advance. For those that don't like it, well, there are other stories that are available for you to read. In the meantime, I pray that God richly blesses you all, and don't forget to vote.

P.S. The subject matter of this particular story is about something, which, according to national statistics, it happens every twelve minutes in this country, and it needs to be stopped. Therefore, reader discretion is advised...

~~~~~

"Does it make you feel like a

big man

to beat up on and terrorize a woman?" I angrily seethed, "You're a coward, and that's all you'll

ever

be."

"I already told you once that this is none of your business,

boy

," he growled, "So, I'd back the fuck off if I were you."

"Or what?" I taunted him, "What're

you

going to do?"

"This," he drunkenly spat, taking a swing at me.

"You just screwed up big time," I heatedly replied, blocking his punch, and then delivering an extremely hard, but lightning fast, roundhouse kick to the left side of his face, "How does

that

feel, asshole..."

~~~~~~

Chapter One

Hi, my name is Michael Thomas Hanson, but I go by "Mike" to my friends. I stand six feet, four inches tall, and I weigh a two hundred and thirty pounds. I have long, shoulder length, dark brown, almost black, hair and light blue eyes. I had an older brother, Rick, who was nine years my senior, and we both were born with the same features.

However, Rick got killed in Vietnam on April the fourteenth, a week after my fifteenth birthday, which was on the seventh of April, as well as two weeks before the evacuation of what was once Saigon on the thirtieth April in 1975. And what you're about to read took place during my freshman year in college when I was eighteen, going on nineteen years old, but I'll get to that later in the story, as a little background information is in order first...

~~~~~~

My mother, whose name is Teela, is full blooded Chiricahua Apache Indian; and it was mostly because of her that I was allowed to wear my hair long. My father, whose name was Richard, never

really

objected to it either. And because he was half Cheyanne Indian and half Dutch, hence the reason I have blue eyes; it also meant that me, and my late brother, Rick, were seventy-five percent Native American, and damn proud of it, too. However, because of the way that the American society was back then, Dad

did

let me know that I would more than likely be persecuted by some of my peers because of not only the length of my hair, but also because of my Native American heritage. And it was for that reason, along with the discipline that came with it, that he placed me under martial arts instruction at the tender young age of six.

Because Mom was a music major in college, as well as the fact that I, too, liked music, she sat me behind a piano not too long after my martial arts training began. She told me that having a musical education would help me be able to better deal with the rigors of my karate classes...

~~~~~~

I was born in Key West, Florida and lived there until I was nine. However, because of the fact that Dad was a Navy fighter pilot who flew the F4 Phantom B, his squadron was sent back to Vietnam so; Mom and I (my older brother, Rick, was already in the Navy by this time, too) were sent to live in Texas with my maternal grandmother. She had a stock ranch that covered an area that was just a little over twelve thousand acres, and she raised some of the finest beef in the country, as well as horses, pigs, and chickens, too.

She'd sectioned off about fifty acres of pasture for the purposes of growing not only winter feed for the live-stock, but also for the purposes of growing her own vegetables as well. However, what I was the most thankful for, was the fact that my Sensei down in Key West called a friend of his in Texas who taught the same exact style of the Martial Arts that he did, Togakure Ninjutsu; and would therefore help me to continue with my Martial Arts training...

~~~~~~

I was warmly welcomed by most of the kids that I went to school with, which I was very happy about. But there are bad apples in every bunch; and the reason I say this is, because as I grew older and my hair got longer I started catching flak from the older guys once I got to high school. Thankfully, I only got into one fight when I was a sophomore, and because of the fact that I'd earned my black belt by then, it only took whipping this one guy's ass for him, (he was the school bully), to let the rest of the upperclassmen know that I was

not

going to be bullied by anyone, case closed...

~~~~~~

I was a musician, and along with the fact that I liked to sing, too; I was immediately recruited by not only the band director, but also my choir director, as well. Both men insisted that I used my electronic keyboards in both of their classes, a Moog 55 Modular synthesizer, a Mini Moog, a Moog Opus 3 Synthesizer, along with a Rhodes, 88 Key, Electric Piano, and a Hammond B-3 Organ, all of which my Granny had purchased for me; and I was not only very proud, but also very happy to do so. And partially because of it, both our choir

and

our band won more than several State Competitions while I was in high school. However, little did I realize that because of how well I'd honed my ability, as well as the skill needed to play these instruments, I would be offered music scholarships from five different colleges across the country?

My biggest regret is that my Granny passed away in her sleep the summer between my sophomore and junior years in high school. It knocked the wind out of me for a while, but knowing Granny like I did, she would've wanted me to celebrate her life as opposed to mourn her death so; that what I did, by buckling down and becoming the very keyboard player that I could...

~~~~~~

In every high school there are different cliques, or groups of people. And while I got along with almost all of the people I went school with, there was this one group of people made up snobs who came from money, as well as the jocks and cheerleaders, and therefore, they thought they were better than everyone else. I discovered early on that I didn't want to be around that particular bunch because of the obvious reasons.

I could be found with hanging out with the kids who were either in band and/or choir, usually both, and none of us were trouble makers by any means. Besides, I learned early on to more or less live and

let

live. That way, I stayed beneath the radar of the principle and/or the vice principal, both of whom were

more

than capable of dealing with the troublemakers, not only swiftly, but also harshly, too...

~~~~~~

I started working construction for my Mom's brother, my uncle Max during the summer of 1977, before I began my senior year in high school. He treated me just like he did everyone else, and because I wanted to make as much money as I could before going to college, he also let me work for him on Saturdays once school started in the fall. Dad had retired from the Navy by then, and our family was swiftly recovering from losing my brother in Vietnam a couple of years earlier.

That was also the year that I met a girl named Lucy Summers, and to say that she was beautiful was an understatement. I began to truly understand what Homer meant when he wrote about the face that could launch a thousand ships. Of course I also knew that once school started, every guy in school was going to be after her to make their own. Me, on the other hand, I simply treated her with pure and total respect, and I tried my best to be as nice as possible every time I was around her, which was only on Sundays at church. Besides, I figured that because her parents had money, she was going to end up becoming a member of the group of snobs that I spoke of earlier. Little did I realize how wrong I was?

~~~~~~

SENIOR YEAR

FALL SEMESTER

1977

I was in the band hall right before class began that first morning in order to drop off some paperwork to our band director, Mr., David Shepard, when in walked none other than Lucy Summers. Imagine my delight when I discovered that she was going to not only be in band with me, but when she and I began to talk, I also found out that she was going to be in my choir class, too.

"Good morning, Michael," she sweetly said, "What a pleasant surprise it is seeing you here this morning."

"Oh, hey Lucy," I smiled, "How are

you

today?"

"I'm good, thank you," she delightfully grinned, walking over to stand next to me, "I didn't know that you were in band. What instrument do you play?"

"I play piano and keyboards," I proudly replied, "And I'm in the Jazz Ensemble. I don't have any classes this period so; I stopped by here to give Mister Shepard some paperwork. What instrument do

you

play?"

"I play the Alto Saxophone," she, too, proudly grinned, placing her hand on my arm, "I heard that you made all state band

and

choir for the past three years. Is that true?"

"Yeah," I said, my face turning bright red in embarrassment, "I was lucky. I guess."

"That's not what

I

heard," she giggled, "I heard that you blew the judges away during both competitions. I also heard that you were first chair in your section in not only band, but also first in your section in choir, too."

"I don't know about that," I humbly told her, "I just like to play and sing, that's all."

"Your Mom told

my

Mom that your piano teacher used the word,

prodigy

, when you were just a little guy," she widely smiled, "Do you think you could play and sing for me sometime soon? I'd love to hear you."

"Sure," I smiled, "Just let me know when, okay?"

"How about right after school this afternoon?" she knowingly giggled, "Besides, I already told my Mom that I was going to your house after we get out of school today."

"Sure," I excitedly smiled, "Do you need a ride?"

"I've got my own car," she sweetly told me, "But I can follow you if that's alright."

"Of course it is," I chuckled, as the band hall began to fill with people, Mr. Shepard walking in as well, "I'll wait for you in the senior parking lot. Is that alright with you?"

"It's a date," she sweetly replied, taking her seat, "I'll see you this afternoon, cutie."

I gave my paperwork to Mr. Shepard, and then I noticed that Lucy's eyes followed me on the way out, winking at me right before I left..."

~~~~~~

I walked on a cloud for the rest of the morning, and when it came lunch time, Lucy suddenly appeared in front of me asking, "Can I go eat with lunch you, Michael? I still don't know my way around town that well yet."

"Of course you can," I grinned from ear-to-ear, "Would you like to

ride

with me as well?"

"Yes, silly," she giggled, "How else am I going to be able to eat with you if we don't ride together?"

Then I looked at her and said, "In that case, your chariot awaits, M'lady."

"Why, thank you, kind sir," she smiled, taking my arm, "Lead the way; my handsome prince..."

~~~~~~

We had a great time during lunch, and while we ate, we asked one another a barrage of different questions in order to get to know one another better. What I didn't know was that she was like me, a military brat. So you can only imagine the surprise I felt when I found out that her father had also been a Navy fighter pilot, only he had been stationed aboard the U.S.S. Kittyhawk, stationed in San Diego, California.

"I hope you don't think that I'm being too forward," she smiled, her cheeks turning pink, "But I was wondering if you had any plans for Friday night, Michael."

"Well, I have to get up early on Saturday to go to work," I told her, "But no, I don't have any plans for Friday night. Why do you ask?"

"There's new movie I want to see and it's playing at the theater in Lake Jackson, "she replied, "And I was wondering if you might like to go see it with me."

"Are you kidding me?" I happily grinned, "I'd love to go. What time would you like me to pick you up?"

"Oh, wow," she excitedly grinned, "How does six-thirty sound? The movie doesn't start until eight-thirty. That way, we can stop and get something to eat before-hand."

"I think that sounds perfect," I softly replied, slowly reaching across the table and gently taking her hand, "I hope I don't embarrass you by telling you this, Lucy; but you're the prettiest girl I've ever seen."

"And I think you're the most handsome boy that

I've

ever seen, Michael," she tenderly replied, gently squeezing my hand. And then she looked at her wristwatch and said, "I could sit here all day talking to you, but I think we're gonna be late for class if we don't hurry up and get moving..."

~~~~~~

Lucy is five feet, eight inches tall, with long blonde hair and bright blue eyes that are as hypnotic as they are beautiful. She weighed somewhere in the neighborhood of a hundred and twenty pounds, and her measurements fit her height. But for those who want to know, she was built perfectly with breasts that looked to be about a 34C and her figure was nice and trim, with a flat stomach and perfectly shaped hips and thighs. Up until now I'd only seen her in a dress at church; but because she was wearing a pair of tight blue jeans that day, I got the opportunity to behold the most perfect ass I'd ever seen on a girl. However, because I was still a virgin and didn't really have anything to compare it to, I still thought that it, too, was as perfect as the rest of her...

~~~~~~

Granted, we only had about four blocks to drive before we reached the school campus, but Lucy held tightly onto my hand relinquishing it only when we had to get out of my car. However, she immediately took hold of it again, not letting go until we reached the choir room...

~~~~~~

The moment we reached the choir room, and class began, our choir teacher, Mr., Harold Rankin, let Lucy know that she was going to be a permanent member of Concert Choir, which was the crème of the crop among his choir students. He also told her, that our band teacher, Mr. David Shepard, had asked him to tell her that she was no longer in marching band and that she was to attend Jazz Ensemble, which, again, was the crème of the crop of Mr. Shepard's students.

"Congratulations, gorgeous," I excitedly told her, "That means that we're going to be in at least two classes together this semester."

"That's great," she widely smiled, taking my hand in front of our fellow choir students so that all could see, "It means that I get to be with you for more than just lunch ti.me; and then she stood up on the tips of her toes and tenderly kissed my cheek...

~~~~~~

I felt like I was on a cloud for the rest of the day, barely being able to stand it until I got to see her in our Jazz Ensemble class, our last class of the day. Needless to say, I really liked her once I got to know her better that day. I only hoped that she liked me, too. But then again, I realized that she had basically asked me out on a date for that coming Friday so; that pretty much answered my question about whether or not she liked me. I was only seventeen at the time and wouldn't turn eighteen until April of the next semester. I later found out that she wouldn't turn eighteen until January, making her a couple of months older than me. However, at the thought of not seeing her again after leaving to go to college, I felt my heart break if only just a little bit. However, I figured that I still had the whole school year to be with her, and I thanked God for allowing me that opportunity at least. Little did I know what lay in wait for either of us when the school year ended...?

~~~~~~

Once classes had let out that afternoon, I waited for Lucy at her car so that she could follow me to my house like we'd planned. So, you can only imagine my surprise when I saw her mother, Mrs. Linda Summers, being dropped off in the senior parking lot by her husband who looked down his nose at me as he drove off. I thought nothing about it at the time and figured he was simply having a bad day...

~~~~~~

"Hello, Missus Summers," I respectfully smiled, "Is something wrong?"

"Hi, Michael," she sweetly replied, "Lucy called me a little while ago and asked me to come and get her car so that she could ride with you to your house."

"Oh, okay," I grinned, thinking nothing about it, as Lucy suddenly appeared beside her mother, "Hi there, Lucy."

"Hello handsome," she sweetly replied, taking my hand as she came to stand beside me, "I wanted Michael to drive me like I told you on the phone."

"I can see that," her mother knowingly smiled, as her daughter openly took my hand, interlacing our fingers together, "Oh, I called Michael's Mom to let her know that you would be riding with him, and you've been invited to stay for dinner. That means that I expect you to be on your best behavior, young lady."

"Come on, Mom," Lucy giggled, her mother laughing long with her, "You're beginning to sound just like Dad."

"She's in good hands, Missus Summers," I very respectfully smiled, "What time do I need to have her home?"

"It's a school night tonight," Lucy's Mom said," So, I think eight-thirty would be alright with her father and I. Do we understand one another?"

"Yes, ma'am," I said, "I'll make sure to leave my house in plenty of time to have her back at the time you requested."

"Thank you, Michael, you're a good boy," she sweetly smiled, gently placing her right palm against my left cheek, and while smiling at her daughter, she grinned and told her, "And he's so handsome, too. Way to go, baby girl!"

"Come on. Mom," Lucy complained, her face turning bright red, "You're embarrassing me..."

~~~~~~

After her mother got into her car and left, Lucy waited until I'd driven us off campus before she scooted over to sit right next to me while I drove us home. And as opposed to being nervous like I thought I'd be, it felt completely normal with her sitting so close to me. I even thought that I would be embarrassed, as my experience with girls my own age was extremely limited.

"I can tell that my Mom really likes you," Lucy told me, resting her hand on my leg, "And that's a good thing...a

very

good thing."

"You look a lot like your Mom," I softly replied, "That's why you're so beautiful, Lucy."

"Aw, thank you, Michael," she softly replied, leaning in and kissing my right cheek, "That was very sweet, and I'm gonna tell Mom what you said the first chance I get. She'll adore you, that's for sure."

"What about Lucy?" I smiled, "How does

she

feel about me?"

"She thinks you're the sweetest and the cutest boy she's ever seen," she giggled, "And she can't wait until she knows you well enough to give you a

real

kiss."

"Me either, beautiful," I tenderly replied, "Me either..."

~~~~~~

"Hi Lucy," Mom smiled, gently hugging her the moment we walked through the front door, "It's so good to see you, sweetie."

"Thank you for having me over, Missus Hanson," Lucy sweetly replied, smiling and returning the hug Mom had given her, "And let me say thank you in advance for the dinner invitation, too. That was very nice of you to do that."

"You're more than welcome, pretty girl," Mom softly told her, "How did you like your first day of school? I'll bet it's a lot different than being in California."