He sat on the side of my bed and took one of my hands in his. It reminded me of the hospital and his advances there. “It’s just the way it has to be Thad, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you but I’m trying, I don’t smell anymore right?” he said, smiling his small way that told me he wanted me to laugh. I didn’t.

“No. You don’t smell anymore—and I’m very happy about that.”

“You don’t look happy.”

I stared up at him, a smile half way around the world. I didn’t know what was going to happen but I knew if anything was going to happen, it would become clear after I said one thing, “What are you going to do about that?”

His smile disappeared and he gazed longingly into my eyes. “I’m going to make a wish and blow out the candles,” he told me, leaning down and pressing his lips down onto mine. When he backed away tears spilled out of my eyes and he got off the bed and left the room without another word.

I stood there, checking out items and ignoring Eli’s attempts to talk, thinking about my life and what I’d done to it. Was I doing anything right anymore? Maybe it was time to talk to Rae, Birdie always talked to her about me.

When I got home I went to her room and knocked on the door, there was no answer. I tried the door and it opened; I stood there shocked as I watched her shoot up and stare at me silently, the boy in her bed asking her what was wrong.

“Well then,” I said softly, “I’ll just be off then.”

“Wait Thad!” she cried and I waited. “I can explain!”

I smiled, “You don’t have to, it’s your life Rae. Do you have protection?”

She nodded, embarrassed. “What did you want?”

I shook my head but she wouldn’t let me leave until I told her. “I wanted to know what Birdie is thinking, he goes to you sometimes. I just wanted to get an inside look at what he’s feeling. Maybe I’m selfish and stupid but I just want to know what he wished for.”

She gave me a sympathetic smile and said quietly, “All he wants is your support and your love Thad, nothing else. He’s completely faithful to you, you know. He would never do anything to hurt you on purpose. Just forgive him Thad, that’s all he wished for.”

I nodded and left, walking into the bar thinking over what I should say. He was sitting at the bar with a Coca-Cola© in one hand and the other holding his head as if he had a headache.

I approached him, but I never got over to him. I was suddenly hit by a wave of pain and nausea and my hands shot up to my head. A gurgled cry let loose from my throat and I collapsed, staying conscious only long enough to see the blood gush from my nose onto the floor.

I woke up in a hospital bed but this time I remembered where I had been and what had happened, something that I counted as one of my blessings.

“Hey baby,” Birdie said softly and our eyes met, a spark lighting a fire in my heart and I wanted more than anything to kiss him. “I didn’t know when you were going to wake up so I stayed here. They just had to fix something in the tubes, something had you all blocked up. They told me it was a clot—I don’t know how it could have been anythin’ else, personally.” He looked tired and I wondered what time it was. He also looked frustrated and I felt guilty for ever being angry with him. He took his eyes from mine and started to fidget. “I thought you ought ta know I had a few swigs while they were fixin’ ya, they didn’ know how ya’d make out.”

I silently forgave him and grasped his hand in mine. He didn’t smile at me but he gave me a look that both warmed my heart and made me shiver with lust. He was so adorable and sexy in that moment that I couldn’t help but get hard.

“Would you like me to stay?” Birdie asked me and I shook my head slowly as to not hurt myself. “Are you sure?”

“I’m sure Birdie, and I’ve done something terrible. I’ve doubted you. I expected too much from you in too little time. I’m sorry Birdie, I don’t know what I was thinking but I want you to know I’m not mad at you anymore. I want you to do anything and everything to help yourself,” I paused then added, “I love you.”

A large smile lit up his face as he replied, “I love you too Thad,” he touched my cheek lightly, “So much.”

Multiple Endings:

First Ending: Thad and Birdie live happily ever after.

Second Ending: They get married and live happily ever after.

Third Ending: Birdie attempts to cheat on Thad with a woman in a rare moment of weakness, Thad goes back to Marie; he and she live happily ever after. Birdie becomes a drunk again and sends Thad flowers every Valentines Day until he eventually dies (his liver gives out…no shit huh?) when he’s in his early fifties.

Speaking of merrymowmow, um...will you review me again and answer a few questions? How long have you been reading this? Was it a one-time deal where you just read it all at once? How about the others? This is the end of the story, did you read the beginning and the middle? Becker Boys is the beginning, The World is Beautiful is the middle and this one is the end...and if you did read them...did you like them? He's been around ever since we needed someone to drive around the "crew" but he was just too cute not to have a story...haha...yeah.

James is my favorite character...I wonder what the Hell happens to Eli... Oh well, at least I know what happens to everybody else. YEAH, PARKER DIES!! Let's PARTY!! (is dancing happily and stomping on the bastard's grave) MORE BEER JAMES!!

FIN