"Survivors"

Chapter 2



Morgan, Chrissy and Kevin were inseparable. From the time they were 10, they drove their parents and teachers crazy; what mischief one didn't think up, the others *did*. Like all childhood friendships, they had all grown and eventually gone their separate ways -- Morgan to college, Chrissy into marriage and Kevin into fame and fortune. Sure, they kept in touch, several phone calls a year and the obligatory visits for special occasions, but those had been few and far between. Morgan's graduation from Kentucky University had been cause for celebration, as had Kevin's first stateside concert. One of the last times they'd all been together was at Chrissy's wedding.


As the small plane made its final descent into Daytona Regional Airport, Kevin winced at the memory.


~ 2 years ago ~


"You may kiss the bride," the pastor beamed as Jimmy Anderson took possession of his new bride.


That's what it was, plain and simple. Possession. By the way he held her, there was no doubt that he was branding her for all to see. *She's mine* he seemed to say, *hands off*.


There was nothing remotely *brotherly* in the way Kevin felt at that moment. He sincerely wished he could stride to the front of the church and deck the sonofabitch in front of God and eveyone. But no, he was raised better than that. So he stood politely in the receiving line, smiling falsely as he was introduced to Chrissy's Jimmy.


That she was smitten with him was an understatement, that he was a rat-bastard was obvious. To everyone but Chrissy.


To his credit, he held his temper and actually managed to be convincingly happy for them. When it came time for Chrissy and Jimmy to leave on their honeymoon, Chrissy made a point of saying a special goodbye to both Morgan and Kevin.


"Hey squidbait, you take care of yourself, all right?"


"Kevin, I'm a married woman! Don't you think I'm a little old to be called *squidbait*?" She laughed at the childhood nickname, it had been ages since he'd called her that.


"You'll always be my squid and don't you forget it." He pulled her close, hugging her just a little too tight and just a little too long. His eyes grew moist and he heard Morgan clear her throat as he released Chrissy reluctantly. "Have a good life, sweetheart."


Only Morgan understood the finality of his words, the underlying *goodbye* that was woven within.


~~~~~

Now here he was, a lifetime later, watching helplessly as this prick who called himself her husband walked out of the hospital and out of her life for good.




Chapter 3
Contents
BSB Fic
Home