I had centered my whole little world around DannE K. He was everything to me. He 'loved' me. We were going to be together forever. Then yet.... when you're 16 / 17 falling in love is always easy, and falling in love is alway forever, and falling... is alywas in 'love'. ....and... he was twenty something, in the Air Force, and had him a girlfriend - - and that was ALL - - to him. The story he gave me was more along my way of thinking though! One day I called out to his work, as usual, and found out from his boss, "No, SSgt Kendall won't be coming back to work. He's out finishing his outprocessing, he's out of the Air Force today, and leaving for home." WHAT??? He didn't even tell me - - - then yet you'd think I'd be used to that by now!

I found his town and called from a little cafe, Husky or something like that. He gave me directions to his house...I found it, but when I pulled up in the driveway. All those old feelings hit me again. I really loved this guy, and losing him completely "destroyed" me - - for a few months - - but here I was. Shoot, I knew his Mom, maybe I should have tried to make arrangements with her. Aww man, can I do this? Can I even see him again. I was ready to put my 'ol Blue in reverse, when her opened the door. My heart went through my toes, then back to my temples. Yup... he still did something to me. Shit... now I gotta get out of the car or do something mighty quick. I got out.... words were exchanged, but I didn't hear anything, I just hugged him. I was glad to be at my destination, glad to be there, glad that this leg of the new adventure was over. I only stayed with DannEK for a couple of weeks. It was temporary, I knew that, but I didn't know how temporary!!! Where was I to go? See, he was in the middle of a nasty divorce and there were children involved, so I understood completely.

Paonia is even smaller and more condensed that Clarksville was, it was SMall! I remembered something my Dad told me.... when you're trying to find something, keep your ears open, and your mouth closed while you're looking. I went to an auction, and listened. Evenually I overheard these two ranchers talking, one needed someone who could watch his place, answer the phones, and feed a few animals. When the oppertunity presented itself, I introduced myself and mentioned that I had overheard.... and I needed a place to live. Right then and there the guy wanted to take me out to his place and show me around. He had another guy with him, my age, which I soon learned was his wrangler. But as this guy started to come with us, he motioned for him to stay. We went out to his place, he showed me breifly what I'd be doing, where I'd be staying, and said to come out tomorrow to move in and start. Done - moving again and have a new job.

I went back and told DannEK that his hospitatlity was appreciated and had come to an end, that I would be moving the next day.