"I'm not sure she'll go for it at first, Dad, but I'll do what I can. I don't even know if she has $10,000."

Steve sounded concerned enough, so I was willing to forget that I'd been in jail for four days, without a peep from him on how I was getting out.

If he could get the money from Barbra, I'd marry her myself.

*****

"It's nice to know you visit your 'friends' when they're locked up."

Kurt picked at his nail, obviously embarrassed. "I'm sorry it took so long."

"Fascinating how quickly the closet door slammed shut when they picked me up. Afraid some cops will find out you're queer? Is that why you weren't here sooner?

He kept picking. "I don't like you when you're catty."

"And I don't like you when you're 'straight,' either."

He stopped picking. "You have no idea." He shook his head. "You'd be singing a different song if you were in my shoes. You think it's so simple."

I slammed my fists up hard against the Plexiglas window separating us. "I'm sick to death of hearing that crap from people who say they're my friends! I bust my ass for people like you, then I get dicked! If I confront you about it, suddenly you're a deep thinker and feed me some philosophical horse shit."

"Let me explain..."

"I don't need your explanations, Kurt! You're as bad as the rest of them-- Greg, Steve, Barbra..."

This time he pounded on the Plexiglas. "Don't lump me in with those losers-"

"Watch it! I can say they're losers. Not you."

He started shaking his head, again. "I give up. It's like you think I haven't done anything to try and get you out?"

"It'd be a bad career move, wouldn't it?"

"If you think someone like me, someone who loves you, would do that... then I feel sorry for you. Believe it or not, not everyone in the world is trying to hurt you."

I began to break down, realizing how messed up I was.

*****

A friend of Mike's stopped by, an Assistant District Attorney. He couldn't get me out, but brought me the first two paperback install- ments of the new Stephen King series, bless his heart.

Ironically, the book was set in a prison.

On Death Row.

I could relate. As I started reading, I realized I missed my column deadline this week.

That Garbo skank was probably laughing her ass off-- my paycheck in her grubby little hand.

Oh, well. T.T.F.N.!