I have to go back to Hermiston today and I sure hate to leave Michael but it has to happen but we should be back together soon. I need a weekend to fix up the Topaz and a week to get it there. I have been thinking about Kate on the phone plan. I will run it by Michael - I think he will go for it. He can keep in touch that way much better. Maybe not.  I guess the thing that amazes me about Michael is that there is not one thing that bugs me about him. He is honest, candid,and as far as I know never tried to trick me. If he has a fault it is being too generous but then that is probably mine also. Getting the car and the possibility of baseball playoffs are all possiblities for getting together and we are talking daily. He should be getting his own place so that is also a consideration.

This is the group waiting to get in the zoo - maybe a little on the hot and grumpys side.

Today should be pretty interesting - I am not looking forward to hugging old Mikey and heading home. Michael called around eight thirty and was coming over but we decided to go to Carl Jr for a breakfast burrito. I mentioned the fact that I would like to put Kate on the phone plan because I was going to be pissed if he gave his phone to her and I couldn't get a hold of him. He readily agreed and I think he was sort of amazed and grateful. We had breakfast and stopped at WalMart for a face mask for Mikey and had to go to a sporting goods store and then the search began for a Sprint Store. I got stopped by the cops for a stupid traffic antic and gratefully did not get a ticket. We finally wound up at Best Buy and selected a phone for Kate and it was $30.00. By this time she had gone to the Motel and we were not there and she was sort of pissed at Mike. We kicked his butt out at 33rd and Mikey and I went to the Motel for some serious swimming. I was totally amazed at the progress that little shit made in a couple of days. The face mask allowed him to use both hands and swim under water. He was venturing out in the deep end much to his Dad's chargrin. He was doing flips and making great progress. I am sure that Michael will keep him in swimming this winter. Eventually the other three showed up and Kate was very pleased with the phone and they all had fun playing with them today. They took pictures and were sending text messages and having a big time. Michael went for some snacks and drinks. Anne gave me the low down on the attempted murder by her x-husand and the family and their drug problems. She claims a strong hold on Mikey and is glad that Michael is back in the picture since she thinks they were made for one another. Around three oclock I decided I had better head out. It was not easy saying so long to them but we should  be together in a few days or at most a week. I have to get the car ready and some shocks on the Expedition. It is beginning to shimmy at 75-80.

I got home and called Michael and he was so fucking complimentary. I really think he is about the best thing that has happened to me in one hell of a long time. We seem to be on the same page and I have not seen one fucking thing that irritates me about him. Anyway he is hitting the pavement running tomorrow looking for work and getting MIkey back in school. He intends to go visit the school and meet the principal. He is really an examplemary parent - he is loving yet firm and steady.

The Most Memorable Positive Moment was saying good bye to Michael. When I almost cried and he looked away. I regretted putting him through that. He said after I left they looked at one another and said now what - he is gone - I wished he lived in Portland. Wow!