I made it to Portland early because there was a mechanical breakdown in the mill. Everyone was sent home early so there was not much for me to do so I headed for Portland. I called as promised at the half waypoint and Mikey was out playing but Annie said she would tell him. At the thirty-minute mark I talked to him briefly and told him that I would be there soon. He met me beaming from ear to ear. Right away he said he was gong to spend the night with me and that was good because I had reserved a room late and ended with a room with two beds. Katie was there and was very cordial. Before we left she forced Mikey into a long confab in the house. Finally when he came out and I had to ask if his instructions were clear and he giggled and said yeah. We went to a friend’s house about block away and played some basketball. It soon ended and he wanted to bowl then we went hunting a new McDonald’s with a play-place. Ended up in Gresham and on the way to the motel he fell asleep. He livened up some and I gave him the phone. I had no idea how much it would mean to him. He is really proud of it and can work it fine. He just keeps thanking me (pretty unusual in itself) – several times when not much was going on. I think he can really see that it gives him some power he did not have in the past. It sort of evens the playing field. He said he would have called me a couple of times in the past if he had had it. So far the WON seem almost as happy as Mikey. Only time will tell.

The night was long and not good. About ten minutes after lying down he began coughing and about every hour on the hour he would sit upright and vomit. Finally after midnight he was sleeping in longer periods. He wanted his back rubbed and tucked in, etc, etc, etc. been there  - done that -but I really did not mind at all   doing it for him. He was awake early as you know and got on the phone – oh well. We were soon on the road for breakfast and ended up at the park after we stopped at Rite Aid for cough medicine and some cough lozenges. The candy was not very effective. We decided to tour the zoo for a while – danged near killed this old man. Came back to the motel but the swimming pool was closed – went to Mt Scott and stood around. As the basketball game came closer in was apparent it was not something we should do. So I was able to persuade him to take a teaspoon of couch medicine (not an easy task) crawl into bed, watch some TV and presently is conked out. What a sweet great kid. Whenever I get fussy he says it is all good – Grampa - it is all good and wants me to start calling him Michael.