Sapphic Voices Fan Fiction

Destiny at the Amphipili Nursing Home

This is a three part uber/Xena Story. I do not own any characters from the show Xena, Warrior Princess and it is not this Writer's intention to infringe on any copyrights, I am only borrowing and promise to return them in excellent condition...

It was early morning as Katy Hammonds drove through the streets of Podunk. Sunlight cascaded through sycamore branches as she pulled onto Main Street weaving. She almost lost the rear end as she took the turn too quick. She pulled into her parking space in front of Hank & Lauwer and leapt from her car. Already she was 20 minutes late and bound to be in trouble once again for oversleeping.

Roger was waiting for her at the door, a look of unease plastered his face. "Katy...I can't keep covering for you like this..If Mr. Lauwer finds out about your repeated tardiness..."

"Oh Roger...he won't..who's gonna tell him? I'm sure not...and I know you won't.."

Roger sighed heavily. "Well okay...but you better start setting your alarm clock earlier. One of these days he's going to bust you girly-girl."

Stevie Reed was early for work, as usual. She awoke at sunrise every morning, going through a rigid workout routine and a cold swim in her neighbors swimming pool. Some days her neighbor would join her, most days he slept in. Maneuvering the Mustang with ease, Stevie pulled into the Podunk Gas & Garage. She parked behind the concrete building and walked slowly to the bay door. Unlocking it quickly she rolled the door up and walked toward the office. She heard clicks on the concrete behind her and smiled.

"Hello Butch..."

A low "woof" sounded behind her. Stevie spun around and grabbed the German Shepherd's snout in her hands. Making kissy sounds she laughed when the dog shook his head free and proceeded to act bashful.

"You're spoilin that damn dog Reed.." Joey Damonds said from the open bay door.

"How the hell are ya Joe?" Stevie patted Butch and walked over to shake the small man's hand.

"Doin fine...got a little problem with my car though..she's a lil sluggish.." "Hmm..might be that alternator again...want me to check it out for ya Joe?" "That'd be dandy! I'll stop by after work to see what ya found." With that he walked through the parking lot and disappeared around the corner. Stevie unlocked the office and began getting ready for another work day.

"Wake up Mavis...come on...rise and shine..you old goat!"

"Mmm..I've got your old goat right here.." Was the drowsy reply.

Mavis Covington peered out from underneath her covers and looked at the smiling face before her. Cassandra McBain was still the most beautiful woman that Mavis had ever seen. Even with her gray hair and wrinkles she still could make Mavis's heart flutter.

"Well, maybe if you had awoken earlier...I could have tended to that goat.."

"Hmmph, my sleep is more important."

Cassandra, or Cass as many called her, wheeled the chair around with quick movements and rolled toward the door. "I'm starved, when you can drag your ass outta that bed meet me in the cafeteria."

Mavis groaned and pulled herself up. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes and grabbed the cane resting by the bed. "It's Tuesday, that means we get those damn fake eggs and Spam crap. No sense to be in a hurry." She said to no one in particular.

By early afternoon Katy had completed her paperwork and was busy working on a poem. She chewed on the eraser of her pencil and tapped her foot. "Hmm...what rhymes with Princess.."

"Writing about me again?" Roger giggled from his desk.

Katy laughed. Roger was openly gay and so refreshing in his out-ness. Katy had pondered what her sexual preference was more than she figured she should. She had decided that dating men just wasn't something she really wanted or liked. She had yet to date a woman, even with Roger's persistence that he knew many an eligible gal.

"Nope, I'm trying a poem about my grandma's hero, some woman warrior. I thought this would be easy enough after hearing her and Gram Cass's tales. Maybe I just need more inspiration..I'll ask them for more info tonight when I go see them."

Roger smiled revealing a perfect row of white teeth. "Girl, that's just too cool that your grandma and her lover are still together after all these years. I hope me and Joey can last out that long."

Katy nodded. "Yeah, I hope when I find..Miss Right," she cast a glance to Roger who broke into a giggling fit, "That it's that strong.."

"Ya never know..Hey..why don't you come with me after work. There's this girl that Joey just swears would be perfect for you.."

"Thanks Rog, but I always go to see Grandma Mavis on Tuesdays. She would be worried if I didn't show. Besides, I want to ask her more about this Xena woman..."

Stevie glanced up at the clock while she washed her hands. Fifteen more minutes and she would be off. It had been a slow day and she was looking forward to going home. Joey had picked his car up and was well pleased with the way it ran. He had offered to buy her a beer when she got off but Stevie had declined. She wasn't in a drinking mood. She was restless but didn't know why.

The bell sounded and she walked out to see a red Neon smoking in her parking lot. Standing beside the car was a frantic blond haired beauty.

"Can you help me? My car is overheating or something!"

Stevie smiled as she looked into green eyes. "Hmm..I might be able to help ya...but I think it's going to be awhile before that car cools down." Katy was mesmerized. Before her stood a tall woman with dark hair and blue eyes. She was the loveliest vision that Katy had ever seen. There was something about this woman that made Katy want to stare, to stand transfixed.

"Um...I uh..Hi I'm Katy.."

Stevie raised a brow. "Stevie Reed."

Shaking her head Katy pointed to the car. "Can you fix it?"

"Yeah, but not tonight. I'm just getting ready to close for the evening. I can give you a ride home if you like.."

"I...Oh! I have to go to the nursing home, my grandma.." Katy scrunched her eyebrows and bit on her lower lip.

Stevie looked the young woman over. She seemed nice enough..and probably would be worth getting to know. "Tell ya what..let me clean up and I'll take you to see your grandma."

"But, I can't ask that of you. That's very kind and I appreciate it.." "You're not asking, I'm offering. I'll be just a few minutes. Can I get you a coke or something?"

"Um, no thanks...I really appreciate this!"

Stevie just smiled and nodded, then disappeared into the building. When she returned she had shed her overalls for a black T-shirt and faded blue jeans. Katy watched her as she locked the bay doors and checked all the locks.

"Ready?"

"Sure am..do you know where the Amphipili Nursing home is?"

"Out on 83?"

"Yep, that's the one." Katy followed Stevie to a white mustang. "Nice car.."

"Yeah, I really like it. Fixed it up myself. Don't have a whole hell of a lot in it."

Katy sat down in the bucket seat which was covered in soft fur. The car was immaculate. The only thing out of place was a Styx CD which was placed precariously on the dash.

Katy pulled her seat belt on and rolled her window down. Even though it was late afternoon the temperature was still in the 80's.

Stevie slid into the car and began buckling up. Out of the corner of her eye she caught a glimpse of Katy's tanned leg and silently cursed herself. No sense fantasizing over a treasure that didn't want to be found. She cleared her throat and started the car, the engine purring to life.

"So, what's your grandma like?'

Katy smiled, she loved to talk about her grandma. "She's the coolest person I've ever known. She has all these great stories. Her aunt was an archeologist, she was quite a character. Anyway, she and Mel...her friend...took my grandma in when she was 15. My great grandparents spent a lot of time in Europe and my grandma was spending a lot of time alone. So Mel and Janice took her with them on digs. She got to see so many different places...I would love to have been just half the places she has."

"So, is your grandpa still alive?"

Katy smiled. "No, he died before I was born. They met in Vienna, he was on his way back to the states. His father had passed on and left him the family farm. My grandma fell for him right off. She said he was the sweetest man. Unfortunately he passed away shortly after my mom was born. Heart attack..My grandma was pretty devastated. A few years after that, Mel...that's short for Melinda, called and asked if her niece Cassandra could stay with my grandma while she finished up school at the local university. My grandma agreed and soon she and Cass were the talk of the town.."

"What do you mean?" Stevie asked.

"Well, you see...um..my grandma and Cass fell in love...it..um..they're lovers still..."

Stevie laughed obviously amused.

"Does that bother you? That my grandma is gay?"

"I sure hope not, cause that would mean I would have a hard time with myself." Stevie replied with a smirk.

Katy thought about Stevie's comment. Did she mean she was an open minded person or..Katy's mouth dropped when she realized what Stevie was implying.

"So, you're gay?"

"Um..yep."

"Great! I mean..that's cool. I'm thinking about being gay." Katy added. Stevie looked at her oddly almost hitting a curb the comment catching her off guard. "What do you mean? I thought you were either gay or you aren't..." Katy bit her lip. "What I meant was, I've suspected I was gay for awhile. I just haven't acted on it. I haven't made the first move.."

"So, you're waiting for someone to make a move? If that's the case....how about dinner after we see your grandmas.."

Katy grinned. She wouldn't be that easy..."We'll see if you pass inspection.."

Cass was in the hallway with Gus, one of the younger residents of the nursing home. He still had most of his dark hair and made it his mission to woo the new lady residents when they arrived.

"So, I worked my charm and the next thing I knew I was in Mrs. Haversham's bedroom the rest of the night..If you know what I mean.." Gus was stroking his mustache and grinning at Cass.

"Hmmph. Doing what? Playing chess? That's about all you're good for these days Gus!" Cass replied with a grin of her own.

Gus shook his head. "Well all that matters is that Mrs. Haversham enjoyed my company."

Cass started to laugh but saw Shanks, the part-time orderly headed their way. She instinctively tightened her grip on the wheel chair. Shanks walked by and glared at Cass. "Your wheelchair is in the way lady." Shanks spat out as he used his boot to scoot Cass back against the wall. Cass held her breath as the wheels hit the wall and the chair was jarred. Laughing Shanks rounded the corner and was out of sight.

"That bastard! Why don't they do something about him?" Gus fumed. Cass was trembling with anger. "They let him get away with that crap because he's Valerie's son. She's as demented as he is. How the hell she got to be over our wing I'll never know. Bitch must have made a pact with the devil...she couldn't have done it on her intelligence..or her looks.."

Gus laughed a deep hearty laugh that helped calm Cass a little. "Hey, you better get to your room before Mavis comes and hunts you down. Katy should be here soon."

Cass smiled at Gus. "Yes, we live for these visits. Heavens, she reminds me so much Mavis." Cass patted Gus's hand and rolled down the hallway toward her room.

Mavis was giving the remote control for the television a nasty beating. "Damn thing," she muttered. Katy and Stevie watched from the doorway. Trying not to laugh Katy said, "Hi Grandma!"

Mavis looked up in surprise. "Katy girl! Get your ass in here and give your Grandma a hug!" Katy laughed as she walked over to where Mavis sat. Gingerly she bent down and hugged her Grandma. "I brought someone. I hope you don't mind." she whispered.

Mavis patted Katy on the shoulder. "What pour soul have you dragged into this horrid place that smells of piss and baby powder?" Stevie smiled at the old woman. This should be interesting...

Mavis blinked rapidly. She was a bit shocked. Before her stood the spitting image of Cass in her twenties. They could have passed for twins if Cass were only younger. "Hi there, you..remind me if someone. Sorry if I stare a bit. Caught me off guard. And who is your friend Katy?" Mavis looked expectantly at her granddaughter.

"This is Stevie. My car broke down and she's the mechanic at the garage. She gave me a ride." Katy said a bit nervously.

Mavis grinned. "Well that was very kind of you..Stevie. Come on in. Katy seldom brings anyone with her when she comes to visit. One time she brought that Hawkins boy when we lived in Blair's Gap. Whatever happened to him anyway? I heard he married some girl and had a slew of babies. Thank God that wasn't you Katy."

Stevie raised a brow and smirked at Katy. She was about to say something when she heard something behind her. A woman in a wheelchair rolled through the door and looked up at her with a smile. The woman still had much of her dark hair, which was as long or longer than Stevie's. She was quick, which surprised Stevie and she seemed to be able to maneuver her chair expertly around the close confines of the room.

"Sorry I'm late." Cass said sheepishly. Mavis cast a disapproving look at her but then motioned with a head bob toward Stevie.

"Katy brought a friend with her. Isn't she cute? Reminds me of you a few years back. Many years back. Good heavens when did we get so old? One minute we're camping in the mountains and the next we're hoping those prunes kick in."

Stevie watched the older women as they talked. Katy's grandma spoke rapidly and went from one topic to the next so fast that Stevie was having a problem keeping up. Cass nodded to the younger woman as if to say she too had a hard time understanding her lover.

"Grandma, I was wondering if you might tell me more about this Xena woman. I've been trying to write some poetry about her."

Mavis's eyes lit up. She loved to talk about Xena. "Well, one time Xena and her "partner" Gabrielle, were headed to Rome...."

Cass was trying not to yawn. She loved to hear about Gabrielle's journey's but got a little bored with Xena. Who could do the things this woman was suppose to have done? The little bard was more entertaining to hear about. For some reason Xena was always at the heart of each tale that Mavis spun. Stevie listened to the story with rapt attention. The old lady was certainly a story teller. All too often she found her gaze upon Katy though. She didn't want to stare but her eyes and mind were not cooperating.

Mavis was about to wrap the story up when screaming from the hallway cut her short. Cass had spun her wheelchair and was out the door before anyone else had time to react.

She almost collided with a supplies cart but managed to only brush up against it. Down the hallway Shanks had cornered Cirra Bennett and was shaking his fist at her. "Listen you old bitch! I catch you blocking this hallway again and I'll put you in confinement for a month!" Shanks kicked the woman's wheelchair for emphasis.

Cass looked at the supply cart and grabbed the first thing she saw, a bed pan. She slung it like a frisbee and watched as it bounced off the corner of a wall and nailed Shanks on the back of the head.

Shanks howled in surprise and threw his hand onto the back of his head. He pulled his fingers away to find blood covering them. The look he gave Cass made her heart skip a beat. His lip snarled as he began to walk heavily toward her.

Stevie and Katy had witnessed the whole incident. Katy didn't like the looks of the brute coming towards Cass. Stevie stepped from the doorway and walked calmly toward the man and grabbed his elbow, spinning him to face her. "Here's the deal you bastard," she whispered so that only he could hear. "You lay one finger on that old woman and I will beat the ever loving shit out of you. I'll report you for abuse, THEN I'll bring my friends from Ralph's Bar and Grill over here and let them take turns at beating you to a pulp. I suggest you back off if you truly value your life..."

Shanks was reeling with anger. The look in this woman's eyes made him believe what she said though. There would come a time when he would get his revenge. He always got his revenge.

Shanks shrugged off Stevie's grasp and stomped away, glaring at Cirra as he walked by. Cirra felt a giggle but managed to keep it at bay till he was out of earshot. She had never liked Cass much but this shined a little warmer light on her in Cirra's eyes. Shanks would pay for his abuse to her. They always paid the price for hurting Cirra...

The hallway had a crowd by this time and slowly but surely small, arthritic hands ignored the pain and claps began to arise. It was a common hate they all had for Shanks. This would be the highlight of the year for many of them. Mavis allowed herself to breath at last. She had been terrified at what Shanks might do to Cass. If Stevie had not intervened, things could and would have gotten nasty. She shook her head at Katy. "He won't forget this. He'll find some excuse to get back at Cass. He'll put her in confinement Katy. He could kill her. She's too old to defend herself." she spilled all this in ragged breaths as she grasped her granddaughter's hand tightly. Tears welled up in Katy's eyes upon seeing her grandma so upset.

"Grandma, I swear I'm going to do everything I can to get you out of this place. I hate you being here. I should have stood up to Mom and not let her put you all in here. I'll do something...I promise."

Mavis nodded with some relief. She knew Katy would keep her word. Tara, Katy's mother, had decided that Cass and Mavis were a danger to themselves and no longer should live on their own. The simple truth had been that Tara thought she would be in control of their finances with them in the nursing home. Mavis and Cass had decided that wasn't going to happen and had hired a lawyer friend to handle all their finances. Sal Montrey had invested their money wisely and had made their will outs so that if anything should happen to either of them Katy would get all their assets. Katy had no idea about this. Her mother did and fumed when she found out. She had put them in the most dreaded of nursing homes in the area as punishment. Neither able to do a damn thing about it, Cass and Mavis had decided as long as they were together that was all that mattered. As the days wore on both found themselves longing to be home. Someplace away from the horrors of living in a nursing home. Maybe they still had a chance.

Cass watched Stevie, a knowing look in her eyes. Both knew this would be far from over with Shanks. Men like that wouldn't just cower down for long. They would wait and strike when no one was around. Stevie didn't say anything to Cass. She didn't need to.

After the excitement died down a little, Stevie and Katy bid the ladies goodnight and walked to Stevie's car. Katy was biting her lip, deep in concentration. Stevie unlocked the door for her and closed it after Katy had gotten settled into her seat.

The drive was quiet, both were lost in thought. Stevie drove to a pizza place on the outskirts of Podunk and guided Katy to a table in the back. They ordered a pizza and sat nursing their beers.

"I have to get them out of there Stevie. They can't stay in that place." Stevie nodded. "I was about to say the same thing. That guy will be back. For now he'll be worried about getting caught but eventually that will wear off. Somebody should teach that son of a bitch a lesson...."

Katy gripped her beer mug with both hands and looked up at Stevie with piercing eyes. "There's some land with a cabin on it that my Grandma owns. It's kind of rustic. They use to take me there when I was small. I loved it up there. I bet Grandma still owns that and we could take them there...."

Stevie smiled. In the few short hours she had known Katy Hammonds there was no more I, it was now we. That pleased Stevie. It was if she had known Katy forever. There was comfort in her presence.

Upon realizing what she had said Katy blushed. "I'm so sorry. You've done enough to help me. I don't need to be dragging you into one of my schemes." Stevie reached out and put her hand over Katy's. "Sorry but it looks like you're stuck with me. I have a vested interest in those grandmas of yours. I want to help. I'm going to help." There was going to be no argument there. Katy knew better than to try.

They finished the pizza and drank another beer before they headed to Katy's house. Katy insisting that Stevie stay for awhile longer. They sat huddled closely on the front porch swing. Katy realized that at some point they had begun to hold hands. The porch was dark and covered by grapevine. No one could see them from the street. Katy leaned her head over onto Stevie's shoulder and nestled closer.

Stevie hoped that Katy could not hear the heartbeat that quickened with every growing minute. As if on cue, Katy raised her head to find blue eyes. Leaning forward she brushed her lips across Stevie's. Both responded quickly and a passionate kiss ensued.

Stevie wanted more than anything to stay there with Katy. She knew it just wasn't to be though. They clung to each other in an embrace. Stevie informed Katy that her car would be fixed and she would personally deliver it to her driveway the next day. Payment was to be a home cooked dinner the next night. Afterwards in her car, Stevie smiled. For once in her life something felt right.

Katy spent most of the next day on the telephone. She called in a favor at the newspaper and a reporter friend promised to run a story on the problems at the Amphipili Nursing home. Next she called her Grandma who informed her that she did indeed still have the cabin at Indigo Creek. She wasn't sure what kind of shape it would be in.

Roger gave Katy a ride home and she waited anxiously for Stevie. She cooked lemon pepper chicken on a bed of rice. For dessert she planned on serving cherry cheesecake that she had made the week before.

Stevie pulled into the driveway at a quarter after six and Katy met her at the door with a searing kiss.

"I take it this means you're happy to see me?" Stevie said between kisses.

"Mmm nope. I'm glad my cars fixed!"

Stevie laughed and planted another kiss on the shorter woman. "I do believe you owe me some dinner for all the hard work I put into this...."

"Uh huh, I was thinking of repaying you in other ways as well." Katy nipped at Stevie's lower lip. They kissed for a long while, neither ready to break the passion filled exchange. Katy slowly began leading them toward the bedroom. Stevie offered no protest only asking if Katy was sure about what was happening. Katy pushed Stevie onto the bed and laid down beside her. "What do you think?" she whispered seductively.

Mavis awoke to snores in the bed beside her. Cass was sleeping soundly, curled up and using Mavis's shoulder as a pillow. Early morning sunlight tinged with red crept slowly through the window and covered the far wall. Mavis smiled. Today she thought, today we are getting out of this prison.

Cirra Bennett had awoke several times during the night. Kathleen, her room mate had called out in her sleep awaking Cirra just past midnight. After that it was every hour on the hour. Kathleen was deathly afraid of Shanks and ever since the incident in the hallway, nightmares had plagued her. Kathleen was the nearest thing to a friend that Cirra had.

Cirra's children had forsaken her years before, leaving her in the nursing home, something the old woman reminded herself on their occasional visits. Kathleen had no family. She had run a horse farm until she had slipped and broken her hip. Days after her release from the hospital she had been ushered into the nursing home.

Cirra pushed the wheelchair out of the room and headed for the cafeteria. Her mind was reeling with possible ways to get Shanks back. As she turned the corner she saw Shanks approaching. He leered at her and whispered as he walked by. "The piper is coming..."

Katy woke to find blue eyes watching her. Smiling, she reached up and stroked Stevie's cheek. "Good morning lover."

"Mmmm...good indeed. I thought maybe you were going to sleep all day. Not that I would mind. You're adorable to watch."

Katy buried her face into Stevie's hair and giggled. "We have to bust two old ladies from a nursing home. Can't sleep all day today. Tomorrow however, is a different story. Being in the mountains can plum tucker a girl out."

"Oh? I thought maybe I'd tucker you out." Stevie grinned.

"Hmm....well I think you should at least try to. Why not practice a little this morning?"

Kathleen Epson awoke from one nightmare and into another. Shanks loomed before her, grinning that awful grin of his. Kathleen tried to scream but was seized with pains in her chest. She gasped for breath at the pain that engulfed her and was swept away into a black oblivion.

Shanks watched her. He knew all the signs of a heart attack. He should probably call for help. With the Epson woman out of the way that would leave Cirra Bennett without a roommate though. Shanks decided it was best to let the old woman go...pass over to a better existence. He smiled at his thoughtfulness.

Cirra was eating in the cafeteria when she heard the alarm bell signal. Someone had flat lined and was being rushed into the emergency room of the Amphipili nursing home. The others watched as medical personnel rushed from the cafeteria. It didn't take long for Cirra to find out that the only friend she had in the world had died of a heart attack. Cirra cried no tears as she wheeled herself outside and under the cypress tree that sat facing the highway. Deep down she knew Shanks had something to do with Kathleen's death. Cirra plotted and planned and occasionally laughed at her ideas. To any passerby she would have seemed like a delusional old woman. But inside the feeble body was a brilliant and somewhat insane mind.

It was lunch time when Katy and Stevie wandered into the nursing home in search of Katy's "grandmas". Mavis had packed what few things she held dear to her. Cass took only her toothbrush and some clothes. Stevie had brought a backpack and dumped the newspaper she had stuffed in it earlier in exchange for Mavis's clothes and keepsakes. Katy dumped her purse and put Cass's clothes and toothbrush in.

They wheeled Cass outside, grandchildren pushing a loved one out into the sunshine. Nothing out of place. Mavis walked slowly through the corridor and into the parking lot going unnoticed by any of the nurses. She always walked this route and nothing was unusual about it. They all met up in the parking lot. Stevie loaded the wheelchair into the trunk of the Mustang while Katy helped Cass and Mavis into the back seat of the car.

They were out of the parking lot and heading down the highway before any of them spoke.

"Hell's bells," Mavis laughed. "If I'd of known it was going to be that easy we coulda been out of there a long time ago!"

Cass smiled and reached over to hold Mavis's hand. A broad grin spread across her face. Finally, they were free.

Shanks was not in the mood for games. He had seen the Bennett woman go towards his supply building. He knew she was there somewhere. The door was open and he caught a faint whiff of gasoline. Cursing he entered the building. He had not gone in too far when he heard the door slam shut. "Damnit!" He shouted and kicked at a can that was on the floor. He stood, hands on hips and wondered why the place smelt so strongly of gasoline. Light flickered behind him and he spun to see that the back part of the building was in flames. The flames spread quickly on the gas soaked wood. Shanks screamed and rushed toward the door. Pushing frantically he screamed for help. The only sound he heard before the flames overtook him was the roar of the fire and the maniacal laughter of Cirra Bennett.

Three Years Later

Katy and Stevie stood on the boat dock overlooking the lake that Mavis and Cass had overlooked each morning since their "escape" from the nursing home.

The sun was still low in the sky. It was early morning.

Inside the cabin, in a bed that wore flannel sheets and smelt faintly of cinnamon, Mavis Covington and Cassandra McBain lay wrapped in each others arms. Their bodies were but empty shells for their spirits had soared on to better places at some point in the night.

Katy shook with grief at the loss of two very special people. Stevie wept silently, holding onto Katy as tightly as she dared.

In the time that had passed, Katy and Stevie had become partners in more ways than one. Sal had given them a loan and they started a business investigating nursing homes. They published a monthly newsletter that Katy wrote informing people of where and where not to think about placing elderly family members. The business was slow in starting but picked up as more and more people wanted to know that their loved ones were being treated properly.

The Amphipili Nursing Home had closed shortly after the fire that claimed Aaron Shanks' life. The newspaper article had brought to light many of the mistreatments of the residents. All had moved to safer and better homes. Cirra Bennett had disappeared and was not heard of or seen ever again. It became a favorite tale of children who stayed up late and sat around campfires spinning scary stories, the laughter of crazy old Cirra Bennett could still be heard in the late afternoon and the smell of gasoline would tint the air at the site of the old dilapidated building that was once the Amphipili Nursing home. Katy, Stevie and Sal were the only people in attendance at the funeral for Cass and Mavis. They were placed side by side an a wooden raft which was set ablaze and drifted off into the lake. This had been their request. Katy and Stevie had both agreed that they would fulfill this request.

Hands clasped, Katy and Stevie walked back to the cabin. Sal had left moments before and they were in need of some quiet time to reflect. On a hillside across the lake a lone figure watched the raft as the flames engulfed it and it began to sink. The figure gave a mock salute and tugged on her wheelchair, urging it back down the path.

The End

If you have enjoyed Hiknboots' "Destiny at the Amphipili Nursing Home", then please be certain to e-mail her at  hboots[at]bigfoot.com and thank her for posting this Story.

Click here for a list of all of Hiknboots'  Stories and Poetry at  Sapphic Voices Authoresses.