All Chapters of Struggles And Obsessions: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

"Gwen, you mentioned the hospital in your town," interrupted Amber's father. "As governor, I plan on making health care and all that goes with it a priority. I can't promise anything, but the state may be able to offer incentives, grants, low interest loans; things of that nature. We'll look into every angle and possibility to help your hospital expand.""Sir, we'll hold you to that," asserted Laura. "Our hospital is small but we service a lot of people over a wide area. We're way too light on supplies like blood and plasma, as well as staff and equipment. We're fine for the occasional car accident, but a major incident, like a bus crash, would probably overtax our resources. Gwen's class has hit on a very real need in our area. I'll be coming up with Gwen and Steve to shake the trees for funds for the hospital every chance I get."As dinner was winding down, Amber broached a new subject. "I haven't mentioned it, but after getting my undergraduate degree in marketing, I studied at a f

Steve quickly wiped his cheeks with the back of his hands and moved to go back and stand beside Gwen. Gwen rushed into his arms and hugged him as the crowd once again cheered loudly. More than a few players on the stage found their eyes watering. Most of the ladies in the crowd and more than a few of the men had to blow their noses and dab at their eyes."That pretty well concludes our festivities here today," announce Coach Watkins once the din had lessened. "I'm proud of these kids and this school. No one thought we had a chance to even win the league, but we went all the way! Thanks everyone for all of the support throughout the season, and especially in the championship game. You're the reason we were able to do it! Thanks, and as you leave, check out the trophy case in the lobby!"As the crowd began to leave and the players climbed down from the small stage, Steve approached his coach. "I have it from some pretty reliable sources that the single, and very attractive, Dr. Laura Ma

"Mom was worried? About you and Kate liking Steve too much? About us having a falling out over him? I thought she understood us better than that. Listen to me, Steve."My sisters mean everything to me. I love them without reservation and I think they feel the same way toward me. It makes me feel really good when they show how special they think you are. It helps reinforce my faith in my judgment. They'll never have sex with you as long as you're my boyfriend, or mean something to me. I know that. They know that. It doesn't mean that they can't love you. We'll all love each others' boyfriends, husbands, significant others, or whatever they're called at the time. That is unless one of us falls in love with a jackass; then the other two sisters will let her know that fact immediately. We need to explain this to Mom.""You just did, Sweetheart," sobbed Paula from the back door. "I was worried about you girls, but you're miles ahead of me. I'm sorry, Steve, for making a big deal out of som

Paula had not worried about going back to her car until she realized how poorly lighted the area was. By the time she reached her vehicle, she knew that she had made a serious mistake. Two tall men approached her as she opened her car door. She tried to jump inside and close the door, but one of the men had grabbed the handle and held the door open. The other man grabbed Paula by the hair and yanked her from the vehicle. She had not bothered to zip her coat and he quickly pulled it off her shoulders. He half dragged her back to the depression behind the lot and pushed her down the embankment. His buddy followed with Paula's purse.By the time Paula had regained her footing, the two men were on her. The man behind her grabbed her hair and pulled her head back while the other man grabbed a hand full of material and quickly cut it off her with a long knife. Paula was suddenly naked from the waist up!"You need to leave now", commanded Steve as he approached the two men. "Just drop the po

"Gwen, I've never seen you act this way before," began Paula. "You're becoming obsessed with this actor. He's just a man, not some kind of superhero. He's not even that good an actor. Why are you being so sophomoric?""He's a very good actor!" asserted Gwen. "He's been in dozens of TV shows and movies. He's handsome, buff, famous, and talented. I can't wait to meet him and show him around town. People are going to be so jealous!""What about Steve? Are you trying to make him jealous? Is that one of your goals? How does he feel about all of this? I thought you were quite proud to be seen around town with him. Isn't he buff, talented and handsome?" asked Paula."Of course he is. He's fine with me showing Nick around town. Heck, Nick is playing him in the movie they're starting to film after the first of the year. He's honored to have such a good actor playing his part. The girl playing me is some no-name. Steve is fine with it all," Gwen assured her family.It had become a habit for Ste