"Andrew McKesson was not the first being to come to Arbor from beyond. Even the Dragons weren't, but they were the first to come in large numbers, and... to decide to act." A Spirit's voice spoke from one of the benches towards the rear."By the time the Dragons arrived, Arbor was divided and ruled by those called the Arborim. They were considered, at the time, to be angels, descended from the gods who created Arbor." Came yet another voice."Great or cruel, and sometimes both, they were the first. Gerald only wanted to experience the fruit of the world, not to breed it. Putting aside the wishing, Gerald went down to breakfast and onwards to the rest of the day. As the school week came to an end on a Friday afternoon, Gerald recalled the words of the apparition he had seen on Monday morning. Halfway to his black ’98 Mercury Sable GS in the school parking lot, he turned back to the school. Once inside, he slipped into the nearest men’s bathroom and entered the first stall. “I wish,” he. "You still love me Jon?"She was watching my face, looking into my eyes, she would know if I was telling the truth or not in a moment. I looked deep into her eyes, I took her hands in mine and spoke very slowly and calmly."Julie, for better or worse, YOU are my love, You are my only love, You are who I want for the rest of our lives. Julie, I cannot live without you anymore than you could live without me."I needed to find the one thing to say that would convince her; I searched my mind, thinking. "You don't mind do you Sweetheart?" She added for a special touch.I looked over her shoulder and Phil was there in the doorway, watching us and waiting. I could feel myself going flush, from that invading turned-on-feeling, knowing she was going out with another man.I heard myself say. "Sure Hon, have a good time." My stomach was full of butterflies.Catching my voice when it cracked, she winked at me, puckered me a light 'air kiss' and turned back to Phil smiling, and with a light-footed.