Chapter 10

                               ADMISSIONS AND APOLOGIES FROM RALPH

                                                   Written By: Ralph Hawk

            In chapter five I said that Rashon and John would each write two chapters apiece to the supposed “lost loves” of their lives, and that those chapters would then directly follow Al Asher’s written words in this book. Well, I’ve changed my mind concerning that! And now, I think, given recent developments, it’s best for me to move this admittedly rewritten chapter forward, and place Rashon’s and John’s letters to Amber and Renni immediately behind it.

            Yes, I’ve inserted this chapter at this time because I’ve sensed that now we who are to be the

primary authors of this book have reached a “juncture of disclosures” so to speak. And, everything

that’s been stated herein thus far has been true, rest assured of that; yet, I fear you as readers haven’t

still known the rest, as they say, of the story. And the reason that some very pertinent information has

gone unrelated thus far lies solely with me Ralph Hawk; but then, I’m supposed to be the leader of that artistic group of individuals who now live along the north shore of our city’s river. And one of the

lesser tasks which has befallen me in the fulfillment of that greater role, is my joint authorship of this

book.

            And remember, as was explained to me by my superiors from my native earthly reality, the

main purpose of this book (despite the fact that Rashon says it’s to pay tribute to me) is to state and/or restate what should be some very basic concepts of temporal existence, the factuality of which is nonetheless denied by a group of mortals termed the “status-quo.” And those concepts are that “things” change, and hopefully human beings continue to grow wiser as time spans and eras pass. And, when humans acquire sufficient knowledge concerning very basic matters, or yes, “facts of life” (meaning both sexual and non-sexual), then it becomes time for them to seek inclusion within one of four “genres of mankind.”

            And those genres have been previously explained to you, nevertheless, here is a quick

restatement of them. Real artists are that genre to which most of humanity belongs. Its adherents

aren’t creative per se, but do know how to live correctly, and usually successfully. True artists are

those who actually contribute artistic output to society in many formats. The “status-quo” believes in

non-change as well as non-descript and rather “cloistered” or “regional” lifestyles. And it despises

anything artful or creative, and seeks basically a rather mundane, and frankly boring passage of time

and lives. And students of the highway are those people who’ve, at whatever point in their lives they may be, still not chosen to be included in any of the other three genres. And yes, it’s quite possible for

one to remain in the student classification for his or her entire mortal existence. And apparently many people would prefer to not be categorized as real or true artists, or part of the “status-quo,” thus they

live on in a perpetual state of “non-commitment” as regards what are usually considered mortal life’s

greatest decisions and goals, and, in fact, some of those people live their lives to completion seeking

only what might be termed “immediate pleasure.” And those who are such seekers of pleasure usually

have little or no regard for whether or not their lifestyles place a burden upon themselves, their families, or society as a whole.

            And you know, as I’ve just now finished explaining those various genres, I’ve become so

aware of how life simply goes on – for everyone – no matter what their beliefs, goals, or philosophies

may be. And, don’t get me wrong, I know that’s far from a great revelation, yet, I guess sometimes

when we’re suddenly confronted with its truth, it can be overwhelming.

            Well, anyway, I’ve an admission to make now. I’ve known all along that Amber and Renni

weren’t in Paris. Instead, they’ve been sequestered at the home of Lauren Havess, she being

the heir to her recently deceased father’s wealth and factory. And his very large north side house, except for the cleaning people who come and go as needed, became uninhabited after his hospitalization; and would of course have remained so had I not sent Amber and Renni there soon after he entered the hospital. And after spending a number of days in our city’s largest health care facility, Mr. Havess passed away; thus I asked Amber and Renni to simply stay on living there in his house, at least until his daughter returned to our city. And after Lauren did return, and I realized how mixed up and troubled she was, I asked Amber and Renni if they’d “stay on” still longer at Lauren’s father’s house, if for no other reason than to simply “keep an eye” on Lauren; yes, her behavior troubled me to that extent!

            And that proposition, with which those three ladies (Amber, Renni, and Lauren) concurred, included the stipulation that we should start a rumor amidst our artistic community that Amber and Renni were now in Paris either of their own free will or against it. And we also agreed that we shouldn’t want, for some span of time at least, to report their absences to the authorities, as their disappearances may well have occurred simply as a result of a “falling out” (or lover’s quarrel if you wish) between the two couples (Amber and Rashon, and Renni and John).

Yet, of course I also needed to convince John and Rashon of the need not to report Amber and Renni as missing – which I did do. And of course I likewise needed to convince John and Rashon that Renni and Amber were probably in Paris, and that I’d send another member of our artistic enclave (Charles Platt) there to search for them. But what was my rationale for pursuing such actions and non-actions? I felt, and so explained to Lauren, Amber, and Renni, that having Amber and Renni stay with Lauren for some length of time would “test” Amber and Rashon’s, as well as Renni and John’s love for one another. But that wouldn’t be the only dividend of such an arrangement I believed. Lauren, who apparently had had a difficult “go of it” since she’d left our city years before (at least that’s what she’d confided to me), might indeed benefit from some non-male companionship for a length of time; something she’d apparently not had in a while! Indeed, upon her return to our city, she’d informed me that since she’d left our city years before, she’d had numerous lovers – all male she said. And don’t get this wrong people, I didn’t encourage the development of any sort of lesbian relationship between those ladies! I only thought it could possibly be beneficial for all three of them to be away from the male sex for a period of time; and also felt it would be a good “test” of both John’s and Rashon’s love for Renni and Amber should they be separated for a brief interval.

            So, now you know that with the approval of superiors in my native earthly reality (Parallel

Reflections), and with the assistance of Amber, Renni, and Lauren, I’ve carried out a “hoax” of sorts

thus far in this book. And I hope you can forgive me for having done so, but remember, my real

objective in encouraging that course of action was not to fool you the readership, or to cause extra

confusion in these pages; rather, it was simply to test the love of the two couples involved, and

frankly, to get our young ex-marine Charles Platt (or Corzer as we call him) to Paris where he might find that life wasn’t really like what he’d experienced for the last four years while he served in the Corps.

            Thus, I hope you as readers can forgive my actions now, and that John, Rashon, and Corzer

will be able to forgive them when they learn of them. But as I said before, I have an obligation to the

artists who now live along the northern shore of my city’s river. And I take that responsibility

seriously. And, truthfully, I’m somewhat bothered by what seems to be this book’s inherent disorganization. Yet, as I wish to speak to that disorder now, I find my thoughts consumed by a – I’ll term it a “factual awareness” which I guess I’ve always known, but probably never considered much before, if at all.

            And, without mincing or wasting words, let me say now that today it seems to me that all I’ve

ever done in my life has been simply follow orders and react to situations as I felt I needed to react to them at the time. And I have a question now concerning such action and non-action, i.e. “How do our responses or non-responses impact the reality of any chaotic activity occurring around us?” And that

question’s answer is, I believe, “We don’t really know, but we’ve learned that caution must always be utilized whenever we encounter anything we perceive as perhaps not being as we know it should.”

            And I believe I used caution when I decided what should be done in regards to my young

friends, Amber, Renni, John, Rashon, and Corzer. And when I was asked to, in conjunction with

others, record those decisions and their subsequent aftermaths, I determined that those who were

chosen to be contributors to this book should be granted the freedom to express their opinions and

feelings as they really believed and felt them. And I still maintain that view as being artistically

truthful and revelatory. But, I didn’t know then, at those early stages of this book’s planning, that it’s

ultimate form would be so significantly impacted, and yes, changed by a number of occurrences

which at that time hadn’t yet happened, and which I didn’t foresee then.

            Thus, at this time, I’m humbly and apologetically offering you chapter ten of “The Students

Of The Highway.” And I can only hope, as I’ve already said, that everyone involved here will be able

to forgive me for doing something I felt was right. But, as I begin to end this chapter, I’d like to tell

you what to expect in subsequent chapters, and also offer you three reasons which I hope will validate

both my forgiveness, and the simple placement of this chapter’s revelations at this spot in this book.

And those reasons are:  First, I’m thinking that at this point all readers of these words have by now

become accustomed to the somewhat “unstructured” style of these disclosures. Thus, anything which

might suddenly be offered here for one’s belief in, probably shouldn’t and wouldn’t surprise that one

that much! Second, I sense I’ve now reached a spot at which any criticism concerning my rather

clandestine actions, which might be directed toward me by John, Rashon, Corzer, or any other mortal,

including readers of this book, will be of diminished stringency. And third, simply, Corzer has now

been home from Paris for a while, but I’m thinking his exploits there will need to be related elsewhere – hopefully in yet another book to be produced eventually by “our people.”

            And at this point, please allow me to tell you some of what shall transpire in the remaining chapters of this book. I’ve been able, despite their heartfelt objection, and no doubt also despite their lack of knowledge concerning the true whereabouts of Amber and Renni, to persuade John and Rashon to undertake certain “journeys” at this time. And I’ve informed them that I understand such action on their part will be difficult for them just now, given that they know not what’s become of their lovers. Yet, I’ve said, “You must trust me John and Rashon. I’ve received instructions concerning your immediate future from my superiors in the Parallel Reflections earthly reality. And, despite the fact your lovers have now gone missing, I’m now to send you upon a number of excursions. And the apparent rationale for these journeys is that the exposure and knowledge you’ll gain upon them will better prepare you for your eventual graduation from the students of the highway genre of mankind into one of the artistic classifications! And I hope I know the two of you well enough to expect that neither of you will seek acceptance within ‘the status-quo!’”           

            And thankfully, rather than test the resolve of “other-reality managers,” John and Rashon

have reluctantly agreed to undertake all the sojourns which shall now be required of them, regardless of whether such excursions shall transpire in our own earthly reality, or in other realities of the earth. And they’ll also be compelled to report certain of their exploits upon those journeys, as well as some of their reactions to those exploits. And those reports and reactions will follow the four chapters of letters which of course shall immediately follow this chapter.

            And I regret to inform you that the substance of Corzer’s Parisian excursion must be, due to

simple page limitations, delayed until a future book. Still, whatever befalls Amber, Renni, and Lauren as they now spend time together will hopefully be reported here.