Chapter 1

Franklin Sternberg was sitting in his wheelchair at his computer checking email. He was sad, very sad. His adopted father, the one man whom he could trust with anything, who had taken care of him since he was 13 had died about 5 months ago. He of course knew it would happen sooner or later, but knowing that didn't make it hurt any less. He had a temporary aid, to help with his basic need, but he needed somebody permanent. His real mother, a throwback to the sixties, was a waste of space. His brother was a good guy, but he was married with a kid. No, family just wouldn't work. So, he had to find, and hire an aid, and do it quickly.

This was the problem; he didn't know where to start. Until, that is, he had an idea. The Internet. He'd find someone by advertising on the Internet. So, he went about writing an ad.

"AID NEEDED: Disabled man requires a strong person to assist him with basic needs. Basic needs include bathing, feeding, dressing, etc. Applicants must submit to a background check."

"This should work" he thought. So, he posted the ad on a website for people with disabilities. Then he waited. And waited... And waited... About six weeks later, he got a hit via email.

It was a 28 year-old woman by the name of Christina McAllister. According to her email, she was a 6'1" ex-beach volleyball player from the L.A. area of Southern California. She had injured her knee making a jump shot and landing wrong, thus ending that career before it began. So she went back to school at 19. She studied nursing because she wanted to help people, and didn't have what it took to be a doctor. 4 years later, she got a job at a local hospital, but didn't like the game you had to play to keep that job, so she quit. She then took up care giving for elderly people. She was very good at that, having a natural empathy for people. Her latest charge had just died, meaning she was out of work. She had found his ad on the net, and it seemed right for her.

Franklin was of two minds on this. On the one hand, he had to have somebody to help him. But, she was a woman. Things could get a bit embarrassing. But, then hell, he had women around, taking care of him most of his life, so he figured, "Why not go for it, what could she do, say no?" So he sent off an email...