Happy St. Patrick's Day evryone.

That is all.

Chapter 3: Talking to the Family

When Alexander awoke on Saturday the sun was shining, and it was a nice and warm spring day. At first he forgot what he was doing today, but it's the morning, a lot of people forget what thy have to do that day during the morning.

After a shower and some coffee it set in and his bright mood grew even brighter. It was still a bit early. So no real rush to getting out. There were a few email messages, one from Rin and Alice, In there Trip around the world. Most people buy an RV and travel the country when they retire, Alexander's parents travel the world. The email contained Pictures form all over the place, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, and The Caribbean, just to name a few places. A Message was tagged with it. 'Well bee back in the states in a month or so.'

"That kind of reminds me," Alexander muttered grabbing the phone, and dialing home.

"Hello," A Girls voice answered.

"Hows my baby sister doing?" Alexander said with a grin on his face, knowing that Katie hates being called that. "I got the email from Mom and Dad. Hopefully you can keep the house from burning down in a month."

"Hardy har har," Katie sniped back over the line. "Whats up?"

"Can't I call to check on my baby sister?" Alexander replied.

"Stop calling me that," Katie griped. "I'm not a baby. Besides I have a paper due on Monday that I'm trying to finish. And you never call unless somethings going on. What you going on a date?"

"Actually yeah," Alexander laughed rubbing the back of his head. "I do have a date."

"I was joking when I said that," Katie said with slight shock to her voice. "It's been two years since Linda left you, and you haven't been out on a date with anyone. This girl must be someone special."

"Considering that Ace was the one who pushed me to get myself out of this rut and ask her out. There must be some sort of connection," Alexander laughed. "But she is a nice person and maybe this time it won't end the way it did last time."

A Pang went through Alexanders chest when he said that, but it passed as the memories were suppressed. It's been two years since then, but why does the past want to stick with you? It's something that needs to be buried away in time.

"So Ace was the one who pushed you to do this?" Katie asked.

"Yeah," Alexander sighed. "And I'm kinda glad that he did. It's about time that I get back out there."

"Well the more power to you," Katie said encouragingly. "Good Luck and all, but I really need to get this paper done."

"Take care, and get it done so you can get into a good college." Alexander Preached.

"I don't need to worry about that," Katie chimed. "You forget I'm the top of my class."

"Yeah, I was too," Alexander reminded her. I'll let you go so you can finish."
"Alright, talk you you latter," Katie said as Alexander hung up the phone.

Alexander looked up at the clock on the wall was saying that it was a quarter till two. It's about time time to head out. Alexander still wanted to make a good impression so that would require a stop to the Florist. And that would leave just enough time to get there a few minutes early.

Part 1|Part 2

Chapter 2: Are you doing anything Saturday?

As Ace had said Gabrielle does come in every so often buying this and that. Some sort of connection seemed to keep her coming because she started staying longer and just talking with Alexander. Now there's nothing strange about that but apparently when he's not around she is in and out.

"So what's going on between you two?" Ace said raising his eyebrows as Gabrielle walked out the door. "Why don't you ask her out? She seems to like you. So whats holding you back?"

"You really think so?" Alexander shrugged.

"Go for it," Ace said pushing him out the front door. Gabrielle was just half a block away.

"It's now or never," Alexander Sighed as he jogged to catch up to her. "Um Gabrielle, can I ask you something?"

"Whats on your mind?" Gabrielle asked stopping and looking at Alexander.

"Are you doing anything this weekend?" Alexander just came out and said it, there was no use dragging it out.

A flushed look over took Gabrielle when Alexander asked this question. "I don't have any plans," She replied quietly. "Why?"

"Well," Alexander heaved. "I thought maybe we could go out to a movie or something. But if you Don't want to that's alright too."

"I would love to," Gabrielle said as hr face turned even redder, as she took a piece from her bag and wrote her address and phone number on it. "The truth is, I was wanting to ask you the same thing myself."

This time it was Alexandr's turn to blush. As he fished out a business card, and wrote his phone number on the back. "Saturday at three then?"

"It's a date," Gabrielle said with a little flirtatiousness to her tone. As she took the card from Alexander. And walked off in the direction she was heading while Alexander walked back to the store in a daze.

"Well?" Ace said as Alexander walked back into the store.

"If you were a woman I could kiss you," Alexander said as he walked over to the counter.

"Hold up Casanova, you have to buy me dinner first," Ace Laughed. "So I'll take it that she said yes."

"Is it that obvious?" Alexander laughed as he sat down on the stool behind the register. "Saturday, at three."

"Well good luck with this one," Ac said slapping Alexander on the back. It's been what 2 years?"

"Don't bring that up," Alexander snapped.

"Alright," Ace said backing off the subject. "You don't have to talk about it. But it's good to see you back out there."

"It's about time that I got back out in the dating game anyways," Alexander sighed. "The past is just that the past, and thats where it needs to stay."

"Too right," Ace agreed. "I'm gonna go get something to eat, you want anything?"

"No I'm fine," Alexander responded. "I'll hold down the fort."

Ace walked out the door, and down the road, leaving Alexander in the shop by himself. Thoughts of 2 years ago still fresh in his memory. The heart ache that he had endured. She was the love of his life but when he asked her to marry him she said goodbye. Anyone would be devastated by something like that. Knowing that the person you love more than anything in the world, does not feel the same way. After that Alexander went into a recluse for a few months and then just gave up on love. Maybe this time it won't turn out that way. But thats just a hope that is not to be wished upon lightly.

Part 1|Part 3

For those of you not familiar with the story Arch that is SE
Special Education(272kb PDF)
This story Arch begins 7 years after the Original Ends, with Alexander(The son of the Main Character in the original story) as the main character.

Chapter 1: Boy Meets Girl

It's been 3 years since Alexander Graduated from College and became part of the family business. Rin's Finally retired and South Side Books has grown even more. Alexander is the head of the Company now. Running 10 bookstores across the state employing over 100 people. Katie's becoming a fine young lady and getting ready to go of to college herself. This is Alexanders Story.

"Another dreary day," Alexander groaned as he looked out the window. The sky outside was a murky gray color, as rain started to slowly pour down. "Looks like business is going to be slow."

"Morning boss," Ace one of Alexander's employees said as he walked in to the store.

"Morning," Alexander said as he looked up from the paper work. "It's just going to be the two of us today. Dann called earlier, his wife went into labor."

"Lucky bastard," Ace muttered as Alexander told him the news. "Oh well the more to him."

"Still trying?" Alexander asked as he put the paper work away. "Be thankful you even have someone."

The truth is Alexander has not had a girlfriend for th past 2 years. It's not that he couldn't find one it's just that he's been too busy, and anyone that he had a remote interest in wouldn't give him the time of day, or thy were with someone else.

"Keep your head up," Ace said patting Alexandr on the back. "Who knows that special someone might just walk in right through the door."

At that moment the bell on the door at the front of the store rang and there she walked in. Her hair fell down to her waist and a dreamy look was on her face as she looked about the store.

"How do you have the knack for saying something like that when someone walks in?" Alexander muttered as he walked towards the front of the store to greet the woman that just came in. "Hello."

"Oh hello," The woman said snapping out of her daze. "I called a week or so ago about ordering some copies of Dracula."

"The order for a Miss Gabrielle Rosethorn?" Alexander asked a bit astonished.

"Yes," Gabrielle said. "There for my English Class that I teach, at the Academy."

"It came in just yesterday," Ace said as he popped up behind Alexander. "I'll go get them."

"Thank you," Gabrielle said.

"Come on up to the register and I'll get you all settled as he gets the stuff," Alexander said starting to get his composition back. "So you teach at the Academy? When did you start working there?"

"Just last year," Gabrielle said. "Why do you ask?"

So This is this new teacher that Tim was talking about. In all honesty I was hoping I could actually meet her, and I'm glad I got a chance to. "I actually Graduated from there seven years ago, and my father did before me. My names Alexander by the way."

"Alexander the Great?" Gabrielle asked.

"I was know as that back in the old days yes," Alexander said as the memories of why he was called that cam back.

"The same Alexander that," Gabrielle suddenly cut off stopping her self from finishing the sentience.

"The one and only," Alexander said. "But that was a long time ago. I haven't shaved a Goat and set it loose in anyones office since then."

A slight laugh escaped from Gabrielle as Ace, brought the box that had all the books in it up to the front. "Here you are."

"Thank you," Gabrielle said as Ace sat the box down on the counter.

"Alright everything is squared away," Alexander said as he finished with the paper work.

"Thank you once again," Gabrielle said as she grabbed the box and headed out the door.

"Ace," Alexander said shaking his head and rubbing his face. "You Scare me."

"It's a knack," Ace laughed as he shrugged his shoulders. "She's in here every so often, normally when your busy in the back or what not."

Part 2|Part 3

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Authors Note:

In this Chapter I mention the name of a beer called Asahi Kuronama. This is not a made up beer, Google it if you wish. This is actually one of my favorite beers(I've had it along with bud light and Gennius)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter 4: Sato

"Why did I want to commit suicide?" Sato asked himself. "Simple my girlfriend wants to marry me but I don't want to marry her. I can't tell her no because of what her father told me. 'You break my princesses heart and I will have someone hunt you down break your legs, and cut your balls off and put them in a jar.'" The scary thing is that would most likely happen. Considering he's a Yakuza Boss. If I knew that when I met her I wouldn't have tried to get to know her. But it's all too late now.

"Guess who," A female voice says from behind Sato as he sits down.

"Is this Buddha talking to me?" Sato ask jokingly. "What is your command oh great Buddha?"

"You big dummy," The woman says smacking him on the back of the head. "I thought I would never see you again. But now your here!"

God why does she have to be so cheery all the time. If she wasn't like this I could probably stand to be around her more. How could anyone be this cheery all the time? It's beyond me.

"I'm here ain't I?" Sato asked as she sat down beside him. "I didn't jump Kisa."

"I know," Kisa sighed. "But I still worry, and daddy worries too."

Daddy worries too, great. Just what I need one of my fingers to go missing. Kisa just thinks her father is an ordinary business man. Because she's to naive to figure it out, and he wants to protect her from all of his business dealings.

Knowing that he worries probably means something bad is going to happen to me. I thought it would be a good thing to calm myself with a beer or two. As he got up and walked to the kitchen and opened the door to the fridge there was a fright. "Were Out of beer," Sato calls out as he grabs his jacket. "I'll be back in a bit."

"Get home safe," Kisa Calls from the living area. "And make sure to get Asahi Kuronama ."

"Alright," Sato said as he walked out the door.

A Few minutes away the local convince store where Sato always buys his beer, it's just a simple walk. But not this time. Some over large man grabbed Sato and dragged him into an alleyway. "Sato," The man says. "Boss wanted me to give you a message." With that last bit, the man punched Sato right in the stomach hard enough to cause him to double over. "Next time it's a finger."

"Tell Kai," Sato huffed as he tried to regain his composure after the blow. "That I understand."

"Have a nice day," The man said as he nonchalantly walked out of the ally as if nothing had happened. Leaving Sato there to recover from the blow.

"Looks like this time I got off easy," Sato muttered as he rubbed his stomach. "This is just something that needs to be repressed and Kisa should not find out about. Even though her father is a monster."

Kisa is a sweet girl, which is one of her redeeming qualities. And thats the reason that Kai kept his true profession hidden from his daughter. Monster or not he does have a human side. Thus making him likable to a certain extent. Beer in hand Sato noticed that the thugs were out thick tonight. Kai probably had his goons out about watching to see if he did anything.

"It's not that I would do anything anyways," Sato muttered as he climbed th steps to his apartment. "I like my fingers where they are and my Bones intact. I'm Back." Kisa looked up to see Sato standing there holding two cases of beer. The events of moments ago pushed deep into the recesses of his mind showed no tell of anything.

Previous Chapter

Chapter 3: Kiba

"Why did I want to commit Suicide?" Kiba asked when a Co-Worker of his asked him after throwing him the paper. "I don't know. I was drunk at the time we agreed to do it."

The truth is, Kiba is a World class Ladies man and from what he has just learned a few weeks ago is the father of a two year old son he had no idea that existed for two years. And the mother wants him to take responsibility. Yet he has no idea which lady of the hour it was. It's enough to drive anyone to suicide.

"Daddy," a womans voice said as Kiba answered his phone. "Were you really going to leave me and your son alone like that?"

"Who is this?" Kiba demanded. "Why do you keep calling me?"

"Why do you think," The woman spat. "You were going to jump and leave me and your son to fend for our selves and not own up to your responsibility."

"Who is this?" Kiba Demanded, but the line went dead. "Crazy bitch."

For three weeks now this woman has been calling m talking about "My Son". She wont even tell me hr name every time I ask she hangs up, and the number is withheld each time. I'm only 24 years old I'm to young to have a family. My best bet is to find her and then find if she's messing with me.

"Kiba," someone yelled. "Boss is looking for ya."

"Great," Kiba muttered under his breath. "Whats the old fart want?"

"Kiba," The Boss said as he walked over noticing him. "What is this crap?" Kiba's Boss held up a copy of the morning news paper, and pointed to the picture. "Were you really going to end it like that?"

"Boss thats not me," Kiba lied. "That could be anyone. I would never end my life like that. Theres no honor in a cowards death."

"Then why does it have your name under the picture?" The Boss said with a smirk, and pointing to the caption. "If you are having troubles, figure them out on your own. Take the rest of the week off."

"Y-yes Boss," Kiba stammered as he sulked off back to his desk to gt his things. Take the week off means no pay for the rest of the week.

Previous Chapter
Next Chapter

Chapter 2: Hiro

Why would I want to commit suicide? Simple. My life sucks. In the past 7 years that I worked here I've not been late once and I haven't had a vacation in 3 years and yet I've been stuck in the same dead end position for 5 years. I work hard and get no recognition. I'm just on of those nobody's thats never gets noticed.

"Hiro," Nagasawa the Boss' secretary said as she stuck her head into my door. "The boss wants to see you."

A Dread filled the pit of my stomach as I stopped before the door that sat in front of me.

"You wanted to see me boss?" I said as I stuck my head in the door.

"Hiro," Boss said as he looked up. "Please take a seat."

Normally when someone says take a seat thats a bad sign. But theres no point in fighting it. Somethings going to happen. It's just a matter of time I ask or he says it. I think it would be better if I could put him in a mode where I am trying to draw it out.

"What is it you wanted to see me about?" I asked already knowing the answer.

"Are you feeling okay Hiro?" The Boss asked.

"I'm fine sir," I said a little on edge.

"Then why were you going to commit suicide?" He asked as he flung the morning news paper at me. On the front page of the paper were two photos. One of the guy who jumped and then a smaller but still fairly sized photo of me, Kiba and Sato.

"I don't know sir," I said lying. The truth was,working for this pig for 7 years would be enough to drive anyone to suicide. "I just had a lapse in judgment on my part."

"Listen," Boss said. "Take rest of the week and next week off. Paid leave. It would do you some good."

"Sir," I began trying to find the words to say next, as the door burst open.

"Hoshi," a balding man said in a stern tone. The man was the President and CEO of th company, Boss Tomi. Who also happened to be my Boss' father inlaw. One other reason why I couldn't stand him is the smugness it derived from being the son inlaw of the head honcho. "Where's that Proposal of yours?"

"Sir," Boss Hoshi stammered. "I thought we agreed on two weeks."

"Your right two weeks is too much time," Boss Tomi laughed. "You have till Friday."

God I'd hate to be him right about now. To have to deal with an asshole Father Inlaw like that I would probably kill him, right here and now, if I was him. A feeling of pity welled up inside me as Boss Tomi walked out of the door and closed it behind him.

"What are you still doing here Hiro?" Boss Hoshi asked as he looked back at me. "Go home and get some rest. Go out of town for a few days. Do what ever just rest and relax for a few days."

"Thank you sir," I said bowing as I rose from my seat. It's only Tuesday so that means almost 2 weeks of rest and relaxation. 2 weeks to get myself back together and try to find out why. Why I wanted to kill myself.

"Did you really plan on jumping?" Nagasawa asked as I waked out of the door and closed it. "last night I mean. Were you really about to jump?"

I never really noticed anything about her before mostly because she never really paid much attention to me but to fetch me when the boss wanted to 'talk'. But she has a certain charm about her. Maybe it's because I'm a local celebrity now. Maybe I just never really noticed that she was interested in me. Who knows.

"I have no idea," I said shaking my head slightly. "I was all ready to jump and then that old cook from th 67th jumped right as I was about to and then something came over me. Why? Why do I want to die? Why do I want it all to end? I just couldn't answer those questions and decided not to." I paused for a second to see her reaction to what I said before continuing to break the awkward silence. "It's sound silly I know. But then when you are on the edge of life and death and doubt sets in, theres just something that holds you back."

"Thats really deep thinking," Nagasawa said as she took to finishing up hr notes she was typing up. "I hope you figure it out."

"So do I," I muttered as I walked back to my Office to grab my jacket and keys. Ready for a short vacation.

Previous Chapter
Next Chapter

3 friends decide to commit suicide but in the end something stops them from going through with it. and there stories about why they wanted to do it in the first place.

Chapter 1: The beginning of the end

I never really amounted to anything. For the last 25 years of my life... well my whole life. I've lived in this town. Shio my my birthplace, my childhood home, my home, and my place of death, thats my plan for this night. As I stand atop the roof of tower No. 1 the place that I work at, where half the town works. My plan is to end it all right here. But I am not going to go out alone.

"Where the hell are those two?" I muttered under my breath as I checked my watch as my phone rang. "Sato you idiot where are you?"

"I'm here," Sato's voice came over the phone. "Look over to the other tower. I thought you said Tower No. 1."

"You Idiot," I sighed "Thats tower No. 2. I'm on Tower No. 1. Besides that have you seen Kiba?"

"He sent me a text," Sato said. "'Boss won't let me leave.'"

"Just get over here," I said as I hung up the phone looking out towards the lights of the town. "Idiots. Were going to commit suicide and yet Sato can't get it straight and Kiba is so hopeless. He's too afraid to walk out."

It took 15 minutes for Sato to get here and by the time Kiba got here the Police had arrived. And were trying to talk us out of it.

"Where do you think your going?" A Police officer said barring Kiba's path.

"I'm going to commit Suicide," Kiba said seriously. "Where else do you think I'm going? A picnic?"

"WHAT?!" The officer shouted. "We are not going to let you through! We can't allow it."

"Let him through or I'll jump," I said as I edged closer to the edge.

"PLEASE DON'T!" A Security Officer pleaded. "If you jump I'll be fired. If you don't they won;t arrest you. I have a family to think about."

His voice drifted off into th distance at the three of us stood there, on the edge ready to jump.

"What if we don't hit the safety bag?" Sato asked as he looked over at me, and Kiba.

"Your here to commit suicide not land on a bag," Kiba said rolling his eyes.

"On the count of three," I said. "One... Two..."

"Wait," Sato said. "Do we jump on three or after the count of three?"

The wind picked up slightly as I though of how to put things into terms. We going to commit suicide were not trying to win a dance contest.

"Does it really make a deference?" I asked.

"Yes it does," Kiba said. "If we went to all the trouble we should all jump at once."

"Alright, alright, alright," I said shaking my head, at how stupid these two were. "On the count of three we jump. One... Two... Thr...."

"Someone jumped!" a voice yelled out and cut me off. "From the 67th floor."

Someone did jump from the 67th floor. Not knowing that the safety bag was down there he just jumped hoping to end his life. Only to be saved because th three of us. Needless to say that none of us died that night. When asked why he jumped the guy said. He was just fed up with life. This guy is the same as us three. But now there is no way we can do it. It lacks that something special.

Fed up with life, thats what he said to the police. His wife left him, and he lost his house. He had been living in his office for the past week, and then a memo came he was being fired. The only thing he thought to do was jump.

Next Chapter

Gather 'round, ye lads and lasses, set ye for a while
And hearken to me mournful tale about the Emerald Isle
Let's all raise our glasses high to friends and family gone
And lift our voices in another Irish drinking song

Consumption took me mother and me father got the pox
Me brother drank the whiskey 'til he wound up in a box
My other brother in the Troubles met with his demise
My sister has forever closed her smiling Irish eyes

Now everybody's died
So until our tears are dried
We'll drink and drink and drink and drink,
and then we'll drink some more
We'll dance and sing and fight
until the early morning light
Then we'll throw up, pass out, wake up, and then go drinking once again

Kenny was killed in Kilkenny and Claire, she died in Clare
Tip from Tipperary died out in the Derry air
Shannon jumped into the River Shannon back in June
Ernie fell into the Erne, and Tom is in the Toome

"Cleanliness is godliness" me Uncle Pat would sing
He broke his neck a'slippin' on a bar of Irish Spring
O'Grady, he was 80 though his bride was just a pup
He died upon the honeymoon when she got his Irish up

Now everybody's died
So until our tears are dried
We'll drink and drink and drink and drink,
and then we'll drink some more
We'll dance and sing and fight
until the early morning light
Then we'll throw up, pass out, wake up, and then go drinking once again

Joe Murphy fought with Reilly near the banks of old Doneen
He took out his shillelagh and he stabbed him in the spleen
Crazy Uncle Mike believed he was a leprechaun -
In fact he's just a leper, and his arms and legs are gone

When Timmy Johnson broke his neck it was a cryin' shame
He wasn't really Irish, but he went to Notre Dame
McNamara crossed the street and by a bus was hit
But he was just a Scotsman, so nobody gave a (ARRGHH)

Now everybody's died
So until our tears are dried
We'll drink and drink and drink and drink,
and then we'll drink some more
We'll dance and sing and fight
until the early morning light
Then we'll throw up, pass out, wake up, and then go drinking once again

Me drunken Uncle Brendan tried to drive home from the bar
The road rose up to meet him when he fell out of his car
Irony was what befell my great-grand Uncle Sam
He choked upon the very last potato in the land

Conor lived in Ulster town, he used to smuggle arms
Until the British killed him and cut off his lucky charms
And dear old Father Flanagan, who left the lord's employ
Drunk on sacramental wine, beneath the altar boy

Now everybody's died
So until our tears are dried
We'll drink and drink and drink and drink,
and then we'll drink some more
We'll dance and sing and fight
until the early morning light
Then we'll throw up, pass out, wake up, and then go drinking once again

(slower)

Someday soon I'll leave this world of pain and toil and sin
The Lord will take me by the hand to join all of me kin
Me only wish is when the Savior comes for me and you

(a tempo)

He kills the cast of Riverdance, and Michael Flatley too

Now everybody's died
So until our tears are dried
We'll drink and drink and drink and drink,
and then we'll drink some more
We'll dance and sing and fight
until the early morning light
Then we'll throw up, pass out, wake up, and then go drinking once again

Now everybody's died
So until our tears are dried
We'll drink and drink and drink and drink,
and then we'll drink some more
We'll dance and sing and fight
until the early morning light
Then we'll throw up, pass out, wake up, and then go drinking once again