SMOOTH

	You don't understand.  That's fine.  I don't expect you to.  I'm happy.  
Isn't that enough?
	When we voyage, it will be in such ecstacy.  Such assurance.  When 
have you known that?  Before Ba, my life was like yours.  Questions.  Doubts. 
That's all done now.  I have an answer.  I have THE Answer.
	You hate that, don't you?  You want me to be rough, like you, 
pockmarked with doubts.  Because then you could use them as handholds.  You 
could cling to me that way, couldn't you?  Only you can't.  I'm smooth now. I 
have no dents.  No depressions, if you will.
	See?  I made a pun! I'm still human.  Ba hasn't put my brain away in 
some secret safe deposit box.  I'm still a member of the human race.
	But not for long, I'll grant you.  That's for sure.  Soon we'll begin our 
voyage.  I wish you could come.  Really I do.  But it's your decision to make.  
What you have to understand is, I've made mine.

COPYRIGHT 1997, Jim Chevallier