We had our breakfast, and Tracey assisted me in getting dressed. We headed for the bus, and boarded the 908 DART. "May I have the lift, please," I asked the driver. The operator responded by deploying the lift. We boarded the bus and I said to the driver, "I'm getting off at the transit center," when asked where I wanted to get off.

When we arrived at Renton Transit Center, we transferred to the 167 U District Express. Again, I requested the lift. We boarded, and planned for an uneventful ride into the U District.

The 167 dropped us off around 8:36 AM, and we proceeded into the nearby Jack's Place (using Route 70) for breakfast. We then, around 9:30 AM, headed back to Schmitt. We arrived on the third floor around 10 AM and made our way to the admission office. They asked, "Are you here for the tour?"

"Yes, yes we are," Tracey answered, "my brother and I are looking to transfer. My sister is already done with college." We sat down and Tracey filled out the paperwork for the university. I was hugging Jessica when she got a call.

Her boss was calling and she replied, "I'm doing something with my brother and sister, who I haven't seen in six years. I will gladly telework when this is done in about two hours."

She then turned to us, "when the tour is over, I'm going to head to Seattle Central Library to do some quick work. I'll still see you two off at King Street Station."

It was time for the tour, and Tracey assisted me up. We proceeded to take the tour and we enjoyed the tour, and then proceeded to the disability office. Tracey began, "We're prospective students looking to transfer here and we're trying to learn more."

We talked a bit with the disability counselor, and then we went off to the Jack's Place. The three of us had a quick lunch, and then Jess told us that she was going to split for the afternoon to do some telework. "I'm going to meet you two at King Street Station around 4 PM. The train leaves at 4:20 PM."

I replied, "We'll see you at 4 at King Street. On the Regional Express platform, right?"

Jessica answered, hugging me, "Yes, on the Regional Express platform." We then boarded the 70 towards downtown. Jess got off at the library and little did we realize how our lives would be altered only the next stop after the library, even though the bus was almost done its route.

Although I had long moved on, Rusty, my ex (who's father still has me, after all these years, on his "hatred list" and no I don't know why) still can’t resist the emotional abuse she causes (and we thought caring for four children was enough). We were minding our own business on Route 70 (boarding at the Jack's Place just up the street from the university) and were intending to spend the afternoon at the Pier Aquarium (transferring to the 99 Streetcar Replacement bus in Downtown).

Well, Rusty boarded at the next stop after Jess got off. We planned to mind our own business (thinking that Rusty would have long forgotten us). When she sat down in the back of the bus (we were up front), we felt relieved. I started hugging my sister, and she realized exactly what was wrong when I whimpered, "Tracey, it’s a Signal 7 in the back." I noticed she looked a wee bit chubby, but paid it no mind. Little did Tracey or I realize what significance this chubbiness would play later on.

"Do you still want to go to the aquarium," she asked.

"Yes, please," I answered.

Rusty came to the front of the bus and asked the driver, "What bus goes to the aquarium?"

The driver answered, "I’ll drop you off at 2nd & Jackson, then you need to head to the shelter across from Union Station and get the 99 Benson. It’s about a block from where I drop you off."

We kept quiet and figured that she long forgotten us. We also hoped that she had a "that can’t be them" attitude if she hadn’t forgotten us. "I still want to go to the aquarium. I think she long forgot us," I told Tracey.

We got off of the 70 and headed for the 99. As I suspected, we were being followed. What surprised me was that she did not follow us onto the 99. I felt relieved. I couldn't see them at all. I started hugging Tracey, feeling quite happy knowing that trouble was averted. We were on the 99 heading for the aquarium. She wasn't following us.

I was wrong. I was dead wrong. I was very dead wrong. She was entering the aquarium, so I said to Tracey, "Let’s hope she doesn't remember us. I was really looking forward to the aquarium. Let's go in anyways."

Tracey hugged me, and then we proceeded to purchase our tickets. Nothing seemed to be amiss, and we both felt comfortable entering the aquarium. Our first stop was the River Otter exhibit. We enjoyed ourselves, and nothing seemed wrong until we entered the Elliot Dome. I started to feel uncomfortable, like someone was trying to get to me. Turns out that she was indeed following from a distance.

So, we decided to leave the aquarium (fully intending to come back with Jessica at a later date). Luckily for us, Jess was finished at the library and called us to say wait at King Street Station.

As promised, Jessica met us at King Street Station to take the train home. It was 4 PM when she arrived. "Jess, I already have the pass upgrades," Tracey called out.

"Thanks Tracey," Jessica replied, "but my WorldSoft E-Pass pays for full Sounder fare." That's when the train arrived. We boarded and went to where there was a table. This car was Wi-Fi equipped, so I set up the laptop had had Jessica sit next to me. I started to hug her and started to explain what happened.

Jess exclaimed, "you mean to tell me that that bitch – excuse my French – is here!? In Seattle!?"

I started sobbing, holding Jess tightly, and sobbed, "yes. No children though." The train finally started pulling out of King Street. "I hope she's not on the train," I sobbed.

Jess noticed them on the platform boarding the Everett train just as we pulled out of King Street. "She got on the Everett train. Relax," Jess said comfortingly (although we did not see her when she transferred from the Everett train to the Tacoma train, the train we were riding, just before we pulled out, meaning that Rusty was on our train).

"The train is approaching Auburn Station. The train is approaching Auburn Station," was the call of the automated voice.

"Oh crap," I exclaimed, "this is only a few blocks from where Kristine's aunt works."

"You know what? Why not stay at my apartment," Jess suggested. Tracey and I agreed, so we got off of the train. "I'll protect you in case something happens."

When a Metro bus arrived, Jessica asked, "How do we get to Renton?"

"Take the 564 or 565 towards Overlake," the driver answered. Jess thanked the driver.

Tracey called out (looking at bus schedules), "The next one should be here in ten minutes." I clung to Jess tightly as Tracey explained, "her aunt works a block or two from this station and she's getting off of work. The 565 came and we were able to board without any troubles, or so we thought. The good news was that we didn't see Kristine's aunt, so we lucked out with that.

We were quite wrong about Rusty however. When the 565 arrived at the Renton Transit Center, Rusty was there. I exclaimed, "Oh my!" I shuttered in fright and clung to Jessica in total fear for my life knowing that I'm still on her father's "hatred list" (though I still haven't a clue what I did wrong, all these years later).

Tracey told the operator, "My brother will need the lift to get off."

"We still need to get off of the bus. Once we get into my apartment, if she follows us, I'll call 9-1-1 without hesitation," Jess reassured me.

The operator deployed the lift and I departed the bus after my sisters were already off. Sure enough, trouble was in the air when Rusty approached the Metro operated Sound Transit bus.

She approached the bus and said, directed at all three of us, "I know that I was an asshole, but I want to make it up. Will you accept an apology from me?" As she said this, she attempted to hug me. She smelled like cigarettes and my allergic nose picked it up quickly. I started hacking up a storm, which is how I allergically react to cigarettes. When my sisters saw this, Tracey looked on in utter disbelief that this was happening, considering how well she knew Rusty.

Meanwhile, I was trying to shrug her off. I screamed, "Get off! Let go of me now!"

When she refused, Tracey went over to a Renton Police Officer (as Jessica shut off the CD player) and said, "My brother needs police assistance. He's right over there." Tracey was pointing to us waiting at Bay 5.

The officer ran over as I continued to scream, "Get off of me now! This is assault!"

I could hear, "Renton Police. Let go of him now!" The officer attempted to pry Rusty off of me as I continued to demand: "Let go of me now!"

Finally, with the assistance of a second officer, I was pried free of Rusty, knocking me down onto the sidewalk in the process. I was down on the sidewalk crying and shaking in fear.

Tracey started to explain everything that happened that day, starting with boarding the #70 up to and including what just transpired here in Renton. Rusty was taken in for questioning. When I asked for assistance up, the officer explained to my sister: "Don't move him until a medical team has arrived." When paramedics arrived, I checked out with nothing more than a cut on the arm, easily fixed by a bandage. I was more shaken up than anything. The last thing I (or my sisters) expected was to see Rusty in King County, let alone she attempts to hug me (which, in my eyes and my sisters' eyes, is very unwelcome).

The 105 showed up and both of my sisters had to help me onto the bus. "My brother will need the lift," Tracey said to the operator. The Metro operator deployed the lift, and both girls had to physically help me onto the lift, even with my crutches.

Jess then said, "Can you open the back door so that we can meet him inside the bus and steady him to a seat?"

The operator replied, "Sure. Back door is open." With that, the back door opened and Jessica and Tracey climbed onto the bus, swiped the SoundPass and E-Pass, and assisted me to a seat. Tracey showed the PCA endorsed Reduced Fare Permit to the operator and the three of us were seated. The same operation happened when we got off at 3rd & Sunset where my sisters steadied me onto the lift, exited the bus through the back door, and met me at the bottom. They had to assist me all the way to Jessica's apartment. It was a struggle, but we finally made it.

We got into Jessica's apartment and the three of us went straight for her bed. I wanted both of my sisters to comfort me since I was badly shaken up. "With what happened today, we're going to be ultra protective of you. What happened today was unexpected and uncalled for. From now on, one of us, or both of us if I'm not working, has to be at your side at all times," Jessica declared. I liked this policy, and I appreciated how protective my sisters became of me.

Both Jessica and Tracey assisted me to transfer from my crutches to Jessica's bed. Then I started holding both of them very, very tightly. I started crying and Tracey's breast turned into a great pillow as she's always been protective of me. Jessica was also comforting me and asked, "Do you need something to eat?"

Still sobbing (and clutching Tracey very tightly), I responded, "I'm more thirsty. Water. No ice."

Jessica returned with water for all three of us. I was still shaking violently in fear and Tracey was doing her best to comfort me.

I was crying in Tracey's arms and she was doing her best to comfort me. All three of us were frightened at the prospect of what did and could happen.

"I still miss her," I sobbed.

"Who," Tracey asked.

"Kri...Kri..." I couldn't finish because I was so upset.

Tracey turned to a confused Jessica, "He misses Kristine Mannone, who he loved to death. He proposed to her and she accepted. The other week, she broke off and ran back to Virginia leaving us with the bills and his broken heart. When we got on the bus after she ran, I vowed that I would be very protective of him and not leave his side for any reason."

Jessica understood. She then said, "I'm going to call Dad and let him know that I'm going to keep you two here in Renton for now. If you'd like, tomorrow we can go to the rental office and see if I can't get permission for you two to live here."

"Yes, please do," Tracey answered, "we'd love to live here with you."

Jessica called Dad down in DuPont, "Mike and Tracey are going to stay with me for a few days. Tomorrow, I'm going to get permission from the landlord to let them live with me." No, they weren't too thrilled with the prospect of Tracey and I leaving Pierce County.

The three of us rested on Jessica's bed for a while with Tracey allowing me to cuddle up in her arms. Since my sobbing made her shirt soaked, Tracey went top free, taking her shirt and bra off, and continued to comfort me. At my immediate request, Jessica got a towel to cover Tracey up with.

It was now roughly 6 PM and Jessica asked, "What would you two like for dinner? I was thinking of ordering from Mama Jane's. How does an extra large sound?"

"Sausage and mushroom please Jess," Tracey responded.

Jessica then called the Mama Jane's at 4th St & 138th Ave, right up the street and placed her order. "I'm going to get three bottles of two-liter colas," Jess told us.

"That's fine," I managed to sob. Although the situation at the Renton Transit Center was several hours ago, I was still frightened, and I still clung tightly to my twin sister.

When I head Jess say the order was for carry out, I had Tracey write a message on paper for me: "Delivery please." Jessica changed the order to delivery at my request.

After getting off of the phone, I sobbed to Jessica, "I don't want either of you to leave my side." Jessica understood, especially since I was so frightened.

The delivery arrived in about an hour, when promised. I was starting to calm down, but I was still terrified of what happened earlier. Although it was great to get something into my system. Tracey needed to help me eat since I was having emotional issues even though I knew that I needed to eat.

After dinner, Jess and Tracey helped to tuck me into bed. Then, Tracey climbed in with me and we tried to sleep. Jessica was also beside us. I was sleeping in between my two sisters since I wanted the comforting from both of them. None of us could sleep, especially me since I was still quite frightened from the events earlier.

Both of my sisters tried their best to comfort me, but it wasn't much use. "It's alright, we're both here. We're not going to leave your side," Jessica whispered.

This really caused me to explode into tears. I started really crying, calling out, "I need my teddy!"

Tracey explained to Jessica how I used to think of Kristine as one big teddy bear at night when I was upset. Tracey also explained how Kristine always made that "I'm not going to leave your side" promise.

With that, Tracey held me tighter. I was happy to know that both of my sisters were willing to do anything to help me. Both girls really cared about me, and I appreciated this. I love my sisters and they love me in return. All three of us get along quite well, and now, I felt, I wouldn't trade them for anything.