CHASTITY is the giving of oneself, in both mind and body, as an expression of true love. It is a love everlasting, for intimacy and ecstasy are the rewards God gives for living a fruitful life.

CHASTITY saves us from the Deadly Sin of Lust, which sickens the soul and blackens the heart, making us feel unworthy. Those who are chaste gladly give all they have—everything and more!—to the people they love, who hold a special place inside their beautiful heart.

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"Jesus Christ! What the hell?"

The brakes on the truck stopped screaming as it came to a halt. An amazing silence fell, broken only by the rumble of the vehicle's engine. After a series of yips from Bumbles, Dick ground at the gearbox, finding reverse and backing away.

Leanne's car horn let loose a long blast. "Watch where you're going!"

The van with four boys in it squeezed past, their mother looking embarrassed.

Leanne's car horn honked again. "You too!"

The mother rolled down her window and waved in an apologetic way, as if by doing so she'd be forgiven for the terror she had caused. Once Dick had backed up far enough, Leanne got out of her car. She left the door open to keep him from escaping while inspecting her vehicle for damage. By some miracle, there was none. No more than a one scant millimeter of space had prevented the truck from striking her car.

"You are darn lucky, Mister," she said to Dick. "I could have died, you know." After retrieving Bumbles, Leanne closed the door to her car and allowed the truck to pass. "This is a city street," she said, scolding the driver further. "Slow down!"

Dick offered a mumbled excuse as Leanne soothed the frazzled dog. "Be quiet, boy. I'm okay."

She led Bumbles to the sidewalk, where Anna had risen back to her feet, with Hank giving her support. "What happened?" Leanne asked her dumbstruck friends.

Anna looked at Hank and then at Leanne, swinging the whole of her head as if her eyes couldn't move in their sockets. She clung to Hank with fearsome strength as the mask of horror on her face disappeared. When she realized he wasn't going to answer, she released him and pointed up the hill.

"That stupid woman pulled in front of that stupid truck and its idiot driver, and almost got you killed!"

"Oh!" Leanne gasped. "I know! I mean, I didn't see it coming, but did you see how close he got?" Leanne became very quiet. She seemed to go into shock. "I almost truly died."

She grabbed Hank's other shoulder to steady herself as her knees gave way. He hadn't moved so much as a muscle since the ordeal began.

"Hey," Leanne said, shaking him a bit. "Are you okay?"

The truck belched smoke while shifting gears, going on its way. With an equal lurch, Hank entered this Reality. He bent low and wrapped Leanne in his arms, raising her onto her toes. She peeped as he gave her a snake-like hug that rivaled the best of Rio's.

He spoke with compassion, his lips near her ear. "I thought you were a goner."

"It's all right. I'm okay."

But her legs buckled as it sunk in as to how close she had come to losing her mortal soul. He caught her before she fell, and used the warmth of his undying love to chase away Death's chill.

He buried his face in her hair. "We almost lost you," he said, nearing tears. "Oh my God, Leanne. Are you well?"

Bumbles took a lap around the group before sitting beside Anna. He whined while Leanne pulled Hank's face from her shoulder and held him at arm's length.

"Wow," she said, sounding weak. "You're right. I need to sit down."

Anna sprang into action. She opened the passenger front door of the Bentley. "Sit here," she said to Leanne, guiding her to the car.

Leanne hyperventilated, her breath coming in bursts. She gasped while hanging her head near her knees, sitting sideways in the car.

To no one, she asked, "Where was I? What happened?"

"What?" Anna asked, confused.

"Was I here? With the truck? When it came? Was I in the car?"

"You don't remember?" Hank asked.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Anna asked at the same time.

"I don't know," Leanne admitted. She hung her head so low that only her hair could be seen. "Where was I when it happened?"

Anna squatted in front of Leanne to get her to look at her. "You were with us," Anna said. "Where you are. You were right here. Safe."

Leanne's normally tan face had grown whiter than Hank's. She pleaded into Anna's nearly all black eyes for help with understanding.

"I don't remember what happened. I just don't, and I think I may have died."

Anna spoke with firm assurance, to keep Leanne from slipping further into shock. "We all thought you got hit." Anna looked up at Hank. "Didn't we?" she asked.

"Everything's okay," he said. "Nobody got hurt."

"Are you sure?" Leanne asked sincerely, looking at him with her eyes shining wet. A single tear fell out. "Is everyone okay?"

"Everyone's fine, Itazura-sha."

Leanne grinned at Hank's gentle teasing, as Anna used a sleeve of her kimono to wipe away the tear. "We're all fine," Anna said, squeezing Leanne's knee. "Everybody's good."

"And Bumbles is okay?" Leanne asked, struggling to stay focused. "And Rio?" She panicked, looking around. "Where's Rio? Is she here?"

"Bumbles and Rio are fine. Everyone is okay."

Bumbles worked his way into the group until he got close enough to Leanne to try jumping into her lap. "Come on," she said, inviting the dog up.

Bumbles put his front paws on the seat between Leanne's legs. He licked her chin as she laughed to keep from crying while mussing with his ears.

"Did you save me from that bad truck?" Leanne asked the dog, a nervous tic cracking her voice. "Is everybody good?"

"Come inside for a while," Hank begged. "Let's make sure you're well."

Leanne sighed to calm herself, as color returned to her face. "No," she said. "I'm all right. It's just… hey!" she said, changing the subject. "I bought you that shirt."

"Yes you did!" Anna chirped, happy to talk about something else. She kicked up a heel in a comical way and flung her arms around Hank's neck, making sure the sleeves of her kimono flew about in great arcs. "Doesn't he look hot?"

Leanne agreed. "Sexy hot!" She then took a good look at Anna. "And damn, Girl! You too! You look gorgeous! Where did you get that outfit?"

Anna turned her goofy expression of love onto Leanne, talking at the same time as she. "I do? I do! I got it from Hank! He's my boo!"

She next flung her arms around Leanne, bending low to kiss her face. She made silly, slurpy smooching sounds until everybody laughed.

The Book of CHASTITY - Prologue

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