But while we're on the subject, I guess I can talk about the story. Becky Grecky is the central character in my story "The Dark Smelly Hole," originally published in my novel "Secret Things" and then featured in my latest book "Level Heads XE: The Deluxe Edition."

Each story in "Level Heads" could come straight out of Rod Serling's "Twilight Zone," and stand on its own - and this is one of those stories. "The Dark Smelly Hole" is a story of adolescent desire, raging hormones and conquest. Kathy and I were great friends - we hiked the deserts, sticked snakes and waded the creeks, just as described in the book. There never were any sexual aspects to our relationship but I'd be a liar if I said the possibility never crossed my mind. That frustration, coupled with the freedom of exploration in and outside of Cordes Lakes, Ariz., combined to create this story. It all started with a thought: Someday, I'm going to write a story about sticking snakes and wading the creeks of Cordes Lakes. And that's how it started. My twisted mind took it from there.

I hope to talk to Kathy again some time. She's also a character in my novel "Glass." She meets an unfortunate end in each story but she's always been dear to me. I hope life treated her well ... and I'd love to meet her again for a drink sometime...