Two days after officially learning of my brain tumor I called Ellis. Robin Ellis, who was actually Robert Leroy Ellis before he chose the androgynous Robin. He was my mentor and dear friend except we hadn’t been communicating for about two years a result of a misunderstanding, which neither of us caused but to which both of us participated. Our codependent friendship was very dependable when it came to periodic raging anger toward each other. But even in anger our love bridged and each of us felt comfortable calling the other for help when in need. This was certainly one of those times because Robin was a seasoned professional when it came to hard living in the presence of medical doctors and the health care system. Born and raised near Paris, Texas, Robin grew up in the forties and fifties and learned to go beyond the arrogance of the obnoxious Texan. He had through life become a real down to earth guy. Tragically, he learned the horrors of life early when...