From: MJKH27C@prodigy.com (Todd Richards)
Subject: CORY
Date: 20 Apr 1997 13:22:50 GMT

This story is pure fiction.  I would like to get some feedback.  Good or 
bad.  Let me know what you think.  Everyone who responded encouraged me 
to complete the story.   Here is the rest of it.  I've renumbered the 
parts.  I've kept the parts small so I could post them through Prodigy.  
If you cried like I did in writing this, please let me know.


PART 01 - CORY

Where do I begin?  When did it all start?  That's the easy part.  But 
when will it all end?  I don't know.  I don't want it to end, but I can't 
let it continue.  It really started the day I met Cory.

Who am I you ask.  My name is Richard, I'm 50 years old now and for all 
my life I thought I was straight.  I sometimes did however look at guys.  
Everyone did to some extent, right?  I thought some of them were really 
cute.  Maybe it was just a front that I was putting up for the rest of 
the world to see.  I even engaged in verbal gay bashing when I was 
younger.  I was married (she died eight years ago) and have a daughter in 
college.  My wife was in the arts and had been associating with guys who 
are openly gay for most of her adult life.  She accepted them as regular 
people.  But me?....no, I had to play the macho guy who says crap like 
"it's unnatural." or "get away from me faggot."

I own my own business and have done fairly well at it.  I was in control 
of my destiny.  However, the health of the business has caused me some of 
the problems I was feeling that day.  The business has been growing over 
the years but now is at a point where I can't control every aspect of it. 
 There's a feeling of helplessness when something that you've controlled 
for years has now grown out of your control.  I guess it's like having 
children.  Their whole growing up process is one of leaving the parents.  
From the moment they are born...totally dependent...they start growing 
away from their parents.  Parents try to hold on, and that causes pain 
when they hold on too much and fight the inevitable.  I was at this point 
with my business.  I was not in control anymore.  The business was 
running itself.  It had grown up.

I left my office that night five years ago in a bad mood.  It was dark 
out and had been raining for a couple of hours by then.  I suppose it was 
about 10:00 pm when I drove out of the parking lot and headed for the 
interstate highway to take me home.  I kept thinking about my life and at 
45, where had I been and where was I going.  Mid life crisis?  I don't 
know.  All I knew at that point was that I wasn't as happy as I should 
have been.

Just as I approached the entrance to the interstate I could see a dark 
figure under the street light.  I couldn't tell if it was male or female, 
old or young.  But just by the way this person was standing I felt that 
something was wrong.  Maybe my mood had something to do with the 
impression that I had about this person.  I turned on the cars right turn 
indicator and slowed to make the turn onto the interstate.  I again 
looked up and saw that this person had seen me and was putting it's hand 
out in the familiar sign of a hitch hiker.  I don't pick up hitch hikers..
.ever!  As I started to turn I saw that it was a he, a young guy.  His 
shoulders were drooping, his head bowed, he looked like his pain was 
worse than mine.  Who knows why we do some of the things we do?  I had no 
reason for doing it, but I braked hard and spun the wheel to the right 
and stopped the car about 50 feet beyond him.  I looked in the rear view 
mirror and saw him pick up a bag like a sports bag and start running 
toward me.  He stopped running about 20 feet from the car and approached 
the passenger side window.  I lowered the window just as he stuck his 
head in and asked, "Which way are you headed?"
"I'm going south for about 20 miles and then I get off the interstate to 
go home"
"That's ok by me."  He spoke softly with no emotion.  "Can you take me as 
far as you're going?" he added.
"I suppose I can.  Hop in and get out of the rain"
"Can I put my bag on the rear seat?"
"Sure."  I unlocked the rear door and he threw his bag on the seat as it 
was too large to fit on the floor in front of the seat.  We both noticed 
that the rain water began dripping from the bag onto the seat at about 
the same time.  I looked up at him just as he said, "Sorry,  I can put 
this in the truck if you'd like."
"No.  That's ok."  I didn't want to get out and open the trunk in the 
rain.  "Just get in and out of the rain."
He slid onto the front seat and closed the door behind him.  I looked 
over my left shoulder to see that the coast was clear and pulled the car 
onto the entrance ramp and headed south.

He didn't say anything.  He sat there looking down at the floor without 
moving.  Water was dripping from his head into his lap.  He looked cold 
and I had the feeling he was also afraid.  Probably of me or of life in 
general.
"How far are you going" I asked in a calm tone.
"Just south"
There was a silence that followed.  I felt that I was treading on some 
real grief inside of him by trying to talk.
"I'm sorry" he said after about two minutes.  "I'm not thinking too 
clearly right now. I didn't mean to be rude."
"That's ok"
I didn't try to talk to him any more.  I kept wondering why I picked him 
up in the first place.  He appeared to be a teenager.  As I'm 45 years 
old, I knew that I had nothing in common with this youth so I kept my 
mouth shut, hoping that he would soon be leaving.  But than I realized 
that when I left him on the street, he would be out in the rain again.
"Do you know how far Toledo is from here" he suddenly asked.
"It's about an hour away from here.  Any particular place in Toledo 
you're headed?"
"No.  I just want to head south, maybe to Florida."
"Long way to be hitch hiking" I added.
"You don't happen to have a map do you."
"Ya.  There's one in the glove box."
He open the glove box, and the light inside illuminated his face for the 
first time.  He was indeed a teenager, about 15 years old I would guess.  
His hair was brown, but because it was wet, it probably was a lot lighter 
when dry.
He pulled out the map and opened it.  It was a Michigan map that only 
showed the route to Toledo and than was cut off.  I turned on the 
overhead light so he could better see the map.
"Thanks" he said.
He looked at the map for about two minutes and than put his hand to his 
face and held it there.  He rubbed his eye and I heard a sniffle come out 
of him.
As I looked over ... I saw.
He was crying.  That wasn't rain water on his cheeks.  Those were tears.  
He looked my way and saw that I had seen him crying.  He turned out the 
overhead light in an attempt to hide his tears.  He turned and started 
looking out the side window.  I didn't say anything right away, but I 
heard him sniffle again.  "Is everything all right?" I finally asked.
He didn't answer.  He just starred out the window.  I asked again, "Are 
you OK?"
He turned to me after another long silence and said, "It's OK, don't 
worry.  I'll be all right."

Then I saw the blood........

His right cheek bone was cut open and a small amount of blood was still 
dripping down the right side of his face.  He put his hand up to his 
cheek to hide the cut and turned away.
"What happened to your cheek."  I immediately knew I shouldn't have asked.
  This kid was obviously very embarrassed by his present condition.  I 
keep a towel in the back seat to wipe up any spills in the car.  I 
reached over, grabbed the towel and held it out to him.  He took the 
towel and held it to his face.  After a moment like this, he lowered his 
head into the towel toward his lap and started to cry again.  This went 
on for about another minute.  As the sobs began to lessen, he looked at 
me and said, "Mister, I'm sorry.  I just can't seem to help it."

I started to feel really sorry for this kid.  Just by some of the things 
he did or said told me he was probably a good kid who was in trouble.
"Do you want me to take you home" I asked.
"No...... I can't go home"
"Is something wrong?"

Silence

"Does your mom or dad know where you are?"
"My mom died about three years ago."
"How about your dad?"

Silence

Suddenly he turned to me and in a loud voice with more emotion than I had 
heard all night said, "I can't go home because my DAD is the one who hit 
me.  He threw me out of the house tonight."


PART 02 - CORY

Anger began to fill my whole being.  I am a father.  How can someone do 
this to his kid.  I've never been able to understand some people who have 
children and then forget them.  What was it that this kid could have done?


I was approaching my turn off, but I couldn't leave him on the street 
this late at night like he was,  My anger subsided and was replaced with 
a real desire to help him.  But, I wasn't sure what to say or what to do.

"Are you hungry?  Have you had anything to eat?"
"It's ok.  I had a big lunch."
"I think you might need to get some food in you.  It'll at least make you 
feel better."

I pulled off the interstate in search of a MacDonalds.  I didn't think he 
wanted to go into a restaurant and face other people right now.  A drive 
through would be better.  I spotted a MacDonalds and pulled into the 
drive thru lane.  "Welcome to MacDonalds.  Can I take your order" came 
from the box outside my window.  I turned to him and said, "What's your 
pleasure?"
"Just a quarter pounder, small fries and a small sprite."
I gave the box his order and added a quarter pounder and a coffee for 
myself.  When we picked up our food I pulled into an open parking space 
and turned off the engine.  He ate slowly and I could tell he was having 
trouble chewing his food.  It was obvious that he was in pain as he tried 
to eat.  He finished it all though which meant he was hungry.
"What's your name?"
"Cory.  Cory Anderson"
"My name is Richard, but people just call me Rich.  How old are you Cory?
"
"15, but I'll be 16 in two months."

I approached the subject again. "Can I ask you what happened to you 
tonight?"
"Mister....Rich.  Thanks for the food.  I really was a little hungry."  
He didn't seem to want to tell me what had happened.
We sat in silence for another minute or so.
When he again spoke his voice was open and had lost any sign of 
defencivness.  "Rich, I don't know what to do.  My dad threw me out, and 
I just wanted to get as far away from here as possible."
"What did you do that was so terrible.  Your dad is probably out looking 
for you.  I'm sure he's sorry."
"No.  You don't know him.  I hate him.  I always have.  He's beat me most 
of my life."
"So, what happened tonight?"

Silence

"So?"
"He had been drinking again today.  He works from 3 in the morning till 
noon and is off the rest of the day.  He drinks almost every day.  When I 
got home from school, he was waiting for me.  He wanted to know about 
this letter that I had written to a friend of mine.  Mike was my best 
friend all through grade school, but he moved away last year.  We write 
often and can talk to each other about anything.  My dad was holding this 
letter that I was going to send to Mike but it wasn't finished yet."
"Was it something in the letter?"
"Yes.  I told you that Mike and I can talk about anything to each other.  
Well.....I don't know how to say this and I hope that you don't get mad 
at me.........."
"Cory, I won't get mad at you. What is it?"
"I told Mike that I.......that I think I might ......might be gay."

Silence.

"Your dad had a problem with that?"
"My dad was put in jail once for attacking a man that he thought was a 
fag.  That's what he calls them....fags.  I just couldn't tell him or 
talk to him about myself."
My heart went out for this boy.  I wanted to cry but held it back.  My 
eyes were starting to mist when I started the car.  
"Do you have any place to go tonight?"
"I don't have any family here, but I do have an aunt living in Florida."
"Why don't you stay at my place tonight?  We can get this mess 
straightened out tomorrow."
"Mister.....Rich, you don't have to do this.  You've already helped me 
get out of the rain and thank you for dinner, but...."
"Cory, don't say anything more.  I live alone and have a spare bedroom.  
You're not old enough to be doing this...trying to hitch hike to Florida..
.and you need a place to stay tonight."
"Thank you" was all he said.
He sat back on the car seat and rested his head.  His eyes were open 
looking up, but he wasn't really seeing anything.  He was deep in some 
thought, probably remembering his day.......and what a day it's been.

I guided the car into the garage and closed the garage door with the 
remote.  Cory got out of the car and was looking around when I said, 
"Come on, this way."  We walked into the mud room at the back of the 
house.  It's a 2 two story house with family room, kitchen, living room 
and dining room downstairs.  Upstairs are a bathroom and three bedrooms, 
but one of the bedrooms has been turned into an office.  My daughter uses 
the other bedroom, but now she has an apartment up at college.  I suspect 
that she won't be back as she's engaged to be married when she graduates 
next month.  Out back is a large deck with a gazebo and hot tub.  I spend 
a lot of summer time out there.  It's secluded because of the hedges that 
shield the yard from the neighbors.
"Would you like to take a shower before going to bed?"
"Ya....I think I need one."

I led him upstairs to the bathroom and got a towel out.  The bathroom has 
two doors, one to the hallway and the other to my bedroom.  "You can get 
out of your clothes in the bathroom and throw them out to me when you're 
done.  I'm going to put them in the washer.  I don't know how to get out 
the blood stains, but the rest should be ok."

Cory closed the door and I heard the water start.  Shortly after, the 
door to my bedroom opened just a crack and out came his pants, tee shirt 
and socks.  Than the door closed.  I assumed his tennis shoes were still 
in the bathroom.  I thought he was in the shower when the door again 
opened.  But this time it was opened all the way,  He tossed out his 
underwear to the middle of the bedroom floor.  For a moment he stood in 
front of me completely naked.  Cory is a very good looking boy.  About 5'-
10" tall and about 160 lbs.  His face is very smooth with deep blue eyes. 
 His build is that of a swimmer, strong legs, narrow waist, well 
developed chest and strong shoulders.  He looked better developed than 
any 15 year old I had seen before.  His hair was indeed a light brown and 
was matched in color by the mound of pubic hair just above his penis.  I 
couldn't move.  I must have been in a trance.  I just stood there looking 
at him as he closed the door and got into the shower.  My heart was now 
pounding.  What is happening to me.  I'm not gay, but the sight of his 
body was triggering some kind of emotion within me.  I don't think I 
understand it, but maybe I really do.  I kept the image of his penis in 
my mind...all 3 1/2" of it.  I wondered how long it would be when he had 
a woody.

I broke away from my thoughts and went to check on his bed.  It needed 
clean sheets, so I got some out and proceeded to make his bed.  Then I 
went down stairs to put his clothes in the washer.  On the way I picked 
up his bag to see if he had any other clothes that needed washing.  The 
bag was almost empty.  The only things in the bag were a pair of worn 
sneakers, white (almost gray now) tube socks, white (gray again) tee 
shirt, gray flannel gym shorts and a jock strap (yellowed).  They must 
have been in his gym locker at school.  So I tossed the whole works in 
the washer and turned it on.

Upstairs, I heard the water shut off.  I headed upstairs again, but on 
the way I grabbed an extra tooth brush.  I knocked on the bathroom door 
and said, "I have an extra tooth brush here if you need."
"Thanks, man.  I really had to leave home in a hurry and didn't really 
get to pack. 
The door opened only a crack and I pushed the tooth brush in.  His hand 
closed on it and I felt his hand touch mine.  My heart jumped again at 
his touch.  What is it about this boy?  I was a little confused but tried 
to put it out of my mind for now.

I realized that he had nothing to wear.  All his clothes were in the 
washer and none of mine would fit him.  I'm 6'-0" and about 190 lbs.  My 
waist is 34" and his is probably about 30" or 31"  I have a dark blue 
terry cloth robe that I put on when going from the hot tub to the house 
(I always skinny dip in the hot tub), so I grabbed it for him.  Cory came 
out of the bathroom wearing the towel wrapped around him as he stepped 
into my bedroom.  Geez he looked good!  His hair was now clean and 
sparkled.  There was no fat on this boy.  He was lean and smooth.  What 
little hair he did have was on his forearms and legs.  I was a soft brown 
color.  I handed him the robe.  He looked around, and I could tell that 
he didn't want to remove the towel in front of me to put on the robe.  I 
turned my back on him and walked across the hall to his bedroom.

"You can sleep in here.  I've put new sheets on the bed for you."
I looked around, he had followed me into the other bedroom.  He was now 
wearing the robe.  He walked over and sat on the bed.  He looked up at me 
and just looked into my eyes.  He didn't say anything, but I could see 
his blue eyes start to get cloudy.  His eyes had a longing in them that 
told me that this boy was not all right.  There was pain there.  There is 
more than just his dad beating him and throwing him out.  I felt I wanted 
to...no, needed to protect him from any more pain.  I walked over toward 
him and sat next to him on the bed.  As I sat down, he turned to me and 
said, "I don't know why you're doing this.  Why you're being so good to 
someone you don't know yet, but all I can say is thank you."

Just then the tears welled up and he put his arms around my neck.  He 
pulled me toward him and started to cry.  I held him like it was meant to 
be.  I was crying along with him, but I don't know why.  This was a very 
emotional moment.  He was opening up to me like he needed someone to love 
him....really love him and for someone he could love.  I've known Cory 
for about 2 1/2 hours.  All I did was get him out of the rain, feed him, 
give him a place to clean up and a place to sleep.  There was more to 
this boy than I thought.  Something was missing in his life, and I wanted 
to find out what.

"I'm sorry Rich.  I didn't mean to get blubbery.  I guess I'm pretty 
strung out."
"Why don't you get some sleep Cory?" I said.

I laid him back with his head on the pillow.  I pulled a blanket over him 
and looked into his eyes again.  "Get some sleep now.  Let's talk in the 
morning."  With that he closed his eyes.  I stood looking at him for 
another moment then turned off the light and left the room.

I wasn't sleepy after witnessing the outpour of emotion in his room.  I 
went downstairs to think.  As I walked through the kitchen I noticed his 
wallet sitting on the counter.  I had taken it out of his jeans just 
before I started to wash clothes.  I opened it.   He had no money and 
didn't have a drivers license yet, but there was a school ID and another 
identification card.  The second card had his address and telephone 
number on it.  I wrote them down on another piece of paper and stuck it 
in my wallet.  It was late, but I told myself that his father had a right 
to know where his son was and that he was all right.  I picked up the 
telephone and dialed the number.  I hoped he was home.  I knew that he 
went to work around 3 am and was probably sleeping now.  The phone rang 
five times before it was picked up.
"Ya?"
"Hello, is this Mr. Anderson?"
"Ya.  What do you want?"
"My name is Richard Mathews.  I picked up your son Cory this evening.  He 
was hitch hiking along the road."
"So?"
"Well I thought that you might want to know where he is."
"Listen, I don't care where the little shit is.  He can be in hell for 
all I care."
I was a little shocked.  I wasn't sure what I was hearing.
"Mr. Anderson, I wanted to tell you that he's all right.  I'm letting him 
sleep at my place tonight and will bring him back tomorrow."
"You one of his faggot friends?  Don't you dare bring him here.  I don't 
want to see his faggy ass anywhere near me.  Is that understood?"
With that the phone went dead.  I stood holding the receiver for a few 
moments trying to comprehend what I had just heard.  When I finally hung 
the phone up, I was convinced that I would never return Cory to that 
bigoted piece of trash.  I didn't know if what I was doing was legal.  I 
was not his guardian, but I didn't want to send him home to someone that 
didn't want him.
I put Cory's clothes in the dryer, set the timer and went to bed.


PART 03 - CORY

The next morning the sun was already up when I awoke.  I looked at the 
clock on the stand next to my bed and it told me that I was late for work.
  It was already 8:00.  I laid back down to collect my thoughts about the 
day when it hit me.  I jerked straight up in bed.  I had remembered that 
there was someone else sleeping in the house.  I got out of bed and 
looked out the door across the hall.  Cory's door was still closed, and I 
assumed he was still sleeping.  I would let him sleep because he probably 
needed it.  

I stepped into the bathroom to take my morning shower.  I was still 
sprouting my morning boner holding back my morning piss.  I usually just 
get in the shower and let it go.  As I showered and shaved, I decided to 
call the office and tell them I wouldn't be there for a day or two.  Nice 
to own the company so you can do this.  I dressed in jeans, tee shirt and 
deck shoes.  When I arrived down stairs to get myself some coffee, I 
found that Cory had already been there.  Sitting on the counter was a hot 
cup of coffee, a spoon, the bottle of milk and some sugar.
"I didn't know if you took cream or sugar in your coffee so I got them 
both out just in case."
I turned to see Cory coming around the corner from the family room.  "No, 
I just take my coffee black.  How do you feel this morning?  You were a 
little strung out last night."
"I feel great.  I guess I really needed the sleep.  I was out like a 
light and didn't wake up until I heard you get in the shower this morning.
"
"I called your dad last night."
He turned to me and just starred.  The silence was so loud me ears hurt.  
Tension shot up.
"I thought that he had a right to know where you were and that you were 
all right."
"You shouldn't have done that."
"I had to."
"Look, you were nice to me, and I thought that you might care but guess I 
was wrong.  I'll just be on my way."
"Cory, shut up and listen to me.  I had to call your dad.  I'm not your 
legal guardian, and you can't stay here without his permission."
"Well, did he give it?"
"You don't want to go back to him do you?"
"NO!  I don't ever want to see him again."
"Last night you touched my heart.  When I held you in my arms I was 
crying right along with you.  I made a vow that I would try to help you 
if I could.  I want you to stay here."

Silence

"I'm sorry.....(pause)..man, I keep saying that to you.  I'm just one 
fucked up kid.  I thought that you were going to bring me back to my dad. 
 I got scarred and mad........Do you really mean it?  I mean can I stay 
here?"
"Ya, but I need to work on this legally.  I guess we don't want your dad 
coming in and trying to take you back now do we.  I also have a set of 
rules that you have to follow just like any other parent would have."
I could see the tears returning to his eyes.  But this time there was no 
pain.  Only pure joy and maybe a sense of freedom.  The smile was a mile 
long across his face.
"First, no drugs.  Second no alcohol,  Third, you've got to go back to 
school, and I mean getting good grades in school too."
"I've seen what booze does to my dad.  I'll probably never touch the 
stuff.  I don't smoke regularly.  I mean I've tried it a couple of times.
"
"What school did you go to?"
"Plymouth High.  I actually like school, but my grades may not show it."
"Do you have many friends there?"
"Not anymore.  Mike was my best friend...I told you about him last night..
but he moved away.  I guess I really don't have any close friends left.
"
"Do you have a girlfriend?"

Cory looked down at the floor.  As he looked back up at me he said, 
"That's why my dad beat me and threw me out...........he found out that I 
was thinking that I'm gay.  I guess he wanted nothing to do with me.  I 
don't want to be!.  I want to be normal like everyone else!  I guess I'm 
ashamed of myself for what I've become.  Mike listened to me.  He knew."
I could feel the hurt return to his voice.  Cory's emerging sexuality 
seemed to be a big part of his problems.  I wasn't sure that I wanted to 
continue with this line too far until I knew more.  There may be time 
later.
"Let's talk about that later, Cory.  First thing, I want to get you to a 
doctor to look at your face."
"I don't have a regular doctor.  Dad always thought they were a waste of 
money."
"We'll go to mine.  Your clothes are still in the dryer, but I'm afraid 
that they're not ironed.  Hop down there and get them and get dressed.  
I'll call and see if we can get an appointment today."  Cory headed down 
into the basement to get his clothes, and I picked up the phone.

I was able to get an appointment for 30 minutes from the time I placed 
the call.  As we walked into the waiting room, the receptionist called 
out to us, "Mr. Mathews?"
"Yes"
"Dr. Stone is expecting you.  Please come with me.  Oh, and here, you can 
fill out this form while you wait for him."
She led Cory and I down a hall to an examining room.  As she closed the 
door behind us, she looked over at Cory.  I could tell that she had 
noticed the bruises on his cheeks and probably was wondering if I had 
anything to do with them.  I just looked at her as she closed the door.

Cory didn't say anything while we waited.  I could tell he was nervous as 
he kept squirming.  While I filled out the form, he'd walk around the 
room looking at the posters on the walls about not smoking and birth 
control.  Within ten minutes Dr. Fred Stone walked in.
"Good to see you Rich.  How's business been."
"It's actually been pretty good the last two years.  My retirement looks 
pretty good too about now."
"Well what can I do for you?  Is this Cory?"
"Cory, meet Dr. Stone.  Dr. Stone, this is Cory Anderson."
"Have a seat on the bench here.  Let's take a look."  I had known Dr. 
Henry Stone for almost 20 years, and he had been our physician for almost 
all of that time.  He liked practicing family medicine as opposed to 
specializing.  He was a strong believer in families.
After a few minutes Henry looked up at me and said, "Cory, I think I'd 
like to get an x-ray of your jaw.  There might be a small fracture that I 
want to check out."  He led Cory out of the room and as he went through 
the door, he turned to me and said, "Please wait.  I need to talk to you 
a little bit more."

I waited for Dr. Stone to return knowing exactly what he was going to say.
  He walked back into the room without Cory, closed the door rather 
slowly, obviously trying to put on his serious side.
"Who did this?  That boy has been beaten by someone bigger than another 
teenager.  God, I hope it wasn't you."
"No.  It wasn't me.  I think his father did it, but I only have Cory's 
side of the story."
"Did you see his back?"
"No, why?"
"He still has welts on both sides of his back.  Also some scarring tells 
me that this has been going on for some time."
"No,  I only saw his face.  How bad is it Doc?"
"Oh, Cory will heal.  He'll get better, and probably with no physical 
damage if he keeps away from what caused this.  I'm not too sure about 
any mental damage."  After a short pause, Henry softly said, "You know I 
have to report this." as a statement rather than as a question.
"I know.  But, how long can you hold off?"
"Where is Cory staying now?  Is he going back to his father?"
"He stayed with me last night.  I need some time to talk to Mark."  Mark 
is my attorney.  Henry, Mark and I have played golf once a week for over 
five years now so Henry knew who I was talking about.  "I want to find 
out about getting Cory away from his father."
"Well if he's staying with you, than I guess I can be sure that this 
won't happen again.  But eventually, Cory has to go back to his father 
unless he's put away.  You keep me informed of what's happening to Cory.  
If there's a chance that he's going back to that man, I have to step in.
"
"Thanks Henry.  I'll let you know what Mark has to say."
Cory returned and Henry left us to wait for the x-ray to be developed.  
"What'd you talk about while I was gone?" Cory asked me as soon as Dr. 
Stone had closed the door.
"We talked about where you got your bruises.  He also told me that this 
has been going on for awhile.  Last night was not the first time that 
this happened to you, is it?"
Cory didn't answer, but just stood there looking at me.

Dr. Stone returned with an x-ray in his hand.  He looked at it and said 
that there were no fractures and that Cory could go.  He wrote a 
prescription for some pain killers in case Cory had trouble moving his 
jaw while eating or talking.  Henry and I shook hands and made another 
date for golf next week.  As we left the back office area and returned to 
the waiting room, the receptionist asked for my form back.  I handed it 
to her and turned to leave.  She called out after me and asked, "What's 
the name of the patient.  You didn't put it down here."  I turned back to 
her and said, "Cory.....Cory Mathews."

When Cory and I got back in the car to head out, I picked up the cell 
phone and called Mark to ask to see him.  I told Cory that I wanted him 
to stay at home until I got back from my meeting.

Cory was watching television when I got back.  I walked into the family 
room and said, "How about some lunch.  Let's go out and get a good meal 
and then I think we need to go shopping for some clothes for you.  I 
don't think you want to go back to your dad's to pick up anything.  If 
you have anything that you really need back there, we can work on it.  
But for now, let's make a clean break from your past and look forward to 
your new future."
"Major cool.  I was wondering how long this tee was going to last. Most 
of the clothes I have are getting worn out.  I have a picture of my mom 
and one of Mike that I would like to have though.  And ya, I could eat a 
horse about now."

We headed toward the mall.  Cory said he would like to eat after shopping,
 so we walked in Hudson's first.  He was like a five year old in a candy 
shop.  I let him pick out his own clothes as he was better acquainted 
with the styles today for a teenager than I was.  He tried on shirts, 
pants, shoes, jackets and even a brightly colored pair of speedo swim 
trunks.  He picked out two more pairs of pants other than jeans and 
headed for the changing room.  After a few moments, he stuck his head out 
and asked for me to come in and have a look at the pants.  I felt a 
little foolish by going into the changing room with a 15 year old, but he 
wanted to show me.  He had on a black pair of pants that seemed to be a 
little too tight in the waist.
"Think they're too small for me?" he asked.
"Looks like you could use a larger pair.  How big is your waist?"
"I used to be a 29 but probably now 30.  This pair is a 29, but I brought 
in this other pair.  It's a 30."
He unzipped the front of his pants and started to take them off.  Under 
the pants, he was wearing the speedos.  The color of the speedos was 
mostly a bright orange with some blotches of purple and green.  The 
colors were so bright I almost had to close my eyes.  Then I noticed the 
bulge in the front.  Cory really knew how to show himself off.  "Cory, 
why are you wearing those?  You cant wear them out of the store without 
paying for them."

"Oh, I wasn't going to do that.  It's just that I like the feel of 
speedos.  I just kept them on while I was trying on the rest of the 
clothes.  He reached for the waist band of the speedos and put his 
fingertips inside of the band.  He started to lower the trunks right in 
front of me.  Shortly, out popped his penis as the speedos were pulled 
down.  He let them drop to the floor around his ankles.  He stepped out 
of them with one foot and used to other foot to pick the speedos up and 
then grabbed them with his hand.  Again I was awe struck at just how 
beautiful this boy was.  He looked at me as I slowly turned around to 
give him a little privacy.  "Hey, man.  That's ok." he said out of 
nowhere.  He must have sensed my embarrassment at his pulling down the 
speedos.  He put his underwear back on.  We finished buying the clothes 
he needed and then headed for the Burger King located at the center of 
the mall.

It was probably around 3:00 when we finally sat down to eat.  Most of the 
lunch crowd was gone by now, and we were seated by ourselves at a window 
booth looking out on the mall's interior.  Cory was watching me as we ate 
in silence.  Every time I looked up I could see his eyes move away from 
me.  "Are you staring at me Cory?" I asked.
"I'm sorry...............It's just that..that you've done more for me in 
the last 18 hours than my dad ever did in the last three years.  Where do 
people like you come from?  I was starting to think that my teachers were 
full of crap and that there were no good people left."
"Cory.  I don't know what you've been through, but I hope that I can make 
the bad part stop.  Yes, your teachers are right.  There are a lot of 
good people out there.  Most people are naturally good people.  Some a 
little different than others, but generally good inside."
"You sure are."
"Thanks. I like you very much.  You're a neat kid.  But Cory, can we talk 
about your father a little?"
"What do we need to talk about him for?"
"Because we need to.  The meeting that I had with my attorney this 
morning gave me an idea.  How would you like to move in permanently?"
"I thought I did."
"No, I mean legally binding so that I would become your guardian?"
"You'd do that for me?"
"If you want me to."
"Oh man, would I.  You mean like you'd be my dad or something?"
"Not exactly, your father, but your legal guardian.  It would be like I 
was your foster father."
His eyes started to mist again.  His emotions seem to be just under the 
surface.  "Rich......I...ah...I haven't had a real dad for a long time.  
If you would be my dad.....I mean foster dad or whatever......"  A tear 
started to roll down his right cheek over the scar that was beginning to 
form.  Cory took my left hand into his two hands and said, "I mean....
mean yes....yes I would."
Cory needed a family so much.  He had been without a family for the three 
years since his mother had died.  Some say that his father had something 
to do with his mothers death.  
"Cory, my attorney is going to be filing for an injunction today that 
will keep your father away from you.  In the meantime, he is pursuing 
having civil charges brought against him.  What he did to you is against 
the law.  He deserves what he gets.  Also he is working on having you 
placed in my care until Health and Human Services can have you properly 
placed as a foster child..... Get this, I'm calling a 15 year old almost 
adult a child."  Cory chuckled a little at that.  "Anyway, most kids need 
both a mother and a father.  You've had neither for the last 3 years.  
After some discussion with the Health and Human Services people, they 
agreed that you probably need a father more than ever now that your 15.  
It looks like things might work out for us....son"
This did not go unnoticed.  His eyes shot up and looked at me.  The 
warmest smile settled in on his face.  "Thanks..........dad." Cory 
replied.


PART 04 - CORY

As Cory and I left the mall, I noticed a little more spring in his walk.  
He seemed truly at peace with himself.  However, the next thing I needed 
to talk to him about was school.  I decided to open the conversation on 
the way home.  As we pulled out of the parking lot, I said, "Well Cory....
so what classes in school are your favorites?"
"I guess I like science and math the most."
"Grades ok?"
"Well not really.  I like most of the things I'm taking, but I'm a little 
behind."
"Not doing enough homework?"
"My dad....I mean my old dad....was usually asleep when I was home at 
night.  I tried to finish my work, but sometimes I just didn't.  
Sometimes I just didn't want to do it.  Sometimes I just forgot."
"Remember, one of my rules was that school work has to be more important 
than playing.  You're big enough now to have seen that the people who 
matter in this world usually have a good education."
"What do you do?"
"I own a medium sized manufacturing company.  We manufacture mostly small 
electronic components for the auto industry."
"Whoa.....you own your own company?
"Ya.  Lots of hard work, but it's paying off."
"Did you go to college?"
"Had to.  Only way to get the education I needed to be someone."
"So you got a degree in business or something?"
"Actually, I got my first degree, my Bachelor's Degree, in Electrical 
Engineering.  I continued and got a Master's Degree in Business 
Administration."
"Must of taken forever."
"Well it seemed like it at the time.  I was 24 years old when I got out 
of school with my MBA.  But over the past 20 years since then, it doesn't 
seem so long.  You've got to remember that after school, you've got a lot 
of time left to make up for your school time.  It's better to live a good 
life for the 60 or so years that you have left than a poor one."
"That makes some sense.  I never thought about it like that.  I guess 
I've always known that an education is important, but I wanted to get it 
over with as soon as possible."
"Can I do what you did?" he added.
"No, you do what you want and are good at.  Don't follow someone else's 
path."
He just sat in the front seat of the car and thought about that.  He 
looked up when he felt the car start to turn into another parking lot.
"Where are we?  Hey, that's a school."
"Yup, It's called your new school.  What do you think?"
"Looks weird.  I don't see any kids out."
"That's because they're in class now.  Come on......We need to see the 
principal."
"Does he know we're coming?"
"When I was with Mark, my attorney, this morning, we also called the 
school."
We walked across the parking lot and approached the front door.  The 
principal's office was easy to find as there was a sign pointing to it 
just as we entered the building.  Carl Bettler was in his office, but was 
getting ready to go home when we got there.  "Mr. Bettler?" I said and 
stuck out my hand.
"You must be Mr. Mathews.  And this must be Cory.  Please come in."
As we walked into his office, I said, "I'm sorry we're late, but Cory 
needed a few things before he could start school."  I turned to Cory 
lowered my head and said to him, "like something to wear." emphasizing 
the work WEAR."  Cory had also bought some underwear so he wouldn't have 
to wear his speedos.
"Mr. Mathews, I've already contacted Plymouth High to get his records 
sent here.  However, we can't officially accept him here until the foster 
family situation is also official.  I took the liberty of calling your 
attorney back this afternoon.  He says that it's only a matter of days.  
The weekend starts tomorrow, and he hopes that by Tuesday it should be 
all set."
"Thanks Mr. Bettler.  I find it hard to believe how fast things are 
working."
"I've been through this before Mr. Mathews.  When it comes to the safety 
of a child, sometimes the system can move quickly.  Not always, but we 
try.  You want to see the school Cory?"
"I guess so.  Do you have a swim team here?"
"Actually, our boys swim team made regionals last season.  You swim?"
"I was on the team in Plymouth.  I'd like to continue."
"I bet you'll find a place here." said the principal as we headed down 
the corridor.  Mr. Bettler showed us where the gym was as well as the 
cafeteria, theater, swimming pool, locker areas, offices and some 
classrooms.  He didn't know what classes Cory would be starting in as he 
hadn't seen his record yet.  Actually he informed us that the staff 
councilors were the ones who were going to look at his record and try to 
place him.

It was now about 6:00 and we headed for home.  As soon as we got in the 
house, Cory ran upstairs to his room.  I was a little curious as to what 
he was up to.  I followed him upstairs and peeked around the door.  He 
was taking his new clothes out and putting them away in the empty dresser 
next to the bed.  As I walked in I said, "Think it'll all fit in there?"
He looked at me and said, "We didn't buy that much.......dad."
It was strange to hear.  My daughter still calls me dad, but it's not the 
same.  Than it hit me.  Ya....it's not the same coming from a daughter as 
it is coming from a son.  I never had a son.  It appears that now I do.
"You know Cory, I think I like the sound of that."
"Me too."

After dinner I asked if he wanted to watch a movie.  "No" he said.  
"Actually, I was hoping to climb in your hot tub.  I saw it out there 
today when you were off with your attorney.  It looks cool dude.  You use 
it often?"
"Every night.  OK, let's go"

I walked upstairs and turned into my bedroom.  I started to get undressed 
to get ready. Cory followed me into my room and saw that I was starting 
to undress and quickly turned around and headed to his room.  I usually 
use the hot tub without any swim gear, and tonight would be no exception. 
 I put on my robe and headed to the hallway.  I peered into Cory's room 
as he was pulling the last part of his speedos up.  I frowned.  Hmmmm.  I 
turned around and went back to my room.  When I returned a few seconds 
later, I had my wife's old robe.  It was a dark blue terry cloth robe 
just like mine, but one size smaller.  As I handed the robe to Cory, I 
said, "The back yard is pretty private and no one can see in the gazebo 
with it's smoked windows.  I don't wear any swim trunks in the tub."

"Oh" he said a little quizzically as he put on the robe.  I turned and 
walked out, but I heard him slipping off his speedos as I walked down the 
hall toward the stairs.  I was filling a pitcher of water for us when he 
came down.  He fell in line right behind me as I walked out the sliding 
glass doors in the family room and stepped out on the deck.  It was now 
dark out, but the moon was almost full.  It was a clear night and the 
stars filled the sky.  The gazebo has a large Plexiglas skylight that 
covers almost the entire roof.  When we closed the doors, moon light 
shown in through the skylight and filled the inside of the gazebo.  I 
took a hold of the cover and folded it back on itself.  Cory than grabbed 
the other end and we lifted it off.  Steam began rising from the hot 
water and began warming the air.
"Oh. I almost forgot.  I'm going back in to turn on some music."  Last 
summer I had installed speakers in the gazebo and had connected them to 
my stereo.  I turned around and went back into the house.  I found a 
light piece of classical music that was soothing and popped it in the CD 
player, turned it on, pushed the button to turn on the gazebo speakers 
and went back outside.  When I got back inside the gazebo, Cory was 
already in the water on the other side of the tub in one corner facing me.
  His legs were stretched out in front of him with his arms hanging back 
over the sides of the tub.  His head was back looking at the stars.  He 
hadn't turned on the air yet (maybe he didn't know how or where the 
switch was) so through the tranquil water I could see that magnificent 
form again.  The color of his skin was a tanish gray from the moonlight.  
As I stood there gazing on his body, my eyes again came to rest at the 
area just below his flat stomach and just above his knees.  Was I 
mistaken or was the water causing some kind of refraction of the light?  
His penis looked larger then when I had seen him in the bathroom or the 
changing room.  He lowered his head and looked right at me.
"Nice music.  I've always liked classical music, but don't get a chance 
to hear much of it.  It's really soothing....could sleep here forever man.
"
I turned to take my robe off and hang it next to his on the wall.  As I 
turned back around, I could see his eyes looking at me.  He was looking 
directly at my penis.  Now I'm not large but 6 1/2" is respectable.  It 
was probably 4" now hanging straight down.  I stepped over the side of 
the tub and started to sit down in the water on the same side as he was 
on but the other corner.  We could see each other but because the 
speakers were on the side opposite us, it was the best place to listen to 
the music.  It was my usual corner anyway as the air controls were just 
over the side at my fingertips.  I turned on the air and bubbles began 
rising all around us.  Some came out in jets along the sides.  Cory 
jumped slightly as he wasn't expecting it.
"Man, that's cool.  Sort of tingly all over me." he said.  We both sat 
there, looking at each other, not saying anything for a while.  I wanted 
to go over and give him a hug, but was afraid of what he would think.  
This whole day has made me think about my straightness as I was getting 
very attracted to this young man.  Now we were sitting nude together only 
four feet apart from each other.  My god, there is a 30 year difference 
in our ages.  I guess I've thought of men all my life, but have never 
admitted to myself that I might be gay.  I've never had sex with a man.  
I've never even touched another man.  And now testosterone is riveting me 
with desire.  But I can't have him.  He is after all only 15 years old.  

"I saw you looking at me earlier."
Cory's words rocked me back to the present.  I knew what he meant.  
"Sorry man, I didn't mean to."
"That's ok, but I think you did.  I think you're like me."
"Just what are you like?"
"I was looking at you when you got in the tub.  I'm sorry, but the sight 
of you naked climbing over the side was arousing to me."  He paused for 
awhile, and I didn't say anything.
"Rich...er...dad.....I've got a boner.

Silence

"So do I."  I really did.  It was throbbing, it was so hard.  Electricity 
seemed to be filling the air around us.  Just then Cory slid over toward 
me so that our thighs and hips touched.  The electric shock to my system 
was pumping me even further up.  He turned and put both arms around my 
neck, drawing me toward him.  He lightly kissed my neck.  Instinctively I 
put my arms around him and held him to me.  As my body turned to embrace 
him, I knew that our dicks would be touching soon.  Cory put one hand on 
my chest and started to move it around.  He looked at me and said, "Can I 
touch you?"

I wanted that more than ever now.  I didn't say anything, but moved my 
hand from his back down to his hip.  As I did his hand moved slowly 
downward toward my very erect penis.  We touched each other at about the 
same time.  Our hands wrapped around each others dicks softly and started 
to move in and out.  We began jacking each other off.  As I turned my 
head to look at him, his head rose to look at me and our lips almost 
touched.  With my other hand still on his back, I pulled him closer and 
we kissed full on the lips.  I felt his mouth open and close.  I opened 
my mouth slightly as did he again and our tongues met.  Passion was 
consuming me just as it was consuming Cory.  He pulled himself from my 
lips and said, "I'm going to cum.  I can't hold it any longer."  That 
sent me over the edge, and we shot our loads into the warm water.  Spasm 
after spasm wrenched my body.  He held his head in the air with his eyes 
closed and his mouth open in ecstasy.  As I started to come back to earth 
I was still stroking his dick.  It was still hard.  He relaxed his hold 
on my neck and slid back into the water releasing his hold on my dick.  I 
released him.

I was now afraid.  What had I done?  What had I allowed to happen?  I was 
consumed by fear.  I had never done this before, and I couldn't get the 
thought out of my mind that I had just ruined the relationship Cory and I 
were developing.  How could I have been so selfish?  
"Dad?..........can I call you that?....please.....I need to call you 
that"
"What" I answered softly.
"I'm so sorry....I don't know what to say.  I shouldn't have done that."
"Cory, It was my fault.  It's I who should be apologizing to you."
"No, I wanted to touch you.  I wanted you close to me.  I wanted to do 
this for you as much as for me."
I put my arms around him and hugged him.  I heard a sniffle...than 
another.  I looked down at him and saw the tears rolling down his cheeks. 
I looked straight ahead and said, "Maybe we both wanted this to happen."
Then I heard the words that will ring in my ears for the next five years. 
 "I love you."
I waited before answering.
"Cory, I love you too.  More than you know."

Cory slept in his own room until late morning.  I had to call him to get 
him moving before the day was lost.  At about 11:00 he came downstairs.  
He was dressed in the new jeans that I had bought and a new brightly 
colored red tee shirt.  His feet were still bare, and his walk was full 
of confidence.  He sat down across from me at the dining room table where 
I was having another cup of coffee and trying to read the newspaper.
"Morning Cory"
"Have any more coffee?"
"Plenty left.  Get your own cup and pour yourself some."
Cory returned and sat back down.  I continued to read the paper.
"About last night..", he said.
Before he could finish, I cut him off be saying, "You don't have to say 
anything if you don't want to."
"I want to say this to you.  I probably need to say this more than 
anything.  Thirty-six  hours ago, I was alone, cold and really didn't 
know where to turn.  My dad had kicked me out for being gay.  I didn't 
think about becoming gay.  I didn't all of a sudden make a decision to be 
gay.  I just am." He added softly.  "When I told Mike the first time, he 
just starred past me for the longest time.  And then he just said `I know.
' Without getting mad or anything.  Mike knew that I was gay but never 
told me he knew.  He accepted me."
"Cory, you don't have to explain to me.  I accept you.  I accept you for 
who you are.  It really is OK.  Last night, you may have made me open my 
eyes a little.  I have been straight all my life, or at least I thought I 
was.  I think that maybe you are going to help me understand my sexuality 
a little more.  Cory...you're turning out to be someone very special to 
me"
"You're not upset with me?"
"Good God.  No."
"I love you for who you are.  I love you for accepting me for who I am.  
You don't look down on me."
With that, Cory threw his arms around me and gave me a loud kiss on the 
cheek.  I turned and gave him a kiss on his cheek also.  We just looked 
at each other for the longest time.  No words were being spoken, but our 
eyes were screaming of the love that was building between us.  His smile 
told it all.


PART 05

It was Thursday night when I met Cory.  In just a few short days, he had 
moved into my house and by Tuesday afternoon, he was placed officially in 
my care as a foster child.  Wednesday he started school, and he had to 
ride the bus that morning.  I was up like any good parent should be to 
get him breakfast.  I could tell that he was a little apprehensive that 
morning.  He didn't know anyone yet, but I figured that he could make 
some new friends easily.

I fried some bacon and eggs for breakfast along with orange juice and 
toast.  I figured a hearty breakfast would be just what the doctor 
ordered for a good start at his first day in a new school.  But he didn't 
eat too much.  He played with most of his breakfast.
"Nervous?" I asked.
"Ya, a little."
"Don't worry.  You'll be fine.  Would you rather I drove you to school 
this morning?"  The school was just outside of walking distance.
"Would you mind?  I'm just a little nervous."
"Well, hop to.  Let's get going."
We put the dishes in the dishwasher and left the house.  Cory was silent 
as we drove the three miles to the high school.  As we approached the 
school, Cory was watching out the window at everything.  I pulled the car 
into the parking lot and stopped in from of the main entrance, and Cory 
sat there for a minute.  At last he moved over to ma, gave me a kiss on 
the cheek, and opened the door to leave.
"Cory, it's just a school.  Don't worry,  you'll meet some kids you'll 
like"
"I hope so."
"Know where you're going first?"
"Ya.  I'm prepared.  See you tonight."
"Bye."
Cory then turned and walked into the building.  He didn't look back and 
was soon inside and out of sight.  For a moment it seemed that the school 
had swallowed him and was not going to give him back.  I felt little 
pangs of remorse as I was the one that gave him up to the school.

I left work early that day to buy a special present for Cory.  He didn't 
ride the bus at his old school, and really didn't want to ride one to his 
new school.  I stopped in at a bike shop and bought him a new off road 
bike.  It was sitting in the garage when he got home from school that 
afternoon.

The bus let him off two houses down from our house, and as he got off the 
bus, he started to run toward the house.  I was waiting for him on the 
front porch.
"How was school?"
"Well, I didn't make any new friends like you promised, but a few kids 
actually came up and talked to me."
"How was the bus ride home?"
"Busses suck, big time."
"Take a look in the garage.  I think there's something in there you might 
like."
He looked at me with a quizzical look on his face and slowly turned and 
walked to the garage door.  He opened it, stared inside, looked back at 
me, smiled and then ran into the garage.
"Is this for me?  My old bike got wrecked last year.   Wow!! This is so 
cool."
"I thought you might like this as a way to get to school instead of the 
school bus."
"Oh man, thanks a lot.  I really mean it."
Cory ran over to me and threw is arms around me in a quick bear hug and 
then was out of the garage riding his new bike.

Cory and I would sit in the spa almost every night.  There we would 
fondle each other and kiss.  Most of the time, Cory would start by moving 
close to me and letting our legs touch for a minute or two.  This was his 
signal.  After a moment or two, we would embrace, kiss and than stroke 
each other off.

One night I had gotten a movie and he and I were sitting on the floor 
with our backs resting on the couch.  The movie wasn't too interesting, 
and I could tell that Cory wasn't interested in it either.    We were 
wearing just gym shorts and tee shirts, and I noticed that he was 
starting a get a little bulge in the front.  The sight of his emerging 
erection caused my penis to start to spring a little wood also.  As the 
movie droned on, I felt Cory's hand come to rest and my thigh.   He 
started a slow massage of my leg, and he started to drive me crazy.  Just 
as I reached over to touch his enlarged dick, he moved his hand toward my 
dick and we started to fondle each other.  Cory broke away, and with both 
hands he reached for the elastic band of his shorts and pulled them 
toward his knees.  His erect penis sprang free and slapped his stomach as 
it flew upward.  As he kicked them off, I started to reach for my shorts 
too, but he stopped me.
"Let me do that." He said.
He reached for the elastic band of my shorts and put his fingers inside 
the band.  He grasped the band and pulled it to my feet, and then threw 
my shorts on top of his.  He came back and sat beside me on my right, and 
leaned over and put his head on my chest.  With his right hand he started 
to stroke my very erect penis.  He was so gentile.  I felt his hand slide 
further down and grasp my testicles.  They were hanging low and had a lot 
of sack to move around.  Cory was starring at my dick and balls while 
gently massaging my crotch with his right hand.
He spoke very softly.  "Have you ever thought about what a dick tastes 
like?"
"No.  Not really.  What are you thinking Cory?"
"I was thinking...and I've actually thought about it before...that....
well....would you like me to suck your dick?"  He continued his slow 
massage as we spoke.
"Do you want to?"
"Ya."  With that he lowered his head and his tongue slid across the 
sensitive tip of my dick.  He had licked it like an ice cream cone, and 
it sent a chill up from my groin to me head.  What he was doing was 
licking the large amount of precum that was oozing from the tip.  He 
pulled back slightly as if to figure out what it tasted like.  He said, 
"that's kind of well...actually it doesn't have much flavor at all.  Just 
a little salty.   Is that what cum is supposed to taste like?"
"That's not semen." I said.  "That's called precum.  And, no I don't know 
what it tastes like."
He moved down again, and this time he took the head into his mouth and 
closed his lips around my shaft.  The warmth and lubrication from his 
saliva around my dick was nothing I had ever felt before.  This was not 
like sex with a women.  This was more intense.  Cory started to move his 
head up and down on my shaft, and then I suddenly felt his teeth.  I 
flinched from the pain, and he noticed.  He took his mouth off my dick 
and said, "I'm sorry.  Did that hurt?"
"Yes it did.  You have to watch those teeth."
"Sorry.  I've never done this before.  I'll try to wrap my lips around my 
teeth this time."
He moved back and took my dick back in his mouth.  This time was much 
better.  His right hand began rubbing my balls as his mouth was moving up 
and down on my cock.  I was now thrusting my hips upward as he was moving 
his head downward.  I was building to one of the most intense orgasms I 
had ever known.  My hands were running through his hair as he worked on 
me.  I yelled down to him, "You'd better pull back.  I'm going to cum.....
Cory.....CORY, pull back now."  He just continued sucking on me as if he 
didn't want to hear me.  I didn't know if he heard me or not, and I 
wasn't too sure if he wanted me to cum in his mouth.
I threw my head back as I shot my first load into the back of his mouth.  
I didn't know what he was doing to me.  All I could feel was the intense 
climax I was having.

As I began to relax, Cory moved up to me and kissed me.  I was so happy 
at the pleasure that Cory had given me that I passionately kissed him 
back.

Something tasted funny.

Just then I pulled back from Cory, realizing that I was tasting my own 
cum.  "What's the matter?" Cory asked.
"I just realized that the different taste I was tasting was my own cum"
"Ya.  Cool, huh?  I wasn't sure what it would taste like.  I like yours.  
It's salty and sweet at the same time."
"Ya you're right.  The taste isn't too bad after all."
As I felt Cory move against my body, I felt a coolness between us.  He 
moved apart from me, and I could see that Cory had ejaculated on my hip 
and leg.  "I was so turned on that you were so turned on by me sucking 
you  that I couldn't stop myself either." Cory said.
We both reached down and ran our finger through his cum and brought it to 
our lips.  With my other hand I ran a finger along Cory's lower lip to 
get a little more of my cum to compare to .  Cory's was not as salty as 
mine.  Cory said that he liked mine more because it had more flavor.  I 
liked his because it had the flavor of youth.
Cory sat up and looked at me.  "Your dick felt really smooth when it was 
in my mouth.  I've thought about what it would be like to suck a guy 
before.  I've really wanted to suck you, but I didn't know if you would 
want me to."
"Did you like it?"
"Ya.  I really though you were going to explode in my mouth."
"You mean I didn't shoot enough for you?"
"No.  I mean that just before you shot, the head of your dick seemed to 
swell up in size.  It was like I could tell when you were going to cum."
"Well, one of these days I might get up the courage to suck you."  
Actually, I already knew I would probably suck Cory the next time.  Cory 
was smiling at me.
We used our gym shorts to clean ourselves and went to bed.  But this time,
 Cory just got into my bed and stayed there all night long.  He moved 
onto his side with his back towards me and slid over to me until we 
touched.  I turned toward him and moved up to him so that his back was 
against my stomach.  I put my arm over him and started to fall asleep.  
Just before I was completely asleep, I felt Cory's hand lifting my hand.  
He moved it down to his penis and placed it on his erection.  The next 
thing I knew, it was morning.


PART 06 - CORY

One day as I arrived home from work, I couldn't find Cory.  I assumed 
that he was out with one of his new friends.  Cory had been in school for 
about three months now and had made two new friends.  When I had a 
sixteenth birthday party for Cory last month, he invited his two new 
friends.  Kevin was 16 years old and about the same height and build as 
Cory.  His eyes were blue and he had very short yellow blond hair.  Matt 
was only 15, but his birthday was coming up soon.  He was about an inch 
shorted than Cory and had longer brown straight hair.  He was heavier 
than Cory by about 15 or 20 pounds.  He was muscular and didn't have too 
much fat on him...just stockier than Cory.  Both boys were in many 
classes together with Cory and they soon became good friends.  Matt, like 
Cory had just started school here.  He had moved in from Southern 
California.  Kevin had lived here all his life and really knew the ropes. 
 Being the oldest he sort of took Matt and Cory under his wing to show 
them around.  Both boys had both parents living at home and seemed to be 
well adjusted adolescents. Cory really seemed to like them (and thought 
that Kevin was quite cute).

Anyway, as I went to my room to change clothes, I noticed Cory's door was 
closed.  As I walked past, I thought I heard a rustling sound.  I knocked 
on the door and said, "Cory.  Are you there?"

Silence

"You here Cory?"

More silence

I turned and went into my room to change, thinking that it as my 
imagination.  As I was pulling up and buttoning my 501's, I heard Cory's 
door open.  I looked up to see Cory standing in my doorway.  His hair was 
messed up, his eyes were swollen from crying, and his face was bruised.  

"Cory,  What happened to you?"
"I got beat up at school today."
I went over to him to look at his face.  It was bruised pretty badly.  "I 
think we may need old Doc Stone to look at you again.  Come over and sit 
down. "
I sat down on the bed next to him, but I didn't say anything for awhile.  
Then I softly said, "Care to tell me what happened?"
By the expression on Cory's face and the look of his eyes, I could tell 
he was close to tears again.
"Please Cory, let me help."
Cory slowly began to speak.  "Dad.  It all started after I met Matt and 
Kevin.  Kevin  and I are in gym class together.  A couple of weeks ago, 
after we changed into our shorts, we were talking about joining the swim 
team next year when practices start.  I guess we forgot the time and 
stayed in the locker room too long.  When we noticed that everyone was 
gone, we looked at each other and yelled, `Oh shit" and ran out to the 
field.  The rest of the class was choosing sides for a softball game when 
the coach noticed us running up there.  The coach stopped us and gave us 
the riot act for being late.  He said that we had to spend two days in 
after school detention for it."
"One of the other boys in my gym class is named Johnny.  He's also the 
captain of the junior varsity football team.  He thinks he's just about 
God's gift to all the girls in school.  I'm sure he's had sex with about 
a dozen girls by the way he brags.  Anyway, he starts giving Kevin and me 
a hard time about being late.  He started saying that Kevin and I were 
just a couple of faggots playing with each other in the locker room, and 
that's why we were late."
"Does Kevin know about you or have you done anything with him?"
"Honest Dad.  I've never touched Kevin.  I do think he's cute, but I 
haven't done anything with him.  Kevin is straight."
"Just asking...go on son"
"Johnny kept it up on me and Kev for a long time.  When we would go to 
the shower, I would try to be the first one in there because Johnny was 
always the last one in and the last one to leave.  I just didn't' want to 
be in there with him."
"Dad, when you were in high school, did you have trouble with boners?  I 
seem to get them almost anytime during the day."
"It's pretty common with young boys, you know?"
"I know Dad.  Kevin and Mat and I have talked about it, and it seems that 
we're pretty normal.  I just wanted to know if you had them too."
"Anyway,  I was in the shower one day last week after gym class and in 
walks Johnny.  I turned my back to him and he walked over to a free 
shower head on the other side of the shower room.  As I was soaping up, I 
don't know what I was thinking, but I started to sprout a boner.  I kept 
trying to think of something else, but my mind kept coming back to my 
boner.  The more I tried to think about something else, the more I 
thought of what was happening to me.  I really was scared that someone 
would see it, so I kept close to the wall with my back to the rest of the 
guys.  Just then I heard Johnny yell out, `Hey everybody.  Look at Cory 
over there.  He's got a boner.  I always thought you were  a faggot.'  I 
was so embarrassed, I just wanted to leave.  He was right.  I was 
completely erect by then."
"What happened after that?"
"I was getting ready to run out when Johnny grabs my arm and spins me 
around.  Now everyone can see me.  And this is what really embarrassed me.
  He grabs my dick and pulls me out into the center of the shower.  I 
almost stumbled and when he let me go, I fell to my knees.  I just stayed 
there in the center of the shower with everyone looking at me.  I was 
starting to cry cause I was so scared and embarrassed.  Now I hear Johnny 
telling everyone that I'm a cocksucker and he starts pushing his dick at 
my face.  I kept turning my head around, but he kept doing it.  Then he 
pushes my away from him and I fell over.   He tells me that the one thing 
he hates more than anything else in the world is queers."
"Dad.  I was so scared I thought he was going to kick me right then when 
we heard the coach yell, `All right.  Break it up.  Johnny, move over.  
Give Cory some room.'  I got up and ran from the shower.  I dressed even 
though I was still a little wet.  I didn't  wait for Kevin though I knew 
he was right behind me.  I was too embarrassed to even talk to him."
"Remember when Kevin came over a week ago last Thursday to work on 
Geometry homework with me?"
"Ya, I remember.  I thought Kevin was a little nervous that night."
"He was.  He wanted to talk to me about what happened in the shower at 
gym.  When he came up to my room, he closed the door and sat on my bed.  
He didn't say anything for a while.  Although Kevin and I hadn't spoken 
about it, I could tell that maybe he wanted to talk about it that night.  
Kevin asked me if I was too embarrassed to talk to him, and I said no, 
not any more.  He wanted to apologize for not trying to help me.  He felt 
bad for me, but was afraid to do anything.  He felt really guilty that he 
didn't push Johnny away from me and stick up for me.  I tried to tell him 
that there wasn't anything that he really could have done.  Then 
something happened that really surprised me.  Kevin put his arms around 
me and hugged me.  He kept telling me that he was sorry for what happened 
to me.  He was getting a little teary eyed too.  Just then I realized 
what a good friend I had in Kevin.  He really liked me."
"Kevin sounds like a good kid.  I'm really glad that you met him."
"Me too."
Cory paused slightly than said,  "But today, Matt, Kevin and I wanted to 
walk home from school.  They live closer than I do, so they walk. So we 
started for Kevin's house.  I was walking my bike.  When we rounded the 
baseball field, there was Johnny standing with four of his friends.  
Kevin told me to not say anything and just walk by them.  As we started 
to walk by, Johnny stepped in out in front of us and his friends followed.
  Johnny just looked at me and then said,  `Cory, you little faggot, I'm 
going to kick your ass.'  He stepped toward me, and I stepped back.  Just 
then he pushes me.  I stumbled backward, but I didn't fall.  Kevin 
stepped forward and yelled at Johnny to leave me alone, and he pushes 
Johnny.  Kevin steps between me and Johnny and just stands there.  Johnny 
comes forward and punches Kevin in the face.  Kevin fell down on his back 
and was holding his cheek.  I think his nose was bleeding.  I got really 
mad because Kevin was trying to stand up for me and got knocked down.  I 
hit Johnny as hard as I could in the stomach.  I swung again, but I 
missed him as he bent over.  Then two of his friends grab each of my arms.
  I tried to get free, but they held me until Johnny caught his wind.  
Matt wasn't sure what to do, but he steps in to stop Johnny, but Johnny 
hits Matt in the cheek.  Matt fell down when Johnny hit him the second 
time.  Johnny started to come toward me, but Kevin laying on the ground 
was in the way, so Johnny kicks him as hard as he could in the ribs.  
Than Johnny hits me again and again.  He's yelling at me and calling me 
names like queer and faggot.  Matt eventually had gotten up and pushes 
Johnny out of the way.  Matt and Johnny just stared at each other for a 
while.  Matt was a little bigger than Johnny and said to him, `If you 
make one more move, you're dead.  Believe me Johnny.  This is no joke.'  
I've never heard Matt so angry.  Just then Johnny straightens up and his 
friends let go of me.  I fell to the ground along side of Kevin.  Blood 
was all over Kevin's face now.  I was feeling really sick to my stomach.  
Johnny yells to me that if catches me again, he's going to kick my ass 
again, and every time he sees me.  When they turn to walk away, Matt 
leans down and helps Kevin and me up.  He tries to tell me not to worry, 
that he's all talk.  I told Matt that this was some talk we just got."
"How is Kevin?"
"I took him home to his Mom.  She was really scared when she saw him.  
The blood made it look much worse than it was.  By the time he got home, 
his nose had stopped bleeding.  So when he got cleaned up, he looked much 
better.  His mom took him in the car to go to their doctor to see if his 
nose or ribs were broken or not."
Cory sat quiet for awhile as if  trying to think about the words he was 
about to say.
"Dad, I really love Kevin for what he did....actually. dad,  I think I 
really love Kevin."
I think that when I heard those words, I was a little jealous of Kevin.  
Cory was the love of my life, and he was turning to someone else.  But 
then I realized that Cory needs friends of his own, his own age.
"Does Kevin know about you being gay yet?"
"No, I don't think so.  I guess that I don't mind if he knows.  But I 
don't want to ruin our relationship.  What if he won't talk to me if he 
finds out?"
"Cory, it sounds to me that Kevin likes you more than just casually.  He 
had the courage to stand up for you when a lot of people wouldn't."
"I know.  And that's what confuses me.  What if he likes me like I like 
him and he's also too scared to tell me?  And what if he couldn't handle 
it if he knew I was gay?  Dad.Kevin really has me confused.  I don't know 
what to tell or not to tell him."
"Why don't you tell him the truth?"
Cory paused for a moment, thinking about what I had just said.
"I guess you're right.....I really should."
Cory put his arms around me and gave me a hug.  We walked out of my room 
together and headed downstairs to see what was in the fridge for dinner.  
I told Cory that I would fix something and that he should probably start 
his homework.  Cory headed back upstairs, and I started thinking about 
him in earnest.
I was in love with him.  I needed him.  I also was very much older than 
him.  As much as I wanted to keep him here with me, the realization crept 
slowly over me that I had to let him go.  I couldn't be lover and parent 
at the same time.  I think I needed to be a parent more.
Just then the telephone rang, and I picked it up.
"Hi Mr. Mathews.  Is Cory there?"
"Is this Kevin?"
"Yes Sir."
"Sorry Kevin.  I didn't recognize your voice.  I heard about what 
happened this afternoon."
"Did Cory tell you?"
"Ya, he did.  I want to thank you for trying to help him.  That was very 
courageous of you."
"I felt that I had to help Cory."
"I'll call Cory and tell him you're on the phone."
"Thank you."
Cory came down about five minutes after he got on the phone with Kevin.
"Dad.  Kevin's coming over.  He says he wants to do homework, but I think 
he just wants to talk about this afternoon."
"How is he?  Is anything broken?"
"His nose is OK, but he has a cracked rib."
"Maybe he shouldn't be moving around tonight."
"Naw, the doctor taped him up pretty good and said it was ok to walk 
around."
"OK, I'll send him up when he gets here."
Cory ran back upstairs to wait for Kevin, and I started a meat loaf for 
dinner. 


PART 07 - CORY

When the door bell rang, I went to answer it, but Cory was flying down 
the stairs to the front door.  Just as he got there, he stopped for a 
minute so it wouldn't seem that he was too anxious to open the door.  But 
I could tell he was.  Cory opened the door slowly, and sure enough, it 
was Kevin.  As Kevin walked into the house, I could tell he was in a 
little pain from the cracked rib.  His nose looked fine, but his eye had 
a purple ring around it.
"Geez, Kev, you look awful." Cory blurted out.
Kevin looked down at the floor.  He was a little embarrassed.
"Cory! That's not what you should be saying to Kevin.  Don't worry Kevin. 
 Sometimes Cory says things he really doesn't mean."
"That's ok Mr. Mathews.  I know Cory pretty well."
"Come on Kev.  Let's go up to my room."
"Kevin,  you can stay for dinner if you want.  But we're only having meat 
loaf." I said.
"I'll check with my mom to see if it's ok."
With that Cory bounded upstairs, but Kevin took it really slow.
When Kevin closed the door behind them, Cory asked, "Well what happened
"Well, mom was really freaking out.  She didn't think I should be 
fighting for any reason.  I think she thinks that you or I might have 
started it somehow."
"Did you tell her why Johnny started it?"
"Hell no!  You think I'm crazy or something?"
"Your dad know yet?"
"No  He's working later tonight, but no doubt my mom will tell him all 
about it when he gets home."
"Kevin, I love you for what you did.  Thanks man."
"When I saw him hitting you, I just had to try to stop him."
"Kevin.  You're just about the best friend anyone could have.  I'm so 
lucky to have you as my best friend."
"All I know is that I'm glad we became friends."
"Kev......I want to tell you something......Something that I've never 
told anybody at school."
Kevin just looked at Cory.
"I hope this doesn't make you mad or anything at me, but I need to tell 
you."
"What is it buddy?"
"Kev....as you're my best friend..I....ah...I need to be totally honest 
with you."
"Cory, you know you can tell me anything.  Whatever you say is only 
between us."
"Well....ah...I...ah."  And then Cory just blurted out, "You need to know 
that I'm gay."
Kevin didn't say anything for a while, but his eyes were getting misty.  
He looked away from Cory for a moment.
"I knew it!  I knew it.  I knew you'd hate me for it!"
"No Cory.  That's not it.  I came over here tonight to...to...to tell you 
that I'm gay."  I've had a crush on you from the first day you came to 
school.  I felt that you needed to know that about me too.  After I told 
you tonight, I was sure that you'd throw me out."
"You?  You're gay too?"
"Ya."
"I always thought you were straight.  I was also worried about our 
friendship if I kept it from you."
"I went through the same thing.  I was afraid to tell you, but I somehow 
knew that I had to tell you.  My mom knows I'm gay and accepts it.  She 
wouldn't let me tell my dad yet because she said he needs a little more 
time.  She also knows how I feel about you.  My mom was the one that told 
me that I should be truthful with my best friend.   That somehow you'd 
understand."
"That's what my dad told me tonight."
"Your dad knows?"
"Ya he knows, but...well he's not really my dad."
"What do you mean?"
"He's really my step dad.  My real father threw me out a few months ago 
cause he found out I was gay.  Rich Mathews found me along side of the 
road and took me in.  He is the greatest person that I've ever met.  I 
love him so much.  Once you get to know him, you're gonna love him too"
"I wish my dad would understand me."
"He will.  Just give him time."
"Ya.  That's what mom says too."
"Kev?"
"Ya dude"
"I guess I've had a crush on you too, ever since we started school."
"I always thought you were the cutest guy in my gym class.  You don't 
know how many times I wooded up in the showers from looking at you.  I 
was so very lucky to not get caught."
"Like me, huh?"
"I didn't mean it like that."
"I know.  Just kidding."
Cory glanced down at Kevin's shorts and couldn't help but notice the 
erection forming within.  As he raised his head, his eyes met Kevin's.  
Kevin knew he was looking at him but didn't move away.
Cory spoke, "You're getting a woody, aren't you?"
"I can't help it man.  This conversation has me hot for you."
"Do you want to touch me?"
"Ya....I would.  If it's all right with you."
Cory stood up and slowly pulled his gym shorts down to his ankles and 
then stepped out of them.  He left his white jockeys on.  His erect penis 
was very obvious under the white cotton. As he stepped closed to Kevin, 
Kevin reached out and put his hand over the tent in Cory's underwear.  
Cory looked at the ceiling and softly groaned as Kevin massaged his dick. 
 Cory thought how good this felt, but then realized that Kevin was still 
confined in his clothes.
"Kevster."
"Ya?"
"You want to take your clothes off so I can touch you too?"
Kevin stood and unbuttoned his 501s.  Cory grabbed them before Kevin 
could and pulled them to the floor.  They both whipped off the tee shirts 
and let them fall to the floor at the same time.  Both boys were now 
standing face to face in only their white jockey underwear.  They moved 
closer together and embraced.  Their hard cocks were softly touching 
through their underwear.  Gradually the grinding increased until neither 
boy could stand it anymore.  Kevin reached down and removed Cory's 
underwear.  Cory than did the same for Kevin.
"Do you need any lube?" Kevin asked.
"Naw.  You feel so good I don't want to stop."
Each boy was stroking the other, and the pace became faster and faster as 
their respective climaxes were approaching.  Cory felt Kevin's dick 
become harder and start to pulsate as the cum hit his stomach, and he 
looked down.  He threw his head back as his own dick began spewing its 
seed on Kevin.  For what seemed an eternity, their dicks pulsed and shot 
round after round.  The stroking slowed as they slowly came back to earth,
 and then the two boys sat and then laid down on the bed.
Cory spoke first.  "Kev?"
"Ya Cor"
"Thanks dude.  That was one of the most intense times I've ever shot."
"You took the wind right out of me too."
"Kevin"
"Ya?"
"I think I'm the luckiest boy in the world to have found you."
"No.  I think I am"
Cory reached over and tried to hug Kevin, but he yelped in pain.
"I'm so sorry!  I'm sorry!  Oh God I'm sorry.  I forgot all about your 
ribs."
"I wanted to give you a hug too, but maybe we had better wait for awhile, 
 OK?"
Knock Knock  "Dinners ready boys."
Both boys looked at each other but Kevin had terror in his eyes.  Cory 
said, "Ok, be right out." as Kevin started to scramble to grab his 
clothes.  But the door never opened.  Cory knew that his dad would 
probably understand, but he realized that Kevin knew nothing of the 
special and loving relationship that he and his foster dad had.  This 
would need to be explained, but not now.  Now was time for dinner.


PART 08 - CORY

Matt was terrified.  He couldn't get Johnny Hicks out of his mind.  Matt 
had realized that he was gay when he was 13 years old.  When he was in 
the eighth grade and had to start showering with the other boys, he came 
to an understanding about his sexuality and that he definitely like boys. 
 Matt Hubble was from Southern California.  He grew up there and only 
recently had moved to Michigan.  His dad had gotten a new job in Dearborn 
as a computer programmer for Ford, and so, the family moved right in the 
middle of Matt's sophomore year in high school.  Back in Redondo Beach in 
California, Matt had played out his homosexual experimentation with three 
other boys in his freshman year.  As his sophomore year began, the 
prospect of his sexual experimentation looked really bright.  When he 
found out about the upcoming family move, he was a little frightened 
about the new town and the prospects of finding someone else like him.  
He had heard that the Midwest was far behind Southern California in their 
acceptance of homosexuals.

When he had started in his new school, he was immediately attracted to 
Johnny Hicks.  He also thought that Cory Mathews was a close second.  He 
had hoped that Johnny would look at him like he had looked at Johnny, but 
no such luck.  Johnny was a bully, but Matt was not afraid of him.  Matt 
was a few pounds heavier than Johnny and a lot faster.  The fight between 
Matt, Kevin, Cory and Johnny the other day drove home to Matt a 
realization that Johnny hated gays and would hate Matt if he knew.  The 
thought of the idol of his dreams being forever out of his reach scared 
him.  He kept thinking that most people in this part of the country would 
be like Johnny Hicks.

He thought that Cory was real cute, Kevin was cute and both of them were 
straight as the proverbial arrow.  No luck there.  He had tried to be 
friends with Johnny.  He would talk to him, try to sit with him at lunch 
and he even invited him home with him after school a couple of times.  
But Johnny just stuck to his redneck troop.

Being gay in this country is extremely difficult.  But being gay and a 
teenager is an absolute nightmare.  Just when you are finding out about 
your sexuality, you have to hide it.  You hear the name calling, and you 
go further into the closet.  You can't find any roll models, anyone to 
talk to.  Your isolation seems to grow and grow.

For awhile in California, Matt had toyed with the idea of coming out.  He 
was planning on doing it by the end of his sophomore year, and was 
getting a lot of support from his friends in school.  But he wondered how 
the move would change all that.  Now he didn't know.  However, the more 
he thought about trying to live a life in a closet, the more he really 
wanted to come out, even if it meant he had to do it in Michigan.  All he 
needed to do was get up the courage to do it.

Matt finally came out to one of his female friends.  Kelly was extremely 
supportive of his bold move, and vowed to help Matt with the rest of his 
friends.  Kelly was such a caring person.  It's a shame, thought Matt, 
that he wouldn't have sex with her, but he could still love her.  Matt 
and Kelly decided that he should try to come out to his new male friends, 
Cory and Kevin, next.  They both seemed to be open minded and caring 
people that he felt that they could accept him for what he was.  Kelly 
wanted to be there and help Matt when he brought up the subject to them, 
but Matt thought that he should try it alone.  Matt thought about the 
perfect setting for this to happen, but the opportunity never seemed to 
present itself.  He had thought about saying something to them the day 
the fight happened, but he really wanted to tell Cory first..... and 
alone.

After dinner that night, Matt decided to call Cory.  When the telephone 
rang, I picked up the receiver.
"Hello."
"Hello Mr. Mathews.  Is Cory there?"
"He is, but we just finished dinner, and he's cleaning up.  Can he call 
you right back?"
"Yes.  Just ask him to call Matt.  I'm at home."
"Is this the Matt that helped Cory this afternoon?"
"Oh. You heard?"
"It seems to be all over town."
"Ah, well.....yes I was with them this afternoon."   Matt didn't know 
what I knew or how I was taking Cory being in a fight.  He was afraid 
that I would blame him.  I sensed that hesitation on the other end of the 
phone line, and added, "Don't worry Matt.  I don't blame you.  And Cory 
did tell me exactly why the fight started.  Seems that there's a bully at 
your school that should learn a thing or two.
"Thanks Mr. Mathews.  I'll be waiting for Cory to call."
"Bye."
"Bye."
"Who was that, dad?" Cory asked as he came into the family room after 
clearing the dishes.
"Oh,..ya...Matt wants you to call him."
Cory looked at Kevin.  They had almost forgotten about Matt.  They were 
so wound up in their own grief that they had almost forgotten about the 
one person who had stopped the fight.
Kevin said, "I gotta get home Cory.  Tell Matt thanks for me.  I'll talk 
to him tomorrow."
Kevin walked out the door as Cory picked up the phone and dialed Matt's 
number.
"Hello."  It was Matt.
"Hi Matt.  It's Cory."
"Cory, you busy right now?"
"What's up buddy?"
"I need to talk to you."
"Is it about this afternoon?"
"Not really, but I would like to talk to you."
"What's it about?"
"I...I really don't want to talk about it on the phone....It's really 
important Cory."
"Sure.  Come on over.  I only have a little homework, but I can do it 
tomorrow."
"Thanks.  I'll be over in about ten minutes."
"See ya then."
"Bye."
Cory was a little confused.  The biggest thing that happened today was 
the fight, and Matt thought something else was more important to talk 
about????  Whatever it was, it was sure important to Matt.  He sure 
sounded serious.
When to door bell rang, Cory opened the door to find Matt standing there. 
 He invited him in.  I said hello and ushered the boys upstairs so I 
could get some other work done.
Cory entered his room first, followed by Matt.  Cory sat on the bed as 
Matt milled about the room.  "So what's up dude?"
Matt didn't say anything for awhile.
"Come on, man.  What's so all fired important with you tonight?"
Matt started to think that this was a bad idea to tell Cory now.
"Sorry Cory.  I've had something on my mind, but maybe this isn't a good 
time."
"I'm sorry Matt.  I guess I came off a little gruff."
"Ya, well you did a little."
"Something's really bugging you Matt.  What is it?  Maybe I can help."
"No Cory!....this is all wrong.....I don't need your help, Cory."
"Oh.....do you want to just tell me?"
"Cory, we've known each other for only a couple of months now, but I feel 
I can really trust you."  Matt started to feel his insides open up and 
decided to just tell Cory.  "What I'm saying is that you trust me by 
telling me the truth, and I want to trust you by telling you the truth."
Cory said nothing.
"We may not be `best friends', but you're someone that I've somewhat 
looked up to.  You seem to know where you're going."
"Well, that's not entirely true, Matt.  I'm still just a kid."
"No Cory.  You've got something about you that makes you special.  That's 
why I want you to be the first male friend that I've told that I'm gay."
Cory couldn't believe his ears.  Matt was so straight...or at least so he 
thought.
"I had to tell you.  Can you understand?"
Cory still didn't say anything
"Cory, does this bother you?....I mean me being gay?"
Cory looked at Matt with a smile on his face and said, "Matt, you've got 
one hell of a lot of guts for a 15 year old."
"Huh?"
"To come out to someone about being gay, especially in high school...well 
man that takes a lot of courage."
"So what do you think of me now?"
"How should I feel?"
"I still want your friendship Cory, even if this changes how we get along 
together."
Cory stood up, walked over to Matt and put his arms around him.
"Matt, how could I think anything differently about you when I'm gay 
myself."
"What?"
Cory moved Matt away at arms length, but still held his upper arms in his 
hands.
"Kevin's my best friend, but did you know that I consider you my other 
best friend?"
"Thanks Cory."
"Well, I just came out to Kevin tonight."
"I didn't know, or even suspected that you might be gay."
"We hide ourselves good when we have to."
"Well, I just wanted your understanding about who I am."
"Matt, Kevin and I are going to be behind you 100 percent.  If anyone 
gets you down, just call us.  If you need anything, just call."
"What makes you so sure Kevin is behind you in this?  He doesn't know 
about me yet."
"Well...I think he will be, because he came out to me tonight too."
Matt quickly sat down on the bed and looked up at Cory.
"This is too fucking much.  My two best friends are fucking gay and I 
didn't even suspect.  I guess this makes us three peas in a pod."


PART 09 - CORY

Over the next month, Matt, Kevin and Cory became even closer friends than 
before.  The truth was out, at least between them.  Matt understood that 
Cory and Kevin were not just gay but lovers.  He wanted a lover too, but 
was still hesitant about finding one.  Not too many other people knew yet.
  Matt's parents didn't know and Kevin's father still didn't know.  A few 
other close friends at school knew, and the boys thought their secret was 
safe.  However, dark clouds were forming over the horizon.

Matt had come out to five people in total.  Cory, Kevin, Kelly, Shannon 
and Mark.  He told his good friend Shannon, but as Shannon was dating 
Mark,  it was obvious that Mark also knew.  When Shannon told Mark, she 
also told him about Matt's crush on Johnny.  They had a good laugh at 
that.  Little did they know that Johnny was sitting around the corner and 
heard it all.

"That little pervert", thought Johnny.  He had been taught by his dad 
that queers were bad people, sick and perverted.  The country was going 
to hell in a hand basket because of these sick people.  Johnny's hatred 
began to grow.  How could that pervert do this to him?  If anyone found 
out, than they might think he was one too.  That he had egged Matt on.  
He just couldn't be labeled one of them.  His whole life would be ruined. 
 His loathing for Matt grew and grew until he thought that he was half 
crazy.  

Matt could have cared less about Johnny now.  He realized his mistake, 
but what the hey?  He didn't know Johnny then.  His world was starting to 
come together again after the move from California.  He had four really 
great friends now who knew about his sexual preference and still whole 
heartedly accepted him as a person.  Actually five if you counted Mark, 
but he was still a little standoffish.  If the truth be known, almost 100 
people at the school really knew about Matt.  Some didn't know him 
personally and didn't care.  Some knew him personally and still didn't 
care.  Fingers were pointed at Matt's direction with some giggles and 
some sneers.  Most of the 100 or so kids just were a little afraid of 
Matt because they either didn't understand him or his way of life or were 
afraid to associate with him for fear of what might rub off on them.  
Kids can be so complex.  Cory knew most of the kids that knew about Matt, 
but he never told Matt.  He didn't feel any love lost for them either.  
He just put them in a category with the rest of the homophobic population.


The three boys were walking home from school together one day when Cory 
got the bright idea of all three of them getting summer jobs together.  
Cory had started driving his bike to Kevin's house in the morning and 
leaving it there for the day.  That way he could walk with Kevin and Matt 
to school.  It was such a good day.  Cory thought that his friendship he 
had with these two would last forever.  They were just leaving the 
building areas and entering the back play fields.  Lot's of kids were all 
about them heading in many different directions when they saw Johnny up 
ahead.  He was standing still, feet slightly spread apart in that defiant 
tone just staring at the three some.  Something didn't look right.  Cory 
stopped first and then Kevin, but Matt hadn't seen Johnny yet and kept 
walking.  Matt turned to his friends and said, "Hey, what's up?"
"Johnny's up ahead and I think he means trouble." Said Cory.  Matt 
stopped and turned around to look at Johnny.  Johnny's eyes had been 
crying.  The dust from the fields had outlined the tear streaks down his 
cheeks.
"MATT....YOU FUCKING PERVERT." Johnny screams.  "What you been saying 
about me?"  Everyone now stopped and watched the scene unfolding before 
them.
Matt just stood and watched Johnny.
"Answer me queer boy.  What you been saying about me?"
"Ah...nothing...nothing really."  Johnny was still about 50 feet away.
"Like hell you have."
-
-
-
Matt fell down just as everyone heard the sound of the shot.  Disbelief 
shown on the faces of every kid and teacher present.  `What was happening?'
Slowly the realization of Johnny standing alone holding a pistol in 
his right hand as Matt lay bleeding on the school playground came to 
focus in their minds.

But no one moved.  It was like a picture out of a Life magazine - a 
moment of great action frozen in time.

The truth finally hit Cory.  "Nooooooooooooooo!" he cried at the top of 
his lungs as he dropped to the ground to pick up his friend.  The truth 
raced through him as he knew Matt was dead, but prayed it not be so.  
"Matt!...Matt!...don't be dead.  Oh God, how did this happen?  How?" He 
cried.  Cory was crying openly, the tears streaming down his face as he 
held Matt close to his heart.

Cory looked up and saw Johnny still standing alone.  No one was moving 
toward him to stop him.  They were actually backing off.  Hatred of 
Johnny, hatred of the school, hatred of his teachers, hatred of anyone in 
authority welled up in him and he bolted upright and started to run at 
Johnny with every once of energy that he could muster.  Johnny saw Cory 
start to come at him and brought the gun up and took aim at Cory.  Cory 
never saw the gun aimed at him.  Johnny pulled the trigger.  Misfire!  
Cory kept coming closer and closer, running toward him as fast as he 
could go.  Johnny brought the gun down slightly and re-cocked the hammer. 
 Just as he brought the pistol back to aim at Cory, Cory dove at Johnny 
and was inside of his arms as the shot erupted.  The bullet went wild 
into the air as Johnny was knocked backward by the force of Cory's attack.
  The gun was knocked out of Johnny's hand.

Cory was in a rage.  His rational being no longer existed.  He hit Johnny 
again and again without realizing what he was doing.  He realized that he 
was now being confined.  His arms held....couldn't move anymore.  His 
mind finally cleared as he began to calm down.  He was being held by his 
gym coach and the school principle, Mr. Bettler.  Johnny was being led 
away by some other teachers.

"Mr. Bettler....please...can I go see Matt?" pleaded Cory.
The coach let Cory's arm go and Mr. Bettler followed as Cory ran back to 
where Matt lay.  Kevin was on his knees just behind Matt looking up in 
the sky.  He was crying.
Cory knelt down next to his friend and put his arms around him and 
started to sob.  They stayed that way for what seemed forever, not 
wanting to move, completely wrapped up in each others grief.

As Cory looked at Matt, someone spread a blanket over Matt's lifeless 
body.  It was over.  When he couldn't see Matt's body anymore, he knew it 
was over.  He slowly got to his feet, extremely emotional and shaking 
like an old man trying to get up from the ground without his cane.  The 
gravity of what had happened hit him like an on rushing train.  Of all 
the people on that playground, Cory was the only one to realize the truth 
of how this could happen.  He stood behind Kevin and screamed, "You    
are    all    to    blame    for     this.  Johnny only pulled the 
trigger.  He was doing just what you all wanted.  Everyone of you."
Mr. Bettler started to put his arm around Cory's shoulders, but Cory 
forcibly pushed his hand away.  Cory just looked into Mr. Bettler's eyes 
with hatred for a moment and then turned away and started to run.  Tears 
were still streaming down his face.  He wanted to run forever, to get 
away from all of this, to not have had it happen.

Cory ran all the way home.  When he got there, I was not home yet, and he 
sat on the curb in front of the house until I got home.  When I drove up 
the street, I recognized him on the curb.  His head was down between his 
knees, and I could tell something was not right.  Cory never sat like 
this, alone on the street.  I pulled into the driveway and stopped the 
car.  As I stepped out of the car, Cory was running up to me crying "Dad. 
 They killed him!  They killed him! as he threw his arms around me.  He 
buried his head in my shoulder and began sobbing.

I helped Cory into the house and we sat on the couch.  Through sobs and 
starts and stops and more crying, Cory told me the whole story.  This boy 
has seen too much, too much of this world.  I didn't know how he was 
going to get through this.  Prejudice and fear will be like and anvil 
around his neck for the rest of his life.  I didn't know what to do.  I 
wanted to lash out at the school, the town, our whole damn society for 
allowing this to happen.

Just then the telephone rang.  I picked up the receiver on the side table 
without leaving Cory.
"Mr. Mathews?"
"Yes?"
"This is Mr. Bettler.  Is Cory there?"
"Yes, he's right here, but he's not going to be able to come to the phone.
"
"Mr. Mathews.  One of Cory's friends was shot and killed on the school 
grounds today.  Cory saw it happen.  We're extremely worried about him."
"Cory told me what happened today.  He's all right for now.  I want him 
to rest a little."
"I would like to send a counselor over there to help him get through this.
"
"Maybe tomorrow."
"No!! Mr. Mathews.  Right Now!  After what Cory has been through, at his 
age he needs some professional help right now, not tomorrow."
"Is it that bad?"
"Mr. Mathews.  I'm trying to help Cory.  Please.  Let me send someone 
over there."
"All right.  Cory will be right here."
"Thanks.  Some one will be there in about 15 minutes."
"Ok,  bye"

The counselor came and talked to Cory alone in his room for over an hour. 
 When he was through, he came downstairs alone and said, "Cory's going to 
sleep now.  Can I talk to you a little about Cory?"
"Please. Sit here.  I really want to know what's happening and what I can 
do."
"Mr. Mathews.  Cory has witnessed the death of an extremely close friend. 
 He's retreating into himself right now.  He's questioning the whole 
world and his place in it.  He needs your understanding and support now 
more than ever.  Expect him to be sullen, not wanting to do much.  That's 
ok for a while.  Don't push him right now to do anything.  Be with him if 
you can.  Can you take a couple of days off of your work?"
"Yes.  That's no problem."
"Good.  He needs to feel wanted right now and that he still has a place 
in this world."


PART  10 - CORY

Cory slept the evening and the whole night without wakening.  When he 
woke the next morning, it was almost 9:30 am.  He didn't want to get out 
of bed.  He felt safe here in his room, in his bed.  Cory looked over at 
the window to see the sky.  Outside was a world that he didn't want to 
part of ever again.  It had hurt him.  He was missing Matt so much he 
started to cry again.  He didn't want to part of it.  He didn't want any 
more friends that would get killed.  He wondered if his friendship with 
Matt was part of the reason Matt was killed.  He just wanted Matt back.  
He wanted Matt to be around again.

I tried to talk to Cory, but he didn't seem to listen to me anymore.  The 
radio would play, but he didn't seem to hear it.  He would stare out the 
window for hours, not moving.  Kevin came over and wanted to see Cory 
almost every day, but Cory wouldn't see him.  Kevin would stand out in 
the front lawn shouting up to Cory's window for him to come out, but 
every time that Cory would see Kevin, Cory would turn away and go back 
into the room.  It wasn't just Kevin that came around.  All of Cory's 
friends would come around, but to no avail.  I spoke about this many 
times to the counselors, but they weren't much help.

Four days after Matt was killed, I was sitting in the living room looking 
out the front window, wondering what to do when I saw a car pull up in 
the driveway and stop.  A man got out and walked to the front door and 
rang the doorbell.  I open the door without saying anything.
"Mr. Mathews?"
"Yes. Can I help you?"
"Mr. Mathews.  My name is Todd Hubble."
I didn't recognize him or his name.
"I'm Matt's father."
"Oh God...Please come in."
"Thank you." 
"Can I get you anything?"
"No....No thank you."
"Todd.  I'm really sorry about your son."
"I'm going to miss him so very much.  But that's not why I'm here."
I had a very puzzled look on my face at his words.
"I'm here to see Cory."
"Cory?"
"I've had quite a few conversations with the school counselors, Mr. 
Bettler and our own friends as well as friends of Cory's.  I know that 
Cory has shut out the world, and I'd like to try to talk to him."
"Sure  If you think it'll help, I'll get him."
"No....I'd like to see him alone, in his room if that's possible."
"Well,  Ok.  This way.  I'll show you where his room is."
I knocked on Cory's door and opened it.  Cory was sitting by the window 
and turned to look at us when we walked in.  He immediately recognized 
Matt's father and turned away.
"Hi Cory." Matt's father said.
Todd Hubble picked up a chair and moved it to where Cory was sitting as I 
backed out of the room.  He put the chair down in front of Cory and sat 
in the chair backwards with his hands on the back of the chair facing him.

"Do you miss him Cory?"
Cory did not say a word.  He just listened to Matt's father talk to him 
as he stared out the window.
"I know you miss him.  I miss him.  His mother misses him.  Mathew got 
caught in something that he had no control over.  I think you know what 
that was.  Of all his friends, I think you know more and understand more 
of what really happened than most people.  I think your dad realizes it 
too."
"Take a look out the window Cory.  Who do you see?  Do you see Kevin 
standing down there?  He's been trying to see you for the last four days. 
 He's not going to let you go.  He loves you so much.  But I think you 
know that."
Todd Mathews shifted the chair closer to Cory and put his head on the 
backs of his hands resting on the back of the chair.  He talked slowly 
and softly directly at Cory.
"Matt is still here.  Did you know that?"
Cory for the first time turned to face Matt's father, but still said 
nothing.
"Look outside again Cory."  Cory turned and looked through the window 
again.
"Down there, on the lawn.  Don't you see him?  It looks like Kevin, but 
Matt is there too.  He's a part of Kevin.  He's a part of you too.  You 
are who you are because Matt touched your life.  He's a part of every 
person that he's touched.  Look again Cory.  Do you see Kelly across the 
street?"  Kelly was standing across the street on the sidewalk looking up 
at Cory's window.
"Matt's a part of her too.  I know Matt was gay, but I also know that 
Kelly loved him very much too."
"Cory.  Maybe we won't see Matt every day, but he's still always here.  
We have our memories that can't be taken away.  Don't loose them.  I know 
I won't."
Cory turned and flew into Todd Hubble's arms.  He burst out crying 
uncontrollably.
"Oh God...I miss him so much.  I feel so responsible."
"Cory.   You're not responsible, and you really do know that.  What you 
said in the school yard makes me understand that."
Cory stopped crying for a moment and looked at Matt's dad.
"I know."
"Something else that I have to say to you Cory.  You meant the world to 
Matt.  He loved both you and Kevin very much.  I want to thank you for 
being his friend, for being there when he needed someone."
A small smile started it's way across Cory's face.  He started to warm to 
the memories of his friend.  Mr. Hubble got up from the chair and put the 
chair back where it had been.  Cory followed him.
"Cory.  Did you know they're having a memorial for Matt at the school 
tomorrow?  I'd be honored if you could attend."
"I'd like that.  Actually I wouldn't miss it for anything."
"Mr. Bettler asked me to ask you if you were up to saying a few words 
about Matt.  You don't have to you know.  We'll all understand."
"Mr. Hubble.  I think I want to say a few things.  I think I need to."
I watched the whole thing through the door opening with tears flowing 
down my face too.  As Todd Hubble turned to go, Cory stopped him and 
hugged him for the longest time.  As they broke their embrace, Cory said, 
"Thank you...Thank you for what you said about me and Matt and about Matt 
still being with me."

After Todd Hubble left, Cory came downstairs.  I could see life pouring 
back into him.
"Dad?"
"Yes Cory?"
"I'm going to say a few words at a memorial for Matt tomorrow."
"Ya, I heard."
"Will you be there?"
"Well most of those things are for the students.  I'm not sure if parents 
are invited."
"I'd like you to be there.  Really,  I want you there very much."
I agreed

Cory was not quite his old self again.  Something was different.  There 
was a self confident determination in him that I hadn't seen before.  He 
seemed to know where he was going.  I walked into the school auditorium 
and stood at the back of the room, but couldn't help notice Cory sitting 
on the stage with this same determination on his face.  I noticed Matt's 
parents sitting in the front row.

As the memorial service progressed, we heard a lot of nice things about 
Matt.  They praised his school work.  They remorsed about his unfulfilled 
future. The last speaker was to be Cory.  When he was introduced, Cory 
got up and approached the podium.

"Hi.  I'm Cory Mathews.  I was a friend of Matt's.  You've said some 
mighty nice things about him here today."
Cory looked down, and after a slight pause, looked up and said, "But 
you're probably not going to like what I have to tell you."  Silence 
started to fall over the room.  "Matt was a victim."  He let those words 
sink in for a few moments.  Matt's father smiled because he knew.  I 
couldn't help my pride in my son well up within me as I listened.

"You all know what I'm talking about...you want to know what the word for 
it is?....I'll tell you....THE FUCKING WORD IS HOMOPHOBIA.  It's a fear 
born from ignorance that runs rampant in this school.

Pause

"Johnny only acted out what he was supposed to do.  He was following your 
orders.  Yes, Matt was gay.  So am I.  So are a lot of you.  You didn't 
chose to be gay.  I didn't chose to be gay.  I just am.  You just are.  
That's the way it is folks, so get that through your heads and get used 
to it.  But Matt was humiliated, teased and ridiculed for it.  He 
couldn't change it any more than he could change the color of his skin or 
change the parents he was born with.  But you all feared him.  WHY?....
Was he a threat to you?  Yes he was.  He was a threat to you because you 
didn't understand him.  You don't understand anything about what it means 
to be gay in America or in this school for that matter.  Try living with 
the fear of every day going to this school.  Not just the ridicule for 
being found out, but the beatings.  Why do you think that one third of 
all teen suicides are by gay or lesbian kids?  The issue is not about a 
'different' way of life; it is about life itself. I know that every 
teacher and every parent in this school fundamentally agrees that no 
young person -- gay or straight-- should have to live under that kind of 
fear.  A school is supposed to be a safe place for us.  A safe place to 
learn.  But it's not for us. What happened here is a travesty.  Your fear 
did this to Matt.  And I don't know how I can forgive you for it.  Every 
one of you were part of it."

Tears were streaming down Cory's face as he stood tall and addressed a 
silent audience.  Just then, Kevin got out of his seat and walked down 
the aisle.  He climbed the steps to the stage and walked over and stood 
nest to his friend Cory.  He slowly put his hand on Cory's shoulder.  By 
saying nothing, he gave his wholehearted support to Cory for what he was 
saying.  Cory looked down to see Matt's parents in the front row.  Todd 
Hubble slowly nodded his head to Cory.

Cory looked up and continued, "You put out a candle before it had a 
chance to burn and light up some small part of this world.  But part of 
that light is still here.  It's here within me and Kevin.  Matt was....no 
is....a part of our lives.  Because he was here, I'm changed because of 
it.  He's actually part of everyone of you.  And you can't change that.   
Whatever you do... Please...Please....don't let this travesty of fear and 
ignorance put out his light."

Cory tried to speak, but no more words came out.  He slowly wiped the 
tears from his eyes, walked down the steps and up the aisle.  When he saw 
me, he stopped and came over to me and put his arms around me.  The boy's 
school day was finished, and I and a man went home.
 

END OF PART 10

Many things were unanswered in this story.  What happened to Cory's 
mother?  Will his real father come back to claim him.  Is Cory & Rich 
Mathew's foray into mutual sex finally over? and the big question...What 
happpens to Cory from now on?

Maybe I can write more of this saga.....who knows, maybe it's the never 
ending story.