Date: Wed, 02 Aug 2000 10:18:17 CDT From: D Man Subject: That's Life- Chapter 9 That's Life Author's Note: La, La, La. You should already know what I write here after the first seven chapter. If not, go read it then. Keeping this short. Previously: "I'm not going to do anything drastic, but if I find that I guy, I am going to kill him." "I'll be there to back you up. Nobody hurts my friend and gets away with it." This one event brought out more than each person wanted. Each person had confronted a little of themselves, but it was nothing compared to what Darryl had confronted. He caused so many problems for the group that maybe it was time to head home. He didn't want to end N Sync. He didn't want the group to worry about him. But mostly, he didn't want to become a burden to his brother and friend Kyle. Chapter 9: Time To Wake Up The sun crossed the horizon to bring a new day for the people. Groggy people would wake up and cover their faces with their pillows from the direct rays, while others would enjoy the beautiful sunrise. It's light too cast itself upon Darryl. He was forced to wake up. When he opened his eyes, all he saw was the guest room. Was yesterday's event all a dream? To us we know that is untrue. For a moment he felt all the humiliation, dirt, pain, and cruelty wash away. As he stood up, a pain of evil whisked itself throughout his body. This caused him to collapse back onto the bed. All was true. Why did these things have to happen to him? He began to cry. He tried to stop those tears, but he couldn't. He couldn't repress his emotions anymore. He couldn't be strong. Tyler had been walking by when the shallow sound of desolation could be heard. He wanted to go inside and comfort his new friend, but he was afraid he would be rejected. Darryl didn't want Tyler there to pick him up. He only wanted Kyle, so Kyle was the only person that could be his comfort. Why couldn't he trust him? Tyler made his final decision. He turned the knob and entered the room. Darryl heard the door open. He tried to cover his stained face, but had no luck. He didn't want anybody to see him like this. As much as he tried to hide himself, Tyler still approached him. He wrapped his arms around him to show that everything would be ok. "Everything is going to be ok." Those words were enough for Darryl to show his weak side. He cried his tears on Tyler's chest. Tyler just held him there and allowed everything to come out. After minutes of the sound of whimpering Darryl raised his head to see Tyler. He hadn't seen it before. ***In the mind of Darryl*** His face is beautiful. What the fuck am I thinking? I have a girlfriend. I've only known him for one day. What the hell is going on in here? But he is so attractive. This is not fair for him. Why did I have to bi? I wouldn't have these feelings. I've got to stop thinking about him, but he is so caring. ***End*** Tyler could see Darryl thinking. If only he could figure out what was going on in his head? He only hoped it was nothing bad. Tyler released the hug. "Thanks for the hug. I really needed it, friend." (He called me friend. HA! I proved Justin wrong.) "You're welcome, pal." "I'm going to take a shower now." "Ok." ***The Mind of Tyler*** Darryl sure has had it rough this past day. There has to be a way to cheer him up. He sure needs it. I got it. It would be a perfect birthday gift too. Now all I need is the number. How am I supposed to get that? ***End*** Tyler walked back out into the living room. There was nothing to do. Kyle and Josh were still asleep. He still couldn't believe they were going out. He was happy for his brother, but still a little shocked. How was his parents going to react when they hear this news and his own? They aren't going to be happy campers. They always got Heather for grandkids. He decided to watch some MTV. There had to be something on that channel that would appeal to him. Darryl stood in the shower and allowed the hot water to caress his body. He took the soap and began to scrub his body. Suddenly images of last night's events flashed before his eyes. It made him feel all dirty again. He began to scrub himself harder trying to cleanse his soiled body. He had gotten his life straight again and now it has taken a 180 on him. Tyler was bored out of his mind. There was nothing on television, just some boring music videos, and mainly pop videos too. He accepted the music because his brother sang it, and he wasn't too bad singing it too, but he preferred punk. All those years in the band must have changed his preference. It was time to look for the number for Darryl's gift. He walked into Darryl's room and heard the shower still going. He still had time to look for it. Darryl continued to rub himself wildly. He still had the stench of the rape on him. He couldn't get rid of it. He ran some shampoo through his hair and washed it out. He turned off the water and placed a towel around his waist. He started to brush his teeth; at least he was going to get something white and clean. Tyler continued to rummage through Darryl's stuff. He had to find that phone number or his plan was not going to work. He was about to give up when he saw a journal sitting on the table. Maybe that was Darryl's phone book or something. He picked it up and was about to open it, but he stopped when he heard Darryl yelling at him. "What the hell are you doing with that!?" "I'm sorry." "What are you doing in my room?!" "I'm really sorry." "Answer the damn question! And sorry is not an answer." "I was just trying to look for something." "WHAT?!" "Never mind. Sorry for going through your stuff." "GET OUT!" Tyler had to comply with Darryl's request. He had already made him mad; he didn't want to make his friend madder if he was still going to be his friend. He walked back into the living room and just stared at the television. Kyle and JC had woken up by all the yelling. "What do you think all that was, Kyle?" "I'm not sure. I'll go check up on it. Be right back, so don't go anywhere." "Why would I?" Kyle placed a robe around his body and walked out into the hallway. He walked into Darryl's room to see if he was ok. "What's wrong, Darryl?" "I saw Tyler in my room looking at my stuff. He was about to read my journal." "He didn't know how private it is. You know he wouldn't do anything to hurt you." "I know." "Is this why you are mad? Does it have to do with anything about yesterday?" "I don't know. I don't even want to talk about yesterday!" "You are going to have to sometime. You can't just keep it inside. It's going to hurt you at the end." "I'll do what I like." "You know your attitude isn't helping right now." "I don't care." "Fine." Kyle left the room angry. Tyler sat there contemplating what he had just done. There he went again. Getting mad at people just because he couldn't deal with his own problems. Why did he always have to drag his friends down with his problems? It was not fair. It was not right. He couldn't take the silence anymore. He needed noise now. He needed music. He turned on the radio. "Now the newest single from Brian Littrell, "Time to Leave." It has already hit the charts at #1, so it must be a good one. Here you guys go with its debut on this station of "Time To Leave."" Radio DJ As the sun rises over the ocean blue Every wave crashes upon what is true The breezes sweep away the purity Leaving the sky as a tainted image of life Life isn't what it was yesterday But it changes when fate plays its game Every ounce of strength you had Vanished when the last tear was cast The tone of the song began to seep into Darryl's mind. The words were speaking to him too. They were telling him what to do. It's time to leave The person you had become It's time to leave To end the problems you caused It's time to leave So pain is no longer part of the one's you love It's time to leave The chorus was a command to him. It was telling him what to do. The only question was is it right? He had only been here for less than three days. Every step you take towards the light Pushes you farther back to shadows of fright Changes made can't be undone Bringing fault where it belongs It was never said that life would be simple Especially when it becomes tomorrow Humiliation and sorrow are part of you So say goodbye to the life you once knew All those words sung by Brian were right. His voice was gentle too. It fit perfectly with the lyrics. It's time to leave The person you had become It's time to leave To end the problems you caused It's time to leave So pain is no longer part of the one's you love It's time to leave Darryl couldn't take anymore. The lyrics were right, but he didn't want them to be right. He didn't want to leave, but he had to. He took out his bag and started to pack his clothes. It's best to run and hide away So nobody can see the beast you've made It may seem wrong to leave them high and dry But emotions run high when you're by their side So stop it there and decide It's time to leave It's time to leave The person you had become It's time to leave To end the problems you caused It's time to leave So pain is no longer part of the one's you love It's time to leave With that last line sung, Darryl was done throwing all the clothes into his bag. He had made everyone angry. He had made everyone upset. It was time to leave to end everything. He opened the door and didn't hear any noise. Good. Nobody around to stop him from leaving. He walked straight to the door, but somebody grabbed him from behind. He was so close, but now somebody was going to stop him. It was either Tyler or Kyle. Darryl turned around and saw Josh. "What do you want?" "I want to know why my boyfriend is about to combust." "I don't know. He's just like that." "You may have known him longer, but I know you are lying. Why are you lying to me?" "Can't you just leave me alone?" "How bout not? You are going to apologize to Kyle, and we all are going to talk." "No we are not." "Yes we are. Don't think you are going to leave too, so go put your bag back into your room." "How did you know?" "I heard the song too, and your bag is a big clue." "Fine for now." Darryl placed his bag back into his room. When he walked back out, he saw Kyle sitting there angry as can be. Tyler just sat there looking around, and Josh sat there determined to resolve everything in this one sitting. This was going to be one long roller coaster. "Do you have something to say, Darryl?" JC "Not really." Darryl "Kyle? Tyler?" JC "No." Kyle and Tyler "Stop it! Am I the only one willingly to talk?" JC "Pretty much. You are the one that called this little shin dig." Darryl "Fine. I know you have something to say Darryl, and you better say it." JC "Fine. Kyle, I'm sorry for being rude and yelling at you before. I had no right to do it. That's why I've decided to go back home." Darryl "I accept your apology. You just have to let me inside your head. I can help you. I'm your friend. Wait a minute! You're leaving? Why?" Kyle "Because of all of this. I don't know many people that faces these dilemmas on their vacation, and if they have, I doubt in the first two days." Darryl "You'd be surprised, but that is not the point. Who are you going to talk to about all of this?" Kyle "Nobody. I'm going to keep it inside. Don't you see what all of this has done to all of you? All I've heard is yelling, and it's all my fault for it all." Darryl "No it's not. You just won't let us in. That's why we've been yelling and mad." Kyle "And Justin?" Darryl "He's got problems." Tyler "I still think it is best for me to go." Darryl (I wished he would listen to me. He needs help now. He can't leave now.) "You're not leaving. No questions about it." Kyle "Yes I am!" Darryl "Nobody is leaving!" JC "HA! Josh agrees with me. I bet you Tyler agrees with me too." (I hope Tyler does. He has been trying to make friends with Darryl) Kyle (I want him to stay, but he doesn't care what I think. I've already made him mad. I wonder what was in that journal for him to explode up at me.) "I think whatever he wants to do; he should." Tyler "What!" Kyle "He should go if he wants to." Tyler "Ha! It's two against two." Darryl "This is really getting mature guys." JC "I agree this is immature, so the most mature thing to do is leave." Darryl "So you're just going to leave. Walk away like a coward." Kyle "And I'm proud of it." Darryl "I can't talk anymore. When do you leave?" Kyle "Now." Darryl "Then go, but I will tell you this much. I never want to talk to you again if you walk out of that door." Kyle "Kyle, don't say that." JC "Right now I will say whatever I like." [Kyle stormed out of the kitchen and into his room. The last thing that is heard from him was the door to his room slamming.] Kyle "It looks like this little rendezvous didn't go to well, Josh" Darryl "I can see the obvious, Darryl" JC "Sorry. That is why I am leaving." Darryl "Then go, but I will tell you this much too. You're going to lose a friend because of your stubbornness and pride." [He left the table and Darryl standing there and Tyler sitting there.] JC "Are you going to say anything to?" Darryl "Not really except can I take you to the airport." Tyler That request stunned Darryl. He didn't expect that to come out of his mouth. There was nothing to say, but two words. "I guess." (At least I don't have to waste money on a taxi.) "Thanks. Let me go grab a shower and I will take you." "Ok." Tyler ran into Kyle's room to borrow some of JC's clothes. Afterwards, he ran into the bathroom to take a quick shower. He didn't want to keep Darryl waiting too long. In the meantime, Darryl decided it was time to do some writing into his journal. ************************************************************************ June 21, 2000 The official start of the summer has finally begun, and hopefully a new beginning for me. I went through the biggest shit yesterday. It started out with me causing so many problems with the group of N Sync. I somehow pissed off Justin, which I am still figuring out. I've also met a great guy, but somehow messed that up to. His name is Tyler. He's been trying to become my friend. I can't see why? How many people out there want to be my friend? When they do, I seem to piss them off. Which brings me to my next incident. I can't really keep you from anything, so I am going to let everything go. I was raped last night. I don't know what to feel. I should be getting justice or something, but I won't. I can't. I am afraid to. I was humiliated in the worst way ever. I'm now twenty and somehow was able to get raped. Is that even possible? I'm such a fuckin wimp. I don't know if I can get through this one. I don't want to drag anybody into this either. I've already come to terms with the rape that happened ten years ago, but I had my brother here. Now he's gone. Why did he have to leave? I didn't even get to tell him my secret. Somehow he's the only person that I've fear to tell would accept me, but I was such a coward to come out to him. Back to my bitching. I pissed off Kyle. I never thought I could, but I did. There goes one friendship because I'm leaving. I don't think I can stand staying here. Tyler is going to take me to the airport soon. Perhaps we are going to stay home, but I don't think so. I blew up on him too. I will try to talk to him at the airport. Maybe we can things get straighten up. If I ever come back, I want to at least have an ally. Lyrical Entry: When there is nothing left to do And you feel all alone The only way to leave solitude Is by moving on on your own So say good-bye where it counts And you'll be free to see The life that you only need ************************************************************************ Kyle was sitting on the bad Indian style with an angered expression plastered onto his face. He couldn't believe that Darryl would walk away from this and everything. He didn't act like that on the internet. He was a stubborn kid that tried to get his own way. "I can't believe he is doing this." "I know, but you have to let him go." "No I don't, Josh. He is just going to get hurt again. How do we know he is not going to get attacked again? "We don't know." "That's the point. I don't think he would be able to handle it if it happened again. We've got to get him to open up." "It's too late. He's made up his mind." "Not if I have a say about this." "Somehow you don't. He's twenty now. He's not that lost, eighteen year old teenager you met two years ago." "Fine. I will talk to him when he gets back home." "That's my boy. You need to blow some steam first." "Ok. Can I at least get some lovin while I wait?" "Why not? Here's a kiss, and another, and another." Tyler had finished his shower and got dressed. He walked out of the bathroom and saw Darryl in the living room sitting. "Ready to go." "Yeppers." The two walked out into the parking lot and jumped into Tyler's car. They drove off to the airport. As they were driving, Darryl thought it was a good time to resolve some issue. "Tyler, I'm sorry about this morning." "It's ok." "I just got mad because you had my journal in your hand. I don't let anybody read what's in it." "Like I said, it's ok. It was an honest mistake on both people's behalf." "Alright, so we cool now." "As long as we stay friends." "Ok. We cool." "Now I have one request. Will you please stay? We hardly know each other." "I can't. I have to leave. It's for the best." "Ok. We are here now. I guess I will see you soon." "I guess. Email me. My email is d_man116@hotmail.com." "Ok. Here's my number if you would rather talk than write. Bye." "Bye." Darryl got out of the car and walked out of the airport. He stopped at the door and took one final look at Tyler's car. It was time to leave. Darryl walked into the airport to exchange his ticket. His plane wouldn't take off for another hour, so he had some time to think things over again. He wished he didn't have to, but there was nothing there to do. Tyler drove home. There was nothing left to do now except to think. The hard part was that Darryl was the thing he was thinking about. Why couldn't he get him off of his mind? Darryl was gone now, and he couldn't do anything about it. He had to choose now. Should he head back to Kyle's or his own apartment? He decided to go to his own. Go back to his own bed and sleep. Kyle walked out of his room, while Josh was sleeping. He walked into the guestroom and saw everything gone. The boy had actually left. He didn't say good-bye, but that would probably be his own fault. He told Darryl that wouldn't be friends anymore if he walked out that door. The sad part it was a pointless fight. He only wanted to help Darryl instead he probably hurt him. Josh was sleeping peacefully on the outside, but really having a nightmare or maybe a connection to real life. ***Dream Sequence*** Josh was 16 again driving Justin home from the MMC. He had given up his chance to hang out with Tony and the other guys to drive Justin home. His mom had become busy again to pick him up. Josh always had to be nice and help people out. It was pretty late. As he was driving he saw a little boy wandering the streets. He was about the same age as Justin maybe a year younger. "Are you lost, kid?" [He asked with sincerity that any person knew he would bring no harm to anyone's life.] "Um…. No. I'm just taking a walk." "Are you sure? I can give you a ride home. I'm dropping off a friend right now. Also, it is pretty dark for you to walk around." "No thank you. I will be fine. My house is just down the street." "Alrite. Get home soon. I'm sure your parents are missing you right now." Josh drove off. He looked back into the rearview mirror and saw the kid walking. He hoped the kid would get home safely. He probably would. Nothing bad ever happens in this neighborhood. Josh dropped off Justin and went home. It was time to get some shut eye. The next morning Josh came running down the stairs. He heard his mom giving TJ a speech. He wondered what it was all about. "Tyler, I don't want you out late anymore." "But mom." "I said no." "Alright. Can I go play now?" "Yes, but get home before dark." "Bye mom." Tyler ran out of the house to play some football with his friends. Josh came down the stairs to see if he was going to get the speech too. "Hi honey." "Hi mom. Dad off to work already." "Yes son." "Where's Heather?" "She went off to the mall with her friends." "Oh." "Josh this is going to be the third time I say this, so I don't talk back until I'm done." "Ok, mom." "I don't want you to come home too late anymore. I prefer before dark, but you're 16, so I'm going to let you out a little after that. I don't want to hear no if's or but's about this." "Ok, but can I ask why the sudden change?" "I just read in the paper about a boy being raped last night." "For real?" "Yes, for real. Here is the paper." Josh grabbed the paper and began reading the newspaper. 10-year-old Darryl Christian Johnson was raped. At this time there are no suspects, but police officers are working around the clock to find the perpetrator. The child is currently at Children's Parkland Hospital for tests. No official news on the condition of the boy had been released at press time. What was going on in this world? Josh looked over at the picture of the boy that belonged to the article. He looked very familiar, but he couldn't put his finger on it. Oh well. It was time for the mall. He was going to meet the guys there. "I'm going to go mom." "Fine be back like I said." "I will. Bye." ***End*** Josh woke up from the dream. What the hell is that kind of dream? It was more of looking back at the past, but why? He looked around and noticed Kyle was gone. He walked out into the living room to see Kyle staring into space. His face was a brick. You couldn't tell how he was feeling or what was going on in his mind. "Are you ok?" "Look who finally woke up? I'm fine. Just a little surprised." "About Darryl leaving?" "Yeah." "It was pretty obvious when Tyler came into your room asking to borrow my clothes." "I know, but I just expected him to decide on the last minute not to leave." "Talk to him when he gets back home." "I will. I haven't noticed that it is only ten in the morning with all this drama going on. It sure is early. We must have gotten up at six." "Must have." [Josh started to think about his dream trying to see what the point of it was.] "Can I ask you a question?" "Sure." "What is Darryl's full name? I don't think you have told me." "I guess not. I'm not sure about his middle name, but I think his full name is Darryl Christian Johnson." (It was him.) "Is there something wrong, Josh? Why are you just staring there?" "Sorry, babe. I guess I got lost in a train of thoughts." "Why did you want to know his name?" "I was just wondering." (I can't believe this. I could have stopped this before, and again I didn't. What kind of person am I?) "I'm going to go take a shower. Be right back." "No invitation." "Not this time, but maybe next time." "Promise?" "I said maybe, but I'm pretty sure it is a promise." "Can't wait." Kyle had left the room leaving Josh to think about this whole thing again. Josh could have prevented Darryl being raped twice, but he didn't. He had let him go. Darryl sat at his gate waiting for the plane. Too many things were going on in his life. He didn't want to think about them, but they kept pushing themselves up into the surface. How was he going to tell his girlfriend? He couldn't. She wouldn't love him anymore if she knew. This was going to be his secret from now on. What about his friends? He would have too. He had promised to tell them when things went wrong in his life. Could he break that promise? It would be the first. Would they act differently around him now? He didn't know. He would have to take a chance on this one. He would email them when he returned home. Last nights events began to flash in front of Darryl's eyes. He saw the rape occurring again. The struggle, the conversation, the stupid phone call, and everything flashed in mere seconds. Then he remembered the last words by the rapist being spoken to him. "Here's your phone. You can call Kyle to come and get you. By the way, I'm not done with you just yet. I will tell you to watch your back, but that wouldn't be fair. You should enjoy your life before it ends. I am going to finish what I started ten years ago. So you'll see me soon. Don't worry about yourself. I won't be after you. I'll be after somebody close to you. Now for you to guess who?" Who was he after then? There were a lot of people that was close to him. There was Kyle, Deanna, Joe, and Lee. That doesn't seem a lot, but it does in his book. Then there was Tyler, his new friend. He had to get back to Kyle and warn him. It only seemed like the reasonable answer, but the rapist said he had been following his life. There had to be a good chance that it was Deanna. He wasn't too worried about Joe and Lee. They were his email buddies but close friends. Darryl started to remember the other words that the rapist had spoken. "Tell Josh that I got part of what I wanted. He should know what I am talking about." What was that suppose to mean? He was really confused. Did that mean Josh would be added to that list? Darryl wasn't really close with him, but he was close to Kyle, and Kyle was close to Darryl. Was he trying to play games with the degree of people? He would have to stay, but first he needed to call his girlfriend. **RING RING** "Hello." "Hey baby." "Hey Darryl. What are you up to? Having fun?" "I'm here at the airport." "Why?" "Long story. I just wanted to see if you were ok." "I'm fine. Why?" "Can't I check up on my baby girl?" (I can't scare her by telling her what is really going on.) "Yes you can. I have to go now. It is twelve here, and I need to get some lunch." "Ok. Bye baby." "Bye." That was one person taken care of, but was he sure that she would be ok. She meant too much to him that he wouldn't know what to do if she had ever left him, but he had to stay here. Three lives were at stake here. Now he needed to call Kyle to get him to pick him up, but he would tell him so. He would call Tyler. Where is that number? He had put it in his backpack. As he was rummaging for his bag, he found a weird piece of folded paper. It didn't look familiar. He opened it up and read it. IT"S NOT HER! KEEP GUESSING! What the hell was this? Some kind of game? There was only one girl in his life, so he knew he could rest at ease. He continued to search for the number. He had found it. ***RING RING*** "Hello?" "Hi Tyler. This is Darryl." "Hi. I didn't expect a call from you so soon." "I guess I couldn't leave just yet." "That's good." "Could you come and get me. I'm afraid to call Kyle." "Sure. I'll be back there in a jiffy." Tyler hung up the phone. There goes that nice nap he was planning on taking. Oh well. Darryl had decided to stay. He would have more time to get to know him in person. Perhaps he could work all the problems they have now. Darryl went to get his ticket re-exchanged. They gave him a bewildered look for doing it, but they complied. Darryl walked out of the airport and waited for Tyler. Tyler arrived ten minutes later and picked him up. "Where to?" "I guess back to Kyle's. I need to talk to Josh." "Josh? Why not Kyle?" "I need to talk to Kyle too, but right now I have to tell Josh something." "Ok, off to Kyle's" (What is going on? Why Josh? I didn't even know he liked him.) The arrived to the apartment and Darryl grabbed his stuff. He ran up the stairs and knocked on the door. Josh was knocked out of his trance. Kyle was still in the shower, so he would have to answer the door. When he opened it, there and behold was Darryl. "What are you doing back?" JC "I have to talk to you." Darryl "And a hello to you to." JC "Hello." Darryl "No hello for me." Tyler "Hello bro. What did you want to talk about Darryl?" JC "Can we talk in private?" Darryl "I guess." JC "You guys go ahead. I'll wait out here." (This is in private. What are they talking about?) Tyler Darryl and Josh walked into the guestroom. "What did you want to talk about, Darryl?" "About yesterday." "I think you should talk to Kyle about that." "I will, but I need to talk to you first." "Why me?" "Because it involves you." "How?" (Did Darryl figure it out too? Did he know that I could have prevented both occasion.) "After I was raped, the man told me something." "What?" "He told me that he had got part of what he wanted." "What does that mean?" "I don't know." Josh sat there trying to figure it out. What did the rapist mean? Suddenly Josh remembered his phone call. Was it the same guy? "Did he say anything else?" "He told me that he knew your secret that is why I called. He didn't want you guys to suspect anything. It was also a way for me not to fight back and let him rape me without a struggle." (Does this make it the third time that I had caused a problem in Darryl's life? He used my secret to get at Darryl.) "Why did you let him?" "I didn't want Kyle to get hurt. If he told people, I knew this would hurt Kyle. He couldn't handle a relationship with the spotlight on him every second. It might give him a big head for a while, but it would be too much. It might even break you guys apart." "You shouldn't have though. I'm pretty sure that we could have handled it if it went to the public." "We don't know if you guys could, and we aren't going to find out." "We can't change the past now." "I wish we could." "I wish too. What did he mean by part?" "I don't know. All I know he is going to strike again." "Then we have to go to the police." "But it is not me." "Then who?" "I don't know? He said somebody close to me. That is why I came back." "We have to figure out who? The police would be a big help." "I don't want the police to know." "Why not?" "I can't say." "Why not?" "I can't say." "WHY NOT!?" "I can't say." Kyle came out of the shower hearing the yelling from the guestroom. He wondered what was going on in there. He was about to open the door when Tyler stopped him. "Don't go in there." "Why not?" "Josh and Darryl are talking." "He's back." "Yeah." "Then I have him next." Darryl and Josh continued their why not and can't say for another minute. "You want to hear the reason." "Why else do you think I kept saying "why not?" the last minute?" "I can't let them know that I've been raped. I'm twenty and I am able to have this horrible thing happen on me." "You need to put your pride aside and report the case." "If I do, my father will find out." "So?" "He is the one that started this whole thing." "That bastard." "I know, but I can't let him know he has won." "How is he going to know even if you report it to the police?" "The news will find out." "Only local." "More like nation when they find out who I know?" "That's true, but I don't think this is a good idea. Is there anything else?" "I don't think so. I guess it is time to face the executioner." "Yes it is. He is a little upset, so don't be pushing too many buttons." "I won't" "Just remember." "What?" "That he still loves you." Tyler and Kyle sat in the living room waiting for Josh and Darryl to finish their conversation. Kyle was pretty quiet, and Tyler wanted to break the silence. "What do you think is going on in there?" "I have no clue, Tyler." "Are you still mad at Darryl for leaving?" "Not really. I was just upset. I didn't really mean it." "Are you mad at me?" "You? Why would I be?" "Because I didn't stop him. I said he could go. I took him to the airport. I went against you." "You do point out reasons why I should be mad at you, so I will." "For real?" "Nah, I'm just kidding. You were just being a friend to him. I was just too stubborn to be one." "Oh my gosh. Kyle just admitted he was stubborn. This has to be the first." "You know if you weren't related to Josh, I would kick your ass." "Oh." (With all of these things going on, I haven't paid attention to the fact that my brother is gay. It's cool and all, but am I the only one that didn't pick up on it? Does mom or dad know?) "You lost TJ." "Sorry, I was thinking." "Did it hurt? I know it hurts your brother." "Funny. If any person gets hurt, it would have to be you, baby." JC "Hey babe. I didn't really mean it." Kyle "Too late. Darryl wants to talk to you now." JC A very long chapter for you people. Email me at d_man116@hotmail.com with comments, concerns, or anything. What do you think will happen next? More like what will happen in chapter 10.