Disclaimer: This is a work of complete fiction. It does not and will not exist outside the fantasy world.
© Matt Caper
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Chapter 16
Emotional roller coasters are not satisfied being idle. They demand to be ridden. At the end of September, we attended the Tri-State Fair in Amarillo. We needed a break from our routines to let off a little steam. The whole lot of us went, too: Me and my boys, Jake and David, Will, Dane and his parents, Sam, TJ and his mom, and my parents. Sixteen people in all! It was terrific, despite the fact that it cost us a small fortune to go. But the real drama came afterward, when we decided no more Fair food. There was only one place in Amarillo we all agreed on for dinner: Cracker Barrel. Not only did they have great food at reasonable prices, but it was always fun to browse in their outer shop of candies, toys, and other knick knacks while waiting on a table. The prices in the shop were not necessarily reasonable, but thankfully, my boys had their allowances if they wanted something.
After about a twenty minute wait, we were finally shown to our table. Actually it was several tables put together to accommodate us all. I took a seat with the rest of the adults, but made sure Eli was close by. I wasn't yet ready to fully trust him in public.
We grabbed menus and were told our server would be with us shortly. I was browsing the menu choices while being entertained by Mary Mason, TJ's mom. I could definitely see where TJ got his colorful personality. I think my parents were a little embarrassed at some of the things that came out of her mouth, which was all the funnier to me.
Suddenly, the loudest voice of the group was Nicholas'. "Pete!" he yelled.
I snapped my head up so fast it hurt. Pete was coming toward us in Cracker Barrel attire. He was apparently our server. He and I locked eyes; his gave the "deer in headlights" impression.
Nicholas zipped out of his chair and plowed into Pete, hugging him tightly. The other boys who knew him did the same, though not quite as forcefully as Nicholas. Finally he was able to approach the table, where I had stayed. I did, however, stand and hug him.
"Hi," I mumbled. Inside my stomach, lots of things were happening. Butterflies had turned into bats and gone wild.
"Hey," he replied, not too enthusiastically. I sat, and not knowing what else to do, I introduced him to the people he didn't know.
"This is TJ's Mom, Mary. Um, that there is our friend Jake and his little brother, David. Jake lives with me and the boys. Will's moved in with us, too. And this is our newest addition to the family, my son, Eli." Then I introduced all the aforementioned to Pete. "This is our friend, Pete. We haven't seen him in about a year."
"This is your son?" he questioned.
"My foster son. Oh, I guess you also didn't know, I adopted Landon. He's legally a Taylor, now."
"Wow," he said, obviously nervous. "That's really cool." He was silent for a minute, while being very fidgety. I was disappointed, because I had hoped he'd be more excited to see us than that. "Let me take your drink orders," he said, delving straight into his task. After that, any personal talk was apparently ceased. Pete was closed off, obviously not comfortable being with us. Nicholas and I exchanged worried glances, both of us receiving the message loud and clear.
When he brought us our ticket, I caught Pete's arm and forced him to stop for a second. "When do you get off?" I asked. "We'd really like to talk to you, just for a minute."
He fidgeted some more, looking across the room at nothing in particular and seeming rather worried. "I don't know if that's a good idea..."
I sighed. "Come on, Pete. We're your friends. Just for a few minutes? I just want to know how you are."
Finally he nodded. "Okay. I get off in an hour. Meet me in the parking lot."
"Cool, thanks."
Landon and Noah headed home with the rest of the caravan after dinner, but Eli, Nicholas and I simply waited in the parking lot for Pete. I turned my radio up loud, and we danced and had a grand time. When Pete finally showed up, we were out of breath.
"Hi," I said again. He offered a small smile but still wasn't keen on talking. "You going home? Can we come see where you live?"
"Can't we just talk here?" he sighed.
Nicholas frowned. "Why don't you want to see us, Pete? We miss you."
Pete lowered his head and sighed. "I do want to see you," he said softly.
I was starting to feel exasperated. "I went to your parents' house when you didn't call or text."
He looked up, surprised and possibly horrified. "You did?"
"Yeah. I talked to your mom."
"What did she say?"
"Well, she wasn't nice. I told her she was a poor excuse for a mother. I wanted to say more, but I didn't. Where did you go after they kicked you out?"
"I hitched a ride here, to my sister's house. I stayed there for a while." He cleared his throat and hugged himself pitifully. "Thanks for telling my mom that."
"Yeah," I acknowledged. "But why didn't you come see me? I would've driven you here. Hell, you could've stayed at my place."
He averted his gaze, unable to look at me directly. "I didn't wanna be that pathetic guy who bums off his friends. You're a good guy. You didn't need me dragging you down."
"Dammit, Pete," I said angrily. "That's what friends are for. You don't just run away from friends like that!"
He finally looked at me with an angry stare. "You mean how you ran away from Jordan?"
That stung. So much my eyes teared up. "I made up with Jordan. We're still friends. And yeah, that was my bad. I shouldn't have acted like I did. But you can't use that as an excuse for ditching me." Emotions were starting to get the best of me. I paused and sniffled, wiping my eyes. He jammed his hands in his pockets and turned around, kicking at small rocks. "Can't you come back?" I pleaded. "Where do you live now? Do you have a lease or anything?"
He shook his head, somewhat turning back toward me. "No. But..." He hesitated. "I'm...with someone."
I could feel my heart being smothered by a rogue bat. "You mean a boyfriend?" He nodded. "For how long?"
Pete shrugged. "A few months."
"What's his name? Where'd you meet him?"
He appeared irritated that I was making him speak of his boyfriend. "Jack. Met him online. He works in finance. He's...older."
"What does that mean? How much older?"
"He's sixty-one."
I gasped. "Seriously, Pete?" He nodded sadly. "Are you even attracted to him?"
"He's okay," Pete said, frowning. "I needed a place to live, and I didn't have money for rent. It's not so bad."
I was at my breaking point. Temporarily having no ability for words, I growled loudly and pushed Pete with both hands. He stumbled, then braced himself angrily.
"What was that for?!" he yelled.
"I'm so mad at you!" I yelled back. "I can't believe you think that little of yourself. Please Pete, come with us. Right now. You can live with us!"
"No!" he said adamantly. "I don't have that much money, and I won't let you support me, not even a little while."
"Oh, so it's okay for Jack to support you and not me?" I yelled.
Pete glared at me. "Just leave me alone, will ya? I have to go. I have Jack's car." He turned around and walked away.
"Fuck you!" I screamed as a last resort. I regretted it immediately, but that was our last interaction of the night. He didn't even turn back.
Both Nicholas and Eli tried to comfort me on the way home. I was a little teary and a lot fuming. "I know he loves us and wants to be with us," Nicholas soothed. "He just doesn't know how to say it."
I couldn't help smiling. "You boys are great. I'd probably lose my sanity without you."
"Obviously," said Nicholas haughtily. I reached across Eli and smacked Nicholas playfully, and Eli and I both laughed.
"Maybe we'll come back someday soon," I said.
I wasn't completely sure about that, but at least it put an end to conversation about Pete. There were other things in my life that required my attention; things I could actually do something about. Making Pete love himself wasn't one of those things.
When we arrived home, the rest of my household gathered to learn what had happened with Pete. "Well?" asked Landon. "How'd it go?"
"I asked him to come live with us. He declined."
"He's a douchebag," Eli stated firmly.
Landon, Noah, Will and Jake all frowned. "Sorry," Noah said.
"Yeah," added Will. He rubbed my arm affectionately. "Sorry. I know it doesn't make you feel any better, but at least now you know he's okay."
I nodded in agreement. "Thanks. I'm glad he's okay. And I'll be all right. I promise I won't get depressed again."
"We're here for you, if you do," Jake said. "Pete's obviously missing out on something special."
"Aww, you guys are awesome. I'm lucky to have y'all."
In October, the month of Pete's birthday, I went to see him again. On my own this time. I brought him a gift and let him know, in no certain terms, I just wanted to be his friend again. I even wrote my cell number in the card I gave him, just in case he'd lost it. He still didn't seem to be interested in leaving with me, so I left it alone. I'd done what I could.
We had our own drama at home, besides. I didn't have much of a chance to think about Pete. The days surrounding Noah's birthday were busy, but they were supposed to be happy. He was going to be sixteen and finally get his driver's license! He told me he wanted a car for his birthday. I told him sharing with Landon was as good as it was going to get right now.
His birthday fell on a Monday in November, but we held his party the weekend prior. This year he'd decided on a costume party. It was like Halloween all over again. Except everyone was required to dress up as a historical figure. I thought it was a clever idea, and boy did they go all out! I was impressed with the things they could find at a second-hand store.
My very favorite costume was worn by Granny. When I drove to her house to bring her back to my parents' for the party, I walked in and found not Granny, but Albert Einstein.
"Oh wow!" I laughed. "Granny, that is brilliant!"
"I am brilliant," she quipped. "Because I am Einstein."
"I love the hair. And the mustache."
"Most of that is real, unfortunately," she said, and I laughed some more.
"Noah's gonna love it."
"Who are you supposed to be?"
I feigned offense. "Why, I'm JFK, of course."
"Ah, Mr. Kennedy. I had such a crush on him," she giggled.
My dad didn't bother with a costume, but mom did a fabulous Cleopatra. Along the same lines, Dane wore a toga as Caesar, complete with a crown made of hemp, thanks to his mom. There was other royalty, too. Eli wore decidedly royal robes, but no crown.
"Who's your character?" I asked him.
"Louis the seventeenth," he replied. I had no idea who that was, but it made me sad when I looked him up later. Louis-Charles never became King, as he was taken and locked away to prevent it from happening. He was reportedly abused and starved and left in his own waste, surrounded by lice and fleas. He was only ten years old when he died. I couldn't help but wonder if Eli was making a statement with his character choice.
I knew immediately who Landon was portraying. "Rudolph Valentino!" I announced in awe.
"That is correct, Mr. President."
"My god, I wonder if you have Italian in you. You're better looking than he was!"
"That's what I said!" Noah walked up, latching on to Landon's arm.
"Wow, you two are from the same era. Great costumes!" Noah was plainly Charlie Chaplin.
The next person I saw was Sam. He'd constructed a killer costume for a Medieval Knight. A rather pretty knight, but daunting nonetheless with his sword in his sheath and dagger at his back. "Are you anyone in particular, or just a knight from the Middle Ages?"
He shrugged. "Just call me Lancelot. Would you like to see my Lance a lot?" he smirked
"No thanks," I chuckled and moved on. Nicholas came dancing up to me.
"What do you think?!" he asked excitedly. "I'm Clyde Barrow! And this is Bonnie Parker!"
I cackled as TJ swirled next to Nicholas. They were both in 1930s garb, and TJ was proudly portraying Bonnie in a dress. "Fantastic!"
"Thank you!" they said in unison, then promptly raised their guns and shot me.
"How rude," I laughed. I turned around and nearly ran into Will. "Whoa," I breathed.
The only stitch of clothing - if you could call it clothing - that Will had on his body was a small pouch to cover his package. It was like a jock strap, but obviously homemade. He wore a pair of wings attached to his shoulders and carried a Nerf bow and arrow.
"Oh god," I muttered. "It's Cupid, isn't it? Please don't shoot me with an arrow."
Will smiled. "Don't you want to fall in love with some unsuspecting fool?"
"Not today," I said. I peered around to the back of him, confirming that nothing covered his backside. "I never knew Cupid had such a nice body. Or you, for that matter."
He snorted. "Thanks. I think."
"I...think I'll return to the Oval Office now." I walked away feeling very strange. Being turned on by Landon's best friend was probably wrong on many levels.
Jake was a hilarious version of Elvis, and standing beside him was David. Dressed as Superman.
"You do know Superman is fictional, don't you?" I queried.
"Yeah, but I like wearing the tights." Both Jake and I lifted a brow and kept our responses to ourselves.
We made it through cake and ice cream, through the opening of presents, and several games. We had pretty much exhausted ourselves by then. Finally I took Granny home, and then we resorted to enjoying a movie on Mom and Dad's big screen TV. I was so involved with the story, I didn't realize our group was slightly smaller when the movie ended.
"Where's Dane?" Will asked. No one knew. "I'm gonna see if he's in the bathroom." As he walked off, nearly all of us watched his ass until he disappeared.
"Hey, Sam's not here, either," said TJ. He struggled to get up, a bit hindered by his dress. But somehow he managed and sashayed in the same direction Will had gone.
In a moment, we were all alarmed to hear TJ scream. I was the first one up, barreling toward the back of the house. I met Will coming in the opposite direction, looking extremely upset.
"What happened?" I asked, but he merely pushed past me and hurried away. I continued on until I found TJ. He had his hands over his mouth, standing frozen in a bedroom doorway. I peered inside and saw Sam and Dane, both doing their best to get back into their costumes in a hurry. It was obvious what they'd been doing.
Everyone else was behind me, wanting to see in the room as well. "Everyone back in the livingroom," I said quickly. "Please go." I took TJ by the shoulders and guided him back as well. He still seemed to be in shock. I sat him with me on the couch, and Nicholas immediately sat on the other side of him, taking his hand.
"What happened, Teej?" he asked gently.
"Sam and Dane were fucking," he managed, causing everyone to gasp. Upon hearing this, Landon immediately went to our house to find Will, and Noah followed. Nicholas comforted TJ like only Nicholas could, while the rest of us felt helpless.
Sam and Dane appeared in a few moments. Dane looked very sheepish, while Sam wore little expression. "Dane and I are going out now," Sam said evenly. "Sorry, TJ."
TJ didn't respond to Sam at all. Instead he looked up at me. "I wanna go home."
I nodded. "I'll take you right now."
"Can Nicholas come with me?"
"Of course he can. Let's go grab an overnight bag for him." I glanced up at the two offenders. "I'll take you two home first. Hopefully you can sort things out later."
I left Eli with Jake while I dispersed boys around town. Things were quiet and awkward in the car, until first Sam was gone, then Dane. As soon as Dane was out of the car, Nicholas spoke up.
"I'm really sorry, TJ. That sucks what he did to you."
TJ sniffed. He'd shed a few tears, but overall was staying very calm and collected. That was a wonder, to me.
"Yeah, Teej," I added. "I know it hurts when something like that happens. Just remember we love you."
TJ smiled sadly at the both of us. "Thanks. But is Dane better than me? Is he cuter? Or is it because I'm wearing a dress?"
"TJ, you know it's impossible to compare people," I said. "Everyone is different. The main thing is, you're awesome the way you are. You're cute, you're funny, and you're a good kid and friend. Sam and Dane aren't mature enough to realize the importance of being faithful. Thankfully you're young. This heartbreak will help you later when you fall in love for good. It'll make you love your lover stronger than ever."
"I bet it's because he's smarter than me, 'cause Sam is smart too."
I sighed, reaching over and mussing TJ's hair. "Someday you'll know just how great you are."
I visited with Mary for a few minutes, just to let her know what was going on. She, of course, made a huge fuss over TJ. And TJ certainly loved it. Then I drove home to see about the rest of the crew, mainly Will.
The house was empty at first glance, and I heard nothing when I walked inside. Jake's car was gone, and it seemed David and Eli were with him. I found the other three in their bedroom. All three of them were still in costume, though Noah had taken his mustache off and Will had shed his wings. Will was face down on his bed, and the other two sat on either side of him, trying to comfort him. From this angle it looked like Will was completely naked.
"Will?" I said gently. He rolled over, and I could see he'd been crying. My heart went out to him. "Aww, man. I'm really sorry."
"Did Dane go home?" he sniffed.
"Yeah. I took him and Sam home. And TJ and Nicholas are at TJ's house."
"Poor TJ," he said, welling up with tears again. "I didn't think about him."
"He's okay. Nicholas will take care of him. He's young enough to get over it faster, hopefully."
"Did Dane say anything?" he asked.
"Well, no." I felt uncomfortable sharing Sam's words, but I also thought he ought to know. "Sam told TJ he and Dane were going out now."
That caused Will to bury his head in the pillow once more, pounding it for good measure. I joined the others in caressing his back affectionately, which was weird, with his bare ass shining up at us. After a few minutes, he turned over and sat up, drying his eyes. "Sorry I'm being a pussy. I just didn't know anything was wrong between us."
"No way, man, you're not being a pussy," said Landon, throwing an arm over his best friend's shoulders. "I'd cry like a baby if Noah ever did that to me."
"I'd never do that!" exclaimed Noah.
"I know, babe," Landon smiled. "I'm just sayin'."
Will threw both arms around Landon and hugged him tightly for probably a full minute. It was truly touching to watch. They eventually broke apart, and Will took a deep breath. "Thanks. I needed that. I'm through crying now."
I looked around and located his bow and arrow. I scooped it up, aimed, and shot Will in the chest. "There. Now you'll find true love."
"Except you have to shoot someone else to make it work. You have to find my true love."
"Yeah," I said slowly. "I hadn't considered that. You might be on your own."
"Thanks a lot," he laughed. He bounced off his bed and came to hug me, which both surprised and pleased me. "That's for being a good friend." He took the bow from me and reloaded, shooting me in return. "You deserve true love, too, after what you've been through."
"Thanks," I sighed. "Let's hope it works."
Just then a text alert sounded on Will's phone. He grabbed it, stared at it for a few seconds, then frowned. "It's Dane. He says he's sorry, he didn't mean to hurt me." He tossed the phone on his bed. "I'm gonna grab a shower," he said, ridding himself of his homemade jock. "I'm not ready to talk to him yet."
I watched with some amusement as his naked body left the room, then picked up his "costume". "Did he make this himself?"
"I made it," Landon said. "Pretty neat, huh?"
"Very. I'm actually impressed."
"You should be," Landon grinned.
I snorted and tossed the small piece of material onto Landon's head, making him screech with laughter. "I'm gonna go do some studying. Happy birthday, Noah. I love you, kiddo."
"Thanks, Grey. Love you, too."