Date: Sun, 26 Dec 2021 12:40:57 +0000 From: Wes Leigh Subject: Misunderstood, Chapter 23 (Gay Adult/Youth) MISUNDERSTOOD By Wes Leigh This is a work of fiction intended solely for the entertainment of my readers; any resemblance to any real people or places is purely coincidental. This story is the property of the author and is protected by copyright laws. The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. If you enjoy this story, please support the Nifty archives today with a thoughtful donation by visiting https://donate.nifty.org/. Chapter Twenty-Three Gray powered up his computer and opened a program. "Dad insisted I put in a closed-circuit surveillance system when I bought the house," he explained to Blue. "It continuously records whatever's going on at the front, side, and back of the house. Stores it in the Cloud for a month. Never had a reason to use it `til now." "So you can find out how the dogs got out?" "Yep." "I bet Cameron's behind it. That asshole!" Gray shrugged. "You might be right. Let's find out." Gray clicked a search field and specified the afternoon of the previous day. All three cameras showed nothing, so Gray fast forwarded the video, then stopped when he saw movement in the back yard, backed it up and started it over again. The video showed Blue and the dogs walking out into the yard. The dogs ran in circles around Blue, leaping over each other and playing. Blue walked around the house, checked the gate, then walked back inside. "See," Blue exclaimed. "I told ya' I checked the gate." Gray nodded and watched the video. The camera continued recording the dogs playing for a few minutes, then settling down and napping in the sun. Gray fast-forwarded the video. Thirty minutes later, the side yard camera picked up movement. Two figures walked along the sidewalk next to the house, one carrying a bucket. Both looked up directly into the camera's pickup. Gray froze the image. Gray looked at Blue. Blue stared back in shock. It was Joseph and Edna McClary. Gray turned back to the computer and clicked the play icon. The camera showed the McClarys approaching the gate between the side and back yards. Joseph reached over the gate and unlatched it, pulling the gate ajar but leaving it almost closed. Joseph reached into the bucket Edna carried and pulled out a small, dark-red lump. He threw the lump, whatever it was, over the gate. Edna reached into the bucket and pulled out more lumps, dropping them on the ground in front of the gate. They walked back down the sidewalk, dropping more of the same from the bucket onto the sidewalk. The front camera picked them up next, just on the edge of its view. They were walking back toward their own house, dropping more on the ground. "Those motherfuckers!" Blue exclaimed. "They were droppin' meat or something to get the dogs to leave the yard." Gray nodded. "Yeah. But how'd they get the gate open? I always keep it locked." Blue dropped his eyes, staring at the floor. Gray stood up and took the youth in his arms. "Blue. Talk to me." Blue mumbled, "It's my fault. Everything is my fuckin' fault. I forgot to put the lock back on the gate when I went through it yesterday morning." Gray took a deep breath and blew it out. "Okay. So you made a mistake. But that doesn't make this your fault." "It doesn't?" Gray squeezed the boy back against his chest. "No, champ. Whether my gate was locked or unlocked, we now have evidence that the McClarys are guilty of trespassing and theft. My lawyers are gonna have a field day with this." Blue spun around and hugged Gray. "So it's gonna be okay?" "Yes," Gray replied, pulling Blue in for another hug. "Now let me make a few calls and get my dogs ... no, get OUR dogs back." Blue was so relieved, he almost told Gray about the phone call to his mother. But he changed his mind at the last moment. It had been too fucking crazy lately and he wasn't altogether sure that Gray wouldn't be mad at him for talking to his mom. He decided he would tell Gray later, when the time was right. *** Gray was acting strange, in Blue's opinion. The first strange thing Grey did was to quit his job at the computer store. He said he didn't need the money and he would rather be home with Blue and the dogs. Blue couldn't be certain, but he thought Gray wanted to keep an eye on everything, now that they had the dogs back. It wasn't so much that Gray didn't trust Blue, but it did feel like Gray was guarding his house, his dogs, and his young lover. That was good in a way, but also a pain in the butt. It was good because Gray was around every day, cooking some kick-ass food and treating Blue to some great sex-filled afternoons. Damn, was he getting good at sex! But it was also a pain in the ass, because Gray had insisted that Blue keep studying, even after the summer vacation started. Gray said Blue was far behind in school, because of being on the streets for so long, and there was a lot of catching up to do. Blue knew Gray was right, but Blue wasn't about to admit it. They'd had some nasty arguments about that. Blue didn't want to go to school. It was summertime. He wanted to play with the dogs and catch up on his favorite anime episodes and hang out with Gray. Gray said he could do all those things, but he had to spend every morning working on school. It was important, he insisted. And then Gray said Blue wouldn't be the only one focusing on what was important in life. While Blue was studying, Gray said he'd be putting together some plans for his own future. Blue asked what those plans were, but Gray wouldn't say. Yeah, it was really strange. A big secret, for some reason. So that morning, Gray was in his room, working away at his computer, while Blue was in his room, trying to read about World War II. Blue reached down and adjusted his hard cock. It was tough to concentrate on some boring old history lesson when you had a boner the size of the Texas panhandle. Blue smirked and rubbed his cock through his pants, breathing faster as his heavy rod throbbed with each stroke of his palm. "Blue, how's it coming?" Gray shouted from the other room. "Fuck!" Blue exclaimed, under his breath. "Almost done," Blue shouted back, snorting when he realized that comment could be taken a couple of different ways. "When you finish reading, let me know. I have something I want to show you." "Okay," Blue yelled, turning back to the book. His boner had gone down a little. Might as well finish reading and then see if he could get Gray to finish off his hard cock, if he wasn't messing around with some new project. And that was the other strange thing about Gray. He was being pretty damned mysterious lately. Spending lots of time on his computer just browsing different websites. Calling a bunch of people and having hushed conversations. And he was keeping it a secret from Blue. Why? Blue thought they were getting along great now, so why would Gray keep secrets from him? Of course, Blue was keeping a secret too. He'd been talking to his mom a lot lately, but always when Gray was out of the house. Blue wanted to tell Gray, but every time he started to, something stopped him from admitting it. It wasn't a big deal, but it wasn't Gray's business either. It was just something special Blue had, something that was just his, only his. Mom was wonderful. She listened and she was patient and loving. He was beginning to miss her and wondering if it might somehow be possible to go see her. Blue was thinking about asking Gray if maybe they couldn't go down to Amarillo some time, if only for a week. That would be a good thing, right? Mom would see that he was doing okay, and she'd get to meet Gray, and they could maybe have lunch together or something. Best of all, Blue would get to see King again. Mom said the rugged old Rottweiler was just as sad as she was, missing Blue every day. That really hit Blue in the gut. He missed King and Mom, but what could he do about it? He was going to stay with Gray. Nothing would change that. He just hoped that Gray would understand that Blue also needed to see his mom and his dog too. Maybe the next time he had a chance to talk to his mom, he'd suggest a trip. If she was okay with it, he could talk to Gray. Just have to keep it all hush-hush until then. If Gray could keep secrets, so could Blue. It was only fair, after all. *** "All done," Blue said, standing in the door of Gray's bedroom. Gray turned around and smiled at Blue. "Great. Follow me." Gray led the way into the kitchen. A birthday cake with fifteen candles was in the middle of the table. Decorative frosting spelled out: Happy 15th Blue! Blue sat down in a chair, staring at the cake, shaking his head. "What the hell are you doin', Gray? My birthday was 6 months ago." Gray placed his hands on Blue's shoulders and squeezed gently. "You weren't here for your birthday, so I'm catching up on lost time." "That's just plain weird. But I ain't passin' up a chance at cake. Give me a knife and a plate!" Even though Blue put on a happy smile, he felt a little ashamed. Gray's mysterious secret must have been this cake. Blue felt like a real heel, but he smiled anyway as he and Gray each devoured a large slice of cake. When they finished eating, Gray picked up the plates and said, "Load the dogs up in the truck. We're going for a ride." "Where to?" Blue asked. "It's a secret. Just get everyone in the truck." Gray placed the dishes in the sink and rinsed them off quickly. Blue turned around, frowning. More secrets. What now? "Come here, you guys. We're going for a ride." The dogs rushed him, jumping and licking his hands. He led them to the garage and loaded them into the pickup, then took his place in the passenger seat. Gray came out into the garage and climbed behind the wheel. After opening the garage door, he backed out into the street, then pulled forward a few feet before putting the truck in park. "Damn. Almost forgot." Gray reached into his pocket and pulled out a small card. He handed it to Blue. Blue took the card. "What's this?" he asked. Gray shrugged. "Something I got in the mail today." Blue studied the card, then screamed, "WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS?" Gray chuckled and leaned over to look at the card. "Hey. That looks like a learner's permit for driver's education." "What the fuck did you do, Gray?" "It's summertime. Most teenagers are goofing off all summer, but the really lucky ones are taking driver's ed. The textbooks are on my dresser, but I thought we'd have a driving lesson first, if you're okay with that?" Blue unlatched his seat belt, then grabbed Gray's shoulder and shook him. "Get out of my way! I'm driving!!" Gray laughed and kissed Blue on the cheek. "Happy late birthday, champ." *** Gray was impressed. Blue needed little guidance behind the wheel and seemed to be an alert, careful driver. They drove around town first, making several turns and stopping to practice parking in a supermarket lot. Then Gray directed Blue to drive out onto the freeway, where Gray had Blue slowly come up to highway speed and make a few lane changes. Then Gray had Blue take the next exit. Instead of passing over the freeway and heading back to town, Gray asked Blue to head deeper into the country on a bumpy, two-lane road. It was a beautiful afternoon. The sun was shining. A light breeze was blowing through the open windows, carrying the smell of growing hay. The dogs were loving it, sticking their heads out into the wind and sniffing eagerly. Blue was on cloud nine. He couldn't fucking believe it! He was driving a fucking pickup with a fucking learner's permit! He glanced over at Gray and smiled. Gray smiled back and pointed at the road, reminding Blue to keep his attention on his driving. After a few miles, Gray said, "Let's turn down this lane up here. See where it goes." "That one there? By the realtor's sign?" "Yep. Turn here. Take it slow. The driveway looks a little rugged." "But this is someone's place," Blue objected. "You sure it's alright?" Gray nodded and smiled. "I know the owner. He gave us permission to come out today." Blue squinted. "Really? You know the owner?" "Yes, sir. We're pretty close. In fact, we're good friends. He wanted you to see the place too." "Right," Blue drawled, biting his lip. First a secret birthday cake. Then a secret learner's permit. Now a visit to see a place that belongs to some secret buddy. Things were starting to add up, but Blue wasn't sure yet what it would all add up to. They climbed over a hill and then started down into a lightly wooded valley. Up ahead, an old-fashioned farmhouse sat beneath enormous oak trees. A huge red barn was just down the hill from it, and beyond the barn was a small lake with a dock running out from the bank. "I guess your friend lives in that farmhouse?" Blue asked. "Not yet," Gray replied. "But he's moving in soon." Blue parked in front of the house, and they all piled out. The dogs ran all over, sniffing here and there, running around the barn and down to the lake. Gray laughed. "Let `em run all they want. They won't get in trouble." Blue snorted, "And I guess your friend won't mind them runnin' all over the place either?" "No. He won't care. Why don't we go inside? Have a look around." Blue grabbed Gray's shoulder and turned him around until they were face to face. "That don't make no sense, Gray. Going inside someone's house like that, without them bein' home? What's really goin' on, my dude?" Gray's eyes twinkled. "I should know better than try to fool you, Blue. You're too smart." Gray gestured at the farm, the barn, the lake and all the land around them. "It's mine, Blue. Well ... it's mine and yours. I cashed in some of my stock, and I bought the place. For us." "Is this the secret you've been keepin' from me?" Blue asked. Gray nodded. "For years, I've been drifting through life, going from day to day, having no clue what I wanted to do with myself. Not anymore. "When you came into my life, things got a little crazy for a while, but in a good way. It made me think about what I need to be doing with myself, and now ... Blue, thanks to you, I know what I want to do with my life. "I want to live out here, far away from people like the McClarys and Cameron Schaeffer and Officer Daniels. "I know. You're probably thinking I'm running away. But as long as I live in town with people like that just down the street, I won't have peace. If it's not the McClarys, it will be someone else. Someone making trouble. Someone hating my dogs. Someone calling the cops. And there will always be police officers like Daniels eager to believe that I'm the problem, looking for something to accuse me of. There will always be jerks like Cameron trying to find an opening he can use to hurt me. To hurt you. To hurt our dogs. "And why am I putting up with all that? Why stay in town, living next to those creeps, walking down the sidewalk in front of their houses?" Gray pointed all around him, at the farmhouse, the barn, the forest, and the lake. "Why live there, when I can be here? Here, where my dogs will be safe and free to run and enjoy themselves. Where I will be able to focus on what I enjoy the most. Blue, I want to turn that barn--" He pointed at the huge red building. "--into a kennel facility, and I want to make this farm into a home for dogs like mine, dogs no one else wants to take a chance on." Gray spread his arms wide and his face broke into an exhilarated grin. "Blue, will you help me operate Langston Farm, home for every animal that needs a second chance at life?" Blue slowly shook his head and wiped away tears that began welling up in his eyes, then turned and ran down to the lake and sat on the edge of the dock, hunched over, miserable and shaking. Gray was shocked. That certainly was NOT the reaction he had expected. *** Blue felt Gray walk up behind him on the dock. Gray sat down next to Blue, and they both stared out over the still waters of the lake. "Are you okay?" Gray whispered. Blue shook his head slowly from side to side. "You want to talk about it?" Gray asked. Blue shook his head again, tears dropping from his eyes onto his lap. Gray sighed. They sat, saying nothing for five minutes. Finally, Blue broke the silence. "I wanna go home." Gray nodded. "Okay." "No, not home to your house. I wanna go home to my mom." Gray felt his heart break, and tears instantly filled his eyes. "Oh, I see." "It's been hard lately," Blue explained. "I've been thinkin' a lot about home. About how much I miss my family and my dog. I guess I'm just freakin' out over everything that's been goin' on. And all this crazy shit that's been happenin' lately ... well, it ain't helped none." "I understand, Blue. I really do." They sat there, silently keeping each other company. "I knew you was keepin' secrets from me. Thought you was really mad at me for all the shit that's been goin' on. Thought you was gettin' tired of me or somethin'. Then I find out you're gettin' me a driver's permit and buyin' this place and ... and ... and it's all for me and I'm keepin' secrets from you too, but my secrets are shitty and your secrets are awesome and I just don't fuckin' deserve you, Gray. I don't." Gray stared out at the sun beginning to creep down toward the waters of the lake. "Sometimes I feel the same way, Blue. I think about how good you make me feel with just a silly comment you make, and I think I don't deserve having you in my life. And when I wake up in the morning with you by my side, I think it must be a dream and I might wake up and it will all disappear." Blue sniffed and wiped his nose on his arm. "I don't want it to disappear, Gray. I really don't." Gray stood up and reached a hand down to Blue. Blue took his hand, pulled himself to his feet, and they walked side by side back to the pickup. Gray called the dogs and loaded them up. Blue sat in the passenger seat. Gray got behind the wheel, started the truck, and drove slowly up the hill. Blue stared out the window at the passing countryside. The tears had stopped, but his stomach was a huge ball of bitterness and pain. He swallowed down his feelings of dismay and said, "I've been keeping a secret from you, too." Gray glanced at Blue. "What secret?" "I've been talkin' to my mom. When you ain't home." Blue turned to see how Gray was reacting to that piece of news, but Gray was staring straight ahead, driving, so Blue continued, "I figured you'd be mad if you found out." Gray shrugged. "It shouldn't be a problem. Sure, they could trace the phone and find out where we are. Then they might try to make trouble for us." Blue bit his lip, saying nothing. They drove on for a bit, then Gray continued, "But it would probably be alright since I have the paper from your mom granting me legal guardianship." Gray sighed. "All that doesn't matter though, because you want to go home to your family, so I'll have to make that happen for you." "Are you mad?" "No." "You sound mad." "I'm not FUCKING MAD, Blue!" Silence fell as they ignored each other for a few miles. "Sorry, Blue. I shouldn't have said that." "It's okay. I knew you were fuckin' mad." Gray chuckled. "I'm not fucking mad." Blue snorted. "You are." "I'm not. I'm really not, Blue. They're your family." Blue nodded. He wanted to see his family again, desperately. But he was beginning to realize that Gray and the dogs were also his family, and it was gonna suck big time leaving part of his family behind to see another part of his family again. *** The call connected. "Hi, Mom." "Hello, Andrew. How are you, baby?" "Good. Mom, I have something to tell you." "What's that, baby?" "I'm coming home." "What!? Really? Oh my God, baby, when?" "Next week. Gray is taking care of it." "Gray? Is that the man who's been taking care of you?" "Yep. He's great, Mom. You'll like him when you meet him." "Oh my God, baby, I can't wait." "I can't talk right now, Mom. We've got stuff we need to do, but Gray said I could call and give you the news. I'll call later and we'll talk longer." "Okay, Andrew. I love you, baby. So very much." "I love you, too, Mom." "See you soon. King will be so excited to see you!" "I can't wait to see him. Give him a pat and a doggie treat for me." "I will. I love you, Andrew. Goodbye, baby." "Goodbye, Momma." Blue put the cell phone down and looked up at Gray. The sadness in Gray's eyes told one story, the smile on his lips a different story altogether. He looked torn in two. Blue knew how Gray felt. "Well, she knows, and she sounds really excited. Thanks, Gray." Gray nodded and left the room. Blue stared at the textbook on his desk and sighed. *** It was a difficult and very busy week for both of them. School was put on hold, permanently, and all Blue's books were boxed up. Then they began packing up Gray's household, one room at a time, and moving it out to the farm, one pickup load at a time. Soon the house in town was empty, and the old farmhouse in the country was cluttered with furniture and boxes. May 15th rolled around, an unbearable day with weather to match their moods. It was cloudy with rain in the forecast. Muggy. Miserably humid. They'd finished packing up everything Blue planned to take home, and so they were sitting on the edge of the dock, feet swinging out over the lake, trying to cool off as they talked. They would be leaving for Amarillo in the morning, and although Blue was excited about seeing his family again, he didn't want to leave Gray behind. Before he left, Blue had to know one thing. "Will you miss me?" he asked. Gray squeezed his eyes shut, refusing to allow the tears to fall. "I will." Blue was watching carefully. He couldn't be certain, but he thought Gray was trying very hard not to cry. But then again, so was Blue. Blue looked back at the lake and said, "Good. `Cause that means you loved me." When Gray said nothing, Blue looked at him and saw Gray slowly shaking his head no. Blue gulped, concerned now. "You mean ... you didn't love me?" Gray turned to face Blue. Silver eyes met azure. Gray could explain his feelings only one way. "Blue, it's like this. I have always loved you. I love you now. I always will love you." Blue wanted to cry. "Oh, I get it." And he understood exactly how Gray felt, because Blue felt the same way. The love they shared seemed to be timeless. They'd only know each other for a few months, and yet Blue felt like he'd always loved Gray and that he always would. Silence for a minute, then ... "What about you?" Gray asked. "Will you miss me?" Blue paused before answering, then grinned mischievously and said, "Nah." "You won't miss me?" "Well, the way I figure it, I'll call you every night and tell you what kinda shit I'm gettin' into. That way, I won't miss your sorry ass that much." Gray chuckled. "I should toss your sorry ass into the lake." "Better get some help. You might end up wet your own sorry self." Joking around seemed to make the heaviness in Blue's heart lift for just a moment, but it couldn't change one thing. No matter what he did, it seemed like he was losing out. He sighed and whispered, "Wish it didn't have to be this way. Wish I could have everything I want in life without givin' up the things I love the most." Gray said nothing, staring straight ahead, cherishing Blue's words nevertheless. The end of MISUNDERSTOOD, Chapter Twenty-Three