Date: Sun, 23 Mar 2003 10:20:56 +0000 From: Angela Mynah Subject: For-the-Love-of-a-bigot For the Love of a Bigot A short story by Angela Mynah Angela_mynah@msn.com This story refers to cross generational sex of a homosexual nature. If this story is illegal in your area or you are offended by such stories, leave now. This story is fictional. (or is it?) When an eleven year old boy moves from Junior school to Senior school, it is a traumatic experience. It is not unusual for the child to look for some form of security, frequently the largest boy in the class will become popular and groups or gangs are formed. Weaklings within the gang will either be protected (maybe they are funny or have some other skill the gang appreciates) or the child will be rejected by the gang and subsequently, that child will frequently be bullied. Such was Derek's fate. Derek was small for his age, any adult looking at him would immediately think of the words `Delicate', `Frail' or even `Dainty'. His Peer group would think of words like `Wimp' `Runt' and `Get him'. He was not having an easy life. Many was the time he would reach home battered and bruised by those he had tried to call friends. He and his rather older sister Sarah, lived with their grandmother. She was the only surviving relative they had, and they had been with her for seven years. A car crash had taken both parents and the grandfather all those years ago. Given this history, it was hardly surprising that Derek was a vulnerable child but he had an extra burden to carry at his young age. It was becoming increasingly obvious to him that he was a homosexual. His desires seemed to focus on boys some four or five years older than himself. At first this could have been explained by the safety aspect of having such friends, but the feelings deep inside told him different. He knew that what he felt was an overwhelming desire for bodily contact with them, and for them to have unlimited access to his most private parts. In short he lusted for them. Generally a fifteen or sixteen year old boy would want little to do with an eleven year old, the older boy trying to complete that transitional phase in his life from boyhood to manhood. He would be trying to distance himself from all things childish, and that includes young friends. Andrew was different. In certain ways, Andrew was ahead of the game. He was advanced in the race for puberty and looked upon the younger boys with an almost fatherly attitude. When he saw Derek being beaten up and bullied by the other youngsters, he felt it his inescapable duty to stop it happening and to rescue the victim from this abuse. Pushing his way into the affray, he was clipping ears and shouting at the kids to stop this. He soon reached the main aggressor and threw him bodily to one side, glaring at him, almost daring him to retaliate to this new, much larger foe. Like all bullies the boy was a coward who turned and fled, along with the rest of his gang. Derek was curled up on the ground still expecting blows to rain down on him. He was sobbing uncontrollably, frightened and hurting from the attack. Andrew knelt down to him. There was a low wall very close by and Andrew picked the quivering child up, went to the wall and sitting down on it hugged the terrified boy to him. He was amazed at how light Derek was. It was the first time Derek had been cuddled since he was four years old. Andrew had a clean handkerchief in his pocket and used it to clean Derek's bloody nose and to wipe the tears away. He stood the boy up in front of him and for the first time took a long look at the creature he had rescued. Derek was the classical cute boy. His fair hair had a slight natural curl to it, worn just a little bit longer than was fashionable, it framed the azure blue eyes and the long eyelashes that any self respecting actress would die for. His little slightly turned up nose wore half a dozen freckles and although a little swollen, his soft red lips completed this angelic face. Although eleven he had the frame of a nine year old. As Andrew was sizing up the boy to see if he was fit to be released back into the wild, Derek was admiring him. Andrew was to be sixteen the next month. He had the balanced body of an all round athlete. His prowess was certainly on the physical side and his physique displayed this. The dark straight hair and soft hazel eyes enhanced the appearance of a clearly defined roman nose and chiselled chin. Derek could see that it would not be long before Andrew was a regular user of the razor which was obviously an already frequent visitor to his face. All this Derek was looking at. All this Derek was falling in love with. It is quite possible that Derek's emotions were being influenced by the dramatic way in which Andrew had rescued him from the beating. It is equally possible that these feelings were merely hero worship. That was the way Andrew thought Derek's mind was working as he held the child's hand when it was offered to him. Derek's home was just a little further on than Andrew's but he escorted the lad to the front door, telling him all the time not to worry, the boys would stop these beatings now, as they certainly wouldn't want to make an enemy of a fifteen year old. The following morning Derek was up dressed and ready for school early. He had decided to wait just round the corner from Andrew's house and when he came out, Derek would catch him up and walk to school with him, making out that it was his normal time and that he was surprised they had not met before. From his vantage point he saw Andrew shut his front door. The timing was perfect. Derek rounded the corner just as Andrew came out of the front garden. Derek was all smiles as he called out his greeting and Andrew seemed happy enough too as they met. Andrew grinned down at the lad. "Sorry to keep you waiting there, I wasn't quite ready when I saw you get to the corner and wait for me" He was laughing as he saw Derek squirm with embarrassment. "Its alright Derek, I like to have company when I walk to school, and you will be a lot safer if you are seen with me as we go in. I really don't think those boys will want to tangle with me, and it's not a problem for me if they do" Derek could not help himself. He was gazing up into Andrews eyes, adoring his hero with all his worth. The routine settled down very quickly and each day the two of them would walk to school together, and more often than not, they would walk home together afterwards. This practice had been going on for a whole term and now Andrew had turned sixteen. It had, for Derek, become more than `Hero worship' he was now in love with Andrew totally. Nobody else in the world mattered to him, Andrew was the only reason Derek could think of for living. He was starting to steal himself to approach the subject with Andrew, but was not at all sure how any offer of closer contact would be received. Frequently on their way home from school, Andrew would invite Derek in for a drink or to listen to some music. Often on those occasions, Andrew's father was at home. He usually worked from home and would be downstairs as the two boys listened to the stereo in Andrews's room. Derek had decided on a plan of action but had to wait until a day when Andrew's father was not at home. After several abortive attempts it went right. Derek was invited in to Andrew's house and neither of his parents was at home. The two lads had known each other and been close friends now for nearly five months. They were listening to some music as Derek started the conversation. "Andrew, you can do anything you like with me, you know that don't you, anything at all." "Ha, well thank you but you are a bit young. I would beat you at anything we tried. Your chess is good for your age and you are a fast runner but until you are older, there's not that much we can compete in apart from games of luck. Don't worry about it, I am happy just with your company from time to time." "That's not really what I meant Andrew, I meant you could do anything to me you wanted to. I wouldn't mind, I would like it, I would want you to." "I am not sure I understand you Derek, What do you mean exactly?" Very slowly Derek undressed in front of Andrew, watching his eyes, trying to gauge his mood till he stood in front of his friend, naked and erect. "You can do anything you want to me, I am yours" Andrew had watched his young friend undress not out of any desire but out of total surprise. First his face had gone white, then as he realised what had happened and what Derek had meant by his comments, he went red with rage. "Derek. Put your clothes back on now please, and then leave. You are a bloody Faggot, a shirt lifter, hells shit you are a freaking queer. If I had known that I would never have let you in the house. Get dressed and get out. NOW" Derek dressed in panic as he saw how angry his friend was. Throwing his clothes on and trying to apologise at the same time, but Andrew was not listening to any of it. As Derek was going out of the front door, Andrew pushed him out, slamming the door behind him. Shirt still hanging out and clothes somewhat dishevelled, Derek fell to the ground on the path at Andrew's door. He was in tears as he adjusted his clothing and ran home. Derek had little sleep that night, he was turning the afternoons events over and over in his mind. Tears welled up each time he heard his friend screaming those words in his mind. Faggot, Shirt lifter and Queer, each one stabbing him in the heart, each one hurting him so very much, each one making him want to die. Probably one of Derek's wiser decisions was to let Andrew cool off before approaching him, so he left for school earlier the next day. Sadly so had Andrew and Derek could see him some distance ahead. He made no attempt to catch his friend up even though he saw Andrew look back at him on two occasions, too far away to see the expression of contempt in Andrew's eyes. It was at the end of the school day when he could bare it no longer that Derek tried to meet up with Andrew. He had to hurry, someone had told him that Andrew had left the school right on time and had started to rush home. Derek ran to Andrews's house, catching him up just by the garden gate. Tears flowing freely he caught his friend. "I'm sorry, I'm really sorry, please don't hate me. I want to be friends, please Andrew, please." Andrew turned on his friend with such venom it terrified Derek. "Get out of my sight faggot, I hate queers and you are a queer, so I hate you. Is that why you were always being beaten up eh? Is that why everyone hated you? I wish I had known, I would have helped them. You are filth, your very existence is disgusting me. Freaking homos should be rounded up and put away where they can all die of AIDS. You will never come within ten paces of me again, if you do I will turn you into a punch bag got it? Now fuck off out of my life Faggot, fuck off and die." As the last of the tirade hit its intended target, Andrew filled his mouth with saliva and spat it into Derek's face. The spittle mixed with the tears as it ran down Derek's face across his quivering lips onto his chin and dripped to the floor. As he looked into his friends eyes hoping to see some glimmer of their past relationship, another dose of spit hit him in the face. Andrew turned his back on the crying boy and walked into his house. Derek now completely defeated trudged to his own house his spirit broken and as alone as he had ever been. "I still love you" Derek whimpered after him, "I always will" Andrew went straight to his room, hardly noticing his father standing by the window. It was only moments later that his father tapped gently on the door, and not waiting for an invitation, entered Andrew's room. " May I have a little chat son, I saw, and heard, what went on between you and the boy Derek just now, perhaps you would be so kind as to give me a little background information, some sort of explanation to excuse your behaviour out there." "The kids a faggot Dad, a freaking faggot. I hate homo fucking sexuals, they're filth, scum, lower than slugs. If I never see that shit pusher again I won't mind. I hope he dies of AIDS and takes as many of his gay pervert friends with him as he can." "So you have found out that your friend is a homosexual. He is still the same boy that I was so proud to hear of your rescuing a few months back. He is still the same child you hugged and protected. Do I take it that you have gone from love to hate because of one word, `Gay'?" "I don't love him and I never have. I'm no queer." "Don't talk rubbish Andrew. You have held that boy and nurtured him out of his shell. You have loved that boy, as you would a brother. That is a fact and its obvious to all around you. I am your father and I love you. Does that make me a homosexual? Well does it?" "That's different Dad, that's a different kind of love, that's ok but he wanted me to do things to him and that's not ok, that's sick." "For sixteen years now I have loved you. I have backed you up right or wrong, and I have discussed the matters with you after. Yes, for sixteen years I have enjoyed you. Often I have been proud of you, sometimes I have been disappointed in you, but although I still love you and always will, this is the first time I have ever been ashamed of you. Today you wished another human dead. Not just a phrase, you actually wished him dead, and that human is only eleven years old. You spat in his face. You spat in a child's face not once but twice, reducing the boy to tears, and for what crime was this punishment meted out? The young child only stated that he loved you. You be proud of this days work son, because I cannot be." Andrew's father quietly left the room, leaving his son to consider the conversation he had just had but was far from optimistic about any reconciliation between the lads. Derek was still crying when he entered his grandmothers house. Her response was then as it had always been with the boy. "Oh its water works time again is it, you really are a wimp boy, you should be more like your sister, she's much stronger than you" Life had been like that for as long as Derek could remember. It wasn't that she didn't like her grandson, she just had no experience with boys except her departed husband who was her first excursion with the opposite sex. He had made her pregnant on their second date and married her within weeks. Derek's Mother was the only child from that union. Such was her experience of the big wide world. Derek went to his room and cleaned himself up a bit. It was going to be another long sleepless night. Derek left it as late as reasonably possible to go to school, so as to miss Andrew, he didn't want a repeat of the previous evenings exchange. Andrew had also planned on not encountering Derek. Their plans were identical and inevitably outside the front gate, they met. "Ten paces in front or ten paces behind faggot, whichever unless you want to find out what a punch bag feels like." Ha managed to resist spitting at the boy again but it was a close call. Derek elected to walk behind his friend, and Andrew set off at a fast pace. Andrew did not notice his father watching out of the bedroom window, shaking his head sorrowfully. All the way to school Derek was calling to his friend. "Please Andrew, Please let me off, I will do anything you ask. Can't we go back to like we were before? Please Andrew?" "Shut up faggot, I don't have queers as friends, find some queen and get him to shag you, `cos I won't. You can bet your arse on that, which you probably would!" "Can't I even walk closer to you, please?" "Maybe after school I will let you walk five paces behind me, I shall think about it" Thinking that this was a break, perhaps the first glimmer of forgiveness Derek looked forwards to the end of that school day, and as was ever thus, the day dragged on interminably. As the final bell rang he almost ran to the place where they had normally met in the past. Andrew was there, waiting for him, spirit pen in hand. "I need to remind myself just why it is you are now walking behind me" Andrew said airily. "Firstly you will carry my school books for me when ever we walk to or from school together, second, you will have `FAGGOT' written on your forehead each time. If you agree to this, I will let you walk five paces away, not ten" He never really expected Derek to agree to these terms. His idea was that this would be so unacceptable to the boy he would run off and the problem would go with him. He was astounded to hear the reply. "Yes Andrew, I will carry your books and you can write what you like on my head if it means I can be nearer you" Andrew placed the books on the low wall remembering for a moment the small frightened child he had sitting in his lap at this place so long ago. He shivered slightly as the boy stood there, waiting for the word to be written on his head. Holding the child's head still, he wrote the offending word in quite large dark blue letters. He stood back to admire the handy work and looked at the pen he had picked up from a teachers desk. On it were the words `permanent' and `Indelible'. This had not been in his plan at all, He was only going to do the one trip like this just to see how far Derek would go. He never even thought it would have gone this far. He decided to say nothing for the moment and see how this all panned out. He set off for home with the clearly labelled homosexual boy, five paces behind, carrying his books. It is well recorded that children can be, and usually are, very cruel towards each other. Derek was already well aware of this from the many years of bullying he had endured before meeting Andrew. There were several children of various ages who saw the two of them and saw the writing. Some were running up and down passing them shouting abuse at Derek. By the time the got to Andrews home Derek was a wreck. He couldn't close his mouth or swallow he was crying so much. There was almost no noise from him just a very high pitched whistle from his throat. It was the crying of torment that meant he had no more to give. Andrew's father was once again in the bedroom looking out. He had wondered if there was to be another public display of hatred from his son, he was certainly not prepared for the spectacle that beset his eyes as the two boys rounded the corner. Most of the other kids had become bored with their additions to Derek's misery and had gone, the few that remained scattered when they saw Andrew's father striding towards them. Andrew himself seeing the anger in his fathers eyes, considered running, but what was the point, he had gone far too far and he knew it, he would have to return and face the music sooner or later. Better to get it through with. He turned and looked at Derek. He saw the level of destruction he had achieved. He could not really believe how thoroughly he had demolished the boy. He was still looking as his father walked straight passed him and whisked Derek into his arms. Looking back at his son he said only two words. "You. Inside." Mr Davis, Andrews father, phoned Derek's home to say he would be delayed, and that he was invited to stay there for tea. This bought him some time. He tried several lotions and chemicals to remove the offending word but all that was happening was Derek's forehead was becoming more and more sore. Surgical spirit was the best answer but it stung so much Mr Davis was reluctant to use it. The writing had paled somewhat when Mrs Davis walked in from work. She took one look at Derek's now red raw forehead and nearly screamed. "Oh my God. The animal has written `Faggot' on the poor souls head. Where is he, just wait till I get my hands on him. ANDREW. COME HERE AT ONCE!" "No Alice, not this time, he is in his room at the moment and I will deal with him later. This goes rather beyond normal disciplinary methods, but first we have to try to get the writing off. Surgical spirit was the only thing that touched it but his head is so raw now it will hurt like hell to use it." "Well for every tear that Derek sheds now, Andrew will shed ten." She looked at me and was almost crying herself. "I'm so sorry little precious, but to get that nasty word off you, we will have to use some stuff will hurt. Will you be a brave soldier for us and let us wipe it off?" Derek nodded. Knowing what would happen to Andrew if he cried out. He vowed to himself that not only would he remain silent, he would try to smile throughout. Andrew had appeared in response to his mothers call and had also heard the comment about the tears. Whether it was in fear of the impending retribution or a feeling of genuine remorse would never be known, but as the spirit was put to Derek's head, Andrew mouthed to him "Sorry Derek" Even with Derek's strengthened resolve, he was tested to the limits as the stinging liquid was applied, but it held good and he did manage that smile. After twenty minutes of working on the lettering it had finally become virtually illegible but a heavy price was paid. Derek's forehead was now nearly purple from the rubbing and had even bled very slightly. He never faltered for one moment. Not one tear was shed. He desperately hoped that it would be enough to save his friend from the worst of whatever punishment his parents had in mind. Andrew was sent back to his room whilst Derek was given his evening meal, constantly being told what a brave boy he was and that he had not to worry, Andrew would never do anything like that again. "What are you going to do to Andrew?" Derek had finally plucked up the courage to ask. "That is a very good question young man, I'll tell you what, you tell us what you think should happen to him" Although it was his mothers suggestion both parents looked at Derek waiting for a response. Both were almost certain as to what that response would be too, and they were right. "Nothing. I don't want anything to happen to him. I like him too much I don't want him to be hurt" "But what about all the hurt he did to you? Surely he should be punished for that shouldn't he?" "No, that was all my fault. I made him very cross because I said things he didn't like." "Hmmm Well I have to say that as his father, it is my duty to discipline him for what he has done. I guessed you would say more or less what you did say and so He will not be punished yet. I will wait and see how he behaves tomorrow. What exactly did you say that made him so cross, I know mostly what it's about but I would like to know the details" When Derek was driven home a little later, he was still not sure if he had said enough to get Andrew off the hook. His head had been bandaged to hide both the rawness and the remains of the writing. His grandmother opened the door to them and looked down on Derek. "Did it all come off then," she asked, "I hope you didn't waste too much time on it, it's probably true anyway, he's such a wimp." With that she guided Derek passed her and closed the door on a very shaken Mr Davis. The previous two nights Derek had slept badly worrying about what Andrew was thinking of him. This night was no better except he was suffering a sore head and was worried about the punishment that Andrew was destined to receive. It seemed that no sooner had he dropped off to sleep than his sister was waking him up. "Wakey wakey Faggot face, time for you to go and look at all the boys in your school" She left the room chuckling at her own razor sharp wit. Their grandmother had heard the slight and was smiling at the girl. Sarah could do no wrong in that house. Derek dressed and readied himself for school. With more that a hint of trepidation he started out to school. Waiting by the gate was Andrew. Derek stopped five paces away and held out his hands to take the older boys books. "Come here Derek. Yesterday I wrote Faggot on your head. I think it seems a bit nearer to the truth if you were to write `JERK' on mine. You stay with me as much as you can today, if anyone gives you a hard time, tell me and I will sort it" As they walked to school Derek wanted to put his hand in Andrew's but knew that could never happen now. Everyone knew his darkest secret and if he held Andrew's hand it would be assumed that Andrew too was gay. At the school entrance there were sniggers and looks directed at Derek but they all kept their distance. Andrew did not look like he was giving anybody a good time if they crossed him. That he was protecting Derek again was obvious too all and it was that which stopped him being called into the headmasters office. Instead the speech at the morning assembly was about intolerant attitudes and how they should be banished without trace. An irony lost on most of those present. Most of the day went surprisingly smoothly. One of the teachers paid a lot of attention to Derek, ensuring that he was never picked on in class. As the bell rang for the morning break, the teacher held Derek back advising him to stay a while, till the rest of the kids were in the playground. Derek stood by the window looking out at the other boys as the teacher stood behind him, a hand on each shoulder. In an almost `matter of fact' way the teacher asked him if he was really gay. It was as Derek was saying that, yes he was gay, that he felt the teacher's hand untucking the boy's shirt and slipping inside his trousers and underpants. The teacher started to masturbate the lad. "Do you like this then young man?" He asked as he caused Derek's trousers and underpants to fall to the floor "No sir, I'm sorry sir but I don't like it sir." "Oh I'm sure you do really it makes you feel good doesn't it. Then what about this? This makes you feel really good now doesn't it" The teacher had worked his way in front of Derek and had gone down on his knees. Closing his eyes he took Derek into his mouth. "No sir, Please sir I don't like it, its for somebody else, I love somebody else, please sir" Letting Derek's now rigid boyhood out of his mouth but without opening his eyes as he savoured the flavour of the boy he asked "So who is it you love so much" "Me" said a voice so familiar to Derek As the teacher opened his eyes he saw Andrews foot approaching his face and little time to move. He managed to avoid a direct impact but took a hit to the side of his face. With very little damage done he was able to stand and put some space between himself and the furious Andrew, leaving Derek pulling up his trousers and tucking in his shirt. The teacher regained his composure and looked at both boys. "So what now then?" He asked of them. "He may be a faggot, but he's my faggot and nobody else's until he says otherwise" "Ahh so you are gay too are you Andrew?" "No I am not, and I don't like homo's. If you want proof you just come and try doing to me what my faggot asked you not to do to him. Then you will see if I am queer or not. I'll freaking kick your shit queens face into pulp" "That's no way to speak to a teacher Andrew, but I will overlook it on this occasion, under the circumstances." "No way to talk to you? After what I caught you doing! You touch him, No you even look at him in the wrong way and I'll have you, I will put a mile between your balls and you won't find either of them. The boy is mine, got it? The boy is mine." He took Derek by the arm and took him out to the safety of the playground. There was a bench seat and he settled Derek onto it before sitting down next to him "I have a big problem now Derek and I don't know what to do about it. Its what you said in there to the teach. You said `its for somebody else, I love somebody else' didn't you?. I assume I was right and that the `somebody else' is me" "Please don't be angry with me again, I was frightened and I said it, I didn't mean to tell anyone else that I love you, please don't be cross with me" "Oh shitty hell you bloody poof, I am not angry with you, I just cant seem to get you to understand that I hate queers. I don't want your love. Being a mate is one thing, and I am finding that hard enough right now, but hear this and hear it well. You will never, ever see my naked body and you most certainly will never touch my private parts. Do you understand that. Never in a million years. When I hear you say you love me it makes me want to throw up" Derek looked down to his shoes. Half wanting to kiss his friend for saving him and half wanting to curl up and die as the love was so one way. It was a relationship that would need a lot of time, effort and understanding before it would run smoothly, if ever it was destined to. The rest of the school day was largely uneventful, nobody tried to approach Derek and he kept his own company where possible. He did remove the bandage as it was itching so much. He looked in the mirror. The word was still there but now so pale it was hardy noticeable. His forehead had recovered well too, so he left the bandage off, slipping it in his pocket, to give back to Mr and Mrs Davis when next he saw them. Walking back home after school was almost like the old days before he had made that horrendous error of judgement, and confessed his feelings so graphically. As they arrived at Andrew's house Mr Davis was already at the gate. Hello Derek, Will you come in the house please? We would like a little chat, the four of us. Well Andrew's mother and I would like to chat to you, I am not sure yet how Andrew is conducting himself. Both boys went in and sat down, both feeling a little edgy about just how this chat was going to proceed. "Andrew's mother and I thought it would be rather nice if we all went to the beach tomorrow as its Saturday. I think it would be a good idea, let you two boys get a bit of quality time together, get to `reacquaint' yourselves. I have already contacted your grandmother and she was quite agreeable to the idea. I also suggested a sleepover tonight and tomorrow night. It will save time in the morning when we get ready. I have already been over to your house and collected your swimming gear and a few bits and pieces so unless you have no wish to join us I think everything is ready. Now tell us how your day has been. You first Derek." Derek was not sure how much to say about what had happened. First of all he thanked them for their invitation to the beach, then he related about his day. His description was skimpy about the teacher's actions but the tale about Andrew rescuing him was highly detailed. Andrew on the other hand went into great detail as to the Teachers actions whilst minimising his own part in the situation. It was a tactic that confused Derek but it had the desired effect on his father, who was quite reflective for a while. Eventually he spoke. "Well boys, I have been thinking long and hard for a suitable punishment for Andrew. One that is appropriate for his intolerable behaviour whilst also being one which will not be too upsetting for Derek to witness. He is after all the aggrieved party here. I have decided that the basis will be both humbling to Andrew and I hope not at all unpleasant for Derek. First Derek, I would like you to go and look at the things I collected from your home. Make sure you have everything you need for the sleep over." Derek checked his bag as requested but found only his bathing trunks in it, no pyjamas. He was about to say something when Mr Davis held up his hand to silence him. "Andrew. You will now get ready for bed. You will get ready down here in front of the three of us. You will undress completely. You will wear nothing in bed tonight and you will share your bed with Derek. Before you go up to bed you will make the same offer to Derek as he made to you. You will permit him to take what pleasure he likes with your body. You will refuse him nothing. Do I make myself quite clear?" Andrew was thunderstruck by the proposition, at sixteen years old he was to undress in front of his parents and then offer himself for the use of a homosexual boy. The humiliation was total but the fairness of the punishment was unquestionable. He had humiliated Derek to the whole school so he was to be humiliated in front of Derek, He looked at his father and then to the floor. "Yes sir, that is a fair punishment" It may be thought of as odd that he would agree so easily to such treatment, but when considered, that agreement was in its own right, a part of Andrew's bigotry, the punishment was so wonderfully appropriate to the crime. It didn't however make the execution of the punishment any easier on him and certainly no more tolerable. He took his shoes and socks off first, then his trousers. He was about to remove his shirt when his dad interposed again. "You called Derek a `Shirt lifter', leave your shirt on for a while and let Derek `lift' it." Andrew complied with the instruction and removed his underpants. He stood before the three of them wearing just his unbuttoned shirt. "Derek, I have been cruel to you and I have been wrong. You may use me in any way you like. You may do anything to me you want. I apologise" Now Derek realised why there were no pyjamas for him. Under any other circumstances this would have been a dream come true. But not this way, not with a partner who was far from willing. One who was, even if not actually being forced, was doing it from a sense of duty. He needed to rescue his friend. He wanted to take some of the attention away from Andrew. He ushered Andrew to the couch then walked away a little. All eyes were on him now as he very slowly removed all his clothes in front of Andrew's parents. He sat on Andrews lap and cuddled up to him thereby concealing Andrew's nudity. It took Andrew a moment before he realised that Derek's actions were not sexually driven. Once again Andrew found himself in wonderment at the way this boy was holding Andrew's comfort and happiness as a higher priority than his own. What ever his orientation, he also found that having a naked eleven year old boy on his lap had given him an erection. It was of course impossible that Derek could be unaware of this, it was pushing up into his cheek crack. There was also no way it was going to go away so Andrew whispered into Derek's ear, "Shall we go to bed now?" Derek nodded. Both boys got up and complete with erections kissed Andrew's parents goodnight and went to Andrew's room. His double bed meant that bodily contact could be kept at a minimum. Derek was so tired from the previous nights bad sleeping that he fell asleep almost immediately. Andrew was so relieved at this, he followed not far behind. It was clear to the parents that there had been no activity, but as the offer had been made, honour was satisfied all round. "Good morning my little faggot, how are you, did you sleep well" It was the morning wakeup that Derek had dreamed of for weeks, even the title `little faggot' seemed like music to his ears, it was said in such a friendly way. Andrew was almost overwhelming in his gratitude for Derek not taking advantage of his offer. Andrew dressed and went down stairs. Derek followed but was naked, he couldn't find his clothes at first but seemed at ease naked so the rush to find them was largely unnecessary. Found they were, and he dressed The beach trip was an inspired idea. the beach was empty enough for private conversation yet busy enough for the general hubbub to keep things calm. Andrew was held on his honour to listen to anything Derek said without overreacting. Derek on the other hand was advised to be both careful with what he said and patient with any responses he received. With those two conditions agreed, the two boys were left alone to chat. They were silent at first thinking about their somewhat strange relationship and listening to the raucous laughter coming from a public house that was some two or three hundred yards away. Sometimes the laughter followed the screeching of tyres as the customers tried to out play each other with their cars. It was Andrew who eventually opened the conversation. "Why did you have to tell me you were a queer? We were good friends up till then" "I sort of hoped you might be one too, or at least someone who would like to play with my body a bit. I can't help it that I love you. I did before, I do now and I think I always will. I never stopped loving you even when you were being horrid to me." "Oh shit Derek. Can't you say anything without saying you love me. You know I hate it when you say that because it means you are queer. I keep trying to forget that you are one of `them' and every time I start liking you again you say you love me. I hate queers, they are the lowest of the low. They are perverts that corrupt decent people. I don't like it that I like you, because you are one of them. When you grow up you will start perverting other people and probably force yourself on children like the teacher did with you. How can I like a person who does that" "I don't want to touch kids, I like boys older than me. I didn't like the teacher touching me because he was forcing me to stay there. You don't force yourself on girls so why would I force myself on boys. Your dad doesn't force himself on schoolgirls so when I grow up why should I force myself on schoolboys. You didn't want me last night and so, although I could have, I never touched you. Why do you think I am going to make people do what they don't want to do?" "Because you are a homo, and that's what homos do and that's why I hate them" "Do you still hate me then?" "Sometimes, yes." "and other times" "I don't know, When I think of what you are going to become I hate you and wish I could stop you somehow. Other times I look at you and want to protect you, like I do now. Those other times I think of you as a real friend" "What if I don't do those things you say I am going to do? What if I promise not to make anyone do anything. Would you stop the bits of time when you hate me?" Andrew was silent for a long time thinking about this so Derek added "What if you only hated me after I had done something rather than hate me because you think I will" "I can't turn hate on and off like a tap. Its there or it isn't, and when I think of queers, its there!" "I know. I can't turn love on and off like a tap. Its there or it isn't, and when I think of you, its there!" For the first time, Derek noticed a tear on Andrew's cheek, a tear that could only really mean one thing. The discussion was over. Andrew was learning tolerance, a lesson that would take time and patience but would ultimately turn a bigot into a reasoning responsible person. Andrew was choked up when he said "I need an ice cream. There's a shop across the road and Dads given me some money. Lets go. I need a break" As they walked to the road Derek wondered about slipping his hand in Andrew's but thought it best if he didn't. He figured that might be the sort of thing that would undo all the nice things that had been said so far. Andrew was crossing the road when Derek heard more of that laughter from the pub and the squealing of strained tyres. The car was coming fast and Andrew was not thinking. His vision was impaired by tears and he was in the road. Derek charged into the road and with what little weight he had he barged into Andrew's back, causing him to lurch forwards. It also caused Derek to stop dead. A woman screamed as the car took Derek's legs from under him and sent him crashing into the windshield. He was thrown into the air like a rag doll, landing on the roof of the car and rolling off, into the gutter. His moments of consciousness were sporadic but he felt his hand being held, and heard that familiar voice saying "You can't leave me now, not now I've just learned that I love you" He was able to give that hand a gentle squeeze before he let go of the hand, and everything else. --------------------------------------------------------------- "Greater love hath no man than he who would lay down his life for his fellow man" ------------------------------------------------------------------ That was `For the love of a Bigot' A short story by Angela Mynah angela_mynah@msn.com All comments welcome, even flamers. Its being ignored I cant stand.