Date: Fri, 4 Feb 2005 10:11:35 -0800 (PST) From: Scott Yates Subject: Poor White Trash Chapter 5 This story was originally posted in January 2000 in the Beginnings section on Nifty. There have been some minor sentence structure changes, but the content of the story essentially remains the same. Additionally, new chapters will be posted in an effort to complete the story after all previous chapters have been posted. This story contains descriptions of sexual encounters between minors that are homosexual in nature. If offended by such things or if you are not of legal age, then read no further. The characters and events depicted in this story are completely fictional and any resemblance to any real persons, places, or events is purely coincidental. This story may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the expressed written consent of the author. Comments or questions regarding this story may be addressed to Scotty Yates and sent via email to yatessg@yahoo.com. (c) 2000 by the author This story is a work of fiction, although I must admit, my stories are based on experiences of my friends or drawn from similar personal experience in my own background. Any resemblance to anyone living or dead is purely coincidental. POOR WHITE TRASH By Scotty Yates Chapter 5 Brandon looked at pa and then down at me and said, "Billy Joe." There was a collective and very audible gasp from everyone in the room except for Brandon. What was he talking about? What did he mean Billy Joe? This couldn't be happening! I was looking at Brandon. NO! I was staring at Brandon. What is he saying? Brandon said, "I will put up the ownership of the 400 acres and you will put up Billy Joe. If you win, you get clear title to the property. If I win, then I get Billy Joe." I don't know who got their voice back first, but pa yelled out, "YOUR CRAZY!!!!" I said, "WHAT????? YOU NOT SERIOUS!!!!!!" Brandon looked at me and said, "I'm dead serious!" And then to pa, "No I'm not crazy! I know what I want!" Needless to say, I was speechless. What is this supposed to mean? NOBODY owns anybody anymore. Slavery went out in 1865, didn't it? What did he mean he knows what he wants? Exactly what does he want? How could he want me? What did he want me FOR????? NO WAY is this happening. I have to be dreaming!!! Then laughing, he said, "Besides with your expertise there is no way I could win. I'm just giving you the opportunity of a life time to own your property. I just think it would make it more interesting this way. It would be like a wedding present to you and Mrs. Johnson." Pa bowed his head and remained quiet. When I didn't hear anything from him, I looked over at pa. When I saw him actually considering it, I immediately said, "Pa you can't be taking this seriously! What if you lose? This is my life were talking about here! You can't do this to me! What would happen to me? What about my education? NO PA!! Please don't do this to me. You love me, don't you?" Brandon still had his hand on my shoulder and was still watching me. Tears started to form in my eyes as I realized pa was seriously considering this. He just couldn't do that to me! He couldn't!!! He couldn't!!! What about all of my dreams? What about me??? OH GOD! This can't be happening! There was a multitude of other thoughts running through my head, but basically they all were on this line. I couldn't believe this was happening and that Brandon had offered this wager in front of everyone. If he were to win, what would he do with me? What was he expecting me do? I looked at Brandon with tears beginning to stream down my face and said, "Why are you doing this to me? What did I do to you to deserve this?" Even if he lost, people were going to be wondering what kind of relationship exists between the two of us. Everyone in the room knew of my reputation and how I felt about certain things. What were they going to think now? I had never done anything with anybody. Now they were going to be thinking I had been doing something with Brandon all along. Wouldn't you? Why would he do this to me? The only thing I had was pride in myself and my abilities, and now he had taken that away with a few words? How would I ever get it back? With tears in his eyes Brandon said, "Trust me! Everything is going to be alright." With that he turned to pa and said, "Well! Do we play or not?" I looked at pa hoping and pleading with my eyes for him to say no. But with a fierce determination in his eyes, he said, "We play!!" I looked around the room hoping someone would speak up and tell them no, but no help was forthcoming. When I saw there was no help, I placed my arms on the table and bowed my head. I couldn't stop crying. Even though my mind was trying to say Brandon had no chance of winning, there was an overwhelming premonition Brandon was going to win. I don't know why or how, but Brandon was going to win and I was going to be his. Yeah, you know I had wanted to be his, but not this way. I wanted him to love me, not own me. I was trying to control myself, but it was very difficult. I tried desperately to get myself under control. Brandon said, "I am playing this game based on your word of honor as a gentleman? Pa said, "Yes." Brandon had moved away from me as I was looking around for someone to help me, and moved up to the table. He then picked up his pool cue and suggested they flip for the first shot. I have no idea who won. I can't even tell you what happened. I heard the breaking of the balls, but after that I heard nothing. All I know is that after Brandon moved away from me, I felt two hands rest on my shoulder. I heard Jerry whisper, "Don't worry Billy Joe, there is no way pa will lose. He loves you to much. It's going to be alright." After the game, I found out it had been Jerry, my brother, and Jason, my nephew, who moved over to comfort me. All during the game they kept stroking my back. Suddenly, I heard a shout and pa yelling, "I WON! I WON! I WON!" I immediately sat up and pa was running towards me with the biggest grin I have ever seen on his face. Pa, all of my brothers and Jason started trying to hug me at one time. I felt like I was getting squashed. I looked at Brandon and saw him smiling and mouthing the words, "I told you it would be alright." It didn't happen that way at all. That's what I was hoping and dreaming would happen, but it didn't! I knew the exact moment the game was over. I have no idea how the room could have gotten any quieter, but it did. All I could hear was the soft clicking sound of boots walking across the bare wood floor as they came closer and closer to me. The hands which had been on my shoulder quickly pulled back and I sensed the people stepping back away from me. Then there was a soft touch on my shoulder as a new hand was placed there. I knew it was Brandon's. As the hand touched me, I began to sit up. With tears streaming down my face, I looked up into the face of Brandon. He looked at me and said, "Please, don't cry Billy Joe, I will take care of you. I promise not to hurt you." I looked at pa, and saw nothing but heartache in his body. He wouldn't even look at me. As I looked around everyone turned their face from me, trying to hide their expressions. I looked at Jason and Jerry standing next to me and both of them had tears in their eyes. Brandon then said, "I think WE should leave now." I knew it was now up to me. I had to somehow get through this. Maybe it wasn't the end of the world after all. I pulled together every fiber of strength within me. I was going to go out with my head held high! I had done nothing wrong! If the god's were against me, so be it. I would survive! I didn't know how! But I knew I had to. Without saying a word, I stood up. As I stood up, I saw Gary had walked up behind me. I looked at him and he threw his arms around me. He said, "Remember what I said, Billy Joe. I will always be there if you need me." "Thank you, Gary." Then I turned to Jerry and gave him the biggest hug I could. I even used his shoulder to try and wipe away my tears. As I hugged him, Jerry said, "I'm so sorry Billy Joe. I'm really sorry! I love you little brother." This was the most affection I had ever received from him. Not to make light of the situation, but actually I was taller than Jerry even though he did out weigh me by at least 20 pounds. I told him, "Thank you. I love you to Jerry." I then turned to Jason and gave him a hug. He also responded, "I'm sorry Billy Joe. I'm sure you'll be alright. If he ever does anything to hurt you, just let me know. I love you." I said, "Thanks. I will." Then I turned to pa who had walked up behind me while I was hugging Jerry and Jason. He was also crying. I had to do something. He was taking this defeat very bad. Well, so was I, but I knew somehow I had to make him feel better. I threw my arms around him and said, "Pa, I love you. It's not your fault. I'm going to be alright. Please don't worry about me." It was several minutes before I could pull myself away from him. When I did, I turned to Brandon and said, "I'm ready." I was in a state of shock. How could this have happened? Everything had been going along just great and now it had all gone to hell in less than an hour. I wanted so much just to run as far away from Brandon as I could, but I knew I was now carrying the honor of my family. I wasn't going to let pa down. No Way! Regardless of why Brandon wanted me and what he expected to get from me, he was only going get what I was willing to give him. I would not yield my spirit to him. As of this moment in my mind, whatever I had felt for him had died. Brandon placed his hand on my arm, and led me out of the pool hall. I was still in a daze as we walked towards the door. I heard a commotion behind me as my brothers began yelling at pa. I thought I heard him say, "......... set up. Don't worry. ........" But I couldn't be sure. Brandon led me over to his car, a beautiful black Jaguar XJS convertible. Well, at least I was going out in style. It seemed like it took forever to get to the car. I felt like my shoes were filled with lead. He walked me around to the passenger side and opened the door for me. After I had sat down, he closed the door and then walked around to his side and got in. He turned to look at me and said, "Billy Joe look at me." I finally turned to look at him and I could see he had tears in his eyes. "Billy Joe, I'm soooo sorry. Please forgive me for what just happened. I know you are really upset now, but honestly I had and have no intention of hurting you. Please trust me. Everything is going to be alright. Please, please trust me! I know you don't understand and I can't expect you to, but everything is going to work out fine. I promise you I will take care of you. I, also, promise never to intentionally hurt you. I hope in the near future you can come to accept the situation. I want nothing more from you than your happiness." With that he turned back and started the car. I had no idea where we were going. I just sat there stunned by what had just taken place. The next thing I remember was driving up in front of my house. When I saw it, I smiled. I get it! This is just a big joke pa has been playing on me. They must be going to have a surprise birthday party for me. Yeah! That's it! That must have been what I overheard pa say as we had left the pool hall. No problem! I'll play along with this. They were probably all inside the house laughing at me right now. As Brandon walked around the car, I was already getting out. He saw my smiling face and said, "Boy! Your sure taking this better than I thought." I didn't say anything, but just kept on smiling thinking I now had the answer. Brandon walked up the dirt path to our house and up onto the porch with me. I grabbed the door, threw it open, and switched on the light. As soon as I did this, I expected everyone to yell out, 'SURPRISE!!!!'. But there was no one there! When I realized this, I couldn't stop myself from beginning to bawl. I felt horrible. Brandon grabbed me and pulled me into a tight hug. I placed my head on his shoulder and cried. He kept murmuring, "I'm sorry, Billy Joe. I'm so sorry. Please forgive me?" He felt so soft and warm. I just wanted to stay wrapped up in his arms forever. I couldn't understand the contradiction in my feelings. Here I was being held by the person I had wanted to hold me for what seemed like forever. It seemed so right. I felt safe and secure. Even more so than when pa had held me. What's the matter with me? Brandon had just destroyed my life. I hated him! Hadn't he? Didn't I? Am I crazy? I was totally confused! After a few minutes I collected myself and pulled away from him. I could see a hurt look in his eyes, but there was nothing I could say or do. I just stood there. He looked at me for a few minutes, and then said, "Would you like me to help you get your things?" Oh God, this is really happening. Brandon is taking me with him. What is he going to do with me? This was all I could think about.