This part was difficult for me to write because even I got all emotional.  However, I'd like to point out that this is fiction.  All the people are creations of my mind mixed with friends that I do have!

And the usual applies. No one under 18 should read this story and if you don't like love stories between two college males then you should not be here or shall i ask "Why are you here?".

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank a few people.  You know who you are.  But mostly I'd like to thank BJ for some of the names and help with revising it.  And of course I'd like to thank him for coming up with the title for me.

I'd also like to take the time to thank all of you who took the time to email me.  The emails are greatly appreciated.  Most of the questions asked will be answered in good time.  Keep the questions coming though.  Most of the story is in my head and I assume that the reader knows the answers.  Sometimes I neglect to answer them in the story.  Sorry about that!

AND NOW...

I awoke the next morning with a start.  "Oh my neck," I thought as I turned to look at the clock.

"Fuck!"  I said out loud.  "It is already 1:30?"

I got up and ran to the bathroom.  I had to piss so badly.  I couldn't believe I had slept that long.  I mean thirteen hours.  That is a lot of sleep!  I stepped out into the living room to see Seth on the couch.

"Good Morning sleepy head."  Seth greeted me.

"Why did you let me sleep so long?  You know that I have an 11 o'clock class on Thursdays."

"Well by the time I came back to the apartment it was already 11:30 and considering that Western Civ is your only class today I thought that I'd let u sleep.  Plus you look so cute when you sleep."

With that I grabbed the closest pillow and threw it at him.

"Oh, by the way, Josh called about 20 minutes ago.  He wanted to know if you two were still on for tomorrow."

"I'll call him in a few."

"He said that he'd be back in about an hour."

"Okie dokie!"

I walked into the kitchen to get my morning coffee or rather afternoon coffee in today's case.

"Damn," I thought. "We are all out!"

"Seth when did we finish the coffee?"

"Yesterday.  Sorry I was going to get some this morning but I forgot."

I then went to the fridge and grabbed my favorite soft drink, Dr. Pepper.  I love this stuff.  I think that it should be considered a legally addictive substance.  I walked back to my room with it.  I tried to start studying again when Seth interrupted.

"I forgot to tell you," Seth said.

"Tell me what?"

"I talked to Nate yesterday.  He's coming into Milwaukee during spring break and he wants to meet with us."

"Cool.  I haven't seen him since junior year in high school."

"Yeah and he is bringing his girlfriend."

Now there are a few things you should know about Nate.  First of all I've known him most of my life.  We met when we were about 5.  We were really close till Seth came around, but by junior year we were like the three musketeers.  Unfortunately though Nate has no idea that both Seth and me are gay.  He'd flip out.  He's one of those religious "got to be straight" kind of guys.  I once saw a bumper sticker that best describes Nate.  It read, "I am so homophobic, I don't even touch myself."  I love the guy to death but he wouldn't be able to handle that I am gay.  The fact that Seth is too would make things much worse.

"That is cool!"  I managed to muster.  "So that means he'll be here when?"

"About two weeks."

"Coolness!"

Just then the phone rang.  I knew that this was going to be one of those days where I get interrupted at every turn.

"I got it!"  Seth said as he ran for the phone.

"Yeah Spencer is up now.  You want to talk to him.  Okay here he is!"

Seth put his hand over the mouthpiece.  "It's Josh!"

I grabbed the phone out of his hand as fast as I could.

"Hiya Josh!"

"Hey Spence!  Are we still on for tomorrow night?"

"Barred natural disaster.  Of course we are on."

"So I'll pick you up at 6 then?"

"Sounds good.  I am looking forward to it."

"Good.  I gotta run I have to be to work soon.  See ya tomorrow."

"Ok. See ya!"

"I have a date tomorrow!!!"  I shouted towards Seth.

"Good for you."

I couldn't help but notice the disappointment in his voice and the face that he gave me.  I shrugged it off and went back to study.  Did you ever notice that when you are trying to study that you seem to notice the dumbest things to do?  This time I began putting my CD collection in alphabetical order.  I then grabbed my three favorite CDs and headed to the stereo in my room.  I put all three Dave Matthew's Band CDs in and sat back down to attempt to study.  About five minutes later I went to my computer to check my email.

There was an email in there from my brother.  It read:

Spence,
Don't forget tonight 6 Enderis Park.  Be there!
Eric

"This has to be important he even emailed me about it."  I thought to myself.

I glanced at the clock.  4:15.  I then decided to see if Seth wanted to grab a bite to eat.  I was doing anything to avoid tomorrows chemistry test.

"Wanna grab a bite to eat before I go see Eric?"

"Sure where?"

"I dunno.  Maybe La Fuentes?"

"Sure."

We went to La Fuentes and enjoyed a rather uneventful dinner.  We were both quiet the whole time.  I didn't seem to notice because the whole Eric thing had me so distracted.  I dropped him back at the apartment about an hour later and headed off for Enderis.

I got there about 15 minutes early so I decided to take a walk around the old neighborhood. I must say it hasn't changed much in the last few years.  I went back towards the park just in time to see my brother walking up the steps and into the Park.

"Hey Dorkus!!!"  I shouted.

He ran up to me and threw his arms around me and hugged me.  It was then that I noticed that he was crying.

"What is up bro?"

"I think you may want to sit down for this one."

We came to the nearest park bench and sat down.

"I wanted to call you sooner but Dad wouldn't let me.  You know how he is. `No fag is a son of mine.' He said to me.  But I had to call you."

"What is the matter?"

"It's Mom.  About three months ago we found out she has cancer."

With that I pulled out my smokes.  I know bad habit but I really needed one then.  Eric grabbed one from me and lit it.  He was going to hear about that later!  I then began to feel tears forming in my eyes.

"She got really sick," He continued.  "I insisted that you be contacted but Dad really had a fit when I said that."

"Did he do anything to you?"

"He hit me but that is irrelevant.  I called you because Tuesday night Mom died."

We both began crying.  No it was more like full body sobs.

"Mom told me about a week ago that she wanted to see you before she died.  It took me till Monday night to get the phone number of your new place from Jeff.  I called but no one was home and I didn't want to leave a message.  And Tuesday I was too much of a wreck to call you."

I sat there in shock.  What does one do when one of their parents passes away?  I was always close to Mom but after they disowned me I didn't talk to her anymore either.

"I thought that they hated me."

"Mom must have known that her days were numbered.  That is why she asked me to find you.  She talked about you all the time when Dad wasn't around.  She said how proud she was of you.  She even told me that you were in college.  She loved you a lot.  She decided to send you off to Appleton not because she hated you, but because she knew you would be safer there.  Dad would have beat the shit out of you here."
"I didn't know that she cared."

I broke down again.

"Spencer I've missed you.  Megan misses you too.  I told her last week why you were sent away.  She was only 11 at the time so it wasn't explained to her.  She got mad at Dad for it.  They haven't talked since.  Well anyway. The real reason I asked you here was to tell you that the funeral is tomorrow and Megan and I really want you to come."

"Of course I will come.  It will be the last time I get to see Mom."

"Dad will have my hide for telling you this.  He doesn't think that `faggots like your brother' should come but I told him that you needed to know and he had yet another fit."

"I'll be there.  And Eric…"

"Yes?"

"I love you."

With that he grabbed me and hugged me again.

"I love you too.  I gotta get back before he wonders where I went.  I told him I was taking a 10 minute walk and it has been a half an hour."

"Ok.  I'll see you tomorrow then.  What time is the service?"

"Seven."

"Ok."

"Bye Spence.  See you tomorrow."

Twenty minutes later I was back at my apartment.  I don't really remember driving back.  I was on autopilot.  I was in complete and total shock.

I got in and Seth came up to me and hugged me.  I must have been crying pretty hard.  He sat me down on the couch and made me some tea.  He then sat there with me for what seemed like forever before I broke the silence.

"My Mom. She died Tuesday."

"Oh my God!  Oh, I am so sorry Spencer.  When is the funeral?"

"Tomorrow night.  Will you go with me?  I need all the strength I can get to face my family again."

"Of course I will."

I then sat there on the couch in his arms for what seemed like forever.  We were both crying.  At some point we both fell asleep.  I had forgotten how good it felt to fall asleep in Seth's arms.  I love this kid to death.  I wonder why we never got back together when we came to college.  I then realized that I was no longer on the couch but in my own bed.  Seth had moved me at some point.  But his arms were still wrapped around me.  He truly is a great friend for being here for me.

I really miss the old days.  Seth and I were so close.  We had the best relationship.  And the love making…  Well that was great too.  I'll never forget the time that we went to see Les Misérables when it was in town.  It was in the summer after junior year.  Now you have to understand that Seth hates musicals.  I had whined about it for weeks.  I wanted to go so badly.  Two days before the performance he told me that he was taking me out on Friday.  We went out to dinner at Jake's an expensive steak house near my house.  He paid.  I couldn't believe it.

"Seth where did you get that money?"

"I've been saving for this for months.  The evening will get even better. Trust me."

About an hour later we were heading downtown.  I couldn't believe it when we parked by the Performing Arts Center.  I almost kissed him right then and there.  I had such a blast.  He sat through the entire thing.  I think he actually enjoyed it!  I really loved him for it.  He was such a sweetheart.  After the performance he told me that he wanted to be with me forever.  Unfortunately a week later I had gotten shipped away.  I missed him so much.  I cried for weeks.
 
I then began to sob again.  I then felt a hand running through my hair.

"It will be okay Spence.  I am here for ya."

"My what a day today was," I thought to myself.  Within minutes I fell asleep again.

I'd like to point out that it may take a little longer for me to put out part 3.  Writing the funeral scene may prove difficult for me. So what did you think?  Send all comments, suggestions and whatnot to Spencer917@hotmail.com. I'll try to reply to all emails. Thanks!