Date: Sat, 14 Feb 2004 08:22:27 -0800 (PST) From: Robbie Hilton Subject: The Cost Of Friendship is... Chapter 2 Chapter Two Time goes by and it is now December 31st. everyone is at Robbie apartment for the annual New Year's Party. Jordan was in the kitchen with Robbie cooking when Bree and Neil arrived. Robbie looked over at Neil as he dropped his head. Robbie leaned over towards Jordan and whispered, " I swear if he starts some shit tonight I will kill him dead where he stands." "Shut-up and finish cutting up these potatoes while I go and get Adam so he can come and do what ever it was that he was gonna do." laughed Jordan as he headed out of the kitchen. Shannon, Leigh, Dane, Keta, David, Matt, J.C and Jonathan were in the living room playing scrabble. Neil saw Michael outside on the patio and saw it as his chance to talk to Michael. As Neil walked outside Michael turned around and headed inside. "Now hold on," said Neil as he took Michael's arm. "Please if Robbie sees you talking to me or even touching me he will put us both out," begged Michael as he tried to pull from Neil's grasp. "I know, but listen to me please just for a second any way. I like you, your very attractive and nice." said Neil. "So your point is?" replied Michael as he pulled away from Neil. "My point is why don't you and I hook up?" "Cause I am trying to get things right between Robbie and I." replied Michael. Robbie was on his way out to the patio to set up the table when he saw Michael kiss Neil. "What was the kiss for?" asked Neil. "Cause I like you also and if thing between Robbie and I don't get better then yes I would love to go out with you." said Michael as he turned and walked into the house. Robbie quickly stopped what he was doing and went to find Jordan. Jordan was in the bathroom with Adam. Adam was putting the final touches of blonde to his highlights and Jordan was helping him. "Excuse me, Jordan I think you need to come and play police for a few seconds," said Robbie when he poked his head into the bathroom. "Oh by the way I love the highlights Adam." Adam looked at Robbie and smiled with a nod of his head. "So who is gonna fight now?" asked Jordan as he put more blonde hair dye on Adam's hair. "Neil and I are." replied Robbie. Jordan looked up at Robbie from the sink. "Come again?" "Don't tell me Neil is at it again?" said Adam. "Yeah, he is at it again and to top it all off I just saw him and Michael kissing." Jordan and Adam both looked at Robbie and said, "You got to be kidding me." "Nope, I'm not joking at all," replied Robbie as he leaned against the doorway. "Doesn't he get the hints? I mean Robbie has been tossing hints at him to leave Michael alone ever since he met Neil." said Adam. " I guess not," replied Jordan as he rinsed his hands. Adam toweled his hair dry and wrapped the towel around his head like some Egyptian queen or something like that. Jordan, Robbie and Adam all walked out of the bathroom and headed towards the living room when out of the corner of his eye Jordan saw Neil now making passes at Aaron. Neil was holding Aaron tight. Aaron tried to push himself away. "What the fuck." thought Jordan as he walked into the living room behind Robbie and Adam. Keta was in the floor, playing scrabble with Eli, Bree, Matt, Kevyn, David, J.C, Dane, Jonathan, Shannon and Leigh when they came walking into the living room. "God, What is wrong with you guys?" asked J.C "You all look pissed at the world or something like that." replied Jonathan. "Neil is the problem. Not only is he making passes at my boyfriend but he is also kissing him." said Robbie as everyone turned and looked at Michael who was sitting in the floor looking at one of Robbie's hairstylist magazines. "And he is also trying to hit on my boyfriend as well." interrupted Jordan. Keta looked around for Neil then she said "Adam go out side and ask Neil to come in here for a few seconds." Adam turned and walked out onto the patio. "Hey cutie you wanna suck my dick." Adam stopped abruptly and looked at Neil from head to toe like he was a small person. "Suck what dick? Oh you mean the little lima bean you got in your pants? No thank you, I've had bigger and probably better, any way Keta wants to talk to you." Adam turned around and walked back into the apartment with Neil right behind him. When Neil turned the corner headed towards the living room he saw everyone standing in the den. "What's up," said Neil as he sat down in the chair at the table in the den. "I think it is time for you to leave." said Robbie. "Why do I have to leave?" asked Neil. "I was hoping you didn't ask why," mumbled Robbie as he stepped down from the steps that lead from the kitchen. "I have tried to be nice to you and all you do is fuck me over. I helped you with your homework when you needed help; I stayed at the library with you while you worked on your research paper cause you didn't want to be there alone. I done so much for you I can't ever think of where to begin. And this is how you repay me by hitting on my boyfriend right under my nose, and treating me like I'm your friend one minute then treating me like a complete stranger the next." Neil looked at Robbie and laughed. "You think I care about you getting mad cause I done what I had to do to get some ass? All I care about is Michael and that is it. I love Michael and he loves me." Robbie looked over at Michael. "So you two fucked?" Michael looked at the floor. Robbie shook his head and walked into the kitchen. Adam followed him. "Jordan do you think you can be nice to Neil with out a lot of drama?" asked Keta. "Yeah, only if he leaves Aaron Alone." Neil replied "Fine, What ever. I have what I wanted." Neil walked into the living room and sat down beside Shannon and started playing scrabble with every one else. "Hey Robbie, You ok?" asked Adam. "Oh yeah I'm fine, just single." replied Robbie. "Want some help?" "Well sure." replied Robbie as he started cutting up the rest of the potatoes. Adam started to wash the potatoes, but as soon as he reached into the sink to pick up a potato he grabbed Robbie hand instead. "Oh, sorry." said Adam as he blushed. Robbie looked over at Adam and smiled. As they continue to cut and wash the potatoes Jordan came in. "Supper almost ready?" he asked as he opened the refrigerator and got himself a beer. "Yeah almost" replied Robbie as he reached in to the sink. His hand lightly brushes against Adam's. "I'm sorry," said Robbie. "It's ok," replied Adam. "Aren't you straight?" asked Robbie as he dumped the potatoes into a large bowl. "Actually I am not straight." replied Adam. "Oh my bad, I thought you were straight." "Well so does every body else." whispered Adam as he looked into Robbie eyes. Robbie kind of smiled. "Was that a smile I saw?" asked Adam. "No." joked Robbie as he and Adam laughed. "Robbie." "Yes." Adam turned and looked at Robbie as he took a hold to Robbie hand. "I know your single and all, and I have to be honest with you, I've had my eyes on you for the longest." Robbie looked into Adam's shining eyes and blushes. Adam continues "Would you like to get to know each other better then maybe, you know. Um. Date." Robbie put his index finger over Adam's lips as he went on to say something. "We can talk and get to know each other better but I am not promising you that I will date you later on down the line." Robbie then held Adam close to him and cried on his shoulder as Adam ran his fingers through Robbie hair. And at that moment a love song started playing from deep within their hearts. The words were so soft and clear that it was like the song was being played right there in the kitchen with them. With so much meaning in every note and every word sung it was like the cool winter winds in the middle of November. Where was the song coming from? Was it coming from the heavens above? No it was coming from so deep down in their hearts that only they could hear it. They were in love and love was in them. Nothing would ever break them apart. Or would it? Only time will tell. After supper every one was outside on the patio. Time was narrowing down to 12:00. The music was blaring and everyone was dancing and just having fun. David had one to many drinks and was dancing around the patio as everyone gathered around gathered around the banister and was dancing. "5 seconds." yelled Bree as her, J.C, Jordan, Robbie, Jonathan, Neil, Dane, Kevyn, David, Leigh, Shannon, Aaron, Ryan, Matt, Adam and Keta all started counting. "1... 2... 3... 4... 5 Happy New Years" yelled everyone, and at that moment David leapt up onto the banister and danced when the first fireworks exploded in the sky. The boom was so loud that it startled David and he lost his foothold and fell. "No!" yelled Matt. Everyone rushed over to the banister and peered over the edge, to see David hanging by his shirt on the flag holder. "Hold on David, I'm coming to get you," yelled down Dane as he climbed down and eased his way to David. "Dane please Help me!" cried David. The tread in David's shirt had started to tare. "Oh god please help me Dane," cried David as he kicked and squirmed. "David, you have to be still," yelled Keta. "Go call 911." yelled Matt as Robbie ran into the apartment and called 911. "David give me your hand," yelled Dane. "I can't I'll fall." yelled back David. "Be careful Dane!" yelled Matt. "Hurry, Hurry get him," said Keta. The patio porch was beginning to lean. "Oh God the porch can't take all the weight." yelled Leigh as everyone slowly moved back towards the house. At that moment the porch snapped and broke right down the middle. Everyone fell and slid to the edge. "Everyone hold on!" yelled Robbie as he climbed up and into the apartment. "Now one at a time give me your hands." called down Robbie. One by one Robbie and Aaron pulled everyone into the apartment. "I got him!" yelled Dane. "Pull him up," yelled Bree as J.C climbed back outside to help Dane pull David into the house. Dane pulled David up onto the porch. Dane and J.C were both in the apartment and just as David put one foot into the apartment the rest of the porch collapsed. Dane grabbed David's hand but lost his grip. David slipped right out of Dane's hands. David fell. Time seemed to stand still as Matt screamed. David crashed into the top of Ryan's Mercedes. J.C and Shannon both trained EMT raced down stairs. When they got outside J.C stopped as tears ran down his cheek. Blood was everywhere. Tears ran down Shannon's face as she checked for a pulse. Shannon looked up into J.C's eyes and shook her head. J.C burst into tears as Shannon stood up and hugged him. "Why?" cried J.C. "It's ok," replied Shannon quietly in J.C's ear. Keta was upstairs holding Matt while he cried on her shoulder. The ambulance came and picked up the body and the police were finished asking everyone questions. Everyone answered the questions, all except Ryan. All he could do was keep complaining about his car. "That damn nigger ruined my car," yelled Ryan. After awhile of listening to Ryan bitch about his car, Jonathan got up and walked over to Ryan and punched him. "A very close friend of ours has just died and all you can do is bitch about your god damn car, give me a break. It that all you care about?" yelled Jonathan. Ryan dropped his head. Jonathan continued "Yeah you need to drop your head cause you are a cold hearted sorry son of a bitch. I don't expect to even see you at the funeral. I just can't believe you Ryan, You've done some pretty low shit but this just takes the mother fuckin cake." Ryan looked at Jonathan and said "You know what? You act like it doesn't bother me. Well guess what it does. Hell you know what? Maybe that nigger deserved to die, his stupid ass should not have gotten up there in the first place." With that said Matt stood up and walked over to Ryan. "What was it that you never liked about David? Could it be that you are still in love with me?" asked Matt. "What?" whispered Bree. Dane leaned over and whispered "He and David use to date a long time ago." "Oh." replied Bree. "I had no problem with David," replied Ryan. "Yeah right, I know you still love me, I see it in your eyes everyday, of every hour, of every year. I know you haven't given up and you won't no time soon either." said Matt. "I guess Matt and Ryan dated also?" asked Bree. "Yeah" replied Dane. "Well I happen to know that Matt loves David very much and I don't know what is up your ass but I think you need to get it out cause we are all in this together. Together we stand, divided we fall." said Jonathan as he walked over and sat beside Robbie and Adam. Ryan then turned and looked at Matt and said. "I'm sorry Matt, I am just upset that's all." "We all are upset but sometimes you have to stop and think before you just jump up and say something," replied Matt. Robbie and Adam stood up and walked up stairs together. Robbie undressed and got into bed. "Adam." "Yeah babe." "Could you please stay here with me tonight?" asked Robbie. Adam walked over and sat on the edge of the bed and said, "Of course I will." Adam leaned over and cut out the light then undressed and climbed into bed beside Robbie and they fell asleep. Everyone left. Michael was the last to leave out with his suitcase in his hand. Leigh closed and locked the door as everyone left and went home. Nothing else was said of that night, but everyone will remember that night when they lost their best friend. Days went by and everyone was running around making funeral arrangements. Jordan and Keta was looking for just the right tombstone, Robbie was at the local print shop getting the obituary printed. Adam and Kevyn were at the flower shop picking out flowers. Bree, Neil and J.C were cleaning the church up for the funeral. Aaron and Matt were stuck with contacting the family. David's mom and dad were both deceased so there was only his Grandma, aunts and uncles to contact and of course someone had to break the news to Danielle who is David's sister who lives in California. Then there was Jennifer, No one really liked her but someone had to contact her, she is his half sister. Days went by and everyone was ready to say good-bye to there best friend. Keta, Robbie, Jordan, Adam, Michael, J.C, Jonathan, Aaron, Shannon, Bree, Neil, Leigh, Kevyn, Matt, Jack, Eli, Dane, Rolsbin and all the family took turns viewing the body before the funeral. They all sat with the family. Keta sat Between Jordan and Robbie cause both weren't feeling to good. Everything was going nicely. Then after the opening prayer the big double doors opened and Ryan walked in. "Get him the fuck out of here." Yelled Jordan. "Watch your mouth." commented Bree as she and Leigh sat him down and started fanning him. Jonathan stood up and met Ryan in the isle. Nothing was said at all. Jonathan just hugged Ryan and they both started crying. That hug seemed to seal their friendship together. Nothing was ever gonna come between them again. "I'm sorry," cried Ryan. "It's ok, you're my best friend, I couldn't do this with out you being here." Cried Jonathan. It was now time for Dane's speech. Dane stood up and walked up to the podium. "Life is short, and Life is precious, David's life was as precious as each one of our own lives are. What many didn't know about David was that he was hurting deep down inside. David was sure of his sexuality for many years. But David was scared to come out about his sexuality cause of the simple fact that he was scared of what other people would think about him, and he kept on worrying weather or not they would treat him different because he was gay or would they treat him the same way they had always treated him? Until about four years ago David kept his sexuality hidden away from everyone, even his best friends." Robbie nodded his head agreeing with what Dane was saying about David. Dane stopped briefly to whip tears from his eyes then continued. "David had just graduated high school and was pursuing a career in Cosmetology with fellow classmates Robbie and Jonathan. The after a few weeks David met this guy. He was nice and funny, done anything David ask him to do and would get him anything he ever wanted but David wanted nothing but his heart. After two years of dating that guy asked David to marry him. David quickly answered the question. Yes. Now was the hard part (or at least David thought it was going to be hard)." Dane looked over at Matt and smiled. Matt just started crying more. Bree hug Matt as he cried. Dane went on to say. "David came to his already out friends and told them that he was gay and was going to get married. As happy as they were when they graduated high school his friends took him under their wings and helped him plan his wedding out. With his coming out going so smooth David started letting everyone he was around, when he was a child know he was gay. No one seemed to mind it. He saw his coming out as an opportunity to live his life to the best of his ability, and that no one was ever going to stop him from accomplishing his dreams. Matt was not only David's partner but his friend and his lover. Matt you were a very special part of David's life from the very moment you two first met." Dane briefly stopped and whipped the tears from his eyes, then continued. "We all played a very special part in David's life, weather we know it or not. Keta you taught David that it wasn't always about him but about being good at what he did. Robbie, you and I had the best times of our lives with David in Basketball. It just wasn't the same with out you teaching him the finer arts of guarding and me teaching him how to follow through with his shots. And because we took the time out of our very busy schedules to help David, we won two State Championships with his help; all because we were being what we were suppose to be to him. Friends. Adam you always knew what to say to bring a smile to David's face even when all of his world seem to be crashing down around him. Kevyn through thick and thin you was always there for David when he needed you, even when you were in class taking your Physics semester test and he called your cell phone you stopped in the middle of the test to help David out." "That's what friends are for." whispered Kevyn as he cried on Rolsbin's shoulder. Dane continued his speech "Rolsbin you and your brother Eli, you guys never turned your backs on him especially in the middle of the night when he needed someone to talk to, your phone lines were always open. Bree as silly as silly gets you and David kept the parties alive and jumping. Matt the world still smiles upon you, even though you think you might not be able to carry on, just remember we were there for you then and we are here for you now. David will be greatly missed but lets not loose those wonderful memories that we have of all of the good times we shared with him." Dane closed his book and stepped down; hugged David's grandmother and Matt then sat back down beside Kevyn and cried as Kevyn hugged him and whispered "That was beautiful." The lose of their best friend opened many of their eyes and opened all their hearts. Only one question still hasn't been answered? The cost of Friendship is... what? Maybe they will learn the answer to that question and many others as they continue on with their lives. David had marked every one of their lives in one-way or another. And to this very day is a strong resembles of what friendship really is.