Date: Thu, 13 Dec 2012 02:09:06 -0000
From: David Spowart <davidspowart3@hotmail.com>
Subject: Well that was unexpected chapter 40

O.K., the usual warnings apply: This story contains sex between males of
consenting age, and if your state or country does not allow such material
to be read, or you are offended by male-on-male sex and you are under the
age of 18, please leave this story now. Otherwise, enjoy Josh's continuing
journey. This story whole are in part may not be copied or duplicated for
other sites without the permission of the author and is subject to the laws
of copyright© David Spowart 2012, all rights reserved.

Please help! Keep this site going by donating what you can to Nifty.

Written by David Spowart
Edited by Russ J
E-mail davidspowart3@hotmail.com


Well That Was Unexpected

Chapter 40

The following day, true to the doctor's word, Cal felt rather stupid. He
felt like he had given up.  He knew drinking when extremely upset and
emotional was not a good idea, as when having depressing thoughts stupid
and foolish things could happen. He wept about it for hours, and through
sheer exhaustion he drifted back to sleep.

An hour or so later...

Josh walked into the psych ward and sat next to Cal's bed. He was still
sleeping. He didn't want to wake him. He sat for a while, looking down on
his lover, hoping things would work out. He loved this man with every inch
of his being, and he whispered softly to his lover while lightly stroking
his jet-black hair:

"Cal, I love you so much, I should have told you sooner. And for that, I am
sorry... I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me... I need you
in my life... Shit!........... Cal, you are my life. I can even understand
your frame of mind... Fuck!............. Cal, if you left me I honestly
don't know how I would get past that," I concluded, still looking down on
my lover, with a tear rolling down my cheek, thinking how close I came to
losing him.

"Hey...sleepy head...how you feeling?" I asked in a soft voice, looking at
a tired Cal struggling to open his eyes.

"Stupid. Idiotic. Just...I feel like a coward. I let you all down. But most
of all, I know I am not as strong as I thought," Cal replied. "Bullshit!" I
proclaimed. "Look, Cal, you did something stupid when feeling low, and
drunk. Who the fuck hasn't?" I added. "Answer me this. Do you feel guilty
for not succeeding?" I asked, looking intently at my lover for what I hoped
would be the right answer.

"No! I don't want to fucking die!" He shouted at me, getting mad as hell
for even trying it in the first place. "I told you I feel fucking stupid!"
he added at the same level.

"Please have some consideration!" a nurse scolded us when she
approached. "Sorry, ma'am," replied Cal. And she walked back to her
station.

"Feeling better?" I asked. "Yeah, yeah I am," he replied. "Am I forgiven?"
I asked, hoping we could get past this, so we could get on with getting on.

"Todd and Dale. I just can't get my head around it. I mean, how did it even
happen?" Cal asked, with bewilderment written all-over his face. "I mean,
yeah, they are hot, I can see that, but they are straight, aren't they?"
Cal asked.

"Yes, Cal, they are straight. I don't know. Todd asked if we could do it
one time, a one-off. Dale had no idea about this, and just sort of went
along with it. But the day after, he had time for it to sink in, and that's
why he freaked out afterwards. And I almost lost him as a friend. And I
said to myself that if I could have gone back and said `no,' I would have,"
I told him. "So, Cal, can we keep our sex lives to just us, that is if
there is still an us?" I asked.

"Josh, you saw how much you mean to me. I love you. I got myself into such
a state I contemplated ending it, because you were not in it. So, yes,
there is an us, and I hope there will always be an us," Cal replied. "I do
need to talk to someone though, I don't like how I responded to the whole
situation" Cal added.

A couple of hours later, after the appropriate doctors and therapists were
satisfied that Cal just went through a sudden error in judgement, and
agreed to follow things up with a therapist he was being allowed to leave,
but into Josh's care.

"I will give the guys a call so they can come get us," I informed him. "We
can wait in the hospital coffee shop," I added. And as I looked at Cal he
looked drained. I know he has had a shock to the system, and I would help
him through it.

"Did you want to do this Josh? You know, when what they put you through,
did you want to kill yourself?" Cal asked, but not looking at me.  "No I
never had thoughts of killing myself, but yes I wanted to die, they were
hurting me so much yeah babe I wanted it to end.  But when I was
saved...no, I didn't want to die, because I had you," I replied. "I knew
that when I was rescued you would be there for me, and you were. And, Cal,
I am here for you," I added, kissing his forehead.

"I don't believe how selfish I've been... Shit!......... Josh, you have the
trial next week and your dad's health, and I add to the shit you are going
through. Fuck...damn, Josh," he said, holding my hand, and receiving some
disapproving looks from the patrons of the coffee shop, but seemingly not
caring.

"Cal, we will get through this, just as I will get through next week," I
added, and as soon as I said that my cell rang.

"Hey, Josh, I am outside when you are ready," said Dale.

"Yeah, thanks Dale, be straight out," I replied and flipped my cell closed.

"Okay, babe, you ready?" I asked Cal. He nodded and we headed out to the
parking lot to find Dale and head back to the Hamptons for the night. We
found Dale almost straight away, and he embraced Cal, as did Todd.

"Dude, you okay now?" Todd asked an embarrassed Cal. "Yeah, I just sort of
flipped out," Cal responded. "Look, Cal, we will explain it all when we get
a chance, but let's get you away from here first, okay?" Dale added.

"It's okay, guys. Josh explained. I am okay with it. Shocked, yeah...I
mean, don't get me wrong. You are both smokin'...but wasn't it a risk to
your relationship? I mean, Josh told me how you flipped out at him the day
after. I mean, what if you hadn't reconnected? It took Josh getting his ass
kicked to...snap you out of your mood?" Cal replied, looking first at Todd,
then at Dale.

"Cal, all I will say...it was awesome...but worth losing a friend like
Josh?...no," replied Dale, squeezing my shoulder. "As we said at the time,
Cal, it was a one-time experience and it will not be repeated," added Todd.

"Are you hungry?" added Dale.

"Starving," replied Cal.

"Okay, let's hit a store and get some food. I am starving as well, so let's
get going," replied Todd.

The guys procured some provisions and set about making, serving, and
devouring what had been prepared. They spent the night at Cal's Hampton
home.

But they returned back to campus soon the following day. Josh had a lot to
think about, as did Dale, for in just a few days they would be heading to
court in New York and having to face the people who had made Josh's life
hell, and for the sight that was forced in front of Dale the morning he
discovered a very battered Connor Brian.



A few days later at 9:25am

"Morning, babe," said Cal, as I woke up, rubbing my eyes. "Hey, babe,
yourself," I replied, pulling Cal into a morning kiss. "Wow, your breath
doesn't get any better," Cal responded. "Yeah, but you love me anyway," I
replied, not letting go of my hold, and kissing him with
passion. "Seriously though, Josh, suck a mint," he replied and escaped my
grasp.

"Okay, I will shower and brush my teeth," I said in a kid-like voice.

"You worried about tomorrow?" Cal asked, referring to the testimony I would
be giving the following day. "Yeah, just worried about facing them is all,"
I added. "I know it's only Derrick and Rick," I continued, as Terry had
already pleaded in return for his testimony against his cousin and his
former cellmate. Duke would not be facing charges on this case, as he was
not in the state when it occurred, but will face his fate when he answers
charges against the assault on me, as would all involved.

"I will be with you. If you are struggling, look for me, okay?" replied
Cal.

"I'm not going to stay. I cannot listen to everything they had done. I just
want to give my evidence, let Sarah do her job, and crucify them," I said,
pulling Cal into a hug. Fuck, did I need that.

Josh received a phone call from Sarah Watson, informing him that the first
day of the trial had gone pretty much as expected. The jury had been
selected and sworn in, and pre-trial summations had been given by the
prosecution as well as the defence. The defence's motion for bail had been
denied, and time had been called. She expected Dale to be called early in
the day, and for him to be called shortly after lunch. She thanked him for
his help and said she would see him tomorrow before start of the day's
proceedings.

The following day...

07:44am

"You want to hit the coffee shop first, Josh?" asked Cal. "You have to eat
something," Cal added. "Babe, I don't think I could stomach anything. I
feel sick just thinking about it," I added. "Coffee and toast won't hurt
you. You have got to eat," Cal insisted.

Knock, Knock.

"Hey, guys," said Dale, walking through the door. "You knocked?" replied
Cal, "Yeah, didn't want to walk in on your freaky sex lives. I would be
scarred for life," announced Dale. "I doubt that very much, and besides you
had a taste, remember?" added Cal, looking at both of us. "For fuck's sake,
guys, lighten up. I am joking, trying to lighten the mood," he
responded. "Okay, just...not a good time for jokes," I replied.

"Yeah, sorry, Okay. Coffee and toast. Get your ass ready...NOW!" Cal
yelled. "Okay, Okay," I replied, hauling myself out of bed, grabbing my
Levi's and a fresh shirt. "I will put on a dress shirt when we get back."

"Morning, homos!" yelled Todd, bounding through the door, and tossing
himself down on his bed. "Thanks for swapping last night, Todd. I
appreciate it," Cal responded. "Fuck, I haven't thrown myself on the wet
patch! Please tell me I haven't," pleaded Todd. "Well...erm...sorry," I
replied. "Oh, you fuckwad," he responded, and we burst into fits of
laughter, Trust Todd to somehow lighten the mood.

"Fucking evil," Todd responded. "Coffee...you coming?" Cal said, looking at
Todd and Dale. "Yeah, wouldn't hurt. I don't have to be at the courtroom
until nine-thirty," Dale responded. "Are you still bailing when you are
done?" asked Dale. "Yeah, I can't listen to that shit," I responded. "Yeah,
me neither," Dale replied. "But I will stay and keep Mrs. Brian company,
you know," Dale added.

*Josh's phone rang*

"Hey, bro, you gonna let me in?" asked Lucas.

"Lucas, what do you mean let you in?"

"I am downstairs. I don't know the code for the door, dude."

"Fuck, you come to support me? Shit, Luc, you didn't have to do that!" he
said over his cell.

"Josh, its fucking freezing. We can debate semantics later on, so are you
gonna let me freeze to death?" Lucas asked.

Zzzzzd "Click!"

A few seconds later, Lucas grabbed his big brother in a tight hug and
kissed his cheek.

"Hey, bro, how you coping?" he asked me, looking into my eyes, with his
forehead pressed against mine. "Better, now you are here," I responded and
meant it. Lucas was growing up to be the man I thought he was going to
be. Any parent or brother like me would be proud of such a person. He
removed himself from me, and proceeded to pull Cal into a similar
hug. "Cal, don't you ever scare the shit out of me like that again, or I
will fuck you up, got me?" he yelled at him but in a tight embrace. "Sorry
Luc, I was fucked up, and I promise, no repeats," Cal responded, kissing
his forehead.

"Okay, end this fucking hallmark moment. I need sustenance," insisted Todd.

All the guys headed for the coffee shop just off campus. They ordered what
they desired: Todd ordered the fucking menu, Josh had coffee and a muffin,
as did Cal and Dale, Lucas matched Todd in his appetite. A few minutes
later Nick and Dave walked in, looking like they had been for a run.

"Hey guys, you look like you have run a marathon," Cal stated. "This
shithead decided to race. `Fuck, dude, it's early,' I said. But nooooooo,
he wanted to fucking race," Dave bemoaned, looking at Nick, who was
sniggering.

"So, you all set?" Nick asked, looking at me. "Ready as I will ever be," I
replied. "Josh, just tell all, and send the evil bastards to the chamber,"
Nick added. "Don't concern yourself over the likes of those bigoted
shits. They deserve everything they have coming. Thank fuck Todd got on my
case, coz I was heading down that road," Nick again berated himself. "Nick,
its okay. Trust me, you have good in you, and I can't see you ever heading
down that road. You are not your dad," I replied. "Thanks, man," Nick
responded, and gave me a hug. "Good luck for today, okay?" he added.

The guys finished up their breakfast and headed back to get changed. Dale,
like Josh, didn't own a suit, so both dressed in clean, pressed shirts,
borrowed a couple of ties, and wore polished shoes. They all headed towards
New York to court. Cal drove Josh and Lucas; and Dale took Todd. They
travelled for about thirty minutes, parked in a parking structure, and then
walked up the courtroom steps, where they were met by a familiar face.

"Hey, Josh, guys," Detective Valdez said, looking dressed, ready to give
evidence.

"Vera, how are you?" I asked, looking at the now heavily pregnant officer
in front of me. "Oh, coping, you know," she added. "Congratulations. I
didn't know you were carrying," I added. "Well you had other things on your
mind to notice," she replied.

"Shall we go in?" she asked, and we all headed into the waiting area, where
I spotted Sarah Watson, and she approached me.

"Hey, Josh, good morning. I hope you are well?" she asked, looking first at
me, then Cal. "Mr. Kenner, hope you are being supportive?" she
asked. "Always, Councillor, and please call me Cal," responded a confident
Cal. "Good to hear," she replied with a smile, and she walked over and said
a few words to Dale. They exchanged a few nods, and then Dale spotted
Connor's mother walk in, as did I. We both approached her.

"Hello, Mrs. Brian. I am sorry for your loss," Dale said, holding her
hand. "Thank you, Dale. I appreciate that. And, Mr. Miller, I am sorry you
had to go through all that," she added. "Thank you ma'am. Please call me
Josh. "Okay. Thank you, Josh. It still shocks me how much you look like
Connor. You could be brothers," she responded with a smile, but no doubt
forced.

We sat outside the courtroom as Mrs. Brian told us of tales of Connor as a
child. And both Dale and I realized that the world had been denied such a
kind-hearted, wonderful human being. The world and society has been robbed,
and the scum such as the Reynolds's live. Yeah, sometimes the world just
sucks, Josh thought to himself.

A court usher came over and spoke to Mrs. Brian, and she left to take her
place in the family gallery, to listen to the court proceedings. "Can I go
in, Josh?" Lucas asked. "I need to hear what they did. I need to understand
why they did it," he added. "Are you sure you want to Luc? It isn't going
to be sugar-coated," I added, looking at him intently. "Yeah, Josh, I am
sure. So do you mind?" he asked again. "No, go on. But if it gets to be too
much, walk out. Okay?" I replied with concern.

And he left to join other members of the Brian family, and walked in with
Connor's mother. Todd, Cal, Dale, and I sat and waited. We talked about
what we were going to do over Christmas. Cal and I are going to Florida to
spend time with his grandparents. And then there is our wedding in
spring. And then we make the move to our new off-campus home in the
Hamptons. That last part still shocks the hell out of me.

"CALLING Dale Jackson...CALLING Dale Jackson."

An usher yelled in the hall, and Dale stood up and walked towards us. We
hugged him and wished him luck. And he walked into the courtroom and the
door closed.

In the courtroom...

Dale was sworn in, giving his oath to tell the truth, etc. and he recounted
the day's events back in May, of how he discovered Connor Brian's lifeless
body. He spoke of how much blood he saw, and the fact he thought he was
already dead, and how he called 911, and shouted for anyone to help. He
went on to explain that the emergency services were there within ten
minutes and that the paramedic found a pulse. He also went on to explain
that he went with Connor to the emergency room, and how panic set in when
Connor's heart had stopped twice while en route.

The prosecution ended their questions. The defense asked only one: "Had he
seen anyone in the area when he discovered Mr. Brian?" which Dale
responded, "No." The judge thanked him for his time and gave him permission
to step down; Dale thanked the judge and walked towards the exit, looking
at both defendants dressed in clean, pressed suits, looking rather smug.

The judge, after that testimony, called a ten-minute recess, and the
courtroom cleared, leaving just the defendants sitting with their defense
team.

In the waiting area...

"How was it?" I asked, as Dale walked back in with a solemn look on his
face. "They are sitting there with smug looks on their faces. I just wanted
to kick their asses," Dale replied, sitting back down with a sigh, and
loosening his tie.

Back in the courtroom...

Vera Valdez was answering questions from the prosecution on the evidence
retrieved from Derrick Reynolds' home, and how it indicated detailed
planning, which was objected to, but overruled by the judge, as her years
of service made her expert testimony valid. She continued, and, via a video
prompt, she explained maps showing a route for the would-be attackers to
escape and to avoid being identified. She also produced a pair of
steel-capped black shoes that had DNA evidence of Connor on them; his
blood, to be clear, she explained. A second objection was raised. They
protested that the blood could have been transferred while he was on duty
that day, but his roster indicated he was off duty the day before and the
day after, so again, the objection was overruled by the judge, bringing a
smile to Sarah Watson's face.

Detective Valdez also provided the court with a medallion that was found in
the possession of Rick Turner, the second defendant. The medallion had been
identified as belonging to Connor Brian, although the defendant indicated
that he found it. However, the medallion had Connor's blood within the
chain, indicating it had been ripped from his body. Rick Turner of course,
denied this allegation. The amount of evidence was damning to say the
least, but the two trump cards had yet to be played by Sarah Watson.

"Your Honour, the state calls Terry Reynolds," Sarah Watson informed the
court, and Terry was brought into the court from a side holding room. He
was also in a pressed, clean suit, and like his cousin and co-defendant, in
cuffs.

He looked tired and older than his nineteen years. He looked defeated. He
knew at best he was going to serve a very long time in prison. Just one
week from his twentieth birthday, he was in court testifying against family
for the murder of a fellow student. For this crime Terry was now
remorseful, but it was simply too late. Terry was sworn in, and the
prosecution began. They asked him to state his name, age, and his place of
birth. He followed all of their instructions, and, after all the
formalities were completed, the questioning began.

"Mr. Reynolds, I ask you, did you on the 15th of May 2011 aid in the
beating of student Connor Brian?" asked Sarah Watson, as she stared at the
jury awaiting Terry's response.

"Yes, ma'am," was his reply, but not an arrogant response. "Mr. Reynolds,
are your accomplices of the' attack in this courtroom?" she asked, again
looking at the jury. "Yes, ma'am," he replied, with no response as of yet
from the defence. "Point them out for the court, please, Mr. Reynolds," she
asked. Terry pointed directly at Derrick and Rick, and Derrick's eyes never
left Terry for a second.

Over the next hour she asked about who had planned the attack and why, as
well as who was involved in the initial planning. She got everything she
wanted from him and more, and then she informed the defence that he was now
their witness.

"Mr. Knowles, any questions for this witness?" the judge asked. "Yes, your
honour," he replied.

"Mr. Reynolds, is it not in fact, true that my client had stopped you from
attacking another student?" Knowles asked. "Yes. But..." He was cut
off. "And is it not also true that my client did nothing more than come to
stop you in killing the said same student?"

"Objection, your honour. We are here for the murder of Connor Brian. Not
another attack," Sarah informed the judge.

"Trying to show a pattern of behaviour, and how my client has done nothing
more than to stop a promising young family member from ruining his life,"
Knowles replied.

"Overruled, but tread carefully Mr. Knowles," responded the judge.

"Answer the question, Mr. Reynolds," directed the judge.

"No, sir, he did not!" Terry yelled.

"No further questions, your honour. But, we reserve the right for recall,
your honour," Knowles informed the judge.

"So noted," the judge responded. "Okay, we will break for lunch and
reconvene in one hour," the judge informed the court.

"All rise," the bailiff yelled.



One hour later...



"Terry gave as well as he got," Lucas said. as they came back from
lunch. "That Knowles is a slippery son of a bitch," Lucas added.

"You okay, bro?" Lucas asked me, as Cal squeezed my shoulder.



Back inside the courtroom...



Dale had gone back into court, sat beside Connor's mother and waited for
proceedings to begin. Lucas was not far behind him, and Cal and Todd had
joined them as well, sitting only two seats back from Derrick Reynolds. A
Plexiglas barrier stood between them, preventing Cal from doing anything he
knew he would later regret.

The prosecution was going to plan. Sarah was happy that the defence had
broached the subject of the attack on Josh Miller, so now she could use
that attack to her advantage. She was looking forward to that.

"Call your next witness, Mrs. Watson," the judge instructed.

"Yes your honour. Thank you. The state calls Joshua Miller," she announced.

To be continued...

Hope you are still liking this. Again, comments and support of my writing
as usual at davidspowart3@hotmail.com

Dave