Date: Sun, 13 Nov 2005 12:44:07 -0800 (PST) From: ED Subject: beyond brothers II ch 2 This story is purely fictional, it contains sexual acts between teenage boys, if it is unlawful for you to read or download such material you should leave. This story has two purposes, first as entertainment, and second as a portrait of what life it like for gay teenagers and the problems they face in a world that still hasn't fully accepted them. As an adult gay male who, when growing up was pushed to conform to the "norms" by getting married, I know the frustration of doing something that is so counter to my very being. Also having experienced psychological abuse as a teen I have a special love for other teens who suffer abuse for being whom God made them to be. Many of you have asked about Jake a young friend of mine who almost died earlier this year from leukemia. He has made a full recovery and is doing great. He and his boyfriend Jon now live together. Jon has gone through a very nasty summer and is slowly recovering. But love has prevailed and these two wonderful boys are together. I want to say hi to some of my good friends who I have meet from this story, so hi Jerry, Brian & Tommy, Ricky &Tony, Mike, Ethan, and my new friend's Joey & Craig. Harry.. BEYOND BROTHERS II CHAPTER 2 STRUGGLES The lunch bell rang and the gang grabbed their trays of "food," yea right, or at least that is what the cafeteria called it. Each table seated eight students at theirs sat Justin & Ben, Kyle & Sammy, Ricky & Tony, and James and his girlfriend Karen. All eight at the table sat and began eating without more than a quick greeting to each other. Finally Kyle spoke up, "I know that announcement has upset all of us and obviously you the most," he said as he nodded to Ben and Justin and then to Ricky and Tony. "I am not sure what can be done but Sammy and I want you to know that we are behind you 100% in whatever decision you make. We both think that you should be able to go to your prom with whomever you want and be able to do whatever other couple is doing," said Kyle. "Didn't you hear what the principal said? We can only go as stag and then won't be allowed to be together as a couple. All he is worried about is the school's reputation, not what is fair to everyone," said Justin acidly. "I wonder if he thinks there are no gay couples even in the school, no one is out that I know of, there are some who may suspect that some of us are gay couples but they have no proof," said Tony. "What are you saying Tony, are you suggesting that we out ourselves?" said Justin with trepidation. "I'm not sure, but I love Ricky and want to be able to take my life partner to our prom together," answered Tony vehemently. "My cousin Tannon has a 'gay-straight club' at his school in Middlebury, VT. I know this isn't VT but isn't it against the law to discriminate against anyone based on their sexual orientation?" said Karen. "I could call him tonight and find out some information about the club and how it works, maybe that could be a first step to see if we can solve this so everyone can go with who they want to the prom." "But if we tried to start that kind of club it would be the same as outing ourselves. I don't think any of us are ready to do that," Ben stated. "That is true if any of you started the club, but not if James and I did along with Kyle, and Sammy," said Karen looking at James and Kyle and Sammy. "You know I support Justin, and Ben and Ricky and Tony, but I'm not sure if I want to go that far. I will have to give it some thought before I decide, ok babes," answered James. Kyle looked at Sammy who gave his hand a squeeze and then stated emphatically, "we will try to start the club even if we have to do it alone." "All clubs require two faculty sponsors, I doubt we could find anyone who would be willing to stick out their neck to support us in that way. After all we are in the "Bible Belt" and queers are just 'abominable sinners' who are going to hell!" Ben spat out. "But if we don't try than there is no chance. If anyone has any other suggestions, I am all ears, or if you don't want me to get the information I won't," Karen softly stated. "There sure isn't any harm in getting information Karen, and we really are happy you thought of this. I think all four of us just need some time to think this over and discuss it with our parents since we are all out to them. If we are to do this we will need all of the support that we can get and it may come down to a fight with the school board and only people who count with them are taxpayers," said Ricky. "Ok, I will call Tannon tonight and see what information I can get" said Karen. Just then the warning bell rang. All the friends stood up and unloaded their trays, Justin stopped and gave Karen a hug, before heading to his next to his and Ben's next class, gym. Ben and Justin walked into the locker- room and began to change for gym. As they were getting dressed Buff Palmer a neanderthal with way more muscles than brains, stood up and stated, "did you guys hear what old man Williams said this morning about queers. I wonder if he thinks there are any here, ha ha, I hope so we can find them and beat the shit out of them. Hell what we should do, is what they did in the Bible and take them out to the gravel pit and stone them to death, right guys." There were several shouts of agreement, until Greg Shepherd stood up and said, "can you get any more stupid, Biff, gays can't help being who they are. God made them that way and if I ever hear any of you saying or doing anything to someone because you think they are gay, I will make you wish your daddy had spilt his seed on the floor, instead of wasting it on an idiot like you guys." Several of Greg's friends spoke up as well adding their support to what Greg had said, all of them knew why Greg had spoken and knew he meant what he said. Justin and Ben looked at each other and wiggled their eyebrows as if to say what gives. Gym class was really quiet that day as each boy pondered what had been said in the licker room. Biff and his buddies wondered what was up with Greg, he dated the head cheerleader and all of his friends who spoke up with him had long time girlfriends. Biff was too dense to understand any of it. All he could think about is pounding some queer to hell. Steven, Greg's best friend could see the sadness in Greg's eyes and knew he was thinking about his brother Logan and how he had been killed three years ago in Florida as the result of a gay bashing. Greg had loved Jamie and never cared that he was gay, when his parents found out when he was sixteen and they threw Jamie out of the house and told him never to come back. Greg had been outraged and then two weeks later Logan was dead. After a week Greg had been able to get his parents straightened out, but by then, no one knew where Jamie had gone. A week later a police officer came to their house and told them, Logan was dead, beat to death and left naked with the words "death to all cigarettes carved into his chest." Greg's parents were still in therapy trying to overcome their guilt and remorse at having caused the death of their oldest son. Greg had spent a year and half in therapy himself dealing with his grief over the loss of his hero big brother. Logan had been a quiet and sweet boy, he loved to read and listen to music. He had been in the school band and drama club. Greg was just the opposite; he was a gifted jock lettering in three sports. Greg was never afraid to use his fists to straighten out bullies who were in any way hurting someone. That night the subject of principal Williams announcement was the subject of discussion at several supper tables. Ben and Justin related to Jon and Betty all that had been said as well as what had happened in the locker-room. After thinking a minute Jon said, "this idea of a "gay-straight alliance club" sounds like it could be a positive thing to bring understanding to everyone about whom gays are and what they are not. If you and your friends decide to go ahead with trying to form this club I think you should have Kyle and James talk with Greg and his friends about backing them. The more straight couples, who support this, will help others to see it not as a gay club, but a club of inclusion. Why don't you invite all your friends and any of their parents who are supportive of gays to come here on Saturday night for pizza and a brainstorming section and see what happens? You ask Kyle of James to speak with Greg and see if he is interested in coming too. By then Karen should have the information we need to make a decision." Kyle had been invited to Sammy's house for supper that night. At supper Sammy told here parents about the announcement. They had never met Justin and Ben but knew about them as Kyle's best friends and were totally supportive of them being gay. "I guess Buster Williams is just as much of a coward now as he was in highschool, he had to be the biggest kiss-ass wimp I ever saw when we went to highschool together," said Sammy's dad. Kyle and Sammy almost chocked on their supper hearing principal Williams described like that. I, hope all of you go ahead with this club idea. I might even be able to come up with a few ideas on who might be willing to be faculty sponsor's. I think there must be at least 20 teachers who are members of my gym and work out there regularly, I can begin to sound them out and see who might be willing to as you put it 'put their neck on the line'," Sammy stood and hugged her dad and said, "you're the greatest." Tony and Ricky's parents had held a joint family supper and decided that whatever the boys decided they would support them, but both sets of parents expressed their worry for the safety of their son's. James had never discussed that some of his friends were gay with his parents, they had met Justin and Ben as well as Ricky and Tony, and Kyle&Sammy. At supper that night he told them about the announcement, and that he knew of two gay couples that are quite upset about it. He also told them what Karen had suggested about them and Kyle and Sammy starting a 'gay-straight alliance club' like at Karen's cousin's Tanner's school in Vermont. "I like these four guys they are all nice, but I'm not sure I should get involved and Karen is upset, because I am not showing total support for this," said James. "I assume you are talking about Justin and Ben and Ricky and Tony right Jimmy," asked his dad. "You know," asked, a startled James? "Well to anyone with a brain and eyes to see can see how much those boys care about each other," said James mom. "How long have you known?"asked an incredulous James. "Oh, I would say your mom and I figured it out about the third time they were over here for sure. We wondered the first time we met them, but after the third time we knew," laughed James dad. "And you don't care that some of my best friends are gay and boyfriends," asked James? "I would say the only thing I care about is whether you are going to stand by your friends, and be a true friend; or are you only a fair-weather friend to them," stated James mom. James face turned red and he said, "I can be a jerk sometimes, I am just glad you are my parents to keep me on the right track. I better call Karen and get out of the dog house if I want a date for Saturday night," chuckled James. After talking with Karen and pledging his and his family's support he was part way out of the dog house as Karen put it but he had better behave the next few days or he would be going to the movies by himself on Saturday night. After finishing his conversation with Karen he called Kyle's cell phone. "Hey Kyle you home or at your honey's house,"asked James? "Well I'm not kissing myself so I guess I'm at Sammy's. What's up dude," answered Kyle? "I talked with my parents tonight about this whole prom thing and they helped me see the error of my ways, and guess what dude they have known about Ben &Justin, and Ricky & Tony almost since the first time they met them. They promised their support for the club too. I called Karen and got part way out of the dog house, but have to be on my best behavior for the rest of the week, or I am going to the movies stag this weekend," said James. "I guess we know who wears the pants in your relationship don't we," laughed Kyle. "I am really glad you are on line. And now I am sure the four of them will appreciate it a lot. Catch you tomorrow dude," said Kyle. At Greg's home supper was sober as always since the death of Logan. "Mom, dad, some thing happened, at school today. I got so mad I wanted to kill that dumb Buff Wankel. Principal Williams made and announcement, that no gay couples would be allowed at the prom, get this his reason was so as to protect them from harm and prevent a riot like happened last year at Robert Lee highschool. The coward is just too scared to stand up for what is right and act like a man," shouted Greg. "Calm down Greg, what does this have to do with Buff," asked Roger, Greg's dad? "In the locker room as we were dressing for gym, he started shooting off his mouth about beating up fags, or even taking them out, and stoning them at the old gravel pit. I told him in no uncertain terms that if he or his cronies did any thing to anyone he thought was gay he will wish he had never been born. I had all I could do to not strangle him on the football field,"answered Greg. "Do you think there are any gay couples at your school right now?"asked Greg's mom. "I'm not certain but I think there are at least one couple in my gym class. They are both cool guys, and looked upset after what Biff said. I swear if he or his idiot pals hurt them or anyone else I get them and take them out to the pit and stone them myself," Greg spit out as he broke down crying. His mom got up and hugged Greg, as his dad just sat there and moaned to himself at what his stupidity and bigotry had done to his family. At a trailer surrounded by junk cars and rotting debris, Biff sat drinking beer and eating stale chips telling his dad and big brothers about what had happened at school that day. He told them what he had said in the locker room, conveniently leaving out Greg's reaction to his spouting off. "You did good, boy, You sniff them fags out. And me, and the boys will help you do your biblical duty and stone them abominations," drunkenly slurred Biff's dad. After getting back home, Kyle called Justin and asked how he and Ben were doing, and if they had talked with Jon and Betty. Justin told him what they had discussed. "Oh, you wouldn't believe what happened in the locker-room today as we were dressing for gym. Biff was shooting off his mouth about queers and how they all deserved to die, when suddenly Greg jumped up and reamed him a new asshole and warned him and his buddies to not touch anyone or they would wish they had never been born. His buddies backed him up, I think he might support the idea of a gay-straight club. I have no idea why he was so adamant, but he scared me he was so mad at what Biff had said. I thought for a minute he was going to kill him right there in the locker-room. Dad and mom (Justin now refers to Jon and Betty as mom and dad) want Ben and me, to invite everyone here on Saturday night for pizza and a brainstorming session about this prom and club thing and your parents too. Ben and I were wondering if you and James could talk with Greg about coming, the two of you know him better than we do since you are all on the same team together,". "Sure I'll talk with James in the morning, but I'm sure he will go with me once he hears what Greg said. Ok ,buddy, have a good night and see you two in the morning. Oh, yea, don't do anything I wouldn't tonight," laughed Kyle. After showering together Ben and Justin climbed to bed and cuddled together. "What do think is going to happen?" asked Justin. "One thing I know for sure is if we go ahead with this we are bound to be outed, and one way or the other our lives will never be the same. But I would give my left nut to be your date to our prom, I love you with all my heart Justin Blake, and everyday it gets harder and harder to not shout if from the roof tops," whispered Ben, as he kissed Justin passionately. "Oh, god Ben I feel the same way, I am so tired of pretending. I am proud of what we are and know it is a pure, and wonderful love, why can't people see that what we have isn't sin or an abomination but the love that Jesus spoke of." whispered Justin as he kissed his way down Ben's body toward the prize that awaited him at Ben's groin. "Oh god, YESSS," moaned Ben.