Date: Tue, 25 Nov 2014 16:52:09 -0500
From: Ronyx <ronyx@woh.rr.com>
Subject: Closing the Barn Door   Chapter 12

The following is a work of fiction. Any similarities to anyone are purely
coincidental. The story is intended for a mature audience. It may contain
profanity and references to gay sex. If this offends you, please leave and
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Closing the Barn Door       Chapter 12


Owen stood in the middle of Ned's room and yelled, "He did what!"

Ned looked up at Owen and responded, "I tell you," he warned, "Lucas is
friggin' crazy."

Mac and Robbie were sitting on the bed beside him. Ned had called the three
boys to his house after Lucas fled with his laptop computer. He thought he
should warn them about Lucas's strange behavior in case he showed up at
their house.

Ned rose from the bed and paced around the room. "My dad is going to
fucking kill me when he finds out I don't have my laptop." He looked down
worriedly at Mac and Robbie. "He bought it for my birthday so I wouldn't
have to use his for my homework assignments."

Robbie shook his head and volunteered, "You can use mine for a few days. My
sister gave me her old one when she went to college." He smiled and added,
"Hers has more games downloaded on it than mine."

Ned said appreciatively, "Thanks, Robbie. I hope Dad don't notice it isn't
the one he got me."

"It's okay," replied Robbie as he grinned mischievously and grabbed his
crotch. "You can pay me back later."

"Fuck you," spat Ned. "I ain't sucking your dick for no computer."

"Come on, Guys," said Owen as he stepped between them. "Cut out the gay
shit. This is what started all this in the first place. If we had stood up
to Lucas from jump street, maybe none of this would be happening now."

"Well, you did it by telling Lucas that Neil sucked your dick," reminded
Ned.

"Okay," replied Owen. "Let's forget about all that shit. What we better be
talking about is Lucas."

He looked over at Ned. "From what you said, it sounds like he's gonna cause
more trouble." He walked over and sat between Mac and Robbie.

Robbie asked anxiously, "What do you think we should do?"

Ned sat on the floor in front of them while they discussed what they should
do about Lucas. Since he had only served four days of his ten-day
suspension, they knew they would be safe at school from him. However, they
were worried that he might come to their homes after school; or worse yet,
confront them as they were getting on or off the bus.

"I'm really scared," confessed Ned. "You should have seen him. He looked
like an animal. He said he's running away from home."

"Maybe he's gone by now," responded Robbie. "Maybe we won't have to worry
about him."

Owen asked, "Where's he going to go? He told us he doesn't have any family
except his grandmother."

"What about his mother?" asked Mac. "Can't he live with her?"

Robbie looked at the others and asked, "Ain't she dead? Isn't that what he
told us?"

The boys talked about how little they knew Lucas. They had been friends
with him for years; however, none of them had been inside his house. When
they knocked on the door, Lucas always came outside to talk. He was a
frequent visitor in their bedrooms, but none of them had ever been invited
into his.

They also found it strange that they had never met his grandmother. "Come
to think of it," said Mac, "His grandmother has never been to the school."
He looked around at the others, "Has anyone ever seen her?"

"I did," replied Owen. "She was sitting on the porch once when I went to
Lucas's house." He added, "I think he has an uncle or something. I've seen
him getting into a truck a few times."

Ned asked, "What's he look like?"

"Kind of scruffy," replied Owen. "He looks like he drinks a lot."

"You know, it's strange," remarked Ned as he looked at the others. "We've
known Lucas all our lives, but we don't really know him." The others nodded
their heads.

Ned responded, "Lucas has never wanted us to know. Maybe that's why he
bullies us around, so we won't ask any questions."

"Maybe," replied Owen. "But we still better have each other's backs until
we find out what's going on."

Robbie asked, "What about Neil? Shouldn't we warn him?"

A serious look appeared on Owen's face. "Yeah," he said. "Maybe we should."

He took a deep breath and remarked, "I guess I'll take care of it." He
looked at the worried faces of the others. "We don't want him getting
hurt." The others nodded their heads in agreement.

* * * * * *

"Dad," whined Neil as he sat beside his father in his car. They were on
their way to school to talk to Mr. Bowers, the principal. "I don't see why
you have to go talk to Mr. Bowers. You're just going to make things worse
for me when I go back."

Brian looked over and replied, "I'm not going to have you go back and get
hurt. I'm sure there is something the school can, and must, do to make sure
no one hurts you." He added, "I can't have you getting suspended,
either. Dwight told me what your great plan is."

Neil's face reddened. He had forgotten that he told Dwight that he planned
to be suspended for fighting until he was finally expelled. He knew it
wasn't a good plan. He just felt he had no alternative.

"I'm not going to fight again," he promised. "Honest."

"You won't have much choice if you get picked on again," responded Brian
angrily. "Your mother and I have to make sure that doesn't happen."

Neil looked at the clock on the dashboard. At least school had started, and
everyone would be in their second period class. No one should see him enter
the building with his father.

Neil hesitated before getting out of the car. Brian stood patiently waiting
for him. He could only imagine what was going through his son's mind. When
he was in school, he was the admired athlete. Since he excelled in football
and baseball, no one had any clue that he was gay. He had watched his
teammates ridicule other students who they thought was gay, but he never
participated. Now, he was ashamed that he hadn't made a bigger attempt to
stop them. At the time, he was afraid that if he did, they might begin to
question his sexuality.

Finally, Neil got out of the car and started walking toward the
building. When his father put his arm around his shoulder, he stepped
away. He felt bad for doing it, but he was already embarrassed having his
father go to school to protect him. He felt that his father's arm around
him might make him appear even weaker to those who might see.

As they approached the office, Neil was surprised to see Alex walking down
the hallway towards them. His face beamed with excitement when he saw
Neil. "Hey, Buddy," he said as he walked up and fisted Neil's hand. "How
are things going? I miss you in art class."

"Okay, I guess," replied Neil. He looked at his father and said, "This is
my dad."

"Hi, Mr. Michael's," responded Alex as he extended his hand. "I'm Alex
Cunningham."

Brian glanced quickly at Neil. He wondered if the handsome boy in front of
him was the person his son admitted he had a crush on. He smiled, shook
hands and looked over at Neil's red face. He smiled again knowing that Alex
was his secret crush.

"It's nice to meet you, Alex," replied Brian as he shook his hand. "Neil
has told me about you."

Alex looked over and asked, "He has? We hardly know each other."

"Dad!" moaned Neil when Brian told Alex that he must have made quite an
impression on his son.

"Neil's cool," responded Alex as he walked over and put his arm around
Neil's shoulder. "I haven't made too many friends yet, so I got to take
care of the few I do have."

Brian smiled and replied, "I'm glad someone is watching out for him."

"Dad," moaned Neil again. "You're embarrassing me."

Alex laughed and shook Brian's hand. "It was nice meeting you
Mr. Michaels. I better get to class now." He fisted Neil again, and then he
hurried off down the hall.

"Nice," muttered Brian as he watched Alex walk away. "Very nice."

"Dad!" hollered Neil as he turned and headed toward the office.

* * * * * *

Brenda was in her office going over an insurance policy. Her brother, Jack,
was sitting on a chair beside her with a surprised look on his face.

He asked his sister, "When did all this happen? I didn't think you even
knew the man."

"Daniel?" remarked Brenda. "I've known him for several years. I insured his
house when he built it. He calls me occasionally to ask me out, but I have
been politely refusing."

"What made you change your mind," asked Jack.

"I don't know," responded Brenda. "I guess it began when we were over at
Brian's house the other night. He is so happy with Dwight. It just seems so
unfair that I devote all my time to the children and deny myself a little
pleasure." She gave Jack a worried look and asked, "I'm not being selfish,
am I?"

"No," laughed Jack. "I think it's wonderful you want to date again. I've
been telling you for years you should."

"I'm so scared, though," she admitted. "I haven't been on a date since
Brian courted me in college."

"You'll do fine," encouraged her brother.

Brenda sighed and asked nervously, "Do you think Neil will object?"

Jack asked, "Why would he care?"

"Well," said Brenda, "Daniel is the assistant principal of his school. He
might feel a little awkward."

Jack laughed and replied, "He's not the one dating Daniel Collins. You
are." He rose and gave his sister a hug. "You'll do fine. Don't sweat it."

Brenda responded nervously, "I certainly hope so."

* * * * * *

Neil followed his father into the office waiting room. After announcing
their arrival, the secretary told them to have a seat, and that Mr. Bowers
would be with them shortly.

Neil was surprised when Ms. Shelton came into the office. She looked down
at Neil and smiled. Brian rose to his feet as she introduced herself to
him. "Mr. Michaels, I'm Ms. Natalie Shelton. I'm Neil's history teacher."

"Very nice to meet you," he responded as he gently hit Neil on his
shoulder. Neil instantly rose to his feet as he nervously faced his
teacher.

"Hi, Ms. Shelton," he said as he gave her a timid wave. "What are you doing
here?"

"Mr. Bowers asked me to come to the parent conference," she informed
him. "How have you been?"

"I've been okay," he replied, "But I don't understand why you're here."

She smiled and said, "We'll discuss that in the meeting." Just then,
Mr. Bowers appeared at the door and asked everyone to join him in his
office.

After introductions, Mr. Bowers asked everyone to have a seat around a
conference table. Mr. Collins, the assistant principal, also came into the
room and sat down.

Mr. Bowers cleared his throat and looked at Brian. "I know you are
concerned about the safety of your son, Neil." He looked at Neil and
smiled. "We all are. After the incident that occurred last week, I did some
investigating. It appears that Neil was the victim of bullying." Neil
looked down and refused to meet the gaze of Mr. Bowers.

"So what do you plan to do about it?" asked Brian as he looked over at
Neil. "I don't want my son getting hurt."

Mr. Bowers folded his hands and stated, "That's why I've asked Ms. Shelton
to be here today." Neil lifted his head and looked over at her. "She
approached me with an idea I think is excellent for deterring bullying in
here in our school." He nodded his head at her. "I'll turn the meeting over
to her."

She nervously began her presentation. Her hands shook as she distributed a
folder to each person. "When I was in college last year," she began, "I
attended a seminar for a sociology class. The presenters demonstrated how
an anti-bullying program was being implemented in elementary schools."

She continued, "I know this is a high school, but I think we can implement
a similar program here at Farmersville."

Neil looked over the sheets that Ms. Shelton had passed out. One word kept
leaping out at him- School Ambassador.

Ms. Shelton then began to discuss her anti-bullying plan to the others. She
explained how some students would be trained as school ambassadors to
combat bullying. She said the selected students would attend an after
school class in which they would be instructed in the various forms of
bullying, and how to address it if it occurs. Once they had received the
training, they would then become school ambassadors.

She went on to explain how those students would go into classrooms to give
presentations to other students on bullying. She said it was important that
each sports team, boys and girls, also be given presentations with their
coaches present.

Those ambassadors would then act as mediators if a bullying situation
occurred. Any victim could feel free to come to them with a complaint. The
ambassador would then try to resolve the situation peacefully.

Neil spoke up and asked angrily, "What if they don't?" He was thinking of
Lucas when he said, "Some guys don't care. They won't even listen to
anyone."

Mr. Bowers nodded his head in agreement. "That is why I have asked
Mr. Collins to be here," he said. "Once the student body understands that
Farmersville will have zero-tolerance for bullying, then it will be his
duty to administer harsh penalties for violators."

His face reddened with anger as he stated, "A student can either let a
student ambassador resolve the conflict, or he or she can hit the door." He
looked over at Mr. Collins who nodded his head in agreement.

"This will work," assured Ms. Shelton. "We just have to give it a
chance. I've already spoken to a few students who want to be ambassadors."
She smiled and said, "Samantha Tyler and Alex Cunningham have already
agreed serve as sophomore ambassadors.

Neil's eyes widened. "Sammy and Alex?"

"Yes," she replied. "I am working on recruiting students from the other
grades. I would like to have at least four ambassadors from each grade
level."

She smiled at Neil and asked, "So, what do you think? Could you approach
either of them if someone bullies you?"

Neil shrugged his shoulders and replied, "I suppose."

"I think it's an excellent project," interrupted Brian. He looked at Bowers
and Collins. "Young people often don't react well to adults. They might be
more willing to cooperate with their own peers."

"That is what I'm hoping," smiled Ms. Shelton. "It has worked successfully
at other schools."

Brian sat back and laughed. "I came here today to raise holy hell with
you," he said as he looked at Mr. Bowers. "I thought you would give me the
run around about how you would try to protect my son, but you wouldn't be
able to give me any guarantees."

Mr. Bowers shook his head. "Bullying is a serious problem in every
school. We have to come up with different approaches to combat it."

He looked at Ms. Shelton and smiled. "I was delighted when Ms. Shelton came
to me the other day with this idea. I think it may be successful here at
Farmersville."

Mr. Bowers shuffled some papers on his desk, sat back and stared at
Neil. "How are you doing on your suspension? Did Sammy give you your
assignments?" He laughed and added, "She was quite persuasive when she came
to me last week."

"Yes, Sir," replied Neil. "Thank you."

Mr. Bowers stared again at Neil and asked, "You understand why I suspended
you last week?"

"Yes, Sir," responded Neil nervously. "I got in a fight in class."

"You instigated the fight," insisted Mr. Bowers. "Your actions precipitated
the events that later occurred. Do you understand the difference?"

"Yes, Sir," replied Neil. "I think so."

"Good," said Mr. Bowers. He looked over at Ms. Shelton. "One of the things
we are going to stress with our students is that they go through the
ambassadors to resolve problems. We want them to understand that disputes
can be handled without standing up in a class and cursing at another
student." Neil's face reddened as he looked down at the table.

Mr. Bowers looked around the table. "Does anyone have any questions?" When
everyone shook their heads, he called an end to the meeting.

"Thank you all for attending," he said as he rose from his desk and
strolled out of his office with Mr. Collins following behind.

When Neil rose from his seat, Ms. Shelton stood and embraced him. "Give
this a chance, okay?"

Neil pulled away and smiled. "I will," he assured her. For the first time
since his suspension, he didn't feel afraid to return to school.

He particularly felt safer if Sammy and Alex were on his side as school
ambassadors. He wasn't sure about Alex, but he knew that Sammy would serve
well in the role. She had been bossing students around since elementary
school. Everyone knew she was someone not to be messed with.

Ms. Shelton shook Brian's hand and told him how glad she was to meet
him. Before leaving, she gave him her school phone number and told him to
call her anytime if he had a question.

When she left the room, Brian said, "I like that young lady."

Neil giggled and said, "Me, too."

Brian threw his arm around Neil as they walked out of the office. Neil
didn't even look around to see if anyone noticed.

* * * * * *

That night Sammy visited Neil again at his father's house. "Here," she said
as she plopped a couple of books down on his bed. "Mrs. Yarber wants you to
read this book and do a report on it."

Neil picked the book up and examined it. "Moby Dick?" He then started
giggling. "Is she having us read porn?"

Sammy rolled her eyes and replied, "You wish, you pervert." She walked over
and picked up the book. "Moby Dick is a whale."

"Whale," giggled Neil. "It sounds like porn to me." Sammy rolled her eyes
and sat down on the side of the bed.

"Oh," she exclaimed, "Before I forget, Alex told me to tell you hi."

"Alex?" Neil was surprised that he even knew Sammy was his friend.

"Yes," she smiled. "You know, cute black guy. Brown eyes, muscular, dimple
on his right cheek."

Neil lay back on the bed and laughed. Sammy asked, "What's so funny?"

Neil sat up and looked at her. "You should have seen the dreamy look on
your face when you described him."

Sammy's face began to redden. "I did not have a dreamy look," she insisted.

"Did too," giggled Neil.

They spent the next few minutes arguing whether Sammy liked Alex. She
insisted she didn't, but Neil kept teasing her that she did. He had already
convinced himself that Alex probably wasn't gay, so he knew he had no
chance of anything but a friendship. He wasn't even sure what kind of girls
Alex liked. However, it was still fun to tease Sammy about liking him.

Sammy suddenly got very quiet. She stared at Neil and asked, "You don't
think he would really like me, do you?"

Neil asked, "Aren't you two supposed to be working on that school
ambassador thing?"

"You know about that?"

"Yeah, sure," replied Neil. "Me and Dad were at the school
today. Ms. Shelton explained it to us."

She asked excitedly, "You mean Alex is going to be an ambassador, too?"

"That's what Ms. Shelton said," explained Neil. "She said you and Alex both
signed up to be ambassadors."

"Oh, my God," shrieked Sammy. "I can't believe Alex and I will be working
together." She fell back on the bed and sighed, "I think I'm going to lay
here and just die."

For just a fleeting moment, Neil felt sad. He wished it were he who was
feeling the excitement Sammy was experiencing. He like Alex. He had even
admitted it to his father he had a crush on him. However, he knew a guy
like Alex would never like a guy like him.

When Sammy noticed Neil's mood change, she sat up and asked, "You like him,
don't you?"

"Me? No!"

"Liar," replied Sammy. "You like Alex. Admit it."

Neil got off the bed, walked over, and looked out at the pool. "Okay," he
admitted. "Maybe just a little."

Sammy walked over and gripped Neil's hand. "Maybe he's gay," she offered.

"I doubt it," replied Neil as he pulled his hand away. He walked outside
and plopped down in a lounge chair. Sammy sat down in a chair beside him.

Neil looked over and sadly announced, "I'm never going to find anyone."

* * * * * *

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