Date: Tue, 14 Mar 2000 20:03:54 -0800 (PST) From: Dewey Subject: For the Love of Pete Chapter 5 This story is a work of erotic fiction involving teenage boys partially based on real people and events. Names have been changed to protect the guilty as well as the innocent. All the usual rules apply. If you shouldn't be reading this now, then don't continue on. Copyright Notice - This story is copyright by the author and the author retains all rights. You may distribute, copy, or print this story however you like, PROVIDED this copyright notice remains intact and you do not change the story in any way. Also you may not charge any fee to anyone to distribute or access this story. For the Love of Pete Chapter Five I have no idea how I slipped out of my coat, but I did. I dropped my backpack, extended my arms backward and ran for my life. As I disappeared into the forest following Pete, I heard Joe bellowing with rage. "Get back here! I'm not through with you!" Of course, my adrenaline was pumping so fast that he might as well have been speaking a different language. I ignored his outraged roar and tore out after my love into the woods. We ran for at least ten minutes, weaving in and out of trees and running over ferns and huckleberry bushes in our haste, heading for our fort that we had carved out of the underbrush last summer. The cool thing about the fort was that unless you knew exactly what to look for, it just appeared to be a huge clump of underbrush with a few trees sticking out of it. It was well concealed, with the entrance screened by a huge sword fern that had fronds longer than I was tall. Inside, we had cut a ten foot wide hollow into the Azalea bushes and the various trees that formed the perimeter. The space was large enough for us to stand, but barely so. There was a roof of sorts formed by the underbrush. It hid us from above, but didn't keep the rain out. We also had made a rabbit hole out the back side, and if we had to, we could always crash through the walls. This place would hide us for a while. No one else knew where it was. Pete had easily outdistanced me through the forest, a result of his track training, where I had played baseball, not the most athletic of sports. Finally I reached the fort and carefully picked my way through the fern, careful to keep all the fronds intact. As I walked into the opening, I paused to catch my breath. I glanced at Pete. What I saw tore out my heart. He was standing there in the shadows, face dappled by the fading afternoon sun reaching through the brush. The light caught his many tears, make him a tragic figure. He stood there just looking at me, face contorted into a mask of suffering and ultimate sadness. His mouth was working, trying to say something, anything, but unable to. I tried to move toward him but I was frozen in place by the visage in front of me. He looked to the heavens and screamed. I never want to hear its like again. I swear that it was the sound of his soul crying out in torment, like his very life force was leaving him to express his pain. And it went on and on, crying out his grief and anguish. At long last, he exhausted his breath and collapsed to his knees sobbing loudly. I found I could move again and was next to him faster than a blink. Putting his arms around me, I pulled him to me. We over balanced and fell to the ground. I didn't care. My love was in pain and he needed me. And I needed him. Pete was not a huge kid, but he was strong. So strong I thought he might break my ribs. He held on, like a drowning man to a life raft, wailing into my shoulder. I could feel his hot tears soaking through my shirt, and my own running down my face and falling into his hair. His shaking was uncontrollable, made worse by the wracking sobs that came so often I though he was going to fall apart in my arms. Every so often Pete would moan and then throw his head into my shoulder, trying to bury himself in my body. I held him for a long time. The next time I was aware of what was around me, it was near dark. I had thought I heard Brenda's voice a couple of times, calling our names, but we didn't answer. How she could have not heard us, I'll never understand. Maybe she had found us and decided to leave us be. Either way, I didn't care. As he calmed, Pete began to tell me of all the shit his dad had put him through over the years, trying to make sure he would be a real man. Trying to toughen Pete up, make him callous and macho just like he was. I spit in disgust. Several times. Some of the things he described were nothing short of torture, forcing this sensitive boy to suppress his desires, hide his true feelings, and ultimately bend to his will. I can honestly say that I have never been so angry as I was at that moment. I really wanted to kill Joe in a slow, painful manner. Of course, I would never actually do it, but I relished each and every thought. Pete sniffled, wiping his face on his sleeve. "What now? Where can I go? I can't go home." He had a haunted expression on his face, like he wanted to look over his shoulder. "That's the easy part. We go to my house. I am sure you can stay there until we get stuff sorted out. And we have my fort if we need to hide." We had built a similar fort in the brush not too far from my house. Not nearly as large, but the two of us could sit comfortably, and sleep there if necessary, after I got the sleeping bags in our closet. "Why don't we wait a while longer and then go get the bikes. We can ride by flashlight to my place." "You lost your back pack, though." "I'll sneak in and get it, or I'll ride right behind you. Maybe we can ride double. It doesn't matter. But we can't stay here tonight. I don't have a jacket." I paused. "Look at me." He turned his head toward me, his eyes meeting mine. My heart broke. Eyes are not meant to express that kind of sorrow. Especially the eyes of a young boy. This young boy. I spoke slowly and deliberately, punctuating my words with a squeeze of my arms. "We will get through this. I know it's your dad, but you and I are together, and that makes this OUR fight. I will make sure you are safe, and then we will take care of anything that comes our way." "I don't want to drag you into this, Bri. I don't want to burden you with my-" "DON'T! DON'T SAY IT! YOU ARE NOT A BURDEN! WE ARE TOGETHER! We are together. What happens to you happens to US! If I were in your situation, I am sure that you would be here for me. Right? RIGHT?" He nodded. "And for all I know, my situation may be the same as yours is. You know Dad. Mom may understand now. A week ago, never. But now maybe. "What time is it?" Pete glanced at his watch. "Eight fifteen. Lets wait until ten and then go for the bike." "Okay. I wish I had a cell phone, I'd call my mom." "Yeah, me too. Hey, Bri?" "Yeah?" His eyes pierced my soul. "I can't tell you how much it means to me that you are here right now. If I had to go through this alone, I don't know what I'd do. I mean, where would I be able to go?" He sighed heavily and then looked me in the eyes once again. There was a fierce determination and resolve in his gaze behind the sadness. "Brian, I love you. I love you now more than ever. Why you love me, I don't know, but I am so grateful you do. I was so afraid that you would run away when I told you, that you would tell everyone about me. Never in my wildest dreams did I think you would love me back. You're right, Bri. We are together. And no matter how it turns out with your folks, I want you to know that I am with you , and I won't leave you. I want to be with you forever. All I can do is hope that you want to be with me." His eyes were pleading now. How could he convey so many emotions with his eyes? "Forever." A simple word loaded with meaning. Yes, we were going to be together forever. And if that meant defying my parents so we could be one, then so be it. We sat there in a companionable melancholy silence, just soaking in each others' presence. Neither of us spoke much, relying instead on little gestures to covey our feelings. He would stroke my cheek, I would squeeze his hand. He would snake his arm around me and hug me, I would hug him back. We shared tender kisses as night completely overtook day, the only light from the moon filtering through the leaves, giving the scene a surreal aspect. Ten o'clock came at last. We crept out of our sanctuary and moved quietly back toward Pete's house. It took us some time to get there, as we couldn't really see where we were going. We didn't dare use the flashlight because it may be seen and we didn't really want to face Joe. The house was dark. Both Brenda's car and Joe's truck were gone. That meant the house was empty. I pointed out the missing cars to Pete and he nodded grimly. Motioning Pete to get the bike out and get ready to go, I padded over and tried the front door. Locked, of course. I pantomimed keys and he dug them out of his pocket, tossing them to me. Since it was dark, I missed them and they made a loud clatter on the cement. We both froze, but there was no reaction from the house. Picking up the keys, I found the right one and unlocked the deadbolt. Taking a deep breath, I opened the door and jumped back, expecting someone to leap out at me. No one came. I quickly ran through the house and down the stairs. My backpack and jacket were on the floor, with shards of broken glass and debris caused by Joe's rampage. One thing did catch my attention. It was a picture of Joe and Pete at the lake where they take their fishing trip in the spring. They had looked happy together in that picture, Joe ruffling Pete's hair, both smiling. Now it was in little pieces, torn up and strewn about with the rest of the trash. Quickly, I grabbed my jacket and back pack, bolted up the stairs and out the front door. I debated on taking the time to lock it and decided we shouldn't advertise the fact we had been there. I turned the key in the lock, sliding the bolt home. Pete started up the bike, it's roar shattering the silence. As I hurried over to the bike, I dug out the flashlight I had put into my backpack. We would need the extra light it would provide. As an afterthought, I ran back into the workshop and got the big battery powered work light that Joe used when he was under a car or truck working on the engine. It would give us even more light. I slipped my helmet on as I mounted the bike, turned on the work light, and we were off. Pete took it nice and easy, since we weren't really in a hurry and is WAS dark out. We wound through the woods, following the trail we knew so well. Riding mostly in silence, we agreed sometime during the trip to walk the last five hundred yards, just in case. We would stash the bike at my fort and hoof it from there. As we got closer to the fort, I began to worry a bit. I had never been out here in full dark, and never from this direction. I hoped I could find the entrance, and we did find it with no problem. We pushed the bike into the low clearing, putting it down carefully. Since we no longer needed the work light, we left it with the bike. I took a brief last look around to ensure that no one else had been there, and it appeared the fort was still our secret. Once more shouldering our packs, we headed toward my house, circling around to come at it from a different direction out of habit. We had hidden our fort from Her Royal Hind Ass for over a year. I knew she searched out in the direction we came from because we had come upon her one day as we returned from a jaunt into the hills. She even told us that when she finally found our hidey-hole, she would destroy it, so naturally we told her all about it and that she would never find it. (I never will understand why she hated me so much.) Approaching our neighborhood, Pete pointed out that there were lights flashing about where my house was. Red and blue lights. The cops were at my house. I stopped, falling behind a couple of steps before Pete turned and looked at me. "Maybe we should camp out here until the cops leave. I don't want to walk into there and no know what is going on." "Hey dude, do you think Chris is up? Maybe we can go there until things chill out." "We can try, but I don't know if his mom will call mine or not. Better we hang here, I think." Pete looked dubious, but didn't press the issue. Not more than five minutes after we halted our advance, I saw three flashlights ranging in our direction. They were really bright, like the ones the police use. They were about 200 yards away, separated by about thirty yards, and I could faintly hear them calling our names. They may have heard the bike, I realized suddenly. "Let's head back to the fort, Pete. I don't like this." "We have to head down there sooner or later, and I can't think of a safer place to be than with the cops, can you?" Before I could come up with an answer, I heard a voice I recognized. It belonged to one of the local patrolmen. Danny and my dad had served together in the army, sort of. Not the same unit, but the same time period. They met each other when they got back in the States. He and Dad had been close friends, if Dad had any. "Brian! Pete! I know you can hear me! I heard the bike, and Brenda told us you have one. It's okay to come out now. Joe isn't going to get anywhere near you two. We've already taken care of that." Pete and I exchanged glances. "If you don't come out, we'll have to bring out the dog and track you down. Dawn told us about your fort out this way. Come on boys! I swear to you it is okay." One thing I knew about Danny, when he gave his word, he meant it. "I think it's all right, Pete. I trust Danny." He hesitated, and then nodded We started toward Danny's voice. I turned on the flashlight and immediately all three patrolmen flashed us with their lights. Shielding my eyes, I yelled, "Mind turning those down a bit?" They didn't respond. Danny's voice came again from behind the center light he must have been holding. "Brian, put the light down, and drop your back packs. We just need to make sure everyone is safe here We need to check you for weapons. Just stay there and don't move. Everything will be okay, I promise." I stopped, took a step backward, and looked at Pete. He looked as confused as I felt. Danny kept talking. "Joe has been arrested, and we need to be sure that you aren't going to do anything stupid, okay? All we are going to do is pat you down and search your packs, then we'll walk you to the house." Pete and I both had the same reaction at the same time. We started to back away because we were frightened. "Don't Move! Hands up! Hands up NOW!" The other cops were screaming at us, and it scared us even more. Danny's bellow cut through. "STAND DOWN! Brian, Pete, come on now. These guys don't know you like I do, so they think that you may be a danger right now. I know better." He lowered his light. I could see his silhouette now. He had his hands out to his side, empty except for the flashlight. I made my decision. Looking at Pete, I put my arm around his shoulder and gently propelled him toward Danny. The other cops didn't say a word, but did follow us with their lights. We approached slowly, not hurrying, but not hesitating either. Danny dropped his arms to his sides as we reached him. He spoke quietly and gently, asking us to drop our packs. The other officers were close behind us, and emptied out the backpacks. Danny quickly patted us down, asked Pete to take out his pocket knife, and just as quickly returned it to him. "Your parents are worried about you two, Brian. And your mom was nearly hysterical, Pete. What happened up there? All Brenda would say is you two had a fight with Joe." He looked from Pete to me expectantly. Seeing we weren't going to answer, he leaned in and dropped his voice so only Pete and I could hear it. "Joe kept going on. He said you two were gay. Is that true?" Genuine curiosity, I thought, no condemnation or hostility. Pete stared hard at him and then nodded, dropping his eyes. Danny looked to me, and I nodded also. Then my dad's friend said something that surprised the hell out of both of us. "It's okay boys. I understand. I am too." Thunderstruck, we walked the rest of the way in silence. As we approached the house, I could see three patrol cars in the front yard, Brenda's car in the driveway, and Joe's truck sitting in the front lawn. I also saw several neighbors standing in their yards wondering what was going on. We ignored them all. "I think I have these two under control. Why don't you guys head back to your zones. I'll wrap this up and file the report." The other cops said something, I don't remember what, and then got in their cars and drove away. Seeing all the excitement was over, the neighbors drifted into their houses. I idly wondered what gossip would come out of this. Then I realized I had to face my parents and tell them I was gay. It was one thing to talk about it when I was ten miles removed from them, but another thing entirely to actually do it. I was so terrified I began to balk as Danny led us to the front door. He tightened his grip slightly and spoke in a calm quiet voice, assuring me that he would be there when we told my parents the whole story. Pete must have realized what I was thinking, and hurting as he was, put his arm around me and held me tight, supporting me and telling me we were together. We reached the threshold. I stopped and stared at the door. Why was I having such a problem with this? Pete had for all intents and purposed lost his dad. Granted Joe was a bastard, but he was still his dad. I hadn't told my parents yet, but I was ready to turn and run. Before I could act on that, Danny reached over me and opened the door, taking away my options. Brenda was the first person I saw. She had a bruise just starting to bloom on her left cheek. Seeing it was me and Pete, she ran to the door and embraced us both, crying. Pete wrapped his arms around her and held her close, asking her what had happened. Hearing him start sobbing, I absently put my hand on his shoulder. But I was looking beyond Brenda to my parents. They had a relieved look on their face, but also had an anxious expression. Obviously Brenda had told them some, but not all, of the details. I continued to stand there like a statue, just staring at them. Dawn was nowhere in sight. I felt dizzy, like I'd fall over if I moved. The longer I stood there, the more worried my parents looked. I hoped my face didn't show anything. I had hidden things from them too long for my emotions to betray me now. Damn these tears. Mom stood and came over to me. Brenda released me into my mothers arms. Try as I might, I couldn't hold it in any more. I bawled like a baby, not even trying to speak. I don't remember the last time I had cried like that. I remember Dad awkwardly wrapping his arms around both of us, then his embrace strengthening. Then I saw his tears. My dad, crying? I had never seen him cry before that I could recall. It was only a few minutes but it seemed like hours. Danny had shut the door and moved into the living room. When the rest of us got a grip again, he ushered us to take seats on the couch or the floor. I sat next to Pete, who sat in front of his mom. If my parents thought this odd, I didn't see any sign. Danny sighed and ran his hand through his thinning blond hair. "Okay, folks. I have to get all the details for the report. I have Brenda's portion, but I want to hear what the kids have to say. Pete, remember that your dad can't hurt you now. Anything you say is between us and the walls. He won't hear it. Brian, if you have anything to say, just chime in. I'm not leaving until I make sure you two are okay." He put special emphasis on that last sentence, letting us know he was there to support us, should things go bad. Neither I nor Pete spoke at first. Brenda began to recount the conversation she had had with Joe again. I watched my parents like a hawk, searching their faces for any reaction when Brenda stated, matter-of-factly, that Pete had told her he was gay. I saw nothing in their faces, not even surprise. How much had she told them? She ended her recitation at the point where Joe had grabbed my jacket. But it was obvious from her and my parents expression that there was more to the story than she had told. She was hiding the events that had given her that bruise. Danny looked to Pete and I expectantly, and didn't seem disappointed when we told him that was pretty much it. "What did you do after you got away?" Pete answered, "We took off to the fort. We cut it out of the brush last year. It's about a mile and a half away from the house. I couldn't think of anywhere else to go. I didn't even realize that Dad had almost caught Brian until he caught up to me at the fort." He looked at me apologetically. I patted his knee. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Dad's jaw tighten just a bit, while Mom's face remained impassive. Fear once again bloomed in my gut. Pete continued on, looking at the floor in concentration. He was actually looking beyond the floor. "I kind of lost it for a while, and by the time I got myself together it was dark. We decided to wait until around ten before heading back to get the bike, and come here, which we did." He was so brave and strong. It didn't seem to phase him that the world knew he was gay now. Well, my parents and Danny didn't actually constitute the world, but he must feel terribly exposed and vulnerable. I hoped I could be that strong for him. As I watched him speak, I could see the beginnings of tears in his eyes. God, what must he be thinking? His dad had rejected him, and any sense of control he had over his life had been stripped away because he was out, now, and not by his choice. What would I feel if my dad rejected me? Or Mom? A hush settled over the room, disturbed only by the nervous shifting of my parents and Brenda in their seats. Danny was writing in his notepad. Looking up briefly and catching my eye, his expression asked if I was going to tell my part. Just as I started to speak, Mom broke the silence. "Pete, you are positive you are gay?" How was that any of her business? Pete responded as if this were a normal, everyday inquiry about his health. "I am sure. This isn't a phase." She studied him for a few moments with a contemplative expression. Pete looked back, face emotionless. "Are you gay, too, son?" I jumped as my Dad spoke, his face displaying deep anxiety and dread. My head was swimming, I couldn't catch my breath. I looked around the room from person to person in a near panic, and then caught Danny's eye. He gave an imperceptible nod, indicating that I should do what I felt in my heart, or that's how I took it. Then my gaze fell on Pete. He was watching me, using his eyes to express his love for me as only he could. I knew I loved him, and I needed him. I took a deep breath. Another. I squared my shoulders, and spoke with more confidence than I felt, by far. "Yes, I am gay." Four words. Four simple words. My father closed his eyes tight and looked heavenward, and then let his head fall to his chest. He stood up slowly, and walked to the front door. My heart fell. Mom stood as my father opened the door and started to follow him out. Hearing her following, he said something in a voice so low I only caught the last part of it. "I need to think," he said. Mom looked at him for a few seconds and then nodded. Danny stood and followed after my dad without a word. All I could think of was my dad was leaving. He didn't want me any more. He was abandoning me. I started shaking almost uncontrollably. Pete put his arm around me, pulling me close, giving me some of his strength. The tremors eased a bit. After he had shut the door, mom stared after Dad for a moment, then turned to come back in the living room. With no hesitation, Mom came and knelt in front of Pete and I. She studied us, seeing every detail. Pete's arm tightened around me, bracing me for whatever may come. I am sure Mom saw it. "Are you and Pete a couple, then?" All I could do was nod. She looked to Pete, then back to me. "Both of you need to hear this. It doesn't matter what your orientation is. You are the same person you were yesterday, last week, or last year. I love the both of you." She opened her arms, reached out, and gathered us into her arms. Soon after I felt Pete's mom put her arms around us from behind. "That goes for me too, boys. Pete, there is no good time to tell you this," Brenda began, "and after what happened tonight, this is probably the worst time. Pete, we are leaving your father. He's crossed the line and I won't put you in danger any more." Pete turned around to look at his mom, breaking the embrace we were in. "Dad isn't coming back?" A mixture of excitement and regret? "We have to get our things out before the police let him out tomorrow afternoon. For the time being, we'll be staying here until we can find a place." Pete saw the bruise blooming on his mom's cheek. "He hit you," he stated. She nodded. "That's not why we're leaving though. Or rather I should say that it IS part of the reason, but not the whole reason. You don't need the details, and I won't tell you if you ask. This is the best thing for you. For us." Pete just nodded. Having regained my composure, I wriggled out of my mom's grasp and stood to stretch my legs. My stomach was still churning and I felt weak. "Anyone want something to drink?" Pete nodded, Brenda and Mom declined with a wave of their hand. The three of them continued to discuss the moving plans for tomorrow, but I paid no attention, to engrossed in my own thoughts. Ambling into the kitchen, I examined what I was feeling. Mom seemed like she was, if not fine with everything, at least okay. But Dad? He ran out of the house without a word. Would he be back? Would he still want to be my father? I decided I was in shock and wasn't fully feeling what was going on yet. Probably the adrenaline rush still. Must have been living on adrenaline for the whole day. Mom entered the kitchen as I poured Pete and myself a glass of Coke from the two-liter. She watched me as I finished pouring, replaced the cap, and returned the bottle to the fridge. She was making me nervous. As I turned around, I saw Dad and Danny having a heated discussion in the driveway. They weren't loud or anything, but I could tell they were both angry. I realized I needed to hear what Dad was saying. Walking to the living room, I gave Pete his glass and set mine on the side table. Turning around, I headed toward the bathroom. Shutting the door behind me, I climbed into the tub. There was a window above the tub that we kept cracked to keep fresh air in the room. I hadn't turned on the lights, so Danny and Dad wouldn't know I was listening. "What am I supposed to do?" Dad was speaking in an urgent voice. "I don't know how to raise a straight kid much less a gay kid." "Why do you care if he is gay or straight. He is your son, and he is the same son you have known and loved for the past thirteen years. Why is him being gay changing that? Do you like me any less because I am gay?" "No, but you're not my son!" What difference does that make? You think it makes you somehow less of a man since your son is gay? Are you afraid of what other people will think?" "No, but-" "But nothing! Brian is of the bravest kids I have ever known. You forget I know what he goes through at school and I see what he goes through here, and we have talked about that before. He stood up for his friend and then came out to you. He is willing to give up everything for that boy in there just as you would for your wife! And you're worried about what others will think." Dad was silent for a moment, just staring at Danny. "What do I do?" "You can start by paying attention to the kid." "I do." "When is the last time you did anything with him?" "I. don't remember. I think we played catch." He had, in February. "You ignore him! You aren't comfortable dealing with him, so you don't. He is now starting to show his feelings and you can't deal with it, just like you can't deal with your own feelings. Well, you better learn. And damn quick. He needs you, and you need him. You can help each other if you'd only allow yourself to see it. Look Ben, I don't want you to feel like I am attacking you; that isn't my goal. I just want to make sure that BOTH of you are okay, and that you realize that he hasn't changed. He is your son, and you can be proud of him. He has a good head on his shoulders, and that is a credit to you and Lisa both." "I love him. I really do. I just don't know how to show it." I could see tears glistening in the streetlight. "I know you love him. He loves you. And you will learn what he needs from you. But for God's sake, don't reject him again like you did when you walked out." Dad's face went pale in the glow of the street lamp, a bleak look on his face. "He must think I hate him. Oh God no. I have to get in there." He turned to come in the house, but paused as Danny put his hand on Dad's shoulder. "Ben, I want you to know I am here for both of you. Brian and Pete know about me. If I can help, call me." A crooked smile came over my dad's face. "Now that I know about them, I'd like it if Brian, at least, can spend some time with you, too. You may be able to offer him something I can't." Danny nodded as he removed his hand, and Dad headed for the door once more. I scrambled out of the tub, flushed the toilet, opened the door, and walked into the living room just as Dad and Danny walked in. Without hesitation, he walked up to me, put his hands on my shoulders, looked me in the eyes. He stared intently, trying to read my soul. I saw in his eyes many things. Uncertainty, pain, grief, anxiety. But above all of that, I saw love. "Brian, this changes nothing. I love you. All I ask is that you give me the chance to show you how much. I won't leave you, son. Not now, not ever." I buried my head into his chest, and he held me tight, like a father holding his son.