Date: Mon, 7 Jun 2010 00:23:57 -0400 (EDT) From: jacobmillertex@aol.com Subject: Jacob Finding His Way: Chapter 32 {Jacob Finding His Way is based on mostly true events in my life. To keep the story interesting for the readers, some events now in the story are fictionalized. As I am writing this story, I am above the age of 21. If you want a story with lots of sex, look elsewhere. This is a love story. Seeing as it is a love story, sex is in there, but it's in realistic balance in the characters' lives. Any similarity to any real events, names, or life events is purely accidental. If you are a underage, (according to your state laws as a minor), if this literature is offensive to you or to anyone around your viewing area, or it is illegal for you to view such content where you are reading it, stop reading the story. This story cannot be distributed in anyway, shape or form without my expressed consent. I will like to give a shout out to a reader that has helped me with ideas where the story is, thank you!} Written by J.P.G. Chapter 32 (JOEY'S POINT OF VIEW) Boy was I glad when I heard Sergeant Haney call clear. It meant practice was over and time to clean up. I went and got my target sheets and handed them to Sergeant Haney. I picked up any loose brass that was around my shooting area, put away my weapon, and finally checked in with Sergeant Haney to see my score. Sergeant Haney seemed pleased with my score as he handed me my target sheets. I looked down at it and smiled. I shot almost a perfect in all three positions. I was only off by two points. I needed to get shooting perfect scores. I shook Sergeant Haney's hand as I left the building heading to my truck. I saw Chase and Linda there waiting for me. I wondered when these guys were going to get on with it and have sex. Or had they already? All the way home we talked about football and what it would mean to pull off a six and two record. We would have only four more games left in the season and then the playoffs. I can't wait to see if we make it to the playoffs. Jake's car was sitting in the drive way as I drove in. I figured Jake was home, I just didn't know why he missed school and didn't tell me. I got out of the truck and walked inside. As I walked around to the kitchen, I saw Jake and my mom sitting there talking. "Hey guys what's up?" Jake looked up and then my mom. Both smiled at me. Then Jake jumped off the chair and walked up to me. He kissed me on the lips as he started to hug me. "I missed seeing your face today Joey. Walk with me to the back yard please!" Now I knew things are getting weirder around here. Jake rarely asks me to walk with him to the back yard. I followed him to see what he wanted. We walked all the way to the wall of our yard. "Do you see the house over there Joey?" I shook my head in the positive wondering where this was going!" "Well I bought that house today for your mom and sister to live in!" I couldn't believe my ears having just heard what Jake had said to me. I looked at him with a stunned look on my face. What in the world was going on? Why did he do this for my mom and sister? They were ok downstairs in the apartment. At least I thought so! It seemed that Jake knew what I was thinking. I didn't even have to ask the questions out loud. "Look Joey, I know this is something big. I also I know I should have talked to you about this before I did it. I just wanted it to be a surprise for you. Your mom and sister have been living in our basement for a while now. They have not complained at all about that. Still, your mom has been doing a lot for us here at the house and you know that. She has been cooking, cleaning and doing laundry for four teenage boys. That does not include Fran and now Jeremy and Andy. On top of that, she..." Jake sat there explaining why he did what he did. I couldn't fault him on his logic. In fact I loved him for doing this for my mom. I knew my mom had been doing a lot here at the house; I had told Jake that several times now. I just couldn't keep standing there as Jake continued to explain the reasons why. I went up to him and returned the hug and a long kiss he had given me when I walked in. I was a bit `miffed' with Jake because I didn't know why he hadn't gone to school today. Now I knew it was for a good reason. We walked inside for me to get ready for the game. Jake always liked to see me get ready. For some reason, today, Jake was more into it than he usually was. Every time I tried to put on my shirt, he pulled it off. He did the same thing with my underwear and pants. Jake seemed to be in a playful mood. If I didn't need to eat and get back to school for the game I would have gladly stayed and given Jake what he wanted. That was my sausage for those who need to know or didn't figure it out. I left before the rest of the guys because I needed to get to school before the game. This was the time the coaches went over our plays and what they wanted us to do on the field tonight. Right after they completed their instructions we would head out to warm up. I looked up to the stand to find Jake sitting in the same spot as usual. My routine before the game was to find Jake and throw him a kiss. The guys have gotten used to me doing this; though they had started teasing me about it. If I even look like I am not looking for Jake some of the guys would actually tell me not to break from routine. The guys on the team have gotten used to Jacob and me. The fact that we are a couple and it doesn't bother them anymore as it did when I first joined the team. In fact we are always invited to go to the parties after the game. I go sometimes but not Jake. It isn't that Jake doesn't want to. It was because he had track the next morning. The game was an easy one for us to win. Once we started scoring, we didn't even look back and we won hands down. I finally broke the school record of most yards in the game. I ran for three hundred and eighty six yards and four touchdowns. The final score of the game was a blow out fifty two to three. In the locker room we celebrated the win. I knew Jake wanted to see me in my uniform after the game. He says he loves the way it fits me. I like looking at the other guys in the uniform as well. I love the way the uniform was so tight around the body and shows off their junk, so I know how Jakes feels. One day I am going to try to sneak off with an extra set of the uniform so Jake can wear it. I know he would look hot in it without question. I could then live out my dream of stripping the most handsome football player out of his uniform. Because of my having attained the record, Jake went to the party with me and we hung around the guys until midnight as always and headed home. That was normally when the party starts breaking up anyway. When we got home, Jake went straight up to our room and got ready for bed. He looked drained but there was something weighing on his mind as well. I didn't know what it was; I just hoped he would tell me soon. We cuddled up and went to sleep. Neither of us woke until the alarm the next morning. I had to literally pull Jake out of the bed to get him going. He seemed to be more worn out than normal; I think he was up most of the night. I cheered Jake on as he raced! I didn't know what was going on when everyone went up to Jake and surrounded him. I jumped up from my seat fearing the worse. Then I saw Jake being patted on the back from runners of the other schools. I knew he won the race as he had before. So why was this win so important to everyone out there right now? I kept looking around in hopes to get the answer. It came to everyone in the audience all at once. "Jacob Hernandez from Newman High School just broke the district and state running time in the mile. He now holds the new record." The crowd cheered for Jake, and I just looked for him. Just as my eyes found him, he was smiling up at me. Jake threw me a kiss and patted his chest where his heart was. I mouthed to him that I loved him too. Jake and the rest of the track team still had to run several more races. The record breaking wasn't done until the last race of the day. Jake broke another long held record in the hurdles. Now he had the mile and hurdle record. I was so happy for Jake. I only wish that I could have been down there with him. We both took records this weekend. He did it statewide, where I broke the school record. We just make a perfect couple. We are both over achievers not wanting to rest until we have our legacy in the sport in which we participated. (JACOB'S POINT OF VIEW) As I walked out to the track for my first race my head was not in it at all. I was half tired from staying out late last night. I didn't want to rob Joey of his record moment on the field. The guys on the football team wanted to celebrate with Joey. I felt good that the guys started treating Joey as an equal. The coach stopped and asked me if I was ok to run the race today. I told him I had no problem with running today. He allowed me to line up, but decided to put another runner in my races. I was pissed to say the least. The coach still doesn't trust me when I say I am ready to run. The first race, as always, was the mile. I lined up in one lane with my teammate on the lane next to me. I waited for the gunshot to be off. Once we started running I just zoned everyone and everything out. I didn't think about anything but the race in front of me. I took the lead from the very beginning. Some runners would rather not take the lead because the leader takes the wind and the rest of the runners behind are blocked from it. I didn't care; I wanted to come in first and if that meant killing myself, then so be it I didn't even notice how far ahead I was. All I knew was there was no one close to me by the second lap. By the third lap I built almost a half of a lap lead on the rest of the runners. Still I didn't even look at the sidelines of the track as I passed our school bench. I just stayed in my mind running the way I like to. Once I hit the fourth lap I knew I had the race won. I had more than a half lap lead on the rest of the runners. That was a pretty awesome cushion. I couldn't believe when I crossed the finish line all my teammates came running up to me yelling that I might have broken the district, and state record. The coach walked up and extended his hand for me to shake. "I told you I was ready to run! You need to trust your runners when you ask them a question and they give you an answer!" I shook the coach's hand and walked off the track. I couldn't get a breather from anyone on my team or from the other schools we are competing against. Then the announcement was made about me now having the record. I still couldn't believe it when the announcement was made. I looked for my Joey in the stadium. I wanted to share this moment with my boyfriend. I found him as he started throwing me a kiss. I threw back my heart to my better half. We still had several more races to run. This was not the time to let up from the competition . By the time I lined up for the hurdles, we had already won in the rest of the races to that point. I had this and one more team event to do today and I was done. The gun was fired and off we went. I can't tell you what got into me today. I will never make up anything; I just wanted to run. I am tall with long legs, which allow me to jump the hurdles pretty easily. Just as I did in the mile, I built a lead early on in the race. Once I did that I knew I had this race in hand. I didn't start the race thinking I wanted the record here as well but when it was done and the announcement was made that I broke the record in this event also, I couldn't believe it. We walked into the locker room to hear coach's speech then showered. I got dressed as quickly as I could. I met Joey at the truck knowing I had an afternoon of being ragged on. Joey and I walked through the door just as the rest seemed to be crawling out of bed. Beth called the guys down because breakfast was ready. All through breakfast Joey and I told the guys about the records each of us broke. I told about the success Joey had in his game on Friday. Then Joey talked about my run today. Everyone listened to us while we just complimented each other. I helped Beth clear the table of the dishes while Joey went up to take a nap! Just as I started heading up to join Joey, Andy stopped me. He needed to talk with me. So we headed into the study where all serious talks seem to happen. "Jake do you remember when I first moved in and I told you about this girl's house I was hiding in?" "Yes I remember, you told me it was your best friend's sister! Their parents caught you and asked you to leave!" "That's right, you did remember! Anyway I have been going out with her since I had been staying here. Last night I asked her to marry me!" I just sat there stunned with the news. Not that this was bad news but because Andy never mentioned how serious this really was and I still had not met her! "Congratulations are in order Andy!" I got up and hugged Andy as tight as I could. Right then I realized I was going to lose my older brother just as I had gotten him back. We didn't get along when we were growing up, but it all changed when he moved in here with me. "Don't be sad Jake I will always be here whenever you need me. You have a houseful of good friends that I trust will take care of you. I need to ask you for a favor though!" "What is it, anything, just name it!" "I want you to be my best man Jake!" Another blow to the mid section! I would have figured he would have asked Hector, his best friend, whom also happened to be the brother of my soon to be sister-in-law! "I would be honored to be your best man! When is the big day going to be for you two, to tie the knot?" "We still have not decided because I wanted Normal to meet you first. We all could sit down and discuss this together, but it needs to be before I ship out for basic training!" "Basic training? What do you mean basic training?" "I need to be able to support my wife and family that will no doubt follow. I didn't do well in school. That leaves the Army for me." I couldn't believe this. Andy was not only getting married, but he was also going into the military as well. What in the hell was going on here? This was going way to fast for me. "When are you shipping out, as they say, for basic Andy?" "The beginning of the year is my date to report to basic training." Light bulbs started going off in my mind. Our grandparent's are going to be up here from Thanksgiving until the New Year. It was perfect for my grandparents to be here for the wedding. I told Andy that and he agreed with me. He still wanted me to meet Normal and her family first. We agreed that I should meet Normal the next evening. We would go out and eat, just Normal, Andy, Joey and I. It would be too much for her to meet all the guys at once. I told Andy I would take care of all the arrangements for dinner, and to just worry about Normal and himself getting there. With that Andy left to meet up with Normal, and I went up to snuggle with my boyfriend. I only wish Joey and I could marry. What a perfect day that would be. I thought Joey was asleep when I walked into the room, but boy was I wrong. I opened the door as quietly as I could and then shut the door as quietly as I could. When I turned and saw Joey sitting on the bed. I almost tripped on my tongue that fell to the ground. Joey was sitting there decked out in full uniform from head to toe with padding and all! He had his jersey over his pads on his upper body. As I made my way to him, I got so hard my dick almost tore through my pants. He had his uniform pants on over his pads. They were laced and the belt was snapped closed. At this point I couldn't figure if he was wearing his cup or not, but he did have a bulge in the cock area. To top it all off, he actually put on the socks that cover all of his legs into the uniform and his sneakers. Instantly I got so horny I couldn't wait to touch my Joey in his uniform. I walked up to him as he stood. My dick hurt so badly! It just wanted out. Mid-way from the door to the bed, Joey stopped me. "I have a favor to ask you Jake?" "Name it Joey anything! I just can't wait to get into that uniform you are wearing." "I brought an extra uniform home with me I think is your size. I always dreamed of you in a football uniform as I strip it off for you!" I didn't know what to say. I didn't know how to put all the different parts on. I didn't think Joey actually had brought the pads and all. Joey went to the closet and started pulling the uniform out, pads and all! I stripped down to my boxer briefs and waited for Joey to show me how to put on the uniform. I had to put the t-shirt back on, but other than that, nothing else. Joey decked me out completely from head to toe in the football uniform. "Jake you need to get this down in order for the pants to go over!" Joey said as he started pressing on my dick. I did everything I could to bring my hard on down. Nothing worked! Still, I got in the pants and tied them up. Topping the uniform off, included the long socks and sneakers, but not the helmet! It would be hard to kiss through the helmets. I couldn't wait any longer. I was still surprised that we were able to get my dick in the pants. I was so damn hard I knew I was leaking a shit load of pre-cum. Joey and I started kissing, as we made our way to the bed. Before we got there, Joey looked at me. "Jake can we record this on tape? I really want to have this memory of you and me. I promise, this will not go anywhere! It will stay in this room between the two of us!" I just nodded my head in the positive. At this point my little head between my legs was doing the thinking. I needed to get my dick out of these pants into Joey's mouth. Joey hurried as quickly as he could to set up the video camera. With him running around the room in his tight as uniform just made things worse for me. If I was a dog, I would have just jumped his bones right there in the middle of our room. Finally Joey got the camera set up and came back. We picked up where we had left off. Before I knew it, Joey had his tongue down my throat. He was getting into this just as much as I was. Both of us felt each other's body as we kissed. I started tugging on Joey's jersey trying to get it off. Some how I got it over his pads! I undid the pads and tossed them to the side. I couldn't help myself. I went straight for Joey's chest. I started sucking on each nipple as I worked my way down his stomach. While I played with Joey's awesome chest, I kept rubbing his crotch. He didn't have his cup on; the bulge was all Joey. Joey started moaning really loud and I knew I had him. I undid his pants putting my hands inside playing with Joey's dick. I wanted Joey's dick so bad that I couldn't hold back any more. I took off his sneakers and socks. As I pulled off the uniform pants, Joey's dick popped right out leaking pre-cum. I took Joey's dick in my hands and gently kissed the tip. Joey moaned each time I kissed the head of his dick. He started grabbing onto the sheets of the bed and holding on for dear life. Still, I wanted to savor this moment so I licked Joey's dick up and down like an ice cream cone. I hadn't even put his dick in my mouth yet, but he was moaning like crazy. Taking some of the pre-cum Joey already leaked out. I used it as lubricant for my fingers. As I started taking Joey's dick in my mouth, I stuck my fingers in his ass. Each time I brought Joey close to climax, I stopped sucking on his dick. Joey stared to get frustrated because I did that several times. He begged me to let him cum, but I didn't want him to get off that quickly. The fourth time I brought Joey to the brink of his climax, and stopped sucking his dick, Joey actually picked me up and threw me on the bed. We started kissing once again before Joey took off my jersey. As I had done to him, he did to me. He played around with my chest for a while and then made his way down to my belly button. Joey started playing with my already hard as rock dick! I couldn't help myself thinking about the poor soul this uniform belonged to. No matter how many times we wash this uniform, the smell of sex will never come out. Joey undid the laces to the uniform pants and pulled out my dick. With out even taking the pants off, Joey started going down on my dick. The way Joey was going up and down on my dick, I could explode at any minute. Joey knew that I was about to explode. He flipped me over on the bed and pulled the uniform pants down halfway. I felt Joeys hand part my ass cheeks. The next thing I knew he had his tongue wetting my hole. Suddenly Joey flipped me over again onto my back. He threw my legs over his shoulders putting the head of his dick at the entrance to my love canal! Just as we had done so many times before, Joey gently pushed his dick in me until he was completely in. Joey kissed me gently on the lips while holding the back of my head. He started licking my lips with his tongue looking me straight in the eyes. I saw the love and lust he had for me. He wanted me so bad I was surprised he could contain himself. Joey slowly started pumping in and out of me, gradually picking up speed. Most of the time I have my eyes closed as Joey fucks me. But for some reason, this time, I opened my eyes. My legs were dangling in the air over Joey's shoulders, still with my socks and sneakers on. The uniform pants were just past my knees. Having the pants still partly on was a bit awkward as they acted like a strap across Joey's chest. The entire time Joey was pumping in and out of my ass, I was imagining, through Joey's eyes, what this looked like from his perspective. I actually got even hornier thinking about it. I still had the football uniform on while Joey was fucking me. Man that had to be so hot to see. Joey grabbed hard onto my legs letting me know he was about to cum in my ass. At the same time, I tighten my ass around Joey's dick, sending him over the top. Sure enough, I felt Joey shooting deep into me. He shot so hard I thought it might come flying out of my mouth. Joey clung to me trying to catch his breath. I couldn't wait any longer for release. I rolled Joey onto his back, spread his legs open, and dove down between them. Once I felt he was nice and wet, I entered him just as he done for me. I went slowly at first but gradually picked up speed until I got into a frantic rhythm! Joey started grabbing on my butt cheeks each time I went in. I looked down at Joey and he had his eyes squeezed tightly closed. The expression looked so handsome on him; I leaned in and started kissing him. It didn't take me long to reach climax. I already was so damn hard, I surprised myself that I was lasting this long. Just as I started shooting, Joey actually shot another load. Man I thought to myself `that Joey is some kind of cum machine'! As I finished shooting, Joey grabbed onto the back of my head. He pulled me down to his lips and started kissing me. When I shot my last shot into Joey, I collapsed on top of him. I was so wasted from the late night, running the track events, and now we had shared amazing sex. "You made my dreams come true Jake! Thank you babe for this day I will never forget it," Joey whispered into my ear as I rolled off of him. We actually drifted off to sleep naked, as was our habit. Well, Joey was naked I was only partially so. Neither Joey nor I woke again for several hours. A knock on the door was what stirred us for the first time since we had fallen asleep. Joey yelled out to see who it was at the door. The voice that came through the door was Beth's. She needed me to go downstairs because my mom was actually waiting for me. That brought me wide-awake immediately. I thought to myself `why in the hell won't this woman leave me alone'? Joey and I jumped out of the bed. I actually fell flat on my face when I stood up. I forgot that I wasn't completely out of the uniform. Joey stood there laughing his ass off at me. He helped me up as I pulled off my shoes. We both jumped into the shower. I didn't care if my mom had to wait. That was what she gets for not calling before she just shows up. Once Joey and I got dressed, we headed downstairs. I found my mom sitting in the den with Marie. Joey followed me into the den. We both greeted my mom and sister. Before we were able to take a seat, my mom got down to the reason of her visit. "Jake, the reason I came down was to see if you gave any thought of handing back custody of your brother Jeremy. That way we won't need to go to court if we can settle this in house." "Mom, you know I don't have custody over Jeremy, grandpa does. So on that you need to talk with him. You are not taking me to court; you are taking your own father to court." My mom just looked at me with anger in her eyes. I have gotten used to that look already. That was the only look she had given me for quite some time now. "Jake you have custody of Jeremy because he is living in your house. Just admit you took more on than you can handle. That way we can correct this before it gets out of hand." "Mom, nothing is out of hand in this house except you. Every time you walk in here, you are always in a bad mood. I told you once already, I don't want you in my house if you can't be here on good terms." My mom got up and walked over to me. She actually tried to hit me once again. I moved out of the way getting out of my seat. "You can leave now mom! This talk you need to be having with grandpa not me. Take care on your way home!" "You will lose, and when you do, you will have to pay for the court costs" mom spat out. "I will not lose mom. Again, the paperwork shows that you turned over custody of Jeremy to grandpa. I am signed onto the paperwork as giving Jeremy a home and all the care he needs." My mom never could stand being proven wrong. She will fight no matter what was at stake after she was proven wrong. I just don't understand that. I walked my mom and sister to the door. I Said goodbye to them as I shut the door once they made it out of the door! Joey didn't ask me what my mom was talking about in the den and I didn't tell him either. I just didn't want this to mess up the great day we were having. Right before dinner Joey came up to me and handed me a check. I looked down at it and it was half the cost of the house I had purchased for his mother and sister. I didn't want Joey to do this. For all intents and purposes, Joey and I are a married couple already. We share the cost of the house and everyone in it. By law we can't be married on paper, but everyone around us considers us so. We keep our money separate, but it isn't by choice. We have no other choice in the matter because under the eyes of the law we can't share bank accounts. We found a way around it though. We opened up a share account under both of our names. Each of us deposits the money that we earn off of the dividends of the stocks we are invested in. The main principal amounts Joey and I each have are kept separately. I tried to give the check back to Joey, but he wouldn't accept. "Jake please take the check from me. Let me pay half of the house where it was truly from both of us!" "Joey you know what is mine is yours. So when I spent the money on the house, I didn't spend my money, I spent our money." Joey wouldn't hear of it. So I had no choice but to take the check. I took the check, under protest, and put it the desk in the study. The rest of the evening went off without any additional problems. Most of the evening we spent in the game room playing pool in teams! Of course Joey and I are on the same team. Each time we would sink a ball, we would kiss each other. We have gotten so used to showing our affection in front of the guys; we didn't think twice when we did. At the same time the guys didn't give a rat's ass when we did. By eleven I was ready for bed. Joey and I went to our room and straight to bed. We did sit there talking over several things. Nothing big, just what it was going to take to get the house ready for Beth and Fran to move in. The last thing Joey told me before we drifted off to sleep was the uniform was mine to keep. Instantly my dick got hard once again. Andy looked like a chicken with his head cut off the next morning. The moment I got out of bed, he was running around the house. He was extremely nervous about the coming evening together with Normal, Joey and I. I don't know why he was so worried. Joey and I would not embarrass him during dinner. Andy left the house about four while Joey and I started getting ready. Once we finished and started heading downstairs, Andy walked in with a beautiful young lady on his arm. She stood around five six or so, with blonde long hair past her shoulders, a beautiful model's face and body! How in the world did Andy get her to say yes to marry him? Andy introduced Normal to me, but not Joey. I thought it was an oversight so I introduced Joey to Normal. This was the first time I had introduced Joey to someone, outside of our circle in this house, as my boyfriend. It actually didn't feel wrong when I did that. Actually, it felt DAMN right !!! The look on Normal's face told us why Andy hadn't introduced Joey. I really didn't think she liked the idea that Andy had a gay brother whom was living with his gay boyfriend. Who cares; I sure didn't anymore. Joey IS my boyfriend and makes me happy to be alive. I will never trade this feeling or guy in for anything in the world. I grabbed Joey's hand as we walked out the door to the cars. Andy decided to take two different cars. I thought that was weird because that was the main reason we all met at the house. All through Dinner Normal wouldn't even look at Joey or me. Anything we asked or would say she wouldn't acknowledge. If she would look at Joey or me, it was a blank stare. I saw Andy actually jabbing Normal a couple times so she would respond to whatever we said. I finally got fed up with her attitude of being superior to Joey and me. I didn't walk out on Andy; I have too much respect for my older brother. I just simply didn't say anything for the rest of dinner. That would save all of us from having to deal with each other. Boy I couldn't remember the last time I was happier to see a night end than that night. We said our goodbyes in the parking. Andy and Normal walked to their car as did Joey and I. On the way home I talked to Joey about other topics than Normal. I knew if we found our way into that topic, well let's just say it would not be a good conversation. (ANDY'S POINT OF VIEW) All through dinner I couldn't believe the way Normal was acting towards my brother. I didn't know that she didn't like gay people. I though she had several friends that were gay but you couldn't tell by the way she was acting towards my brother and Joey. I needed to talk with her about this. Once she marries me, this was what she would get. This was the complete package that comes with me in marriage. I will never disown or say Jake isn't my brother. He has always been there for me. I need to be there for him. I was wrong in not introducing Joey when I was introducing Normal to my brother. I knew my brother loved Joey with all his heart. When I did that, I saw the hurt and sadness on Jake's face. I saw the same look of hurt on his face throughout dinner. I did everything I could to get Normal to talk with Jake and Joey. They respected her all the way, but she didn't return the same respect. Jake and Joey tried every way to get her into our conversation, but she just didn't want to talk at all. I opened the door of the car for Normal to get in. I walked around to the driver's side and got in myself. I started the car just looking straight ahead. As we were leaving the parking lot, I saw Jake and Joey coming along side of us. I honked and waved at my little bro, he waved back at me. Normal still lives at home with her mother on the central side of town. While we were making our way to the freeway neither of us talked. Normal just kept looking down at her lap. I could see she was trying to think of a way to say something. I wasn't going to wait, however, for her to find the words she was looking for. "Normal just spit it out whatever it is!" "You don't want me to, as you say, spit it out! You will not like what I have to say!" I just looked at her getting angrier by the minute. What does she have to be mad about? She was respected all through dinner and then some. I have all the reason to be angry and she knows that. "I don't know what in the world is going through your mind right now, Normal. All I know is that you disrespected me and my brother all evening long!" I said opening the door for what needed to be said. "Since you are set on having this conversation right now, let's have it. I don't want your brother at our wedding or him to be your best man. You never told me he was gay and was living with his partner. Andy, what did you think was going to happen when I found out about this? You know the way my family thinks and the way I was brought up." "No sir, we don't have gays in our family. If you have a brother that is, then he will no longer be your brother the moment we get married. You need to get used to that from this moment on, Andy" Normal said putting it all out there on the line. I couldn't believe what I was hearing as Normal started putting her foot down about my brother. She actually wanted me to disown my brother. She wanted me to become like my mother towards my brother. What did she have in her dinner that makes her think I am going to do that to Jake? "Normal, Jake is my brother for good or bad. He didn't choose to be gay nor did Joey. You didn't even give them a chance this evening. You wouldn't even look them in the face all night. You wouldn't even say one word to them either. I know your parents brought you up better than that. They told you to respect everyone around you. You failed at that so badly this evening, I can't even tell you all the ways." "Now you are giving me this do it or else kind of ultimatum thing. If I go against you, what, we are not going to get married?" I looked at Normal as she looked straight out the window. Not even looking at me to answer the question I threw out there. So I continued; "Jake is my brother and yes he is gay. I will not only have him and his boyfriend at my wedding! He will be my best man. I will not disown him once I get married either with you or anyone else. Jake is my brother I will always love him as such." "So here it is for you as plain and simple as it can get. You want to marry me and make a life together? Then you must take all of what I come with. That includes my family. If you can't do that, then let's call it quits right now and go our separate ways!" Normal didn't say a word the rest of the way to her house. I knew she was thinking about what we talked about because of the look on her face. I didn't even give Normal a kiss when we reached her mother's house. I wanted her to really think about what she had said and demanded of me. No one in his or her right mind would do what she wanted me to do. I drove off from Normal's house thinking about what just had happened. I just got a taste, a very small taste, of what Jake goes through every day of his life. The anger, hate, and just plain ignorance of the facts about gays! I now have even more respect for my brother. I also now can see a little bit of what he goes through. The next person I see or hear having something bad to say about my brother, or just gays in general, had better think twice before saying it in front of me. If they do, they will be lucky to just walk off with a word or two from me, and their own teeth intact. (JACOB'S POINT OF VIEW) Joey and I just changed from dinner when Beth called up to me that I had a phone call. I walked down stairs to find out who it was. "It's you grandfather! This makes the second time he has called for you this evening." "Thank you Beth; I will take it in the study!" I picked up the phone on the desk in the study. We went through our normal greetings and then got down to business of the phone call. I could tell he's wasn't happy. "Jake I know this isn't your fault at all, but we need to find a way to get your mother to end this court thing! Neither of us needs this kind of crap right now!" "Do you think there is a way my mom is actually going to win this?" "No. There is no way that she can! I have confirmed this with my lawyers in the last couple of days. It just that taking family to court isn't a good idea!" "I am not the one that is doing this. What in the world does she want from me?" "We'll have talked to her on that. Maybe you did take on too much way too soon. We should take a step back and rethink the whole Jeremy living situation. What do you think?" "I say no and my mom has no right to come into my home telling me how to run it. If she doesn't like it, so be it. She can stay away and never come around. To be purely honest with you grandpa, I rather she didn't come around my house anymore! Every time she does it's just to yell at me." "Ok, she gave us another road to take on this Jake. She fears having Jeremy in the house with at least two gay couples will do more harm to Jeremy than good. She actually thinks one of you is going to harm him or misuse him. I don't even want to go there. Anyway she offered to drop this court proceeding if you and Jeremy move out of the house into a house of your own!" Grandpa said laying it out. "Grandpa, you knew the answer to that question before you asked. You didn't even need to present it to me. I will not leave Joey or this house! Look, with all due respect, grandpa either you are behind me on this or you are not. As of now my mother is no longer allowed around my home or me. If I have to go to court and have it done legally, I will." "Jake I didn't say these things to get you angry. I am just trying to find a way to settle this problem before it gets out of hand!" "Grandpa, it has already gotten totally out of hand and you know what? I am tired of it! The preliminary court hearing is tomorrow and I will deal with it then. Placing an emergency injunction against me? Screw that!" "Jake call me after the court proceedings and let me know what happens. I have an attorney that is going to meet you there. We will fight this to the end. I know I did right by doing what I did with Jeremy and you." We said our goodbyes and I hung up the phone. I know my grandfather was stuck between a rock and a hard place on this. He wants to settle this problem before it gets way out of control, but I feel it has gotten there already and it was done by my mom; not me. I heard the guys talking and joking around outside in the hallway. I was not in much of a mood to join in. My life was so screwed up, by my mom and now my brother's soon to be wife. I really have nothing to cheer about! I couldn't sleep at all. I just kept tossing and turning all night long. I finally just got up and sat in the chair next to our bed. I loved looking at Joey when he sleeps. The sheet was half way down Joey's body. And with the moonlight coming in the window I could see Joey perfectly. His hair tossed around from turning around in the bed. He had a half-cocked smile, but his lips are always moist and rosy red. I loved the way his chest moves as he breathes and how defined the muscles are on his chest. You could actually see the six-pack he has gotten since he joined the football team. Joey now was more defined in muscle mass than ever before. No hair on his chest or abdomen to speak of, except his treasure trail. All of a sudden Joey's eyes popped open looking straight at me. Joey licked his lips before he spoke. "Jake, babe, what's wrong? Why are you sitting over there instead of sleeping?" "I have so much on my mind Joey, I can't get to sleep." Joey swung his legs out of the covers and over the side of the bed looking at me before he got up to walk over! Just as he got maybe a foot away, he kneeled down in front of me grabbing a hold of my hands in his. He started brushing up and down my arm, as he looked straight into my eyes. "I love you so much Jake, I can't stand being away from you for a second! I can't stand seeing you like this. Your mother just drives you up the wall every time she visits. Then she gets your grandfather all fired up as well." "I know you are worried about tomorrow. No matter how many of us tell you not to worry, you are still going to worry. Gloria has no chance in hell on winning tomorrow and she knows that. She is just trying to make your life a living hell because she can't control your life anymore." "Please babe, come to bed with me and get some sleep. We will deal with her in the morning at court together. I promise she will not push your buttons." Joey got up and extended his hand. I grabbed hold of it as he pulled me out of the chair. We walked back to the bed holding onto each other. Joey crawled into bed first and I followed. I cuddled against Joey putting my arm around his chest. While Joey pulled the sheets over us, I rested my head next to his. Breathing in his smell can calm me down from anything that is bothering me at the time! Before I knew it, I had drifted off to sleep. When my eyes opened again I saw the most beautiful face in the world! Joey was shaking me awake. I must have not heard the alarm go off. I jumped out of bed and headed into the bathroom. Joey and I stood in front of the mirror of our his-and-his sinks brushing our teeth butt-naked but we surely didn't care. I like getting my eye candy in the morning. As soon as I finished brushing my teeth I jumped into the shower with Joey on my tail. We took a quick shower, but of course also had a little fun. The minute we were dressed we went down and ate breakfast. Beth saw that Joey and I were in a hurry so she started clearing the table as we finished eating. Grabbing our book bags and heading out the door, the phone rang. I ignored it due to running late already. Beth yelled out to us and that the call was for me. I needed to take it! I walked back in throwing my bag against the door. Walked up to the phone to see who it was, surprised to find out who was on the other end. It was the secretary of the judge who we are going to be in front of today. She actually had good news for me. "Jacob Hernandez this is 179th District Court. The Honorable Steve Henderson looked over the case file over the weekend. He likes to know the facts of the case before he walks into court, and more so when there is an emergency injunction being filed before him. " "He decided, based on the file and paperwork, that Ms. Gloria Hernandez signed her legal rights of her son Jeremy Hernandez to her father and she no longer has any say in the up bringing of her son. The judge did look at the incident of Jeremy running away the first weekend. But Jeremy really never was out of your sight for more then ten or so minutes. Kids of Jeremy's situation do things like that, and the judge understands that." "Taking that into consideration the care package you have put together to take care of Jeremy, and the main fact Ms. Hernandez signed away her rights, the judge will not entertain this motion at all. So Jacob you don't need to come to Court today because it has been cancelled. I'll sent all this in writing to your attorney of record and you." I couldn't believe how luck could turn on a dime. I thanked the judge's clerk and hung up the phone. I immediately called my attorney to make sure this wasn't a trick of some kind. My attorney confirmed it was for real and, for now, it was over. As soon as I got off the phone I told Beth and Joey what happened. They were as happy as I was about the end result. My mom didn't even have a chance to take this in front of the judge. He didn't want to hear anything about our petty arguments. That brightened up my day that was for sure. When Joey and I walked into the cafeteria David was surprised to see us. When I explained to him what happened he patted me on the back and repeated to me the same thing everyone had been telling me all weekend long. I knew I had some catching up to do because I had missed Friday. But it didn't bother me at all. It really wasn't that hard to catch up with my morning classes. By lunch I had already caught up with all the morning classes. The only homework I had so far was the normal Monday homework. I really think the real reason I didn't have much of a problem catching up in class from Friday was because Fridays everyone including the teachers slack off. Joey reminded me there was a promotion board going on and I needed to be there, as he did, since it involved his company. We almost had to run to get to the ROTC building for the board. The range was already set when we walked through the door. Also the staff that sat on the board was sitting there waiting for Joey and I to arrive. I took my seat in the middle and gaveled the board to order. This board should go fast due to it being just NCO'S up for promotion. As always Loraine gave them hell when it was her turn to ask any questions. I just stared at her trying to send a mental message that she never receives. If the promotion the cadet was going for involved the cadet needing to drill a formation, we would form a squad of cadets in the range for them to drill. We need to find out if they not only have the knowledge but the know how to drill a formation. As each cadet goes through the board, the board decides if the cadet gets promoted. The only time the battalion commander votes in this procedure was if there was a tie among the board or if the battalion commander feels the denial of the promotion was not warranted. The battalion commander can't over ride a decision of the board if the decision was for the promotion. To this day I have never needed to break a tie or override the board's denial. I always agree with the board no matter the taste it might leave in my mouth. But this last cadet I couldn't stay quiet on. While the board was doing its part on questioning him and having him drill, I was looking at the cadet's files. The poor guy had been skipped over for promotion four times already. In my opinion he deserved each promotion he had been up for. I couldn't find a real reason why he kept being denied his promotions. But this was the first time he was in front of the board. As soon as he was done he was dismissed to go and wait for the board decision in the small classroom. The members of the board started talking among themselves. It sounded like it was not going his way. Joey was fighting tooth and nail for this guy, but was loosing the battle with the board. The decision was made and they were about to call in the cadet. I held them from calling the cadet in and asked what the decision was. Loraine spoke, not allowing Joey to speak. This was his company so he should have been answering that question. "We have denied his promotion Jake!" "On what grounds did you deny his promotion Loraine?" "He was just not a leader, that plain and simple!" "Sorry to disappoint you Loraine, but we don't run this board like that. He didn't miss one question you guys asked him nor did he mess up in the drilling part. His record was excellent to say the least. No Loraine you guys are wrong on this one!" The board just looked at me as I spoke to Loraine. They called in the cadet to give him the bad news. Right as Loraine was about to deliver the news to him, I stopped her. "I am going to use the power I have as Battalion Commander with this cadet. Major Luavano please takes your seat. Cpl. Alexander the decision of this promotion board was to promote you to the rank of Sergeant First Class. Will the Company Commander please present the cadet with his new rank?" Joey got up with a big smile o his face and walked over to Cpl. Alexander. He shook his hand and presented the new rank to him. As Cpl. Alexander took the rank from Joey's hand, he started tearing up. The poor guy didn't even think he would get this promotion; that it would be as it has been in the past. Now he got it and he doesn't know what to do or say, Joey walked him out to the small classroom as I dismissed the board. Loraine was not happy with me overriding the decision of the board. But tuff shit. She will need to learn to live with it. Joey and I left the range heading to enjoy what was left of our lunch. One of many things Joey and I agree on is this. Whatever happens as far as rank in ROTC class we will never talk about it after the fact. We never want our decisions made in any class or after school event to be changed because of the way we feel for one another. Still, as we walked out of the building I looked over at Joey and saw a big smile across his face. I wasn't paying much attention to where, or whom I might be walking into. Because I wasn't paying attention to where I was going I actually knocked into someone. I looked up to see a familiar face. I just couldn't place the name right away. He shouldn't feel bad because I am very bad with names. "Hello Jacob how are you doing?" "I am doing pretty good, and you?" "Just trying to hand in some forms that Major Moore needed from me." I just kept looking at him trying to remember his name. His name was on the tip of my tongue. It just didn't want to finish coming out. "You don't remember me do you Jake?" "Believe it or not, I do remember you, just not your name! I have a bad thing about names. But I can tell we have spoken many times! I met you last year!" "Wow you do remember details just not names. I will give our Battalion Commander a break and tell you my name once again. Joshua!" "Damn how I can forget your name of all names Josh, the son of the sitting Governor. One of your brothers graduated last year and the other was on Battalion Staff this year. Damn, I can't even remember his name. Carlos, that's it, our Battalion S4!" "You got it Jake you got it. Don't feel bad you forgot my name, I don't. Plus you forgot my brother's name and he is on your Battalion Staff." I couldn't help but laugh at what Josh just said. He doesn't act any different than when I first met the kid his freshmen year. Even now his father was more important than when he was in the military when I met him. I always would think they would follow their father to Austin once he was elected. Josh told me he needed to talk with me, but he needed to hand in the forms and be back in another class before the bell rang. I told him to hit me up whenever and not to hold it against me again if I don't remember his name. Josh chuckled as he left. Joey waited for me while I was talking to Josh. He looked as confused as I am about the whole `I need to speak with you but I have no time' thing!" "What do you think he needs to speak with you about Jake?" "I really can't answer that Joey! He looks scared about whatever it is. I think the poor guy was questioning who he was right now!" "If you are any kind of a gay guy or girl you know he is gay. The girl he continues to go out with is gay from what I gather. I think the true relationship is between him and that other kid!" "See you're just as bad with names as I am! You are right and we will see about whatever the guy wants to talk with me about when he his ready." We walked to our locker to get our afternoon books. I knew what Joey was talking about, but at the same time. this kid Josh talked to me in confidence. I promised him that I would not tell a soul whatever he trusted to me. (DAVID'S POINT OF VIEW) I hate Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays because I have to go and see my therapist. Beth comes to school and picks me up to go to the appointments. I know Jake was paying for this therapist and that was the only reason I was going. Jake believes in me getting well. As soon as I get to the office, my therapist was already waiting on me. That's another reason I dislike coming here. I feel I am always running late. I walked in, and as always took my seat on the couch. "So David how was your weekend?" "Everything was fine with me and the house!" "I know you don't like talking about yourself. We need to break through that before all the emotions pile up inside you again. I know what the police report says, but I want to hear you tell me." "Doc I just can't relive that night. It hurts me way too bad. I would rather just lock it away and forget it ever happened." The doc got up and walked to his desk and placed a cassette in the tape player and walked back over to the chair where he had been sitting before. He looked at me with a weird look as he sat down. "David you know sometimes you can be somewhere, doing something, and just a sound will set you off. A sound that you heard that night when it happened could take you all the way back there. If you haven't dealt with these demons, and that sound that clicks the memory for you it will be a huge break down that will probably take years to come back from. That is why you can't just put it away in the back of your mind as if it never happened." The doc grabbed his remote to the radio and pressed a button. Soon after he hit the button, music started playing. The music that started to play was the music I heard that night at the club. Though I didn't go in, it was loud enough I could hear it outside. Then the music started fading away and noises from the street replaced it. At the same time footsteps on the sidewalk and breathing as if I was walking to my car again. Then I heard footsteps behind me as if someone was following me. A loud honk made me turn my head to see who was behind me. I pulled my feet off the floor and curled up in a ball on the couch. The doc saw me do that and started asking me. "David, tell me what you're feeling. What are you seeing right now David?" "I am scared, I am so scared my heart is about to jump out of my chest. The music, the horns, the foot steps, stop it, stop it all!" "Breathe in slowly David, catch your breath. I will protect you don't worry! Tell me where you are right now and what is around you." "I am walking down Oregon Street downtown away from the club. The music is fading away but I hear footsteps behind me. There are several people following me. I'm scared these guys are going to hurt me. Please take them away, please take them away!" I tried to curl more into a ball for protection. I even somehow grabbed the cushions off the couch to build a protective barrier between my attackers and me. My heart was beating so hard! It felt like it wanted to jump out of my chest. "David can you look behind you and tell me who is following you? David look, now look behind you and tell me who is following you!" "They're three kids, no four, no there is five kids my age, maybe younger. The last two just walked out of an alley. I am so scared doc, please come and get me, PLEASE!" "Those kids are not going to hurt you anymore David! You need to face them David and tell me what is going on!" "I am shaking so bad I can't even get my keys out of my pocket. Man I'm glad I see the car. I know if I get to the car and get into it, I will be safe. I just need to get to my car! NO, LET GO OF ME PLEASE LET ME GO! They got me again they are pulling me away from the car again. Someone please help me, HELP ME PLEASE!" "David take deep breaths, those kids are not going to hurt you again. Just breathe and take your time. Just breathe slowly and tell me what is going on." "I am being dragged into an empty building. I am trying everything to stop these kids from hurting me. They kick my hands off the doorframe I am holding on for dear life. I know I am going to die in here. These kids are going to kill me in here!" "David they are not going to hurt you at all. You need to just look around and fight these demons off. Fight these guys off as they do this ugly thing to you." "They are still dragging me into a dark room. My hands are hurting me really bad from them kicking me and from my nails coming off. Man my hands hurt! We must be wherever they want to be because they stopped dragging me." "PLEASE, OH PLEASE LET ME GO! DON'T DO THIS TO ME, PLEASE LEAVE ME ALONE. PLEASE DON'T TOUCH ME..." "David, come back to me. You are not in that warehouse anymore. You are in my office sitting on my couch talking to me." My heart was beating so fast as I opened my eyes; I thought I was having a heart attack. At the same time I was shaking so much, I was surprised I was still on the couch. As doc was trying to hand me a Kleenex, that brought me fully back. I looked at the doctor with a puzzled look on my face. I must have been confused because he needed to explain to me why he was handing me a Kleenex. He point to my cheeks and eyes. All the way down the side of my face was wet. I must have been crying when I was talking with the doc. "How are you feeling David?" I looked at him and actually smiled. Something happened because I feel lighter some how. I don't know what it means, but I feel lighter. "I feel better then I did when I walked in the door of your office. What happen to me doc?" "You remember me telling you a sound could trigger those memories!" "Yes you were talking about it before you played the tape." "Well David I went over to the club the next night after you were there. I followed everything you said in the police report. From the music playing, to talking to the kids outside the club, to walking to your car afterward! I recorded the sounds of that night and put in the sounds of the footsteps you might have heard that night." "What actually set me off doc? It couldn't be talking to the guys or the music because I have heard and done that since that night!" "It was a combination of sounds that triggered your memory. To my best knowledge you must have gotten scared and realized something was not right when you heard the footsteps and a horn going off. Once those two things happened David, it took you right back to that night." "Wow I need to watch out for those two sounds then!" "Not really David! You probably will never again in your life get that scared and hear those exact noises at the same time. Still keep in mind this was not perfect science. Also you discussed a lot of what happened that night today. The more you open up about that night, the less it will affect you in the future. Keep in mind this one thing David, TRUST!" I just looked at the doc and smiled. I did feel better than I did when I walked in. And the word TRUST means my close personal friends and family but not every stranger in the street that walks by me. I don't think I will ever trust strangers again. "Well David we accomplished a lot today so let's call it a day and see you back here on Wednesday. Be proud of yourself and what you have accomplished here so far." I got up from the couch and walked to the mirror to make sure all the tears were gone. I shook the doc's hand as I walked out of the office to meet Beth. For the first time driving home, Beth and I talked. We talked about my father and how it was growing up in the house of a now state judge. (JACOB'S POINT OF VIEW) I knew something had changed with David when he walked through the door. He seemed a lot happier than he had been for a long time. To tell the truth, I have not seen him this happy since the days leading up to the day D.G.R. That was what we call that day. Beth had dinner ready in less then an hour. I can tell you I am hungry as hell. I'm actually the first one at the dinner table, that was how hungry I am. Beth just looked at me and smiled as she started putting the bowls of food on the table. I figured everyone was hungry tonight, because if you had blinked, you wouldn't have seen all the food disappear from the bowls. Within minutes the main trays and bowls on the table were empty. It only took us about ten or fifteen minutes to eat everything on our plates. I don't think any of us actually took the time to chew the food before we swallowed it. Once I cleared my plate off the table I went to the study and called my grandfather to let him know what happened. He was happy to hear the judge didn't even give the time of day to hear out my mom in court. He says this tells her to leave things alone. The minute I got off the phone there was a knock at the front door. At first I thought it might be my mom. Everyone actually took cover when they heard the knock. Joey and I are the only ones standing. I yelled out to the other guys. "You all are cowards for hiding from a woman!" I opened the door and breathed a sigh of relief. It was the Miller's standing at our doorstep. I immediately invited them in introducing them to Joey and any guy that popped his head out from wherever they were hiding. I couldn't help but laugh at the whole scene. A bunch of teenage boys are so scared of my mom, that whenever there was a knock on the front door, and they think it is her, they go running for the hills. The Miller's came over to let me know they had lined up a moving company to start moving them out on Wednesday of this week. They should be completely out by Thursday without question. I thanked them for letting me know and walked them back to their car in the driveway. They are an older couple and it was dark outside. I didn't want them out there alone. The week started to go by fast. Before I knew it, it was Thursday already. Today I had to head to Tec High and see what the problem was about our newsletter. The teacher there called Major Moore telling him he needed to speak with me as soon as possible. Major Moore relayed the message to me. I decided to head down there during lunchtime. Fierro went with me for the ride. I think he was seeing his senior year going way too fast and he wanted to get involved with as much as he could before the time was up. I found the classroom with no problem. When we walked in, the damn room was hot as hell and noisy. The machines all going at once, I was surprised anyone in here could hear a thing when they walked out of the room. Walking through several rows of printing machines, I found the teachers office. I knocked on the door and to my surprise, there sitting at the desk, was a new teacher. He waved us into the office. When the door shut, all the noise went with it. It actually was nice and quiet in the office. "Yes my name is Jacob Hernandez. I was told you needed to see me!" "Yes Jake my name is Mr. Walters. I will be here for at least the remainder of the year. I have been trying to get a hold of the person that is in charge of the newsletters from the ROTC program in the El Paso District. I have been told that is you sir." "Well I put the deal together with the old instructor here, but each school has their own person in charge of their newsletter." "Still I have been directed to speak with you, and to my surprise you are a student. I find that pretty weird to say the least!" I looked at Mr. Walter's with a look, as I don't give a shit. All I want to know was why he called me over here. It surely wasn't to shoot the breeze! I think he got the hint. "Anyway Jake, we have a billing problem. Some of the schools are not paying their bills to us. I hate to do this to the schools that are, but if we don't get paid in full by the end of the week, we will no longer be printing any of your newsletters." "Mr. Walters as I said I am only in charge of my school. Even then I am not in charge of payments. That goes through whatever channels at the school. Students don't touch the money of the program. That would lead to a huge mess." "Nevertheless Jake I was told you are the man to talk to. So I am talking to you and letting you know what is going on. Here is a list of schools that have not paid their bill yet and the amount. Please get back with me by the end of the week." The son-of-bitch waved us off like trash. Man does that piss me off. Who in the hell does he think he is? Some kind of king that has summoned his subjects! Fierro and I walked back to my car and made our way back to school. We grabbed something to eat on our way back. I knew I was going to need to make special trips to these schools and get payment. We were lucky right now that our newsletter isn't there at the print shop being held for ransom. The rest of the day went by fast. We didn't have practice for the rest of the week because we didn't have races this weekend. The coach figured to give us a rest. I knew my day was not going to get any better as soon as I drove up to the house. Parked in the driveway was a police car. I just started freaking out. Who was hurt now, was it Jeremy because he was here all day long. Is it Beth because Jeremy flipped out again? Could it be one of the guys like David or Chase? Then the worse thought crossed my mind, Joey... TO BE CONTINUED... {Is Jake ever going to catch a break? Here he is a high school student doing things adults don't even do. From his mom constantly on him, to everything in house, and to school, he never seems to catch a break. Talking about Jake's mom, do you think we have heard the last of her on the issue of Jeremy? I really don't know if that is the case. She might be even madder since she didn't get in front of a judge. David is making some headway in his therapy. It seems the doctor broke through to him finally. Still though, he needs to talk it out more and deal with the demons as his therapist told him. Poor Andy having to deal with his soon to be wife! She just does not like gay people and she didn't hide it. Will Andy keep true to his word or back down if Normal actually throws the gauntlet down? I really hope so for Jakes sake he's as stand up a guy as he said.. Now we need to worry why the police are at Jake's house again. They should just move in a substation in the house for as much as they are there. Why are the police at Jakes house though? SO many twist and turns in this story, we don't know if we are coming or going anymore! Stick around there is a so much to answer in the chapters to come. Stick around and keep reading the future chapters, and enjoy! Please email me and let me know how I am doing at jacobmillertex@aol.com, Thanks!} EDITOR'S CORNER: Did that Judge give Jake's mom a bitch slap or what? Hey there are some good judges out there. I wish they all were like this guy. Can you believe Grandpa even suggesting Jake move into his own place to take care of Jeremy to get his mom to back off? He got the fast reply on that and shouldn't have been surprised at all. Beth is a true blessing to the entire household. How will it go once she moves into her own house? David had his first break through. That was the toughest part..getting that first huge step taken. David being the strong character he is, I think will come back from the rape and ultimately be his old self again. Emotional scars from such a brutal attack never go away completely, but people learn to live with the scars and still have happy lives. David is lucky. He has a partner that loves him and is dedicated to him and a whole extended family for support. Even with all that, David has to take this journey on his own. There is nobody that can take the steps for him. Well, I expect one of two things to happen with Andy; he's either going to be back looking for a mate or he's going to bring Normal around to right thinking and her family with her. Jake was there for him when Andy needed him and he's gained a lot of respect and brotherly love for Jake. Andy may have had some problems in the past, but I bet he's going to be just fine with this challenge. Well, I don't know about you guys, but I'm ready to see what's next in the saga. Until next time, stay well and take care of those around you. "Daddy" Rick