Date: Mon, 12 Jul 2010 10:52:51 -0400 (EDT) From: jacobmillertex@aol.com Subject: Jacob Finding His Way: Chapter 37 {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. Any similarity to any other 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 any way, shape or form without my expressed consent.} Written by J.P.G. Chapter 37 (JACOB'S POINT OF VIEW) Hanging out at the house on Sunday proved to be more tiring than I thought it would be. By the evening all I wanted to do is just rest in front of the television. Just as I sat down to do so, the phone rang. No one seemed to want to answer the phone, so I drug myself off of the floor to make my way to the phone. When I answered the phone, to say I was surprised, would be a lie; Mr. Anderson was actually on the other line. "Well good evening Mr. Anderson. To what do I owe this surprise call?" "Good evening back to you Jake. Sorry for calling so late in the evening. I just got some news I felt you and Beth needed to hear." "Let me get her so you can talk with us both at the same time." I went and found Beth about to head out to her house. Beth and I walked to the study to have some privacy. On the way I grabbed Joey to be there for his mom just in case the news was bad. "Mr. Anderson I am back with Beth and Joey. I asked Joey to join us because Beth is his mother and should be here for her in case what ever news you have to deliver is bad." "That is fine with me Jake. Good thinking on that front." The greetings were taken care of as we took seats around the desk. I could see the fear in both Beth's and Joey's faces. I think they thought this was going to be bad news. I really didn't think it was, because of the tone of Mr. Anderson's voice. I have gotten to know him, and his voice was telling me it wasn't bad news. "Well I better get down to business with you all. I do not want to take too much of your time on a Sunday evening. I just got a call from the district attorney from Arizona, and he had some good news that he asked me to share with you guys." "They have finished their investigation into the circumstances before, during and after the death of Mr. Alvarez. Combined with the records we had here they felt it was a homicide, but justifiable." The line went quite as we looked at each other. I think I knew what this entire thing meant, but I really didn't want to jump to any conclusion; however Beth beat me to the punch in asking. "Mr. Anderson what does this mean. Do I have to make a trip back and turn myself in?" "No Mrs. Alvarez, you have it all wrong. Justifiable homicide simply means that it was a murder, but you had no choice not to do it. Your husband was beating on you and your daughter. Because of that, you had to defend yourself. You tried to beat him off, it did not work. You used death as a last resort in this matter." "So that means this is all over then?" "That is correct Jacob, it is over. Mrs. Alvarez you are free from this man once and for all. Please in the future never let it get this far again." "Trust me Mr. Anderson, in the future I will never get myself, or my family, in this kind of position again. I am happy the way I am now." "Good to hear that Ms. Alvarez, good to hear that! By the way Jacob I heard what you did for Alejandro Garcia. You keep surprising me every time I turn around. First you and your grandfather ask for us to go easy on those guys that beat you. Now you walk into court and do something short of remarkable." "I hope you are right Jacob and there is a future for Alejandro Garcia. He is young, but sometimes these guys cannot be saved." "I can understand that Mr. Anderson. I just felt that a second chance needed to be given to Alejandro. I really don't know how he lived or was brought up. All I know is that it is up to him now where he is going in life." "Your to nice of a person Jacob. But still I understand where you are coming from. I really hope he doesn't let you down on this chance that has been given to him. I talked with the judge and he told me if it weren't for you talking on his behalf, he would have kept the regional decision in place." "Well I better let you go Jacob. You're a better person then I am. If you ever need anything, please call on me and I will help you out. Take care and be careful Jacob." "You as well Mr. Anderson, take care. Good bye and I will keep in touch." I felt pretty good after we hung up. Not only that Beth had nothing to worry about anymore, but also that I knew that I didn't burn the bridge with Mr. Anderson. I thought I might have done so when I went and spoke on Behalf of Alejandro Garcia. Joey and Beth left the study and I stayed. I decided to write a letter to Alejandro and tell him the true reason why I did what I did for him. As soon as I finished the letter I headed up to bed. Joey had already headed up by the time I left the study. When I walked into the room, I did my business in the restroom, undressed, and crawled into bed with Joey. I curled up next to him, pulling his body into mine, resting my head next to his. Before I knew it, I was out. (JOEY'S POINT OF VIEW) I have not seen that kid that put the moves on me since that day in the shower. For that I am thankful he hasn't been around. Still I am always looking around the corners, making sure I shower with the guys after practices, and most important thing is that I am never alone. As always, after practice, I met up with Jake and the guys for breakfast. Today though it felt different, I cannot put my finger on it. Just as I sat down, Heather came up to speak with Tom, You could see it made David very uneasy with her here. For those who don't remember what the deal is with Heather Fuentes and Tom, let me remind you. Heather is the cheerleader that Tom went out with when he tried to sell everyone that he was straight. After months of dating her, he broke up with her. After that he worked very hard on getting back together with David. Now she is coming out of the wood work. "Hey guys I want you to meet Heather Fuentes, Heather these are the guys..." Tom went down the table introducing us to Heather. It seemed as if they are friends of sorts. But at the same time David doesn't look like he likes the idea that Heather is around Tom once again. I would like to know what this is all about. Before heather could even sit down, that kid from the shower walked up to the table. I knew without a doubt my face turned white the minute he walked up to the table. Standing right between me and Jake, he spoke up. "So these are your friends Joey? Why don't you introduce me to them?" "Simply put, you are no friend of mine and that is why! So please leave me and my friends alone!" "Come on Joey, this isn't a way to treat someone that held you in their hands. You know what I mean by that!" Jake got up from the table standing face to face with the guy. The look on Jake's face told you the anger that he has in side for this guy. Before I could even react, Jake pushed the young kid so hard. He went flying into the other table. "You little fucking piece of shit, if you value your life, you will leave right now! If you don't, I will kick your ass so bad, you won't even recognize yourself when you look in a mirror." You could see the fear in the kid's eyes as he looked at Jake. I have never seen Jake that way before. Even the time when he walked into the restroom with me and the other kid or when he walked in on Tom, David, and I. I think Jake was getting tired of this, and I was not giving any other reasons to believe me anymore. "Look I do not want any trouble with you! I thought there was something going on between me and Joey. He and I had a thing the other day in the shower. Not my fault he miss led me to believe he was available when he isn't." "You're the only one that made moves. I never once returned any of the advances you made towards me the other day in the shower. I should have beaten the shit out of you that day. You little creep!" "You were looking at me first. That is why I made the moves on you!" "No matter if you are straight or gay, you look at others. I look all the time, but I never touch. I have my boyfriend that I love with all my heart. No matter what you say or do, that will never change." "Trust me when I say this, I always get what I want. I know guys like you, you just can't just look. You must have!" The kid just walked off not looking back even once. Jake sat back down not saying a word to me at first. Each time I looked over at him, I could see he actually was shaking. I could swear I saw tears starting to roll down his cheek. I really hope he doesn't believe what this kid was saying. I can't lose Jake over something I didn't even do. For the first time I am one hundred percent not guilty of wanting something with another guy. I only want Jake. We sat there listening to Heather and Tom. David looked as uneasy as I am right now. Why is Heather even sitting at our table talking with Tom? They have not been together for a long time. I have not even seen them talk after Tom decided to come clean about being gay and having a boyfriend in David. I will get to the bottom of this. (TONI'S POINT OF VIEW) I just sat on the stoop of my front steps watching as people walked in out of the house. There were police officers in uniform and in plain clothes. None of them game me the time of day. I figured they saw this kid, so who cares? As I just sat there watching, I fell into my own thoughts as I always do when ever I get scared. That is the only place that makes sense to. The only place I can think things out without any one bothering me. I got jolted out of my thoughts when I heard someone asking me to move out of the way. I didn't even feel the person patting me on my shoulders to move. I moved off the steps of the house to let others go back and forth. Just then, the coroner brought out my grandparents. They got loaded in back of a black van. The coroner wouldn't let me go with them. At this point I didn't know what to do. I knew these police officers were not going to let me stay alone in the house. "Hey young man come here please!" I turned around to see who was calling me. I didn't see at first who it was. There were just too many people roaming around the yard. It was hard to know who was actually talking to whom. Once again I felt someone patting me on my shoulder. "Are you Toni Llamas?" I just shook my head up and down to acknowledge the question. "Well Toni I know you are feeling very lost right now, and there is nothing I can say to y help you feel any better. My name is Janet Young. I run a group home just a couple blocks down from here." I just stood there looking at this middle age woman. At least she looked middle aged to me by the way she dressed. Her appearance made her look middle aged, but her face told another story. With glasses sliding down her nose, the white hair already showing in her bleached hair, the wear and tear of miles all over her face. The clothes were the only thing making her look younger then what she was. "If you do not mind me calling you Toni, you can call me Janet." "Yeah you can call me Toni." "Toni this is no place for you to be right now. They have done everything they need to do in the house. So why don't you grab some clothes, your school books, and what ever else you feel you need and come with me." "Where am I going Ms. Janet?" "Right now we need you to have a place to stay. You cannot stay here alone no matter how you feel. Monday we will figure out if there is any other family that wants to take you in. We always want to keep family members together." "Trust me, there isn't anyone else. My grandparents didn't even want me when my parents died. So, if this group home is a temporally thing, you should save your time and send me to a permanent place." "Toni if we find no other living relative out there. You will be staying at my group home. Please do not worry about anything at all. Get the stuff that you feel you need to have, lock up the house, and come with me please." I didn't know if I could trust this lady, but I had no choice. I ran up to my room, Janet followed me. She looked around my room with a look of surprise. There were no posters on the wall. Just a single bed in the corner, with one dresser, and my closet wasn't filled with much. Basically everything I had filled just two bags. Janet followed me around the house as I secured it. I closed and locked every window in the house. Making sure everything was off, including the television. I locked the back door and then headed out the front door locking it also. Janet led me to a van. It really didn't surprise me that she drove a van because of her running a group home. After putting my stuff in the back seat, Janet asked me to sit in front with her. I did as I was told. All the way to the group home, Janet talked to me about it. She seemed to be a really caring person. I just don't want to get my hopes up with her, and then be taken away from her as well. This was going to be my fourth house in the last six months I would be staying in. I really don't believe it is going to last either. As we drove up to the house, it didn't look half bad. It actually looked like a house, which it was. What I mean is I thought I was going to be taken to a building of some kind, not an actual house in an actual neighborhood. I got out of the van and looked around. At first glance it seemed to be a nice place. But as they say, don't judge a book by its cover. I followed Janet into the house. All the way in, she kept talking about the kids in the house. I would not be the youngest one in the house, nor would I be the oldest one in the house. There should be kids in the house that she believes I can become friends with. As we walked in, it looked like everyone in the house was there to greet her. She looked surprised to find them standing in the hallway. "Well since everyone wants to meet the new member of our family. I will take this time to introduce him to you guys. Everyone this is Toni Llama, Toni this is everyone." No one said anything, they just looked at me. It made me feel as if I was an animal at the zoo that they paid to see. I didn't like the feeling at all. I started to shake, though I tried to hide that. "For now you guys get back to what ever you were doing. Please though, find time through the day and introduce yourselves to Toni. Make him feel at home. Remember how it felt when you first arrived. That is how Toni is feeling right now." As the guys began to scatter, I noticed there weren't any girls in the house. I wondered why there weren't any girls in the house. Before I could ask, Janet held back another kid my age. He didn't look happy being held back by her. "Neil I need you take your new roommate up to your room. Help him get settled and then show him around the house. Please be nice to him Neil. He is already as nervous as can be, so no horror stories." Neil didn't say a word to me. I just followed him up stairs to the room where there were four beds. They are actually all bunk beds. I thought it was pretty cool to have bunk beds. Neil pointed out which bed and dresser was mine. He really didn't say much more to me accept to stay away from his stuff. Neil didn't even give me a chance to unpack before we got moving again. He showed me the kitchen, where we ate, and where the television was. That was when he just sat down and started watching T.V. I decided to head back to the room and settle in. After making my bed and putting my stuff away in the drawers, I walked back down stairs with a book that I was reading when my life changed once again. During dinner I found that we all ate together. The chores around the house were shared and written on a schedule in the kitchen. Since I was new, I wasn't on the schedule yet, so after dinner, I went back up stairs, cleaned up and laid down on my bed. I wanted to read my book, but the thoughts of my grandparents kept racing through my mind. Although they were not nice to me, they were my grandparents. I lost them and it felt bad. It seems as if any one I come in contact with, dies. I couldn't get the thoughts out of my mind. Those were the thoughts that were going through my mind as I went to sleep. After breakfast the next morning, Janet asked to see me in her office. I walked in and took a seat. "Well Toni I know this is all new to you and you probably feel lost here. Give it time and you will get use to being here. One way I know this move is going to be smoother for you is that you will not be changing schools. If fact you are closer to the school you are going to living here. So you will be attending the same classes as before." "I would normally like to have you go to school with out missing a day. But tomorrow you will need to sit down with a social worker, and I hope, a guardian ad-litem. That way they can help you out on whatever you may need. Tuesday, however, you will be returning to school. I want to make sure there isn't a lot of change in your life. Please try to get with your friends and do the normal things you do. Your friends are more than welcome here anytime." "Yes ma'am, thank you!" The rest of the day I was left alone. The others seemed to stay away from me as if I had the plague or something. I started thinking to myself, no matter where I am, nothing changes in my life. No one wants to get near me or talk with me. (TOM'S POINT OF VIEW) I pulled Heather aside from the rest of the group. I needed to find out what was up her sleeves. Why in the world did she decide to come and sit with us out of the blue. I am in love with David, and I know David wasn't comfortable with her at the table. We walked over to the corner of the planters we use to sit at win we were together. As before she got up and sat down leaving me to look up at her. I really didn't care at this point. I just needed to clear the air with her. "Heather what's up with you? You have never before wanted to hang out with me and my group of friends. Why do you find a need now to hang out with us?" "Tom I was wrong from the beginning not to hang out with you and your friends. If the football team can adjust and become friends with Joey, and accept you, I do not see why I can't do the same." "Heather you didn't even give me any warning to let David and the guys know. You just sat down and joined the group as if you have been part of us since the beginning." "I didn't think you minded. You introduced me to everyone and allowed me to just get into the groove of things. I thought you were accepting me as part of your group." "I didn't want to be rude Heather. You should know that about me by now. I will never disrespect or make someone feel unwanted if I can help it. You made David feel very uncomfortable during breakfast. And no he didn't say anything, I could just tell." "Look Tom I am sorry for doing that. I really didn't mean to do that to him, or you. I know where I stand with you. You are in love with David. A blind mouse could see that. I will never pull an Elizabeth on you. I want to have you as a friend. I told you that when you told me about being gay. I didn't go out telling the world what you told me. I let you do it as you felt comfortable doing so." Heather and I sat there talking for another five or so minutes. I cleared the air with her and knew she truly wants nothing more than a friendship. After leaving her, I made sure she understood she was more than welcome to hang with us. Now I need to make sure David understood it is nothing but a friendship. This is going to be a hard job to do. Knowing David, he already was thinking that I was trying to return to the way I was over a year ago. David tends to always over think things. I think that is why he and Jake get along so well. They both do the same thing. I found David at our lockers. Just by the look on his face, I knew I had my work cut out for me. I walked up to him, leaned in and kissed him. At first he didn't return the kiss. Finally after a few seconds, he did. David was the first one to speak up. "I know you didn't know your ex was going to join us for breakfast this morning. I don't hold that against you at all. I also know that I would not lose you ever again. All I ask is that you give me time to get use to her being around." "That is all I was going to ask. If you can't get use to her being around, just say the word, and she is gone. You are the one I love, you are the one I want to be with, and you are the one I will always make sure is happy. I talked with Heather and told her that. Which I really didn't have to do, she told me that she saw it in both of our eyes. The love we have for each other cannot be hidden. All she wants to be is friends. She feels bad for doing this at first, and wants to correct it now." "I love you David and I will do anything make you happy." We didn't need to speak anymore about the subject. We walked to class ending the conversation I thought was going to be a hard one to have. It ended up being the easiest one we have had so far in our relationship. (ANDY'S POINT OF VIEW) I couldn't believe what my mom just told me over the phone. Jake really made sure she couldn't do a thing about the house. I can see why he did that, but still. What in the world am I going to do to give Normal the wedding she wants? The money isn't there to do that for her. I walked over to where Normal was looking at table planters for the wedding. She looked so happy there looking at her dream wedding. This was going to be difficult news to deliver, but I needed to do it. Just as I walked in the room, see looked up at me with a smile. I smiled back at her as I sat down on the couch. "Normal we need to talk sweat heart." "Okay you are getting me worried Andy. The only time you say sweat heart is when something bad needs to be discussed." "It is bad news that's for sure. I really do not know how to say it, but to say it straight out. I just got off the phone with my mom and she had bad news. She was going to get a lone on the house, but Jake set it up where she would need his signature on the paperwork in order to do that. Of course he isn't going to do that." "What the hell is your brother trying to do? He wants to control everything in our lives doesn't he? I am getting tired of him holding things back." "Normal we are asking him for a lot of money. I can understand where he is coming from. You asked me to disinvite him from the wedding, but yet you and I still want him to give us money for the very wedding he isn't welcome to attend. He is a very smart guy, and a guy that doesn't take well to being hurt." "So what are we suppose to do about this? Go over and kiss your brothers ass to get the money." "I think the money is out of the question now. I really think he isn't going to give us one red dime for the wedding no matter what we do or say to him. We burnt that bridge and we won't be able to cross it again. Well let's just say he will see right through us. I am as guilty in this as anyone. I should have stuck to my guns and not disinvited him from the wedding. Now I am at odds with my entire family except my mom. And let me tell you how weird that is. Jake is the one that has been there for me all the times when things went wrong in the house. Even when he didn't have this money, he snuck me back into the house when my mom kicked me out. I then turned my back on him. I love him no matter what he does in his life. I want my family at my wedding. Not just my mother. The way things are set up right now, it is going to be just my mother." "What do you think we should do then Andy? Call off the wedding?" "We don't have the money to have the wedding you want. I don't want to hold us up from getting married because you won't get any benefits from the military once I go in. What we should do for right now is have a small wedding with the justice of the peace and later on after saving up enough money on our own. We can have the wedding of your dreams." Just as I finished what I was saying, Normal got up and walked off. The next thing I heard was her slamming the door to our room. I knew now she was very angry with me. I don't see any other way out of this. I really want to marry her, but I also want my family there the day I get married. I will make the first step with this. Even though I feel it took both of us, Jake and I, to bring our relationship to this point. Still I will be the better person and go over to talk with Jake. At least I can hold my head up high once I do that. (JACOB'S POINT OF VIEW) During lunch Heather joined our table once again. I really didn't mind at all. David looked like he was also taking it better. That was telling me that he and Tom had a talk about it. Heather might be around, but Tom really does love David without question. Lunch went by way to fast for my taste. I couldn't believe the bell was ringing already. Although I really don't know Toni that well, I noticed he hadn't been around. I was getting worried. Joey pulled me out of thought as we headed to our lockers. "I can probably tell you what you are thinking right now. You are worried about Toni aren't you?" "Yeah we haven't seen him all day. I actually looked for him in the places where I found him before. I didn't find him any where." "Don't worry, it is probably something simple. He is a lot younger than us. Remember how we were when we were thirteen years old, skipping classes all the time!" Joey slapped me on the back laughing as we got to our lockers. He was right about that. I know I did my fair share of skipping school. It just didn't sound like Toni. School was the only thing that poor kid had going for him right now. The afternoon classes were dragging until ROTC. Right after roll call, Major Moore called me into his office. I knew it wasn't about the news letter or the Mid Year Drill Meet. Those were still a month away. As I walked in, I waited for Major Moore to let me take a seat. This time he didn't. He looked like he actually was in a rush to get this conversation over with. Like he had somewhere else to be instead of here! "Mr. Hernandez I am getting a little worried here. You have not kept me informed about the banner. What is going on with the banner sir?" "I am sorry Major Moore; I really don't know what you are asking me." "The banner you promised to have made for our sponsor. You know the one that is going to be in front of our teams as we march in the Thanksgiving parade this year." I completely forgot about that banner. I hadn't even looked into it. "Major Moore I have completely forgot about that banner. I will get right on it and have it done by Wednesday sir. Sorry for this, it will not happen again." "I believe you when you say it will not happen again. Get on top of it and have an answer for me soon. I do not want to pay an arm and a leg for that banner. It could be for only a one time deal. Plus it is only a month away." We continued talking as we walked out of the office. We stopped at the door that entered into the large classroom. He explained how he needed to get going to a meeting in the main building. He really didn't look like he wanted to go to this meeting. I went back to the classroom as he went out the exit that led into his office. The rest of the day went off without a hitch. Always, when we get close to the holidays, the students and teachers seem to care less! We all are counting down the days to our holiday vacations. Just the second six weeks exam was waiting for us in a month. As soon as I got home I grabbed the phone book. I had no idea who to call for this kind of banner. So I just started dialing stores I thought made the signs. After my fifth call I finally got directed to the right store. With that information, I looked them up and found many others. By the third store, I got a pretty good price for the banner that was needed. Now I have to get someone in the battalion that was good at creating a banner from scratch. Putting words on a banner is easy. Just the drawing to grab the attention of the viewers was my specialty. I will look for a cadet tomorrow to come up with the wording. Joey walked in and called me in for dinner. I love when my grandma cooks. She and Beth have been taking turns each day on who was cooking. But my grandma has this old style of cooking like no other I have ever tasted. Just as we finished, the door bell rang. We all looked at each other, and then we heard the door open. Now that had gotten my attention. Everyone that lives here or visits was sitting around this table. That included Tom. So who in the world was walking into this house? (TONI'S POINT OF VIEW) This weekend was the worst for me. I was kind of happy when I woke up this morning. At least the weekend was over and I was one day closer to spending the days away from this house at least. No one here seems to want to make friends with me here. To top it all off, I am not good on making friends at all. I had breakfast with everyone, but they headed off to school. I went back up to the room I was staying in. Maybe about an hour later, Ms. Young called up for me. I joined her in the office. As I walked in I noticed another person sitting there. "Toni let me introduce to you Ms. Catherine Perkins, a guardian ad-litem. The social office had her appointed to over see your personal business. They want the transition to go as smooth as possible." I just looked at Ms. Perkins. She seemed to be a loving person. But looks can be deceiving at times. I will listen to her and see what she has to say. I knew I was stuck in here no matter what. "Toni I know you are scared and really don't know what is going to happen with you. That is why I have been assigned so quickly. I have your file and see what we are working with. This file, by the looks of it, isn't much to work with! I see you are adopted and the grandparents that past away were from the adopted family. I also see where your real mother and father are at. Have you been told about them by your adopted family before they past?" "Yes they told me everything years ago. There isn't really any family on either side. Really you guys won't find any family on either side. You have tried before, but no luck doing so. Then to make matters worse, both of my parents gave up their rights as my guardians when I was born." "Wow, this is going to make my job easier. Most adopted parents never tell their adopted children they are adopted, or if they do, they never tell them about their real family. With them telling you this, it is going to easier for me. Look, I am not going to lie to you at all. You are probably going to be here for a long time, probably until you turn eighteen and you move out as adult at that time! The reason I say that is, if we try to place you with a family we are going to have to be rough on them. Let me explain what I mean." "Your adopted father was in the military, so when he died, he left a stipend for you until you turn twenty-one. Your grandparents were receiving that money. Now we are going to set up a trust where that money will be placed. Whenever you need something, aside from the money given by the state to Ms. Young, we will get it from this fund. You and I will sit down when ever that is needed. Plus you father had insurance. Because he was in the military, and died in the service of the country, the insurance paid off. Your adopted mother was named first, in case you past, you were next. Also you mother knew she was sick, so she had life insurance. Both of which paid off and will be set in this trust fund. Let me make this clear to you Toni. Your adopted family set you up pretty well in case they left this world in an untimely manner. With their wishes, and the law of this state, you cannot touch the money until you are twenty-one. Even then, you will not be able to touch the money completely. Every four years it releases a set amount to you." "Your college is already taken care of. All you have to do is graduate high school and choose the college you want to attend. If anything comes up between here and your twenty-first birthday that you need to touch the money, you will need to come to me and we will see if it is needed. Do you understand everything I am telling you Toni?" "Yes ma'am I understand what you are telling me. Why can't I know what the amount is in my trust fund?" "You may know that, but we don't want you telling others in this home that you have money coming to you. Also the amount that is coming to you, if people find out this stuff, they do stupid things." "Ok I understand what you are trying to protect me from. Trust me no one here wants to even look at me. So I have nothing to fear here. Out there I have a small group of friends that do not need any money. They have plenty of their own." "Toni what do you mean the kids here do not want to even look at you? Have they hurt you in any way honey?" I looked up at Ms. Young. She had a look of concern on her face. I haven't seen that look of concern for me since my mother, my adopted mother I mean. I really do miss someone actually caring for me in anyway. "No ma'am they have not hurt me. Just they act as if I have the plague or something. It could be that I am new. Also it could be because I do not make friends that easily. My friends at school pretty much approached me and asked me to be their friends." "I would like to meet these kids. They seem to be very nice young men. They haven't asked anything of you that may be considered wrong?" "No ma'am it is completely friends. I have nothing they want. They are smart, they have quite a bit of money, and they are happy with who they are. No, they just saw me sitting in the hallway one day. They came up asked me to eat with them, and the rest is history." Both Ms. Young and Ms. Perkins looked at each other. Finally Ms. Perkins spoke up first. "Ok Toni I want you to go to school as normal. I will take care of your grandparent's funeral. Which isn't much because their other kids are stepping up and taking the rain on the funeral. I am expecting a fight on the money, but they will not win. There was a will left by both of your parents, which left everything to you. By the way that includes the house Toni. Your parents actually paid for the house and the house was in their name. That means the house in yours. I do not want you making decisions right now. Think about what you want to do with the house. I will talk with you again in couple of weeks. If you need to talk with me before then, here is my card. It has both my number in the office and my home phone. Call me day or night about anything. I really mean anything Toni. No matter how big or small you might think it is." I took Ms. Perkins card as she got up to leave. I thanked her for everything promising her I wouldn't tell a sole about the money my parents left me. Ms. Young just looked at me with caring eyes. I knew she is worried about me. "Toni let me know if you are having a hard time here. I will be checking in a lot more with you than the others. You have had a bad hand dealt to you. It is time for your luck to turn around once and for all." "I promise Ms. Young to let you know if I need anything. I am use to others not giving me the time of day. I get through the day by drowning myself in my books." Ms. Young still had a worried look on her face as she excused me to leave. On the way to my room, my mind just wondered all over the place. I wondered why my parents left me everything. I know I was their son, but not their blood son. They could have left all their belongings to their brothers and sisters, if not their parents. (MS. YOUNG'S POINT OF VIEW) I couldn't get myself to work on anything else after Toni left my office. My mind couldn't stop worrying about him. He was only thirteen and all alone. Toni had gone through so much already in his short life since he had been on this earth. First his parents never wanted him. They are now in prison and will never see the light of day. So they gave their only child up without a second thought. I would have at least put in there somewhere in the paper work, that if they located their real family Toni could go and live with them. But no they just didn't care one way or another if their only son lived or died. Then there were his adoptive parents. They were taken away from Toni. The father died in the military, and the mother died of cancer. I wonder if the adopted family got Toni the minute he was taken from his parents. They named him, and had him, since birth. Then to make matters worse, when he lost his only parents he had known in his life. No one wanted to take him. I truly believe the only reason his grandparents took Toni in was for the money. And that is a shame. Why aren't there people in this world that just care because it is the right thing to do? Oh no, I am not going to let this kid down! He has had too many let downs in his life already. He needs someone steady in his life that will care for him because he is a wonderful person. Not because he has all this money or getting paid by the state. I will need to find out about his schooling. The little I know is that he is a very smart kid. Thirteen and already a junior in high school! His parents had him in a special school for his gift. I will look in on that and see if I can get him back in that school. There is so much I need to find out about Toni. Every step of the way I will clear everything with him. It is his life, he needs to have a say in it as well. No matter what, I will take him under my wing and protect him as my own. (DAVID'S POINT OF VIEW) After all the hoopla during dinner, Tom and I headed up to my room. I wanted to spend private time with him. More then just cuddling, I wanted to make love with him. Not because of Heather. I have wanted this for a while, and my therapist thinks I am ready. I was warned to take it slowly and to stop if it becomes uncomfortable. As I closed the door to my room, Tom headed to the bed. I followed right behind him. We almost reached the bed at the same time. Gently I pushed Tom onto the bed and started to kiss him on his neck. Tom pulled me away from his body with a concerned look on his face. "David are you sure you are ready for this? I can wait until you are. Because I don't want you to feel I am rushing you in any way to make love." "I know you are not rushing me to make love with you. I want to try and make love with my boyfriend. I have wanted to do this for a while now. All we have to do is go a little slow, that's all." I believe that satisfied Tom's worries. He let go of me with a look of surprise. I slowly went back to kissing him up and down his neck. Tom looked even extra good. He had a shirt on that showed off his chest and his pants. Well let me tell you if you never believed that a person could make you fall in love with them by just looking at them, well you haven't seen Tom in his jeans. I slowly kissed up his arm until I reached his right hand. I licked each finger of his right hand until I had each of them in my mouth. I moved to his left arm and hand. Did the same thing to his left as I did to his right! After getting my fill of his large hands and fingers, I turned my attention to his chest. I slowly moved his shirt past his chest, then over his head. Tom was laying there on my bed glowing. His chest glistened with the light of my room shining down on him. I took a few minutes to just stare at this hunk of a guy. With every muscle moving in his chest I didn't know if he was actually flexing for me, but I liked it. My eyes started moving down to his well-defined six-pack. Just like his chest, I could see every muscle. No hair anywhere on his body, except his treasure trail. I just wanted to eat Tom up. I leaned in and started playing with his chest. His nipples were already hard and I was making them even harder. Sucking on each of them, I went back and forth. I didn't care if I gave them equal time; I just wanted to have him. Tom started to moan louder and louder as I played with his nipples. I started to move my hand down until I reached the promise land. Tom was already hard as a rock. His dick started fighting with the jeans that covered it. I wanted to free Tom's dick so bad, but at the same time I didn't want to rush this. I slowly kissed my way down to Tom's belly button. Licking in and out of his belly button made him go even crazier. "If you don't stop babe, I am going to cream my pants before you can get to it. Please take it out and take care of it. I don't want to lose my load in my pants!" Ignoring Tom I kept licking his belly button. Tom kept moaning and moaning as I stuck my tongue into his belly button. I did this for a few more minutes then made my way to his waist. He wasn't wearing a belt today. That was going to make it even easier for me to get to his gift. I didn't even bother to unbutton Tom's jeans. I started licking his dick through the jeans. He was so hard now I could actually see the outline of his dick through his jeans. I just kept sliding my mouth up and down his shaft. I didn't know if it was my spit or his pre-cum, but his jeans were starting to get soaked. I got up to allow Tom to catch his breath. I lifted his left foot and undid the laces to his shoe. I removed the shoe, but left his sock on. I did the same thing to his right foot as his left. Once I finished taking off his shoes, I made my way back to Tom's waist. Slowly I unbuttoned his 501's and pulled them off. With Tom's help by lifting his butt from the bed, I removed his jeans in one quick motion. There he was on my bed, just his white boxer briefs and white socks. Tom's dick straining against his briefs wanting to be set free! I was more then willing to let it free. I leaned down, as I did before. I licked up and down Tom's shaft. Leaving on his underwear, I actually started sucking him off. Without thinking, I pulled Tom's dick through the pee hole. Now standing at attention for ne to see was Tom's dick. I started go down on him as he started to moan even louder. I started to worry that maybe the others in the house were going to hear him. I wanted to go up and put my hand over his mouth, but didn't. His moaning was actually making me hard as he did it. If I didn't watch it, I would blow my load in my pants before my dick got free. As I got into my rhythm, going up and down on Tom's dick, I struggled to kick off my boots. Boots were the wrong choice of shoes to put on today. I really didn't care. Some how I got them off, and then started working on my pants. Tom didn't even know I started stripping down. He had his eyes closed tight. I knew that he was getting close to exploding. His toes were curling up. I wanted to taste Tom, but at the same time I wanted to try and get further than last time. Without skipping a beat, I got up taking off my pants. Like second nature, I pulled off my underwear in one motion. Tom still hadn't opened his eyes, so I decided to give him even a bigger surprise than he had gotten so far. Slowly I lowered myself onto the tip of Tom's dick. Just as it got to my entrance of my butt, I slowly let Tom's dick enter. Right as Tom's dick entered, I felt him grab a hold of me. A feeling I longed for, for a long time. Tom sat up, stretching his arms around my lower chest. While I slowly went down on to Tom's dick, Tom started kissing my neck. I was so into the screwing part, I didn't even know Tom started to talk to me. I got Tom's entire dick in me. I rested a few moments before starting. Tom didn't even expect me to start when I did. I started slowly going up, and then down on Tom's rock hard dick. Little by little I picked up my speed and got into the rhythm. Once into the rhythm, I started moaning as well. Tom was hitting my sweet spot. Each time I go down on him, my dick just jerks and gets hard. I don't even have to touch it to keep it hard. "If you don't slow down babe I am going to explode! Please babe I want this to last, slow down, please just slow down!" Tom started begging me to slow down. I sat down on top of him, allowing him to catch his breath. As he caught his breath I looked and saw how hard my dick was. I could bust a nut right there and not even touched my dick. All of a sudden I felt Tom beginning to pump his dick inside me. By the third full push it was all it took. I started shooting all over the floor in front of me. Shot after shot after shot. I couldn't believe the amount of cum that was coming out of me. Just as I finished Tom started to scream out. "I am about to cum, fuck yeah babe this feels so dam good. I am going to cum..." That was all it took. Tom started shooting inside me. The first three shots I felt hit me so deep inside I thought I might actually be able to taste it in my throat. That is how hard Tom was shooting inside me right then. Just as he finished shooting, Tom pulled me down to lay on top of him. I love the way Tom's sweaty body felt against mine. It just felt so normal to me. He makes me feel so safe whenever I am with him. Tom wrapped his arms around my stomach pulling me in closer to him. All I wanted to do right then was crawl inside of Tom and stay there. As Tom tried to pull me in even closer, he started kissing my neck, whispering into my ear as he kissed it! "Words can't explain how you make me feel whenever we make love. You make me feel like more than a man, you make me feel as if I am the only one on this earth. I love you for that. I know we will never lose this closeness we have." I didn't say a word to him. I really didn't know what to say. Simply put I wasn't too good with words. All I do know right now is Tom makes me feel the same way as he says I make him feel when we make love together. I feel that way every minute of every day when I am around him. Tom looked like he didn't want to get up at all. I knew different. I knew we needed to get cleaned up before anyone came a knocking trying to find out what all the yelling and moaning was all about. I got up pulling Tom with me. We headed into the restroom locking the other door leading into Chase's room. As I locked the door, Tom got the shower going. Once the water was at the right temperature we got in together. I washed Tom up and he returned the favor. At the same time, both of us got hard again. We got hard while the other touched the others body. Tom fell to his knees to take my dick into his mouth. I couldn't believe I forgot how great it is having Tom's mouth around my dick. He makes me tingle from head to toe. It didn't take long for me to reach my second climax of the night. I warned Tom I was about to explode, but he didn't care. He kept my dick in his mouth and kept bobbing up and down on me. Then it happened, I just exploded again in his mouth. That climax felt just as good, if not better, than the first one did. As my body slid down the wall of the shower, Tom caught me. He pulled me up towards him until our lips touched each others. We went into a kiss that was so awesome I felt I had started walking on water in the shower. I was brought out of my thoughts with something warm splattering between my legs. At first I didn't know what it was, and then I figured it out by the look on Tom's face. I didn't even have to touch him for Tom to reach his second climax of the night. I looked at Tom with a big smile across my face. "Thank you for everything you are to me Tom. I love you so much cannot breathe without you anymore." "No need for any thanks at all. I want to be with you for the rest of our lives. I will do anything to make that happen." With that we cleaned ourselves up the second time. We hurried up and got out of the shower after hearing a knock on the door. Chase's voice pierced through yelling to save some hot water for him and the rest of the ones that need to take a shower. Tom and I laughed rapping towels around us unlocking the door. Chase opened it looking in smiling at us. "I am glad to see you two are having fun, but do it on your own dime. I have needed to use the restroom for a while now." "The restroom is all yours my friend," Tom was barely able to say between laughs. We walked back into the room, got dressed before heading back down. I hope everything is cooled down and the fighting is over. I cannot stand being around so much yelling. Jake loves the world, but there is a time Jake has to set down his foot and mean it. (TONI'S POINT OF VIEW) The rest of the day I explored the rest of the house. I needed to figure my way around the place since no one else was going to show me. I found a stairway in the back leading into the kitchen from the upstairs bedrooms. I explored the house as much as I could before the first group of kids returned from school. Once I heard them, I headed back up to my room, not too really hide, but I really didn't want to deal with them. They didn't like me, so why should I have to deal with them. What comes around goes around as they say? I sat there reading my book when I felt someone hitting my mattress. Lowering my book, I looked to see who it was. I recognized the guy, but I hadn't talked to him at all since I arrived Saturday afternoon. "Ms. Young and the staff want all of us in the yard. It is our normal weekly meeting with them. So come on and get yourself down there so we don't get in trouble." Laying down my book on the bed, I jumped down and followed the kid. We walked to the back yard where everyone was already sitting. No chairs or anything, just where ever there was a spot to sit down was where you sat on the grass. Ms. Young ran the meeting. She went over the rules, well the rules that keep being broken. The other boys that were not doing their chores, she actually pointed them out. That would make me feel very small. Now knowing that she does that, I will make sure to do my chores on time. Several of the staff took turns speaking before Ms. Young got back up and spoke again. This time I knew what she started speaking about was meant for me. "This group of boys is the best group of boys I have had in this house. You guys are polite and respect one another. No matter if it is physical items or the feelings of each other, you respect each other. We are a family after all, but my staff has seen a change. When they told me about this change, I couldn't believe it at first. Then as I observe since yesterday, I saw it as well. No matter who the person is, we have always taken in the new person as one of our own. If I were Toni, I would think that everyone here is nothing but snobs. You guys are acting like snobs. What ever your problem is with Toni, get rid of it. Take him in as you have with each other. I don't want to see what I have been seeing the last couple days. Also when I asked Toni about it, he didn't say a word. In fact he had nothing bad to say so far about the house. Let's keep it that way." Everyone looked at me as she finished talking. I kind of felt uncomfortable when she talked about me. I couldn't believe Ms. Young actually told the guys what she told them. I really hope they don't hold it against me. Ms. Young excused us for dinner. Pretty much all of us raced to the restrooms to clean up. I waited for everyone to finish where I didn't find myself with them. I didn't know how they were going to react with what Ms. Young had said. My roommate Neil actually came to let me know the restroom was all clear. While washing up for dinner, Neal walked in. I looked over at him starting to shake. I really didn't know what the guy was going to do or say. Was he sent in here by the others to give me a good talking to? "Toni I understand you are friends with Jake and his group. Is that true?" "Yeah Jake and the rest befriended me a couple weeks ago." "That's a cool group to be part of. Although they are not the popular group, but pretty close! Then there is the fact Jake and his boyfriend are wealthy as hell. Jake doesn't show that he has money, but he does." "I really can't say. They have never spoken to me about their money. Plus I have never asked. They treat me with respect and took me in as a friend, I have no reason to question them in anyway." "Well do you know what Jake has gone through?" I looked at Neil and had no idea what he was talking about. I nodded my head no to his question. Neil just looked at me and started telling me everything. I couldn't believe what Jake had gone through. I thought I had a hard life. Compared to Jakes, It has been a cake walk. Neil and I kept talking as we headed down for dinner. For the first time since I got here, I felt some what comfortable. I know that sounds weird, but it only takes one person to open up and talk to someone else to break the ice. I wouldn't have figured my friendship with Jake and the guys would make me popular here in the house. Although the guys wanted to know as much as they could about Jake, I didn't say much; I didn't really have much to say. I haven't known Jake for that long to have any gossip about him and Joey. Even if I did, I wouldn't spread it around. After dinner Ms. Young spoke with me. She told me I handled the guys well when they wanted to know about Jake and the guys. She had no idea they were the friends I was telling her about earlier this morning. After finding out they were the ones. She had no objections to me hanging with them. In fact she thought it might do me good. After talking with Ms. Young I started to head to my room when Neil stopped me. He asked me to join him and the rest to watch television. I really didn't care, so I said yeah. Neil and I went to the dining room to join everyone else in front of the television. Since I really didn't watch much T.V., I didn't care what was on. All that mattered to me was that they were accepting me. I will always think if it weren't for Ms. Young, they would have never accepted me. Would they have ever even talked to me? I figured those questions would never be answered, so I better stop asking them. (JACOB'S POINT OF VIEW) I got up from the table to see who just walked into the house. As I walked into the hallway, I couldn't believe who was standing there. How in the world did he find out where we lived? Plus, what balls this kid had just walking into a house that he hadn't been invited to or asked in. "You are one stupid son-of-a-bitch! If you value your life, you will turn right around and walk out the door. If you choose not do that, I kill you where you stand." "I got invited by Joey, He asked me to come over after football practice!" I called for Joey to come out to the hallway. As he walked out I knew what the kid said was a lie. Joey had not idea why he was standing in our hallway. Within seconds Joey's face turned from stunned to anger. "What the hell are you doing here? You really have stepped over the line coming to my house like this." "Didn't you invite me to your house to spend time with you? I could swear in the showers again after football practice when we were fooling around you asked me to come over to have some private time together." "I never did any such thing. I never fooled around with you today or any other day. You came onto me and I shut that door right away. The last time I saw you was when you approached me and my friends while we were eating. So once again, what the fuck are you doing in my house?" The rest of the guys, including my grandparents and Beth walked into the hallway to see what all the yelling was about. You could see surprise on the guys face when they saw Greg standing there in the hallway. The others had not idea what was going on. "I am not telling you again. You walked into a house that you were not invited into. If you do not turn around and walk back out, I am going make you wish that you did. Get the fuck out of this house!" If I didn't make myself clear the first time, I most certainly did this time. Before I did anything else, I looked over at Joey and the guys. Once I realized I was the one that was going to have to take care of this problem, I looked back at Greg. He didn't even look scared at all. Does this shit head think I am fucking around or what? That did it for me. Before Greg could react, I lunged at him. He went flying against the front door of the house. I didn't know I had moved from the place I had been standing, to the place I had tackled him, I had move so fast. All I did know was all the anger inside me about all the times I thought Joey had cheated on me boiled to the surface. As I whaled on Greg, I didn't see his face at all. His face kept changing from David's, to Tom's, to Joey's. I had held in the anger and the mistrust I have had about Joey until now. I kept hitting Greg in the face, the chest and lower stomach. Not caring how bad I was hurting him. All I knew was that I wanted those feeling in my stomach to go away. If beating on this guy would do the job, then I would do that. I don't know how long I stood over Greg hitting him. I do know the guys tried several times to get me off of Greg, but no luck. There was so much anger in me; nothing will get me off of this guy. I had anger that had been bottled up for so long, it was only a matter of time for it to finally boil over! With the help of my grandfather and all the guys, they actually pulled me off of Greg. I tried several times to lunge back at him, but I was held back. What really settled me down was when I heard my grandfather yell at Chase to call 911. "Chase, call 911. This kid is bleeding and he is out cold!" I looked at what I had done. Man-oh-man, I couldn't believe Greg was bleeding all over the floor of my house. Mainly I couldn't believe it was me that did that to the poor guy lying on my floor. I did warn him to leave my house, but he didn't listen. It didn't take long for the fire department to show up. Right away they looked at Greg before asking any questions on what had happened here. Minutes later several police cruisers drove up. Before I knew it, our house filled up with officers, paramedics, all looking over Greg before moving him. I finally spoke up giving orders. "I want you to remove this guy from my house as quickly as possible. He walked in here without our permission. When asked to leave, he didn't. I warned him what would happen if he didn't leave. Still he chose to stay. Now he is sitting on my floor making a mess I really do not want to clean up." Everyone just looked at me. They all looked stunned about what I had said. If I didn't make myself clear right then and there, then nothing was going to open the eyes of everyone in the house. I am not going to take this shit anymore. If Joey was going to cheat on me, he was going to go out the door with the trash. "Jacob you don't mean what you are saying. Let these people do their work. They will have this guy out of our hair soon." "Grandpa I do mean what I said. Drag his dam body out to the street. I don't care what they do in order to get him out of this house NOW. He walked in without permission from anyone, and then didn't leave when warned what would happen!" "Jake you are a better person than this. He was wrong for walking into this house uninvited. Now you are wrong on asking these guys to pull him out of this house before they feel he is able to move." "You better not say a dam word Joey! This little shit is here for whatever his mind thinks you two have together. I am tired of this shit. I am tired of little asses like this thinking they can take whatever they want!" Joey just looked at me with a hurt look on his face. I knew he didn't cheat on me, and he didn't ask for this guy to lust for him. I just couldn't put down the past feelings right now. Just our past in this arena wasn't good. Without saying another word, the EMT'S finally put Greg on the gurney. They looked at the police officer's before rolling Greg out, and whispered something to them. Whatever they said got their attention. Right after the EMT'S and fire department left. The officers separated us in different rooms. I sat in the study for a while before the officer's came in to talk with me. I really didn't know what they were doing with the others. If I could make a guess at it, I would think they were asking them what had happened here tonight. Two police officers finally came in to talk with me. At first they didn't say anything. All they did was walk around me as if they were measuring up their prey before eating it. No matter what, I knew I was in the right here. Greg did walk into my house uninvited and when asked to leave several times, he refused to. "Sir, do you have some kind of ID to show us you are Jacob Hernandez?" "I have my driver licenses, but I don't have it on me!" "That is no problem. We asked your boyfriend Joey to get it for us? All though you are in the right to defend yourself and property, you went overboard tonight. The EMTS told me they really don't think this kid is going to make it." "He was asked several times to leave, and he chose not to. He entered my house without being invited in. With those facts, I could have pulled a gun and shot him dead where he stood and never looked back. He was lucky I chose to use my fists instead, At least he has a chance on living!" The officers just looked at me before continuing with their questions. Really they were not even asking me questions. They were just throwing things around. I figured I should do the same as they did. "Also by experience EMT'S are not doctors. They do not know if a person is going to live or die. Only the doctors can make that call." "Look Jacob, we are not taking any of your smart ass remarks. You are in a lot of trouble already. You cannot afford to get into anymore. Just answer the questions and leave the smart ass remarks at the door!" All I did was shake my head in the affirmative. I just wanted this to be over and these officers to leave my house. Already this has taken up to much of my evening. "Now you could have stopped anytime after getting him to the ground. Why didn't you do that Jacob? Why didn't you stop punching this guy once he was out?" "He entered my house without permission and then when asked to leave, he didn't. I am in my right to protect what is mine." "My understanding is this isn't your house Jacob. This house is owned by your grandfather. So you shouldn't have done what you did." "Officer this is my house. My grandfather owns the house next door to me. Even if this wasn't my house, I was still in my rights. The kid walked in, was asked to leave, and he didn't. Any person that resides at the property in question can defend it." "Enough of this Jacob, enough! I am going to talk with my partners to see what we can do here. More then likely you will be coming with us." The two officers walked out of the study. I couldn't believe what they told me. I can be arrested for defending my own house. What was wrong with this picture? TO BE CONTINUED... AUTHOR'S CORNER: {What do you guys think? Did Jacob go overboard with Greg? The guy did walk into the house without permission and was asked, and warned to leave. He was told what would happen if he didn't leave. So did Jake go overboard as he defended himself and home? The police officers at first seemed more distracted about the fact that Joey and Jake are lovers than the fact of what had happened in the house. Why are the police asking so many questions? In most states it is law that a person has the right to defend their property. Once a person comes into a home without being invited in, they could actually be shot. So how come with Jake he can actually be arrested? I really hope he doesn't get arrested. Jake doesn't deserve this any more than Greg deserved getting his butt kicked. Finally, all the feeling Jake berried deep down inside of him boiled over. Although Joey didn't cheat on him this time, what about all the other times Jake gave him the benefit of the doubt. It always happens when you didn't do anything, is when you loose everything. I hope Jake realizes Joey didn't do anything and tucks away those feelings again. I do not want to see these two break up, because if these two do break up, Gloria wins! She got what she set out to do with Jake and Joey. Jake and Joey cannot let her do this to them. They must stay strong and beat her at her game. If they ever find out that Jake's mom was behind all this, will she have to pay for the wrong that had happened here? Greg wouldn't have been beaten up if she didn't ask him to do what he was doing. At the same time, Greg could have walked away. It looks like Toni might have found a home to be in. His grandparents really didn't care for him. After losing his adoptive parents, Toni really hasn't had a real life. I really hope Ms. Young follows through on what she has said. Toni deserves better than what he is getting. I also wonder if there is something about Toni, like a love interest. I have stayed away a little from the ROTC in this chapter. This time of the year is the busiest time of the year for the program. They have the Mid Year Drill Meet coming up. Plus the parade on Thanksgiving, another important twist. I wonder what twists may lay in store for Jake and Joey in this program this year. As always I can go on and on about the open plots in the story! If I do that, I can actually write several more chapters. There are so many plots that can take a turn at anytime. You might think it is going to go one way, but is ends up going another. Do not miss out on anything, or you will be kicking yourself for it. 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: Well, there's never a dull moment! Maybe Jake having "boiled over" will be his chance to have gotten rid of his buried angers. We can hope so and also hope that he avoids getting into deep trouble having dealt with Greg so thoroughly! I'm so glad to see that David has gotten back to his old self after the rape. He is showing a good strength of character and I admire Tom for standing by, keeping the love fires burning. Tom has grown in strength of character from his former ambivalent character. As the boys all grow and mature, you can see them evolving into adults and gaining resolve to not bow to instantaneous pressures, but to stand firm on their values and convictions. They all have paid high prices to learn that their resolve has to be solid. Well, it's going to be interesting to see how Andy handles his situation. He's stuck in the middle between Normal and Jake and his ability to set things right is going to be a rough haul, if he can do it. Remember that your e-mails are always wanted and appreciated! Let us hear your thoughts about the story and any ideas you have for a plot line. Until next time, "Daddy" Rick