Date: Mon, 13 Mar 2000 08:14:06 -0500 From: TJ Subject: Love For A Lifetime, Chapter 13 Disclaimers: The following is a work of fiction. Meaning, that, the people and events are not real, and never happened, except in my mind. All the other usual stuff applies. If you shouldn't be here, don't read it. If you don't like it, why are you here? Comments appreciated, flames deleted. ____________________________________________________________________________ We laid on the kitchen floor for a long, long time, with Jimmy still inside me. But, eventually, he softened, and slipped out. That is probably the saddest feeling in the world to me, feeling empty. We got up, took our clothes into the bedroom and took a shower together. We took our time, washing each other, cleansing each other of the physical dirt, the emotional dirt, and the spiritual dirt that had accumulated over the past four weeks. "Jimmy, baby, I'm so sorry that I hurt you with my words. I really, truly did not know that what I was saying was so hurtful." He was washing my chest at this point. He looked me in the eye and said, "Timmy, love, I don't kwow why it upset me so. I can't explain it. I guess I thought that maybe you were getting tired of me or something, that maybe you wanted out." I started to say something, but he put a soapy finger on my lips and continued, "But, I know in my heart that I was wrong. I can't tell you why I felt that way, I don't know what it was. So, to get everything out in the open, with nothing unsaid, I forgive you for saying the hurtful things. BUT, I need you to forgive me for ever doubting your love for me." "Done, babe." He leaned over and kissed me. When he pulled back, his eyes were turning red, and I could see the tears forming. I knew what he was going to say, but I stopped him. "Jimmy, my love, look at me," and I put my hand under his chin, raised his head so he was looking into my eyes. I summoned all the love I had in me, and willed him to see it in my eyes, and to hear it in my voice. "Jimmy, we're not going back to last night. I have forgiven, you, you have forgiven me. Together, as a team, I want us to go forward. I think we both need to talk about how to handle a situation like you found yourself in. But not right now. For a while, why don't we just not visit with anybody without the other? Would that make you comfortable?" He smiled through his tears and said, "I don't deserve you, Timmy. You are so wonderful." "Oh, stop that shit, baby. There's no deserving to anything. I love you. That's all that matters. Regardless of what comes our way, you're stuck with me. You know as well as I do that sometimes we make each other mad. Let's just decide, right now, to not keep stuff from each other if we feel hurt, or angry. OK?" "OK" "Now, finish my bath, James," I said with an English accent. "But of course, sir," he replied with a smile. When we finished the shower I told him he needed to call Gary and Mike to see if Liz had called them, and to find out what she had said. Liz had been busy. Mike was really pissed at Jimmy, and almost hung up on him. "How could you do this to Liz and Timmy?" he yelled at Jimmy. "Calm down, Mike. It's not what you think," Jimmy told him. "Yeah, right. You take advantage of Liz when she's tipsy, and you cheat on your partner." "Is that what she told you?" Jimmy asked incredulously. "Yeah, it is. I just can't believe you, man. I trusted you, I respected you." "Would you like to hear my perspective?" Jimmy asked. "Only because you used to be one of my best friends," he responded. Jimmy had tears in his eyes as he began to tell Mike what had actually happened. "Do you remember when Liz brought us all beers after dinner?" Jimmy asked. "Yeah." "Do you remember the face I made after the first swallow I took of mine?" "Not really, no." "Well, it tasted funny. I didn't think much of that until today, but, Mike, I think she drugged me. You've know me long enough to know how in love with Timmy I am. Do you honestly think that I'd intentionally sleep with someone else, knowing how it would hurt him? Do you honestly think that I would intentionally put my frienship with you and Gary on the line for a few minutes of sexual gratification? Does that sound like me at all?" "Well, no, Jimmy. It doesn't." Then Jimmy told him about the rest of the evenings events, including me hitting him, and my leaving. "But he came back this morning, and we talked, and we worked things out." "So he forgave you?" "Yes, he did." "I don't know if I could have done that. I really admire Timmy for that." "It's one of the reasons I love him so much." "I can understand that." "So, are you still mad at me?" "No. But I'm pretty pissed at Liz." "Well, I don't intend on talking to her for a while. But, Mike, you and Gary don't need to alienate her. I think she's going to need all the friends she can get while she tries to deal with what she did, and almost accomplished." "That won't be easy, Jimmy. She almost wrecked your marriage." "But she didn't," Jimmy said. "God gave me a good man, a loving man, a forgiving man. He realized, after he calmed down, that it wasn't me that did those things with her. I can't prove that she drugged me, but I know it in my heart, and so does Timmy. Actually, Mike, I was hoping that maybe, if you and Gary just kept things as usual with her that maybe she'd tell you the truth, and what her motivation was." "I'll do what I can, Jimmy. But, I feel lied to as well. I can't believe she'd do something like that. Well, I take that back. Liz is a strong headed person. She goes after what she wants, with everything she has. But, still..." "I know, Mike. Have you talked to Gary today?" "Yeah, and I'd better call him, because I don't think he let you talk to him." "He's that upset?" "Oh, yeah!" "Well, talk to him, and if he calms down, tell him to call me, ok?" "OK" "Hey, Mike?" "Yeah, Jimmy?" "Thank you for believing me." "Jimmy, can I tell you something, and you not take it the wrong way?" "Sure." "Jimmy, I love you man. You are one of my best friends, and I didn't want to believe what Liz was saying. Will you forgive me for not believing in the man I know and care for?" Jimmy was crying at this point, "Mike, Timmy and I love you and Gary too. You guys are great friends to us. Of course I forgive you. I"m just sorry that everybody has had to go through all of this." "Well, bud, let me go. I need to get ahold of Gary, and quick." "Mike?" "Yeah?" "Thanks....for everything." "Thank you, Jimmy. Timmy too." "Later, man." "Later." After he got off the phone, he told me what they had said. I knew that we were luck indeed to have a friend like Mike. I just hoped he would be able to convince Gary of Jimmy's innocence. We started cleaning up around the house, washing clothes, vacuuming, you know, normal, house drudgery. About an hour later, the doorbell rang. I answered it, and there were Gary and Mike. "Uh, hey Timmy. Can we come in?" Gary asked. "Sure guys," I said as I unlatched the screen. "Jimmy, you've got company, babe." I shouted. When he came around the corner, a multitude of emotions went across his face when he saw Gary. I was not prepared for what happened next. Gary burst into tears, ran over to Jimmy and hugged him, and just cried on his shoulder for about five minutes. Jimmy eventually hugged Gary, trying to comfort him. After Gary's sobs subsided, he said, through his sobs, "Oh, Jimmy, I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry I doubted you, and I'm sorry that I took Liz's word over yours. Will you forgive me?" "Gary, there's no need for you to be so upset. Everything is fine." "No, Jimmy everything is not. I called the dean of the Law School this morning, and told him that you had all but raped Liz. I'm afraid that there's going to be an investigation." "WHAT?" Jimmy shouted, pushing Gary away from him. Gary looked absolutely defeated, and so ashamed. The tears were running down his face, and it was obvious, to me at least, that he was comletely ashamed of what he had done, and what it meant to Jimmy. "Jimmy, I don't blame you if you hate me. I hate me right now. I just couldn't believe that you would do such a thing, but Liz sounded so convincing. She even showed me bruises where she said you had grabbed her." Jimmy and I were stunned. "What bruises?" Jimmy asked. "She had bruises on her wrists and arms, and it was obvious that she had been slapped, and hard." "I swear to you, I never touched her." "Well, she's gone down to the police department to press charges." Jimmy looked at me with such pain, hurt, and confusion. "Timmy, what do I do?" "I don't know baby. I don't know." "If there was only some way you could prove that you weren't the one who did that." "Gary, did she say that she fought back." "Yeah, why?" "Timmy, call Dr. Morrison." "Dr. Morrison? Why?" "We've got to tell him what happened, and get him to take pictures of my body, and sign an affidavit saying what he finds." "But, baby. You've got a shiner from where I hit you." "But Liz couldn't have done that, and we'll tell him that you did it. If she says she fought back, I should have other bruises as well, but I don't. Gary, you've got to call Dr. Lennier and tell him that it's possible that Liz may have misrepresented the truth to you about what happened." "OK. Mike will you go with me?" "Sure, Gary. Let's go." Mike and Gary left, and I called Dr. Morrison and explained to him what had happened. He agreed to meet us at his office in 30 minutes. We were very carful to keep Jimmy from getting bumped before we got there. When we got there, I told Dr. Morrison that I wanted to sit in on everything. He agreed. Dr. Morrison pulled out a tape recorder and asked Jimmy to tell him what had happened. Jimmy told him everything, leaving nothing out, including me hitting him, and then us making up, and making love today. Dr. Morrison had Jimmy strip naked and took pictures of him all over, including a close up of his genitals. I asked him why he did that, and he said to show that there were no teeth marks or scratches in the genital area. He said that some people tried to bite their attackers and he just wanted to be able to prove that Jimmy had not been scratched or bitten. He got very clear shots of Jimmy's back, chest and arms especially. He also took a picture of Jimmy's face showing the bruise that I had caused. Then, he talked into the tape recorder using doctor-eese to talk about what he was viewing, and Jimmy's physical condition. The last thing he did was to take a picture of Jimmy, fully clothed, holding the front page of that day's paper up beside him to date the picture. We thanked Dr. Morrison for his help, and then he made a rather strange suggestion. "I think it would be best if Jimmy stayed at a friends' house for a day or two, so that if the police show up to arrest him, he won't be there." "That's a good idea, Dr. Morrison. We'll get our friends..." Dr. Morrison stopped me. "Don't tell me where he is. Timmy, as long as I don't know where he is, then I won't have to lie if I'm asked, and since I'm going to file this report as soon as I can get it typed, I don't want to know where Jimmy is. We'll try to get any arrest warrant rescinded by fact of this report. But, you'd better hurry. There's no telling how fast Liz may have moved." We raced back to our house, threw some clothes in a suitcase and jumped in the car. As we were turning left off of our road, a police car was turning onto our street. It may have just been coincidence, but we weren't going to stick around to find out. We went straight to Steve and Marc's. Steve was there, and he said that Jimmy was welcome to stay. He said that whenever the phone rang, he'd send Jimmy out on the balcony so that he could honestly say that Jimmy was not in their house. I thanked him, kissed Jimmy, and headed home. As soon as I got there, there was a note from Gary and Mike on the door saying to call them at Mikes as soon as I got home. When I called, the said that Dr. Lennier told them that he had no choice but to have an investigation. He needed Jimmy to call him immedaitely. I told them thanks, and that Jimmy was out of town, but I'd get the message to him. I called Jimmy and told him to call Dr. Lennier. Jimmy called me later, and told me what Dr. Lennier had said. "Apparently, we did the right thing in going to Dr. Morrisons'," Jimmy said. "By having the dated conversation and pictures showing that I had no body trauma, that will help me if the arrest warrant doesn't get rescinded. He also said that he had no choice but to call for a full investigation. If I had indeed attacked Liz, I would be expelled from the law program. By the same token, if Liz had attacked me, and/or fabricated the story about being attacked, she would be expelled. He said that he was very sorry that something like this had happened. About that time, the doorbell rang. I could see the police car in the driveway. "Babe, the police are here. Grab Steve, and ya'll get in his car and go anywhere. I don't want to know, so that I can truthfully say I don't know where you are." "I love you, Timmy." "I love you, too, babe. Don't worry, Jimmy. We're gonna beat this thing. You hear me?" "Yeah, babe. I hear you." I hung up and answered the door. "Mr. Parson?" "Yes, I'm Tim Parson." "We're looking for James Lee Parson." "I'm sorry, sir. He's not here. You're welcome to come inside and see for yourself." "That's ok, Mr. Parson. I do need to tell you that we have an arrest warrant for your brother." "He's not my brother, he's my life partner." I could see the shock on his face. "Um, life partner?" he asked. "Yes, kind of like we're married." "Oh, I see," he said. I couldn't quite read his response. At this point, I didn't think I wanted to. "When will he be back." "I can't say. He packed some clothes and left. I honestly could not tell you where he is right now. He told me that there might be a warrant issued for his arrest, and if I don't know where he is, I don't have to lie to you." "So you want me to believe that you don't know where your, um, partner is?" "That's exactly what I want you to believe. The woman who filed those charges lied, and has accused Jim of something he did not do. We have an affidavit being filed by our family doctor showing that Jimmy has no bruises or signs of having been involved in an attack, and when we find out that the warrant has been rescinded, he will come out of hiding. We just wanted to avoid him having to be arrested and processed. Now, if you don't mind, I have some business I need to attend to to try and straighten this whole mess out." "Mr. Parson. If you know where he is, and don't tell us, you can be charged as an accomplice." "Officer...Henderson," I said as I looked at his name tag and my blood began boil, "I told you truthfully a moment ago that I do not know where Jimmy is. I know enough not to lie to you. I don't believe that I like what you are implying." "Mr. Parson, please calm down. I'm just doing my job. Personally, I find it hard to believe that a gay man would sexually attack a woman, even a pretty woman. It's obvious to me that you care about him a great deal, and, if he feels half of what I sense you feel about him, I don't believe a word of it. However, I still have my job to do, and my opinions don't matter. Just this piece of paper that says I must arrest him. Personally, I hope he didn't do it to her. I saw her when she came in, and I didn't believe what she was saying. Besides, I think your partner and I share something in common." "And what would that be?" "An honest man to love us." "You're gay?" I asked, shocked. "Yes. But no one but my captain knows. I wouldn't make it long on the force if anyone else knew. But, the captain knowing about me, is able to assign me to cases involving gay situations so that there's no prejudice clouding justice." "Well, in that case, I apologize for my attitude." "That's not necessary. There was no way you could know, and I'm only telling you because I can recognize your integrity. You, and probably your partner, are the kind of people Adam and I prefer to socialize with. Guys with morals and character, who happen to like guys." "Well, Office Henderson..." "Call me Ryan." "Ryan, ok. After all this dies down, perhaps we two couples could meet for coffee or dinner." "Adam and I would like that very much. Here's my card. When things cool down, call me." "Ok, I will." "It's nice to meet you Mr. Parson." "Tim" "Tim. I just wish it could have been under better circumstances." "I'm sure things will get cleared up. Jimmy is innocent. The truth will find it's way out." "Keep me posted, ok?" "I will." The phone started ringing. "I'll see myself out, Tim. Call me if you need any advice or help. OK?" "Thanks, Ryan. I will." He left, and I answered the phone. "Hello?" "Hi, Tim. This is Dr. Morrison." "Hi Dr. Morrison. Did you file the affidavit?" "Yes, but, unfortunately, the only way for the warrant to be rescinded is for Liz to drop the charges." "I'm afraid that won't happen. I don't know what to do." "Just sit tight. Don't do anything until you hear from Dr. Lennier." "OK." Later that evening, Jimmy called. I told him about my conversation with Ryan, and Dr. Morrison. He was upset that the warrant had not been rescinded, but I told him that, since I had to be on campus Monday for a study session for the CPA exam, I'd try to find Liz and talk to her. He agreed, and we said goodnight. I was very lonely that night, and I didn't sleep well at all. Sunday was no better. Another officer came by the house, looking for Jimmy. I told them I had not seen him since the previous afternoon, but if I did see him, I'd try to convince him to turn himself in. Monday finally rolled around. I was able to dress casually that day, because it was a study class. I called Jimmy, told him I loved him, and I was off to class. I don't know about most of you, but I find that if I can tape record a lengthy lecture, I can go back later, and make sure I didn't miss anything. That's why I had purchased one of those small, hand held tape recorders that looked like a radio. That morning, I used up a whole tape, so, just as we broke for lunch, I changed the tape, not knowing what a fortuitous idea that would turn out to be. I headed for the law school to try and find Liz. I walked around the corner of the main building just as she was going inside. I don't know why, but I tured the tape recorder on, and put it in my shirt pocket. I ran to the building and caught her in the lobby, just as she was about to go into the side stairwell. I almost missed her, because someone had propped the doors to the stair wells open, and she was right at the door when I called her name. "Liz, wait. I need to talk to you." "Timmy, I have nothing to say to you, or that sleezball of a lover of yours." I must admit, Liz looked pretty rough. She had bruises on her face and arms. The one's on her arms were definately finger prints, and were bigger than her fingers. "Liz, you know that Jimmy didn't do this to you..." "What I know is that, I wanted him. If I can't have him, nobody can." "What are you talking about, Liz?" "Oh, come on, Mr. Gullible. I have wanted Jimmy ever since I met him. But, you were in the way. I can't believe that he could want you, when he could have had me." "Liz, I don't believe what I'm hearing. You mean you set Jimmy up because he was in love with me and not you." Liz looked around to make sure nobody was around. Then she leaned in close to me and said, "Since this would be my word against yours, and I have the bruises to prove what I'm saying, I'll tell you what I did, because nobody would ever believe a queer over a law abiding heterosexual. I put three hits of Spanish Fly in Jimmy's beer. That was guaranteed to get him horny. Then, I set the temperature high, so he would be sweating, and to give me an excuse to put on the skimpy outfit I came out in. As soon as I saw him in the living room, I knew the drug was working. He looked flushed, and I could see his hard on. I leaned up into him, empathizing with him for all the mean things you had been saying to him, and then I made my move. I was fast, and I knew that he wouldn't be able to say no if I got to his dick. Oh, your Jimmy didn't want to be there, but once I got him started, he couldn't stop. He would have fucked a line of girls he was so hot. I got him to cum twice. Then, when he finally figured out what we had done, he ran for the door. It was pathetic. I was there, wanting him, and he ran out. Well, I couldn't let him think that it would be that easy. So, I got dressed, went out, and found a big guy who said he liked his sex a little rough. I told him I was game provided he used a condom." "We went back to my place, and he was rough. He slapped me around, and fucked me silly. It was a lot more satisfying than your wimpy lover." "Why did you want him to use a condom?" "Well, you stupid little fag. You obviously don't know much about female anatomy. I have a very, very regular period. My gynecologist taught me how to know when I was ovulating, to help me avoid getting pregnant. Well, I ovulated Friday. I didn't want that rough houseing guy to knock me up." "But Jimmy didn't use a condom." "Now you're getting the picture, you stupid little queer. In all probablity, I'm going to have your lovers baby. Then, since lover boy will be locked up in prison for raping me, I'll sue YOU for child support." "I doubt that very much," I said. "Why? Everything worked out. Nobody will believe you if you tell them all this. It sounds too far-fetched to be real." "But," I said, as I pulled the tape recorder out of my pocket, "they'll believe this." "That tape is inadmissable as evidence, since it was made without my knowledge or consent." "That tape will be admissable, to corroborate my retelling of your story, Ms. Emory," said Dr. Lennier as he walked out of the stair well. "What were you doing in there?" Liz asked, looking panic stricken. "I was on my way to lunch, when I heard your voice, and Mr. Parsons. I decided to listen in on your conversation from the stair well. Mr. Parson, may I have that tape recorder?" I handed it to him and he popped out the tape. "If you'll stop by my office, my secretary will replace it for you. Ms. Emory, I think it best that you find yourself an attorney." "Oh, and Mr. Parson, I believe the arrest warrant for James will be rescinded by this afternoon. I'll call the magistrate and let them listen to this tape." "Thank you, Dr. Lennier." "Don't thank me. You're the one with the foresight to have taped that confession. I'm afraid, Ms. Emroy, your designs on being a lawyer are over. And, if you are pregnant, I'd suggest that you put the baby up for adoption, because your plans of getting child support from the Parson's will never be upheld." With that, Dr. Lennier turned and left. I started laughing, and Liz started crying. About that time, Mike and Gary walked in the front of the building. Liz turned and ran, and they came up to me and asked me what had happened. I related the whole story to them, and they were both stunned at her vicious mind. I skipped the afternoon seminar, and went straight to Steve and Marc's. I told Jimmy what had happened, and, sure enough, late that afternoon, when we called the magistrates' office, we were informed that the warrant had been rescinced, and the charges dropped. We celebrated with Steve, Marc, Gary, Mike and their girls. It was a great evening for us. Three weeks later, Liz was expelled from the School of Law. The morning of the expulsion, her gynecologist called and told her she was indeed pregnant. Jimmy and I talked about this, and called Liz. We offered to pay all her medical bills, if she would let us adopt the baby. We did have a condition that we would be present at all her doctor visits, and, if at any time the doctor found anything to show that she was trying to hurt the baby, the deal was off. That included right up to delivery. Since her parents cut off her money because of the stunt she pulled, and she couldn't afford an abortion (and was too proud to accept government money to pay for the abortion) she agreed. The three of us went to Dr. Lennier, and he had the appropriate forms drawn up. He told the three of us that she could decide to keep the baby, but that he had added a caveat that if Liz elected to keep the baby, we would not be liable for her bills. We were all satisfied with the arrangement and signed it. The next several months went by in a blur. Oh, yeah, I passed all the parts of the CPA exam the first try, and got my license. I was made a junior partner at work, which meant a big pay increase. With that, Jimmy and I converted our other bedroom into a nursary. We went to all the visits with Liz. She hated being around us, and hated us seeing her in the raw for her visits. But, we were there, to make sure everything was ok. The appointment in May was especially exciting. That was the ultrasound. We found out we were having a boy. A boy...a son...we were both on cloud nine! We did the nursary up all with primary colors and boy stuff, like sports and animals. Jimmy sat me down one night, and told me what he wanted our sons name to be, and his reasoning. I agreed with him, but we kept it secret until the day he was born. Liz kept up her end of the bargain. She applied to, and was accepted to the MBA program at UNC, actually, because we gave her a good recommendations. When the board found out what she had done, but that we had forgiven her, and that she was actually carrying Jimmy's baby, they accepted her, if a little hesitantly. Her folks also came around, and helped her out with her school finances. Liz was a changed woman. She became very quiet, and not forceful at all. I didn't know how long it would last, but, it was a nice change. Liz's water broke on August 23rd, 1986. As arranged, she called us, and we met her at the hospital. She was acutally quite lucky. Her labor only lasted seven and a half hours. At 3:37pm our son was born. Liz signed the papers giving Jimmy full custody as soon as the nurse brought them in. Liz actually declined to hold the baby. She did, however, allow Jimmy and me to hold her legs, and help her deliver him. And my Jimmy cut the cord. That was one of the most precious moments in my life. As soon as the cord was cut, the doctor wrapped him in a blanket, and handed him to Jimmy. We were both crying. I did have the presence of mind to have our camera, and started flashing away. After a few minutes, and a bunch of pictures, Jimmy handed me our son. The flood of emotion I went through is not easily described. Unfortunately, you can only understand if you've felt it. Even tho, biologically, he was not my son, I am one with his biological father, and I felt as close to him as if I had been his biological dad. Jimmy was snapping picture as fast as he could. Our parents were waiting outside the room. The nurses pulled a curtain around Liz, and then let our folks in. I had handed the baby back to Jimmy before our folks came in. "Mom, Dad, Mom, Dad, Timmy and I would like to introduce you to our son, Timothy James Parson. We're going to call him TJ, because he's the best of both of us." ____________________________________________________________________________ Did I answer most of your questions? There's still a little more to come. Sorry this has taken so long, but, life has really been biting my ass lately! I'll get the final chapter done a little sooner, I hope. As always, your comments are encouraged, your flames will be sent to hell, where they belong. Love to you all, TJ