Date: Fri, 3 Dec 2010 02:03:49 -0500 (EST)
From: J.P.G. <jacobmillertex@aol.com>
Subject: Regrets and Heartaches: Chapter 10

{Regrets and Heartaches is pure fiction. As I am writing this story, I am
above the age of 21. If you want a story with lots of sex, look
elsewhere. This is a love story. Seeing as it is a love story, sex is in
there, but it's in realistic balance in the characters' lives.

Any similarity to any real events, names, or life events is purely
accidental. If you are a underage, (according to your state laws as a
minor), if this literature is offensive to you or to anyone around your
viewing area, or it is illegal for you to view such content where you are
reading it, stop reading the story.

This story cannot be distributed in anyway, shape or form without my
expressed consent. I will like to give a shout out to a reader that has
helped me with ideas where the story is, thank you!}

Written by J.P.G.


Chapter 10

All through the night, Caleb tossed and turned, he just couldn't sleep. He
kept waking up every time he heard noise in the room or near it. Even when
the nurses came in to check on Joey, Caleb would watch them very
closely. One of the nurses he asked what she was doing with Joey's bag,
when she was just changing them out to new ones.

Joey woke up to find Caleb cuddled up with him on the single bed. Although
he cannot see Caleb, he knows it is Caleb in bed with him. He started to
feel around until he felt Caleb's hair. Once he reached Caleb's hair line,
Joey kept going back and forth through Caleb's hair. In return, it woke
Caleb up.

"How are you feeling this morning Joey? I hope you slept well through the
night." Caleb looked up to Joey's wrapped eyes.

"I slept very well last night. Sleeping on a bed is better than sleeping on
a cement floor like they had me doing. Plus I had no one walking in and out
of the room pulling me out and back again. No, I slept very good last
night, very good!"

Before Caleb could answer, several uniformed police officers and other
people in dressed clothes walked in. Caleb crawled out of the bed
whispering in Joey's ear about the people that just walked in. Joey just
shook his head and looked forward. Of course Joey still cannot see
anything, but he figured more than likely they are standing in front of
him.

"Mr. Joey Alvarez, do we have the name correct?" Joey shook his head in
agreement. "Good, first let me say how sorry I am to hear what had happened
to you in that facility in Texas. We don't condone places like that, so we
don't have any. Please let me introduce myself and all the people that came
with me before I go on."

The guy introduced himself as the chief of police, he then introduced
everyone else. They range from the head of the detectives, to a police
captain from El Paso all the way to people from the mayor's office. They
all walked up to the bed and shook Joey's hand as they got introduced to
him.

"As soon as Detective Benson reported back to us that it was your mother
and uncle that hired this group to kidnap you, several units were
dispatched to arrest them. By the time we got to the apartment, they had
already high tailed it out of there. Leaving the TV on, which means they
found out through the news what is going on. Don't worry, we will find them
and bring them to justice for what they did.

Now what I am wondering is if you are able to give us some kind of
statement on what had happened to you on the day you got kidnapped all the
way through to the day you got pulled out of there. I know it is asking a
lot of you, but it is best to get this information from you while it is
still fresh on your mind.

We are already getting a lot of Intel about that place you were in from the
statements we are getting from the other kids that are locked up in that
place. Most of those kids are from homes in Texas; about a quarter percent
of them are from New Mexico. Since you are the most recent, you case will
be the first to go to trial."

"There is probably not much more I can ad to what the others are saying. I
was in that place only for a couple of days, if I didn't loose track of
time. I will tell you what I went through, but I don't see how you cannot
get more from the others that have been in that place a lot longer. Have
you cleared the ranch also sir?"

"What do you mean ranch Joey? We are not aware of any ranch. So far the
only place we are clearing right now is the facility where they were
keeping you."

"According to my neighbor, there is a ranch that the same guy that runs
this place, runs as well. He was telling me how to trick the system so
where I can get over to the ranch faster than it normally takes."

The chief-of-police whispered to one of his detectives. That detective
walked out of the room, while the others stayed. The chief-of-police asked
Joey to tell them what he went through in that place as he asked before.

Joey scooted up in his bed and started from the beginning. How he didn't
even know there was someone hiding somewhere in the parking lot waiting for
him. When he found out that he got kidnapped was when he woke up on the
floor in a van. Joey told them how they pulled over and hit him to shut him
up and then gave him another shot to go to sleep.

He then went on and explained to everyone in the room what happened next to
him. How he woke up and what they did to him then. Taking him to the room
and stripping him down and chaining him to a metal box spring of some
kind. How the guy electrocuted him when ever he felt the answer didn't suit
him.

As Joey went through his story, everyone that walked into the room, was
stunned on Joey's recount of his experience in that place. The ladies
started to cry as Joey sat there telling his story. By the end, even the
guys could not hold back on showing that the story has touched a nerve as
well.

Caleb had to walk out of the room before he lost it. He started to cry
before he could even make it to the bathroom. Once he did make it to the
bathroom, he fell to the floor crying. He couldn't understand how any
parent would do this kind of stuff to their kids. Although he hasn't met
Beth or Dominic, he does wish them dead.

Once Caleb gathered himself, washed his face, he headed back to Joey's
room. When he walked in, Joey was just finished telling his story. The
chief-of-police gave a little speech on how strong Joey is and not to give
up. Stuff like that kept spilling out of his mouth. Once he finished
speaking, he shook Joeys hand and walked out of the room. The others shook
Joey's hand and told him to hang and get well as they walked out of the
room.

The minute everyone left the room, Caleb walked over to Joey's bedside and
sat down grabbing a hold of Joey's hand. They sat in silence just holding
each others hand. Both of them heard noise coming from the hall and looked
towards the door. Since Caleb is the only one that can see, he sees a group
of young kids walking around that he doesn't recognize from his high
school.

The nurses pointed to Joey's room and the group of kids walked over to the
room. They knocked before they walked in. When the last kid walked in,
Caleb recognized him. He never thought he would see or meet Joey's
ex-boyfriend. Caleb leaned in whispered in Joey's ear on who walked in.

At first no one talked, Jacob and the others just looked at Joey, and Joey
faced forward. Jacob walked over to Caleb and shook his hand, but didn't
say a word. After shaking Caleb's hand, he walked over to the head of the
bed.

"Joey, I know you cannot see who is in here, but I know you can recognize
my voice. My grandfather called me and told me what is going on. Knowing
you, you don't want us to see you until you are better, but we needed to
get down here.

Everyone came, Chase, David, Tom, Tony and Marie. I don't know if you know,
but Alex and his friend Matt got released and they are living with
Franseca. They wanted to come as well, but couldn't because they have the
monitor bracelet around their ankles."

Jacob stopped talking to let everyone come up and say hello to Joey. They
each shook his hand and walked back to where they were standing when they
first walked in. Once they all said hello, Jacob walked back to the head of
the bed.

"No matter what happened between us in the past, I don't wish any wrong to
come to you. You and I went through a lot together, and no matter what you
think. I will always be there on the other end of the phone for you as a
friend when ever you need a friend. I don't want you to go at this alone;
you need friends in your corner to at least talk to."

Joey would have started crying if he could, but he didn't because of the
condition his eyes are in. He scooted over on his bed and patted the
mattress for Jacob to sit down. He looked over to Caleb, and pointed to him
to sit on the mattress. Caleb got up and sat down on the mattress, leaving
the seat for Jacob to sit on.

"Thank you guys for coming and I know there is nothing I can say to fix
what I did. I will not make any excuses for what..." Chase interrupted Joey
as he spoke.

"You do not have to explain a thing to us. If Jacob can forgive you and
move down the road to a friendship between you guys, we can as well. So
don't even bother with that stuff, and let's just leave the past in the
past where it belongs. Why don't you introduce us to this young guy here
and we can start talking about the present."

Joey laughed and introduced Caleb to everyone as his boyfriend. It didn't
even bother Jacob when he heard the word boyfriend come out of Joey's
mouth. He shook Caleb's hand once again before anyone else. Jacob nodded to
Tom to go out and get Dewayne from the hallway where he can meet Joey.

The room got really quite when Dewayne walked in. He looked at the bed with
anger in his eyes, but let it go when he saw the beaten guy laying on the
bed. He looked over to Jacob and walked over to join him. He sat down on
the arm rest and grabbed a hold of Jacob's hand to try and help him hide
the fact that Jacob is shaking.

"Joey and Caleb, I would like you to meat Dewayne, my boyfriend." Dewayne
got up from the arms rest and shook Caleb's hand first and then Joey's.

"I know that it will take time for us to get use to this set up. First you
and I Joey have to build a friendship between each other. That doesn't mean
that I am not here for you when you need me. You call me day or night and I
will do what it takes to help you. Over time we can build a friendship that
will be strong for the rest of our lives."

"I agree with you Jacob, it will take time to build a trusting friendship
between us. I shouldn't be surprised that you came down here when you heard
about what had happened. You are a lot better man than me and anyone I
know. That had been one of the arguments we had as a couple, you trust
people way too much.

I am thankful I am on the receiving end of that trust of yours. You wait
and see I will show you that I can be a trusted friend. Now tell me the
story about Alex and this guy Matt getting out before they should have. I
know you Jacob; you stepped in and got it done for Alex because you felt
bad for him."

Before they knew it, the room went into chatter as if there wasn't a break
in their friendship. Everyone took turns to tell Joey how Alex got out and
landed up living in the house with Franseca. When David blurted out that
Franseca moved into the house where Beth use to live, the room got very
quite again. David sat back thinking that he might have said something that
he should not have said.

"Look you guys don't worry about saying things to me on the changes in the
house. I don't live there anymore and I am not fooled that things are going
to stay the same. I knew someone was going to move in the house where my
mother had lived. I am glad you guys did that and did it fast like you
did."

With that said, they went back to talking about how it is with not only
Alex, Matt and Alex's little brothers living in the house, but Tony now
living in the house as well. They found themselves talking for hours. The
only reason they knew that they had been talking for hours is because
Joey's lunch arrived.

"Look let me eat a little food, and while I eat. You guys should go down to
the cafeteria and get something to eat as well. I hope the food in this
cafeteria is better than the food in the cafeteria at school." Everyone
laughed as they got up to leave. "Jacob can you please stay for a second?"

Everyone shook Joey's hand and Caleb's before walking out of the
room. "Thank you for being so accepting of everything. I am thankful that
you and the guys came down to see me. I understand if you guys hit the road
now and not come back."

"We are going to go down and get something to eat while you eat your
lunch. Then we are going to come right back up and visit with you until
they kick us out of here. After they do that, we will find a hotel to stay
the night and come back in the morning to spend a couple more hours with
you before heading back."

Jacob shook Joey's hand before he turned and whispered in Caleb's ear. "You
guys are lucky to have each other. You both take care of each other. He has
some flaws, but not bad ones to end a relationship over. It looks like you
have done him some good, he sounds and looks like a different person, a
better person."

Jacob shook Caleb's hand and walked out of the room. Caleb just sat there
seeing why Joey loved him so much. He also sees that he has nothing to
worry about from Jacob. Their love for each other is gone, and the best
that they will get is a friendship. He turned and lifted the top of the
trey off of the food.

Caleb cut Joey's lunch up and started to feed him like a mother does with
her baby. They talked while Joey ate. Joey kept asking Caleb how he felt
with Jacob being here, and to Joey's surprise, Caleb wasn't bothered by
it. In fact Joey got the feeling that he likes Jacob. That is no surprise
to Joey at all if Caleb likes Jacob as a friend.

They didn't hear the knock on the door, because they got into their
conversation. Caleb looked over to the door just as his parents, Fran and
Alan started to walk in. Caleb got off of the bed, letting Joey know that
his parents and the others are here.

"So how are you feeling today Joey? By the looks of it you are hungry."
Harold pointed at the almost empty trey of food. "I heard and wasn't too
happy about the visitors you had this morning. I told the police-chief and
the others not to bother you until you are released form the hospital. With
that said, the doctor told me that they will more than likely release you
this evening if your food sits."

"Wow, I didn't think that they would release me that fast. That means that
there is really nothing wrong with me then. That means I lucked out that
you guys found me when you did. I cannot even imagine what they would have
done to me if I stayed in that place a day longer. I really didn't see
myself getting off this easily."

"Trust me Joey; you are not getting off easy. They still don't know what is
going to happen as far as your eyesight. You do have the broken ribs and
the internal injuries, but they feel you are healthy enough to go home. You
slept through the night, yes with the help of drugs, but you slept. You are
in good spirits and eating.

The nurses said that you had a group of your friends here visiting with
you. You guys were talking up a storm and laughing. That is another good
indicator that you are okay to go home. I didn't know that your friends
knew you were at this hospital. I am glad they came down to visit, but you
need your rest also."

Caleb looked at Joey to try and figure out if Joey is going to tell his
parents the truth on who is visiting him. If he plans not to tell the
truth, he needs to somehow let him know. That way he could make an excuse
to leave and catch Jacob and the others before they walk back into the
room. But Joey answered his question as he looked at him.

"The ones that are here to visit me are not friends from school. I really
haven't made any friends at school yet. Al told Jacob what had happened,
and Jacob and the guys drove up here to see how I am doing. They are right
now down in the cafeteria getting something to eat. Please when they come
back, let them stay. They came a long ways."

Before anyone could say something, Fran ran up to her brother. "Did Marie
come down with Jacob Joey?" Joey shook his head up and down. "Why didn't
you call me that she is here? Are they going to stay the night? Or are they
going to go back up today? What do they plan to do Joey? What..."

"Hold on there sis, hold on and catch your breathe. Let me answer the first
ten questions before you ask me another ten questions." Fran got red I the
face as she stood waiting for her brother to answer her. "They plan to stay
the night and go back midmorning tomorrow. They should be back up anytime
now."

"And when they come in, they are more than welcome to stay and visit. I
will find out if they are going to release you, and if they do. I will push
them to release you in the next hour or so where you can invite them for
dinner with us. We all would like to meet your friends from El Paso and get
to know them."  Harold walked out before getting an answer from Joey. Fran
walked over to the door to be the first to greet Jacob, Marie and the
others as they walk in. Alan just stood in the corner not knowing what is
going on. He only knows half of the conversation because he is only reading
Joey's lips.

The nurse walked in to get Joey's tray and ask him if he is the one that
ate the food. Joey swore that he ate the food and no one else. The nurse
laughed as she took the tray out. As she walked out, Jacob and the others
knocked on the door and walked in.

Fran jumped out and scared Jacob and the others. She hugged Jacob and
kissed him on the cheek before shaking the hands with everyone else. She
grabbed Marie's arm and pulled her out the door. All you can hear and see
from them is giggling and their backs as they walk out of the room.

"Jacob and everyone I would like you to meet Caleb's mother, my boss at
Albertson's Mrs. Evans, Mrs. Evans this is everybody."

They all introduced themselves to Helen, and when they tried to all her
Mrs. Evans. She stopped them and asked them to call her by her first
name. Just as everyone introduced themselves to Helen, Joey introduced Alan
in the corner. Once again they went through the same routine with Alan as
they did with Helen.

Jacob walked over to Caleb and gave him a to-go tray and a soda. Caleb
opened it to find two cheeseburgers with fries and all the toppings on the
side. He sat down with a smile on his face digging into his cheeseburger.

"Thank you Jacob for doing that for my son. I was just about to take him
down to get something to eat." Helen sat down next to her son as he started
eating.

"Not a problem at all Helen. We all love cheeseburgers and I got him two
because he is a big guy. I know he has to be on the football team. If he is
not, he needs to go out and get on the team. He is a big guy to play that
sport."

"I am on the team, and trust me when I say all this is muscle, no fat."
Caleb flexed his arms to everyone and went back to stuffing his face with
his cheeseburger.

Everyone started to laugh as Caleb munched down on the cheeseburger. Harold
walked in to find the room over filled with visitors. As he made his way
over to his son and Helen, he introduced himself to everyone.

"Well it looks like you found my son's week spot, cheeseburgers." Harold
patted Caleb on the shoulder as he sat down. "I talked with the doctor Joey
and they will be releasing you in the next hour. Fran brought you some
clean clothes and a pair of shoes. I am going to have what you were wearing
tossed in the garbage. You already have enough to remind you on what
happened you don't need the clothes also as a reminder."

  Joey shook his head as he started to talk. "You will not get any argument
from me on that Harold. Hey you guys, I was wondering if you want to go
down to Caleb's house for dinner. You can say no if you want, but please
think about it before you do."

Jacob looked at the guys as they all answered in the positive to Joey. They
heard a female's voice asking to get through. Once she got through the
door, she walked over to Joey to take the IV out. After she did that, she
tried to have Joey sign the paperwork, but Joey couldn't see where he is
supposed to sign.

Harold got up and signed the paperwork for Joey. The nurse handed Harold
several prescriptions to get filled and then left. Harold put the bag of
clothes on the bed as he and his wife walked out of the room. Jacob and the
others walked out as well, leaving Joey with Caleb in the room.

Caleb helped Joey get dressed, making sure he is being as careful as he can
not to hurt him. To Caleb's surprise, the shirt went on with out a problem,
but Joey's pants are a different story. Joey felt more pain putting on his
pants then he actually did putting on his shirt. Once Caleb buttoned and
zipped up Joey's jeans, he put on Joey's socks and shoes for him. He then
combed Joey's hair and helped Joey put on his coat.

The nurse walked back in with a wheelchair. Caleb helped Joey over to the
wheelchair. Making sure that Joey didn't trip on anything. Once Joey
settled in the chair, they walked/rolled out of the room. They went over to
the elevators to meet everyone else.

Just as they walked out of the elevators on the first floor, Harold walked
out of the pharmacy with Joey's medicine. Harold asked Joey and the others
to wait in the building as he goes and gets the car. Jacob grabbed Dewayne
and walked out the door to get the truck as well. He asked the guys to wait
for him in building with Joey.

It didn't take long for Harold to come around with the car. They all walked
out and helped Joey into the car. After Joey settled in the car, Caleb,
Alan, Fran and Helen got in the car, but didn't leave. They waited until
Jacob drove around and picked up the others.

Harold drove slowly in order not lose Jacob. He even stopped at yellow
lights because he didn't want Jacob to get caught in the red light. He
didn't want their guest to get lost in a city in which they really didn't
know their way around.

"Joey, do you know where your friends are going to stay the night at? I
know they didn't have time to make reservations before coming up here. Al
must have called them after we left last night to tell his grandson on what
is going on."

"Yeah, I figure the same thing. Jacob told me that they planned to stay
with me until they kicked them out. When that happened, they would go and
look for rooms for the night. So I know for sure they don't have any rooms
yet for the night. Do you know of a place where they can stay and it will
not cost them an arm and leg to do so?"

"A matter of fact I do Joey! You should let them stay at your house for the
night. No one is staying there right now, and there is no sense on them
spending money for a room when you have the house sitting there empty."

"I am thinking the same thing, but I don't think Jacob will go for it. He
is the one that is more than likely spending all the money on this trip. I
don't want him to spend more than he has to. After dinner, I will try and
talk him into staying at the house. Also that will give my sister here a
chance to spend more time with Marie before she leaves."

Fran jumped up and down in agreement with Joey. She promised to do what she
can to talk Jacob into staying at their house, instead of a motel. Harold
looked over to Helen and smiled. He has never seen Fran this happy since he
has known her. She really does miss her friend from El Paso that is for
sure.

As they drove into their driveway, Jacob parked in the street in front of
Caleb's house. Caleb helped Joey out of the car, as Harold and Helen went
over to open up the house. Joey took Caleb's hand so where he doesn't fall
on his way into the house. Caleb looked back to Jacob and the others as he
escorted Joey into the house.

"It looks like your friends are thinking on not joining us for dinner. They
are just standing by the truck, looking at the house talking with each
other." Caleb leaned in and whispered in Joey's ear.

Joey stopped and turned his head. "Hey guys come on in and kick off your
shoes. No one will bite you or eat you for dinner."

With that Jacob and the others followed Joey into the house. Caleb took
Joey into the living room and sat him in the chair, before going back out
to show Jacob and the others into the living room. They took what ever seat
that they could, Jacob and Dewayne sat across the living room together in
the same chair.

"So, um, well are the schools any different here than El Paso? I would
figure the classes are a lot smaller, so you get more one-on-one with the
teachers." Tom talked as he pulled David close to him.

"Believe leave it or not the classes are the same sizes. The only
difference here is not as many high schools as there are in El Paso, not
the size of the classes. I might be wrong about this, but I think there is
only one school district here. Unlike back in El Paso there is what, three
or four of them."

That did it, Tom got the conversation going. They stopped talking about the
size of schools and classes and went back to talking about what has been
going on in their lives since Joey had left. None of them held back
anything as they talked.

Harold walked in and stood at the door. It is as if Caleb sensed his father
because he looked back to his father when he walked in. Caleb got up to see
what his father needs. He walked over and spoke with his father for less
than a minute before walking over to Jacob. He whispered something to
Jacob, and Jacob got up to follow Caleb out of the living room. The entire
time, Joey had no idea what is going on.

Caleb showed Jacob to the kitchen and left him there with his father. Jacob
walked in and waited to see what Harold needed from him. Harold asked Jacob
to come in all the way and take a seat at the table.

"I am sorry for calling you in here like this, but I need to talk with
you. I have been trying to get a hold of Al, but I cannot reach him. Is
there anyway I can get in touch with him besides his office number and home
number? Like a car phone maybe or someone that might be with him that has a
car phone."

"No he doesn't have a car phone and those that are traveling with him
probably do. The only problem there is if they do they are government
phones and I don't have the numbers to them. Sad to say, but the only way
you will be able to get a hold of my grandfather is either at home or his
office. Other than that, you will have to wait."

"Okay, I understand and will have no choice but to wait." Jacob looked at
Harold with a questionable look that said it all without talking. "The
reason I need to get a hold of your grandfather is in regards to Joey. He
has the power of attorney over Joey's money and without Al, it cannot be
touched."

"I thought that is why it is set up this way. Once Joey is healthy again,
he can go into the bank and get what ever he needs. You two told my
grandfather the only time he would be needed is in cases like what took
place in the last week."

"Your grandfather is right on that, but something has happened that I
needed to get in touch with him about. The reason that Joey had gotten
released today is because he has no health insurance. When ever a person
comes into the emergency room and doesn't have insurance, they cannot be
turned away. The hospitals stabilize them and once they are in the clear
they get released. That is what happened with Joey here.

The doctors wanted to keep him in the hospital for a couple more days, but
without an upfront payment for their service. They had to follow hospital
policy and release Joey because he is stable. If I could have gotten a hold
of Al to release the funds for that, Joey would have gotten the proper care
he needed."

"First with all due respect, don't blame my grandfather for Joey being
released. He is doing this for Joey as a favor. If something goes wrong
beyond his control and gets the blame, he will not do this anymore. I will
not allow anyone to push blame onto my grandfather when it is not his
fault."

"Wait, you are getting me wrong on what I just said. I am tired and I
worded it all wrong. I am not blaming Al for anything. All I am trying to
say is I would have liked to have Joey in the hospital like the doctors
wanted. Not to be released early like he did."

"If that is the case you should have pulled me aside at the hospital and
told me what is going on. I would have fronted Joey the money because I
know he is good for it. There were several different avenues for you to
take, but you chose the one that got Joey released. That decision was yours
and yours only and now you have to live with it!"

Jacob started to walk away from the table when Harold called out to him. "I
don't want you to think wrong of me or my family. I don't know you and you
don't know me. How could I go up to you and ask you for thousands of
dollars. You would have looked at me worse than you do right now Jacob.

No matter what you think, Joey will always consider you family. When I
brought this idea up to Joey, he only wanted Al and no one else. I will
never stand in the way of Joey's family or friends. If you guys some how
get through your past with each other and become friends. We all are going
to have to deal with each other. I would like to do that as friends, not as
people just tolerating each other because we have a person in common."

"There is no doubt in my mind that in time Joey and I will be able to sit
in a room together and be friends. We were together for many years, and the
hurt Joey left will take time to fade away. Still, in the mean time I will
be here if Joey needs anything. It doesn't matter what it is, I will move
mountains to help Joey if he is in trouble.

If you cannot get a hold of my grandfather in the future, please come to
me. I will never turn my back on him or those that care about him. Like I
told Caleb, they are both lucky to have each other. Joey has flaws, but he
is a very good guy. Through him I hope we can be very good friends and what
happened here. Let's just chuck it up to not knowing each other. Now we
know we can go to each other when needed."

Jacob shook Harold's hand and walked out of the kitchen. Harold sat in his
chair in silence thinking about what just happened. He got up and walked
over to Helen to see what she thinks about what just happened.

"Before you say anything Harold, it did sound like you were blaming his
grandfather for Joey being released. If I was in his shoes, I would have
responded the same way. But you two fixed it and moved on from the
misunderstanding you guys had.

I can see why Joey loved him so much though. He is a very strong,
independent young man. He is blunt and doesn't care what others think. I
like that about him. It really fits that young man because if he wasn't
like that. There is no way he would be where he is today. That is if the
stories that Joey has told are true."

"Helen I do have some concerns now though. It looks like Jacob was the
strong person in their relationship, not Joey. I really hope Joey doesn't
think that Caleb is like Jacob. Our son is more like Joey than Jacob. I
really think the roles are reversed in our son and Joey's relationship than
it was in Joey's and Jacob's relationship."

"Harold you worry way too much about everything. I love that about you, but
we have to believe that our kids are going to make the right decisions. We
will help them along the way, but they will stumble. When they do, we will
help them back onto their feet.

I really do believe that Joey is the right guy for Caleb. They are alike,
but not alike. Joey is stronger than Caleb, but not like Jacob. Because of
that, they will work as a couple. There is not a dominate person in their
relationship and in return, they will depend on each other equally like we
do."

Harold leaned in and kissed his wife. Helen had to break the kiss in order
to continue cooking. Harold decided to help Helen by setting the table for
her. Once he finished that, he went over to the living room to get
everyone.

During dinner, Helen and Harold's concerns were answered. Joey asked Jacob
how his McDonalds are running, and Jacob told him in detail what they had
found and how to correct the mistakes. Also Helen and Harold saw the
relationship between Jacob and Dewayne. They can see the love the boys have
for each other and there is no way Jacob will ever get back with Joey.

After they finished the dessert, the table started to clear up. Several at
a time excused themselves and walked out of the kitchen. They didn't leave
without thanking Helen for a great meal that she cooked. The only ones left
in the kitchen at the end are Joey, Jacob, Harold and Helen.

"Joey since I am here I need to talk with you about something. Do you have
a few minutes so where we can talk with Harold and Helen here?"

"Of course Jacob, but it sounds very serous. What is going on that is
making you sound as serious as you are sounding?" Harold and Helen walked
over and sat back down at the table to see what Jacob needed to say.

"Since you do not live in my house anymore, I don't have the right to keep
your aunt's and uncle's house. They left the house to you, not me. The only
reason we agreed to let my mother stay there is for your half to the new
house we bought. Again, you don't live with me, so I don't have the right
to keep your aunt's and uncle's house.

So, I went out and bought the house next to Franseca's house. I already
told my mother that she has to move out of your house and into the new
house that I have bought for her. She of course gave me a little headache
about it, but agreed to do so.

I had planned to rent your aunt's and uncle's house and keep the rent in a
separate account to give to you. Since we are talking now, I leave it up to
you what you want to have done with your house in El Paso. If you want me
to go ahead and still rent it out, I will. Just tell me where you want the
monthly rent to go."

"I gave you that house Jacob because we always paid for everything evenly
when we were together. I am the one that left and broke us apart. I have no
right now to come back and demand half of what we had together. You keep
the house and do what you think is right with it. If you want to have
Gloria that close to you, then so be it. I am glad that I am not living in
your house anymore with her that close." Joey started to laugh a little of
the thought of Jacob's mom in the same house with Jacob and Dewayne.

"Every day I think of your aunt and uncle. They are the first in our
families to accept us for who we are. Yeah your mother said she did, but
she was the worst of them all. With all due respect, that woman is a
two-faced-bitch. If I ever see that woman again I will not be held
accountable for what I do to her. At least with my mother, we know where
she is coming from. I never thought I had to be looking over my back for
your mom.

Your aunt and uncle wanted you to have their house, not me. I love them and
miss them every day, but I was not the one in their Will. I have no right
over that house no matter what you think that brought us to this point in
our relationship. We have always said we wanted to be treated like any
married couple. That comes with the good and the bad. So we need to be
equal to each other.

The only thing we went half on is the house. Your way on paying your half
was giving me your aunt's and uncle's house for my mother to live in! We
are not together anymore, so that house is yours. I will rent it for you
and deposit the money into your account here every month. When ever you
move back to El Paso, the house is yours, so you can give due notice to the
people living in it to move out."

They talked a little more about the other items they bought while they were
together. Neither of them objected that everything else is where it should
be. Joey doesn't have any claim on Jacob's money, property or business's.
The same goes with Jacob over the property and money that Joey left with.

"I hope Jacob this is a start for us to some day becoming friends. I know
what you think of me, but I hope to at least prove to you I can be a good
friend. You did a lot for me and as well your grandfather. We both dislike
each others parents, and nothing will change that. I don't think any of us
will be seeing my mom for a long time. Not after what she did this time
with my uncle."

"I agree this is a start for us to become friends. What we should do is
start out slow and talk on the phone with each other. Maybe after getting
to know each other over gain as friends this time, we can hang with each in
other in person."

Jacob turned to Harold and Helen. "Sir, ma'am, I am wondering if you could
let me use your phone book so I can call around to get some rooms for the
night. I need to do it now before it gets later."

"Jacob, I have a house here and you guys are more than welcome to stay the
night at my house in stead of a hotel. The only ones that live there is me,
Fran and Alan, so you guys will not be bothered by anyone. I will be
staying here with Caleb and his family. Fran will stay with you guys if you
choose to take me up on my offer."

Jacob agreed to stay at Joey's house instead of renting rooms for the
night. Joey called for Fran to explain to her what is going to be the
sleeping arrangements for the night. She went back and rejoined Marie in
the room that she has been sleeping in.

Once Joey and Jacob rejoined the group in the living room, they talked and
watched TV for several hours. Jacob started to doze off, so Dewayne told
Jacob that maybe they should leave. Jacob agreed, got up, said his
goodbyes, and headed out to the truck. The rest did the same thing, leaving
Joey, Caleb and his family in the living room.

Joey is tired as well, but each time he dozed off to sleep. Everything that
he went through in the last couple of days came flooding back. He dozed off
for five or ten minutes at a time, but jerk awake in sweats. Even after
Jacob and the others left, he decided to stay in the living room lying that
he isn't tired yet.

Caleb refused to go to bed when his parents told him to leave Joey in the
living room. He wants to stay with Joey to make sure he feels safe. After
Caleb's parents headed to sleep, Caleb let Joey lay his head down in his
lap. Caleb started to massage Joey's head in hopes that he will fall to
sleep.

Just like before, every time Joey went to sleep he would only stay asleep
for ten minutes or so at a time. He kept jerking awake in sweats and
shaking really bad. Finally after the third time, Caleb picked Joey up and
carried him to their room.

He laid Joey down on the bed, gently undressed him to his underwear before
putting Joey under the covers. Once he got undressed, he crawled into bed
with Joey. They told each other how much they love each other before Caleb
wrapped his arms around Joey. He pulled Joey into him as closely as he
could, and held on to Joey.

In no time Joey went back to sleep. Caleb fought to stay awake for a couple
more hours to make sure Joey would not wake up again. Joey never did, and
sleep did take Caleb a few minutes after his second hour fighting it.

The next morning, he felt Joey moving around in the bed. Caleb stood up to
see what is going on with Joey. As Caleb looked over at Joey, he saw that
he is still asleep, but trashing around in the bed. It looked like he is
trying to get free from something. At the same time he kept mumbling in his
sleep, but Caleb couldn't understand what he is saying. He kept leaning
closer and closer, but couldn't make out what Joey is saying.

He gave up and decided to wake Joey up. Just as Caleb reached over to wake
Joey up, Helen walked in quietly and stopped him. Caleb looked up to his
mom wondering why she would want Joey to suffer like he is doing right now.

"Honey, it is not good to wake someone up from a nightmare. They say it
does more harm than good. Just let Joey sleep and he will wake up from this
nightmare on his own. If you want to help him, hum to him or sing to him,
but don't wake him up."

Caleb nodded to his mother as he scooted back under the covers. He covered
Joey up at the same time as he pulled the covers over him. Caleb reached
around Joey and pulled him close. Caleb couldn't believe that he didn't
wake up Joey by doing that. He started to hum as he massaged up and down
Joey's chest. It didn't take long for Joey to settle down in his
sleep. Once he did, they both slept for a couple more hours.

Joey woke up first this time, and tried to find his way off the bed. He
landed up hitting the wall, which woke up Caleb. Caleb jumped out of the
bed angry with Joey for not waking him up. He walked over to Joey and
helped him put on running pants before helping him go to the bathroom.

Caleb helped Joey into the bathroom, but Joey wanted to be on his own to
use it. They argued about it for a few minutes, but Caleb gave in and left
the bathroom. He waited for Joey in the hall by the bathroom door. Once
Joey finished up, Caleb went in, did his business, and helped Joey back to
his room.

They got dressed and walked down to the kitchen for breakfast. Just as they
sat down, Fran brought Jacob and the others back. They had breakfast with
Joey and Caleb's family and stayed for several more hours before heading
back to El Paso.

As soon as Jacob and the guys left, Joey felt empty in side. It is not that
he missed Jacob like a boyfriend kind of emptiness. He liked being part of
the huge group again. He has missed that the most and didn't even know that
he had until the last couple of days.

Caleb walked in with his mom and father right behind him. He sat down in
the couch with Joey and his parents sat in separate chairs. Caleb grabbed a
hold of Joey's hand as he scooted close to him. Once he settled in, Harold
cleared his throat before talking.

"First let me say that I am very proud of you boys. I know it couldn't been
easy for you Caleb to have Joey's ex come down and not only visit him but
be here in this house. It shows how strong your relationship is by making
it through yesterday and this morning.

Also let me say that I have never seen teenage kids talk the way you and
Jacob talked yesterday with each other. You guys sat there in the kitchen
and worked things out that grown ups cannot do when they go through a
divorce. Trust me I have seen a lot of that over the years. I am glad you
guys were able to settle all the physical property issues."

Joey just nodded his head as Harold spoke. He started to think about Jacob
giving him back the house he had given him for his mother to live in. The
reason he said is believable, but it has to be more to the story. By the
sounds of it, Jacob is getting rid of everything that reminds him of their
relationship. Tom blurted out last nigh that Jacob bought not only a new
truck, but a new bedroom set. He is really moving on.

"Okay, now I need to talk with you guys on some things. Caleb you need to
return back to work. I know you want to take care of Joey, but you cannot
miss anymore work. Your mother cannot hold your job because you want to
take care of Joey.

Joey you don't have to worry about your job, because it will be there when
you are ready to return back to work. You are missing work because
something happened to you beyond your control. For that and that alone is
why Helen can keep your job.

School, Caleb you go to school tomorrow like you have been. Joey you cannot
go back to school until the bandages are removed from your eyes. We will
talk with your teachers and have Caleb bring your assignments home every
night. We will also figure out a way to get you to learn while you have the
bandages on.

I don't want you to start thinking that you will be blind for good
Joey. According to the doctors, it is a possibility, but more than likely
you will see just fine once your eyes heal. Other than that I really don't
have much more to say to you guys."

Neither Joey nor Caleb spoke up with any questions. In return, Helen and
Harold left the boys alone in the living room. Caleb turned on the TV to a
movie and told Joey everything that is going on in the movie. They sat
there holding hands talking to each other about the movie on TV.

Joey tried to act like his old himself through out the day. He doesn't want
to get Caleb, Fran, Alan or Caleb's family worried about him. He started to
ask if there is any cute guy's in the movie and when Caleb said yes. Joey
would ask Caleb to describe to him what they are wearing from head to toe.

They sat there in front of the TV all day until Helen told them it is time
for bed. They didn't even leave the couch for lunch or dinner. Helen
brought in their plates and let them eat in front of the TV. Caleb couldn't
believe that his mother did that. Simply put, she has never allowed anyone
to eat outside of the kitchen or den.

Just like the night before, Caleb helped Joey to their room, helped him get
undressed and put him under the covers before he got ready for bed. Once
Caleb joined Joey under the covers, he pulled Joey against his chest as he
wrapped his arms around him. He started to hum and didn't stop until Joey
had fallen to sleep. Caleb followed Joey shortly afterward.

Before leaving for school the next morning, Caleb helped Joey get dressed
in running pants, a t-shirt and socks. Joey went back to sleep once Caleb
left and didn't wake up until he felt someone shaking him to wake up. He
rolled over and waited to hear the voice of who ever is trying to get him
to wake up.

"Good morning Joey, do you need me to help you to the living room before I
head into work. Harold is going to get a nurse or a care taker down here
sometime this morning, but I don't want you to be stuck in this bed in the
mean time."

"Yes Helen, could you please help me to the bathroom and then to the living
room. I don't want to run into the wall like I did yesterday. Let me tell
you that Caleb was not too happy with me for not asking for help."

Helen laughed as she tried to imagine her big teddy bear angry. She helped
Joey over to the bathroom and waited for him to finish so she can help him
to the living room. She got Joey breakfast and several bottles or juices
for him to have to drink. She turned on the TV and handed the remote
control to Joey.

"I know honey you cannot see what is on, but you can at least hear." She
grabbed Joey's hand on put his fingers on the buttons in the middle of the
control. "Can you feel these two buttons on how different they are then the
rest?" Joey shook his head up and down.

"The one on the right is your volume button and the one on your left is the
channel button. They are really the only two buttons you need to know where
they are in order to use the TV. Don't forget they are in the middle of the
control and they are completely different than the other buttons are.

One last thing before I leave home. I know it is going to be gross for you,
but if you need to use the bathroom, please use this." Helen handed Joey a
gallon jug. "I really hope you don't have to use the number two. If
anything comes up, call me or Harold. You know the numbers and I have put
the phone next to the couch here."

Joey reached over to feel around for the phone. Once he found the phone, he
told Helen that he is okay and she should get going to work. He doesn't
want to make Helen late for work. Helen agreed very hesitantly and left the
house.

Harold called several companies that do homecare, but they told him that
they don't have anyone available to go today or all week. Right when he
hung up, he heard a knock at his door. He looked up to see his secretary
walking into the office.

"It looks like you are not having a good morning. If you want, I can move
your cases around once again where you can deal with what ever you need
to."

"No, I already rescheduled all my cases that I had on Friday. I am already
playing catch up. There is no way I can reschedule today's work load and
think I will see the light of day again. I just need to get someone down to
my house to watch over Joey."

"If that is all you need, my sister is available. She is a RN, but she
hasn't found work after having her baby. I don't know how long it will be,
or what you are willing to pay, but I am sure she will do it. It will work
out for her right now as well because she cannot find a sitter for her
baby."

"Well for now it is going to be for sure four weeks that I will need her. I
will pay her what ever is the hourly rate that care givers get paid. She
would only need to cook for one meal for only one person besides
herself. Plus make sure Joey can get around the house without hurting
himself. Other than that, she would be sitting on her butt all day."

"I don't see a problem with that at all. I will tell her that you will pay
her ten dollars an hour, Monday through Friday. I know she will jump at
that as long as you are okay with paying her that amount per hour."

Harold agreed with that and his secretary left to get it set up. She
returned twenty minutes later to let Harold know that her sister is on her
way down to his house to start working. Harold thanked her and called Joey
to let him know what is going on.

After hearing his morning cases, Harold returned to his chambers wanting to
just put up his feet and not be bothered. But that is not going to
happen. Just as Harold put up his feet, he heard a knock on his office door
and it opened. He looked over to see Detective Benson waiting to be invited
in. Harold immediately invited the detective in.

"Good afternoon your honor, it is good to see you. How is the family and
kids?" Detective Benson shook Harold's hand as he sat down.

"Everyone is well, tired, but well. We are able to rest a little more
easily now that Joey is back. I don't know how to explain this, but I was
worried. I honestly thought that his mother and uncle took him out
somewhere and killed him. Although I don't know if what they did was any
better. Joey is a wreck, even if he doesn't want to admit it to anyone."

"It is going to take time for Joey to come back, if he comes back at
all. That kid went through a lot in just three days. With what I
understand, they tortured him more in those three days than they did to the
others in their first three days. Man you should hear the stories that we
have heard from those poor kids."

"Trust me I cannot imagine what they went through. Hearing it once from one
person is enough for me. How many kids did you guys end up finding in that
place? There is no way you guys have taken all the statements already."

"I stopped counting myself when we passed the two hundred mark. We stopped
taking written statements. We stated to video tape their statements. They
signed the video tape as their statement before they left.

But that isn't the half of it. The chief-of-police called me up yesterday
after talking with Joey. He told me about a farm that Joey heard
about. None of us knew about a farm, so we started to ask the
employees. They told us about a farm just twenty miles away.

We couldn't believe our eyes when we drove up to the facility. It wasn't
locked down like the one they had Joey, but it was just as bad or
worse. Even if the kids wanted to leave, they had armed guards in towers
and at the gates. It looked to me a prison camp."

"You got to be kidding me on that. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw
the place where Joey was at. Now you are telling me that they have another
place where they kept kids at." Harold got up to grab him and Detective
Benson something to drink.

"The state police took over the camp, but we haven't even started to clear
out that place yet. We know it is going to be a huge headache once we
start. I just came from a meeting where we were discussing on how we are
going to handle this. One thing is for sure, we don't even know where to
begin."

Harold handed Detective Benson a soda before sitting down in the chair next
to him. He didn't say a word, he just looked straight ahead. There is no
way this is the only place operating near them. They got lucky and stumbled
on it by a worker with a heart.

"Your honor, we also have a problem on who is going to prosecute these guys
and anyone else that was involved on torturing the kids. If we take it by
the letter of the law, Texas should be the only one to prosecute. We can
step in with charges on kidnapping and anything else we can charge them
with while they committed the kidnapping."

"I would rather have the courts in Texas hear the cases instead of us. I
have complained over and over again that the laws in Texas are way too
strict and the punishments for the crime is way too high. But in this case,
I want them prosecuted in Texas. I want them to spend the rest of their
lives behind bars and treated like they treated Joey."

"That I agree with and decided to not fight on who should prosecute
them. Once they are done, we will step in and prosecute them in our
courts. So if they ever get paroled, they will be sent straight over to us
to serve their time. They will not see the light of day."

"Good, people like that should never have kids under their
supervision. Once we get the list of the kids in that place and who there
parents are, we will look to see if they live in this county. If they do, I
will find something to charge them with. They had to know what was going on
in that place, but chose to turn a blind eye to it."

"When you send out arrest warrants, call me to help execute them. I want to
throw those parents behind bars and never let them out. If you don't like
the idea on having a gay son or daughter, don't send them to a place like
that. Don't kick them out or beat them. If they cannot deal with it, send
them to a family member that can."

"I agree with you one hundred percent. When Caleb first came to me and
Helen and told us that he is gay, I will not lie to you, I was angry. I
thought that he will not ever have kids and live a normal life. But I
quickly got over it and supported him. I love my son so much; all I care
about is that he is safe."

"What are we going to do about Joey's uncle and mother? We just missed them
when we went to arrest them. It is really nagging me that they are running
free out there. I am afraid they will do something dumb to stay free."

"For now there is really nothing that we can do. They will screw up one day
and when they do. They will face the full weight of the law. I don't care
where they are caught; we will bring them back here to be charged on what
they did."

"I really hate to say this, but I think they are long gone. We will never
catch them because they are more than likely in Mexico already. I really
hope that the judge that gave them bail will get heat off of this. Not to
be mean, but I really hope he looses his seat on the bench. He doesn't
deserve to be a judge."

"The thing about them being in Mexico, I agree with you on that. As far as
the judge, he will not make it to July. He will be forced to step down
because he was warned about Beth and Dominic. Not only by you, by the
district attorney but by his fellow judges. We told him that they are being
looked at on kidnapping charges. We also told him that they will skip out
if they get free. He chose not to listen, so he will be forced to step
down."

Harold and Detective Benson talked a little longer before Harold had to
start his afternoon hearings. Harold thanked Detective Benson for stopping
by and to keep him in the loop in what they find out. He wants to know
everything that is happening so where he can be the first to start sending
out arrest warrants.

Fran and Alan got home before anyone else. They walked in to find Joey
sitting in the living room watching TV. Fran walked over to her brother to
try and figure out how he is watching the TV since he cannot see. Joey felt
someone standing over him and when he smelled Fran's shampoo, he knew it is
his sister.

"How was school today Fran? I hope you were not asked a millions questions
about what had happened to me. To tell you the truth, I hope when I get
back to school. everyone has talked themselves out about me."

"They asked about you, but you can tell they really didn't care. They just
wanted the gossip so they can spread it to their friends. Joey how do you
know what is going on in the show if you cannot see what you are looking
at?"

"I really don't know what is going on in the show. All I know is what they
are saying, and that is not much. At least with Caleb, he tells me what is
going on in the show. We do make fun of the guys, but I know more with
Caleb than sitting here alone.

By the way, where is my truck at? I hope it is not at the school still. If
so, I will not find it one piece when I go and pick it up."

"Jacob's grandfather picked it up from the impound yard at the police
station. It is parked in the driveway here. And before you ask, no one has
driven since Al brought it here." Fran sat down in the chair taking the
control from her brother.

"I hear that Jacob bought himself a new truck. It is a lot bigger than my
truck I also hear. What did you think about the truck and his new
boyfriend? I saw him once before, and I thought he was pretty hot. Just
surprised Jacob would go for someone like him. Don't get me wrong on what I
am saying here Fran, but he is totally different than me."

"I think he is cute and it is sad that we lost such a handsome guy to the
other side. As far as him being different than you, well Caleb is different
than Jacob. And about his truck, it is nice and yes it is bigger than
yours. I really hope you will not trade in your truck now that Jacob got a
new one. That truck is the last thing you kept that Jacob gave you.

You two may be done, but I am still friends with Fran. I still love Jacob
as my brother no matter if you guys are not dating anymore. Please Joey
don't get rid of the last thing Jacob gave to you from his heart."

"I have no plans to get rid of my truck. Not only do I love that truck, but
I love the fact that my first love loved me so much that he gave me that
truck for my birthday. You're right about Caleb and Dewayne, I had no right
to ask that question.

Oh Fran, don't stop talking to them because of me. Jacob and I will work
things out and eventually become friends I hope. I am the one in the wrong
and I need to be the one to correct all of what I did wrong. It will take
time, but it will happen."

Fran got up and hugged her brother as she handed him the control back. She
left the living room to do her homework. Joey didn't change the channel
back to what he was listening to. He just sat on the couch in his own mind
thinking of the future.

He is hoping that one day he and Jacob will become friends. When that
happens, maybe they could take turns visiting each other. Still Joey knows
that is a long ways off. For now he has to get better and return to school
and work. That is what he is going to work towards, besides spending every
moment he can with his boyfriend.

TO BE CONTINUED...

WRITER'S CORNER:

{Welcome back everyone to another chapter of Regrets and Heartaches. I am
finally moving the timeline along. This chapter covered more than just one
day. At an average, a chapter will cover between four or five days.

I picked up from where I left off at in chapter nine. I really debated once
again with myself about bringing Jacob into this chapter. I was not
planning to have these two not talk again until they ran into each other in
college. But there is no way Al could keep this thing from Jacob. It would
be all over the local news since the facility is so close.

Several things occurred between Joey and Jacob in this chapter. You kind of
get a feeling that Jacob is cold and distant with Joey as they talk. He is
there because of what happened to him, but not as much that he cares like
he is used to. This should not be a surprise to anyone, because Jacob just
doesn't trust Joey anymore.

They talked about the house and it ended up going Jacob's way. They also
talked about their money and Jacob's business. Jacob took this chance to
make it clear to Joey that he will never get a red cent from him or part
ownership to what he owns. Of course Jacob said it a lot nicer, but that is
basically what he told Joey.

They parted with the door open for a friendship to be built. That will
happen, maybe not in the near future, but it will happen. I might not have
these guys talk again until college, who knows. I just want you guys not to
get use to Jacob being in this story. In Jacob I will write what Jacob and
the guys did on the way down, during lunch, at Joey's house and on the way
back to El Paso. So don't think I will leave that gap just out there.

Harold and Helen met Joey's ex and talked about it with each other. They
saw that there is no chance of those two getting back together. I don't
blame them on being happy about that. They no longer have to worry about
Joey leaving their son to go back to Jacob.

I know as you read the part of Joey being released, you thought what the
hell. I knew I needed to clear that part up. I did it by Harold talking
with Jacob about getting a hold of Al. It is true what I had Harold say to
Jacob. I myself have landed up in the hospital without insurance. They
stabilized me and gave me my walking papers. By law that is all a hospital
has to do. It sucks, but that is the world we live in right now.

Harold talked with Detective Benson about the facility. It is going to take
a long time to get that mess fixed. I don't think you will see any
prosecutions in this story, if any at all. It happened in Texas, so only
the courts of Texas can prosecute. New Mexico can prosecute kidnapping and
anything that happened during the kidnapping, but that is all.

I would like to leave the story with one final thought. As I am writing
this chapter, a week before a kid that just started college jumped off of a
bridge because his roommate and another friend posted a video of him on the
internet. I have said this over and over again in all of my stories. There
are idiots out there that don't understand or don't care. They will hurt
and do what ever it takes to embrace what they don't understand.

If any of you that read this story and are going through a hard time right
now, taking your life is not worth it. If you cannot turn to a friend or a
family member, there are hot lines to call or teachers to talk to. You can
even email me or my editors and we will talk with you. But don't take your
own life over someone being petty. You are worth more than that and deserve
to live. No one has the right to belittle you on being who you are.

There is so much going on in this saga. I can keep writing, but I
won't. You guys are going to need to tune in to the next chapter to see
what is going on. More plots are going to open and old ones will be
closed. This story, like my others, will keep you on your toes. Don't miss
what is coming up in the chapters to come.

I do not want to say too much more and spoil the future chapters to come,
so I won't. I warn you though! Do not skip a chapter, or you will be
lost. There is a so much to answer in the chapters to come. 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:

[I continue to be so very impressed with how Jacob is able to reach out to
those who have tried to kill him and those who have 'dumped' him.  Joey has
to be in shock at the care that is being shown to him in spite of his
horrid actions toward Jacob in the past.  This is a lesson in forgiveness
which we all need to learn and practice more often in our own lives!

I continue to be impressed with Helen and Harold and their roles on behalf
of their expanded family.  They, too, provide us all with a model which we
could all follow.  Such open acceptance will provide a strong 'glue' that
will keep this family 'bonded.'

Such bonding will be needed big time!  Joey's injuries are both physical
and emotional.  Will he be able to allow others to help him or will his
strong desire to become more of a leader come into conflict with each
other? Could he turn others against him as he seems to reject their help?

I suspect that the fleeing to Mexico by Beth and Dominic could escalate far
beyond what any of us could imagine.  Given the legislative immigration
action of Arizona, the attitude of the border states even back when this
story was taking place could become inflamed.  If so, who will be involved?
Might these states create potential conflict with the US federal
government?  Could we find issues of the 1860s just before the Civil War
once again at play?

This story gives us much to think about.  Our author forces me to examine
some of my own long-held perspectives.  I appreciate being challenged like
this.  If you do as well, let him know via an email.  Such reader input is
his only pay for his efforts!  Thanks!

--Kent D. (sw Ohio area)]