Date: Tue, 7 Dec 2004 15:03:10 -0800 (PST)
From: Fup Duck <fupduckmd@yahoo.com>
Subject: Life Goes On - David and Chad #10

STANDARD DISCLAIMER: This is the continuation of David's story.  One of two
boys loving each other.  So the same disclaimer applies.  If you can't
handle that, or it's illegal to read this in your area, or you're underage,
then now is the time to leave.  If you continue reading after that
admonishment, Nifty and I aren't responsible.

There could also be incidents of unprotected sex.  As always, I don't
condone this practice - especially in this day and age.

Due to some emails I received after the last chapter, I think I need to say
that Chapter 9 was a good closure chapter for those of you only interested
in David's relationship with Kelly.  I really didn't mean it that way, but
wow.  The continuation, starting with this chapter, focuses on David's love
for Chad - and vice versa.  Kelly's name doesn't come up much, but his
imprint on David's - and Chad's - heart is a lasting tribute to a very
special person.

To those of you that ended up falling in love with Kel through words on a
screen, love like there's no tomorrow. :-)

This chapter may get a little intense toward the end...but David finally
realizes what he has.

Fup

******************************************************************************
FROM CHAPTER 9

David plodded up the steps to the apartment, opened the door and headed
directly for the bedroom.  He shed his clothes, and slipped on his gym
shorts.  When he stood up straight, he looked over to the pictures on the
bureau and grinned tiredly.  It was perfect.  The small piece of red
plastic in front of their picture was the best thing he could have thought
of getting.  He had finally captured the Big Red One.  Still smiling, he
flipped off the bedroom light and crawled into bed.  Within minutes he was
asleep.


LIFE GOES ON - DAVID AND CHAD #10 - Lunch and Dinner

The ringing phone jolted him from sleep.  David looked at the clock.  What
person in their right mind would even think of calling him at nine o'clock
on a Sunday morning?

He rolled out of bed and walked to the kitchen to pick up the phone.  Maybe
a phone jack in the bedroom too, he thought.

"Hello," he answered groggily.

"Hey bro."

"Lynn, do you realize what time it is?"

"It's nine, you grump."

"That's right.  Now why are you calling me at this ungodly hour?"

"Would you believe 'because I love you'?"

"No."

"Didn't think so," Lynn laughed.  "Well, the real reason I called is to
invite myself to lunch."

"Lunch?"

"Yeah, lunch.  You know, that meal that you eat between breakfast and
dinner?"

David smiled, slowly coming fully awake.  "Well, where do you want to go?"

"Silly boy," Lynn scoffed.  "Your place, of course."

"I can't get out of this, can I?"

"Not a chance, it would be rude."

"No, rude is calling someone at nine on Sunday morning."

"So what are we having?"

David opened the fridge.  "How about grilled cheese?"

"Try again."

David's glance caught the paper bag he got from Mrs. Sites the evening
before.  "How about spaghetti and garlic bread?"

"Spaghetti?  You're gonna make spaghetti?"

"Sure, why not?"

"I guess that would be okay," Lynn replied dubiously.

"You sound like you don't think I can make it," David teased.

"Well, we can always go somewhere else if it doesn't work out."

"It'll be the best spaghetti you ever had," David assured her, grinning.

"Well, it's sort of scary, but okay.  Spaghetti it is." She paused, then
continued, "Ummm, Dave, would you mind if Mom came along with me?"

David thought about that a little.  "What about Dad?"

"He's working.  You know how he is about overtime."

"Yeah.  Sure, bring Mom along, it's fine."

"You sure?"

"Yep, she hasn't seen the place yet."

"Okay, if you're sure.  What time?"

"Twelve thirty okay?  That way I can go back to sleep for a while."

Lynn laughed, "Sounds good.  Just set the alarm."

"Yes, motherrrrrr."

"Okay Dave, we'll see you then.  Thanks."

"For what?  Inviting you?"

"You know what for," Lynn answered.

"No sweat, see ya later.  Love to chat some more, but I need to get
cooking, you know."

"See you later, bro."

"Yep, see ya."

David hung up the phone, and walked back to the bedroom.  He was awake now.
He took a shower and did his normal morning stuff, then straightened up the
apartment in preparation for what could well be an interesting afternoon.
Back in the bedroom, making the bed, he removed the pictures from the
bureau and slipped them into one of the drawers.  No sense in stirring
anything up.  He'd had enough 'stirring' for a while.  Taking a look
around, he nodded to himself at his efforts - good enough.  He picked up
the book he was reading and relaxed in the living room until noon.

"Let the show begin," he thought as he emptied the spaghetti into a pot and
turned the stove on low heat to warm it up.  The bread went into the oven,
and he put out the plates and utensils.  Soon the apartment was filled with
the smells of lunch and his stomach rumbled.  He was stirring the spaghetti
when he felt eyes on him.  He looked to the kitchen door to see his mother
and sister grinning and shaking their heads at him.

"Come on in," he offered, opening the door for them.  "It's almost ready."

Lynn walked to the pot and lifted the lid, sniffed, and turned to look at
David.  "Smells good."

"Is there anything we can do, David?" offered his mother.

"Nope, just gotta get the drinks, and get everything on the table."

The three settled around the kitchen table, David propping himself on the
window sill and letting his mom and sister have the chairs.  He watched as
Lynn took a tentative bite of her spaghetti and grinned as her expression
changed to surprise.  "This is pretty good, Dave."

"Yeah, it's not bad," David answered with a smile.

"David, where did you learn to cook spaghetti?" his mother asked.

"I think I read it somewhere," he answered.

Conversation ceased as the three enjoyed the meal, finishing off the
spaghetti and bread.  David started to wash the dishes, but was replaced by
his mother.  "You fixed the meal, the least we can do is clean up."

"I don't have a problem with that," David chuckled as he and Lynn settled
into the living room.

When his mother finished the dishes, she joined them saying, "David, thanks
so much for asking us to lunch.  It was very good."

David raised his eyebrows at Lynn, who grinned.  Then he answered, "No
problem, figured you'd want to check the place out sometime.  Make sure
it's not a pigsty."

"Well, it looks very nice.  But you really should make it more personal.
Pictures on the wall and everything," his mother suggested.

"Since I'm only here for the summer, I figured it would be sort of a waste,
ya know?"

"That's true, good thinking, David."

The three of them spent the next two hours chatting, catching up on the
latest news - family and town-wise.  The comfortable atmosphere was only
shaken once when his mom brought up some news he hadn't heard.

"Do you remember that Neal boy you were in Scouts with?" she asked.

"Yeah."

"Well, you'll never believe it.  He was caught doing stuff with another
boy."

"Stuff?"

"Yes, queer stuff - they moved away just after Christmas.  I don't see how
anyone could do that nasty, disgusting stuff."

"Uh huh," David replied - time to switch topics.  "So how's work?"

Once again the conversation moved on to 'safer' topics, and soon Lynn and
his mother were getting up to leave.

"David, thank you for inviting us," his mother said.  "It means a lot."

"No sweat, mom, glad you liked dinner."

"Well, Dave, you surprised me," Lynn laughed.  "Spaghetti and garlic bread,
who would have thought?"

"I'm full of surprises.  Thought you'd have figured that out by now."

"Well, you're full of something," Lynn joked.  "And, seriously, thanks."

"No problem, Lynn, it was sort of fun.  You guys can come by anytime, just
call first, okay?"

"So you can get your girl out of here?" Lynn teased.

"Something like that, yeah," David grinned.

"My brother, the chick magnet," Lynn laughed, then gave him a soft punch on
the shoulder.  "Take it easy bro."

"You too, and thanks."

Lynn gave him a wave as they pulled out of the parking lot and the dreaded
lunch date was over.  "Well, that wasn't too bad," David said to the empty
living room as he settled into the chair again.  It was just after dark
when the phone rang again.  Yes, a phone jack in the living room and
bedroom WOULD be nice, he thought as he picked up the receiver.

"Hello?"  Silence.  "Ummm, hel-LO?"  More silence.  "Who is this?"  Then a
soft giggle.  "Okay, who is this?"

"Is David Barker there?"  A male voice, but strange sounding.

"This is David.  Who's this?"

"Guess."

"Well, there's only a few people that have this number.  Hi Mom."  The
voice on the other end broke into familiar laughter.

"Hey," Chad said.  "Like my grown-up voice?"

"Well, it sorta sounded like a guy with a mouthful of something," David
teased.

"Riiiight, had you fooled though."

"You can't fool a fool," David laughed.

"Yeah, guess you're right," Chad answered.

"Thanks, I certainly appreciate your opinion."

"Good," Chad laughed.  "Hey, whatcha doin' Wednesday night?"

"Why?  Ya need a babysitter?"

Chad snorted, "Not quite, Mom wants to know if you'd like to come for
supper."

"That'd be cool.  What time?"

He heard Chad cover the mouthpiece and ask.  Then he was back, "Six
thirty."

"Sounds good.  So what did you do today?"

"Not much, just rode my bike and all.  What did you do?"

"Well, Mom and Lynn came over for lunch, and we sat around and talked.  It
was pretty nice."

"Your mom?"

David chuckled, "Yeah, weird huh?"

"Bet it was fun."

"It wasn't bad, really.  Although I can think of better company."

"Who?"

"I miss ya, kiddo."

David could hear the smile in the tease.  "It's only been a day."

"I know."

"Well, I'd say the same thing, but there's people around," Chad answered.

"Hey, if it's nice, you wanna head up to the falls this weekend?"

"Yeah, that'd be cool.  We could do the slide."

David chuckled, "I haven't done that in ages.  You can still do that?"

"Yeah, saw some people there a couple weeks ago."

"Cool, then it's a date?"

Chad laughed, "Sure is."

Then David got a little more serious.  "I'd ask ya to spend the night
again, but."

"Yeah, no problem," Chad assured with a slightly disappointed tone.

"I know, it sorta sucks."

"Yeah."

"But I'll make it up to you," David smiled.

"You'd better."

"Promise," David replied.

"Well, Mom says she needs the phone, so I gotta go."

"Okay, kiddo, thanks for the call.  Love ya."

Chad chuckled quietly, "Me too, see ya."

"See ya," David answered to the dial tone.  He shook his head and hung up
the receiver.  Retrieving his book from the living room, he decided to get
ready and just read in bed.  A few hours later, he was asleep.

It rained the next two days, keeping David in the office and inside the
apartment.  By Wednesday he was beginning to get cabin fever and was
looking forward to his dinner at the Murray's.  Once again dressed in jeans
and a button-down shirt, he arrived at Chad's.  He noticed Mr. Murray's car
was gone.  After being invited inside, he spent the next few minutes
chatting with Mrs. Murray as she fixed the meal.

"I've been wondering something," he started.

"And what have you been wondering?" Karen smiled over her shoulder.

"Doesn't it seem strange to you that Chad wants to spend so much time with
me?"

"Not really," she answered nonchalantly.

"Well, I just don't want you to think anything weird is going on.  Chad's
pretty important, and I'd never do anything to mess that up."

Karen turned to face him, a serious expression on her face.  "Now why would
you ever think that, David?  If we ever thought anything like that, you
wouldn't be here right now," she admonished.  "He really thinks a lot of
you, and so do we, so don't worry about it okay?"

David mentally sighed with relief, he HAD to be sure.  "Okay, sorry."

"No need to be, I appreciate your concern about what we think.  But we know
how you and Kelly took him under your wing," then she laughed.  "And we
were concerned that you were just being nice to him and were going to leave
him in the dust when you went to school.  So I guess it worked both ways."

David chuckled, "Yeah, he's a cool kid.  Kel liked him as much as I do."
Then he thought of something.  "Hey, I'd like to head up to the falls this
weekend, can he come along?"

"Sure, that would be fine, we're not planning on doing much this weekend
anyway.  Was he going to spend the night?"

"Well, not this time.  We sorta figured you'd get tired of him always being
there."

"It really doesn't matter, David.  He missed you a lot when you were at
school.  It was almost pathetic," she laughed.  "He'd check the mailbox
every day to see if he got a letter from you.  Even the day after he'd get
one."  David laughed along with her.  "And we were serious, if he wants to
spend the night, he can.  As long as he's not messing up any plans you
have.  Or if we have plans."

"Well, I always wanted a little brother," David chuckled.  "Lynn was always
a pain in the butt."

Karen grinned again, "Well, you got what you wanted then, and women aren't
all THAT bad, David."

"Sisters are," David griped good-naturedly.

"Well, you two seem to be pretty close now.  David, since the 'boys' aren't
here, I need to ask you something."

David tensed a little.  Well, he brought this topic up, he'd have to learn
to keep his mouth shut.  "Go ahead," he said warily.

"Is everything okay at home?  Every once in a while I get the suspicion
that they aren't.  And Cindy has let a few things slip after she comes home
from Lynn's."

David debated with himself a few minutes.  He liked Karen, but he had it
beat into his head that family business was family business.  "Well,
they're not the best," he hedged.  "But they've had problems before."

Karen stared at him for a few long seconds, then nodded, turning back to
the stove.  "Okay, David, I'm sorry to hear that, but I'm sure things will
work out."

"Thanks, Mrs....ummm, Karen," David replied.

"You're welcome, David.  Thanks for being concerned, but don't worry about
it."

"Okay, thanks, I appreciate it," David replied, then turned at the sound of
Mr. Murray's car in the driveway.  He grinned and asked, "Can I go up to
Chad's room?  I owe him."

Mrs. Murray laughed and waved him off with the spoon she was using.  David
rushed upstairs, slipping into Chad's closet, closing the door until just a
crack remained, and waited.  He heard Chad run into the house, and his mom
ask him what he was looking for.

"Where's Dave?"

"Well, I don't know Chad.  Maybe he's in the bathroom."

David heard Chad pound up the steps and pause at the bathroom door.  Then
he slowly walked into his bedroom.  He watched as Chad grinned, then drop
to his knees, throwing the bedspread back and yelling, "A-ha."  David
chuckled softly as Chad walked toward the closet door.  He had a plan.
Chad's parents were still in the kitchen, he could hear them chatting, so
it was going to work.  He waited until Chad threw open the closet door with
a triumphant laugh.  He grabbed hold of the teenager, pulling into the
closet and kissed him hard.

"Mmph," Chad grunted in surprise.

David grinned as he released the surprised teen, chuckling at his
expression.  "Gotcha," he whispered.

"Damn, Dave, my parents are downstairs."

"Yeah, and?"

Chad started grinning.  "You just had to do that, didn't you?"

"Told ya I missed you."  Then his arms were once again wrapped around an
enthusiastic teenager.  Chad didn't kiss him, but hugged David tightly
against him.  David ran his hands up and down Chad's back, then suggested,
"Maybe we should go downstairs, huh?"

Chad squeezed tightly again, before dropping his arms and backing away
slightly.  "Yeah, maybe so."

"You know, I think I like this Chad," David teased.  "Instead of the shy
one."

Chad laughed softly, "Well, good.  Just don't surprise me like that
anymore."

"Maybe," David smirked, "maybe not.  Just when you least expect it, expect
it."

"Well, it goes for you too.  Remember that."

"I will.  Now let's eat."

They were almost downstairs when Matt walked around the corner, startling
all three of them.  He laughed and stated, "I was just going to call up to
you guys that the food's on the table.  Should have known Chad's stomach
would have told him before I got the chance."

Chad rolled his eyes and leapt onto his father's back as he turned away.
"Giddy-up horsey," he laughed.

Matt turned to look at David with an exasperated sigh, "Wanna buy a kid?"

"Dunno," David answered, following them into the kitchen, "is he cheap?
I'm a college student and don't have a whole lot of money."

Mr. Murray let Chad slip off his back and laughed, "We'll pay YOU to take
him."

"Deal," answered David.

"Karen, we've finally succeeded in getting rid of Chad," Mr. Murray
announced as he sat down at the table.  "But it's gonna cost us."

"How much?"

David smiled as he sat down at the table.  He gestured at the food, "This
is enough."

"That's just wrong, you guys," Chad complained.

"True," Mr. Murray answered, deep in thought.  "Maybe two meals?"

"Dad, stop it," Chad laughed.

Once again, David ate his fill surrounded by the friendly bantering around
the table.  He remembered to hold back a little for dessert, once again
apple pie....with ice cream.  He and Chad broke out into fits of laughter
as the dessert was set before them.  In answer to the puzzled glances from
his parents, Chad related the incident at David's apartment, sending the
adults into bouts of laughter as well.  As the dessert plates were pushed
aside, Mr.  Murray directed his attention to Chad.  "Chad, your mom and I
have decided to go out Friday night.  Think you can take care of yourself?"

David almost choked on the sip of tea he had taken, then shot a glance at
Mrs. Murray who winked at him.  She then added, "Or maybe if David didn't
mind, you could just go over there."  At that moment, David realized just
how much his worrying had been for nothing.  He shot a grateful glance at
Chad's parents, who acknowledged it with their own smiles.  Then another
thought hit him and his stomach rolled.

He excused himself to go to the bathroom, needing to get his emotions in
order.  He closed and locked the door and stood in front of the mirror,
bracing himself on the vanity top.  He figured that Mrs. Murray had said
something to her husband while he and Chad were in the teen's room, and
guessed they felt that some sort of confirmation was in order.  Grateful
didn't even come close to what he was feeling.  Then the thought occurred
that he and Chad would have to be even more careful.  That sobered him up a
little.  They trusted him, but was he using that to get what HE wanted?
Damn.  He looked at himself closely in the mirror, after all, he was his
own worst critic.  He almost literally felt the weight on his shoulders.
He knew he should probably be ecstatic that the Murrays trusted him so
much, but...but...but...  It was different now.  He was an adult.  He
grinned a little, sort of an adult anyway.  Maybe he should just keep his
friendship with Chad platonic from now on.  He thought about earlier
conversations in which it was said that the teen looked up to him, maybe
Chad was just going along because of that.  Boy, wasn't that bigheaded?  Or
was it?  Maybe Chad was too young to know what he really wanted.  But was
he?  David didn't know.  He thought about how the teen had said he wanted
to be friends like Kelly.  Dammit.  He shook his head.  Was he taking
advantage of that?  He loved the kid.  Period.  No doubt about that.
"Sometimes things can't be called right or wrong, they just are," came to
his head, followed by, "You think too much."  Fine.

He splashed water on his face, and was drying it off when a soft knock came
on the door.  He replaced the towel and opened the door.  "You okay?" Chad
asked, worried.  "Don't you want me to come over?"

"It's not that at all, kiddo," David replied softly.  "You know better."

"Well, sometimes I don't know."

"Think your parents would let you take a ride?"

"Yeah, probably, why?"

"Ask, okay?  I'll be down in a minute."

"Okay, you sure you're all right?"

"Chad, I'm okay," David smiled.  "Just thinking about some stuff."

"There you go again," Chad scoffed, seriously this time.

"Just ask, okay?"

"Okay, okay," Chad replied, then headed back downstairs.

David straightened himself out, then followed, a smile crossing his face as
he re-entered the kitchen.  "Sorry about that, had to go pretty bad," he
answered the concerned looks from Matt and Karen.

"I thought maybe the meal disagreed with you," Karen smiled.

"Never in a million years," David returned the smile.  "Thanks a lot."

"You're welcome, David.  Anytime."

"C'mon goofball, let's go," ordered Chad from the front door.

David rolled his eyes, "My audience awaits.  What time you want him home?"

"The usual, eleven's fine," replied Karen.

"Okay, thanks."

Both were silent on the way to David's car.  Chad waited until they were on
the main road before turning in the seat to face David.  "Okay, so what was
that all about?"

David related the evening's conversation with Karen, and then his thoughts
in the bathroom.  He sighed, and finished, "So it's up to you."  He braced
himself for the explosion he figured was coming.  Silence.  He looked over
to see Chad sitting silently staring at him, with tears in his eyes.  He
glanced around, and saw a place to pull off the road.  Putting the car in
Park, he reached for the teen, who jerked away.

"Stay away."

"Chad?"

"Just stay away.  You said you loved me, and then you think stupid stuff
like this."

"I do love you, kiddo."

"Don't call me that.  I'm not a kid."

"Okay, sorry," David mumbled.

"I'm not a kid," Chad repeated.

"I know."

"I thought you were different," Chad stated, the tears flowing freely.
"But you're just like all the other grown-ups.  I'm too young to do this,
I'm too young to think that.  You're just like them."

"I'm sorry, Chad."

"You're sorry?" scoffed Chad.  "I just thought you were different.  I guess
all I am is a toy for you to play with for the summer, huh?  Just take me
home, okay?"

"No, I'm not taking you home, and you're so wrong."

"Am I?"  With that, Chad opened the door and was out of the car, walking
back up the road toward home.  David turned off the ignition and jumped out
of the car, walking quickly to catch up with the teen.  He grabbed Chad's
shoulder, and the blond teenager swung around to face him, angrily
shrugging David's hand off his shoulder.  "I said stay away."

"No," David answered.  "I'm not going anywhere without you."

"Why not?  I'm just a kid."

"Because this kid means a whole hell of a lot to me," David replied, still
keeping his distance.

"If I mean that much, why don't you believe me?"

"Huh?"

"Why did you ask mom about what I told you?  That they didn't care about me
hanging out with you?  You didn't believe me."

David realized Chad was right.  His shoulders slumped at the revelation and
he looked into Chad's teary eyes.  "You're right, Chad.  I guess I just
wanted to be sure in my own mind.  I mean you're so enthusiastic and all, I
mean, shit...  You're right, I should have believed you.  But dammit, I
don't want to lose you too," he finished almost angrily.

"You're not, just sort of pushing me away."

"Jesus, Chad, I never meant for it to seem that way."

"Well, it does."

David reached for the teen again.  This time Chad relented and wrapped his
arms around David.  "I'm so sorry," David whispered into Chad's hair,
hugging the blond boy tightly.

"I love you, Dave," Chad mumbled into his chest.

David loosened his embrace and put his hands on Chad's shoulders, pushing
him far enough away to look into his face.  "I love you too," he stated
firmly.  Then he was blinded by the headlights of a car coming down the
road.  He still had his hands on Chad's shoulders as the car pulled to a
stop and the window was rolled down.

"You boys okay?" the woman behind the wheel asked.

"We're fine, just a little disagreement," David answered.

"Okay, you boys get it worked out."  Then the car was pulling away.

Chad started giggling, and wiped his eyes, "A little disagreement?"

"Well, I had to think of something," David replied.

"You think too much."

David sighed, "Yeah, you're right again."

Chad finished wiping his face with the hem of David's shirt.  "I should
blow my nose on it, you know."

"Gross."

Chad laughed, "You'd deserve it."

"Probably."

Chad surprised David by taking his hand, "C'mon, we've still got cruising
to do."

David looked at their intertwined fingers and shrugged, "Let's roll then."
He slipped his arm across Chad's shoulders, still grasping the teen's hand
and they walked back to the car.  As David pulled away from the shoulder,
Chad slid over next to him, pulling David's arm across his shoulders again.
He laughed quietly, then asked, "So, can I come over this weekend?"

David laughed and squeezed Chad's shoulders.  "What do you think?"

******************************************************************************

Nothin' like getting hit between the eyes with the obvious.

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