Date: Sun, 21 Nov 2004 14:27:06 -0800 (PST)
From: Fup Duck <fupduckmd@yahoo.com>
Subject: Life Goes On - David and Chad #2

STANDARD DISCLAIMER: This is another story of two boys loving each other.
One is 20, and the other is 15 at the beginning of the story.  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 are also incidents of unprotected sex.  As always, I don't condone
this practice - especially in this day and age.

I actually collaborated with my sister on this one.  Nothing specific,
just, "Remember when I moved out?"  lol

Her first comment was, "You really had a shitty year."  lol

Fup

******************************************************************************
FROM CHAPTER 1

That night in bed, he fingered the necklace around his neck, thinking.  The
sad memories were fading, replaced more often by fond remembrances of the
good times.  As he drifted off, he was smiling.


LIFE GOES ON - DAVID AND CHAD #2 - Point of No Return

"Well, Mr. Barker, it's $200.00 a month plus utilities."

Chad nudged David to get his attention.  David gave the lady talking to him
an apologetic smile and answered, "That's not bad I guess.  I'm sorry, I'm
not used being called 'Mr.'"

"I understand, Mr. Barker.  So what do you think?"

The apartment was nice.  Only a year old, it was the best one they had seen
that day for the price.  And it was somewhat furnished.  A small kitchen
table and two chairs, the normal appliances, a secondhand sofa and
unmatched chair in the living room, and a queen-sized bed, bureau, and
night stand in the bedroom.  Of course, they had been turned away by quite
a few landlords when David informed them he was only home for the summer.
Most wanted a one-year lease or something similar.  It was two in the
afternoon, and this was the next to last place they were going to look.

David answered, "Well, we have one more place to go yet.  But this is the
best so far.  Whatcha think, Chad?"

"It's cool, Dave, I like it.  When I spend the night, I can sleep here in
the living room."

"Your brother seems to have made up his mind," the woman smiled.

"He's always been like that," David smiled.  "And it's no problem that I'm
going back to college in a couple months?"

"Not at all, Mr. Barker.  I rent it out to students that go to the college
in Evitsburg during the school year.  It normally stays empty during the
summer."

David nodded and walked around the apartment again, closely followed by
Chad.  When they were out of the landlady's earshot, David asked, "Like
it?"

"Yeah, it's pretty neat.  And the lady seems nice."

David chuckled a little, "Planning on spending a lot of time here, are
you?"

Chad smiled back, "Maybe."

"Well, ya don't hafta sleep on the floor, you know."  David grinned and
nodded at the queen-sized bed, "We can really camp out in that."

Chad's grin widened a bit, then they went back out to the living room.
David asked the landlady, "Can I pay for all three months?"

She beamed, "Certainly.  If you do, I'll give it to you for $550.00."

"Okay, ummm, what do I need to do?  This is the first time I've done this."

The landlady, Mrs. Bowman, answered, "Well, I have some papers for you to
sign, and then since you're paying ahead of time, you can move in when it
suits you.  Oh, remember, no parties and no pets, okay?"

David looked sadly at Chad, "Guess that leaves you out."

Chad's face dropped, then he punched David's shoulder, "Shut up."

David rubbed his shoulder with a wry grin and looked at Mrs. Bowman, "See
what I have to put up with?"

She laughed, and they sat down at the kitchen table to fill out the
necessary paperwork.  Fifteen minutes later, David had his own address and
phone number.  He wrote the number down and handed it to Chad.  "Anytime,
man."

Chad grinned and put the piece of paper in his wallet.  David smiled at
Mrs. Bowman and said, "I need to go to the bank, I'll be back in a few
minutes."  She nodded and the two of them went back to David's car, Chad
excitedly making plans for the summer at David's 'pad.'  David just shook
his head, Chad might be 15 now, but his enthusiasm certainly hadn't
diminished.

They were leaving the bank and driving back toward the apartment when Chad
asked, "So how come you don't wanna live at your house."

David shrugged, "Long story - I'll tell ya when we have time."

"Okay, cool, you'd better."

David handed Mrs. Bowman the cash, saying that he would be moving in the
next day, Saturday.  She gave him the key, and David took Chad home.  He
sat at the end of Chad's driveway for a few minutes, bracing himself for
what was going to happen.  Since it was still early afternoon, no one would
be home and he could be ready when they did come home.  He backed into the
driveway, and went inside.  He re-packed his footlocker and garment bags,
then went into his parents' room, digging under the mattress and retrieving
his possession.  He was sitting in the living room when his parents came
home, his dad arriving a few minutes after his mother.  He greeted them
cheerfully, and they sat down for supper about an hour later.

"So what did you do today, David?" his mother asked.

"Not much, just drove around and all."

"When do you start work?"

"Monday."

"Good," his dad interjected, "I have to work tomorrow, so you can mow."

As he finished his meal, David sat back and asked, "Can I ask you guys
something?"

"Sure, David, what's wrong?" his mom smiled.

He got up from the table and went back to his room.  When he returned, he
tossed the picture on the dining room table, cracking the glass in the
frame, "This," he answered, still standing.

For once, his parents were speechless.  Then his father angrily asked him,
"Where did you get that?  Were you snooping in our room?"

"How dare you, David," his mother added.

"Me?" David replied calmly.  "How dare you."

"David, you're in some major trouble," his dad warned, rising from the
table.

"What gives you the right?" David asked.

"We just thought it would be better for you not to have stuff that reminded
you of Kelly laying around," his mom explained.

David looked at his mother incredulously, "You thought what?"  Then he
shook his head, and picked up the picture.  He turned to his father, who
was on his feet leaning on the table.  "What gives you the right?" he
repeated calmly.

"Your mother explained it, David.  As long as you're living under this
roof...," he started.

"Well, you don't have to worry about that anymore.  I thought maybe, just
maybe, for once you all would care about what I felt.  He," David gestured
to the picture, still lying on the table, "was my best friend.  How dare
you think it would be better for me.  You have no clue, do you?"

"David...," his mother began.

David picked up the picture, and sighed, "Well, you don't have to worry
about it anymore, I'm out of here tomorrow."  Then he started back toward
his bedroom.

"David, come back here," he heard his father order.

He turned, his anger now rising, "You know what?  I'm tired of being
treated like a dog.  Just forget it."

"David, we thought it would be best," his mother tried to explain.

"You thought?  YOU THOUGHT?"

"We only want the best for you, David.  And you don't appreciate it."

David's anger reached the boiling point, he dropped his voice and asked,
"How do YOU know what's best for me?"  He pointed to his father, "You're
never around," then to his mother, "And you pay more attention to Lynn.
You have no clue about me at all."

"That's unfair, David," his father said, shaking with anger.

"Is it?  Look, just forget about it.  You won't have to worry about what's
best for me anymore.  I'm 20.  I can figure it out for myself."

All three turned as the door opened, and Lynn came into the kitchen.  Her
smile immediately disappeared at the tension and expressions around the
supper table.  She shot a questioning look at David, then her parents.

"What's going on?" she asked.

"It doesn't concern you, Lynn," their father answered evenly.

"Oh, okay," she replied.  "I think I'm going to my room."

"Okay, honey, I'll warm up some supper for you when we're done," his mom
replied.

When Lynn was gone, David's shoulders slumped.  "I'm just outta here.
Tomorrow."  Then he walked back the hallway.  He closed the door to his
room, then lowered himself to a sitting position against it.  He heard his
father angrily tell his mom he was going out, then the sound of the outside
door slamming, and his father's truck backing down the driveway.

After a few minutes, he heard footsteps outside his door and his mom's
voice, "David?  May I come in?"

David snorted, "Just leave me alone, mom.  Okay?"

"Where will you go?"

"I have a place already.  Rented it today."

"Oh, David, I'm sorry."

"Don't worry about it mom, right now I don't care."

"You're not going to do anything stupid, are you?"

"Mom, just leave me alone, okay?"

"Okay, David, okay," he heard her sigh, then she told Lynn to come out to
the kitchen to eat.

David sat on the floor looking at the picture.  His and Kelly's faces
grinned back from the cracked glass.  They had been like 15 when the
picture was taken at Kelly's house.  Each had their arm around the other,
and they each had two fingers sticking up from behind the other's head.
"Good times," he mumbled.  Then he stood up and slipped the picture into
the footlocker.  He stood there a few minutes, then grabbed the two garment
bags from the closet.  He silently walked past Lynn and his mother in the
kitchen and deposited the bags in his car.  Ignoring the looks from them,
he walked down to the basement and rummaged through his Scouting gear and
got his sleeping bag, also snagging a pillow off the bed in the basement.
Once again, he made the trip to his car.  He paused before re-entering the
house, then walked in, quietly telling his mother and sister he was
leaving.

"Are you sure, David?" his mother asked, her voice catching.  "I thought
you said tomorrow?  When your father gets back, we can work something out."

David stared silently at her for a few seconds, then turned to leave.  He
was almost to the car when Lynn put a hand on his shoulder.  "Dave, what's
wrong?"

"It's just bullshit, Lynn.  Just bullshit," he sighed then turned to face
her, seeing a glint of tears in her eyes.  He smiled a little and wrote his
new address and phone number on a scrap piece of paper.  "Here's where I'm
at.  Tell mom I'll get the rest of my stuff tomorrow."

"Why, Dave?" she asked.

David shrugged, and started getting into the car, "Just because.  Call me
sometime."

He started the car and backed out of the driveway, leaving Lynn standing
where she had been.  He drove to the apartment, and knocked on
Mrs. Bowman's door.  "I've decided to spend the night, try it out."

"Oh, okay, Mr....uh, David," she smiled.  "I called today after you left to
get the phone turned on.  I don't know if they were able to do it today.
If not, it will probably be Monday."

"Oh," David answered, then smiled.  "Well, I guess I can't leave a wake-up
call, huh?"

Mrs. Bowman chuckled, "That's not part of the lease, young man."

"Well, just thought I'd tell you I was coming a little earlier than I
planned."

"Well, thank you, David," Then she looked over his shoulder.  "Your
brother's not with you?"

"Nah, he's home, probably watching TV."

"Oh, okay, well have a good night."

"Thanks, I will."  David went back to his car, retrieving his clothes and
sleeping bag.  He entered his apartment, flipping on lights as he went.  He
grimaced as he opened the fridge, he needed groceries.  "Duh," he chuckled
to himself.  Well, it was only seven, he had a little money left from
earlier - he could pick up some essentials.  He spread his sleeping bag on
the bed, turned off the lights except one, and headed for the store.

He entered the market, and was immediately aware that he didn't know where
anything was.  This was definitely going to be an adventure.  He grabbed a
cart and started in the first aisle.  By the time he was pushing the cart
down the last aisle, he was relatively familiar with the layout and was
sort of having fun.  The lady behind the checkout started laughing as she
rang David through the register.  She looked up and asked, "College
student?"

"Yeah," David admitted a little sheepishly.

"I can tell," she laughed again.  "Peanut butter and jelly, bread, TV
dinners, soda, and you even remembered soap and bathroom stuff," she
observed, still grinning.

David found her smile infectious, "Well, you know, ya gotta eat."

"Yes you do, young man," she agreed as David paid the bill.  "Have a good
evening."

"I will, thanks," David smiled.  On the way to the car, he chuckled as he
thought about the sight he presented pushing a grocery cart out to his car.
This could definitely be fun.  When he pulled into the apartment parking
lot, he was grinning until he saw his mother's car there, with two people
inside.  He groaned inwardly, his good mood dissipating.  As he pulled into
his parking space, the doors opened, and he was surprised to see it was his
sister and Chad.  Both wore serious expressions as they got out of the car
and walked over to where David was pulling the grocery bags out of the back
seat.

"Wanna give me a hand?" he asked.

Silently, they each grabbed a bag, and followed David to his door.
Depositing the bags on the kitchen table, they sat down as David started
putting the groceries away.

"Peanut butter and jelly?" Lynn asked.

David grinned, "Always did like it."

"Okay David, what's going on?"

"So how did you get hooked up with the kid?" David asked, avoiding the
question.

"I called him.  I tried to call you, but it says your phone number is
disconnected."

"Yeah, the landlady said that it might not be turned on until Monday."

"What's going on?  All I got from mom was crying."

David ran a hand through his hair.  "Long story, want a soda?"

"David!"

David stopped puttering around the kitchen, and sighed.  "Come on in, let
me show you around."

He sat in the living room chair and motioned his sister and friend to the
sofa.  Then he explained.  "I'm just tired of all the shit, Lynn.  Do you
know how many times they've even mentioned Kelly?  Once.  They act like I'm
going to go crazy if they say his name.  It's like he never even existed to
them.  Then when I saw they had taken that picture from my room, I was
done.  And dad saying about mowing the lawn was just icing on the cake.
It's like the slave is home, now we can relax.  It's bullshit."  When he
was finished, he sat back in the chair, waiting for their reactions.

"You know you really hurt mom?" Lynn asked.

"Lynn, I'm sorry about that, but I can't live there forever.  I've got a
life, friends (nodding to Chad, who grinned a little), a job, what more do
they want?"

Lynn nodded slightly.  "You've changed."

"Maybe, but maybe, just maybe, you're finally seeing another side of 'good,
little David'," he replied.  Ever think of that?"  Then he turned to Chad,
"Hey, I'm sorry you're involved in this, man."

Chad smiled and shrugged, "Told ya anytime."

David shook his head, "When did you guys grow up?"  Then he chuckled, "Not
that I'm complaining.  Just seems weird.  I mean a couple years ago, I
couldn't have imagined having my bratty sister anywhere close to me."

Lynn smiled and stuck out her tongue.  "Takes one to know one."

"Whatever," David laughed.  Then he turned serious again, "Lynn, just tell
them I'm sorry if I hurt them, but I needed some space."

Lynn nodded, then looked around the apartment.  "Pretty nice space."

"Well, my 'little brother' there picked it out," David grinned.

"Umm, Dave, how come you didn't tell me all this stuff?" Chad asked.

"He keeps stuff bottled up," Lynn answered for him.  "Then he blows," she
smiled.  "Dave's weird like that.  Just one thing Dave, I know Kelly was
your best friend, but we all miss him."

"Yeah, I know, it's hard sometimes, that's all."

"But, you've got a new best friend now," Chad exclaimed, laughing.  Then,
catching David's expression, he stopped.  "Sorry."

"Hey, s'ok man, no big deal, I know what you meant," David assured the now
somber teenager.  "And you're right, you goofball."

"Well, I need to get the car back home," Lynn said, standing up.  She
nodded toward Chad, "Wanna take the kid home?"

"Sure, no sweat," David said.

"This isn't over, Dave," she advised.  "We really need to talk."

David shrugged, walking toward the door.  "Yeah, sometime, I guess."

"You'd better believe it," she answered, then grinned.  "When's the party?"

David shook his head, and groaned, "My sister has turned into a party
animal, what's the world coming to?"

Lynn laughed and smacked the back of his head.  "Catch ya later, bro.  Be
good."

"Just tell 'em what I said, okay?"

"Okay, but when you come by tomorrow, you should really talk to mom."

"I guess."

Lynn hugged him before she got in the car and started driving home.  David
turned to Chad, "Well, cruising again."

Chad laughed and slid into the passenger seat, immediately reaching for the
tape case.  David laughed, pulled out of the parking lot, then sobered as
Chad slipped a Yes tape into the deck.

"You into Yes now?"

"A little, I figured you and Kelly liked it."  David nodded and was silent
for a few minutes.  Then Chad said, "I'm sorry about the best friend
thing."

"Hey, I know what you meant.  Don't worry about it.  And maybe you are, ya
know?"

"Really?"

"Really," David smiled.

"Dave?"

"Yeah, kiddo?"

"I miss him too."

"I know, man," David sighed, holding his emotions in check.

"He was so cool, I hope I can be as good a friend."

David pulled the car to the side of the road and turned to Chad, who wore a
worried expression.  "Chad, look, don't ever compare, okay?  Don't try to
be like him.  I like you for you, man."

"Well, I just wanna be your friend like Kel was."

A lot of stuff went through David's mind at that moment.  He answered
carefully, "Well, you're a different person.  I mean Kel and I were real
close, like brothers almost.  We did a lot together.  I dunno if your
parents will let you hang out with a 20-year-old that much."

"They don't care really.  They think you're a nice guy, from you
babysitting and all.  And I'm older now."

David chuckled at Chad's seriousness.  "Okay, man, if that's the way they
feel, that's cool.  After all, people think we're brothers anyway, with you
tagging along with me and all."

"That's cos you're just as good-looking as me," Chad joked.

David laughed, and pulled back onto the road.  "You know, if you keep that
up, I'll have to resort to torture."

Chad shrugged, "So?"

"So whatcha doin' tomorrow?"

"I have to mow the lawn, and clean my room," Chad replied.

"Well, ya wanna help me get the rest of my stuff?"

"Sure, just call me when you're ready," then he started laughing.

"You're in for it.  You know that?"

"Hey, it's not MY fault you don't have a phone."

"Sure it is," David stated.

"Whatever you say."

"That IS what I say," David laughed as they pulled into Chad's driveway.
As David pulled to a stop, Mrs. Murray came out the front door and motioned
them inside.

David and Chad walked into the kitchen where Mr. and Mrs. Murray were
sitting at the table.  He said his hello's then Mr. Murray cut right to the
chase.  "We understand you moved out of your house."

"Yes sir," David agreed.  "I figured it was the best thing."

"Well, a guy needs a place of his own," Mr. Murray agreed.  Then he added
with a smile, "College sort of does that to you, doesn't it?"

"Yes sir."

"Well, we were gonna to tell you that you're welcome here any time, but
this 'sir' crap has to go.  We're Matt and Karen to you."

David flushed a little, "Okay, sorry.  I dunno about the name thing,
though," David admitted.  "I still call Kelly's parents Mr. and
Mrs. Sites."

"Well whatever you're comfortable with, Mr. Barker," Mr. Murray grinned.

David rolled his eyes, "Okay, I get the drift.  Thanks."

"You're entirely welcome, and we hope that you're doing okay."

"Yeah, I'm doing pretty good," then he motioned to Chad.  "He's a big
help."

"Well, it's about time," Matt chuckled.

"Oh, can Chad help me move some stuff tomorrow?  The phone hasn't been
hooked up yet and I still have some stuff I need to move at...home."

"Well, he's got chores, but I'm sure you could talk him into it."

"I was thinking about nine or ten," David said.

"Okay, we'll expect you then.  Make sure he helps and doesn't just
supervise."

"Daaad."

David laughed, "Don't worry, he'll work.  When we're done, I'll bring him
home so he can finish his stuff here.  Thanks."

"No problem, David.  We'll see you tomorrow."

"Yep, see ya later," David responded and walked to his car, Chad beside
him.

David was about to get into the driver's seat, when Chad hugged him.  A
little surprised, David returned the hug and then pushed Chad back a
little.  "What's that all about?  Teenagers don't hug," he smiled.

Chad shrugged, "Just felt like it."

"Well, you can feel like it any time," David grinned.

"Cool, well, I guess I'll see you tomorrow?"

David got into the car and nodded, "Yeah, nine or ten."

"Cool, ummm, is it gonna be weird?"

"I hope not.  Hey, seriously, if you're uncomfortable, you don't have to."

"No, it's cool," Chad responded, resting his arms on the car door.  "I want
to."

David noticed a hesitancy in Chad's demeanor and asked, "What's buggin'
ya?"

"Nothin' really, just seems weird, you movin' out and all."

"Yeah, I guess.  Well, I'll see ya in the morning?"

"Yeah," Chad replied, then started to lean further inside the car.  As if
realizing what he was about to do, he jerked back, and stood up.  "I'll see
ya about nine."

David bent his head to look up at Chad, who appeared to be blushing.  He
smiled, "Cool, looking forward to it."

"Yeah me too, see ya."  Then Chad gave a small wave and headed back toward
the house.

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

Sometimes you learn things without even knowing.  Even a shy, little
8-year-old can grow a backbone in 12 years.  lol

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or feedback.  Thanks!

email:  fupduckmd@yahoo.com
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Fup