Date: Sun, 31 Dec 2006 15:31:20 -0800 (PST) From: D B Subject: Life Goes On - David and Chad #60 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. Well, I hope everyone had a decent holiday. Unfortunately, Santa didn't leave me an elf under the tree. Must have been on the 'bad' list. Guess I'll have to find one myself...lol. Been there, done that before.... I recently had an email from a reader that basically said that there was no way Chad's parents didn't know what was going on. I guess with all the paranoia these days, it's hard to realize that the 80's were more laid back. As I've said before, holidays were weird at my parents' house - Christmas included...there were a lot of undercurrents flowing around. And with that said..... Take care, and be safe. Fup ****************************************************************************** FROM CHAPTER 59 "What say we go shoot some pool? Give ya a chance to play with sticks and balls?" Greg blushed again. "Umm, kinda lay off, would ya?" "Yeah, okay, my mistake." "Yeah, challenging me to pool," Greg grinned. "Let's go," David said, standing up. LIFE GOES ON - DAVID AND CHAD #60 - Visions of Sugar Plums David tightened his grip on the steering wheel as another gust of crosswind hit the interstate. It wasn't snowing, but it sure looked like it could. He was about two hours from home, the backseat loaded with Christmas presents. Well, not really loaded, he was a college student after all. Rubbing the stubble on his face, he glanced at the rearview mirror. Mark and Vic were still behind him, Vic driving and Mark, well, sleeping as usual. David grinned and slowed allowing Vic to get beside him in the passing lane. He nodded at Mark, whose head was leaning against the side window, and rolled his eyes at Vic. Vic just grinned and shrugged. David jerked a little in surprise when Vic swerved sharply away from him then swerved back, the motion rapping Mark's head against the glass. David laughed out loud as Mark snapped awake, then started yelling at Vic who was facing straight ahead with a small grin on his face. Mark turned and gave David the finger. David just shrugged and pressed down on the accelerator, once again pulling ahead of his two friends. Almost an hour later, Vic and Mark flashed their lights and waved as they exited the highway, going toward home. David flashed his brake lights and waved back, then turned his attention back to his own trek. As always, his mind was turning. After their chat a few weeks ago, Greg had reverted to his shy ways. Not as badly as when he first showed up, but there were very few 'displays' anymore. David guessed his roommate had second thoughts about the subject of their conversation, and had decided to be low-key. The nightmare still bothered David though. It came to mind at the strangest moments. What was up with that? It had been so vivid that he had been tempted a couple of times to call Chad and see if it had really happened. David snorted to himself. Yeah, right. He could imagine Chad's confusion when he asked if Chad had come down to surprise him. Another gust blew the car toward the centerline and David's attention returned to getting home before getting blown halfway across the state. It was getting dark by the time he exited the highway and began negotiating the surface streets on his way to his parents' house. The town was decorated for the holiday, lights and decorations shuddering and blowing in the wind. Well, it had two days to snow if it was going to be a white Christmas, he thought. Maybe he and Chad could go sledding again if it did snow. That would be cool. Over the last few days, he had been straining his brain to think of ways he and Chad could be together over the holiday. Both families made a big deal over visiting relatives and friends during that time, and he was at a loss. He had a couple of ideas, but didn't know if it would work. The hotel they stayed at was booked for the holiday, he had already checked, and a glance at the parking lot on the way by confirmed it. Staying at Chad's was out. And having Chad spend the night at his house was out too, especially with the way his mother acted whenever she saw them together. David sighed. It was too cold to mess around in the car, or go 'camping.' He still didn't have any firm answers when he pulled into the driveway behind his sister's car. He turned off the ignition and smiled. His father had been busy again this year. The house was decorated with strings of colored lights and electric candles were glowing in all the windows. That was one thing he had to give his dad, he really got into it. David heard faint music, Silent Night, from inside. That would be his mother. His reverie was broken by a sharp rap on the driver's side window. That would be his sister. David turned toward the sound and saw he was right. Lynn was grinning and reaching for the door handle. Bracing himself for the cold air, he slid out of the door as Lynn pulled it open. "Hey, turdbrain," David grinned. "Boy, that's some way of greeting someone who bought you a present," she scoffed. "Yeah? And what might that present be, coal and switches?" "Nah, that's more than you deserve," she laughed. "Yeah, you're probably right," David agreed. "Well, ya comin' in, or are ya just gonna sit out here and freeze?" "Hmmm, hard choice." "Yeah, it would be for you." "Guess I'll come in for a spell," David drawled. Lynn grimaced. "That was pretty bad." "Never said I was good," David smiled. "Yeah right, my brother, who can do no wrong," Lynn said. "Uh huh, I'm sure there's a lot of people who would disagree," David replied, walking beside her toward the house. "Oh crap, wanna help me play Santa?" "Anything else you forgot - besides your brain, that is?" "Yeah, Merry Christmas." "You too, bro." "So what's it like?" David asked nodding toward the house. "I'll tell ya later. Let's take a cruise in a little bit." "Ewww, and get girl cooties in my car?" "Okay, I'll drive." "Whew, thought I was gonna hafta sell my only mode of transportation," David grinned. "Whatever," Lynn responded, pulling open the carport door. "Age before beauty." "You're gonna get awful cold standing out here all night," David laughed. "Just shut up and get inside." "Gettin' kinda uppity, aren't ya?" They continued their good natured chatting as they entered the kitchen and placed the gifts on the bar. His mom and dad called out their hello's from the living room as he slid out of his jacket and draped it over the back of a barstool. "Merry Christmas," he grinned, walking into the living room. "How was the drive, David?" his mother asked. David nodded. "It was okay, kinda windy. Thought I was going to get blown off the road a couple of times." "Well, we're glad to see you made it in one piece," his father added, also smiling. What the heck was this? David's smile remained in place, but his mind was reeling. His father saying something nice? Okay, something was up and he didn't know what. "So do you have to work Christmas again, Dad?" "They asked me to, but I turned it down." "Ummm, wow, that's good," David stammered, glancing over to Lynn. Lynn only smiled and shrugged. "Dave and I are going to take a drive and see the lights, okay?" "Sure, you two haven't had much time to visit the last couple of times," David's mother replied. "Umm, okay, yeah," David managed. "See you later." "Be careful," Mrs. Barker advised as he and Lynn walked back into the kitchen. "Wha...," David started, but was shushed by Lynn. "C'mon, bro, let's fly." "Uhh, yeah, okay," David agreed, grabbing his coat and following his sister to her car. Lynn pulled up and backed out beside David's car and they drove silently for a few minutes. "So, guess you're kinda weirded out, huh bro?" "Weirded out? More like freaked out," David replied, stymied. Lynn laughed as she drove further toward town. "Well, wanna know what's going on?" "Hell yeah, it's like Jekyll and Hyde. I was expecting Hyde and got Jekyll. How long is THAT gonna last? I mean I was thinking where I was gonna stay if it got bad." Lynn gently punched David on the arm. "It's cool, bro. It wasn't until about two weeks ago, just after you left." "Well, yeah, it was kind of bad," David agreed. "Well, mom convinced dad that they needed to talk to someone." "A shrink?" "Counselor," Lynn answered. "What? Dad going to see a counselor? Okay, NOW I'm really freaked out." Lynn chuckled. "Well, they had a huge blow up just after you left. Mom went up to stay with Nanny. Dad was pissed and tried to go see her, but you know Nanny." "Oh yeah, I can imagine," David shook his head. "Nanny told Dad that he needed to get his shit together or he was going to lose his family." "No shit?" "No shit." "Umm, wow." "So Dad went on a binge and got caught driving drunk." "No shit?" "Get another phrase, Dave," Lynn laughed. "So you mean, old 'Holier Than Thou' dad listened?" "Apparently so. They've had like three or four meetings with some guy." "No sh..., umm well, really?" "Well, that's kinda all I know, but supposedly sooner or later, he'll wanna talk with us too." "I dunno about that, Lynn." "Me either," Lynn agreed. "But they've been different for about a week. It's kinda cool." "Yeah, but how long is this gonna last?" Lynn sighed. "Dave, quit being so negative." "Can't help it. You know how it's been. I mean, jeeez, you probably more than me." "Yeah, well, it's been nice the last week. They really seem to be trying." "I guess. It's just...well, you know." "You can be such an asshole, Dave," Lynn laughed. "Look, you've got a couple of weeks. Just try to go with it okay?" "It's too freaking weird. I'm sorry, but no one can change 180 degrees like that." "Oh, so now you're a shrink?" "Nah, just a realist." "An asshole one," Lynn grinned. "So how's the love life?" David asked. "You're changing the subject." "Umm, no, just interested in how you're doing." "You don't lie well, Dave," Lynn laughed. "It's just too weird," David repeated. "Not used to dad being nice, huh?" "Well, not without a couple of beers in him, and even then it was questionable." "He's quit drinking too," Lynn replied. "Okay, I've really flipped into the Twilight Zone here." "Had to, or would have ended up in the clink. He's kinda on probation. Scared him, I think." "Damn, my family has gone completely over the edge in three weeks." "Well, we thought we'd come see you," Lynn grinned. "Yeah right, I've been over the edge since I was like ten. This is just too much." "Dave, just don't do anything stupid, okay? Like pick a fight or stuff like that." "Shit, Lynn, I don't know HOW to act." "Just be your normal self. Umm, wait, maybe not," Lynn joked. "Gee, thanks," David grinned. "No sweat, bro, just be cool. Think of it as a Christmas present." David shook his head and lapsed into thought, staring out the window as Lynn ooh'ed and ahhh'ed over decorated houses. He knew she was observing him as well. He had been fortifying himself all the way from college, working out different scenarios in his mind - none of them good. Now, well, it appeared it was all for nothing. David was still extremely cynical about his father's 'change of heart.' Then he had another thought. Maybe HE was the catalyst. He jerked slightly at that thought. Maybe it was HIS fault that his dad acted the way he did around David. David wasn't sure - of anything. This was crazy. How in the hell could his father's whole attitude change in three weeks? That was the sticking point. Obviously, he would have to 'test' the change of heart, just for his own peace of mind. If his dad had changed, good. But if he hadn't, David didn't want to have the wool pulled over his eyes. There was so much bad history that he couldn't believe it was changing for the good. Granted, it would be nice, but, well... "So it's been okay for a while, huh?" he asked Lynn. "Yep, it's been like a pleasure trip lately. Dad's barely working any overtime, slowed down to two nights a week bowling, hasn't yelled at anybody, been very cool." "I don't know, Lynn." "C'mon, Dave," Lynn said, exasperated. "Okay, sheesh, I'll give it a shot." "Good, you should." "Well, at least there's one optimist in the family," David chuckled. "Awww, you DO love me." "Dunno if I'd go that far." "Wanna walk?" David put up his hands. "No, that's okay, I give up." "Good decision." "After all, it IS Christmas." "Yep." "See? I'm smarter than the average bear, Booboo." "Uh huh, so anyway, whatcha get me?" "Something the whole family can enjoy. A cork for your mouth," David laughed. "You know, it would be a long walk home," Lynn answered. "Yeah, yeah, whatever. Speaking of which, we oughta get back to paradise." "Okay, bro, whatever you say." David sighed. "Look, Lynn, I still find it hard to believe. But I'll give it a try. Seriously though, it's my last one. Every other time I've been shot down. Hard to get over crap like that." "I guess that's all I want, Dave." "Oh good, that means I can return your present, huh?" "Not quite. I know you spent hours and hours trying to find the perfect gift for me." "Oh, absolutely. It was hard to find that big of a cork." Lynn snorted. "Well, it's the thought that counts." David grinned. He was glad his sister had turned into someone like this. He guessed if she could do it, his parents could too. David gave a mental shrug. Maybe it was going to be okay. He had three weeks to find out. ****************************************************************************** A short chapter this time. Guess that's the way it goes sometimes. But David's back home, and it IS Christmas. Yes, Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus. Back to David and Chad in the next chapter - promise. Until later, friends, take care. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or feedback. Thanks! My NEW email is: fupduck_il@yahoo.com Fup