Date: Wed, 10 Sep 2003 19:04:10 -0700 (PDT) From: Thomas Gaige Subject: My Step-Brother Jacob - Chapter 31 DISCLAIMER: The following story is FICTIONAL. It contains descriptions of sexual activities between teenage boys. If you are not over 18 years of age, or if you find this type of story offensive, or viewing this material is illegal where you are, then please DO NOT READ IT! If you choose to read it, then - I hope you enjoy it! My Step-Brother Jacob Chapter 31 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The white light became blinding as it got closer and closer to me. All I could see was white light. After a minute, I began to see the outlines of people walking toward me. They were all blurry and hidden in shadows. I kept looking at them. Suddenly, Lynn walked out of the mist, and came over to me. She was carrying a baby. Lynn looked beautiful, all dressed in a white flowing gown. She had a great tan. Must've been because of all the bright white light I guessed. She smiled, put the baby in a white stroller, and walked up to me, and wrapped her arms around me. I put my arms around her, and we kissed. "Oh God, how I've missed you!" I said, as we parted, "but Lynn, you're dead. Where are we?" "You were shot," she said, "you're dead right now too, otherwise you wouldn't be here." "No! I can't be! Who'll take care of Andy and Jacob?" I said. Lynn smiled at me and said, "Relax, you're going back. By the way, I've watched you with them. They love you so much, and I can tell you love them just as much!" "So it's really OK that I'm bi?" I asked. "Yes," she smiled, "It's OK. I just want you to be happy!" Then she picked up the baby out of the stroller, and laid it in my arms. "This would have been your's and Laney's baby," she said, then she added "yeah, I know about Laney too. I was so sorry when you lost this baby too, but don't worry, he's fine here with me. I'll take care of him, and someday, maybe you'll get to be with Dylan. If you ever do meet him, tell him how much I love him." "You know I will Lynn. And I know he's safe with a good family!" I said. "I know," she said, smiling. "This baby's a boy?" I asked, looking at her. "Yup, a cute one too, just like his dad!" she said. The baby gurgled, and smiled up at me. "What's his name?" I asked. "He would've been called Richard," she said. Richard smiled and gurgled at me, as I nuzzled his little nose with mine, and kissed him on the forehead. "Hi Richard!" I said. "I have to go now," Lynn said, "I'll take care of Richard for you." I handed her the baby. She looked at me, smiled and said, "I still love you John, and I know you still love me. I'm glad you found Andy though. You two belong together! Be happy with him! I'll see you again when you come back for good!" Then she faded away. "Wait! Lynn! Come back," I called. I thought she was returning, but then my mother stepped from the mist. "MOM!" I exclaimed. She too was dressed in a white gown, and looked very tan. She was smiling. She came over and hugged and kissed me. "I just wanted you to know, it's OK with me that you like boys," she said. I blushed and said, "I kind of thought you'd be OK with it if you found out." "Andy's a wonderful boy, I like him very much. Jacob and Harry are special too," she said. "You've been watching me?" I asked, suddenly becoming very embarrassed as I wondered if she'd watched me having sex. Mom laughed and said, "of course, I watch you all the time!" "All the time?" I asked, feeling my face beginning to burn. She laughed again and said, "Yes John, even when you're having sex! But it's OK - I think you're pretty good at it, and I'm glad you're such a tender lover! No need to be embarrassed. Sex is a natural and wonderful thing. So enjoy it! I try to look the other way most times anyway!" Still red in the face, I said "Thanks mom!" "You're welcome honey, and I love you! Now I have to leave!" she said. "I love you too mom! But please don't leave!" I said. She smiled warmly at me, but then faded away. As I stood looking at the light, Mike suddenly jumped out of the mist at me. "Yo Horse! Missed ya dude!" he said, grinning at me. I was amazed! Mike was in a white flowing gown too, and looked tan as well. "Fuck, you look great Boob!" I said without thinking. "Yeah, I feel great too, for a dead guy!" he said, chuckling. "Mike, why'd you kill yourself?" I asked. "Had to John, you didn't have room in your life for both me and Andy! And Andy's a whole hell of a lot better person than I was!" he said. "That's fucked up and you know it Mike!" I said. He looked at me a minute and said "Yeah, it is, and I know it. Look, all you need to know is I loved you when I was alive, and I still do. Back when I was alive though, I loved you in a way you could never love me back. I couldn't handle that. I couldn't handle that you weren't going to be able to love me like you love Andy. I was miserable, and nothing would've fixed it. Listen, it's OK now. I'm happy now. The 'Big Guy' was a little pissed that I did myself in, but he worked with me, and now, up here, I'm happy. And I'm happy you have Andy, and Andy has you!" "Are you shitting me?" I asked. "No! I'm not!" Boob said. "I did love you Mike, I still do!" I said. "I know," he said grinning, "and I love you too! You need to go be happy with Andy though. But before you go, two things." "What?" I asked. "Evan - the new guy you're hanging out with - he's a lot like me. He's a good guy and he loves you. More like a brother than the way I loved you though. Anyway, he needs you. So make sure you're always there for him." "OK," I said. "And second, would you check-in with Brian for me and keep in touch with him? He's still pretty messed up by me killing myself. Tell him I love him, and I always will, and that it had nothing to do with him, and he couldn't have stopped me if he tried. Oh, and tell him I said '48-36-24' should be easy to remember - all multiples of twelve!" Mike said. "When the Hell did you get so good at math?" I asked chuckling. Mike laughed hysterically then, just like he used to when we were all together before I left for England. He sounded so happy now. My eyes watered a little. I was happy for him. "Thanks for the info on Evan, I'll take care of him. And I'll keep in touch with your brother too. But what're the numbers for?" I said. "Thanks. Um - about the numbers though - I can't tell you - it's private between me and him at the moment. Tell him if he wants to share it with you, it's OK with me, but it's his decision. Tell him he should at least share the bottle with you though. You can visit my grave and share it sometime! Kinda like you and him and Andy did before you went back to England. Not I gotta fly! I don't expect to see you back here for several decades Horse! But when you get back here - we're gonna party down!" Mike said. He grinned and in a flash he was gone. "48-36-24" I was muttering to myself, as suddenly my father stepped out of the wisps of fog. He too had a white gown on, but on him it looked rather silly. At least his tan was good though too. "Somehow I didn't expect to see you!" I said. Dad smiled ruefully at me and said, "Yeah I guess you wouldn't have. Listen, I'm sorry about my reaction to finding out you and Andy were 'sleeping' together, and that you'd messed around with Jacob too. Having watched you since I passed, I know that you're not doing anything to hurt Jacob, and that you and Andy are very happy together. So in light of that, I'm happy for you as well, and it's OK with me if you want to be with a boy. John, the bottom line is I love you very much! I always have, and I always will!" "Thanks! I love you too Dad!" I said, as tears filled my eyes. "I know," he said, "an would you please tell Jacob I love him, and I'm OK with him too!" "I will," I said, "but, um, aren't I supposed to be dead if I'm here?" Dad smiled at me and said "You're not really here yet. You're just at the entrance. It isn't your time yet. It was felt though that since you've gone through so much lately, since you were almost all the way here, you deserved to get to talk to those of us who you've just spoken with." "Damn!" I said, then I cringed. Dad chuckled and said, "Don't sweat the small things, He only cares that you live your life well, and don't hurt others. As long as you stay the kind of caring guy you are, you'll be fine!" "Wow!" I said, "Um, does everyone have to wear the goofy white dresses though?" Dad rolled his eyes and said "seems that way!" I laughed, and he joined in then. "I love you son, and you're alright in my eyes! Always remember that! Now it's time for you to go home! Before you go though. Please tell Elizabeth I love her, and I love the name she's chosen for the baby," he said. "What name?" I asked. "Austin Alan Wilder," he said. "I like it too," I said. "OK - I love you! You have to go now though!" Dad said. Then Lynn, who was still holding Richard, Mom, and Mike came back into view and joined Dad. They were all smiling and began waving. Then, they all seemed to float rapidly backward away from me. "I love you guys!" I called, as I felt a couple tears run down my cheeks. Suddenly, I felt like I was being pushed backward at breakneck speed. Then, with a thud, I landed on my back. Everything was black again. "He's Back!" I heard a male voice yell, as I opened my eyes, and blinked at the bright overhead lights. "Oh My God! JOHN!" I heard Andy shout. "A-Andy," I muttered. "John?" Elizabeth asked, staring down at me, in her nurses outfit. "Eliz -" I said, coughing. "Just relax, you're in the Emergency Room. The doctors are going to fix you!" she said. I tried to smile. "Andy?" I whispered hoarsely. "He's here, and he's fine!" she said, and I saw Andy's face, full of tears staring down at me. "Y-You're good with a-a coat tree!" I said, trying to smile. Andy grinned and started crying, telling me, "Just rest, they're going to fix you. We can talk later." I tried to smile, then closed my eyes, as it was too much effort even to breathe. "We're taking him for his operation now," I heard. Then I felt like I was moving. A while later I heard a woman say, we're putting you to sleep for a while now. Then everything went black again. I opened my eyes, and had a hard time focusing. I tried to look around. Suddenly, Jacob was leaning over looking down at me, grinning. "John! You're awake!" he exclaimed. Then Andy and Elizabeth were there too. They all appeared to be swimming for a minute or so, then my vision finally cleared up and I could focus on them. They were all looking down at me, smiling, and all talking at once. Behind them, I saw Harry, Laney, and Evan clustered around too. I opened my mouth and tried to speak, but I was so dry, I couldn't. Finally, I managed to rasp the word "water". "OK, everyone back up and give him some room," Elizabeth said, then she held one of those little sponges on a stick to my lips. It was wet. She said, "You can't drink yet, but I can moisten your mouth and lips with this." Then she wiped my lips and stuck it in my mouth and moved it around. It wasn't a real drink, but it did the trick, I was able to work my mouth again. Everyone looked at me expectantly, as I finally said, "who are you?" "Oh my God! He has amnesia!" Jacob groaned. I smiled weakly then, and said "No - him", and I looked beyond everyone. Everyone turned then and chuckled when they saw a chaplin standing there. "Oh Hell, they said I wasn't dead!" I said. Even the chaplin laughed then. He said, "I just stopped by to see if you needed any spiritual help." I smiled. Elizabeth thanked him and told him he could say a prayer if he wanted to. He did, then he excused himself and left. A nurse bustled in then and said "OK, there are too many people in here! You'll all have to take turns, but only after I check our patient!" Then she shooed them all but Elizabeth out of the room, and directed them to a lounge down the hall. Elizabeth watched as the nurse checked me over, then pronounced me to be "fine". She told Elizabeth I could have short separate visits with everyone, then she wanted me to nap. Then she turned and left. I looked at Elizabeth and said "are you like her when you're working?" She chuckled and said "worse!" I grinned. "You gave us quite a scare," she said, "but the doctors say you'll be OK." "I died for a while, didn't I?" I asked. Elizabeth went white, and tears welled in her eyes. Finally she said, "yes, they lost you in the ER for a few minutes, but they were able to revive you." "I know," I said, "I think I was on my way to heaven. Lynn, Richard, Mom, Mike, and Dad all came to meet me. I talked with them all!" "Who's Richard?" Elizabeth asked, looking puzzled. "uh, not important, but listen," I said, "Dad wanted me to tell you he loves you, and he loves the name you picked out for the baby!" "Did he say what the name was?" she asked. "Austin Alan Wilder," I said. Elizabeth went completely white, and sank down in a chair next to me. "How did you know that was the name I was thinking about for a boy?" she asked. "Dad told me. He said to tell you he likes it," I said, "and by the way, I do too!" She just looked at me, then she got up and kissed me and said she'd get Andy. Andy came in and sat next to me on the edge of my bed. He leaned over and kissed me, then crying, he told me how much he loved me, and how upset he'd been when he thought he'd lost me, and how happy he was now. I reached up and wiped the tears from his face, and asked him to tell me what had happened. Andy said that his father always keeps a shotgun under the couch. Apparently while Andy was upstairs putting his stuff in the suitcases, and I was fighting with Ian, his father crawled over to the couch, pulled out the gun and shot me. I got hit in the shoulder. An artery was hit and I lost some blood, and my lung collapsed. Luckily it missed my heart by just a little! Anyway, when Andy heard the shot, he ran downstairs and realized what had happened. He was so furious that he'd hit his father and brother with the coat tree, knocking them both out. Andy's mum had called an ambulance, and since it was a shooting, the police had come as well. Hearing Andy's story, they arrested his father and brother. Meanwhile I was brought to the hospital. I died in the ER, but they brought me back. Then I was operated on, and I just woke up from it. Andy had called Elizabeth on my mobile phone from the ambulance. She told him to have them bring me to the hospital where she worked, which they did, as it was closest anyway. Elizabeth of course had told Jacob and Harry what had occurred, and Jacob had called Evan after he got out of work. While I had been in surgery, Evan and Laney stopped by and got my car keys and went back to Andy's to get my car. Andy's mother had come to the door when they arrived and asked them to take his suitcases and a couple of boxes. She'd apparently finished packing all of his things after she'd gotten home from the police station. Andy's father was apparently being held without bail on attempted murder charges, and his brother was also being held as an accessory. Neither had yet been released. Andy pulled out a letter his mother had included and read it to me. It was from her. In it she apologized for what had happened, and said she hoped I'd be OK. She told Andy she loved him, but that she also loved his father and brother, and needed to stay with them. Andy's eyes filled with tears at that point. She went on to say that she felt that he should have his things though, so she'd packed them all up for him. Then she'd asked that Andy not contact them anymore. Andy was weeping openly by the time he read that part of the letter. I reached up and pulled him to me and held him as best I could with one arm, while he wept. By the time he'd cried himself out, Jacob had come in and was standing on the other side of him, rubbing his back. Andy sat up and looked around at Jacob, then gave him a hug, and thanked him for being there for him too. "What're brothers for?" Jacob asked, smiling at him, at which Andy started tearing up again. He stood up and said, "Oh I'm fine, you two need to talk a little, I'll be back in a bit." Then he left. "He's been that way since we got here. It got worse after he got the letter from his Mum." Jacob said. "I need to be with him," I said. "Relax, you need to get well," Jacob said, "We've all been hanging out with Andy. He'll be OK. He keeps saying he feels like an orphan. I told him that was nonsense, and that'd we'd all adopted him." I smiled and said, "I bet he felt better about that!" "Nah, just started blubbering again," Jacob snickered. "Well, those new tears were tears of happiness I guess," I said, "but seriously, please take care of him for me till I'm out of here, OK?" "Of course," said Jacob smiling. Then he turned hesitated, looked down at his feet and said "uh - John, I just wanted to say that I love you! And, you're the best big brother a guy could ever want! When you almost died, I almost died along with you. If you had really died, I don't know what I would've done!" I smiled and said "I love you to Jake, and you're the best little brother a guy could ever want, and I'm not about to die on you. Almost did though I guess, but they sent me back. Because of you and Andy I think!" He looked puzzled, then I told him about my experience. His eyes were large when I'd finished. His eyes looked watery when I told him what Dad had said. Harry knocked then. "Elizabeth said we only have a few minutes before visiting hours are over, so we have to speed things up if we all want to see you," he said. "Well, c'mon in then," I said. Jacob grinned and said "I'll give you two a minute alone. See you tomorrow John." "OK, thanks," I said, then grabbing Jacob's hand and giving it a squeeze, I added "and Jacob, always remember I love you!" Jacob blushed and said "Me too!" Then he left. Harry came in and sat down next to me then, and we had pretty much the same conversation as I'd had with Jacob. He too shyly declared his love for me - his big brother, which I of course reciprocated. Laney was next. She too told me how worried she'd been. I told her then about my visit to Heaven's front gate. She seemed to be humoring me, until I told her about how Lynn was holding our baby, and it was a boy named Richard. She too turned white as a ghost when I mentioned the baby's name. I asked her if she was alright, and she said "that's the name I had given him in my head, but I never told a soul!" Then she started to weep, and ran from the room. "What'd you say to Laney?" Evan asked, walking in. "She'll be OK," I said, "thanks for coming, and for helping get my car and Andy's things home!" "No problem, you know I'd do anything to help you out," he said. "Good, cause I'm gonna ask you one more favor," I said. "OK," he said. "I need you to keep an eye on Andy for me, you know, kinda watch out for him, until I'm out of here. Can you do that for me?" I said. "Sure, no problem," Evan said, "but from what I hear, he's pretty handy with a coat tree!" We both were chuckling, as a nurse walked in and said it was time for Evan to leave. Just then, Andy scooted back in the door and over to my bed. He had a tiny Teddy Bear, he must've gotten in the gift shop. "I know it's not the same as snuggling with moi, but, you can think of me when you look at him!" he said. Evan grinned and said "I'll see you tomorrow John!" Then he turned to the nurse and said, "I'm leaving, but can you give these two just a couple more minutes together - please?" The nurse looked sternly at him, then at us. Finally she said, "you've got two minutes!" Then she left, pushing Evan out the door. Andy leaned down and stroked some hair out of my face, then he leaned in and kissed me on the lips. He stood back up and said, "I love you John! If you had died, I would have too!" "I feel the same way about you Andy," I said. Then he leaned over and we kissed again. Andy had just stood back up, when we heard a "Harumph" from the door. The nurse was standing there, her hands on her hips. We both snickered, and Andy left, saying he'd be back in the morning. Elizabeth popped back in just long enough to ask if I wanted anything from home. I asked for some briefs, socks, sweat pants, and t-shirts. She said she'd bring them the next morning, then she kissed me good-night and left. The nurses were good about giving me painkillers, so I slept well that night. The next morning, around 9:00, Elizabeth, Jacob, and Andy came to see me. While, Elizabeth went to talk to the doctor, and Andy went on a mission, to find me a newspaper and some coffee, Jacob helped me put on a pair of briefs, some sweat pants, and a T-shirt, they'd brought me. After he'd pulled the curtain around me, he helped me to get naked. I was lying in bed, expecting him to help me put my briefs on, but suddenly, he started to playfully fondle my penis, which of course immediately began to stiffen! "Jacob!" I hissed. He grinned and wrapped his fist around my dick and started to jack me off then. Within seconds I was completely hard, and was trying to push him off me. Jacob looked at me impishly then, and lowered his mouth over my cock, and began sucking me off! I couldn't believe he was doing this in the hospital, when anyone could just walk in on us! At the same time, I was horny as hell, and knew it'd take less than a minute for me to climax. By the time I'd taken a few seconds to decide how to handle the situation, it was too late, I could tell it'd be mere seconds before I had my orgasm, so I just laid back and enjoyed the feeling of Jacob's hot, wet mouth gliding up and down my boner. He had his tongue positioned just like I like it, right under the vein-like urethra on the underside. Jacob sucked expertly up and down my shaft. He cupped my balls with his left hand, and wrapped his thumb and index finger of his right hand around the base of my dick, and began to masturbate the base of it in time with his sucking. I was breathing heavily, and could feel my orgasm building. I was extemely greatful the bed next to mine was empty, as I couldn't hide my gasps as Jacob sped up a little, then suddenly, I tensed, and squirted a huge gob of cum into his mouth. He swallowed it greedily, just as I shot another load. Moaning softly, I fired at least another 6 or 7 loads of semen into Jacob's mouth, all of which he quickly swallowed. When I'd finished cumming, he licked me dry. Then he helped me get my briefs and sweat pants on. Just in time too, as a nurse poked her head around the curtain and asked if I was alright. I'd forgotten I was still hooked up to a heart monitor, and they watched the monitors back at the nurses station, and my heart rate had just skyrocketed for a minute or so. I turned red in the face, as Jacob snickered. "I'm fine," I said, "just about to kill my brother, that's all!" "Well, you really need to take it easy!" she said sternly, looking at Jacob, then glaring at me, "you just had surgery yesterday you know!" "I'm sorry," Jacob said, looking genuinely concerned, "It's my fault." The nurse gave him a look, then left. I started snickering again, but Jacob looked upset. "What's wrong?" I said. "I could've hurt you," he said, looking at me, clearly still upset. "You boob," I said, "I'm fine! Now help me finish dressing!" He smiled a little then, and helped me get my T-shirt on. Andy arrived back with a cup of coffee for me, and tea for the rest of them, a box of pastries, and a newspaper. "We'll send you out for breakfast more often!" I said. We all laughed, then we spent the next hour together reading the paper and having our breakfast. Elizabeth took Jacob home afterward, but left Andy with me. He spent the rest of the day with me, and helped me cut up my food at dinner time, refreshed my ice water, fluffed my pillows, read to me, and did anything else I needed for him to do. After supper, Elizabeth and Jacob visited again briefly, and took Andy home with them. Later that night, after visiting hours were over, I was watching TV, when Evan snuck into my room, and pulled the curtain around my bed. Then he sat down on the edge of it. "How'd you sneak in here without being seen?" I asked. "I have my ways!" he said, grinning evily at me. Then from inside his jacket he produced a bag of 'doughed bangers' from the Bell & Crown, and a bottle of ale! "Thought you might need a snack!" he said, grinning, as he popped the top off the ale, using an opener on his key ring. "Unfortunately there's not a lot. So we have to share. Even the ale! Cheers!" he said. He took a swig, and then handed me the bottle, and I took a swig. "Damn, that's good!" I said, as I picked up a banger and munched happily on it. We both snickered quietly, then had a nice visit. I really enjoyed my snack! Evan was just getting ready to leave, when we heard a man's voice muttering "I swear I smell 'doughed bangers'!" Then the curtain was pulled back a little and a male nurse looked in. "Aha! I knew I smelled food!" he said, looking accusingly at us. "What were you eating?" he said as he stared at the empty food bag. I snickered and said "'doughed bangers'." "I knew it!" he said, pointing at Evan - "Bell & Crown, right?" We both grinned. Then the nurse saw the beer bottle and he got serious and said to me, "how much of this did you drink?" "Just a couple swigs, Evan drank most of it," I said. "You're not supposed to drink when you take medication!" he said, looking sternly at me. "I know, but really, I only had a couple swigs!" I said. "Well, OK, " he said, but NO MORE drinking while you're here! And you, Sir," he said looking at Evan, "it's well past the end of visiting hours!" "I'm going," Evan said grinning. He picked up the beer bottle and stuffed it in his pocket, and we said good-night. As he was going out the door, the nurse said, "and remember, if you show up tomorrow night, make sure there's enough to share with me!" We all snickered, as Evan sauntered off down the hall. I spent another 4 days in the hospital, before they finally let me go home. I saw Elizabeth nights, and early mornings, as she stopped in before and after her shift. I highly suspect she may have looked in on me during her breaks while I was sleeping as well. Laney brought Andy, Jacob, and Harry to see me each day after school. And Evan snuck in with a different snack for me each night. I felt bad that he was spending all his money on bringing me snacks, especially since he made sure to bring enough to share with Albert, the male nurse, who always took a bite, looked the other way, and allowed us a short visit together after hours. I tried to talk Evan into just coming to visit without snacks, but he said he figured if it was him in the bed, and I was sneaking in, I'd bring snacks too, regardless of what he said. "What are best friends for, anyway?" he ended with. Then realizing what he'd said, he blushed and looked a little sheepish. I smiled and said "you're absolutely right, and Evan, aside from Andy and the boys, I consider YOU, MY best friend too!" Evan grinned hugely then, and I thought I saw his eyes glistening. He leaned over and gave me a gentle hug, so as not to hurt my shoulder. Then he said he had to go, and hurried out the door. The snacks continued arriving each night thereafter. Finally, I was discharged! I was happy to get home. Of course, then the nursing staff of Elizabeth, Andy, Jacob, and the part-timer - Harry, kicked in! Unfortunately, my late night visits from Evan ceased. He did stop by to see me after school each day though. I also received a lot of calls from the US when I got home. Apparently the twins had called and Jacob had told them what had happened. They in turn told my buddies. For a few days, I got calls from 2-3 different stateside friends. One afternoon Brian called. I told him about what had happened when I died. I could hear how upset he was when I told him about seeing Mike, and gave him Mike's message. He dropped the phone and I could hear him doing something. Then I heard a 'snap' and Brian said "Son of a Bitch!" He came back on the line. He was crying and said, "You really did talk to him! That was the combination to the lock on his foot-locker. I've been trying to open it for weeks now!" He thanked me and said he'd call again, but then excused himself to go inspect the contents of Mike's foot-locker. Within a week and a half, my stitches were out and I felt well enough to return to school. I still had to wear a sling on my arm though. Of course, when everyone saw that, the questions started. Everyone had thought I had been sick. They all wanted to know what had happened, and why nobody'd said I'd been injured. We were sitting at lunch the first day, when a group of our friends had surrounded us and wanted answers. I looked at Andy, he gave me a resigned look. So I said "I wasn't sick, I was shot." "WHAT?" they all cried. Then of course they wanted details. Thinking quickly, I said, "I can't share the details of my shooting, all I can tell you is I was shot in the shoulder during a fight, and I've been in the hospital and at home recovering from it. And I asked my family and closest friends who knew about it, not to say anything, so please don't blame them, blame me, if you don't like it that you were kept in the dark about what really happened." There were several puzzled looks, and of course a few questions, only a couple of which I answered. Thankfully, the bell rang soon, and it was time to get to our next class. The next day I did finally tell Rob, Rick, Niles, Jane and Betsey what had occurred. They were all glad I'd shared the information with them, and all agreed to keep quiet about it. Over the next few days I skirted a few more questions from some other classmates, but then things got back to normal. A week later, Jacob turned 15. We had a party for him. After the party was over and his friends left, he, Harry, Elizabeth, Andy, and I were sitting in the livingroom. The door bell rang, and Jacob answered it. We heard him yell "DAD!" We all looked at each other. Then Elizabeth looked sick as Duke walked into the room behind Jacob, who was beaming, and had tears in his eyes... ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- The next chapter in this series will be published shortly.