Date: Fri, 31 May 2002 17:12:00 -0400 From: Stan Unknown Subject: Chapters 26 of Beating The Odds Chapter Twenty Six "Don was very competitive. He loved to win. But he wasn't the type to flaunt his wealth in front of anyone. I guess not even if front of his bother and his family," Mr. Warner continued. "What do you mean? I'm kind of lost here," Bill said, looking around to his family. They all had looks of confusion on their faces. "Mr. Baxter, your brother was a millionaire. Several times over. Everything he owned was paid off. You and your family now own this house and everything that goes with it." "WHAT?" four voices exclaimed in unison. "Your brother started several very successful companies and sold them when the time was right. He was coming back from making a deal to sell his latest company that he had started when his plane crashed. He owned his own jet too. I think he loved flying more than anything else in his life," Mr. Warner continued. "I ... I don't know what to say!" Bill said. "Let me tell you the details. I could read the whole thing but I think you might prefer to read it after I'm gone. Each of you," Mr. Warner said, turning to the boys, "has a college scholarship in your name. $125,000 each. Don also has left each of you one of his cars. He has also set aside a trust that will pay for your insurance and taxes. He also has provided for $100 a week spending money for the boys, starting now." "A car?" Ryan exclaimed. "What kind of car?" "Both are Mustangs." "I already have a car," Bruce said. "I don't think you have a car like this one. Mrs. Baxter, you also have a new car. It's a Lincoln Navigator. I think you'll really like it. After I rode in Don's, I went out and bought my wife one just like it. Would all of you like to see the cars?" Mr. Warner asked. "I sure would," Ryan said loudly, as he jumped to his feet. "Sure," Bruce said. "Have any of you been out to the garage yet?" Mr. Warner asked. "No, we haven't had time to do any exploring," Bill answered. "Well, I think you're going to like your new cars. It's this way," Mr. Warner said, as he led the way through the kitchen to the outside door. He unlocked it with a key that was hanging beside the door and turned on the light. All four were shocked when they entered the garage. It was huge, three separate doors, with room for six cars. Only three were there, but all three shined like new. A huge black Navigator was parked nearest the door and on the other side were a bright yellow 2001 Mustang Cobra convertible and a blue 1968 Shelby GT500 hardtop with white stripes. "These are ours?" Ryan squealed. "Yes. The Cobra is yours, Ryan, and the Shelby is Bruce's." "No way! NO WAY!" Ryan yelled, as he ran over and opened the driver's side door. "It's all yours. Your Uncle loved all these cars. I know you'll think of him every time you drive them," Mr. Warner said. Bruce walked over and looked at both cars. "They're both manuals, Dad. Neither of us has ever driven one before," Bruce said. "I can teach you. You're both good drivers. And once you get them into high gear, it's just like an automatic," their Dad answered. "You mean we have to drive them back home?" Bruce asked loudly. "I don't think we really have much choice, unless you want to leave them here for when we visit on vacations and holidays," their Dad answered. "I'm going to drive mine back! There's no way I'm leaving it here," Ryan exclaimed. "Mr. Warner, is there a good place for me to teach the boys how to drive a clutch around here?" Bill asked. "Not really, but once you drive back across the bridge, there's a new subdivision being built immediately to the right. Do you remember seeing it?" Mr. Warner answered. "Yeah, I think so. They won't mind us driving through there?" Bill asked. "No, of course not. Anyone there will just assume you are checking out lots. Very few houses are under construction right now, so there won't be much traffic. But all the streets are paved. I've looked in there at lots for myself. Many of them are on the bay behind the beach. There are also some hilly areas where the boys can practice starting on an incline. I know Atlanta isn't as flat as it is here," Mr. Warner answered. "No, it's not. That's what I'm worried about. And all of us will have to drive back in a separate car," Bill added. "Dad, we can do it. I'm a great driver. I'm lots better than Bruce," Ryan exclaimed. "Dad, I'm a little nervous, thinking about having to drive by myself all the way back to Atlanta. This car looks great, but it also looks really fast," Bruce said. "Don't be such a baby, Bruce. If you're scared of your new car, you can drive Mom's SUV home and let Dad drive your car. All I know is I'm driving my car home myself," Ryan exclaimed. "Ryan, just keep in mind what happened for you to get your new car," his Dad reminded him. "Dad, I'm sorry. You know how much I've wanted a car since I've turned sixteen. And now I have one and it's awesome. That doesn't mean I don't wish Uncle Don was still alive. You know what I mean?" Ryan asked. "Yeah, I do. It's Ok. Mr. Warner, we're taking up far too much of your time. What else do we need to do to finish this up? I know you want to go home and relax," Bill said. "I just need to show you all the paperwork and go over the rest of the details with you. It shouldn't take long. Then have everyone sign the master will. You want to go over everything while they look at their new cars?" Mr. Warner said. "Yeah. This has taken us by surprise. I think we need some time as a family to discuss it. This is going to change our lives a lot," Bill answered. "You have no idea how much, Mr. Baxter. This shouldn't take long," Mr. Warner answered, as he led the way back into the house. ***************** "Ok, who wants to drive first?" their Dad asked. "I do. It's my car," Ryan said loudly. He jumped out of the front passenger seat and ran around to the driver's side before his father could even get out of the car. "Just take it easy to start with. This isn't your Mom's SUV. All I want you to do to start with is get used to letting out the clutch on flat ground. Then we can move on to the harder parts," his Dad said. "Dad, don't worry about it. I can do this without any trouble," Ryan bragged. He got in, buckled up, and actually took off with very little problems. "See, I told you this wouldn't be a big deal." "Ok, turn around in this driveway and drive back to the other end of the subdivision," his Dad said. "No problem," Ryan answered. He pulled in where he was told, but had a little problem shifting into reverse. "Just go easy. Don't try and force it," his Dad said. "I've got it, Dad," Ryan exclaimed, as he finally shifted into reverse and backed out. He had very few other problems as he drove back to the other side of the subdivision. "Ok. Bruce's turn," his Dad answered. "God Dad, I haven't even been driving for five minutes yet," Ryan whined. "You both will get lots of practice over the next few days. Don't worry," his Dad answered. The convertible top was down, so Bruce just hopped out of the back seat onto the street. "Don't scratch my car doing that," Ryan cautioned. "I'm not going to hurt your car. Geez," Bruce answered, as he walked over to the driver's side. "Do I have to get in the back? This is MY CAR!" Ryan demanded. "I'm not getting in that little bitty back seat. Get in and quit complaining," his Dad laughed. Ryan just hopped over the side into the back seat like Bruce had done. But he still wasn't happy to have to sit in the back. He wanted to drive more. They drove back and forth getting used to the clutch for almost thirty minutes, each taking turns. Ryan finally got back in and said, "Can't we go out on the real streets now. Both of us are doing really good. I'm ready to go to the highway or at least drive through Hilton Head." "I want to see how you do on hills first. This land is really flat but Mr. Warner said that there were a few hills down on the back side. Turn left at the stop sign instead of going straight and let's see if we can find out where they are," their Dad instructed. Ryan did as he was told. He was looking forward to trying his luck on hills. They finally topped a rise and the street did go downhill at about a twenty five degree angle. "This must be what Mr. Warner was talking about. I don't think we're going to find a bigger hill than this," their Dad said. "Ryan, turn around in that driveway and then come to a complete stop about where we are now." Ryan pulled into the driveway at the bottom of the hill, turned around, and then drove part of the way up the hill and stopped. "Boys, when you let your foot off the brake to put it on the accelerator, the car is going to roll slightly. Don't worry about it. The idea is to start to let the clutch out as soon as you move your foot from the brake to the accelerator. Give it a little gas, but don't rev it too high or you'll start off too fast. You both understand?" their Dad asked. "Sure Dad. This is nothing. Watch this," Ryan said. He let the clutch out too quickly without increasing the rpm's quickly enough and the car died. "That was an accident. It won't happen again," he bragged. He let the clutch out too fast again, but this time, he revved the engine up to over 3000 rpm's before dumping the clutch. The big engine came to life and the back wheels spun uncontrollably. All they could hear was the roar of the engine and the squeal of the back tires. The car stayed in the exact same spot as where Ryan had stopped, not moving an inch. Ryan panicked. He gasped, looked quickly around the driver's area, then did the only thing that made sense to him at the time. He reached over and turned off the key. Bruce was totally cracking up in the back seat. "That was really a smooth move, baby brother," he laughed. "Oh, you think you can do better?" Ryan fumed. His Dad was trying not to laugh, but the scene was too funny for him not to giggle a little bit. "Ryan, put on the parking brake and let me show you boys how I do it," he said as he got out of the passenger seat. He went around and replaced Ryan, who didn't look at him, but stared holes through Bruce with a mean look on his face. That just made Bruce start to giggle even more. "Look, on a hill like this, the first thing you want to do is make the car stop rolling backwards. You almost want to make the car stay where it is at first, then start to have it go forward. Move your foot as quickly as you can from the brake to the accelerator but don't give it much gas. Let the clutch out only to the point where you can feel it start to grab. Then ease it further out until you feel the car start to move up the hill. The key is to let it out slowly, not all at one time. Everyone at first wants to let the clutch out way too fast because they're scared it will roll into the car behind them. It just takes practice. Watch this," he instructed, as he cranked it, took off the emergency brake, then let out the clutch gradually. The Mustang did seem to remain motionless for almost a full second before he let out the clutch a little more and it started to pull up the hill. He only let it go maybe twenty feet up the hill until he pushed in the clutch all the way and let it drift back to where they had started. "I'm going to do it a few more times. Watch my feet and not the road. Bruce, can you see?" their Dad asked. "No sir. With `Evil Kinevil' driving, I was using my seat belt. I think I can trust you more than I can Ryan," Bruce giggled, as he took off his seat belt and leaned forward so he could watch his father's foot action. "Really funny. Maybe you can get a job in a comedy club to help pay for your college next year," Ryan said, sulking. "He's just kidding you, Ryan. It was funny, you have to admit," his Dad said gently. "Just show us so I can have another turn. I think I understand now," Ryan answered. "And then we can see how well Bruce does." Ryan was still mad at being laughed at. Their father demonstrated for them several more times. Once he even kept the clutch at the point where it was just starting to grab for several seconds and the car didn't move either way, it just stayed where it was on the hill, like it had the brake on. He pulled back to where they had started, put it in neutral, and put on the brake. "That isn't very good for the clutch, but I wanted to show you what I meant about where the clutch starts to grab. Every car is a little bit different, depending on how the clutch is adjusted. This one starts to grab early, near the floorboard. You only have to let it out a few inches and it starts to grab. Some clutches have to be let out over halfway before it starts to grab. You have to get used to where the car starts to pull forward and only let it out to that point until you feel it start to move the car forward. If you let it out too quick and don't give it enough gas, it will stall the engine, like Ryan did to start with. If you let it out too fast and give it too much gas, well, we also know what happens then, don't we," their Dad said, as he started to laugh. Bruce again cracked up in the back seat, this time laying across the seat and resting his feet outside the convertible. "What is this, pick on Ryan day?" Ryan fumed. "I'm sorry, bro," Bruce said as he straightened up, wiping tears out of his eyes. "We'll quit picking on you now. If I had done that, you know you would have laughed your butt off too. You are always telling me to burn rubber in my old Camaro, and all it has is a six cylinder. Are we forgiven?" "I don't know," Ryan answered, still mad. "Oh, is my baby mad at us? Oh, he has his bottom lip stuck out like he used to do when he was a baby," his Dad kidded. He poked his bottom lip out really far, mimicking Ryan. That got a smile from Ryan. "Dad, I'm going to kill you," Ryan said, as he balled up his fist. "Oh please, not that. I can see it on the news tonight. `Champion rubber burner kills Dad during driving lesson. News at 11,' his Dad kidded, as he quickly hopped out of the car before Ryan could react. Bruce laughed hysterically again, as Ryan jumped out of the car and ran after his Dad. His Dad made sure to keep the car between him and Ryan. Several workers who were roofing the house across the street stopped to stare at them. "You can't kill him now, Ryan. There are witnesses," Bruce said as he continued to laugh. "Just let me drive, OK? Ryan fumed, as he walked over and sat down behind the wheel. Ryan was the type person that had to get everything right, especially once he had been laughed at about something. He ignored the snickering around him as his Dad sat down beside him. He ignored everything except what he had to do. He focused on one thing, driving up the hill smoothly. He cranked the car, shifted into first gear, took off the emergency brake, then calmly took off. The car lurched one time but not badly. He calmly stopped one lot up the street, then let it drift back to where he had started. He repeated starting up the hill, and this time, it was as good as his father had done. He didn't say a word, he just did it over and over, almost ten times, not even responding to the positive comments his Dad and Bruce were making. He finally put on the emergency brake and looked back at Bruce. "You want a turn, bro?" "Sure. You're not mad, are you?" Bruce asked. "I was for a while. But it just made me concentrate more, and that helped. It stopped me from being nervous. Dad explained it really well. It's really not hard. Just do what he said and don't give it too much gas like I did at first. And don't hurt my car!" Ryan laughed. Bruce joined him in laughing, as they switched places. Bruce was better than Ryan was to start with, but he also had a few problems. He stalled the car once and also had the tires squeal once. Both his Dad and Ryan kidded him about it, but he took it well. Everyone was having a great time, and they weren't even leaving the same area. They each took turns driving around the subdivision. They explored every street. Both boys had improved considerably. "Dad, can I drive back to the beach house?" Ryan finally asked. "Sure, I don't see why not. You're lots better now than when we started," his Dad answered. Ryan finally turned around in the same driveway where they had started practicing on the hill. He backed out and started to pull forward. One of the roofers was at his truck parked nearby and motioned him to stop. "This is a great looking car. I watched as you were teaching your sons to drive. This one had a few problems to start with, huh?" he laughed, pointing at Ryan. Ryan blushed, but his Dad came to his rescue. "He just didn't understand what to do on a hill. Once I explained it to him and his brother, they both did really well after that." "Well, judging from the black marks on the pavement, it took this one a little time to understand," he said, motioning towards Ryan again and breaking into laughter. "When I saw him panic and turn off the key, I almost fell off the roof, I was laughing so hard." Ryan got really mad. But his words didn't show it. "Sorry about the black marks on the street. Will someone have to pave over them?" "Oh, I'm sure they'll have to do something to cover them up. This subdivision is brand new and they wouldn't want to have black marks on their new streets while new potential buyers are driving around, selecting their lots. Maybe you should let your Daddy drive home so you don't leave any more marks like these. I don't think you are old enough to handle a powerful car like this, sonny," he laughed. "Oh, I think I can handle a car like this just fine. You want me to show you?" Ryan asked, smiling at him. "Sure, kid. Go ahead. Let me get out of the way first," he answered, backing up, as he continued to laugh. Several of the other roofers had seen them talking and were all close by, listening to the conversation. Ryan reached at the neck of his t-shirt, got his sun glasses, and put them on. "You don't have to back away. You've been watching both of us pull up this hill, right? We know what we're doing." "Yeah, I've been watching. You both are lots better now, I have to admit," he answered. "Then come up right beside me. I just want to show you how smoothly I can take off," Ryan said. "You aren't scared, are you? "No, of course not," he said, as he walked up to the door. "See you later, man. Good luck on finishing the roofing," Ryan said, as he revved up the engine, drifting back a couple of feet, then quickly let out the clutch. He burned the tires for a few seconds, then shot up the hill, laying rubber all the way. When he shifted into second near the top of the hill, he laid more rubber and the car went slightly sideways before Ryan got it back under control. Bruce looked back and waved. The roofer that had been standing beside the car when it took off had staggered backwards and had fallen down. All of the other roofers were standing around him, laughing. "I think it's time to go back to the beach house," Ryan calmly said, as he slowed down and took the turn towards the main highways at a much higher speed than he should have. To Be Continued E-mail responses to the stories, story suggestions or other 'constructive' comments or advice may be sent to: stan992001@hotmail.com. All e-mails will be answered. You can also visit the young gay guys support group I created after my "Matt and Mike" story at www.groups.yahoo.com/group/gbct or our web site at www.gayteensunite.org. There is a forum section there where you can enter comments about this story for everyone to see.