Date: Sun, 02 Jun 2002 06:37:07 -0400 From: Stan Unknown Subject: Chapter 30 of Beating The Odds Chapter Thirty Josh was in a great mood. He had led Ryan down the dirt road. Both had eluded the police. They had escaped being arrested. Earlier in the day, he had made two stock trades, unloading Worldcom right before they had come out with bad quarterly results and buying into Tyco, which was now beginning to make a comeback after their own negative earnings had been announced. Everything seemed to be working for him. He had even put together a binder with his stock portfolio in it. It looked very professional. He had graphs showing how each of his stocks had performed over several months and even how some had done week to week. He had even had a copy of an e-mail he had sent to a trader web site, saying that he thought everyone should pull out of Enron weeks before that company's stock collapsed. Josh was proud of all the work he had done in investigating each company that he invested in, and wanted Jimmy to see what he had put together. Jimmy was already proud of Josh. He loved him totally, but was still a little scared about what had almost happened to him earlier that night. He tried to give Josh his full attention, as Josh explained everything in the portfolio, but they didn't get many nights where they were alone. His attention soon went from Josh's portfolio to Josh himself. Jimmy soon looked over at Josh as he was explaining something about Home Depot and how their stock price had risen slowly but steadily. Something else had started rising slowly but steadily and Jimmy was lots more concerned about that than Home Depot stock prices. He finally reached over and did the only thing he could do to shut up Josh once he got into one of his stock market rolls. He kissed him. Josh was really into the stock market and could talk about it for hours. But he wasn't a fool. He also knew that they didn't have many times like this when they were alone and could do anything they wanted. Josh kissed back passionately as he pushed Jimmy back down on the coach. His portfolio was temperately forgotten. They finally broke for air, smiled at each other, then both got up, hand in hand, and climbed the stairs to Jimmy's bedroom. Both never let their eyes leave their partner's. They were totally in love and couldn't get enough of each other. Neither got much rest the rest of the night. They finally fell asleep in each other's arms around 5 o'clock in the morning. Both were sore, tired, and very sleepy after a very long day. But they didn't have to get up at any certain time the next day. They had two days by themselves and they had made plans several weeks ago to use the time to their maximum benefit. Who cared what time they got up the next morning, right? If it was actually after noon, who cared? They were on their own. This was like their honeymoon, and no one could spoil it for them. Or so they thought. **************** "I don't know what's wrong with this damn thing," Jimmy Sr. yelled. "Honey, don't get so upset," his wife answered, knowing how bad her husband's temper was. "The fucking toilet is stopped up really badly this time. I don't think five gallons of Liquid Plummer is going to get this fucking thing unclogged. I'm going to have to call a plumber," he said. "Then that's fine. Do you think they can come early tomorrow?" she asked. "You think that if I call them on Saturday morning, they're going to come all the way up to our cabin on Lake Lanier the same day? No fucking way. They won't be here until Monday at the earliest," he swore. "Then, what're we going to do?" she asked, alarmed at how mad her husband was getting. With his high blood pressure and the constant stress from his job as a sales executive for Merrill Lynch, he was a great candidate for a heart attack at any time. "Fuck if I know. Greg and I can go outside when we need to pee. I guess we just have to live with it until we can go back home tomorrow morning. I told you we should have added a second bathroom a long time ago," he fumed, as he threw the towel he was holding in the sink and stormed out of the bathroom, almost knocking her over in the process. She just smiled to herself. She was the one who had been after him for years to add another bathroom. It had always been too expensive or too difficult. `You couldn't just add rooms to a log home like you could to other houses.' She'd heard all the excuses. She really didn't like it here, anyway. She wanted a condo on the beach. This would either make him add another bathroom or sell the place. Either way, she would win. ***************** "Greg, get your ass out of bed. We're getting ready to leave," Jimmy Sr. yelled. Greg was startled. "Huh? What time is it?" "It's 7:30. I'm not going to use that toilet one more time. I might just sell this piece of shit. I'm really tired of this place anyway. Your mother has about talked me into buying a place on the beach. I could still use my boat there. So get up and get ready. We're going back home," he said loudly. "Yes sir," Greg said, as he pulled the covers back and sat up on his bed. He knew better than to make his Dad mad when he was in one of his moods. His Dad gave him lots of things. He got to go on great trips. But he really didn't think he loved either him or his older brother Jimmy. It was always like his Dad's favorite saying around the house. `My way or the highway'. ***************** It was an hour and a half drive from the lake house back to their regular house. They made it by eleven. They stopped to have breakfast and so everyone could use a fully functioning toilet. Greg and his mother were still tired, so they went up to their rooms to take a short nap. Jimmy Sr. sat down in the den and noticed Josh's portfolio on the coffee table. He picked it up and started reading. He had no idea where it had come from, but he was very impressed by the content. The more he read, the more impressed he became. Whoever created this was clearly beating his top analysts. He needed to meet this person. But who could it be? He decided to go up to Jimmy's room and ask him where it had come from. And all Hell broke loose from there. ****************** This was Jimmy Sr.'s house and he never thought he needed to knock before he went into any room. He was a top executive and was used to getting his way. When he barged into Jimmy Jr.'s room, he got quite a surprise. The sheet covering Jimmy and Josh had come down low, so it didn't take much to guess that they were naked under it. They hadn't needed the sheet. They were wrapped up in each other's arms with Josh holding Jimmy against his chest. Body heat beat any covering known to man. "WHAT THE FUCK?" Jimmy Sr. screamed. Both boys eyes shot open. Their worst nightmare had just happened. The first thing that Jimmy saw was his Dad taking off his belt. It had been a couple of years since his last beating by his Dad, but the last one had been brutal and long. And he had heard Greg getting the same treatment not long ago. "A FAGGOT!!! I HAVE A FAGGOT FOR A SON!!! I CAN'T FUCKING BELIEVE IT!!! I'M GOING TO BEAT THE FAGGOT PART OUT OF YOU IF IT'S THE LAST THING I EVER DO!!!!!" his Dad screamed, as he came around to the other side of the bed. "YOU. YOU...FAGGOT! GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY HOUSE!!! NOW!!!! OR YOU'RE GOING TO GET THE SAME THING JIMMY IS GOING TO GET!!" he yelled at Josh. Josh jumped to his feet. He never thought about the fact that he was naked. He just knew that he was going to stop Jimmy's Dad from beating him. "Calm down, man. Ok, we're both gay. We love each other. But we haven't done anything wrong," Josh said, as he slowly circled behind Jimmy's Dad. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN, YOU HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING WRONG? YOU HAD SEX WITH MY SON, DIDN'T YOU?" Jimmy's Dad screamed. "That's none of your business. Now if you will just get out of here and let us get dressed, we can discuss this like adults," Josh said coolly. Jimmy had gotten up off the bed and had backed into a corner, against his night stand. When his Dad also saw that he was naked, a switch went off in his brain and all he could see was red. "I'M GOING TO BEAT YOU UNTIL YOU CAN'T SIT DOWN FOR A MONTH," his Dad yelled, as he walked towards him with his belt held over his head. Josh didn't let him get that far. He swung a round house left kick that hit him in the side. He could have gone for the head, but he didn't want to do any more damage than he absolutely had to. Jimmy's Dad collapsed against the window. Jimmy flung his body over the bed, grabbed up his and Josh's clothes and ran to the door, which was blocked by his Mom and brother, who had come running when they heard Jimmy's Dad's screams. Jimmy blushed beet read and tried to cover himself with the clothes he was holding. Josh just calmly walked over to them and said, "I don't think I hurt him too badly. Why don't you both see what you can do for him while we get dressed?" He picked up his and Jimmy's shoes and socks and then followed Jimmy down the stairs, nudging between the two startled people as he went. ***************** It took a long time before Jimmy's parents and brother finally made their way back into the den. All of them had serious looks on their faces. Jimmy was standing in the corner, blushing beet red. Josh was standing in the middle of the room with a calm look on his face. "Is it all right if I talk first? I know you are all upset," Josh said. "I want you out of my house. NOW!" Jimmy's Dad said calmly. Well, calmly for him. "Ok. If I go, I'm taking Jimmy with me. I'm not going to risk you beating him after I leave. We love each other. We aren't just having sex. We really love each other. We want to spend the rest of our lives together. With or without you. We really would rather it be with you. But we are also prepared to walk out right now and never come back. We don't want that. But we will if we have to," Josh answered. Jimmy's Dad just sneered. "And how will you live? Both of you are in high school." "College will be paid for by the Lottery. Most of our books, too. I have some money saved. It won't be easy, but we'll get by. Really, we are going to live together next year, either way. Jimmy and I have been talking about this for a long time. We would really rather have your blessing, though," Josh said calmly. "So you just want to walk in here and take our son away from us and make him into a faggot like you?" Jimmy's Dad sneered. "Can you just drop the faggot references? Both of us are gay. You need to get current with your terminology," Josh answered. "I ought to kick your ass right now," Jimmy's Dad said, as he made a move towards Josh. Jimmy jumped in front of them. "Dad, please don't. I'm serious. I'll walk out now and never come back, if that's what you want. You can't take on Josh. He'll kill you. He's a second degree black belt in karate. Neither of us wants a confrontation. I love you. I love Mom. I even love Greg. But I love Josh more. I'm going to be with him, starting now. You have to decide. But I never meant to hurt you," Jimmy said, as he stared at his Dad. "None of you," as he stared at his Mom and brother. "I don't know. I just can't do it. Just pack your things and get out," his Dad said. "NO!!!!" Everyone looked at Jimmy's mother after they heard her scream. "If he goes, I'm going too. And I'm taking Greg with me." "What are you talking about, woman?" Jimmy's Dad yelled. "I'm finished with your yelling. I'm sick you always having to have your own way. This is it. Either you apologize to your son and his, uh, his..." she stammered. "Boyfriend, Mom," Jimmy answered. He finally knew he had someone on his side. "Ok, boyfriend. Either you apologize to your son and his BOYFRIEND or I'm going to leave you and take you for everything you own in our divorce," she yelled. "Honey, don't get upset," he stammered. "ME? GET UPSET? AFTER ALL THESE YEARS, YOU TELL ME FOR ME NOT TO GET UPSET? ARE YOU CRAZY?" she screamed. "Uh, can we go into another room and talk about this?" he asked. "Sure. Let's go up to our bedroom where we can be alone. Boys, watch something on TV until we come back, OK?" she said, as she stormed out of the room. Her husband just lowered his head and meekly followed her. Greg quickly walked over to Jimmy. "What's got into Mom all of a sudden? I've never seen her like this." "Maybe she just got tired of your Dad's bullshit," Josh said. "I'm Josh, by the way," he said, as he offered his hand out to shake. Greg grabbed it eagerly as he stared deeply into Josh's eyes. "And you're gay?" he asked. Josh just laughed. "After everything we just said and what you saw when you came into Jimmy's bedroom, you think we might just be confused?" Greg blushed a little, and then said. "No. I guess both of you know you're gay. How did you know?" "Do you think you might be gay too?" Josh answered, as he continued to hold Greg's hand. "No, I don't think so. Well......Maybe...I really don't know for sure," Greg stuttered. "What grade are you in?" Josh asked, smiling at Greg as he put his arm around his shoulders and made him walk over towards Jimmy, who was sitting on the coach. "I'm in 8th grade this year," Greg answered. "Well, we have three ninth graders in our club, Gay Teens Unite, at our high school. None of them have boyfriends. What if Jimmy and I pick you up after your school lets out and take you to a meeting? You might find someone you like," Josh said, as he laughed. "You would do that for me?" Greg asked. "Sure," Jimmy said, as he put his arm around his little bother. "Thanks," Greg answered, as he hugged first Jimmy then Josh. 13 year olds. What can you do with them? ****************** Jimmy's parents finally came back down. They had been upstairs for a long time. Both had happy expressions and both had changed into casual clothes. Jimmy and Josh exchanged knowing looks on their faces. Greg just looked like he was glad all the arguing was over. "You both are sure that you love each other? You're sure that this isn't just a phase you're going through?" Jimmy's Mom asked. "No Mom. I know I'm gay. And I know I love Josh with all my heart. Nothing's going to change that," Jimmy answered, as he got to his feet. Josh also stood up, followed by his new constant shadow, Greg. "Your mother and I've had a long talk. If you're sure about this, we want to finally finish the basement. We could have a big family room down there and also have a bedroom for you two," Jimmy's Dad said. "Wha...what?" Jimmy stammered. "Jimmy, no matter what I sound like, I do love you. If you're determined to be with Josh, then I guess I don't have any choice but to accept it. It won't be easy, but I won't see my family torn apart because of it," Jimmy's Dad answered. "Because of what, dear?" Jimmy's Mom asked. "Shit! Do I have to say it in front of the kids?" he whined. "YES!!!" she answered. "Because of my stubbornness and always having to have my own way. I'll try, OK? I won't be able to change overnight, but I'll try. Is that OK?" he asked sheepishly. Jimmy was overjoyed. He ran over and hugged his Dad. It was the first hug they had shared in years. Greg's eyes got big as he watched his Dad hug Jimmy back, and then he also ran over and hugged his father. Josh stared at the three of them and then looked over at Jimmy's Mom. She was just smiling at him. He just returned her smile and pointed at himself. She just nodded her head yes and they both got up at the same time. They joined the group hug and soon there were five in the embrace. ****************** "I have some more documentation in my car. I can get it if you want," Josh said. "Yeah, could you? I'm really impressed by what I've seen so far. So, once you start to college, how many hours do you think you could work?" Jimmy's Dad asked. "Dad!!! College takes priority," Jimmy said. "I know. I know. But Josh really could make a difference if he continues to predict stocks the way he's doing now. I just want my future son-in-law to be successful. Now we need to talk about how to finish the downstairs. Josh, can you get the papers out of your car first? Nice car, by the way," Jimmy's Dad said. "Sure. I'll be right back," Josh said, as he got to his feet. Josh was just opening the front door when Jimmy ran over to him and turned him around. "What?" Josh asked, as he smiled at Jimmy. "I love you. Thanks for coming into my life," Jimmy said, as he opened Josh's hand and put something into it. Jimmy then pushed Josh through the door. Josh looked back as he walked down the stairs. He stood there for a moment as he stared at it. He looked back and saw that Jimmy's whole family was watching him. He knew then that this had all been a set up. They were all smiling at him. He smiled back. Then reached up and took off his cheap earring and put it into his pocket. He stared at the huge diamond earring that Jimmy had given him from his own ear. He looked back at the four people who would soon become his new family. They all had smiles on their faces. They had their arms around each other. "Put it on," Greg yelled, as he hugged his father. The other three nodded in agreement. Josh smiled at them as he put it on and walked down the stairs towards his car. He had a huge grin on his face. He had the boy he loved, a new family to love him back, and great new job, making lots of money. Now, he got to do what he really loved. Go kick some Wall Street Ass. Josh was almost strutting as he walked down to his car. And he was still holding onto the earring and smiling. ***************** For those of you who haven't guessed yet, this story line was stolen from the movie "The Breakfast Cub". It is a great movie. Rent it and you won't be disappointed. Thanks goes to Brian B for bitching at me and keeping me writing. It was really difficult at times. This story has been going on for almost 6 months. 2 of the couples broke up during the time I wrote this. One other is having problems. One I tried to set up and it seemed to be going Ok for a while, then I quit writing. When I quit writing, they also quit trying. My fault. Sorry. I'm going to try something different next time. The story won't go 30 chapters. I used to love Stephen King novels. He kind of sucks now days (Read Gerald's Game and see if you agree). But no one has better ideas. I've got one from a combination of what I have read and what has happened in the group previously. Watch for "Obsession" coming soon to a nifty site near you. Hehehehe Later. Stan I wrote that last paragraph a long time ago. Every author has a big ego. Mine has been bruised by this story. I got very few e-mails. No one seemed to like it. Maybe it is the lack of sex, maybe I just suck. I have no idea. I am Bi. My wife knows about my writing. She read "You Can't Go Back" at the beach. She wasn't too happy. I promised to do a story without sex and try to get it published. I'm not good enough yet. But I am pissed!!!! I am stuck on Chapter 13 right now on Obsession, but I am going to do something no one has done that I have read on nifty before. I am going to give you some sex scenes to keep you interested but give you a thriller. At least I am going to try. If you like it, let me know, OK? An author needs input to keep him going.