Date: Thu, 12 Jan 2006 21:44:07 -0500 From: Drew & Tazz Subject: Blind Courage "Chapter 1" Disclaimer: This is a true encounter of my life and of the love I found when I needed it the most. This story may contain erotic and/or sexually explicit behavior between 2 consenting teen age boys. If it is illegal for you to, or you find this sort of work offensive, don't download or read it! Copyright Statement: This story is protected by copyright. It may not be downloaded or copied for other than your private enjoyment and may not be changed in any way without the expressed written consent of the author. You may send all comments to me at: Drew_Loves_Tazz@comcast.net Thanks for Reading... Blind Courage Chapter 1 Back To The Hospital Well, my leukemia is back, and it is back with a vengeance, so I'm on my way back to Memphis and the hospital for more Chemotherapy treatments. I hate this; I spend more time at the hospital than I do at home. I want to be normal and go to school like regular kids, and I want to run and play with my friends. But no, not me, because I'm in and out of the hospital so much, I have a homebound teacher, and don't have any friends. Because of the stupid cancer I can't be around kids to play with them, everyone is afraid I'll catch something. I am so sick and tired of all of this, I just want to be normal. Well we are here and my mom signs me in and the circus begins. They draw blood; weigh me, and all of that normal junk they do to you at the hospital. While I'm sitting there waiting on them to call me back to see the doctor, my mind is racing with all kind of thoughts. How bad will it be this time? This is the third time it has come back. I just heard them call my name, time to see how bad it really is this time. When the doctor walked into the room I knew right away something was wrong by the look on his face. but I sure wasn't ready for what he said to me. He said, I'm sorry Drew the cancer and the treatment has damaged your eyes beyond repair, your losing your eyesight, by the time your sixteen you'll be totally blind. BLIND? ME ? NO! It can't be. I wasn't prepared. I'm in shock. Surely I didn't hear him right. Then I turned and looked at my mom and knew it was true, she was crying. and with that I past out. When I woke up one word kept going through my mind, BLIND! Oh Man, I'm gonna be blind. I totally changed, from a very polite child to a hateful bitter kid. I was so confused, I didn't understand, why me? Everyone tried to help, but no one could know what I'm going through. I withdrew into my self. I didn't talk unless someone asks me something, I didn't smile, and I didn't care anymore. I was there for six weeks this time, before they said I could go home. As my doctor walked into my hospital room he looked at me and said, Drew, you can go home, and I'm sorry for what you are going through. please understand we done everything we could for your eyes, but all I could do was cry as I walked out of the hospital with my mom. My life as I knew it was over. Saturday morning I was woken up by the telephone ringing, I hear my mom talking to someone, and then she calls me to the phone. I grabbed the phone and said, Hello? Then I hear my homebound teacher say: Drew? how are you feeling? I said, I'm fine, thank you. Then she said, I'll be coming over Monday morning to work with you if you are feeling up to it? Yes mam that will be ok, I said. Miss Richie hangs up and I go into the kitchen to eat breakfast with my mom. My mom asks, how are you feeling honey? Do you still feel sick from the ride home yesterday? No mam, then I finished my food and start back to my room. Drew? my mom asks. Did Miss Richie tell you she was bringing her son with her Monday morning? No mam she didn't, what's his name? My mom said, I think it is Shawn, and he is your age. Hey mom? Where is Matt? She answered me and said, he is spending the weekend at Jimmy's house. Oh ok and I went to my room to finish my work to give Miss Richie when she comes on Monday. Matt is my only brother, he is two years older than I am, and he is 12 Little did I know my world was in for a change for the good in the next couple of days. Sunday went by with nothing-special going on I finished up some more work to give Miss Richie, but I kept thinking about her son Shawn. Would he be nice to me? Would he make fun of me? What will he look like? All these questions kept going through my mind. Matt came home about supper time and never even spoke to me. We don't get along to well, he resents me because mom has to stay at the hospital with me so much. That ain't my fault though, I can't help it if I'm sick. Finally it was Sunday night and time for bed, My mom came in and kissed me good night, but it was still a while before I went to sleep. The next thing I remember was the alarm going off on my clock, so I jumped up and took my shower and got ready for breakfast and Miss Richie. As I was walking into the kitchen for breakfast I said, Good morning mom. Good morning sweety, hurry up and eat Miss Richie will be here in a few minutes. Miss Andrews next door will be here right after Miss Richie leaves, and will be here until I get home from work to keep an eye on you. Ok mom, I finished my breakfast and went to brush my teeth. My mom left to drop my brother off at school and to go to work. Right at 8:00 AM Miss Richie pulled up into our driveway. I walked out onto our front porch to say good morning, and was instantly disappointed, she didn't have her son with her. I knew it was to good to be true. Good Morning, Miss Richie cheerily said! Good morning Mam, I replied. I let her into the house and then I said I'd be right back, got to get my books. I went to my room and gathered up my books and my homework that I finished and went back into the dining room, where Miss Richie was waiting on me. She looked at me and asked, are you ready to get started? Yes Mam, I said. After about 45 Minutes of working she stopped me and said, Drew my son Shawn will be here in about 15 minutes Really? Why is he coming? She said, Shawn wants to help you get caught up. He is your age and I think you and him could become friends. I didn't say anything for a few minutes, and then I said, Miss Richie? Does he know I have cancer. Does he know I don't have any hair? Yes Drew he does, he knows, and he also knows you need help and he wants to help. Just about that time I heard a car pull up into my driveway. I went to open the door with hope and apprehension in my heart. As I reached for the doorknob the doorbell rang. I silently said a prayer as I opened the door. There standing in front of me was a boy about my height, blonde hair, beautiful blue eyes, and a big smile on his face. I noticed all that in a few seconds. He said, I'm Shawn Richie, you must be Drew. Ah yeah, was all I could think to say. I finally was able to say, your mom is in the dining room, come on and follow me. When we walked into the dining room Shawn walked over to his mom and gave her a big hug. Sit down boys I want to talk to both of you, she said. Drew, Miss Richie said. Shawn wants to help you catch up with your class work. You both are in the same grade and are the same age. Monday through Friday I'll come over and spend an hour with you in the mornings and then after school Shawn will come over and spend an hour with you. I'll let you two get to know each other, while I go and fix you guys a snack. So Drew your in the fifth grade? Yeah I answered. What is your favorite subject Shawn? He looked at me and said, I like Math and Science best. I told him I liked Math and Reading best. We talked and not one time did he ask me about my hair, or not once make fun of me. His mom brought our snacks into us and while we ate we kept talking. After a little while though his mom said, Shawn we got to go. Shawn stood up to go and looked at me and said, will you call me Tazz, that is what my friends call me and I hope we can be friends. I knotted my head and said, my name is Andrew but just call me Drew. When they left and Miss Andrews came over to stay with me until my mom got home, all I could think about was Shawn. He was nice to me, he wants to be my friend, his blue eyes, and he is really cute. I couldn't think of anything else the rest of the day but Shawn. When my mom and brother got home, my mom ask me if Shawn came over with his mom. Yes Mam. He is going to come over everyday after school to help me get caught up with all my school work. He even wants me to be his friend. My mom just smiled and started cooking our supper. After supper was over I went to my room and still all I could think about was Shawn. My mom came in later to tuck me in and kiss me good night. Before mom walked out of my room she said, Drew Honey? I'm happy you have a new friend. Thanks mom, me too. I went to sleep thinking and dreaming about Shawn. To Be Continued Author's Note: This story is slow to get started but hang in there. From chapter 2 on, Shawn's and Drew's friendship takes off. It goes from curious touching to making passionate love. So please keep reading and email me your comments. Reader Acknowledgements: I want to start by thanking my two favorite authors on Nifty, for their kind comments and their encouragement. Tim The Story Guy and Miguel Sanchez, thanks guys, keep those great stories coming. I also want to thank two more that emailed me their nice encouraging comments Thanks Bill and Bobby.