Date: Fri, 24 May 2002 12:07:57 -0700 (PDT) From: c z Subject: Monterey Delights- Chapter 12 Chapter 12 Disclaimer- Standard Nifty and I will just add, if you don't want to read it or can get busted if caught, don't. Easy enough done and I am not responsible if you screw up. The story is mine, and I am going to insist on its copyright. So hereby Monterey Delights is now copyrighted ( C ) by cezmail, my pseudonym on the net. Ask permission to post it elsewhere and I will most likely grant it, but doing so without is a violation of my copyright. Thanks for understanding. Dedication- This chapter is for Karla, who I have been getting to know. I very much enjoy her stories, The Preppy and the Punk, as well as The Jock and the Artist. Thanks Karla for all the emails and support, and I will hope you like this little plug I have given you. :) You can find her stories at http://www.dabeagle.com/Preppie_and_the_Punk.html or her home page at http://gurlpages.com/ivory-lady/thenovel.html. Give her a look over and email her, as she loves to hear from new people. Many thanks to all my other fans. To those who have written me and even those who have not, I thank you deeply. All the feedback and suggestions, comments and criticism, it helped and helped me to become a better writer. Hope that this chapter strikes you as worthwhile. I like it and I am staying with the story for my fans and myself. Thanks as always to Bob in CO, Charlie G, Michael H, Skip, Draco, and Zustara. To all others, as before, feel free to email me with any comments. I gladly answer any and all. You can email me at cezmail1@yahoo.com Chapter 12 I stood there in confusion and rage. The bike I had found at the garage sale, money I had earned mowing lawns and helping neighbors, just gone. I was sure it had to be Noah or Chris, but I was not sure I could ever prove it. I clenched my first and bat it against my leg, and shook my head to clear the red in my eyes. I turned back to go to the office, to tell them and call my mom. Maybe someone had seen something, or the cops might be of help. I got there and saw the secretary talking to the principle. "Excuse me, someone stole my bike." They both turned and looked at me as if I had said a bad word, but then realized what it was I had muttered and came closer. I told them all what I knew, that only the cut link was left there, I said nothing about my suspicions about Chris or Noah, as I doubt they would listen and just think I was grasping for straws. The principle went to go get the papers to make a report, while the secretary called the Monterey Police Department. It must have been a slow day, as she was told a car would be coming within 30 minutes. Not like the 5 hours we had to wait on detectives to bother to show up when the house in Long Beach had been broken into. While we waited, I called mom, but she was not home, so called my Dad to let him know. The dispatcher took the message, but he was in a meeting. I was still in a daze about what had happened and did not track what I was all telling the principle on her report. I tried my mom when we were done and this time she was home and was on her way right then to help get me home and to talk with the principle. Just as my mom arrived, a police car showed up. To this day I recall his name and badge number. Officer Manning, badge number 309. I saw from the start that he could have cared less about what had happened to me. he was all so polite and all, but the boredom and the treating this as something beneath him just got me all the more pissed off. He took down all that I had already told the principle, and with some questions from my mom, gave us a report number. Because I did not have a serial number on the bike, he said they most likely would never get the bike back, but if it was somehow recovered, I would be contacted to identify it. One piece of news that angered my mom and I was that the school claimed it had no responsibility for the stolen bike. The principle was apologetic, but rules were rules and they had no liability. So I was out the bike no matter what, Damn their black souls. ! I hated them all at that time. This all took close to 30 minutes, and then Officer Manning took off on his next call. I was just as happy to see the smug asshole leave. Gave a bad name to cops and I thought him a grade A turd. My mom offered to take me to get a shake, but I shook my head no. My sister was at Ashley's for the night, and my Dad was working late, but I was in no mood to do anything at that time. I told Mom why I had been late and about the detention. She shook her head in a combination of laughing at what I had said to Omen and disappointed that I had gotten detention. She had met the teacher and had no respect for him either, but it was just a few weeks left till summer and she hoped I would make it through those without anymore incidents. I silently nodded and looked out the window as we got home. I went to my room to drop off my backpack, and to listen to my radio. I did not feel like talking to anyone or even watching cartoons. I closed my eyes, dwelling on my stolen bike and how I might get it back. As I was starting to think of ways of revenge, I drifted off to sleep. I did not know how long I was out, but when I finally woke up from the sudden nap, I saw that it was after 7. I rubbed my eyes and got out of bed, to see if any food was cooked. I heard the TV in the living room, and went around the dining room to see who was there. No one.. just the TV playing the news. I went to see if Mom or Dad were outside, and saw the cars missing. I got back to the kitchen and looking on the fridge door, saw a note. Mom had to run a quick trip to pick up Christina and Ashley from the mall, and she would pick up some burgers on her way home. I never even heard the phone ring. I went change the channel on the TV to a sitcom repeat and pass the time. Mom and Dad both got home at the same time and we ate the food while watching a movie on Showtime. I told my dad all that had happened. He was not pleased I had cussed the teacher, and was sorry my bike was stolen. We would try to check on some garage sales tomorrow together for another used one. I nodded in resignation, not even willing to try to tell them who I really thought stole my bike. Damn Chris for being an asshole. Since he went to hook up with Noah, he had really turned out to be a butt wipe. Noah was just a shit for brains who I no longer feared. The movie ended and I was off back to bed. Not to sleep, just to try to read and relax. I pulled out the science fiction book I had gotten from the school library and after a couple of hours, I was falling asleep with the light on. Not for the first time either. I woke up feeling a lot better and seeing the sun shining, felt it would be good to get out. I got my shower and changed, and was eating a bowl of cereal, when my Dad came in. "Hey Charlie, you still game for the garaging?: I nodded and finished my bite. "Did you get the paper or should I go get it now?" "Go ahead and finish off that cereal and grab today's copy. Then you and I can work out a route with the map and explore some of the side streets at the same time. Sound good to you Charlie?" I nodded, happy to spend time with my Dad. He was working some late hours, but he tried to make time for my sister and I, as well as one on one time. He cared and tried to make time when I was in a school event or had a baseball game. Plus another cool thing we sometimes did was to get on a back road and he would allow me to steer the car. I was not tall enough to reach the pedals just yet, but I had gotten to be able to steer a car fairly well. The dirt and gravel roads back in Minnesota really helped to add to this hobby. I quickly slurped up my cereal and was across the street to get the paper. Joe, one of the two owners of Valnizza's, was behind the counter and flashed me a smile. Of the two owners, older Italians, he was by far the nicest. May, his sister, was ok, but hardly ever smiled was stern as well. Joy was always there with a grin, a joke, and a warm personality. He was cool. and that was enough for me. "Hey Joe." "Hello Charlie. What do you have planned for the day?" My grin at seeing him faded. "Gotta go to some garage sales. I need a new bike." "What happened to your other one?" He looked concerned. "Someone stole it from school. Right off the playground. No one says or seems to have seen a thing. So now I am back to hoofing it unless I can find a decent one today, My Dad is taking me, so that is a plus." Joe shook his head. "Sorry to hear that son. Shame about that. Hope you can get one you like. Not that I like to hear this, but if it had happened before last weekend, my friend's son was selling his old ten speed and I am sure you could have gotten a deal on it. But he sold it, and I do not recall anyone selling one now." I nodded and allowed a small grin to show on my face. "Thanks Joe, I really appreciate that. Guess stuff happens, but it's cool that you are concerned. Have a great day and maybe I can show you what we find later." I waved as I left with the paper. Joe smiles and waved back. "Good luck Charlie. Have fun with your Dad." I was back across the street and soon my Dad and I were going over the paper and plotting out a route. There were several garage sales today. Some right in our neighborhood and others out in PG, Carmel and Carmel Valley. My Dad and I decided to work our way to Carmel Valley if the day stayed nice and take the road all the way back to Highway 101 and work our way back to 68 and home. It would take several hours, but with a warm day and a Saturday, it would be fine. My Mom was going to be cleaning house and then she and Christina would go spend a Mother/Daughter day together for their own special time. That day was a real kicker for me. Had a blast just talking and spending it with my Dad. I saw some bikes that were ok, but either the people were asking too much or after looking them over, they were not worth it. In Carmel, near the Mission, I finally found what I wanted. It was a ten speed that was in really good shape, as the kid who owned it had just been given a racing bike and no longer needed it. Got it for a great price, as it was close to 2 and he wanted to sell it to use the money for the weekend. I made an offer and we dickered some and got a compromise. I had learned to bargain from my mom and I was not ashamed to do it. Some folks did and that was their loss. Just be prepared to walk away or pay the full price if the seller would not budge. This time it worked and my Dad and I had it loaded up in his work truck and on our way. The traffic once we were past Carmel Valley Village was very light. The hills still had some of the Spring green on them and it was really nice to drive past all the ranches, farms and well to do houses. We stopped at a little store for some soda's and snacks, and saw a small herd of deer drinking from a cattle pond in the distance. Just stood there taking the picture in, and when they trotted away, we were on our way again. I drove ( well steered ) for quite some time, though had a scare once when we passed a sheriff's car. I quickly slid over, but he never seemed to blink or turn around, so soon I was back against my Dad. We finally reached Greenfield and while we could have taken River Road, that parallels 101, it was getting late, so we got on the freeway and on home. I was feeling pretty good as we pulled against the curb. I showed my mom and sister the bike as they came out and then secured it in the laundry room. Mom told me David had called, and I promised to give him a buzz as soon as dinner was over. We enjoyed a nice pot of spaghetti and garlic bread and then talked about our day. When we were done, I called David and talked. I told him about what had happened to my bike, and I dropped that I thought Noah and/or Chris were behind it. David was sympathetic and thought so as ell, but agreed, we had no proof. We decided to get together tomorrow, Sunday, as he was going to be having his cousin and aunt showing up Monday, and would also be busy with helping to clean after the mass checkouts from the holiday weekend. We left the day open and I was off to watch some movies with the family. I slept really good that night and I allowed myself some time, just laying back in bed and reading,listening to KIDD. Finally, as I finished the book I had been reading, I got hope to take a wizz and eat. My dad had gotten a bag of day old doughnuts from the place up on 10th street, and we all enjoyed these as we watched Charles Karoult and Sunday Morning. After the show ended and the credits were rolling, I was off to give David a call to see if he was ready. "Hey David." I said as his dad put him through. " Hey Charlie. So we still on for today?" "Yeap. So what do you wanna do today man?" "How about we go riding over to PG, and then we can catch a movie. There is that new comedy we talked about the other day downtown at the State. The first showing is at 12:30. Maybe take in another movie if we can sneak it. They have a R action movie upstairs." "Sounds good to me. You wanna come here or shall I come over? I got the new bike, so either way is good." David thought a moment, and then I guess turned to talk to his Mom. He came back on soon and started up again. "Charlie, better for me to come over there. Things are kinda busy here this morning. Mom just gave me some money for the movie and lunch, so I can be over in 15." "Cool dude. Pedal your ass on over." He chucked and hung up, and I went to grab a quick shower and change. I was finishing up in the bathroom when I heard someone at the door and knew it was David. Said my goodbyes to my folks and we were on our way. We took the long way into Pacific Grove, going up over David Avenue, and past the DLI ( Defense Language Institute, where all the militaries send students to learn languages for translation and cryptology jobs) and the old Presidio of Monterey, and then on down Forest into downtown PG. It was cool racing the bikes down the hill, seeing Monterey Bay at the end of the street in front of us. We looked over some shops and new studio that had opened. David was pretty good at drawing and the gallery had some stuff from an artist that David had gotten to know from a friend of his Dad. The stuff was ok to my eyes, but David was really into it. I wandered away to look over some paintings that had a Western motif about them and one that I really looked hard at was of a Sioux Warrior looking over a field with several dead buffalo along side some railroad tracks. It was titled, "The Lost Hunt". Kinda sad, that the hunter had nothing to hunt. The white man had killed off the herd. We grabbed some burgers and a soda at Carl' Jrs and were at the theater in time. Had fun that afternoon and watched all three movies the place had at this time. The comedy and action movies were decent, but the drama sucked and about half way through, we nudged one another and left. It was close to 6 now, and David had to be heading home, so on the way down Del Monte, we split up, saying we would see each other on Monday. Monday morning I had no plans for the day, as John did not get back till sometime today and David was going to be busy. It was also pretty foggy today and I was not in the mood to go out in the cool fog. My parents wanted to just hang out at home, work on some cleaning and yard work, of which I got drafted into helping. About 2 the phone rang and it was for me. John was home now and bored, and wanted to get together. I asked if I could go, and I was granted a reprieve from my labors. We arranged for me to come on over and have supper there. I arrived and John was there to greet me. "Hey Charlie, good to see you man." He then saw me with a different bike and his brow furrowed. "Where did you get that one from?" My happiness on seeing him faded a little and I quickly got him up to date on how my Friday had gone and the bike getting stolen. He shook his head. "That is a shame dude and just sucks. So you have any ideas on who took it?" "Yeah, I think it was likely Noah or Chris. But I have no proof, so just have to suck it up for now. You know I have had problems with them." He did not know the full extent of the head and heartaches I had suffered, but knew there was some bad blood between us. he nodded and then we were inside and on up to his room. We were playing some Atari when I felt him rub his leg against mine. I looked over to see what he wanted, but he was looking at the screen. I shook it off as incidental and went back to the game. After a bit more, he did it again, and this time had a smile on his face. I still did not know what to make of this, so just looked back to the game. When the game ended, he looked at me and put down his paddle, His grin was still there, but there was also something more. He looked at my eyes and looking deep into them, said. "I really like you Charlie. Your a cool friend." I smiled back, but was a little unsure where he was driving at. "Your cool as well John. I like you and your fun to pal around with." John's grin faded as he grew serious. " Charlie, you do not understand me. I mean I really, REALLY like you. I know what you and Chris did, and well.... I wanted to know if you wanted to do some of that with me." I looked back, wondering on how to answer this. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This ends Chapter 12 folks. More to come when I can write it. Keep the emails coming if you like, hate, or have criticisms to my style. I am open minded and am willing to listen to your opinions. Praise me, flame me, or just tell me where I may improve or screwed up. I am more then willing to reply and we can see what the future holds. Email me at cezmail1@yahoo.com. Also, I posted a new story. It is in the gay Science Fiction and Fantasy section on Nifty, titled " Battered Barbarian and His boy. If your interested, give it a look over. Chapter 5 of that tale is posted and I will hope to have another chapter posted soon. If you do read it, please let me know what you think. Totally different from Monterey Delights. Thanks Charlie