Date: Sun, 5 May 2002 17:03:22 -0700 (PDT)
From: c z <cezmail1@yahoo.com>
Subject: Monterey Delights- Chapter 7

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- I again would like to say  thanks to Skip, Charlie
G, Michael H, Robert from CO, and all the kind folks that have
come to look forward to new chapters.  A special hug is for
Paul, for staying in there through his trying times. Thanks for
the messages Paul.

Thanks also goes out to all the other kind folks who have come
across my story and read it. Thanks for all the emails and
support. I am still with it and will hope to keep writing when I
can. May not always write as often, but I am still here folks.

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 7

Chris seem to get a serious look on his face as we stared at one
another. He then turned to Noah and said something I did not
catch, but Noah looked at me, nodded, and got on his bike,
riding away. Chris then pulled a piece of candy from his pocket
and crossed the street, leaving his bike still against the
store.

My heart beat a little faster, as it looked like the talk I had
been hoping to have with him was to finally take place.  " Hey
Chris. " I said as he come close enough for me to talk without
shouting. He nodded and put his hands back in his pockets.

Looked like I would have to start out things. " So what happened
dude? Why you been dodging me or not calling? You not want to be
friends? " I decided I might as well get right to the point. My
hands got sweaty and I had to take a deep breath when I finished
to control my worries as best as I could.

He shook his head a little to get the hair out of his eyes, and
the serious look in his face seem to lessen some. " Naw, just
been busy. "

That was not enough for me, as I felt I was owed more then that.
"  So not even enough time to call or stop by? You left me
hanging guy, and I will have to say, I did not appreciate it. if
you want to hang out more with Noah and those sixth graders from
school, just tell me.Don't bullshit me, ok? I thought we had a
better friendship then that man. "

His smirk stayed on his face as he continued. " You gotta chill
Charlie. I got other friends then you , and I don't have to
explain myself to you man. I do what I like, when I like. I like
you, but hey, I gotta life. "

This was not at all the Chris I had come to like, and his
attitude was more then I wanted to deal with at this time. "
Whatever man. You go do what you want then. I guess your too
busy to do what we did. Shame about that. But hey, you seem to
have it all figured out. Get back to me if and when you wanta
pick up where we left off. "

I was pissed, and I was not going to beg for more from this
asshole. Shit I was confused and angry, He had jerked me around
it seems, and I had experienced that enough in Long Beach. Guys
just playing with my friendship to get things from me. Maybe he
might change some, as he was still cute and all, but I could
look for someone else if it was not to be.

I turned away and jumped on my bike. Chris said nothing, just
staying standing there with his smirk, but maybe he was taking
in what I had said. I rode away to go see David. That boy seemed
sincere, a lot more then Chris was doing now. I did not look
back as I kept pedaling. Not at this time.

The ride over the overpass of Highway 68 was nice, as I passed
the Hyatt and the Catholic High school. The smell of pines
stayed with me, and there was not much traffic. There was not
much room in the bike lanes, but I was not threatened by any of
the vehicles that passed me by.

Getting across the overpass, I saw the fairgrounds. They were
empty, but there was a sign at the entrance advertising some up
coming event. I paid it no mind, looking for next block so I
could cut back down to Fremont and David's place. At the light I
turned left, and passing some other motels, saw the sign that I
was looking for.

I pulled into the lot and putting the kickstand down to keep my
bike from falling over, I went into the office. The man behind
the desk looked kinda old, with thinning red hair, glasses, and
a good size belly. Looked about 60 I thought, but after taking
this all in at a short thought, he looked up from the paperwork
he was writing. " Yes, can I help you? "

" Umm yeah, I'm a friend of David's. My name is Charlie and he
asked me to come over. "

He smiled and with that smile, I felt a little more at ease. "
Hi there. I'm Riley, David's dad.  Come on around and I will
show you to David." He pulled up a section of the counter so I
could walk through and opened a door that led to their place. A
woman, who I assumed was David's mom, nodded as I walked in
behind Riley. She also looked old, maybe in her 50's, a little
plump, but with a really warm smile.

" You must be Charlie. Hi there Charlie, I am Erma, David's mom.
David is in his room. Here, I will show you there. " She gave
Riley a quick kiss and went down a hallway. At the end of it, on
the left, she waved her arm. I looked through and there was
David, sitting on the floor playing Atari in front of his color
TV. Erma made a coughing sound and when that was not enough
chuckled and called out. " David! Charlie's here."

David looked up, seemingly startled from the game. He smiled as
he saw me and put down the paddle. " Hey Charlie, glad you could
make it. Come on in and sit. I will get the other paddle and we
can have some fun. Mom, can we get a soda? "

Erma nodded and left. David went to his closet to get the paddle
and as he finished getting it plugged in and handing it to me,
his mom returned with two Pepsi's in cans. We thanked her and
she left, closing the door. David and I played Space Invader's
and Missile Command, and I learned that he had moved here in
January from Reno. His parents were managers and they had
rotated about from place to place for most of his life.

I learned that David was the youngest child of his parents. They
had both been married before and had kids, and then married in
their 40's. David was a surprise to them, but not an unwelcome
one. Just kinda hard to have a Dad who was over 60 and a mom not
much younger. He did not see his older brother and sisters much,
but was ok with that., Some unsaid business between them all.

We finished off the soda's and got into some serious battles on
his tank war game. Took me a little while to get a feel for it,
but soon I was giving him a run for his money. Finally I saw it
was close to 6, so I put the paddle down as the last bought
ended. " I gotta go David, but I really had fun. Maybe next time
you can come over to my place. If you got a bike, we can go
cruising past the wharf and Heritage Harbor. "

He smiled back, " I had fun to Charlie. Glad we could be
friends. HMM I think I will be busy tomorrow with chores, but
maybe Wednesday or Thursday. We can still hang out at school, if
you want. he said the last a little more softly, as if unsure if
I was game with this.

I nodded, as we got past the door that was the direct way from
their apartment. " That's cool man. I would like that. See ya
tomorrow then. Thanks to your mom as well for having me over. "

I got on my bike and waved as I pedaled on home. It was nice to
have a friend and with David, there was no pressure over being
attracted to him Nice guy, just no connection like there was
with Chris.

Chris! I had not thought of him since our little " talk. " It
still hurt that he seemed to have rejected me and dissed me, but
I would get over it. Maybe he would change his mind, as I could
still feel a stir inside over him, but I could not let that take
over my emotions. Horniness and attraction had gotten me into
trouble before and I did not want a repeat.

I got home just a few minutes after 6 and we all ate dinner
together. Tonight was pork chops and salad. I told my dad and
mom about David and the fun we had been able to have together,
and that I would like to have him over later in the week. Mom
was cool with this and Dad just nodded. We watched some TV as a
family and then I was off to do my homework and read before bed.

The night passed ok, and I got up with my alarm. getting my
shower out of the way and dressing, I was downing my cereal in
time to head off to get the bus. Christina was feeling irritable
today, so I just stayed away from her. Gave mom a kiss and
shooing my sister with my head to the door, we walked to get the
bus.

I saw Chris and Noah talking together, but I did not approach
them. Just let my mind wander till the bus showed up. Chris did
not even look up. The ride  went past fine and I went to class
without even glancing behind me where Chris sat. he was still on
his trip.

The day went by nicely and today Omen was not quite the asshole.
Ann Marie, pretty smart for a girl, got in some good answers to
questions and I sensed that with both of us being kinda smart,
we might compete for standings and grades. David was not as
withdrawn in class and gave me a warm smile when we caught each
other's eyes. Had fun playing during lunch and recess. It was
cool to have him as a friend.

I got home and decided I might as well do my homework now, so I
could go for a bike ride. Mom was gone, looking for work, and
Christina was over at Ashley's. I flipped on my radio to listen
to some tunes and in an hour I had finished my homework. I wrote
a note to my mom that I was going out, and grabbed some cookies
to munch on.

I decided to go check out the walk of history, a path that went
past many of the old adobes and houses from Monterey's Spanish
and Mexican days  in the 1800's. Not go in any of them, just see
where they were and while I was at, explore more of my hometown.
It would be easy to follow the path, as there were small red
arrows in the street that helped guide people.

I rode and went past the Cooper House and others, enjoying
reading all the plaques with their brief histories of the
buildings and learning more of the history of Monterey while I
was at it. I really did like History. I looked at my watch as I
got down to Fisherman's Wharf and the Old Custom House. It was
getting darker now and was close to 6. Time to head home. I
figured I could finish the rest of the Walk another time, but
with a growling stomach and not wanting to get into trouble for
being out so late, I left on my way.

Got home in 10 minutes and it looked like Dad was working late,
as his truck was not there. I put my bike away and walked
through the door. " Hi Mom. " I said as I saw her putting out
some lasagna and garlic bread on the table. " Dad going to be
here? "

" No he is working down at Fremont Peak, so just the two of us.
Christina is eating at Ashley's. " I nodded. It was not often it
was just Mom and me. I told her about my ride and explorations,
repeating a lot of what I had learned and read from the small
signs. She enjoyed my little lecture and as we finished off her
excellent dinner, decided to play some yahtzee.

Christina came home after 7 and worked on her own homework as I
watched TV. Close to 9 I said goodnight to read some more before
bed. No unpleasant dreams that night, but I did have a weird one
that somehow involved Chris. I did not fully recall it as I woke
up, but  I had a strange feeling.

Well I got to the bus and Chris was alone. As I got closer, his
head come up and seeing me nodded. I did not return it, still
not liking how he had treated me. He grew serious and taking a
step closer, said. " Charlie, umm I want to talk, ok? You wanna
go off to the side so we can?"

I thought about it and nodded. We stepped closer to the corner,
away from the others. I looked at him then to see what he would
have to say.

_____________________________________________________________

Ok, end of Chapter 7. So what is it that Chris has to say? Well
you will just have to wait till the next chapter now won't you?
: ) I do promise. I will still be writing more. No action in
this chapter, but I am not dropping any connections. Keep tuned
to see what will come. I had no real emails on what people
wanted to happen. Some folks did ask me to keep it. " real "
just telling what actually happened. So that is what I will do.

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.

Thanks

Charlie