Date: Fri, 6 Jun 2008 04:08:07 -0700
From: Danny <m12@thedoghousemail.com>
Subject: Simon's Journal: Thirteen Days, Chapter 5 of 13

Simon's Journal
Volume I

Thirteen Days - The First Crusade
A novel by Danny

Chapter 5
February 20, 2004 Friday
      I woke up again this morning a few minutes before my
alarm was supposed to start blaring. I got right out of
bed and switched it off so that it wouldn't start blaring
through the raw morning stillness.
      My GoodNite was soaking wet in the front but the
back was still dry. The front of the jersey unfortunately
soaked all the way up to my chest, too. It kind of ticked
me off that I had got it all wet like that the first
night I had it. I pulled it off and tossed it into the
hamper. My stomach and thighs were all clammy and when I
checked my bed, sure enough, there was a sizeable wet
spot on the sheet. Apparently, I had been sleeping on my
belly again last night. Whenever I do that I almost
always have a problem with leaking over the top of the
GoodNite. I try not to do that but heck, when I am sleep
I don't have a whole lot of control over what my body
chooses to do.
      Since only the bottom sheet seemed to be wet, I
groaned and stripped it off of my bed and tossed in to my
dirty clothes hamper, too. I went out to the hallway to
get another sheet from the linen closet but there were
only the big ones for mom and dad's bed; none for my twin
bed, which was kind of odd, but I just shrugged and went
into the bathroom to take my shower.
      I pulled down my GoodNite, let it slide down my legs
to the floor and stepped out of it. I noticed that it
wasn't really all that wet anywhere but the front and I
surmised that I must have spent the better part of the
night sleeping face-down. I reached into the tub and
turned on the shower to let it run for a couple of
minutes while I brushed my teeth. When I finally did step
into the shower I nearly fried myself!
      "OOUCH HOT, HOT, HOT! I shouted and danced around
trying to get out of the way of the burning water while I
was trying to reach for knob.
      I cowered in the corner of the tub alternating from
one foot in the air and then the other until the water
temperature was more sufferable.
      I heard a knock at the bathroom door, "You okay,
Simon?" I heard mom ask.
      "Yes! The water was just too hot!" I shouted out
from under the running water trying to wet my hair.
      "What do you want for breakfast?" She asked.
      "PANCAKES!" I shouted back eagerly!
      I started soaping up my body and dancing around in
the streams of water while singing.
      Now, I'm the real Simon
      Yes I'm the real Simon
      All you other Simons are just imitators.
      So wont the real Simon
      Please stand up
      Please stand up
      One thing I can't do is sing, and had the Real Slim
Shady heard me butchering his song in the shower like
that he probably would have butchered me!
      I turned off the shower and stepped out onto the
bathmat to dry myself, which I didn't do a very good job
of before wrapping the towel around my waist and heading
back to my room with my wet Goodnite in my hand.
      Today was Friday and after school I was going to be
trying-out for a place on the Junior Varsity Squad, yea
maybe it was only as a reserve member, but even the
reserve teammates are still teammates! However, I had a
few ideas of my own that I wanted to implement before
then; like finding Jasper Hawkins!
      I pulled on my underwear and since I had not dried
myself very well I was still dripping onto my floor and
my clothes were not sliding on as easily as they normally
would have.
      "Where are my lucky socks?" I said rummaging through
my dresser drawer. In the end I had to settle for a pair
that I thought matched. I didn't know until the end of
the day that though they both were white socks, one had a
black and red stripe around the top and the other had a
blue and red stripe. I'm glad no one else noticed that
today.
      I had the hardest time this morning getting my tie
to come out even. I had to retie it three times before I
was successful. In the end I was able to get myself
completely dressed and looking somewhat respectable
again.
      Breakfast was scrumptious. I ate three pancakes,
which was a remarkable feat even for me, and I drank one
and a half glasses of milk to wash them down. I was
stuffed but it was so good! Mom kept going on about how
she didn't like the idea of me hanging around with 'those
boys' as she now labeled them. She also was not very
happy about me getting involved in after school sports.
But luckily, dad was on my side on both accounts and
pretty much I tried to stay out of the back-and-forth
banter they were having.
      After dad left the table and was getting his things
together for work our doorbell rang. It was very unusual
for anyone to be ringing our bell at such an early
morning hour, so mom made me stay at the table and told
dad to get it.
      Seconds later dad called for me, "Simon, someone's
at the door for you!"
      Mom gave me a funny look as I excused myself and
went to see who it was. I wasn't even at the door before
I had figured out that it was the shortest of Peter's
three friends, and that was when it hit me that I had no
idea what his or the other two's names were. I mean, I
knew they were Max, John and Steve but I didn't know
which was which. I had never really given it any thought
at all. I knew who Peter was because he was the biggest,
meanest and heck, everyone knows Peter and I only know
the names of his three henchmen from hearing other kids
blather on about who had met their demise at the hands of
those four.
      "Hey, what's up?" he said when he saw me through the
storm door.
      I looked out and saw Peter and the other two guys
standing next to their bikes down on the sidewalk.
      "Do you think your parents will let you ride to
school with us?" he asked sounding uncharacteristically
bashful. He kept looking down at the ground and would not
make eye contact with me. I heard mom behind me and
turned to her to ask, "Can I mom?"
      She exhaled loudly through her nose, "Honey?" she
called through the house for dad.
      Dad came back in the room, "Simon wants to know if
he can ride his bike to school?" The way she asked made
it sound like she was wanting dad to say no so that she
didn't have too, but dad said, "Yes, I think it's
alright."
      Mom didn't try to hide the fact that she was not
happy with any of this.
      Turning back to the door I quickly said, "I'll be
around in just a minute okay?" I didn't wait for a
response before closing the door.
      I hurriedly put on my coat and bundled up; it felt
pretty darn cold out this morning. I slipped my backpack
on to my shoulders and headed for the sliding door.
      "Simon? You be careful okay?" mom called as I was
closing the door behind me.
      I waved and smiled at her through the glass; she
looked worried, more so then she normally looked. I'd
seem mothers in the movies look like that when they were
watching there sons go off to war or something equally as
horrific.
      Dad had pulled into the garage a little too far
again last night and I had trouble getting my bike out;
it was literally a wrestling match and the garage nearly
won. I ultimately managed to get it out and rode down to
the end of the driveway where three very relieved looking
faces and the top of ones hood greeted me.
      "Hey!" I said.
      "Hi Simon!"
      "Hey!"
      "Hi Simon!"
      "Hi Simon!"
      They each said in turn with the boy that had come to
the door still seaming to be unusually quiet and very
interested in the ground. I attributed it to yesterday
and didn't really think too much about it until we had
rolled to the bottom of my street. I skidded to a stop as
they came rolling down behind me and that is when I
finally got a good look at his face.
      "Whoa! What happened to you?" I exclaimed.
      He tried to hide his face with the hood of his coat
but it was too late. I had seen the bruises and a really
serious black eye.
      "Dude? Did Bull and his friends do that to you?" I
said with obvious aggression in my voice.
      After a couple seconds Peter said, "Na, his old
man!"
      "Whoa!" I said, "I'm sorry! Does it hurt very bad?"
      He shook his head no, but I didn't believe him. It
looked pretty darn painful.
      "You know, I can't keep calling you three, 'Dude',
so let me see if I know your names?" I asked.
      "Max" I pointed to the first boy. He smiled in
acknowledgment.
      Before I could venture a guess of the other two boys
they both gave their names.
      "I'm Johnny," The boy with the messed-up face said.
      "Yea, and I'm Steven," The last one said.
      Pete pulled up closer to me, and with the back of
his hand thumped me in the chest; not hard at all. A
gentleman would have extended a hand but Pete is no
gentleman and I am slowly accepting that a hit from Pete
is the same as a handshake from anyone else.
      "Hey! Thanks for what you did yesterday," Pete said.
      "Yea, we had no idea that kid was a friend of
yours," Max said.
      "Yea, otherwise we never would have messed with him
in the first place," Johnny said.
      I never bothered to tell them that Jasper wasn't my
friend, at least not yet, and I will take that secret to
my grave.
      "Yea man, you are one spastic fighter!" Max said
pulling up his left coat and shirtsleeves to show two
nice bite marks.
      "Whoa! I did that?" I said in astonishment.
      "And that was through my coat!" he added.
      "Man, you were like some kind of wild demon animal,"
Johnny said.
      "Yea, my side still hurts where you kicked me,"
Peter said rubbing his left ribs.
      Ok, I will admit it. I enjoyed hearing how I royally
whipped all four of them. But, 'Right Hand to God!' I
don't remember a single bit of it!
      The five of us continued to talk as we peddled up
the street to school. I had never seen this side of the
four of them- heck, I doubt anyone ever has and it made
me wonder if they were always mean and nasty like their
reputations at school.
      As we walked our bikes across the street the same
crossing guard from yesterday morning had a few words for
us and they were not very pleasant but he did a lot
better job of keeping it PG then I had done yesterday.
All five of us walked their bikes past him fast without
saying a single word back to him.
      Instead of going all the way around to the back of
the school to lock our bikes up, Pete suggested that we
lock them over by the north parking lot where there was
another bike rack and it was closer to the front doors.
      I was pleased to see both Mr. Freeman and Mr. Graff
outside this morning talking with students. I had a
feeling they were out there incase something happened
this morning but it was mostly calm as students filed in.
I waved to Mr. Freeman and he called over to me, "I
assume you got the O.K. from the doctor Mr. Leonard?"
      I waved the small piece of paper in the air the
doctor had given me yesterday saying I was perfectly okay
and Mr. Freeman gave me the thumbs up sign as he turned
to talk to a small flock of giggling girls that were
coming off one of the busses.
      I suppose it looked funny to see someone my size
leading the four biggest and most feared students in our
school to the front door. A lot of students that I didn't
know and some that I did kept shouting to me as we
walked. I guess I had become some kind of living legend
in my absence yesterday.
      As I passed Mr. Graff I forced a smile and said,
"Good morning Mr. Graff!" Despite our handshake of truce
yesterday, he still scares the crap out of me. He smiled
which made him look even more sinister and jokingly said,
"Get to class, Mr. Leonard!" as he pulled my hood down
over my eyes.
      Once inside I told the guys I had to drop my note
off in the office. I figured they wouldn't want to go in
but I was wrong; they didn't want to be out of my sight
and all four of them filed into the office right behind
me.
      The secretary looked up as the door opened and
smiled when she recognized me. "Oh, hello again, Simon!
Just can't get enough of this place, huh?"
      "Naaa, I have my doctor's note here saying I can
come back to school," I said, handing it to her.
      "Oh wonderful! I will see that Mr. Freeman gets it
when he comes back in," she said, still smiling at me and
not even acknowledging my four disciples.
      "Yea, he saw me coming in." I turned to go and
nonchalantly waved back to her saying, "Thanks!" and
headed for the door. The guys followed and I also noticed
that Johnny had kept his face down and turned away while
we were in the office. I guess he didn't want any more
trouble by someone reporting what his dad had done to his
face. For a brief moment the thought went through my head
of whether the rest of him looked anything like his face.
      Once back in the hall I stopped and turned to them.
"Guys, it's cool now! You can go to your classes!
Really!"
      They all four looked at me like they had no idea
what language I was speaking. "Really! I've got to go to
my locker," I pointed with my thumb, "and homeroom now."
      They reluctantly started to walk away looking very
apprehensive. "Guys, I've got study hall right before
lunch. Why don't we meet up after that and have lunch
together?"
      "Yea, Okay!" Max said.
      "Sure!" Peter said.
      "Cool!" Johnny smiled and somehow looked even meaner
with his two black eyes.
      "Meet ya there!" Peter added and Steven just waved
me off.
      That placated them and allowed me to breath a sigh
of relief as they each turned the corner once again the
three follow Peter as they normally did.
      "Hi Simon!" some girl said to me.
      "Whoa look, it's Psycho dude!" an older boy said
with his necktie rapped around his head and hanging to
one side.
      I heard rumblings, mutterings and greetings like
that all the way to my locker and then to homeroom. Once
I walked in the door to our class it really started.
      "HEY! It's Leonard!"
      "King Leonard!" someone shouted and two boys bowed
mockingly.
      "Wow Simon! You are intense!"
      "I heard you were paralyzed!"
      "I heard you had to have a kidney transplant after
they stabbed you!"
      "Did you really have a gun?"
      "A gun? Oh please, get real!"
      "Did you bring it with you today?"
      "No the police would have taken it, you idiot!"
      "What level belt are you?"
      "Oh, he has to be a black belt!"
      "I never could have done that."
      And on and on it went, one student after another. I
never had a chance to say a single word and I was
grateful when our teacher finally called the class to
order. Man, I had never been so relieved, to be honest;
that was just so overwhelming.
      "A gun?" I thought to myself and stifled a laughed!
"Yep, that's me, Double-O-Six and Three-Quarters."
      The rest of my morning went just like that. Mr.
Freeman was so right yesterday; I did a really good job
of disrupting his school today. As I was coming out of
study hall Peter, Max, Johnny and Steven were all
standing right by the door looking rather annoyed.
      "What's with you guys?" I asked but none answered.
      "You guys okay?" I continued to prod a little
concerned.
      "FINE!" Max said acting very jittery like he was
seriously hopped up on caffeine.
      "Right!" I said deciding to drop the subject for
now.
      "You guys ready for lunch?" I asked.
      "Yes, please!" Johnny said now acting like Max.
      At lunch I finally found out what was going on with
the four of them. It seems that they had been hearing all
the same wild stories that I had been hearing. Some of
the accounts that were attributed to us were exceedingly
incredible, yet downright impossible.
      Max was positively wigging out on us and getting
very snippy as he had been at school for nearly five
hours now and had not been able to sneak away for a
cigarette. I had no idea that they smoked, but all four
confessed to me that they were smokers. Max and Johnny
were the heaviest smokers with about a pack a day between
them, but I guess Max was the real addict of their group.
I was worried he was going to go postal very soon if he
didn't get a cigarette.
      "So why haven't you guys just gone into one of the
bathrooms today?" I asked.
      "We have!" Max barked and Peter jabbed him in the
side to shut him up!
      "What?" Max snapped at him.
      "Shut it or I will!" Peter said, gritting his teeth.
      "We can't go anywhere without Mr. Freeman, Mr. Graff
or any of the other teachers just appearing out of
nowhere!" Steven said in a whisper and pointed across the
room to Mr. Graff who was acting like he was not watching
us. He was not doing a very good job as he was trying to
make it look like he was examining the block wall for
cracks or something.
      "I see what you mean! Well, it's of your own doing!"
I said dismissively while popping a tater-tot into my
mouth.
      "I guess you guys are going to have to stop smoking
at school now!" I supposed while smacking Johnny's hand
when he tried to sneak one of my tots.
      "OUCH HEY!" he yelped.
      I saw him make a fist with his other hand but he
didn't use it. Maybe Mr. Freeman's yelling was still
echoing in his head.
      I pointed at him with a tater-tot, "Ask!"
      He grunted and stewed for a few seconds before
asking in what I think was his best effort at politeness,
"Give me one. Please!"
      "That's better!" I said giving him the tot.
      However, when I turned back to my tray, my tots were
gone and the other three were setting there looking like
chipmunks with their cheeks all puffed-out and trying not
to laugh. I shoot them all the evil eye! What else could
I do? Demand they spit out my tots? I think not! And I
couldn't have eaten everything that was put on my try
today, not even if I had wanted too! The lunch lady had
been true to her word and had given me extra helpings
over everything.
      When I was done and had returned my try I decided I
needed to go to the bathroom as I had not gone yet since
I arrived this morning. I normally have to visit it at
least once in the morning and again in the afternoon. Of
course the four of them followed me into the bathroom,
too.
      I wanted to say something about having some privacy
but I decided it was better to just keep it to myself.
After I had finished doing my business I heard the door
open again while I was washing my hands and the others
were still lined up at the urinals. I looked up in to the
mirror and saw a short red-haired boy walk in. It was
Jasper Hawkins!
      Jasper got about five steps into the bathroom before
he realized who was in this particular bathroom at that
moment. He froze as if suddenly turned to stone. I
flicked my hands off into the sink and turned to stand
right in front of him, "Go before they see you!" I spoke
in my softest voice.
      Thankfully he didn't hesitate; he was out the door
before I could blink. I turned and said, "All right,
guys! I'm going to gym class, see ya." and hastily
scrambled out the door before they could zip up and
follow.
      I looked down both directions of the hallway and
didn't see anyone with red hair. I scratched my own head
and I know I looked puzzled but heck that's because I
was! I still don't know how in the world he could have
got out of sight so fast.
      Three girls were walking behind me talking as I was
heading to my locker to get my gym bag. I heard my name
and turned, one had really long brown hair and the
prettiest eyes. She smiled showing her braces but even
with braces she still looked exceedingly appealing. I
also observed that the one girl with curly blond hair was
smiling so big at me that I thought her face was going to
split.
      Gym class was a myriad of calisthenics today. I
really worked up a sweat and defiantly needed a shower
afterward. While in the shower a lot of the other boys
kept talking about yesterday and asking me questions; I
just let them go on. Maybe it's wrong but I kind of like
the attention in a way and I guess in another way I can
be a bit annoying but so far it's more on the enjoyable
side. After today I have a better understanding of what
it is like to be famous and never able to do anything
without being watched by fans and admirers.
      The rest of my day went by really quickly and
despite my hopes to finally getting to talk with Jasper,
I again could not find him while searching the halls
between classes.
      After the final bell sounded I went to my locker to
get all of my books and gym bag so that I could go back
to the gymnasium for tryouts. I sort of expected that the
Peter and the guys would show up at my locker and they
did as I was stuffing the last of my books in my bag.
      I looked up at them and Peter was not there,
"Where's Peter?" I asked.
      They all shrugged and looked around for him. Seeing
the three of them without Peter was like looking at the
crew of a Klingon Warbird without a captain.
      "Guys, I forgot to tell you that I have to stay
after school today. I'm trying out for the Junior Varsity
reserve team." I said struggling to get my backpack
zipper to close.
      "What?" Johnny said with a note of panic in his
voice.
      "I think it would be okay for you guys to come watch
if you don't want to ride home without me."
      Johnny looked at Max, "We have to go straight home!
Dad said so!" his voice quivered slightly.
      "Wait a minute! You two are brothers?" I posed
pointing to both Max and Johnny.
      "Half-Brothers." Max said.
      "That's cool! I've got a half-brother, too." I said
finally getting my pack to zip shut.
      "This is something I got to do!" I pulled my
backpack on to my shoulders, "You guys are going to have
to figure this one out on your own."
      I picked up my gym bag and started to walk away
leaving the three of them looking rather desperate.
      I was halfway down the hall when I heard someone
call my name. I turned to see Mary Tucker trying to catch
up with me, her shinny brown hair was bouncing on her
shoulders with each step and her arms were overloaded
with books.
      I felt as awkward talking to her as I had the first
time I saw Jasper standing half naked in the nurse's
office with a wet Pull-up down around his ankles.
Something about Mary Tucker made me stutter and made my
hands sweat.
      "Man I thought those guys would never leave you
alone today," she said panting as she finally reached me.
      Her voice is unusually high even for a girl, but it
fits her nonetheless. She has pale-green eyes framed with
long dark lashes and her nose is like a small button in
the middle of her face. She dropped a book on the floor
and bent over panting. "Sorry." she said between pants
excusing herself for being slightly out of breath.
      At this point I was still unable to talk and was
just standing there staring at her. She straightened up
finally, pulled at her shirt and finally some words
started to form in my mouth.
      "I-I am sorry, you took me by surprise. I was
expecting . . ." she cut me short.
      "They ran out the south doors like the school was on
fire or something." She asserted.
      "Ah yea, they are probably trying to get home
without getting jumped or something," I said, shuffling
my feel nervously.
      "Yea well they deserve it." She was fidgeting, too.
      "You know they are not all bad." I said it but I'm
still not sure I believe it myself.
      "Why have you been hanging around them all day?" she
asked.
      "Me? Actually it's them that have been hanging
around me! Ah, it's a long story, really." I don't know
why but I didn't want to go into all the real reasons.
      "You know, I don't live very far from you?" she
tossed her head to get her hair from her eyes.
      "Really?" I said totally missing her hint.
      "Yea, I just live over where the creek crosses under
Scott Street." She smiled and my insides started to
quake.
      "I-I-I didn't know that!" I swallowed, "T-that is
only maybe two more blocks up, I think." I was nervously
rubbing my arm.
      "Do you want to walk home together?" She asked,
abandoning her subtle hints.
      "OH!" at last the light came on in my head, "Uh, yea
I would like that a lot but I am going to tryouts right
now for the Junior Varsity Squad."
      "Really? I am a Junior Varsity Cheerleader!" she
smiled again and I nearly fell apart. She was working her
girlish voodoo on me and I was turning into her zombie
boy!
      She readjusted her books in her arms and said,
"Well, bye for now, and good luck at the tryouts, Simon!"
she smiled again just before turning to walk away.
      I'm glad that no one said anything about me standing
there gawking even after she was out of site. Mary Tucker
makes me feel electrified inside and I stood there for a
few moments living off the memory of her scent; like
honey suckle flowers on a spring morning.
      Someone bumped into me, which thankfully brought me
back to reality. Not wanting to be late to tryouts, I ran
through the halls and into the gym. Thankfully, several
other boys were heading down to the locker room and I
followed. No one was changing; they were all just
standing around talking to each other. I heard someone
call my name from the other side of the room and I saw a
hand waving.
      "Simon! Hey Simon! Over here!" the voice called
again.
      I managed to work my way through the sea of boys to
reach the one that had called me. It was Jasper Hawkins
and the same feeling I had the first time I saw him came
over me again like a tidal wave washing all thoughts of
Mary Tucker out of my mind.
      I waded through the sea of boys to where Jasper was,
"I didn't know you were trying out!" he said not seeming
bashful or quiet like I had expected him to be.
      "Hey! Your Simon Leonard, aren't you?" an African-
American boy asked giving me a slap on the back.
      "Yea?" I said.
      "I'm Jonas, Jonas Elliot," he introduced himself.
      "Yea you're in my science class," I said.
      "Way to go," he smiled, "getting rid of Peter
Alderman!" He said slapping me on the shoulder this time
in a congratulatory way, "Now you just have to get rid of
those three gangsters that used to hang around with him."
      Jasper and I both looked at him puzzled, "What?" we
had no idea what he was talking about, "Get rid of?"
      "Don't you know?" another boy chimed in who looked
to be built with only two legs and a head. Wow was he
tall.
      "Yea, someone told me that the cops came and hauled
him out of the school during sixth period." The African-
American boy added.
      "What for?" Jasper asked.
      "Someone said he was caught doing drugs," some other
boy said sounding delighted.
      "Well, I heard he trashed old Mr. Graff's car!" Yet
another boy said over the rest.
      I looked to Jasper who was looking a little
bothered; I would have thought of all people that he
would have been happy to be rid of Peter. I was thinking
about all the outlandish rumors of myself that were
flying around the school and wondered if any of the
rumors about Peter had any truth to them until Mr.
Shaffer's whistle sounded though the room and everyone
went quiet. I sat down on the bench next to Jasper, he
had this look that I still am not sure if it was just his
being nervous about the tryouts or if it was something
more. It was his undeniable hazel eyes that I was having
a hard time reading.
      "We have a really good turnout today! I am very
pleased!" he walked over and propped his foot up on a
metal chair and leaned on one elbow. "I want everyone
whose last name begins with A thru M to head over to the
girls' locker room. It is empty and I want no complaints
or comments about it!" he said before blowing his whistle
again.
      "Move out!" and about half the room started to clear
out with a few groans, snickers and whispers.
      "I said quiet!" Mr. Shaffer barked and blew his
whistle again.
      As Jasper was filing past, Mr. Shaffer put his hand
down in front of Jasper to stop him, "Mr. Hawkins? Why
are you here?" he sounded less then thrilled.
      "Please! I just want to try out?" I heard Jasper
plead low enough so that hardly anyone but Mr. Shaffer
could her him. I only discerned what he was saying by
watching his lips move and reading his body language,
which was obvious that he was begging.
      "We had this discussion last year, Mr. Hawkins!" Mr.
Shaffer barked loudly, looking meaner then ever.
      "Please! I know I can do it!" Jasper begged.
      "Did he say last year?" I thought to myself while
trying to eaves drop. That would mean that Jasper is not
in the sixth grade but must me in the seventh grade.
"He's so small!" I thought, "He looks like he should be
in fourth or maybe even fifth grade but not seventh."
      Mr. Shaffer was gazing down at him like he was
trying to make a decision and I found myself willing him
to say yes! "Please say yes! Please - Please - Please say
yes!" I mouthed.
      "In my office and wait for me!" he said to Jasper
and I thought I saw Jaspers' spirit fall flat on the
floor.
      "I want everyone up in the gym in five minutes or
you can consider yourself cut! No exceptions!" Mr.
Shaffer blew his whistle and the room suddenly exploded
with clothes flying everywhere.
      My gym clothes felt as though they were still a
little damp from gym class only a few hours before and
they had a slight funk to them since they had been worn a
couple days in a row now.
      Once dressed, I flew up the stairs and was one of
the first to reach the gym but was quickly followed by
many more boys flooding from both locker rooms. We all
stood around, some talking others stretching and still
others looking increasingly nervous. It was easily ten
minutes before Mr. Shaffer came up from his office
followed by Jasper who was in his gym clothes. It was all
I could do to keep from shouting right then and there!
      The whistle blew again. The room went silent, all
eyes and heads turned to Mr. Shaffer who was standing,
fists on hips, feet apart and surveying the mass of boys.
      However, my eyes were on Jasper who was holding a
clipboard in his left hand and an pencil in his right
hand. "Is that?" I thought. "Holy-Talking-Mushrooms It
Is!" I was screaming to myself! "He's wearing a whistle
around his neck! AAAHHHHHHH!!!!!"
      I wanted to shout, cheer and whoop it up for Jasper
but fortunately my body stayed rooted to the gymnasium
floor. And my eyes went to his shorts and I wasn't sure
but did they look a little puffy, like maybe he had on
more then just underwear under them? I was jolted back
from my fantasy as Mr. Shaffer began to talk loud enough
that all of us would be sure to hear him and hear him
clearly.
      "As each of you no doubt are aware, I am Mr.
Shaffer. However, from this moment on you are to call me
Coach or Coach Shaffer." He stopped talking and shot a
look of pure venom at two boys that were whispering to
each other. The boys quickly clammed up and he continued.
      "I have already chosen one of two student coaches
for this year. You will address Mr. Hawkins here," he
motioned to Jasper who was staring at the clipboard
intently, "as Coach, Assistant Coach Hawkins or just
Coach Hawkins if you wish." Like a thunder, nearly every
boy broke into laugher except for me.
      Jasper had his head hanging from his shoulders. Mr.
Shaffer brought back order with a long blow of his
whistle. He seemed to grow two feet taller before our
eyes. "The next one to show disrespect to me or Assistant
Coach Hawkins will be cut! Do I make myself clear?" he
barked so loudly I felt the floor shake.
      There was a rumbling of agreement but that wasn't
good enough. "You will answer with 'Yes, Coach' in a loud
clear voice! Now try again!"
      And in one loud rumble nearly every boy shouted,
"YES, COACH!"
      "Mr. Swanson! You are cut!" Mr. Shaffer barked to
one boy whom I saw had not answered back and I saw Jasper
make a mark on the clipboard seeming to try and not make
eye contact with the boy as he left our ranks.
      "Mr. Greenfield, You are cut!" he barked again and
another boy headed for the locker room with his head hung
in shame. Jasper made another mark on his clipboard.
      "Any more wish to leave now?" he asked.
      And I alone shouted back, "NO, COACH!" which sent
everyone into fits of laughter again.
      The whistle blew again. "Mr. Leonard!" he bellowed
took two steps toward me and without looking directly at
me he said, "Thank you for your enthusiasm."
      He began walking as he talked, "When you hear the
whistle I want everyone to begin running in place. Do not
stop until you hear the whistle again. Anyone that stops
- slows or is not showing 100% before the whistle sounds
again can consider themselves cut. Mr. O'Neil how's the
arm?"
      "Great, Coach!" an older boy shouted back.
      "Glad to hear it! Please go push the wall!" Mr.
Shaffer barked and the boy broke from the group and went
to the far wall and started doing a sort of stand up
pushup against the wall.
      The whistle sounded and like a herd of stampeding
elephants the gymnasium erupted with the combined sound
of our pounding feet on the wooden floor.
      Five minutes and then five more passed. Mr. Shaffer
walked back and forth among us with Jasper walking right
behind him. Soon a boy not to far from me dropped to the
floor.
      "Mr. Hammond, to the showers!" came the death
sentence and Jasper marked on his clipboard again.
      "Mr. Quincy! Last year you were my star shot putter!
Don't think that gives you any excuse to slack of this
year! Get those knees up or go home!"
      "Yes, Coach!" came a high voice from the far end of
our ranks.
      We ran in place forever and a total of seventeen
boys were cut. When the whistle sounded again every boy
left running fell to the floor in exhaustion including
me.
      "Very good! Please assume the sit-up position with
feet to me!" came the order followed by the sound of boys
positioning themselves on their backs.
      "Hands on your chests!" and there was the sound of
many hands slapping chests.
      "Begin!" and the whistle sounded again as he
continued to speak, "Mr. Hawkins will now call several
names. If you hear your name called you are to stand up
were you are." He turned to Jasper and nodded.
      Jasper ran his finger down the list reading off the
names of thirteen boys who each stood up as there names
were called and then my name was called. My heart sank
knowing that I was just cut as I struggled to my feet.
Two more names were called after mine.
      "Those standing, I see you as my possible runners!
It is up to you if you become one of those, go help Mr.
O'Neil push my wall!"
      Overjoyed that we were not cut all 16 of us raced to
the wall.
      Mr. Shaffer continued putting us through vigorous
workouts and it seems like boys were dropping like flies.
Those of us at the wall were returned to the ranks of the
other boys and new boys were sent to try to push the
wall. For myself, I thought I was going to die. My arms
and legs were screaming. He kept it up for nearly two
hours until our ranks were nearly cut in half.
      His whistle sounded long and loud and he finally
announced that the cuts were over for today. Had we not
been so tired I am sure that the sound that came from us
all would have been funny.
      "Monday we will learn who has what it will take and
who doesn't. You are to report here at 1 pm sharp on
Monday afternoon. You will change and be up here before
1:10 pm." He stopped for a second, looked right at the
boy standing to my left and continued still looking at
him. "Anyone late does not need to bother showing up at
all."
      He started pacing again, "As in yesteryears, we will
be boarding a bus and going to a scrimmage where you will
be evaluated in competition. Final cuts will be recorded
and those that make the cut will find there names posted
in the main hall Tuesday morning by first bell. Some of
you have not yet turned in your signed permission slips.
Have them on my desk by the end of the first period on
Monday or you will be cut!"
      A sudden panic gripped me as I was still trying to
gasp and pant for air. "Permission slip? No one said
anything about . . ." I was cut off in mid thought as
Jasper began read out loud, "Jonas Elliot, Todd Garner,
Gilliam Kline, Ian Li, Simon Leonard, Bruce Reynolds, Ben
Turner, Junie Turner, and Jeff Vincent."
      Mr. Shaffer took over from there, "If your name was
just called then I have already seen your parents and or
guardians and had them sign your permission slips
personally. Just be here on Monday ready to give your
all. Now everyone hit the showers!"
      He blew his whistle one last time. Cheers and shouts
were sent up from every boy that was left uncut as they
stampeded back to the locker rooms! I held back a bit
from the flow of sweaty boys as they raced for the
showers in hopes that I might get a chance to finally
talk to Jasper.
      "Ah! Assistant Coach Hawkins?" I remembered to
address him thus as I approached he and Mr. Shaffer
talking.
      "What is it Mr. Leonard?" Mr. Shaffer asked ignoring
the fact that I had addressed Jasper and not him.
      "I'm sorry Coach, I wanted to talk with Ja - I mean
Coach Hawkins, please." I managed a quick recovery.
      "You can talk with him after you shower and change!
Now go!" he barked and I ran so fast I nearly crashed
into the door leading down the stairs to the locker room.
      The locker room was all abuzz with talk about the
coming scrimmage, about today's tryouts, about who had
been cut already and more. Despite being so physically
worked, every boy was exhilarate with excitement as they
showered, dressed and ran out talking and shouting to one
another.
      As I was pulling off my oversized t-shirt an older
boy, eighth-grade for sure, struck up a conversation. "I
saw you up there today!"
      "Yea?" I acknowledged.
      "Yea, you got a lot of potential. You just need to
work on form and balance and you could be one of the
best." He said.
      I was taken a little off guard by his comments but
recovered quickly. "Wow, thanks! I just hope I survive
Monday."
      "Ah, don't even worry about that at all this
weekend! It's going to be great and so will you! Coach
Shaffer isn't so much interested in seeing that you win.
He wants to see how everyone reacts when the heat is on,"
he said pulling off his shorts and accidentally pulling
his underwear down in front just enough that I could see
a huge bush of dark curly hair.
      It was the first time I had ever seen anyone with
hair down there. I tried to act like I had not seen it
but then he pulled his underwear off too and continued
talking to me like it was nothing to be standing in front
of another boy naked.
      "So I'm guessing he is going to put you in the mile
on Monday," he said as he slung his towel around his
neck.
      I couldn't look directly at him; I concentrated on
untying my left shoe that had managed to end up in a
knot. "The mile?" I asked.
      "Yea, he usually puts new runners in the mile to see
how they do against others. He did that to me the last
two years and I was not able to complete it either time."
He knelt down and started helping me with the knot as I
was really struggling to get my fingers to work.
      "You didn't finish and he still kept you on the
team?" I asked standing up and letting him work on the
lace.
      "Yea, the High Jump is my game. I have great bursts
of speed . . . there got it!" he added in the middle of
what he was saying, "but I crap out really fast. That's
why I am so good at the High Jump."
      "Thanks!" I said pulling off my shoe.
      "I don't think I caught your name?" I added
hesitantly pulling my shorts off and praying I didn't
have a yellow stain on my underwear today.
      "Frank Umberling!" He said extending his hand with a
photogenic smile.
      Letting my shorts fall to the floor I took his hand,
"I'm . . ."
      He cut me off, "Simon Leonard, yea I know! Heck,
everyone knows who you are!" he snickered wiping sweat
from his face with his towel.
      "Yea, I suppose so." I muttered.
      "Come on, lose the briefs and let's go get a shower
before all the hot water is gone." He said tapping my
bicep.
      With a deep breath I pulled them down, quickly
tossed everything into my locker, slung my towel around
my hips and followed him to the showers.
      He was right, the water was just barely warm now and
we washed quickly before it went completely cold. When we
were coming out of the shower I saw Jasper walking into
Mr. Shaffer's office still in his gym clothes. Frank and
I talked a little more before he said, "See you Monday
Simon?"
      "Yea! See you then!" I called back to him as he
rushed to the door with his gym bag flying behind him.
      The room was thinning out quickly as boys were
hurriedly trying to get dressed and out to there waiting
rides home.
      I hung out a few minutes after I was finished
dressing and had packed everything into my bag hoping
that Jasper would come out to change soon but I was
disappointed when he came walking out of the office
already dressed.
      "Ah man!" I muttered and snatched up my bags and
chased after him.
      "Coach Hawkins!" I called.
      He stopped halfway through the door. "Oh, I thought
you had already left he said looking down at his shoes."
      "Na, I was waiting for you." I said following him
out the door.
      There were other boys still hanging out on the steps
and we didn't talk until we were in the gymnasium.
      "Wow! Assistant Coach? I bet you're happy about
that!" I said.
      "It's okay, I really wanted to compete though," he
said still looking down.
      I started to say something else but he stopped and
finally looked at me. "Look, thanks for what you did. You
didn't have to do that, I'm used to people pushing me
around and wanting to beat me up because I am the
smallest kid in the whole school."
      "Yea, why are you so short?" the words were out of
my mouth before I know what I had said and the look in
his eyes told me that I had struck a painful nerve.
      "I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean for that to come out
like that! Really!" I tried to apologize.
      "I was born with a hole in my heart and I wasn't
even a year old when I had to have one of my lungs
removed." He said looking back at the floor again.
      "Woah! I-I." I didn't know what to say.
      "It's okay! You don't have to say anything. It's
just hard living in the shadow of my brother. I just
wanted to show that I can win, too." He sounded really
down when I thought he should be celebrating.
      "Dude! You are the Assistant Coach! You are
something that your brother has never been!" I said as
enthusiastically as I could possibly muster.
      At the very least I got him to look up at me again
as we came out of the gym and into the hallway.
      "You got a ride waiting for you?" I asked.
      "Na, I am walking home." He said.
      "Mind if I walk with you?" I asked.
      "Sure if you want." He said looking back at his
shoes.
      "Cool, but I need to stop at my locker and get my
coat and books and then get my bike." I added as we were
walking down the hallway.
      As it turned out he had all his stuff in his bag and
didn't need to go to his locker though I would have liked
to know where it was for future reference. I got my coat
and backpack and we headed out past the office. The
lights were all off and it was the first time I had ever
seen it like that. It looked cold and haunted.
      Once outside the both of us felt the coldness in the
air; it was like walking through a frozen mist all the
time. The sky looked as if an artist had bushed it with
wisps of white and gray with the flick of a wrist. As we
crossed the grass to get my bike I could feel little
pricks on my face like micro ice crystals shattering
against my cheeks.
      I was walking my bike next to him when he asked a
question while staring at the ground.
      "Can I ask you something?"
      "Sure, anything, Coach." I said.
      He sighed, "Guess I better get used to that!"
      "Yea!" I giggled.
      "Why didn't you tell anyone?" he asked.
      "You mean about the other day in . . .?" I didn't
get to finish
      "Yea, how come?" he asked again.
      I stopped walking my bike and he stopped a couple
more steps away before turning and looking at me. It was
really strange. I had wanted so badly for days now to
find him and tell him that I was a wetter too and now
that it was coming out, I found myself wanting to jump on
my bike and ride away as fast as I could possibly pedal.
      "Because I know what it's like." I said.
      He looked at me through tiny slits, his thin red
eyebrows were forced together causing a crease to
partially split his forehead and his lips were thin and
tightly shut. I knew if I didn't say something else I was
going to looe my only chance at being his friend.
      "You can't ever tell! Not anyone!" I knew he of all
people would never tell but I said it anyways. "You have
to swear!"
      His face did not change and I knew he didn't believe
me or didn't understand.
      "Come on! Stop looking at me like that!" I squirm,
"You are giving me the creeps."
      He didn't stop and his lips were turning white and I
could see he was growing increasingly angrier.
      "You don't believe me, do you?" I said rather blunt
like.
      He still stared at me.
      "Okay, fine! Come over to my house right now and I
will prove it!" I couldn't believe I had actually said
that. All trepidation had left me and now it was a
challenge to prove that I was not a liar.
      He didn't move, didn't say a word or do anything.
      "What is the matter with you?" I asked getting a
little annoyed with him.
      That is when I heard someone behind me. I turned and
there were Johnny, Max and Steven all three standing next
to their bikes. It was not anger that had froze Jasper,
it was fear and he was so scared he couldn't have stopped
me from opening my big mouth.
      How long had they been behind us? Had they heard
both of us? All words ran out of my brain like a spilt
glass. I looked back to Jasper who was totally white
except for his gleaming red hair.
      "What?" Steven said first.
      The other two looked at him and then to me.
      "You guys about to fight or something?" Max said.
      "What are you guys doing here?" I asked not
bothering to hide my contempt.
      "We came to tell you that we couldn't find Peter."
Steven spoke again.
      "Peter?" I questioned loudly. In all the excitement
of the tryouts I had totally forgotten all about him.
      "Whoa, where's he going?" Max said.
      I turned to see Jasper running at breakneck speed
away from us. "Wow, he can really run!" I thought to
myself.
      "Yea! I know about Peter! Someone else told me!" I
said quickly getting on my bike, "I-I got to go! See you
Monday - Bye!"
      "Wait what do you know?" Johnny yelled but it was
too late.
      I was on my bike and racing after Jasper. He really
could run and had quite a head start on me. Skidding to a
stop after catching up to him I started talking fast,
"They didn't hear! They don't know anything! It's okay!"
      Jasper was panting hard and had tears rolling down
his face and almost freezing to his cheeks.
      "I'm sorry! I didn't know they were there. I thought
you were mad at me for saying . . . well if I had known
they were behind me I wouldn't have said anything but
they don't know anything. They just wanted to tell me
that they couldn't find Peter. I don't know where he is,
he might have been arrested and taken away by the police
or something like that." I paused to try to catch my own
breath.
      "Please don't be mad, please!" I added.
      Jasper wiped at his eyes and face with the back of
his hand. "You sure?"
      "I am positive, after all we never actually said
IT!" I added abruptly.
      "Friends?" I asked sticking my hand out to him.
      He took it and we shook, "So do you believe me? I
mean about me, I mean my uh?" I stammered.
      "You really do?" he asked.
      "Yea. No one but my family knows about it, either.
Well except you now." I said.
      He finally smiled and rubbed at his eyes again. "You
don't have to ever worry about those guys again. They are
on a short leash now. If they step out of line they will
end up gone, too." I said as we continued toward our
home.
      "So what did happened yesterday; I mean, my brother
told me some of it?" he asked.
      I went on to tell him all about the events of the
previous day and talked until we reached the point where
Jasper said he had to turn right to go to his house. We
said our goodbyes and planned to get together on Saturday
afternoon to talk about Mondays scrimmage.
      As I was walking my bike up the hill to my house it
started to drizzle a little, just enough to make it
really feel cold out. I reached the house and pushed my
bike onto the back porch since I would be riding it over
to Mikes house for dinner in a short while.
      I walked in the back door and mom was setting at the
table on the phone. She pulled it away from her mouth and
said, "Hi sweetie, how was school?"
      "It was okay! No problems at all!" I said grabbing
an apple off the table and chomping down into it.
      I quickly told her about Peter, the tryouts today
and about Monday. She smiled, blew me a kiss and went
back to talking on the phone. I'm not sure if she really
heard anything I said.
      "I'm going to go do my homework so I can go over to
Mikes for dinner." I said softly and she nodded.
      It took me nearly an hour to get it all done but I
didn't bother with doing the reading assignment. There
would be time later this weekend to do it. When I was
finished, I stripped off my school uniform, dropped them
all on my still unmade bed that was still missing the
fitted sheet. I remember thinking how odd it was that mom
had not done it herself, she normally made my bed for me
if I didn't do it, which was almost everyday. But I know
my step-brother was coming over later so I went to the
linen closet again, this time there were plenty of sheets
stacked in there for my bed. I pulled out the red and
blue fitted sheet as it was on the top of the stack. I
had my bed remade in a matter of minutes and switched my
mind over to other things like going to Mikes and seeing
Jasper tomorrow.
      I rummaged through my closet for some warmer clothes
to wear over to Mike's. I found my brown corduroys and
slipped them on. They were not my favorite pants but they
were heavy and warm. I put on my metallic blue shirt and
slipped on my red runners before heading for the door
again.
      Mom was still on the phone, "Who is that?" I asked
softly.
      "Your Aunt!" she mouthed and that was enough for me!
      I slipped my coat back on and waived while saying,
"I'm going to Mike's, be back later tonight!" to which
she just nodded again.
      Outside it was really turning bad. It was starting
to get slick and the drizzle was coming down heavier. I
pulled the collar of my coat up around the back of my
neck and took off on my bike. Instead of trying to go
down our street and back up his I decided to go up our
street farther and cross over to Leblanc drive and take
it to the top Mikes street. It was actually a little
farther to walk but I wouldn't have to try to navigate
the two hills as much with it getting so icy.
      When I finally got to Mike's house my fingers were
nearly froze and my ears felt as though Jack Frost was
chewing on them. Mike was standing at the front door
waiting for me as if he already knew I was on my way
over. He came out on the porch as I pulled up to the
steps.
      "Man, it sure took you a long time!" Mike said.
      "How'd you know I was on my way?" I asked.
      "Your mom called," he said.
      "Yea, I would have called you when I got home from
the tryouts but mom was on the phone." I said pulling my
bike up on to the porch.
      "Man, it's cold out here!" Mike said wrapping his
arms around himself.
      "You're telling me!" I propped my bike up on its
kickstand and following him in the house.
      I was blowing into my hands to try to warm my
fingers when I heard Tater from the back of the house
shout, "Hey, Simon!" and then another voice called, "Sup
Simon!" it was Bull. I couldn't see them, as my eyes had
not yet adjusted from coming inside.
      "Hey guys!" I called back.
      "Is it icing up out there yet?" Bull asked.
      "Yea, getting pretty slick; and dang cold." I
answered.
      "Come on up to my room, you can get warm up there!"
Mike said.
      I looked at him and noticed his lip looked lots
better, "Wow, your lip looks almost normal again."
      "Yea, it doesn't even hurt anymore unless I bump it
or something."
      I followed him up the stairs and to the end of the
hall to his room. "Take your coat off and put this on."
Mike said holding out a green plaid blanket with little
tassels all around the edges.
      I did as he said and sat on the edge of his bed and
rubbed my hands together to warm them. Mike and I talked
for a while. I told him all about the tryouts, about
Peter's mysterious absence and about getting to meet
Bull's brother Jasper becoming the student assistant
coach. Oh, and I didn't bother to tell him about Jasper
and my little secret. After a while his mom walked by the
open door and stopped to say hi to me. She is such a very
nice lady and strikes me as a really super mom.
      It wasn't too long before we were called down to
dinner. Mike was so very right; his mom's spaghetti was
to die for. I have never in my life had two full plates
of spaghetti but I sure did then.
      After dinner all I wanted to do was sleep. I was so
full I thought I was going to burst but it was time to
watch the movie and because Mike's sister put up such a
fuss we all agreed to let her chose the movie. Which was
still a good choice, as I had not seen the new Looney-
Toons movie yet; it was pretty darn funny. Bugs and Daffy
are timeless and ageless classics.
      When the movie finally was over it was already
getting dark out. Mikes mom was somewhere else in the
house and his sister was out cold on the floor. I don't
think she even saw the last third of the movie. Bull had
left right after the movie had started as he wanted to
get home before the streets got too icy to drive on.
Tater had watched the entire movie with us and I think he
laughed as much as we did. I didn't think he would like a
cartoon live-action combination movie but he seemed to
really enjoy it.
      The three of us started talking for a while until
Mrs. Winston came back and announced that it was really
bad outside. We all went to look and it was raining ice.
From the back of the house we had not heard all the rain
but 'Wow' it was coming down heavy. Even the bare trees
were starting to look crystallized.
      "Simon dear, I called your mother and she said since
it was so icy that it was okay for you to sleep over here
tonight." Mrs. Winston said.
      My heart stopped, I am sure of it! I thought I was
going to die right there by the back window. I had never
in my life slept at anyone else house other then my
Aunt's. A thousand thoughts were racing around in my
head. I couldn't think of a way out of this; there was no
way I could walk home in this weather and no way anyone
could drive in it to come and get me or to drive me home.
But I just couldn't sleep over; if I slept here they
would all find out I was a bed wetter and I couldn't take
that.
      Meanwhile, while I was having a four alarm panic
attack Mike was doing a celebration dance jumping up and
down like a wild animal.
      "Michael! Calm yourself!" His mother told him
firmly, "Go take your bath!"
      "Mom, I don't need a bath, I been inside all day
watching TV." He whined most excellently, almost as well
as I could do.
      "MARCH!" she said giving him a look and he took off.
      "Tate, could you put Jenny to bed please?" she said
back to her sweet tone.
      He was still looking out the back window when she
asked and he went to do it without any comments. I was
still trying to figure a way out of all of this as Tater
walked out with Jenny hanging in his arms looking
lifeless.
      "She almost never makes it all the way through a
movie night," She said smiling at the two of them as
Tater started up the stairs.
      When he was out of the room she sat down on the
flower patterned loveseat and motioned for me to set next
to her.
      "Your mother told me about your little night time
problem." She cooed.
      I was on the verge of tears. I couldn't believe my
mother had told someone about my bedwetting problem! She
knew how I feel about others knowing and that I never
wanted anyone to ever know! Not ever!
      "Oh don't look so upset." She said, putting a hand
on my knee and taking hold of one of my hands. "It is not
such a big problem, you know. Now don't you worry, I will
explain it to Michael and Tate; they will understand."
      I must have looked completely horror stuck at those
words. "Oh it really is okay Simon!" she stroked my hair
and was doing her best to calm me down but inside I was
totally wigging out.
      "I have a lot of experience with this sort of
thing."
      "What did she just say?" I thought to myself as
Tater came tromping back down the stairs and into the
room.
      "Tate dear, I think it would be best if he slept in
your room tonight." She said it in a way as to sound like
she was trying to say more then what she was actually
saying.
      The look on Tater's face was first one of shock,
then fear and then understanding. I on the other hand was
not so cool, "N-n-no! Th-th-that w-w-wont w-w-work!" I
was stuttering uncontrollably which was something I had
not had a problem with since I was about eight-years-old.
      "Ah yea!" Tater said rubbing the back of his head.
      He came over to us and squatted down. "Simon! Don't
freak out little dude! It's all cool okay?" He looked at
his mom and then back to me, "I got the same problem . .
." he paused a half a second, "but it's all cool!"
      I heard the words but it didn't register, I was past
freaking out, past panicked and well on my way to a total
Chernobyl meltdown.
      I was gasping, "I-I-I c-c-can't b-b-bre-breathe!"
      Tater put his hand on my chest and pushed, "Simon,
dude! It's cool! Really!"
      Mrs. Winston was petting the back of my head and
neck and making shushing sounds.
      I shook my head, "N-no!"
      "Really, dude! It is totally cool!" he was sounding
like some bad surfer movie. "Breathe," he said calmly
pushing my chest again.
      I was starting to flail my arms in panic. Mrs.
Winston took hold of them with one arm to keep me still.
      Tater blew in my face, "Breathe!" he pushed on my
chest again.
      "Breathe," he said softer and pushed gentler on my
chest.
      I took one little breath.
      "Ah, see, that's better," she said still petting my
head.
      Tater blew again and said, "breath . . ."
      I took another breath, deeper this time.
      "Breathe . . . I really don't mind sharing my room
with you and my bed is more then big enough for the two
of us . . . Breathe." Tater was still talking his surfer
talk and gently pushing on my chest. It was helping me to
calm down a little. "You are one really spastic dude! I
think we are going to have to change your name from Simon
to Spaz."
      "Don't tease him!" she said still stroking my head.
      "No really, he really is one seriously righteous,
Spaz!" He pushed on my chest again, "Breathe!"
      I took a good deep breath this time and let it out.
      "Yea, there you go! Man! Don't scare me like that! I
thought you were going to like implode or something,
dude!" Tater said.
      I actually managed a weak smile and took another
deep breath.
      "Yea, you don't have to worry! Your secret is safe
and I will make sure Mikey is okay with it too!" he
pushed on my chest again, "No! Breathe! You got to breath
man! It is all good!"
      I had gasped as he said he would tell Mike.
      "You are okay now?" Mrs. Winston asked shaking my
arm a little.
      I nodded and wiped the tears from my face.
      "Come on, Spaz Man!" Tater said grabbing a fist full
of my hair from the back of my head.
      "Now don't be rough with him!" she said to Tater.
      "Na, he's a tough one, this dude!" he said but he
still let go of my hair in exchange for my neck which he
squeezed.
      He put his arm around my shoulders, pulled me close
to his side and pushed on my chest with his other hand.
"Just keep breathing deep!" he said.
      Tater led me out of the family room, through the
kitchen and living rooms and up the stairs still holding
me close to his side. On our way to his bedroom, as we
passed the bathroom and I heard the water running and
knew Mike was still in there.
      My heart was still racing and I felt like I was out
of my body watching everything happen like I was watching
a movie but more real.
      Tater opened the door to his room and ushered me in
before flipping on a black light. The room was completely
painted black and had posters all over the walls and
ceiling of sports starts, wrestlers, some girls and one
huge poster of some huge body-builder that I didn't
recognize. I later learned that it was the current Mr.
Universe. He told me each of the guys' names but I don't
remember what they all were now. There were also a bunch
of wild pictures with wild colors that seemed to just pop
when lit by the black light.
      "Set yourself here." He said pushing me down on the
corner of his bed, which I noticed, was not as big as I
had imagined it would be from what he had said downstairs
but it was still big enough for he and I.
      He went over to his closet as I wiped more tears
from my face. He pulled out a second pillow and threw it
right at me. I had not been expecting it and ended up
catching it with my face and fell backwards into the bed.
I heard an all too familiars crinkle beneath the sheets
and I think that was the first moment that I really
comprehended that Tater was a bedwetter, too.
      "Do you want a pair of my shorts to wear? They might
be a bit big on you but you can always use the draw
string to cinch them in around your waist," he asked.
      "I think your shorts might look more like pants on
me," I said still not feeling like myself.
      "How about a big shirt? Then you can just wear your
underwear under it?" he added.
      "Yea, that would work I suppose," I said trying to
get a hold on the moment.
      "Here you can wear my WWE Gold Dust Shirt," he said,
tossing it at me.
      About then Mike came walking past the door with his
bathrobe on. He looked into the room and saw me setting
on the bed holding the shirt up in front of me to see the
picture.
      "Uh? I have some pajamas you can wear that might fit
you better?" I wasn't sure if he was making a statement
or asking a question but luckily Tater chimed in. "He's
fine, Mikey!" to which Mike just shrugged and went to his
room looking kind of odd.
      "I'll be right back, Simon, go a head and change
while I am gone, I will knock when I come back just in
case you are not done." He pulled the door closed behind
him.
      With the light from the hallway gone the room was
now only lit by the black light which really made the
room look coo, but I didn't gaze at the room for very
long. I quickly pulled off my clothes down to my
underwear and socks and pulled his shirt over my head. It
fell and draped over my body exposing most of my chest
through the neck hole and it hung down past my knees.
With a little effort I was able to get my arms into the
sleeves. My wrists only just poked out through the short
sleeve cuffs.
      When I was done I neatly folded my clothes and set
them on his bed as every other flat surface was covered
with trophies, ribbons and other awards. I went over and
opened the door and went over to Mike's bedroom. The door
was open and Mike was setting in his chair with his
pajama bottoms on but no shirt. Tater was setting on
Mike's bed and when they saw me they both stopped talking
like I had interrupted something private.
      Tater chuckled, "If that shirt were any bigger, you
could use it for a camping tent! I'll leave you guys
alone." He said as he stood up and mussed up Mike's hair.
      "You know?" he asked me.
      "Yea." I said but I don't think it sounded very
convincing.
      "When you are ready, just come on in, okay?" He said
to me just before walking out of the room.
      "Yea, okay." I said as left.
      I felt really uncomfortable standing there. Mike was
looking at me oddly still. I finally interrupted the
awkwardness, "What time do you guys go to bed around
here?" I asked, making my way over to the edge of his bed
and sitting down.
      "I go to bed at nine o'clock on a school night and I
get to stay up until ten o'clock on Fridays and
Saturdays." He was talking to me like he had just stepped
in something gross.
      I knew why he was acting like that and I didn't know
what to do or what to say so I didn't say anything. We
both sat there in his room for quite a while without
another word spoken by either of us. I sat looking at the
floor and his little red digital alarm clock. It said
9:05 and the little PM was blinking in the lower left
corner when Mike finally said something.
      "You know I am pretty tired. I think I am going to
go a head and go to sleep now."
      "Uh, okay? Um, I will go then." I said standing up
from the bed and heading for the door.
      I was just about to walk out when he said, "You
know, I really liked you!"
      I stopped dead and turned to him. He was pulling
back the covers on his bed.
      "Why couldn't you just be normal?" he asked.
      I didn't know what to say; his words cut me so deep
I just wanted to run out of his house and run all the way
through the ice storm to my own room and cry.
      "Bye!" he said coming over to the door and beginning
to close it.
      I had to shuffle out into the hall to get out of the
way of him closing door. I was right on the edge of tears
again as I went over to Taters closed door, rapped on it
twice. I know he had said just to come in but I was
always taught to knock before opening a closed door. I
heard him say, "Come on in Simon!"
      I turned the knob and pushed the door open to see
Tater on the floor doing pushups. The site of him there
wearing only his underwear caught me off guard at first
and probably saved me from breaking down.
      "What are you doing?" I asked without really
thinking.
      He looked up at me without stopping. "What's it look
like?" he said smartly.
      "You do that every night?" I asked stepping into the
room.
      "Yep, every night - every morning!"
      My head started to nod up and down as I stood there
with my hand still on the doorknob watching him.
      "You can close - the door!" He said on an up motion.
      "Oh yea." I said stepping the rest of the way into
the room and closing the door.
      "How many do you do?" I asked just standing there.
      "As many as it takes - to get tired."
      I marveled at how he could talk and do pushups at
the same time.
      "How long is that?" I asked.
      "You sure asked - a lot of questions." He said
looking up at me again.
      "Sorry." I said making my way back over to his bed.
      "I'm just - messing - with you." He said beginning
to sound like he was starting to have to work harder.
      "Wanna help?" he asked.
      "Huh?" I asked back.
      "Come set - down on - my shoulders." He said.
      "What?" I questioned not knowing what he mean.
      "Your extra - weight will - help me - get tired -
faster." He said looking up at me again.
      "Uh, Okay?" I said not so sure about it, "How?"
      "Just set down - on my shoulders - with my head -
between your - knees."
      He stopped in the up position so that I could sit
down on his shoulders. I had to pull the shirt I was
wearing up so that his head was not covered.
      "Okay, now pull your feet up and sit like an
Indian."
      I did like he said and then he took off again. I had
to grab a hold of his head to keep from falling off for
the first few pushups.
      "Yea - that's - more - like - it!" he said sounding
like he was really working hard now.
      After several pushups I got into his rhythm and did
not need to hang on to his head anymore. It was actually
kind of fun.
      I let out a small laugh, "This is kind of fun!"
      "Glad - you - like - it!" he was grunting a bit,
"Mikey - used - to - do - it - for - me - but - won't -
any - more."
      "Why not?" I asked.
      "He - thinks - he - is - too - grown - up."
      "Shoot, I could do this all day!" I said, patting
his head.
      "Hey - stop - that," he said, bucking me a bit.
      I laughed again, "Whoa, horsy!"
      "Now - I - am - start - ing - to - feel - it!" he
groaned.
      "You want me to get off?" I asked.
      "No - way!" he grunted.
      "Best - work - out - I - had - in - ages!"
      "Glad - to - help - ya - out." I said mockingly and
laughing.
      "Keep - it - up - laugh - ing - boy!" he was really
starting to struggle.
      "Want me to think lighter thoughts?" I teased.
      "FIVE - MORE!"
      I counted them off for him.
      "Five - four - three - two - two - two - two - two."
And he collapsed to the floor. I felling off of him
backwards and landed between his legs with my butt on his
butt.
      "You tried," he panted, "to kill me?"
      "Well I never said I could count." I said laughing
as he rolled me off of him.
      He got to his feet and picked up a towel to wipe his
face. "Oh man, that was a good workout!"
      "Yea you wore me out!" I was still laughing.
      He threw the towel at me. "Hey, that's gross!" I
said catching it right before it hit me in the face and I
let it drop to the floor.
      "Mikey already go to bed?" he asked coming over and
picking up the towel.
      "Yea," I said being reminded of his words.
      "I don't think he likes me anymore," I said glumly
looking down at the floor again.
      "Hey, don't sweat him, Simon! He'll get over it by
tomorrow. And you don't need to worry about him telling
anyone. He knows better." Tater gave my head a playful
push.
      "I'm gonna take a quick shower before bed, you can
turn on the radio of you want," he said, reaching for the
door.
      I looked over to the desk were he had pointed as he
opened the door and left closing it behind him. I went
over and found the power button. The radio roared to
life, blaring like a tornado siren. I fumbled for the
volume and turned it way down.
      "Sorry about that! I forgot it was turned up." I
turned back to the door to see Tater with his head back
in the door.
      "Scared the life out of me!" I said breathlessly.
      He laughed and closed the door again.
      I sat back down on the bed and listened. It was not
my favorite kind of music but it was okay. It was hard
rock with squealing guitars, drums that were too loud and
lead singers that screamed so that you had no idea what
he was supposed to be singing about. After a few minutes
I got up from the bed and started looking at each of the
trophies and awards Tater had. I don't thing there was a
sport that was not represented by at least a second place
trophy or award though most of them were for football.
      There were also pictures of him at different ages in
various sports uniforms. As a kid he looked a lot like
Mike, which only acted as a reminder for what Mike had
said as I was leaving his room.
      "Why couldn't you just be normal?"
      Had Tater not come back in the room when he did, I
probably would have started tearing up again but when the
door opened I managed to choke back the tears yet again.
      Tater came in wearing only a towel. His hair was
still damp and messy. For the first time I really saw
just how well developed he really was. Yea sure he is
still young but he could give some of the guys on his
walls a run for their money in a body building
competition.
      I guess it was obvious I was staring at him. "With
hard work, you can end up looking like this one day too!"
he said rubbing his hands over his chest and stomach.
      I didn't say anything but tried to avert my eyes
around the room, at the trophies, anywhere but at him.
      "Hey, no need to feel awkward little Spaz. We are
both men!" he said rolling on deodorant under each arm
while standing in front of a mirror that was on the
inside of his closet door. I had not noticed the mirror
until that moment.
      He reached into the closet and pulled a string to
turn on the light in there and then brushed his hair with
his fingers while admiring his own reflection. I saw him
look out of the side of his eye at me before he turned
and went back to the bedroom door to closed it. My eyes
met his as he turned back around and I know I flushed red
but I couldn't help it.
      "Come here!" he said waving me over to him.
      I hesitated for a moment, "Come on!" he waved again
and I got up and started toward him.
      "Go over to the mirror." He said and with a gentle
nudge in my back from him I went to it.
      He got right behind me, "Now do like I do," he said
and raised both arms up and turned his fists toward his
ears. I looked like an elf standing there in front of
him. I was only tall enough that my head eclipsed his
belly button.
      "Do this and flex." He said making his muscled pop
out all over the place.
      "Whoa!" I said looking at his reflection in the
mirror.
      "Come on, you do it too!" he said bumping me in the
butt with his knee.
      I raised my arms like he did.
      "Now make all your muscles hard," he said, looking
down at me in the mirror.
      "I don't have any muscles," I objected.
      "Come on, try," He bumped me in the butt again.
      So I tensed up and tried to look huge like him; it
was pretty pathetic really. I looked like bleached
spaghetti noodles against his sirloin beef body.
      He reached down behind me. "Here take this off and
do it." He pulled the oversized WWE Gold Dust shirt off
of me before I could protest.
      I saw in the mirror that my face was brick red and
my ears were glowing.
      "Now pose!" he said dropping the shirt and striking
the pose again.
      "Come on - really push those muscles out." He said
smiling at me in the mirror.
      I was very apprehensive but with a little persuading
I raised my arms again and mimicked his pose.
      "Yea that's it! Now look mean!" he sneered into the
mirror at me.
      I gave my meanest look back.
      "Good! See you got it! You got the stuff!" he said
smiling.
      "Where?" I asked looking at my sad reflection.
      He reached down, "Keep the pose! See here?" he
pointed to my upper arms and shoulders.
      Taking a hold of both of my wrists, "Now go like
this." He moved my arms down.
      "Like you are hugging a tree but with your hands low
down by my belly button. Now push out the muscles!" he
said with his sneer again.
      I tensed up and made my mean face again.
      "Yea there you go! Just like Slaunevic Charkofski of
Russia." He pointed to a posted on the wall directly over
the dresser. "He is a smort guy too, but he won so many
championships in Russia that no one wanted to compete
against him anymore so he came here to America to
compete." Tater said putting both of his hands on my
chest and rubbing in little circles.
      "You are lean and have a good muscle base." He
leaned over some and slid his hands down to my stomach.
Goosebumps sprang up on my arms and legs.
      "Tense up again!" he said rubbing my stomach. I
tried to but his fingers were tickling me.
      "Come on, lean forward just a bit. Yea good now make
your abs tight," he said.
      "What are abs?" I asked looking up into the face of
his reflection.
      "These here." He said, rubbing my stomach harder.
      I gritted my teeth and tried to make my stomach as
firm as I could.
      "Yea, see you got great abs already. Hold them like
that for a bit."
      I gritted my teeth harder to do as he said, He
rubbed my stomach more and I started to feel all tingly
inside. A couple of times his fingers brushed the
waistband of my underwear.
      "You have a really great body for someone your age
and size," he said and slid his hands back up to my chest
and then shoulders. He put both hands around my neck and
squeezed gently in a rhythmic kind of way. It felt really
good and I couldn't help but to close my eyes and enjoy
it.
      "Na, keep your eyes open and watch yourself in the
mirror." He said genially into my ear.
      I did as he asked, watching him massage my neck. I
lowered my arms to my side and he slid his hands back
down over my shoulders, down my arms and back up again
rising to my temples and rubbing in small circles.
      It felt so good and I noticed that my penis was
starting to stiffen. I could see it though my underwear
in the mirror and my privates were beginning to tingle. I
started to get embarrassed again.
      "No, no don't be ashamed. It is perfectly natural to
like what you are seeing! You have a great body, Simon!"
he got down on his knees behind me, wrapped his arms
around me and rubbed my chest and stomach more. I felt
his hot breath against my neck and it sent chills all the
way up my spine. It felt like I had needles prickling the
back of my head. His hands slowly wandered around my
chest and stomach, venturing lower with each downward
stoke and making contact with the elastic of my underwear
again. After a few moments of this he let his hands slide
down my hips to my thighs where he paused and rubbed for
a while. It felt so good; I could hear him breathing on
my neck and shoulder and felt him leaning into my back.
He worked his hands around to the fronts and then to the
backs of my thighs, kneading and working his fingers into
them. His hands started to concentrate on the fronts of
my legs working slowly upward until his thumbs were again
touching my underwear in the front and yet he still
continued moving up massaging my pelvis muscles and
working in deep.
      I was watching in complete rapture in the mirror as
he fingers working my flesh and pulling my underwear
tighter against my penis, which was causing my underwear
to stick out like a white tent. I saw his hands move down
again working the inner and upper parts of my thighs and
I heard his whisper, "move your feet apart just a bit."
And without thinking I obeyed.
      He reached around more, pressing his body into my
back and resting his cheek against mine. I watched as his
hands worked there way in to part my thighs and brushing
against my underwear just under my privates. I found
myself breathing in rhythm with him. I felt a strong
tingling deep down and leaned my head back on to his
shoulder.
      He moved his hands back up to my waists, hooked his
thumbs under the waistband and pulled my underwear down
to my ankles. I raised my head back up and gazed into the
mirror. My penis sprang free and stood straight out from
my body. Without being instructed to, I lifted my feet
one at a time so he could pull them all the way off.
      I felt his head pull away from mine as he gently
kisses my ear and he took hold of both my wrists again
and raise my arms up over my head. There wasn't even a
hint of resistance from me, I was just putty to be molded
as he saw fit.
      He pulled my hands back behind my head and softly
said, "Raise your right heal up but leave your toes on
the floor. Now tighten up again while trying to pull your
elbows forward while I hold them back."
      I grunted hard trying to bring my elbows forward.
"Wow!" I exclaimed seeing my chest and stomach muscles
pop and seeing my erection standing out proudly as if
pointed to my reflection that was pointing right back at
me.
      "Yea, you are a natural, Simon! A real champion in
the making! All you need to do is work these muscles some
and you can look like you are chiseled out of stone." He
was talking breathlessly into my right ear again and I
noticed for the first time the smell his freshly washed
hair.
      Tater stood up behind me and let my arms fall to my
sides again. He was smiling at me in the mirror and
placed both his hands on my shoulders. "If you want it,
you can have it!" he was talking softly right into the
eyes of my reflection.
      "I want it!" I whispered back to his reflection.
      He gave my shoulders a squeeze. If you really want
it I will help you get it, but you really have to want it
Simon!
      I turned around to look directly at him and we were
so close the tip of my penis brushed his towel and I saw
that he too, had an erection. Like his body dwarfed mine
so did his penis from what I could see by the tent in the
towel.
      "I really want it!" I said looking him in the eyes.
      He was smiling big, "Good! Then you are nearly there
already!"
      "What do I need to do?" I asked with quiet
excitement.
      "Three very important things. Eat right, Sleep
right, and workout right." He said petting my face.
      I started to ask what that meant but he put his
fingers over my mouth and gently rubbed my lips. "Let's
start with sleeping right, okay?"
      I nodded my head and he brushed my hair off of my
forehead with his fingers.
      "Okay, lets get some sleep and tomorrow we start
your training!" he stoked my face again with both hands
before turning to the bed and pulling down the covers.
      Seeing the covers being pulled down brought me back
to reality with a jolt. Tater looked at me and smiled
again, "Don't start worrying again! Come on, hop in!" he
waved me over. I tried to smile back while I climbed over
the foot of the bed, my erection bouncing up and down. I
laid down on one of the pillows while by penis pointed up
to the ceiling. I looked up at him; he was still smiling
at me and I smiled back.
      He went over to the close and pulled the string
again to turn off the light in there before closing the
closet door. He went to his dresser where he turned off
the black light, putting us both into near darkness. The
only light left in the room came from the display on his
radio and his digital clock but it was enough for me to
see him walk back over to the side of the bed and let his
towel drop to the floor before he lay down next to me.
      He pulled the covers over us both and for the first
time in my life I learned what it felt like to have
someone massage my penis and to have me massage theirs.
Tater pulled me close to him and gently kisses my lips as
we caressed each other's penises. It felt so good and so
right. He let my hands and fingers explore his muscles as
he had done mine in the mirror. It was not very long
before the feeling of fireworks exploded in me again only
this time it didn't scare me, not in the least bit and
Tater followed soon after.
      I fell asleep with my head resting on his chest
riding it up and down with each breath and Tater's arms
wrapped around me holding me tightly too him. I slept the
best night of sleep ever in my life there next to him
breathing in his sense.