Date: Wed, 20 Sep 2000 15:16:16 -0400
From: Grendel_Rex@dhmail.net
Subject: Last Night 4 GM YF

The Last Night 4
Or "Just a Bad Zipper Accident"
By Jameson Sinister

	Hi, it's me again (then again, who else would it be?)  Here is part
4, hopefully coming out soon after three.  I've decided that for the
secondary title I'll take a line from the story that just strikes my fancy.
I think it adds a level of humor that part three was lacking.  The original
version of this, which I might put up (sometime after Hell freezes over) is
a good example of why I need to add humor to this story.  Anyway, comments
are always welcomed at Grendel_Rex@dhmail.net.
	Okay, something else before I forget.  I forgot to make sure my
apology was written on part three.  So here it is.
	It seems like forever, and for that I apologize (I know I'm in
serious withdrawal if a story is three days behind schedule).  I'd give
some flimsy excuse but I don't really think one is valid.  I promise I will
do my best to keep the stories at a consistent pace.

	My heart stopped.  Why would Chris have told Patrick?  Could Pat
have figured it out?  My mind was racing with so many questions I didn't
even hear Chris pick up the phone.
	"Jason!" his voice caught my attention.  "Are you there?"
	"Yeah, I'm here."  I tried to make some linear train of thought
happen.  "What did Pat mean when he said."
	"He's just yanking my chain.  Aren't you, Pat?"
	"So he doesn't know?"
	"Wait a second.  Pat, you mind leaving?  And don't pick up the
phone this time.  Remember what happened last time."
	"What happened last time?"
	"He got grounded for a week.  Which sucked, because he was always
in earshot."
	"God, I miss you."
	"I miss you too.  I can't wait until Turkey day."
	"God, it feels like it's never going to come."
	"I hope that doesn't happen.  I'd never get to enjoy it."
	"Huh?"  Chris began laughing lightly.
	"I'll tell you when you get here.  So how are things?"
	I sank against the wall, the feelings of the last few hours coming
together.  I tried to give him the abridged version, dealing mostly with
Curtis and Brad.  Chris listened, never once speaking until I stopped.
	"That sucks.  Do you think it'll work?  Do you think Brad will
stop?"
	"I hope so.  But I just feel so lousy about doing it.  I crossed a
line I swore I would never come to.  I threatened somebody, but I did it to
defend someone else."
	"You've done it before."
	"But that was different."  I didn't want to think back to that.  "I
wasn't some hulking giant picking on kids half my size.  I'm afraid I'm
turning into."
	"Stop it.  You're driving yourself crazy over this.  I can't help
you over the phone and I can't come to see you.  All I can do is talk to
you."  Chris took a moment to catch his breath.  "Now I want to know
something.  Just how exactly is Brad rounding up all these guys?  I mean,
Curtis isn't a bad guy, right?"
	"Nah, he's a good kid.  He's quiet and he keeps to himself but
there really isn't anything wrong with him."
	"So why were these guys surrounding him?"
	"I don't know."
	"I think you should find out.  The last thing you need to do is get
caught in something where you're backing the wrong guy."
	"Brad is the wrong guy, trust me."
	"So that means he's lying about Curtis or there's something else."
	"Like what?"  I could see where this was going and I didn't like
it.
	"Do you think Curtis is gay?"
	"I.  I don't know."
	"Cause if he is you have to be careful."
	"What is that supposed to mean?"  I was suddenly resentful.
	"I mean defending Curtis if he's gay is going to raise some
issues."
	"I can't believe I'm hearing this!  How can you."
	"Look, I saw it happen last year.  It turned out a kid was gay and
he started getting picked on.  Another guy stuck up for him and they both
got labeled."
	"And this affects me how?  People will know I'm gay?  Why are you
so afraid of that?  I mean, you do still love me, right?"
	"Of course I love you.  That's why I'm telling you this.  After
that they both got beat up badly.  I'm afraid that you could get hurt if
you stick with him."
	"I can protect myself."
	"There's also the chance that he might mistake your kindness for
something else."
	"You think he thinks I dig him?  Please."
	"You never know."
	"You're the only one for me, Chris."  At that second I heard the
door open and my father walk in from the garage.  He was still out of
earshot.  "Aw crap, it's my dad.  I have to go.  I love you, Chris."
	"I love you too, Jason.  Be careful."  I waited for him to hang up
but he didn't.
	"Chris, I have to hang up."
	"Okay."
	"I don't want to be the one to hang up first."
	"All right.  But you have to do it next time."  He put the receiver
down and I listened to the silence.  I hung up and walked over to my dad.
I gave him a huge bear hug and got one in return.  For just the briefest of
seconds I could convince myself it was Chris.
	Chris' words echoed in my mind for the rest of the weekend.  What
little sleep I got was plagued with ugly visions.  Monday morning my mom
actually woke me up (up until my sophomore year of college I had always
risen with the sun).  I arrived at school bleary eyed and tired.
	"Jason!"  Not two steps into the school and already the principal
was calling me.  I walked into her office; not surprised to see Brad
already seated.  "Would you please sit down?"
	"Certainly."  I slung my backpack off my shoulder and sat down in
one graceful move.  Despite my size I had always had a grace and movement
belying my girth.  Brad was unsettled, thus achieving my goal.
Mrs. Herlocker shut the door and crossed to her desk.
	I had always liked Mrs. Herlocker.  Not only was she the principal,
she was also my homeroom teacher, english teacher, and Latin teacher.
Plus, she looked a lot like Delta Burke and had a wonderful southern
accent.  She was a kind woman who was willing to lend an ear or a shoulder
(I learned this when my dad served in Desert Storm).
	"Now Jason, Brad tells me that the two of you had an `incident' on
Friday.  I'd like to ask for your input before I take a course of action."
	"Well, that depends on where he told you this incident took place.
Was it outside the library or on the playgrounds?"  She shot Brad a look
and the little twerp squirmed under her gaze.
	"I had heard of you threatening Brad after school.  Is there any
validity to this tale or is it a mere fabrication?"  One thing I have to
say about prep schools: even out of class they try to expand your
vocabulary.
	I took a deep breath.  "Yes.  I threatened him to leave someone
alone."
	"You mean there was a third party involved?"
	"Yes ma'am."  She sat back in her chair and sized us up.
	"Brad, would you please ask Janet to write a note for you to return
to your class?  Oh, and ask her to sit in my room right quick."  Brad stood
up and grabbed his bag.  "Oh no, dear, leave your bag here.  And please
close the door on your way out.  I'll get you when we want you to come in."
Sulking, Brad stepped outside and shut the door.  Mrs. Herlocker cast her
eyes on me, both warm and cold at the same time.  "Okay, Jason.  I want the
truth.  What happened?"
	"Brad and a few other students were picking on another kid.  I went
in to find out what was going on and the two of us left.  They chased after
us and we ducked in the library.  When I left I told Brad to leave the
person alone in no uncertain terms."
	"And should I know this person?  Was it a girl?"
	"No.  I would have done more than threaten."
	She waved her hand at me.  "Don't tell me that, you're in enough
trouble as it is."
	"So what am I looking at?"
	"Expulsion without a refund.  And it's the second week."
	"You can't do that!" I sat up in my chair.  She responded in kind,
but leaning on the desk so she was only inches from my face.
	"Yelling at me won't help the situation."  Her tones were placating
and soothing (sorry, but maybe I'll help someone on their SAT).
	"I'm sorry.  But you can-shouldn't do that."
	"And why is that?"
	"Because of Cu- the third party."
	"Ah-ha."  She leaned back in her seat.  "You were going to say
Curtis, weren't you?"  This sent me back into my seat.
	"How did you know?"
	"Mrs. Adams told me earlier this morning that the two of you were
in the library Friday afternoon.  Then Brad gave me this crock about you
bullying him.  At least I thought it was a crock."  She sat back down in
her chair and shook her head.  "Damn it, Jason.  I thought you were smarter
than this."
	"It was a lapse in judgement.  And there may be some new factors at
play."
	"What is that supposed to mean?"
	"I. I need to talk to Curtis before I say anything.  I'd rather not
do anything rash."  Her incredulous look gave me a moment to pause.
"Again."
	She smiled and looked at her desk.  "Okay.  I'm going to give you a
stay of execution.  I want you to talk to Curtis and have a good reason for
your actions.  And don't think there won't be any repercussions.  All
right, we're late for class so let's get going.  I want that reason by
Latin, understand?"
	"Yes ma'am."  I had roughly twenty minutes between classes to talk
to Curtis.  As we walked out of her office I threw Brad his book bag.  He
shot me a look but the one Mrs.  Herlocker gave him quieted his protests.
	"Okay, Brad.  You are excused to go to your class.  We'll discuss
this later."  As Brad ran ahead the two of us walked to the class.  As we
walked past the library I saw her nose crinkle.  "Was this the spot?"
	"Roughly, why?"
	"There was an ungodly smell here.  It took Dennis (the janitor)
three attempts to get rid of the worst of it.  Just what did you do?"  She
turned and looked me in the eyes.
	"I scared the piss out of him."  She was still trying to suppress
her giggles when we got to the classroom.
	After the first break Andy tried to talk to me but I had to run and
find Curtis.  I only hoped I would still be a student by lunchtime to ask
for his forgiveness.  I found him right outside his chemistry class.
	"Curtis, we need to talk."
	"Okay.  How about lunch?"
	I shook my head no.  "It has to be sooner than that.  Brad told
Mrs. Herlocker about Friday."
	"Then what's the trouble?"
	"Before I left I. threatened Brad."
	"Why?"  There were two minutes left in the break and I didn't have
time to go into the specifics.
	"Just meet me in the gym bathroom fifteen minutes after class
starts."
	"Okay."  He was afraid of why I was being so circumspect.  Frankly,
so was I.  If I absolutely needed to tell him, I would.
	"Don't worry.  I need your help, Curtis."
	"All right, Jason.  I'll do what I can."
	Thirteen minutes into our Algebra class I raised my hand.
"Mrs. Williams, may I be excused to go to the bathroom?"
	"Very well, Jason.  Do be quick."
	"I'll try."  This got a few giggles from the girls as I headed out.
Seeing no one in the hall I sprinted down and ran into the gym.  I walked
into the bathroom and checked the stall.  No one was there.  I looked in
the mirror, miming my response.  "Curtis, are you gay?"  "Curtis, are you
gay?"  "Curtis, man, are you gay?"
	The door opened and Curtis walked in.  There was a slight look of
apprehension on his face.  He closed the door and locked it.  "Okay, Jason,
I'm here.  Now what is so important?"
	"I think we both know why I asked you here."  I opened the stall
and sat down, giving him the height advantage.  It was so different sitting
there with pants on so I kept shifting.  "Why did Brad get that gang
together?"
	Curtis didn't answer, but instead shifted from foot to foot.  "I
have to go to the bathroom."
	"Well, you're in the perfect place."  He walked over to the latrine
and did his business.  He finished, flushed, and began washing his hands.
I stood up and stepped behind him.  "Come on, Curtis. You're killing me."
	"I'm afraid to tell you."
	"Look, Curtis.  Do you know what Mrs. Herlocker is going to do?
She's going to kick me out without a refund.  You're going to be here alone
and there's no way I can help you."  He spun around so quickly I was
shocked.
	"Are you serious?"
	"As a heart attack.  I've got until next period to tell her why I
threatened Brad.  And the only reason I have is a group of boys surrounding
you.  I need the truth if I'm going to stay here."  I turned around and
leaned against the door.  "Look, no matter what it is you have to say
nothing is going to stop me from being your friend."
	With a heavy sigh Curtis told me.  At points I stopped him to
elaborate but otherwise I let him tell me the story all the way through.  I
re-told it, making sure to keep the main points solid.
	"Curtis, I don't think it's my place to tell Mrs. Herlocker this.
Can you come with me and tell her that?"  Curtis was near tears and he
simply nodded.  I reached forward and held him.  A few tears ran down my
shirt as Curtis gave in to what he had bottled up.  Once he calmed down he
looked at me and smiled.  "What?"
	"I didn't know you could be such a softie."
	"Well. welcome to the club.  What time is it?"  As if in answer the
bell rang, signaling the hour.
	"Oh, shit!"  We uttered in unison.  I ran to the classroom and
grabbed my bag.
	"Jason, how nice to see you.  We were afraid we lost you down the
pipes."
	"No, nothing so dramatic.  Just a bad zipper accident (this was
before `There's Something About Mary', so the whole "thing caught in the
zipper" issue was still an unpleasant topic).
	"Really, we sent someone to the bathroom to look for you."
	"I had to get a band-aid."  Sighing, she let me go.  Curtis was
outside the room waiting for me.  There was still ten minutes left before
the next classes started (we had a fifteen minute break between second and
third period).  We walked over to Mrs. Herlocker's office.  The door was
open and after we walked in I closed the door.  "Mrs. Herlocker, I asked
Curtis to speak because I think he will help explain it better than I
could."
	"Very well.  Curtis, if you would?"  She motioned to the seat and
he sat down.  I sat down in the other chair, trying to show my support.
	"Before I begin I have to know if this is in confidence?"
	"Of course, Curtis.  I will not divulge anything said in this
office unless I feel I must."  Curtis looked to me and I urged him on.
	"It began over the summer, around July.  Brad and I were, friends,
I guess.  We would ride bikes, play catch, you know.  One day we went
swimming out in the reservoir and he, um, shanked me.  You do know what is
right?"
	"I've had experience with it, yes."  She looked at me and I
blushed.  I had had a problem with some older kids doing it to me and it
turned ugly.
	"So he tries to run out of the water and I tackle him.  We're
wrestling and I. um.  I kiss him."  I watched her face for any clues.  She
didn't even bat an eye.  "I don't know what came over me.  All of the
sudden it just seemed right.  He punched me and started kicking me.  He
ripped my bathing suit in half and." I reached over and touched his
shoulder.  He looked at me and continued.  "When he left he took my pants.
I had to bike three miles in a shirt and underwear.  Since then he's prank
called my home and egged my house.  His mom refuses to stop him, no
surprise there.  And since then he's always been picking on me.  On Friday
he got a bunch of guys together and then Jason showed up."  He stopped, not
sure where I had begun telling my portion of the story.
	"Curtis, I want to thank you for being honest with me.  I know how
hard that must have been.  Now the question I have to ask you is: what do
you want to do about it?"
	"Don't kick Jason out of school."
	"Curtis, that was never an option.  I know Jason wouldn't have done
what he did without a reason.  I trust his judgement, although I don't
condone his actions.  What I want to know is what you want to do with
Brad?"
	"I. I don't know."  I think both Mrs. Herlocker and I were thrown
by that.
	"What?"
	"I don't want to get him in trouble.  He used to be a nice guy.  I
think if he just cools down he'll be better."
	"Curtis," I whispered in his ear.  "What the hell are you doing?"
	"He was my friend.  If I hadn't kissed him he wouldn't have done
it.  I'm the problem, not him."
	Part of me went out to him.  I thought something was wrong with me
when I was falling for Chris.  I got lucky and found someone who loved me.
I don't think Brad had the capacity to love someone else.
	"Okay, I'm going to drop the mark against Jason.  But if Brad
threatens you again, Curtis, I want you to notify me.  And that goes double
for you, Jason.  The last thing I need is a vigilante wandering my school."
	"Yes, ma'am."
	"Okay, Curtis, get off to class.  Jason, I need to talk to you
right quick."  Curtis walked outside and I gave him thumbs up.
Mrs. Herlocker shut the door and sat across from me.  "I swear, no other
student makes me late for my classes.  You're turning me into a delinquent,
Jason."  She chuckled slightly then became serious.  "I need to know how
this is going to affect you and Curtis."
	"I don't see it affecting us at all, Mrs. Herlocker."
	"Really?"  She tilted her head slightly, stealing a glance at the
clock.  "I've yet to meet a young teen-ager with that an enlightened view."
I shifted in my chair uncomfortably.  "I'm left with either two trains of
thought.  Either you're lying to me or you're hiding something.  And you
only lie when it comes to your homework."
	"Maybe I've learned to lie better."
	"Maybe, or it's something else."
	"I'm not sure what you mean."  I cleared my throat and I realized
my mouth had gone dry.  "Don't you think we should get to class?"
	"It'll still be there."  She walked around the desk and sat in the
chair next to me.  "Jason, I want you to be honest with me as a person, not
as an educator."
	Suddenly my eyes became wet.  I wiped my arm across my eyes.  "How
did you know?"
	"My brother.  Besides, you're the only person I know who cries
during a James Taylor cover."
	"I told you, I was sitting on my. wait, your brother?"
	She nodded her head slowly.  "There are a few other students who
are going through what you and Curtis are as well.  You aren't alone."  She
rubbed my shoulder.  "Do you parents know?"  I shook my head; I wasn't able
to talk.  "Don't you think you should tell them?"  I gave another negative
response.  "They ought to know the truth."
	"I promised I wouldn't tell until he's ready."
	"Oh."  I think it was a shock to find out I was already part of an
item.  "And I made you break that promise, didn't I?"  I nodded my head in
agreement, trying to stifle my tears.  She reached over and hugged me.
"It's all right, I know how to keep a secret."  I tried not to cry because
I knew I wouldn't stop.  She stroked my hair and kissed my forehead.  I
pulled away, surprised by her action.  "I'm sorry, Jason.  It's the mother
in me."  She grabbed the tissue box on her desk and handed it to me.  "Why
don't you just head down to the infirmary and hand me your homework during
lunch."  I nodded and gathered my bag.
	"Thank you, Mrs. Herlocker."
	"You're welcome, Jason."  I stepped outside praying no one would
see my puffy eyes.  "Jason?"  I turned and looked at her.  "Should I send
someone to check on you?"
	"No, I'm fine."
	She stepped outside and locked the door.  Looking around she
squeezed my hand.  "Whoever he is, he's certainly lucky to have you."
	I smiled and hugged her.  "When he's ready I'll introduce you."

	Whew.  This is so much better than it previously was.  I, for one,
love it.  I hope you agree.  I went through an emotional roller coaster
with this.  Part five will be much further along, probably around October
(story-wise, not `how-long-you-have-to-wait-until-it-comes- out').  As
always, comments, suggestions, theme songs, etc. are welcome at
Grendel_Rex@dhmail.net