Date: Tue, 26 Mar 2024 19:03:40 -0400 From: D Dragi Subject: Chapter 17 The Courage to Care Please support Nifty with whatever you can afford. Every donation will keep this great site up and running. So please give what you can so the stories you enjoy have a place. Because without Nifty where would you find these stories. I understand that some of you were not too happy with Chapter 16 saying there was too much heterosexuality. Please remember that Jake is 17 and it's a time for sexual awakening. Jake is also well aware of the price he would pay if he came out. This story is set in 1979 not 2024. The main point of the story is to recall what it was like to be a gay teenager at that time. For those of us who lived through that period how much confusion did we have and how much covering up did we do to hide our homosexuality. I know I did. But although I did receive some criticism it does not mean I did not welcome it. I do welcome it. Please continue to email with your thoughts on the story. They are most welcome. My email address is tughill1383@yahoo.com. I hope to hear from you. Chapter 17: Winning and Losing When Saturday arrived I woke up feeling a bit anxious with the upcoming sectional game. I was glad that it was on our home court and I just wanted to move forward in the playoffs. I loved the attention because of the basketball victories, and I liked the way people in the town and school treated me. I know it was only the small town of Watson but I loved the attention. I went to the kitchen and Brad asked what I wanted for breakfast. He joked that he would make me the breakfast of champions. I said bacon, pancakes and eggs should do the trick. Brad said coming right up. As I waited for breakfast, I read the local paper and the upcoming sectional game took up most of the sports page. The sports reporter column questioned if Watson could overcome the height advantage of Mayfair. It went on to question if Connor and I could continue our field goal percentage. I kept reading the article and was starting to get pissed. The article pretty much doubted Connor and I and said that Watson had a good run but it may come to an end at tonight's game. I went to Matt in the living room and asked, "Did you see this bullshit column in the sports section?" Matt said he read it. I told him I'd like to take this paper and stuff it down the columnists throat. Matt told me to calm down and and not the column upset me. He told me the best thing I could do was prove the columnist wrong. Go out there and do what you do and I'm sure that you will win tonight's game. You are a pure shooter Jake and you just have to tap into that talent and let it fly. Just focus on your game and let the chips fall where they may. I went back to the kitchen to have breakfast and Brad asked what got me so riled up. I told him about the column in the newspaper and he pretty much said the same thing as Matt. Brad said you have great basketball skill and don't let any sports reporter shake the confidence in yourself. Brad came over and gave me a hug and said give `em hell tonight. I chuckled and told him that I would light up that scoreboard like it's never been lit. Brad said "that's my boy." He told me to sit down and eat my breakfast. I don't know exactly what it was but to hear both Matt and Brad be so encouraging and supporting totally instilled a confidence in myself. The thought that both of these men would not let me doubt myself or let others cast doubt about my skills was exactly what I needed to hear. I heard the phone ring and Matt answered it. Matt called me to tell me that Connor was on the phone. When I grabbed the phone the first thing Connor said was "did you read that bullshit column in the newspaper today." "I want to kick the shit out of that guy." I laughed and told him I did read the column and told him what Matt told me. Trust in yourself and do your best. I told him we were going to make that columnist eat his damn words. "Damn straight" replied Connor. I told him just to concentrate on the game and all will work out. He told me I was right and that he would see me at the gym. Before he hung up Connor said that he thought we could get the cabin tomorrow. He said he would check with his parents but didn't see any problems. My heart almost leapt out of my chest. I told him I would like nothing more than to be with him again at the cabin. He said he wanted it to be just the two of us. I started getting hard just thinking about being with him again. To feel his body next to mine. To hold him close. To lie down next to him. I was so pumped I could have burst. I told him he just made my day. He laughed and said that we would make our day tomorrow. When I got off the phone with Connor I was on cloud nine. I had a spring in my step and a broad smile across my face. When I walked into the living room Matt looked at me and said "well it looks like someone is really happy." I told him Connor and I discussed that we would be ready for tonight and continue to be the dynamic duo. I went on to say that only Connor could have such an effect on me and he truly was my best friend. Matt said he was happy for me that Connor could have such an effect on you. It is truly quite a special relationship the two of you have. If he only knew how much of a special relationship we have with one another. After an early dinner I went upstairs to get ready. I grabbed my gear and headed out the door. Before I left, I told Matt and Brad I'd see them at the game. They both yelled good luck. After I left Matt said to Brad "I believe that Jake and Connor have a deep seated bond among themselves." Brad replied, "those two are as thick as thieves." "He spends as much time talking to Connor as he does Melanie." Matt went on to say that we were like brothers and there was something special between us. Brad said he knew exactly what Matt meant and joked that if he didn't know any better he'd swear there was something more between them. Matt said to Brad do you think there could be more to their relationship? No I don't replied Brad. Jake is in love with Melanie and Connor has Ashley. Those two are just the closest of friends and nothing more. Matt said "I'm not so sure." When I got to the locker room Connor was not there yet and I started to get dressed into my uniform. When Connor did arrive, I sprung up from the bench and said "it's about time asshole." He told me "shut up you whiney bitch." We laughed at each other and continued to get ready. Connor told me that he told his parents about us going to the cabin and it would be no problem. My heart started beating rapidly and I said to him "I am so psyched." We went out to the court for warm ups and I saw Matt and Brad sitting with Connor's parents, Melanie and Ashley. I waved to them and they waved back. We continued our shoot around during warmups and Connor and I were hitting every shot. The buzzer sounded and went to the bench and took off our sweats. After the introductions, we lined up for the tip off and before I knew it the game began. Connor got the opening tip off and started dribbling down the court. I made a quick move to the left and Connor threw me the ball. I put up the shot and it was 2 -0. Mayfair was able to keep the game close because of their height advantage and were able to move the ball inside for easy lay ins. After the first quarter we were only up by three points. We realized we had a fight on our hands. Before the second quarter started the coach told us to switch to a 2-3 zone on defense. When we got back on the court and Mayfair tried to work the ball inside it led to the ball being stolen and us heading down the court. By halftime we were up by eight and Connor and I continued nailing our shots. When we got to the locker room at halftime, coach told us to stick to the 2-3 zone for the rest of the game. When the third quarter started the 2-3 zone continued to work and we began to pull away. By the time we got to the fourth quarter we were up by fifteen points. The barrage of jump shots from Connor and I continued and when the buzzer sounded we won the game by thirteen points. The crowd went wild and stormed the court. The band was playing the school fight song and everyone started singing. I was looking for that columnist from the newspaper. I so desperately wanted to tell him off. Before I could find him, Melanie grabbed me and gave me a big kiss. "You were fantastic babe." She grabbed me close and whispered into my ear "I'm going to ride you like a bull." She then kissed me on the cheek. Brad and Matt came up to congratulate me and said great game. I went up to both of them and said "thank you for the pep talk earlier today." Matt said "just part of the job of being your dad." I hugged both of them and headed to the locker room. I got undressed and headed to the showers. The team was joking and singing as the latest rock song blared throughout the locker room. I was just looking at Connor thinking about tomorrow and being in the cabin. That his beautiful naked body would be mine tomorrow. It was difficult for me to prevent from getting hard thinking about it. Connor said we could get to the cabin tomorrow by 12 and spend the day. Gives us plenty of time to be together and get home in plenty of time. I told him I could hardly wait. We finished showering and got dressed. When I got outside the locker room Melanie was there waiting for me. Melanie came up to me and said "so when are we getting together tomorrow?" I told her that Connor and I were going to his cabin tomorrow for some man time. She totally ignored what I said and told me that sounds perfect. The four of us alone in the cabin. I'll tell Ashley. It's going to be so much fun. Melanie ran up to Ashley and Connor and said I can't wait for the four us to be at the cabin tomorrow. Ashely said she didn't know anything about it. Connor quickly jumped in and said that he and I were heading to cabin and hoped the two of you could join us. Ashely said I'm in. Melanie just laughed and said it's going to be a great time for all of us. As I drove home, I was pissed. Connor and I were finally going to be alone together and that was now dashed by Melanie. It's not that I didn't want to be with Melanie again, it's just I wanted to spend some time with Connor and I knew I couldn't say no to Melanie. What would be my reason for telling her no. I was stuck and frustrated. I started getting annoyed that Melanie had spoiled our plans and I had no idea when Connor and I would get the chance to be together. The thought of not being able to be with Connor was eating me up inside. When I got home I went straight upstairs and ignored Matt and Brad who were in the living room. I went in my room and shut the door. I started pounding the pillow with my fist and cursing with each punch. There was a knock on my bedroom door. It was Matt. He asked if he could come in. I told him he could and when he saw me he asked if there was anything wrong. I just told him I was still pumped up after the game and needed some down time. Matt looked at me and said "are you sure that's all it is?" "Remember I'm here to listen if you want to talk." I told him that I would be ok and thanked him for the offer. Matt walked out of the room and after he left I picked up the phone and called Connor. When Connor picked up the phone he said to me "what the fuck happened?" "I thought tomorrow was going to be our day." I told him how Melanie forced herself and Ashley on us and I didn't know what to say or do. I told him I didn't know how to say no to Melanie without raising suspicion. He told me that we would find another time and said well at least we are going to get laid. I said well that's something at least and told him I would see him tomorrow. I went downstairs because I wanted to catch the local news and see the highlights of the game and the post-game interview. I went into the living room and Matt and Brad were sitting next to one another on the couch. Brad looked at me and said "it's about time you came downstairs." "Nice of you to join us." "Were you upstairs on the phone talking to Melanie?" I told him I was talking to Connor and that Ashley, Connor, Melanie and I were going to the cabin at the lake tomorrow. "Just the four of you alone at the cabin" asked Brad. I told him that we were just going to hang out and spend some time together. Matt spoke up and said "that's sound good." "I hope the four of you have a good time together." Brad said he was concerned about what might happen with four of us alone in the cabin. Matt assured Brad that everything would be alright and there is nothing to worry about. "Well I hope so" replied Brad. When the news came on the television, I had to wait for the sports segment to hear about the game. There was film of Connor and I sinking shots and the sports reporter said that Mayfair had no answer for our outside shooting. It was also announced that the next game for the sectional championship and spot in the state tournament would be at Clover Plains. Clover Plains easily won their game and they were the number one seed in the sectional tournament. I watched the footage from their game and saw their two big men dominate in the paint making easy shots and blocking the shots of their opponent. Again, we would be facing a taller team and that meant that Connor and I had to be on our game. Clover Plains also had a reputation for an aggressive style of play where elbows flew freely and for a great deal of physical contact. After the news ended I said good night to Matt and Brad and went upstairs. I was still thinking about tomorrow and was still pissed that Connor and I were not going to be alone together. We lost our chance and who knew when another one would be available. We may have won the game but we lost our time together. Matt and Brad were still sitting on the couch when Matt said to Brad that he was concerned about Jake. "Something just isn't right" he said. Brad said, "what do you mean?" Matt went on to say that he thought that Jake would be happier with the win and not seem so sullen." "When I went up to see him I could see he was angry about something but wouldn't open up to me." I'll bet it has something to do with Melanie" said Brad. "Could be" said Matt. Brad went on to say that Jake is under a great deal of pressure with these basketball games. The team and whole town is depending on him to bring glory to Watson High. That's a lot to deal with for a seventeen year old. "I just don't know Brad." "I just wish he would open up to us." "He will in good time" said Brad. "We just need to give him space and let him know that we are here for him no matter what." "I guess you're right." "I'm always right" said Brad. "You ready to take me upstairs" asked Brad. "Nothing makes me happier than having you lying next to me in bed" said Matt. "You keep up that talk and you really will be happy lying next to me." "Let's go you big Irish lug."