Date: Fri, 13 Oct 2023 04:27:22 -0400 From: D Dragi Subject: The Courage to Care Chapter 2 Please donate to Nifty to support this site which we all love. If you have any comments or suggestion regarding the story please contact me at tughill1383@yahoo.com. I welcome your emails and will respond as soon as possible. Chapter 2: Getting an Education Editor's Note: This is a love story. A story of how the love of two men changed the life of a homeless gay teenager. How they gave this angry and cynical teenager a whole different view on life. These two men were steadfast in their efforts to change this teenager's life. Little did they know that this teenager would grow up and become a man who would continue their legacy. How this teenager became a proud, successful gay man who was going to expand on their work and open a shelter for homeless gay teenagers and give these teenagers the same love and support he received. Monday morning arrived and I was up early getting ready for my first day of school. I was nervous because I didn't know what to expect. As I came down the stairs Brad made waffles with fresh strawberries and whipped cream. He said he wanted to make sure that I had a full stomach to start the day. As I was eating breakfast Matt came down to the kitchen, kissed Brad on the cheek and squeezed his butt cheek. Brad let out a squeal and said "don't start my motor unless you're going to take me for a ride." Matt looked at the breakfast and said to Brad "What's this?" "Since when do you prepare breakfast on a weekday?" Brad said "We need to get the boy here off on the right foot for his first day of school." "And besides this type of breakfast would put some pounds on you and spoil that gorgeous body." "I'm not chancing that." Matt sat down after pouring a cup of coffee and had the waffles and strawberries. After we got done eating Matt said let's go. Brad said "I put a bag of treats in your backpack to help get you through the day." Brad always did little acts of kindness like that. He was Mr. Mom and always did those small acts of kindness. God how I miss him so. When we got to school we went to the Principal's office. The secretary told us to sit down and the Principal would be right out. The Principal welcomed us and showed in to the office. We went over all the paperwork that needed to be signed, a lock for a locker, and a schedule of my classes. The Principal said that based on my school record at the homeless shelter that I would be put in college preparatory classes. It was a full academic schedule with English Literature, Trigonometry, Chemistry, American History, French, and Physical Education. There was study hall squeezed in the middle of the day. Matt told the principal that he expected me to be attending college and thanked him for the schedule. The Principal pressed the intercom and asked his secretary if he was here. He then said show him in. The Principal introduced me to Victor Tomasso. He was going to be my peer mentor to help me get adjusted to the school and my classes. Victor was a tall kid who was as thin as a rail. He had dark black glasses and braces on his teeth. Victor's whole appearance screamed out "Geek." Victor shook my hand and told me he would help me learn the ropes and that we had many of the same classes. This was Victor's service requirement for being on the National Honor Society. The Principal bragged that Victor was tops in his class and a real great student. The Princiapl said Victor would meet with me after school until 4 to help me get caught up with my classes. The Principal told Victor to show me to my locker and get to class. Uncle Matt thanked the Principal and told me to have a good day and he would pick me up at 4. We all left the Prinicpal's office and Victor showed me the way to my locker. Victor told me to call him Vic and said welcome to Watson High, Home of the Warriors. He said if I liked we could discuss the many extra-curricular activities that were available and see if any of them were of interest. The school day was going well and I was introduced in every class as the new student and to make me feel welcomed. The day was going well until we got to Chemistry class. The teacher was Mr. Bryant who was trying to find me a lab partner. As he was looking over the class roster a girl raised her hand and said to Mr. Bryant that she could be my lab partner since there were three in her group. Mr. Bryant thanked the girl and assigned her as my lab partner. She came over next to me and introduced herself as Melanie Albridge. She said she hoped I would like it here and that it really isn't that bad of a place. This school is pretty much cutting edge. Melanie was a beautiful girl. She had long blond hair and blue eyes. She had a sharp hour glass figure and was well endowed in the breast department. She was wearing a tight white sweater and a short skirt. The sweater outlined her perfectly round breasts. This girl was a real knock out. We got through Chemistry class and I thanked her for volunteering to be my lab partner. She said no problem. You're kind of cute and I rather spend Chemistry class with a good looking guy like you then with my girlfriends. She walked away and said see you around. As she walked away she had a cute butt that was barely covered by the skirt she was wearing. When the day ended I met Vic in the library to get me caught up with my classes. We sat down at a table and Vic told me that I'm not that far behind and he would able to get me up to speed in no time. He asked me how everything went and I told him that my Chemistry partner is Melanie Albridge. Vic responded in a loud voice "Melanie Albridge." "She's one of the hottest girls in the school." "You're one lucky dog." "Damn dude." "How the hell you going to get any work done working next that babe." I told him to knock it off and let's get to work. After about a half hour I said I needed a break. He said no problem. Vic suggested we go down and shoot some hoops in the gym. I said great and we left the library and headed to the gym. Vic took a key ring out of his pocket and opened up the supply room door in the gym. I asked why he had the key and he said "I'm the team manger for the boys varsity basketball team." " I want to go to med school and become a doctor so I tape up the players and tend to their minor aches and pains. "I work as a volunteer at the local hospital where I learned how to take a patients blood pressure, their pulse rate, and draw blood." I said "Cool." He got a basketball and we started shooting around. I was hitting jump shots from all over the court and Vic looked at me and said "you're a natural shooter." "Did you play at your old school?" I told him I just played pick up games at the local parks in the city. We continued shooting around and I showed Vic my hook shot and dribbling the ball through my legs. As we were playing around Coach Jamieson was off in the distance watching. It was getting close to 4 and Vic grabbed the ball and put it back in the closet. As we were leaving the gym Coach Jamieson asked my name. I told him Jake Pennington and I'm new here. He said I had some good moves and was a pure shooter. Then he asked, thinking about going out for the team. We could use a good shooting point guard." I said I hadn't. He said sign ups are in two weeks and I expect to see your name on the list. I thanked him and Vic and I left the gym. When we got out of the gym Vic said "Jesus" Coach Jamieson is a real hard ass and to have him ask you to go out for the team is really something." "I told him it was no big deal." Vic stopped me and said "Dude," "It is a big deal." I saw Matt in the car and walked over and thanked Vic for his help today and I'd see him tomorrow. I got in the car and Matt asked how'd it go. I said no problems. I told him I met Coach Jameison and he asked me to try out for the varsity basketball team. Vic and I were shooting baskets in the gym and Coach Jamieson was watching. He said I was a pure shooter and they could use me on the team. Matt said `Watson is one of the best basketball teams in the area. They made it all the way to the conference semi-finals last year. So are you going to try out" I told him I was a little nervous and that my skills are rusty because I hadn't played that much. Matt said I'll tell you what, after dinner why don't we head outside and let me take a look at your skills." "I played some ball when I was your age and I'd like to help. I said great. You got a deal. We pulled in the garage and when I entered the house Bard said dinner in 15 minutes. Go wash up and come back down. Matt went over and kissed Brad and asked how was his day. Brad said the usual. Brad asked if he was hungry and Matt said he was. He said he was going upstairs to change and be down in a few minutes. When I got down to the kitchen Brad asked me to set the table and told me he was making my favorite Southern Fired Chicken, mashed potatoes, and cole slaw. He said he wanted to hear all about my first day of school. Matt came down and said homemade cole slaw, fried chicken and real mashed potatoes. How long have you been at it making dinner. Never you mind, I want our boy to be well taken care of and he needs a good home cooked meal. Matt went over and kissed Brad on his neck and said you really are something else. Brad replied "I know." Dinner was delicious. Brad is a really a good cook and I woofed down the food like a ravenous wolf. Brad asked me if everything was alrght. I told him this is one of the best meals I ever had. Brad beamed a smile and said there were many more meals like this so get used to it. I plan on keeping you well fed. Matt sat there shaking his head. When we finished I helped clear the table and load the dishwasher. Matt said we needed to go over a few things before we go out to play some hoops. Brad asked you're going outside to play some hoops? Matt replied "Yeah." Coach Jamieson met Jake when he was shooting hoops in the gym and asked him to go out for the team." "I promised Jake I would help him sharpen his skills." "Reliving your glory days." said Brad. I looked at Brad and said what do mean. Brad said, well Matt here was an all-state power forward back in the day and had a full scholarship to the University of North Carolina. Unfortunately in his senior year he blew out his knee ending his basketball career. I looked at Matt and said "Really." Matt said it's all true. I looked at Matt in a new light. An all-state power forward. I was having trouble wrapping my head around Matt a gay man being an all-state power forward. But this was just one of many surprises I was to find out about Matt. We went in to the living room and sat down on the couch. Brad started first. He said how happy both he and Matt were that I was part of the family and hoped I felt the same. He said I could have anything I wanted from the kitchen at anytime. Just make sure I clean up after myself and put the dirty dishes and glasses in the dishwasher. He told me to let him know what foods I liked and he would add them to the grocery shopping list. He told me to change the sheets on the bed once a week and it was my responsibility to keep my bathroom and bedroom clean. He told me where to put my dirty clothes to be washed. He said he'd wash them and fold them but I would put them away. He said I think that's good for now. He said I run this house with Matt's help but if you need anything or have any questions I'm the guy. I told him no problem. I thought that was going to be it for now but it was Matt's turn. Matt said here are some other house rules. He said bedtime is 10 pm on school nights and midnight on weekends and holidays. We expect you to do well in school and be well behaved. If you want to have friends over just let us know. If you like you can go to mass with me on Sunday. You can talk to us about anything. We have no secrets and nothing is off limits. If people give you a hard time because your living with two men let us know and I'll take care of it. No drinking, smoking or drug use. You will be given a weekly allowance of $50 to do with what you want. I will be opening a bank account in both our names. We also need to get you your learners permit and later your driver's license. I think that's it for now. You have any questions. I said no and that I understood the house rules. He said good. Now let's go play some hoops. We went outside and Matt turned on the drive way lights which illuminated the entire driveway. He found a basketball and tossed it to me. He said show me what you got. I started going around the driveway putting up jump shots. Swish, swish, swish went the net as I drained every shot. Matt looked at me in disbelief. He looked at me and said you really have a great shot. He asked if I had anything else and I showed him my hook shot. Again I was nailing each shot. Matt grabbed the ball and said I had some real talent. He said we needed to work on shooting with my left hand and to dribble with my left. I was right handed and all my play was done with my right hand. He took the ball and started bouncing it in front of me. He said when you're guarding your man look him straight in his eyes. Never lose sight of his eyes. They'll tell you exactly what he is going to do and you'll force him to take a bad shot. Matt tossed me the ball and said let's try it. I started bouncing the ball trying to move to the basket. Matt was close up next to me and his eyes were staring at me. I lost my chain of thought and Matt stole the ball from me. He said `see what I mean." I said I did. He said that's enough for tonight time to get ready for bed. We'll continue this tomorrow. Matt tussled my hair and said good job. His words and touch sent a wave of emotion that was foreign to me. To receive praise and told I did something good was not something I had much experience with. I had this warm feeling and said to Matt "thanks for your help." Matt said to me "just know I'd do anything to help you." That one sentence floored me. I was continually running it through my head "I'd do anything to help you." Little did I know that Matt was going to be true to his word. The school week got off without a hitch and Vic and I were becoming good friends. I told him that I was going to try out for the varsity basketball team and he was really supportive. Matt and I were still out on the driveway every night and he was showing me some of his moves. I joked with him saying "not bad for an old man." He said back, "this old man is going to mop the court with you." I enjoyed the banter between us and I loved and appreciated our time together. Matt was so encouraging and supportive. I'm sure after a long day at work the first he wanted to do was play basketball with me. When we came in Brad always had snacks and drinks for us saying he wanted to support the team. Matt always kissed him and said thanks. The next day in school there was just one incident in Chemistry class that unnerved me. We were doing our lab work and Melanie spilled some of the liquid and it fell on the front of my pants. She started to pat my crotch with a paper tower and I sprung a boner. I was embarrassed as my pants were tenting out. Melanie smiled and looked down at my crotch and said "nice." My face turned bright red and I wanted to get the hell out of there. The only action my junk was seeing was my right hand. To have Melanie touch me and smile at what happened I was freaking out. It was finally Saturday and I slept in. I didn't come downstairs until after 10 and when I went in to the kitchen Brad said good morning sleepy head. He asked me if I wanted a cheese omelet. I said sure that would be great. I grabbed a glass of orange juice and sat down waiting for my omelet. Brad asked if I wanted bacon or sausage and I said sausage. I loved how Brad fussed over me. He always had a good breakfast for me each morning and prepared great dinners every night. He baked a homemade apple pie and I wolfed it down. Brad told me he liked watching me eat and said it gave him some personal satisfaction. He told me that I would never go hungry in this house as long as he was here. He said he wanted to teach me to cook for myself and asked if I would help him making his homemade tomato sauce. I had nothing else to do and said sure. After breakfast I cleared the table and Brad was getting out this big sauce pot and laying out cans of tomato products. He asked me to open the cans and pour them in the pot. He turned on the stove and started add various ingredients. Salt, pepper, oregano, garlic. And after he added each ingredient he stirred it in and took a taste. He told me the key to good cooking is always season to taste. He asked me to taste it. Anything you think should be added? Asked Brad. I said a little more garlic. I added a pinch of garlic and stirred it in. I tasted it and thought it was good. Brad tasted it and said that's good you were right. We were letting the sauce simmer on the stove when the door bell rang. Brad went to answer the door. Bard came in to the kitchen and said someone is here to see you. I said who is it. He told me to find out for myself. I went to the door and there was Melanie. She was holding a basket. She said she stopped by because she baked chocolate chip cookies to apologize for what happened in Chemistry lab. I asked her to come in and we went to the kitchen. I introduced Melanie to Brad and he had this strained look on his face. I told him Melanie baked me chocolate chip cookies would you like one? Bard said no thank you. I asked Melanie if she wanted one and she said no. I went to the refrigerator and poured myself a glass of milk. I bit in to one of the cookies and it was delicious. I told Melanie these are great and thank you very much and that she didn't have to do this. She said she didn't want me to think that she was trying to feel me up. I said no I didn't think at all. She said good. So can we be friends. I said sure. She kissed me on the cheek and said she had to go. Uncle Brad was there the whole time and asked is there anything you would like to tell me? I told him what happened in Chemistry lab and he laughed. He said "that girl is making a play for you and she was checking out the goods." I said to Uncle Brad that I didn't do anything to give her any ideas that I liked her. "Oh my poor innocent boy." Said Brad. I can tell you this. That girl is looking for more then a friendship. It was at that time that Uncle Matt walked in and asked what was going on. Brad said "there's this tramp making a play for our boy." "Miss ta tas til Tuesday." Matt asked could someone explain this to me. I told Uncle Matt the story and he said "so what's the problem?" "Do you like this girl?" I said I liked her as a friend but I don't know about anything more." Matt said at your age you should be open to everything and see what you like. You determine what you want. Matt then said that he had a girlfriend in high school and he wanted to see what it was like. I thought if I found the right girl I wouldn't be gay. At that time being gay was a psychological disorder and you were an outcast. There were gay bashings and most gays were closet cases. "All I'm saying is don't limit yourself or paint yourself into a corner." "Find yourself and when you do be proud of your choice and don't hide from it." The way Matt spoke in such a direct manner and free of any judgement gave me a sense of security. That's how I chose to live my life thay my life was my decision and what I ever I chose be proud of my choice. I was still confused about my feelings toward Melanie but I was curious. What if I'm bisexual I thought. I was trying to come to terms with my sexuality and at that time it seemed so confusing. I would come to rely on Uncle Matt for advice and he was always honest with me. Another one of his many traits that I loved. Sunday rolled around and Matt was getting ready for church. That was another thing I found confusing. How could a gay man like Matt who was living with a man be a practicing Catholic. I just didn't understand. He said he be back in about an hour and Brad said `don't forget to pray for us sinners" When Matt came back I asked if I could talk to him. I was so confused and I just wanted to get some clarification. I told him I didn't understand how being an openly gay man that he would go to church. Matt said I grew up in a strict Irish Catholic family. Being Catholic was a large part of my identity. Matt told me he left the Church for many years. But a part of who I was, was missing. I went back to church because I missed it. I loved being Catholic. I loved all the holy days, rituals, saints, everything about it. And then I found a very short verse in the Bible. The verse is God is Love. I told myself God made me the way I am so why should I not be able to celebrate my faith. I'm pig headed Jake. I think that my being a practicing Catholic that maybe I can change the Catholic Church's position on homosexualty. There is nothing in the New Testament of the Bible condemning homosexuality. I know there are some in that parish who think I shouldn't be allowed in. But they are not the judge of me. Only God can judge and I'm trusting that if I lead a good life that is all God wants of me. He told me he knew it seemed like an oxymoron being a gay Catholic but as I will keep telling you, you've got to live your life on your terms. That last statement of living my life on my own terms was another life lesson Matt taught me. It took me a while but I follow that maxim to this day. I went in to the kitchen to grab some more cookies and there was Brad ironing Matt's shirts. I asked him why he was ironing Matt's shirts. Couldn't Matt iron his own shirts. Brad said I don't mind and I do a much better job. So I asked Brad why do you do all you do for Matt. You cook, clean, do the wash, even iron his shirts. I thought you were his partner not his maid. That's easy Jake. It's called love. I deeply love Matt and I'd do anything for him. But what does he do for you I asked. He makes all of this possible. The house, the furniture, the car, the fine clothes. Matt doesn't think twice of providing for me whatever I want. I control the finances of the house. Matt just turns over his paycheck to me and I manage the house. That man trusts me and I would never abuse that trust. We have a good working relationship and to top it all off he is one fucking hot man." Brad and I laughed at that last comment. I walked back to the living room trying to comprehend all Brad said about his relationship with Matt. Was it possible for two men to have a deep committed relationship. The answer to that question as I was to find out over and over was a resounding Yes.