Date: Tue, 2 Sep 2014 07:42:00 -0400 From: Zarek Subject: Another Chance: Chapter 1 (revised) Disclaimer: This story is totally fiction. All characters were made up and any similarities are just coincidental. This is gay erotica between teenage boys so if that offends you, please discontinue reading. Also, if it is illegal for you to read such material, you have been warned. Continual reading could cause a knock at your door. If you like this story, I also have the series "Josh: sex slave". And you can always contact me at zarek@roadrunner.com with suggestions or concerns. Thoughts and suggestion are always welcomed and may or may not be implemented. Concerns will be considered and addressed as much as possible. I hope you're enjoying it so far and that the story draws you in wanting more. Some people have noticed that this story was "inspired" by another story, a great story, here on Nifty, "Riding Lessons" by Andrew Todd. I hope I don't step on anyone's toes and you give this story a chance. While there may be some similarities, I believe there will be enough differences as well. Mr. Todd was given my rough draft before I made my first submission. He was flattered by the fact I like his story and wanted to refer to it. He's also flattered by those who wrote him to "warn" him about this one. All I can say is, I'm glad you are loyal to him and I hope any references I use do his story justice. If you feel that I let his story down in any way, shape or form, please call my attention to where I did. This chapter has been revised. I realized that Jim should be a sophomore, not a freshman for his age and grades. AND, if you enjoy the stories on Nifty.org, please give a donation to help cover their expenses. While the site is currently free, only donations from loyal fans can help keep it that way. Any amount will help. Another Chance Chapter 1 It was a cold January day and Jon Bolt was driving to the tack shop to pick up a few things. The Montana roads were icy, but using a little common sense, Mr. Bolt had managed very well. The gear that he had ordered was in and he just finished loading it into the truck. As he was getting into the cab, a car going a little too fast started to slide. Mr. Bolt tried to jump out of the way but didn't quite make it. He was struck and flew seventy-five feet. He died on impact. The car was stuck under Mr. Bolt's car. He tried to pull out but all he did was spin his tires on the ice. When the sheriff got there, they discovered that the driver had been drinking. He was taking to jail and the ambulance was called, even though they knew it was too late. Over the next few months, Mrs. Bolt and Jim went through grief counselling. This seemed to help their spirits, but they would always miss their husband and father. The ranch hands did what they could to help the ranch thrive, but with Mr. Bolt gone, the business seemed to be disappearing as well. Mrs. Bolt tried looking for work to make up for what the ranch was losing, but in the end, she had little choice but to start selling off parcels of the land. It was the last day of school and he couldn't believe it, Jim just could not believe that they were leaving the home he had known all his life. The ranch had been in his family ever since it was founded in 1872 when his great-great-grandfather built it. Now his dad had been killed by a drunk driver and his mom just couldn't afford to keep it. She tried her best but little by little, the ranch disappeared. The parcel of land with the house on it was the last remaining piece. When it was finally sold, she and Jim packed up what they still had and moved to another state. This state wasn't that far away from their home. It was just below the Montana border. "I know you're upset Jim, but there really wasn't much I could do. In another month, the bank would have been taking the property from us. This way, I was able to make sure it went to some good people." Jim spoke for the first time since they got in the car. "I know, Mom, I'm just sad. I already miss Gold and Shadow didn't deserve what just happened." Gold was Jim's Palomino stallion. With selling the ranch, they had no place left for him to keep the beautiful animal, so after the parcel with the barn was sold, Gold was also sold as part of the effort to hang onto the house. Shadow was Jim's black Labrador retriever. The owner of the house they would be renting doesn't allow pets and Shadow was getting up there in age so nobody was willing to take her. She had to be put down. "I know, Jim. I promise you, as soon as I can afford to buy another house, we will get another dog. And I'm sure there are ranches all around Cody, so maybe you can volunteer or something." "Won't be the same. We got Shadow when I was five and she lived up to her name with me. I feel like I let her down. And I don't know that I want to ride another horse again. And I'm leaving all my friends behind. You can't possibly think I'll be happy with this move." "No, I'm not happy either and seeing you like this really hurts. But again, I really didn't have much of a choice. No one was hiring so I consider myself lucky to have found this job. You'll make new friends, just give it a chance." Mrs. Bolt reached over to caress Jim's face but he pulled away and stared out the window. The trip was about two hours but was going to feel like it took all day to complete. It was almost six when they arrived at their new home. Mrs. Bolt unlocked the front door and Jim went directly to his new room. Over the past month, what belongings they didn't need before the move was brought down and Mrs. Bolt made several trips setting everything up. This past week, they were virtually camping in their old house using sleep bags. With it being the last week of school for this year, Mrs. Bolt wanted to wait before moving and tearing Jim's life apart even more. Jim was laying on the bed when Mrs. Bolt came to look at him. "You planning to hibernate there all summer?" "No, but I really don't know what else to do. I don't know anybody here or any places to go." Jim said. "Well, you're fifteen years old now so why don't you go explore the area and see what you can discover. But not tonight, it's kind of late to be exploring a new area." "Do I have to tomorrow? Can I have a couple days just to myself to grieve? I really miss her." Jim asked. "Sure you can, take this whole week if you want. You know, Shadow wouldn't want you to be like this all summer, but a week or two should be fine." "Thanks Mom, I love you." Jim said "Supper will be ready in about ten minutes. I think we're just having sandwiches and salad tonight. You coming down to eat?" "Yea, I'll be down." Jim said. This was Friday and Mrs. Bolt would be starting her new job on Monday. She was working in an office and would leave at 8:30 every morning and not get home until almost six at night. It made her feel sad that she couldn't be home to help Jim get over his loss. She wasn't even sure if she could had she been home. All day Saturday, Jim sat in his room. When Mrs. Bolt looked in, he was staring at a picture of Shadow. This made Mrs. Bolt want to cry but she held it in and went about tweaking things to make the house feel more like a home. Jim came down for meals but as soon as he finished, he went straight to his room. Sunday was no different. Her first day returning home from work, Mrs. Bolt went to Jim's room to check on him but he wasn't there. She didn't know if she should be relieved or worried. She fixed supper and ate. Jim still wasn't home. Then around eight, Jim came strolling in the door. "Glad to see you went out. I fixed supper but it's probably cold now." "I'm not hungry." was all that Jim said. He went up to his room. Mrs. Bolt followed him. "There were no dirty dishes, did you even eat today?" Mrs. Bolt was starting to worry. "Yeah, I took an apple with me. And some nuts." Jim said. "You need more than that. Did you meet any new friends?" "No, and I doubt I will." Jim said. "You were gone all this time and didn't meet anybody? You were so out going in Montana. I'm sure you'll make some friends. Maybe even a new girlfriend or boyfriend?" "That was Montana, and it helped that we were one of the wealthiest families in the community. Everybody wanted to hang with me. Now I'm starting my sophomore year at a new school with no friends and the only one that loves me is you." "You have to give them a chance, Jim. Just be yourself. I'm sure you'll make lots of friends, you'll see." Every day that first week, Mrs. Bolt returned to find Jim not home. She wasn't sure when he left, as far as she knew he could have been leaving as soon as she went to work or right before she came home. Every day, there were no dirty dishes or any other sign that Jim had eaten breakfast or lunch. Every night, Jim returned home late in the evening. Some nights it was just after eight and a couple nights it was as late as eleven. Mrs. Bolt always asked Jim if he made any friends. He always seemed to get upset and tell her no. She was really wondering where he was going if he wasn't meeting anyone and what did he do all day. When she asked Jim, all he would say is "stuff". At night, she could hear Jim crying into his pillow. He tried to muffle it so she wouldn't hear him, but she did. Her heart was breaking and she wasn't sure how to help. Should she try counselling again? Whom should she talk to? Where was Jim going all this time? I have created a mailing list. If you would like to be added to it to be informed of new submission, please contact me at zarek@woh.rr.com .