Date: Tue, 2 Sep 2014 01:41:19 -0400 From: Zarek Subject: Another Chance: Chapter 21 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 is another longer chapter. Some will like that and others may not. Unless someone expresses a concern over the longer chapters, I may try to continue with them at this length. I cried a little while writing and proof-reading this chapter. It is definitely an emotional one. Someone ask Dusty where I can go invest some stock in tissues. 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 21 Jackson only got the mare fours day ago, but Joe was already making noticeable progress with her. Joe was having the time of his life, too. He hadn't tried riding the mare yet, but he definitely made a friend of her. After the boys put in an eight hour day, they let Jackson know they were heading home. Zac parked more often in Jim's driveway than his own, but this day, there was a social worker's car in Jim's so they parked over at Zac's house and walked over.. Joe looked at Zac and Jim. "She said that once she got me enrolled, she'd bring me schedule. That is why she's here, right?" "Probably, Bro, but we won't know for sure 'til we go find out." Jim told him. As they got close to the door, Jim heard the lady talking to his mom. "His dad will spend sixty days in county. After that, he'll be on probation. We asked if they would consider letting him be adopted." "And what was their response?" Mrs. Bolt asked. "I hate to say it, but they said they want no part of him. They'll gladly sign papers for you to adopt." When Joe heard that, part of him wanted to cry. How could his parents be this way? Jim was holding him ready to comfort him. "They don't want me, then fuck them. I have a better family now anyway." Joe said raising his voice. Mrs. Bolt was shocked when she heard Joe cuss. The social worker looked at her and asked, "Would you like to proceed with adoption? It won't be finalized for a year, but you'll stop getting support checks after six months. The parents can always change their mind before the year is up." "What happens if they do?" Joe asked. "You might go back to live with them. Or if we deem the household unsafe for you, you would remain in foster care and stay here." The social worker told him. "What if I don't want to live with them?" Joe's face was starting to redden. "Then you could file for emancipation and hope the court grants it. Something tells me, though, you needn't worry. I'm just telling you what could happen." "By all means, start the process as soon as you can. Joe is where he belongs, and I want to make sure he stays that way." Mrs. Bolt said. Joe left Jim's arms and wrapped his around Mrs. Bolt. "I have to agree with you. Joe is where he belongs and I will do everything in my power to make it happen." The social worker stated. "By any chance, did you get Joe enrolled in school yet?" Jim asked. "I'd like to see if we share any classes. "I left his schedule with your mom. She set it down in the house. I tried to get him in as many of your classes as I could, but some I just couldn't. While you are a straight A student, Joe's an A, B student." The social work said. "Just my luck, I'm too smart." Jim said with a chuckle. "Well, with your help, maybe Joe can raise his grades and share classes with you next year." Mrs. Bolt suggested. "Do we share any classes?" Joe asked. "I did arrange for you to have the same homeroom. You also excelled in science, and history, so you will have those two and health together. I'm not sure about any others off the top of my head." "My schedule is Advanced Algebra, History, Science and English. Then we have lunch. After that is Health, Spanish, and Music. Then on Tuesdays and Thursdays, I have Gym. The other three days is study hall." Jim rattled off. "I guess you'll see a lot of each other, then. Joe has regular Algebra, but otherwise, his schedule is the same, I believe. Mind you, I already told you about your gym class and Coach Jenkins said he doesn't have an issue with it. If they are doing something where you can participate, you will. Otherwise, he'll send you to study hall." Joe smiled. "Thank you." "No thanks are necessary, Joe. I'm just glad that I can help make you happy. You are my priority here. No offense to Mrs. Bolt, but I don't care if she or your parents are happy until after I make sure you are safe, happy, and being taken care of." "I can tell you that I am" Joe said smiling. "And I understand that Santa brought you a special present." The case worker said. Joe's eyes lit up. "He did, check out my boots. Actually, though, it was two Santas." "Those are nice. Do they help you get around easier?" the case worker asked. "Now that I'm getting used to them." Joe stated. "Well, I need to go. Until the adoption papers are filed, I'll need to visit once a week, but after they are, it'll go to once a month with an occasional surprise visit. I'll probably stop next Monday to see how your first day of school was and to let you know the papers are filed." "Thank you so much. You're welcome to visit any time." Mrs. Bolt assured her. The case worker got in her car and left. Jim looked at Joe's schedule just to be sure. "Yeap, Bro, other than Algebra, we share the same classes. Wait until you meet some of my classmates." "If you like them, I'm sure I will." Joe said with confidence. "Just one thing, when you meet Cheyenne, try not to stare. She was attacked and beaten pretty bad. Her wounds are healed and her scars are disappearing, but some are still visible." "Why was she attacked?" Joe asked. "From what I heard, just because she's friends with a fag." Jim stated. "Or in other words, you." Joe said. "Yea, just because she's my friend." Jim said with a little sadness in his eye. "Well it's not your fault any more than it's my fault that the sperm donor had hit me." Joe announced. "I know, and Cheyenne doesn't blame me, either. Her boyfriend is one of my closest friends and we hang out together at school, sometimes after school. They're the ones who took me to get Kunoichi and Colby." "That's cool." Joe said. He walked over and gave Jim a hug. "What was that for?" Jim asked. "Just for being a cool guy. I'm proud to have you as a brother." Joe said. "I'm the lucky one. I have you as a brother." Joe smiled when Jim said that. It was New Year's Eve morning and Jim woke up his usual time. He went downstairs to let Kunoichi out and start breakfast. He was shocked when he walked into the kitchen. "Morning, Joe, you're up early." "I had to be. I wanted to surprise you with breakfast." Joe responded. Jim opened the backdoor and Kunoichi went outside while Colby came in. "So what are you fixing?" Jim asked. "I'm not telling, it's a surprise." Joe stated. "In that case, I've leave you be." Jim said opening the fridge and grabbing the juice and milk. Jim also started the coffee for his mom. Mrs. Bolt came downstairs just as Jim was letting Kunoichi back in. "What smells so good?" "I have no idea. Joe says that it's a surprise." Jim stated. "Joe's cooking? I didn't know that he could cook." Mrs. Bolt admitted. "I'm sure there are lots of things for us to learn about him. After all, we've only know him a week." "So true and I look forward to learn each and every detail." Mrs. Bolt smiled. After a few minutes, Joe came to the dining room carrying a big plate. Jim stood up to help him. On the plate was fried potatoes with scrambled eggs mixed in and some ground up sausage. After Jim took the plate, Joe went back to the kitchen and emerged with a bottle of ketchup. Jim and Heather filled their plate, then Joe got his. "This is really good, Joe. Mom fixes something like this for suppers occasionally." "Only, I use smoked sausage and slice it up." Mrs. Bolt said. "Guess with you two, I never have to worry about breakfast anymore." "You want to fix breakfast sometime, just let us know. We'll let you, won't we, Jim?" Joe more stated than asked. "Yeah, and Mom fixes the best breakfasts, too." Jim stated. Mrs. Bolt smiled. As usual, Zac walked in just before six. The boys grabbed their coats and were off to the ranch. Since they were putting time in every day this week, Jackson told them to get out as early as they could for the holiday. He thought about asking them to take the two days off like they did for Christmas, but the boys started grumbling about the hands not being so thorough. "Makes me wonder, they seem thorough while we're in school, why aren't they on the holidays?" Jim asked. "I can give you different reasons. First, it's the holidays. They want to enjoy them, too. Second, the hands that did it for Christmas are the ones who take care of the cattle and their own horses. They probably rushed for these horse. Third." Zac started but Jim cut him off. "OK, I think I understand." Jim said. Joe helped the boys do their work instead of working with the mare today. They headed home by noon. When they got to Jim's house, Mrs. Schoen was sitting on the couch sipping coffee and talking with Mrs. Bolt. The boys said hey and headed up to Jim's room. Jim popped a blue-ray into the player. The three laid on his bed watching "Man of Steel" with Joe in the middle. Supper time came and Mrs. Bolt came up to get them. The TV was on showing the menu selection screen over and over and the boys were fast asleep. She woke them up and headed downstairs. The boys were dragging as they came downstairs. "Falling asleep already, you'll have a hard time staying up to watch the ball drop with us." Mrs. Bolt said as they sat around the table. "Working forty hour weeks is hard when you're not used to it." Jim commented. "And ranch work isn't easy to begin with. Imagine, your dad put at least fifty-six hours a week in and if something came up." Mrs. Bolt started. Jim caught a tear in her eye. "As much as I respected him before, I really respect him now. I don't know how he did it for all those years." "He was used to it. And if you did it every week, you would get used to it, too." Mrs. Bolt said smiling. After dinner was over, the boys helped clean up. Mrs. Bolt grabbed a bottle of bourbon and filled five twelve ounce glasses half full. She filled them the rest of the way with orange juice. "This is all you boys get, so drink it slow so you have some at midnight." She warned them. She told Mrs. Schoen to help herself if she wanted more. Joe took a sip of his drink and his eyes got big. He never had any alcohol before and this tasted very potent to him. Joe looked at Jim. "You drink this often?" "Only for New Year's Eve." Jim said. "Mom and Dad always said it was a special event." Zac took a sip of his. Rest of the night, they played cards, chatted and just enjoyed being a family. It was ten when the ball in New York dropped, but they enjoyed all the music and everything. Joe could barely keep his eyes open. When midnight hit, Joe was fast asleep and had only drank half his drink. Zac and Jim were starting to fight sleep. They finished their drinks, wished their moms a Happy New Year, and then headed up to Jim's room. Mrs. Schoen thought about heading home, but snow was falling so hard that she could barely even see her house. Mrs. Bolt grabbed a pillow and blankets and offered her the couch. Heather tried waking Joe up, but he was sound asleep in his chair, so she left him. New Year's day, the boys overslept. Zac and Jim hurried and got dressed and ran downstairs. Mrs. Bolt was standing at the window looking outside. "Mom, why didn't you wake us up? We overslept." "You needed your sleep. Besides, Jackson called at six." She said. "Why did he call?" Zac asked. "Look outside. It hasn't stopped snowing yet. You're going nowhere." Jim and Zac looked outside and there was at least four foot of snow on the ground. They could barely even see Zac's truck. "What about the horses?" Joe said as he started waking up. "As much as I wish we could do it, I guess the hands at the ranch will have to take care of them." Zac stated. "Guess I'll be busy digging my truck out." "Can I help?" Joe asked looking at Mrs. Bolt. She smiled and nodded her head. Meanwhile, at the county lock-up, Joe's father was sitting in a cell with another man. "What are you in for?" the man asked. "They have something against me smacking my faggot ass son about. I don't see what the issue is. I mean he's a wimpy little faggot." Joe's father said seething through his teeth. The man rose to his feet. He stood six foot one and his arms were as thick as tree. He had steel blue eyes that looked like they were piercing through Joe's father. His jet black hair was slicked back. "What did you say?" "What, are you a faggot, too?" Joe's dad asked. "No, but I just found out that my son, Cornelius, is. He and his mother came to visit for the last time before I'm transferred to prison." "Then you should consider yourself lucky that you don't have to put up with that faggot." Joe's dad said right before the back of the man's hand sent him flying. "I'd give anything to be with my son. It shouldn't matter if he's gay, straight or polka dotted. He's MY son and I will love him no matter what." The deputies came running when they heard the commotion. "Mr. Jones, step back. I'd hate to see more days added to your sentence." "Do you know why he's in here?" Mr. Jones asked pointing at Mr. Walker. "Yes, and while we don't condone him abusing his son for any reason, we can't allow this either." "I understand, it just really upsets me when any parent can abuse their child. The child should be able to feel safe in their parents' arms. I won't even get to see my Cornelius graduate." Mr. Jones started sobbing as he sat down. A deputy helped Joe's dad get up and was going to take him to the infirmary. He looked at Mr. Jones. "I hope your son rots in hell next to mine." Joe's dad said, then spit blood on Mr. Jones. Another deputy stayed with Mr. Jones. "Unfortunately, he'll have your hand print on the side of his face for a long time. He may lose some teeth, too. We have to write the incident up, but from what I can tell, he provoked it. I'll write it that way and hopefully, you won't receive any additional time for it." "Thank you." Mr. Jones said. The snow finally stopped and Jim, Zac and Joe were busy digging out all the vehicles. Not a one of them saw their moms come out. Suddenly a snowball hit Joe between his shoulder blades. He turned around quickly and another hit his chest. Jim and Zac saw this and started throwing snowballs at their moms. When they started getting too cold, everyone headed for the house. Mrs. Bolt started preparing cups of hot chocolate. After they warmed up, the boys finished digging out the vehicles. Rest of the week was cold but no more snow. The boys still managed to put in just under forty hours at the ranch. Thanks to the boys digging out her car as well, Mrs. Bolt had no problems with getting to her job, either. Joe was excited to start at his new school with Jim. He was excited to meet Jim's friends, too. He didn't think any of them would pick on him for his leg or being gay, but he trusted Jim to stop it if they did. After he showered, Joe put on the green shirt that Jim and Zac gave him, a pair of black 517 Levi's and his boots. Jim wasn't dressed with anything special, just what he usually wears. "Hey, Bro, you make breakfast this morning?" "No, I thought you were." Joe replied. "Well, let's see what we can whip up together, then." Jim said as they walked down the stairs together. As they entered the dining room, the juice and milk were already on the table, so was a plate of buttered toast. They walked in the kitchen and saw Mrs. Bolt at the kitchen. Joe looked at her. "See, we'll let you fix breakfast whenever you want." He said with a smile. "Hope you like oatmeal. I figured you'd like something warm to eat on this cold morning." "Does it have raisins in it?" Joe asked. "No, but we usually add raisins to ours. If you like raisins in yours, I can add them next time while I'm making it." Mrs. Bolt said. "I like raisins in my oatmeal, other than that, not really crazy about them." Joe said. "Same here, Bro. I love grapes, and I love raisins in my oatmeal or oatmeal cookies, but aside from that, not crazy about raisins, either." Jim stated. Zac came in early and sat at the table while they finished eating. Mrs. Bolt offered him a bowl and he took a little. He saw the raisins and grabbed a handful for his bowl. When they were done eating, the boys piled into the truck. Jim took Joe to the office so he could get his admission slips for his classes, then they headed to home room. Dusty came up to Jim right away. "You didn't dump Zac over the holidays, did you?" "Heavens, no." Jim said, "But Santa gave me a brother for Christmas." "Don't they usually come in a smaller size?" Dusty asked with a chuckle. "You must be Dusty." Joe said. "I can see why Jim says you're his best friend. I like you." "Remind me some time and I'll tell you about Jim at the start of the school year." Dusty said with a wink. "This is Joe, he's my foster brother but Mom's filing to make him my official brother." "Nice to meet you, Joe. You going to join us for lunch?" Dusty made Joe feel like part of the group. "I'm guessing." Joe responded. Cheyenne walked over to the group. Since the attack, she had been moved to Dusty and Jim's home room. Joe could see a couple scars but they were only barely noticeable. Joe waited for Jim to introduce him, but it was Dusty who spoke first. "Hey Chey, this is Joe. He's Jim's new brother." Cheyenne had a puzzled look on her face. "Don't they usually come a little smaller?" she said making a gesture like she was holding a baby. Dusty and Jim started laughing. "You've definitely hung around your boyfriend too long. He said the same thing." Joe said. The bell rang and everyone head for their seats. Joe was assigned the seat behind Jim. A boy came in the door just as the second bell started to ring. His family had moved to Wyoming from Spain about two months ago. He walked over to Jim and spoke with a heavy Spanish accent. "Hey faggot, this your new boyfriend?" "Leave them alone. Haven't you done enough damage already?" A boy sitting in back said. He had jet black hair that was slicked back. Joe turned around and saw the most beautiful blue eyes staring in his direction but only for a split second. His head whipped back towards Cheyenne as she let out a scream and started crying. Dusty ran over to Cheyenne as quickly as he could. The teacher told everyone to take their seat. Dusty didn't move from Cheyenne as he tried to find out what was wrong. "Mr. Bear, either have a seat or you're going to the principal's office." Mr. Blair said. "No offense, sir, but they moved Chey to this home room so that I could help take care of her in times like these." Dusty stated. "Last warning, either get in your seat now, or you will be talking to Mr. Duncan." Mr. Blair was coming off as a dick. 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 .