Date: Wed, 10 Dec 2014 22:14:53 -0500
From: Ronyx <ronyx@woh.rr.com>
Subject: Closing the Barn Door   Chapter 13

The following is a work of fiction. Any similarities to anyone are purely
coincidental. The story is intended for a mature audience. It may contain
profanity and references to gay sex. If this offends you, please leave and
find something more suitable to read. The author maintains all rights to
the story. Do not copy or use without written permission. Write
ronyx@themustardjar.com with your comments. Ronyx is a prolific Nifty
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Closing the Barn Door    Chapter 13


Brenda stood inside the living room as she waited on Neil to return from
his bedroom. It hadn't seemed like a week since she dropped him off at
Brian's home. She missed him, as did his little brother, Brett. Every night
when she tucked him in bed, he would ask when Neil would come home.

"Soon," she would assure him.

She had spent the week accepting Neil's sexuality. At first, it surprised
her. She had noticed little mannerisms as he grew older that Brian
exhibited. She would notice, for example, that Neil never seemed to look at
cute girls they would pass at the mall. Normally, she thought, a boy would
turn and stare.

However, Brian did the same thing. They would pass a beautiful woman, and
she would watch to see if he flirted with her. He never did. She considered
herself lucky because she just assumed that Brian was being faithful to
her. It never dawned on her that he didn't have an interest in women.

She was also aware that Neil didn't seem to want to have close connections
with his friends. He would spend all day outside playing with them, but
they rarely came home with him. Occasionally, Owen or Ned would spend the
night. However, Neil would often get up early in the morning and let them
sleep alone in his room. Now, after understanding what happened between
Neil and Owen, she understood why.

She felt a sense of sadness knowing that Neil had hidden his feelings deep
inside for so many years. `How awful,' she thought, `how alone he must be.'
She wondered if other gay boys felt the same way. `No wonder Jack had to
spend so many times with him in his closet. If he had only said something.'

But how would she have reacted if he had said something? She had spent
years trying to get rid of the shame she felt when Brian left her. It might
have been easier if he had left her for another woman. At least she would
have known how to fight back. As a result, she had been bitter for so many
years. If Neil had come out to her earlier, she might have rejected
him. She hoped that she would not have, but bitterness cuts deeply into the
soul.

It was only now that she was finally able to accept that things were what
they were. There was no way she could have prevented the things that
happened between her and Brian.

She smiled warmly when Neil entered the room carrying his backpack on his
shoulder. He seemed to have grown in a week. His appearance had changed. He
looked happier than she could recall him being the past few years.

"Hello, Sweetheart," she said as she hugged him and kissed his cheek. Tears
welled up in her eyes as she held him for a moment. She was only beginning
to realize how close she had come to losing him. A few days earlier, she
found the blue tie lying on the floor in his bedroom closet. She sobbed
with sorrow when she held it and looked at the knotted edges.

"Mom!" cried Neil as he pulled away. When he saw her tears, he gave her
another hug.

Just then, Brian and Dwight entered from the kitchen. He smiled at Neil and
asked, "Have you got everything, Sport?"

Neil tugged the backpack onto his shoulder. "I think so, Dad."

He walked over and hugged Neil. "Now, remember," he said. "I'm picking you
and Brett up next Saturday to go to the football game."

"Okay, Dad," responded Neil. He turned when he felt a pair of strong arms
wrap around him.

"You take care of yourself," said Dwight. "Can't have anything bad
happening to my son."

"I will," smiled Neil as he gave Dwight a hug. It surprised him when he
watched his mother walk over and kiss his father on the cheek. She
whispered something to him, but he couldn't make out what she said.

She turned, faced him and asked, "Ready?" He nodded and they headed for the
door.

* * * * * *

Lucas was lying asleep on his twin bed at his grandmother's house. He had
broken the window the night before and climbed into his room. The sun was
beginning to appear, so he knew it wouldn't be too long before she awoke.

He had spent the past two nights sleeping in an old car at the wrecking
yard. He had to be careful so that the guard dog that watched the premises
didn't see him and attack. He would watch it as it lay outside the office
door. He would wait about ten minutes to see if it moved. When it didn't,
he would creep through a hole in the fence and quietly make his way to the
wrecked Buick. He didn't open the door for fear that it would awaken the
dog. He would climb onto the back of the car and enter through the missing
back window. He would remain there until morning. The owner would usually
let the dog stay inside with him, so he was able to exit without worry.

The night before, he ran out of money that he made selling Ned's laptop
computer to a pawnshop. With his appetite, the fifty bucks only lasted two
days. He would buy fast food during the day, and then he would take soda
and snacks with him to the wrecking yard. By morning, he would usually be
starving.

He had few options. He couldn't, and wouldn't, stay with Uncle Raymond. He
had decided after the last time that he would never allow him to abuse him
again. He was big enough now to fend off his advances. However, he was
afraid that in doing so, he might harm him. With the rage he felt inside
him each time his uncle touched him, he knew that his wrath could cause him
to seriously injure his uncle. Then, he thought, he might end up in a
juvenile detention until he was twenty-one. He also feared that he could be
tried as an adult and then spend time in prison.

He could never tell anyone what his uncle had done to him. He was ashamed
that he had let it go on for so long. He reasoned that there was little he
could do when he was younger. However, he had been the size of a man for
the past few years. He would be ridiculed mercilessly. His friends might
wonder why he didn't do anything to stop the abuse. They might even suspect
that he liked it.

So he let it continue. He remained silent. And with each day, the rage
would become stronger. He had no way to fight the cruelty of his life. His
mother was in prison. His grandmother was an unloving and cold person who
felt her life was as cruel and unjust as his. His friends tolerated him
because he bullied them so that they would accept him.

Lucas hated himself, his life and everything that surrounded him. Such
elements make a boy dangerous.

He sat up in bed when he heard his grandmother stirring around in the
hallway. He stood and put his pants on. As he was tying his shoelaces, the
door to his bedroom opened.

His grandmother shouted, "What the hell you doing in here, Boy?"

"Listen, Granny," pleaded Lucas as he rushed over to her. "I need me a
place to sleep. Can't I stay here?"

She replied angrily, "You're supposed to be over at Raymond's. Does he know
you're here?"

"Yeah, yeah," said Lucas hurriedly. "I told him I was coming over here for
a few days."

She turned and started to walk away. "Maybe it's best I call him and see,"
she said.

Lucas rushed at her and grabbed her arm. "No, Granny," he continued to
plead. "Don't call Uncle Raymond."

Her eyes narrowed as she asked, "And why might that be? You done something
wrong?"

"No!" he tried to assure her. "It's just that...that...he's drunk." He
shook his head and added, "He'll be mighty upset if you wake him."

As she walked away, she muttered, "That's all that boy does. It's no wonder
you don't want to stay there."

Lucas smiled to himself. It sounded like his grandmother was reconsidering
sending him to live with his uncle. At least, she didn't kick him out of
the house. When he entered the kitchen, she was sitting at the table
sipping coffee from her mug.

She pointed at the cabinet. "Get me some oats, will you?"

"Sure, Granny," volunteered Lucas happily. He removed the oats from the
cupboard, walked over and put some water and oats in a pan on the
oven. Several minutes later, he was placing a bowl of steaming oats on the
table in front of her.

He took some cereal from the cupboard and prepared a quick breakfast. He
then sat down at the table. His grandmother took a sip of her coffee and
stared intently at her large grandson. She furrowed her eyebrows and asked,
"You back in school yet?"

"Yeah, Granny," he lied. "I'm doing good in school." He could lie because
he knew his grandmother would never check on him. She didn't care how he
did in school, just as long as he left in the morning.

She looked up at the clock on the wall and asked, "Shouldn't you be gitting
to school then?"

"Yeah, sure," replied Lucas as he stood and put his bowl in the
sink. Normally, he would have left it on the table for her to pick up. This
morning, however, he didn't want to upset her since she seemed to be in a
good mood.

"I better get to school," he said. Before walking out, he turned and said,
"I guess I'll see you when school lets out."

The old woman grunted and took a sip of coffee.

* * * * * *

As soon as Neil entered the house, Brett and Emily ran up and gave him a
big hug. Brett looked at his mother and whined, "The next time Neil gets to
go stay with Daddy, I want to go, too."

Brenda ruffled his hair and said, "We'll see."

Brett pouted, "That means no." He grabbed Neil's hand and pulled him
towards their bedroom. "Mommy bought me a fish aquarium. I want you to see
it."

When they entered the room, Neil noticed that his mother had rearranged the
room. The bunk beds were now twin beds across the room from one
another. She had also put in a small room divider to give them more
privacy. He thought that now he wouldn't have to wait until Brett was sound
asleep before he had to take care of things that boys his age have to take
care of at night.

A small fish tank glowed from atop Brett's dresser. "See," he said
excitedly as he pulled Neil towards the dresser. "I have five goldfish." He
frowned and added, "There were eight, but three died."

"Nice," remarked Neil as he knelt down and looked at the goldfish swimming
around inside the tank.

Brett gripped Neil's hand and led him over to his bed. When they sat, Brett
asked excitedly, "What is Daddy's house like? Mommy says he has a swimming
pool."

"He does," replied Neil. "He also has a golden retriever named Midas."

"Wow!" exclaimed Brett. "I hope I can go stay with him like you did."

Neil smiled and said, "You probably will someday."

Neil felt uncomfortable when his little brother asked, "How come you got to
go? Why weren't you in school?"

Neil was unsure just how much his mother had told Brett and Emily about
what had happened to him at school. Since Brett didn't seem to know, then
he assumed she hadn't said anything. He was worried that if he told him too
much, it might upset his mother.

"I got into a little trouble at school," he said.

"Did Mommy send you to Daddy's to punish you?" asked Brett.

Neil shrugged his shoulders and replied, "Sort of, I guess."

Brett giggled and said, "It doesn't sound like it if you got to go swimming
and play with a dog."

A serious look appeared on Brett's face. Neil almost fell off the bed when
he asked, "Is Daddy gay?"

Neil shrieked, "What! Who told you that?"

Brett looked over at the door, and then he leaned toward his older brother
and whispered, "I heard Mommy and Uncle Jack talking in the kitchen." He
giggled and said, "I hid behind the door." He looked at the door again and
whispered, "They said that Daddy is gay."

Neil looked at his little brother and asked, "What do you know about gay
people? You're too young to know about that."

Brett puffed out his chest and announced proudly, "I'm nine years old. I'm
not a little kid anymore. I know all about the sex stuff."

Neil looked at the door and said, "Shhhh! Mom is going to hear you." He
rose from the bed, crossed the room and closed the door.

When he sat back down, he turned to Brett and asked, "Just how much do you
know?"

Brett replied, "I know that being gay means you like other guys."

He looked up at Neil and asked, "Does Daddy like other guys?"

Neil was becoming very worried. "We better not be talking like this. You
should talk to Mommy." He tried to convince his little brother that some
things shouldn't be discussed.

When he finished, Brett grinned and asked, "So Daddy is gay?"

Brett rolled his eyes and said, "You're just not going to give up, are
you?"

Neil's heart stopped when Brett said, "I heard Mommy and Uncle Jack say
that you are gay, too." He looked into Neil's eyes and asked, "Are you?"

Neil rose from the bed and said, "I'm going down to the family room to
watch television."

Brett hurried across the room and grabbed his hand. "I'm not a little boy,"
he insisted. "I'm old enough to understand the truth." He grinned and again
announced proudly, "I know all about the sex stuff. Me and Frankie look at
the magazines his big brother hides under his bed."

Neil frowned and admonished his little brother, "You better quit looking at
nasty magazines."

Brett giggled and proudly stated, "It makes our dicks get hard." He then
frowned and said, "But we can't make the spam come out yet like the big
guys in the magazines."

Neil roared with laughter. "Spam?" He fell back on the bed. "Is that what
you call it?"

"Yeah," replied his little brother with a quizzical look. "That's what
Frankie says it is."

Neil sat up and informed Brett, "It's called sperm."

"Oh, okay," he replied. Neil's face reddened when Brett asked, "Why can't
we make sperm?"

Neil's voice cracked with embarrassment when he asked his little brother,
"I thought you knew all about the sex stuff?" Brett explained he knew about
sex, he just didn't know what the white stuff was.

"You'll make that when you get to be about my age," replied Neil. When he
saw Brett grin, he knew what was coming next.

"Can you do it?"

Neil rose from the bed again. "I'm going to the family room to watch
television."

Brett quickly grabbed his hand to stop him. "So are you gay?" he asked.

Neil knew he was experiencing one of those challenges that life tosses your
way occasionally. If he said he wasn't, Brett would probably accept his
answer. However, if he later did come out to his little brother, then he
might be disappointed that he hadn't trusted him now with the truth.

Neil sighed and sat back down on the bed. Brett sat and waited for him to
answer. "Okay," he said to his brother. "You have to promise me that you
won't tell Mommy or anyone else I told you this."

Brett giggled and crossed his heart with his fingers, "I won't tell," he
promised.

"Okay," sighed Neil. "I'm gay."

Brett grinned and replied, "Cool." He then grabbed Neil's hand and pulled
him to his feet.

"Let's go watch television," he said cheerfully as he pulled Neil from the
bedroom.

* * * * * *

Lucas was waiting on the sidewalk when school let out. He knew that since
he was suspended, he could be charged with trespassing if he was on the
school grounds. The last thing he wanted was another confrontation with the
police. He was already violating the term of his earlier release by not
staying with his uncle. If he got caught again, the judge might order him
to go back there.

He hid behind a tree until he saw Owen and Ned exit. As they walked to the
bus, he stepped out to greet them.

"Hi, Guys," he said cheerfully as he approached them.

Owen looked skeptically at Ned. He had no idea what Lucas might
want. Hesitantly, Ned replied, "What are you doing here? Aren't you
supposed to be suspended?"

Lucas glared at Ned. "It sounds like you're not too happy to see me," he
growled.

"No!" remarked Owen. He could tell that Lucas was getting ready to erupt as
he often did when he got upset. "We just wasn't expecting to see you, is
all."

Lucas stepped up and put his arms around both boys. As he tightened his
grip, he said, "What say we go get something to eat at the Burger Roost."

"I..I..don't know," stammered Ned. "Mom wants me to mow the yard when I get
home."

Lucas tightened his grip around his neck and replied, "That can wait. Ain't
it more important to be with your friend?"

"Yeah," responded Ned nervously as he leaned down and escaped Lucas's
grip. "But Mom will kill me if I don't come home right away." He looked
over at Owen with a frightened expression before hurrying away.

Lucas turned to Owen. "I guess it's just you and me then."

"Uh, uh," stammered Owen nervously. "I promised Ned I would help him." He
tore off down the sidewalk before Lucas could stop him.

Lucas watched them board the bus and take a seat by the window. When the
bus pulled away, he flipped them off and muttered, "Fucking pussies. I'll
get even with you."

* * * * * *

Neil and Brett were in the family room watching an old Teenage Mutant Ninja
Turtles movie. Brett had his head in Neil's lap. Neil suspected he had been
asleep for about fifteen minutes. He wanted to change the channel, but he
wasn't sure if Brett was watching the show.

Neil looked towards the door when his mother appeared. She was wearing a
blue dress he had never seen before. Her hair was styled, and she was
wearing make-up. He was used to seeing her go to work well dressed, but
never like she was now.

Brenda danced into the middle of the room, grabbed the hem of her dress,
lifted it and swirled around the room. Brett sat up and giggled. "Gee,
Mommy," he said, "You look beautiful."

Brenda stopped before the two astonished boys. "Thank you, Baby," she
smiled as she leaned down and kissed a giggling Brett on the forehead.

Neil looked admiringly at her and asked, "Are you winning some kind of an
award tonight?" Last year, she had been nominated as Farmersville's Woman
of the Year for her involvement in the small community. The winner,
however, turned out to be Mrs. Davenport, a local farmer who sold fresh
vegetables each Saturday at the Farmers' Market in the town square.

"No, Honey," she cooed as she leaned down and kissed Neil's forehead. She
smiled when he wiped the kiss away with his shirt sleeve. "I have a date
tonight."

Neil shouted, "A date!" Brett jumped from the sofa and embraced his mother.

"Yes, a date," she said as she gave Brett a hug. "It's about time I got out
of this house. You kids are old enough now for me to start enjoying life
again."

"But...but...," stammered Neil. "You can't go on a date."

Brenda put her hands on her hips and asked, "And why not?"

Neil stood and insisted, "Because you're our Mom!"

"Nonsense," exclaimed Brenda as she grabbed the hem of her dress and danced
around the room. Brett giggled, grabbed her hands and attempted to dance
with her.

She stopped in front of Neil and replied, "I'm a healthy, vibrant woman,
and I need a man."

Neil grabbed his ears and shouted, "Ew, that's gross!"

Brenda smiled and said jokingly, "I'm going to say the same thing the first
time you go out on a date with a boy."

After realizing what she said, she looked over at Brett. She knew instantly
she had outed Neil to his little brother. Brett giggled and responded with
a laugh, "It's okay, Mommy. I know Neil is gay."

She gave Neil a puzzled look and asked, "He does?"

Neil smiled and shrugged his shoulders. "We kind of had a talk. He made me
tell him."

Brenda asked worriedly, "Don't you think he's a little too young for you to
be talking about things like that?"

Brett stood defiantly in front of her and announced proudly, "I'm nine
years old. I know what gay is. I know all about the sex...." He didn't get
to finish because Neil hurried over to his little brother and covered his
mouth with his hand.

"It's okay, Mom," he assured his mother. "Brett can handle it."

Brenda responded as she sat down on the sofa, "I certainly hope so."

Neil and Brett sat on the sofa beside her. Neil asked, "Now, who are you
going out on a date with?"

Before she could answer, the doorbell rang. Brenda jumped up from the sofa
and hurried to the front door. A minute later, she returned with a tall man
wearing a dark blue suit and tie.

Neil gasped when he saw him. "Mr. Collins?"

* * * * * *

This story can also be found at my personal website: www.themustardjar.com

Send comments to: ronyx@themustardjar.com