Date: Mon, 22 Feb 2010 01:31:10 -0500
From: jacobmillertex@aol.com
Subject: Jacob Finding His Way: Chapter 19

{Jacob Finding His Way is based on mostly true events in my life. To keep
the story interesting to the readers, some events now in the story are
fiction. As I am writing this story, I am above the age of 21. Any
similarity to any other events, names, or life events is purely
accidental. If you are a under age, (according to your state laws as a
minor), if this literature is offensive to you or to anyone around your
viewing area, or it is illegal for you to view such content where you are
reading it, stop reading the story.  This story can not be distributed in
any way, shape or form without my expressed consent.

Give three cheers to my editor!  He volunteers his time and talents and is
happy to remain in the background. Perhaps, one day, he will put in some
Editor's remarks for the readers. Would you like to hear from him as well ?
I can tell you, he is a very engaging character !

He loves seeing all your e-mails with comments, both positive and
critical. Like me, he ignores gratuitous flames.  So, when you e-mail, say
"Hi" to Daddy Rick if you feel the urge.}


Written by J.P.G.


		Chapter 19


(JOEY'S POINT OF VIEW)

When I walked out of the house, I couldn't believe what happened. I never
meant for Jacob to find out about me and David. I was in a bad spot at the
time, and David came in, and then it just happened.

When the guys came over last night, I told them no at first. I should have
stuck to my guns on it. I should have never allowed it to go this far. I
know I have been putting the friendship I have with David and Tom over my
relationship with Jacob.

I was only recording them, and that was is it. I love Jacob so much I don't
want to hurt him. But I did last night. The hurt and anger I saw in his
face and in his actions last night I couldn't get out of my head. It looked
like he died inside.

Then this morning he just let it all out. When I made it down stairs
hearing the noise coming from the den area. I couldn't believe my eyes when
I walked in. Jacob was on top of Tom and just laying into him. I looked
around to find David, and found him down in the corner of the den.

Jacob was and is still very angry. He isn't going to ever forgive David and
maybe even me this time! My blood ran cold as I contemplated the whole
situation. As I was walking, I heard a horn beeping. At first I didn't even
turn around to see who it was that was honking. Finally I just turned
around to see who was making all that noise with their car horn. I saw it
was David and Tom driving right behind me. At first I just minded my own
business and kept walking. Then they parked their car in the gas station
and got out running up to me.

"Joey, my man, please talk to me, please!"

"David, I just can't talk to you guys anymore."

"Just tell me what is going through Jakes mind right now. I know he flipped
out and the proof is on my face. I never in my wildest dreams thought that
Jake would fight with me like he did this morning!"

"I am to blame for what happened at the house. I should have stuck to my
guns and never allowed you guys to have sex in our room. Damn what in the
hell was I thinking? That bed is Jake's and mine. It was wrong and I KNEW
it! I allowed you two to have sex in our bed. Damn, was I stupid for doing
that. From Jake's reactions to sleeping in my aunt and uncle's bed, I KNEW
he'd freak over you two having sex on our bed; and I let it happen anyway."

"I know Joey; all three of us are wrong here. What I need to know is Jake
going to cool down where we can get back to normal?"

"David, to tell you the truth, I don't even know if I am going to be able
to stay in that house after last night. I really believe we screwed this up
so bad, the friendship you had with Jacob is gone. My relationship with him
might be over as well."

"How about us Joey? Are we still friends, man?"

"If Jacob ends the friendship between you two, I will stay at his
side. Which means our friendship is over too. I know for a fact we cannot
be friends as of now! As you said he left the proof on your face."

"Come on Joey, talk to Jake and get him to settle down. He needs to cool
down where he can see every thing clearly. I never wanted to loose his
friendship."

"I know David, but I have to fix me and Jake first. Then if he wants, you
guys can work things out." I said with conviction.

"Do you think that Jacob will ever give us a chance to be friends again
Joey?"

"I don't know right now. I never thought I would see the day Jake would be
so angry with me he would grab something from my hand and break it. He
couldn't even stand the mattress that was in our room being there. He
actually threw it out the window, and in doing so, he broke the window
pane. Then the fight he had with you two this morning, I would never
thought he would get that angry."

David and Tom stayed quiet as I reached the gate to the ROTC building. They
looked like they were in the NFL, having played football without the pads
on. We said our goodbyes and I headed to practice.

(JACOB'S POINT OF VIEW)

I just looked out through the open window with tears rolling down my
cheeks. I was pressing the broken glass into my skin, which it already
broken through. Blood started leaking to the carpet. I didn't even notice I
was bleeding.

I was in my own little world thinking to myself on how much I loved
Joey. How I would do anything for him. But it seems all that he does for me
is hurt me over and over again. I kept wondering why he just couldn't love
me as I loved him?

I was about to finish the job of cutting my wrist when there was a knock on
the door. Once I heard the knock, I dropped the glass and wiped my face. I
heard through the door Chase talking.

"Hey bud do you need any help in there?"

I went over and unlocked the door to the room. Chase was standing there
with a worried look in his face. As he looked at my face he glanced down to
my wrist.

"Hey Jake it looks like you cut yourself my friend! Are you ok? It is
bleeding!"

I looked at my wrist, not even noticing that it was bleeding before. I just
pulled my wrist to my shirt and covered it up.

"I must have cut while I was fighting with those jerks man. I didn't even
know I was bleeding until you told me I was!"

"Wow that is hard to believe you didn't even notice you cut yourself
there!"

"I never got into a fight like that in my life. I think I was so much into
the fight, I didn't even notice I had cut myself."

I walked into the bathroom and started washing my wrist off and then
covered it with a towel. After I made my way back into the bedroom, Chase
was looking around.

"Where is the mattress to your guys' bed? I know I saw it here yesterday
when you gave me the tour of the house."

"I kind of threw the thing out the window last night! I was angry with Joey
last night, so I threw the mattress out the window."

"That explains all the broken glass all over the floor here. Look Jake, I
know something happened here last night between you, Joey, and those other
two guys, David and Tom. Whenever you want to talk about it, I am here for
you. It sure looks like you could use a friend right now."


(CHASE'S POINT OF VIEW)

Jacob and I cleaned up his room. He called Baker Glass to come and replace
the window that was broken. I was worried for Jacob. That cut on his wrist
wasn't from the fight this morning with those guys. I also knew it couldn't
have come from picking up the glass on the floor; not with where the cut
was on his wrist.

He also looked beaten, as if he is the walking dead. He goes through the
motions, but you could see he really wasn't with it at all. He talked with
me while we were cleaning, but it was just answering questions I asked
him. Other than that, he stayed quiet through the most of the day as we
cleaned.

When the guy from Baker Glass showed up, Jacob took him up stairs. I stayed
down stairs in the den just thinking about what may have happened with him
and Joey.

I know it had to do with Joey and those other two guys from last night. I
thought it was weird that when they got here that they only talked to Joey
and not Jacob. I thought that guy David was Jacob's friend first, not
Joey's.

Then Jacob heard some noise coming form upstairs. I think he thought that
Joey was hurt or something. He went running upstairs, and then all hell
broke loose. I stayed down in the game room. I knew it was none of my
business.

Now it is my business when my good friend was thinking of taking his own
life. I know he was going to slit his wrist. If I hadn't knocked on the
door right then and there, I could have found Jacob in a pool of his own
blood and dead.

This guy has won so many battles in the last couple of years. From people
trying to kill him with guns and knives, to cancer! Also, the beatings on
top of all the rest of the things were thrown at Jacob in his life so
far. To lose him to his taking his own life; would have sucked. As I was
just sitting there thinking when Joey walked in.

I walked over to Joey and asked to speak with him. I knew that Jacob is
still busy with the Baker Glass guy upstairs. It looks like they had to
replace the entire window and pane. We walked into the den and I started.

"Joey what ever happened with you and Jacob isn't any of my business. He
didn't tell me what happened and I am not going to ask you or him."

"Thank you Chase, this never happens in our house. I am sorry it happened
the first night you were here."

"Look I don't care it happened the first night I was here or the hundredth
night I am here. The point that I am talking to you about is Jacob. What
ever happened hurt him really badly. He is walking around here as if he is
the walking dead.

This morning he headed upstairs to clean the mess in your guys' room. He
hadn't come down for awhile and I didn't hear any noise going on up
there. I know you guys have an older house that the walls are not made out
of paper. Still though, I should have heard some kind of noise of cleaning
coming from your room.

I didn't hear anything so I got worried. I walked up there and knocked on
the door. He opened it up and was trying to hide that he had been crying
and that he was hurting inside. I know he was hurt, but what I saw I didn't
like. It looked like when I knocked on the door, Jacob was starting to slit
his wrist."

Joey's eyes were wide as hell. His mouth hanged open with a stunned look in
his face.

"Look I am not telling you this for you to go up there and give him the
third degree. I asked him why he was bleeding, he explained it away. I left
it like that. Please do not go up there now or tonight and ask him what he
tried to do.

I wasn't in that room, so I am not absolutely sure one hundred percent sure
he was going to slit his wrist. But, come on man, that cut and where it
was. Then I saw a piece of glass on the carpet with wet blood on it. It
told the whole story."

"So what do you think I should do Chase? Leave and let him figure out what
he wants to do."

"No, do NOT do that! Jeeze, that is the exact wrong thing to do right
now. Again I don't know what happened last night, but just stay at his
side. I know Jacob and he will work through his demons. We just need to be
here for support. Don't do anything foolish right now!"

We stayed quiet for a few minutes. Then we heard Jake's voice talking to
the installer from Baker Glass. He was thanking him and walking with him to
the door.

After I heard the front door close, Jake walked into the den and saw Joey
sitting with me. He first looked at me and then over to Joey.

(JACOB'S POINT OF VIEW)

As Burt finished up with the window in the master bedroom, I paid him in
cash for the work he had done. I walked him down stairs and thanked him for
the work he did. I shook his hand as he walked out the door. I walked over
to the den and saw Joey sitting with Chase.

"Hey guys what do you say we catch a bus to Mesa Ford and see what kind of
cars they have on the lot? We need our own car. This depending on others
for transportation is getting old" I said, glad I had something other than
recent events to talk about.

They just looked at each other then over to me.

Joey spoke up first; "I don't see why we can't. There's only one small
problem I can see. Won't they ask us for a driver's license? Neither of us
have one Jake."

"You nor I have one, but Chase here does. What do you say, Chase-man, do
you want to go out with us and buy a car?" I asked.

"Sure dude, let's do it. First though, we should drag in that mattress in
from the back yard."

I looked at him then just sighed and walked out the back door. When Joey
and Chase got outside to help bring in the mattress, I already had it
up. Joey held open the door as Chase and I carried it in. As we were taking
up the stairs, I told Chase that we will be putting our bed into his room.

When we dropped the mattress off in Chase's room, Joey was just looking at
me.

"Don't worry, Joey! We need a bed in this room now anyway. We will go out
tomorrow and buy us another bedroom set and let Chase have this one. We can
go ahead and finish buying the rest of the furniture for the house also."

Joey smiled a sigh of relief when I told him that. We walked back down the
stairs and out the door. When we made it to the bus stop, we figured out
the bus had just come by. We figured the walk to the dealership was maybe a
twenty minute walk. The buses come every thirty minutes. So we decided to
walk to Mesa Ford.

When we got to the dealership, we started looking at the cars. The whole
time of the walk, we didn't speak at all about the events of last night or
this morning. We went on about cars and what we were looking for in the car
we wanted to buy.

At first when we arrived at the dealership, I didn't see anything I liked
at all. I didn't want a granny car like a LTD or a Taurus, but at the same
time I knew if we bought the Mustang, it would cost us out the butt in
insurance. So we kept looking around and just gave up. We probably would
have stayed had a sales person would have given us the time of day. I think
they saw a group of kids, so there was no sale with us in their minds.

So we decided to go down the street of couple of blocks to Plaza
Chevrolet. When we walked on the lot and started looking, I saw a couple
cars I liked. First, of course, was the Camero. Man, I like that car. The
only problem with that car is, again, it is a sports car. The insurance
alone would eat me alive. Then we looked at the Monte Carlo. I love that
car.

As we were looking around, a sales rep came walking up to us.

"Good afternoon, gentlemen. I'm Scott. Are you guys in the market on buying
a new car today?" he inquired.

We looked at the guy; a fairly young man. He was maybe in his mid twenty's,
short black hair, Hispanic, with a suit on. He looked like he wasn't having
a good day at all.

"So, Scott, how are the cars moving today?" I asked.

"Not good, I had a couple of customers, but they didn't get past the credit
check. So who here is looking at a new car?"

"We all are doing the looking but we are really just looking right now."

"Do you think the bank won't finance you guys? It is simple, as long as you
have a job, I can get you on with the first time buyers' program."

"No we are not working currently. We are going to high school right now."

He just looked at us with a weird look on his face. It was like; why are
you even looking at cars if you don't have the means to pay for it?

"But if we do buy a car we will be paying for it cash. So no bank is
needed!" I said.

"Then that is a whole different story. We can get you a deal on any car on
this lot right now. We need to move these models out and make room for the
new models that are already coming in" Scott said with a bit more
enthusiasm.

We kept looking at different cars, and the Scott just followed us
around. Whenever any of us had a question about a car, he answered it.

Finally we decided on three cars on the lot. Of course two of them were a
Camero's. The only difference between the two was t-tops on one and the
other was a convertible. The other difference was the color, one red and
the other midnight blue.

The other car was a Monte Carlo. It was a weird color, like a grey with
some kind a glitter.

When we pointed out the three cars, Scott told us that the Monte Carlo
wasn't going to be made any more. They were having problems with them at
the time. So they decided to stop making them all together.

With that bit of information, we went against the Monte Carlo. We had to
decide between the Camero's we liked. Finally after talking a while, we
decided on the blue t-top one. The rag top on the convertible sometimes
goes bad, and as well it could be broken into much more easily.

We walked into the show room to start the paper work. Chase was taken out
with Scott to test drive the car. When he came back, he told us the car
drove awesome. Shortly after Chase sat down Scott walked back over to us.

"Ok guy's first thing is first. We need to get you a good price on this
car. Then we will go from there. So let me go up to the manager and see
what he is willing to do for us on the price of the car."

He left and we just sat there quietly. Joey reached over to squeeze my
hand. At first I jumped, but I let him. I wanted Joey so bad, I will
forgive him almost anything. This was some situation I was stuck
in...stuck, right in the middle and no clear cut solutions visible.

Scott, followed by another man, walked back to where we were sitting.

"Jacob, Joey and Chase, this is my manager Phil. He will be taking over
from here on out on this deal."

"May I ask why you are not going to finish up with us?" I inquired.

"When it becomes a cash deal, the manager closes those sales, Jake."

"Ok, as long as you will be getting the credit for the sale if we do buy
the car." I stated firmly.

"Oh yes I will get complete credit for the sale. Thank you for considering
that, Jake."

He walked off and Phil sat down. He looked like he didn't trust us at
all. I think he saw a couple of kids trying to pull the wool over their
eyes.

"So you guys say you are going to be paying for the vehicle with cash?"

Chase hit me on my side and leaned his head for me to look out the
window. I turned around and saw that the car was being moved back out to
the lot.

"Why is the car we are looking at being moved back to the lot, Phil?" I
asked.

"Let me tell you guys the truth, I really do not think you are here to buy
a car. I think this is some kind of prank, and I won't stand for it. So let
me say this, you guys should get up and leave right now before you get
yourselves into trouble."

"Phil, you know what? I feel the need to speak with your boss, please" I
said in a calm but very no-nonsense manner staring the man down.

"I am the general manager of the dealership. There is no one higher then me
except the owner himself."

"Is that the guy we see in the commercials on television Phil?"

"That is him, Mr. Matteson himself."

Right then the owner was actually at the front desk talking to our sales
rep, Scott. I got up and walked over to him. I tapped him on the shoulder,
and he turned around.

"Mr. Matteson, excuse me for disturbing you sir, but your general manager,
Phil doesn't seem to want to sell us a car. I thought this was dealership
where you can come and buy a car."

I was getting louder as I was talking to the owner. I wanted to be heard by
every customer on their floor. The owner just looked at me and waved me
back to the table where the manager and my guys were still sitting.

"Sorry sir, if we upset you in anyway. It is very unusual for anyone to
walk in and say they have cash to buy the vehicle outright: More so,
teenagers who are still in high school."

"Can I use this phone please?"

He looked at me and shook his head in the affirmative. I picked up the
receiver and dialed my bank. I put the phone on speaker where they could
hear the call as well. As I went through the recorded prompts until I got a
live representative.

I gave her my name and account number. She remembered me. I figure she must
always answer the phone. I told her what was going on and where I was at.

"Is the salesman there with you Mr. Hernandez?"

"No ma'am, the dealership manager and owner are here with me."

"Ok then, do you give me permission to be talking about your accounts with
them listening Mr. Hernandez?"

"Yes ma'am I do. I need to know what my balance is in the account I just
gave you."

"Ok Mr. Hernandez, right now the balance to this account is eight million,
nine hundred and fifty six thousand, two hundred and forty dollars with
sixteen cents Mr. Hernandez."

"Thank you ma'am and that is all I needed today!"

I hung up the phone and looked at the manager and then the owner. I looked
over to Joey and Chase and waved my head for us to go. As we started to
walk out, the owner stopped us at the door.

"Mr. Hernandez I am very sorry for the way we treated you and your
friends. We do want to sell you a car, sir."

"Mr. Matteson you embarrassed me and my friends and treated us like common
thieves. No matter what kind of person walks through this door, you and all
of your staff should treat them with respect and never think negative of
them. You and your staff are guilty of a type of prejudice by prequalifying
a potential customer without the benefit of facts to back your
assumptions."

I was talking loud again so where any one in ear shot could hear me. The
owner was red in his face and just stood there for a moment. He turned to
the manager and whispered something in his ear. Then the manger whispered
something back into his ear.

"Mr. Hernandez I can go ahead and drop off not only the three thousand
dollar rebate that is already being given on the car, I will go ahead and
drop off another four thousand if you buy your car here today."

I looked at the guys and then back at Mr. Matteson.

"Ok then let's make a deal then. Please pull the car back off the lot."

He directed the salesman to do so as we walked in. We sat back down at the
table where we were before and Phil joined us with the owner. I turned to
the owner:

"I do not want to have anything to do with Phil here. Send us someone else
or to your finance office to finish the deal. I just don't want to be
sitting at the same table with this man."

The owner told Phil something in his ear then he left. Shortly after Phil
left the owner followed. Soon after that, the sales rep, Scott came back to
the table.

"I can't believe you thought we were pulling you leg on this!" I said to
Scott.

"I am sorry Jacob, it is just usual for teens to walk in here and be buying
a car with cash."

"Well Scott, I don't like people who back stab me. That is what you did, so
go ahead and leave and join your manager. You guys make a perfect lying
team."

The salesman got up and headed back outside. Joey looked at me and then
spoke; "Don't you think you were harsh with the guy? It does look weird for
us to have the money we have to buy the car, Jake."

"Joey" I said; "do not tell me any more that I am being too rough with or
not nice to people. I have been way too nice with people, and that is why I
keep getting run over. He deserved the way I talked to him and no, it
shouldn't look weird that we would have the money to buy a car straight
out. That young salesman, his manager and the owner of this dealership have
all learned an important lesson today. I was very happy to be their
teacher."

Joey just looked away, but he knew it was the truth. I knew there was
something going on with David and Tom and my Joey. Still I believed in my
Joey that, other than taking the video, nothing was going on with him
sexually. He had let those fuckers come down and screw in my house on my
bed. No more of this shit! No more Mr. Nice Guy anymore. I will say it how
it is from now on. I just figured out that if I want to be happy, I have to
take control of my environment. If I don't manage things, everything and
everybody will take advantage of me. Something told me I'd come to a very
valuable realization at a tender, young age. I also thought; now, being a
man of considerable means, that I cannot afford to have others take
advantage of me.

About fifteen minutes later a balding older gentleman with a full beard
came walking to us. He introduced himself as the finance manager and took
us to his office. Once we were in his office he sat down behind his desk
and started talking.

"Well this going to be an easy deal for me today. There's not a lot of
paper to fill out and print. The bank paper work takes time to explain and
fill out. I will explain to you guys about the warranty the car has. Then
we will fill that paper work out along with the bill of sale."

We were only in his office for about twenty minutes. During that time, the
manager sent the car to get detailed and get a full tank of gas. As soon as
we finished up the paperwork, he walked us out to the car.

"Usually the salesman walks you to your new car, but I understand you are
not to happy with the salesman you had."

"No, he was good and should get the credit for the sale. He did sell us the
car, just when it came down to us paying cash for the car, he didn't
believe us."

"No problem, he will get the credit for the sale. He really needs the
credit right now. Here are the keys to your new car, both sets, and
enjoy. We will call you when your plates are in. In the mean to time, the
paper plate is valid for forty five days."

"Thank you, sir, and you have a good evening"

We got into the car, with Chase at the wheel. They didn't ask for any proof
of insurance or a driver's license. Still we didn't want to take any
chances.

I was pretty happy with the car we just bought. I told Chase to head on
down to Wal-Mart where we could get the stuff he needed. We got Chase
everything he needed except for a pair of shoes. He didn't like any of the
shoes that were there. I told him we'd go to the mall and buy him shoes
tomorrow. We put our food stop for last. We still needed to buy another
bedroom set.

We landed up at New Deal Furniture and got the rest of the furniture for
the remaining rooms we needed to furnish. Since we paid cash for the
furniture, they held over their delivery crew to get the furniture
delivered today.

I asked Chase to drop me off at the house where I could move the furniture
that is in Joey's and my room out to his room and be there for the new
furniture. They needed to get some food for the house. Everything was empty
and that isn't good at all.

"Joey how much money do you think you need to buy the food we need for the
house?"

"Don't worry about it babe, I will go ahead and pay for it out of my
account. You have been spending enough through your account. When I get
back home, we need to figure how much I owe you for all stuff we have been
buying."

"Don't worry about it Joey, what's mine is yours!"

"I know, but it is only fair that we keep things balanced. That is just
good business. You have been putting my name on everything. So it is just
right that I pay my part as well."

I just waved them off and they headed out. I went in the house getting
ready to move the furniture around when I heard a knock on the front
door. I went over and answered the door, to my surprise it was David at the
door.

(DAVID'S POINT OF VIEW)

After talking with Joey, I needed to speak with Jake. I didn't want to
loose his friendship. I still don't know what to tell him except how sorry
I am and try to explain to him what was going through my mind at the time.

I went down to his and Joey's house and they were not there. I thought
maybe they went to the old house so I went down there next. They were not
there as well. I decided to go back to the new house and wait it out.

 I was just sitting there waiting for them to come home. I kept looking at
both sides of the street to see which side they were walking on. Then I saw
this new Camero coming down the street. It stopped in front of their house
and Jacob got out. He was talking with Joey and then the car took off and
Jacob went inside the house.

I got out of the car and walked up to the front door. I was really nervous
just standing there. I don't know how I will take it if he actually
answered the door. I knocked once, and then the door opened. I didn't say
anything as Jacob was just looking at me.

"What is it you need David? Joey isn't here."

"I am not here to see Joey I am here to speak with you Jake!"

I stuttered as I was talking to Jake. I waited to see what Jake was going
to say or do next. I really expected that he would just slam the door on my
face. He didn't though, he invited me and we sat in the den.

Once we were in the den, he looked at the clock and got back up.

"Follow me if you want to speak with me" Jacob said, rather curtly.

 I shook my head and we went upstairs. We got to his and Joey's room. He
walked in and grabbed an end table. I just sat there watching him move the
furniture out of their room into one of the other rooms. I started
wondering what was going on.

I helped him with the big dresser with the mirror and moved it into the
other room. Then we moved the bed frame and head board. We had it all moved
into the other room. We didn't say a word to each other the whole time. I
was afraid to speak up because we were carrying heavy furniture. I didn't
want him to toss anything at me.

Right when we put the mattresses on the bed the door bell rang. I followed
Jake downstairs. While he answered the door and talked to who ever was
there, I just stood in the hallway. Then the door opened wide as some new
furniture was being moved in.

Jake explained to them where he wanted each set of furniture set up
at. After he finished talking to the delivery men, we went back to the
den. I sat down on one of the chairs and Jake sat on the other. He just
looked at me, so I figure I had better start talking.

"Jake I really don't know what to say to you. I screwed up again and I will
understand if you hate me. Just please let me try to explain what I did."

Jake just sat there with a blank look on his face. He didn't say a word or
budge an inch.

"Jake please, talk to me! Look, what I did with Tom and Joey was wrong. You
must understand; first Joey wasn't doing anything with us. He was only
recording me and Tom while we were having sex. You ..."

Jake stopped me there as I was speaking; "David, don't tell me Joey didn't
do anything with you, or you and Tom. He already told me he did. It wasn't
in this house, but still, just the same, he did. How can I believe a word
that comes out of his mouth or yours? If he cheated on me in the old house,
what's stopping him from cheating on me in this house?" I asked with
obvious frustration.

"Jake, he is telling you the truth. I know you don't believe me or him, but
we are telling the truth. We did something very stupid when you first
left. I almost lost Tom for that same stupid mistake. I am still working on
repairing our relationship from that."

"You guys never thought it was wrong to be doing what you were doing in
this house in my room? Didn't any of you think, even once, what you were
doing was wrong?"

"We did, honestly we did Jake. Then we just got into the love making and
never looked back on it."

"I can not even look at the furniture in that room without thinking about
what you guys did. Fine, I do believe Joey wasn't involved in the sex that
night. What is pissing me off more than anything is that this house has
four other bedrooms for you guys to have sex in. Why did you choose my
room? I never once told you or Tom that you could not come over here and
have sex. In fact I am the one that offered for you guys to do so knowing
that you don't have a place of your own for privacy. And last night is how
I get repaid for my caring and consideration of you two and your
relationship?" I said, pressing my points.

David responded with direct eye contact; "What we did was wrong. I knew
that then and know it even more strongly now. We all knew it wasn't
right. I won't make any excuses for that. However, I also believe that it
isn't worth throwing away our friendship over it."

"You really don't believe that do you? Let me get one point clear. You
don't have a say in that matter anymore, about our friendship and where it
is going in the future, if anywhere at all!" I said with firm conviction
that left no room for discussion.

"I know that too, Jake. What I am hoping for at least, is for you give us a
chance to rebuild the friendship. I promise this time it will be
different. You are my friend. I met Joey through you. Still though, you are
the glue that brought us together."

Jacob just sat there and not saying a word at first. He then moved from the
chair to the couch. He looked at me and then spoke.

"Look, I keep giving everyone the benefit of the doubt. I am the one that
keeps getting screwed here, no one else. I am tired of it all. I do not
know where my relationship with Joey is going to go as of now! If you want
an answer right now as far as a friendship between you and me is possible,
at this moment I would say `no'. David, there has been a serious breach of
trust and respect TWICE now. How can you reasonably expect me to even be
sitting here talking with you after last night?

 I still don't know to what extent you and Joey are involved, relationship
wise. All I know is that I can only try to fix one thing at a time. For
that reason, I am going to try to fix my relationship with Joey first and
foremost, if I can. If you want to have a chance for any sort of friendship
with me in the future, you will respect my thoughts and feelings. You will
step back and give me the time and space to take care of what's most
important to me first."

"Jake I do understand everything you are saying. I just do not want to lose
this friendship. I can not stand the thought of you hating me. I just want
know there is a chance we can fix this between us."

"David let's just say for now we can try to rebuild our friendship after I
get things figured out and settled with Joey. I don't want you and Tom here
for any other reason than to hang. What you guys did, sex, is out of the
question for you guys in this house. If I even see once or even think there
is something going on with you and Joey, and that is it for not only you,
but Joey as well.

So once again, and be honest with me, are you sure there isn't anything
going on between you and Joey? What I mean by that is a relationship; any
kind of relationship except friendship; but anything more than that. Again,
I caution you to be honest."

I just sat there staring at Jake wondering why he thinks me and Joey have
something going on between the two of us. In the entire time I have known
Joey, we only hooked up twice. Both of those times I believed Joey and Jake
were not together. So I knew I wasn't doing anything wrong as far as Jake's
friendship.

"I am sure. Jake, there isn't anything going on between me and Joey. That
is why I can take this deal and know it won't be broken."

Jake got up and came to me. He held out his hand for me to shake it. I
shook it and walked out the door. I looked back at Jake as he was shutting
his front door. He still looked hurt, but I didn't want to say anything
else. At least I got a positive answer this time. I also knew that I was
going to have to be VERY careful to be sure that nothing happens that will
give Jake a moment of doubt. Things are very fragile right now, and for
good reason on Jake's part.

(JACOB'S POINT OF VIEW)

When I was done talking with David I walked upstairs to see how far the
movers had gotten with the furniture. They already had all the rooms set up
and were still working on the last one. They still had to move in the
furniture and set it up in the rooms downstairs.

I heard Joey and Chase call for me from downstairs. I went down to help put
away the stuff they bought. I couldn't believe all the food that was
bought. It took us a good thirty minutes to get it all put away.

Once we were done. Chase took his stuff upstairs to put it all away. Joey
followed him up the stairs. I just sat in the den looking over the mail
that had come in.

When I got to the bottom of the stack, I found what I was waiting for, for
over a week now. I looked at it the huge envelope from Sun Travel. At first
I didn't want to open it, but I decided I needed to.

When I opened the package the traveling package was there. The plane
tickets were in the first folder. Then the reservations to the hotel rooms
and the passes to the parks were in a separate folder in the envelope.

A couple of months ago I decided to surprise Joey with a vacation to Disney
World in Florida. He never has gone anywhere for a vacation in his life. I
figured to surprise him with one of the greatest vacations a person could
have. Plus I never been anywhere for vacation except back home. I also
bought two other tickets for David and Tom to come with us. I was paying
for the whole thing.

I just sat there in the den thinking what I was going to do with this
vacation package now. The movers brought me out of my thoughts. I put the
packet in my desk in the den and walked out to see what the movers needed.

They were done with all the rooms and wanted someone to inspect the work
before they left. I walked from room to room and looked over the
furniture. I found a few scratches on the furniture that weren't there
before. They promised they will set up another appointment to get those
scratches fixed.

After checking all the furniture I signed the invoice and they headed
out. The rest of the evening was quiet one in front of the television.

The next morning we woke up and actually had our first complete real
breakfast in our new house. After breakfast I went down to the game room to
work out a little. Joey moved in some weights into the room off the game
room. Nothing big, just good enough for the two of us. I normally don't
work out with weights, but I needed to do something physical to help me
work out a few things weighing on my mind.

After working out I called up Sun Travel and spoke with my agent. I wanted
to find out if I could change the tickets and hotel over to another
person. My agent told me no, it was too late to do that. I asked if I could
book another person on the package. That it was fine. So I added Chase on
the vacation. I thanked her and hung up.

I had his ticket and passes to Disney World over-night expressed to me so I
knew I had the ticket in my hand. I went back up stairs looking for the
guys. Chase was in his room and Joey was in ours. I first walked into our
room to talk with Joey.

"Hey Joey, are you going to go to practice today?"

"Yes I am. You know Major Moore was asking for you yesterday. I told him
you had a couple of things to take care of."

"Thanks for that Joey. I'll try to get there tomorrow for practice. I still
don't see why he needs me to be there for practice when I am not part of
the actual teams."

"Could you at least walk with me to practice today? Major Moore needs to
talk with you and me."

"Fine: I will do that then."

We got ready to head out. I told Chase that I will be right back as we were
walking out the door.

As we were walking to the school, Joey and I really didn't say much to one
another. I really don't know how to handle what is going on between me and
Joey.

When we walked into the building, Major Moore pulled Joey and me into his
office. Then Sergeant Haney followed.

"Ok guy's there is a couple of things I need to talk with you about. First
I know the rumor is floating around about our Rifle Team Captain moving
away. The rumor is true! Sgt. Haney has put your name in for the spot,
Joey. I agreed with his recommendation for you to be this year's Rifle Team
Commander.

I went ahead and placed the paper work in to the DAI for your promotion to
Captain. He already signed off on it, Joey. Congratulations on your
promotion in rank and position."

Joey was happy and shook Major Moore's hand and Sgt. Haney's as well. Joey
then stepped back in line with me in the middle of the room waiting for
Major Moore to continue.

"The reason I needed you here Jacob, was for you to know this information
and pull out the name of the other cadet that was getting the promotion to
Rifle Team Commander and replace it with Joey's."

"That is fine sure. I will go ahead and take care of that. The paper
doesn't go out until the third week of school."

"I know that, but I know you are already working on the articles for the
first edition of the upcoming school year. Also when you print the
promotion list, you need to add to the list this cadet from the Drill Team
getting a promotion to 2nd Lieutenant. Please make sure Joey's name isn't
in there twice for the promotion."

"I will take care of that as well. Is there anything else you need from me
today sir?"

"Yes please stay for a few minutes."

Sergeant Haney and Joey left the office leaving me alone with Major Moore.

"Jacob, please understand the reason why I did the promotions the way I
did. I know you thought you might get one of the promotions. I need to take
care of my cadets that are on my Drill Team and Rifle Team. Then I promote
other cadets after that."

"Major Moore, I knew you promoted your team members above all other
cadets. I have my own thoughts on that, but I will keep them to myself.

You are going to promote a cadet that is going to be a tenth grader to 2nd
Lieutenant. This cadet's attendance last year was worse then mine! That is
as far as attendance goes. He did loose credits due to his
attendance. Also, he really doesn't show much as leadership in my opinion.

But this is your unit not mine, so I have no place to talk. What I can say
is the excuse you gave me why you didn't promote me last year is bull. Now
you promoted this cadet, which has attendance issue as well. That issue was
him just ditching class not for any other reason than that."

I looked at Major Moore and he didn't say a word to me. All he did was just
sit there.

"If that is all Major Moore, may I leave, Sir?"

"Yes Jacob you're dismissed."

"Also Sir, I won't be attending any more of the summer practices. You made
it clear to me that I am not part of the teams as you said."

"I am sorry that you feel that way, Jake. You are as much a part of these
teams as any other cadet."

"If that was actually so, then I would have gotten the promotion. You just
told me that you had to take care of your teams first. If I was part of
your team, then I would have been taken care of. I will see you at the
beginning of the school year, Sir."

"Jake please, don't leave like this! Let me see what I can do as far as a
promotion for you. You are right about what you said. I just don't have
more officer positions open right now to promote you into."

"That is ok, Sir. I don't want a promotion. If you felt I didn't earn it
last year, then I didn't earn it. I should not get special treatment from
the others."

I walked out of the office to the range. The Rifle Team wasn't on the range
shooting yet. I found them in the safe room congratulating Joey. I walked
in and looked at Joey.

"Joey may I speak with you for a minute please?"

"Yes give me a second."

I walked out to the small class room waiting for Joey. He came out with a
smile on his face. I looked at him! I didn't want to spoil this moment for
him.

"Joey I need you to do me favor please!"

"Anything, just ask!"

"I need you to get a hold of David and Tom and have both of them come over
to the house tonight. Can you do that for me?"

"Yes I can but may I ask you why you need to talk with them?"

"You can ask me but I won't answer. Just please get a hold of them and see
if they can come down around seven." My face conveyed that there was
nothing ominous going on, putting Joey more at ease with my cryptic
request.

"I will go ahead and do that Jake. You are not staying for practice?"

"No, Joey I am NOT! I don't need practice watching the damn teams. I can
write the article at home or here at school. I don't need to give this damn
program my private time when they don't give a FUCK about me."

"Sorry Jake for asking. I was just wondering if you were staying. No need
to get mad at me for not getting a promotion. You probably didn't deserve
the promotion if they looked over you twice now!" Joey barked back.

I couldn't believe what he just said. What a fucking asshole he was being!

"You know what Joey? You can go and fuck yourself, you prick! I do deserve
it! I just don't belong to a team. That is why I didn't get it."

Joey just looked at me as I stormed out of the building. As I was leaving,
Sergeant Haney walked into the small class room to get Joey. I just
couldn't believe he told me what he did. I was so fucking mad at this
point.

Sergeant Haney tried to stop me as I was walking away. I told him I had
places to be and headed off down Schuster.

(JOEY'S POINT OF VIEW)

I couldn't think straight at all. I was screwing up in practice that
Sergeant Haney pulled me off the line. He told me that I needed to get me
head straight before the next practice.

When practice was over I walked over to David's house. When I got there, I
told David that Jake wanted to talk with him and Tom. I was lucky Tom was
there. I gave them the time and left. I didn't want anything else to go
wrong today with Jake.

On the way home I kept kicking myself for what I said to Jake. He did
deserve the promotion; in fact he deserved it more than me. He just didn't
belong to any of the teams. That was the main problem.

When I walked in the house, I didn't see Jake anywhere downstairs. Chase
was sitting in the television room watching a movie. He looked up at me and
smiled. I went upstairs and found Jake in our room.

"Hey Jake I talked with David and Tom. They said they would be here at
seven like you wanted."

"That's fine Joey, thank you" was his dry reply.

I saw him pulling out his clothes from the closet. I knew then I was
screwed. I went too far this time. I just say anything that comes to mind
and don't filter what I should and should not say."

"Jake please don't move out of the room! Let's talk about this!"

"Joey I am tried of talking to you! Every time I turn around you find a new
way of hurting me. I'm just tired of feeling this way. I have taken your
excuses for everything you have done. Everything is never your fault. It is
always turned around to be my fault.

When you first cheated on me, we were not together. The second time you
cheated on me, you used the same excuse. You were the one that closed off
on me. You were the one that went into your own little world and
essentially said `fuck Jake'. I stood there for weeks while you gave me the
cold shoulder. You took all the friends away and isolated me from them. It
made me feel like I had the plague. You didn't want to talk to me. It got
feeling so bad I had to move out in order to stay sane.

You came back and say it was just because you didn't want me to work. I
quit the job to make you happy. What do you go and do? I come upstairs and
find you in the middle of a sex orgy. What the hell am I suppose to do with
that?

Again it is my fault, everything is my fault. I don't know what else to do
to make you happy. I have given you my heart and soul. I love you so damn
much it hurts."

At this point I saw the hurt in Jacob's face. His voice was cracking and
tears were starting to run down his cheeks.

"I am just tired Joey. I can't take this anymore. I don't want to grow to
hate you. If we keep going down this road, we will begin to hate one
another!"

Jake just threw his clothes back into the closet and walked out. He went
down the stairs and out the front door. I tried to catch up with him, but
Chase stopped me.

I went into the television room and sat there staring into space. I really
did fuck things up with Jake and I don't think we can fix it this time.

Jake walked back into the house around six and just went upstairs. I stayed
down in the kitchen waiting to see if Jake would come back down. Almost at
seven there was a knock at the door. I knew it was David and Tom. I let
them in and showed them to the den. I called for Jake to come down.

(JACOB'S POINT OF VIEW)

I walked down the stairs when I heard Joey call for me. When I walked into
the den David and Tom were sitting in the couch together. Their faces were
bruised from the fight the day before. I looked around for Chase, but he
wasn't there.

"Joey, where is Chase at?"

"He is in the TV room. He didn't think this meeting concerned him."

"It concerns him. I'll go and get him."

I called Chase and he came into the den. He sat down on a chair across from
David and Tom. Joey sat down on the other couch. I went to the desk and
grabbed the envelope from Sun Travel and went and sat down on the other
chair next to Chase.

"Ok, the reason I asked to speak with you guys is simple. Several months
ago I planned and paid for a vacation for the four of us to get away before
the summer ended. I wanted it to be a surprise for you Joey. You always
told me you never had a vacation in your life. So I figured I'd to treat
you to one."

Everyone just stayed quiet and just kept looking at me.

"I called a travel agent and put together a vacation to Disney World in
Florida. Again I forgot about this trip until yesterday when the package
arrived. After everything that has happened in the last several days, I
tried to see if I could either return the package or change the names on
the tickets. It was a no-go on both counts. So that means I am stuck with
this vacation.

The vacation date is two weeks before school starts. It is only for a week
and is paid for. I am offering it to you guys to still go. I don't want to
waste the money I spent."

All of them except Chase said yes to the vacation.

"Chase I spoke with the travel agent this morning and added you to the
package. Your plane ticket and passes should be here tomorrow. I had them
over-nighted. Do you want to go with us on vacation?"

"OH! Yes I do! Thank you Jake!" Chase responded with ecstasy.

"No problem at all. Here is the package plan and what we can get while we
are there. It is basically everything in Disney World. We will be staying
in a hotel on the property. Here, just read it together." I said handing
the package over to them and headed out of the den.

I still couldn't be in the same room with David and Tom. I went back
upstairs and went into my room. I sat down on the bed just thinking about
everything. How in the world am I going to get through this with these
guys? I still love Joey very much. I just cannot trust him anymore. That is
it, if I can't trust Joey anymore, we won't survive.

I didn't think I was in the room that long, but it was several hours since
I left the guys in the den. I lay down on the bed and covered myself up. I
heard the door open and the light in the bathroom turn on. Several minutes
later the light was turned off. I felt Joey crawl into bed and get under
the covers.

"Good night Jacob! I really do love you and I know right now you don't
believe me, but I do. I love you with all my heart!"

I didn't say anything back to Joey. I was still hurt with the events of the
day. I just cried myself to sleep.

 The next morning I woke and got out of bed before Joey woke up. I went
into the bathroom and took a quick shower. I got dressed and headed
downstairs. As I was leaving the room, Joey was up, just looking at me. I
think he wanted me to say something to him. I didn't say a word.

When I got to the kitchen I cooked me up some French toast and sat down to
eat. When I was almost done eating, Joey came in along side Chase. I looked
up to them. Chase said good morning, I returned the greeting. Then Joey
said it and again I returned to greeting.

Once I was done eating I rinsed my plate and put it in the dishwasher. Joey
and Chase were barely sitting down to eat. I walked to the TV room to watch
television.

Once I sat down to watch television, Joey came in and sat down on the couch
with me. I could feel him looking at me, but I didn't bother to look at him
back. I just kept watching the television. Then Joey spoke:

"Jacob can we please talk..."

"Joey, I don't want to discuss this anymore. It seems that this is all we
talk about now. I said my peace so I am done with the subject. You need to
decide what you want and who you want to be with! You have got to decide if
is going to be me or David. This back and forth is over! You need to grow
up, set your priorities and decide."

"Jacob I already told you who I want and where I want to be."

"If I only had a camera in the den last night while we were sitting
there. The way you were looking at David told me that there is more there
than friendship, at least from your perspective. Both of you love each
other and want to be with each other. If that is true, you need to speak
up. The both of you need to speak up. It isn't fair to me, or to Tom either
for that matter"

"Damn it Jacob I know I screwed with you, and keep doing it, but there
isn't anything going on between me and David. I swear I only want you!"

"Fine: If you believe that I have to take you at your word."

I got up from the couch and headed out. I needed to be anywhere except in
that house with Joey at that moment. I just am not able think straight when
I am with him. I wanted to reach over and just strangle him with my bare
hands.

When I got back to the house, it was already after three. All the guys were
in the TV room yelling up a storm to what ever they were watching on the
television. I walked by and looked in. Chase saw I was standing at the door
way.

"Hey Jake, we have been waiting for you to get here. The other package from
Sun Travel came to today. I signed for it; I hope that was ok?"

"That was fine Chase! I am glad there was someone here to get the mail."

I was about to head upstairs when I heard Joey call for me.

"Jake could we all talk to you about the vacation?"

"You guys have the package. I really don't have much to add to that. Just
we need to plan the days outright where we could try to visit everything in
the week we have."

"We all agree with that, but you are the planner, not us!"

"Fine I will go ahead and plan out the days. I just don't want us on a
schedule that books every minute we are there. The reason for that is we
might not have fun while we are there if every moment is scripted. The main
thing is have fun on vacation."

They all nodded to what I said. Then sat back down in their seats where
they were sitting before I came in. I walked in and grabbed the two
envelopes from Sun Travel. Joey grabbed my arm to get me to sit next to him
on the couch. I shook his arm off and went into the den.

"Jacob," Tom said as he entered the den behind me. "I am not going to come
in here and make excuses for what me and David did the other night. You
really don't know me as well as you know David and Joey. I just want to say
what we did was screwed up and we knew that we shouldn't have done it. We
can't take it back no matter how hard we try. We will never do it again in
this house or any other house.

I know you feel there is something going on between David and Joey. They
did screw up both times. I am still angry with David for the last time. I
just can't keep on hating him for it when I love him. I know for sure there
is not a thing going on between them.

You need to find it in your heart to forgive Joey. He loves you man, and he
is hurting right now. You are not talking to him or even sitting with
him. You aren't even making the effort to fix this between the two of
you. Don't do the same thing he did to you and shut down."

Looking Tom straight in the eyes, I said; "Look Tom, I keep forgiving Joey
for everything he does. When is it enough? When does a person need to admit
to themselves maybe this isn't going to work? I have tried over and over
again to keep this relationship together. I just don't think I have it in
me anymore to keep trying to fix it."

Tom just looked at me and walked out of the den. I stayed in the den
through the night. I didn't even realize I had fallen asleep in the
den. When I woke up the next morning, Joey was asleep in the chair across
from me.

I got up and went over to him and shook him awake.

"Joey you need to get up and get ready for practice."

Joey just looked at me and pulled himself up from the chair. He walked
upstairs while I stayed downstairs. I cooked us up some pancakes and eggs
for breakfast. When Chase and Joey came down, they served themselves and we
ate together.

We sat at the kitchen table talking about what we were looking forward to
in the vacation to Disney World. Seeing the excitement coming from them, I
knew I picked the right spot to go. I was debating a vacation overseas
rather than Disney World. It seems I had made the right choice.

After breakfast we all cleaned up the kitchen and Joey finished getting
ready for practice. We jumped into the Camero and headed off to school to
drop Joey off.

When we drove into the parking lot everyone was staring. I got out of the
car first in order let Joey out of the back seat. When I was about to get
back into the car, I heard Major Moore calling for me.

"Hey Chase I am sorry man, could you wait for a few minutes please?" I
said, barely disguising my aggravation.

"No problem Jake, this is your car not mine."

He laughed as I shut the passenger door. I walked over to where Major Moore
was standing at. I really don't know how he could be out at the right time
and right place whenever he needed to talk to me or any other cadet.

"Yes Sir, Major Moore?"

"Jake I have noticed that you haven't shown up to practice. It looks like
you're not going to stay for practice today either."

"No Sir, I am not going to stay for practice today. I don't see why I need
to stay and watch the teams practice. All I need to know is the facts and
write about them."

"Jacob, please come in where we can talk."

I walked into the office and Sgt. Haney was standing there. I stood there
while Major Moore took his seat behind his desk.

"I really don't know what I need to say to get you to understand that you
need to be here for practice, Jacob. Writing about the team is more then
just the facts, it's about feeling you can see in the cadets' faces when
they drill and more."

"Major Moore, I didn't need to be there last year in order to write about
it then. So I don't see any difference this year."

"Look Jacob, Major Moore is right you need to attend the practices. If you
don't, we will find someone that will and give them the newsletter"
Sergeant Haney said hoping to intimidate me. The Sergeant wasn't aware of
my recent change in how I deal with people trying to mess with me.

"Then, if that is the case, Sgt Haney, you go find that cadet and give them
the newsletter. I will be more than happy to hand it off to that cadet,
Sir!"

He just looked at me when I said that. I called him on it and he didn't
think I was going to do so. I then looked over to Major Moore.

"Major Moore if that is it, I need to go. If you do want to remove me from
the newsletter, then go ahead. I still will not attend practices in either
case."

"Jacob if you put us in the corner, we will do so. I do not want to, but
you don't see that you do need to attend practices."

"I understand what you and Sgt. Haney are saying sir. I don't see why I
need to be here for the practices still. The other team members do, not
me. To show you proof of that, I will stay today, and you will see. All I
will be doing is just standing around doing nothing."

Major Moore just looked at me and dismissed me to leave the office. When I
got to the car and explained to Chase what was going on. He had no problem
sticking around and watching practice with me.

As the drill teams made it out to the lower parking lot, Chase and I just
stood there watching them. They were getting better to say the least. The
formations and routines started looking like the drill teams of last year.

They practiced for about an hour and half before they were called in for a
meeting. Chase and I went into the building and sat in the back. Major
Moore ran the meeting, but all the teams were there.

He explained what he wanted for the upcoming year. He told them he will
give them the tools they needed to meet the goals, but it was up to
them. They were the only ones that could get us back to state and district
champions again.

He excused us from practice. I met up with Joey on the outside of the
building and we headed to the car. As we were driving home, I looked at
Joey and saw he wasn't looking happy at all. I wanted to be there for him,
but felt it was too soon.

The weeks before the vacation went by fast. Joey and I went to practice
during the week and hanged out at the house during the weekend. We really
didn't do much as far as spending money was concerned.

David and Tom came over a lot and we just talked about the vacation. We
decided to meet at my and Joey's house that evening then head to the
airport. We were all getting very excited as the day approached to leave.

Practice ended the week before we left for Disney World. That Friday, Major
Moore pulled me in and told me the DAI didn't approve the promotion for the
cadet he was trying to promote to 2nd Lieutenant. The DAI said he didn't
have the time in to get that kind of promotion.

The only good thing that came out of it was he didn't say anything to the
cadet he was getting the promotion. So he didn't need to go back and tell
him he didn't get it.

Major Moore needed to fill that slot before the end of the summer. So he
put my name forward for that promotion. The DAI approved me for the
position. I was in the company that needed the platoon leader and my time
in got me the promotion.

Major Moore came up to me and congratulated me on the promotion. I really
didn't know if it was a good thing or a bad thing.

 I know I wasn't being a kid about not getting a promotion. The reason
behind not getting it was wrong and more so when he was going to promote a
tenth grader because he was on a team. The promotions should always go to
the cadet that earns it. Not because the cadet is on the Drill Team or
Rifle Team.

I thanked Major Moore and left the office. Still, I was feeling as if I
bullied my way to the promotion I received. What ever was behind this, I
would just take it with a grain of salt.

In weeks before the vacation, I really didn't say much to Joey. We didn't
fight or anything. Neither of us ever moved out of the room or slept in
separate beds. We stayed in the same room and slept together, but never
talked again about our problems.

I just figured to let it go. I didn't really care anymore about the
problems. It wasn't if I could go back to the past and stop the cheating
before it started. At the same time we didn't get close to one another. We
slept in the same bed, but didn't make love. We haven't kissed each other
since the fight. When we were ever together in the house, we didn't sit on
the same couch or on the same side of the table.

It might have been a mistake to have shut down like this. I just figured
there wasn't any other way to fix it. I couldn't bring myself to believe
Joey and David didn't have any feeling towards each other. I just felt
there was something there.

The night before we left, we decided to stay at the house instead meet
there the day we left. The night everyone was excited about the trip. I
wasn't really in to it. I was going and taking these guys along so I didn't
throw away the money that I had spent.

The next morning we got our luggage set at the front door. We wanted to be
ready when the taxi came and picked us up. The rest of the day dragged on,
I figure it was because we couldn't wait to leave.

When the taxi arrived we carried our luggage out to the taxi. We made sure
the house was locked up. We headed to the airport.

Getting through the airport security was a breeze. We sat there in the
terminal waiting to be called to load the plane. It was going to be a short
flight to Dallas where we were to catch a connected flight to Disney World.

I have said this before, I am afraid of heights. The thought of flying is
even worse for me. I never have flown in my life before, so that doesn't
help.

 As the passengers started to load, we were some of the last to be able to
board. First they loaded first class and any person that was
handicapped. Then they called the passengers up by rows. Our row was
finally called. We headed up, handed our tickets to the flight attendant
and made our way onto the plane.

I made sure I didn't sit near a window where I could look out of it. We all
sat down and waited for the plane to take off. The seat belt sign came on
and then we were off.

I held onto the arm rest as the plane was taking off. To tell the truth, I
didn't feel a thing as the plane lifted off from the ground. Before I knew
it, the fasten seat belt sign was off and we were free to walk
around. Chase spoke up before any of us.

"Here we go to the vacation of a life time!"

TO BE CONTINUED...

{Ok guys what in the world is going on here? There is a twist of events in
this chapter. Jacob is very angry with Joey right now. You know Jacob reads
a lot into things, but he feels he isn't reading too much into what he
believes he sees in front of him. Jacob thinks he has been closed off to
seeing things in the past with Joey, so now he is seeing things that might
not be there. Will Jacob and Joey find a way through this? Or is their
relationship done for, once and for all? True love should always overcome
any barrier that is put in front of them. David and Tom seem to be getting
really close as well. But remember it is the summer. When they return to
the reality of school, Tom will have to deal with the football team and
what they think of him not having a girlfriend. Will that end the
relationship between David and Tom? If so will David go after Joey as a
rebound and Joey go with David? There is so much to answer in the chapters
to come. So many issues have been coming up in the last chapters that still
haven't been resolved. Stick around and keep reading the future chapters,
and enjoy! Please email me and let me know how I am doing at
jacobmillertex@aol.com, Thanks!}