Date: Fri, 25 Aug 2023 16:46:18 -0400 From: James Heady Subject: The Wounds Within My Heart--Book 2--Chapter 4 The Wounds Within My Heart By James Disclaimer If you're not of the legal age to read this story, or if you're offended by this type of material then leave now. This story may at times contain sex and romantic moments between consenting teenaged males. It also may contain scenes of Hate Speech towards people of different races, sexual orientations, disability groups and others. If you can't handle reading about that, then leave. Please remember to donate to Nifty, as it's your donations that keep these stories and other information on the site free to the public. Thanks to K for another really well-done editing job. Your editing work on this story is always appreciated. Thank you. Finally, if you like this story and haven't done this already, offer my E-mail address jamesheady1985@gmail.com an ice-cold can of Coke after it comes in from a hot day of yard work. When it accepts, go in the kitchen and grab the can then shake it up really hard before returning to the living room. The Wounds Within My Heart Chapter Four Pietro Later that Sunday night, I looked over the letter I wrote to Pietro. I felt more in control of my emotions at that point, and after closing the file, I got my shower. After saying goodnight to my family, I went to bed and fell asleep rather quickly. Monday came in the form of a dark and rainy day. I was glad to see the rain, and the only downside I could see was trying to stay awake during class throughout the day. I got through the day though, and after school Collin and I met up at my house. Evan would be joining us later, but for now it was just the two of us. Collin and I played a couple of video games, then we sat on the edge of my bed talking. It was shortly after I got Cokes for us to drink that he opened up to me. I figured that something had been going on with him, and it appeared that I was about to find out what it was. "I have to tell you that I had another reason for getting together with just the two of us starting out," Collin said. "What's that?" I typed on my device. I then took a moment to adjust its speed and volume. "Sorry about the volume," I continued on. "Sometimes I forget to change it back to a quieter setting once I'm back home." "It's fine," he answered. "What's going on where you wanted it to be just you and I?" I asked. "Are you alright?" "I think I'll be alright, but I've been dealing with something," he said. "You know how when you and Evan have talked about relationships, and how Evan has been talking about being interested in getting with a girl?" "Yeah," I answered. "I know I've talked a lot about Nohea, and I would understand about if you guys are growing sick of hearing me go on about him." "It's not that," Collin answered. "I know how much you're in love with him, and I figured that it'll always be that way for you." "You're right about that," I said. "What's been going on with you though?" "Well, I could see that you'd always have a questioning look on your face when I wouldn't say much about me being interested in girls," he went on. "I haven't really ever been attracted to girls when I was a younger kid. I figured that it might happen for me at some point. When I was much younger, I figured that I just wasn't ready to be into girls like that. Now as I think more about it, I don't think I'll ever want to get a girlfriend." "I wouldn't have a problem with you if you never dated a girl," I responded. "Thanks, and that's really nice of you to say," he said. "It's not just because I'm not attracted to girls. I just like them as friends though. I've started to wonder if I might be gay. I don't know right now, but I'm thinking I might be. I just wanted to explain that to you." "Thanks for telling me," I said. "If you want me to keep it to myself I will. I wouldn't ever out you to anyone. I promise you that." "Thanks," he said. "I trust you, and I'm sure that Evan and Brianna will be fine with it. They were accepting of you coming out as gay, and I don't think they'll feel differently about me. I just need to figure this out a little more." "I'll keep it to myself as I said," I answered. "I'm here if you want to talk more about this at any point. Also, if there are any books or any other information about being gay or any other orientation you want to check out, I can look them up for you or show you where to go to find them." "I really appreciate that, and thanks," he said. "I'll let you know." "You're welcome, and I'm glad to hear that," I answered. By the time we finished that particular topic of conversation, Collin definitely looked calmer. I was glad to see that, and once Evan and Brianna came over to visit, Collin was back to being himself. Evan had arrived at my house after finishing up his homework. He was always one to start in on homework immediately before anything else. He was intent on going to college to become a counselor, and he wanted to make sure he had the knowledge to get into a good school. His parents took education very seriously as well, and though not in a harmful way, his parents always pushed him to do well with educating himself about what he needed to know. Brianna was basically the same way with her own studies. She wanted to go into Social Work when she got out of high school. Unlike Evan's parents, Brianna's parents were not only divorced, but they were also hardly there for her. Mostly she stayed at her aunt and uncle's house. That was her dad's brother and sister-in-law. Her Uncle Braden and Aunt Ellen were heavily involved in her life since the day she was born. They had always stressed education for her, and she enjoyed learning from an early age as well. Her Uncle Braden and Aunt Ellen saw how little her parents cared for her and how little they helped her with homework or anything else school-related. They were intent that she wasn't going to fall behind, and that she would always have someone to whom she could turn when she needed support. As for Collin, he was thinking of doing something related to music, possibly in the areas of either Rock, or Metal music, possibly both. His parents were supportive of him, and they did all they could to help him when he needed it. I wasn't sure though how they would feel about him being gay, or bi if that's what he turned out to be. During the few times I saw them, I never heard them bring up LGBT-related things, and I didn't see anything that made me think they were against it. I also didn't see them act in ways, or say anything that suggested that they were for it either. I hoped they would be accepting of Collin if or when he came out to them. We continued hanging out until my parents came home. Lexy was out with one of her friends, and would be back home later that evening. My friends and I though continued talking and listening to music until my parents got home. Soon it was time for Evan, Collin and Brianna to go back to their respective homes. We all hugged and said goodbye. I really enjoyed my time with them, and I watched as they headed down the driveway and out of view. I then closed and locked the door. 0000 David finished work around 5:00 P.M. that Monday. Closing his laptop, he wheeled away from his desk, then went over to the couch. He sat down, and after taking his phone out of his pocket he looked through his contacts until he found Lexy's contact information. He had been thinking about calling her at some point that day to see when she and her family would be available for him to bring Nohea by to meet their son. He had told Nohea about meeting Lexy the day before, and Nohea said he'd like to meet her brother, and hopefully they could become friends. David was glad to hear that, and he hoped that he could get a time set up between him and Lexy for she and her family to meet Nohea. Returning to the present, David opened Lexy's contact page and tapped on the call button by her number. It rang, and then after a few more rings he heard her voicemail pick up. He left a message for her asking when she would be available to set up a visit between her, her family and his sons. He hung up, then went into the living room to visit with Nohea and Triston for a while before dinner. 0000 Once Lexy returned home that evening around 7:00 P.M. she saw the New Voicemail Alert. She opened the phone app and went to the Voicemail Tab. After she tapped on the message, she heard David's voice. She then tapped on the call option. She waited, and after a few rings David picked up. "Hi David," Lexy said. "I just listened to your message. I had been out with friends, and my phone was on Do Not Disturb Mode. I just got home a moment ago. How are you?" "I'm good," he answered. "No problem. How are you doing?" "I'm good, thanks," she answered. "You're welcome," he replied. "I was happy to get your message, and I don't have anything going on this Friday nor over the weekend. I know that my brother and our parents don't have anything they're doing either." "That's good," David replied. "I kept forgetting to ask, but would you mind telling me more about your brother so I can describe him a little more to my son. He has almost no vision in his left eye, and he's blind in his right eye. I should say that he's totally blind in his right eye, and always has been." Lexy was sitting on the edge of her bed at this point, and she focused even more on what David had just said. She knew from what Pietro told her about Nohea, that he was almost blind in his left eye, and he never had vision in his right eye. She was starting to wonder. "Lexy? Are you there?" David asked thinking he might have lost the connection. "Oh, sorry," she replied. "I'm here." She got up and closed the door, then returned to sitting on the edge of her bed. "Good," David answered. "Would you be alright if my son came over around 6:00 P.M.? That would probably give your brother time to have any homework completed so they can meet and get to know each other without any interruptions." "That sounds really good," Lexy said. "I'll check with my brother and our parents. I'll get back to you." "That sounds good," David answered. "I'll talk to Nohea about it." "What did you call him?" Lexy asked truly amazed and thinking that her ears were playing tricks on her. "Nohea," he said. "That's my oldest son's name. "I know, it's not a usual or typical name that one hears every day." "I understand," she said. "It's just that my brother made a friend at the school for the blind he had been going to who's name was Nohea. The Nohea he knew was blind in his right eye, and had very little vision left in his left eye." "My son, Nohea went to the school for the blind until the end of September. He as the exact vision issues your brother's friend named Nohea has," David said totally stunned at this point. "Would you mind describing your brother a little more?" "If you mean physically," Lexy said. "My brother's name is Pietro, Pietro Roberts. That's mine and our parents' last name. His last name had originally been Rollins before we adopted him. Pietro is a little over six feet, and he has blond hair and grey eyes." "My god, I think I've just found Nohea's friend!" David said truly amazed at this point. David described Nohea's physical looks, and Lexy sat up straighter. "Pietro has a picture of Nohea on his desk," she said blown away now. "That's amazing! Nohea's friend Pietro is my brother! I can't believe it. Pietro has never forgotten Nohea, and he has said all along that he has always wanted to have another chance to have Nohea back in his life again. Pietro didn't have a cell phone at the time when he left the school to move with us to where we're living now. His asshole care giver didn't try to help him communicate in any real helpful way. In short, he didn't see the need for Pietro to have a cell phone or any other means of alternative communication. I can imagine that if Nohea asked the staff in charge of Pietro if he could have given their number to give to Pietro when he left the school, they would have told him that Pietro wouldn't have needed it." "I imagine that they would have," David said. "I really want to see the two of them be able to connect with each other again." "I would as well," Lexy responded. "I'd like to surprise Nohea, so I'd like to bring him by on Friday, but would you mind not telling Pietro about it?" "I won't tell him." "Good," David answered. "I'll keep Nohea in the dark as well until we get there." They finished up their conversation, and after Lexy let her and Pietro's parents know what was going on, they agreed to keep quiet as well. They also agreed to Nohea and David coming over on Friday, and she texted David letting him know that it was a go. David replied back, letting her know that it was a go on his end as well. She smiled, then put her phone down on her desk before going to say hi to Pietro and then to relax for the rest of the evening. 0000 Pietro Lexy and I sat in my room visiting for a bit. She had been with a couple of her friends as I mentioned earlier. They had been studying for the first hour they were together, but then spent the rest of the time listening to music and talking. I told her about how school had been going for that day. She said she was glad to hear that I had a good day. I went on to tell her about the visit I had with Collin, Evan and Brianna. I left out the one-on-one conversation Collin and I had before the others got there though. "I'm really glad that you guys had a really nice visit," Lexy said. "Me too," I answered. We said goodnight after a few more minutes of talking. I went in after Lexy went back to her room to get a shower. After that, I said goodnight to our parents, then I went back into my room and got into bed. I was asleep in no time. 0000 Nohea "Okay, so we have Donald Trump's name, and now we need the letter "A", since we have the word "is"," I said, helping Triston to arrange the letters. We were both laughing as I helped him. "He's supposed to be using those letter blocks to help him further his learning of good things to spell," our dad said as he sat down at the kitchen table. I laughed, and Triston did as well. "Don't worry, I'm really helping him out," I said laughing harder now. "Now we need two s's., but we just have the one." "Well, if he gets in trouble for spelling something bad, it'll be your fault," dad said, laughing now. "Oh, and don't you have breakfast to get before you guys head off to school?" "Yeah, I just have to get it out of the freezer," I answered. It was Tuesday morning now, and the sun was rising slowly in the sky. Triston and I were working with his blocks, but I decided to see if he wanted to get in touch with his mischievous side. He couldn't stand hearing Donald Trump's voice on TV, and neither did I, so we were getting ready to spell out the phrase "Donald Trump is an Asshole.", but clearly our dad knew how to distract us. "Just wait until you get back home this afternoon," I said leaning over close to Triston who was eating a pop tart. "I'll teach you other names for some of the other bad politicians in office." "Nohea, there's coffee over there if you'd like some," dad said. I laughed, and I looked towards him as I smirked. "Oh, I know," I said. "I was just making sure I spent some quality time with my brother before school." "Yeah, I know what you were doing," our dad said laughing again. Triston laughed as I moved the blocks, then took care of getting my breakfast. We talked about what we were going to do once back from school that afternoon. It was cold out, so I figured that Triston and I would be doing something in-doors. After I hugged Triston, he went off to school with his worker. My dad and I shared a hug before he left for work, and I headed off to school. The day seemed to fly by, and I was walking through the door of our house. I got through the homework they assigned me, and once I put my school materials away, I sat at my desk, running my fingertips over the surface of the rock Pietro had given me. I felt that deep ache that I figured I'd always feel. A while back, I had thought that I was at a place of being ready to try to find a boyfriend. When I looked into a couple of LGBT dances for kids 13 through 17, I felt that sadness increase. I knew that I couldn't do it. The pain was still really raw, and there was a couple of times I tried looking up Pietro's name on social media, but he wasn't showing up on any of the platforms that I knew of. It felt like he was lost to me forever, and I felt my heart breaking once again every time. I was pulled from my thoughts as I heard a tap at my door. I still held the rock in my hand as I called for whoever it was to come in. It was Triston, and he had gotten home from school a couple of minutes ago. He said he didn't want to disturb me, but wanted to see if my homework was done. I told him it was, and he came towards me for a hug. "I hope you had a good day at school," I said as we hugged. "I did," he answered. "Good, me too," I said. "I'm just glad to be home now though." "So am I," he answered. He then took my hand and moved it in the direction of my desk. It was pointed in the direction of where I just sat the rock down. I had told Triston about Pietro, and about how we had been really good friends, but I hadn't told him about how I felt about him in terms of me liking him as more than a friend. It just hadn't come up yet. "I know you really like the rock Pietro gave you," Triston said. I let him feel it like he enjoyed doing from time to time. "I'm really glad you like that," I said. "Yeah, you're right. I still really love that rock that I got from Pietro. I always will." "Sometimes you seem really sad when you talk about him," Triston said. "You guys must have been really good friends. I mean, like best friends." "Yeah, that's exactly what we were," I said as we went over to sit down on the edge of my bed. "Did you like him as more than a friend, you know, like a boyfriend?" Triston asked. I wasn't sure how much he had picked up. There were still some things he couldn't pick up on because of his Autism, but sometimes he surprised me with what he could figure out. He must have figured that I loved Pietro as more than a friend. I wasn't going to keep the truth from him. There was no need, and I couldn't ever see myself lying to my brother. "I loved Pietro with all of my heart, and I still do," I said. "He'll always be the love of my life. "I don't think I'll ever love another guy like I loved Pietro, and that's definitely going to make it hard when I start dating." "I wish Pietro could be back in your life," Triston responded. "Thanks, me too," I answered as I hugged Triston when he put his arms around me. 0000 Pietro I was really tired by the time that Friday came. I was headed back home from school, and our parents told me that they were thinking of ordering Mexican food to be delivered to the house that evening. I told them that that sounded really good. It would be nice to have a night in and with my family. It had been a really long week, and I was definitely ready for the weekend. Author's Notes I really hope that you guys enjoyed this chapter. As you can see things are coming to a head where Nohea and Pietro are concerned. I hope you like what's coming up next in the following chapters. We'll be ending with Book Two now, and the next chapter will begin in Book Three. All that being said, I hope you guys all have a good evening. I'll see you all in Book Three and Chapter One of the story.