Date: Mon, 16 Feb 2004 18:14:18 -0800 (PST) From: Kirk Landers Subject: Dating and the Single Life- part 13 Copyright and Disclaimer: 1. This is a fictional story with fictional characters. 2. No one is to steal this story under any circumstances. 3. This story deals with relationships and not sex, so if you're looking for a story with a lot of sex in it, this isn't the story for you. Hope you are all enjoying. These next chapters will all be leading up to the season 1 finale, so hope you enjoy. Here's part 13 entitled "Remorse" "REMORSE" "How is he?" Marcus asked David as the two of them were in the kitchen at Kyle's apartment talking. "I don't know," David answered. "He doesn't talk to me about it." "Well, I'm sure he will eventually," Marcus said. "It's a really sensative subject for him," David replied, "He didn't like talking about his mom when she was alive and now that she's gone, it's even worse." "Are you going with him to the service?" Marcus asked. "No," David replied. "He said it was something he had to do alone." "Oh," Marcus said. Then Kyle came out of his room dressed in a black suit. "Hey Kyle," Marcus said trying to be cheerful. "Hi," Kyle replied putting on a half-smile. "You sure you don't want me to come?" David asked. "Yea, I'm sure," Kyle answered getting his car keys. "It's raining pretty hard outside, I can drive you there if you want." David offered. "I'm all right," Kyle replied. "I'll see you guys later." David and Marcus watched as Kyle quietly left. "I can't be there and comfort him if he won't let me in," David said feeling frustrated. "Just give him time," Marcus replied, "You're always the first person he goes to, so when he's ready he'll talk to you." "I hope," David said. Over at Jake and Tyler's place the two are slowly growing apart because of Jake's guilt and resistence to tell Tyler what happened. Jake was getting ready to go to work, but Tyler couldn't take it anymore. "Listen, I know something is bugging you. You have to talk to me, other wise we're never going to make it," Tyler said "I'm fine," Jake said unconvincingly. "Come on Jake, be honest with me," Tyler said, "We've been dating for two months and we've been friends for years, I think I can tell by now if something is wrong." "It's nothing," Jake said. "I'll talk to you later." "No, you need to talk to me now," Tyler protested. "Tyler, I just don't want to talk about it right now. Can't you understand that?" Jake asked. "Yes, of course I can, but you're pushing me away," Tyler answered. "If you don't want to talk that's fine, but please don't shut me out." "I'm sorry," Jake said sadly. "It's just hard right now." "Jake, if you keep this us you'll end up breaking us apart," Tyler said. "Tyler, I love you. And I want to be with you. I'm just going through some stuff right now that I need to figure out on my own," Jake said. Well, while you're doing that, I'll stay at Randal's place because I can't take it here anymore. If you're going to just push me away when I try to help you then there's no point of me being here," Tyler said. Jake looked at Tyler worried. "Are you breaking up with me?" Jake asked afraid. "No," Tyler replied, "I just think we need to take a break." Jake took a minute to absorb that statement and shook his head in agreement. "I think you might be right," Jake said. "I'm sorry Tyler, I just really need to figure all this out on my own." "I understand," Tyler said. "I'm just going to pack some things and then I'll go over to Randal's." "No, you don't have to leave, "Jake said. "Yes, I do," Tyler replied. "You need some alone time so the best way for that to happen is if you just stay here by yourself for a little while so you can sort out your thoughts." Jake went up to Tyler and hugged him. "Thank you for understanding," Jake said quietly. "Of course," Tyler replied. "I have to get to work," Jake said releasing the hug. "Yea, I know," Tyler said. "I'll see you," Jake said heading for the door. "Bye," Tyler replied watching Jake leave. Meanwhile, Kyle was at his mom's funeral. A lot of his family and family friends were there all holding up umbrellas up so they wouldn't get wet from the rain. Kyle just stood there starring at the coffin, everything around him seemed to dissapear. He didn't hear the words the minister said or the crying from the other people there. All he could do was look at the coffin his mom was in. Then he watched as the coffin was lowered into the ground. Unable to take anymore he turned and walked away dropping the umbrella on the ground. He walked slowly through the cemetary getting drenched with rain. He looked back at the people still standing at his mom's coffin and couldn't help but feel left out. All of the people there were close with his mom, he couldn't take the fact that they were all closer to her than he was, her own son. He then turned away and headed to his car and drove off. Later that day, Tyler went to Randal's place. "Can I ask you a big favor?" Tyler asked. "Yea sure," Randal replied. "Can I stay here for a while?" Tyler asked. "Did you and Jake break up?" Randal asked worried. "No, he just needs some alone time to think," Tyler replied. "He's been very upset lately." "Why?" Randal asked. "I don't know," Tyler replied "Sorry to here that," Randal said. "So, it's cool that I stay here?" Tyler asked. "Of course, yea sure," Randal replied. "Thanks," Tyler said coming in. "Do you have your things?" Randal asked. "They're in the car," Tyler replied. "Okay, well come in and sit down," Randal offered. "Thanks," Tyler said. "So how are things going with you?" "They're all right," Randal replied. "Didn't you have a date the other day?" Tyler asked. "Yea," Randal said smiling. "I take it by that smile that it went well?" Tyler asked. "It went extremely well," Randal replied. "We hit it off right away." "Did you guys have sex?" Tyler asked. "Nope," Randal answered. Tyler looked at Randal in shock. "You went on a date with someone and you didn't sleep with him?" Tyler asked suprised. "Randal, I've known you to sleep with guys you didn't even like." "I know, it's weird. I've never felt this way about a guy before," Randal said. "What's his name?" Tyler asked. "His name is Stanley," Randal replied. "And he's just such a great guy. He grew up in Seattle like me. He's just a great guy." "I'm glad you two had fun," Tyler said. "Yea, actually he's coming over tonight, so you can meet him," Randal said. "Him and I are going to stay in and watch movies. Can you believe it? I never thought that I'd be the type of guy to be excited about staying in and watching movies with a guy." "That's great," Tyler said smiling. Tyler was very happy that Randal for once found a guy that he was able to see a future with, but at the same time he couldn't help but be a little jealous of what Randal has, he wished that him and Jake could go back to that enthusiasm they had together. "I know what you're thinking, but just give it time," Randal said. "What?" Tyler asked. "You want things to go back to normal with Jake," Randal replied. "Don't worry, he'll come around." "I know," Tyler answered. "It's just weird now. That trip we were all going to take this weekend that Jake and I had planned out at Christmas will probably get cancelled. I don't think he'll want to go." "We'll just put a hold on it for now," Randal said. "When he comes around we'll all celebrate by doing that trip okay?" "Okay," Tyler replied. Over at David's store he was doing some inventory when Marcus came in. "Heard from Kyle?" Marcus asked. "No," David replied. "I keep checking my cell phone to see if he left a message or something, but nothing." "Well, he's probably with his family," Marcus suggested. "I don't know," David sighed. "So why aren't you at work?" "I didn't have much to do today so I left work early," Marcus replied. "That's good," David said. "Oh hey, you had a double date with Randal the other night right?" "Yea," Marcus answered. "How did it go?" David asked. "Not good," Marcus replied. "Really?" David asked. "How come?" "Every time I asked him a question his answer was, 'Whatever'." Marcus replied. "He makes a brick wall seem interesting." "That bad huh?" David asked. "Sorry to hear that." "It's probably for the best," Marcus replied. "It made me realize that I'm just not ready to date yet." "Marcus, don't let what Thomas did to you put a burden on your dating life," David said. "I know that it's hard, but if you give in to that then Thomas will win." "I know, you're right," Marcus answered. "I will eventually, I just need some more time." "Okay," David said. "I actually have been thinking of visiting him," Marcus said. "Thomas?" David asked. "Yea," Marcus replied. "Why?" David asked suprised Marcus would even suggest it. "I just think that it might help me get over my fears quicker if I went to talk to him," Marcus answered. "I don't think that's such a good idea Marcus," David said. "I was there that night, I saw what he did to you, the fear in your eyes. He's a sick person Marcus, it might end up doing more damage than good if you see him." "Or it might help me to move on," Marcus brought up. "I'm not saying I'm going to do it. It's just something I've been thinking about." "Well, just make sure you think about this carefully," David said. "I don't want to see you get hurt again." "Thanks," Marcus said sincerely. David looked outside and saw the rain coming down harder. "Maybe you should call Kyle," Marcus suggested. "I know you're worried about him." "Yea, I think I should," David said taking out his phone. "He shouldn't be driving around in this weather with the state of mind he's in now." Kyle was in his car at the beach when his phone rang. He looked at the caller ID and saw David's name appear, but he didn't answer the phone. He wanted some alone time. He stepped out of the car in the rain and started walking along the beach. The rain was coming down hard, but Kyle didn't seem to notice. He just looked out at the crashing waves and thought about his mom. Back at the store David hung up the phone. "He's not answering," David said frustrated. "I think I should go look for him." "Want me to stay and watch the store?" Marcus asked. "Yes, thank you," David replied. "Yea sure, but where are you going to look?" Marcus asked, "He could be anywhere." "I know of a couple places he likes to go to when he wants to be alone," David replied as he headed out the door. Over at Jake's work he was folding up some clothes when Miles came up to him. "Hi," Miles said. "I can't talk now," Jake replied. "We need to talk," Miles protested. "No, we don't," Jake snapped. "What happened between us was a mistake. It should have never happened." "But it did," Miles replied. "And I felt something between us, didn't you?" "No, the only thing I feel right now is disgust, because I can't stand to look at myself anymore knowing that I cheated on Tyler," Jake said. "Jake, can you honestly tell me you felt nothing when we kissed?" Miles asked. Jake looked at Miles unable to answer him. "Just leave me alone," Jake said walking away. "Why?" Miles asked walking up to him. "You can't deny that there is something between us. You don't have to be scarred of it." "Listen, get it through your head," Jake began, "I'm with Tyler and I love him." "How do you know that he's the right person for you?" Miles asked. "I could be the guy for you and it's just bad timing that's going to keep us from being together." Jake thought about what Miles said for a minute. "I'm sorry," Jake said and then walked away from Miles. "Me too," Miles said sadly. Later that day, David drove to a couple of places he knew Kyle liked to go to alone, there was only one place left he didn't look yet, the beach. He pulled into the parking lot and saw Kyle's car. David got out and looked on the beach and saw Kyle sitting on the sand in the pouring rain still wearing the black suite he wore to his mom's funeral. David got out his umbrella and quickly went up to him. "Kyle, you're going to get sick," David said taking off his jacket and putting it around Kyle. "What are you doing out here?" "Just thinking," Kyle replied quietly. "About your mom?" David asked gently. "You don't understand," Kyle replied. "You and you're mom have a good relationship together. I never got the chance to have that. I was at the service today and saw all these people, some I didn't even know except for the fact that they probably were closer to my mom then I ever was." "I'm sorry," David said not knowing anything else he could say to comfort Kyle. "I just wish things had ended differently," Kyle said simply. "Well, there is one way you can get close to your mom, or at least a peice of her anyway," David suggested. "What?" Kyle asked. "You have a new little brother right?" David brought up. "Baby Ricky," Kyle said. "Yea, he could be your second chance," David said. "You think?" Kyle asked. "I think so," David replied sweetly. "Come on, we need to get you home and into some dry clothes." "I have to go back to the cementary first," Kyle said. "Why?" David asked. "I never said goodbye to my mom," Kyle replied. "Okay," David said. "I'll see you back at your place?" "Actually, can you come with me?" Kyle asked. "I need you there with me." "Of course," David replied taking Kyle's hand as they went into David's car. "We'll come back for your car later." The two got in David's car and drove to the cemetary. At Randal's place, Stanley just arrived and was getting to know Tyler. "So Randal told me that you grew up in Seattle?" Tyler asked. "Yea, born and raised there," Stanley replied. "That's cool. I love it up there," Tyler said. "It's really beautiful, I mean it rains a lot, but I like the rain so it's nice," Stanley said. "Only a true Seattle native would be able to say that about the rain," Randal joked. "It's true though," Stanley said. "I think the rain is very calming. That's why I think today is such a nice day." "Yea except the traffic sucks when it rains," Tyler brought up. "That's just because Southern California people don't know how to drive in the rain," Stanley joked. "Randal says that all the time!" Tyler replied laughing. "Really?" Stanley asked looking at Randal. "Yea, it's true," Randal replied. "Wow, you guys are two peas in a pod," Tyler said getting up. "I'm glad to see Randal is finally dating someone for once. I'll give you guys some privacy. I'm going to go get some sleep it's been a long day. Good meeting you Stanley." "Nice to meet you too, Tyler." Stanley replied. "Goodnight Randal," Tyler said heading for the guest room. "Later Tyler," Randal replied as Tyler closed the door. "So, what did Tyler mean when he said he was glad to see you dating for once?" Stanley asked. "Well, I've never actually been on a second date with a guy before," Randal admited. "Really?" Stanley asked. "How come?" "I never was the relationship type of guy," Randal replied. "I was always the type of guy who just hooked up with people. That way I'd get the sex with out having to deal with the emotions of love. I never thought that I could be in a good relationship. I mean they take a lot of trust, and I have problems opening up to someone like that." "Have you had bad experiences with relationships in the past?" Stanley asked. "No, I just always saw my friends in them during high school and there was always drama and stuff like that, then when I met the guys I hang out with now I've seen a couple of them with boyfriends and it always seemed like relationships were doomed to end. It wasn't until lately that I started seeing the good in relationships." Randal said. "What made you see that?" Stanley asked. "Well, Tyler and my other friend Jake got together a couple months ago and seem really happy, well Jake is having some problems right now, but him and Tyler truly love each other. Then my other friends Kyle and David, they've been the two that have inspired me a lot." Randal began, "Kyle was like me, he didn't do relationship either, and he was best friends with David. David always loved him and told him a few months ago and things were shaky for a while between them. Kyle still didn't want a relationship, David stopped seeing Kyle for a while, then David met someone and tried moving on from Kyle. Then just recently Kyle realized how much he loved David and the two got together. When I saw that Kyle was able to open up like that, it sort of made me realize that I might be able to as well. Then I met you, and I realized that maybe there is someone that I could trust and open up to." Stanley smiled and leaned in and kissed Randal. "So, this is our second date. That's a pretty big step for you," Stanley said. "Yes it is," Randal replied. "We should celebrate." "I think so," Stanley said smiling. Randal leaned back in and started kissing Stanley some more. The two laid back on the couch together. "Wait," Randal said stopping himself. "What's wrong?" Stanley asked. "I can't do this," Randal replied. "Not just yet anyway. We're just acting on our hormones right now. I want to wait and do this when there's more intimacy and heart involved in it." Stanley smiled and kissed Randal. "That sounds like a good idea," Stanley answered. "You don't mind?" Randal asked. "Not at all," Stanley replied. "I can wait." "Thanks," Randal said. "So, want to watch a movie?" "Sounds good," Stanley said. Randal put a movie on and the two laid on the couch together holding one another. When Kyle and David arrived to the cemetary it was dark. The two got out and went to his mom's grave, Kyle brought with him a white rose. Kyle stood at the foot of the grave looking at the tomb stone that read, 'Carol Garrett: 1955-2004, Beloved Wife, Mother, and Friend.' Kyle took a moment to think about his mom then set the Rose down next to the grave. "Goodbye mom," Kyle said. "I love you." David went up to Kyle and held him. "Thanks for being here," Kyle said. "I'm always here for you," David said. "I want you to know that." "I know, and I'm sorry I wasn't really opening up to you earlier." Kyle said. "It's okay," David said giving Kyle a kiss. The two then went hand in hand back to David's car and drove back to Kyle's place. Jake got home to his place and looked around, even though the place looked the same it felt empty since Tyler wasn't there. He went into the bedroom and laid down on the bed thinking about Tyler and Miles. His mind was at a state of pure confussion and he didn't know what to do. He felt truly alone, not knowing where to turn. He fell asleep thinking of them hoping that the one he's supossed to be with will come to him in his dreams... ****************************************************************************** To Be Continued.... Hope everyone enjoyed it. With any questions, comments or feedback please e-mail me at ILJ4EVER44@yahoo. com Thanks!