Jacob Finding His Way - 7. Chapter 7

As I got out of the car, the student body is gathered in front of the school, they started clapping and cheering. I was surprised to say the least, at the same time I felt out of place with the attention I was getting.

Trying to get my footing, I placed down my cane in order to walk. I started to walk to the doors in front of the building, through the crowd of students shaking my hand and patting me on my back, I walked at a slow pace. I still wasn’t really used to the cane, walking any distance took a lot out of me.

Finally arriving at the front door, the principal was holding the door open for me. As I entered the principal shook my hand, and said; “Jacob, it is good to have you back son. I am glad that you made it through your surgeries and recovery period.”

I smiled and replied; “Thank you sir! Still have a ways to go with my recovery, but I’m getting there.”

“I can see that. If you need any help getting around the school, don’t hesitate to ask, and we will do what we can. One thing for sure, we will give you a key to the elevator.”

“Thanks again sir, the elevator will help out a lot. Going up and down those stairs will kill me.”

The principal laughed as we were walking to his office. We entered the office, and sitting in the outer office were two uniformed officers. Joey and Chase followed me into the office.

“Joey and Chase why don’t you two head to your first period class so you’re not late. It starts in just a few minutes. It’s a new semester and we don’t want you guys to start on the wrong foot the first day.”

Both of them agreed at the same time. We knocked fist, and they headed out. I stood there wondering what the officers were there for, and what’s going to happen to me, class wise. I lost most of last semester in the hospital, and now the new semester starts today.

“Jacob, I have spoken with your teachers, and they all agreed if you take the semester exams for each of your classes you were in last semester, and if you pass them, they will give you passing credit” the principal advised me.

“What would be my grade for each class?”

“You’re thinking of your grade point average, smart. Whatever the grade you get on your exam, will be your final grade for each class.”

“That sounds fair to me! How is this possible?”

“Well, you had a tutor, who reported back to us about your progress in your classes, so your teachers feel comfortable giving you passing credit with your exam completed and graded, based on what your tutor reported to your teachers.”

“When would I be taking the tests, sir?”

“As soon as we move you into the conference room. That way, as you do each exam, we can grade them right after. After that we will get you signed up for the classes you’re going to take this semester.”

“Sounds like a plan to me.”

“Oh before I forget, I need you to speak with these officers before we begin anything else. We still haven’t caught those who were responsible for the shooting at the school last semester. They are hoping you have information that could shed some light on the shooting. Are you up for it?”

“Yes sir, I don’t know what more I can say than others have probably told them already.”

“Who knows? Every set of eyes sees something different than another.”

We walked into the conference room with the officers right behind us. I was directed to sit at the head of the conference table, and the officers sat on one side, the principal and his secretary on the other side. I looked up at the officers, feeling kind of nervous and shaking. I don’t know why. I didn’t do anything wrong.

“Ok then, let me make this clear. I have spoken with Jacob’s mother and she has given permission for you to speak with her son, but with me and whomever I choose to be present. If at any time I see Jacob is getting uneasy with the questioning or you two are going too far and too long, I will stop it, and send you on your way. Do you understand officers?”

“Yes sir we do. We only have a few questions. To tell you the truth we really don’t think there’s much Jacob can tell us, more than we already got from other students.”

“That’s fine, go ahead then and start your questioning” the principal said.

The officer closest to me looked my way and smiled putting me a bit more at ease; “Jacob, as you know we are here to find out if you have any additional information about the shooting that happened here back in late September. We will go slowly, and hopefully it will only take a few moments of your time. Is that ok with you Jacob?”

“Yes!”

“Ok, first where were you at when the shooting started?”

“I was walking out the main entrance of the school, to go home.”

“Do you remember what time that was?”

“If I remember correctly, it was maybe around three forty five; somewhere around that time.”

“When you came out, can you explain what you saw and or heard on the steps of the building?”

“As I was walking towards my friends, I saw a car, a black one, driving very slowly; slower than normal. The windows were tinted black. On the passenger side of the car, the windows rolled down, several guys popped half of their bodies out of the car, and started shooting. I can’t remember anything more than that, because soon after the shooting started, something hit me. The next thing I knew was I woke up in the hospital.”

“Could you describe the car to us Jacob, in as much detail as you can?” the second officer quarried.

“Yes sir I can, but wouldn’t the plates help you more?” I asked.

“You saw the plate number of the car, and still remember it? Could you give it to us?” the first officer asked with obvious surprise.

“Yes sir, I did, and I can.”

“Yes that would help out more than you know!” the first officer said with excitement.

“The plate number was, Texas Z93 BF7, on a old model, maybe late seventy’s Oldsmobile, black, lowered to the ground, like a gang member’s car, with small wheels” I stated with full assuredness.

“The plate was enough Jacob but the description helps even more. Thank you! We can’t believe you remembered the plate number after all this time! Young man, you must have a brilliant mind” the second officer stated.

“No sir, not so much a brilliant mind; just the mind of an elephant. The memories of a day I wish I could forget are burnt into my memory. That moment of that day I will always remember it in detail” I explained.

“In time Jacob, the memories of the day will fade. You’ll be amazed how returning to school and your friends will help that happen. You gave us enough information that we now can proceed further.”

While one officer was talking with me, the other officer was calling in the plate I had given them over their radio. A few moments later a name was given to the officer. He went to the principal and whispered to him. The principal walked out and then a moment later came back in.

I was just sitting at the conference table, where the principal and the two officers were talking in the corner on the other side of the room. The assistant principal came in and said something to the principal then they looked at me.

“Jacob, do you think if we were to take you out to the student body parking lot, you could remember and positively identify the car you saw that day?” the principal asked.

“Yes sir, I am pretty sure I can.”

“I will take you out to the student parking lot with the officers, where you can look at a car that’s out there.”

So I got up, followed the principal and the officers out of the school. They had to slow down several times due to me walking a lot slower than them. I was thinking to myself, no one is that stupid to bring the car to school that was used in the shooting.

We got to the parking lot and we walked the lot, looking at the cars. On the fourth row, as we turned the corner, my stomach dropped. I couldn’t believe my eyes. There it was! The car that was used in the shooting was sitting right in the school parking lot! All of us stood there looking at the car, then the officers compared the plate numbers I had given them earlier in the office.

They whispered to each other and then the principal turned to me; “Jacob, do you think if we bring in several students to the office, you might be able to identify one of them as the shooter of that day?”

“Like I said sir, it happened really fast. They did pop their heads and half of their bodies out of the car windows. I will give it a shot.”

“That’s all we can ask. What we are going to do is bring several students into my office. You will be sitting in the outer office looking as if you are minding your own business. If you see anyone you recognize, not just possibly or barely, but one hundred percent recognize, don’t say anything until they leave. Ok Jacob?

“That sounds ok to me, but how can I tell you which one it is? If one of them is a shooter”

“Tell us the clothes he is wearing.”

“Ok!”

When we finally got back to the office, I sat down, and the officers went into the conference room. Shortly afterwards, students started coming into the office. They looked like juniors and seniors to me. They had to be, they are the only ones allowed to be driving to school. They were yelling as to why their parking permits were in question. When the fourth student walked in, I just froze. I thought I was going to drop right there and die. I was scared out of my mind. He left the office, not even looking in my direction once while he was in the office. Another six students came in and none of them I recognized, at least not as the shooters.

The principal pulled me back into the conference room, sat me down. He looked at me; “So Jacob did you see anyone that you recognized out there?”

“Yes sir, I did” I responded with cold fear in my voice.

“Could you please describe the clothes he was wearing?”

“Sir, I don’t want any trouble, more to the point, I don’t want to be shot again! Maybe this time they will get the job done” I said, still full of morbid fear.

“Jacob, we have enough proof to arrest him now. He wasn’t here the day the shooting took place, his plates matched, and the description of the car. We would like it if you could identify him, but I won’t force you to” the principal implored without being intimidating.

One of the officers spoke up; “Jacob whatever you tell us here will be held strictly confidential; we won’t release it. Knowing this kind of kid, they will plead it out before it even gets to court. If it does get to court, we will protect you, and use your testimony to the very end.”

“Ok, he was wearing a white muscle shirt, very loose black Dickie pants, kind of hanging real low on his butt, a black belt with a letter A on the buckle, and pair of work boots” I said quickly before I could think and possibly retract my agreement to cooperate.

“That’s all we need. Thank you, Jacob.”

They all left the office talking in rapid speed. Once again one of the officers was speaking on the radio, as the other was speaking to the principal. Then the door shut, and I just sat there rubbing my legs, they were already hurting me. I wanted to take a pain pill, but there wasn’t water anywhere.

About a half hour later the principal returned with booklets. I looked and I know what they are. They are my semester exams, damn it! I thought I got away from taking them. Wishful thinking on my part.

“Jacob, I have the exams, I know there are no books in here, or cheat sheets, so I will leave the exams here with you. When you are done, let my secretary know that you’re finished. If you need a break or stretch let her know, and she will collect the exams while you’re gone. Ok?”

“Yes sir! I was wondering if I could get some water to take my pain pills. My legs and arms are starting to really hurt.”

“No problem Jacob, I will bring you a pitcher of water and a glass. You need to let the nurse know what you are taking, and I would like if you would take your medicine in her office in the future.”

“Yes sir, I will. It just the pain at times comes even before its time for the regular doses.”

“The nurse will let you carry whatever your doctor has instructed for you to take in order to regulate the pain.”

“Yes sir, thank you.”

“Ok then, you can start whenever you are ready. Also Jacob, thank you for all of your help today, you gave us one of the shooters and I believe he will hand over the others. It seems I am always thanking you.”

He walked out as he finished the statement. I pulled the first test booklet off the pile and started taking the exams. The secretary came in with the pitcher of water and a glass and I took my pain pills.

About fifteen minutes before lunch, I finished all my exams. I figured I passed all the exams except my science one. I hate science more than I hate English. I could never understand science class, it not as if I need that class in the real world, I don’t want to be a scientist or anything in that type of field so I don’t need to know what makes a molecule or know the periodic table, or even how we developed into the species we are today. I plainly do not care.

Well anyways, here I am lecturing myself, as if I was a teacher. I left the conference room to the outer office and let the secretary know I was done. She went into the conference room and gathered the booklets, and came out.

“I will go ahead and give these to the principal. Why don’t you go and have lunch, and be back when the lunch period is over. We should have the test graded by then.”

I thanked the secretary and I walked out of the office, and headed to the cafeteria to eat. As I was making my way, the bell rang, all the doors to the class rooms flew open, and all students came rushing out into the hallway, going all different directions. I was pushed around, they were hitting me. I finally gave up. Several times I was almost knocked to the ground. With each hit, I was hurting even more and it was getting to the point I couldn’t stand the pain.

I made it to the side of the hall, and sat down on the floor holding onto my legs, rubbing them, trying to dull the pain, but no luck. Then I heard Joey calling me, I looked up, and there he was; just the face I wanted to see. Seeing him made the pain go away for that moment. I do love this guy, and he has been with me through it all.

“Hey Jacob what’s wrong? Why are you just sitting down there?”

“I was trying to get to the lunch room, the bell rang, and they all came rushing out, hitting and bumping into me. I almost got pushed down a couple of times. So I decided to come to the corner and wait for the halls to be clear. That’s why.”

“Just wait here until the crowd thins down. How are you going to get downstairs?”

“The principal gave me a key to unlock the elevator” I answered.

“Why didn’t you say you had that at first? Hell, let’s head to the elevator, and get out of this hallway.”

Right then Chase arrived, so we told him what was up. Between the two of them, we got to the elevator without me getting hit again. I put the key in, the door opened. We got in, pushed the “B” button, the door shut, we were on our way. The elevator seemed to be taking forever, it was so damn slow.

The door opened, we got off and headed into the cafeteria to eat. Joey helped me, get to the table and asked what I wanted to eat. So I told him, and he went to get our lunches. Before Joey got back, the guys arrived with their food, we knocked fist, and they sat down. We started talking, more about my stay in the hospital, than anything else.

Joey arrived with our lunches, he sat down and we ate. We talked about what was happening here at the school, every few minutes a student would walk up and shake my hand welcoming me back. Juan finally got the nerve up to ask one of the girls out, the one he wanted to ask the entire first six weeks of school. The football team is still undefeated, for the first time in school history.

We finished eating and we decided to go outside, as usual, to the quad and talk. Joey helped me up, threw my tray of trash away, and headed out. Joey and guys circled me where I wouldn’t get hit anymore. We got out into our usual spot, and just talked.

Juan and Chase’s girlfriends came over and joined us. I was introduced to them, they seemed nice. As we were talking, Juan’s girlfriend asked me a most embarrassing question. From their looks I could tell the guys thought the question was stupid too.

“If you had cancer, and went through chemo, how is it that you still have your hair?” she asked.

I looked at her, then at the others. They all were just staring at her and I was in total shock with the question.

“Well you are right, when I went through chemo, yes, my hair did fall out. No, it hasn’t grown back like it was before yet. For us guys it’s harder to hide it. The ladies that go through chemo can put a hair wig on that covers the entire head. Guys that go through chemo can do either of two things; shave their head bald or special order a hair piece that not only covers the top, but the sides also.

A local salon that does hair pieces for guys heard about me, and offered their services for free. When I was done with chemo, they came down, and measured my head. A few weeks later they returned with three complete hair pieces. They taught me how to put them on. They were gracious enough to give them to me for free. For that, and many other things, I am deeply thankful.

So the answer to your question is simple; right now I have not gotten my hair back, but I am wearing a hair piece” I concluded having spoken openly and honestly.

“I am sorry Jacob, she didn’t mean to be rude” Juan said apologetically.

“That’s not a problem Juan, I understand. I just hope no one else finds out about me wearing a hair piece!”

They all said at the same time that they wouldn’t say a thing. Juan’s girlfriend kind of disappeared behind him, and didn’t say a word to me the rest of lunch. The bell rang and everyone headed to class. Joey stayed with me as the others left.

“Joey, go ahead and go to class. I don’t want you to be late. I will stay here until the halls are clear” I said.

“Are you sure Jacob? I will wait with you. I don’t care about being late.”

“I do care if you are late, so please, head to class, but thank you so much!”

I grabbed his hand and squeezed it. I really wanted to show my affection to Joey but I couldn’t. I love him so much, and his willingness to stand by me amazes me. He squeezed my hand back, and headed off to class. Joey turned around, looked then winked at me, I winked back. We both had big old grins on our faces.

The truth of the matter was that I wasn’t feeling good. My stomach was all in knots, and I needed to throw up. I walked as quick as I could to the nearest restroom, went into the first stall I got to, and started throwing up. After my stomach was empty, I was able to stand up and go to the sink. I gargled with some cold water, and splashed some water on my face.

As I stood there looking into the mirror, I was scared, I didn’t want to be sick again, I just didn’t. So I put in my mind that it was the first day back, a day of nervousness and stress, a day full of excitement, a day I dreaded for weeks finally came, and that was the reason I threw up.

I made my way back to the principal’s office. When I got there, I told the secretary I was back and she directed me to the conference room to wait for the principal. I went in, sat down and waited for the principal to arrive. Shortly after, he came in and sat next to me.

“Jacob you are a smart kid to say the least. You passed four of five exams with high ninety’s. Your fifth exam, the science one; you flunked it. I see that you don’t like science by the looks of it.”

“No sir, I don’t. When I go into the job market, I don’t see me taking a job in which I need science. I know it’s not up to me, but I don’t see me using it.”

“No need to explain yourself, Jacob. Some like it; some don’t. I spoke with your science teacher, and she agreed under the circumstance to give you a passing grade. She felt if you were able to attend class, she would have caught onto you not understanding the course, and would have tried to help you pass the class. You won’t get an “A” in science, but you will get credit for the course.”

“Thank you, sir!”

“No need for that. You don’t look to good Jacob, are you ok?

“Yes sir, just my stomach is upset. I think it isn’t used to the food from school anymore!”

“The food from any public school takes some getting used to.”

We both laughed, and he went on.

“Jacob lets go ahead and fill out the classes you will be taking this semester. After we finish that, I would like you to go and visit the nurse.”

“Yes sir.”

We sat there filling out my class schedule, I knew already what classes I needed and wanted to take. During the weekend Joey and I went over his schedule so when I filled out mine, I will sign up for the same classes. I got the same classes, teachers, and periods as Joey. I am one happy camper here!

Once we were done, I walked to the nurse’s office. When I got there, Irene was sitting at her desk. She saw me as I was walking in. She jumped from her desk, came around and hugged me; “Jacob it is so good to see you up and around. How are you doing?”

“Doing good Irene, still learning how to walk again” I said with an appreciative smile.

“It will take time, it will take time. Anything I need to know about your recovery?”

“Yes ma‘am, here’s the doctors note that was written for you, and the meds that are to be kept here. The principal doesn’t want me carrying around any medicine, but sometimes the pain just comes, and it isn’t time for the next dosage.”

“Your doctor says you have the main dosage to take every four hours for pain and you are to carry another medicine that is a smaller dosage to take whenever the pain comes between dosages” Irene said interpreting Dr. Whitmore’s orders.

“Yes ma’am, that is correct.”

“I don’t see why you can’t carry the other medicine. The doctor has it in his instructions here, and I will follow his orders. You have a couple more pills to take at lunch as well.”

“Yes ma’am!”

“Ok we will keep on top of all this.”

She looked up at me, smiled then hugged me again.

“Jacob it is so good to see that you’re back with us, but your white as a ghost, we need to get some color back on your skin. Understand?”

“Yes ma’am loud and clear.”

We laughed and hugged. I said goodbye to Irene, and headed for fourth period. As I was making my way to class the bell rang. I hurried to the side of the wall, and waited for the crowd of students to thin down some. Once it did, I started heading to fifth period again, which was JROTC.

This was one building in the school I didn’t know where it was, on top of that, I couldn’t walk fast enough to get there in time, due to my injuries. I finally found the building, and walked in.

It was a weird set up. I walked into the double doors, right into a long hallway. As I walked down the long hallway, I saw on both sides of the walls, were pictures of classes of the past, of students in uniform. On my right side, there were several doors. I tried them all as I passed them but they were all locked. I reached the end of the hall, the door was open, walked in, and found the class standing up at attention.

I stood in the back while another student was taking roll call. I thought that was weird. I looked around, and found Joey sitting in the third row. Finally the class was given an order and they changed positions. This time an instructor stepped in front of the class and started speaking.

The student that was taking roll, walked by me, looked, and waved me to follow him. When we got into the hallway, he started to speak:

“Hello, I am the Cadet Company Commander, Captain Thomas. May I ask who you are?”

“Yes, my name is Jacob Hernandez. I’m supposed to be in this class.”

“Can I see your schedule?”

I handed him my schedule, he looked at it, and waved me to follow him again.

“You need to speak to the Senior Army Instructor; Colonial Pigeon is his name.”

We walked into one of the offices that were locked when I first entered in the building. We walked to the back into another office, and there sitting behind a desk was a older person, maybe late forty’s, little on the heavy side, wearing a army uniform. He was bald, white, and it looked as if life wasn’t kind to him.

“Col. Sir, I have a new cadet who just joined us today.”

The colonial looked up from his desk, stood up and pointed for me to sit in the seat that was in front of his desk.

“That will be all Captain. May I see your schedule, son?”

I handed him my schedule, he took it, looked it over. Then he looked back at me.

“Are you the Jacob Hernandez that was shot in front of our school last semester?”

“Yes sir I am.”

“That explains the cane then.”

“Yes sir.”

“How long will you be using the cane? The reason I ask is, in this class we teach the cadets to march, shoot, and many other things where a cane will get in the way.”

“At this moment sir, I really don’t have a time table on the cane. I know I won’t be using it forever, just until I get my strength back into my legs. Really the problem is simple. I have to get my brain to talk to my legs and arms to move and for them to do what they are being told.”

“Well, we will play it by ear then. We’d better get you to the Company and introduce you to the rest of the cadets.”

“Yes sir.”

He stood up, came around from the back of his desk, and we headed back the way I just came; down the hall, to the classroom again. We walked to the front of the class, another student got up, yelled something, and everyone stood up. As the instructor got to the front, he said something, and the class sat down.

“Company, we have a new cadet joining us today, his a little late, but make him feel welcome. His name is Jacob Hernandez.”

The class pounded on their desks.

“Cadet Hernandez, could you please come up here and tell us a little bit about yourself?”

I walked up to the front of the class, just looked out to the sea of faces. I was nervous as can be.

“Cadet Hernandez, everyone had to do this on the first day. It is to get you used to speaking in front of a unit, so if you get a leadership position, you can command.”

“Yes sir. Ommm, I think you all pretty much know who I am. My name is Jacob Hernandez, I’m a freshman here and I am taking the class to get my PE credit.”

“Cadet Hernandez, tell us about your family.”

“I am the third youngest of four. I have two older brothers, and one younger sister. I am originally from Wyoming having moved here my fifth grade year.”

“Thank you cadet Hernandez, you can take a seat in the back for now.”

I walked to the back, sat in a desk near the door. The class went by fast, I really had no idea what the hell they were talking about, but I listened. The bell rang and I was the last one out of the room. Joey was waiting for me at the end of the hall. When I got there, Joey opened the door and held it open for me.

“Let me see your schedule Jake.”

I handed him my schedule, and he looked it over.

“This is way too damn cool! We have the same classes again. Damn this is neat!”

I followed Joey to sixth period, as we got there, I had to see the teacher, and show her my schedule. The rest of the day went off without a hitch. The bell rang. Joey and I made our way to the parking lot where we met up with Chase. Joey’s mother was waiting for us, I got into the car, and we headed home.

I was silent the whole way home, my legs and arms were hurting me really bad, and I reached the limit of pills I was allowed to take between the main doses.

We dropped off Chase first, as he got out, we hit fist, and we were off again. Joey and his mother dropped me off in front of my apartment. As I got out Joey held the car door open for me. He walked with me to my apartment, and helped me in.

As I turned, Joey looked at me.

“Are you ok Jacob? You look like you’re in a lot of pain.”

“I am fine Joey; I’m just tired, that’s all.”

“No you’re not. The pain is showing and tears are about to run down your face” Joey argued.

Joey wiped the tears from my eyes with his hand. He walked out to his mom, waved at her as he was coming back in, then she drove off.

“Let’s get you to your room and off your feet, Jake.”

“Ok. You don’t have to stay if you don’t want to, or have homework or something else to do” I said knowing full well what I said was moot.

“No that’s cool. I don’t have anything else to do.”

We walked to my room and I went straight to my bed. Joey helped me take off my jacket and sweater, then my shoes. I was finally able to lie down.

“How much pain are you in right now Jake?”

“A lot Joey, it feels as if my legs and arms are being pulled away from my body by horses.”

“Why don’t you take your pain killers?”

“I have taken my limit for right now.”

I just couldn’t stand the pain anymore and I started crying the pain was so bad. Joey crawled into bed with me, wrapped himself around me, holding me. Just his being there made so much difference, the pain didn’t go away, but I felt loved.

I knew Joey wanted to help me get my mind off of the pain, so he asked; “Jake, I thought you had only one older brother and younger sister. You said in class today, you had two older brothers. Who and where is the other brother?

“I thought I told you already.”

“No you haven’t Jake, now Joey is hurt” Joey said playing the hurt card.

“Sorry my Joey, I will tell you. I do have two older brothers. You only met one of my brothers, the other one, Jeremy, is back home in Wyoming in a State School. He is mentally retarded. He needs more care and supervision than he can get here at home. He has to be in a structured environment” I explained giving Joey the insight he was seeking.

It got quiet. The pain just wasn’t getting any better. I was hurting bad. I started sobbing with the pain.

I kept crying until I fell asleep. Shooting pain up and down my body woke me up, it was dark already in my room, and Joey wasn’t there anymore. I turned over and looked at the clock; it was after eight. I was able to take more pain meds. I grabbed my bottle of medicine, and took the pills.

I waited for what seemed to be forever, and finally the pain was getting duller. I got up and went up front. I found my mom watching television. She looked up from the television.

“Jacob! You’re awake! Are you hungry?”

“No mom, thank you. Where is Joey?”

“He had to go home and do his homework. You need to eat something, Jake.”

“I don’t feel like eating mom, I just want to sleep. Good night.”

“Good night Jake, see you tomorrow.”

I went back to my room, and went to bed. I woke up several times during the night in pain, taking what meds I was allowed to take. The alarm clock woke me up at six. It took awhile for my arms and legs to get going. At first, they didn’t even want to move at all.

I got into the bathroom, took a quick shower, got ready, and headed outside. Joey was waiting for me with his mother. As I walked to the car, I was kind of dragging my left foot. Joey saw, a concerned look went across his face.

I got in the car, and we drove off. We stopped to pick up Chase. We didn’t say a word the whole way to school. When we got there, it took me a while to get going again. My body wasn’t working for me today.

We ate breakfast as usual, with the guys talking the whole time about everything under the sun. The bell rang, and I told Joey to go ahead to class. I was going be there, but late. I was slower today than yesterday, so Joey took off to class.

Once again, the reason I didn’t want Joey walking with me, I needed to get to the restroom, and fast. I barely made it to the stall. I threw up all my breakfast again. After I cleaned up I went on to first period.

The day went by fast, I didn’t eat lunch. I simply I didn’t want to throw it up again. I was dozing off in classes, and in JROTC, I was just lost in that class. I hated the class, but I needed to take it for the PE credit.

Throughout the day, the pain was so bad I just wanted to stab my legs and arms. I don’t know how I held in the tears of pain. I got home, and went straight to bed. I didn’t eat dinner that night either.

The rest of the week went pretty much the same way. I simply stopped eating altogether because it seemed whenever I put something in my stomach, I just throw it up. When the weekend arrived, I was so happy.

Joey spent the weekend with me and we stayed in my room the entire time. During the night, we slept together, kissed and made out, but we didn’t go any further. By Sunday, I knew Joey was glad it was time to go.

When he left, I stayed in my room, hitting myself over my head. I am ruining this. I am going to lose Joey if I don’t start to show him how much I care for him. I can’t live without Joey.

Monday rolled around, during lunch time I pulled Joey to the side.

“I need to talk with you Joey.”

“What’s up Jake?”

We headed to the restroom on the bottom floor.

“I don’t want to lose you Joey, I love you so much. I know I haven’t been around for you much lately. I don’t want to make any excuses and I realize I need to pay more attention to you.”

“Stop right there Jake. First you will never lose me. I will always be behind you. Second, you are hurting so bad, and I understand that you don’t have the strength by the end of the day. So don’t worry, I will always be here.”

“I love you so much Joey, I do, more than words can say” I said.

“I love you too” Joey replied and I could hear the love in his voice.

We were in a restroom that is rarely used. We hugged each other, I looked at Joey’s eyes, and we started kissing. I started feeling around his chest, he was doing the same. I got my hand under his shirt, and started playing with his nipples.

I pushed him into a stall, started feeling him up. He is hard as a rock. I was able to get his zipper down and then pulled his dick through his zipper hole. He was already leaking a lot of pre cum, which I licked up treating his cock like a lolly-pop. I went down on him, several times, it didn’t take long. Joey was grasping at the sides of the stall, biting down on his lip, then he exploded. This time I was able to drink it all up.

When he finished, he got up, stuck his dick back into his pants and zipped up. He then picked me up from the ground, and placed me on the toilet. As I did, he unzipped me, took my harden dick out, thought to myself, my dick will never let me down. Joey started going down on me, in less time than him, I blasted. He couldn’t drink it all, some dripped out of his mouth down my dick. When I was done, he got up, went out of the stall, and came right back in with paper towels. He cleaned my dick up, then I tucked it in my pants and zipped up.

We went over to the sinks, washed up, and started laughing.

“You know Joey, I have had dreams of this since the first time I met you. But in my dreams, I forced you into the stalls, and forced you to let me suck your dick. Remember, I thought you were straight when I first met you.”

Joey laughed as he was drying his hands.

“Jake this was so awesome. I got off so quickly because of the fear of being caught.”

“I thought you got off so quickly, because I was giving you great head” I said with a mock pout.

“That too, of course, Jake” Joey said back-peddling real fast.

We both laughed and walked out of the restroom. Right then, the bell rang, and we went to class.

The rest of the week went the same way. We started going to different restrooms at lunch, and getting each other off. We said it was the fear of being caught was the reason we chose different restrooms. We didn’t get caught in any of the restrooms, not even close to it.

I still wasn’t eating; I didn’t want to get sick. The following Monday when I went into the nurse’s office to take my meds. Irene looked at me with a concerned look.

“Jacob, you are looking very thin. Each time I see you, you seem to be getting thinner. Get over here and let’s weigh you.”

“That’s ok Irene. I’m fine, I just need my meds.”

“I won’t give you your meds, until I weigh you” Irene said in her take-charge manner.

I didn’t argue with Irene; I knew better. I went over, stepped onto the machine. She looked down at the scale and then she did a double take.

“Jacob I am going to need to call your doctor. Your weight is way too low. You have lost thirty two pounds since you were weighed last.”

“Please Irene don’t call Dr. Whitmore, it’s just the stress of coming back to school, that’s all” I begged.

“Sorry Jacob, I need to find out what to do here.” Irene said in a no nonsense tone that told me there was no point arguing.

She picked up the phone, a few moments later she asked to speak with Dr. Whitmore. She waited on the phone for a couple more minutes then she started talking. I figured Dr. Whitmore must have come onto the line, because she was telling whoever was on the other end why she called. She hung up, then came over to me and sat down.

“Jacob, Dr. Whitmore wants me to keep you here until he gets here. He should be here in the next thirty minutes or so.”

“Irene, I am fine, please give me my meds, and let me go to lunch.”

“I can’t Jacob. Just sit down and relax until he gets here.”

I was mad, she was to give me my medicine, not call my doctor. Plus I was going to miss my favorite time of the day, my sessions with Joey. I sat back fuming. The bell rang for fourth period to start, and still no Dr. Whitmore.

Finally Dr. Whitmore showed up and went over to speak with Irene, then came over to me.

“Jake, my man, what’s going on here? You do look a lot thinner then the last time I saw you at my office. What’s wrong?”

“Nothing Dr. Whitmore, just the pain has been getting to me really bad during the day and night.”

“Come with me to a bed where I can have a look at you.”

We walked over to a bed and Irene pulled the curtain shut around us. Dr. Whitmore lifted my shirt, and started feeling around, as he got to my stomach, I winched as he touched the sides.

“Does it hurt when I touch your stomach?”

“No sir.”

“Does it hurt when I touch your side?”

He placed his hand on my side again, and again I winched.

“Yes sir it does.”

“Be honest with me Jake. Have you been eating properly since you returned home?”

“When I first got home yes, but a couple weeks ago I started throwing up everything I ate, so I stopped eating.”

“Why didn’t you call my office and set up an appointment to see me Jake?”

“I thought it was just returning to school causing it and things would level out” I said giving him my reasoning.

“Jake I told you we won, but your cancer was very severe, and you could have it again. If you do have cancer in any other part of your body, it’s best to catch it right away.”

“I don’t want to be sick anymore Dr. Whitmore, I don’t. I want to be in high school, be with my friends and just be normal. If I have cancer again, I lose that.”

“I rather you lose three weeks of school, than your life, Jake. I need you to come to my office now. I will call your mother at work and let her know what‘s going on.”

“Can I get my pain pill? I am hurting really bad right now.”

“Yes, I will tell Irene to give it to you.’

We walked out of the bay where we were at, Dr. Whitmore first spoke to Irene, then got on the phone. Irene came over and gave me my pain pill with milk then went back to her desk. I sat there until Dr. Whitmore finished talking on the phone.

“Ok Jake, your mom gave permission for me to take you to my office, so lets go.”

We went out the side entrance of the school, and went to his car. Dr. Whitmore’s office wasn’t that far, maybe a thirty minute ride. When we got to his office, he asked me to put on a hospital gown, and lay back on the bed. Jeeze, I hate these gowns that leave everything in back out there for the world to gawk at!

A nurse came in and moved me, bed and all, out the door and down a hall into another room. It was an MRI machine. I was moved to another bed in front of the machine. Once I was settled in and in position, the bed moved into the machine, and I waited as it was taking the scans. These machines are nerve wracking as they scan. They whir, clank and bang a lot. After the MRI, Dr. Whitmore took regular x-rays of my stomach. When he was done, I got dressed and waited for him to come back in.

Dr. Whitmore came in, sat behind his desk, looking at a file in his hand which I assumed was my test results.

“Jake I don’t understand why you didn’t call me, or tell anyone, that you were sick again. We can help you, no matter what it is but you have to let us know!”

“I know sir, I am sorry.”

“Well let me tell you what I found. Your cancer is back, and it’s in your left kidney this time. The only option left to us at this point, is to operate, go in and take the kidney out. Then there will be chemo all over again.”

“Isn’t there anything else we can do Dr. Whitmore?” I pleaded with tears of fear streaming down my face.

“Not for the kind of cancer you have, Jake. We have to cut it out; that’s the only option. I don’t know if you came to me earlier, when you started throwing up, that we could have saved the kidney, but right now, that’s the only option.”

“When do we have to do this?” I asked dreading the answer I almost knew was coming.

“The sooner the better; I will speak with your mother, and make plans to get this done. The mean time, you need to take it easy. Your body is weak, and you are pushing it way too hard. If you keep pushing it like this, you will go backward, not forward.”

“Ok Dr. Whitmore, I promise. Can I go home now please?”

“Yes, let me get one of my staff to take you home. I will be seeing you within the next week, if not sooner. Let’s get it done. There’s nothing to be afraid of. Ok?”

“Yes sir, I agree.”

I went out, sat in the lobby waiting for my ride home. A staffer came out, handed me a bag, I looked at him.

“Dr. Whitmore wants you to take this medicine before you eat. It should allow you to eat without the vomiting.”

I nodded my head and we headed off. He drove me home. When we reached my apartments, I got out of the car, and thanked him. I went inside, headed to my room and sat there. A couple of hours later, there was a knock on the door. I got up and answered it and it was Joey.

“What happened to you today, Jake? Where did you go?”

“I forgot I had a doctor’s appointment; a follow up” I said, flatly lying to Joey.

“Is everything ok?”

“Yes, all is good, just have to do the follow ups” I replied, lying even more.

We went into my room. I didn’t have the heart to tell him I was sick again. I didn’t want to put him through it again, I just didn’t. Bad enough my family will have to go through it once again, and this time I really have a bad feeling about it.

Joey and I started watching television when my mom got home. She walked in yelling for me. Joey and I went to the front, and boy she didn’t look happy.

“Joey, could you please go home so I can talk with Jake privately?”

“Yes ma’am. Goodbye Jake. Call me later if you can.”

Joey left, my mom went to her room to change out of her work clothes, then she came back up front. She sat down on the couch and signaled me to sit as well.

“Jake what are we going to do? You have been sick for awhile again, and you didn’t tell anyone.”

“Sorry mom, I didn’t want to worry you.”

“That’s my job Jake; to worry about you kids. I spoke with Dr. Whitmore, and we scheduled for the surgery this coming Monday.”

“Why so soon mom? I haven’t even gotten better from the last surgeries. I don’t want any more surgery mom, I don’t” I said and my emotions were getting out of control.

I started to cry, I didn’t want it any more. I was still in a lot of pain from the last surgeries I had, in my legs and arms. I didn’t want any more surgeries.

“Jake I know you’re hurting and afraid, but we will get through this. I promise you, we will get through this.”

“Mom, you’re not the one that has to be opened up to have parts of your body taken out, then to go through the chemo. I just can’t do it anymore, mom, I just can’t” I said with obvious defeat in my voice.

“Stop it Jake! Stop it right now! I don’t want to hear those words coming out of your mouth again! You are strong. You will make it and we will be by your side.”

My mom hugged me for the first time in years, and it felt so good. I stopped crying and wiped my face. My sister walked in, so my mom told her what was going on. Marie was clearly upset, but just came over and sat with us on the couch.

We went out to eat that evening for dinner and got home little after seven. When I went to bed, I heard my mom crying in her room, sobbing, asking why this is happening. It just broke my heart. I never wanted to cause this much pain to those I love.

Friday came around fast and the start of my last weekend for awhile of not being sick was here. I still haven’t told Joey about me being sick again, I didn’t know how. On our way home, Joey asked if we could talk as soon as we got to my apartment.

Joey’s mother dropped us off, and we headed inside. We sat on my bed and I waited for Joey to start.

“Jake I really don’t know where to start, but just say it straight out. My mom and dad pulled me and my sister to the side on Wednesday to talk. They told us my dad was offered a higher position in his company, to the office in Arizona, and he is going to take it. Jake we are moving!”

I couldn’t believe it, on top of everything else, I am losing my love, my Joey. What is going on around here? What have I done to deserve getting so much bad luck? Tears started rolling down my face.

“When are you leaving?” I barely choked out.

“We are leaving first thing tomorrow morning. We are driving down there and we need to get there before Monday” Joey informed me.

“I don’t want to lose you Joey! I don’t.” I was crying really hard now. “Please Joey see if you could stay with other family members, please. God, Joey, I love you so much!”

“I tried that Jake, and they said no.” by now Joey was crying as well. “They said this was good all the way around, you know, due to what happened to me last summer and last semester. They just want to get out of here.”

We stood up, embraced each other in a hug, I squeezed him so hard I didn’t want to let him go. I know Joey felt the same way and he was hugging me really hard as well. We were both crying, my heart just broke right there. It felt like someone pulled it out of my chest, and stomped on it. I couldn’t believe what was happening. Joey and I kissed for the last time. We didn’t want to end the kiss or let each other go, but we had to. Finally it happened. We slowly let each other out of the embrace. Joey looked at me, tears rolling down his face, as mine. He turned around, and walked out of my door and out of my life.

I laid down on my bed, and put my head in my pillows, crying. I started yelling, I need you now Joey more than ever, I need you in my life. You will always have my heart, I will love you till the end.

I didn’t even realize I had cried myself to sleep. When I woke up it was dark. I looked at the clock, and it was already eleven. I took some pain meds and went back to bed.

The weekend went by and I spent most of the time in my room, pretty much crying the whole time. Joey was gone, he left my life, and I still couldn’t get my head around it. Monday morning came too fast for me. It was time to go under the knife again.

On the ride over to the hospital was quiet. No one in the car said anything. When we arrived, my mom dropped me off in the front of the hospital, and she and my sister went to park the car. I waited for them before I went up.

We went up together to the fifth floor, and checked in. A few minutes later, Dr. Whitmore and his team came out, picked us up and took us to what would be my room for the next couple of weeks. He asked me to get out of my street clothes into the hospital clothes.

We waited for Dr. Whitmore to return, again we didn’t say anything to one another. I think we were all scared. The door opened and the doctor came in.

“Ok now, Ms. Hernandez, Jake, Marie, let me explain to you guys what we are going to do today, and what you can expect to happen in, during, and after the surgery. As you know Jake, we found your cancer came back, and is in your left kidney and that is why you were throwing up. Your kidney cleans the blood of the body, but also, all your fluids go through it.

A person can easily live with one kidney it isn’t uncommon at all. We will open you up down the left side of your body, go in, and remove the kidney. We will look around, and see if there is anything else in there.

We don’t want to open you up again, if we don’t have to. The main problem is Jake, we have taken out either whole or part of other organs in your body. We cannot continue doing this if the cancer comes back. We will put you through chemo again, in hopes that we get it all this time.

This time we will also be putting you on a diet and sending you out with even more of a regimen of pills. This is to build up your immune system so you can better fight back the things that might be causing your cancer and other diseases you might get. Your life will change even more Jake, but we will be with you the whole way through. Any questions you have for me?”

“Yes, why am I in so much pain in my legs and arms? The pain pills are not even working anymore.”

“Jake, I believe it is due to you over extending yourself, but I am not the doctor that did that surgery. I will get Dr. Mitchell to talk with you when you are in the clear of this surgery.”

“I see there are no more questions, so let’s go ahead and get the show on the road. The surgery will be around eight hours, Ms. Hernandez and Marie, you know where the waiting area is. I will see you guys there later. I will try to come out and update you as much as I can.”

My mom and sister nodded, and left. Dr. Whitmore grabbed on my hand.

“Jake all is going to be fine. You have trusted in me all this time and I will not let you down. We will get through this, and you will live a long life.”

“Thank you Dr. Whitmore and I do trust and believe in you.”

With that, they wheeled me out into the surgical hall, then into the room. The next thing I knew, they put the mask over my nose and mouth and asked me to count backwards from one hundred and I was out.

TO BE CONTINUED…………..

{Hey guys, you’ve just read the seventh installment of the story and I hope you are enjoying the story. I am having fun writing the story, what I went through. It is bringing back very good memories. I have been getting very good feedback on the story so far. If you want me to send you an e-mail when new chapters post, let me know. I will send out a general e-mail when I post. Be assured, your e-mail address will be kept strictly confidential. I hope you keep reading the future installments. It is based on my life in high school, just the names were changed, but the location is pretty much the same. Remember, this story is more about finding true love, than anything else. Keep reading the future chapters and enjoy. Please e-mail me and let me know how I am doing at jacobmillertex@aol.com, Thanks! I have a home page for you to see what the characters look like or what the places look like. If you want to walk in their shoes, please go to: http://jacobmillertex.com/}

EDITOR’S CORNER:

Oh boy, here we go again. How can anyone have such a streak of rotten luck? The cancer reappears and Jake and Joey are ripped apart and all in the same week. Does anyone other than the boys realize what they mean to each other?

I don’t know about you, but I believe in the power of love. I have a feeling Joey is gone but will, at some point, return to Jake’s life. I also fear for Joey’s safety with his Dad’s pent up anger.

Well, I’m with you, waiting to see what happens next. I read the chapters the same as you. I don’t read ahead. My “system” relies on doing it this way so that I make sure the different threads are connected together to give you a great, smooth read.

You can let me know what you think as I read all your e-mails to Jacob to make sure I’m doing a good job too.

Until next time, when things aren’t great in your life; take a look around and you’ll find a lot of people with worse situations than yours. Love those around you and love will come back to you.

Take care, and be safe.

“Daddy” Rick