Jacob Finding His Way - 24. Chapter 24

(SERGEANT HANEY’S POINT OF VIEW)

When we arrived at Austin High School Joey and Jacob seemed to be at home there. They talked all the way to the school about the battalion. One thing they did say that made me feel good was it didn’t compare to our battalion though.

When we got out of the truck after Joey found a parking spot, I felt weird. I don’t know how to explain this, but I just had a funny feeling in the pit of my stomach I can’t explain. As we crossed the street I kept my eyes open

My attention was grabbed by three guys that were walking from the other side of the parking lot. They looked too old to be students. I think that is what caught my eye. Plus the clothes they were wearing; baggy pants with wife beaters, shaved heads, and chains leading from their belt loop to their back pocket. They just looked out of place to me at the moment.

When we were making our way into the building several of the cadets were not wearing their hats nor were they saluting the officers. Fierro and the guys would stop and tell the cadets to put on their covers and to salute. When we got to one cadet he was giving Fierro a hard time about it, and then one of the officers showed up backing up the cadet.

As I stood there watching Fierro try to explain to the two cadets who he was. I couldn’t believe it. They should know any higher ranking NCO or cadet and instructor from any other school or institution can tell a cadet they are doing wrong.

My attention was pulled away from the cadets giving Fierro a hard time. At first I didn’t really put it together until I really realized what was up. The crowd of students gathering was getting larger by the minute. The chanting began that was inciting a fight. Whenever you get too many students in one place, they always fold to peer pressure. This was not different at all.

I ran up to Jacob trying to help him get our cadets out of the area. Jacob was able to get all of them except Fierro. Fierro is in the middle of all this and it wasn’t his fault at all. I saw Jacob trying to pull Fierro out with no luck.

Right when it seemed as if Jacob had Fierro, several other students grabbed onto Jacob. He was thrown to the ground and I couldn’t see either of them. The crowd of students swallowed them up.

When I looked around, I saw several guys in suits and school guards running toward the crowd of students. They started to break up the fight pushing students off of one another. Within minutes they had order where the fighting was.

Fierro and Jacob walked over to us. The only thing I could see wrong with the guys was their uniforms were out of place. Other then that they seemed to be ok coming out of a fight like that! They were actually in the middle of the pile to top it off.

As we helped Jacob and Fierro brush off the dirt from their uniforms, gun shots went off. Instantly as the gun shots went off, I hit the ground. I took down my students down with me to the ground for cover as well. I just couldn’t believe what was going on. Who in the world would be shooting at a school? More so, what stupid student would be carrying a weapon of that kind at a school? That kind of stupidity is a FEDERAL crime!

When the gun fire ended I looked up and saw the guys in suits surrounding us. I looked to see who in the world was shooting. When I saw two other people on the ground I wasn’t stunned at all.

They were the two of the three guys that caught my attention when we first got here at the school. One of which was screaming out in pain. That means he probably got hit in the gun fire. I didn’t see the third guy anywhere that was with them.

The guys in the suits let us get up finally. As I got up, I helped Joey and the others up. When we were dusting off, for the second time, the guys in the suits introduced them selves to us. They are detectives watching over Jacob.

“Is everyone here ok?” One of the detectives asked.

I shook my head in the positive and the rest did the same. I looked over and finally saw the third guy being brought back over to the police cars. I figure he tried to run for it. What a stupid idiot across the board. The other two were still lying on the ground. The one that was yelling in pain was still yelling and the other one was quiet and still.

The detectives asked us to follow them into the building. As we walked in we were greeted by the principal. He took us directly to his office.

(JACOB’S POINT OF VIEW)

As I was lying on the ground all I could think about was Joey. I was so damn worried about him being hurt. I turned my face and saw him lying almost right next to me. I moved to get closer to him. I grabbed onto his hand not even thinking.

“Joey, are you ok? Please tell me you are ok.” I said with a stutter in my voice.

“I am fine Jake, just scared that’s all. I think I might have a laundry problem!” Joey smiled at me when he answered. I almost giggled at what he was inferring!

Finally, we were allowed to get up. Almost immediately we were rushed into the building. The principal was standing at the main entrance waiting for us. We walked to his office as soon as we went through the front doors.

As we entered the office the principal looked at and spoke for the first time. “Well Jacob, what a way to return to the school with a bang.”

We all started to laugh about what he said. We finally were relaxing after the fight and then the gun shots in front of the school.

“I was told you were coming, but I didn’t know this was going to happen. Detective, can you shed some light on the subject?” the principal asked, looking over at the detective that seems to be in charge.

“Yes sir, I can. Jacob, we found out that Alejandro Garcia put a hit on you.”

“When the hell did that happen, sir? I already testified against him in court.”

“I know you did, Jake, but the judge over turned the jury’s guilty verdict. So the District Attorney re-filed the charges against him. Alejandro thought he was still going to be a free man, but he got a surprise. The District Attorney moved to remove the judge that was on the case. The court date was last week to get a different judge.

Alejandro had to be present for that court date. A correctional officer didn’t follow the orders and placed Alejandro into population that was going to court that day. We came to find out, that the officer did that on purpose. He has lost his job and has been arrested.

However, the damage had been done. So the District Attorney ordered around the clock protection on you. That is where I come in. I have been in charge of the detail since the order came down. We figured if the hit was going to happen, it was going to happen today since you were back in their territory.

So, we were ready for it and did our job. The only thing we didn’t expect was for a fight to break out. That was something new for us. Talk about students not liking students in ROTC. That is an understatement!

Back to what I was saying about your protection; we have caught these three guys, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t others. I am not saying this to scare you or worry you. I am saying this so you know we will not stop protecting you, Jacob. You will not see us doing it, that’s all.”

The office was quiet for a few minutes before anyone talked.

“Well then you don’t need a statement from any of us?” Sergeant Haney asked.

“No sir. We saw the whole thing and will write that in our report. Just remember Jake, you do not need to live in the shadows or hide. Just keep going to school, playing football and running track. No harm will come to you as long as I and my team are watching you.”

We thanked them and headed out of the office. We all went into the restroom to get cleaned up. [And so Joey can clean out his underwear? ED] We couldn’t show up at another Battalion looking like a cat dragged us in. I was looking in the mirror along side the others. It seemed we got ruffed up a bit, but no real damage done. As I was tucking in my shirt, I turned to the guys.

“You know I am really sorry for dragging you guys into my mess. I didn’t know this was happening or we were in danger!” I said looking at them with pleading eyes.

“Look Jake, we know you didn’t plan this.” Fierro started answering for the guys. “It is the stupid ass that wants to kill you. You surely don’t want to be killed so we are not blaming you at all. Plus the fight wasn’t your fault either. So don’t blame yourself!”

The others just nodded their heads in agreement. I was ready to go and get this day going again. We walked over to the ROTC building talking about what happened.

When we walked in, we were greeted by Colonel Pigeon.

“Jake, my boy! That’s one hell of a way to return back to your old Battalion! You sure know how to get everyone’s attention when you arrive!” Colonel May said laughing.

We all laughed as the Colonel guided us to his office. The minute we walked in there, the NCO and officers we were talking to were standing at attention.

“I have these two cadets here for you to talk to.” Colonel May said looking at Fierro and then at them. “I found out they were refusing to listen to you when you were instructing them about their hat wear. Then my officer jumped and defended the poor judgment of the NCO.

On top of all that, they pretty much caused the fight in front of the school. I, nor my staff condone this behavior and they will be dealt with after you speak with them.”

Fierro just looked at the two then back at Colonel May. “Yes sir, they were giving me hard time about me instructing them about the hat wear. They were disrespectful and insubordinate.”

“Gentlemen; look at these cadets that are standing in front of you. Three of them out rank you two and one actually out ranks you in the NCO rank. Standing before you gentlemen is our Brigade Commander, a Cadet Colonel, the Battalion Commander of the First Battalion, a Lieutenant Colonel, a Captain, and a First Sergeant. You will AWAYS listen AND OBEY your superiors, no matter where they are from. DO I MAKE MYSELF UNDERSTOOD?”

Both of the cadets at the same time said yes. Colonel May turned to Fierro to see if he had anything to add.

“I believe they understand what we said to them. When they are in uniform, they must wear the uniform correctly and I think they now understand the point. I don’t think they will make the mistake of not respecting a Cadet of superior rank from here on out” Colonel Fierro concluded.

“I agree Colonel and they now know that. Plus I need to make it clear with the rest of my Battalion about this issue. All the cadets in this unit know the rules of wearing the uniform. Getting caught like this by the Brigade Commander doesn’t bode well.”

Colonel Pigeon dismissed the two cadets to the class room. Just their luck they had class when we were there. As soon as they left the office the Colonel told us to take a seat. He looked over to me and smiled; “Well Jake, this really means I can’t get you to come back to my unit your senior year.”

I smiled and chuckled a little. “No Sir, I am really happy where I am. I started with the Second Battalion of the Brigade. I do thank you though, for not giving up on me and pushing me when I know I was being a pain in your ‘you-know-what’, Sir!”

“You can say it, Jake; you were a ROYAL pain in the ass when you first got here. You were mad at the world and everyone in it. I understood why and I am glad you were able to let go of it all. The rank suits you, Jake. Congratulations on the promotion. You deserve it!”

“Thank you for your kind words and for having us here today, Sir!”

As soon as I finished saying that, several cadets knocked and entered the office. We were introduced to them as soon as they came in. These are the cadets that are going to get the programs started in this Battalion.

They had desk and chairs set up in the range where we were meeting. Sergeant Haney stayed with Colonel Pigeon to shoot the breeze. Joey and I knew each and every one that came into the room. They were higher ranking than us as when we the program here.

They caught onto everything we had to say. That made it a lot easier for us to get across all that needed to be covered. Then, once we finished up with the main areas we needed to cover I took the cadet that was going to be the editor of the newsletter aside.

I gave him all the computer programs he needed to put together their newsletter and send it, properly formatted, to the printer. I called up Tec High from the office and introduced the cadet to our point man there. The Tec High instructor was very pleased when I told them what was in the works. He needed the work for his students. The more work he had, the larger the classes he can get. He had to shut down enrollment to his class due to a lack of work.

I was happy to be able to help him out. He even gave us a better deal having so many newsletters being printed with his program. In total we have ten Battalions that make up our Brigade. That is just in our school district.

There are three other school districts in El Paso. Not all of the high schools have an ROTC program this year. Starting next year there, there is going to be two more Battalions added to our Brigade, and then the following year another two. So we are going to be getting even larger in the next couple of years. To make it plain as can be, what we do here, this year, will set the tone for the new Battalions to come.

After doing the phone call they were set. The morning went faster than yesterday did. I just hope we can get this done as soon as possible.

On the way back to Newman High School we stopped at McDonalds to grab a fast lunch. We sat there talking about how dumb Irvin High was compared to the other two schools we have visited. We all came to the same conclusion; it wasn’t due to the school but rather, the cadets wanting to give us a hard time.

The rest of the day went fast. It was the normal uniform day without practice until after school. I started going to track practice on Tuesdays after school. This Tuesday is no exception to my routine.

When I went into the locker room, the team continued to change and talk as if I have been part of their team since the beginning. It made me feel better until the coach needed to weigh me as soon as I walked in.

(ALEJANDRO’S POINT OF VIEW)

I was transferred out of my cell into the lawyer’s room. Well what they call lawyers room. When I was about to walk into the room I was pulled back. I was told I was going to meet with my lawyer in the middle room.

As I waked in I saw my lawyer with the District Attorney sitting at one of the long metal tables. I looked around and saw several guards scattered around the room. It was a large room separated by a metal gate in the middle. On both sides there are rows and rows of metal tables and chairs lined down the room.

I went and sat at the table where my attorney and the District Attorney were sitting. Before I was able to speak a word, my attorney spoke up first.

“Alejandro, the District Attorney called to prepare me for what’s about to happen. I asked him to give us a chance to talk before it happens. Let me let him explain what I am talking about; Mr. Anderson go ahead, please.”

“Ok, Mr. Garcia, you have a big problem coming your way as I told your attorney. I am going to present you a one time deal. It is only good while we talk, because once we leave this room, I will not offer it again.

The jury was going to sentence you to twenty five years in prison on the first count and then twenty years on the others. They were not going to allow the sentences to run concurrently, but rather, consecutively with one another. They wanted to be absolutely sure you would spend the rest of your life in prison. I will give you what the jury was going to give you, which is twenty five years on each count, but I will go with the other convictions to run concurrently with the first one. This way you have a chance to see light of day at the age of forty” the D.A. concluded.

“If I do not take this deal, what can you do to me? You will lose again as you did the first time. No jury or judge will convict me in this State for trying to kill a faggot. I’ll bet you they want to give me a medal for it!” I said with a chuckle in my voice.

“That’s fine. You don’t have to accept the deal I am offering you. I think you’re forgetting you WERE convicted by a jury in this State. It was the judge that over turned the jury’s verdict. We now have a new judge on the case. You might find it interesting that this judge is an openly gay man and has risen up through the ranks and now sits on the bench. So if, and they will, convict you, he will not overturn the verdict. Additionally, I really believe he won’t allow the testimony about the love life of a witness.”

I looked over at my attorney for some guidance on this. He just stayed quiet for awhile and I was getting me worried.

“Alejandro, Mr. Anderson is correct about the judge. I won’t be able to get away with putting the witness on trial this time. This judge never allows it mo matter who they are. That is why when we got this judge, I told you we were in trouble” my attorney lamented.

“Yeah I know you told me that. I feel I have a very good chance in court this time not getting convicted.” I looked over at Mr. Anderson with a smile on my face.

“Mr. Garcia, I will enjoy knocking that smirk off your face. You lost in every way and what I am giving you is a favor to your attorney, not you. I want to take you to court again and get you convicted and sentenced.

When Jacob Hernandez takes the stand and testifies against you. I will be looking at you with a big old smile on MY face. The reason for that is simple. Your plot to try to kill him again, has failed. We caught three of your homeys trying to kill Jacob this morning. Two of them will be joining you very soon and the third is in the morgue.

Trust me when I tell you that they will sell you out to cut a deal with my office. If you do not take the deal right now I’m offering you, I will order these guards to take you back downstairs and tack on sixty years for attempted murder charges I will file on you for the hit you ordered on Jacob today.”

My mouth just dropped open. How could he tack on those attempted murder charges on me while I was sitting in the county jail?

“You can’t do that. I was not the one that tried to kill Jacob. I was here so I can’t be charged with anything that happened out there.”

The DA got a HUGE smile on his face; “Oh, yes I can, Mr. Garcia. You made it really easy. You ordered or asked your fellow gang members to take care of your problem and they tried to. We will tie this in with the testimony of the guard we also have in custody that put you in the cell with them rather than keeping you segregated.

Mr. Garcia, you didn’t look around before you sat down in the holding cell, did you?”

I just stared at Mr. Anderson as he asked the last question.

“You went and sat down on the bench in right in front of the intercom. As you guys talked about the hit in code, it was recorded; every word. We started doing that almost two years ago when another dumb ass thought he could beat the system and ordered a hit on a witness.

So, with the recording, the testimony of the guard and the two we have in custody you will be put away for a very, VERY long time.”

I just sat there, stunned, to say the least. How did I get myself into this? I should have believed in my attorney to get me off as he did before. No, my stupid ass tried to take matters into my own hands. I looked up to Mr. Anderson knowing I was beat.

“Do you have the deal paper work with you right now?” I asked.

“No I don’t have the paper work with me. If you agree to the deal, we will get in front of the judge as soon as possible and you will plea out and when you have completely and fully elocuted to the charges, then, and only then will you sign the plea paperwork. I don’t do the business of the court and the judge in the county jail.”

“Fine; I’ll take the deal and will plea to the charges just as long as I get the deal you said you are going to give me” I said knowing I was really screwed.

“I will follow through with the deal I have offered you. The judge could reject it and either offer another deal or send it to trial. In all my years as a prosecutor, a judge has never overturned a plea bargain made between the two sides.

You cannot order the killing of, talk to, or talk about Jacob Hernandez again. That will be part of the plea agreement. Let the poor kid live his life in peace. If Jacob Hernandez ends up dead tomorrow, or twenty four years from now, I will re-instate the remaining charges I am not charging you with now. I will go after you with a vengeance.

DO I MAKE MY SAFE CLEAR ON THIS POINT?” The D.A roared loud enough for the whole jail to hear.

“Yes sir, you do and I will not mention the name Jacob Hernandez again” I agreed.

Mr. Anderson got up and walked out to the guard station. My attorney looked at me and patted me on the shoulders as he walked out. I sat there just numb as can be. The next twenty five years of my life, I will be spending behind bars. How did it come to this?

I was taken back to my cell soon after my attorney left. I sat in the eight by eight cell that had nothing more then a metal bed, metal toilet with sink, and a metal table. No television or books to take my mind off of what just happened. The rest of my youth will behind bars because of a stupid stunt I should have never pulled. I realize I am going to be in prison for more years than the number of years I have lived life so far.

(JACOB’S POINT OF VIEW)

When we got home after practice I was so happy to be home. From what had happened in the morning and the hard practice during track, I as I tired. I just wanted to soak in the bath tub.

The cool thing about our bathroom is that we had a huge garden tub separated from the main tub and shower. It has a whirlpool system that could relax every muscle in the body. I just loved this tub.

I went in and threw off my running shorts, t-shirt soaked with sweat, snickers and socks. I stepped into the nice, warm relaxing tub. As I was laying back to relax Joey walked in, stripped and did the same.

He climbed in with me and sat between my legs. Joey leaned into my chest looking up to me. I leaned down and gave Joey a long kiss. I started to rub his stomach and chest. Eventually, I made my way down to the part of his body I loved so much.

I was so tired though, and I just wanted to relax. Joey knew it and just sat there in the hot water with me. He turned around and lay back against my chest. I loved the way his body felt against mine. The way his hair even smelled after a long day. Joey never smells no matter what. I know now I cannot live without having my Joey with me, in good times and bad. We let the whirlpool do its magic until the water started to cool. We got out of the tub and moved to the shower.

As we got out of the shower the only thing Joey was wearing was his ring and necklace. I smiled at him as he looked over at me.

“What are you smiling about babe?” he asked so innocently while standing there in all his naked glory.

“You and that body that’s all mine and no one else’s. You are naked wearing only the ring and the necklace. I just realized I haven’t seen you take them off since the day I put them on you.” I said still with the silly smile on my face.

“I will never take off them off until I die. Even when we didn’t talk for those months, when you lived on your own, I never took off my ring! My heart is yours and always will be yours. I love you so much Jake!” Joey responded.

I got out of the shower and walked over to Joey without saying a word. I grabbed him and pulled him into me. I wanted him so badly inside of me, to make us as one at that moment. There will be time for that later; enough time to take our time and do it right. I don’t want to be rushed.

We headed back down to the kitchen. Joey wanted to make sure I ate a big dinner. He wasn’t happy when I told him what Dr. Whitmore told me about my weight. When we get home we all are tired from practice and school. There’s little inspiration to get in the kitchen and do a production.

“Jake let me ask you a question and please don’t get mad at me!” Joey looked at me with his puppy eyes.

“Yeah, go ahead and ask away!” I said, curious as to what was on Joey’s mind.

“You know I have relatives that live in J-Town? [That’s Juarez, Mexico for those of you that don’t speak Texan. ED] They know a lot of ladies that come over here to clean house’s and cook for people. They work at reasonable rates. I was told they only charge thirty five dollars a day. What would you think about bringing a couple of them over to clean the house and cook for us two or three times a week?” Joey put forth not sure of how I’d react to the idea.

“Why are you thinking so many times each week, if I may ask?” I inquired making sure I didn’t have any hint of a negative tone in my voice.

“Look at the house we live in. It is kind of big if I do say so myself and there are four of us to clean up after and cook for. They could separate each time doing something different. One time heavy cleaning, the next laundry, the next iron, and so on” Joey said, making it obvious he’d thought this trough and that it’s not a casual thought.

“That sounds like a very good idea to me. I would like to get two from the same family if possible. They will work better together than if they are from different families” I said in agreement.

“I agree with your thinking on that, Jake. I will get a hold of my extended family in J-Town and get the ball rolling on this tonight.”

We both looked in the refrigerator and didn’t find anything of interest to eat. We have plenty of food in there; we just do not want to cook.”

Once again we decided to go out and eat. As we were eating I was figuring how much it was costing for us to eat out all the time. We were averaging about thirty dollars each time went to eat. So, just figuring Monday through Friday, it was running one hundred and fifty dollars. That still doesn’t include the money we spend eating out at lunch.

If we go with Joey’s idea and bring in the maids three times a week, it would run one hundred and eighty dollars. If we bring them in twice and week, it would cost one hundred and twenty.

No matter what we do, it is going to cost; that’s just life as I’m learning. We need to figure out a way to get the house in order and stop spending so much money. Money hasn’t become a big issue for me or Joey. I haven’t touched a dime of the principle my grandfather won for me. In fact, due to the investments and income it has been generating, I have done well. The original five hundred thousand I started out the investments with has been returned. So my grandfather is investing my money well.

(JOEY’S POINT OF VIEW)

When Friday rolled around I was actually excited to get on the field for the first time. I have been getting along with the football team all week thanks, in large part, to Tom’s having come out to them. They accepted him being gay and really don’t care. Maybe it isn’t such a bad thing being gay here. I don’t think it’s good enough to wear “I’m Gay” on a t-shirt and go walking about town or to school, however.

Also it could be they have known Tom, like he said, all their lives. So his coming out being gay isn’t a huge difference for them. It would be for a new person in the scene like be being gay isn’t a good thing.

Well, I’d better not think too much about this. I have a game to play and help take my team to victory. I had fun throughout the game. We had the game won since the first quarter. The coach didn’t want anything to happen to his starters. So, after the half the coach put in his second and even his third string players. We just looked on as we took the game to victory with a score of 45-6.

(JACOB’S POINT OF VIEW)

When Joey got home after the game all I wanted to do was be with him. Joey was more excited about winning the game than I had ever seen him. It seemed as if all the problems he was going through have disappeared, finally. I just loved the zest Joey has for life. He will always keep me young not only in heart but in health.

We went upstairs a couple hours later. We undressed one another and went to bed. Joey didn’t even need to shower now that he could shower with the team. We snuggled up to each other as we drifted to sleep. As I was entering the dream world, I had the boy of my dreams in my arms.

I got out of bed the next morning as quietly as I could. I didn’t want to wake up Joey early on a Saturday morning. When I walked in the bathroom, I was stopped in my tracks.

“You don’t think you’re going to leave without me this morning do you?” Joey said with his toothbrush in his mouth.

I couldn’t help but chuckle looking at him with white toothpaste dripping down his chin. I walked over to him and pulled him to me.

“Come here and give me a kiss handsome.” We started kissing each other. I was taking in his toothpaste as we kissed. “You know no matter if you’re awake, asleep, or just waking up you are so damn handsome, Joey!”

That put a big old smile on Joey’s face. He finished brushing his teeth while I drained the snake. I did my morning routine before heading out to get dressed. Once I was dressed, Joey and I walked downstairs to grab something to eat. To Joey’s and my surprise David and Tom where already at the kitchen table eating scrambled eggs and bacon.

“It smells so damn good! Who did the cooking?” I said as I was dishing up some eggs for Joey and me to eat.

“I did the cooking. You all have a house full of food but don’t eat here.” Tom said with a mouth full of eggs!

“That is no lie about the food. We are thinking about hiring a maid for two or three times a week. Maybe we should just ask you to move in and cook for us!” I chuckled sitting down.

“No, that I won’t do. You guys are not the cleanest or neatest group I have seen and I won’t wear one of those little black and white maid’s outfits either!” Tom quipped. That image in mind got us all laughing and unable to eat for a couple minutes!

After a good laugh, we continued eating as fast as possible. If we don’t eat in a hurry, I will be late for track. I got to the school just in time for the meet.

As before, I ran in the same four races and we took them all. The coach was not happy with me due to my time getting slower in each tournament we do. I figure in the district match ups I really don’t need to run my fastest. When we get to the higher levels is when I will put it all on the line.

Right after the meet was over and the coach spoke with us. I caught up with Joey and the guys in the parking lot. When I got there, most of the football team was there chatting with Tom.

I looked at David then Joey to figure out what is going on. I couldn’t get the gist of things by the looks on their faces. Finally Tom walked over to us; “Hey guys the football team has a big favor to ask you.” He looked back at the guys then back to us. “They had a home to throw a party at today but it fell through. So they have all the stuff, just not a place to throw the party. They were wondering if they could throw the party at your house” Tom said, putting forth the team’s case.

I looked over at Joey and the guys. I had gotten on Chase just last weekend about having a party at our house. What would it look like if I say yes to this one and I got on his case for the last one? That would be shitty of me to say the least.

I waved Chase and Joey over to me. I wanted to them to know they have a say in this; not just me.

“Chase I know I got on your case last…..”

Chase stopped me before I could finish. “Jake, the house is yours not mine. I am glad you gave me a place to live, food in my stomach and clothes on my back. I will never hold any ill will towards you or think differently if you say yes. I was wrong doing what I did without asking you guys first. I know you guys are cool and would have said yes.”

I was surprised with Chase’s reaction and I know it really is Joey’s and my decision to make. I looked over to Joey to see what his thoughts were on this. All he did was point to me as though it was my decision alone to make.

We walked back over to the guys. I looked at Tom and back at Joey and the guys. I was kind of unsure of what to make out of this. Since these guys know we live in our own home we are going to be party central if I’m not careful. Also if I do say no it may result in things going back to the way they were before Tom came out. So it is like catch twenty-two. I’m damned if I do, damned if I don’t.

“Ok, you guys can have your party at the house.” They started to smile and high five one another. “Just a couple of things though. The upstairs is off limits to everyone that comes over. There is plenty of room downstairs and in the game room. Also, there will be no sex in the closets of the house, if you all get my drift.”

“Jake you are getting me wrong here. We don’t want to throw the party in the house but in the back yard. The only time we will need access to the house is if and when someone needs to use the bathroom. Other than, that everyone will stay in the yard.” Tom said.

That made me a happy camper. I wasn’t as worried with them having the party outside as I was having it inside. Tom told me the some of the guys would head on over in the next hour so and set up.

The other good thing about where we live is out a little ways. The houses are not built on top of one another. That is one of the things Joey and I liked when we bought the house. The yards were huge and the land between the homes was decent. So we really will not be bothering the neighbors that much.

Joey, the guys and I headed back to the house. On the way home we ate at Village Inn. I wanted something you could call real food rather than the fast food we were eating constantly.

When we drove up to the house, the guys were setting up already. I didn’t really pay any mind to them. I headed in to change and get comfortable. I was dirty and sweaty from the track meet. I really just wanted a shower and to laze around.

By four the back yard was pretty much set up for the party. They asked to have the party at the house but they never did actually invite any of us to join the party. We were downstairs discussing that.

“Jake, the party is being held at your house. That alone gives us the right to be at the party.” David said with the others agreeing.

“That is true. The party is being held here. Still though, they didn’t invite us to the party! I don’t want to crash the party and not be wanted” I mused.

We stayed quiet for a few minutes then I spoke up again; “Look you guys, they really never had a problem with you. Go and have fun at the party and enjoy yourselves. The worst they could do is to ask you guys to leave. For me I am going to stay away from the party. I wasn’t invited. Call me old fashioned, but I won’t go where I am not invited. I don’t want trouble with them here at my own house!”

I walked back upstairs to Joey’s and my room. I thought to myself these guys got the backyard ready way too soon. The party won’t be kicking off for hours yet.

By eight the back yard was getting full of people. The music was playing and drinks were being served. I then realized the drinks were beer and every one was under age. I just hope they don’t get too noisy and the neighbors call the police.

I should have never even thought of the negative. It was a little after one when there was sirens out side of the house and banging on the door. Before I knew it, I saw kids running in all directions. I was so damn pissed.

One of the officers walked in through the open gate to the back yard. He started yelling if anyone was in the house to come on out. I walked out to see what he wanted.

“Who is the owner of this house?” The officer yelled.

I stepped forward to the officer. “I am the owner of the house, sir.”

“Do you know it is against the law on serving any kind of alcohol to minors?” As he turned and looked at me with a cheesy smile!

“I didn’t know there was alcohol at the party, sir”: I stated with respect.

“I don’t know what kind of trick you are playing here son. There is no way you own this house. Where are you parents, son?”

“Sir, I own this house and my parent doesn’t live with me at all.”

The officer just looked at me before he grabbed onto my arm and dragged me into my own home. He threw me into a chair in the dining room.

“Now, you are going to tell me the truth about where your parents are or I am going to haul your skinny ass to jail” he said, trying his best to intimidate me.

“I hate to bust you bubble officer, but I am under age. So you cannot haul my butt to jail. And, for the last time, the house is mine and no one else’s” I stated firmly, yet politely.

“Don’t be getting smart with me, young man. I will throw you in juvenile detention before you can yell for mommy” the officer said showing a really nasty disposition.

I looked at him surprised at how angry he was getting. I didn’t answer him right away and that seems to have gotten him even angrier.

“Look son, I have no time to play games with you. You had better answer me soon or I will throw the cuffs on you” he stated showing even more anger.

“Sir, I own this house and if you will allow me to go to the study and get the paperwork, I will prove it to you.”

“No way am I going let you run out of this house. Enough is enough, get up now son!”

The officer pulled me up from my seat and threw me against the wall. He searched me and took out the stuff I had in my pocket. He then handcuffed me and walked me out to his police unit. That I was embarrassed was the least of it. I was scared and worried about where he was taking me. I wasn’t getting smart with the officer. He just didn’t allow me to prove to him I was the owner of the house.

I don’t know what he did when he went back to the other guys. About five minutes later he walked back up to his car and got in. He had my ID and was calling it in.

“All you had to do, Jacob, was tell me where your parents are. Now, when they get home they’ll find that their son has been arrested. You will be in more trouble then just having the party.”

His screen blinked a couple of times and then looked back at me. He then called in the radio to his office. When he was talking on the radio another police car drove up.

Whoever was in that unit looked like was his boss. Then he walked back to his unit and got back in not saying a word. He started the car and we were on our way. About fifteen minutes later we drove up to the west side substation.

He drove up to the locked fence and put in a code. The gate opened and he drove through and parked near the door. Once he stepped out he opened the door and pulled me out. We walked through the back of the police station.

When we got inside there were these little cages no bigger than a dog kennel. He opened one of the fence doors and un-cuffed me. He ordered me to sit on the bench then he cuffed me to the metal rod in the metal. He walked out shutting the fence door and locked it.

I watched him walk away until I couldn’t see him anymore. This place was cold and very uncomfortable to be in. I really couldn’t move at all due to my hand being handcuffed to the middle of the bench.

I sat there, scared as can be. I actually wanted to cry as I sat there. I never have been in trouble before and here I am sitting in a cell. I know if they take me wherever, I was not going to get out of there unscathed and perhaps not alive. Not just because of Alejandro Garcia but also, me being gay. That will cause me a hell of a lot more problems.

I sat in that cage for over an hour at least. No one came to check on me all that time. I saw many people brought in and then taken out sooner then I was. I was wondering what in the world was going on with me.

Finally after sitting there for over two hours, an officer came to the cage. He looked in then yelled out to the other officers.

“Does any one know whose arrest this is in cage C?”

I heard a lot of ‘nopes’ and ‘I don’t knows’. The officer again looked in the cage and opened the door.

“Son what is your name please?”

“It is Jacob Hernandez sir!”

“Who was the arresting officer that brought you in here?”

“I really can’t tell you. I never got his name when he arrested me at my house sir!”

“What were you arrested for son?”

“He didn’t believe the house was mine when he wanted to know whose house it was. There was a party going on in the back yard. I figure one of the neighbors called it in. So the police came in and broke it up. There was beer being consumed at the party. I wasn’t even at the party; I was asleep in my house when he came in” I explained as best I could.

“Why in the world did he bring you down here? I need to check your arrest. Give me a few minutes and I will get back to you.”

He closed the cage and left. I sat there wondering what in the world was going on. Did the cop actually forget I was there? What a screw ball cop he is.

About five minutes later the officer came back and opened the gate. This time he walked in and came over to me. He leaned over and un-cuffed me from the bench.

“Mr. Hernandez, the worst you should have gotten was a ticket at your house; not arrested. If it was me on the call, I wouldn’t even given the ticket. I would have been happy the party was broken apart.

The officer already went home for the day. I will be reporting this to the watch commander. I assure you, something will be done with the officer in question.

On the other hand, I am going to let you go with a warning. Just be careful in the future with the parties you have at your house and what is being drunk. I know you cannot check every bag or cup that comes to the party. I was a teenager once myself.”

As he was talking to me he gave me my ID and walked me to the front door. He buzzed me out to the lobby and wished me luck.

I couldn’t believe this fucking officer did. I am going to talk to my grandfather about this and see what he thinks I should do. Now, I need to find a way home. I don’t have my wallet or money to call the house or a taxi.

I knew where I was so I decided to walk home. That was the only way I was getting home anyways. So I started walking down Mesa Street. The street was pretty empty at this time of the morning. I figure the church crowd are barely getting up and getting ready for their day.

As I reached my house the sun was already coming up. The yard was a mess, trash and cans every where. I looked around to see which neighbor might have called the police. Whoever it was, it was screwed up for doing so.

All I wanted to do was go to sleep and forget this day ever happened. I went straight up to the room and didn’t see Joey there. I wasn’t going to even wonder where in the hell he was. I just climbed into bed and went to sleep the moment my head hit the pillow.

The next thing I knew I felt hands around me. I opened my eyes and saw Joey looking straight down at me.

“When did you get home babe? We were waiting for you at the county jail downtown. We kept asking when you were going to arrive and they kept saying you were not in the system. What happened and where did they let you go from?”

“It is too early to be asking me so many questions. All I want to do is sleep, gorgeous. The stupid office never put me in the system. He just put me in a cage and went home. The next shift noticed I was there and let me go with a verbal warning.”

“Screw the verbal warning they gave you! Jake you should just sue the shit out of them for what they did. You shouldn’t take this lying down babe!”

“Right now, gorgeous I just want to sleep. I am so tired and warn down. Would you please come and sleep with me? I cannot sleep without you anymore!”

I heard Joey take off his sneakers and then his pants. He crawled into bed with me. I wrapped my arms around him and snuggled up to his hair. I love the way Joey smells and I love to fall to sleep with his scent in my head. Not soon after I did fall back to sleep.

When I looked at the alarm clock on our nightstand it said little after two in the afternoon. I crawled out of bed trying not to wake up Joey. No success on that at all. The minute I was out of the bed Joey opened his eyes.

“Where are you going babe? Come back here and sleep some more with me!”

“I would love nothing more then sleep all day with you in my arms. I am hungry and I need to pee and get some food down my stomach.”

With that I walked into the bathroom shortly followed by Joey. Joey and I used the toilet together and then washed up in the sink. We threw on some clothes and headed down stairs to eat.

When we got down to the kitchen Chase was there eating. I couldn’t figure out what he had made himself to eat. He looked up at me and smiled.

“Hey! The jail bird finally decided to wake up and join us today!” He said laughing and trying to eat at the same time.

The funny thing was with him trying to do that made Joey and I laugh at him when the food came out of his nose. He was laughing even harder when that happened.

As we sat there laughing David and Tom came in from the back yard.

“Hey Jake, it’s good to see you back in one piece with us today!” Tom said as he looked at Chase.

“Tom and the guys came over to clean up the mess that was made last night! They are very sorry for what happened to you Jake, and so am I!” David said with a worried look on his face as he spoke!

“Don’t worry about it and tell the guys not to worry about it. The officer was being a dick last night. It seams that is what they live for. Be a dick to those they could get away with” I said letting them off the hook.

I was looking for something to eat quickly. I couldn’t find anything I could eat without having to cook it up. Tom pushed me out of the way and dug some items out of the refrigerator and looked back at me. “You guys are useless without your parents. I don’t know what is going to happen since some of you are not going to marry woman. I figure you will be eating out a lot!”

Tom started cooking up a feast. When he was almost done he called in the guys from outside. We all sat down and ate what Tom cooked. It was great food that hit the spot. As we were cleaning up, we were trying to figure out what to do for the rest of the day.

One of the football players spoke up and suggested that we play hockey. I thought it was weird due to us not having ice or snow anywhere.

“Where to you want to play hockey at? I know I don’t know how to ice skate. I don’t know about the others here though!” I inquired.

Daniel just looked at me and smiled. “Jake I am not saying ice hockey. I am saying street hockey out side in the street. We have all the equipment we need to play. All you need to do is have roller blades and hockey sticks. If you feel you need to have padding, then get some on as well.”

“No we can’t play in the street here. We still don’t know who it that called the police on us last night was. We need to find somewhere else to play if we are going to play at all.”

Daniel looked around then back at me. “Let’s go and play at the park then. We could play on the tennis courts over there. The net is broken so no one uses the tennis courts.”

“Where do we get the stuff we need to play? I don’t own a pair of roller blades and to top it off I never skated on rollerblades in my life.”

“You could buy them at Wal-Mart. They are cheaper down there than anywhere else. Have you ever skated on regular skates before?”

“Oh yeah I have done that.”

“It is the same trust me! When you put the roller blades on you will see.”

We all headed out to different places. Tom and the guys he came with went to Daniel’s house to pick up the goals and other equipment they needed and to see if any of the others wanted to play.

Joey and the rest of us headed to Wal-Mart in his truck. When we got there we went straight to sporting goods. They had all sorts of roller blades to pick from. I tried on several different kinds and settled on a pair that said they are made for hockey playing.

As I went around to the other side Joey was still looking for a pair of roller blades. The others, David and Chase, already threw theirs in the basket.

At first when I was looking at the sticks I didn’t understand the difference. Finally a sales rep came up and told us we had to pick the one that suits us. At first I didn’t understand what he meant by that. Then he explained; “Look if you are right handed you need to get the stick for right hander, same for left hand. Then you need to get a stick that matches your height. You cannot to one that is too big or too small for you.”

We thanked him and grabbed the sticks and then headed to the padding. Trust me when I say I got all the padding I could for me to play. Joey already caught up to us by then. He heard what the sales rep said and got himself the right stick.

We headed to the register to pay and head out. When we arrived at the park the guys were already there setting up. We got down and walked over with all of our gear. They looked up at us and laughed.

I threw my stuff down on the grass and sat down. I took off my sneakers and put on the roller blades. When I got up it was easy, but of course I was on the grass. I walked over to the sidewalk.

Daniel was right about it not being much different then roller skating. The moment I got on the sidewalk I was able to stay up. Yeah, at first I was a little clumsy and held my hand out for balance. After awhile I caught onto it. The only problem I found I didn’t know how to stop once I got going. I just kept slamming into the gate in order to stop.

We all finished putting on our gear and headed out to the tennis court. Daniel explained the rules and said it was a no contact sport. We cannot slam one another into the gate or into the ground. We can go for the puck, but that was all.

We split into teams and decided who was going to do what. I just stood out in the middle of our side as Josh took the puck. He started going toward the goal when another took the puck from him.

I started to chase him down to get the puck. It was no luck because by the time I caught up to him he already shot the puck. Our goalie was able to deflect it off of his glove. It actually came over to me.

I got it and did my best hitting it with the hockey stick. I never played the sport so I do not know how to jiggle it around the stick. I wasn’t paying any attention to those around me. As I made it to the goal I shot but missed the goal by a mile.

This went on all afternoon. About twenty minutes into the game I was sweating so much I took off the padding. We were not playing with checks or throwing one another against the fence, so I should be safe.

We all were having fun playing the game. There still was no score after forty minutes of playing. We did, however, have an audience watching the game. They booed those they didn’t like and yelled in favor for those they liked.

Finally Josh got the puck and moved down the tennis court and went around the net. As he came around he looked as if he was going to pass it out to one of us. But instead he went for it. It bounced off the post and right into the net.

Josh came around with the stick in the air screaming after he made the goal. We all rushed him throwing him against the fence.

We played for another twenty or so minutes. By then we were all just tired and called it quits. When we skated off the tennis court the crowd left. We went and sat down the grass, or more accurately, laid on the grass.

None of us moved an inch for awhile. I finally got up in the sitting position and started to pull off the roller blades. Man, my feet were thankful for that. The others started to move around as well.

Once we all were back in sneakers and no padding or hockey gear we sat there trying to figure what to do next. One thing I knew for sure is that I was hungry. So, I invited the guys back to the house for pizza and sodas.

(JOSHES POINT OF VIEW)

“Hey guys I know some of you are new here at Newman High School. What I mean is have any of you heard of the story about the ghost that haunts our school?” Josh asked.

Joey, Chase and I shook our heads no. The rest shook their heads yes. We haven’t heard of the ghost stories about Newman High. Austin High School yes, but not here.

Josh continued; “Ok then let me tell you about the ghost that haunts the fourth floor of our school. You must remember the only time the ghost actually comes out to haunt the school is during game nights. The rest of the year it is quiet.”

“Wait, I have heard at times if a football player or cheerleader is alone on the fourth floor the ghost scares them off. He hates the cheerleaders and football players no matter what time of the year. If they are on the fourth floor early in the morning or late at night, he goes after them”; looking at Josh, Tom spoke up.

“Yes that is true I completely forgot about that. Well let me start from the beginning of the story. As you all know the school was built back in late eighteen hundreds, but due to so many issues during construction, the school didn’t open for students to the turn of the century.

Back in the day, unlike today, the cheerleader squad had both female and male members on it. They did more than cheer; they actually made formations on the field including the pyramid. Just like the colleges do today.

You know they pile up to top and then the ones on top would jump off, do a couple of flips in the air, and then they land in the guys’ arms.”

“It sounds like you would be a great cheerleader instead of football player!” Daniel began to laugh as he spoke. The rest of us started to laugh with him. Joshes face turn all shades of red when we all started to laugh.

“Come on guys do you want me to tell the story or not?” Josh said with a touch of aggravation.

“Go ahead, we were just joking with you man. Can’t you take joke?”

“Yes I can take a joke, but it derails my train of thought and I don’t like it.”

“Please do not prove the point that we football players are dumber then dirt.”

We all started to laugh again. Josh looked like he was pretty damned angry this time. So angry, Josh didn’t start to speak until we all settled down and stopped laughing.

“Ok now back to what I was saying. It happened during after first homecoming game on our field. It was during the half time show when the cheerleader squad was out on the field. They were keeping the fans entertained.

They were forming the pyramid, and it was going good. It was going up with no problems. The fans were cheering for the squad as they were forming the pyramid no one was paying attention to the guys on the bottom.

A set of the guys were not in place when the two girls jumped off the top pyramid. That is when the crowd noticed the missing guys and started to yell. That is when one of the two guys that were supposed to be under the pyramid started to run to catch her.

It was too late by the time he got there. Somehow she actually twisted in the air and landed head first in the ground. She died right there on the bottom of the pyramid.

The crowd was stunned and started to yell and scream. That brought out both football teams and coaches. By the time they got to her, they knew she was dead. Her head was almost completely snapped clear off her body by the pressure of the fall.

Ever since then, the high schools in this city cannot do formations like that. It is banned at the high school level.

Now here is the scary part of the story; during home games the cheerleader starts to turn on and off the lights on the top floor at the exact time of her death. You could see her roaming the football field. Her head almost completely off of her body as she walks around the area where she died.”

“Has any one gone up stairs when the lights are flickering on and off?” I asked looking at the guys.

“Some say they have and seen her walking through the rooms. The funny thing is that she doesn’t even open the doors. She goes straight through them. One time a teacher thought it was a joke being played and went up there. She had the key to all the rooms so she was able to open the doors. But what she saw freaked her out so badly that she retired.

I know is this much; I don’t even look to the top floor when we play on our field. Plus it is impossible for a person to be turning on and off the lights as fast as they do. There aren’t any light switches in the class rooms to use! You need to have a special key to be turning the lights on and off.

All I am saying is this; just beware of where you go during the home games!” Josh jumped up and screamed when he said the last words. I and several others jumped from where we were. That made Josh laugh like crazy.

“That wasn’t cool man, not at all. We were so much into the story and you go and do that. You are a damn sick dick you know that!” David was pretty angry while he spoke.

“I know you want my dick man, but it is for the ladies only!” Josh started to grab onto his package while he was talking.

I hate when any guy does that. Thinking he has the biggest or hottest cock in the world. I probably could bet my last dollar that those who do that, have small cocks.

We stayed quiet for a few minutes while Josh settled back down. Soon after the subject was changed and we were talking about other things in several different groups!

(JACOB’S POINT OF VIEW)

The rest of the evening we sat there talking and just having fun! Tom noticed it was getting late and nodded to the guys for them to leave. We all hit fist and they all headed out and called it a day.

Joey and I headed upstairs to our room. We closed and locked the door when we got in. I started to run the water in the bath as Joey and I stripped off our clothes. We both got into the bath and sat down in the nice relaxing whirlpool.

As we sat in the whirl pool bath, I started feeling frisky again. I started rubbing up and down Joey’s stomach and chest. I took the soap and washed his neck then his chest all the way down to his belly button.

I started kissing him behind his neck. I dick was getting hard and it started to poke Joey in the waist of his back. Joey flipped over and when he did, we started kissing. I just loved kissing my Joey. His lips were full and sweet.

Joey moved down kissing my neck then my chest and stomach. Then he surprised me when he went under the water and took my dick in his mouth and started sucking on it. I just loved the feeling it was giving me.

I grabbed Joeys head and pulled it up to me. We started kissing as the water dripped from his hair down his face.

“Let’s go to the bed, I want you to make love to me!”

We got out of the tub and dried off. We headed to bed kissing one another not letting go. I felt if I let go of my Joey, I was going to lose this moment. As we reached the bed Joey pushed me down on it.

He started kissing me on my stomach and chest. But this time he threw my legs over his shoulders and started to rim me. I love the feelings this makes in me. This is such a true expression of love. Man did that feel so damn good! Joey knew exactly how to make it work best for me. As I relaxed and opened up, I could feel his tongue’s slightly rough texture getting deep inside me.

Before I knew it Joey reached over and got the lube. Squeezed some of it on his dick and some at the entrance of my butt and worked it in a ways. Man, was it cold! Joey worked the lube inside with one, then two fingers, getting my hole to relax and open up for what was to come. As his fingers slid into me and rotated around, he’d massage my prostate sending waves of pleasure through my entire body. This just got my desire for the real thing to an even higher fever pitch. Joey knew exactly when I was really ready and slowly removed his fingers, leaving me feeling empty and craving the love making that was about to happen.

My eyes were closed and I felt the hot moist tip of the head of Joey’s cock at my rosebud. I pushed down to relax and felt Joey slowly enter me, an inch at a time. It felt so good having Joey inside of me. When he got all the way in, he leaned down and kissed me. As we were kissing Joey started to go in and out. Each time he went in, he hit the spot that makes me go crazy.

Joey started to go faster and faster hitting my prostate each time he went in. It drove me crazy when he hit my prostate. It was as if he was hitting the crazy button inside of me. I just didn’t want the feeling to ever end. The waves of pleasure were a combination of physical and emotional.

As we were having sex our lips never left each others’. As Joey was screwing my brains out, he had his tongue inside my mouth.

I was looking right into Joey’s face as he was kissing me. His eyes were closed as if he was on cloud number nine. The expression on his face said it all.

I wrapped my legs around him wanting Joey even more inside of me then he was. At the same time I wrapped my arms around his head moving his face even tighter to mine. It did the trick because I was now moaning like crazy.

“That is it Joey, you are making me go crazy! That feels so dam……”

Joey started going at even harder that the bed post was hitting the wall. I didn’t even care if the whole world hears us having sex. I am with my Joey, the man I love and he is giving me pleasure words can’t even explain. It was the best feeling I have ever had when we were as one having sex.

Joey is sweating as he is going at it. He has a smile on him that lit up the room. My dick was so hard I was afraid if Joey went down on it, it would stab him. The best thing about the whole thing was I feeling this great and yet I haven’t even touched my dick nor has Joey.

“Jake I am going to cum babe; I swear you are so damn tight. I won’t be able to hold it in much longer!”

I wrapped my legs even more around him then before. I wanted to feel him shoot inside me when he releases. The pressure of him shooting throws me over the top. Joey started to moan even louder when I concentrated on clamping my butt muscles down tight. I could feel his cockhead swelling even more as his orgasm got closer.

“Jake don’t do that babe, you are going to make me cum even faster. Stop babe, please stop! I am going to shoot, I swear, I am shooting…..”

Right then, Joey started to shoot inside me, and without even touching my dick I started to shooting. It seemed as we were one. We shot almost at the same time, each time we shot. I know Joey shot at least seven if not more times inside me. The first three or four shots came out so damned hard I could feel them splash against my insides. There was also the warmth that flooded my insides as he pumped the hot juice of his very being into me. I wanted him inside me forever, but I knew it couldn’t be. I will take what I can when I can.

When we finally settled from our high and Joey had slipped out of me, he rolled off of me and landed on the bed beside me. We both were panting like dogs in the heat of a hot Texas summer day. I felt Joey’s cum leaking out of me. I so wanted it to stay inside.

Once I caught my breath I got up from the bed and looked over to Joey. He still had his eyes closed. I leaned down and grabbed his arms to pull him up.

“What’s up babe, let me rest for a minute.”

“I want to take a shower with my gorgeous boy toy. Come on. I want you in the shower with me.”

I pulled Joey up and we headed to the bathroom. We jumped into the shower without waiting for the right temperature of the water. Soon after we were in the shower the water got just right. We washed one another up and then got out and then we dried each other.

We headed out of the bathroom and back to bed. We didn’t even bother to put on any kind of underwear. We crawled in and cuddled with our naked bodies pressed against each other. Perhaps I need to rethink what we wear (or don’t wear) to bed. I fell to sleep feeling so good with having had sex with my boyfriend.

(JOEY’S POINT OF VIEW)

I was woken up when I flipped over and didn’t find Jake cuddled behind me. I got so used to waking up with Jake’s arms around me. It actually was weird not having him there; his body heat radiating from him to me.

I got up looking around the room and didn’t see Jake any where. I looked over a saw light coming from under the door of our bathroom. I first I thought he was just in there doing business. So I lay back down and waited for him to crawl back into bed with me.

I waited and about ten minutes later when he didn’t come out of the bathroom I started getting worried. I got out of bed and went to the door of the bathroom. I put my ear against it to see if I could hear anything. What I heard got me worried. It sounded like Jake was crying in the bathroom.

I tried the door and it was unlocked. I opened it and went to find Jake sitting on the toilet crying. He looked up and me with sad, worried eyes, all I could do is go to him.

“What is wrong babe? Why are you in here crying like this?” I asked with anxiety.

“I think it is back again Joey, it hurts so bad!” Jacob responded through his tears.

“What’s back babe? What is hurting you right now?”

Jake couldn’t even form a sentence through his tears. He was in pain and I couldn’t understand why. All I know is what I was seeing. He was clutching on his back and at the same time, his left side.

“Jake please tells me what is going on! How can I help you Jake?”

“I have taken more of the pain medicine than I am allowed and still cannot get rid of the pain. It started in my back and moved around into my groin area. Shooting up and….”

Jake got up and started vomiting in the toilet. He kept throwing up I was getting worried he much it looked like he threw up his lungs. It looked like there was nothing left, but he still felt as if he needed to throw up.

I couldn’t stand there and see my Jake in so much pain. On top of the pain he was throwing up. I ran to the room and picked up the phone. I called 911 for an ambulance. As soon as I was off the phone I went and checked on Jake.

He was still doubled over in the toilet throwing up. He still couldn’t stop from throwing up. I ran back to the hallway and knocked on Chase’s and David’s doors. They didn’t respond at first, and then I yelled through the doors at them.

“I need to take Jake to the hospital right now. So when the paramedics show up please send them to our room.”

That got them out of bed and into our room in a flash. By then I had covered Jake up with a blanket. They looked up and saw Jake was white as a ghost. They just stood there watching as Jake doubled over again.

I grabbed some running pants, underwear, socks, a t-shirt, and sneakers for Jake. I know he didn’t want to be seen like this. I asked the guy’s to wait for the paramedics to arrive downstairs. When they left I dressed Jake the best as I could between him throwing up and trying to walk to get rid of the pain.

Once I got on the last shoe, the EMT’S walked through the bedroom door.

“Tell us what is going on here sir? Where does it hurt and how bad?”

“It hurts really bad sir, really bad…” Jake went right back into the toilet.

“Does anyone here know when the pain started?”

We all shook our heads no. I didn’t even know Jake was sick until I got out of bed looking for him.

“Sir could you try to hold it in. take a deep breath and try to get your breathing under control. You are dry heaving right now. Your stomach has nothing left to throw up.”

Jake got up and tried to walk around to get rid of the pain. That is when the EMT’S got the most information out of him.

“Can you tell us when this started, where it started, where it is, and how bad is the pain right now on a scale of one to ten?”

“It started about a hour ago. First it was a sharp pain in my lower back then it shot around to my front. It seems to move up and down form my groin to my stomach. The pain is a twenty right now, sir!”

As Jake was about to head back to the toilet the EMT’S caught him and gave Jake a basin to throw up in. They radioed it in as they were putting him on the stretcher. They had a hard time getting the stretcher down the stairs. I was afraid a couple of times they were actually going to drop the stretcher.

When they got him outside and started loading him up in the ambulance I was worried. I looked at Jake with a worried sad look on his face.

“We will be taking him to Columbia West if you want to follow us. He will be seen the minute we drive up into the emergency room.” One of the EMT’S said as he was shutting the door.

I was about to run in and get my keys when I saw David was locking up with them. We all jumped in the truck with Chase driving. All that went through my mind was the words that Jake was saying. He thinks it back again. Jake had such a sad look on his face as if he was defeated before he could even begin to fight.

I started to sob thinking of the look on Jake’s face when he said those words: I think it is back again. Those words just kept going through my mind as I sobbed on the way to the hospital to be with Jake.

TO BE CONTINUED………………………….

{Wow what is there to say here. Was it too much to think Jake beat the odds of being cancer free? He and everyone around him thought he had beaten cancer and now he is being rushed to the hospital. The relationship between Jake and Joey is so damn close they never dreamed they could be in love with each other at this level. Tom and David look like they are moving on and picking up the pieces to there relationship. Alejandro is finally out of the picture. Jake doesn’t have to worry about him anymore. Finally that chapter of Jakes life is closed. If Jake makes it through this, all he has to worry about is being a teenager. Who knows what is to come with the guys in the future chapters. It could be happiness or just more hardships with Jake getting ill. There is a so much to answer in the chapters to come. 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!}

[Well, our beloved author is getting better and better with the cliffhangers, isn’t he ? Does doing cliffhangers come under the heading of cruel and unusual punishment ? If not, I think the term needs to be re-defined !

Thanks to all of you that have written! Jacob shares the e-mails with me. Like him, I get my “pay” from hearing reactions from the readers.

Hey, shall we start a pool as to how many chapters the story will be by the time Jacob and Joey get through High School ? I had NO idea how long this story would evolve into being when I became Jacob’s Editor way back, starting with Chapter 8. Yeah, Jake, I sometimes wonder if I would have taken this on had I known ~~~~

Keep those e-mails coming! They are the paycheck for all the hard work!

“Daddy” Rick; Editor]