Beneath the Mask - 1. Chapter 1

Dear Reader

This is my first spin off of the story “Jacob Finding His” way. As I am writing this spin off, I have posted chapter twenty five of “Jacob Finding His Way”. If you have come upon this story without reading or getting up to chapter twenty five of “Jacob Finding His Way”, please close this window and go to “Jacob Finding His Way” and read the story.

If you choose to continue going forward without reading “Jacob Finding His Way”, you will be lost. The main character of this story was developed in the prior story. You won’t be able to understand the plot of story because of it being spin off of my first story.

If you have read my first story and continue with this one, please enjoy. I hope this story can explain the character Alejandro Garcia. Although this is a pure fiction story, I hope you, the reader, will come to understand why he did what he did. At least I hope this is the meaning behind what he did. I can only hope it is this simple.

(ALEJANDRO’S POINT OF VIEW)

As the metal doors slammed shut behind me, I couldn’t stop thinking this is it for me. I have screwed my entire life up with one mistake. Then I tried to fix it and ended up making it worse. I never meant to do what I did to Jacob Hernandez. I did, on the other hand, mean to shoot at my school.

I sat there in my cell thinking how got here. I didn’t really have it rough growing up although, in my family it is understood I was to follow in my father’s footsteps. This is just like any son is required to do by his father. The difference in my family is gangs.

My father is doing a life sentence without a chance of parole in the same prison system I just became a member of. He is in a gang and joined very long time ago. His father before him and his grandfather before him did as well. All of them have died in prison in the state of Texas.

My mom thought she could save me from this kind of life that my father wanted for me. I am the first born of the family. So I got my fathers name, Alejandro Garcia. I look a lot like my father. I stand about five eight; black hair, but I always have shaved my head. I have green eyes that girl’s love along with my brown skin. I am not your typical cholo, I care about my body. My body is well defined.

My parents always fought about where I am going in life. My mom wanted me to go to school, graduate, go to college and make something of myself in the real world. But I did what is expected of me; to join a gang.

Today I saw my mother’s heart break right in front of my eyes in court. I stood up in front of the judge and spoke of the evil I had done. My mom wouldn’t listen to anyone that I had done what I had done.

Even now when I look in the mirror, I don’t know the face that is looking back at me. All I do know is I became something I never thought I could. With all my attempts I can say at least I never killed anyone.

A fateful day many years ago changed my life. Just starting high school, wanting to show I can be like my father, I ordered the hit on the kids of the witnesses that testified against my father. I wanted to redeem my father. Instead my father sees me as a failure.

Not only did I miss the kids I wanted shoot I hit others that had nothing to do with the drive by. Then to make matters worse, I tried to silence the only one that could land me here in jail. Boy, did I fail at that as well.

I sent two of my gang members after him, they didn’t succeed. Because they failed to do the job they were given, I tried to kill them. I screwed that up as well.

After realizing I needed to take the Jacob matter into my hands, I tried to kill him. Several times I screwed that up. Jacob has to be thankful that there is someone out there looking after him. That is the only way I could figure he lived through all of what I put him through.

Now I sit here in County, convicted, waiting to join my father. The hardest thing I am living with is the fact I can’t take off the mask I have gotten used to wearing. I wanted to live up to my father and his way of life. Be a man’s, man! But I am nowhere near that. If I ever remove this mask, what people will see is this scared guy that can’t live with the fact that he is gay.

It has been now several weeks since I took the plea. I have been put in a cell block away from the population. In this cell are four rooms. In each room are a single bed, metal table, chair, toilet and sink.

We stay in our rooms twenty three hours a day. The only time we get out is to take a shower and a little exercise. We only get an hour a day to do that. I am already hitting my head against the wall of my cell. I just want to catch chain and get up to prison. That way I am in the population.

Sitting in my bed, the intercom in my room went off. One of the guards at the guard station said I have a visitor. I got ready wondering who is coming to visit me. Soon enough that question will be answered.

When I walked into the attorney’s room, I didn’t recognize the two guys sitting at the table. I walked over to them and sat down.

“Mr. Garcia my name is George Nunez and this is my partner Kendall White. Your mother hired us to find a way to keep you from going to prison. I feel we have figured out a way, but it is going to take a lot of work.”

“I am lost here Mr. Nunez. I pleaded guilty in court. There is no way out of that.”

“Mr. Garcia there is a way. When all this happened you just tuned fifteen. You’re not even an adult right now, which is at age eighteen. You should have been tried in juvenile court, not adult. Don’t get me wrong, you won’t walk out of here.

You will do time no matter what. But, if we get our way, you will do your time in a juvenile center. The most you will spend there is four years. They can only keep you in that center to the age of twenty one.

You can be transferred out of the juvenile center to prison system, once you hit you twenty first birthday if you mess up while you are in the center. If you don’t, you will walk out with a high school diploma at the age of twenty one.”

“There is no way the courts are going to transfer me over to juvenile and I don’t want my mom spending money she doesn’t have.”

“As far as your mother spending money, she isn’t. We are doing this for free. We are not asking anything in return. You are right about the other item. It is going to be damn hard to get the courts to send you into the juvenile system.

It is going to take the good will on behalf of one person. That person has to come in your defense.”

I just looked at Mr. Nunez and Mr. White. I don’t know who they are talking about. Surely it isn’t my father, and it can’t be my mother. The courts didn’t even want to hear from her in the other proceedings.

“We are going to need Jacob Hernandez to stand up for you in court. We have already tried to contact him, but he pretty much shut the door on us. We are going to try again.”

“I really don’t think he is going to help me at all.”

“What we have heard about this kid, I believe he will. He has a big heart and cares about people. He doesn’t want to see a life wasted away. Give us time, but in the mean time, hang tight. You are not going anywhere. We have put a hold on you being transferred into the prison system.”

With that the two attorneys got up, giving me their cards and left. I just sat there wondering what in the world is going on here. How could they come in here and get my hopes up? I really don’t think they are going to get Jacob to testify on my behalf.

(MR. NUNEZ’S POINT OF VIEW)

After having my meeting with Alejandro, I felt even stronger about my mission. I need to get this kid another chance at a real life. Let’s see what Alejandro does with this chance if we succeed getting it for him.

I know I got the right address. This is where Jacob Hernandez lives according one of my associates that visited him before. Just there isn’t a car in the driveway and no one answered the door when I knocked.

Right as I pulled into the street, I noticed a car pulling into the driveway. I parked my car again and got out. I looked to see who got out of the car. It is Jacob, I know him by the picture I have on file. I walked up to Jacob to see if I can do better then my associate.

“Hello Jacob Hernandez, my name is George Nunez!”

Jacob looked at me a little confused. I think he is thinking how in the world I know who he is.

“Whatever you are selling I am not in the market for it.”

“No Mr. Hernandez I am not selling anything at all. I need to speak with you about an urgent matter.”

“Please don’t take any offense to what I am about to ask, but do you have a business card of some sort?”

I pulled out my wallet and handed him my business card. Once he looked at it, he knew at least the law firm. He looked up at me with disgust in his eyes.

“Mr. Nunez, I am sure you are a good person. Your colleague from your firm has paid me several visits; I think around five by now. Just as I told him in all his five visits, I will tell you. I won’t help your client with what he wants to do. I do bid him good luck though.”

“Mr. Hernandez, please just give me a few minutes of your time. If you don’t help my client after hearing what I have to say, my firm won’t bother you again.”

I think that caught Jacob’s attention. He doesn’t want to be bothered by us anymore, so he is going to hear me out.

“Please come in Mr. Nunez and I will give you a few minutes of my time.”

We walked down a highway into a room I could only figure to be a study. It is wall to wall books. Sitting in the middle is a desk surrounded by chairs and a couch. Jacob went around the desk and sat down behind it. I took the chair right in front of the desk.

“Mr. Hernandez let me start by saying thank you for allowing me to talk with you. I know this is one part of your life you wish to leave in the past. I really don’t mean to pull it back out. Please understand that!”

“I do Mr. Nunez and please call me Jake.”

“Jake, I will try to make this fast so you can get on with your evening. My firm has been brought onto Mr. Garcia’s case by his mother. I won’t make any excuses for what he has done. He did wrong and deserves to be punished for it.

Alex’s mom feels the court punished her son too harshly. I agree with her and let me explain why. Just like you, when this happened, Alex was fifteen. When we are kids, we do stupid ass things. What Alex did took the cake.

You need to understand he didn’t have the same life you had growing up. He was expected to follow in his father’s footsteps, most likely like your father wants of you. The only difference is the family business. Alex’s family business is the gangs. All the males in that family are in prison or have died in prison.

Jake, Alex’s mom believes if her son gets away from the grip his father has on him he will become a productive member of society. Don’t get me wrong. Alex needs to pay for what he has done to you and to those at the school.

Let’s not make him pay is entire life for this. Let’s give him hope for a chance at life. If he screws that up, he can’t blame anyone else except himself.”

“What are you asking of me to do Mr. Nunez. He has been sentenced already. There isn’t much more that can be done.”

“Jake what I am moving to do is get the case moved to juvenile court. Face it Jake, he is a juvenile. He won’t fight anything in court. He will take what the judge gives him, but in juvenile court.”

“What is he looking at in juvenile court as far as time?”

“He won’t be released until the age of twenty one. If he screws up in there, he will go to prison and spend whatever is left of his twenty five year sentence.”

“No Mr. Nunez, that is way too short of time for him to spend behind bars. The guy tried to kill me, not once, but many times. He even sent several other kids after me. No I can’t be part of Alex being released in three years or so.”

“Jake I understand your fear. Please listen to me here. I know this kid; I know he isn’t going to screw up this chance. His mother won’t let him nor will her father and family. This guy is scared not only of his father, but there is something else there. Whatever he is hiding, I think he fears it will get him killed.”

“I don’t understand what you are saying sir.”

“Jake, please forgive my wording. I know you have a live in partner. I know you are gay and to tell you the truth I am surprised you didn’t pick up on it. I believe Alex is gay, but won’t tell a soul about it.

He can’t tell anyone in his family that he is gay. Look at his family Jake. They are criminals and hard core men. Jake if he would ever come out and say the truth, his own father would probably rape him and then kill him in prison.”

Jake just sat there in his chair looking straight into my eyes. I think I broke through to him. He knows how it is not being able to come out to those you love.

“What do you need from me to make this happen Mr. Nunez?”

“First I would need a sworn statement in writing from you. Then you go to court asking the judge to place Alex into the juvenile system.”

“When do you plan to go into court in this matter?”

“Next Tuesday is when it is set. They want to hurry this up in order to send Alex over on the next bus to Midland Texas.”

“I will be there next Tuesday and speak on Alex’s behalf. I hope you know what you are doing. I hope Alex is what you say he is. I don’t want to see a life thrown away if we can fix that life.”

I got what I came for. There wasn’t any need to take anymore of Jake’s time. I bid him farewell and thanked him for his help. I promised him that he is making the right choice. I wanted to ensure Jake that he is safe.

My next stop is Alex’s mother. I wanted to deliver the good news myself. When I told her what Jake agreed to do. She jumped around her living room in joy with tears rolling down her face.

The next morning I stopped to speak with Alex on my way to court. Once I told him the good news. He looked as happy as his mother was last night. If he wasn’t locked up, he would have jumped up and down in joy just like his mother. As I left, I ensured Alex we are one step closer on getting him this second chance.

(ALEJANDRO’S POINT OF VIEW)

The week dragged on. I couldn’t wait for court to come. This is the first time I actually wanted to go to court. I know if my attorneys get what they want I will be leaving County and going to some kind of dorm in a juvenile hall.

Tuesday finally came. I couldn’t remember a time I was this nervous. All the way down to court, I am sweating like a pig. I was taken by myself. I figure they are not going to take any chances with me. I can’t blame them because I ordered Jake killed going to court the last time.

I walked into the courtroom to find my attorneys already there. My mom is sitting there as well. She got up to wave at me. I smiled back as I waved at her. There was not one else in the courtroom. I started thinking that Jacob might have reconsidered helping me out. I really hope he didn’t.

The guards escorted me to the defense table. Mr. Nunez explained what I was looking forward to, the procedures and what the judge is going to be asking. The best thing about this, it is a new judge. The judge I had before didn’t run again for his bench.

The judge walked in calling the court into session. The District Attorney is different as well. I asked Mr. Nunez about that. He told me this is an assistant District Attorney. Mr. Anderson is still the District Attorney for El Paso County, but was tied up.

I heard the door open to the courtroom. I looked behind me to see who it was. I started to breathe a little more easily seeing that it is Jake walking through the door. He is a pretty good looking guy. I know he would never look at a guy like me, but man I would be lucky to get a guy like him.

The assistant District Attorney presented her side of the case. She told the judge how bad of an idea it is to transfer me into the juvenile system, how big of a threat I am to the community. She reminded the court of everything I have done. The only thing she didn’t do is put on any witnesses.

Now it is Mr. Nunez’s turn. He got up and spoke to the judge about the injustice that has been done and how I should have been tried in the juvenile system, not as an adult. He is giving the courts one last chance to fix the wrong. He then called for Jake.

Jake walked up to face the judge. Not looking at me even once. He cleared his throat and then spoke.

“Your honor I come before you as a victim of Alejandro Garcia. In fact I believe I am the main victim of Mr. Garcia. I know on the fateful day he not only shot at me, but he shot at the entire student body at Austin High School. Still, I got injured the worst and then Mr. Garcia went after me.

Since Mr. Garcia has been locked up, I have come to forgive him for what he has done. I don’t really know what drove him to do what he did, but I can say youth has a part in it. We do stupid things when we are young. I know your honor, what Mr. Garcia did is way out in left field.

Still he is just a teen trying to figure where he stands in this world. Just like me, I am sure he is getting pulled in all sorts of directions. Because of that pressure, he messed up.

I am not saying he deserves to walk away free. What I am saying, your honor is, let’s give him a chance to prove to this court and the victims that he can be a good person. He can learn from his mistakes and will never commit to them again. Let’s give Mr. Garcia a chance to live a normal and productive life. I believe in second chances.

If Mr. Garcia is going to mess up this second chance, he will do it in juvenile dentition. Once he does, he will be sent off to serve the remainder of his sentence the court has given him. At least if that happens, he has himself to blame and no one else.

Bottom line your honor, I am asking you to please give Mr. Garcia a chance of a real life. If I can forgive what he has done to me, I know others can as well. Please your honor, sentence this guy right. Sentence him as a juvenile with an add-on of the twenty five years if he messes up.”

Jake turned around and looked at me. He walked over to the table and extended his hand. I got up and shook it. I couldn’t believe not only the words he said on my behalf, but him coming over here and shaking my hand! I actually had tears rolling down my face.

Mr. Nunez finished up quickly. I think he was as surprised with Jake’s plea as I was. To top it all off, as Jake left the court room, he hugged my mom. When she sat back down, I could see clearly there are tears rolling down her face.

The judge just sat there looking down at me. Not moving, not even blinking. I know he is sizing me up. Trying to figure out if I deserve a second chance!

“I have listened to both attorneys. I have looked at the briefs that you submitted prior to this hearing. But most important, I listened to Mr. Jacob Hernandez. I am putting a lot of weight to what Mr. Hernandez said in this courtroom today mainly because he is the main victim in this case!

Please rise, Mr. Garcia. I find what you did is plainly unbelievable and totally reprehensible. If someone told me the story about this shooting and the aftermath, I would think they were trying to sell me a bad bill of goods. For what you did, you deserve to go to prison for the rest of your life.

I know you have heard this before, but let me say it again. You don’t deserve the second chance at life that your attorney and Jacob Hernandez are asking this court to give you. You tried to kill several people and then you tried to kill Jacob Hernandez several times.

But as I said, I give a lot of weight to what Mr. Hernandez said to this court. He believes in you. He believes that you can be a better person if given the right circumstances. He also forgives you for what you have done to him. He is a far better person then I am.

With that said I plan to vacate the regional plea. I hereby order that you be placed into the juvenile court and that you be placed in juvenile dentition. You will serve no less then up to your twenty first birthday. If you follow all the rules and get your high school diploma, you will be released on your twenty first birthday.

Let me make this clear to you Mr. Garcia. You if screw up in one way, I don’t care if it is a food fight, dentition after class, or a fist fight. You won’t get out on your twenty first birthday. You will catch a ride up to Midland on that date. Don’t prove your attorneys, mother, family members or Jacob Hernandez wrong.”

With that he adjourned the court. I couldn’t believe I won the motion. I tuned to Mr. Nunez and hugged him.

“You will be transferred to juvenile dentition in the next couple of days Alex. Please behave in there. You are getting another chance many never get. You have Jacob Hernandez to thank for that.”

I just nodded to Mr. Nunez. I couldn’t get the words out of my mouth. I was all choked up. I tuned to look at my mom with tears rolling down my face. She stood there looking at me with tears rolling down her face. The guards actually let me go and hug her.

“Thank you mom for everything, I promise that I won’t let you down. I will get out and make you proud of me.”

I let my mom go feeling empty not being in her embrace but happy that I just got another chance to get out of the life my father lives. I will make my mom proud of me. I will prove to this court and every naysayer I am not the evil person they think I am.

I took the same route back to my cell, but it seemed a lot brighter than it did coming up. I have a skip in my step and a huge smile across my face. My mom never gave up on me, while others have!

I got woken up the next morning by a guard. He ordered me to pack my stuff. He told me I am getting out of here. I hurried and grabbed what I wanted take in a pillow case, and then pulled my bed apart. When we leave, we have to take the mattress, towel, and blanket they issued us and turn it in on the way out.

When I got downstairs to the third floor I got placed into the far holding tank. There were a few of us in there. The funny thing I saw is they didn’t lock the door. I figure why shouldn’t they since everyone in here is getting out.

I got my clothes back that came in, minus the shoe strings. The other four got called out all at once. I figure they are going to freedom unlike me, I am going over to a dentition home. I really don’t care. It’s way better than where I was going.

Soon I heard several people talking at the door of the holding cell. Two guys walked in looking at me.

“Alejandro Garcia; on your feet; you are coming with us!”

I got up and followed them out. Just as we exited the County Jail, they handed me my bag of stuff. I looked up at them a little confused.

“Alex it is not a jail where you are going. You will be locked up, but not in uniform. You will wear regular clothes that meet our dress code. You will share a room with a roommate and you will be respected as long as you give respect.

Look behind you and see what you are leaving behind. Keep in mind how it was in there, the food, the showers, and the freedoms you didn’t have anymore. If you wish not to return to that, do your time, behave and you will go home when you turn twenty one.”

He turned back to the front and continued walking. I followed the two guards to a van parked just a block down. I was so confused by how relaxed these guys are. They didn’t handcuff me or walk beside me as we headed to the van. I could run and they couldn’t do a thing about it.

I looked as the town passed me by. This might be the last time I will see El Paso for several years. So I am taking it all in. Soon we reached the exit of Horizon City and took it. Don’t get confused here. El Paso has grown so much, it actually grown into its suburbs so Horizon City is pretty much part of El Paso.

Soon we drove into this gated three story building. As I got a better look at it as we drove up to it. I saw it is a huge complex. In some parts it actually is a four story building. It almost circles around like a real prison.

The van stopped and I got out following the guards. They took me into an office and sat me down. I figure this is where I am going to get the riot act read to me. I sat there for over and hour before this middle age guy walked in. He looked at me, and then waved me to follow him.

“Alejandro Garcia, please excuse my tardiness. I wanted to be here when you arrived but something came up. Please take a seat so I can tell you a few things about what you can look forward to while you are our guest.”

I sat down just looking at this guy. He seems to be ok of a person. He grabbed several books off the shelf and handed them to me before taking his seat behind the desk.

“Ok Mr. Garcia the books I just handed you are the rules of this place. I won’t go over the rules, just read them on your spare time but do read them and follow them to a “T”. Let me tell you a little bit about this place…..”

He went on telling me how old the place is, not to be fooled by the look of it. He explained why his guards seem to be more at ease with the inmate here. In fact he doesn’t like the word inmate and doesn’t allow it to be used. The guards are here to keep order and fairness among the guests. If we mess up, we know what is in store for us.

He went on telling me that he has had the most success rate then anyone that has held his position in the past. The reason behind it is respect and not to treat those that are staying here like scum or worse. Respect he kept saying over and over again.

“Mr. Garcia I looked at your file and I am telling you this from the beginning. I am taking a key role in your development here. You come to us with probably the worst convictions to date. I won’t hold them against you at all.

I read the court transcript because I wanted to see how you came to me. When I reached the testimony Of Jacob Hernandez I realized why the judge did what he did. He believes in you and the ability to turn your life around. I will follow that belief Jacob has in you.

Please don’t let him or your mother down. This is your last chance Mr. Garcia. Your roommate is standing outside. He will take you to you room. He has been here a year already. If you have any questions, please ask him, a guard, or me.”

Mr. Henderson walked me out of his office to meet my roommate. The minute I saw him, I almost tripped over my tongue. Man is this guy a walking wet dream. He looks maybe six feet tall. He looks like he weighs around one hundred and seventy pounds. Light skin, with short blond hair. To add on to it, he has beautiful green eyes. Instant hard on!

“Alejandro Garcia, please meet your roommate Mathew Robinson.”

He extended his hand for me to shake. I couldn’t wait to touch this guy. So I shook his hand trying to hold on as long as I could.

“Now Mr. Robinson take Mr. Garcia to your room and help him settle in. Sum up the rules for him so he doesn’t have to read that book.”

Mr. Henderson seems to be a very cool director. I really think I am going to like here. But time will tell me. There has to be something bad here that I have not seen before.

As I followed Matt to our room, he explained the rules to me. They were not half bad. Basically this is like a boarding school for the troubled. We eat, sleep and go to school here. The difference is, we can’t leave until we are twenty one.

I found out Matt is my same age and got the same sentence. That means I will have Matt as my roommate the entire time I am here. That is so fucking cool.

Matt showed me around the place. He showed me where the cafeteria is and the eating times. Then he took me outside to show me the courtyard. We are allowed to go out to the court yard whenever we want, as long as we are not in class or past eight. He saved the best for last, the television room.

This room has a big screen T.V. with a VCR. Plus it actually gets cable channels. Several couches and chairs surround the T.V. It sits at least thirty if not forty people in the room. Off to the side are a pool table and several board games, cards, and books on the shelves.

We got interrupted by the bell going off. The hallway got filled almost immediately with other that stayed here. Matt patted me on the shoulder to follow him.

“Alex, I mean if you don’t mind me calling you Alex?”

“No I don’t mind at all.” I am going gaga over this stud. He can call me what ever he wants to call me!

“Alex it’s lunch time. I am pretty sure you’re hungry. You can join me and my friends until you make some of your own. Or you can stay with us.”

I just nodded my head in agreement and followed Matt. He has this nice bubble butt on him. I would kill to touch his butt. I knew I had to stop looking at him, or I will be caught.

The food here is a thousand times better then the food in County. To top it off, we can have as much as we want. We can even go up for another serving if we aren’t full. So I got as much as humanly possible to fit on a tray.

Matt introduced me to his friends. All of them are pretty good looking guys. I couldn’t help but think that good looking people just attract each other it looks like. Right away I got along with them. They were all my same age, so we have a lot in common.

I noticed when they finished eating, they waited on me. I gulped down all the food I had on my tray where the guys didn’t wait that long. We threw our trash away and headed out to the yard to hang.

I noticed a game of basketball going on, so I joined in. I regretted that almost right off the bat. I ate so much; I should have relaxed before getting into basketball game. I had to leave the game before I chucked up my food.

Matt and the guys just laughed at me when I joined them at the bleachers.

“Hey man, I am not weak. I just ate way too much at lunch.”

“Sure man, and I’m Santa Claus.”

Everyone started laughing at what Steve said. Steve Kindle seems to be the joker of the group. He is always cracking out a joke. I couldn’t help but laugh as well. Steve has a smile that can make anyone laugh.

The bell rang once again ending lunch. I followed the guys into the building, but didn’t know where to go after that. Then Matt patted me on the shoulder again.

“Mr. Henderson excused me from class all day where I can show you around. I think he wants to make sure you are comfortable. So if you don’t mind, let’s head over to the television room and just talk.”

“I have no problem with that at all Matt!”

We walked back to the room we were at before lunch. As we walked in, I looked around to see if anyone is in the room. The room is actually empty. Matt and I walked to one of the tables and sat down. I got to know Matt a little more as we talked.

He told me how he grew up and all about this family. Then he got into a little on how he arrived at this point in his life. What surprised me the most is, he knew all about me. He told me everyone here pretty much knew about me and how a came to be here.

To say I am surprised, isn’t saying it fully. I knew I was known for the terror I did to my high school, but known city wide? Mr. Henderson made sure I got placed far away from the members of my gang so I wouldn’t fall into the same routine in here.

Matt went on to tell me about the point system here. If we gather enough points we can join teams. These teams actually do compete at certain schools. Just the security at the event is high due to us being there.

“Do you think if I earn the points I could join a team and then go out and compete?”

“I really don’t see why not Alex. You’re as equal to the same privileges as the rest of us are. Just make sure you stay on board with the rules.”

We sat there the rest of the afternoon getting to know each other. As the time passed, I just fell for this guy. I have to snap out of this. I can’t be caught going gaga over this guy. If I do, my stay here will be a living hell.”

Right on schedule we hustled into the cafeteria to eat dinner. It’s the same group of guys at the same table. I can get used to this. After dinner we headed to watch some T.V. Everyone has to agree on what to watch or we can’t watch anything at all. So it was decided to watch Home Improvement.

By nine I was beat. Tomorrow is going to be my first day in class so I better get some shut eye. I headed to my room and realized I had nothing to take a shower with. I just sat on my bed thinking what I can do. I know I need to take a shower because of the strict rules about shaving here.

Matt looked at me as he walked into the room. He smiled like I did something funny.

“Dude I know this is your first day here and all. You probably just have the clothes you walked in with. Look I have extra shower stuff you can have. Please don’t worry about paying me back. My mom brings me stuff every week.”

Matt walked over to his closet and pulled out everything I needed including a towel. I looked at him returning the smile.

“Thanks Matt. You don’t know how embarrassing it is to ask for the simple things.”

“Remember we all had our first day here. It isn’t new to any of us to help out the other. You look like the same size I am. You can borrow any of my clothes except my underwear!”

Matt laughed hitting me on my shoulder. I would love to put on a pair of his underwear. I could imagine his bubble butt being in them before me, the warmth of his groin heating the underwear as he wore them through the day and leaking pre-cum. I could only wish on the last part.

I snapped out of it when Matt threw me a t-shirt and shorts.

“Wear those to bed until your family is able to bring what you need.”

“Thanks again Matt, you are way cool!”

I walked out to take my shower realizing that I would need to get used to showering with other guys now. I just hope that Matt doesn’t show up while I am in the shower. I don’t think I could stop a boner if he walks in naked.

I showered really quickly before shaving. I should have done it the other way around. I just wanted to get the shower over with. There were only a couple of guys in the shower when I took mine. As I was shaving, several of the guys I met today walked in to take a shower. Once I saw them naked, I got out of there.

I almost ran back to my room. When I walked in, I found Matt at his desk doing homework I think. I didn’t want to disturb him. So I walked to my bed as quietly as I could. Just I as I sat down on my bed Matt noticed I was there.

Matt got up from his disk and climbed into bed. I saw as he climbed into bed that he sleeps in sweats. Before I could say anything, Matt spoke up.

“If you don’t mind my asking you, how is it being in a gang?”

“Matt I don’t recommend it to anyone. If I had a choice in the matter, I would have never joined a gang. My mom tried everything to keep me from doing so.”

“I don’t understand that. It isn’t like they knocked on your door and forced you to join.”

“I my house it is pretty much like that…..”

I went on to explain my family unit. Once I was done explaining where my father is, his father before him landed up at and so on.

“Wow! I never thought of it that way. So it is like a family business in your family?”

“You could say that. Gangs are our family store.”

We talked a few more minutes before head count. As soon as head count was done, the lights were turned off. The guard actually asked if we wanted the door open or shut. We couldn’t shut until they did head count. Matt asked for the door to be closed due to the lights in the hallway he later explained to me.

I sat there on a real bed. I haven’t had a real bed for awhile. I just stared into the sky thinking so many things. I know I am lucky, but I don’t know how my father is going to take it. I think he was actually looking forward to me joining him in prison.

I know now I need to do whatever it takes to keep from going up there. It is said once you join a gang, you can’t get out. I need to get out of that life. That is the only way I can make my mom proud. But more important prove to myself I can make something of myself. I know it isn’t going to easy being in here.

My gang will reach out and when they do, I don’t know if I can walk away…………

TO BE CONTINUED…………………

WRITER'S CORNER:

{ I just wrote the first spin off of “Jacob Finding His Way”. There are so many characters that are going through the story. I could write spin off after spin off. But to tell you the truth, as of now on where the story is going, it will have maybe three spin offs.

I know this story started out weird. I felt I needed to put sense to what this character went through in “Jacob Finding His Way” to get him to the point where he was in my story. It isn’t a true story at all, but I would like to think this is what Alejandro Garcia is like.

I have never met a gay cholo in my life. I know there has to be some out there. Still the life they choose has to be hard and to be gay on top of that. That is a no, no. Who knows anything about another’s life until you walk in their shoes?

This story is going to get a lot better. It is another teen story struggling with personal demons. It is harder for these teens to struggle with the demons because they are locked up. For Alejandro it is even harder because he runs with a gang.

The questions that come to mind for me are this. Alejandro wants to leave the gang life behind him, but will he be able to? As he said at the end of the chapter, he will be approached by his gang. I really hope he has the strength to walk away.

Then look at the biggest surprise so far. Alejandro is gay. What the hell is that? He really likes his roommate Matt. It would be cool that Matt is gay as well and they land up together. I think that would encourage Alejandro walking away from the gang life.

We all know family and friends appear when you don’t expect them to. Alejandro’s dad isn’t gong to stay away from him. His mother wants that, but Alejandro is still locked up so his dad can reach out and touch him.

I don’t want to say too much and spoil the future chapters to come, so I won’t. I warn you though! Don’t skip a chapter, or you will be lost. There is a so much to answer in the chapters to come. Keep reading the future chapters, and enjoy! Please email me and let me know how I am doing at jacobmillertex@aol.com, Thanks!}

EDITOR’S CORNER:

I was quite surprised and enjoyed the first Chapter of this new story. I can see where this one, like Jacob’s other two stories is going to be a long journey, filled with twists and turns. There will be few if any dull moments.

Like Jacob said, don’t miss a chapter. Too much happens in each chapter that if you miss one, you’ll be lost. This isn’t like a soap opera where you can tune in one a year for two episodes and be caught up.

I’m looking forward to how things in the Juvenile Detention Center work with the “guests”. I am a teacher, so this aspect of this story is going to be of GREAT interest to me personally. I teach at a post-secondary trade school so I see how lives can be changed. That is one of the most rewarding aspects of my work.

Jacob and I love to hear all your reactions to the stories. I read all the e-mails that come in along with Jacob. Your input does help Jacob craft an enjoyable story and your input gives me insight when I’m doin’ my fixin’ thang.

Until next time, be well and love those around you. Doing so pays great dividends.
“Daddy” Rick