Shadow of my Father - 23. Chapter 23

(BERNICE’S POINT OF VIEW)

After having breakfast, I headed to my room to get dressed. I decided today will be the day that I will sit down and speak with Josh about Chris. Chris is all alone, and I know, he put himself in the position he’s in right now. I won’t make any excuses for his behaviors regarding the relationship between him and Josh.

All the way over to Josh’s house, I thought over how I'm going to talk with him about Chris. I know I am going to have to walk a razor thin line on this subject. I want to help Chris, but at the same time I don’t want to lose my friendship with Josh.

It only took one knock for someone to answer the door. Carlos invited me and told me that Josh is upstairs in his room to go ahead and go on up. I thanked him and headed up to Josh's room. As I got to the room, I didn't even knock. I just walked in.

I turned right around feeling stupid at just walking in I never thought that I would ever walk in on him doing ‘stuff’ with his partner. I was wrong about that because Cesar and he are fooling around on the bed.

“I am so, so sorry for walking in on you guys. I didn't know that both of you were up here. If I did, I would have knocked before coming in.”

Totally embarrassed, I turned to leave when I heard Josh speak up. “Bernice, don't worry about it. I need to get used to locking the door whenever Cesar and I are up here doing more than homework or hanging out.

So turn your cute little butt around and come on over here. Tell me about your Thanksgiving, and what you did,” Josh said in a warm and inviting way.

I turned around and started walking back towards Josh’s desk. As I was taking my seat at the desk, Josh and Cesar sat up on the bed and straightened out their clothes. As soon as Josh finished talking, he and Cesar looked at each other with “Laurel and Hardy” grins almost laughing.

“My Thanksgiving was great, thank you for asking, and I can see your day after Thanksgiving is turning out to be even better, Josh,” I said back with a touch of a barb on my reply.

Josh turned to Cesar and grabs hold of his hand. Both of them started laughing and turned back to me. More and more as these two hang around each other, the more they fall in love with each other and it is plainly obvious to anyone who takes a moment to look.

“So Bernice, why isn't Eric with you? Ever since you two got together, you guys have not been seen apart from each other. I need to call the National Enquirer and let them know I have sighted you without Eric at your side.”

“Come on now, we are not that bad. You guys are over exaggerating our relationship. We do hang out with you guys when we have time. It is you two that seem to hide away from the world since you guys have gotten together.”

“Let's just agree to disagree on this subject. I promise you if you'd to ask anyone of us they would say the same thing. Now I know you didn't come over here at this early in the morning to talk about whom is seeing less or more of whom here. So what is on your agenda this morning that you need to speak with me?" Jake said moving the conversation along and expressing his curiosity.

I know Josh really good, and I know that he is teasing me right now. Still, I start to think that this might be the wrong time to talk about Chris because of Cesar being here right now!

“Well the reason I came down can wait until you’re alone, out of respect to Cesar.”

“Look Bernice, we don't have any secrets between each other. I learned a long time ago that it isn't good to hold back or hide anything from the one that you love. So if you want to wait till I am alone that’s fine, but remember, I will tell Cesar unless it is personal information about you that you don’t want to let out to anyone else.”

I sat looking across the room at Josh and Cesar trying my best to read them. This issue about Chris will affect Cesar no matter what so it is probably best to talk to both of them about the subject.

“Okay, fine, I will go ahead and speak about this with both of you. First let me start out by saying this, and I mean this; don't make up your mind with just your heart. Please let your mind weigh into your decision on this subject.

After school on Wednesday before heading up here, I was waiting for Eric in front of the school. When I walked out I noticed Chris in a heated conversation with someone in a car. At first I was going to ignore it, but when the conversation looked like it was about get out of hand. I yelled across to get Chris’ attention.”

I went on to explain everything to Josh and Cesar. From me, yelling for Chris’ attention and me heading across the street to the car taking off with Chris being held onto by whoever was in the car and finally that person letting go and Chris tumbling across the road. I finished up when I told them I went to pick Chris up all the way to when Eric and Coach showed up.

“I know how you feel about Chris right now. I also know what kind of person you are, Josh. The type of person you are won’t stand by and watch another get hurt. You will do everything you can to help any person that is in trouble.

Josh, Chris is in trouble and I know. It has to do something with his father. You two had a rough breakup, and you hurt for a long time. Then to top it all off, there was the game that Chris tried to pull on Patrick, and the others. So what I'm about to ask you is going to come out of left field, but I'm going to ask you, regardless.

I want to be able to bring Chris back to the group as a friend. He needs friends right now and he lost all his friends when he broke up with you. You never asked us to take sides and we know we took the right side on this. But now he needs to have friends there to support him with whatever he is going through.”

Josh just looked straight into my eyes as I spoke not even flinching once through the entire time as I explained to him about what I saw and what I want us to do for Chris and the issue of friendship.

“Chris decided what he wanted when Elizabeth confronted me that day at the pool. Fine, he did not step up. I could have forgiven him for that, but to walk away from our relationship? That Bernice, I can’t see my way clear to forgive him for that.

He never explained to me at least why he did what he did, at least not in any detail. I never was told nor could I figure out his reasoning behind his actions. Then later he comes running across the street yelling out his love for me. That was too little, too late for him to correct the wrong he did to me.

I won’t stand in your way if you choose to become friends with him. Even if the others choose to become friends with him, that is fine. Whenever he is around, I just won’t be. It is still way too early for me to forgive Chris. Because of that, I can’t see my way to a friendship with him.

I am sorry, Bernice. I know he is hurting and he needs that help right now. That help can’t come from me. He will need to fend for himself. Let me quote the old saying that has been told to me time in and time again: He made his own bed and now he has to sleep in that bed.”

“Josh you have changed to a person that I don't recognize. I don't know what has changed you but something has. Chris is hurting really bad, and you were willing to help him get away from that abusive father of his. Now you are willing to toss that all out the window and forget about what you two had? That is simply just wrong, and I can’t sit by and let it happen.”

I got up from the desk intending to leave. As I reached the door, Josh got up and walked up to me. As he put his hand on my shoulder, I turned around with tears rolling down my cheeks. At that point Josh wrapped his arms around me in order to console me.

“Do you think I don’t see Chris hurting right now? I walk around that same school you do and see the same things you see. I want to help him, but I don’t know how to do that now that we are not together.

Let me ask, if we invite him to join us as a friend, would he do it? Then if he does, the next question we need to ask is whether or not he is going to be able to be friends with us. You know while I am going out with Cesar I don’t want any problems being created by him in order to break up me and Cesar.”

I pulled away from Josh and walked back to the middle of the room. I can understand where his concerns are coming from, but at the same time I believe if Chris agrees to come back as a friend he won’t try to break up Cesar and Josh. I know Chris and I know that is not in his nature.

“I got to know Chris pretty good when you and he were going out together. You two are pretty much the same and I can say with full confidence that Chris won’t cause any problems for anyone. He is in a dark place right now and needs friends to show him the way out of that dark place.”

“Fine, Bernice. How do you plan to approach this with Chris? Just like you said, you know Chris really well just like me. I know he won’t be open to friendship with us no matter how much he is hurting or needs a friend at this moment.”

“I think at first, we need to bring everybody into this and explain to them what is going on. I don't even want to approach Chris about any kind of friendship without everyone in the know and being on board with this. It will defeat the purpose if Chris says yes, and the others don't give him the time of day.”

Josh kept nodding his head up and down as I spoke. He sat back down beside Cesar and grabbed hold of his hand as I spoke. I will need Josh’s help with the others in order for this to work.

“Why don't we do this, Bernice? Tomorrow, everyone's going to be here and at some point, we take everyone to the side and speak with them. Either one by one, or as a group; whatever you think is best way to handle this.”

“I like the plan, and we will take care of it tomorrow. After that, I will go down to Chris' house to see if he wants to become friends with us. That is if everyone agrees on doing this.”

Josh didn't speak up, but he nodded his head in agreement. Somehow, I was able to talk Josh into my plan. He definitely has a big heart and cares about everyone that might be hurting. He can’t just stand by and watch someone hurt, no even if there is an unpleasant past.

(RICH’S POINT OF VIEW)

Our government never stops, never sleeps, or even rests one minute of the day. That means I don’t rest, either. It doesn’t matter if you work on the federal, state, or city level of government, it never stops.

As I use my key to access the private elevator to our offices I couldn't help but think less that in a month and a half we will be the ones responsible for every single life in this State. That is a hell of lot of responsibility in very few hands.

I walked off the elevator and started heading down to my office when I noticed the door to the Governor’s office was open. I took a right, and headed on over to see who is in there. Right now, there should be no one in his office or, for that matter, on this floor at all.

I walked into the office and to my surprise I found the Governor working at his desk. He looked up at me and waved me over.

“I see you have the same intentions as I do about catching up with all the work I have fallen behind on. I just can't seem to get to the bottom of this pile no matter how hard I try,” Daniel said sounding a bit frustrated.

“I hear where you're coming from Sir, I most certainly do. We got over the hump about staff positions, but we still have several key positions that need to be filled before we take office.

One of the key positions, and we do need that person onboard, before we take office is your Attorney General. We have not even spoken of candidates for this position to trim it down to a shortlist.

The reason I'm very concerned about this position is because we are going to start working in areas of our State Constitution that neither of us is expert or knowledgeable about. I want to make sure as we understand every bit of legislation that comes to us. We know where we stand but the law behind it to get there, we don't.”

“Rich, I suspect you already have a name in mind. You wouldn’t have broached the subject if you weren’t ready with a name to suggest to me. So, who is this person and what are this person's qualifications?”

“Sir, I don't have a name or even the slightest idea who we can get to fill the slot. One thing is for sure, we need to start creating a list of candidates. I will start working on that and get that list over to you as soon as possible.

Now, another issue we need to talk about, it is very important to deal with is the issue about Governor Puckett. He is still trying to ram through his agenda. His Chief of Staff is still pushing the agenda through the State House. He believes we don’t have the courage to act on our threats or the balls to follow through on them.”

“Rich the problem we have here is he thinks we won’t go to the press and expose him for what he is. He is right about that partly because I don’t want to become a politician running to the press every time something doesn't go my way.

What we need to do is turn the tables on the Governor. We need to show everyone in the State House that Governor Puckett is done. He no longer has any political career in front of him and he is not a threat to people in political positions.

They need to start worrying about me and my staff. They need to know I won’t go running to the press on this but I will stomp on them every spare second I have. I will make sure they are unelectable when their reelection comes around. The job we must do is put that fear into every politician in the State House.”

I sat on the chair looking at the Governor, trying to figure out how we can do what he wants done. Then a light bulb went off in my head on how to get it done. We will be able to get this done and not even say one word to the press.

“I have a way to get it done. Just leave it up to me and I will get Governor Puckett’s agenda stopped before it goes any further. Just let me make a few calls to get the ball rolling on this.”

For the next couple of hours the Governor and I sat in the office discussing several big issues. These are issues we will be faced with the very second he takes the oath of office. After he finished talking and we were both in complete understanding and agreement, I headed off to my office to get working on many of those issues.

I really wanted to bring up the subject of marriage between same sex couples. This has to be approached without interfering with any church. What I would like him to do is afford the same rights under the law to same-sex couples as given to a woman and a man in marriage as far as state law in concerned. It’s not about solemnizing a sacrament or religious rite but rather it is about two people coming together in a partnership contract. That is what the states’ role is nationwide. They keep the records of these partnership contracts that the CHURCH calls marriage. The state should be blind to the gender of the parties that enter into a partnership contract.

This conversation is a long one that needs to be dealt with at another time. For now I need to deal with the immediate issues facing us. Once those issues are dealt with we will have political maneuvering we can do. That is when I will move this topic to the front. We will have to have a lot of political capital to use before we can approach this issue.

(JOSHUA’S POINT OF VIEW)

After Bernice left us, Cesar and I sat down in front of the TV and started watching a movie. It seems like every time we try to get further then kissing someone seems to walk in on us. Either it is my dad, his dad, or now Bernice. I can’t stand this pressure anymore. I need to have sex and I need to have sex very soon.

Brandon walked in, as we were watching a movie and sat down. I looked over at him and leaned over so I could whisper in his ear.

“Brandon, do you know where Carlos, Daniel, grandma and dad are right now?”

“Yeah, dad went to work early this morning and won’t be back until later this afternoon. Daniele and Carlos are out with their friends at the mall where I am about to go with my girlfriend. As far as grandma, I think she is either up in her room or down with her friends. I heard her talking with dad this morning about meeting some of her friends for lunch today.”

“Thank you Brandon that is all I need. I owe you a big one for this information and you can collect at anytime.”

At that moment the door doorbell rang and Brandon got up to answer it. As he walked out of the room, he just smiled at me and made motions with his tongue, indicating he knew that I want to have sex with Cesar. I started laughing and waved him off.

I jumped up from the floor and turned to Cesar to pull him up. I extended my hand for Cesar to grab onto so I could pull him up from the floor. Once he got up, we headed back up to my room.

I walked in, followed by Cesar who shut the door behind him. This time Cesar made a point to turn and lock the door before heading to the bed. That is telling me he has the same thing on his mind as I do.

“Cesar, I really want to be with you, but I need you to understand a few things. First, Chris and I really didn't do a lot of what you would call sex. We did blowjobs, kissed a lot, and stuff like that, but we never got heavy into it, if you get my drift.

Secondly, I want to go slow here today assuming you want the same thing I do right now. If I'm reading you wrong, please tell me and we will go downstairs and finish watching a movie. I can continue making love to my right hand until you're ready.”

Cesar started to laugh as he placed my hand into his. “Josh, I don’t want you to worry about anything with me. Just like you're worried about rushing me into something, I don’t want to rush you into something you are not ready for. I love the way we fool around up here by rolling around the bed. If that is all you are ready for right now, so be it.”

I placed my finger over Cesar mouth in order to stop the talking. I leaned in and right before my lips reached his. I removed my finger and replaced it with my lips. Cesar opened his mouth and let my tongue in.

I moved closer to Cesar almost sitting right on his lap. With one hand, I placed it on his back and the other hand on his thigh. Slowly I lowered Cesar to the bed at no point breaking our kiss.

I started moving my hand that is lying on his thigh up and down and time as my hand went up his thigh, I got closer to his crotch. I didn’t stop doing this until my hand reached and laid on top of his crotch.

I let my hand rest right on top of his cock. As I continued to kiss him, I noticed that his cock is hard. In fact it's so hard I can actually see the entire outline of his cock through his jeans. I can't wait to get his cock in my mouth.

I started to feel Cesar’s hand move up my thigh and then rest on my cock. We both kept our hands on each other’s cock as we kissed. Neither Cesar nor I wanted to break the kiss or make the first advance on the other until I finally decided I would be the one.

I broke the kiss and started to take off Cesar shirt. Once I got his shirt off, I took my shirt off and threw it on the ground by his. I wrestled with his belt and finally got it off of him. After I took the belt off, I struggled once again to get his jeans unbuttoned.

I have always loved jeans on Cesar. He doesn't wear them too tight or too loose. He wears them just right for things to be left to others’ imaginations. They fit snug around his butt and crotch area giving you a delightful hint of what’s beneath when you look in those areas.

Cesar actually had to help me unbuttoned his jeans for me to get them off of him. As I started to slide his jeans off, I noticed I forgot about his tennis shoes. Undoing the laces of his shoes, I quickly pulled them off of his feet and then finished pulling off his jeans at that point.

Now Cesar is lying on my bed with white boxer briefs glowing against his golden brown skin. I love the way his skin sun tans and gets this golden brown color. There’s not one hair anywhere on his chest or belly. He does have some hair on his legs, but nothing thick.

I stood in front of Cesar and pulled him up to the sitting position on the edge of the bed. He just looked at me as I walked over to the stereo on my dresser. I turned it on and pushed play on the tape before heading back over to him.

I sat down on his lap with my legs wrapped around his back and started kissing him. I started running my fingers up and down his spine, making him jerk every so often. I held his head as I kissed him and started rubbing my butt, against his crotch. He broke the kiss, and in a low monotone voice he spoke; “Josh if you don’t get off my lap right now I am going to shoot in my underwear any minute now. You are so damn hot that I can’t control myself when I am around you. Now seeing you like this is making it worse for me.”

Not saying a word I got off his lap. I started to tease Cesar by slowly removing pieces of my clothes. First, I slowly undid my belt and moved it through the belt loops. One I got my belt off of my waist, I tossed it to the ground with the rest of the clothes.

Then, I placed my right foot on Cesar’s leg. I bent down and undid the laces to my tennis shoe. Before taking my shoe off, I placed my left foot on his leg and did the same thing. Having both of my shoes unlaced, I kicked my shoes off.

Now I am standing in front of Cesar with just my Levi's, boxer briefs, and my white sox on only. Slowly I unzipped my zipper and then unbuttoned my jeans. I turned around and wiggled my butt in front of Cesar’s face as I slowly lowered my jeans down my legs until they were completely off.

I turned around and started to put my hands on my waist in order to pull down my boxer briefs. But Cesar pushed my hands away from my waist and pulled me towards him. As I reached him, he started to play with my cock through my underwear. He then leaned in and wrapped his mouth around my hard cock.

He slowly lowered my underwear down my butt, but leaving it alone in the front. Still with his mouth wrapped around my cock, he started to play with my butt cheeks. I leaned my head back, close my eyes and started to moan softly.

I didn't even know or feel when he lowered my boxer briefs completely down to my ankles. When he placed my cock into his mouth is when I new my underwear was off. As he played with my butt cheeks, he started to take my entire cock into his mouth.

Holding on tight to my butt cheeks, he started to go up and down on my cock. At first he started out slow and then gained speed. Once he got into the rhythm of giving me head, he started to play around once again with my butt cheeks.

This time as he separated my butt cheeks, he made his way down to my hole. The minute he found it, he just tapped on it. Not pushing his fingers in at all, just tapping on it. I like how gentle and kind Cesar is being with me. It just makes me want him even more.

Since it's been a while that I have had anyone pleasure me like this. It isn't going to take me long to cum. I can already feel my balls tightening up and pressure building in my gut. It is a matter of seconds now before I actually shoot in his mouth.

“Cesar I am about to cum any moment now. If you don’t want me to shoot in your mouth, you better let my dick go Cesar, please Cesar I am about to….”

That’s it; I started to shoot into Cesar’s mouth. I started to pull at his hair as I shot. The sensation I am getting right now is unbelievable. Even when I had this kind of sex with Chris I never felt this sensation before. I don't know if it is because of us having sex in the house when anyone could be getting home at anytime that is doing this to me.

Cesar swallowed every drop of my cum. Not one drop leaked out of his mouth. I know that I shot a lot into his mouth. I have jerked off, but it has been at least a week. Maybe a week and a half since the last time I jerked off.

I let go of Cesar head after I shot my last shot of cum down his throat. Cesar looked up at me with a smile across his face and licking his lips. I pushed him down onto my bed. I crawled between his legs to play with his cock.

I can see that Cesar leaked a hell lot of per-cum because his underwear is really wet in front where his hard dick is at. Just like Cesar did to me, I started to suck his dick through his underwear. I know I am driving him crazy because he started to moan.

I placed both of my hands on his waist and pull down and off his underwear. Cesar cock jumped right out and hit him on his stomach. I grabbed a hold of it and lowered his foreskin in order for me to see his head of his cock.

With the thumb of my right hand, I started to rub the head of his cock. As I started to rub his head, Cesar started to shiver. I know he is getting close, and I don’t want to waste any of his cum. I want every ounce in my stomach. Not on my bed, his chest or the wall of my room.

I lowered down to his lap and started to lick his cock like a lollipop. Once again, Cesar started to shiver. I slowly lowered myself down, taking his cock into my mouth inch by inch until his head of his cock hit the back of my throat.

I let it sit there for a few seconds so I get adjusted to the size of his cock. Once my mouth adjusted I started to bob up and down on his dick. Once I got into rhythm, I felt Cesar’s hands at the back of my head trying to pull me off his cock.

There is no way I am going to let his cock slip out of my mouth until I get as good as I gave. Cesar realized that and stopped trying to pull me off his cock. A few seconds later, he started to shooting into my mouth. Shot after shot hit the back of my throat.

I don’t know how long or how much he shot in my mouth because I am paying more attention on swallowing it all. Once I swallowed the last of his cum, I let his cock slipped out of my mouth. As it slipped out of mouth, it actually slapped against his thigh.

I got up from between Cesar’s legs and lay right beside him on the bed. Cesar turned to his side and spoke; “There are not a words that comes to my mind to describe what I am feeling right now about you and what just happened. I love you Josh and thank you for making one of my wet dreams come true. I've had so many about you, over the years.”

Before I could respond, Cesar pulled me close to his chest and wrapped his arms around me. I laid there with my head up on his shoulder and a big old grin on my face. I started to rub down his cheeks as he started to doze off to sleep. I shortly joined him in dream world. I fell to sleep with the beat of his heart in my ear.

(CESAR’S POINT OF VIEW)

I felt my sweat rolling down the side of my face, and the sun hitting my skin from the window. I cracked open my eyes to a let them adjust to the sunlight. As I started to wake up, I felt my arm was dead asleep. But the rest of my body seems to be waking up, including my cock being hard as a rock.

I looked over to see Josh still sound asleep on my chest. I slowly brushed his hair back where I can see his beautiful face. As I held his hair back, I couldn't help but lean in to kiss him on the forehead. Josh didn't move an inch as I kissed him and pushed his hair away from his face.

I slowly moved my arm from beneath Josh's head while I held his head and gently lowered it to the pillow I just put there. I walked around the room, grabbing all the pieces of my clothing in order for me to get dressed again. Once I got dressed. I walked back over to the bed looking at Josh one last time.

He looks so beautiful, lying there sound asleep without any worries. He actually looks like a little boy who just got what you wanted for Christmas. Just a smile on his face, and every so often, his tongue would lick his lips. I really don’t want to wake him up from a nice slumber.

I finally decided not to wake him up so instead, I leaned in and kissed him on the lips one more time. Just like before, Josh didn't move an inch. He must be a very hard sleeper when he sleeps.

I walked over to his desk and grabbed a sheet of notebook paper in order to write him a note. I need to go home before my dad gets mad that I have been out of the house all day long. As soon as I finished the note, I folded and left it on his desk for him to see the moment that he wakes up.

I looked at my sleeping angel one last time before I walked out the door. All the way home I could not stop thinking about what Josh and I just did. Although we did not go all the ways as far as sex is concerned he did more than enough to me to satisfy me for awhile. Whenever he is ready to take the next step with me, I will be waiting patiently for him.

As soon as I walked in the door, I let my dad know I was home, and headed over to my room. I quickly took off my clothes getting ready to take a shower. As I pulled down my jeans, I realized I accidentally grabbed the wrong boxer briefs. We were both wearing the same color of boxer briefs.

I slowly peeled them off and held them against my nose. I want to smell Josh so bad that it hurts. My heart beats for him every second of every day. Every single thought that is in my mind now is all about Josh. I just can’t seem to stop thinking about the man I’ve dreamed about that I now finally have at my side.

I folded Josh’s boxer briefs and neatly placed them in my underwear drawer. I know the right thing to do is to give back his boxer briefs and I will but just for tonight I will have Josh’s smell with me as I sleep.

After taking a shower and putting on a pair of track pants and T-shirt, I headed down to join my father in front of the TV for dinner. As I headed to the living room, I grabbed my TV dinner from the counter and a soda from the refrigerator. My father already has my table unfolded in front of my lazy boy.

I sat down and looked at the TV to see what my father is watching. As his usual routine he has TV on the news. Don't get me wrong is not the evening news, but one of those news channels that talks about the news all day long.

I sat there hoping that he'll get tired of the news in turn the channel to a TV series or movie. I started to dig into my meatloaf TV dinner when the commentator announced he was going to Austin Texas State Capitol building for breaking news.

I looked up to the TV as it switched to a news reporter standing at the bottom of the stairs of the State House. You can see a lot of camera crews and the podium directly in front of them. It looks like whatever the news is going to be it is going to be big because of all of the television stations there.

A few minutes later, a group of men in suits made their way to the podium. On the bottom of the screen, written in white letters is ‘Republican Majority Leader’. I don't know much about politics, but what I do know is that my boyfriend's father is going to be the next Governor of this State.

The main guy tapped the microphones on the podium and cleared his throat. “Good evening ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for coming on such a short notice, and the day after Thanksgiving. Although the Legislature ready recessed for the Thanksgiving holiday, we got called back in on a very important matter.

Before we left for the Thanksgiving holiday, Governor Puckett submitted several pieces of legislation that he did not get passed before the election. These pieces of legislation are his agenda and he requested these to be passed before he leaves office.

Unless I am incorrect, never before in this State’s history has an outgoing Governor tried to ram through every piece of legislation that he or she could not pass in their regular term in office. Never, again let me emphasize the word NEVER has this been done in this State.

What Governor Puckett is attempting to do is call in a lame duck session of the State Legislature and push all this through. If these pieces of legislation are approved, Governor Puckett will sign them into law! No matter what Governor Elect Lopez tries to do in his first four years as Governor his hands will be tied by these pieces of legislation.

The voters of this State overwhelmingly voted out Governors Puckett and his vision for this State. As legislators we need to listen to and obey the mandate of the voters of this State. They don’t want more tax increases, bigger local and state government, more regulation and more of the same old government. That is what these legislation pieces result in.

The other part of this legislation is to give money to the donors of his election campaign of this election and of the election four years ago. This money will be given to businesses that claim they will do construction work or run parts of our State Government. As Governor Elect Lopez stated in his election campaign, we don’t need more government in our private lives. We need less government.

Before leaving on the Thanksgiving holiday, we had a meeting with Governor Puckett and told him that his legislation won’t be passed. He tried it anyway while we were out enjoying the Thanksgiving holiday. He tried to push this legislation through with just the Democrat caucus in session here.

Several of his own party members called me and many of my fellow legislators to inform us about what is going on here. Even his own caucus doesn’t support his vision for this State. I immediately caught the next plane out and called in every single Republican state legislator back for the session.

Via phone we have been able to successfully hold back these pieces of legislation. The Governor informed us he will push it through no matter what it takes. Now I come to you, my fellow Texans, to inform you what our outgoing Governor is doing.

I respect Governor Puckett for all the years of service he has given the people of this fine State. I don't respect what he is attempting to do in his final days in office. We will hold back this legislation and make sure it doesn’t get to his desk for signature. We will need your help in order for us to get this done.

Call your representative in your district, Republican or Democrat, and let him or her know that you want this legislation killed. At the same time call the Governor and let him know his time of governing is over. We made our decision at the voting booth at the beginning of November and haven't changed our minds since. We decided on a different route for this State in the name of Governor Elect Daniel Lopez.

I thank you all once again for giving me some of your time here this evening. Please call the Governor and every representative and tell them to vote “no” and stop playing political games as you leave office. We are not playing political games by doing what is right for our State. From this moment on, what is right is to allow the incoming Governor a chance to govern. Thank you and God bless you and this great state of Texas. Have a great evening everyone!”

The group of men that walk down to the podium walked right back up to where they came from. As the news reporter started to report on the scene answering any questions the news anchor asked of him. I sat there thinking of the very first time on how it's going to be when Josh’s dad is sworn in.

Josh and I still have not sat down and talked about his it is like the big elephant in the room. Both of us are afraid of talking about it because we both know eventually we wouldn’t be able to see each other.

I got up from my chair and headed towards the kitchen to throw away my trash before heading back to my room. I sat on my bed thinking on how badly I am going to miss Josh. I can’t lose him now when I barely got him in my life as my boyfriend.

(JOSHUA’S POINT OF VIEW)

I woke up hearing my grandmother calling for us to come down for dinner. I turned expecting to find Cesar at my side. When I didn't see him my heart sank. I got up and quickly got dressed. I realize when I grabbed my underwear they were the wrong pair. That means Cesar grabbed the wrong pair.

Just as I was about to walk up the door I noticed a letter folded on my desk. I quickly went back to the desk and unfolded the letter and saw it was from Cesar. My heart started to beat fast as I got excited reading what Cesar wrote. I folded it back up and placed it in my pocket.

I ran into Carlos in the hallway as we were making our way down to the kitchen. He looked over at me and started laughing and then punching me in the arm.

“Hey little bro! You look like you got lucky today with a big old smile on your face. I am happy that you seem to be getting out of that funk you were in. You deserve to be happy and have somebody at your side to make you happy like we do.”

“Thanks Carlos! I am very happy with Cesar. In fact I don't remember the last time, even with Chris, feeling this way. There is just something about him that makes me feel so good all the time!”

“That is love little bro; that is love!”

Carlos punched me one more time in the arm, and then raced me down the stairs to the kitchen. On the way, he actually tossed a chair my way and that is the only reason that he won. We both are laughing as we got to the table for dinner that made everyone looked up to see what was going on.

We got so loud at the table several times that our father and grandmother had asked us to keep it down. A couple times, our father actually got into the mix of things. I am getting to see any different side of my father more and more.

As we finished up dinner, Rich walked in and asked to speak my father in his study. My father is excused himself from dinner table, and headed off to his study. My brothers and I put away our dishes and headed over to the den to watch TV.

We selected the movie and started watching it and Carlos, started rubbing my head. I would hit him a couple times softly on the shoulder and then he would do the same to me. This went on for a few minutes and then we started tumbling around in the middle of the den playfully wrestling with each other like old times.

Brandon and Daniel moved the chairs, couches and tables out of the way where we’d have the entire floor of the den to wrestle in. Brandon got on my side and Daniel got on Carlos' side. So when we got tired, we could tag each other in.

I have learned new tricks since last time we wrestled and I plan to use them on Carlos today. I slipped out of a pin when Carlos thought he had me, and the same thing with Carlos when I thought I had him.

I started to get tired so I tagged in Brandon who is more than willing to jump in. At the same time Daniel got tagged in as well. Brandon is bigger now and looks like he has learned new tricks since the last time we wrestled.

We didn't stop until my grandmother came in and thought we were really fighting for real instead of play fighting. She started to yell, which in return brought my father out of the study to see what is going on.

My father laughed and pulled my grandmother out of the den. Once she was gone we went at it again. Neither side will give up to the other side. One thing about us Lopez’s is we don’t know the meaning of quit or surrender.

I got tagged in at the same time when Carlos got re-tagged in. We walked around the circle in the middle the den waiting for the other to make the first move. Carlos launched at me and I took advantage of that.

As he launched, I went for his waist. As I grabbed onto his waist, I was actually able to slam him down to the floor and pin him. The minute he hit the floor, I right away sat on his stomach, and with my hands pressed his shoulders against the ground. Carlos tapped out. That means Brandon and I won our first wrestling match, against our older brothers!

“Where did you learn those new moves Josh? Man you have gotten better since the last time we wrestled.” Carlos said out of breath as he walked around the den trying to catch his breath.

“Trust me, I even surprised myself today. I have been watching a little wrestling on TV and try to mimic what they were doing. For the first time today I was able to actually implement what I learned from the TV.”

“Well you need to show me that channel where I can learn new moves for the next time we wrestle. That would be the only way it will be fair between the two of us.” Carlos started to laugh as he took a seat on the couch.

I sat down on the floor in order to catch my breath. We sat there for I don't know how long, but it was fun. The entire time we talked like we used to we were smaller. Before all this crap for being a teenager got between all of us.

(DANIEL SR’s POINT OF VIEW)

I walked into the study to speak with Rich in private. We sat down, and I looked over at him trying to figure out what to say. When I go home, I turned on my TV to see the Republican Majority Leader of the State Senate on television. He was speaking out against what Governor Puckett is trying to do.

“Rich, did the Democratic caucus really try to pass the legislation that Governor Puckett wants passed while the Republican caucus was out of town?”

“Sir, the Democratic caucus, being led by Governor Puckett’s Chief of Staff tried to do an end around the law. I called up my counterpart in Austin, and he told me it's too late because the bills are about to pass.

Yes, I did call some of the Republican caucus to get them back to Austin, but by the time I contacted them they had already been contacted. They were already on their way back to Austin to stop this hijacking of our state government.

Look, politics is not a neat or pretty profession. Each person is trying to get what they believe is theirs. In order for them to do so, they will do anything to get it done even if that means sticking it to the voters of Texas! I know you don't want to hear that because of what you believe in.

General, you are a rare breed of politician. In fact, your species of politician is almost extinct. There is no longer anyone, at any level of government, still willing to work for the voters that placed them into office. You are probably the last of that kind of politician that works for the voters and not the special interest groups.

I promise you, General that everything I do on your behalf, will be done with respect for the law and the people. I don’t represent myself. When I speak on your behalf, I speak for you. I will never misuse your power. I don’t want to loose your belief in me.”

I looked at Rich in the eyes and knew what he is telling me is the truth. I need to stop believing that everyone around me is out to hurt me. I know Rich is my strongest ally.

“I hear what you're saying Rich and completely respect and trust your judgment. I know you will never break, bend or go around the law. I need to start thinking as a politician, but react as a regular citizen. Once I forget where I came from I am no better than Governor Puckett is right now.

I wonder what Governor Puckett is thinking right now, after his legislation got killed on the floor. I really hope he rethinks what he wants to do. He should just take this last month and a half and wait out the time doing photo shoots or whatever out going politicians do to keep their faces in the spotlight.”

“So far what I've heard is that Governor Puckett is planning to introduce his legislation on the floor once again tomorrow morning. Not only is the Republican caucus but many of the Democrat caucus promising to vote against his legislation.”

“Good and I hope that when his legislation is voted down he won't try to push it through again. I just can’t understand a person in his position, not looking toward the future. He would have had a chance if he played his cards right to get his political life back.”

“You’re right on that and now he has no longer a chance on putting together his political life again. He just put the final nail in the coffin of his political life.”

Just then I heard my mother yelling as if the house is burning down. I jumped out of my seat and ran out of the study to see what is going on. As I approached my mom and saw what she was pointing to I started to laugh.

My teenage boys are acting like brothers once again. I thought Martha had successfully stripped out all brotherly love between these four. Now I see all she tried to do has failed miserably.

I pulled my mother away from the entrance of the den and back over to the kitchen. Still laughing at what I had seen in the den.

“Daniel, damn it! What are you laughing at? Your boys are over there fighting each other and you can only laugh about it? Please do something about them fighting and hurting each other like they are doing.”

“Mom, please settle down. Before you get yourself sick with the worry let me explain to you what they are doing. The boys are just play wrestling like they did when they were little kids! They won’t hurt each other.”

My mother sat down at the kitchen table with a sigh of relief in her face. I keep forgetting that my mother wasn't around when the boys were growing up so she never saw them acting like brothers. She just stepped back into their lives on a full-time basis at a time when they were at each others throats.

I went over and poured her the evening coffee like she likes to call it. I still don’t know how she can drink coffee this close to bed time and be able to sleep. I can’t even drink anything with sugar or it will keep me up all night long.

Once I saw my mom was settled down, I rejoined Rich in the study. We plotted out a strategy for how to handle Governor Puckett if he chooses to put the legislation on the floor for a third time. I believe in that old saying; if you don’t succeed at first, try again until you succeed. I believe in that saying when the legislation is right for the voters.

(JOSHUA’S POINT OF VIEW)

As I opened up my eyes from the most wonderful dream I have ever had in my life, I thought I am still in the dream. My eyes opened up to the most beautiful sight. A site I want to wake up to every morning for the rest of my life.

I turned, thinking I was still dreaming until Cesar push me back onto my back. He started to kiss me up and down my cheeks. Every so often, you would give me a peck on my lips and then go back to kissing up and down my face.

“I have something that belongs to you handsome. I accidentally wore them home yesterday, and I'm bringing him back to you today.”

Cesar pulled out my boxer briefs from behind his back, and dangled them over my face. I can’t believe he actually brought my underwear back. That means I have to give back his underwear that he left by mistake.

“Oh come on Cesar that means I have to give back my treasure to you. I don’t want to give back the treasure you left me yesterday.”

“I won’t ask for mine back if you don’t take yours back. I want to keep my treasure that I accidentally took yesterday.”

I started laughing and pulled Cesar into bed with me. We started rolling all over my bed and kissing each other. Although Cesar is fully dressed, and I am in just my underwear, I can still feel his hard cock through his jeans.

We played around for a while until I heard my door opening. Both Cesar and I stopped right where we are in the bed and looked at the door freaking out. I relaxed when Brandon walked into the room. Brandon scared the living daylights out of me. I am going to keel over before I graduate from high school!

“Oh I see the two little love birds are at it again this morning. I thought maybe you two were worn out from yesterday’s events. I see that you have more energy to expend.”

“Come on, Brandon. We are to teenage boys, with teenage hormones. We can have sex twenty-four hours a day seven days a week.” I looked over to Cesar and smiled. “And one of these days, we are going to try to do that!”

I leaned in and started to kiss Cesar again. I have never kissed Cesar or Chris in front of any of my brothers or father for that matter. For some reason, Cesar makes me feel comfortable in my own skin…..my own GAY skin!

“Grandma asked me to come up here and get you for breakfast. Cesar, my grandmother has invited you to stay for breakfast if you’d like to stay and eat with us.”

“Hell yes! I would love to stay and eat some of your grandmothers cooking!”

Cesar jumped out of the bed, pulling me with him. On the way out the door I grabbed my pants and t-shirt, putting them on as we headed to the kitchen.

Just like the times before, when Cesar stayed over and ate with us everyone talk with him as if he was born into this family. I wonder if they would have ever accepted Chris in this manner. I better just stop asking questions that can never be answered.

Cesar joined my brothers in the back yard playing football. I went upstairs and showered and got dressed to look good for my boyfriend. I know he doesn't care how I look, but I do.

I joined my brothers and Cesar outside in the game of football. We played until Bernice and the others arrived. I completely forgot that we made plans to hang out today. Before we do anything, Bernice wants to deal with the Chris issue.

We didn't bother going in we all just stood out in the backyard. Even my brothers stuck around to hear what we have going on. I think they want to hang out with us today. They are more than welcome and I would enjoy it

After we said hi to each other and talked about our Thanksgiving Day, Bernice immediately took over the conversation and moved it into the subject that she wants us to discuss. I had hoped for a little more time before discussing the Chris issue.

She explained to the others on what she told me and Cesar yesterday. Everyone just looked at Bernice as she spoke. In fact it looks like they are all surprised with what she is discussing and asking us to do. After she finished talking, everyone just looked at each other trying to gather their thoughts. At least that is what I think they're trying to do. Patrick spoke up first before anyone else.

“I know I am one of the newcomers to this group and you guys have known each other longer. Still, what Chris tried the pull on me, I can’t forget or forgive. He seems to be an okay guy when everything is going his way but when things go wrong he tries to step on people to get what he wants.”

“You’re right Patrick you are new to this group, and you should recognize what Chris was to us. If you would have been truthful with us from the beginning Chris wouldn’t have had anything over you.”

“Come on, Bernice. You know, just as well as I do on how hard it is to live with what the four of us are living with.” I pointed to Patrick, Frank, Cesar and I as I made that statement.

Eric was next to weigh in saying; “I agree with that honey. You shouldn’t have said that. Chris was wrong for what he did and the one that needs to forgive him is not us, but Josh and Patrick. Those are the two that Chris hurt through his behavior with his anger and disappointment.”

I nodded my head agreeing with what Eric said. Bernice seems to be on a crusade to help Chris. She is willing to say hurtful things to others in order to get her point of view across. I don’t know what has gotten into her lately. So I continued; “Let's leave out hurtful things. Instead let’s discuss if we want Chris to join us as a friend and figure out if we can all get along with him. Also keep in mind Chris doesn’t know about us talking about this.”

Daniel was next to chime in; “I know my opinion doesn't matter in this discussion, but I am going to say it anyway. Carlos and I were assholes when we first found out about my little brother. Nothing that we can say or do can change that. But what Chris did is on a different level.

He was standing there at the pool when Elizabeth went off on my little brother. I can’t say if I was there I would have stepped in and stopped it. I would like to say that I would have, but I really don’t know if I would have done that with my feelings what they were at the time. What we do know is that Chris was there and didn’t do a thing and then walked away from Josh. For those reasons alone I would say sorry, but no way, Jose.”

“No everyone’s opinion is welcome here. I told Bernice yesterday that I am fine with the idea on having Chris in our group. Look, he is hurting right now and needs a solid group of friends to be there for him just like you guys were there for me when I was hurting.

I can’t tell you guys what to do. You need to make up your own minds on this matter. Then we put it to a vote I guess. We must all agree to have Chris back into our group. If there is one doesn't agree, it can’t happen.”

We discussed it some more and finally, we all agreed to let Bernice go down to Chris' house and let him know we are here for him. If he wants to become friends with us, he is welcome to join us. It was unanimous.

Once we got done with the serious matter, we decided what to do for the rest of the day. All agreed that it is going to be us going to the mall, and then to the movies. If we have enough money, we want to see more than one movie. One thing Cesar will find out hanging with us is that we are a load of fun. There is not going to be a boring moment.

TO BE CONTINUED…………

WRITER’S CORNER:

{Another exciting chapter for you guys. I had a lot of fun with this chapter from the sex scene to the political scenes. In this story, I'd like a lot of it because of the political plots of the story.

I have told some of the readers that I originally wrote out this story without a gay theme attached. It was originally written from the view point of the father looking out on the balcony of the White House and thinking back on how he got there. Now I am rewriting it with that theme and the gay theme for you all to enjoy.

I would like to take this moment to also tell you guys that this story is political. Don’t take offense to it because of it being a Republican Governor. As you read on, you will see that this Governor is not your typical Republican or a typical Democrat either. I really believe if you give this political plot chance you will love it.

I let me get off my soapbox and get on with the summation of the story. Let's start out with Josh and his brothers, and how they are handling everything. They seem to have come to grips with having a gay brother. Not only do they accept it, but they also tease Josh about his love life. You know the conversation that Carlos had with Josh on the way down the stairs to dinner and playfully playing with him.

They also accept Cesar as part of their family. Cesar now joins them for dinner and hangs around with them. Look at the end of the chapter everyone went to the mall in one group. Just like in the chapter before they went out and played paintball together.

The evil women did not show up in this chapter. Martha surely isn't done or is Elizabeth done. They will reappear in the chapters to come, and when they do, trust me there will be fireworks around them.

I have had a lot of readers requesting for me to bring Chris back into the story somehow. I can’t bring it back in as a lover to Josh anymore. So the only way I can do it is by bringing him back in as a friend to everyone. That takes a lot a work in order for it to be believable.

Some are going to agree with having Chris back as a friend and others won't, in that group. That is why I paid a lot of attention to this subject in this chapter. I needed it fully explain to all readers on how Chris became part of the gang again! I have some readers out there that will point out that it can’t happen without me explaining it the way I did. Trust me though. I will get some e-mails on this subject. It’s an emotional issue.

This chapter only covers two days but in the chapters to come I will start speeding up the timeline again. I don’t want to get stuck in one week or one subject, but at the same time. This story will take a lot longer to get through weeks and months because of all the plots. There are so many different plots going on at the same time.

That is it for now, but don’t forget about the open plots from Chris's dad, the coach, the inauguration, the Glee Club at all of the school events still open out there. You can’t afford to skip a chapter in suspect to know what is going on when you read the next chapter. Please keep up with those e-mails, because one of your suggestions may change a plot in the story.

So many open plots not yet closed and more plots to come! Just like my other two stories. This story is part of those series. Although none of the characters have really appeared in this story yet. The timeline between the three stories are different. We are a year behind in this story timeline to where we are at in my other two stories. So stick around and don’t miss one chapter. Because if you do, you might be kicking yourself afterwards!

I could stay here all day long, with all the open plots already in this story, but 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:

Yes, the Chris issue is touchy. He really stepped in the brown gooey stuff! Not just once, either, but twice! I don’t think Chris is a ‘bad person’, but he needs to grow up and get focused. Yes, he has a dark past, but now he needs to put that all away and get on with life. He needs a lot of ‘fixing’ and that fixing HE needs to do himself. He is so lucky to have Bernice as his champion. Now, if the gang lets him back in, he has a leg up, but he’d best make sure they don’t regret their decision to include him back into the group.

Speaking of Bernice….I’ve not seen indications from the readers as to how deep to go into her relationship with Eric. Get your opinions thoughts and feelings into the mix. Let Jacob know what you think.

The General, now Governor Elect is sure on a steep learning curve now that he is having to learn a new profession. I think Daniel’s common sense and strong moral center will serve him well. Like Jacob, I enjoy the political intrigue. It’s particularly interesting to see how Rich maneuvers things, and it’s more interesting realizing he’s gay and in a very high profile job.

Cesar and Josh seem to be getting their pace on their love life. The first tentative and pensive steps are always agony, but we humans manage to get through those initial moments breaking the ice in a new relationship.

I sense that this story is going to go on for upwards of a hundred chapters, if not more. I’m in for the ride and hope you are too. At least Jacob does a chapter a week unlike some authors that do one a month or longer. You GO, guy!

Keep in touch; keep those e-mails coming. We both love to hear from each of you. Those e-mails are the fuel that keeps both of us going!

Until next time,
“Daddy” Rick