Losing Kevin - 11. Chapter 11

Kevin looked quickly around as Paul ran towards him. He saw a fence in the backyard of the lawn where he was standing, so he turned and headed for it. He jumped it easily and ran across the backyard and then jumped the fence into another yard. He looked back and noticed Paul struggling to get over the fence.

 

“Mother Fucker!” Paul screamed and then he headed back to the car. Kevin tore off across the lawn and then ran into the next street. He heard tires squealing and saw the car racing toward him. He ran across the street and behind another house. He collapsed into some bushes and tried to catch his breath. When he heard the car squealing to a stop, he peeked out from behind the bush. Paul and Gordon were running around the house looking for him. When Gordon saw him, Kevin tore off behind the home next door.

 

As he ran through the yard, he was suddenly tackled from behind by Gordon. Gordon was the running back for the football team, so he was easily able to catch up to him.

 

“Stop struggling, Fag!” Gordon screamed as he tried to pin Kevin to the ground. Kevin managed to wiggle from Gordon’s grasp and then jump to his feet. Paul grabbed his arm, but he was able to break free and run around to the front of the house. Without looking back, he ran through the yards of several more homes before finally falling breathlessly to the ground. He gasped for air as he looked around to see if either boy had followed him. He crept close to the garage and peered out. Gordon’s car went slowly down the street. Paul had his head out the window trying to find Kevin. When they came to the corner and turned right, Kevin lay back on the ground and tried to catch his breath.

 

He lay on his back for about ten minutes and listened for Gordon’s car to approach. When he didn’t see them, he assumed that they had probably given up looking for him. He cautiously made his way to the corner to see what road he was on. He had been in the neighborhood a few times visiting friends, but he wasn’t very familiar with it.

 

The sign said Groveland Avenue. He was almost a mile from his home. He didn’t realize he had run so far. After looking careful around, he made his way slowly down the street. He walked on lawns because he was afraid to walk on the sidewalk or the street in case Gordon and Paul were still searching for him.

 

He walked about four blocks when he noticed a familiar house on the corner. The living room lights were on, so he hoped they were home. He approached the door and rang the doorbell.

 

Dave answered the door. He gave Kevin a puzzled look and then peered out to see if Cameron was with him. “Are you all right?” Kevin was standing before him sweating profusely and breathing heavily.

 

“Can I come in,” he begged. “Please?” He looked down the street to see if Gordon’s car was anywhere in sight.

 

“Sure.” Dave stepped back and let Kevin enter. He looked out to see what Kevin was searching for. He closed the door and motioned for him to have a seat.

 

“Coach isn’t here right now,” he informed him. “Is there anything I can do?” He studied Kevin. “Are you in any sort of trouble?”

 

“Kind of,” Kevin replied. “Can I have a glass of water?” Dave went into the kitchen as Kevin laid his head back and tried to catch his breath. Now that the adrenaline had worn off, he found himself exhausted.

 

Dave sat down and handed Kevin the water. He watched with concern as he downed it. When he finished, he tossed his head back on the sofa and closed his eyes. “I almost got jumped,” he said softly.

 

“Are you all right?” Dave looked at his face trying to see if he’d been injured.

 

“Yeah,” he mumbled. “I was able to run away.”

 

“Do you know who it was?”

 

“Yeah,” Kevin nodded his head. Dave rose from the couch and grabbed the phone. “What are you doing?” Kevin asked.

 

“I’m calling the police,” answered Dave.

 

“No,” insisted Kevin. “I’m all right, and I didn’t get hurt.”

“This time,” Dave responded. “But what about the next time?”

 

“Please?” Kevin begged. “I can handle this. Calling the police will only make things worse.”

 

Dave hesitated before putting the phone down on the end table. They both looked up when the front door opened, and Coach Alston walked in.

 

“What’s wrong?” he asked when he saw Kevin sitting beside Dave.

 

“Kevin got jumped,” Dave informed him. Alston walked over and sat down on the other side of Kevin.

 

“Are you hurt?”

 

“No, Coach,” Kevin said, but he could see the concern in the Coach’s eyes. “Honestly.”

 

“Do you know who did it?” Kevin nodded. “Who?”

 

“Paul Glenn and Gordon Johnson,” Kevin responded willingly. He didn’t want the police to be involved again, but he felt secure in letting Coach Alston handle it. After the incident of the lockers being vandalized in the locker room, the coach had informed the principal and the police were notified. A report was filed. However, without any witnesses, it was hard to determine who actually did it.

 

Kevin explained what had happened after he left the restaurant. When he finished, Coach got up and left the room for several minutes. When he returned, he took his seat beside Kevin.

 

“I’ve called your father,” he informed Kevin. Kevin nodded and put his head back on the sofa. “He’ll be here in a few minutes to pick you up.”

 

“Thanks, Coach.”

 

Ten minutes later, there was a pounding on the door. Coach went to answer it, and seconds later Mr. Williams came rushing into the room. He sat down beside Kevin. “Are you all right, Son?” Kevin nodded and assured him he had not been hurt. He explained what had happened, and how he had managed to hide from Paul and Gordon.

 

After thanking Coach Alston and Dave for taking care of Kevin until he arrived, they got in the car and pulled away. Kevin looked around and noticed they were not heading in the direction of his house.

He gave his father a puzzled look. “Where are we going?”

 

“To take care of some business,” his father answered angrily. A few minutes later, they pulled up in front of the Glenn house.

 

Kevin asked worriedly, “What are you going to do?”

 

“Paul’s not going to get away with this,” his father responded angrily. “I’m going to talk to his father.”

“No!” Kevin shouted as he attempted to grab his father’s arm, but he lost his grip. He watched as his father stormed up to the front door of the house.

 

“What do you want?” Mr. Glenn asked angrily when he opened the door.

 

“I’m here to talk to you about your boy, Roger,” responded Mr. Williams as he tried to enter the home. He had known Roger Glenn for several years. Even though they weren’t close friends, they had sat beside each other occasionally during basketball games and rooted their sons to victory.

 

Mr. Glenn stepped in front of him and blocked him from entering. “Paul ain’t done nothing,” he insisted. “He’s been here all night. He hasn’t left the house.”

 

“How do you know I wanted to talk to you about something that happened tonight?” Kevin’s father shot back.

 

Mr. Glenn crossed his arms defensively. “You better leave, Lyle.”

 

“Not until we talk about what your boy did,” insisted Mr. Williams.

 

“I told you my boy ain’t done nothing,” he insisted. “Whatever that faggot son told you is a lie.” He moved back and slammed the door shut. Kevin’s father stood a minute and stared at the door before heading back to the car.

 

Kevin slumped down inside the car. His father entered the car and angrily started the engine. “No wonder Paul’s the way he is,” his father shouted. “He’s as dumb as his jackass father!” Kevin rested his head against the window as they drove home in silence.

 

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“Well?” Ashley grabbed Gordon’s arm as he entered the building. “Did you take care of him?”

 

“Naw,” Gordon replied. “The son of a bitch ran away, and we couldn’t find him.” He looked over at Ashley. “Don’t worry, though. We’ll get him the next time.”

 

“You’d better,” she warned before walking away and heading down the corridor to class.

 

She had called Gordon the night before and met with him and Paul at his house. They had made the excuse they were working on a homework assignment, but instead they had planned how they would deal with Kevin.

 

After her argument with Devin, she was convinced that Kevin was coming between them. Since she was giving Devin what he wanted, she expected him to give her his undivided attention. However, he was increasingly becoming preoccupied with his twin. Even after making love, he would often bring up Kevin’s name. She felt that if she could turn Devin against his brother, then she could reclaim the attention she deserved.

 

They had worked out a plan to try and embarrass and intimidate Kevin and Cameron. She figured the more she made other students aware of Kevin, then it might turn Devin against his brother. She knew that he felt insecure about other students assuming that since his twin was gay, then he must have similar traits. The more she could get Paul and Gordon to expose Kevin, then the better chance she had to regain Devin’s love.

 

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“Where’s Devin?” Cameron was looking across the table where Ashley was sitting with Paul. Kevin looked over and shrugged.

 

“Dunno,” he said. “Dad told him last night he didn’t want him talking to her until he got his grades back up. I guess he decided to ditch lunch.”

 

“You sure you haven’t seen him?” Ashley asked Paul as she looked around the cafeteria for Devin to show. She was worried that since their argument the day before, Devin had decided to break up with her. Just then, Sherri walked up and sat down.

 

“Where’s lover boy?” she asked sarcastically.

 

“He had an assignment due in history, so he’s in the library,” Ashley responded. She didn’t want to confess to her best friend that they had had a fight.

 

“That’s funny,” Sherri replied coyly. “I was just in there, and I didn’t see him.”

 

“He was probably sitting in a cubicle,” volunteered Paul. Sherri looked at him and rolled her eyes. Paul shot her an angry look and then rose from his seat. “I’m going to go see if I can find him.”

 

Sherri watched him walk away and then turned to Ashley. “God, Girl! How can you stand that?”

“What?” Ashley gave her a puzzled look.

 

“Paul.” she replied. “He follows Devin around like a puppy dog. Doesn’t that bother you?”

 

“I’m more concerned about Kevin,” she said. “I don’t want him coming between us.”

 

She grabbed Ashley’s hand. “I know what you’re saying. I’ve heard several people say they wonder if Devin may be queer since he and Kevin are twins.”

 

Ashley leaned back and laughed. “Trust me, Sherri. He’s not gay. I think I would know.”

 

Sherri looked around to make sure no one was listening to their conversation. “Tell me, Ashley. Is he good in bed?”

 

Ashley giggled before saying, “The best.” Sherri high-fived her gently on the hand.

 

“You’re lucky, Ashley,” she giggled. “Half the girls in this school are jealous of you.”

 

Ashley sat back and looked worriedly at Sherri. “What?” Sherri leaned forward. “I know that look. Spill it.”

 

Ashley looked around to see if anyone could hear them. She then whispered softly, “I’m a week late having my period.”

 

Sherri sat back and hissed, “Damn.” She leaned forward again, “You sure.”

 

Ashley threw up her hands. “Well, duh,” she replied worriedly. “I would know these things.”

 

Sherri whispered softly, “You don’t think you’re pregnant, do you? I told you Devin should have been wearing a condom.”

 

Ashley’s face reddened. “He told me if he pulled out in time, nothing would happen.”

 

“I told you not to believe that shit!” Sherri said loudly. She then looked around to see if anyone had heard. She looked worriedly at her best friend. “So, what are you going to do?”

 

“First, I have to find out if I’m pregnant,” she replied. “I could just be late this month.”

 

“I’ll come over to your house tonight,” Sherri responded. “I’ll get my sister to buy a pregnancy test.”

 

“Don’t tell her it’s for me!” Ashley said excitedly.

 

“I won’t,” assured Sherri. “I’ll tell her it’s for someone else. She thinks our friend Bev is a slut, so I’ll tell her it’s for her.”

 

“Whatever you do, Sherri,” said Ashley, “You have to swear you won’t breathe a word of this to anyone.”

 

“You got it,” promised Sherri. “Not a word to anyone.” She got up from the table and walked away. Ashley peered around the cafeteria looking for Devin.

 

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Cameron was walking alone to his fifth period class. Kevin would usually walk with him from Spanish class, but today he said he had to talk to a teacher about a grade. He decided to use the restroom before the bell rang.

 

As he entered, several boys were hurriedly leaving so they wouldn’t be late. As Cameron was washing his hands, he noticed in the mirror the door open. His heart stopped when he saw Paul walk in.

 

Paul walked up, stood beside him and grinned at him in the mirror. Cameron stepped away saying, “I have to get to class.”

 

Paul reached out and grabbed his arm. “Not so quick, Fag.” He shoved him up against a wall. “I couldn’t catch Kevin last night, and I’m damned sure not going to let you get away now.”

 

Cameron struggled and attempted to break free. “Let me go!”

 

Paul squeezed his arm tighter. “Shut up, you fucking homo!” He attempted to pull Cameron over to a stall, but he continued to struggle. Paul put his foot out and tripped Cameron to the ground. He then got down and pinned him to the ground.

 

“You’re mine now,” he hissed as he pulled his arm back to hit Cameron. Cameron closed his eyes and waited for the blow to strike. Instead, he felt the weight of Paul’s body being lifted from his. He watched as Paul’s body was thrown against a wall.

 

“I told you to leave him and Kevin alone!” Devin shouted. Paul moaned when Devin hit him in the stomach.

 

Paul put out his hands to prevent any further blows. “I’m sorry, Devin. Ashley said this is what you wanted.” He shielded his body when he saw Devin raise his fist again. Suddenly, he lowered his hand and pushed Paul against the wall.

 

“What did you say?”

 

Paul looked down at Cameron who was still lying on the ground. “She said you told her you wanted me and Gordon to fuck these fags up.”

 

Devin took a step back. “When did she tell you this?”

 

“She called last night and then came over to my house. She said you wanted Kevin and this fag,” he pointed down to Cameron, “dealt with.”

 

Paul closed his eyes when Devin raised his fist in anger. “Bitch!” He hollered as he walked over and hit the wall. He pulled his hand back and started shaking it. “Damn, that hurt!”

 

He walked over and looked down at Cameron. “Get up.” He extended his good hand and helped Cameron to his feet. “Go to class.” He pushed him toward the door. Paul looked on with a puzzled look as Cameron hurried from the restroom.

 

“Listen.” Devin approached Paul. “I didn’t tell Ashley anything like that. I’ve told you from the beginning to let me handle this.”

 

“You’ve been saying that, Devin,” he replied. Just then the bell rang. “But you haven’t done anything about it.”

 

“Christ, Paulie,” hissed Devin. “He’s my goddamned brother. Do you think I want to see him hurt? I just want him to stop messing around with Cameron.”

 

Paul gave him an exasperated look. “I was going to take care of it, before you came barging in here like some fucking mad man.” He put his hand on his stomach. “You didn’t have to hit me.”

 

Devin threw his arms around his best friend. “Listen, Paul. This whole thing has gotten out of hand. Ashley’s mad at me, and my old man is coming down on my ass pretty hard. And now, I’m fighting with my best friend.”

 

“So, what do you think we should do now?” Paul looked into Devin’s face.

 

“We are not going to do anything,” replied Devin as he stepped away. “Let me talk to Kevin. I should have done that from the start. I was so damned worried about everyone thinking I was like Kevin that I forgot what was really important.”

 

“I still think they should get their asses kicked,” said Paul angrily. “What they are doing is wrong.”

 

When Devin started laughing, Paul gave him a puzzled look. “You know what, Paulie. My Dad reminded me the other day about the time he caught us sucking each other’s dicks.” Paul’s face started to redden as he remembered back to that night. “If I recall, you didn’t seem to have much of a problem with it then.”

 

“But... But...” Paul stammered. “We were just kids.” Devin continued to laugh.

 

“Yeah, Paul,” he smiled. “We were just kids.” He turned and headed for the door. “I got to go. My Dad will kill me if I miss another class.”

 

As he opened the door, he stopped and turned. “Listen, Paulie,” he warned. “Touch Kevin or Cameron again, and the next time I won’t be so forgiving. Got it?” Paul nodded as Devin exited the restroom.

 

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“What’s wrong with you?” Kevin looked worriedly at Cameron when he came in just as the bell was ringing for Mrs. Strickland’s class.

 

He turned around to tell Kevin what happened, but Mrs. Strickland started talking. Kevin waited patiently for forty minutes until she stopped lecturing.

 

“I didn’t think she’d ever stop talking,” Cameron giggled as he moved his chair beside Kevin’s. Mrs. Strickland had given them an assignment, and she told them they could work together quietly.

 

“You gonna tell me why you came to class late?” Cameron opened his history book and looked over at Kevin.

 

“I had some trouble in the restroom.”

 

“What kind of trouble?” Kevin gave him a worried look.

 

“Paul was going to jump me.”

 

“Paul?” Kevin asked angrily. “Did he hurt you?”

 

“No.” Cameron gave him a puzzled look. “Your brother came in and stopped him?”

 

“Devin?”

 

“Yeah. Paul was going to hit me, and Devin came in and grabbed his arm.” He watched as Kevin’s face went from anger to disbelief. “He told me to get out. I don’t know what happened after I left.”

 

“Devin helped you out?” Kevin was completely surprised. He thought his brother hated Cameron.

 

“I know,” replied Cameron. “Weird, isn’t it?”

 

“Yeah.” Cameron started working the assignment in the book, but Kevin couldn’t stop wondering why Devin had come to Cameron’s aid. Paul was his best friend, and he had been thinking that Devin had put him up to harassing him and Cameron. When Paul and Gordon chased him the night before, he somehow believed that Devin had been behind it.

 

When the bell rang, they got up from their desks and faced each other. Kevin asked, “Can I stop by your house after basketball practice?”

 

“Yeah, sure.” Cameron responded. “I’ll call Mom and tell her you’re staying for dinner.”

 

“I’d better not,” he said. “I’m not sure my mom would let me.”

“I understand,” Cameron replied. Both boys were aware that if they were to see each other, they’d have to be careful. “We’d better go.”

 

Kevin walked Cameron to his sixth period before running off to his. He ran into the room just as the bell was ringing.

 

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“That was a good practice, Gentlemen!” Coach Alston shouted to the eleven sweaty teens running maneuvers on the gym floor. “Go hit the showers.” They turned and started walking slowly toward the dressing room.

 

“Barber, Tyler and Williams!” The three boys turned and faced the coach. “I want to see you in my office.” He turned and headed across the gym floor.

 

Charles asked, “What do you think he wants?”

 

“I don’t know.” Stanley let his hand brush lightly against Charles. Kevin was walking behind them and started grinning when he noticed.

 

“Have a seat guys.” Coach Alston motioned for them to sit when they entered his office. He sat down on the edge of his desk.

 

“You guys are looking good out there.” The three boys looked at each other and smiled. “There’s a certain chemistry that’s hard to find. It’s like you can read each other’s next moves on the court.”

 

“Thanks, Coach,” responded a beaming Charles.

 

“Keep playing like that and we have a good shot at the city championship,” he announced. “I’d love to kick Halston High’s ass this year.” Everyone started laughing.

 

The coach looked down worriedly at the boys. “How are things going off the court?” He looked over at Stanley. “Is anyone giving you or Charles any problems?”

 

“No, Coach,” Charles replied. “Things have quieted down.”

“Not quite.” He looked over at Kevin. “Did you tell them what happened last night?” Kevin shook his head. Stanley and Charles looked at him questioningly.

 

“I got chased going home,” he informed them.

 

“By who?” Charles asked.

 

“Paul and Gordon.”

 

“Gordon!” Charles shouted. “That son of a bitch is watching every move I make anymore. He’s always peeking out his bedroom window. I swear the guy is a pervert.”

“Just be careful, Boys,” warned the coach. “We start our season next week and I don’t want anything happening to you. Remember what happened last week.”

“We’ll be careful,” Charles assured him as the boys got up to leave. He lifted his head and started sniffing the air.

“What are you doing, Dickhead?” Stanley asked. He started blushing when he realized what he had said in front of the coach.

 

“Victory,” laughed Charles. “The city championship.” Kevin started sniffing the air.

“Yeah,” he laughed. “I can smell it too.”

 

“You guys are idiots,” replied Stanley as he took both boys by the shoulder and led them from the coach’s office.

 

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“Well?” Ashley paced around the room nervously while Sherri held up the strip and examined it.

 

Sherri gave her a worried look and announced, “There’s a plus sign.”

 

Ashley fell on the bed and started crying.