Jacob Finding His Way - 27. Chapter 27

The next morning it was very quiet in the house when we got ready for school. Joey really didn’t say much and I didn’t really want to push him to. When we got downstairs, Chase and David were there eating breakfast.

I always found this funny. We ate at the house for breakfast, but a couple hours later we ate again at school. I figure that is where the old saying goes into effect about us being growing kids. We just can eat you out of house and home.

The morning classes were going fast. Joey seemed to come out of his shell and started talking once again. I really liked my talkative Joey, not my silent Joey.

During second period I was called out of class to report to Major Moore’s Office at the ROTC building. I headed down to his office to find Colonel May sitting there as well. When I was asked in, it didn’t feel right to me.

“Jacob the reason I called you here is for Colonel May to speak with you. Please listen to him and see if we can come to some kind of agreement at the end.” Major Moore was talking as he shut the door to his office.

“Mr. Hernandez there is several things I need to go over with you. First I need to let you know about the SAI meeting of last week. I told all the other school instructors about the success you had on getting a sponsor for your battalion. They got all up in arms about you guys getting special treatment of some kind. I explained to them the program was coming to their battalions as well. I need to know where we stand on getting that promise to a reality. And soon I might add.!”

“Well Colonel May as you know I was just told about getting sponsors last week for the other battalions. This does not work over night nor can we assume we are going to get sponsors for all the schools. There might be some schools that might need to stick with the candy sales in order to get their money for the year.”

“That is unacceptable to say the least Mr. Hernandez. It has to be all the schools or none at all. We need to be fair across the board.”

“Colonel May with all due respect; this program was to be at this school only. You asked if it was possible to see it work in all the battalions. We originally agreed for the program to start at this school for a year and move it to the other schools the following years after it was proven here.” I reminded the Colonel.

“Well I need it to work in all battalions this year Mr. Hernandez. I am responsible for this Brigade and I see a program that is successful to say the least. So we need to find out how to get it done. What I was thinking was to remove you as Battalion Commander and move you to Brigade Staff. There isn’t a position open on the staff so your rank will stay the same. What I will do is make up a position to hold you for the next couple of years. You sole duties will be all the new programs you thought up and place them in all the battalions.”

“Colonel May, I did what I did to get promoted not to stay at the same rank in a position that never existed before. If coming up with new ideas results in me getting no promotion, then I’d rather not do it anymore, Sir!”

“Mr. Hernandez you are taking what I have said all wrong. I want this to work and I feel keeping you as Battalion Commander hinders you. It makes it even harder for you to work on the issues that are on your plate.”

“It does not do that Sir. I have worked hard to get where I am. I’d like to have a chance next year to get Brigade Staff as well.”

“Also Mr. Hernandez I feel the extra activities you are in after school is hurting you as well. Track is taking too much time out of you working on the things here in this program. I am thinking maybe we need to come to an agreement where you quit Track!”

If you think I was pissed before, let me tell you, pissed doesn’t even begin to describe where I’m at now. “Colonel May in the class description it doesn’t state you cannot be involved in any other activities here at school if you get promoted to a higher rank. It has not yet stopped me for doing what I need to do with this class, Sir! Evidence is you being here having this conversation with me”

“Mr. Hernandez there is a lot riding on the success of the programs you thought of. Tell me what you think can help you with getting it done and quickly” Colonel May said backing off the pressure, realizing he was about to step in deep doo-doo if he persisted pushing me.

“First I asked the SAI’S of the other battalions to send their Battalion Commanders along with me when I go out and get their sponsors, they turned that down. Why don’t you help me get that as a starter?”

“That was brought up in the meeting, and it is a no starter as well. You will need to get the sponsors on your own without the Battalion Commanders!”

“You see? They complain they don’t have what we have, but they don’t give me the tools to get it done. They just sit on their butts and expect it to be handed to them on a silver platter. If they want this so bad, they should give me a helping hand. What can you do but ask me to quit the things I am doing?”

“Nothing except what I mentioned. I figure all the extra activities are preventing you from doing the things we need to have done here” Colonel May said, still in his original mindset.

“Ok then Colonel May let’s do this instead. We have not even finished our first six weeks of the first semester of this year. If I do not get my work done with in the next two weeks, I will step down as Battalion Commander. I will take private rank and finish off the semester that way. I will step down from the newsletter as well.

I never said I could get it done this fast, but you feel I can. I just will not be put into a position that doesn’t give me promotion ability in the future.”

Both Major Moore and Colonel May just looked at me when I finished talking. I was done playing this game. Major Moore is the SAI of this Battalion. He needs to start stepping up and defending us when ever there is someone is walking all over us.

Colonel May needs to remember the original talk we had on this subject. We agreed that it wasn’t going to work out this way. Now he wants me to move mountains with my bare hands and that is impossible.

“We said what we needed to be said. Let’s just think about this and come up with solutions. We will meet up again in a week on this issue.” Colonel May said as he looked over to Major Moore.

Major Moore agreed and dismissed me to go back to class. When I got back, Joey knew there was something wrong with me. I was so damn mad; I couldn’t believe what was going on. I am being punished for coming up with ideas and showing they work. No, that’s not quite right; I’m being used to further programs in other Battalions without them putting in the work to get the benefits. Colonel May has lost a ton of credibility with me with this demonstration of a lack of honor.

As the day wore on, it was my turn not to say a word. I was thinking where to go and get sponsors for the other battalions.

When we got home after school, Joey’s mom had dinner almost ready. I think I will get used to this idea. It smelled so good. Joey and I went upstairs and changed to pants and t-shirts. We headed back to eat dinner.

I just let go what happened in the morning. I figured within a couple of weeks I will be a private again with none of the worries I have right now. I don’t quit on things, but these guys are making it impossible for me to get anything done.

After dinner Joey’s mother wanted to talk to us in private. We headed to the study and closed the door. As we sat down, she just stood in the middle of the room looking around. This room was wall to wall books with a desk in the middle and chairs at the opposite side of the desk. There were couches and larger recliners in different spots in the room.

“I need to talk to you boys about something really important. Please do not interrupt me until I have finished.”

Joey and I agreed to not say a word until she was done.

“Well I really do not know where to start. I had better just start at the beginning I figure. Last Wednesday when I got home I didn’t see Fran or your dad anywhere. He’d lost his job and things were getting bad at the house. He started getting angrier at times and just jumping off into episodes of hitting us.

I did everything I could to ensure Fran’s safety. I just can’t be there all the time. I needed to work more hours in order to pay the bills at the house. I know there is no excuse for allowing what was happening at the house again.

On this day I had a feeling in the pit of my stomach that didn’t feel right. I just knew something was going bad and I just couldn’t knock the feeling. When I walked in the house and found no one and I was scared even more.

Then I heard screaming coming from your sister’s room. I ran as fast as I could to see what she was yelling about. When I got to the door, it was locked. I pounded on and screamed at the door. All I could hear was your sister calling out for help. She was screaming and crying and asking me to help her.

I do not know where I got the strength at, but I some how knocked through the door. What I saw then, I couldn’t believe. Your dad had your sister down on her knees, stomach on the bed, pants pulled down, raping her. I just lost it when I saw that.

I ran up to your father and somehow pulled him off your sister. I started hitting him with all my might. I saw your sister sitting on the floor curled up in a ball crying so loud. I just kept hitting your father. Then somehow he got the upper hand.

He threw me across the room with all his strength. I hit the dresser with my head. When I was coming to, your father was already on top of me. He started hitting me over and over again. I tried to get free, but each time I did, he just tossed me back like a rag doll. Then he grabbed a trophy from the dresser and started hitting me with it.

When he thought he knocked me out. He got up and went back to your sister. All I could hear was your sister screaming out again for help. She was crying and screaming as your dad started to rape her again.

I ran out of the room and got the gun we kept for protection. When I ran back into the room I yelled at your father to get off of your sister. I waved the gun at him to do so. He just stood there laughing and taunting me to shoot him. He kept walking towards me still taunting me to shoot him.

He just laughed and that evil grin he gets when he knows he has won. I just unloaded the gun into your father! He went flying back as I kept shooting him.

When I saw he was down and not moving, I went and grabbed your sister. I took her downstairs and had her sit in the livingroom. I ran back upstairs and packed suitcases for your sister and me. I did it in such a hurry; I didn’t care what I threw in them.

I ran downstairs and threw the suitcases in the car. Then I went and got your sister. We took off out of there so fast, I didn’t look back.

We stayed in hotels for the first couple of days. I decided to get rid of the car thinking the police were looking for it by now. Then I decided to get Fran down here to you guys before I was arrested. I know she will be safe here with you guys and I don’t have to worry about her being in the system.”

Joey and I just sat there when Mrs. Alvarez finished the story of what had happened. First I couldn’t believe what she and Fran went through. Then I just knew we couldn’t afford to loose anytime at all.

I got up and went to the desk. I called my grandfather and told him what was going on. He told me what to do and who to call in order to see what Joey’s mother was looking at. I got off the phone putting together the information and numbers I needed to call.

Then I remembered I have the personal number to the district attorney of our county. I looked at the clock and saw it was not even seven yet. I picked up the phone and called Mr. Anderson up.

He was glad to hear from me at first. I didn’t let him know that Joey’s mother was with us at the time, but told him the story about what happened. He told me he will make a couple of calls and get back to me as soon as possible.

We hung up and I looked over to Joey and his mother. They have not moved an inch since I started making the calls. I walked over to Joey and sat down next to him. I grabbed his hand and looked at him as he looked back at me.

“Gorgeous, I promise you I will do everything I can to ensure that your mother spend one day behind bars. I will spend what ever is needed to get them the best attorneys I can get. I really don’t feel this is too serious in that it is obvious that it was justifiable. I know she panicked, but it would have been much easier had she stayed and dealt with the law rather than running.

Joey shook his head in the positive and then looked back at his mother. Boy, this is all we needed right now; just when it seemed everything was getting better, now this. I don’t blame Joey’s mother at all for coming to us. That is what family is for. Just I wanted to have some kind of peace time in my life; at least for a while.

The phone rang and I got up to answer it. It was Mr. Anderson on the line. He did get the information we needed. For right now, Mrs. Alvarez is wanted for questioning in her husband’s death; nothing more then that at the time.

Mr. Anderson didn’t tell the district attorney what I had told him. He got agreement from that district attorney to question Mrs. Alvarez in the death of her husband. He will be involved with the questioning via telephone.

Mr. Anderson will have a defense attorney at his office as well for Mrs. Alvarez tomorrow at nine in the morning. I agreed on the time and having Mrs. Alvarez there in the morning for questioning.

I thanked Mr. Anderson for everything and hung up the phone. I told Joey and his mother everything and said we will be with her through the whole thing. We sat there in the study for a while and then Mrs. Alvarez got up and headed to her room.

Joey and I decided to go to our room as well. Joey really didn’t say anything at all. I think he was stunned at least. If I was in his shoes, I would be stunned.

We got undressed and got into bed together. I laid there not wanting to say or doing something that would make Joey uneasy or upset with me. Then I heard Joey crying softly as he could. I think he was trying to ensure I didn’t hear him.

I looked down at Joey and he was curled in a ball. His face was buried under his pillow. I crawled up next to him and grabbed of hold of my Joey. I removed the pillow from his face and turned his face to me. His tears were streaming down the side of his face. His eyes were blood shot and puffy. He didn’t want to look at me at all.

I lifted his chin and leaned in and kissed his lips lightly. As I moved away from his lips, I wiped the tears away. But they kept coming down like a water fall. Joey just leaned his head into my shoulder and just let it go. He was crying so hard, mumbling words through the sobs. My heart was breaking as Joey was hurting. I so wanted to take the pain away from him. I wanted to bear the pain, not him.

“Let it out gorgeous, let it all out! I am here for you no matter what. I love you so much Joey! I only wish I could hurt instead of you!”

We were in the bed in the same position for hours. Joey didn’t stop crying in all that time. I knew his father hurt him so much, but still he just got the news he father is dead. No matter what, we always will love those who hurt us the most.

Joey cried himself to sleep around one in the morning. I held him as tight as I could even after he had fallen asleep. I slowly leaned back into the bed holding onto Joey as I did. He didn’t move at all as I was resting in bed.

Once I was lying down, I pulled Joey even closer in me. He lay on my right hand side as I continued to wrap my arms around him as tight as I could. His head rested on my shoulder as he slept. I just looked at Joey putting my hands through his hair over and over again as he slept.

I just kept thinking to myself that I am going to do everything in my power this time to get Joey through this. I will not lose Joey this time around. As I was thinking over and over again that I will not lose Joey this time. I thought myself to sleep.

We didn’t stir until seven the next morning. Joey and I got ready to take Mrs. Alvarez down to the district attorney’s office. Chase and David already left for school by the time we left. As always, it was hard to find a parking spot downtown. Just as before, I decided to park in the same garage and pay for the day.

When we reached the district attorney’s office he was waiting for us. Mr. Anderson was a man of his word. He introduced us to the defense counsel and then we headed into the conference room.

Before the questioning could begin, the defense counsel spoke with Mrs. Alvarez to get her take on what had happened. As soon as he got the story, they sat down at the table. Mr. Anderson brought the district attorney from Arizona online.

All the rules were explained and what we were to expect in this meeting. Then they turned over the proceedings to our attorney.

“What we are going to do is allow the questioning to start. Whenever I feel it is going over the scope we agreed to, I will stop it.” Mr. Hudson said as he looked at Mr. Anderson.

Everyone agreed to what he said and the questioning began. At first it was going pretty smooth, and then it started hitting the fan. Mr. Hudson started to stop certain questions and it was getting both district attorneys mad.

At one point, both of them threaten to have Joey’s mother arrested. When they said that, Mr. Hudson said fine, but the questioning will stop at that moment and will not be picked up. That settled them down and the questioning started again.

Poor Mrs. Alvarez was in that room being questioned for close to three hours. Finally Mr. Anderson called it quits and hung the phone up. He told Joey’s mother she can go home for now, but to stay in town.

As we were leaving the room, I went back to Mr. Anderson to speak with him.

“Mr. Anderson, tell me what are the chances on Joey’s mother being arrested?”

“Jacob I won’t lie to you, it is up in the air. Look, I pulled old violence records of them when they lived here. Then the stunt Mr. Alvarez pulled with you at your house last year. Also there is a lot of domestic reports on file over there in Arizona.

If I was the district attorney on this case, I would just let this one go. I know Mrs. Alvarez won’t kill or hurt anyone again. This is justified homicide in my opinion. I know she did it and I know the other district attorney knows she did it.

I expect he will come to the same conclusion. He just needs to look like he his doing everything he needs to do. So it will take a while, just be patient. She will come out on the other end. I suggest for the mean time to get her and her daughter into therapy of some kind. They need to get this worked out.

Also Jake get Joey’s sister to a doctor to have her looked at. It will be good to have it documented that she was raped. The bruises and cuts will still be there.”

“Yes Mr. Anderson I will make sure to get that done. And thank you for all your help in this matter. I know you didn’t have to do this for me.”

“Jake I was just glad it wasn’t any bad news on you. Please take care of yourself and not to sound mean, I hope not to see you again.”

We both laughed at what he said and shook hands. He was right on not seeing him again since he is the prosecutor. I walked off to catch up with Joey and his mother.

(JOEY’S POINT OF VIEW)

My mother and I sat there with Mr. Hudson waiting on Jacob. I really do not know what I did to deserve a guy like Jacob. I really needed a strong shoulder to lean on, and as always it is Jacob that is there for me since I can remember.

He took control of this situation and took care of the legal barriers in front of us. I would not have known what to do if my life depended on it. Jake didn’t even flinch when it came time to getting the ball rolling.

Then when I needed to just let my feelings out, Jake was there for me. He didn’t move or say too much. He just let me cry and let out all that was in me at the time. I know he was hurting just as much as I was. I know Jake loves me so much, when I am in pain, he feels that pain as well. He so much wants to take all the bad in this world away from me so that way I never could feel the ugliness the world has.

Some people may think I am one weird person for hurting the way I am over my father’s death. He hit me every chance he had because of me being gay. I really think that it was just and excuse for him to hit me. He would have hit me no matter what.

Then he turned his anger to my little sister and raped her. I know if I had walked in that room, I would have done the same thing my mother had done. There is no doubt in my mind that I would have. No man or woman should ever touch their kids or anybody in the way my father was doing to my sister.

At the same time he was hitting on my mother as well. There was something seriously wrong with my father to say the least. His own family didn’t want anything to do with him. I never met any of my aunts, uncles or grandparents on his side.

Through all this though, he was my father and I did love him as such. That point is what I am hurting about. I lost my father and we never had a chance to make things right before he passed. I never honestly thought we would have even it he lived to be a hundred, but this is now final. There’s not even a glimmer of hope.

I looked down the hall and saw Jacob coming up to us. I am so happy to see him coming down the hall. He looked so fine in a suit and tie! As he reached us, he took Mr. Hudson to the side to talk with him.

(JACOB’S POINT OF VIEW)

I saw Joey, Mrs. Alvarez, and Mr. Hudson just sitting on a bench in the hallway. Joey looked up to me as I walked over. I winked at him and he smiled back at me. I love him so much and I will be here for him.

The first person I needed to talk with was Mr. Hudson. So as soon as I got there, I pulled Mr. Hudson to the side.

“Mr. Hudson I do thank you for your help in this matter. I need to tell the district attorney thanks for getting you down here for us.”

“It wasn’t the district attorney that called me up. I am part of the law firm your grandfather uses here when ever he needs legal advice. He called the senior partner last night and then I got the call to be here in the morning.”

“Wow! Thank you and I need to call my grandfather as soon as I get home to thank him.”

“Mr. Hernandez your grandfather asked my boss to start dealing with you on a one to one basis from now on. You will be the contact person for his family matters here in town. I have been the attorney of record for all your family matters.

Your grandfather used our branch in Denver when he sued the truck company back in the late eighty’s and won all that money. Ever since then, he has kept us for his legal counsel.

So, here is my card with all my numbers including my private home and beeper number. Call me day or night, no matter what!”

“Thank you Mr. Hudson for this and everything you did for me and my family here. I talked to Mr. Anderson and asked if there was going to be any charges. He believes there will not be. It is justified homicide in his opinion and the other district attorney will come to that conclusion as well.”

“I believe so as well. It doesn’t hurt Mr. Hernandez that you have a good relationship with Mr. Anderson and his office. He did more then any district attorney would have done for anyone else. That helps a lot in these matters. I know Mr. Anderson and he will not bend the law for anyone, including his friends. So, he does believe that under the law Mrs. Alvarez is innocent by the statue.”

“Thank you again Mr. Hudson and please call me Jake.” We both laughed when I said that. I am just a teenager, not an old man.

“Also make sure you send me the bill and I will get the payment out in the mail to you as soon as I get it Mr. Hudson!”

“Don’t worry about a billing on this one, Jake. It is free because of all the work your grandfather and you have given us. The money we have made off of your grandfather and his law suits was good. Just call me if you need anything else. I will be getting any notification if this is going to go any further.”

“Thank you again, Mr. Hudson and you have a good and safe day!”

We shook hands as we parted ways. As he walked out of the main entrance, I headed over to Joey and his mother.

Once I met up with Joey and Mrs. Alvarez we decided to grab something to eat and then head on home. While we were eating, I explained to Joey and his mother what Mr. Anderson said. I did make clear we cannot get our hopes up yet. We need to prepare for the worst and hope for the best.

When we arrived home, Joey and his mother went into the den to talk. I figured it was family issues and it was between those two. I grabbed the phone book and went into the study. I figured to take advantage of the afternoon off and deal with the ROTC issue I have before me.

(JOEY’S POINT OF VIEW)

After finishing with my mom I went to find Jake. He was in the study looking stuff up in the phone book. I just stood at the door looking at him thinking to myself how lucky I am to have him in my life. I love Jake so much and now him being here during this time of my life. I know he loves me without a doubt.

I walked over to Jake and leaned in to give him a kiss.

“Babe why don’t we go out and get our driver licenses today. We have been talking about it and I know you are very nervous when you are driving.”

“Well that sounds like a plan to me Joey; as long as it doesn’t take all afternoon to get it done” Jake said looking up at me.

“It shouldn’t take that long at all. Look at the time. Most people are at work or school right now. It isn’t even twelve yet. Plus we have a new DMV down the street from us.”

Jacob got up and we walked out the door. We said good bye to my mom as we headed out. On the way to DMV Jake and I just talked about me being in football and how it was changing me for the better. I really didn’t see what Jake saw. Still I took him by his word.

When we arrived at the DMV, I parked the truck and we headed in. I was right, there wasn’t that many people in line. When we got to the front of the line, I was surprised to hear Jake and I were the only ones there for our license. [Wow, you can tell this is fiction! NOWHERE in TX is the DMV ever this way. Just to get an address change or replace a license is always a half day project! ED]

They took us right away to a room with computers built into the desk. This was going to be our written part of the test. Jake and I didn’t even study for this part. We were going to wing it and hope for the best.

I was surprised I knew most of the answers without even picking up a book. I figure as Jake said, we have been driving now for a while without our licenses so we should know the answers to the questions. I did and I was actually smiling at Jake when we sat back down in the waiting for the driving part of the test.

“How do you think you did with the written part of the test babe?” I asked Jake.

“I did pretty well to tell the truth. There was a couple questions in there I didn’t know the answers to but the rest I did” Jake responded.

“Same here I got thrown in a few. Still, overall I think I passed the written part.”

“If we didn’t, they won’t let us take the driving part of the test until we do.” Jake observed.

Jake was right on that part. About thirty minutes later, a DMV person came up to us.

“Who here is Jacob Hernandez?” Jake raised his hand when the question was asked.

“Then that makes you Joey Alvarez then!” I shook my head when he asked the question.

“Ok I will be taking you guys out for the driver’s part of the test. Please don’t kill me during this part!” He said as we got up walking towards the door.

Jacob took off first with the examiner. He was gone for about thirty minutes. When he returned he had to parallel park in order to pass the test. He didn’t get it the first try, but on his second try he got it.

Jake drove the truck up and it was my turn. The examiner took me through the freeway first then exited off into a private community and then into a school zone on the way back. He kept looking to see how fast I was going, if I was using my blinkers, coming to a complete stop, and if I was paying attention to the road. In one part of the test there was a down hill that caused the truck to gain speed. I pressed on the brake in order to stay within the speed limit.

When we drove back up to the DNV, the instructor asked me to drive up and get ready to parallel park. I had three chances to get this right. Just as Jake. I hit it on my second turn. Afterwards I drove up and dropped off the examiner and then parked the truck.

Jake and I waited in the waiting area for another half an hour. Finally the instructor came up and told us we passed both parts of the test and we got our drivers licenses. We had our pictures taken and got our temps issued to us.

We were happy as we walked out the door. I knew Jake had to go and get some stuff done. I so wanted to go with him, but at the same time I needed to be there for my mom. As we drove up to the house, Jake looked at me with puppy dog eyes. I felt bad for not going with him.

(JACOB’S POINT OF VIEW)

As soon as we got home, I tried to get Joey to come with me. He felt he needed to stay home for his mother. I understood, but at the same time I really wanted to be with him. I headed out the door while Joey was talking to his mother. I left him a note letting him know I will be back in a while. I visited several companies and all I got is pretty much the door slammed in my face.

They act as if I was asking for their first born. But I didn’t give up on the course before me. I am more determined now more than ever. I didn’t get home until after five. I knew Joey was not happy with me at all.

The rest of the week went by pretty quick. Major Moore spoke with me, but not he has done in the past. In his eyes, I have fallen from his good grace. I was told that Fierro could not go with me to get the sponsors for the other battalions. It started to feel as if they were setting me up for failure.

At the same time I was getting the newsletter ready to be sent to the printers. Every time I went to Major Moore for approval he either just threw it on his desk, or just plainly denied it without even looking at it. I got to the point of asking the assistant editor to take the articles to Major Moore for approval. We were getting them approved right away, not put on his desk.

By Friday I had the newsletter ready to be sent to the printer. I had Sergeant Haney sign off on the final draft. Once I got that, it was off to the printer. I was glad on getting this off of my to-do list.

(JOEY’S POINT OF VIEW)

Once again on Friday night I was on the field playing football. My mind wasn’t in the game, so I was pulled out in the middle of the second quarter. I sat on the sidelines beside I just couldn’t get my mind off of what was going on with my mother.

We went into half time down by fourteen. The coach wasn’t happy at all on the way any of us were playing. He also made it clear that we couldn’t lose another game this season or we are out of the playoffs.

Once we got back on the field for the start of the third quarter, the coach kept me on the sidelines. It really didn’t bother me. At least not the way the coach thought it would. Most of the players craved for playing time. I really didn’t want that kind of light on me.

I played the game because I was good at it. It was a surprise to me that I was good at it. Towards the end of the third quarter, the visitor team scored once again. Now we were down by twenty one points. They were just killing us.

The coach called over the offensive line and gave them their instructions. They are to play a no huddle, fast paced game. Pretty much all of it was going to be in the air for the rest of the game. The running game isn’t working and it eats away too much clock.

Once the defense stopped Bowie, he sent the offensive line back on the field. The first throw was dropped and almost picked off. You could tell the coach wasn’t happy about that. The second down didn’t even get out of the hike. It was dropped as it was being hiked to Tom. All Tom could do is fall on top of it.

The coach looked at me and waved me into the game. I ran over to the line and waited for the ball to be hiked. Once it was, I took off from the line before the defensive players even knew I blew by them. They had me, or were suppose to have me, in double coverage. I beat the coverage down the field.

As I turned, the ball was coming towards me. I slanted back in to catch the ball. Once I caught it, it was clear all the way for the touchdown. I ran it in and it looked back to the sideline. The coach gripped his fist in the air.

I headed back to the sidelines to take my seat. The touch down gave some kind of rebirth to our defensive line. Because they went out there and did a quick three and out! I wasn’t used in until the third downs. The coach wanted to punish me still for not coming to the game with my head in it.

I was used to get the first down yards or to throw off the defensive line. By the middle of the fourth quarter, the coach realized his way of playing wasn’t working. We haven’t scored since the last drive of the third quarter.

It seemed right when it started looking bleak for us, our defensive line gave us life again. They read the play that was called and intercepted the ball as it was thrown. The quarterback was so stunned; he didn’t even move to hit our player. For that mistake, he ran it for the touch down.

Still though the clock wasn’t in our favor tonight! Without some kind of miracle, we will be out of the playoffs once again this year.

The special teams lined up and the ball was kicked. We were all surprised the coach didn’t call for an onside kick. As I watched the ball flying threw the air, I saw our future clicking away. The ball was caught and being ran back.

When it seemed that we needed our special teams not to give up yards, they were doing the opposite. This guy was blowing right by our special team. Their side line was up in arms, yelling their player on. As he reached our kicker, he thought he was home free.

Our kicker was running at him full steam. Once the contact was made, the ball went flying into the air. I just looked at the ball as it was coming down. Our kicker somehow got back up and went for the ball. He caught it, and now the ball was going the other direction. This time it was our side rooting our player on.

Most of the other team’s special team members thought it was over. Because they started walking off the field before the play was even done. Our special team never walked off the field. They started blocking for our kicker. For that one mistake, our kicker was able to run this ball back and score.

It actually reminded me of watching the replays of the Winter Olympics of 1980 when our hockey team was playing the Soviet Union that year! Right before the end of the second quarter of play, just a couple of seconds left on the clock. They stopped playing, allowing the US score. As many of us know, we won the gold that year.

The entire sideline was up, screaming in support of our kicker. As he was making his way back to the sidelines, we congratulated him. The coach looked at him as if he forgot something. He did, he needed to go back out there and kick in the extra point.

The game went into over time. We finally had a chance at winning this game. The coach wanted to end it quickly and score on our first drive. He put all of us on the field. We won the coin toss, which we chose to receive.

The coach was calling in safe plays at first. Mostly running plays was all he was calling. I figure the coach was afraid of a turn over. We had our own close calls on that in this game. That is what got us in this situation.

On our fifth play of the drive, on the hand off, our running back dropped the ball. Some how Tom was able to get down and scoop it up and toss it over to me! It was a running play from the beginning. I was there to confuse the defensive line.

I just took the ball and started running with it. I bounced off the first tackle. I saw out of the corner of my eye, I had a defensive player going for the tackle. As he went for my legs, I jumped over him. He missed and slid to a stop as I landed on my feet and kept running. There was only the secondary to beat now.

The only thing going through my mind at the time was protect the ball at all cost. We have the yards for the first down, everything now is extra. I kept running, realizing I could do a fake out to the middle but instead run towards the sidelines.

I made as if I was going to turn back onto the field. The secondary fell for it, and went for the tackle. I then turned back to my outside quickly to dodge the tackle. I ran all the way down the side line for the touch down. We won the game with the score 41-35.

Both at the sideline and on the field, the celebration began. It was as if we won state or something. But I knew this was a good victory to have. With this victory it kept our season alive once again. We were very lucky in this game and I knew it.

As I headed to the locker room shaking the other team’s hands, I was happy this game was over. Once we all got inside, the coach gave us his speech. Once again he said we played poorly and the only reason we got the win was do to the other team relaxing. He did thank us for not giving up and we really have a chance to go all the way with the heart and soul of this team.

I showered and changed to get on out of there. Tom and the guys invited me to go out with them, but I said no and thanked them. I wanted to get home and be with Jake. He has been on my mind the entire game. I was use to having him cheering us on. But he stayed home looking after my mother for me.

When I got home, Jake was sitting watching TV I threw my bag down by the door and went in to watch television with him. I didn’t even notice my mother and sister there. I walked in and kissed Jake. Then I sat down on Jake’s side and laid my head on his stomach to relax.

That is when I saw my mother and sister. They just looked at Jake and me. We didn’t even say a word to each other. We know how each of us feels. I just smiled at them and they smiled back at me.

(JACOB’S POINT OF VIEW)

I grabbed a hold of Joey’s hand and rubbed his fingers. I knew he liked it when I rubbed up and down his hand while we watched television. I liked the way he felt all over his body, not just his hands. He is just as smooth as a baby’s bottom, but at the same time, his hands had some wear and tear to them.

We sat there watching television snuggled up with each other. I really didn’t like the show on the television. I actually had fallen asleep while watching it. The next thing I knew, I was woken up with Joey kissing me on the lips. I like that kind of wake up call.

“Come on babe it is time to get you to bed!” Joey started pulling me up from the couch.

As we left the room, I didn’t see Fran or his mother anywhere. I figure they went to bed already. We walked upstairs holding hands. Once we got to the room, I started to get undressed. I really was tired and just wanted to sleep. There was no track in the morning, it was our bi week.

I planned to sleep in but not to late. I needed the day to go out and once again speak with companies to try to get them to sponsor the other units in our brigade. I wanted to cross this off my-to do list as well.

I was woken up the next morning by the smell of bacon and eggs. Man did it smell good. As I turned over to face my Joey, he is still asleep. I leaned over and laid my head on his chest. I wanted to hear his heart beat while feeling him breathe.

A couple minutes later Joey started putting his hands through my hair.

“Hey babe, I see that you are awake.”

“Yeah gorgeous I am! How did you sleep last night?” I asked quietly.

“Soundly! What do you have planned for us to today?” Joey inquired.

“Well first go down to the kitchen and eat what ever is being cooked for breakfast. It really smells good!” I said with enthusiasm.

“I second that and then after that?”

“Well I need to take a couple of hours at least and speak with business owners here in town about sponsoring the other units. I really do not think I am going to get any of the owners in on a Saturday.”

“Can I go with you babe, please?”

“I do not see why not. At least I will have my love to talk with!”

We kissed as we got out of bed. We washed up and put on old clothes. Once we were dressed, we headed downstairs to eat. It was Joey’s mother cooking breakfast, as she had since she has been here.

Her bruises as well as Fran’s are healing up. I was glad when I found out that Joey’s mother did take her daughter to the hospital to be checked the very day it happened. So there was no need to take her here. There is already documentation on the rape and abuse that happened that day.

We all sat there and ate breakfast. I figure the smell of the food being cooked woke up everyone in the house. Because when we got down to the kitchen, everyone else was already there eating.

Once we finished up, Joey and I headed out in my car to talk with local businesses in town. I was right; I didn’t get many owners or decision makers in on a Saturday. I also think when I asked, they thought I was going to complain. Because they got the main manager to speak with me, not the owner!

When we got home, Chase was with Linda and David was with Tom. Joey’s mom was sitting in the den reading. Fran went down and visited with my sister. They stayed friends through it all. Fran needs a friend right now.

Joey and I went to watch television for the afternoon. As we sat there, I started thinking Joey and I have not gone out together in a long time. We are already acting like old married couple. We are just teens still growing up.

“Hey gorgeous why don’t we get ready and head out and watch a movie? Then after the movie we grab a bite to eat at a real restaurant?” I suggested.

Joey just looked at me then a big smile went across his face. He didn’t say a word. He just got up and grabbed my hand and pulled me up. We headed to the room to shower and get dressed.

Soon we were out the door heading to the movie theatre. We decided to go the mall on the east side of town. It is the biggest and the theatre is the biggest as well. When we got there, the parking lot was already full. As soon as we parked we headed over to see what was showing.

We were wrestling between a comedy, My Cousin Vinny, and a drama, The Scent of a Woman. Both movies were getting good reviews. We finally decided to watch the comedy movie.

Once we grabbed our pop corn, candy, and soda we headed to get good seats. We wanted to be in the middle, but on top where we could hold hands and no one can see us doing it. Lucky for us, we were one the first in the movie. As the movie started, the theatre filled up all the way.

We sat there laughing at most of the movie. This poor guy, cousin Vinny, just couldn’t get a break at all. All he wanted was a good night sleep, but he couldn’t get it. Then to top it all off, the judge was just giving the poor guy a hard time on what he was wearing in his courtroom.

Through at the movie Joey and I took advantage of the darkness of the room and held each others hand. Even we kissed several times when we thought no one was watching. All I wanted was to be with Joey. I didn’t see some of the guys from school sitting a couple of rows over.

As the movie ended, I thought it was pretty good and funny. I didn’t mind spending the money we did to watch it. As we headed out to the parking lot, we were trying to decide where to go out to eat.

Both of us like steak and ribs. So we agreed on going to the steak house for dinner. All the way over, we laughed about the movie we just watched. Even kept talking about it as we out at the restraint to eat!

It was a first date in a very long time. In fact I think it was our first actual date. We got together our freshman year when neither of us had two quarters to rub together. Yes we went to the opening football game that year, but it was with friends. We didn’t hold hands or kiss. We were there just as friends only.

Then we started down a very bumpy road after that. Between the shooting, I got really sick; Joey moving away, me was getting sick again, and then Joey moving back to town. The David conflict, to me running away, moving into Joey’s aunt and uncle’s house, to their death, we never had a real date in all that.

Though we did go to the concert of the Rolling Stones together! It was with David and Tom. So it was kind of a double date. Also the time we spent in Disney World, but again it was with others. Maybe a couple of other times we went as a group. We never were together on a date by ourselves in a romantic setup. This was it, our first actual romantic date that was just Joey and I.

Tonight we didn’t even plan it, it just happened. Boy I love it! After ordering our food, we sat there and just talked. Nothing about school, the house, our family, just nothing but us! We already knew so much about one another, but we wanted to talk about us. We left everything else of our daily problems outside the restaurant while we ate. We just wanted to talk and act like teenagers in love.

I ordered the full rack of ribs. Joey ordered a steak and man did it look good. We sat there eating and sharing each others food. Had the waitress give us a couple refills of our drinks during the meal. Other then that, we were all by ourselves!

I wish I could just stay in that moment. But I wasn’t that lucky though. However we both did everything we could to stretch out our date. Soon though we had to get back to life and back to the house.

When we got home, I was so happy. Nothing could take the smile off of my face. When we entered the house, the lights were off. Joey and I headed to our room. At first when we entered, we just kissed.

The kiss moved more in love making. Joey barley made it to the bed before I had his shirt off and going for his pants. At the same time, Joey was stripping off my clothes also. When we hit the bed, we were only in our underwear and socks.

I couldn’t keep my hands off of Joey’s body. I kissed him all over. From head to toe, not leaving a spot clear! This time I didn’t even wait to enter Joey.

I put his legs over my shoulder and grabbed the lube from the end table. As I was getting myself ready, Joey was doing the same thing to himself. Then I placed my head of my dick at the entrance of his butt. I slowly pressed against his hole and slowly started to go in.

Slowly, inch by inch, I was getting to his prostate. Once my entire dick was in, I leaned down and kissed him patiently on the lips. I didn’t want to end the kiss. My dick got even harder as I was kissing Joey.

Just as I was pulling away from the kiss, I started pulling out of Joey. Just as I almost had my entire dick, I reentered Joey hole again. I did this slowly several times, them picked up the speed. Joey and I got into a rhythm very quickly.

Sweat was rolling down my forehead as I had my eyes closed as I was fucking Joey. I loved the why his butt felt around my dick. He was so tight; I was even surprised I was able to get my dick inside. The way Joey moaned as I am fucking him, made me even harder while we were having sex.

Every time while Joey and I were having sex, he had his eyes closed. Though his eyes were closed, he had a huge smile across his face. Just looking at his face I knew he loved every moment while we are having sex.

I knew I was going to explode quickly tonight. Because I was hard all night long being with Joey! From holding onto him in the movies to playing foots with him in the restraint while we ate. As he looked across from the table and just had a look on his face as everything in the world that means anything to him, is sitting in front of him.

Before I knew it, I exploded into Joey as I hit his prostate. Joey clinched even harder around my dick when I started shooting. As I was coming to the end of my climax, I fell on top of Joey and started kissing him.

Joey gently rolled me over and started kissing my neck. I dick fell out but didn’t go limp as Joey took over. He made his way down to my dick and started licking it. That just made me all funny inside. I couldn’t stop moving around on the bed.

Just as I thought it couldn’t get any better, Joey surprised me. He put my legs over his shoulder and lubed himself up. At the same time he lubed the entrance to my butt. He leaned into me and started kissing me.

As we were kissing, Joey entered me and slowly putting his dick all the way in. Once he was completely in, he settled into a rhythm of fucking me. I was in the moment; I didn’t even notice I started shooting again.

The way Joey made me feel, I wasn’t surprised on reaching climax once again. As I was shooting, I tighten around Joey’s dick. Once I did that, Joey started to shoot.

When I looked up and looked at Joey’s face. He had a look of lust and love and satisfaction all at the same time. His mouth was open, while jerking while he shot. He looked like he was in throw of sex when he was shooting inside of me.

I didn’t want this to end. I wanted to have sex with Joey all night long. There was no question in my mind that we could do that. As Joey was coming to the end, he fell onto me chest. Joey was breathing heavy, just as I.

As Joey caught his breath, he looked up to me and started rubbing my lips with his fingers. He slowly was moving his finger down my chin to my neck and then my chest. He came up to my face and started kissing me on the lips. We stayed there kissing for a long time. We had to break off the kiss to catch our breath.

Joey rolled off of me and lay beside me. We lay there, not moving an inch, for a while. Joey was the first to get up. AS he got up, he pulled me up with him. We headed to take a shower together.

When we entered the shower, we couldn’t keep our hands off of each other. We took turns going down on each other. Once again for the third time that night, I shot another load. This time Joey didn’t take my dick out of his mouth. He swallowed all the cum I was shooting it in his mouth.

I slid down the wall of the shower and took Joey’s dick into my mouth. I couldn’t get enough of his meat. I just kept bobbing up and down on Joey’s dick. It didn’t take long for Joey to be grabbing onto my hair moaning his was about to cum. Just as he did, I swallowed ever bit of the cum he shot into my mouth.

Once Joey was done, I got up and cleaned him up. Joey returned the favor to me. We got out of the shower and dried off. Neither of us bothered on putting on any clothes as had become our habit of late. We just went to bed naked.

I cuddled up with Joey, putting my arms around my lover. My nose in his hair and just fallen to sleep with him in my arms.

We didn’t wake up the next morning until almost eleven. We got dressed and headed downstairs for breakfast. Joey’s mother was sitting there with my mom talking in the den. Joey and I walked by the den and stopped in our tracks.

They looked up at us and smiled. “It is about time you two got up. Jake your mother has been waiting for you and Joey for over an hour!”

I looked over to my mom with a question look on my face. “Mom I didn’t know we had plans to do something today.”

“Yeah Jake I wanted to start to move into the house today. I think we can get everything moved in one day.”

I looked at Joey with a surprised look on my face. I didn’t want to be moving anything today, more less an entire house. Joey’s mom got up and started walking to the kitchen.

“Since you young men are going to be moving Gloria to her new house today, we need to get some breakfast in your stomachs.”

As Joey’s mom started making Joey and me breakfast, I went back upstairs to see if the guys were still here. I was lucky that Chase was in his room as well as David. Plus Tom was with David.

“Hey guys I need a big favor from you all. I know it is short notice, so I can understand if you say no. My mother just sprung it on me and Joey right now…..”

“Don’t worry man, your mother already caught us. She is one that can talk anyone into anything. We already agreed on helping you guys out. In fact Tom here went home and got his dads truck to make it even faster.” David said looking at the other guys.

“Thanks guys and I will make this up to you all.”

With that I headed back downstairs. As soon as I got into the kitchen, Joey’s mother was putting breakfast on the table. Even my mother was helping out warming up tortillas and getting orange juice.

My mom already decided to stick around Joey’s mom at our house for the day. She left me in charge of getting all her stuff from the apartment to the house. I thought to myself how in the world we are going to place her furniture in the house along side the furniture we left there.

“Mom you want all your furniture in you apartment moved to the house?”

“Yes please move everything over. Put most of my furniture in the storage unit in the back. I left the new lock on the counter in the kitchen of the apartment.”

I completely forget about the storage unit in the back yard. Joey’s uncle first built it as two rooms off the house. Then he transferred the garage into the extra rooms. Those rooms in the back yard were never used.

As we got to the apartment with both trucks, we started loading. I didn’t want to spend the entire day moving my mom. More so, I didn’t even plan on doing this on my Sunday. It only took us four trips between the two trucks fully loaded.

I was angry with my mother and sister because they didn’t even have the kitchen packed up. That is the worse room to pack with the dishes and all. I just threw things in boxes. They already surprised me on the move; now this.

As we were unloading the last items off the truck, I was wiped. We actually fit all of my mom’s furniture in the back storage room. The lock she had left was a padlock. This door has a bolt and regular lock. Joey didn’t have the keys to these locks. So on the way over with the last load, we stopped at Wal-Mart and bought a dual set that needed only one key for the two locks.

Right before we left, I changed out the locks on the storage room and threw away the old ones. I made sure the boxes were in the right rooms. As I was coming out of the kitchen, my mom and sister walked in.

“Mom it was not cool not packing the kitchen and leaving it for us to do!”

“Sorry I thought we had finished packing all the rooms” mom replied a bit embarrassed.

“No the kitchen wasn’t even touched. Also the lock you bought was a padlock. The door in the back storage room takes a bolt lock and regular door knob. So I switched out the locks with brand new ones. Here are the keys to that room. We sat up your furniture and storage boxes nicely where you guys can get to them easily.”

“Thank you guys for all the help you gave us today! I am going to order pizza for you guys to eat before you headed off!”

We all agreed to the pizza. My mom ordered the pizza, while Joey and Tom went to the store to pick up soda and chips. Chase was inside helping out my mom unpack some of her heavier stuff.

(DAVID’S POINT OF VIEW)

As I shat outside to relax from the work I’d done and I looked over to Jake. He looked so hot in the running pants and t-shirt he was wearing. I am in love with Tom, but I have always like and loved Jake since I saw him the first time in the hospital.

Jake came over and sat down on the porch near me. The breeze that was blowing and the air felt so good. I knew Joey and Tom were going to be gone for at least thirty minutes if not more. You cannot take Tom into a store and expect to get out fast.

“Jake it looks like you and Joey are getting along a lot better now? You guys seem to be closer than ever before!” I stated with a twist of question in my voice.

“Yeah we are David. Yesterday we actually had our first real romantic date in our relationship. We have been on dates before, but never actually just the two of us alone. We have always been in a group, for some reason. We were always with somebody else believe it or not. Boy, did we enjoy being out on the date last night. Also what followed the date when we got home was nothing sort of awesome too” I said with a knowing wink and a naughty grin directed in David’s direction.

“I could have sworn you guys would have had several dates since you guys got together!” David said incredulously.

“Nope: When we first got together we didn’t have any money to go out on a date. Then with everything else that happened between me getting sick and Joey moving away and then coming back to town. Plus all the crap we went through in between all of it. We never had a chance to go out on a real date together” I said lining it all out for David.

“Wow I never thought of that. Maybe that could have been one of the reasons you guys broke up the first time!” David said thoughtfully.

“Well, it could have been. I think there were a lot of other factors that contributed to our breakup!” I said putting my own thoughts out for consideration.

“What do you mean Jake?” David asked indicating a sincere interest.

“I know Joey was hurting from the loss of his uncle and aunt. I was there for him during that time. Even though I was there for him, he closed off on me and didn’t even let me in. I really believe there was outside forces involved in our breakup.”

“I still don’t understand what you mean by outside forces Jake!” David pressed.

I wasn’t going to ever bring this stuff up, but David isn’t going to rest. He has the balls to ask the questions, I hope he has the balls to deal with the truth; “I still believe to this day Joey and you had a thing at one time or another.”

David’s mouth opened wide as I was speaking!

“You guys didn’t care about me being in the same room while you had sex. I always put that off to us being broken up at the time. But still, you guys did it in my room. I forgave both you guys for that. After that had happened, I find Joey up in the room of this house video taping you and Tom having sex! I then found out that night you guys had another affair after the first one.

Again, we were not actually together at that point. The main problem for me was that I was feeling you were lurking around the corner waiting for us to break up again. I can forgive you both and have forgiven you both for the past. Again, it was during the time Joey and I had broken up both times. As you can gather, I’ve done a lot of thinking about all this. I also feel that our young and tender ages and surging hormones led all of us to behave in ways that weren’t in our best interests.

Ok, with all that out in the open, we fast forward today: I really believe all this has made our friendship even stronger than ever. One thing that still puzzles me; I just always wondered why you guys stopped talking to me when Joey and I were fighting. I met you guys first and I would have never asked you to stop speaking with Joey!” I said in conclusion giving David an opportunity to respond.

“Jake, I really don’t know what to say to all that you just told me. One thing I can say is that I was wrong doing what I did with Joey. I promise you this right here and right now, I will never get with Joey again; even if you guys ever should break up again. I value our friendship way too much to risk losing it again.

I have always wondered why you liked Joey over me. Jake, I love you Jake so much, just as much as I love Tom. But you always went back to Joey. Now though, I see why you did that. You guys belong together because of the hell you guys have gone through together. Further, I’ve learned you can’t choose who you fall in love with. Feelings of true love can’t be scripted. What I see and sense with you and Joey is true love at its finest. I hope that one day I will have that kind of love in my life. Yes, I love Tom very deeply; but with the history, I can’t help but keep a wary eye out. There’s some trust that needs rebuilding with us.

As far as siding with Joey over you during the fight you guys had was wrong. Joey was hurting from the loss of his uncle and aunt and I think that is the main reason we all took his side in that situation. Once again, I now know that wasn’t right and if I had another chance to do it all over again. I would do it a lot differently. All I can say is, hopefully, we learn from our mistakes of the past and we are smart enough to never repeat them.

You’re my best friend in the world, Jake. You never closed your heart or door to me. Most people in your shoes would have totally blown me off a long time ago. Instead you opened the door to your home and you were there when I needed you the most. I will never do anything to lose your friendship again!” David concluded in all sincerity.

“David, I have always had a special place for you in my heart. That is why I believe I have forgiven you for everything. You helped me when I was sick. I will never forget that.

When we tried to get together it was just the wrong time. You found Tom and now you guys are together. I am with my Joey and we are stronger than ever before. I believe it was meant for us to meet and become like brothers through all of the tests and trials we’ve gone through. I’d like to think the tests and trials have made our bond stronger.

I will always love you David and always consider you one of my brothers. My door and arms will always stay open for you. The only way I will not be there for you is if I am dead” I said with undeniable finality.

We got up and hugged each other. I believe the final dark cloud that was over Jacob and me is finally gone. We just cleared the air on every wrong we did to each other. Our friendship will become even stronger than it ever been. Jake hit it dead on; he’s has a home, not merely a house and within it, he has crafted a true family. That is pure magic in itself. Doing such a thing takes someone very special.

Just as we broke the hug, I saw Joey’s truck coming down the street. I looked at my watch and I was right. They were gone almost forty five minutes. At least they beat the pizza delivery guy.

(JACOB’S POINT OF VIEW)

As soon as Joey drove up, David and I helped with the stuff they had bought. As I looked at the bags I couldn’t help but speak up.

“You went to buy a few things Joey, not the entire store man!” I said laughing at what he had bought.

“Don’t be yelling at me! Tom put most of this in the basket!” Joey retorted with mock hurt feelings.

“Yeah I noticed your mom didn’t have any of this when I was putting the stuff in boxes in the kitchen!” Tom said.

“I know Tom, but every time we move, we run the food out. That way it wasn’t a lot of things to take over to the new place. Also gives mom a chance to buy everything new in the house as far as food items” I explained.

We all laughed as we walked in with the bags. Chase and my mother were already working on the kitchen. When my mom turned around and saw the bags we were carrying in, she smiled.

Just as we were putting the stuff Joey and Tom bought away, the door bell rang. This house really brings back bad memories. I really don’t like being here, from the front of the house to the inside. I only wish the good memories I had made in this house outweighed the bad, but it didn’t.

David came back with the pizza from Pizza Hut. We all gathered in the living room to eat. We were kind of quiet while we ate. We spoke some, but most of the time we just sat there and ate our pizza.

As soon as we were all done, I said my good byes to my mother. Joey and the guys said goodbye to my mom and sister as well. We all headed out to the trucks. David jumped in with us because Tom had to return his dad’s truck.

We headed home as soon as we all got in the truck. Tom and David said their goodbyes for the night. Tomorrow we have to go back to school. To top it all off, we have to get ready for the six weeks exams the following week. Boy, is time flying by fast.

The next morning, Joey and I got ready for school and headed out. To top everything off, it was homecoming week this week. We will be playing the Austin Panthers for the Claw. It will be played here at our school since it is homecoming for us.

(MAJOR MOORE’S POINT OF VIEW)

I really disliked Monday mornings, because we had the weekly SAI meetings down at the DAI’S office. This week was going to be more of the same as it has been the last few weeks. The other schools complaining that we are being treated differently then the others.

The things they were complaining about were created in and by my battalion. It only makes sense thatwe are going to be the first to have it and see if it works. Then, to top it all off, they want my cadets to do all the work for them. I need to find my back bone and stand up for my cadets in the meetings.

I was right about how the meeting was going to go. It started out as a bitching session as always. How Newman High is getting everything and they are not getting anything. They even had a gall to ask when will my Battalion Commander get off his butt and deliver?

Right as I was about to speak, Colonel Pigon got up and spoke. At first I thought he was going to be another one to bitch. But I was surprised with what I heard.

“Listen here everyone and listen good! This goes for you as well, Colonel May. You may have the power to flunk my unit through your inspections, but not to fire me. I am tired of hearing how poorly this and that is going on with each of your battalions. I can’t believe you all have the guts to sit on your asses and demand that the Battalion Commander from Newman High to get off his butt and deliver for your battalions.

I am tired of hearing all the complaining in this room. We all were in the military before we took the spots we are in now. What are we teaching our cadets when we refuse to do our own work for our battalions? Jacob, over there at Newman High, has done more than enough for all of us. It is time for us to lead our own battalions. The example has been set before us all. Now it is high time to lead our own battalion staff to implement their own programs. That is what they are there for. Gentlemen; there’s no free lunch. There is no welfare program for your battalions. Get off your fat butts and lead your staff to do what they need to do. The path has been laid out and is proven to be successful. Now, take that as a gift and do YOUR job.

I know the student, and I wish I never lost him from my battalion. I will tell you this as well: When I first laid eyes on this cadet, I didn’t think much of him. He has proven me wrong in the last couple of years. So let’s ask him to show us how to do things, not complain about him.”

As Colonel Pigon sat down I got up to speak. “I have been wrong with this cadet now for several years. I have grown to admire him and depend on his advice. When he graduates from my school, it will be hard to replace him. I should have stood up for him from the beginning. I am doing it now, though.

I invite you guys to meet with my Battalion Commander and get whatever pointers you feel you can pass on to your cadets to get the rest of the programs going in your individual battalions. You can bring any officers you wish too. Then after that it will be on your staff to get things done in your battalions.”

The room was quiet at first, then rumbling of voices started up. Colonel May agreed with the solution and said that will all for the meeting today. So as we return to our battalions, the other SAI’S needs to get whomever each of you decide to be in charge of the sponsoring program. We are to meet at my battalion by nine.

That concluded the meeting and we all headed out. These six o’clock meetings kill me by the end of the day. I am no longer a young officer that can pull off fourteen hour days with out a sweat.

As soon as I got back to Newman High I ran into Joey. I knew Jacob doesn’t come into the building in the morning due to track practice.

“Captain Alvarez I need to speak with you really quickly please!”

“Yes sir, how can I help you?”

“I need to speak with Jacob as soon as possible. Do you know where to find him after track practice?”

“Yes sir I do know where he usually is after practice but today, he came straight into the building before breakfast.”

“He is in the building already Mr. Alvarez?”

Joey shook his head in the affirmative as I walked into the building. Sure enough, Jacob was sitting at the desk in the large classroom. I went over and patted him on the shoulders and waved him into my office.

I explained to him what had happened in the weekly meeting. I told him that the other battalion instructors were coming over with some of the cadet staff to learn from him. Jacob was smiling as I was explaining to him the details of what had happened. I couldn’t figure out what was so funny that made him smile. Then he spoke and it all made sense.

“Well Major Moore I am glad they are coming over here and all. That way it saves me the trips going to each of their schools. I have spoken with several business owners here in town and have been able to line up enough sponsors for all the schools. I had them issue out checks in the same amount we had received.”

I couldn’t believe Jacob actually got it done. I just sat at my desk stunned, but with a big smile on my face. I instructed him to come down ten minutes before nine. I gave him a note to get him out of class and asked him to take everything with him as he left! He is going to announce the news since he did the work.

(JACOB’S POINT OF VIEW)

As Joey and I headed down to eat, I was happy once again. I wasn’t pulling my hair out anymore on getting this done. I finished it and now I can move on. I learned a lot about many of the private business out there that I didn’t know before.

I got down to the ROTC building ten before nine as instructed. When I walked in, the large classroom was full with instructors and cadets from the other battalions. Colonel Pigon was there with his staff. I went over to say high to the Colonel.

“Colonel Pigon good morning sir, how are you doing this morning?”

“I am doing great Jacob! How about you son? Is everything going well? You are looking very well!”

“Thank you sir and I do feel pretty good. It has been a busy year for me so far!”

“I heard about all the things you are involved in this year. I am not surprised by any of it. Are you trying to get a full ride to college?”

“I would like that by all means, Sir!” I responded.

Right then Colonel May walked in with Major Moore. They walked to the front and started the meeting. I went and sat down by Fierro and Loraine. I knew Fierro was going to be there, but didn’t know Loraine would be.

Colonel May didn’t take that much time up front. He explained why we were there and then handed the meeting over to me. I got up and grabbed my binder as I headed up front.

As soon as I got up there, I explained to everyone on the basics of the sponsoring program and the way to go out and get sponsored. I recommended for the Battalion Commander to be at the forefront of raising the funds. I told them they should go out with all the information they could bring dealing with the goals and cost of their battalion. I explained that when dealing with business people, it is imperative to present a businesslike presentation. Facts and figures speak volumes and gets the job done. Yes, enthusiasm for the program is good too, but will fall flat if not coupled to the business plan.

“I have taken the liberty and created a package that goes into more detail about all this. That way the cadets that the SAI’S select to execute the program will have something to refer back to as they go out. Remember this is just guide lines for them to use.

The next thing I am handing out is a separate folder for the SAI’S. Inside this folder is the name of a business that has agreed to sponsor your battalion’s program this year and the contact information of the person at that business. Oh, and there’s a check in each envelope for the same amount we got here at Newman High School.” I concluded having so smoothly dropped the bomb.

The room got really quiet as I was handing the folders to the instructors. I looked over to Major Moore. He had a Chesshire Cat smile on his face. When I looked over to Colonel May, he was totally flabbergasted.

As I was handing the folders out, I talked about a few examples of the sponsors. “I never knew much about the private businesses out there. I learned a lot by being out there. For example I didn’t know that many McDonald’s are not owned by the McDonald’s Corporation. We actually have five different franchises here in town. So, for example, Saba, Inc. is sponsoring Irvin High School this year.

The Coca Cola Bottling Company off the freeway is sponsoring Austin High School. Tom’s Vending Company is sponsoring Jefferson High School and so on and so on.

Inside the folders has the company that is your sponsor. Do everything you can to show them your appreciation. We all march in the parade during Thanksgiving, so you need to put your sponsor on your banner……”

I went into detail on how to show thanks and who their sponsor is. I explained to them to do what we did with the sweats and letting our sponsor hold onto and display our trophies on their showroom floor for a week. I also told them about the big picture I had made to show how much we appreciate his help. I told them how happy the owner was with getting these small gestures.

I finished up and handed the meeting over to Colonel May. I was done for the year as far as the sponsoring program. Now, next year it will be only me working for my school. Colonel May concluded the meeting and dismissed everyone there.

Soon after Colonel May dismissed everyone, I started to leave. When I walked out the door, Colonel May and several other instructors were talking outside. Colonel May spotted me and headed my direction.

“Mr. Hernandez, I owe you more than thanks. I owe you a sincere apology along with it. You didn’t deserve what I did in the office a week ago. I will not make any excuses for what I had done. Just like you though, we are never too old to keep learning. The youth comes up with so many bright new ideas, it just blows my mind. You are the idea man of your class. We always have one in every freshman class. Well, anyway, Mr. Hernandez, I do thank you for myself and on behalf of the rest of the battalions.”

As we shook hands I spoke for the first time to him. “Colonel May I do thank you for giving me the opportunities you have given me this year and the trust you and Major Moore have invested in me! One thing I have learned in this program is that things are going to get tough in life and many times, unfair. You cannot walk away from when they do. Get mad? You bet! Just use that anger to bring out a positive solution to the problem at hand.” I concluded.

We finished shaking hands and I headed back to the main building. I was so happy for what I had accomplished! There is really nothing that could bring me down from this high. Boy was I wrong about that.

When I walked in the main building was heading up the stair case to the third floor, a couple of guys were walking down them. I didn’t know them from Adam and Eve, but it seemed as if they knew me.

“Hey isn’t that the guy we saw with the other guy at the movies the other night?” One of the guys said to the other as they passed me.

“Yeah he is! He is the one that was all over the other guy in the movies.”

They stopped and turned around to follow me up the stairs. At first I ignored them and kept walking to class.

“Hey you faggot what in the hell do you think you are doing coming around this school?” The taller kid of the two said as he jumped in front of me.

“Are you as dumb as you look ass wipe? I come to this school!” I said with anger in my voice. I am tired of that word being used and thrown in my face.

“Don’t talk to me like that, you piece of shit. You’re lower than scum and don’t belong her walking in the same halls as us.”

The tall kid pushed me and I fell against the other kid and the other kid pushed me back towards the one that pushed me. I stood my ground and was not about to allow these kids to push me around again.

“Answer me faggot, who in the hell do you think you are acting the way you do in public?”

I just stood there looking at this dumb ass kid. I didn’t say a word because I knew he was looking for a fight. He was brought up more likely on gay bashing. At the same time I was not going to allow myself to become another one of the growing number of youth being beaten up or killed because of who they love.

I saw in the corner of my eye the kid that was standing behind me getting ready throw a punch at the same time the kid in front of me actually was in motion of throwing the punch. Here we go again I thought to myself.

TO BE CONTINUED………………

{The boys should have been more careful when they went out on Saturday. They were so involved in themselves they didn’t keep their cover. The ending result for not keeping their cover, they were found out. Now Jake has been confronted at school and who knows how this is going to end up. Jake also has realized that he needs to solve his problems and not get mad each time things don’t go as planned. Jake is longer a kid living at home with his mother. He has several people depending on him to keep his cool and be the leader of the house. He had to prove to himself not just to the DAI and SAI that he could accomplish what he said he could do. Tom and David’s seem to be falling more and more in love. Let’s hope there isn’t anything else that throws a wrench in their relationship. Now there is the problem of Joey’s mom and what she did. Will she be charged with murder or will she get off as the district attorney said she would? Joey’s family has to plan the funeral and put his father to rest. There is a lot to answer in the chapters to come. Stick around and keep reading the future chapters, and enjoy!

Please email me and let me know how I am doing at jacobmillertex@aol.com Your e-mails are the “pay” that a Writer (and Editor) get for the hard work. Your thoughts and opinions are always important. Flames, will, as is customary, be politely ignored! Thanks!}

[EDITOR’S CORNER

Yes, there are more twists and turns to come. Readers, I don’t read ahead. I read the story as it unfolds the same as you do. I sure have some suspicions as to possible upcoming events, however.

How about Jake’s mom ? What a piece of work ! She’s a total “cat” in that the world, in her mind, revolves around her and her needs and values. Something tells me she’s going to run headlong into Jake’s determination at some point and she’s going to get a big perspective adjustment. I smirk and chuckle when I realize that Gloria is now living under Jake’s “roof” and that puts the parent/child relationship into new and uncharted territory!

Gay Bashing: Having lived through the era that this story is placed, I know all too well the consequences of being gay in High School. Some stories out there in Nifty-land have the main gay characters effecting change in their High School culture. Talk about fiction. Even today, I know of High School age people having to hide their reality. There may be less physical abuse when a teen is labeled gay, but the social shunning can leave deep, unseen emotional scars. We will know if and when this ever improves when the gay teen suicide rate drops significantly.

Yes, we love hearing from each and every one of you that e-mails. I might suggest, from here on out that you put “Jacob” in the subject line. This will help so your mail won’t get accidentally treated as spam.

I’m now on to get Chapter 28 ready for your enjoyment!

Until next time, happy reading !

“Daddy” Rick