Jacob Finding His Way - 47. Chapter 47

After the fireworks show was over, Jacob found Dewayne and the others sitting in the kitchen. He headed to go and get himself a bowl of cereal, but Franseca made him put the cereal back in the cabinet. She prepared him eggs, bacon and hash browns.

As Jacob ate he came up with an idea of what to do. He already told his grandfather that he isn't going to go into the office today so he has the entire day to hang with Dewayne and his friends. He looked over at Dewayne and smiled; “Do you know that Dewayne has never been to Juarez? He has lived here all his life and never gone across the border. I am thinking that what we should do today is take Dewayne to Juarez.”

Everyone looked at each other and back over to Jacob and agreed. They all finished eating and got ready. They decided to take several cars because of the number of people that are going. Jacob, Dewayne, Chase, Greg and his sister would be in Jacob's car. Tom, David, Toni, Victor and Heather will go in Tom's car.

They all piled up into the two cars and headed off. On the way, Chase tried to scare Dewayne, but he didn't fall for it. Dewayne kept replying that Jacob will be there if anything happens like Chase tried to scare him with.

They crossed over the bridge quickly and headed over to downtown Juarez. Since Jacob is leading the pack he made sure to find two parking spaces next to each other. As they parked they got out of the cars and gave a couple dollars to the guy that waved them over to the parking spots.

Jacob doesn't speak Spanish very well so he asked Victor to tell the parking guy to keep an extra eye on the cars and he will get extra when they return. After Victor relayed the message, they headed off to the downtown market.

Right before they left the main street, Jacob pulled everybody into the Casa De Combo to change out dollars to pesos. Jacob tried to hand Dewayne several twenties, but Dewayne would not accept them at first. Finally after several minutes of Jacob insisting, Dewayne took the money and exchanged it for pesos.

As they walked out of the Casa De Combo, Jacob did warn Dewayne not to buy any food or drinks from the stands. Most of them are pretty safe, but knowing their luck, they will get the one stand that isn't good.

Dewayne just kept looking as they walked down the streets of Juarez. At one point, Jacob walked up to Dewayne and grabbed a hold of his hand. He felt that Dewayne might actually get pushed to the side by the others walking by him.

“Look Dewayne, keep your money in your front pocket with your wallet. Don't leave anything in your back pocket because they're so many people in the streets. You can actually get pick pocketed easily and not even know it.

If you see something at one of the stands get Chase, Victor or Tom to translate for you. Most the time, you can actually get them to lower their original price. They go high in hopes that you are a visitor. Don't forget this is a border town in they get a lot of tourists from our country and others.”

Dewayne agreed, and kept a hold of Jacob’s hand. As they walked he got pushed around from all directions. If it wasn't for holding onto Jacob's hand. He would've been pushed away with the wave of those walking past him.

He just took everything in around him. He walked by stands the guys are yelling in Spanish with fruits and vegetables in their hands. Other stands with all sorts of different things like saints, herbs, toys, tapes, movies and clothes. Every stand there is somebody trying to pull them in to buy something.

Around the middle of the market Dewayne stopped at a stand of leather jackets. A guy walked up to him and started speaking really fast in Spanish. Dewayne looked over and asked Chase to help him out.

“Can you ask him, if this is real leather and how much it is?” Dewayne leaned over and kind of yelled into Chase's ear.

Chase pointed to a leather jacket and started speaking in Spanish to the guy that had walked up to Dewayne. The guys spoke back to Chase quicker than he had spoken to Dewayne when he first walked up to the stand.

“He said that this is real leather and if you want the jacket he can sell it to you for sixty American dollars. I can try to talk him down on his asking price if you want the jacket. If you ask me if this jacket is real leather all you have to do is smell it.”

Dewayne felt funny as he walked up to the jacket and pressed against his nose. To him it actually smells like real leather. He felt someone grabbing a hold of him so he let go of the jacket and turned around to find Jacob standing there.

“One thing you can count on here in Mexico is that their leather is real. In fact you could probably get better leather jackets here than in El Paso. Just take a look at the inside and like Chase said about the smell.”

Jacob and Dewayne opened the jacket to make sure it is actually real leather. As they were looking at the jacket Chase continued talking to the owner of the stand. He walked back up to Jacob and Dewayne just as they were putting the jacket back on the stand.

“The guy is willing to go down to forty-five dollars for the jacket. But you will need to buy it now. If you leave he will go back up to the sixty dollars and not come down. I don't think you're going to get a better price anywhere else to tell you the truth.”

Jacob agreed with Chase and pulled out his wallet. He pulled out two twenties and a five dollar bill and handed it to Chase. Chase walked away leaving Dewayne and Jacob standing there by themselves.

“You already gave me sixty dollars earlier, and now you paid for the jacket. I told you Jacob that I don't want you doing this for me. If I don't have the money to buy anything I won’t buy it. So let me give you back the money you gave to me earlier okay.”

“I know what you have told me several times and let me say this now. Let me spend money on you. I know that you're not comfortable with it and you have told me and my grandfather that you're not with me because of the money. I am falling more in love with you every single day for that and much more. Just let me spoil the guy that I hope to be with in years to come.”

Jacob and Dewayne squeezed each others hand and mocked a kiss to each other. Dewayne pulled the jacket off of the stand as the owner came up with a box for him to put it in. After paying for the jacket, they headed off to find the others.

This time it is Jacob that separated from the group. Just as he started to wonder off, Dewayne called the others and followed Jacob into the candy store. Once Dewayne caught up to Jacob, he found Jacob already with several boxes of candy.

“I hope you don't plan to eat all the candy in one sitting.” Dewayne jokingly played with Jacob as he pulled down another box of candy.

“When we first moved up here from Wyoming, my stepfather would bring me and my brothers here to this candy store. I would buy boxes of candy and take it back to the trailer park where we lived at and sold it. I made pretty good money off of my candy stand, and eventually started selling Cokes as well.”

Dewayne helped Jacob carry his boxes of candy to the register. They rang all the candy up and told Jacob the price in Spanish. Jacob pulled out the money that he changed into pesos and paid for his candy.

They walked out and continued going to stand to stand. By the time they reached the end of the market. Every one's hands were full of bags. They decided to head back to the cars to put the bags away before finding a place to eat.

Jacob remembered a restaurant around the corner where they are parked at that his stepfather took him, his brother and sister every time they came down here. He led the group to the restaurant to grab a nice cold soda and something to eat.

The waiters put several of the tables together in order to fit everyone. As soon as they sat down they got asked what they wanted to drink. Jacob asked the waiter to give them a couple of minutes to make up there mind.

He turned to Dewayne to explain to him what he is looking at. “We get hamburgers, french fries and Coke over there in El Paso. Try to eat, the actual Mexican plates and drinks while you're here.”

“Why don't you order for me? That way I do try the actual Mexican plates here.” Dewayne put his menu down and grabbed a hold of Jacob’s hand under the table.

The waiter came back up, and everyone took turns and placed their order. Jacob ordered enchiladas, beans, rice and Olga de Ocheta for himself and Dewayne. They sat there talking until the food arrived with the drinks.

They dug in and started eating what they ordered. Jacob forgot to warn Dewayne that the enchiladas might actually be hot. He took his first bite and immediately dropped his fork and drank his drink all the way down.

As Jacob ordered another Olga de Ocheta and a glass of water for Dewayne, everyone laughed at Dewayne as he fanned himself with his hand. They all went back to eating once the waiter arrived with the drinks.

This time, Dewayne took smaller bites of his food. As he got use to the chili, he actually liked it. He finished his food before anyone else did and ordered another plate. No one moved from their place after they finished eating. They are all stuffed and just wanted to sit there until their stomachs digest some of the food.

On the way back, they found the bridge is bumper to bumper. In fact, if you are not touching the next car’s bumper someone tries to cut into your lane. Every so often someone would tap on the window and tried to sell them something.

By the time they got to the front of the line, Jacob had to wake up everybody. They had fallen asleep somewhere halfway. He rolled down the driver's side window in order to speak with border patrol agent. He popped his head into the car and looked at everyone before popping his head back out.

He asked, if everyone is an American citizen, and they took turns saying yes. He then asked Jacob to get out of the car and show him proof of ownership. Jacob pulled the title of his car out of the glove box as he stepped out of the car.

“What was the reason for your visit to Mexico today?” The border patrol agent asked Jacob as he looked at the title.

“We just came over to buy a couple things.”

“Did any of you buy any kind of medicine, fruits, vegetables or alcohol while you were visiting Mexico?” Jacob shook his head no. As the border patrol agent handed him back his title. “Would you please open the trunk of your car for me?”

Jacob leaned in and opened his glove box to push the button that opens the trunk. He walked around with the border patrol agent and watched him as he went through the bags in the trunk of a car. The agent closed the trunk and told Jacob he can go.

Jacob jumped back in the car and drove off to the corner in order to wait for Tom and the others. As soon as Jacob saw Tom get through, he headed home. The entire way home, everyone kept talking about how much fun they had today.

That evening after dinner, Andy asked to speak with Jacob and his grandfather. They walked together to the study in order they get some privacy. Along the way, Jacob tried to figure out what Andy needed to talk to them about.

After settling down in their seats, they waited for Andy to speak. “You both know that I have screwed up my life. I have no one to blame except myself on this. So, that means I am the only one that can actually fix my life right now.

The only good thing that came out of my relationship with Norma is her having me go back to school and get my GED. Other than that, we all know that I was about to lose a lot if I would've stayed with her. I should have never allowed myself to get into a relationship that was tearing me away from my family.

I know you guys have offered me a management position with your company and I told you I would think about. You guys have been there and given me so much over the years. Now it's time for me to earn what I have.

So I have decided to not take your offer, but I do thank you for it. Earlier this week I signed the paperwork to go into the Army. I want to learn to be a man and stop depending on my family for everything.”

Jacob and his grandfather just looked at Andy. They don't know what to say to what they have just been told. Andy announcement literally stunned Jacob and his grandfather. They sure didn’t see this coming. Finally the words reached Grandpa Al's tongue; “I really don't know what to say about you going into the military. I’d rather you not go, because of how unsteady the world is right now but by the sounds of it your mind is made up and you are ready signed the paperwork.”

“Grandpa, I promise you that I have will be safe. We are not at war, and it doesn't look like it's going to be a war any time soon. This is a good opportunity for me to finally grow up and learn a trade.”

“You sound just like my eldest son when we were having this same conversation. You guys never met your two uncles, because they gave their lives in the Vietnam War. This family has paid their dues in blood to this Country.

Both of your uncles went into the Air Force and your mother went into the Army. All three of them ended up going to the front lines. Your uncle Jeremy got killed on the battlefield and your mother almost lost her life going through the windshield of the truck she was in. They were transferring bases and a bomb hit their convoy.

Your uncle Jeremy came back first, while your mother recuperated in the hospital. I buried my eldest son before his time. I almost lost one of my daughters before her time. Then your other uncle came back and got killed here at home.

Just like a lot of those guys that return from Vietnam. Your uncle was never the same. He would disappear for days on end and none of us knew where he was. The last time your uncle disappeared I remember the day as if it was yesterday. We fought about him getting his act together and holding down a job. The last words he heard from me were in anger.

His body was not discovered until almost a week later, down in the basement of my sister's house. I found out that my son and my sister’s son decided to play Russian roulette the last day I saw him.

They got drunk, and pulled out my brother-in-law's revolver. The gun got passed around a couple times before my son put it in his mouth and pulled the trigger. My nephew panicked, and instead of calling the police. He dragged my son's body into their broom closet and shut the door. My sister stumbled onto my son when she went down to get her cleaning supplies.

I buried two of my sons within six months of each other. One actually died on the battlefield, but I say that war took both of my sons. Although my second son did not die on the battlefield, he came back so messed up because of the war. Our family has spilled enough blood for this Country.

You cannot sit here Andy, and tell me not to worry. I outlived two of my sons, and I will not outlive my grandchildren. There's nothing I can do at this point because you have already signed the paperwork, but trust me, I will worry every single day until you are back home and out of the military.”

The minute Grandpa Al finished talking. The room went dead quiet. Jacob and Andy heard bits and pieces of this story from their mother, but not the entire thing. There's still a part of this story that their grandfather doesn't even know about. One night the boys were told the other part of the story from their aunt who lived it.

“When are you to report for basic training Andy?” At a low, almost whisper, Jacob finally broke the silence.

“My report date is January 15 and I want you guys to see me off. I will return, I promise you that grandpa. You know that I need to get structure in my life, and the only way I know how to do that right now is the military. You guys have done so much and I don't want to be a burden on you guys my entire life.”

Jacob got up and pulled his brother into a hug. Their grandfather walked around the desk and joined the boys in a hug. All three of them started to tear up as they hugged one another. Each of them had different thoughts, but causing the same emotions.

They collected themselves and walked out of the study. Jacob went looking for Dewayne and found him down in the game room with the others. He joined in with the guys playing a game of cards. They continued playing until almost one in the morning. One by one they started to call it a night and headed to bed.

Jacob and Dewayne are almost the last ones to leave the table and head up to bed. The minute they walked into the room. Jacob started to get undressed, but left just his T-shirt and boxers on as he climbed into his bed. Dewayne did the same thing as he got undressed and climbed into bed.

Jacob moved over until he felt his chest touching Dewayne’s back. He wrapped his arms around Dewayne's chest and pulled Dewayne into him even closer. Jacob rested his head right behind Dewayne's. As he went to sleep, the last thing he remembered is Dewayne’s scent.

Jacob slept through the night for the first time since Joey left. He didn't have a nightmare of any kind or wake up once through the night. When Jacob woke up the next morning he couldn't believe that he had an actual full night sleep.

Jacob popped his head up and looked over at Dewayne's face. He didn't want to move that much, because he didn't want to wake up Dewayne so he lay back down and cuddled up against Dewayne. Some how, he went back to sleep without even wanting to!

As always, Grandpa Al woke up before anyone else in the house. Just as he put his pot of coffee to going, he heard a knock on the front door. He quickly walked over to answer it before who ever it is decides to ring the doorbell and wake everybody else up.

He opened the door and Gloria came walking in with Andy Sr. Al looked at his daughter trying to figure out why she is over at his house this early in the morning. He thought he was the only one in the family that got up early. Before Al could even shut the door, Gloria answered his thoughts.

“I got a phone call from Andy last night. He told me about his decision to go into the military. Please tell me that this isn't your idea because it really sounds like you. I don't want any of my kids to go into the military.”

“When Andy told me and Jacob last night I was as surprised as you are right now. I tried to talk him out of it but he has already signed the paperwork. There is nothing you or I can do about it now.”

As they talked, they headed into the kitchen. The coffee is already done, so Al pulled got three coffee cups and filled them with coffee. He took the coffee to the table and sat down with his daughter and Andy Sr.

“You guys can’t step in now and try to be parents to these boys. Andy is pretty much a man already and has been living on his own for years. I don't like the decision he has made, but it is his decision to make. We now need to let Andy know that we support his decision. If we don’t, he will do it anyway and we will lose him in the process. I don’t want that to happen.”

“You should have seen this coming dad. You knew when me and my brothers were thinking about going into the military and tried to stop us. We didn't listen to you and look what happened.”

“I explained that to Andy last night, but he is still going to do it. Gloria, at this point there is nothing we can do about it. You and I and everybody in this house can talk to Andy until our faces turn blue, but it's not going to change that fact. Andy has already signed the paperwork and he is going in.”

Just then, Franseca walked in through the back door. She stopped in her tracks the minute she saw the three of them sitting at the table. Without anybody saying a word to anybody she took off her jacket and continued into the kitchen to start breakfast.

One at a time, the boys woke up and found their way into the kitchen. Jacob and Dewayne are the last two to make the way to the kitchen for breakfast. The minute that Gloria saw Dewayne walk in behind Jacob. She jumped out of her seat and pulled Jacob out of the kitchen, into the den.

“What the hell are you doing Jacob? Are you bringing home any boy that is willing to sleep with you? Damn it; I thought you would have learned your lesson after that trouble maker Joey left you high and dry.”

Gloria started yelling at Jacob the minute they walked into the den. Before Jacob could answer, she slapped him across the face. Jacob tried to raise his hand to cover his face, but his mother got in a couple more slaps before he is able to fend them off.

“I will beat you until I beat in common sense to you Jacob. I am telling you right here and now that I am not going to be the talk of this town! People will talk and they will say that you are this town’s slut with guys behind my back!”

Jacob replied real fast; “This town is way too big for others to talk about me. Believe it or not they have their own lives to live. They don’t care what I am doing and with who.”

Andy Sr. walked in and pulled Gloria away from Jacob. He looked at his son and couldn’t believe in such a short period of time Gloria was able to leave those many red marks on his face.

“Jacob please go and clean up before heading back in the kitchen. Leave me and your mother alone for a minute. I need to speak with her and we will rejoin you guys after we have our talk.”

Jacob wanted to say so much to his mother, but decided to let it go. He walked out of the den leaving his father and mother alone. He did as he father said and headed upstairs to clean up.

“Gloria I don’t understand you one bit. You said that you want to have your kids back in your life, but then you did this! What the hell is wrong with you? This isn’t the Gloria I fell in love with those many years ago. Has life been this bad to you that you need to beat on your own children?”

“I don’t know why I do the things I do when I see Jacob with a guy. He seems to be happy again and I go and do this. I don’t mean to let my anger get the best of me, but it does. I want Jacob to be regular like every one else.”

“Gloria he is regular kid like every other kid out there. There is nothing wrong with our son. You are going to lose every one of our kids with this anger you have. I don’t care how you do it, but you better get rid of this anger.

If I ever walk in and find you laying a finger on Jacob or the others that will be the last thing you do. I will not hit you, but I will throw you in jail for abuse. I don’t want to do that, but I will in order to protect our kids.

We have been putting back together our lives again this last week. I love you Gloria and I want you back, if you will have me. Still, even if you will have me, I cannot and will not have you like this. You are better then this and we both know that.”

“Andy, ever since you came back, you bring back the person I was and want to be again. I will work on this anger and I will never again hit the kids. Jacob is a great kid and he doesn’t deserve what I have been putting him through these last couple of years.”

“I know you mean what you say Gloria. I screwed up a lot in the past with you and the kids. More than likely this anger you have is not meant for the kids, but instead it is meant for me. So yell at me and hit me for all what I did wrong to you. Just don’t take it out on our boys like this.”

Andy Sr. walked up to Gloria and pulled her into him. They stood their in the middle of the living room hugging each other. Gloria realized as Andy held her that he is speaking the truth. Jacob is the spitting image of Andy and maybe because of that she placing her anger that she has for Andy onto Jacob.

As Jacob tried to clean his face, he realized that he couldn't clean off the red marks. Nothing that he does will remove the red marks except time. He reached underneath the sink to grab a clean towel, but instead. He felt something under there that shouldn't be there anymore. Jacob bent down and pulled out the bottle of cologne.

He slid against the wall until his butt was on the floor. Jacob just sat there looking at the bottle in his hand that he just pulled out from underneath the sink. He had bought this cologne for Joey last year. It is Joey's favorite cologne and Jacob loved the way it smelled on him as well.

Jacob didn't realize that he has been in the bathroom for over thirty minutes until Dewayne walked in. He slid down and sat by Jacob on the floor. Not knowing what was going on or what to say, Dewayne just sat there waiting for Jacob to say something. He finally reached over and pulled the bottle of cologne out of Jacob’s hand.

“Why don't we take this away and go downstairs and eat something for breakfast? Your mother and father have already left. They wanted to say goodbye but your grandfather thought it was best for them to just leave for right now. They'll be back more than likely, tomorrow to check in on you and your brothers.”

When Jacob turned to face Dewayne, he noticed the red marks across his face. Dewayne leaned in and started kissing each part of Jacob’s face that had the red marks. As he kissed Jacob, he swore silently that he will never let anyone hurt Jacob like this again. Even if it is his mother or father, he will stop them from laying a hand on Jacob.

“I really don't feel that hungry right now. All I want to do is sleep for little while. If you want you can go ahead and go downstairs with the others.”

Dewayne helped Jacob up from the floor and walked him to the bed. Dewayne stayed in the room until Jacob had fallen to sleep and then left. He walked across the hall to David's and Tom's room. He knocked on the door and waited to be invited in.

“I need a favor from you Tom, if that's possible.” Dewayne immediately asked as he walked into the room.

“Go for it, ask away, and if I can do it, I will.”

“Jacob, um, felt tired and went back to bed, but before you did he asked me to do him a favor. I need you to give me a ride to Jacob's mother's house. He said that you guys know where she lives where I can drop off something for Jacob.”

“Of course I can give you a ride to Jacob's mother's house. Just let me get dressed and comb my hair, before we go.” Tom got up and walked over to bathroom to get ready.

Dewayne went downstairs and waited for Tom at the front door. He didn't have to wait that long for Tom to be ready. Tom flew down the stairs and out the front door before Dewayne could ask him anything.

On the way to Jacob's mother's house, they didn't really talk much about anything. Tom asked a few questions to get to know Dewayne, and of course Dewayne answered anything that Tom asked. By the time they drove up to Gloria's house, Tom learned more about Dewayne that he knew about Joey within the first year of knowing Joey.

As Dewayne got out he asked Tom to wait in the car because he is only going to be in and out. Of course Tom didn’t object at all to staying in the car. He really doesn't like being around Jacob's mother.

Dewayne walked up to the front door, knocked a couple times and waited. He knocked a couple more times, and then the door opened. At first glance at Dewayne, Gloria did not want to invite Dewayne in but decided to do so. Her curiosity got the better of her and she wanted to know why Dewayne is paying her visit.

Dewayne walked in and waited for her to shut the door before moving again. She pointed to the living room, and they both walked in and sat down. Gloria looked over at Dewayne sitting down on her couch and spoke up.

“Well, you are the one that came down here. So what do you want?”

“First. I don't know you and you don't know me, and what I have seen of you so far I don't want to know you. You have a wonderful son and all you can do is yell at him and beat him every time you come down to the house. There hasn't been a time that I have seen you say one nice thing to your son.

I would like to say this, since we are…..”

“Like you said you do not know me or my son. So what gives you the right to walk into my house and try to……..”

“Do not interrupt me and treat me like your son, because I am not. The answer to the question you were about to ask me is that I love your son and he loves me. That is what gives me the right to come down here and talk with you.

I wanted to talk with you nicely and not yell, but the only way you know how to talk to people is yelling at them. So let me tell you this as clearly and loudly as possible. You better not ever lay your hands on Jacob again.

It doesn't matter if we are together or not, if I ever find out that you hurt Jacob again I will be over here and we will not talk the next time. This is not a threat but a promise. I will not let anyone hurt Jacob ever again. This guy has had so much hurt in his life that can last ten lifetimes. I will do everything I can to make sure he doesn't hurt again.”

Just then Andy Sr. walked in to see what all the yelling is about. He walked over and stood between Dewayne and Gloria. They both had already gotten up and were in each others face. Andy has never seen any one stand toe to toe with Gloria before.

“Dewayne we can see that you really do love our son. You are willing to do what it takes to make him happy and not be hurt again. I only wish that you had met him before he met Joey. That way he would have never learned a person could hurt another the way Joey did to him. No one deserves to learn that lesson anytime in their lifetime.

Gloria and I have already had this talk and what had happened today will not happen again. Jacob, Andy Jr. and Jeremy are my blood, but Marie is also my daughter and there is nothing I won’t do in order to make sure they never get hurt.”

Dewayne didn't respond to what Andy Sr. just said. He never broke eye contact with Gloria, the entire time. He wanted to say so much more, but decided, he said enough. So Dewayne walked out of the living room and out of the house.

As he got into the car with Tom, Dewayne couldn't stop shaking. He is still so angry that he wanted to hit something. There is so much more that he wants to tell Gloria, but didn't get a chance to.

“I cannot believe you actually stood up to that woman Dewayne. I have wanted to stand up to her so many times but never had the balls to do it. She scares everyone in the house, and that included Joey as well.

So many times Joey could have stood up to her and never did. I just…..”

“I'm sorry Tom, but I'm tired of hearing about Joey. I never knew the guy, but I'm glad I never met him either. He should have done everything he could have to protect Jacob. Instead, he quivered in a corner every time he should have been at Jacob’s side. What kind of boyfriend does that?

I really do love Jacob and I will do anything to protect him.” Dewayne’s voice started to shake and tears started to roll out of his eyes. “He deserves a lot better than me and Joey in his life. But if he gives me a chance, I will make sure that every day we are together is as happy as I can make them.”

Dewayne wiped the tears off of his face and neither of them spoke again on the ride home. Tom kept thinking that Dewayne is the right person for Jacob. They are both strong willed and not willing to let the other get hurt. They are willing to stand up for the other and that is what's going to make this relationship succeed.

Jacob got up a couple hours later, and went downstairs to grab something to eat. By then all the marks that were on his face when he went to bed are gone now. After fixing himself a couple of sandwiches, and grabbing a soda, he sat down at the kitchen table.

He got pulled out of thought when Chase walked into the kitchen. Chase grabbed a soda for himself and sat down with Jacob at the table. They talked about everything under the sky except what had happened this morning.

They were joined shortly afterwards by Dewayne, Tom, David and Toni. They sat there trying to figure out what to do for the rest of the day. Normally there's so much to do in this house in which there is never a dull moment.

“We have all the hockey equipment downstairs in the game room and only used it once. Why don't we head down to the park and play a little three on three. I am pretty sure we have enough equipment for all of us.

“What about the roller blades? There's a pair for Jacob, me and you Tom, but for the rest. We don't have a pair for them.” David spoke up as they headed downstairs to the game room to get the equipment.

“There is a pair down there that belonged to Joey and I am pretty sure it will fit someone. Whoever those pair fit, don't worry because Joey only wore them once. That only leaves two people without blades.”

“Well, not only leaves two people without blades, I don't know how to roller blade. So that's going to be another problem for us.” Dewayne said with a bit of a smirk.

“Don't worry Dewayne, many of us really don't know how to roller blade either. Jacob here cannot stop so he skates right into the fence all the time and David always falls on his butt. For me, I seem to love scraping the edges of the roller blades. So as you can see none of us really know what we are doing out there.”

Everyone started laughing at what Tom said at the same time they agreed. They have enough sticks, but were wrong about rollerblades. The pair that Joey wore actually fits Toni, so he can use those, and Chase had his own pair. So that means Dewayne is the only one without rollerblades.

They threw all the equipment in the trunks of the cars and headed over to Wal-Mart to buy Dewayne a pair of rollerblades. After picking him up a pair, they headed straight over to the park.

They quickly changed out of their shoes into their rollerblades. Jacob kept his hands on Dewayne’s waist as they started to skate to keep him from falling. They warmed up for about thirty minutes and started playing.

On one team it is Jacob, Dewayne and Toni and on the other team it is Tom, David and Chase. Although it is a friendly game, Tom's team beat the daylights out of Jacob's. When they finally called it quits, they didn't know the score because they stopped keeping the score.

Jacob continued to roller blade around the tennis court as everyone else sat down on the grass to rest. He taught himself how to rollerblade backwards and do some jumps in the air, but still, he couldn't stop. He’d end up running right into the fence or into the grass. Every time he used the fence or the grass to stop himself, the others will break out laughing at him.

One at a time each of the others joined Jacob on the tennis court, and tried to learn tricks. All of them landed up either falling on their faces, skinning their elbows or their knees. When they finished skating for the day, they felt good. They didn’t let their falls bother them.

The minute they got home, they went over to the kitchen to see if dinner is ready. As they walked into the kitchen, Franseca is just setting the table. They quickly took their seats and waited for Jacob's grandparents, Jeremy and the others to join them.

After dinner Jacob spent time with Jeremy. He hasn't spent much time with his brother since they bought out the McDonald's franchises. The main reason he brought Jeremy over to live with him was so that he could be with family, not strangers. Although he is living with family, he gets more attention from his teachers that he does from his family.

Dewayne joined Jacob and Jeremy down in the game room, playing a learning game on the game system. Jacob would make a mistake on purpose so Jeremy could correct him. It made Jeremy laugh and enjoy his time with his brother.

Once Jeremy got tired playing that game, he took it out and put in another. Jeremy already knows which ones are his games and which ones are not his. Jacob finally put in a game that wasn’t his, but allowed Jeremy to try and play it.

After playing for another hour, Jeremy laid down his control and got up. He headed up stairs, took his medicine and went to his room. Although Jeremy is mentally handicapped, he can function along as if everything is in the same spot. If anything is moved or gone, Jeremy throws a tantrum. He doesn’t know better because that is the only way he knows how to get his point across.

Jacob took Dewayne outside to spend some alone time with him. They sat down and dangled their feet and the hole that is going to be the pool. Hey sat outside holding hands talking with each other. Hey learned more about each that night.

Dewayne finally went into detail with Jacob about his home life. Although his parents don't approve of him being gay, they don't hit him or verbally abuse him. They just ignore him and don't give him the time of day.

Dewayne explained to Jacob that his parents want him out of the house as soon as possible. The only explanation that Dewayne’s parents gave him for wanting him out of the house is that he is an adult now. He needs a place of his own and start making a life that he can call his own.

Before Jacob could offer Dewayne to stay at his house, he explained that he has the money saved up to get his own apartment already. The boys stayed quiet and didn't say a word to each other after that.

Jacob thought that Dewayne might be having second thoughts on being with him. He wouldn’t blame Dewayne if he is having second thoughts. At the same time Dewayne kept thinking on how much he wants to live with Jacob, but he wants it when it happens that they are doing it for no other reason except they love each other and want to spend the rest of their lives together.

The rest of the weekend flew by. After Jacob and Dewayne talked, they really didn’t say much to each other. In fact Dewayne didn’t even stay in the room with Jacob at night any more. Instead he bunked with Toni in the apartment downstairs.

Jacob didn’t even tell Dewayne when he took Franseca to visit Alex at the detention facility. Since Franseca brought Alex a couple of things, the guards had to check them out. So she asked Jacob to go in and sit with Alex until she and the boys could get in there. Of course Jacob didn’t object to helping out Franseca.

He sat there talking with Alex about several things, and right before Franseca and his brothers walked in. Alex dropped a bomb shell on Jacob that almost threw him off his seat. After all this time it explained a lot to Jacob about Alex.

He promised Alex that he isn’t going to tell any one about what he Alex him and that includes Alex’s mom and brothers. After Franseca and his brothers walked in, Jacob went into his own little world thinking about the news.

Poor Alex has to live the straight life he is living and can’t come out to anyone that he is gay. If he does, there is no doubt that Alex would be killed. In gang life being gay isn’t an option. More especially, the main leader of the gang cannot be gay.

All the way home, Jacob couldn’t stop thinking about Alex. He finally decided that he needs to do whatever it takes to get Alex out earlier then he is scheduled. There is no way Alex can keep hiding who he is in such close quarters. He will be found out and the next call Jacob gets from Mr. Henderson is letting him know that Alex got stabbed and to come down to claim the body.

After dropping Franseca at her house, he headed home. Just as he drove up, he found Dewayne standing in the cold without a jacket waiting for him. Jacob waved Dewayne over to get into the car with him. As soon as Dewayne climbed in, Jacob leaned in and kissed Dewayne’s frozen lips.

Dewayne felt better when Jacob lips touched his. He started feeling that he might have lost Jacob before they even had a chance to start anything. Dewayne felt Jacob grab his hands and start rubbing their hands together.

“Have you eaten anything for dinner yet Dewayne?” Jacob spoke as he put his hand through Dewayne’s curly hair.

“No I was waiting for you before I ate. I really missed you when you left. In fact I was very worried about you. You didn’t tell me that you were leaving and when I found out you were gone I couldn’t stop bouncing off the walls worrying about you. David and the others asked me to go outside if I wouldn’t sit down.”

“I am sorry about telling you that I was leaving. I should have told you, but Franseca needed a ride to go and see her son. We didn’t have anything planned, so I went ahead and told her that I would take her.”

“I know you and Alex are becoming good friends and all, but he still worries me. You are a great judge of character and I will never question you about anyone you become friends with. It isn’t really my right to do so anyway. Still, I will worry about you whenever you see Alex. Just promise that you will be extra careful when you are with him.”

“I will and there isn’t anything for you to worry about. I wish you two would meet each other. Both of you are from different sides of the track as they say, but I really think you guys would get along. Just promise me when you meet him, you won’t leave me for him.” Jacob jabbed Dewayne in the thigh laughing.

“In will never leave you for anyone Jacob. I am falling deeper in love with you every day we are together. I never thought I could love someone the way I love you, but I am. Let’s not keep anything from each other. Even if we think it will hurt or get each other mad, let’s talk things out with each other. Let’s never have secrets.”

“I agree with you Dewayne and let’s start with the other night. But first I am hungry so let’s go out to eat just you and me. You choose the place and I will drive, but you need to get yourself a jacket before we go anywhere!”

Dewayne kissed Jacob before running in to get his jacket. He came right out and jumped in the car. They decided to split a pizza at Pizza Hut. That seems to be the only fast food restaurant they haven’t eaten at yet.

As they ate, they cleared the air about the night they talked in the back yard. If they had just spoken up about what they were thinking, they wouldn’t have been sleeping in separate rooms.

Jacob understood why Dewayne wants to live on his own, so they came to an agreement. He will share the apartment downstairs with Toni, but he will pay rent. Once they feel they are at the point to live together. Dewayne will move in with Jacob and start to help out with bills in the house.

After they engulfed a large pizza and drank down two cups of Pepsi (since you can’t get Coke at Pizza Hut. ED) each, they headed back home. They enlisted the Chase and the others to help Dewayne move into the apartment downstairs on Tuesday. He will pack his stuff on Monday and inform his parents that he has found a place to live and will be moving out.

The next morning Jacob tried to talk Dewayne into letting him help Dewayne out on packing, but Dewayne stood his ground. He said no because it isn’t his house and needs to respect his parents’ rules. One of the rules is not having anyone over more than thirty minutes at a time. Packing is going to take a lot longer than that.

After dropping Dewayne off at his house, Jacob headed straight home. Just as he walked in, Franseca asked him for another favor. Alex called her and let her know that Mr. Henderson gave him a week pass to spend Christmas at home. She needs a ride to go and pick him and his roommate up.

Jacob agreed to give her a ride to pick up Alex. She needs to go down and sign him out and Jacob doesn’t want her on the bus with her son and roommate with suitcases. As it is, the buses are not comfortable and take forever to get where you are going.

As soon as they arrived at the detention facility, Franseca went in and Jacob waited outside in the car. It didn’t take long for Franseca to sign out Alex and his roommate. She was happier than Jacob has ever seen Franseca.

All the way home they talked about stuff that isn’t that important. Jacob figured they just talked to pass the time. The serious, private talk will happen when they get home. Jacob is pretty sure Franseca has a lot of catching up to do with Alex.

Just like before, Jacob drove directly to Franseca’s driveway and dropped off Franseca, Alex and Matt. He talked with Alex for a few minutes before heading back to his house. Jacob left feeling happy for Alex. He knows whenever Alex tells Franseca about his secret Franseca will accept her son no matter what.

Jacob rested for a while before heading over to pick up Dewayne at his house. As he drove up he found Dewayne already waiting for him at the curb. Before Jacob could even get to a complete stop, Dewayne already had the passenger door open. He jumped in and started talking before they could even kiss.

“Do you think the guys could help me move today instead of tomorrow? My parents didn't think I would find a place this quickly and want me out. It's really nothing but boxes, a TV, VCR and clothes. No kind of furniture whatsoever.”

“I don't see why not but we will need to get my grandpa's car. Wait, let's go and get the guys first and then go over to the restaurant to borrow my dad’s truck. That way, we only have to do one trip, and that's it.”

“Sounds like a plan to me, I just hope your dad will lend you his truck. You two are barely talked to one another and you are now going to ask him to borrow his truck. Do you plan to leave him your car in the meantime?”

“No. I don't plan to leave him my car. I am pretty sure he will loan me his truck without even asking any questions. Let's call pick up the guys and not worry about anything else but get you out of your house and into the apartment.”

When Jacob and Dewayne drove up to the house, they found only Chase and Toni! Tom and David went out to spend time with each other as they finish their Christmas shopping. Still, Chase and Toni agreed to help and they headed out.

Just like Jacob said, his father loaned him the truck without questioning him. They got everything of Dewayne's out of his parent’s house within an hour. It took even last time to move in him to the apartment downstairs, because they didn't have to worry about cleaning up after themselves everywhere they went.

Tom and David drove up just as Toni and Chase unloaded the last two boxes from the truck. They walked down to the apartment downstairs thinking they mixed up the days, but they found out they didn't.

The rest of evening they decided to spend inside. The stores and the mall were packed with last minute shoppers and none of the guys wanted to get into that mess. They had finished their shopping early enough that they didn’t need to worry about anything.

As Franseca called the boys for dinner, Jacob remembered about Alex. He forgot to tell the guys that Alex is out and spending the Christmas holidays at home with his family.

So Jacob quickly pulled the guys out of the dining room along with his grandparents. They followed Jacob into the study. None of them took a seat; all they wanted to know is why Jacob had pulled them out before they had a chance to eat.

“Look, we got so busy moving Dewayne I forgot to tell you guys about a visitor. When you walk into the dining room, you will see Alex and another guy at the table. The director of the detention facility gave Alex a week pass to spend with his family on Christmas. Please everyone be nice and polite with those two.”

No one really knew what to say so they stayed quiet. Jacob's grandfather finally broke the silence and told everyone to head to the dining room for dinner. As they walked out Jacob's grandfather held Jacob back. Once everyone left the room, Jacob's grandfather shut the door and started speaking.

“I don't like the idea having that kid in this house. I have stayed quiet while you struck up a friendship with him. With that said, I don't know how you could forgive someone that tried several times to kill you. Not only that, now he's going to be staying in the house behind us and will be eating with us as well.”

“I know grandpa; you have stayed quiet through all this. I also know that you don't like the idea of us being friends. Just give him a chance and you will see the person that I see. Because no matter how much I try to tell you that Alex isn't the devil, you won't believe it until you see it with your own eyes.”

Jacob and his grandfather agreed to disagree on this issue. They walked out and joined the others at the table. Right away Jacob introduced Alex and Matt to everyone else at the table that they didn't know.

No one spoke at all through dinner. In fact you could probably hear a pin drop in the room as they ate. As they finished their dinner, they helped clear the table and headed off to different parts of the house.

Jacob, Alex and Matt were the last ones left at the table. Alex looked up at Jacob and broke the silence in the room.

“I knew that your family and friends were not going to take to me. If me being in your house is making everyone uncomfortable, let me know and I will eat my meals at my moms and not step foot in this house.”

“No don’t do that Alex! Look we both knew this was going to happen. Give the guys time and they will warm up to you. The only thing they know about you is the past. Once they get to know the real you, they will open up. You guys will get along really good.”

“It looks like they were just told that I am here. A surprise like that would throw anyone off of their game for a little while.”

“Yes I didn’t know that you were coming until this morning when I went to pick you up. Then I got busy doing so many other things, I forgot to tell everyone else. I didn’t remember until your mother called us in for dinner.

Look, don’t give up on the guys. I will make sure they don’t give up on you. They are a great set of guys to have around. I know as I said before, you guys will get along once you give each other a chance.

Alex, the one I am really worried about is my mother. She will be here tomorrow for Christmas, so if you can, stay away from her as long as possible. I need to talk with her before she sees you. That way she can get over her anger with me and not inflict it on you.”

“Trust me Jacob; I will stay far away from her. Thank you again for everything you are doing for me. I know it is putting strain on some of your relationships with your family and friend. I will not let you down giving me this second chance.”

Alex was startled by another voice; Jacob’s grandfather; “I hope you don’t screw up the chance you have been given. My grandson believes in people that others don’t. I will back his play because he has never shown me a reason not to. I really hope you do mean what you say. A second chance like this never comes to many people that are in your shoes.”

“Mr. Serna I promise that you have nothing to worry about me. I want to correct the wrong I have done in the past and move on.”

The room went quite again until Jacob got up to hand his dish to Franseca to clean. Alex and Matt helped his mother with the dishes and the cleaning of the kitchen before heading back to Franseca’s house.

Jacob didn’t have to talk Dewayne into sleeping with him. Dewayne wanted to be there to protect Jacob just in case. Jacob wanted Dewayne with him because he hasn’t had a good night sleep since the last time Dewayne slept with him.

The next morning, everyone woke up earlier than they have all week. They headed down stairs to open their gifts. Jacob’s grandparents just sat there watching everyone opening their gifts drinking coffee. It has been a long time since Jacob’s grandparents has had this much laughter and love on Christmas day.

They eventually split into groups and traded personal gifts with each other before Gloria and the others arrived. Just as they started to clean the mess in the den, Gloria, Andy Sr. and Marie walked in.

Most of the day they spent together talking and having fun. The laughter and joy got interrupted by screaming coming from the back of the house. Everyone got up and ran out side to see what the screaming is all about. By the time they got there, Alex and Matt were pulling Gloria and Franseca apart in the pool.

No one even knew that Gloria had left the den. Andy Sr. jumped into the muddy hole and pulled Gloria out. Both of the ladies were pulled into their separate houses in order to clean up. No one spoke about what had happened, but everyone wondered!

By dinner, everyone, including Franseca’s family, sat down to eat together. Gloria and Franseca talked as if nothing happened earlier. By the looks of it, they seem to have equal respect to each other. Whatever it was they were fighting about, they settled it in the dirt hole outside.

Around ten, everyone headed home that didn’t live in Jacob’s house. Those that did live in Jacob’s house stayed up until after one before calling it a night. They had an exciting day and now they just want to get some sleep.

Jacob and Dewayne went up to Jacob’s room to go to sleep. As they got undressed and crawled into bed, Dewayne finally asked what was on everyone’s mind.

“What do you think the fight between your mother and Franseca was all about today? It had to be something major in order for it to get into a fist fight. At least I have never gotten into a fist fight before in my life. If it would ever happen, it would have to be over something totally major.”

“Knowing my mother is could have been something small or something big. I really think it had to do with Alex. I thought she never knew what he looked like, but I think I was wrong about that. Franseca isn’t going to let anyone talk down about her or her family.”

“You are probably right on that. Please don’t get mad with me, but I wish I was out there to watch the entire thing. I would have paid big bucks to watch those two ladies fight!”

I had to giggle just a bit; “Heck no, I can’t get mad with you for saying that! I wanted to see the fight as well. If only we got out there just a little bit earlier!”

The boys started laughing as the imagined the fight. They wrapped their legs around each other as they started to kiss. Neither of them wanted to come up for air. If they could, they would stay lip locked forever.

“I really want you Jacob, but I will wait until you are ready. I am happy just being with you and sharing the same bed. If it takes years, I will wait.”

Jacob didn’t respond he just pulled Dewayne back into a kiss. As they broke the kiss, Jacob wrapped his arms around Dewayne and pulled him in tight. Jacob pulled him so close; they could be mistaken as one.

Jacob is thinking less and less of Joey as he and Dwayne fall further into love with each other. Jacob wants to be with Dewayne as well, but he feels if he goes too fast things will fall apart like it did with Joey. The wall Jacob put up for protection is tumbling down as he spends more time with Dewayne. Eventually Jacob knows he won’t be able to stop himself from making love with Dewayne.

TO BE CONITNUED……………………..

WRITER’S CORNER:

{Another exciting chapter of the Jacob Saga! I really love this story because of several reasons. First, this story is based on my life. When I first started writing this story, I had planned the end it at around thirty-five chapters. Look at the story now; there is forty-seven chapters and counting.

I have said many of times many of times that this story is based on my life. Not everything that is written happened exactly as it got written. Keep in mind a lot of things were thrown in there for effect. If I were to write exactly what happened in my life all of you would be bored to death by now!

The other reason I love this story is what the younger readers see in it. With every passing generation it gets a lot easier for us to live our lives honestly, in the open. Right now as I write this chapter, a federal judge in California has overturned the law that got voted in that outlaws gay marriage. The youth of today don't have to hide as much as I did as I was growing up, and the generations before me.

I really hope the younger generation reads this and sees how much things have changed. One day on the way home from work I drove by a high school and saw several gay high school couples holding hands walking back to school. If I would have done that, as I went through high school. I would've got my butt kicked at the very least.

This chapter, we are seeing a lot more of the relationship building between Jacob and Dewayne. They are taking it slow and making sure before they make any major moves. There isn't anything there to destroy their relationship.

I'd like what they are doing as far as moving in together. Dewayne is going to live in the apartment with Toni downstairs and pay rent. Once these two feel comfortable enough that their relationship is solid and cannot be destroyed; they will take the next step.

I kept hinting around about Jacob's older brother Andy. Now in this chapter I finally revealed what Andy is going to do. No one likes the idea that Andy's going into the military, but they will back his decision. I hope that Andy stays safe and comes back a better person than when he left.

We also learned a little bit more about Jacob's family. Grandpa Al dislikes the military because of losing his two sons. Exactly as it is written in this chapter is how it happened in real life. All three of his children did go into the military. And what I wrote in this chapter actually happened. Now there's another part to this story that I hinted around and will eventually write about it.

Jacob's father is getting back into the lives of his kids and former wife. I am dropping breadcrumbs for you guys to pick up on. This part of the story is fiction, but we needed a new twist and Andy Sr. brings that twist. I hope you're catching on to the breadcrumbs I am dropping for you guys in this plot.

Let me stop you guys from e-mailing me on asking what happened on Christmas day. The fight between Gloria and Franseca will be written in complete detail in chapter eighteen of “Beneath the Mask”. So you guys ask me anything about this, I will direct you to that chapter for the answer.

I know that I didn't touch a lot of plots in this chapter. We still have the Toni plots open, as well as Greg and Marie; something is going to happen with David and Tom in the near future and Gloria. So much to write about and not enough paper per chapter!

As always I can go on and on about the open plots in the story! If I do that, I can actually write several more chapters. There are so many plots that can take a turn at anytime. You might think it is going to go one way, but is lands up going another. Do not miss out on anything, or you will be kicking yourself for it.

There is a so much to answer in the chapters to come. Stick around and keep reading the future chapters, and enjoy! Please email me and let me know how I am doing at jacobmillertex@aol.com, Thanks!}

EDITOR’S CORNER:

What Jacob said about the passing of generations in gay life is so true. We had a long conversation today about just that subject. I am 59, Jacob is some 20 or so years younger than me and he was talking to me about an e-mail from a reader some 20 years younger than himself. The differences in experience and perspective as gays are so stark and strident. Jacob was asking me how things could have been this way or that; how I could have even lived that way. Now, he has younger readers finding his account of his high school years a bit incredulous!

I came up in the “Leave it to Beaver” era. If that reference doesn’t strike you as familiar, then you need to do some Googling to catch the perspective I’m referring to. The term “gay” still meant “happy and carefree” with no connotation of sexual orientation attached. I graduated high school in June of 1969, the same summer as the Stonewall Riots in New York City. Homosexuals lived totally underground. There was no internet, no cable TV, no “Advocate” newspaper, no Metropolitan Community Church and Lucy and Ricky slept in twin beds on the TV show. How baby Ricky came to be was a complete mystery.

I could go on and on about the radical changes I’ve seen since 1969. Most of you under the age of 40 would find a lot of angst ridden humor in the telling of the tale. Those of you under 30 would certainly find it difficult to even begin to imagine the sweeping changes since “we came out” of the shadows in that steamy hot summer of 1969; even before the American Psychiatric Association declassified homosexuality as a mental disorder.

Check into our gay history. It’s fascinating!....and certainly those weren’t the ‘good ole days…’

Until next time,

“Daddy” Rick