Jacob Finding His Way - 54. Chapter 54

David sat down on his bed the minute he walked through the door of his room. He laid back and started to close his eyes when he heard a very high pitch barking coming from the hallway. David pulled himself up from his bed, walked over to the door of his room and peeked out to see where the barking is coming from.

Still unable to determine where the barking is coming from, David walked out into the hall. He started to go to room to room to see if he could hear the dog. Just as he leaned in to at Jacob’s door, the barking stopped. David is almost for sure the barking is coming from Jacob’s and Dewayne’s room, so he knocked. He waited to for an answer and when he heard Jacob, he walked in.

Just as David walked in, he saw a little fur ball run behind Jacob and Dewayne. “What do you guys have over there on your bed behind you? I can hear the little guy barking all the way in my room. Can I please see the little guy?”

Jacob reached behind him and picked up the little poodle. “He isn’t a he, he is a she. We still have not named her, but we will. Please be very gentle with her because she is pretty small. Our hands are actually bigger than she is!”

David gently took the little fur ball from Jacob’s hand. He held her close to his chest as he petted her. As he looked down, David felt bad for the little fur ball. She is shaking so much; David feared that she might die of fear. He handed the little fur ball back to Jacob and he minute he put her on the bed; she went to hide behind Jacob and Dewayne.

“Jake that is one cute dog you have. I hope you don’t roll over on her and end up flatting her while you sleep!” David chuckled as he sat down.

“We have no plans to let her sleep with us. She has her own little bed over there in the corner.” Jacob pointed to the other side of the room. “She will sleep in that bed during the night for just the reason you mentioned. We don’t want to roll on top of her and kill her.”

David sat talking with Jacob and Dewayne until Tom came looking for him. Tom tried to hold the little dog, but he had to give her back to Jacob and Dewayne. He didn’t want her to end up losing all of her fur because she is scared and shaking. Tom conveyed to Jacob almost the same things David did before he and David left the room.

Tom lay on the bed the minute they walked into the room. He didn’t even kick off his shoes, he just lay down. David couldn’t believe that Tom did that, just as David is about to move Tom’s shoes off the bed, he got up. Tom looked at David with a smile, which that confused David. He can’t figure what he has to be smiling about.

“Hey, stop smiling like an idiot and get your feet off the bed. It isn’t right to dirty the sheets and have Franseca wash them again. She just put clean ones on today.” David sat next to Tom, grabbing a hold of his shoulders and pushing him back.

“Sorry, I am just so excited about the news I just got.” Tom sat back up with the stupid grin that David can’t understand. “Before coming up here, I spoke with Laney on the phone. He spoke with Coach after school and Coach wanted Laney to pass me a message. Our school district finally decided to have the first annual Junior Sun Bowl, which is the Westside against the Eastside football players.”

“Okay, so what does that mean? All the players on the football teams in the schools on the Westside are going to be on one team and the same thing on the eastside. Isn’t that way too many players on one team?”

“You can never have too many players on one team. No what is going to happen is the best players from each school are selected to play on the team. Like there are only four players from our school that got selected, and I am one of them! If Joey had stuck around, he would have been the fifth player from our school to be selected.”

“That is cool Tom! I am very happy for you!” David leaned in and hugged Tom.

“Tom, I don’t know what to do. We need to start practicing again after school. Alex got me a job, and I want to keep it, but I also want to do this. I think Alex might get mad and not keep the job for me. I really want the job after this is over.”

“I know Alex will understand what’s going on. He doesn’t seem like the kind of person that will get mad and close you out. Just be upfront with him so he knows you want to keep working after all this is over. I have no doubt that Alex will say go for it.”

Tom nodded his head and tossed David on his back. He rolled on top of David, tickling him as he does. David kept trying to get away, but Tom got him pinned before he could react. After tickling David until he started to tear up due to laughing too much, Tom stopped and leaned in to kiss David.

After breaking the kiss, Tom rolled off of David and lay down beside him. David glanced over to see Tom putting his feet on the bed again. He got up and pulled off Tom’s shoes and tossed them against the wall. He lay back down next to Tom. He moved his hand down Tom’s chest and stomach. Once David reached Tom’s dick, he wrapped his hand around it through the jeans. David turned his face and kissed Tom without letting go of Tom’s growing stick.

The next morning, Jacob felt sluggish; worse than he has felt to date. As he stood up, he got dizzy and felt pounding in his head. He had to sit back down in a hurry, because if he didn’t he felt that he might actually pass out.

The pounding finally stopped after a few minutes keeping his eyes closed, but left him with a bad headache. He got up and slowly walked to the bathroom. He splashed cold water on his face, but noticed his hands shaking. He sat down on the toilet and didn’t move until he got everything under control.

When the shaking stopped, the headache faded away, Jacob got back up from the toilet. He did his morning routine in the bathroom in a hurry before getting dressed. He walked out of the closet with his shoes and found Dewayne awake. He walked over to bed and sat down to put on his shoes.

As he leaned down to lace up his shoes, he felt like his blood rushed all the way to his head. Jacob didn’t even feel when Dewayne wrapped his arms around him. He got up and accidently hit heads with Dewayne. They both laughed as they rubbed their heads.

“Sorry I didn’t know that you were that close to me. If I knew, I wouldn’t have hit your head like that.” Jacob looked at Dewayne rubbing the back of his head.

Dewayne just smiled, rubbing his forehead. “Here, out your feet up and let me help you get your shoes on. I don’t like dressing as much as I like undressing you, but I will take what I can. I just love touching every inch of your body every chance that I can.”

Jacob put on his other shoe, but let Dewayne tie them for him. As Dewayne laced Jacob’s shoe, Jacob ran his fingers through Dewayne’s hair. He can’t help but think that there is no way that Dewayne will ever lose his hair. He just has way too much of it.

“Hey handsome, I am wondering if you ever thought about the wave in your hair. I love the way your hair is with the natural wave and I wonder how you look with your hair a little longer on the sides. Does your hair have a wave on the sides as well?”

“Yeah, my hair has a wave on the sides as well. That is why I don’t grow it long. If I let my hair on the sides and the top get long, I would look like the little poodle we have. My hair won’t comb into any style if it is longer than it is right now.”

Jacob ran his hand through Dewayne’s hair once more before getting up from the bed. He walked over to the desk to gather his books. After putting his books in his book bag, Jacob and Dewayne walked down to eat breakfast together. They joined the rest already eating breakfast and into their own conversations.

Neither Dewayne nor Jacob wanted to leave the other’s side, but they knew they had no other choice. Standing at the front door, Jacob and Dewayne kept their kiss a lot longer than usual. When they broker their kiss, they heard the horn being blown from Jacob’s truck.

“You go and learn something new today Jacob, then come and teach me. I slept through all four years of high school, now I wonder what I missed.” Dewayne kissed Jacob on forehead and slapped Jacob on the butt as he walked out of the house.

Just like every morning of school, Jacob ate and headed to the ROTC building, but this morning went a little different for Jacob. When he got up, he felt a head rush and got dizzy again. He barely kept himself on his feet. He walked over to the bins to put his tray away in a fog. His body is going on auto pilot right now.

Jacob felt like he is outside of his body, but not in the same time zone. He walked over to the ROTC building, trying to play off that he isn’t feeling too hot. When he walked in, he immediately got called over to the office. As he walked through the large classroom, several cadets asked him questions. He knows he is saying something to them, but he has no idea what he is saying.

He walked into the office and sat down in front of Major Moore’s desk. Major Moore only looked up when he directed Jacob to take a seat. Other than that, he spoke to Jacob as he continued to do his paper work.

“I just got a call for Colonel May moments ago. The El Paso School District is going to hold a Westside versus Eastside foot game for the first time this year. They are going to hold in the Sun Bowl and call it the Junior Sun Bowl.

We have been selected to do two things. First we are in charge of the color guard. You will need to put that together. And secondly, you will need to select a company of cadets to represent our battalion. Every school will be putting a company together to march onto the field to represent each school in the district.

Right now, the Mayor is the only one planned to be in attendance as far as political heads, but that might change. The Governor hasn’t gotten back with the school district yet. So I need to include the Governor’s sons in the company. No matter if he is in attendance or not, his sons need to be in the company.”

“Yes sir, I will get right on it. Will the battalion staff be marching in front of the company or just the company commander?”

“That is a good question; let me get back with you on that. For now just get the cadets chosen and we will go from there. I should have an answer for you by lunch time. I would like a list on my desk before the day is out. That way I can let those cadets know that they are going to march in the company.”

Before getting dismissed, Jacob agreed with Major Moore. He got up, but he had to sit right back down again. His head is spinning so fast, he can’t keep his balance. Major Moore looked up at Jacob with a confused look on his face.

“Jacob, are you feeling alright today? You look green, as if you are about to throw up all over my desk.”

Major Moore got up from his desk and walked around. He sat in the seat next to Jacob to get a closer look at him. Major Moore can see that Jacob isn’t feeling good. Whatever is going on with Jacob, it can’t be good.

“Yeah I am fine Sir, thank you for asking. I didn’t sleep well last night and I don’t think breakfast is sitting well with me. Once I digest what I ate, I should be fine. Let me get out of here and start getting the list together.”

Jacob got up from the seat and walked out. Major Moore looked at Jacob as he walked out, and saw that he is wobbling back and forth. By the looks of it, Jacob is having a hard time to keep his balance. Major Moore got up to stop Jacob from leaving, but his phone rang. He picked it up to put the person on hold, but it is Colonel May on the other end.

Jacob sat down in one of the desks in the large classroom. He started to write down names on who should be part of the company. Right before the bell rang, he had his list made up. Jacob got up and placed it in Major Moore’s in-box before walking out to the main building. Once he stepped out side, the cold breeze cleared his head.

After crossing the street, Jacob leaned against the wall to breath in the fresh cold breeze. It only took a few minutes to clear his head and feel normal again. Jacob walked into the main building and straight over to his locker. He grabbed his morning books and headed off to his first period class.

It didn’t take long for Jacob to start feeling bad again, but this time. When it hit him, it hit him even harder than the first time. Jacob really felt like he is about to pass out. His head is pounding so hard, he thought that his head is going to explode. Jacob finally gave in and asked to go and see the nurse.

The teacher only had to take one look at Jacob and know that he isn’t feeling good at all. He got a pass without asking again. He grabbed his books and walked over to the nurse’s office. The minute the nurse saw him walking into the door, she got up from her desk and met Jacob as he walked in.

“Jacob, what is going on? You look like you’ve been chewed up and spit out.” She helped Jacob over to the bed.

As they walked to the bed, Jacob explained everything to the nurse. From the moment he woke up to what just happened to him in first period. How he felt better outside in the fresh air, but it came back once he got back into the building.

The nurse put an ice pack on Jacob’s head and laid him back. She walked over to her office, to get his file from the filing cabinet. She sat down and called Jacob’s doctor’s office. Dr. Whitmore’s secretary put the call though right away. After explaining everything to Dr. Whitmore that Jacob had explained to her, he knew what is going on with Jacob without even looking at him.

“You need to take his sugar count and I can tell you it is going to be high. Right now his body isn’t cleaning his blood and that results in not getting rid of the sugar in his blood stream. He needs to come in where I can get him on the right medicine to take care of that. Now, do you have insulin on hand for emergencies?”

“Yes, I do, and a glucometer so I can check his sugar level.”

“Good! If his sugar is over 250, give him five units and if he’s over 300, give him 10 units. This will bring his sugar back in line within a few minutes.”

The nurse agreed and hung up the phone. She walked over and took Jacob’s blood count and just like Dr. Whitmore said, his count is breaking three hundred. She asked her student helper to get her a vial of insulin, a hypodermic and another alcohol prep pad.

“Jacob you are going to be fine. Your sugar count is way out of whack. Dr. Whitmore gave orders to give you insulin. Once your sugar count comes down, you will need to go and see your doctor. He needs to get you on medication to control this. If you don’t watch out and it gets out of control again, you will fall in a coma.”

“My doctor never told me that I have this. What do I do to keep this from happening again? I don’t want to feel like this ever again! I really thought I was going to die. It was just a matter of time, but it was going to happen.”

“That is why I am telling you to go and see your doctor. He will get you on medication to get it under control. He will also tell you what you can and can’t eat. You will need to keep up with that diet or you will end up the same way.”

Jacob didn’t say anything; he just lay back on the bed. A moment later the student assistant came in with the insulin and syringe. The nurse drew the proper dose of insulin into the syringe. She asked Jacob to roll up on his side and ‘show some cheek’ so she could put the injection at a more central location on his body for the fastest reaction. Jacob grinned and winked and did as he was asked. The nurse just grinned.

The nurse didn’t let him leave until he got back to almost a hundred percent. As the nurse wrote Jacob his pass back to class, she stressed to him to go and see his doctor, rather than go back to class. Jacob promised to set up an appointment with his doctor as soon as he can as he walked out of the nurses office.

Jacob walked into his second period class, handed his pass to the teacher and walked to his desk. He pulled out hisn’tebook and went back to doing things as if nothing had happened. In his mind, he is feeling good now, so there is no rush to see the doctor.

By the time Jacob walked into third period, he felt just fine. He started to work on his new program. Couple of the other students still haven’t completed their first and asked Jacob for help. Jacob didn’t have any problem helping out any of his classmates that needed help and asked for it.

At lunch, Jacob and the guys went to Taco Bell like always. Like always they got their order and sat at their same table. This time though, Dewayne isn’t working the steam counter. In fact it looks like the manager did a flip between him and the young girl that kept rubbing against Dewayne. She is working the steam counter and Dewayne is working the counter.

Jacob kept letting others go in front of him to arrange it so Dewayne would take his order. When he walked up to the counter, Dewayne laid his hand on the counter where no one could see but Jacob. Jacob took his hand and held it has he put in the order. When Dewayne counted out Jacob’s change, he mouthed to Jacob that three words Jacob loves to hear coming from Dewayne’s mouth, ‘I love you’.

After getting his order, Jacob walked over to the table and sat down. He kept looking over at Dewayne and Dewayne kept eye contact. Once the line of customers got served, Dewayne walked around the counter over to Jacob and the guys.

He knelt between Jacob and Chase’s chairs to hand Jacob a bag of cinnamon twists. Jacob leaned down to Dewayne and kissed him on the lips for the entire lobby to see. Everyone at the table was totally shocked that Jacob is actually kissing Dewayne in public. That is one thing they have never seen Jacob do; to show this kind of affection in public.

Dewayne got up and started to clean the tables that the other students ate at. He would come around every few minutes and take a piece of Jacob’s food. He would either eat it or hand feed Jacob. This went on until the second rush started to come into the restaurant.

That is Jacob and his crew’s queue to get up and get on out of dodge. Jacob made it a point to go up and say good bye to Dewayne before he left. They both really want to kiss each other, but they know it isn’t proper. They settled for a hand shake and left at that.

Right after roll call, the company commander took the new cadets into the range to start to teach them to fire a long barrel twenty two rifle. That is the rifle they use for the cadets to get their marksman badge. It is also the same rifle the rifle team uses as well.

Jacob looked in as the company commander talked about safety first. Then he moved onto talking about the three positions they have to fire in; the prone, kneeling and standing positions. The position Jacob hated the most, but shot just as good in it as the rest, is the kneeling position. He looked over to Alex and sees him smiling. He looks like he likes this. Just then, Sergeant Haney came up behind Jacob to let him know that Major Moore needs to speak with him.

Jacob left the range and walked through the small classroom, into the large classroom on his way to the office. He knocked on the door and waited like he always does for Major Moore to invite him in. Once Major Moore invited him in, he waked over to his desk and took one of the seats in front of it.

“Jacob, you look a lot better than you did this morning. Please let me know what you ate from the cafeteria this morning where I don’t make the same mistake.” Major chuckled as he looked at Jacob. “The reason I called you in is because I looked over your list and I have no problem with the cadets you chose.

It looks like you are awarding the cadets that have done well in the program this year. That is what I like to see from my cadet leaders. I like it when you guys reward those that deserve to be awarded. Job well done, Jacob; job well done!”

Major Moore extended his hand for Jacob to shake. Jacob leaned forward and extended his hand. This is rare for Major Moore to do what he is doing. He only talks with a cadet when that cadet does something wrong. Jacob is kind of enjoying this moment.

“Now the other thing I need to talk with you about is that I got your answer on the question you asked me this morning. Colonel May wants the battalion staff marching in front of the company, like a pass and review. He is going to have his brigade staff in front you guys marching in formation. He found out from the school district that the Governor is going to be present for this game.

That means you need to work with your staff and your company to make sure we are ready for a pass and review. I know we don’t have our pass and review until the end of the year, but this even means we have to be ready a lot sooner.”

“Not a problem on that sir. We will be ready and will make our school proud.”

Jacob got up after Major Moore excused him. He walked into the large classroom to see the cadets that have the marksman badge fooling around. He walked past them and over to the range to speak with Sergeant Haney.

“Sergeant Haney I have a quick question for you.” Jacob walked up to Sergeant Haney at the desk in the range. “If I am not mistaken, we have to re-qualify for our marksman badge every year, am I right on that?” Sergeant Haney nodded his head on the positive.

“Well why are the cadets that have the badge just sitting in the large classroom doing whatever they want? I don’t remember doing that when ever we had new cadets in the middle of the year. If they don’t need a review of procedures on the range, that is fine. But they should be doing something dealing with ROTC.”

“You are right; we gave them the option to come back here and get a review on procedures, but they felt they didn’t need it. So we left them studying for next week’s inspection.”

“Okay, that is all I needed to know. I don’t want to say something that goes against what you told them to do. I will get back with them and let them know that they should be studying.” Jacob nodded Sergeant Haney’s hand before leaving him.

He walked back to the large classroom. He stood at the podium and watched as the other cadets are horsing around in one away or another. Some of them are sitting on top of the desks. Others are playing paper football or actually playing the real thing.

“Look you guys, I know we all enjoy a free period, but you are taking advantage of it. You could have sat down and talked with each other quietly, but instead you act like ten year olds horse playing. Please take you seats and either study for your inspection for next week or for another class. I don’t care what you decide, but decide on one of the two choices I have given you. No more horse playing in this classroom.”

The senior cadets sat back in their seats and pulled out something to do. Jacob walked to the back to start working on the next newsletter. But he can’t get the pass and review out of his mind. Not only they are doing it several months early, but they are doing it in front of the Governor. They will be the first battalion in the pass and review to march in front of the Governor, because they are the first battalion of the first brigade.

He got pulled out of thought when the other cadets returned from the range to their seats. The company commander started to ask procedure questions on firing on the range to every cadet, senior and new cadets. The new cadets answered the questions right when called upon, but the senior cadets didn’t.

After the company commander finished quizzing his company, Jacob pulled him into the outer office. The company commander knows that Jacob isn’t happy with him at all. Now with the senior cadets making him look like a fool, it proved Jacob’s point.

“Look, I know it isn’t easy on having your Battalion Commander in your company. If I was in your shoes, I would hate it. This is your company and you run it as you want to as long as you follow the protocols and procedures.

With that said, I need to say this isn’t a democracy. None of the officers in our company got their positions because they got elected to them. Trust me if that is the case I wouldn’t be where I am. You don’t give subordinates a choice in anything. You learned a lesson here today and I know you won’t make the same mistake twice.

Always remember where you came from and how it was being there. If you can remember that, you will know when your leg is being pulled. Also you will never get a big head. Many that get promoted forget they started out as a private and they hurt themselves more than they realize.”

“Thank you Jacob, I won’t make this mistake again. No matter what we are doing, every cadet will be doing it. I don’t care if it is their first time or their fourth time doing it, they will do it again.”

Jacob let it go, he said his peace. They walked back into the large classroom right when the bell rang. The company commander called the class to attention and released them. Jacob walked out of the ROTC building through the office door. He walked over to the main building and hoped that sixth period won’t drag on.

After school, Jacob waited for Tony at his truck. Once Tony arrived, Jacob pulled out and instead of heading to his office he decided to go and see his doctor. Tony just sat in the passenger seat not saying a word. Jacob looked over to see if Tony is actually awake because he is so quiet.

“What is going on Tony, does a cat have your tongue? You are so quiet over there; I thought you were asleep. I see your eyes are open so you are awake unless you learned how to sleep with your eyes open!”

Tony turned to look at Jacob. “Sorry Jacob, I am just thinking about what you grandfather told me. He is going to let your mother know about adopting me on Saturday. I know she is going to blow a gasket after she finds out. She is going to think I conned my way into the family for the money.”

“First Tony, you already know how to handle my mother. You have a leg up on her because you already know what to do when she flips out. Second, I will be there when he breaks the news. Not only will I have your back, but my grandfather will as well. And finally, you have your own money and it isn’t chump change. You didn’t con your way into this family for the money or anything else. We want you in our family and that’s that! Nothing more needs to be said about this subject.”

At that moment, Jacob drove into the parking lot of his doctor’s office. “I need to go in and talk with Dr. Whitmore really fast. I would like it if you come in with me, so you aren’t sitting in the hot sun.”

Tony got out of the truck and followed Jacob into the office. Jacob walked up to the receptionist and signed in. He explained to her that he doesn’t have an appointment, but he needs to see Dr. Whitmore. She explained to Jacob that Dr. Whitmore has been waiting for him and to go straight back.

Jacob walked to Dr. Whitmore’s office. He found him sitting behind his desk writing notes in a file. Jacob knocked and instead of Dr. Whitmore inviting him in, he got up and took Jacob to an exam room.

“I wanted you to come down the minute you were able to. Not hours later Jacob. I don’t know how to get it through your head how important it is that you come and see me whenever you get as bad as you did this morning. You really let it get too far this time Jacob. You could have gone into a coma, don’t you understand that?”

“I am sorry and I know you are angry with me. You need to understand I can’t miss school right now. There is so much going on, if I miss one day, I will be lost when I return. It is a lot different than it was when I was a freshman in high school.”

“Nothing in high school is worth your life Jacob. I am so close on putting my foot down with you. You aren’t listening to me and I won’t let you kill yourself for a high school program or project. What happened with you today isn’t a thing to play with.”

Dr. Whitmore explained to Jacob what had happened to him this morning and what caused it. He tried to get it through Jacob’s head that a lot of things can happen with his body right now since his kidneys aren’t working on their own. Jacob sat in the exam room listening to Dr. Whitmore as he got examined.

Dr. Whitmore left Jacob in the exam room to look at the results. When he returned, he didn’t have a smile on his face. In fact the look on Dr. Whitmore’s face is a mixture between fear and sorrow.

“Jacob I am afraid I don’t have good news. Your kidneys have not started to work and they should show some improved function by now. Not only they haven’t improved, they have gotten worse since the hospital.

This explains why you went through what you went through this morning. You are going to have a lot more days like this until we get you a working kidney. It will even get worse before it gets any better so you need to prepare yourself.

I will contact the hospital and see if we can move you up on the list. The mean time, you should get everyone in your family tested to see if they are a match. If you can get your friends tested, please do so as well. We need to find you a match really soon. If we find a match you can live a healthy long life with one kidney.

In the mean time I am going to give you some pills to keep your blood sugar under control. Please Jacob, take this medicine no matter what it does to you. It has some side effects but it will help you through the rough days. Also I am going to put you on a diet, and you must follow it. Do you need me to call any one like your grandfather and let them know what is going on?”

“No that is okay, I will tell them tonight. Just give me the medicine and the diet that you want me to follow. I promise you I will follow anything you ask me to do.”

Jacob looked down to the floor not understanding why this is going on with him. He has already been put through the wringer several times and now it’s happening again. How can he ask his family and friends to give up one of their kidneys? What will happen if their only kidney gives up and they need one themselves? Jacob hit the bed, trying to not think about it.

Dr. Whitmore returned with a booklet of instructions on how to prepare the right meals, along with a menu of food he can eat. He also gave Jacob a bottle of medicine that he has to take twice a day. Jacob looked at the huge bottle and back to Dr. Whitmore.

“Everything is going to be fine, just take your medicine and talk with your family. The faster we find you a match, the faster this will be all over. I don’t want it to get to the point I have to put you into the hospital or you coming into the ER.”

Jacob agreed as he hopped off the bed. He thanked Dr. Whitmore and left the office. Jacob thanked the receptionist as he walked out to the lobby. Tony got up as Jacob walked towards him. Neither of them said a word to each other on the way home. They both have several things weighing them down that they couldn’t get out of their minds.

Dewayne met Jacob as he walked into the house. Jacob couldn’t tell Dewayne that his kidneys aren’t getting better, they are getting worse instead. He is too happy and Jacob didn’t have the heart to tell Dewayne to blow his good mood.

Instead Jacob went upstairs with Dewayne and acted as if everything is just fine. Before Jacob walked two feet into the room, Dewayne started to jump around like a little kid. Now this getting Jacob to think on what has Dewayne so happy! He sat down on the bed next to Dewayne in hopes that Dewayne lets him in on whatever is going on.

“Jacob you won’t believe what happened to me at work after you left!” Jacob just shrugged his shoulders. “The new store manager pulled me into the office and offered me assistant manager position!”

Jacob was surprised on the news. Dewayne hasn’t even been working at Taco Bell for a month yet and he got the promotion over others that have been there a lot longer. He is happy for Dewayne, but can’t understand why he got promoted over the others.

“That is great news Dewayne, very good news. You deserve this and no one can take it from you!” Jacob pulled Dewayne to him and wrapped his arms around Dewayne.

“There is something wrong Jacob. I can see it in your face, there is something wrong. We both know each other way too well now so we can read each other.” Dewayne broke the hug and just looked into Jacob’s eyes. “What’s bothering you? You don’t think I deserve this promotion, do you?”

Dewayne got up from the bed and walked over to the desk. Jacob turned and looked at Dewayne as he sat down in the seat by the desk. Jacob knows that the next thing out of his mouth needs to be the truth or Dewayne will see right through it.

“I truly believe that you deserve the promotion that you got today, but you are right. There is something that is bothering me. You will be working evening shifts, because that is where all assistant managers are put. When you switch over to evening shifts, we won’t see each other that much.”

“Your wrong Jacob, I won’t be working evening shifts. The store manager needs to work them because something personal in her life that won’t change any time soon. I wouldn’t have taken the promotion if it meant that we won’t see each other. I hate the time we are already away from each other. I won’t add any more time to that.”

“I should have let you finish Dewayne. For that, I am sorry! Honestly, you deserve this promotion and I wish I could have given it to you with my company.” Jacob got up and walked over to Dewayne. “You mean everything to me and I don’t want to lose you. Please don’t be mad with me, I am sorry for assuming.”

Dewayne stood up and hugged Jacob. Just as they leaned in to kiss each other, they heard the little dog barking. Jacob started to look for her every where in the room, but he can’t find her. Dewayne went looking for the little poodle in the bathroom and closet, but he can’t find her either.

They decided to follow the barking. They heard the barking coming from the hall, so they walked out and down the hall towards the barking, When they got to Jeremy’s door, it sounded to them that the barking is coming from Jeremy’s room. Jacob opened the door and found Jeremy playing with the dog and the dog playing with Jeremy.

Jacob walked in, followed by Dewayne. Jeremy looked up to see Jacob standing there watching him. Jacob signed to Jeremy asking him if he likes the dog. Jeremy signed back yes and grabbed the dog. Jeremy placed the little dog in his hands as you would a little baby. The poodle kept jumping up to lick Jeremy’s face.

Jacob walked over and sat on the floor next to Jeremy and Dewayne next to Jacob. Jeremy signed to Jacob what is the dog’s name. Jacob shrugged his shoulder and signed back to Jeremy asking what he would would like to call the dog. Jeremy looked down at the poodle trying to crawl up and lick him. He looked back to Jacob and signed that he would name the dog Cupid, because she is lovable. Jacob agreed and told Jeremy that is her name.

Just then, Virginia walked into the room. She looked around the room and told Jacob and Dewayne that dinner is ready. At the same time she signed to Jeremy the same thing. They got up and walked down to kitchen to join Lorenzo, Ismail, Tony and Al at the dinner table.

Nothing really that important was talked about during dinner. Most of the time got spent in silence. The only thing you could hear is the person next to you chewing their food. After helping Franseca clear the table and do the dishes, Jacob went looking for his grandfather and Dewayne. He found them both in the TV room watching something on the television. Jacob walked in to find Lorenzo, Ismail and Jeremy on the other side playing with Cupid.

“Grandpa and Dewayne can I speak with you guys for a minute please?”

Both Dewayne and Al looked up at Jacob with confused looks on their faces. They got up and walked out to the den. As Al sat down in the chair, he already knows this hasn’thing to do with the company. If it did, they always talk about the business in the study. This means it is something else.

“This morning when I woke up, I wasn’t feeling that good. I thought that I might not have turned on the machine last night. When I disconnected the IV, I looked at the machine and turned it off. So I thought it had nothing to do with my kidneys. I just thought I might not have slept well or ate something bad.”

Jacob explained what happened to him in the morning. He started when he woke up, got to school, in Major Moore’s office and in first period. He told them how he felt better when he stood outside in the cool breeze, but it came back the minute he walked back into the building. He went on and told them what happened in the nurse’s office.

He stopped and looked at his grandfather and Dewayne. They are just sitting in their seats listening to what Jacob is telling them. He continued how it all got better after getting insulin. He then told them what happened at Dr. Whitmore’s office. That got both of their attention even more.

“Jacob, are you telling us that your kidneys are in complete failure? The machine didn’t work and now you have to have a transplant.” Al leaned forward hoping that he heard Jacob wrong and it is only going to take a little more time than they thought it would.

“According to Dr. Whitmore, I need a transplant. He says it is best from a family member, and no not you grandpa. Like Andy or Marie are the best candidates to donate a kidney to me. Jeremy can’t because of the medicine he is on. He needs both of his kidneys in order to filter his blood.”

“Okay, let’s not panic about something that is solvable. We will sit down with Marie and let her know what is going on. She will need to get tested and see if she is a match first. If she is, we will work from there. At the same time we can talk with Andy and get him tested where he is at. If he is a match, then we will take it from there. Right now we need to start with the testing before anything else.”

“I agree with you grandpa, and in the mean time. Dr. Whitmore gave me medicine to keep my blood sugar under control so it doesn’t happen again. He did warn me what to look out for and I plan to do so. Also I have to follow a certain diet from now on. At least until I get the transplant and then he will look at my diet again.”

“Are you supposed to use the machine or are you done with it? The only reason I ask is if it didn’t work, why keep using it?” Dewayne looked at Jacob in his eyes with a worry look in his face.

“Yes, I am supposed to still use the machine. My kidneys aren’t working and I need to filter my blood. If my blood isn’t filtered, I will get weaker and weaker everyday. It will get to the point if I don’t filter my blood I can actually die.”

“It won’t get to that point and I don’t want to hear you talking like that again.” Al got up from the chair and walked in front of Jacob. “You will use that damn thing everyday like you have been doing. If you feel week or tired, plug yourself up to that machine. If you get sick at school again, you call me and I will come and get you.

I was there today dealing with Alex and Matt. I would have left and taken you to Dr. Whitmore’s office. You need to stop thinking that you are alone in all of this. You should have never gone to school this morning! Damn it Jacob! Stop being so damn hard headed and ask for help. I won’t out live my grandchildren!”

Al walked out of the den angry and hurt at the same time. Jacob looked at Dewayne trying to figure out what just happened. One moment he was mellow and then Al just flipped out, yelled and left the den. Jacob hasn’t seen his grandfather that mad since he got spanked when he and Andy started their next door neighbor’s yard on fire.

Jacob and Dewayne got up and walked upstairs. Jacob sat down at the desk to do his homework, when he felt Dewayne pulling up his arm sleeve. He looked over at Dewayne as he plugged up the IV to the machine.

“There is no need to do it right now Dewayne. I will keep using it all night long like I have been doing. You moving that machine around where ever I am is going to get tiring after awhile. I don’t want you spending your free time following me around with that machine. You need to rest as well that you are the assistant manager.”

“I will never stop caring for you Jacob. You keep thinking you are alone on this and like your grandfather said. You aren’t. Stop pushing people away and let us help you. That is why Al is angry with you. You keep thinking you are alone on this. He wants to help you and I do as well. So stop being a baby about this whole thing.”

Jacob nodded his head and went back to doing his homework. He kept trying to figure out why his grandfather was at the school this morning. He didn’t hear anything about that during lunch. Jacob got tired of trying to figure it out, He got up, unplugged and walked over to Tom and David’s room.

As he walked up and knocked on the door, Jacob remembered that they are at work. He turned and walked back to his room. He sat back down at the desk, plugged up and went back to doing his homework. It didn’t take Jacob too long to finish his homework. That surprised him, because he had a lot to do.

After closing his books and putting them in his book bag, Jacob got up, carried the machine over to the bed. He put the machine back on the end table before joining Dewayne on the bed. He grabbed hold of Dewayne’s hand and started to rub their hands together. Both of them sat there on the bed not saying a word to each other. They communicated everything they needed to with just by touching and looking at each other.

Jacob dozed off to sleep before Dewayne. Dewayne just lay there looking at Jacob as he slept. With his left hand, Dewayne started to brush against Jacob’s face. He circled around each eye as he made his way to the nose and down to Jacob’s lips. Dewayne kept go around and around Jacob’s lips before he finally stopped in the middle. He just rested his finger there, feeling the softness of Jacob’s lips.

After getting Jacob undressed and under the covers, Dewayne got undressed and jumped in bed with Jacob. He pulled Jacob up against him, held him tight as he drifted off to sleep. Jacob woke up a couple of times through the night, but went right back to sleep within minutes of waking up. One of the times he woke up, Jacob thought he heard the phone ring, but then he thought it is just his mind playing tricks on him.

The next morning Jacob woke to find Dewayne already up. He looked at Dewayne to see his smiling face looking back at him. Jacob couldn’t help it; he smiled back at Dewayne as he stretched his arms.

“What has you so happy this morning Dewayne? I love seeing you so happy, because it is telling me that you are no longer mad at me. I can live with that.” Jacob got out of bed looking back out to Dewayne for an answer.

Dewayne just sat up in the bed looking at Jacob as he got ready for school. “I now know why you are so happy right now. Today is your first day as manager!” Jacob jumped on the bed with Dewayne. “I am telling you mister I want my meal for free whenever I go into your store. I won’t take no for an answer.”

“You know I can’t do that Jacob. I don’t even get my meals for free and I work there. No one gets their meals for free.”

“I know that handsome, I am just playing. I will pay for my meal whenever I go in there. We don’t want anyone to get the wrong idea about you. If they see you giving me free food, they will think it is okay for them to give free food to their friends and loved ones.”

Jacob jumped out of the bed to get his shoes from the closet. After he got finished dressing, both Jacob and Dewayne walked down to join the others for breakfast. The minute Jacob sat down; he asked everyone what went wrong yesterday that his grandfather had to go down to the school.

Alex explained to Jacob what had happened with his anklet monitor. How his and the others went off and they went over to the principal’s office. He continued telling Jacob what happened in the office from the principal to the detectives all the way up to when Jacob’s grandfather showed up. Jacob sat there listening to what Alex is saying, but getting angry at the same time because of the detective.

“If it wasn’t for your grandfather Jacob, we would have been taken downtown and thrown back into jail. By the time they realized their mistake, it would have been too late. My old gang would have already reached out and gotten us.”

“I certainly understand where you guys are coming from. Talking about my grandfather where is he this morning?” Jacob looked around the table and then over to Franseca. “I know he got mad with me, but he is always here for breakfast. Franseca, do you know where he is by any chance?”

“All I know is that he left early this morning after getting a phone call late last night. He didn’t say much to me and I didn’t ask much. As you know your grandfather is doing a lot of things, so the phone call could be anything.”

Jacob let it go at that. He finished eating breakfast, and headed out to school. He said his normal good bye to Dewayne before walking out. He thought the entire way to school what his grandfather could be up to. He finally just let it go to something dealing with the Governor and it’s none of his business.

After eating the second time, Jacob walked over to the ROTC building. Instead of working on the newsletter, he helped with the company formation. He has marched in a pass and review, but Jacob has never given the commands in a pass and review. Those commands are a lot different than marching a platoon of men.

He got the commands from Fierro and they both worked together on getting it right. Fierro has to learn his own sets of commands; some are the same as Jacob’s but a few differences. By the time they released the others, Jacob and Fierro memorized their commands they will need.

Jacob looked up at the monument to the new unarmed drill team commander. He can’t figure out why she is giving her commands to the team up there while her team is on the football field. There is no way her team can hear her right from there. Fierro looked up at what Jacob is looking at.

“Major Moore has everyone one of his new commanders to his teams give out commands from up there. A lot of people think by yelling is the right way to give out the command. They don’t realize that the command of execution comes really from the gut area just like you learned as a drill sergeant Jacob in your first couple of years.”

“Yeah, but I was never told to go up there and give commands. It took me a couple of days to learn the difference between the two commands, but I got it without going up there. The poor girl is going to be horse all day long.”

“That is just it Jacob, you should not be horse if you are giving the commands right. All commands come form the gut and you shouldn’t lose your voice if you do it right. You are natural and that is why you were never sent up there. Remember when you drilled, after learning the difference; were you ever horse?”

“No I wasn’t horse after Sergeant Haney explained the difference. I tell you those first days after drilling, I couldn’t even swallow water because my throat was so sore. I wanted to learn fast so I didn’t have to go through that every day.”

The bell rang. Instead of going inside, Jacob said good bye to Fierro at the door as he turned around to head to the main building. The morning flew by fast for Jacob. Before he knew it; he is walking into third period.

Jacob got asked to help out the other students having problems with their programs. He is already ahead by several weeks from the others. Jacob gladly pitched in, in fact he felt special by being asked by his instructor to help out.

It didn’t take long for Jacob to figure out what is causing the problem for the first person he helped. He quickly found the problem that was causing the program to not work. After helping him, he went on to help two other people before the bell rang. The third person took longer than the other two but together they figured out why the program wasn’t working.

During breakfast, Jacob told the others that they will be eating in the cafeteria for lunch. He didn’t want to bother Dewayne on his first day as assistant manager. Jacob feels that Dewayne is already nervous enough as it is. With him and the others there watching him, he might get even more nervous to a point that he does something wrong.

At lunch, Jacob met up with the others in the line. They grabbed their food and headed over to their normal table. As they walked up to it, they found another group of students sitting there. Both groups of kids just looked at each other. They both think they have claim staked on the table, but neither of them do. Jacob started to say something when Alex and Carlos walked up. That caused the other kids to get up and leave.

Jacob didn’t say anything, he just took his seat. In fact he thought it was pretty cool the way the kids just got up and left. This might cause Alex problems in the future though. If the students here know who he is, it won’t take long before it gets back to his old gang. When that happens, there’s no telling what will happen.

After they finished eating, they headed out to the football field. This time Jacob joined them instead of going to the ROTC building. At first they passed around the football, but it didn’t take long for a group of kids walked up to them. They asked to play a small game of touch football, and of course Tom and the others didn’t say object.

No was no question who is going to play quarterback, it’s Tom. Tom told the others what positions they are going to play and the plays they are going to run. They quickly got the ball and just ran right over the others. Within a six minute time frame, Tom moved his team down the field and scored.

On the very first play, Jacob couldn’t believe he read the play and intercepted the ball. He ran it in for a touch down. Just as he turned around to head back, one other others kids on the other team tackled him in the end zone. Jacob got right up and brushed himself off. Tom and the others came running over to Jacob, but Jacob swore he wasn’t hurt.

Because of the late hit, Tom told the others that the gloves are off. When the ball got hiked, they penetrated the front line and tackled the quarterback with a loss of sixteen yards. They couldn’t move the ball forward after that. With every single play, they lost yards and never scored. By the time they called it quits Tom and his team scored twenty eight unanswered points.

The Coach of the football team watched the entire game and called Tom over after they called it quits. Tom passed David the ball as he ran over to the Coach. When he ran up to the Coach, he rested his arms on his legs to catch his breath.

“Tom, this is the second time I have seen you playing football out here during lunch. I have no problem with that, but you guys look better than the actual team at times. I know the ones you were playing are really no football players, but those you have on your team playing out there aren’t either.

Who is the tall guy that did the interception on defense? He looks like he can read an offense and get through the lines. I lost count on how many times he kept the receivers from getting the ball. The quarterback on the other team stopped throwing where that kid was at. You guys noticed it and switched things around to keep the quarterback on his toes. He never had a chance to get the ball down field.”

“The kid you are talking is Jacob. If you are thinking about asking him to join the team, I don’t think he will.” The Coach looked at Tom confused with the remark. “He is Joey’s ex and doesn’t think much of our football team. He thinks they are haters and they don’t want anything to do with people like him.”

“Well if you aren’t walking proof they aren’t like that, there is really nothing else we can do to prove to that kid that your teammates aren’t, as you said, haters. I don’t want that kind of drama on my team anyway. Talk with him and tell him I would like to see him come out for the team next year, but don’t beg him to.”

“Yes sir, I will pass on the message.” Tom turned to walk back towards the others, but ran back to the Coach. “Coach, one thing you forgot about why they have accepted me. They know me; we grew up together and therefore. They know I will never do anything to try and change them. They don’t know Jacob and barely knew Joey. That is why they act different with me than they did with Joey.”

Tom turned and walked back to the others. He told Jacob what the Coach wanted him to pass on. Jacob laughed a little at what Tom is suggesting. He noticed that Tom is taking offense to him laughing at the idea.

“Tom I know you are taking why I’m laughing wrong. Can you imagine my skinny butt running around on that field? A real football player would run right over me on the field. There isn’t way I can help your team. In fact I would do a lot more harm than good on the team. Please thank the Coach, but I don’t want to mess up your chances on going all the way next year.”

Tom understood where Jacob is coming from and let it go. They headed to their lockers and didn’t speak about the Coach’s invitation again. Jacob thanked Tom once more before heading to his fourth period class. He felt that he might have made Tom feel little by laughing at what he had said. That isn’t at all what he meant when he did that.

The afternoon went as fast as the morning did for Jacob. Even history class flew by for Jacob and that’s unusual. No matter how fast the rest of the day is going, history always drags on for Jacob. But again Jacob thought it didn’t, because he likes what they are studying right now in class.

Jacob and Tony went straight home after school. Jacob thought about going into the office, but decided against it. He still doesn’t know if his grandfather is still mad with him. He doesn’t want a family drama unfold at the office. He knows that his grandfather is more professional than that, but he might say something.

As Jacob drove into the driveway, he can’t believe that he beat Dewayne home. Normally Dewayne gets home before he does and meets him at the door. Jacob parked the truck and started to walk in when he heard his mother calling out to him. Jacob turned to see his mom getting out of her car.

Gloria walked up to Jacob standing at the front door. “You and I need to speak about what you grandfather did. He has to be going out of his mind if he thinks I am going to let some kid that walked off of the street come in and take everything away. That kid….”

“Don’t say another word here at the front door for the entire neighborhood to hear. Let’s go inside and talk in the study with our normal voices. You can say what you need to say without yelling about it. It will get across no matter how you say it.”

Gloria followed her son into the house and over to the study. Along the way she stopped in and said hello to Jeremy in the TV room. Jeremy just waved at his mother since he really doesn’t recognize her as his mother. Gloria felt hurt, but walked into the study to talk to Jacob about Tony.

“Is you grandfather feeling okay? Has he lost all of his common sense? Or has he got hit over the head with a rock? There has to be some logical explanation why he did what he did. I just need to hear it from his mouth.”

“If you need to hear it from his mouth, maybe you should wait and talk with him and not me. I was aware of him adopting Tony and I agreed with him doing so. He hasn’t lost his mind or anything like that.

He saw a scared thirteen year old that just lost his foster parents and then his foster grandparents. He ended up in a group home that tried to take advantage of him. I never believed in Cinderella until now. He was treated like the slave of the foster home. Grandpa couldn’t sit by and let that happen.”

“I understand the poor kid went through a lot, but still. He should have talked with me and your aunts before doing anything like this. He isn’t getting any younger and this kid is just thirteen years old. He has already lost his foster parents and grandparents once before. How will he feel if he loses another foster parent?”

“Grandpa is healthier than me and maybe even you. By the looks of it, he can out live us both. There is no way grandpa is going to leave this world before Tony graduates college and many years after that.

Mom, Tony is my friend and he needed a good family. Grandpa can give him that loving home that he’s not had in a long time. All through what we have been through, I know you love me and really don’t have this much hate in you. You aren’t the person that you have been in the last couple of years.

You are my mom, the woman that worked herself to death to get food on the table and clothes on our backs as we were growing up. You went without so much that way we didn’t go without. I know you went to bed every night struggling to get ends to meet and somehow you always did!

I want my old mother back. I miss the mother I grew up admiring every day of my life as a kid. I know she is still in there somewhere. Please mom, you aren’t the woman that is sitting in front of me right now.”

Gloria started to tear up. Until now, she really never saw the hurt she is causing her son. With him pleading with her to be the mom that he loved growing up, was more than she could stand. It hit her harder than any punch in the gut would. She choked down the ball in her throat and wiped her eyes.

“I hear you Jake and I will let it go. You are right about everything you said to me. I am trying to be the mom that you knew and now I see how much I have hurt you over the last couple of years. That kind of hurt won’t happen again.

Tell you grandpa when he gets home that I was here. I came down to meet my new brother, but will wait until he is here. We have to have some kind of party to officially welcome Tony into the family. I love you Jacob and I will prove it to you once I move into the nice house you bought for me.”

Jacob walked his mother to the door and hugged her before she left. This is the first time he has hugged his mother in years. He actually felt the love from her as they hugged. She didn’t just do it because Jacob wanted a hug. Gloria actually wanted to hug Jacob because she loves him and he is her son no matter what is going on in their lives.

As Jacob closed the door, he can’t believe that he might have finally broken through the hard shell around his mother. She actually looks like she is ready to accept everything as it is without a fight. Then Jacob started to think as he joined Tony and his brother that this could be a short lived victory. So many times in the past it looked like she was ready to accept, but she changed back to her ways after being by herself.

TO BE CONTINUED………….

WRITER’S CORNER:

{This story is just getting better and better as the chapters come out. I know I should not be saying that since it is my story. I am just feeling more and more comfortable as I write each of the chapters. I never thought this story would go this far. By the way it looks, before we even get into college years of Jacob. This story can go up to one hundred chapters in the high school years.

I am slowing down the time line in this story, “Beneath the Mask” and “Regrets and Heartaches” in order for “Shadow of My Father” to catch up. Several of you have written me and asked me to try and get the time lines to match up. I don’t want to speed up “Shadow”, so the next best thing is to slow down these three stories.

I am trying to put an end to several open plots in this story so I can make room for the new plots I want to open. One of the plots I closed off is Tony’s adoption finally. The next one I want to close off is Jacob’s sickness. I jumped back and forth from kick starting his kidney and transplant. As you read I ended up with transplant. There is a drama being built here that came from a reader. You will need to stick around to see the drama I am talking about.

Grandpa Al finally told Jacob he is getting tired of Jacob refusing to let others help him. Dewayne said the same thing later that evening before they went to bed. Jacob needs to stop thinking that he is Superman and nothing can harm him. He is human and he can get sick like he did in the past. When that happens, he needs his family at his side.

Dewayne got some good news and that is that he is going to be assistant manager. That means more pay for him. Jacob is happy for him and they should tell the entire family. The only bad thing is that his good news got over shadowed with Jacob’s bad news. I wonder if Dewayne will ever think twice about what he has gotten into with Jacob.

Now if you guys have read “Regrets and Heartaches” to this point you should know what the phone call is all about that Al got the night before he left. If you haven’t, well then you will have to wait to next chapter to find out where Al went and who called him late the night before. I keep saying that all my stories are together. You can’t just read one and understand certain plots in each of the stories. You will send me emails asking me what is going on.

One final thought on the chapter is Gloria. Do you all think that Jacob finally reached her? Is she going to change or just like Jacob is preparing himself that she will go back to being same old person? Jacob did let Gloria see that she is really hurting him with all the hate she has inside her. I only hope that by seeing that, she will change and stop being the wicked witch of the Westside of El Paso.

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 ends up going another. Don’t miss out on anything, or you will be kicking yourself for it.

I keep saying over and over again don’t forget about Chase. He will be spending time between two of my stories. I am giving that away, but look for him in Beneath the Mask. He is going to come back full and what is happening in his life will stun you.

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:

Gloria certainly didn’t disappoint with her initial reaction to Al and Virginia adopting Tony. I always felt she’s a vulture biding her time waiting for her father to pass so she can inherit. I’m sure that Al will provide for her, but I also suspect that getting a huge lump sum won’t be Al’s plan either. Al realizes that substantial money will corrupt those that are weak in moral center.

Jacob needing a new kidney makes my thoughts go a dozen different directions. Andy Jr., Marie, or will the donor be someone that’s not even related? Of course we know from our esteemed author’s clues that Jacob will get a kidney. If he weren’t able to get a transplant, his life expectancy would be too short to contemplate a long range future.

Dewayne got a promotion. That is fantastic! I’m sure he’s an exemplary employee, but his tenure at the Taco Bell isn’t very long. Yet, anyone who manages a business knows that the hardest part of running a business is finding good help. When, as a manager, you find someone good, if you’re smart, you take GOOD care of them !

The question was posed wondering if Dewayne will have second thoughts about what he’s gotten into being with Jacob. My sense of it is ‘no way’. Dewayne has a good head, a huge heart that belongs to Jacob and he’s in it “for better or worse”. If anything were to go awry with Jacob and Dewayne’s relationship, it will be Jacob that screws it up. Well, that’s my thoughts anyway…….

The poodle and Jeremy discovered each other and have started to bond. I suspect that the dog will be more therapeutic for Jeremy than all the programs, teachers and loved ones combined. Even those with severe developmental challenges can sense the unconditional love of a dog and respond positively to it. This was realized a long time back with “pet therapy” where dogs and other pets were brought to visit in nursing homes. The elderly residents that were otherwise non-communicating would respond dramatically.

I hope that everyone is doing well. I want to thank those that have e-mailed for their greetings to me personally. It means a lot.

Until next time,

“Daddy” Rick