Lovers Blind - 9. Revelations

Disclaimer: This story includes sexual and romantic situations between consenting individuals. Any allusion to illicit or illegal activity, sexual or otherwise, is used only for enhancement of the story line and not promotion thereof. Remember AIDS, HIV and other STDs are a very real threat, please always practice safe sex.

I can prove copyright on this story so please don't copy or remove this story for personal use without my permission.
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Lovers Blind 09: Revelation

Zeek and I were back at his house, our parents had decided to surprise us with an impromptu dinner. Zeek and I were both a little uneasy; dinner was great, salad, grilled steak, au gratin potatoes, and green beans. It was all real good.

What had us uneasy was the conversation. I had expected when we all got together in the same room that there would be a multitude of questions and conversation on Zeek and me. How we had gotten together, how long it had been, our plans for the future and what not. For some reason though they seemed to be discussing anything but us, talking about our parent’s respective work, the economy, our neighbors, the only question that had been directed at us was how we enjoyed Miranda's party.

I knew I should have felt relieved, should have accepted that this was a good sign but for some reason I couldn't help but itch all over in apprehension. I knew my parents, this wasn't their style. Both sets of parents had accepted our relationship but it wasn't like either of them to just accept something at face value, they liked to dissect it and understand it.

Zeek and I sat through the entire dinner like this, joining in the odd conversation at intervals. Every few minutes our hands would meet and grasp under the table, silently passing comfort between us.

"Well son your mother and I were talking earlier to Art and Loraine and we'd like to talk to you two." Zeek’s dad said as his mom and mine took out the dinner dishes and prepared dessert.

"THANK GOD!" Zeek exclaimed wearily resting his head on the table, I leaned back in my chair and breathed a sigh of relief, it was about dang time.

Neither he nor my dad said anything, but a look of knowing enjoyment passed between them, they were doing this on purpose and I'd be willing to bet my left arm that our mom's were in on it too. Parents were evil sometimes.

"You two look like the weight of the world has been lifted off your shoulders." My mom said as she and Zeek's mom came back from the kitchen each carrying a small platter with ice cream for each of us.

"Well we've been waiting for this since we got home; I don't know why you had to torture us." Zeek said, raising his head from the table.

"What ever do you mean darling?" Mrs. Manning asked sweetly, even I could tell she was faking it.

"Zach and I have already broken the game, you two don't have to pretend anymore." My dad said as he clapped Zeek's dad on the shoulder.

"Thank goodness." My mom said as she passed out the ice cream, vanilla with strawberries.

"You've had us playing this game all night; it’s about time you broke." Mrs. Manning said and swatted her husband on the arm.

"Well it was all in fun, no harm done is there boys?" My dad asked and Zeek and I agreed.

"So what do you want to know?" I asked, jumping straight to the point.

"Well the four of us were talking and we came down to some basic questions. Basically we wanted to know where you two plan on going from here, what your plans are." My mom asked and the others all nodded in agreement.

I don't know whether or not Zeek ever thought about what he'd like to do as an adult but I really hadn't given it any thought. There was nothing that I was really interesting in or that I excelled at, I was just average.

"To be honest we haven't given that much thought." Zeek said before I had the chance.

"We hadn't thought so to be honest with you," My dad said with a smile, "We know that you are both intelligent, capable young men but we are worried that you might not be taking your future seriously."

"As a kid...I thought about being a doctor but unless I get my sight back I don't think it will happen," Zeek said and I remembered him mentioning wanting to be a pediatrician as a kid.

"You guys know me, there’s nothing special about me, I'm just average." I said, echoing my thoughts.

"Now that’s not true, either of you," Mrs. Manning said and the other three nodded in agreement, "Zeek there are plenty of opportunities for visually impaired people, with your head for numbers you could be an excellent accountant or even a teacher on the subject." She said and my mom took up for me.

"Jake, you've always been a fit kid and you're very knowledgeable on the bodies’ muscles. The opportunities in medicine and physical education are only but a few ways you could go.” She said and I could tell she was a little upset.

"Look boys, we didn't mean to ambush you with all this or to upset you. We just knew that this hadn't crossed your minds but it really is something that you need to start giving some thought to, you only have a year of school left after all." My dad said and Mr. Manning nodded in agreement.

"Art's right boys. Take some time and give it some thought. You know that the four of us are here if you ever need some advice." Mr. Manning said as he started on his ice cream.

No one else said anything on the subject but took the silent cue to start on their dessert as well.

I couldn't enjoy the ice cream though; the things our parents had said had really got to me. I hadn't given my future any thought. Ever since Zeek went blind I had made being there for him my entire life, he meant everything to me. I realized how foolish I had been thinking that Zeek and I could run away together, how on earth would I have been able to support us?

* * *

Jake and I were up in my room, both of us were feeling severely depressed after dessert with our folks.

"You as worried as I am?" Jake asked out of the dark to my left, we were lying on my bed; his voice was muffled so I guessed he had his face buried in my pillow.

"Yea, probably more. I mean don't get me wrong, I'd love to get my sight back and I'm hoping for it but...what happens if I don't? Where could I ever work without being able to see?" I asked and couldn't help feel a little depressed.

"Your mom's right though Zeek, you can work numbers better than most math teachers at the high school level and I know you've got the brains to go further than that." Jake said and I felt him get up then lay down next to me.

"I don't know Jake, I mean I'm good with numbers but I don't really want to make a career out of it. I want...I want to do be able to do something that’s meaningful." I said as Jake wrapped an arm around me.

"Being an accountant is meaningful; I mean who will protect people from the IRS and keep them from getting audited because they can't fill out their own taxes?" Jake asked playfully and I pushed him.

"Yea, yea. Anyway though, what do you plan on doing?" I asked and he stopped laughing fairly quickly.

"Same as you, no clue. I mean mom mentioning my physical skill got me thinking about a few things. Being a phys-ed teacher could be fun, and I think that physical therapists make decent money, depending on where they work, maybe something in sports medicine. I just want to do something that I can enjoy but that I can make decent money at in case..."Jake said but didn't finish.

"In case you needed to take care of me..." I said and was glad that I still had my shades on so he couldn't see my tears.

"I didn't mean it like that Zeek. I didn't mean because you were blind, I meant in case anything were to ever happen to you, I want to be able to take care of you and provide for you if I need to." Jake said and he pulled me close to him.

I knew what Jake meant. Guys like Rick Jenkins were everywhere and being blind made me an easy target, that was something Jake was always worried about, and my folks, and his for that matter. That’s the biggest reason I hated not being able to see, people always worried that someone would hurt me.

"I'm sorry Zeek; I didn't want to upset you." Jake said and I knew he really meant it.

I pulled off my glasses and rolled over and tucked my face against his chest and he pulled me tight.

"I dunno why we're even talking like this Zeek, you're going to get your sight back; I know it." Jake said and he stroked his hand up and down my back.

It was terrible I know to pray that I'd I get a call about a donor...someone else would have to die in order for me to be able to see...but I couldn't help it. I wanted to be able to see again so badly, if only to take some of the fear out of my loved ones.

* * *

"So Rick was spying on us?" Lawrence asked as we sat down at The Shack.

Our folks decided that they were going to take Sunday to spent some time together and get to know each other better so Jake and I made plans to meet with Lou and Lawrence and fill them in on the discovery we had made at the Lake.

"Definitely, Zeek's nose is never wrong." Jake said as he laid his arm across my shoulder.

"Yea it was definitely the same smell, some sort of cologne, I recognize it from the time he had me locked up in the hallway." I replied and either Lou or Lawrence let out a low whistle.

"Lou wants to know if you guys think this constitutes proof that it's Rick who has been threatening us." Lawrence asked for Lou.

"I don't know. It doesn't really point to anything other than that he knows for sure that the four of us are couples." Jake said and I nodded my agreement.

I let the others talk around me while I sat in thought. Rick knew for sure now about me and Jake and he had a HUGE piece of information on Lou and Lawrence, something that could be enormously detrimental to them, especially to Lou considering his parents.

"Why isn't he using it?" I asked aloud; bring a stop to the partially silent conversation around me.

"Why isn't who using what?" Jake asked bewildered.

"Rick, he knows you and I are gay, and he knows about Lou and Lawrence. Why isn't he using the information? He could easily use it to do all sorts of damage; especially to you two," I said point to Lou and Lawrence, "It really isn't like him to sit on useful information like that, not if it can hurt someone."

None of the others could answer me, I couldn't even answer myself. I fell back into my thoughts again and let the others talk while we waited for our food to arrive.

"Lou and I have made a decision." Lawrence said after our order had arrived.

"What’s that?" I asked as I felt around for the ketchup bottle.

"We're going to tell Lou's parents about the two of us." Lawrence said as if he were telling us they were going to the store.

"I thought that you guys said they were...you know...anti-gay?" I said and Jake sputtered out a 'Yea' in agreement.

"They are, but we don't have much of a choice. They've been getting really insistent lately that Lou find a girl friend, they invited that girl from their church and her family over a few nights ago and spent the entire time going on and on about how cute their children would be." Lawrence said and I could hear the venom in his voice.

"What happens if they go off the deep end or something and toss you out...?" I asked, I had meant it as a joke the first time I said it but now I couldn't help but feel scared.

"We've talked about that. That’s one reason that when we tell them my parents are going to be there in case something happens. My folks are gonna offer to take Lou in." Lawrence said and now there was fear in his voice.

"Lou what do you think they'll do?" Jake asked quietly.

I could hear the slight movement of air across the table and waited for Lou's sign to be translated.

"Lou says he knows this is the right course of action, the fact that it is the only one doesn't matter. He said that if he keeps refusing to talk to that girl and making excuses then they'll come to the truth anyway and not hearing it from him would be worse than telling them in the first place. He's scared of what they'll say and that he doesn't want to be taken or sent away but that he has to do it." Jake said; there were tears in his voice.

"You know we're here for you guys, both of you, if you need us all you gotta do is call." I said and Jake agreed.

"When do you guys plan on doing it?" Jake asked concernedly.

"Tonight, when they come home from the evening church service." Lawrence said and I could hear the little traces of anxiety in his voice.

"Do you guys want us standing by, just in case?" Jake asked and I was reminded how Lou and Lawrence had asked us much the same thing.

"Lou says no, that like your folks he doesn't want them to feel overwhelmed...more than what they will be at least." Lawrence translated for Lou.

"Alright, but you guys need to call us and let us know what happened, and I mean IMMEDIATELY after things get sorted out." Jake said and I heard Lawrence laugh.

"You mean like you guys were suppose to call us and let us know what's going on...sure we'll tell you...in like three weeks." Lawrence said with heavy sarcasm.

"Come on, we apologized for that; it was...unexpected." Jake said in feeble defense.

I heard the sound of a small collision and then someone groaning in slight pain.

"What the hell was that for?' Lawrence asked and I tapped Jake's leg under the table.

He slipped his arm around me and leaned in close and whispered in my ear.

"Lou smacked Lawrence in the back of the head again. Now he's telling him not to be an ass... Now Lawrence is telling him that he was just joking and to calm down...OK, now Lou is saying he knows and that he just felt like smacking him…” Jake translated and I had to laugh.

"And now I'm getting ready to reach across the table and tickle the shit out of you." Lawrence said and I picked up my fork.

"Try it and taste stainless steel." I said trying to sound ominous....and failing miserably.

The others roared in laughter and to my surprise I heard THREE separate laughs.

"I didn't think you could laugh Lou, being mute..." I asked over the mounting giggling.

"Lou can laugh, just not speak. He can make sounds but can't form words." Lawrence said, fighting through his laughter.

"I see." I said and the others started laughing again, I had to join it, the pun was too funny.

* * *

"Lawrence said that Lou is going to be staying with him for a little bit. They didn't throw him out or anything but his mom said it would be best for him to stay there for a few days while his dad calmed down." I told Zeek as I hung up the phone.

"So his mom is OK with it then?" Zeek asked as I lay back on the bed with him.

"They don't know. Lou says that when she gets upset she usually shuts down emotionally until she's alone to work it out." I said and Zeek looked worried.

"How is Lou doing?" He asked in a whisper.

"He's pretty upset. His dad started shouting, telling him he could clear out his things, "I said quietly and Zeek’s grip around my waist tightened, "Lawrence said he was on the verge of going upstairs and packing his stuff when his mom intervened. He says Lou is afraid that they'll never want to see him again." I said and I wrapped my arms around Zeek and pulled him close.

"I really hope things work out for him and his folks." Zeek said as I stroked a hand up and down his back.

"Yea I do too. Lou's too good of a guy to be going through this crap." I replied and Zeek nodded against my chest.

"I'm really glad our folks are OK with all this. It really makes you realize how lucky we are." Zeek said and I couldn't help but think of his mom, now wasn't the time to bring that up though.

"We'll need to be careful about what we do and say until all this gets resolved. I don't want to upset him anymore." I said and Zeek turned his face up toward me.

"Yea but we don't want to be too gentle; he might think we're coddling him, treating him with kid gloves. I don't think he'd like that too much," Zeek said and I had to agree, always on the ball my Zeek was.

* * *

"Lou says god I hate Wednesdays." Lawrence translated for us as we sat in the pizza place up the road.

"I agree, Wednesdays always suck.” Jake said and I had to laugh.

"You two need to man up, it's hump day. Just two more days of school and then it’s the weekend." I said with a smile and Lawrence agreed with me.

"No shit, stop complaining you big babies." Lawrence said and I felt two movements under the table and the now familiar sound of Lawrence in pain, Lou and Jake must have kicked him under the table.

"I'm gonna stop hanging out with you guys, you're getting awfully abusive." Lawrence said in a good imitation of seriousness.

"We only beat you up because we care about you." Jake said with a wonderful imitation of sincerity.

"Lou wants to know when you guys are gonna stop playing coy and ask how he is with his folks?" Lawrence said lightly and Jake and I froze.

"We uh… I don't… we didn't…” Jake mumbled out before Lawrence silenced him.

"He says that you guys don't need to walk on eggshells. Lou wants you guys to know that he talked to his parents last night and that while they're working on overcoming their issues they want him to stay with me for a while because they don't want their hang ups to affect him more than they already have." Lawrence said and Lou knocked twice on the table, something he had started doing as a way of signaling his agreement.

"That’s really good of them. Did they say what they were doing therapy or something?" I asked carefully.

"Lou says that they are going to start going through some general sensitivity therapy while they look for someone who is more experienced in helping parents with gay kids." Jake said I assumed Lawrence had his mouth full.

It was really good to hear that things were going somewhat well with Lou and his parents. I really wanted things to work out for him. Oddly enough it was him that I felt closer to. I mean I liked Lawrence but Lou and I had a different connection though. Maybe because we both had a disability, I didn't know for sure.

"Well guys we need to be getting back to school, don't want to get caught sneaking back in." Lawrence said and we got ready to leave.

"See you later cousin, you need me though, you give me a call." Lou's cousin called out as we left.

"Lou's cousin has also known about us for a few years." Lawrence said in reply to my puzzled look.

* * *

I was watching Rick out of the corner of my eye as we changed after gym. I noticed that when ever we had a class with him, especially gym, that Rick had been watching the both of us. I had started picking up a pattern for Rick’s abuse. It always happened when Zeek did something that out-shined him, especially in gym class.

Nothing had happened today, and hadn't all week but something was feeling off. Since Monday he had been watching us but hadn't done a thing, no threats, no insults, not even his buddies had come up to us.

What really creeped me out was that whenever I saw him looking at us, he wouldn't stop. He'd just stare back in this weird, inquisitive way...like he was trying to figure something out.

That feeling today was worse than it had been all week so I hurried Zeek to get changed, I really didn't feel like getting into a fight today, I was mentally exhausted. For the last four days I had been thinking about what we had talked about with our parents Saturday night. I still I had no idea what I wanted to do after high school and it was dominating my thoughts, to the exclusion of even my school work.

I had planned on talking to Lou and Lawrence at lunch but the topic of Lou's parents had driven it clean out of my mind, I was starting to ponder the idea of talking to the school guidance counselor but hadn't worked up the courage to do it yet.

"You ready to go?" I asked Zeek as I noticed Rick coming toward us.

"Yea, why are you in such a hurry?" Zeek asked as I ushered us out of the locker room.

"No reason." I lied. I hadn't told Zeek that Rick had been watching us; I didn't want him to worry.

"You're lying." Zeek said as we walked down the hallway,

"Am not." I said childishly.

"Are too, when you lie your voice goes up an octave or two, always has," Zeek said as he gripped my hand tightly, “Spill, now."

"Okay I'm lying, I'm sorry. But not now." I said and started almost dragging him to Geography class.

* * *

I wasn't paying attention in Geo, not that I ever did. That was a perk of being blind, I didn't have to listen; my tape recorder did that for me. Jake was hiding something, he had been acting weird since Monday, he was quiet, not that he always was, but this was different.

I couldn't help but wonder if this had something to do with the things our parents had said. Had Jake reconsidered his decision to be with me after the stark realization of how difficult it would be?

That couldn't be it; Jake had been with me since we were kids...he knew how difficult life with me could be... he didn't care about that kind of stuff. Jake loved me, he wouldn't leave.

And that’s what I told myself for the rest of the day.

* * *

We'd made it, school was out, and we were away from Rick. At least that’s what I thought.

"Fido, sit, stay!!" Ricks voice cut into me like a knife as Zeek and I headed for the doors outside.

The packed hallway was suddenly empty, as usual.

For a split second I considered trying to make a run for it, something was telling me that today wasn't the day to try and fight off Rick. I knew it wasn't possible though; there were too many cars in the way to be able to navigate Zeek safely.

I turned around and pushed Zeek back behind me and looked Rick full in the face. He looked much angrier than I'd seen him in a long time.

"What do you want?" I said, trying to hide the sudden anxiety in my voice.

"Outta my way dog boy." Rick said as he grabbed my shoulder and tried to yank me away.

"Not a chance." I said knocking off his hand and shoving him hard in the chest.

"It's not your day Madsen, now, GET OUT OF MY WAY." Rick yelled the last part of his sentence and lunged passed me toward Zeek.

Not even thinking about it as Rick lunged passed me I slammed my elbow into his stomach. Rick doubled over for a moment but my hit didn't seem to affect him for long, soon he was upright again and looking mean.

Rick and I were pretty evenly matched body wise, he was tall and muscular and fairly decent looking. Not for the first time I wondered why he had such a vendetta against Zeek, who is half his size...

I didn't have long to think about it, Rick was coming back. I grabbed him by the arm and tried to turn him around to get hold of the other one and lock his arms behind his back but before I could, he aimed his elbow at my stomach, he missed and caught my chest instead.

That hurt, but not as much as the back of his fist hitting my left eye. I let go and clutched my face as Rick shot passed me toward Zeek.

I turned and watched, as if in slow motion, him reaching for Zeek, who dodged out of his way just in time. Rick shot passed him and damn near slammed into the glass doors, I don't know how or what force was guiding him but before Rick could turn toward him again Zeek raised his cane and brought it down across the back of Ricks head.

At first I thought the cane had snapped in half from the hit, but then Zeek flicked his wrist and the cane snapped back together, it had only come apart at a point where it collapsed and locked.

"Go away Rick!" Zeek said threateningly as he brandished his cane again. I stepped between him and Rick as he advanced, barely able to see him through my quickly swelling left eye.

"ENOUGH, all of you!" I had NEVER heard Mr. Striklin's voice that loud, or that angry.

The three of us froze and turned in unison to see the principal standing a few feet away, the two members of the S.S. we had never met flanking him on either side.

"You three, my office, NOW." He barked and I immediately grabbed Zeek's hand and led him passed Rick, who was still breathing heavy and looking murderous.

"That means you too Mr. Jenkins. I'm afraid you won't be slipping by this time." Striklin said and I heard Rick shuffle towards us.

I didn't look back as our little group set off. We reach Mr. Striklin's office in no time and he and the S.S. members stood back and beckoned the three of us inside, as if they thought we would run if they turned their back on us.

"Mrs. Anderson please phone these three’s parents and tell them I would like a word with them immediately." Striklin said once we were all in the office waiting room.

"You three, my office." He said pointing down the hall.

Soon we sat shoulder to shoulder across from Striklin's desk; luckily I had managed to seat Zeek on the end, with me in the middle and Rick next to me.

"I'm not going to ask for an explanation of what happened as I was witness too much of the altercation but I do however, require an explanation of WHY." Striklin said but none of us made a move to reply.

"No volunteers?" He asked sarcastically, "Very well, then I shall have to start with the one who has no motives. Mr. Manning, an explanation if you please. To the best of your abilities." He said turning to Zeek, who paled quickly.

"I...I dunno Mr. Striklin. Jake and I were leaving and I heard Rick yell from behind us. The next thing I knew I could hear him and Jake wrestling, I hear Jake gasp in pain... then footsteps coming toward me, I knew it was Rick because the foot falls were too heavy to be Jake. I dodged and swung my cane. I don't know why Rick attacked today...I never do." Zeek said and I could have strangled Striklin for singling Zeek out...Zeek hated talking about the shit Rick did to him.

"Mr. Madsen, I would like your theory behind this on going feud." Striklin said turning to me.

"I don't know Mr. Striklin. Maybe Mr. Jenkins has a problem with blind people...I've noticed that when Zeek was able to see that he never had any issues from Rick," I stopped here because Rick looked like he was about to say something but Mr. Striklin gave him a very cold look and Rick shut his mouth, "Maybe he doesn't like getting showed up...it seems to happen more often when Zeek beats him at something in gym, like on the Coach's contests." I said and out of the corner of my eye I saw Rick's livid expression.

"Mr. Jenkins. It's your turn." Striklin said turning to Rick.

"No." Rick said angrily.

"No?" Striklin asked, looking angry.

"Yea NO. You think you're god but I'm a minor, you can't make me say shit without my parents here. I'm not as stupid as these two fucking fags, I know the rules." Rick said and with that he clamped his mouth shut.

"You are quite right Mr. Jenkins, you don't have to say a word to me without your parents present and I apologize for not informing you two of that same right," Striklin said as he turned to us and he actually looked sorry, "How ever since you are so well versed in the school rules you will know, of course that I am WELL within the rights appointed to me by the school board to expel you, indefinitely, from this school for starting fights, and ban you from all school activities, sports, and extra curricular activities here at the school, which would likely put the football scholarship you have been offered in GREAT jeopardy, but that can be discussed once your parents arrive." Striklin said ominously and Rick paled.

Striklin may have been an ass but I couldn't really see him messing with a student’s future like that...

There was a knock on the door and I watched through the reflection in the window as Mrs. Anderson poked her head in.

"Mr. Striklin, Mr. Madsen, and Mr. and Mrs. Manning are here. Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins are on their way. Would you like me to show the others in or would you like to wait on the Jenkins?"

"No, I'll see them now," He said then turned to the three of us, “You three can wait in the waiting room. The S.S. are in the hallway outside the main office so I advise no more fighting." he said and motioned for us to leave the room.

Mrs. Anderson stood by and let Zeek and I pass, I noticed her eyes shot quickly to our interlocked fingers as we walked passed, I didn't care; let her see.

Rick shot passed us as soon as we made it to the waiting area and headed straight for a lone chair in the far corner as my dad and Zeek's parents converged on us.

"Zeek, we were so worried when we got the call, thank GOODNESS we were working from home today...are you OK?" His mom asked as she ran her fingers over his face like she was searching for a wound.

"He's OK Molly, just look at him." Mr. Manning said as he rested his hand protectively on Zeek's shoulder.

I turned away from the warm looks that passed between Zeek and his dad...

"Jake...what in the world happened...goodness your eye....your mother is gonna have such a fit when she sees the state of you. Are you hurt any where else, does it hurt?" Dad asked as he gently ran his thumb over my nearly closed eye.

I couldn't stand his voice, he sounded somewhere between concerned and angry... I shrugged off his hand and held in the wince of pain that his touched caused. I didn't need to be coddled and cooed over. Not by him, not anymore....I didn't get it as a kid when I needed...when I wanted it and I didn't need it now.

"I'm fine Dad." I said trying and failing not to sound cold.

"Mr. Striklin is ready for you now." Mrs. Anderson said before Dad could say anything.

Dad gave me a pained look as I turned away and went to sit next to Zeek as he and Zeek's folks went down the hall.

"Are you OK Jake...did he hurt you?" Zeek asked as he rested his hand on my leg.

I spared a half glance in Rick’s direction, he was watching us again but it didn't matter. To hell with him.

"I'm OK Zeek...just an elbow to the chest and what promises to be a helluva shiner tomorrow." I said and Zeek offered me a slight smile.

"Can I?" He asked as he raised his hands to my face.

"Of course, just be careful, it hurts a bit." I said quietly so only he could hear me.

"OK." he said as rested his hands on my cheeks.

He ran his hands up the side of my face till he found my eye. Like Dad he let his fingers play so gently over the swelling as he evaluated the damage.

"You’re not going to be able to drive with that eye swollen, looks like it’s the bus for us." Zeek said and I couldn't help but smile, which Zeek felt with his fingers and smiled at me.

Zeek let his hands fall from my face and slipped an arm around my shoulder and rested his head on my shoulder. I wrapped mine around his waist and rested my head back against the wall, noticing out of the corner of my good eye that Mrs. Anderson was watching us, smiling.

I closed my eyes and just rested, my head and my chest were killing me; not that I let it show. I wasn't too worried about what was going on in the principal's office, it’s not like this hadn't happened before, and at least it was just me getting hurt this time instead of Zeek.

I don't know how long we sat there but the sound of footsteps down the hallway got my attention. I looked up to see Mr. and Mrs. Manning coming toward us, they didn't look pleased.

"Come on son, we need to get going." Mr. Manning said and Zeek stood up nervously.

"I was hoping to be able to go over to Jake's tonight, work on our home work." Zeek said and Mrs. Manning shook her head, of course he didn't see.

"Not tonight honey, your father and I can help you if you need it." She said, not looking at me.

Zeek looked back at me, worry showing under his glasses, they had never tried to stop Zeek and I being together,

I stood up and gave him a small kiss on the forehead and pushed him toward his parents.

"Go on, I'll see you tomorrow morning." I said and Zeek nodded.

I watched, feeling frozen inside, as Zeek and his parents left. Something was going on.

"Come on Jake, we need to get going too." My dad's voice cut into my thoughts.

"Yea, I'll meet you there." I said and tried to walk away, but Dad gripped my shoulder, tight.

"No, you can't drive safely with your eye swollen shut. You'll be riding home with me. You’re Mother and I will come back for your car after she gets off work." Dad’s voice was stern.

"Fine." I said, pulling out of his grip.

As we left we passed Rick, who was looking at me like he was scared. I took a second to make an impression.

"This is the last time this is gonna happen. I don't care what your issue with Zeek is but you better find a new way to deal with it because if you get close to him again, a black eye like the one you gave me will look like a beauty mark compared to what I'll give you." I said doing my best to inject as much malice and promise as I could into my voice. I wanted him to think I was serious. As much as I wanted to protect Zeek, violence for the sake of violence wasn't something I could do.

"Jacob!" My Dad said threateningly from behind me, I wasn’t five years old anymore the full first name and the scary voice didn’t work anymore.

I lead the way outside, with Dad following close behind, once we were out he took the lead and led me over to his car, the small red Toyota, he had had since I was a kid. Dad was never home to drive it so it was in near mint condition.

I figured dad would start berating me as we drove home for what I had said to Rick but he didn't, he didn't say anything as a matter of fact. We drove home in complete silence.

Soon as we were home I jumped out of the car and headed into the house. I knew we had an ice pack around somewhere and I wanted to find it and get it over my eye, the sooner the swelling went down the sooner I could start driving again.

"We need to talk about what happened today Jake." Dad said as he came in behind me.

"What do we need to talk about? I'm sure Striklin told you everything that happened." I said as I finally managed to find the ice pack in one of the kitchen junk drawers.

"I'd rather hear about it from you Jake and I'd like to know about the other times you've been fighting that you've kept from your mother and me, not to mention Zeek’s parents." Dad said and I froze. It never occurred to me that Striklin knew about the other fights Rick and I had gotten into.

"I wonder how long you planned on keeping it a secret." Dad said sarcastically.

"I've not been keeping it secret. I just didn't say anything because it wasn't important." I said and Dad looked livid.

"It's not important for us to know that you've been going around getting in fights at school?" He asked, his voice rising.

"You sound like I've been going around picking fights for the fun of it. I've been defending myself from that freaking psycho, I've been keeping Zeek from getting hurt...from getting sent away. What would you have done if you were me and someone had been hurting Mom?" I asked, doing my best not to shout at him.

"That is not the point young man. I can understand you acting in self defense but what about what happened in the office today. Threatening the Jenkins boy, I did not raise you to be a common thug." Dad said and at that something broke in me, something I had been holding in for far too long.

"You didn't raise me, PERIOD Dad. Or is that what you call the week you were home between Dallas and DC when I was eight. Maybe it was the two weeks you were home between New York and Miami. Or maybe it was that month you were home after being in Beijing for half a year setting up a new company office." I said, years of bitterness flowing out of me.

"Jake...I'm sorry; you have to know that I love you and your mother. I did what I did because it was the only way I could provide a good life for you and your mother. No company would let me stay local when they saw my skill. I tried to be home as often as I could...I always missed you two when I was gone...it killed me to have to leave you." He said quietly but determinedly.

"It doesn't matter...just...just leave me alone." I said and before he could say anything else I took off up the stairs and barricaded myself in my room.

I expected him to come after me...part of me even prayed he would because after saying everything I had I felt terrible...I knew that Dad didn't have a choice in where he was sent or how long he was away...I wanted to tell him how sorry I was but I couldn't bring myself to open the door...I was too ashamed.

I collapsed on my bed and just sobbed like a baby... Sometime later I must have fallen asleep or passed out or something but when I woke up it was late, really late. I looked at my clock through the dark, it was nearly eleven.

I got up and stumbled over to my window and looked over to Zeek rooms, his curtains were drawn and his blinds were down, he had probably been asleep for hours.

I turned around and sat down on the bed and rested my head in my hands, until my hands landed on my swollen eye, and then I stopped.

Figuring my parents were long asleep I opened my door to go down stairs, instead I came face to face with Zeek.

"Zeek...what the hell are you doing here...how did you get in?" I whispered and he jumped, before he could say anything I pulled him inside.

"I came to check on you...as to how I got in that was easy...well sort of. I waited till I knew my folks were asleep and figured your parents would be too. Then I just crept down stairs and through the gap in the fence, I know where you guys keep the key to the back door. After that it was pretty easy." He said with a self satisfied smile as he navigated my dark room confidently and sat down.

I walked over and sat down next to him and wrapped my arms around him.

"What happened when you got home...your parents didn't look very happy." I sad and Zeek looked nervous.

"They weren't. Striklin told them about the fight you guys got into in the locker room, and all the other incidents that we've been keeping quiet about...they were pretty furious over that." He said and I pulled him down on the bed to lay with me.

"Is that why they wouldn’t let you come over, they were mad at us?" I asked and Zeek tensed up.

"No...Didn’t you talk to your dad when you got home? They said he was going to talk to you about it." Zeek said and I felt a big tinge of unease.

"I...I didn't really give him a chance to talk." I mumbled quietly.

"What happened?" He asked, turning his face toward me.

"You first." I dodged; glad for once that he couldn't see the look on my face.

"They...they're worried about you...about me, because we've been keeping secrets from them. They're worried that you may be making me keep this stuff from them...because you’re worried that I might be sent away..." Zeek said quietly and I felt a familiar pain rushing my veins, the same one that I felt when I heard Zeek’s mom talking about how I had taken advantage of him.

There was more though, Zeek was hiding something.

"What else did they say Zeek?" I asked and if it was possible Zeek's body became even tenser.

"Some how Striklin knew about the things you said to Rick in the locker room, about making him need a wheel chair...their insane belief that you're making me keep secrets from them is also compounded with another insane idea...that you can't control your anger...that you might lash out an…"

"And hurt you." I finished for him quietly.

Zeek nodded. "It's mostly Mom, Dad's not happy that we've been keeping things from them but I think he's just a little overwhelmed by all of it, he doesn't know what to think."

Ignoring the mounting pain I was feeling, physically and other wise; I sat up and pulled Zeek with me.

"You don't believe that do you Zeek? You know that I'd never hurt you right? That I'd break my own neck before I laid a finger on you?" I asked and couldn't keep my voice from shaking.

Immediately after I finished Zeek put his arms around me and pulled me close.

"Don't say that kind of thing...don't even think it...I know you'd never hurt me, all you've ever done was keep me safe." Zeek said and I tucked my head down against his thin chest.

I sat there, feeling lifeless, as Zeek held on to me, my arms wrapped around his waist.

How could ANYONE think I could ever hurt him...I had protected Zeek since we were five and those kids were making fun of him for his power rangers t-shirt on the playground... I was only angry and violent when someone tried to hurt him,

Zeek pushed me back on the bed and pulled me close to him again. I couldn't even muster the energy, the will, to cry even though it felt like my tear ducts were gonna burst.

"I told them that they were wrong, that you'd never hurt me. It got pretty loud there for awhile." Zeek said as he stroked a hand up and down my back.

"So long as you know...that’s all I care about." I said. I was lying of course. I knew so long as Zeek’s parents thought there was a chance I'd hurt him that they'd always be looking over my shoulder.

"What happened with your Dad?" Zeek asked quietly and that feeling of shame came over me again...I couldn't even look up at him as I spoke...I just mumbled against his chest.

"How can I ever look him in the face again, how could I ever be around him again after the things I said to him?" I asked quietly, but didn't expect an answer.

"You'll find a way Jake, I know you will. You're strong enough to overcome this." Zeek said in a comforting way.

I could have lain there all night, in heaven’s arms, but I didn't. I had to get Zeek home. I had to start earning his parents trust and him sneaking out to see me would cripple my chances.

"I hope so. But we’ve got to go, you have to go home." I said and rolled away from him and pulled him to his feet.

"I want to stay with you." Zeek said quietly.

"And I want you to stay with me but you need to go home. Your parents will go spare if they find out." I said and Zeek's face fell, he wouldn't argue.

I couldn't see very well through the dark house with my bum eye so I let Zeek guide me till we got outside, the half moon providing some light.

I walked him to his back door but didn't go in, without Zeek to guide me I'd have knocked something over and woke the whole house.

"I love you Zeek, one day none of this will matter." I said then kissed him on the lips and let him go in.

I walked home and prayed that once I was inside I wouldn't knock something over. I was surprised to find my dad in the kitchen.

"Dad, it’s not what you think. I was just...”

"Just taking Zeek home, I know. I was on the stairs when he came in. I thought for a second that he might have heard me." Dad said with a small smile.

"He was just coming to check on me...please don't tell his parents...they already think I'm…” I couldn't finish my sentence, god I was arrogant, asking my Dad to keep a secret after what I had said.

"'I'm sorry you had to find out the way you did Jake. I wanted to be the one to tell you what the Manning’s thought." Dad said as he walked over to me. Dad was taller then me so I had to look up at him to meet his eyes, I had my dads eyes.

"I'm so sorry Dad...I shouldn't have said the things I said. I didn't mean them. It’s just...I've had to be strong for so long that it just all got to me." I said quietly as the tears finally managed to break through.

Dad stepped closer and wrapped me in a big bear hug.

"You should have meant them Jake, you should have. Because it was all true, every word you said was true. I've been a terrible father to you." He said so sadly and I wrapped my arms around him tightly.

"No...Please don't say that, you weren't, you’ve always been great to me and I’ve just missed you so much for so long." I said quietly and I felt Dad shake his head.

"I missed you too Jake, so badly. I used to lay awake at night, wishing I was home with you and your mother. I knew I was missing the best years we could've had together, knew that I could never get them back....I assuaged my conscience by telling myself I was providing you and your mother with a good life, that I was giving you everything you could ever need. I never knew you were hurting so badly, you always seemed so happy, I swear if I had known you were so sad I would have found a way..." Dad couldn't go on, he choked up and felt him shaking as he sobbed quietly with me.

"I...I didn't want you to be upset so I never told you. I held it all in and just kept wishing that you'd never go away again..." I said when I was able to get control of myself.

"You shouldn't have to hold all that in Jake. I should have seen how hurt you were. I should have stopped." Dad said as he pulled away and looked down at me.

"I know we can't go back and do it over Jake, but if you can forgive me then maybe we can try and make up for lost time." My Dad said and suddenly he looked much older and much sadder than I had ever seen him before.

"I can't forgive you for mistakes I had a hand in too...can you forgive me for not telling you when I was younger...for saying that you never raised me?" I asked, almost scared to hear the answer.

"I forgave you as soon as you said it Jake. I wanted to come up and talk to you earlier but I couldn't. I just sat down here and wallowed in self pity... then talked to your mother when she came home." He said and pulled the two of us over to the kitchen table and we sat down.

"I'm sorry about the Manning's Jake. Your mother and I will talk to them tomorrow. We'll get this whole thing straightened out. I'll cover for tonight, so long as his folks don't find out, but no more unauthorized visits, its not going to endear you to them if you get caught, especially his dad." He said and I saw a little anger in his eyes.

"Zeek reckons it’s mostly his mom that’s causing the trouble...that his dad is just a little overwhelmed...I know that you guys were getting friendly." I said and Sad smiled slightly, but it faded quickly.

"I did, do like Zachary, he's a nice guy. But it doesn't matter. Accusing my son of being an abuser doesn't go down easy in my books." Dad said and I suppress my desire to suppress my pain, which was a habit I needed to break.

"I'm not like that except when I'm protecting Zeek...but I still should have tried to find out why Rick was constantly going after Zeek, I should have used my head, not my muscles...You don't think that stuff do you Dad...you or Mom?...What I said to him in the office today was just talk. I just wanted to scare him..." I said and prayed silently my parents didn't think I was some sort of psycho.

Dad reached across the table and put his hand on my shoulder.

"No Jake, never. I admit that your mother and I were a little shocked when it all came out but we understood...like you said I would have acted the same way. But you have to see if from the Manning's side..." Dad said, letting his sentence trail off.

I understood what he was saying. Zeek was their son. Like me, they had spent their lives keeping him safe...and when we started going out...we decided to keep things from them to keep them from worrying.

"I understand Dad." I said with a nod.

"Good, now you need to get a bite to eat and get up to bed, the buses run earlier than you guys are used to." Dad said motioning over to the fridge.

I warmed up some leftovers and ate while Dad and I talked before I went up to bed. Dad gave me a one armed hug and peck on the side of my head before I went up stairs.

TO BE CONTINUED...

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Well I hope yall liked this chapter. As always I need to give a big thanks to Rush for her work in editing. I’d love to get your thoughts so feel free to drop me a PM, an email at allenarcane88@yahoo.com, leave me a review to check out my discussion forum. I read and respond to everything.