Living in Surreality - 11. Chapter 11

chapter 11:
: edited by viv :

"I just can't believe it," Valerie commented, setting her empty fountain cup down on the worn laminate table.

She had just encouraged Jacob and Matt through an umpteenth re-telling of the events last Sunday. It was in this exact booth, in the back corner of 'Christie's' last Sunday, that the pair had first recounted what happened, much to their embarrassment.

Matt had gone inside and had spoken to Valerie when she called, more like listened for the first fifteen minutes as Valerie read him the riot act for running out on her like he had, and scaring her in the process. Not to mention the way the whole thing played out in front of that waitress, a point Valerie took great pains to repeatedly mention and stress.

At some point during Valerie's mind numbing tirade, Matt successfully interrupted, and mentioned the three of them meeting for lunch the following day, an idea which Valerie was quick to shoot down, saying they would be having dinner that same night. Matt tried to fight that notion, knowing that it was a fool's quest, only to ruefully agree to gather Jacob and meet her at Christie's. Why she had to choose the burger joint he worked at was the least of his worries now. He had already dodged a few of her questions on the phone, and he was sure he wouldn't be as successful when face to face with her in person.

Matt and Jacob both readily agreed with Valerie's statement as they picked through a pile of unwanted fries.

The last week had been somewhat surreal. The day itself was a rollercoaster of emotions ranging from anger to joy, highlighted by fear and, at times, embarrassment. The days that followed were highly uneventful in comparison. Matt had half expected his mother to run to the nearest 'friendly' pharmacist and refill her wasted prescription. She however surprised him by stepping out to the local bookstore instead, only to return lamenting the absence of anything outwardly noteworthy on adolescent homosexuality. Matt didn't want to wander anywhere near that conversation, so he let her comment slip away with out a response.

Matt hadn't seen his father since the man raised a hand, ready to hit him. Looking back, Matt knew he would have taken the punishment for, what in the eyes of his father, would have been blasphemy, and that he would have responded in kind. That realization was probably the most shocking to Matt, knowing that he would have hit his father if it had come to that, but it never did. Even their mothers rush to go out and soundly castrate the man who had trespassed on their families died with cooling emotions last Sunday.

Richard was no fool when it came to what had happened that afternoon, and what almost happened as a result, choosing instead to send a group of his campaign staffers to pick up his affects on Monday. Matt really couldn't blame the man for the Houdini act, after all, gay bashing your son's 'boyfriend' on the eve of a big senate run just wouldn't look good.

School, much to Matt's chagrin, settled into something more akin to normal than the battle he had readied himself to face that Monday. Any truths to the rumors were forgotten, lost with the story of someone getting plastered at a party over the weekend and making out with the wrong girl, or something else just as unimportant. Jay was still Jay on the other hand, reveling in the victory that he had pegged Matt right. That didn't bode so well for Valerie as his pursuit hadn't ceased, if anything, it had only increased as he found Matt less of a threat.

"You can't believe it?" Matt half joked. "You didn't get caught with your pants down by your dad." The slight smile that played on Matt's lips slowly faded as the memory raced unbound through his mind.

Jacob, sitting back against the padded vinyl booth, witnessed something he had probably seen countless times in the last few months, just hadn't ever really given any thought to. It was as if Valerie had a keen sense of when Matt's personality was about to go through a crisis, and she acted to head it off.

"Well look at the bright side Matty," Valerie chimed in, her voice laden with a saccharine which only matched the all too bubbly appearance her cheeks had donned. "At least you didn't get caught by your football coach," she continued, patting his arm.

Matt's head perked as she finished. "What?" he questioned as the beginnings of a smile frolicked at the corners of his mouth, his attention turning to Jacob.

Jacob could only roll his eyes and groan, regretting the day he ever told Valerie about that.

"Yup, our boy Jacob here got caught in the locker room, on his knees no less," she laughed.

"Thanks for that Sweets," Jacob answered, mocking her smile, as he nodded his head in her direction, "Thanks."

"C'mon babe, relax. Take one for the team," she smiled, patting Jacob's forearm, comforting him this time. The whole exchange left Matt, head down on the table top, shoulders quaking as he fought to contain the laughter escaping him in gasps.

Matt's laughter was infectious, and soon, Val was laughing easily with him. Jacob even had to admit that Valerie's comeback was funny. Once the laughter had subsided, Valerie got a serious look on her face.

"So what happened at this gathering?" she questioned.

"What gathering?" Jacob asked, knowing full well what she was talking about.

"Nope... You guys keep walking away from that question, now you're going to answer it," she spoke, raising her head and pushing out her chest in triumph.

"You really want to know huh?" Matt asked, wiping the moisture from his eyes.

Valerie delivered Matt a stern look.

"It was 'the talk' times two," Matt began. "Ya' know the one, birds and bees, although, Mom got a little stumped when it came to the trees and trees part. I don't think she was prepared for that little tid-bit," Matt answered, making a sideways face as he finished.

"You should have seen it Valerie, they way she looked at her two pointer fingers all stiff. She just got all quiet," Jacob smiled holding his pointer fingers up as if he were measuring a slight distance in front of him, demonstrating the point where things went from awkward to worse.

Jacob and Valerie giggled with the mental picture of Viola Porter staring hopelessly at two erect pointer fingers. Matt just looked like he was going to be sick.

"S'all right bro," Jacob said giving Matt a playful punch in the arm. "She'll be pointing cute guys out to you in no time."

"Oh Christ," Matt exclaimed, looking exasperated on top of nauseous as he slumped back into the vinyl clad booth rolling his eyes.

Valerie giggled at Matt's pain. "And your mom said nothing?" Valerie turned her eye to Jacob.

"Oh she had plenty to say, especially when Matt's mom told her what his dad had done. I don't think I've ever seen my mom so willing to scrap like that. Trust me, if he had been the room she would have punked his ass," Jacob laughed, pride sparkling in his eyes, pride in his mother's willingness to stand up for him.

Matt laughed. "Yeah the two of them spent the first hour and a half, discussing their hatred of brutish men. It was kind of mean, I mean they left the two of us scared shitless on the couch while they bonded in the kitchen."

Jacob leaned over to Valerie, "Yes it's true, my mom found a drinking buddy."

"You can't be serious," Valerie laughed; the two women seemed to her, a very unlikely pair. Matt's mother seemed so proper, where Jacob's was more of a free spirit.

"No he's serious," Matt backed Jacob up, "They went shopping yesterday, and they're gonna go out tonight." Matt paused, a sickening look of realization washing over his face. "Oh my God, Jacob's mom is going to get my mom laid!"

Valerie and Jacob looked at Matt and then each other and cracked up laughing.

The trio sat, joking around in the back corner booth of Christie's, hoping to avoid detection. The joking between them came naturally, their attempt at being clandestine was not as accomplished as they had hoped for. Brendon Murphy spotted them the moment he entered the Mom and Pop hamburger restaurant with his piercing blue eyes, eyes many claimed looked like the blue ice in a glacier.

"Crap," Matt moaned looking put out as Valerie's eyes widened, noticing who the golden, wheat colored, curly hair belonged to before actually seeing his face.

"What?" Jacob regarded the pair curiously before twisting around in the worn vinyl booth to see what they were looking at.

"Hey Matt, hey Valerie," Brendon greeted as he walked up, though his eyes didn't seem to stray from Jacob once they settled on him. "Hi Jacob," he added with a satisfied grin.

"Hey Brendon," Valerie offered, looking disinterested, sliding her empty cup through the ring of condensation that had formed on the table top while Matt rolled his eyes.

Jacob just nodded his head at Brendon.

"A group of us are going out to the movies and, we were wondering if you guys wanted to join?" Brendon asked, allowing Matt and Valerie a brief glance before his sights settled back on Jacob.

Jacob, Matt, and Valerie glanced between themselves, silently deciding if they wanted to go.

"I can't," Valerie sighed, "Daddy wants me to go down to the shop and get a few hours of work in," she said as she pushed her cup away from her chest. "In fact I have to get running soon."

Jacob and Matt continued staring at each other, wondering if going to the movies was really something they wanted to do. Daring each other to come up with an excuse on why they couldn't go.

"I think you guys should go," Valerie mentioned as she gathered her schoolbooks. "It will be good for you guys to get out with different people every now and again."

Valerie's comments brightened Brendon's demeanor, his shoulders had slumped when an immediate answer didn't come, even though he had been prepared to be squarely rejected by the group.

"Yes Mom," Jacob intoned, sounding annoyed.

Valerie answered his tone with a glare that was ten times worse.

"What time?" Matt answered, taking the initiative.

"In about an hour," Brendon answered eagerly.

Matt shrugged his shoulders in defeat as Jacobs's inquisitive eyes fell on him. Jacob answered with a slight nod of his head.

"We'll meet you at the theater," Matt answered, turning his attention to Brendon who was standing at the edge of the table grinning wildly.

"Cool, I'll see you guys there!" Brendon almost shouted as he began to back away, his eyes lingering on Jacob. "Sorry you can't come too Valerie; I think you would have had a lot of fun."

Valerie gave Brendon an even smile as he walked away, a smile which he missed completely.

Matt groaned after Brendon disappeared out the building's door.

"What?" Jacob asked, curious about Matt's reaction to Brendon.

"He's been harping on me all week at school, trying to get me to join the GSA," Matt answered, annoyed with Brendon Murphy.

"Gay Straight Alliance," Valerie said, answering the look of confusion that marred on Jacob's face.

"Oh," Jacob answered as realization dawned. "I think Ms. Frost mentioned something to me about joining that."

Matt and Valerie were the ones who were confused now.

Jacob rolled his eyes and began to explain, "She was asking me about the fight and my resulting vacation, so I explained a few things to her and Mrs. Martin."

"You wouldn't know what a closet was if it bit you on the ass would you?" Valerie questioned, more amused than shocked over the fact that Jacob had told staff members he was having 'boy troubles'.

Jacob looked at her serious for a moment before his straight face melted into a lopsided grin, "I guess not," he chuckled.

"I wish you hadn't done that." Matt added, sounding more annoyed then he had with Brendon.

"Hey, I didn't use names," Jacob offered before blushing with the realization that he in fact might have.

"He's kind of cute," Valerie shrugged, watching Brendon Murphy approach a group of four kids, two of whom she recognized from school but couldn't place names with their faces.

Jacob and Matt's gaze followed Valerie's out the window, where they watched Brendon laughing with his group of friends.

"He's got nice eyes," Jacob conceded

A hint of shock flashed in Matt's eyes while his face remained passive. His leg however, flew from its rest under the table, kicking Jacob in the shin and causing the table to bounce violently. Jacob jumped in his seat from the assault.

"Ow! Shit! All I said was that he had nice eyes," Jacob exclaimed, reaching under the table to rub his stinging shin.

"Don't think I didn't notice he was aiming those jokers at you the whole time he was standing here," Matt pointed out. "He might as well have just drooled."

"So is he the G or the S in that alliance?" Jacob questioned with a wicked grin as he stuck his tongue out at Matt.

"Definitely the G," Valerie answered sounding glum, turning her attention back to her boys while Matt adjusted himself to deliver another kick, "The cute ones always are," she said in a huff.

"How do you know?" Jacob laughed as he pulled his legs up quickly avoiding Matt's second kick.

"The story goes," Valerie started, leaning in on the table to keep the conversation close, "he got... hard the first time he ever dressed out for PE in seventh grade."

"Damn, that's rough," Jacob said.

"Mmhmm," Valerie hummed, nodding her head, "All the guys in the class gave him a bad time about it. Cracked jokes at his expense, taunted him by flashing him, and then calling him some pretty nasty things."

Matt nodded his head in agreement with Valerie's rendition, but added nothing as he shrunk back into the booth, feeling guilty for the things he had witnessed being done to Brendon Murphy, for the things he had participated in.

"Brendon dealt with it for half the year, then one day he wasn't in the locker room, or any classes. Never came back to the Junior High actually, but he was there first day freshmen year wearing a shirt with a pink triangle on the front."

"What happened?" Jacob asked, sparing a glance out the plate glass window, his eyes were caught by a pair of pale blue ones that stared back intently for a moment, before wrinkling at the corners with a smile.

"He tried to kill himself," Valerie answered Jacob query.

"What?" Jacob asked, shocked, having never known or spoken to someone who had attempted such a thing.

"Just check out his wrists sometime, or better yet ask him. He'll tell you about it if he thinks it will help," Valerie answered, glancing at the small watch on her own wrist. "Damn I gotta run," she said sliding out of the booth. "You guys have fun in that dark movie theater." Valerie shouted as she hurried out of the restaurant wearing a huge grin on her face.

Jacob stood at the end of the long corridor inside the theater, leaning against the wall, waiting for Matt to come back from a trip to the bathroom. The movie had been okay, the usual big studio fare. Boy meets girl, shit blows up, boy and girl go out on a date, more shit blows up, and finally boy and girl get married amidst shit blowing up... the end.

As he and Matt sat through the flick, Jacob couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching him, more than once. So much so, Jacob kept looking over in Brendon's direction, but nothing, even though he did think he caught Brendon turning his head quickly.

"You should come to a meeting one of these days," a voice pulled Jacob from his thoughts.

Jacob looked up to find Brendon standing there, his ice blue eyes sparkling. He really didn't expect anyone else; maybe Matt, but Brendon's presence surprised Jacob all the same.

"Old divide and conquer technique?" Jacob questioned, checking the hall for Matt before resting his shoulders to the wall.

Brendon chuckled with a blushing grin; his eyes shifted to his feet, and then back to Jacob's.

"Nothing like that," Brendon began after a prolonged silence, his feet carrying him closer to Jacob. "It's just a safe place to hang out with other teenagers like you."

Jacob looked at Brendon sideways, noting the deep dimples that came out to play across the kid's cheeks as he smiled. "Talking about who's sleeping with who this week for an hour isn't high on my list of priorities," Jacob sounded with disinterest.

"Nah its nothing like that," Brendon chuckled. "Alright, it's something like that," he laughed. "We discuss issues gay, lesbian, and bisexual teens face in today's society." He smiled again, giving Jacob a too friendly feeling.

Jacob glanced up and down the corridor hoping to see Matt walking his direction with no such luck.

"We discuss ways to stay safe," Brendon continued.

Jacob's eyes snapped back to Brendon, abandoning his hope for a rescue. "I don't need a group of people around me to feel safe," Jacob mentioned, sounding edgy.

"What if they need you to feel safe?" Brendon fired back, not missing a step in Jacob's argument; he had been in too many of them to not anticipate the answers his prey would give.

Brendon's question hit its mark, snatching the wind from of Jacobs sails. "You look like you can handle yourself," Jacob mentioned, his eyes sweeping the length of Brendon's body from the pair of shined black work boots he was wearing, to the top of his curly haired head.

"I can handle myself," Brendon said, puffing his chest as he stated the fact. "Rather well, but that's not what we're talking about," Brendon grabbed his crotch covertly and smiled, watching Jacob turn red. "Relax, I'm just joking." Brendon laughed, his hand striking Jacob's arm playfully. "Sure some of us can hold our ground, but some kids can't."

Jacob nodded, his eyes watching Brendon's hand which was still perched on his bicep squeezing lightly. With the gentle pressure, Jacob's gaze rose upwards to Brendon's smiling face. It amazed Jacob, the way Brendon was acting, as if a guy holding on to another guys arm for so long was natural.

"You just tell anyone to come to me if somebody has a problem with what they do in their life," Jacob spoke, flexing his bicep in Brendon's grasp as he did.

Brendon felt the muscle in his palm bulge and become rigid. "That's sweet," he whispered, his face getting dangerously close to Jacob's as his feet inched his body closer to Jacob.

"It's no problem," Jacob smiled, no longer trying to escape Brendon.

Partially hidden behind a cardboard stand up for some upcoming movie, probably titled 'More Shit Blows Up', it happened. Brendon leaned in and kissed Jacob, pressing his lips softly onto Jacob's. The small action surprised Jacob, freezing him where he stood. His mind screamed for him to stop, his lips had different intentions though, as they began to kiss Brendon back, tasting the salt and butter that was still present on Brendon's lips.

Jacob was jarred back into the reality of the movie theater corridor with a whimper from Brendon's lips. More a vibration and a cascade of warm air than a thunderous sound, the result was still the same. Jacob pulled away, his bandaged hand pressing into Brendon's breast bone, pushing the boy away as Jacob twisted himself from the unwelcome company.

The fingers on Jacob's left hand traced his bottom lip, before he tried to wipe away the stale flavor of butter that he was learning to find nauseating. "Whoa," Jacob smiled nervously before his lips creased into a deep frown. "That wasn't cool," he commented backing away, trying to impose a barrier between him and Brendon.

Brandon gave Jacob a hurt look. "I... I'm sorry," he stammered, trying to close the distance Jacob had created.

Jacob held his hand up, stopping Brendon's approach, "You're a good kisser and all... but," Jacob spoke over Brendon. "That just, really wasn't cool."

"You and Matt are an item, I..." Brendon tried to stammer out an apology.

Jacob lunged towards Brendon before he could finish the thought, seizing his arm and pulling him into a huddle next to the wall. "You don't need to be spreading that around," Jacob whispered harshly. "Neither Matt, nor I, need that spreading around."

"A little late don't you think?" Brendon replied pulling his arm from Jacob's clutching grasp.

"How'd you know anyway?" Jacob asked ignoring Brendon's question.

"You mean other than the rumors that where flying around school last week?" Brendon asked rubbing his arm where Jacob's fingers had been dug in. "We can start by your reaction just now."

Jacob watched Brendon for a minute, and then scanned the hallway. "I guess it's a little late," Jacob relented, answering Brendon's previous question, if only to ignore the last statement he made. "But, it would mean a lot more coming from you, especially after you kissed me."

Brendon appeared to think for a minute, "You don't think I could blackmail you into coming to a meeting," he smiled finally.

"Not a chance," Jacob smiled, resting his back against the wall. "I don't need a group of people around me to be okay with who I am."

Brendon nodded his head, accepting the answer. "Too bad your friend isn't the same way," Brendon commented as he joined Jacob in leaning against the wall.

Jacob issued Brendon a sharp look from the corners of his eyes, unknowing whether his remark was a compliment or criticism. Choosing in the end to ignore the comment, Jacob wondered if he was going have to do that a lot with Brendon Murphy.

"You ever just meet a person and tell yourself, I'm going to know this person if I have to die trying?" Jacob asked, changing the subject.

"Yeah," Brendon sighed, issuing Jacob a look of longing.

"My heart flipped the first time I saw him, it was like time stood still," Jacob continued, hating that he sounded like some dime store romance novel, but wanting his feelings for Matt made perfectly clear.

"Dude," Brendon smirked, "don't make me anymore jealous of you than I already am," he finished with a roll of his eyes.

Jacob leveled Brendon with a questioning look, "Why the hell would you be envious of me?" he asked.

"Dude, you've got looks that make anyone do a double take, even a few girls in the club, add to that your 'I could give a shit less what you think about me' attitude, and you've got the boy." Brendon looked at Jacob, hero worship causing the sparkle in his pale blue eyes.

"You think so?" Jacob questioned, not so sure of what Brendon was saying.

"Hell yes!" Brendon replied wide eyed.

Jacob appraised Brendon for a moment. "Give it time, you'll find someone," he paused, a slow smile spreading across his face. "You're good looking yourself, and like I said, one hell of a kisser."

Brendon blushed slightly at Jacob's last comment. "I don't think so, this town is too small," he laughed.

Jacob nudged Brendon with his elbow, "People move in everyday," he said grinning, wiggling his eyebrows.

Brendon couldn't help but laugh, even though he felt the pang of rejection in his chest.

"Hey guys," Matt said, his hands shoved into his pockets and his eyes somewhat downcast as he walked up.

Jacob had to restrain the sudden urge of pulling Matt to him by his belt loops and kissing him for all he was worth. He knew it would make Brendon feel uncomfortable, that was his aim, but Matt would not be happy with that act at all, so Jacob settled for throwing his arm over Matt's shoulder and hugging him tightly before releasing the grip somewhat.

"I'll see you around Brendon," Jacob said easily. "Just keep your eyes open, you'll find what you're looking for."

Brendon nodded his head at Jacob and now Matt as an answer to the statement. He couldn't suppress the feeling of envy that raced through his blood, watching Matt and Jacob walk down the corridor of the theater towards the entrance and out of view. Once they had gone, Brendon pulled himself from the wall, and looking back in their direction one last time, Brendon shook his head and walked towards a rear exit and stepped out into the air.

"Come up," Jacob whispered. His eyes dancing mischievously in the amber streetlight glow.

Matt chuckled lightly, pulling himself free of Jacobs clutching hug as they approached Jacob's drive. He gave Jacob an appraising look, seeing through his transparent ploy of innocence with ease.

"You don't think it will be weird?" Matt questioned.

"What?" Jacob fired back, taking a seat on the low retaining wall that bordered his driveway.

Matt looked down at Jacob and sighed, afraid to give voice to his anxieties. "Every time we go into a closed room, people will whisper."

Jacob smiled up at Matt, sure of his reasoning. "They'll whisper if we mess around or not kid," he quipped, reaching up and grabbing Matt's hand, rubbing it gently between his. "This way we at least get something out of the deal."

Matt struggled to restrain the smile that Jacob's logic elicited. "You don't think hanging around with Val will be awkward now?" Matt continued to fight.

"Hell no," Jacob answered incredulously. "As far as I'm concerned, she can join us."

Matt's hearty laugh carried easily on the late spring air, filling the quiet neighborhood with an untouchable feeling of joy. Jacob leaned back where he sat, just watching Matt laugh. Enjoying the sound of his laughter as it reverberated through the canyons of homes that made up their small slice of suburbia.

"Dude, you are a pervert!" Matt's jovial voice sounded amongst his intermittent bursts of laughter.

"I never claimed to be anything less," Jacob smiled innocently.

Matt's laughter ceased as he stared down at Jacob. Sitting there supremely confidant in the desires of his reality. Perfectly calm in a wash of orange-yellow which made the dark blue Penn State hat he wore backwards on his head appear black.

Matt quickly scanned both directions of the street over his shoulder before he leaned in and placed a light kiss on Jacob's lips. Jacob stared at Matt in shock, as a smile was born on his lips. Matt smiled at Jacob's look of awe, and kissed him again before standing straight up again.

"What about our moms?" Matt asked, Jacobs look still making him smile. "And if you use the same answer you did with Valerie earlier, I just really don't want to know you," Matt's smile widened.

The shocked expression Matt's comment had wrought on Jacob's features slowly melted into a devious grin. "Well..." he shrugged his shoulders as his grin grew wider.

"Oh Christ!" Matt groaned, before reaching forward and twisting Jacob's hat back around the right way and pulling the bill down over Jacob's face.

Jacob looked up, a goofy grin plastered across his face, a lot like a drunken chipmunk. His eyes still sparkling playfully in the glow of the streetlights, as he peered up at Matt.

"Come up," he whispered again, his head motioning to the second story of the house behind them as he reached out and grabbed Matt by the front pockets of his jeans, pulling him closer.

A half-eaten bowl of popcorn rest among a jumble of bare legs, every now and then a hand dipped in, grabbing a handful, and carrying it away to its demise. Jacob's Nittany Lions hat was now on Matt's head, the bill pushed over his left ear as he reclined easily on Jacob's chest.

"Why do you guys watch these old movies again?" Jacob asked around a mouthful of popcorn.

"We like to make fun of the special effects," Matt answered his eyes glued to the black and white image flickering blue on the T.V. screen.

"You mean the ketchup?" Jacob said, his head motioning towards the screen.

"Nope, that's Hershey's syrup," Matt corrected.

"Whatever it is, it seems like a waste of a naked girl in a shower to me," Jacob commented, receiving a playful elbow in the bare flesh of his belly for his efforts.

Matt chuckled lightly before his mind started turning over Jacobs previous statements.

"You said earlier you'd invite Val to join us," Matt paused, "if we were messing around."

"Okay I would stab her, and sauce would go down the drain... What?" Matt's statement caught Jacob unaware.

"You said you would invite Valerie to join us," Matt repeated.

Jacob thought for a moment, "Yeah, I could probably teach her thing or two," he chuckled slightly, squeezing Matt.

Matt didn't laugh.

"You think it would be weird don't you," Jacob commented, resting his head on top of his hat, his chin digging into Matt's head lightly.

Matt nodded his head in answer.

Jacob smiled lightly in the direction of the T.V., a small huff of air escaping his nostrils. "You still see Val as the girl next door," Jacob explained. "She's not that girl any more Kid, she's a beautiful young woman."

Matt sat in silence no longer watching the screen he was so intently staring at. "I know she's beautiful," Matt finally spoke, "Inside and out."

"Then why would it be weird?" Jacob asked his chin slipping off Matt's head. His lips lightly pecking at Matt's ears as he made his around to Matt's neck. "If it feels good, feels right, then why deny it?"

Matt didn't answer, leaving a quiet descend on the room that was only ruined by the sound of mood music floating out of the television and the sudden piercing sound of Jacob's phone ringing obnoxiously. Jacob sighed, leaning his head against Matt's. He let out an irritated groan before reaching over and answering.

"Hello," he answered, sounding more than a little annoyed.

"Aww am I interrupting something?" Valerie giggled into the phone. "You're not eating Matty are you," she snickered.

"Strike that," Jacob smiled into the receiver. "It's the other way around."

Val laughed even harder than she was before. "Way too much info Jacob," she cried as she wiped tears away from her eyes.

"Watching a movie actually," Jacob told the truth, as Matt twisted from his grasp to stare at the phone. Jacob held his finger up to his lips motioning for Matt to be quiet.

Matt gave him an annoyed look as his head motioned towards the receiver in Jacobs' hand asking who it was without saying a word.

'Val,' Jacob mouthed.

Matt's gape morphed into a questioning look. Jacob only shrugged his shoulders as an answer.

"So anyhow, you know the prom is coming up right?" Val finally got around to the reason of her phone call.

"Yeah," Jacob sounded, unsure of where this was going. "In like two months."

"Yes," Valerie stated the fact. "So I was thinking we could go as a group. Matty,You, and I."

"Prom?" Jacob asked his nose wrinkling distaste evident in his voice.

"Yes prom," Valerie retorted. "You guys can rent tuxes, and I can get a beautiful dress. We could share a limo..."

"Prom," Jacob mentioned again still trying to get around the idea as his eyes darted to Matt's.

"Jacob," Valerie stopped her dreamy tone and spoke sternly. "Did Matt suck your brains out your dick?"

Jacob honestly didn't know how to respond to the question Valerie posed. He wanted to burst out in laughter, while other parts of him wanted to see if he could prove the hypothesis viable. He smiled devilishly as he looked at Matt, who was frowning with ignorance.

"Not yet but I'd be willing to donate my body for the cause."

Valerie rolled her eyes and shook her head, "Back to the prom pervert," she chided. "At any rate we're going, I bought the tickets today."

"Isn't the guy supposed to do that?" Jacob asked incredulously.

"Right... a girl has to take action sometimes if she wants to get anywhere," Valerie intoned.

"You've proven that before..." Jacob began.

"Hush," Valerie warned in a sweet and irritated way that caused Jacob to chuckle. "It's a roaring twenties theme. I think someone on the planning committee liked Chicago or something."

"Uh-huh," Jacob sounded into the phone signaling his defeat.

"I knew you'd want to go," Valerie said excitedly into the receiver, "Tell Matty, you guys have to go rent some nice suits so my guys can be all se-xy."

"And, what will you be wearing?" Jacob asked, "I know you have something picked out already."

"Oh no," Valerie gave a throaty evil chuckle into the receiver, "that's a surprise. You'll have to wait and see."

"Tease," Jacob laughed into the phone.

"You know it," Valerie giggled. "I've got to run now, I'll pick you guys up tomorrow and we can go looking for your tuxes."

Jacob clicked the talk button on his phone and tossed it forgotten onto the bed. His eyes resting easily on Matt who was still sitting confused.

"We are going to the prom," Jacob sighed, yet he smiled.

"The closed door doesn't make you nervous?" Viola asked intently her eyes wandering away from Joanna to the dark stairway that led to Jacob's room.

Joanne followed Viola's gaze. "No, they're good kids; both have good heads on their shoulders. God knows how, but they do."

"Tell me about it," Viola breathed as she turned her attention back to Joanne. "If Richard were my father, I probably would have been pregnant at fifteen."

Joanne nodded. "I often wondered if it was because I didn't have a man around for Jacob when he was a baby. After awhile it just sounded like an excuse, a way to write off a part of who my son is."

"I think you've done a marvelous job raising him." Viola intoned. "He's respectful, caring, what more could you want in a son?"

Joanne laughed lightly, "You forgot reckless, strong minded, and stubborn."

The women shared a quiet laugh as once again their stares traveled to the small stairway.

"I remember sneaking around with my parents in the house," Viola said.

"Don't we all," Joanne added.

"I just don't want to have to wipe away the pain one day." Viola sighed, a worried look washing over her striking features. "They are so young; could heartbreak be so far off?"

Joanne reached out and grasped Viola's hand. "There's no guarantee that won't happen. But there are so many other dangerous things in the world to protect your son from. Jacob is the least of your worries."

"Oh I have no doubt that Jacob would protect Matt before himself. Your boy has a fire in him; he would have jumped Richard if he hadn't hurt his arm. Even then, it appeared he had to restrain himself from doing it. You could see it in his eyes."

"Then why would you think you'll have to explain pain?" Joanne asked

"I loved Richard like that once, full of fire, full of passion. So intense that it burned itself out, and I lied to myself for years thinking it was still there.

Joanne nodded in understanding, "Just pray the same doesn't happen to them I guess. Hope they don't make the same mistakes we did, and be prepared to help them when they do."

Viola smiled reluctantly. "You're an amazing woman."

Joanne laughed as she pulled away from Viola, "I don't know about all that!"

"Seriously," Viola spoke with conviction. "You've raised a fine young man, and all by yourself."

"I got pregnant half way through my senior year. You have no idea how relieved I was when the gown covered my growing belly," Joanna smiled reminiscing. "His dad held him once or twice. For a few brief moments, he knew the unwavering love of his father," Her smile faded to a frown, as she looked Viola in the eye. "It's too bad the fear overran the love."

Viola nodded her head in silent acknowledgement.

"Did he leave? Yes, but, I never raised Jacob alone, my family helped me more then I could ever say," Joanne took a drink of her iced tea. "In the end, I guess we owe a lot of Jacob's character to his father. He taught him, you don't run from your responsibilities. Fear is the crutch of the weak."

"Didn't it hurt when he left?" Viola asked, astounded by the strength of the woman before her.

"He was the first in his family to graduate high school, the first to be accepted to college. In the face of the expectations we got pregnant, so he had a family to look after too. He knew he would fail one of them. He didn't make his decision; the fear of killing his father's expectations did that for him. I only hurt for Jacob, hurt for the content look he gave his father when he kissed him goodbye for the last time."

The grandfather clock that stood guard in a forgotten corner of another room chimed two a.m. as Viola spied her son approach the kitchen through watery eyes. She smiled at him through tear stained cheeks.

"Hi honey," Viola sniffled.

Matt looked cautiously at the two woman as he shuffled forward with weary caution. "You okay Mom?" he questioned concerned.

Viola smiled as she wiped the last of her tears from her cheeks. "I'm fine babe, you?" she asked standing from her seat.

Matt smiled lightly as he accepted his mother's hug, feeling her lips press against the side of his head. "We fell asleep," he spoke to her chest as she held him tight.

"I think we should let Joanna, get some rest too," she said breaking the hug and gazing at her son, who nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, we have to get up and go looking at tuxes for prom in the morning," Matt commented as he turned toward the front door.

Viola gave Joanne, who was still sitting at the kitchen table, a look of surprise and excitement. Joanna smiled lightly and waived her hand. Matt's mom returned the wave and a silent thanks before rushing after her son.

"Prom, huh?" Joanne heard Viola ask from the other room.

"Not tonight Mom," Matt sounded exasperated as he opened the front door. It closed a few moments later.

Joanne smiled to herself as she reluctantly got up from the stool where she had been sitting. She quietly dumped what remained of her beverage into the sink and crossed the small house, securely locking the front door, extinguishing the porch light as she did, and heading for the stairs.

An American flag waving in the breeze flickered on the television screen as Ray Charles sang 'America the Beautiful'. Jacob lay serenely, his arm still stretched out holding the area of the bed where Matt must have been laying. Joanne rested her body on his doorframe, watching silently, the young man she was proud to call her son. She smiled as the thought waltzed across her mind, and as the feeling swelled her breast.