hDate: Wed, 27 Jun 2001 14:22:58 -0400
From: berthusa@netscape.net
Subject: Rediscovering Friendship Part 1

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This story will probably be pretty slow to develop. It's a mixture of
reality and what was fantasy on my part. It'll eventually include sex
between consenting adult males. If that's offensive, or if it is not legal
for you to read it, please don't. Also, I've never written anything before,
and it takes a surprising amount of time to do this. Please be patient with
me.
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Monday morning. Is there anything worse for a teenager than a Monday
morning? The alarm clock buzzing like a bandsaw at 6:00 is enough to scare
the life out of ya.

After hitting the snooze bar a couple of times, I decide I'd better get
moving. Roll out of bed, hop into the shower, dress and run for the
coffee. A couple of cups and I begin to resemble a human being again.

"You're going to be late if you don't get a move on." Thanks, mom.

"I know, I know. I'm leaving now."

"Have a good day." Each and every morning, it's the last thing she says as
I head out the door.

It takes about 10 minutes to walk to school. Not so bad when the weather is
nice, but in a Minnesota winter, it can seem like forever. It's cold this
morning; something like 20 below zero. A brisk wind makes it feel even
colder.

When I finally get to school, it's actually a bit of a relief. I never
thought I'd have that feeling, especially after winter vacation.

My high school was one of those old giants, built around the turn of the
last century. Highly polished hardwood floors in the classrooms and marbled
hallways. One of the side entryways was the spot where all the smokers hung
out. It was usually my first stop of the day, the "Freak door".

When the first bell of the rang, it was off to homeroom. My homeroom
teacher was Mr. Brown. An art teacher who wasn't too far from retirement,
he'd ride in on his Harley in nicer weather.When I walked in, I noticed
that the seat next to mine was empty. Kind of odd, since Kris was usually
settled in by the time I walked in. After taking attendance, Mr. Brown
would tell us what we should be working on, but today was a little bit
different.

"You might have noticed an empty chair this morning. I have to tell you
that Kris suffered a heart attack right after classes let out for the
break. He's out of the hospital now and holding his own, but he probably
won't be in class for the rest of the year."

What the hell? High school seniors don't have heart attacks! Old people
do. Since Kris and I were friends again, I was a bit stunned. Two weeks
away from school, and I have to find out like everyone else that he almost
died.

The hour dragged on and on. Finally the bell rang. Five minutes to get to
the next class.

"Dan, can you hold up for a minute?"

"Sure, Mr. Brown. What's up?"

"Well, you've heard that Kris is going to be out of school for some time.
He's said that he'd like to keep up with his school work because he'd like
to graduate with everyone else. Since you live nearby, I was wondering if
you'd be willing to take assignments to him and bring back what he's
finished."

"Sure, no problem. When would you like to start?"

"Well, I've got to talk with his other teachers, so how about tomorrow on
your way home?"

"You got it."

It'd started snowing again by the time school was done for the day. I
didn't mind too much, though, since I thought I could use the few minutes
walking home to think things over.

Kris and I had rekindled a friendship that had started back in
kindergarten. I thought we were getting to be pretty close friends, but I
have to hear from a teacher along with everybody else about his heart
attack. Did that mean that I wasn't the friend I thought I was?

I decided that since Kris' house was on the way home that I'd stop in and
check on him.

Kris' mom answered the door when I rang the bell.

"Hello, Dan. It's so nice to see you. I think Kris will think so, too."

"How is Kris? I'm sorry I haven't been by sooner, but I just found out
today."

"He's doing better, but he's still pretty weak. He sleeps quite a bit, but
I guess that's a good thing or he'd be bored silly."

"Is he awake now? Can I go up and see him?"

"Of course. I'll go up with you, just to make sure everything's ok."

A gentle knock on a door and "Kris you have a visitor. Do you feel up to
seeing anyone?"

"Yeah, mom, come on in."

When I entered I was relieved to see Kris looking as well as he did. To my
17 year old mind, people who had heart attacks didn't look like this...
Like this was an 18 year old guy who looked like he'd just woken up.

"Hey, Dan. How ya doin'?"

"I should ask you that question. What the hell happened?"

Kris mom said she had to get started on dinner, and left us alone.

"Well, I've known for a long time that this could happen. I've had a heart
condition since I was born. At first, they didn't even know if I'd live
long enough to see my first birthday. The doctors always told me this could
happen, so it wasn't a huge shock when it finally did."

"Why didn't you tell me? I would have liked to have done something to help
you."

"Which is exactly why I didn't tell you. I don't want to put anybody out."

"Kris, you've had a heart attack. It's not like you're going to be a huge
burden to anyone."

"Well, I haven't been yet, and I don't plan on starting."

"Well, you might want to think about what that means. Mr. Brown asked me to
bring your schoolwork to you and take it back when you're done."

"Cool. You don't mind, do you? I'd really like to be able to graduate with
everyone in June."

"I don't mind at all. You might get sick of seeing me every day, though."

"I don't think that'll happen."