Date: Thu, 13 Feb 2003 00:06:22 -0600
From: Rhaven <rhaven2002@hotmail.com>
Subject: Avery's World Chapter Six

This story contains strong language and sexual content between boy/boy
and boy/man.

http://www.rhavensreply.com/home/rhavensreply.com


Avery's World

By RHAVEN2002


Chapter Six

      "What are you thinking?" Pearl yelled at Eric.

"Avery... Avery doesn't need to be alone in his condition." Eric tried
to explain. Pearl Randell had grabbed Eric by the arm and pulled him
back into the kitchen. The man dropped the Wal-Mart bags and followed
in shock. Avery felt like an outsider, he didn't belong here, not at
this time, not during this fight.

"Do you think its safe to have this child here with you alone?"

"You think I would hurt Avery? Jesus Christ, Pearl, I'm not a psycho
maniac."

There was a long pause, an uncomfortable moment of silence. Avery was
tempted to rush to Eric, to give him some support. However, he
couldn't, Mrs. Randell scared him. He had seen her verbally shoot down
a student before and didn't want it to happen to him.

"And why do you have to watch over him? Don't think I haven't heard
the rumors of you and Jobeth MacDowell."

"Rumors?" Eric said. "There's nothing going on with Jobeth and I, what
the hell kind of rumors can there be?"

"I know what kind of woman Jobeth is, everyone in town knows. Lord of
mercy Eric, she probably doesn't know who Avery's father is."

That was all Avery could handle. He was in the kitchen before he even
realized it.

"I know who my father is!" Avery screamed.

"Excuse me?" Pearl Randell said looking down at Avery in shock.

"I know who he is! And one day he's going to come back for me! He's
going to take me away from this stupid planet!"

Pearl gasped. "The boy is mad! As crazy as his mother."

"That is enough Pearl. I think you should leave."

Pearl Randell puffed up her cheeks; her eyes glared first to Eric and
then down to Avery.

"I will leave. But you know I am right Eric. This is wrong, you being
here in this house. And having a half naked boy." Pearl shook her
head. "This is just wrong Eric."

Pearl stomped out of the house into the storm that seemed to shy away
from her. Neither Avery nor Eric said anything for a long time. Avery
was ashamed for his outburst, he knew that it didn't help. In fact, it
made matters worse. He was sure that Eric was mad at him now.

Avery watched in silence as Eric got the milk from the refrigerator
and poured two glasses full.

"I'm sorry Avery." Eric finally said, handing him a glass of milk.
"Pearl had no right... she had no right saying the things she did."

"I'm sorry to." Avery sniffed back a tear. "I shouldn't have yelled at
Mrs. Randell."

"You had every right to yell." Anger bloomed in Eric's eyes. " God I
hate that woman. She's just like my mother!" Eric pounded his hand on
the counter. "Never forgive, never forget that's all she knows."

Avery stepped closer and put his hand on Eric's arm. "Are you okay?"

For a moment, Eric stared at Avery, as he wasn't there.

"I'm fine." He finally said. "Go to bed Avery, you need your sleep."

Avery opened his mouth to protest, but stopped seeing the
determination in Eric's face. He really wanted to get back on the
couch with Eric, but that wasn't going to happen now, Mrs. Randell had
spoiled all that.

Avery headed upstairs alone, the house moaned from the attack of the
storm outside. His room seemed empty and hollow. Life was strange on
this planet, a Utopia so fragile, that a whisper could shatter its
perfection.

Avery slipped out of his shorts and crawled into bed, he lay there
staring across the hallway, hoping that Eric would appear, but he
didn't. Sleep sneaked up on Avery, after what seemed hours of watching
Eric's room, Avery just couldn't keep his eyes open any longer.

Morning came quicker than Avery had expected. He felt as if he had
just closed his eyes. His body hurt, it was hard sleeping with a cast
on his arm. He stood up and stretched as best, as he could. After a
quick trip to his bathroom, Avery when into Eric's room, only to
discover it empty. He didn't panic, according to Eric's clock it was
pass nine in the morning. Eric would be downstairs fixing breakfast.
Avery grabbed his shorts and headed downstairs. Once downstairs, Avery
heard voices in the kitchen, he quickly pulled on his shorts, he hoped
that Mrs. Randell hadn't returned. She would do nothing but ruin the
entire day. Casually Avery entered the kitchen. He must have looked
shocked for both Eric and Rico grinned as he entered.

"Good morning." Eric said standing and grabbing a plate. "Got pancakes
ready, are you hungry?"

"Yes, please." Avery sat down next to Rico, who was finishing off his
plate of pancakes.

"Didn't think you would ever wake up." Rico said looking over Avery
with an odd smile. " Your pants are unzipped." He whispered.

Avery blushed and tried to zip them up quickly. It wasn't an easy
task, not with just one hand.

"Hang on." Rico laughed and he did it for Avery, trying to be very
careful. "You know you should wear underwear." Rico giggled.

"Why?" Avery said frowning, he'd never wear underwear. Plus, he didn't
even own any and never would. It just seemed so pointless might as
well wear a diaper that's all underwear was for anyway.

"Geeze, Avery you are a rebel." Rico laughed again.

"I'm not a rebel. I just don't like wearing underwear."

Eric put the plate full of pancakes down in front of Avery, giving
both boys a sad look.

"Rico and I were just talking about my Captain Zen books. Seems Rico
here has read them all." Eric said changing the subject.

"I love the books, I still can't believe I'm sitting here with someone
famous."

Eric faked a laugh. "Famous? I don't think so."

Avery looked at Eric; the man seemed so drained. Dark circles painted
under his eyes. He seemed frail and tired.

"What are you working on now?" Rico said, breaking the silence.

"It's not a Captain Zen story. I'm giving that old hero some needed
rest." Eric rubbed his eyes and quickly smiled once he spotted Avery
staring at him.

"So what's the story about?" Rico continued. "Is it another Sci-Fi?"

"Are you okay?" Avery suddenly asked. Eric looked at Avery, and
without words, he knew the man wasn't all right.

"I'll be fine, just tired." Eric lied. Avery knew what was wrong; it
was the visit from Mrs. Randell.

"I was hoping we could all head down to the Festival today." Rico said
frowning. " They have games and rides and tons of food."

"The festival?" Eric and Avery asked at the same time.

"Geeze guys don't you ever get out? Cowchip day!"

"Cowchip day?" Eric looked puzzled.

"Some stupid self proclaimed holiday for Haven." Avery explained.

"It isn't stupid, we'd have fun." Rico leaned closer to Avery, giving
him his puppy dog look. "Come on, let's go."

Avery shook his head, he could tell that Eric wasn't in the mood for
such a thing. "I don't think..."

"You two go." Eric interrupted. "Anyhow I have things to do here. The
novel won't write itself."

"But Eric..." Avery started but Eric smiled and nodded his head.

"Go ahead, have fun. We'll have a barbecue tonight or something."

"I'll see if I can spend the night!" Rico volunteered. "We could stay
up all night and watch scary movies!"

"There you go, that's the plan. Barbecue and scary movies." Eric
started cleaning off the table, avoiding Avery's look.

"Are you sure Eric. I don't mind staying here." Avery said trying to
catch Eric's attention.

"I'm positive sweetheart. In fact I have a few things to give you
before you go."

Avery and Rico watched as Eric quickly left the kitchen. Both boys sat
in silence and waited. Finally, Eric returned.

"Here you go Avery." Eric handed Avery a T-shirt, he held it up and
saw an iron-on of Captain Zen.

"Cool thanks Eric." Avery started to pull the shirt on, but found he
couldn't with his broken arm. The shirt slipped on with the help of
Eric and Rico.

"Looks good." Eric said happily. "And take this." In Eric's hand was a
twenty-dollar bill. " Enjoy yourself at the festival."

"I... I can't take your money." Avery said.

"No, this is for mowing the lawn. I never did pay you for that." Eric
put the bill in Avery's hand. "Go on now, I've got things to do."

"Let's go!" Rico said eagerly.

"Rico, don't let Avery overexert himself, he's still recovering,
okay?"

"No problem, I'll take good care of him." Rico said swinging his arm
around Avery's shoulder.

"Have fun." Eric said sternly to Avery.

"I will." Avery hugged Eric and gave him a kiss. He didn't care that
Rico was watching, he felt bad about leaving Eric alone.

"Go on now." Eric said hoarsely.

Avery followed Rico out of the house and onto his bike. His stomach
ached, it just didn't seem right to leave Eric all alone. The ride to
town was painful, not that his head hurt or his arm. It was his heart,
it felt like it had broken and only Eric could fix it.

Downtown was packed with what had to be all the residence of Haven.
There were stands set up selling everything from chili to apple pies.
The smells were wonderful and somehow Avery felt hungry again. Rico
headed towards the carnival that was covering the entire baseball
field.

"What do you want to ride first?" he asked. There was the Ferries
wheel, a miniature roller coaster, an inflatable house and other odd
rides. Avery chose the Ferries wheel, he thought Rico would complain,
it being the simplest of all of them. However, he didn't.

"You can see the whole town from here!" Rico said once their cart on
the Ferries wheel made its way to the top. "It's almost like flying!"

"Yeah, it's nice up here."

"Geeze, Avery cheer up we're suppose to be having fun."

"Sorry Rico, I'm... I'm just worried about Eric."

The ride ended with silence between the boys. Rico lead Avery to the
roller coaster. It wasn't much of a ride as it clanked along the small
tracks, but Rico acted like it was the greatest ride in the world. He
whooped and hollered with his arms up in the air as if the coaster was
zooming along. Avery couldn't help but laugh at Rico's silliness.

"You are crazy." Laughed Avery.

"Crazy like a squirrel." Rico giggled. Avery had no idea what Rico
meant, and suspected that neither did Rico. It was still funny. The
ride ended and they headed for the food booths. Avery chose caramel
apples as their first snack.

"Let's go sit on the bleachers." Rico led Avery over to the baseball
bleachers. There were already a few people sitting on them, mostly
parents waiting on their children to tire out. Rico found a nice
remote spot to relax.

"You okay?" he asked with a mouth full of apple.

"I'm fine."

"You know I ..." Rico began, but suddenly stopped.

"What?"

"I read this article in People Magazine about Eric."

"Really?" Avery didn't think this was what Rico was about to say, but
he pretended not to notice.

"It said that there were rumors of him being gay."

"So." Avery felt his face flush. He could take people making fun of
him, but no one was going to do that to Eric.

"I talked to Eric about it this morning."

"Yeah?"

"Geeze Avery... I'm trying to say..." Rico stuttered nervously and
dropped his apple. "Shit."

"Rico, what are you trying to say?" Avery wasn't mad any longer. Rico
seemed so fidgety, that Avery was being to feel sorry for him.

"I'm saying that I... " Rico swallowed hard and played absentmindedly
with the buttons on his shirt. " I like you Avery."

"Um..." Avery smiled foolishly, he didn't know what to say. If he
understood Rico correctly and he hoped he did, the boy 'liked' him.

"Eric told me that being 'gay' was okay." Rico looked as if he was
about to cry. "Sometimes it's so hard to look normal, that I think I
might explode. I'm tired to pretending, but I know that no one in this
town would understand. No one but you."

"Me?" Avery was somewhat taken back from this comment.

"Geeze Avery, you are gay aren't you. Shit did I just blow
everything." Rico almost seemed in a panic. "Shit, I thought... when I
saw you kiss Eric... I just thought..." Rico was in tears now. Avery
wasn't sure what to say, he didn't want his new friend feeling bad.
Everything Rico had said, Avery could have said himself. They were
alike, but this just confused Avery more. How could he be like Rico?
All he knew was that he had to say something to make Rico feel better.

"I have a secret too." Avery whispered. "My father is from outer
space."

Rico sniffed loudly and looked over to Avery confused.

"From outer space?" You aren't serious are you?"

"I think he did the circle in Hoffman's field. He told me to look for
a sign and then there it was."

"I knew that circle couldn't have been caused by lightening!" Rico
said almost standing. "That is the coolest thing I have ever heard!"

Avery smiled, it felt good to tell someone his secret. The boys left
the bleachers to try out some of the carnival games. It was a good
day, Avery felt almost human. Rico treated him with almost awe. He was
finally special, not weird, but special.

They tried almost every game, Rico being the better of the two. He had
won a large stuffed teddy bear, which he said he'd give to Eric, a
giant joke comb and a poster of Brittany Spears. The last he tossed in
the trash, with both boys laughing at the irony of the prize.

"This is a great day." Rico said sucking down his coke.

"Yeah it is. But..." Avery paused.

"You're worried about Eric aren't you?"

"Yeah. He seemed so sad, when we left."

Rico kicked at the dirt and frowned.

"He's a nice guy huh?"

"Yes he is."

They headed out of the park to Rico's bike. It was getting late and
both were ready to leave the chaos of Cowchip day.

"Avery?" Rico said, climbing on to his bike and placed the stuffed
teddy bear between his handlebars. "Do you... do you love Eric?"

Avery climbed on behind Rico and thought about the question. He'd
never been in love before, so he wasn't sure. What did love feel like?
He really cared about Eric and wanted to be with him, that sound like
what love should be.

"I guess I do. He is so gentle and kind. Eric really is a great guy."

They started up First Street, Avery in deep thought of what Eric
really meant to him. Then the question of what Rico meant to him,
popped in his head. Rico was fun to have around, and now that they
shared secrets, it was almost like having a brother. Avery leaned into
Rico and rested his head on Rico's shoulder. It was nice having two
people in his life, where he didn't have to worry what they thought of
him. Suddenly Rico slammed on the brakes.

"Shit." Rico whispered.

"What's wrong?" Avery asked, but saw instantly why Rico had stopped.
King King was standing right in their way.

"Hey, Brandon." Rico said plainly. "What's going on?"

"What the fuck are you doing with Alien Avery? Shit, man everyone's
going to think you've turned queer or something. Even got a damn
stuffed toy, shit Rico, I'm starting to worry about you."

"Shut up Brandon!"

Avery liked how Rico refused to call Brandon as King King. Avery
himself had a hard time even looking at King King, the sight of him
made him shake. The attack flashed across his mind and his arm started
hurting again. He hated King King, just hearing his vile voice made
Avery sick to his stomach.

"So what are you doing with the freak?" King King said stepping
closer.

"Avery isn't a freak. I'll be with anyone I want to. What's it to you
anyway?"

"I just want to have a little talk with Avery, that's all."

"Bullshit, I don't think so." Rico jumped off his bike and stood in
front of Brandon. King King snarled and kicked at a pebble in the
road.

"So the little shit told you."

"Told me what?" Rico said glancing back at Avery confused.

"Come on Rico, I know the freak said I beat him up! But it's a fuckin'
lie" King King leaned to the side to look Avery in the eyes. "Ain't
that right Avery!" He yelled.

Rico turned red, he clinched his fists tightly and stepped closer to
King King.

"You stinking mother fucker." Rico almost growled.

King King stumbled back, a senseless look on his face.

"Now here is how it's going to work, Brandon. You are going to leave
Avery alone, no talking to him, no looking, no nothing."

"Why the fuck should I listen to you. I ain't afraid of you Rico."

"You should be." Rico said smiling. "Did you forget who my dad is?"

Avery wrinkled his brow, he had forgotten who Rico's father was.
However, by King King's shocked look, he hadn't.

"This is bullshit Rico, you wouldn't tell your dad. Why would you
protect that freak?"

"Just try me Brandon. You fuck with Avery and you're fucking with me.
And for your information, Avery's my friend."

Rico got back on the bike and took off, neither boy looked back at the
stunned King King. Avery was glowing; no one other than Eric had ever
defended him.

"Rico, who's your dad?" He asked once King King was far from them.

"My dad's a deputy." Rico said laughing. "Did you see Brandon shit a
brick! Geeze, Avery, why didn't you tell Sheriff Jarvis it was that
mother?"

Avery blushed; the truth was he was afraid of what King King would
have done to him if he had told.

"Don't know." Was all he said.

They made a quick stop at Rico's house, where Avery was amazed to see
how other people lived. Rico's mom greeted them at the door. She was a
sweet smelling woman with a welcoming smile.

"Going to spend the night at Avery's." Rico said dragging Avery to his
room. Rico's room was nothing like Avery's small room. The walls were
plastered with sports posters. On one side of the room was a desk
covered in comic books and a computer that looked as if it hadn't been
touched in months. By Rico's bed, he had a bookcase filled full with
novels and magazines.

"I like to read." Rico said seeing Avery staring at the books. Avery
sat down on the soft bed and watched as Rico grabbed a black backpack
from his closet.

"I got a book on astronomy if you'd like to see if we can figure out
where your dad is from?" Rico said with head still in the closet. "Its
on the bookcase, can you grab it?"

"Sure, that would be cool!" Avery leapt up and started searching
through the books until he found it. "Here it is." He said excitedly.
Avery quickly thumbed through the large book, completely amazed by
some of the photos.

"This is really cool." He said and turned to show Rico a picture of
giant nebula, Rico was pulling off his shirt and slipping out of his
pants. Though Rico was slightly taller than Avery.  He was extremely
thin, but not sickly thin. Avery was mesmerized by how muscular Rico
was.

"Honey did you need me to make some sandwiches or anything?" Mrs.
Martinez asked sticking her head in the room.

"Mom, I'm naked here!" Rico yelled. Avery giggled, Rico wasn't naked,
he was still wearing his underwear. It was funny to see his friend shy
away from his mother. Avery found it silly to be embarrassed for a
mother to see you naked, after all; it was just your mother.

"Sorry Bebe', didn't know. How about those snacks?"

"No thanks mom." Rico huffed, still trying to hide his body from his
mother. Once she closed the door, Rico puffed. "Moms, always nosing
in, trying to see what you're up to." Rico dug through the drawers of
his dresser and came up with a tank top that satisfied him.

"Why did your mom call you Bebe'?" Avery asked leaning back into the
comfortable bed.

"Shit, that's her nickname for me." Rico pulled on the tank top. It
was tight to his skin and gave him the appearance of being even
thinner than he really was.

"Bebe', huh. I like that."

"Oh no you don't!" Rico jumped on top of Avery. "It's Spanish for
Baby, and I'm not going to be your baby." Rico carefully held Avery
pinned to the bed, making sure not to hurt him. "I'd rather have you
call me amante." Rico whispered.

"What's that mean?" Avery asked, but Rico didn't say anything and got
off him.

"Do I need a sleeping bag?" Rico asked quickly.

"No, I don't think so." Avery sat up and looked around Rico's room
again. It was nice to be in another boy's room. He hoped that this
wouldn't be that last time he was invited here.

"I got a stash of candy I'll bring, okay?" Rico said as he dug through
another drawer in his dresser. Avery watched as the Hispanic boy
pulled out some denim shorts, almost like the ones Avery was wearing.
Rico turned to him with a sheepish grin and pulled off his underwear.

"If you don't wear underwear neither will I."

Avery grinned and felt his cheeks burn. Instead of pulling on his
shorts, Rico sat down next to Avery.

"I've got hairs growing down there." He said lifting up his shirt for
Avery to see. Indeed, he did have several tiny black curls of hair
sprouting around his penis. "How about you, any hair?"

"I've got some." Confessed Avery.

"Really, can I see them?"

It was a strange question, thought Avery. Hair was just hair, why the
need to look? He guessed Rico was just checking to see if he was lying
to him. So Avery pulled down his shorts and showed Rico his sparse
array of pubic hairs.

"I've got more." Rico bragged and then slipped on his shorts. Avery
frowned, he rather hoped something more would have happened. However,
since it didn't he pulled his shorts back on.

"Have you seen... have you seen Eric naked?" Rico asked without
looking at Avery.

"I slept with him once, we were both naked, but I really didn't see
anything."

"Whoa dude really?" Rico seemed amazed. Avery laughed, he knew he had
enjoyed it, but never thought anyone else would find it just as
exciting.

"He's seen me naked." Avery added with a mischievous grin. "Several
times.

Rico pretended that he was about to faint. Then as if driven by some
unknown power, Rico rushed around his room grabbing candy, some video
movies and another change of clothes. All this only took him seconds.

"Come on lets go!" Rico almost didn't wait for Avery, he was out in
the hall and calling to his mom before Avery even got off the bed.

"Mom, I'm probably going to spend two nights at Avery's house."

"Two nights?" Mrs. Martinez appeared from another room. "I'm not sure
about that Bebe'."

"Mom." Rico said slow and pitifully.  Mrs. Martinez frowned, looked
from Rico then to Avery. Avery tried to give her his most innocent
look.

"All right, but call me tomorrow."

Rico gave his mother a quick kiss and they were out the door.

"Have a good time." Mrs. Martinez called to them as they left.

"Why'd you tell you mom you'd be at my place?" Avery asked as he got
back on the bike.

"My parents are weird. If I had told them Eric's, then they would want
to meet him first. My dad would want to investigate him and all kinds
of shit. It was just easier to say your place."

That made sense to Avery, why go through all the hassle for just an
overnight. In a way, Avery was glad his mother wasn't so protective.
He had to admit, it that he wouldn't mind his mother being a little
more protective. With Rico's gallant act with Brandon, he rather liked
having protection.

Rico slipped the pack onto Avery's back and they were off again.

By the time they made it to Eric's house, it had turned from afternoon
to evening. The wonderful smell of the barbecue filled the yard and
the boys jumped from the bike and ran to the backyard. There in the
back, standing next to the grill was Eric, looking happy and well.

"Welcome back!" Eric said smiling at the boys.