Date: Tue, 06 May 2003 13:40:55 -0400 From: Tom Cup <tom_cup@hotmail.com> Subject: David's Fortunes - Chapter 5 Copyright 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 by the Paratwa Partnership: A Colorado Corporation. All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, except in the case of reviews, without written permission from the Paratwa Partnership, Inc, 354 Plateau Drive, Florissant, CO 80816 This is a fictional story involving alternative sexual relationships. If this type of material offends you, please do not read any further. This material is intended for mature adult audiences. Names, characters, locations and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. ************************************************************************ Author's Note: These chapters were written some time ago and are based on "David's Christmas Present" which can be found here on Nifty. The original author was unable to finish the story and asked for others to do so. For reasons that I won't go into here, these chapters have been only available to the members of TomCup.com. We are releasing them now for the enjoyment of Nifty readers. Because "David's Fortunes" begins where the original ended, at chapter 11 of "David's Christmas Present", the reader may wish to read the original eleven chapters before proceeding here. If you are familiar with the original story, we hope that you will enjoy the alternative ending in the following chapters. ************************************************************************ What's New at TomCup.com? 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I was so caught up in the celebration that I didn't think of what Gwen's being here would do to Adam. But they all knew and told me last night that Adam would be heartbroken. Did I listen? No. I gave them my best `Father Knows Best' attitude, telling them that Adam was OK. I saw him didn't I? I was the one that was there, wasn't I? And this morning I am eating crow. Damn it! Why didn't I listen? Why didn't I call and mention their concerns to David?" "What's happening here Arnie?" Gwen asked as they headed for the accident site, "I mean I think I know but^Å" Arnie didn't feel like answering the question. He really didn't know how to answer. What was he to say, "David and Adam are lovers; Adam sees you as a threat." No, he couldn't tell her that. After all the work that had been done to bring David and Adam together, this one act could undo everything. Arnie cleared his throat. "I'm not quite sure," he answered. "Arnie please. You've been with David all these years. You know him better than anyone. I have to know." "Why?" Gwen stared at the yellow stripes as they flickered past, heading in the opposite direction. She didn't really know why she wanted to know, except that the night had been so wonderful for her. Her head told her that there was still no possible way that she and David could reconcile after all the years that had passed but her heart told her that she really did still love him. Wasn't that why she had followed David's rise? Wasn't that why she had stayed in contact with his parents? Why in the world hadn't she moved on? David had. He had a family now and all the problems that went with raising three boys. She had a job. It was a good job with stable work and good pay ^Ö after the break up she had gone back to school, got her masters in physical science and put it to work in rehabilitation. ^Ö The work kept her busy, busy enough that it was an excuse not to develop lasting relationships. "I don't know," she whispered. Arnie glanced over at her, seeing her staring out the passenger's side window. Not only had Val and the kids been right about Adam but Val's question as they lay in bed the night before hit him in the pit of his stomach. "Why do you think she's here?" Val asked. "Who?" "Arnie are you deliberately being dense? Gwen." "Oh, Dennings brought her." "That's not what I mean." Arnie had turned to her in bed, the faint outdoor lights filtering past the trees and flickering into the windows. "What?" "Yes," Val breathed, "Dennings invited her but she didn't have to come." "I don't know. Maybe she wanted to see what was going on." "Of course she wants to see what's going on but why? A woman doesn't want to just see out of curiosity. Women want to know reasons. What's hers?" "Val," Arnie had chuckled, "This isn't a romance novel." "Suit yourself," Val said rolling away from him on her side, "But I'm telling you there is more to this than you think." Arnie cursed his stubborn headedness once more. He was seeing for himself and he didn't like what he saw. Val was right. Gwen was hoping that her coming would spark something in David that would renew their old relationship. Arnie again shook his head. The dream come true was becoming the nightmare they all feared. Why is it that the greatest dangers in life are not the ones we prepare for? They had seen Dennings unreasoning hatred of David as David's greatest threat while in the background the true threat was waiting, the love of a woman long forgotten. ***** The passenger side fender and signaling light had been damaged when the truck skidded off the road. The front passenger side tire had blown. All minor damage David noted. The tire could be changed. There was a spare beneath the truck but they would need a tow to get the truck out of the ditch. That being settled in his mind, David began looking over the interior of the truck to satisfy himself that Adam was not hurt. He saw no signs of blood. He breathed a sigh of relief. Adam must have thought to wear a seat beat. The windshield was intact, evidence that he hadn't been thrown forward and hit his head. Of course there was the possibility that he was suffering from whiplash but David would have that checked out when he found Adam; he would find him. He turned and nodded to the highway patrol man that had waited while he inspected the vehicle. "I need you to fill a few things out. Officer Samuels mentioned that your fourteen-year-old might have stolen the vehicle?" "Stolen isn't the word I would use," David answered. "Are you in the habit of giving him permission to take the family vehicle out for a spin?" "Look. He was upset. Kids do stupid things when they're upset." "Yeah," the state patrolman answered, "and then they pay for them." "Wait a minute," David said, "If you think I am going to press charges against my own son^Å" "Mr. Saunders this is a matter for the District Attorney to decide not for you or me on the side of the road. All I can tell you is that it appears the boy stole a vehicle, and was driving recklessly without a license, which led to a roadside mishap. What do you want me to tell you, to forget about it, there was no harm done?" David didn't answer, that was what he was hoping for but he knew the patrolman was only doing his job. He sat quietly and filled out the reports as he was asked while fighting fearful tears for Adam's future and safety. He finished the last line of the report, stating firmly that he did not wish to press charges and adding a plea-filled note asking for leniency in the case for the sake of his newly adopted son. He handed the report to the patrolman just as Arnie and Gwen pulled up behind the accident scene. Gwen hopped out, ran to David and hugged him. "Is everything all right? Did you find Adam?" she asked. David returned the hugged. He saw Arnie shaking his head behind Gwen. "No, not yet," David answered, "Excuse me a minute, will you?" "Sure," Gwen answered releasing him. David moved to the side with Arnie. Arnie huddled close to David; telling him in whispers what Val, and now he, believed was the reason for Gwen agreeing to accompany Dennings. "Arnie, you heard her tell the twins that we were not getting back together." "I heard her say you two weren't getting married. That's different and I might add that she might have meant `not yet.' All I'm saying David is that Val and the kids knew last night that Adam was upset and they weren't even there. I was too pig-headed to listen. Man, I'm telling you I think we had better play things a little closer to the vest." "OK. But right now I have to figure out what in hell happened to Adam." Arnie laughed and slapped David on the back. "Isn't that obvious," he said pointing down the road. David turned to look at what Arnie was pointing at; he saw it. He was so consumed with getting to the truck he hadn't been paying attention to the direction he was heading. It was obvious. Where else would Adam go? Arnie took over responsibility at the accident scene. David excused himself again from Gwen, got in the Corvette and headed toward the sign Arnie had pointed out: Cherokee 53 miles ***** Gerald Lee felt a sense of relief as he hung up the phone. David had figured out where Adam was and called from his cell phone to let Gerald know he was on his way. Gerald hadn't asked the condition of the truck and David hadn't mentioned it. David had asked if Adam was OK. Gerald assured David that the boy was being well taken care of and that he was now resting comfortably in John's room. John insisted on staying with Adam. Gerald was thankful for that, it meant that neither boy was aware of the content of the conversation. Gerald needed time to think, to mediate, to center himself, to seek the guidance of his animal guide. He liked David but realized that David needed help with Adam. Adam also needed help. The two loved each other but were like the chaff that gathered in the river; throw a stone at it and it is forced apart, let a storm come and it would be washed away. Adam and David needed to be bound together in a way that could not be broken. Gerald saw this in his heart. He gathered sage and started a small fire. He sat still and quiet allowing the burning scent to trigger the long practiced steps toward his peaceful meadow. He chanted lowly, rhythmically, calling for his animal guide to meet with him. The room fell away. Gerald Lee stood in a valley surrounded by ancient trees untouched by man. The trees waved their greeting to him, as did the wild sage growing in the field. Gerald smiled. He knew this place well. To the east lay Crystal Pond fed with fresh water by her sister Giggling River. There in that pond dwelled brother Trout but Gerald had no time for conversation with Trout today; Trout tended to speak so slowly that Gerald would lose hours before he realized ^Ö but Trout was wise from many years of listening to the currents of Crystal Pond. Gerald knew that when he came home to stay he would spend many a day sitting and listening to Trout. ^Ö He would have to ask Trout's forgiveness for his rudeness but today he was in a hurry. His legs sprang at his command as he ran with the heart and strength of Horse. He knew that Horse was near. The closer he came to his guide the stronger, younger, more filled with life he became. He was a young brave again, filled with the vitality he never had as a young man. He looked forward to the day the Great Spirit called him to this resting place. "Why the hurry," Horse said running up beside him. Gerald was overjoyed to see his friend and guide. Horse turned quickly to the west. Gerald turned with him not missing a step. Horse turn to the east and Gerald joined him flawlessly. They ran through the meadow, over the hill, through the trees, down by the banks of Giggling River. They tussled in the grass, enjoying each other's company. "You must go back now," Horse said, "It is not your time yet." It was then that Gerald remembered why he had come. He began to speak but Horse was off and running. "Wait!" Gerald called, "I have come to ask a question." "And I answered it," Horse said and vanished below the hill. ***** "Grandfather?" Gerald opened his eyes. Adam and John sat cross-legged in front of him. Gerald smiled at the boys. "How long?" Gerald asked. "I'm not sure," John said, "I don't think long this time. Maybe an hour." "Yes," Gerald said, "It did not seem long." "What were you doing," Adam asked. "Finding direction so that I could give it to you. No more questions. We do not have much time and there is much I must tell the both of you before our visitor arrives." "Visitor?" Adam said. "Yes," Gerald answered, "Your father is nearly here." ************************************************************************ Send comments to: comments@tomcup.com To support this and other stories by the author, join at http://www.tomcup.com. If you like this story, check out Tom Cup's "Calvin: A Coming of Age Story." Available at Barnes and Nobles Bookstores, Amazon.com, your local independent bookseller, or from Tom Cup.com.