Date: Sat, 27 Dec 2008 03:59:26 -0500
From: jonafunu@hotmail.com
Subject: The Untellable Truth about Jake (Chapters 1-4)

The Untellable Truth about Jake

*****DISCLAIMER*****

This story is completely a work of fiction and a part of the world that
exists within my mind. Regardless of your opinion on it, I have spent a
great amount of time working on this store and crafting it into something
more than a mere idea. If you have any thoughts, comments or criticisms
please send them my way. As always, if you are under eighteen or this is
illegal where you live then don't read this. If you want to include this
story on your own website or on another story board, you are more than
welcome to upon asking my permission and giving me credit. Hope you all
enjoy and don't forget to email! Jonafunu@hotmail.com .

*********************

Chapter One

                The rain fell in great torrents, the beads of rain tapped
on the window with great ferocity, providing a background song to my time
of despair. My breath escaped my lips as smoke, the cold winter air wafting
from the front door, moving men busily bustling down the stairs before it
with boxes and furniture. My roommate was finally leaving, and I at
twenty-two would be alone for the first time. As my lips gently touched the
lavender coffee cup, taking in a sip of coffee that I required to function,
my eyes met those of my now ex-roommate.

                "Don't look at me like that, you knew it was coming." Susan
sighed heavily, she was in her mid-thirties and if at all possible a bigger
game geek than I was. She was ethnically Chinese but adopted by an American
family when she was a baby so not a hint of her culture or native accent
bore any hold on her identity.

                "I know I've just never lived alone before." I sighed and
stood, rubbing out the wrinkles on my robe as I extended my arms.

                She laughed a little and embraced me, a small tear escaping
from the edge of her barely open eye. "You'll be fine, and you better write
me every day!"

                 I nodded in return but refused to break from our hug just
causing her to laugh again before she finally pushed me away forcibly.

                "I'll always be your fag hag." She winked, causing me to
smile a little for the first time in the month since she told me the
inevitable had arrived. She had made college a career, and that career had
finally led to its ultimate ambition with her being accepted into
Harvard. My days at community college were lengthy but I never had such
grandiose ambitions, I was perfectly fine with taking classes every now and
then and playing games with my best friend.

                "You're all grown up Susan and leaving the nest, what is
Momma supposed to do?" I said playfully, trying to continue on the lighter
mood that had entered the room.

                "Maybe you can finally get out some and find yourself a
boyfriend." She poked me directly in the chest with each word, only causing
my smile to widen.

                "You always had a special way of making me smile even when
I didn't feel like it, thanks sweetie." I replied; a little mellow as my
attempts at continuing the light mood seemed to depart as quickly as they
had arrived. She began to part her lips when one of the moving men came
down the stairs and stopped, turning to stare directly at Susan.

                "That's the last of it lady, we just need your signature."

                Susan nodded in response but never broke my gaze, hugging
me one last time. "Be good now, I've got a plane to catch so I can't stick
around." I nodded and sighed, staring deeply into her eyes as we broke our
hug, pleading with every ounce of my will for her to change her mind but
naturally, it was of no use.

                As the door shut and my eyes followed Susan into the taxi
parked out front, I began to lose my appreciation for northwestern
weather. I had moved to Portland when I was twenty and always found the
rain appealing, and a great excuse to stay indoors, but it seemed to frame
my negativity that much more.

                As the taxi drove off and became a distant memory, I
plopped down onto the over stuffed cream sofa that seemed to occupy the
majority of the living room. "If this sofa could talk..." I murmured to no
one in particular, trying to will myself from a self imposed coma. The
television, a source of great comfort on most occasions, held no promise to
me that day. The only thing that existed around me was silence, and it was
at that very moment my only friend. I closed my eyes, letting my head plop
back onto the cushioning behind me and felt myself drift off into an
afternoon nap.

--

                My head jutted upwards quickly as the sound of the phone
ringing jolted me back to reality.  I gazed at the clock on the wall to see
the time, four-fifteen, there was no doubt as to the caller's
identity. "Hello?" I said groggily, rubbing the sleep out of my eyes with
extreme prejudice.

                 "Where the fuck are you!? It's almost five and you were
supposed to be here at three thirty! If you don't get here in fifteen
minutes you're out of here!"

                I chuckled a little to myself; covering the phone with one
hand so I wasn't heard "Can't Micah cover my shift?"

                "FUCK NO! GET DOWN HERE NOW!" The caller on the other end
hung up the phone with such force that it caused me to jump.

                I know what you're thinking I should be grateful and not
laugh when an authority figure scolds me for being late when I have no
excuse, well I must say I agree with you. What's my excuse then? Well Rob
is far from an authority figure, he's more of a barista with a superiority
complex. He was promised an assistant manager position over a year ago and
since it has yet to happen, he takes his frustrations out on everyone
else. Would the boss care that I was late? Not really, we're the worst
coffee house in the whole of Portland. Being on NE 121st doesn't help
anything either.

                I managed to change into my uniform and sulkily grabbed my
car keys before heading out into the cold weather. The rain had finally
ended, much to my immense delight, and I slid the key in my over worked
Pacifica. It was really my only possession of real value, well that and my
Play Station 3. Since I lived only a few blocks away I arrived with merely
a minute to spare.

                As I walked in I was greeted by the angry eyes of Rob and
the familiar sound of hipsters conversing about anything that wasn't
important. I flipped over the counter and grabbed an apron from the top
shelf.

                "Do you know how many health codes that violates!?" Rob
spat at me angrily.

                I stared at him and cocked my head a little, "I won't say
anything of your breath then." He growled in his usual gruff tone and
placed the key to the shop in my hand with a rough motion to show his
anger, I like to think of it as his way of establishing dominance. His only
problem with me of course was that I'd never recognize it.

                "I'm gone, Stephanie should be in shortly." I nodded as he
deposited his apron on the top shelf and swung the kiosk door angrily on
his way out, disappearing down the street with as much haste as he usually
did.

                I set to work leaning against the counter, my eyes perusing
the hipsters with general disinterest. Naturally the store was immaculate
and everything was stocked, which was in no way an indication of Rob's work
ethic, simply the reality of our slim clientele. I usually spend this time
catching up on my manga but today was one of those rare occasions where I
got to work with Stephanie, one of my few co-workers that I had any true
appreciation for.

                To explain a bit more about where I work, to begin the name
of the shop is "The Brown Jug." I've always felt this name was more suited
to a strip joint, or perhaps to a certain portion of the female anatomy,
but none-the-less the owner had chosen it. The coffee was deplorable,
mostly because the owner just bought coffee from Safeway and marketed it as
"fresh ground" and "imported directly from Columbia." We all knew it was a
lie, and except for a few people with no taste buds everyone else did as
well.

                The Brown Jug existed for one reason and one reason alone,
to give the owner a tax break at the end of the year. He was ridiculously
wealthy, and while every venture he had ever pursued was immensely
successful, this one was a purposeful failure. He dumps mounds of money
into his staff and nothing into bettering the coffee or advancing the goal
of more customers because it's apparently better that it never turn a
profit.

                I don't pretend to understand the inner workings of his
twisted mind, or his accountant's for that matter, but I do appreciate
getting paid twenty an hour to accomplish nothing.

--

                The door swung open with grace as Stephanie trudged in, her
uniform as mismanaged as her straw colored hair, and a permanent look of
exhaustion spread across her face. She waved at me as I was shocked from my
daze; I returned her wave and managed a smile despite my poor mood.
                "What's cracking?"

                "Well apart from the fact that David bailed on me again,
not too much. Rob's gone right?"

                I nodded as she sighed and threw her hat down on the
counter.

                "Let's go out back."

                I nodded as we both escaped the kiosk and headed back
towards the rear exit. She already had a Marlboro dangling from her lips
before the door had even opened and had lit the end as soon as the cold air
hit my face.

                "I completely forgot I was supposed to work tonight, Rob
called and railed like a bat out of hell."

                I laughed a little, "It's always good to know he practices
equal treatment among his servants; I was supposed to be here at 3:30."

                She laughed in return and shook her head, extending her
half full pack of cigarettes for me to pluck one for myself. I enjoyed
smoking, but was too cheap to buy anything brand name, she always provided
me with my fair share of Marlboro's when we worked together. As she lit the
tip for me I drew in a huge drag and let the smoke escape my nostrils

                "Thanks kid."

                She nodded, shivering a little in the cold evening air.

                "Does that mean I get to hang with my boyfriend tonight?"

                She laughed and punched me in the chest playfully. "Why yes
it does."

                My little boyfriend, as I affectionately refer to him, is
Stephanie's nine year old son. An adorable shrimp of a kid with messy black
hair and blue eyes, who just happened to adore the ground I walk on. The
fact I had a thing for the kid was merely coincidental of course.

                "I got a great game the other day too, if I would have
known he was coming I would have brought it."

                Stephanie snickered a little, "I tell you, it's like taking
care of two kids when he's around you, he really adores you, you know?"

                I nodded and puffed my chest out in mock vanity, "How can
he not?"

                She shook her head again, taking another drag of her
cigarette. "You know the offer to move in with us still stands, today was
Susan's last day wasn't it?"

                I nodded and sighed; I had preferred to remove the whole
event from my mind but knew she was only looking out for my well being, "I
think I'll give it a go alone this time, it's pretty scary to be by myself
but I have to do it sooner or later don't I?"

                She shrugged, "I've never been alone and I'm thirty-seven."

                "Well those good looks won't last forever." I commented
with a smirk. She playfully smacked me in response, causing me to laugh
harder than I had all day. "Thanks for the offer though, if I begin to go
insane I might take you up on it." She nodded and smiled, flicking her now
finished Marlboro onto the wet pavement below.

                "Guess we better make some appearance of working huh?" I
shrugged and flicked the remaining butt of my own cigarette onto the
pavement to join hers.

                We walked up front and into the kiosk, leaning against the
counter and sighing.  The shop was completely empty except for us and we
knew that we might get one or two customers the rest of the evening.

                "Has he hired someone to replace Susan yet?" Stephanie
casually asked after the reality of another night of boredom had set in.

                "Not yet, from what I understand he's not going to replace
her so he can finally give Rob the promotion he wants."

                Stephanie's head jerked and her eyes grew, a look of true
horror filling every crevice of her face. I laughed hysterically, "You
know... I'm kidding... Wow what a face!" I held my side attempting to
regain my composure as she set forth harassing me with a pack of coffee
filters. Just as I managed to throw a pack back at her the bell above the
door jingled as Stephanie's son walked in.

                "Aw honey you came back to me!" I yelled out with my arms
outstretched, his non-challant face quickly changing into a full grin as he
ran full speed to embrace me. I smiled and ruffled his hair a little "Come
to hang out the whole night?" He nodded and grinned up at me, a look of
pure joy covered his face that looked so unlike his Mother's.

                "Don't I get any appreciation?" Stephanie tapped her foot
in mock anger as he rolled his eyes and begrudgingly hugged her. "See what
I get from this one? You have no problem hugging Jake but with me it's a
chore! What am I ever going to do with you Colby?"

                He giggled a little, "Sorry Mom you know I have to hug my
boyfriend!"

                I bent down to his level and looked up at Stephanie, "Yeah
Mom, just chill out why don't ya?" She rolled her eyes and playfully kicked
me, causing me to fall back onto the floor.

                "So, what's new?" I asked as Colby peered down at me as I
continued lying on the ground from my brutal attack.

                "I got the new Guitar Master game and Christmas vacation is
coming up soon!"

                I smiled and placed my hands behind my head, "Sounds
groovy, did you only get one guitar?"

                He nodded, "Yeah guess we can't play together but we can
take turns if you want."

                I smirked a little, "I already got it."

                Colby's eyes widened, "Really? Awesome! You've got to come
over this weekend and play with me!"

                I laughed and was glad to have an invite to anywhere on the
weekend. I wasn't exactly keen on spending anymore time alone than I had
to, and being able to spend it with Colby would be great.

                I've spent time wondering exactly what endeared me to Colby
or to boys in general.  Perhaps it was that we shared the same interests or
maybe it was a deeply held desire to relive the childhood I never
had. Regardless of what it was, it was a reality, and Colby had been the
center of my adoration for the past year.

                I first met him when David left Stephanie (the one who
bailed on her) and she had no other choice but to bring him to work with
her. David is Colby's Dad and a very sad excuse for one at that. Colby was
a very shy boy without many friends at school; to be honest he reminded me
a lot of myself at that age.

                When I first met him he would barely talk to me, he was
accustomed to a male authority figure that treated him as a second class
citizen and was more interested in his work than in spending time with his
son. I had a true desire to be something of a role model, although a poor
excuse for one I was, because I knew exactly what situation he was in.

                My Father had left when I was seven and my Mother died when
I was nineteen, so being an only child I had a pretty chaotic childhood. My
Father wanted nothing to do with me and my Mother spent the remainder of
her life trying to find a replacement lover to fill the lonely void beneath
her sheets. I did love her, she was a wonderful woman, but I can honestly
say that her passing allowed me to finally live my life and spread my
wings.

                Stephanie truly appreciated that I took such an interest in
Colby and was encouraging of his affinity for me. She felt that it was
healthy for him to have a normal relationship with a male in his life. He
had come over to play with Susan and I several times, and I to his house as
well. It was a relationship that society as a whole would generally frown
on, one that I have never taken for granted and one that I had never taken
advantage of for fear of losing this special friendship and the
relationship that Stephanie and I have.

                "Can I have a frozen coffee?" Colby looked up at me with
pleading eyes as I managed to get off of the ground and back onto my feet.

                "I don't know, can you?"

                He snickered and looked at me with a mischievous grin, "You
know Mom doesn't like me having coffee on school nights."

                I tapped my fingers on the counter with a look of feigned
concentration covering my face, "I suppose it's alright, but you better not
get me caught."

                His mischievous grin turned into an appreciative one as he
opened the cooler to my right to retrieve one, just in time for Stephanie
to hear

                "I don't think so!"

                "How can you hear him from all the way back there!?" I
called to her as she stood out back smoking another cigarette.

                "I'm a Mom, remember?"

                I rolled my eyes, "Sorry kid." Colby pouted a little as I
ruffled his hair and bent down to his level "I'll bring one over this
weekend, how's that?" He smiled and kissed me on the cheek.

                "Thanks Jake."

                I smiled back as I took strawberry milk out of the same
cooler and handed it to him instead. He took off the cap and began to chug
it down. I looked over the counter towards the back; Stephanie had already
lit a third cigarette and was shivering in the cold air. "Can you stay here
a sec?" Colby nodded as I made my way out of the kiosk to join her.

Chapter Two

                "Well?"  I asked simply as I lit up a cigarette and stared
at the shivering frame before me.

                "Well what?" She retorted, trying her best to show no
emotion despite her attempt to appear removed.

                "That's three cigarettes in one hour, a record even for
you; care to tell me what's bothering you?"

                Stephanie sighed and took another drag of her cigarette,
flicking the ashes into a light wind passing by. "David said that he
doesn't want to have anything to do with Colby anymore, his new girlfriend
is pregnant and he thinks that it will just `complicate' things with his
new life."

                I sighed and shook my head in mild disbelief, "He's an
asshole, fuck him."

                Stephanie laughed a little, "I really wish it was that
easy, Colby says he doesn't like him but I feel like a boy needs his
Father. Plus, I just can't afford a mortgage plus a babysitter right now
even with the second job."

                I smiled supportively, "Well first of all, my Dad left when
I was seven and look how great I turned out! Secondly, you know that I will
watch him when I'm off it's not like I work all that much anyway."

                She smiled and let out a genuine laugh this time "So great
huh? You are a true friend but that's not fair to you."

                 I rolled my eyes, "You know I don't hang out with Colby
because I'm bored, he's an awesome kid I love spending time with him. You
definitely know I don't do it to get into your pants."

                She laughed and rubbed her eyes "Yeah I think I have to
worry more about you getting into Colby's pants."

                I felt my face turn a violent red, I knew she only said it
in jest but it affected me just the same.

                She hugged me tightly "Thanks, you are a truly great friend
I'm glad to know you.  Just remember I'm definitely taking you up on the
babysitting offer."

                I smiled and patted her back "I wouldn't have offered if I
didn't want you to."

                Colby came running to the back "Mom! Sorry... There's a man
here that wants a coffee."

                I laughed and rolled my eyes "I've got it." I walked up
front and peered at the newest victim, as I felt was a more apt description
than customer. He was an average looking man in his mid forties with
graying hair and a mustache.

                "Well hello cutie!" He winked at me as I rounded the kiosk
door and to the counter where he stood. I contained the urge to roll my
eyes.

                "Welcome to The Brown Jug what can I get you?"

                He licked his lips a little, an act that caused me to have
to contain myself from vomiting. "I'll have a large coffee, black; I think
you're just sweet enough for me so I won't need any sugar."

                My mouth contorted into a bitter smile, the sort of smile a
very rich person gives to a street urchin. I grabbed a cup from the counter
below and began to pour some coffee into it, affixing the lid, without once
allowing my gaze to pass from this man.

                "Three dollars, fifteen cents..." I murmured as I held my
hand out.

                He planted a twenty dollar bill in it along with a business
card, "Keep the change Hun and give me a call sometime, I'm in town for
business." He winked as he walked out, the door slamming behind him.

                Stephanie could barely contain herself as she walked
towards me, "That was, wow, what a proposition huh?"

                I rolled my eyes and groaned, "Why do I always attract men
like THAT!?"

                She held her sides, looking very much like an angry fish to
me. "It's those boyish good looks, what can I say?" I placed an empty cup
on her head and shook my head, walking over to the sink to grab a rag to
wipe up the couple of drops of coffee left on the counter from my less than
careful pouring.

                Colby tugged on my shirt as I began wiping the counter down
with an unnecessary ferocity. "How did he know you like boys?" He asked
without reservation. I laughed a little and turned, looking down at Colby's
curious gaze.

                "I'm not sure sweetie I just think he's a very lonely man
and would have tried to hit on anyone." Colby nodded a little but a
perplexed look covered his face.

                "He's really old though..." Colby murmured so that his
Mother couldn't hear him. I laughed a bit more

                "Well sometimes older people like younger people."

                Colby nodded again "I guess I understand... I mean I am
your boyfriend after all." He winked at me causing my heart to flutter a
little inside me. I smiled warmly at him as all of the anger I previously
held melted away.

                "How do you feel about going to Jake's house after school
from now on?" Stephanie queried of her son.

                "That would be awesome!" He said, taking another chug of
the strawberry milk.

                "Well you get to go starting Monday and he'll start
watching you from now on as long as you behave!"

                Colby nodded, "Of course I will! Wow! We get to play a lot
more now!" He held out his hand for a high five and I reciprocated. I was
happy to see that spending more time with me made him happy; it would
certainly fill the void in my life that Susan had left behind.

                The remainder of the evening was fairly unexciting, not a
single additional customer had come and conversations ranged from the
boring to the fairly benign. As soon as nine hit the doors were locked and
I set about putting the three dollars, fifteen cents into the register for
the weekly deposit. "Do you guys want a ride home?" I asked as I placed the
bag into the safe and placed a couple replacement cups onto the shelf to
replace the previous ones.

                Stephanie shrugged as she dumped out the nearly full coffee
carafes, "I guess so, it is kind of cold out."

                Colby tugged on his Mom's shirt, "Can Jake spend the night
tomorrow night since its Friday?"

                Stephanie laughed "Don't you want to ask him first?" I
couldn't help but laugh as well, Colby accepted my wanting to be with him
as a given, which was both a fact and appreciated.

                "Of course I'd like to come as long as you're cool with it
Mommy." I winked at Colby who just grinned from ear to ear in appreciation
of my interest.

                "Of course he can, now will you go make sure the tables are
wiped down for me?"  Colby nodded with vigorous enthusiasm, grabbing the
rag and running out to the dining room. Apart from the table containing the
previous hipsters from the afternoon, not a single other table had been
touched. None-the-less Colby was a very attentive child and set forth
scrubbing each table with all of the youthful energy that he could muster.

                Just as Stephanie was placing the rinsed, and now empty,
carafes back onto their warming stations I clicked off the unnecessary
lights and pulled the key to the store out of my pants pocket. Stephanie
and Colby filed out first while I armed the security system, and quickly
joined them outside to lock the door and quickly file into the Pacifica. As
we drove the twenty or so blocks to their home, Colby sang along to a song
on the radio and my thoughts were invaded with the intoxicating idea of
having uninterrupted access to Colby during the week.

                As I had said previously, I had never taken advantage of
the relationship due to fear, but a fantasy was surely allowed. At the very
least, a fantasy was something that couldn't be helped. As I pulled into
their driveway and unlocked the doors, I received a quick hug from
Stephanie and a longer hug from Colby, and watched as they walked to their
front door and went inside. A quick wave signaled that everything was clear
and I was fine to leave.

                As I backed out the driveway a sudden thought occurred to
me, Colby actually knew what being gay meant. "How did he know you like
boys?" The words meant less to me at the time than they suddenly did. Did
this fact, and his continued adoration of me, signify something more? My
mind ran wild with possibilities and fantasies that seemed more realistic
somehow, the whole time my brain reminding me that he was just a kid and
didn't completely understand the concept.

                I walked in the door and climbed out of my clothes and onto
the sofa. I pulled a blanket out of the chest that served as a coffee table
and bundled up, the light blue glow of the television bathing me in its
familiar light. As my eyes began to grow heavy and I felt the impending
approach of sleep becoming my new reality, I thought of Susan and the fact
that I was very much alone, but I also thought of tomorrow night and of the
weeks of fun I'd get to have with Colby soon.

                "Maybe it won't be so bad after all..." I said to no one in
particular as sleep finally got the best of me and I dosed off into a world
of dreams.

Chapter Three

                As I balanced my laptop on my knee and pushed my glasses up
my nose, I was disappointed to find my inbox empty. The same feeling of
abandonment I felt yesterday began to surface once more, and I fought the
urge to lash out at the poor computer before me. I managed to rationalize a
combination of jet lag, excitement and perhaps the dreaded reality of not
having time to unpack yet as reasons for my predicament, but I felt a tad
bit of resentment regardless.

                I sent a quick wishing you well note and told her about my
weekend adventure with Colby and Stephanie coming up, and how I already
missed her being home. After placing the last bit of punctuation I clicked
send, and rose from the sofa to attain a cup of coffee to finish waking up
by. As I mixed a packet of artificial sweetener into the familiar black
liquid, I gazed out the window at the rain that made sleep such an easy
thing the previous evening. I was beginning to become wary of all the rain,
but it was the norm. There was little that I could do about it anyway.

                Just as I had begun to take a sip of my coffee, the phone
rang and I groaned to myself.  The constant strings of interruptions to my
normally repetitive life were becoming unnerving at the point. I turned on
the phone.

                "Hello?"


                "Hello Jake?"

                "Yes..."  it was Rob.

                "It would appear as though strawberry milk is missing and
the totals from yesterday don't seem to account for that. Do you have a
proper explanation?" I began to rub my temples slowly with my free hand.

                "You're seriously calling me about this at nine in the
morning? I think I drank one and forgot to put it on my employee tab, mind
taking care of that for me buddy?" I heard the familiar disgruntled growl
on the other end permeate my phone

                "This is just such irresponsibility! What if we had run
out? What if there had been an inventory need!?"

                "You and I both know that's not going to happen..." I
murmured in return.

                 "I really ought to have your job for this; I don't
understand what the owner ever saw in you in the first place! You realize
this is why I'm getting a promotion and you aren't right?" I shook my head
and took another sip of my coffee.

                "You realize this is why I get laid and you don't right?"

                "I'M SORRY!?"

                "Oooh can't hear ya, must be a bad connection..." I hung up
the phone and laid it on the coffee table. I just couldn't bring myself to
remind him that he had been waiting for this promotion for a whole year and
that it was never going to come. This wasn't due to any feelings of concern
on my part, just a wise decision to save good ammunition for later.

                As I flipped through the channels to find something decent
to watch, I was reminded of the much anticipated sleep over this evening. A
smile crossed my face as I took another sip of coffee, settling on the
history channel for a temporary outlet. Sleepovers typically led to me
playing games with Colby until midnight, his typical breaking point, and
spending a few hours meandering through the streets with Stephanie talking
about anything that came to mind, I didn't expect this night to be any
different.

                Regardless of the lack of excitement it was always
enjoyable, any time spent with Colby was a delight and Stephanie was always
genuinely great for conversation. I always found my friendship with her to
be interesting, we shared no common hobbies or interests, but we maintained
a very close and dear friendship. I believe that it's because our senses of
humor are similar and Colby is definitely a point of connection for the
both of us. I always reasoned that for a relationship to exist; whether
that relationship is a friendship or perhaps something more, there had to
be a point of commonality, something that both people enjoyed so intensely
that it brought them together.

                In the case of Stephanie's and mines friendship, we had
maintained one long before I met Colby and it seemed to defy my theory. I
guess with any theory there has to be an exception. As far as the
relationship I shared with Colby was concerned there was a lot we had in
common; we both loved video games, we both thought very highly of each
other and at least in my case I found him incredibly adorable, although I'm
fairly certain he doesn't think the same of me.

                I'm a fairly average guy, 6'2", 190 lbs. I wasn't fat by
any means but had a little cushion around the mid section. I have short
brown hair and blue eyes, and my complexion is fair since I'm Irish. All of
this said, I don't believe that Colby feels the same way about me because I
find myself unattractive or don't think I'm desirable, I merely feel this
way because I know that I am the least of his interests in that sense, if
he has yet to develop any at all.

                I spent the morning flipping through the television and
drinking coffee, by the time the first pot had vanished it was time for me
to shower and collect what was necessary for my over night adventure. I
grabbed my Guitar Master guitar, a couple of changes of clothes (just in
case), my toothbrush and a few luxury items and headed out the door. I
headed down to The Brown Jug and walked in just in time to see Rob leaving
and Marco, another co-worker of mine, coming to the counter to greet me.

                "Well I haven't seen you around in awhile, what's up?"

                I shrugged a little, "Not a whole lot, I try to avoid
morning shifts if at all possible you know I have to have coffee to
function and our varieties are...  well... lacking." He laughed a little in
reply.

                "You should be glad, Rob has been in a horrible mood today
man."

                 I nodded, "How can you blame him, what with strawberry
milk shortages and the like?" Marco rolled his eyes.

                "I truly believe he just looks for a reason to complain. Do
you think he's even aware this whole place is a joke?"

                "If he is, he never lets on."

                I walked inside the kiosk and opened the door to grab an
iced coffee and made sure to carefully pencil in the loss of product on my
employee tab. I noticed that Rob had taken the liberty of placing the
strawberry milk loss on my tab with dark red ink. I couldn't help but
snicker a little; it always gave me intense satisfaction to drive him
insane.

                "Well that's about all there is for me kids, take care of
yourself." I winked at Marco who returned the favor, leaving him behind as
I returned to my car and drove out of sight.

                Now the journey to Stephanie's house wasn't lengthy by any
means, but I was a very punctual creature with all things (save work) but
also had an intense desire to never arrive too early. It was a strange sort
of habit that I carried with me from years of growing up in the south. I
had on more than one occasion utilized an alternative route to arrive at
their home, making too complicated something that should only last fifteen
minutes, but it was better than seeming desperate I imagined.

                After turning a fifteen minute drive into a forty five
minute drive, I slid into their driveway and turned off the ignition,
grabbing my guitar and clothes, as well as the iced coffee that managed to
remain as frozen as it had when I originally removed it from the fridge due
to my lack of proper heat. My feet pounded up the sidewalk, matching the
steady but now fully audible beat of my heart, it seemed that no matter how
many times I saw Colby it still managed to make me somehow nervous.

                Before I had managed to knock on the door, Stephanie swung
it open. She was wearing a red sweater and tight black jeans, her usually
tired expression replaced with a well rested and anticipant one.

                "I figured you'd get here a little early, want some
coffee?" I nodded, handing her the iced coffee

                "I promised Colby one yesterday since you were so
unreasonable." She laughed, or rather cackled, rather loudly in response.

                "I was unreasonable huh? You try putting a nine year old to
bed that's hopped up on caffeine."

                I laughed in return as we headed into her kitchen. Her home
was fairly remarkable in my opinion, a bungalow with incredible wood trim,
a great fireplace and a cozy kitchen with light oak cabinetry and stainless
steel appliances. We sat at a bench style table once belonging to
Stephanie's grandmother as she pushed a now full cup of coffee over to me.

                "So what have you been up to all day?"

                I took a sip of my sweet nectar and shrugged "Not a whole
lot, watching television, drinking coffee, the usual."

                She smirked, shaking her head, "Must be nice huh?" I
sighed, catching the sight of my reflection in the black liquid below me.

                "It's very lonely you know, not having Susan to wake up to
every morning. I know it may sound crazy but you're really doing me a favor
by letting me take care of Colby; I think I'd begin to go insane
otherwise." She laughed uproariously.

                "I figured you'd get lonely pretty quickly. Don't forget my
offer." She winked.

                I sighed and leaned back just shaking my head slightly. It
wasn't as though I hadn't considered it on several occasions; absolutely
free rent, total access to Colby, not just one but two people to keep me
away from boredom, but I had grown attached to my little rundown shack and
was really not in the mood to pack up all of my worldly possessions and
leave behind so many years of great memories, at least that's what I told
myself.

                "I can't do it, too much work."

                She just laughed again, "Well it always remains."

                I nodded as the familiar sound of the doorbell filled the
warm home. I smiled a little as Stephanie sighed.

                "Looks like our adult time is through huh?" She rose to her
feet and met Colby at the door, he ripped around the corner depositing his
messenger bag somewhere between the front door and me and hugged me
tightly.

                "I was hoping you'd be here as soon as I got home!"

                I returned the hug, messing his hair as I was accustomed to
doing, and handed him the iced coffee his Mother had placed on the other
end of the kitchen table "You know me, always on time. I told you I'd get
you one." His smile grew even wider if that was at all possible, he planted
a kiss on my cheek.

                "Thanks!  You always remember!"

                I smiled as Stephanie rounded the corner "Now you need to
do your homework before there's any video games so march straight upstairs
and get to it alright?"  Colby groaned a little but complied, grabbing an
errant pencil from the counter and marching off into the living room. The
sound of his feet flying up the stairs could be heard throughout the home.

                "He really is a great kid; I just don't think he'd ever do
his homework if I never told him to." Stephanie remarked with mild
amusement.

                "I think you may be surprised but then again I was always
the same way. I absolutely hated homework."

                Stephanie laughed, "Oh and that's changed? What about your
`D' in sociology?"

                I stuck out my tongue "Merely a fluke of my genius of
course." She just shook her head, taking another sip of her coffee as she
sat herself back down onto the bench opposite me.

                "Ever planning on finishing college?" She remarked, a
question that she very well knew the answer to.

                 "Now you know very well that I'm not gonna tie myself down
with some degree that tells me what I have to do, I am a career college
man." Stephanie giggled shaking her head.

                "Hope you enjoy it while it lasts, when you have to pay
back those student loans it's going to be a bitch."

                I nodded and shrugged, "I know, I just plan on never
leaving college." She groaned and stared at me teasingly. It was the sort
of look that conveyed her need to be cool and also her intense desire as a
Mother to see me improve my life.

                "I know what you're thinking and yes eventually I will pick
something and pursue it, I just really enjoy my life at the moment." She
nodded.

                "Promise?"


                I nodded in return "Have I ever broken a promise before?"
She shook her head, and it was quite true. I always tried to remain
faithful and keep my promises as long as it was humanly possible.

                "No Christmas décor this year?" I said looking around at
the off season surroundings.

                "Just can't seem to get into the spirit yet, I guess we'll
pick up a tree when Colby goes on winter break." I nodded, draining the
remainder of my coffee

                "That's what it's all for is the kids, at least I keep
reminding myself of that." Stephanie reached out and laid her hand gently
on top of mine.

                "You know you are always welcome here for the holidays, you
are as much a part of this family as anyone." I smiled and placed my other
hand on top of hers.

                "It's always appreciated and known."

                We both smiled at each other in a corny fashion I'd much
rather never repeat, when the sound of Colby's footsteps came ushering down
the stairs and onto the wooden floor of the kitchen "I'm done!"

Chapter Four

                Colby had already made easy work of a few songs on medium,
showing off his prowess and quick succession in the game that seemed to be
the center of his attention this week. I didn't have the heart to tell him
I had purchased the previous addition over a year ago and was playing the
game on expert at this point. I watched carefully as he came to completion
on another song and grinned at me sheepishly

                "How's that?"

                I grinned and patted his head "Great as always, you are a
natural gamer." He giggled a little

                "I want to see you go now!"

                I shrugged and backed out of the song menu, selecting
expert and taking it upon myself to impress him with my skills. He watched
with eyes open wide, although I couldn't get a good look at him due to my
intense concentration, I could have swore his jaw was completely open in
shock. As I easily drifted through an intense guitar solo and finished the
song with a 98%, he turned to look at me with nothing but praise on his
face.

                "That was wicked! How did you do that!? You have to teach
me!" I laughed a little; still unable to tell him it took me over a year to
get this good.

                "Well come sit on my lap kid I'll show you a few things."
He stood up and planted his round bottom onto my lap, his feet hanging a
few feet beyond my knees. I readjusted him a little so he wasn't sitting
directly on top of, well, you know. I always enjoyed him sitting there but
the sensation was too intense for me to take any chances.

                He had the guitar firmly in his grasp as I led his fingers
to be placed on top of my own. As I started a new song, he kept his fingers
on mine entirely, following each movement with ease except for the
difficult portions. He had an affinity for bouncing occasionally and
managed to take my mind off of the game enough to cause me to completely
fail the first guitar solo, the crowd booing me off stage.

                "Aww I thought you were good!" He turned around and wrapped
his legs around my waist, a look of mischievous delight etched across his
face. I did my best to return it.

                "You just distracted me with your bouncing!" I set forth
tickling his sides as he convulsed wildly, grinding his bottom into my
nether regions with great ferocity. He took little notice to my growing
member as he laughed loudly, trying to evade my increasingly skilled
attacks. I had intimate knowledge of every ticklish spot on his body, and
was fond of using them to my advantage on more than one occasion. By the
time I managed to reach his legs he had already surrendered

                "Okay!  You are the Guitar Master! Stoooop!" He pleaded
while tears ran down his face.

                I laughed and finally let go, he smiled up at me and
embraced me tightly "I love you Jake you are my best friend." I smiled and
hugged him back.

                "You know I love you too."

                Stephanie was standing in the doorway watching the
amusement, she made a gagging motion with her finger in her mouth "So lovey
dovey, what's with kids these days?"

                Colby turned around, blushing intensely, but managed to
throw a foam ball at his Mother who caught it with relative ease.

                "Is that the best you've got?"

                She threw it back, planting it directly into my forehead to
which I mocked pain.  Colby laughed and stood upright

                "I'll save you Prince Jake!"

                He began removing foam balls from an errant toy gun and
began propelling them, Stephanie laughed and caught as many as she could,
throwing them back with equal pace. I laughed and managed to fake my
desperate need for protection.

                "Oh brave knight! You are so kind to protect me from this
evil sorceress!"

                Stephanie stuck her tongue out at me as the two stopped,
laughing so hard that they could no longer continue the foam ball fight. I
smiled watching them; Stephanie was truly an incredible Mother. By the time
the laughing had begun to die down to physically tolerable levels, the
doorbell rang and both went completely silent.  My smile quickly faded;
there was little doubt as to who the invader could be.

                Stephanie went to the door, and I watched within a safe
distance on the sofa. As she slid it open the figure of David flooded the
room, Colby became visibly unnerved and sat next to me on the sofa,
forcefully placing my arm around his shoulder, and I hugged him to me for
support.

                David was incredibly tall at 6'7" and had black hair and
green eyes. He was Italian and a genuine asshole. He wore a faux Italian
leather trench coat and had a blue tote in his hands.

                "Hey babe, here's it's toys."

                Stephanie stared at him with a look of anger and
trepidation across her face.

                "Can't deliver them yourself?"

                He laughed a little, in a very cold manner and stared over
at the sofa.

                "I don't like that faggot having his hands on my son."

                I stood to my full height as Colby silently pleaded for me
to return.

                "Would you like to say that to my face?" I said with a firm
and masculine tone that was rather rare for me.

                "You're not worth my time, just dropping off the toys for
the little shit." He forcibly handed the tote to Stephanie causing her to
waver in her composure a bit, readjusting her tiny frame to handle the
weight.

                "See you later toots." He blew a kiss and walked back out
towards the sidewalk.  Stephanie put the tote down and locked the door
behind him, making sure that the bolt was securely fastened. I walked over
to Stephanie and put my arms around her as she buried her face into my
chest.

                "Don't worry about him; he's just an asshole he won't be
bothering you anymore." She shook her head as she grabbed onto me tightly.

                "It's just not fair, what gives him the right?"

                I laughed a little to try and break the mood, "Lack of
intelligence makes you do crazy things. He's out of your life, and more
importantly out of Colby's."

                Colby walked over, the carefree boyish expression he bore
only moments ago had completely vanished and one of general concern for his
Mother had replaced it.

                "It's okay Mom he's a butthead, I'm glad he's gone."

                Stephanie sniffled and let me go; she wrapped her arms
tightly around her son and ran her fingers through his hair.

                It amazed me how much Colby looked like his father, he
definitely inherited those Italian good looks, personally withstanding of
course. Stephanie stood and grabbed my hand after releasing Colby

                "Come with me please."

                I nodded and looked over at Colby, mouthing for him to wait
a moment. We ascended the stairs at a rapid pace and entered her
bedroom. She forcibly sat me down on the edge of her bed and put both of
her hands on my shoulders, staring deeply into my eyes.

                "I know that you have an affinity for that old place, but I
really need you. I can't do this alone and I'm petrified that he'll show up
and hurt one of us."

                I sighed a little, looking into Stephanie's eyes it was
hard to refuse. I understood how much there was to fear from being alone,
although I had thankfully been spared the unfortunate feeling of fear from
an aggressive ex.

                "Fine Stephanie just let me get my stuff together."

                She hugged me tightly and cried, not just because of the
fear that had struck her just moments before but also in deep appreciation.

                "Thank you Jake... you have no idea how much this means to
me."

                I nodded and rubbed her back, "Its okay sweetie I know you
need a strong virile man like me around."

                She laughed and stood up, looking at me with mock
annoyance, wiping her mascara stained cheeks off with her hands.

                "Oh yeah you're such a picture of manliness huh?"

                 I laughed in return, just glad to see that I was able to
cheer her up.

                A small knock came at the door to which Stephanie rolled
her eyes "Can't leave me alone a second huh?" I laughed a little.

                "Come in sweetie." Stephanie said softly, the door slid
open and Colby walked in with the same childish delight etched across his
face that had been earlier

                "You're moving in!? Really!?"

                I nodded, to which he giggled and came to embrace me
tightly.

                "I'm so happy! Thank you! It's gonna be great!"

                I laughed and hugged him back, "As long as you're happy
then I'm happy."

                I looked at Stephanie who mouthed another silent thank you
to me as I picked up Colby entirely. He backed his head away enough to look
me in the eyes.

                "Let's not let that ruin our weekend of fun. Want to go
play some more?"

                He nodded as I carried him downstairs and back to the
sofa. Colby was very good about recovering quickly and this was no
exception. Within moments we had begun playing and the teasing had returned
anew.

--

                "I'm gonna go take a bath."

                Colby announced as he deposited the remnants of his second
piece of pizza into his gullet. Stephanie laughed.

                "Well that's a change; I usually have to fight with you to
get you to bathe."

                Colby giggled as he slid out from the bench next to me, his
feet hitting the floor with a slight bump.

                "I gotta smell good for my boyfriend!" He winked teasingly
at me, which I returned with feigned interest.

                "Will you come wash my back Jake?" He asked with pleading
eyes.

                I sort of froze momentarily, the thought of doing so
definitely interested me but would this be going too far? I glanced over at
Stephanie who shrugged.

                "You can't disappoint him now can you?" I laughed a little
and shrugged as well.

                "Guess not."

                Colby grabbed my hand, pulling me up with surprising
strength as we climbed the stairs towards his bedroom.

                He grabbed a pair of underwear from his drawer and an over
sized shirt to wear, as he grasped my hand once more leading me into the
bathroom. I sat on the edge of the toilet as he began to remove his shirt,
causing my face to turn red.

                "You sure you don't want me to step out while you undress?"
I asked with a little desperation in my voice.

                "Nah we're both boys, I just don't let Mom see me naked."

                He smirked as he unfastened his jeans and slid them down
his thighs.

                His chest was adorable, a nice speckling of baby fat with
two perfectly pink nipples. His little belly button sat perfectly on his
slightly pudgy stomach.  His legs were well rounded for a youth, and quite
long. Not a single ounce of hair had managed to invade them. It wasn't as
though I hadn't seen them before, but in such proximity was certainly a new
occurrence. He stepped out of his jeans and put his thumbs into the
waistband of his underwear, sliding them down as his little three inch
penis popped into view. I was in complete awe.

                I felt self conscious staring, but found it hard to avert
my eyes. He didn't seem to notice, or rather didn't seem to care that I was
staring. He stepped out of his underwear and bent over the tub to run the
water. My eyes locked immediately with his plump bottom that had been
affixed to my crotch on more than one occasion. Of course this was through
the medium of fabric covered bottoms and crotches', so finally being able
to see what I had craved for so long was intense to say the least.

                I felt my own crotch stiffen to a great extent, becoming
almost uncomfortable within the tight confines of my pants. I became
intensely glad that I had worn jeans.  He turned around and laughed at me.

                "Are you staring at my butt?"

                I laughed nervously in return and swiped it playfully,
causing him to jump and laugh in delight.

                "Not in your dreams kid."

                He turned off the water and slid in, sighing as he did. His
eyes were clasped shut as he lay back giving me an unintentional free show
of his small member. I fought the urge with every ounce of me not to reach
out and touch it, or take it into my salivating mouth. It was the most
beautiful thing I had ever seen.  His eyes popped open as he slid up and
began soaping up a rag.

                "Are you gonna sleep in my room?"

                I shrugged a little, I usually slept in the guest bedroom
or on the couch but we had slept together once before.

                "I guess I could if you wanted."

                He giggled in appreciation, soaping up his arms, chest and
stomach. He stood up and handed me the rag

                "Okay you can wash my back now."

                He turned around, giving me another free show of his
deliciously plump bottom. I managed to wash his back, although there was
little space to cover, and playfully ran the rag down his bottom. He
giggled in response.

                "That tickles!"

                He protested, as I took it as an open invitation to wash
the whole thing. I soaped up each cheek thoroughly and washed inside with
as much gentle grace as I could muster.

                He laughed as I finished and took the rag back, he began to
wash his little member and his legs, sitting down to get to his feet and
rinse off. I smiled in delight, spending this time with Colby was something
I was appreciating more and more each moment.

                "What do you want to do next?"

                I shrugged, it was nearly eleven and I knew that Colby's
time awake was now limited. He had yet to develop the ability to stay up
late although he always tried very hard.

                "Not really sure, I guess anything you want."

                He nodded with a look of deep concentration on his face,
"Maybe we should just go watch a movie or something."

                I agreed as he stood up, his eyes pleading with me to grab
a towel. I stood and grabbed one from the linen closet and handed it to
him. He carefully dried off each inch of his body before stepping out after
drying each foot. He walked up to the sink and began to brush his teeth.

                I smiled as he did, and grabbed the fresh pair of white
underwear that lay on the other end of the vanity, making sure that they
were ready for him when he wanted them. He came over to me and lifted up a
leg expectantly. I smiled and held them out, allowing him to slip in each
leg as I rose them up to meet his waist. He pulled the night shirt on
himself and combed his hair.

                I rubbed his shoulders gently as he did. I was completely
unsure as to how one was supposed to react in this situation. It came as a
great relief to me that he was finally clothed again. Just as soon as he
placed the comb back down on the vanity he reached up, pleading silently
for me to pick him up and carry him downstairs. I grabbed beneath his arms
and lifted him up, resting my right hand on his bottom.

                "So what movie is it gonna be?"

                He thought a little while as we walked down the hall and
descended the stairs with him wrapped tightly in my arms.

                "I don't care anything you want to watch is cool."

                I smiled and deposited him at the bottom of the stairs. He
immediately ran to his Mother who was tying up a now full garbage bag.

                "Mom!  Jake washed my back and my butt too!"

                My heart rose and immediately caught in my throat, I felt
completely frozen in place.