Date: Tue, 6 Nov 2007 20:41:11 -0800 (PST)
From: John Colorado <clrdjhn@yahoo.com>
Subject: Sunset on the Edge of the High Desert Chapter 4

If you are here illegally, then it is time for you to leave. This story
contains man/man sex. If this is bothers you, then it is time for you to
leave also. This story is fiction but some of it is based on real
situations. The names and places have been changed.

                     Sunset on the Edge of the High Desert

                              by John of Colorado

                                cldjhn@yahoo.com

                                   Chapter 4

Gene and Sarah arrived and came directly to Joe's room. Dan followed
shortly. I was hugging Gene and Sarah. Dan wanted to know what had
happened. I told him going into as much detail as possible. He asked me
if I wanted him to represent me.
"I don't remember taking you off my payroll." I said with a grin. "I am
going to remove Joe from the life support tomorrow at 2:00 but I may wait
now. I wanted all of you to be there along with Rev. Paul."
"Louie, I think you must go ahead with your plans. I know Adam wanted to
be there with you but right now you must think about what is best for
Joe." Said Gene. "We will be here if at all possible. What about the
kids? Do you want them to? I will call Rev. Paul if you would like me
to."
"I think Gene is right. What time do we have to be in court?" Asked Dan.
"Sarah, you and Tim have to make the decision about the kids. They are
entirely welcome but the decisions has to be yours to make."
"We are very open with the kids. They already know why Joe is the
hospital and that he is your partner. They understand about gays. They
know that you are gay and that Adam is gay. That does not change their
feeling s for you two. They know that Joe is dying and they would like to
be here for you when the time arrives." Sara explained.
"Thanks! I feel so fortunate having friends like all of you and I would
love to have the kids here with me. Court is scheduled for 9:00. Do you
know a Judge Logan?" I questioned.
"Yes" came from all three at the same time.
"He is one of the best and on the side of Gays. I think you will really
like him." commented Dan.
"He is the one I would have picked, if I had a choice. Adam deserves the
best and I know Judge Logan will treat him right. I know Adam won't be
on trial but his attackers will be. At least they will get what they have
coming . This is a true hate crime and all three of them must be
punished." Gene exclaimed.
"You are right! I will go ahead as planned. Gene, you can call Rev. Paul,
If you would please. You can use my cell phone if you would like and call
him tonight. Thanks!"
I showed Dan Lila's will. He was really surprised. He said his people
would complete the filling of all the papers by the time we got out of
court tomorrow. Now that Rev. Rogers would be out of the picture, he
would not be in a position to contest Lila's will.
"I wonder what is going on with Adam? I think I will go and see if I can
find out anything!"
"No, Louie, Just you sit down and stay out of the doctor's way. He will
come here just as soon as he can." Gene said with authority.
"Man, you had better listen to that woman. She knows what she is talking
about." came a voice from the doorway. Dr. John enter the room and came
directly to Gene. "Gene, we have good news for the most part. Adam has no
broken bones and no internal bleeding. His spleen and kidneys are
severely bruised. I couldn't find any permanent damage. His ribs and
face took quite a beating but nothing is broken. All in all he is a lot
better shape that I originally thought. He is going to be one sore guy
for awhile. Right now he is not to pretty to look at but that will all
change with time. I have him heavily sedated and he will sleep through
the night without any problem. I can move him into his own room or
wherever you want him." stated Dr. John.
"Louie, would you like to have Adam in here with you and Joe? Gene
inquired.
"I would like nothing better. I probably won't get much sleep but any
case, I would have both my men in one place." acknowledged Louie.
"Dr. John, you can move him in here. Louie can take the place of the
nurse on duty and she can have a big break." laughed Gene.
"Louie, Joe's mother died just before the attack. Rev. Roberts was in
her room and he had a copy of her new will. He was not a happy camper.
Adam was the unfortunate one but he came out better than expected. Here
let me look at your face. You took a real nasty blow."
"Hey! I am all right."
"Now, don't be so wimpy and hold still and let me have a look. My! My! I
think I had better get you to surgery right away. This looks bad!" Gene,
Sarah and Dan joined Dr. John with laughter.
"All right! I will get even with all of you. Just you wait." laughed
Louie.
"I think you are going to have one big ugly shiner. Do you need some pain
killers?"
"No, I am tough as one can get and I'll get by."
"I think I will give you a sleeping pill anyway."
"Thanks Doc!"
"I think Sarah and I will leave and rescue Tim for the two wild things.
He is probably a basket case for now. We will stop by about 7 and we'll
get breakfast before we go to court." Gene kissed Louie on the check and
they left.
"I will see you in court." said Dan as he was leaving.
Louie's sleeping pill was starting to take effect and soon he was out
for the night.
Early in the morning, Adam was moaning and trying to get the call button.
Louie heard him and was by his side immediately. Adam's lips were so
swollen that he could not speak. Louie got a wash cloth wet and squeezed
it so a drop of water hit his lips. He did this several times and gently
placed the cloth on the swollen lips. Adam managed a thanks! Some how he
got out that he need to use the bathroom.
"Look man, I don't think you can get out of bed. I will bet the bed pan
and help you out." I got the pan and lifted the covers. "Adam, I don't
think this is going to work. You took a direct hit in the groin and you
are all swollen. You couldn't pee to save you life. I will have to call
the nurse."
I pushed the button and he came in.
I told the nurse about the problems and he took a quick look. He would
have to insert a tube, if he could get one in. Adam was severely swollen
and the opening appeared to be closed. The nurse took a swab and alcohol
and was able to get the opening to spread a little. The nurse told Adam
to grab me and squeeze. That he did. I felt like I would be the one who
would have broken ribs. Somehow, the nurse put the tube right in and with
out much pain for Adam.
This little procedure was barely completed when the two kids came running
through the door. I had to stop them before they killed poor Adam.
"Uncle Adam, you look terrible." Debbie blurted out.
"Debbie, you are suppose to be nice! Do you hurt?" inquired Josh.
"Grandpa Louie! Have you looked in the mirror? Your eye is blacker that
Adam's" Debbie expounded.
Gene, Sarah, and Tim arrived just in time to rescue Adam and me.
"Did my two guys have a good night? Are you ready for breakfast, Louie?
Adam is going to get his breakfast through his tube this morning. See you
later, honey. You'll have to wait and we can have breakfast sometime in
the near future." remarked Gene.
Somehow, we manage to get through breakfast. Everyone was concerned about
the up coming court session.. However, the kids ate enough for all of us.
There was nothing wrong with their appetites.
We were sitting in the courtroom and finally after what seemed an
eternity the session was under way. All three men pleaded not guilty to
all charges. All three had state appointed attorneys, who all asked for
the men be release with out bail. The state rejected the idea that the
men be released and wanted all three remain in jail because of the nature
of the crime.
Dan asked to be recognized as attorney for both Adam and me. He said
given all the anti gay activities of Rev. Roberts and his followers,
there was really no assurance that the three would not perform the same
hate crimes again. He felt that they were really a threat to society
especially Adam and Louie.
The judge asked to see all the attorneys in his office before he made his
decision. One could only guess what he wanted to know. Rev. Roberts
became very defensive and had to be restrained by the officers in the
court.
The judge and attorneys all returned to the court room. The judge ruled
that all three men would remain in custody without bail until their trial
in three weeks.
The two men asked to be housed away from Roberts in a separate cell. This
indicated that unity between the three was beginning to be torn apart. I
felt sorry for the two men. It is very plain that they are just victims
of circumstance. When people are uninformed, it is so easy to control
their minds and actions.
"Court is adjourned. Dan and Louie could I see you in my chambers?"
"Why does he want to see us?" I asked Dan.
"I have no idea, let's go see what he wants." replied Dan.
When we were inside Judge Logan's office, he said "Relax guys. What I
have to say has nothing what-so-ever to do with Roberts and his case.
There are two young men, Jeff and Tony, age 20 in jail and they are
coming before me tomorrow and I need a decision from you today. They were
involved in a fight yesterday and now I will have make a decision on
their case. They were in a tavern talking with two young men who are gay.
Several others started needling the four men. Finally, Jeff hit the ring
leader in the mouth as hard as he could. This started the fight. It was
four against four and was a even match. However, the hecklers got the
worse end of the deal and got whipped fair and square. However, I can't
take all of this into consideration. The police were called and the other
four men signed complaints against the gays and their two friends. Of
course, counter complaints were signed against the hecklers. They were
charged and are all in jail. I can probably get off with just probation
for all 8 men. However, the two guys were underage and drinking. They had
fake id's and those charges will have to stand. I have to use just the
facts."
"Here is what I have for you. Louie, if you were to hire Jeff and Tony
and take them to Oregon with you, I could give them a year of probation.
You would serve as the probation office and report back to me each month
. They are both good kids and need a break. I have to be honest with you.
Dan and I have already discussed this problem before you were called in."
"Judge Logan, I have a good feeling that you and Dan have the best
interest of Jeff and Tony at heart. However, before I can make a
decision, I would need to talk with both boys but I feel a deal in the
making. I would like to have both boys alone, if possible."
"Louie, You're going to think that we have ganged up on you and you
would be right. We already have the young men in the next room. We knew
that you would want to talk with them before a decision was made. I will
have you escorted next door and will see you back in here when you are
finished."
"Judge, if I say no at least you tried. I feel that both you and Dan are
concerned with the young men's welfare and well being. I appreciate what
you are trying to do for the young men."
I went next door and was met by two very good looking young men. I was
introduced to them and the guard left the room.
"I know all about the event of last night. As you can see from my eye I
had a little excitement myself. I too was involved in a hate crime so I
know how you feel. That is not what I want to talk to about. I know that
my friend, Dan and Judge Logan has talked with you. I want to know about
each of you, your feelings and what makes you tick."
I got a very good response from each of them. Both had grown up on farms
and had gone to the same high school and been best friends since the 4th
grade.
"I want to ask some very pointed questions and I would like honest
answers. What you tell me stays in this room. First, are you gay?"
Jeff started off. "I really don't know. I really like Tony. I would even
say that I love him like a brother. We are best friends and I hope we
will always be friends."
Tony agreed with Jeff. "We have messed around a little. You know jacking
off together and have jacked each other. I really wouldn't call that
gay. Would you? Can two people have these strong feeling and not be gay?"
"I think that two people can have the feeling that you have described and
still not be gay. You will know if and when your relationship becomes
more that just a friendship. It will just be something that happens. I am
gay and my life partner is in the hospital. He is on life support and
will be disconnected this afternoon. I meet a young man a couple of days
ago and I have very strong feelings for him. Yet they are not sexual in
nature even though I love being with this guy. I think we are going to be
best friends for a long time. Now how do feel about working for a gay
boss?"
Jeff was the first to speak. "Louie, I don't think being gay has
anything to do with you as a boss. If you do your job and we do ours,
then being a homosexual should not enter into the picture. If you make a
pass at me and I don't like it then your other eye will look worse than
the black eye you are now wearing. No not really, I was just joking."
"Tony, let's take Jeff's comment a step farther. How would you feel if
I made a play for you?"
"Louie, I really don't know how to answer. I might like it and encourage
you or I might just tell you that I am not interested." answered Tony.
"Now for the big one! How do you feel about gay people?"
"I look at a person as an individual and I try not to judge them. What
two consenting adults do or feel toward each other is really none of my
business. I am not concerned with a person's skin color or his personal
beliefs. However, if someone tries to cause harm to a gay individual or
couple, then that is another matter. I would get involved as I did last
night. If a person is forced against his will or a child is involved,
then that is completely different " Tony answered.
"I have to agree with Tony. We were talking and enjoying the company of
the two men in the bar. We had meet recently and we are becoming good
friends. Those other guys made us mad and we reacted. I would have done
the same if they had been straight. I have no regrets as to what we did."
"I like what I am hearing. I think you two are someone that I would like
to have as friends. I am offering you a job working for me. I have a
large ranch in Central Oregon. It would mean a lot of hard work but you
have amply rewards for a job well done. Would you be willing to relocate
to Oregon. "Louie, we don't even have to consider. We had already made
our mind up to accept if you offered us a job. So the answer is yes."
Jeff interjected.
"Just one question, Louie. Would you consider offering our fiends from
the bar a job?" Tony questioned.
"I certainly would. I would like to talk with them as I have done with
you." Louie replied. "I will go next door and meet with Dan and Judge
Logan.
I went back to Judge Logan's office and told them of my decision and
that I wanted to meet with the other two guys before court tomorrow. I
told Dan that we had better go to lunch and head for the hospital. 2:00
would be there before we were ready if we did not move.
We arrived at the hospital about 15 minutes early. My knees went to jelly
and I sat down in the hallway. Dan got a wheelchair and put me in it. I
didn't think that I could go through with this ordeal. Dan assured me
that with all my friend there for support that I would make it. He called
his office and all the paper work had been filled. He pushed me into the
room and every one was in Joe's room waiting for us. Debbie and Josh
rushed to me and hugged me very tight. Adam was up and in a wheel chair,
also. He gave me a big hug and whispered "I love you in my ear."
I asked if I could have a few minutes alone with Joe and the room cleared
immediately. I hugged Joe and just held him for a few minutes. I told him
everything that had happened and that his mother had passed away and that
she had given him her blessings. I now let go and started crying. Adam
heard me sobbing and asked Rev. Paul to push him into the room. I asked
them to bring the others into the room. The time had come.
I held Joe very close. The others all joined hands and made a closed
circle around Joe. Rev Paul laid one hand over Joe's and Mine. He joined
with the others to form a circle. Adam completed the circle and laid his
other hand on Rev. Paul's. I could feel the energy flowing around the
circle. Rev. Paul offered a prayer for Joe and one for me. Dr. John left
the circle and removed the tubes and returned to the circle. Not a word
was said. Each was offering a silent prayer. Gene and Sarah started
singing, `I will always love You'. Joe lasted for 20 minutes and the it
was all over. He was at last at peace. I had been crying through out the
whole process. I was not alone. My friends, through their love and
caring, helped me survive the whole tribulation. I knew that I had made
the appropriate decision.