Date: Tue, 2 Sep 2014 07:42:00 -0400
From: Zarek <zarek@roadrunner.com>
Subject: Another Chance: Chapter 1 (revised)

Disclaimer: This story is totally fiction.  All characters were made up and
any similarities are just coincidental.  This is gay erotica between teenage
boys so if that offends you, please discontinue reading.  Also, if it is
illegal for you to read such material, you have been warned.  Continual
reading could cause a knock at your door.  If you like this story, I also
have the series "Josh: sex slave".  And you can always contact me at
zarek@roadrunner.com <mailto:zarek@roadrunner.com>  with suggestions or
concerns.  Thoughts and suggestion are always welcomed and may or may not be
implemented.  Concerns will be considered and addressed as much as possible.

I hope you're enjoying it so far and that the story draws you in wanting
more.  Some people have noticed that this story was "inspired" by another
story, a great story, here on Nifty, "Riding Lessons" by Andrew Todd.  I
hope I don't step on anyone's toes and you give this story a chance.  While
there may be some similarities, I believe there will be enough differences
as well.  Mr. Todd was given my rough draft before I made my first
submission.  He was flattered by the fact I like his story and wanted to
refer to it.  He's also flattered by those who wrote him to "warn" him about
this one.  All I can say is, I'm glad you are loyal to him and I hope any
references I use do his story justice.  If you feel that I let his story
down in any way, shape or form, please call my attention to where I did.

This chapter has been revised. I realized that Jim should be a sophomore,
not a freshman for his age and grades.

AND, if you enjoy the stories on Nifty.org, please give a donation to help
cover their expenses.  While the site is currently free, only donations from
loyal fans can help keep it that way.  Any amount will help.



Another Chance

Chapter 1

It was a cold January day and Jon Bolt was driving to the tack shop to pick
up a few things.  The Montana roads were icy, but using a little common
sense, Mr. Bolt had managed very well.  The gear that he had ordered was in
and he just finished loading it into the truck.  As he was getting into the
cab, a car going a little too fast started to slide.  Mr. Bolt tried to jump
out of the way but didn't quite make it.  He was struck and flew
seventy-five feet.  He died on impact.

The car was stuck under Mr. Bolt's car.  He tried to pull out but all he did
was spin his tires on the ice.  When the sheriff got there, they discovered
that the driver had been drinking.  He was taking to jail and the ambulance
was called, even though they knew it was too late.

Over the next few months, Mrs. Bolt and Jim went through grief counselling.
This seemed to help their spirits, but they would always miss their husband
and father.  The ranch hands did what they could to help the ranch thrive,
but with Mr. Bolt gone, the business seemed to be disappearing as well.
Mrs. Bolt tried looking for work to make up for what the ranch was losing,
but in the end, she had little choice but to start selling off parcels of
the land.

It was the last day of school and he couldn't believe it, Jim just could not
believe that they were leaving the home he had known all his life.  The
ranch had been in his family ever since it was founded in 1872 when his
great-great-grandfather built it.  Now his dad had been killed by a drunk
driver and his mom just couldn't afford to keep it.   She tried her best but
little by little, the ranch disappeared.

The parcel of land with the house on it was the last remaining piece.  When
it was finally sold, she and Jim packed up what they still had and moved to
another state.  This state wasn't that far away from their home.  It was
just below the Montana border.  "I know you're upset Jim, but there really
wasn't much I could do.  In another month, the bank would have been taking
the property from us.  This way, I was able to make sure it went to some
good people."

Jim spoke for the first time since they got in the car.  "I know, Mom, I'm
just sad.  I already miss Gold and Shadow didn't deserve what just
happened."

Gold was Jim's Palomino stallion.  With selling the ranch, they had no place
left for him to keep the beautiful animal, so after the parcel with the barn
was sold, Gold was also sold as part of the effort to hang onto the house.
Shadow was Jim's black Labrador retriever.  The owner of the house they
would be renting doesn't allow pets and Shadow was getting up there in age
so nobody was willing to take her.  She had to be put down.

"I know, Jim.  I promise you, as soon as I can afford to buy another house,
we will get another dog.  And I'm sure there are ranches all around Cody, so
maybe you can volunteer or something."

"Won't be the same.  We got Shadow when I was five and she lived up to her
name with me.  I feel like I let her down.  And I don't know that I want to
ride another horse again.  And I'm leaving all my friends behind.  You can't
possibly think I'll be happy with this move."

"No, I'm not happy either and seeing you like this really hurts.  But again,
I really didn't have much of a choice.  No one was hiring so I consider
myself lucky to have found this job.  You'll make new friends, just give it
a chance."  Mrs. Bolt reached over to caress Jim's face but he pulled away
and stared out the window.  The trip was about two hours but was going to
feel like it took all day to complete.

It was almost six when they arrived at their new home.  Mrs. Bolt unlocked
the front door and Jim went directly to his new room.  Over the past month,
what belongings they didn't need before the move was brought down and Mrs.
Bolt made several trips setting everything up.  This past week, they were
virtually camping in their old house using sleep bags.  With it being the
last week of school for this year, Mrs. Bolt wanted to wait before moving
and tearing Jim's life apart even more.

Jim was laying on the bed when Mrs. Bolt came to look at him.  "You planning
to hibernate there all summer?"

"No, but I really don't know what else to do.  I don't know anybody here or
any places to go." Jim said.

"Well, you're fifteen years old now so why don't you go explore the area and
see what you can discover.  But not tonight, it's kind of late to be
exploring a new area."

"Do I have to tomorrow?  Can I have a couple days just to myself to grieve?
I really miss her."  Jim asked.

"Sure you can, take this whole week if you want.  You know, Shadow wouldn't
want you to be like this all summer, but a week or two should be fine."

"Thanks Mom, I love you." Jim said

"Supper will be ready in about ten minutes.  I think we're just having
sandwiches and salad tonight.  You coming down to eat?"

"Yea, I'll be down." Jim said.

This was Friday and Mrs. Bolt would be starting her new job on Monday.  She
was working in an office and would leave at 8:30 every morning and not get
home until almost six at night.  It made her feel sad that she couldn't be
home to help Jim get over his loss.  She wasn't even sure if she could had
she been home.

All day Saturday, Jim sat in his room.  When Mrs. Bolt looked in, he was
staring at a picture of Shadow.  This made Mrs. Bolt want to cry but she
held it in and went about tweaking things to make the house feel more like a
home.  Jim came down for meals but as soon as he finished, he went straight
to his room.  Sunday was no different.

Her first day returning home from work, Mrs. Bolt went to Jim's room to
check on him but he wasn't there.  She didn't know if she should be relieved
or worried.  She fixed supper and ate.  Jim still wasn't home.  Then around
eight, Jim came strolling in the door.  "Glad to see you went out.  I fixed
supper but it's probably cold now."

"I'm not hungry." was all that Jim said.  He went up to his room.  Mrs. Bolt
followed him.

"There were no dirty dishes, did you even eat today?" Mrs. Bolt was starting
to worry.

"Yeah, I took an apple with me. And some nuts." Jim said.

"You need more than that.  Did you meet any new friends?"

"No, and I doubt I will." Jim said.

"You were gone all this time and didn't meet anybody?  You were so out going
in Montana.  I'm sure you'll make some friends.  Maybe even a new girlfriend
or boyfriend?"

"That was Montana, and it helped that we were one of the wealthiest families
in the community.  Everybody wanted to hang with me.  Now I'm starting my
sophomore year at a new school with no friends and the only one that loves
me is you."

"You have to give them a chance, Jim.  Just be yourself. I'm sure you'll
make lots of friends, you'll see."

Every day that first week, Mrs. Bolt returned to find Jim not home.  She
wasn't sure when he left, as far as she knew he could have been leaving as
soon as she went to work or right before she came home.  Every day, there
were no dirty dishes or any other sign that Jim had eaten breakfast or
lunch.

Every night, Jim returned home late in the evening.  Some nights it was just
after eight and a couple nights it was as late as eleven.  Mrs. Bolt always
asked Jim if he made any friends.  He always seemed to get upset and tell
her no.  She was really wondering where he was going if he wasn't meeting
anyone and what did he do all day.  When she asked Jim, all he would say is
"stuff".

At night, she could hear Jim crying into his pillow.  He tried to muffle it
so she wouldn't hear him, but she did.  Her heart was breaking and she
wasn't sure how to help.  Should she try counselling again?  Whom should she
talk to?  Where was Jim going all this time?



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