Date: Mon, 26 Oct 2015 02:36:33 -0400
From: Jim <zarek@roadrunner.com>
Subject: Another Chance: Chapter 55

Disclaimer: This story is fictional.  Some of the things that happened or
will happen with Jim are inspired by bits and pieces of my life.  Parts of
the character are fictional as well. All other characters were made up and
any similarities are just coincidental.  This is gay romance between
teenage boys, there may be sex, but for the most part, it's about their
true love of each other 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.

I hope you're enjoying it so far and that the story draws you in wanting
more.  This story was "inspired" by another story, a great story, here on
Nifty, "Riding Lessons" by Andrew Todd.  Some people have compared my
writing style to that of Mr. Todd's and for that, I am flattered.  While
Another Chance does pay tribute to "Riding Lessons", it is a story of its
own and has its own plot and agenda.  If you have any suggestions or
concerns, don't hesitate to email me at zarek@roadrunner.com
<mailto:zarek@roadrunner.com> .  Thoughts and suggestion are always
welcomed and may or may not be implemented.  Concerns will be considered
and addressed as much as possible.


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 55

Jim woke up feeling something, or rather someone crawling over him.  He
opened his eyes and just caught Jakey running into the bathroom.  Feeling
the bed, Jakey's spot was dry and Jim smiled.  Looking at the time, it was
only one in the morning.  It wasn't long until Jim felt Jakey trying to
climb back onto the bed.  "Need some help?" Jim offered.

"Sawwie if I woke you but I had to go potty," Jakey explained.

"That's fine, I would rather you wake me than have another accident.  I'm
proud of you," Jim complimented him.  Jakey smiled, hearing Jim say it, and
he got back between Zac and Jim, snuggling close to Jim.  Jim put his arm
around Jakey and kissed the back of his head before going back to sleep.

After some much needed shut-eye, Jim woke again, he looked at the clock and
it was six o'clock. He got up and went to the shower.  Zac came in, "I'd
like to join you, but don't think it would be a good idea."

"Sorry about that. I guess I should have talked to you before asking to
take him," Jim said apologetically.  He gave Zac a kiss before getting in
the shower.

"Even if you did talk to me, I would have said yes, so no need to
apologize.  As soon as you hugged him that first time, I wanted to take him
home," Zac said, speaking a little louder so Jim could hear him over the
water.  "Can you imagine how he feels about you to start calling you daddy
already?"

"I know that we planned to wait until after all of our schooling is done,
but I wish that I could marry you today so that we can adopt him.  I want
him so badly," Jim stated.

"I know, I've not spent the time with him that you have yet, and I want
him.  You going today to fill out the paperwork to be his `brother'?" Zac
asked.

"I figure that we'd do that after breakfast, when we are done, we'll come
back here and then make some chicken-bacon ranch bombs for lunch. And we'll
go to the ranch after lunch," Jim clarified as he finished his shower.

A little voice came from the door, "Daddy, I gotta go potty."

"You can come in, your other daddy is in the shower, but I'll step out so
you can go," Zac offered.  "You did a really good job, other than the one
accident.  I'm proud of you."

"Thank you, Daddy. I wuv you and Daddy," Jakey said as Zac left him to go
potty.

"You want bacon or sausage for breakfast?" Jim called from the shower,
after he turned off the water and Jakey was done peeing.

"BACON!!!" Jakey shouted.

Jim grabbed a towel, dried himself off and wrapped the towel around his
waist before getting out of the shower.  Jakey had the toilet lid down and
was sitting there.  "What's up, Bud?"

"Just waiting on you, Daddy.  When we gonna go wide horsey Gold?" Jakey
asked.

"After lunch, you looking forward to it?" Jim asked.

"Uh huh, I like horsey Gold," Jakey smiled.

"Let's go fix breakfast, then we need to go to the home so I can fill out
some papers."

"No, pwease don't take me back to the home, I wanna stay wif you," Jakey
begged.

"We're just going so I can fill out papers so I can have you on the
weekends.  I promise, you'll leave with me," Jim said.

"I guess that's okay," Jakey said looking sad.  They got dressed and went
downstairs.

As they went downstairs, Jim noticed that the dining room was full.  Nick
and Chris were sitting there eating.  Marilyn and Vince came over, they
were sipping coffee.  And then Heather, Joe and Zac were there.  Two plates
were sitting with no one at them.  Both plates had bacon and scrambled eggs
on them.  "Looks like someone fixed breakfast for us," Jim said tickling
Jakey's belly.  Jakey just laughed.  "So, why is everyone here?" Jim
questioned as he put Jakey in a chair.

"We've been talking," Heather started.

"About?" Jim asked.

"You and Jakey.  You've only had him one night but as much as you have
bounded in that time, you have a clue how hard it's going to be for you to
turn him back over to them?" Marilyn inquired.

"Very hard, Jakey has already said that he doesn't want me to take him
back, and I've grown so attached to him in the short time, I want to keep
him," Jim was about to cry just thinking of when the week is over.

"Mind you, we think you and Zac are still too young to get married, but in
reality, what would it change?  If the two of you want to get married so
you can adopt Jakey, you have our approval with a few stipulations,"
Heather announced.

"I'm listening," Jim said, looking very attentive and smiling.

"First, you don't move out until both of you have graduated from high
school," Heather began.

"We can do that, like you said, it'll not really be any different than
now," Jim smiled.

"Second, while you boys are in school or working, I get to take care of
Jakey," Marilyn offered.

"What about your baby, Mom? And you're working, usually the same hours that
we are," Zac asked.

"What if I would have had him when you were five?  It's no different,"
Marilyn stated.  "Plus, Jakey will be starting kindergarten.  As for my
work, I usually work from home as is. Vinnie and I think that once the baby
is born, I should go to part time for a while.  I can set my hours while
he's in classes."

"Any other stipulations?" Zac asked.

"We get to help plan the wedding," Marilyn said, moving her finger between
her and Heather.

"So, when can we get married?  I have to take Jakey back on Sunday," Jim
looked sad as he made that comment.

"Unfortunately, it won't be before then, we were thinking maybe a June
wedding.  Dusty should be completely healed and Matt might be home from his
honeymoon.  We figure that they will be your best men," Heather answered.

"Can Jakey be the ring bearer?" Jim asked.

"I couldn't think of anyone cuter," Marilyn grinned.

"I not a bear, I'm a boy," Jakey averred.

"No honey, he said bearer as in you will carry the pillow with the rings,"
Heather told him.

"OH, I can do that," Jakey grinned.

"So what about from now until we get married?" Zac asked. "We want to keep
Jakey."

"You bof want me?" Jakey questioned.

"We sure do," Zac grinned.  Jakey grinned back.

"I don't think they would let Heather take him in since she doesn't have
any spare bedrooms, Vinnie and I are thinking about seeing if we can take
him in, foster him until the two of you can adopt. We're just not sure what
they'll say about me being pregnant and only having the spare room."

"Moms, would it be acceptable if I moved in here, then Jakey could have my
bedroom? I'm here ninety percent of the time, anyway," Zac asked.

"Vince, Heather, what do you think? He will be eighteen in four months and
it's not like he's moving across town or further. And he is here more than
home like he said."

"I have no problem with it as long as he comes to visit once in a while,"
Vince agreed.

"I'll stop in every day just to talk, help you work on your car or
whatever. You are my dad and I love my mom," Zac assured him.  "I promise,
you'll see just as much of me, I'll just sleep here every night."

"And we love you," Vince stated.

"You will have the same rules as Jim and Joe, even once you are eighteen
and married to my son," Heather averred.

"So again, nothing really changes," Zac laughed.

"Except maybe your mailing address will change. If you leave it across the
street, they may say that you still live there and they'll have no room for
Jake," Heather advised.

"I do want to propose an idea for after Heather and I get married," Nick
began. "Chris and I will be moving in here leaving our house vacant.  As
you know, we plan to have the house moved. What if we wait to move the
house until after Jim graduates and you two can live there, giving you some
privacy, yet be close enough that we can still be here for you," Nick
suggested.

"What do you think, Mom?  Can we do that once you and Nick get married?"
Jim asked.

"I'll give it some serious thought, but it does sound like it might be a
good idea.  It would help keep this house from getting too crowded.  And
Jake wouldn't have to share a bedroom with anyone.  We have time before
that happens to decide," Heather replied.

"Thanks, Mom," Jim responded with a smile.

"I do have one question for you, Mom," Zac started.  "When Jim and I get
married, I want to take Jim's last name.  He's proud of his father and
rightly so, your last name is now Abrams, but when Dad adopted me, my last
name didn't change.  I have no desire to carry my biological father's last
name.  Would that upset you?"

"I suppose we should have talked when I adopted you. I didn't know if you
would have wanted my last name, I knew that you planned on marrying Jim and
didn't know if you would change to his last name, and with this being your
last year of high school, I figured it would be easier to wait," Vince
explained.

"I'm not surprised that you don't want to carry his last name.  As long as
you and Jim agree, I have no problem with whatever name you go by.  My main
concern is, I want to see you happy," Marilyn responded.  "Vince and I will
go as soon as their office opens to file to be Jakey's foster parents. It
may take a week or two to get approved, but we will get it started right
away."

Jakey finished his bacon and asked if there was any more.  Jim gave his
bacon to the boy.  "Thank you, Daddy," he cooed.  Jim was kind of
disappointed because he was looking forward to that bacon, but it was a
sacrifice he was willing to make for Jakey.

After he was finished eating, Jim helped Jakey put on a light jacket and
carried him out to his car.  Zac followed them out, "I have a favor to ask,
can I ride with you?"

"That's a silly question, you know that you can," Jim replied.

"You coming wif us, Daddy?" Jakey asked as Jim strapped him in.

"You don't mind, do you?" Zac asked.

"I glad you coming," Jakey said.  Jim had a dirty thought and just smiled,
keeping it to himself.  Zac saw Jim's smile and smacked him, especially
when Jim licked his lips.

At the home, Jim was greeted by Aunt Sallie. First thing she asked was how
the first night went.  "Other than he had an accident in bed, we had fun,"
Jim declared.

"An accident?" Aunt Sallie asked.

"Yeah, I don't know if it was nerves, or maybe too much water before bed,
but he was worried that I would spank him.  He said that when he stayed
elsewhere they did," Jim informed her.

"No one said anything about that to me. You're the first person to tell me
that he wet the bed.  Jakey, did they spank you when you stayed at other
houses?" Aunt Sallie asked.

"Uh huh, but Daddy just told me it was an accident and hugged me," Jakey
replied.

"Daddy?" Aunt Sallie looked at Jim.

"He started that right after you left and I didn't discourage him.  Zac and
I plan to get married and would love to adopt him," Jim said defensively.

"You seem to be the first person to whom he's attached himself.  I can't
make any promises, but I believe when the time comes, we can make that
happen.  Both of you fill this out. Jim, I have a copy of your background
check from when your mother filed for foster care, so you are good to go.
Zac, if you want to be a part of Jakey's life, I will need to run a
background check on you. Since you're not eighteen yet, I will need consent
from your mother or father."

"I believe they are at the CPS office filing for foster care of Jakey," Zac
responded.

Aunt Sallie picked up the phone and dialed quickly. After a brief
conversation with whoever was on the other end, she hung up the phone.
"Yes, they were there and will include you in their background check.  Once
it's complete, I will get a copy," Aunt Sallie informed them.

Another social worker at the home came over. "Jakey, would you like to come
with me so that we can talk?" she asked.

"I wanna stay with my daddies," Jakey cried.

"It's OK, Jakey. I will stay right here until you come back.  I think she
wants to see what you thought about your visit so far without us being
around so you can answer honestly," Jim told him.

"You promise?" Jakey asked.

"Give me a hug and then go talk with the nice lady. I won't move from this
chair until you return."

"And I'll stay here, as well," Zac added.

"K, I be back," Jakey said and he walked with the lady, but kept looking
back to see if they moved.

The lady talked with Jakey, asking pertinent question about what they did
and Jim's conduct. While she was doing that Aunt Sallie was talking to Jim
and Zac.  "I've never seen him drawn to anyone like he has you.  What's
your secret?" Aunt Sallie asked.

"He gets the sense that I care about him. I think it started when I offered
him a hug to show him that he wasn't at fault for my accident.  I know his
hug drew me in," Jim explained.

"For me, I just let him know that I want him as part of my life.  When he
hugged Jim, he melted into my heart.  And our parents have agreed to let us
get married in June so we can file for adoption," Zac added.

"If you want to file now, I can start the paperwork, but it can't be
finalized until one of you is eighteen or you are married," Aunt Sallie
explained.

"Yes, by all means. Would this prevent him from being adopted by anyone
else?" Zac was almost begging.  Jakey was returning and heard them talking.

"Yes, with a pending adoption, he may be placed in a foster home, but
unless there is a problem where you can't adopt, Jakey will eventually be
your son," Aunt Sallie smiled.

"You still here like you promised and you going to adopt me. I wuv you
two," Jakey started to cry as he jumped onto Jim's lap and hugged him. Then
he went over to Zac and hugged him.

"I will never purposely lie to you, Jakey," Jim vowed.

Jim watched Aunt Sallie look at the other lady, who gave a slight nod and
smile.  "I'm sure you know why she took Jakey aside.  I'm happy to say that
you passed," Sallie told them.

"Yes, and I totally understand your reasoning.  I'm glad that you are
looking out for your boys," Jim smiled.

"What did you pass, Daddy?" Jakey asked.

"It means that you were truthful, squirt. And I love you so much,"

"I should have asked you yesterday, but I was surprised by the two of you
interacting.  Do you have a booster seat for Jakey?"

"Yes, I stopped at Walmart and picked one up. I also got some new clothes
for him.  I know that you said we could pick up some of his clothes today,
but I thought he would want pajamas for last night."

"That's fine, just do me a favor and keep his new clothes at your house so
the other boys don't get jealous," Sallie asked.

"We need to go home and eat lunch so we can ride horsey Gold, Daddy," Jakey
urged, grabbing Jim's face.

"Anything else before we leave?" Jim asked.  "I think someone is anxious to
see my horse again."

"No, I think everything is good, thank you for stopping by, I'll see you in
five days," Sallie said as she walked them to the door.

"Bye-bye Aunt Salwie," Jakey said as Jim picked him up to carry him to the
car.

After everyone was seated, Jim drove to Jake's General Store.  They walked
in and Jake greeted them as friendly as usual.  "And who's this little
guy?" he asked.

Jim laughed, "You should have no trouble remembering his name.  This is
Jakey B."

"Well hi, Jakey B. my name is Jake."

"My name Jakey. You Jakey, too?" Jakey asked.

"Yes, but no one has called me Jakey since I was eleven," Jake smiled.
"What can I do for you today?"

"Jakey needs some western wear. Cowboy boots, hat, Levi's and a shirt," Jim
replied. Jake disappeared for a few minutes and came back with a black
western shirt with a royal blue yoke. He asked Jakey what he thought of it.

"For me? I like it," Jakey announced.

"You have that in my size?" Jim asked.

"And mine," Zac added.

"As a matter of fact, I do.  I'm guessing, you want boots for him that
match yours," Jake inquired.

"Yes, please," Jim said.

Jake got everything that Jim and Zac had asked for and Jim was getting
ready to pay until Zac stopped him. "I'm paying for this," he stated.

"What if we split it?" Jim asked.

"You spent more than this last night, please let me just pay for this," Zac
pled.

"Only if you at least let me give you a kiss," Jim smiled.

"OK, I guess we can make that compromise," Zac chuckled.

"Ewww, Daddy's gonna kiss Daddy," Jakey laughed.

"Daddy?" Jake questioned.

"Will be after we get married and adopt him," Jim explained.

Zac paid for everything and Jim kissed Jakey on his left cheek.  Zac
laughed as Jakey rubbed his cheek.  "Did you just wipe my kiss off?" Jim
asked.

"No, I wubbed it in," Jakey giggled.

"In that case, I'll give you another one."

"You s'pose to kiss Daddy," Jakey reminded him.

"Can't I kiss you, too?" Jim asked.  Jakey just smiled and nodded his head
as he giggled.  Zac grabbed their purchases and kissed Jim, then they
headed out to Jim's car to head home.

Zac helped Jim make chicken-bacon ranch bombs and they let Jakey put the
pieces of chicken in each one.  While the bombs were cooking, Jim washed
Jakey's hands and Zac set the table.  When the timer went off, Jim asked
Jakey to stand back while he pulled lunch out of the oven.

Jakey ate six of the bombs while Jim and Zac ate five each.  Jakey seemed
to really love the bombs and Jim enjoyed watching Jakey be happy eating
them.

After they were done eating, they dressed Jakey in his new shirt, black
Levi's, boots and hat. Jim and Zac changed to their new shirt as well so
all three matched.  They moved the booster seat to Zac's truck and Zac
drove to the ranch.  Jackson smiled seeing the three of them dressed alike.
He asked them to pose and he snapped a picture with his phone.

Jim carried Jake to Gold's stall and opened the gate. "C'mon horsey
Gold. Daddy wants put a saddle on so we can wide you."

Gold rubbed his head against Jake's belly causing Jake to giggle.  And then
he headed for the cross ties.  "Are you trying to steal my horse?" Jim
teased Jake and tickled his belly.

Jakey laughed and said that he just wanted to "wide" horsey with his daddy,
not steal horsey.  After Jim had his saddle properly fastened, he put Jake
in it.  Then he mounted and sat behind Jake.  Jim rode to where the people
were starting to gather for trail rides.

"I want to ride with the little boy, he looks so cute with his brother,"
someone said.

"Hey Jim, who's the little guy, he looks cute," Jim heard a familiar voice
ask.

"Hey Matt, Gina. This is Jakey.  Zac and I plan to make him our son after
we get married.  Jakey, this is Matt and Gina.  Matt is your other daddy's
best friend," Jim stated.

"Speaking of which, Zac said that he wanted to speak with me later. Any
idea why?" Matt questioned.

"I know exactly what he wants to talk to you about, but he should be the
one to talk to you," Jim answered.

"You gonna be his best man?" Jakey asked.  Jim couldn't believe that Jakey
asked him like that.

"We've talked about it, he's going to be mine and I am going to be his.
He's just waiting to get some schooling done," Matt replied.

"No, Gwandma and Gwandma planning wedding this summer," Jakey announced.

"For real?" Matt was surprised.  "Is that what he wants to talk to me
about?"

"I may have to tickle Jakey for being a blabber mouth," Jim smiled.

"I sorry," Jakey apologized.

"No, you don't need to be, no one told you not to say anything. I'm just
funning you, but still might tickle you," Jim joked, then he wrapped his
arms around Jakey and hugged him.

Dusty walked over using crutches.  He looked at Jim and Jakey and gave a
puzzled look.  "After you crashed yesterday, did you gain a cute boy? He
could almost be your and Zac's son, he looks so much like a cross between
the two of you."

"Funny you should say so.  Zac and I are wanting to adopt him. He's already
calling me Daddy," Jim responded.

"Are you Dusty?" Jakey asked.

"Yes I am, how'd you know?  Your daddy talk about me?" Dusty questioned.

"Gwandma said something about when you heal, so I guessed," Jakey smiled.

"What about when I am healed?  Which, by the way, tomorrow is eleven weeks
and I should be done with physical therapy and get to throw away these
crutches," Dusty announced.

"FANTASTIC!" Jim shouted.  "You want to tell Dusty what you shared with
Matt?" he asked Jakey.

"I don't wanna be a blabber mouf," Jakey said.

"You're not being one if you're given permission. I know he won't turn YOU
down," Jim assured Jakey.

"You be best man for Daddy?" Jakey asked Dusty.

"Since you asked, how can I say no?" Dusty played along.  "When is the
wedding?"

"I don't know, Grandma said June," Jakey replied.

"This June?  Dude, you're not even out of high school.  What are you
thinking?" Dusty asked.

"What difference will there be between us once we marry.  Our moms have
approved and will sign the consent form so long as we stay at my house
until I graduate.  Mainly, we are rushing this because we know we will
eventually get married and the sooner we do, the sooner we can adopt Jakey.
So, are you still in?" Jim pleaded.

"I already said I would.  I still think you should wait, but yet understand
you're not wanting to wait," Dusty agreed.

"Yea!!!" Jakey shouted.

Dusty picked out a horse and a ranch hand helped him get the saddle on.
Once Dusty was on the horse, the hand tied the crutches as if they were
rifles, to make it easier on Dusty.  Then he joined Jim, Matt and Gina.
"Is Cheyenne going to join us?" Jim questioned.

"No, poor girl has a doctor visit and dental visit today.  I offered to
join her, but she thought the doctor visit might embarrass me.  It's one of
those doctors," Dusty explained.

"Teeth cleaning?" Matt asked.

"That is part of her dental visit. I don't know how she does it, but she
has yet to have a cavity.  I've had a couple and I brush four times a day,"
Dusty lamented.

"Had my first cavity on my last visit," Jim commented. "But enough about
that, shall we ride?"

"Yeah, go horsey Gold," Jakey said and Gold started walking.

When the day was done, Jakey was falling asleep and complaining that his
butt was getting sore.  Jim commented that he did have a long day,
especially for first time riding a horse and told him that he did a good
job.  After Gold was put away, they went home.  Zac thought Jakey looked so
cute sleeping in the back seat of the truck.

Jim counted the tips that he made and while he didn't take any more groups
than he did yesterday before the barrel racing incident, he made more than
twice the money.  Matt had tipped him as usual but then handed him more
saying that it was for Jakey.  Jim put that money in a different pocket so
he could keep it separate.  Then he took half his tips and added that to
Jakey's tip from Matt.

Jakey rode with Jim all week and Jim made a killing in tips.  As he did
with the first day, Jim split the tips with Jakey, but never handed the
money to the boy.  Instead, he bought a bank and they put the money in it.
He decided that when Jakey is with him, he would split the tips evenly, but
when he rode alone, Jake would get ten percent of his tips.

The week was up and Jim was going to school on Monday, so he took Jakey
back to the home that Sunday.  "I don't want to go back," Jakey cried.  "I
wanna stay wif you."

"I know, buddy.  I don't want to take you back either.  If I don't, they
may take you away from me and never let me see you again.  I love you so
much, this hurts me, too," Jim wept.  Jakey wiped the tears from Jim's
face.

"When do I get to be wif you again?" Jakey asked.

"I promise, I will come here right after school on Friday," Jim told him,
hugging Jakey as tight as he could.  He hurried to take Jakey inside to
relieve the pain.

Aunt Sallie met them at the door.  She saw the look on Jim's face and
almost didn't want to take Jakey away from him.  "I have good news, Zac
passed the background check and was approved.  As soon as you two are
married, you will be able to sign for adoption of Jakey."

"You hear that, buddy, I will be your daddy.  I wish I could just keep you
now," Jim started to cry again.

"I love you, Daddy" Jakey sadly said as Aunt Sallie took him from Jim's
arms.  The drive home, Jim felt the loneliest he had ever felt.  He wished
that he had a time machine so he could jump to Friday.

Dusty noticed how sad Jim looked at school and tried all week to cheer him
up.  Jim still maintained the highest grades in class along with Dusty, but
even the teachers could tell that Jim was hurting all week.  When Jim went
to the ranch that Monday, Jackson gave him a copy of the picture that he
took, but that just made Jim miss the little guy even more.

The week dragged on slowly.  The construction workers had just finished the
bedroom for Chris on that Thursday.  Jackson gave Jim a stuffed Palomino
that he had made to give to Jakey.

Finally, Friday came and Jim was a little more cheery, knowing that he
would be picking Jakey up after school.  The day seemed to really drag for
him and it seemed like his forty-five minute classes were taking three
hours each to complete. Finally he was in study hall, his last class, and
it seemed to take longer than any of the other classes.  Jim had all his
assignments completed so he wouldn't need to do any this weekend.  Joe
tried comforting him, reminding him that he was just minutes away from
getting his boy.

After his last class finally let out, Jim drove straight to the home to
pick up Jakey.  He was greeted by a young lady as he walked in.  "Can I
help you?" she asked.

"I'm here to pick up Jakey B.  Aunt Sallie is aware that I was coming, I
thought she would have him ready," Jim responded.

"Didn't anyone tell you?  Jake went to live with his new foster family
earlier today," the lady informed him.

"What?  Was it the Abrams family?  Please tell me that they came and got
him," Jim asked, hoping.

"I'm sorry, I don't even know who that is," the young lady replied.

"Is Aunt Sallie around, I'd like to speak to her," Jim asked.

"She's currently in a meeting right now, but it's already lasted ten
minutes longer than usual if you would like to wait," the young lady
offered,

Jim had just sat down when Aunt Sallie came out of the office with
Mr. Radcliffe.  Jim overheard him tell Aunt Sallie to expect a donation by
the end of the week.  Aunt Sallie saw Jim and walked over to him.  "I'm so
sorry.  We found the perfect foster home for Jake," she apologized.

"Can you tell me who has him, and maybe I can visit?" Jim begged.

"That would be against policy, but I can call them and ask if they would
call you if you give me permission," Aunt Sallie offered.

"Yes, please.  I really want to spend time with Jakey," Jim was
heartbroken.  Sallie picked up the phone as Jim headed out to his car.  He
overheard her say that he was just in to pick up Jake and was wondering if
they would give him a call.

Jim walked out to his car feeling as though someone had punched him in the
stomach. Starting to drive home, he only made it halfway.  He pulled over,
hit his steering wheel with his hand several times and began to cry.

A local police officer, seeing him pulled over, pulled up behind him.  He
got out of his car and walked up to Jim's door, "Son, is everything
alright?"

"No, I just had my heart ripped out of my chest.  I pulled over because I
don't think I should be driving right now," Jim sobbed.

"Would you like for me to call someone so they can come get you?" the
officer asked.  Jim just handed him his phone.

"Call Zac," Jim said.  The phone automatically called Zac and the officer
spoke to him.  He told Zac what he could and stated that Jim needed someone
to drive him home.

It wasn't long before Jackson's truck pulled up in front of Jim's car and
Zac got out of the passenger side.  He walked back to where the officer was
and they spoke for a few minutes, then Zac went to Jim's door and opened
it.  Jim got out of his car and hugged Zac.  "He's gone.  Some foster
family came to get Jakey and now I don't know where he is," Jim cried into
Zac's shoulder.

"I'm sorry, I just found out that Mom and Dad were denied permission to
foster him.  They said that Dad being a security officer was too high risk.
But remember, once we get married, they did say that we would be able to
adopt him. We just have to be patient," Zac offered.

"I don't want to wait that long.  What if he forgets about us?  What if
he's mad at me because I didn't pick him up like I promised?  Will you
drive me home? I think I'm too emotional right now," Jim asked.

"Jakey won't forget about us, and it's not your fault, you went to get him.
As for driving you home, you already know the answer to that.  Jackson's
going to follow us so he can take me back to the ranch and my truck," Zac
kissed Jim on the lips before climbing in the driver's seat.

As Jim walked around to the other side, the police officer handed him a
slip of paper.  "After all of this, you're ticketing me?  For what?  Can my
day get any worse?" Jim asked.

"No, just read it, it's not a ticket," the officer smiled.

Jim looked at the paper and while it looked like a ticket, it was in fact
acknowledgement and a thank you for pulling off the road when he felt he
was no longer capable of driving safely.  It was good for a free cup of
coffee and a donut at the restaurants listed.  Jim smiled a little and
thanked the officer, and then got in the passenger side of his car.  The
officer walked back to his car and waited for Zac to pull out before
turning off his flashing lights.

Zac pulled into Jim's drive and parked the car.  He got into Jackson's
truck, after promising Jim that he'd be home soon.  Jackson looked like he
was hurting for Jim.  As they pulled away, Jim grabbed the stuffed Palomino
and headed inside.





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