Date: Wed, 17 Nov 2010 11:09:19 -0700
From: Jacob Miller <jacobmillertex@aol.com>
Subject: Beneath The Mask: Chapter 22

{Beneath The Mask is pure fiction. As I am writing this story, I am above
the age of 21. If you want a story with lots of sex, look elsewhere. This
is a love story. Seeing as it is a love story, sex is in there, but it's in
realistic balance in the characters' lives.

Any similarity to any real events, names, or life events is purely
accidental. If you are underage, (according to your state laws as a minor),
if this literature is offensive to you or to anyone around your viewing
area, or it is illegal for you to view such content where you are reading
it, stop reading the story.

This story can't be distributed in anyway, shape or form without my
expressed consent.}

Written by J.P.G.


				Chapter 22

After school, Carlos needed to report to his probation officer. He walked
into the probation office, signed in and sat down in the lobby. His
appointment is at four thirty, but he didn't get seen till five minutes
after five.

His probation officer came to get him from the lobby and escorted him to
his office. They sat down and the probation officer went through the same
questions that he always asks. After asking the questions he finally looked
up at Carlos.

"I know that you were still in high school, but you need to start paying
your probation fees and fines. If you fall behind, you can be revoked and
sent back. You know as well as I do you don't want to go back to the
detention facility. There is no way, you will make it out of there alive,
and you know that."

Carlos just sat there stunned by what his probation officer just said. "I
go to school all day long, and I have to be back in my house by no later
than seven or my monitor will go off and you will revoke me. My grandmother
or my mother can't afford any extra bills than they already have right
now."

"Look at me Carlos so you can see that I am very serious about what I'm
telling you." Carlos looked straight into his probation officers
face. "Your personal issues aren't my problem. What my problem is that you
aren't paying your probation fees or fines. The State doesn't care about
your family personal finances.

Maybe what you need to do is getting off your lazy butt and go to work in
the evenings and weekends. If you show me a schedule of your work hours or
your boss calls me I will go ahead and change the time on the monitor for
you to work. But when you come in here next time, you better make payment
on your fines and probation fees."

Carlos nodded his head in agreement with his probation officer. He got up
and walked out of the office. On the bus home, he couldn't stop thinking
about what his probation officer just said. If he doesn't come in next
month with his payments he might be revoked and be sent back. There is no
way he will make it out of there if he goes back.

Although his mother has remarried, they are barely making a from payday to
payday paying the bills. His grandparents are living on Social Security and
that is not even supporting them and the savings his mother and stepfather
have are being spent on the move from the central part of town to the west
side. There is no money for them to give him for his probation fees and
fines.

Carlos didn't sleep at all through the night. He couldn't stop thinking
that this might be the last month that he is in the free. The next morning
when he got to school he could barely look anyone in the face. Finally,
Alex pulled Carlos to the side as they were putting away their trays.

"I know there is something bothering you this morning Carlos. You aren't
acting like yourself at all. What is it that's on your mind and maybe I can
help you through it. You have helped me through a lot of crap in my
life. Now it's time for me to try and return the favors that you have done
for me."

At first Carlos tried to not involve Alex in his problems but Alex won't
let him go until he spilled the beans. Carlos finally broke down and told
Alex everything that had happened to him yesterday. He told Alex everything
that his probation officer told him and that he basically threatened him if
he doesn't pay his probation fees or fines.

"That son of a bitch thinks he can fuck with us. He looks at you like you
are some piece of shit that walked off the street. By the sounds of it he
didn't like the idea of you getting out in the first place. Now he's
looking for any reason to send you back and he doesn't care if your life is
in danger or not.

He is not going to get away with this and let me tell you why. You will go
speak with Mr. Baird after school today. Tell him what you told me and he
will give you a job at the new print shop. He will work or around your
school schedule. He will give you the hours that you need to not only pay
your fees but to have money in your pocket."

"Alex I really don't know all what to say. You don't have to do this for
me. I was thinking about going to fast food restaurants and putting in
applications. Someone out there will hire me and give me enough hours that
I need have in order to pay my probation officer."

"Screw that Carlos! You are my friend. You have been there at my side since
we were kids. I won't abandon you now when you need my help. Just do what I
told you and you will have a job without question."

Carlos couldn't help but smile, because he felt relief. Now he can think
straight and stop thinking about his probation officer's threats. Alex and
he joined the others and quickly got back into the conversation that the
others are having. He looked around at the group of friends that they have
now. It confirmed to him by having Alex as friend, he will be okay.

Still not knowing their way around the school yet, Alex and Matt left
earlier than the others in order to get to class on time. When they reached
their first period classroom, they just stood outside the door talking with
each other. They really want to hold hands, but they don't want others to
know that they are boyfriends yet.

The first bell rang, but they stood outside watching the others walked
in. They don't want to be the first ones in the classroom, because they
might get a rep they don't want. When the warning bell rang, they finally
walked in and took their seats.

Their teacher had each student go in front of the class and read the report
they did the night before. Alex just looked at Matt as the teacher called
student after student up to the front. When the teacher finally called on
Alex. Instead of going up front. He told the teacher he didn't complete his
assignments.

That got Alex off the hook from going in front of the class to read his
assignment. When the class ended, the teacher held Alex back as the rest
the students walked out. Once the final student walked out the teacher
walked around his desk and sat in the desk next to Alex. He just sat there
for a few seconds and than finally spoke.

"Your transcripts is telling me that you are a very smart student. Smart
students don't forget their homework. They always do their homework and
hand it in when due. I believe that you have your assignment done. I just
don't think you wanted to get up and read in front of the class. Am I right
on that assumption?"

"I didn't know that you are going to have us read our assignments in front
of the class. I really don't like speaking in front of large groups of
people that I don't know. So yes you are right on your assumption, but I
rather take an F. I won't talk in front of the class."

"I don't want to give you an F Alex. If you completed your assignment,
please hand it in. You need to get going so you aren't late for your second
period. You and I will figure out another way to get you used to talking in
front of large groups."

Alex ripped his assignment out of his notebook and handed it to his
teacher. He got up, thanked his teacher and walked out. Just as he got out
into the hallway, he ran right into Matt. They walked together to the next
class and barely made it as the tardy bell rang.

At lunchtime Alex explained to Matt what happened between him and their
first period teacher. It actually made Matt laughed a little because he
didn't know that Alex is actually afraid of speaking in front of large
groups of people. He always thought that since he's a gang leader nothing
bothered him.

Alex quickly changed the conversation away from what had happened in the
morning to why they are eating in the cafeteria. He didn't know that
Dewayne is off today and that's the reason they are eating at school. He
looked over at Jacob and noticed that he looked a little down. He can tell
that Jacob is really missing Dewayne when he is away from him. That is
love; a love that you rarely find between a couples.

As soon as they finished eating they left the cafeteria. Jacob left a
little bit earlier than they did because he needed to go to the ROTC
building. So Alex, Matt, the new group of friends and the old group of
friends all headed out to the football field.

Tom got a hold of a football, and they started to pass the ball back and
forth. Within a few minutes of just passing the ball back and forth,
another group of students walked up and challenged them to a game of touch
football. Of course Tom, Alex and the others didn't back down from the
challenge.

Without a challenge everyone agreed that Tom should be the quarterback. The
others filled in the other open positions before lining up. The minute the
ball got hiked, it became obvious that the other team has no plans on
playing touch football. They immediately went after, and tackled Tom as he
released the ball.

Robert turned around just in time as the ball came flying at him. He caught
it and ran another ten yards before getting tackled himself. As he got up
and wiped himself off, he ran back over to the huddle.

"Listen, it looks like these guys aren't going to play touch football. If
they choose to play that way, fine. If they come at you and you tackle
them. Make it loud and clear not to fuck with us." Tom slapped his hands
and gave the next play.

They hiked the ball, and this time they are prepared for getting
tackled. They opened a hole in the defense line so huge, a herd of buffalo
could run through it. But instead of a herd of buffalo, only Alex needed to
run through it. There's no one there to stop Alex once he ran through the
defense line and Alex ran untouched to the end zone.

Quickly, Tom and his gang got the ball back and scored again. Alex started
to hear cheering from the stadium. He looked up and noticed a crowd of
students watching them as they finished up their lunches. He couldn't help
but smile at what he is seeing.

About five minutes before the bell, the other team called it quits. The
final score at the end was four touchdowns to none. The other team can't
use as an excuse that everyone on Tom's team is on the football team since
the only one that is on the football team is Tom, and nobody else.

After washing up in the bathroom, they headed over to their lockers to get
the afternoon books. Alex is really not into his afternoon classes because
one of them is the class that he really never wanted to take. The only
reason he is taking ROTC is to get rid of his PE requirements. He would've
taken PE instead of ROTC, but he couldn't due to the monitor.

Alex walked into his fifth period with Matt; he noticed that Jacob looked
frustrated. That is why he doesn't like the class. The pressure alone is
put on the student would scare anybody away from this class. Alex thinks
the class could be a lot more fun if the instructors would lighten up or if
they had different instructors altogether.

As the afternoon wore on, Alex started to think about his appointment with
his probation officer after school. He and Matt have to report in just like
Carlos did the day before. Although they have different probation officers
they have to follow the same rules when it comes down to paying their fees.

He got brought out of thought when Jacob approached him. "After school, you
guys meet me at my truck so I can take you to report in. Your mother asked
me this morning if I would take you so you guys don't have to take the
bus. It completely escaped my mind until I saw you sitting here in space."

"Thanks Jacob! We really do appreciate it."

Jacob got up and walked off. Matt turned to Alex and asked him the very
thing that is bothering him. He just stared at Matt with his mouth wide
open. Alex started to feel that Matt could read what is going on in his
mind.

"I really don't know how to answer your question. One thing is for sure, if
our probation officer is anything like Carlos', we are going to get a
mouthful. Poor Carlos got his head ripped off by his probation officer
yesterday when he reported in."

Just then their Sergeant approached them. "I don't know what you guys are
talking about, but one thing is for sure it isn't the assignment. Stop your
talking and study the ranks. You will get quizzed on Friday on what you're
supposed to be studying right now."

Alex and Matt looked down at the desk and started going through their
notes. They didn't speak again to each other the rest of the period. On
their way to their final class. They didn't speak to each other. They are
both stuck in thought about what might be coming to them in just a couple
of hours.

The minute they got dismissed from their final class, Alex and Matt walked
as fast as they could to the locker, got their books and walked to the
parking lot. As they walked up to the truck, Jacob and the others are
already sitting inside waiting for them.

Matt got in trying to figure out how the others can get out of the school
so quickly. As he sat there in thought, Alex explained to Jacob and the
others that they do have an appointment at four, but more than likely that
they won't be seen at that time. None of them has a problem waiting for
them.

Jacob drove up and parked as close as he could to the probation
office. Alex and Matt got down looking nervous as hell. Alex started to
walk away from the truck. When Jacob called him and Matt back over.

Jacob pulled out a couple hundred dollar bills from his wallet. "Here take
this and pay your probation fees and any other fines that you've got to
pay." Alex didn't take the money, nor did Matt. "Look guys, this isn't
something am giving to you; it's a loan. When your printing company gets
going, you will pay me back any money that I'm loaning you. So just take
this and get in there before you're late."

Alex took the two hundred dollar bills from Jacob. He handed one to Matt as
they walked into the office. Unlike Carlos' experience the day before with
his probation officer, Alex and Matt are surprised and pleased their
officer didn't ride them or make them wait. In fact he came out to get them
right on schedule, and got them out quickly.

They wanted to go down to the office after meeting with the probation
officer, but decided against it because of time. They just headed straight
home instead. The first thing they did when they walked in to the house is
do their homework. After they completed their homework they started fooling
around.

Right when Matt fell to his knees between Alex's legs, some one started
knocking on the bedroom door. Alex looked at the nightstand to see what
time it is. He realized without even having to ask that it is one of his
brothers coming to get them for dinner.

Alex pulled Matt up from the floor and gave him a kiss on the lips before
they walked out. To no surprise to neither of them they ran right into
Lorenzo at the bedroom door. Alex grabbed him and tossed him on his
shoulders.

Trying not to be noticed, Alex and Matt ate as quickly as they could. The
minute they finished eating, they got up and put their plates and
silverware in the dishwasher. When they thought they got out of there scot
free, they got stopped at the back door.

"Hey Alex, can you and Matt come up to my room for a minute?"

Alex turned around to see Jacob standing behind him. He nodded his head and
followed Jacob up the stairs. He hopes whatever that Jacob needs to speak
with him about can be done fast. He wants to get back to his house and be
with Matt before his little brothers, called them over to play in the game
room.

They walked into Jacob's room to find Dewayne sitting on the bed. Alex and
Matt stood at the door, and didn't step completely into the room. Jacob
didn't notice it until he turned around. He looked at Alex and Matt not
understanding why they don't want to come into the room.

"Okay, this is very strange of you guys. We aren't going to jump
you. Please, come in. There something we would like to discuss with you."

Alex and Matt walked in and they didn't stop until they stood in the middle
of the room in front of Jacob. "Good we can't now get down to business. I
would like to offer you something and before you say anything, hear me
out. I know you are a very proud man Alex and you don't like to accept
anything that you consider a handout.

Now with that said I would like to explain to you first why I need to do
this. This bedroom set I bought when I was together with Joey. In fact,
Joey and I bought this bedroom set together. By the looks in your faces you
are seeing where I'm going with this.

In this very bed Joey and I shared our moments together. The mattresses
aren't dirty they are still pretty much brand-new. But I don't feel right
sleeping in this bed with Dewayne even after I have changed the sheets over
and over again.

So after talking it over with Dewayne, we have decided to buy a new bedroom
set. We don't want to sell this one. Instead we would like you guys to have
it. Again let me emphasize what I said at the beginning of this
conversation. I know you are a proud man, Alex and you don't accept
handouts. This isn't a handout. If you will take this bedroom set off my
hands you would be doing me a favor."

Alex really didn't know what to say. He just stood there in silence trying
to gather his thoughts. The way the Jacob explained it, it does sound like
he will be doing Jacob a favor at the same time that Jacob is doing him a
favor.

"I do understand why you want to get rid of this bedroom set. I believe you
when you say that the mattresses are basically brand-new. Also as I look at
the bedroom set it looks like there is no wear and tear on any piece of
this set. So yes I will take this set off your and Dewayne's hands."

Alex walked up to shake Jacob's hand. "But I will pay you for it. It seems
that you have opened me a charge account with you. Give me a price and I
will pay it."

Jacob pulled a piece of paper from his pocket. It is the original receipt
to the bedroom set. This receipt is attached to another piece of paper. As
Alex wrote down the second piece of paper he noticed that Jacob knocked
discounted the original price. Such as wear and tear, how long he has owned
it and a family discount. The final price written on the bottom of the
second piece of paper is five hundred dollars.

Alex looked up to Jacob and smiled. "You really do know me in only a few
months of friendship. I agree with the price, and I will pay it in
full. Maybe not all at once, but it will get paid in full."

"Alex, there is no doubt in my mind that you will pay me back any money
that I loan you. We are hoping to go out after school tomorrow to look at
bedroom sets. If we find one tomorrow it will probably be delivered on
Friday. If that's the case, on Friday, we will help you and Matt move this
set to your house."

Alex once again agreed with Jacob and shook his hand, bidding him
goodnight. Alex and Matt tried to escape, but once again got caught at the
back door. This time it's Lorenzo and Ismail asking Alex and Matt to join
them in the game room.

"Why don't you let your brother and Matt go back to their room? They look
exhausted and they might not be up to playing with you guys." Franseca
tried to help Alex and Matt get away.

Alex looked at his little brothers, and could see that they really want him
and Matt to join them. He looked over to Matt and Matt knew that they are
going to go down to the game room. Alex doesn't like to say no to his
little brothers. It didn't bother Matt at all because he likes to hang with
the younger versions of Alex.

By the time they finally got to their room. They only have time to shower
and get ready for bed. They could stay up and have sex if they want to not
get nearly enough sleep. They opted to get sleep over having sex.

Matt crawled into the bed, followed by Alex. They cuddled up against each
other as they tried to get comfortable in the small bed. Matt wrapped his
arms around Alex and rested his head right next to the back of Alex's head.

"The good thing, we only have a couple nights left sleeping in this small
bed. Hopefully by Saturday, we will have a queen size bed." Matt whispered
into Alex's ear as he nibbled on Alex's neck.

"Can you imagine having sex on a queen size bed? When we got together at
the center we both had twin beds. When we came here same thing. The only
way we are able to have sex is by doing it on the floor."

"You know, I really didn't give it much thought until you just said this
Alex. You are right we really haven't had sex in a bed. Why don't we hold
off on having sex until we get our new bedroom set? That way we can have
sex all night long on our new bed."

"I can have sex with you all night long, and all day long, seven days a
week. Every time I look at you, I get so horny that I can barely restrain
myself. There has been so many times I wanted to rip your clothes off and
have my way with you."

Alex turned his head as Matt leaned over to kiss him. As they kissed, Matt
ran his hand down Alex's chest and stomach and didn't stop until he reached
Alex's dick. Matt didn't have to search for his boyfriend's dick because it
is hard and leaking pre-cum through the underwear. He wanted so badly to
help out and relieve the pressure that is building in Alex's balls. But he
knows if they get started, they won't stop.

They made out for a while, and finally went to sleep. When they woke up the
next morning they both had a huge erections. He crawled out of bed with
their dicks pointing straight out. Even after getting dressed their Levi's
couldn't hide their erections.

Once they walked into Jacob's house, their erections finally went
down. They sat down at the table as Franseca finished up cooking
breakfast. Just like the mornings before, they ate at the house and ate
again at school.

Carlos told Alex that he spoke with Mr. Baird yesterday and he got a
job. When he reports next month he can pay not only the current amount, but
he can also pay what he couldn't pay this month. That should shut his
probation officers mouth for a while.

"The next time you guys play football during lunch, I would like to be
invited to play in the game. You don't know how weird it felt hearing that
you guys played from other people." Jacob looked at Tom as he spoke.

"Sorry Jacob, we went out to toss the pig skin around. Another group of
guys walked up and dared us to a game. You know me and a dare. I can't turn
it down."

Everyone nodded their heads to what Tom just said except Alex, Matt and
their group of friends. Jacob let the subject drop and moved on to
another. Alex started to talk with Matt about doing something over this
weekend.

"I didn't mean to eaves drop, but I have a question. Don't you guys have to
be in your house by seven in the evening like we do? That doesn't give you
enough time to go to the movies and eat." Alex looked over at Steve to see
a angry look in his face.

"I don't know what your probation officer set up for you guys, but Matt and
I don't have to be in our house until ten. That gives a plenty of time to
catch a movie and eat."

Alex wanted to tell Steve to mind his own business, but he bit his
tongue. Steve couldn't believe that they get to say out a lot longer. Matt
maybe deserves a later time, but Alex ran the gang and shouldn't be trusted
to stay out late.

Steve got lucky when the bell rang. Alex could see disgust in Steve's face
and was about to invite him outside to discuss it in more detail but Steve
got save by the bell. Alex dropped it and walked away.

"Alex, I am proud of you for not doing what you wanted to do to Steve. If I
can see it in your face and trust me, Steve saw it as well. You looked like
you wanted to grab Steve and just knock the living shit out of him," Matt
observed.

"The only reason I didn't do what I wanted to do to Steve is because of you
Matt. I want to be with you and I kept thinking if I hit this guy, I would
not only get suspended, but I could get revoked as well. You are the reason
I want to stay out of trouble."

"Me and your family of course."  Matt jabbed Alex in the arm.

"Of course my family as well. They mean as much to me as you do." They
reached their locker and Alex turned to face Matt. "Look, you helped me
keep a level head in that place we were in. You help me keep a level head
while we are at school. I don't want to embarrass you because I feel I need
to fight someone to get my point across. I don't care what Steve thinks of
me. I care what you think of me."

At that moment they both wanted to kiss each other. They looked around and
saw way too many people around. They held off and just grabbed their books
out of the locker. They headed to class tapping each others hands as they
walked to class.

The minute the bell rang, the teacher handed back the assignments that they
handed in the day before. Not saying a word, he filled out the attendance
sheet. The students just watched the teacher walk to the door, put his
attendance sheet in the box and walk back. He just stood in front of the
class looking out at them.

"When I asked you guys to read your assignments in front of the class
yesterday I didn't give you permission to ad-lib. I sat at home reading
your assignments and couldn't believe the differences between what you
wrote in what you said.

You will see three different grades on your assignments I handed back to
you. The first one is the grade I gave you for speaking up front of the
class. The second one is the grade that you got on the written part. The
third is the final grade that went into my grade book. That is the average
of the two."

Alex looked down at his paper and saw a zero for the first grade, a hundred
for the second and his average is a failing grade of a fifty. He looked
over to Matt's desk to see his assignment in his final grade is an
eighty-five. He slid his assignment into his notebook and didn't bother to
look at it anymore.

Once again when the bell rang, the teacher kept Alex and let the other
students go. Alex already angry with what occurred during breakfast with
Steve, and now this! He is boiling over, and it is taking a lot to keep
control of his anger.

"I can see that you aren't happy with your grade. I explained to you
yesterday Alex that you needed to get up in front of the class and read
your assignment. That was basically half of your grade for this
assignment. Maybe next time, you will think twice before you lie and say
that you didn't do your assignment."

"This is not a debate class or a class that requires you to speak in front
of the other students. This sheet of requirements you handed to the class
the first day of the semester." Alex pulled out the sheet of requirements
for this class. "Nowhere in here is stated that, whenever YOU feel like it,
we have to come up in front of the class and read our assignments. It does
go into complete detail on how your grading system works and again, it
doesn't state the grading method that you used for this assignment."

Alex got up to leave, but stopped. "Although I don't think it's fair, but I
will take a failing grade you gave me. If you are going to start using this
grading system for our assignments, you need to put it on this sheet or not
hand out this sheet at all."

He turned and walked out the door. Matt met him in the hallway and new by
the look on his face that it's best to leave him alone for now. At the end
of third period, Alex had settled down from earlier. Although Alex is okay
right now, Matt knows that anything small could actually set him off.

Instead of going to the cafeteria for lunch, they met the guys at Jacob's
truck. Since Dewayne is working today they are going to go to Taco Bell for
lunch. They found a long line when they walked into the restaurant. This is
the first time that they walked in and found the restaurant slammed with
customers.

It seemed as if the customers never stopped coming. Because of that Dewayne
could not join them for lunch. That didn't stop Jacob and Dewayne stealing
looks of each other. Alex could see that Jacob really wanted to eat lunch
with Dewayne, but they couldn't.

After lunch, the rest the afternoon went by really fast. Before Alex knew
it, he found himself walking with Matt to Jacob's truck. He is still a
little frustrated about his morning. He tried his best to just let it
go. He still has a long evening ahead of him, because he is going to go to
work.

Since Jacob is going to go out with Dewayne searching for a new bedroom
set, Alex and the guys are going to have to go to work in Tom's car. So as
soon as they drove up to the house, they all got down. Alex, Matt, Chase
and David waited for Tom outside by his car, as he ran in to get his car
keys. They know if they go inside, they won't be able to get out without
being asked to eat something.

All the way to work, everyone couldn't stop talking about how excited they
are. This is going to be their first job and they're going to have fun
doing it. It is not often that friends can get a job with each other and on
the same shift. Even Alex got into a better mood than he started out with
as he talked with the guys.

This time as they drove up to the building, Al told them where to park so
where they don't have to pay. Tom parked and everyone jumped out of the
car. They walked over to the building talking with each other about what to
suspect on their first day of work.

Taking the elevator down to the basement, they got off and walked into the
print shop to find some of the machines going already. Alex and Matt went
looking for Mr. Baird, while Tom and the others looked for their time cards
and clocked in.

Alex found Ron walking Carlos through the plant. He and Matt caught up to
Ron and just listened to him as he gave the tour. The tour ended at the
time clock, and that is where they ran into Tom, Chase and David.

"Good, I am glad to see you all here on time for your first day. Since you
three have already walked around the plant there is no need for me to give
you a tour of it. Let me say this is here, before anything else. Give
yourselves time to learn what each machine does and what they are
called. If I ask you to go to a certain machine and you have no idea what
I'm talking about, ask me, and I will walk you through the machines.

Also I need to let you know, there are certain things that you can't do
because of your age. We have plenty of work here that you can do and still
get your hours in. As we get going. I will let you guys know what you can't
do by law."

Ron walked everybody over to pallets of merchandise. He split everybody
into groups of two except Alex and Matt. He then told them what to do with
the material on the pallets. As soon as they understood which machines got
what, Ron, Alex and Matt walked over to Ron's office.

"It looks like we're getting the complete crew for the evening shift. We
are getting a lot of work, and there is no time to spare. In order to keep
the customers we have I want to get their orders out ahead of schedule. We
are a brand-new company and we need to build not only a customer base, but
trust and confidence with our customers."

Alex sat down and looked around Ron's office. Ron hasn't made it personal
yet, and Alex is starting to wonder why. He turned his attention back to
what Ron is saying. He understands everything and agrees with it.

"In the everyday running of this company is yours. We are busy with school
and can't give it the time it requires like you can. I just have a few
concerns I believe you can clear up.

The first one is where are we getting the money to not only buy the needed
materials to get the print shop going but to pay everyone. I don't want
anyone to put in time and we don't have the money to pay them or we give
them paychecks and they just bounce."

"Remember that you and Matt have forty-nine percent of the business. The
other fifty-one percent is owned by Jacob. He and I have spoken and he is
fronting all the money to get this company going. Once it's on its feet,
and we start getting paid. He is going to pull out his funding and we have
to make it on what we are getting."

"Okay I understand that. I know that Jacob made a very big investment and
he wants it to succeed. Once we are on our feet, are we going to be able to
afford everything without the financial subsidy from Jacob? He is a great
guy, but I would like him to start receiving money and not spending it."

"I agree with you on that Alex and I believe within ninety days we will be
independent of Jacob for operating capital. Once the word got around what
we are charging, we have more customers than we can handle. That is why
you're going to have a day and evening crew in order to keep up with all
the orders we are getting."

Ron pulled out contracts that have been signed by every school in the
school in El Paso, Ysleta, Socorro and Fabens school districts. He also has
contracts from the ROTC programs, car companies, local restaurants and
other local companies. Alex couldn't help but smile at the amount of work
that they already have.

"So as you can see, there is nothing to worry about. As long as we keep
these customers happy, there will be a lot more to come. That is where I
come in at, and I promise you, these customers will be so happy. They
aren't going to go anywhere else," Ron said with a wry smile.

All the other questions that Alex had were answered! Everything came down
to a customer base. As long as they have a customer base their business
will succeed.

"I have a weird question for you, but I have to ask. What do you want Matt
and me to do to earn our pay? As you said earlier, we are young. There are
certain things that we can't do because our government says we can't do
it."

"You guys are the owners and owners just show up. Come in and learn the
company from the ground up. That way when you do come of age, you will know
every bit of this company. I don't see this company going anywhere in my
lifespan or yours. If you have kids, you will be able to pass this company
to them. And so on and so on."

Alex, Matt and Ron walked out of the office so Ron can start showing them
every machine in the print shop. He repeated the same thing he told them
earlier not to worry about learning each machine right now. In time, they
will learn everything they need to know all about running this business.

By eight, everyone started to clock out. Ron has them scheduled from four
to eight every evening and ten hours on Saturday and ten hours on
Sunday. That gives them their complete forty hours a week and still enough
time to get home, do their homework and get ready for their next day of
school.

Before leaving, Al stopped Alex and Matt and got them on the phone with the
security company. They selected their codes before the security company
walked them through setting the alarm and turning the alarm off. The last
thing, the security company explained to them is that their codes only give
them access to the lobby and the basement. After the main alarm is set,
they can't go up past the first floor or the alarm will go off.

Alex got off the phone and walked over to Al. "Thank you Sir for trusting
us. I promise that we won't compromise your trust in us. We have been given
an opportunity here that no one in our shoes would ever get."

"Alex, you guys have shown me that I can trust you. Just like I learned
from my grandson, you guys will also learn. When he says that you can trust
someone he is always right. Make your company succeed and you guys will
never have to worry about anything. If you run into a problem, please don't
hesitate to ask me or Jacob for help. You guys are now part of our extended
family."

Instead of shaking Al's hand, Alex hugged him instead. This is the kind of
grandfather that he wishes he could have. He can't remember his
grandparents on his mother's side, but he can on his father's. They were
even worse than what his father was and that's being generous to them.

Al set the alarm and locked up the building. Alex and the others headed to
Tom's car more excited than they were when they arrived. They can't wait
until tomorrow to go to work again. They really liked what they were doing
and can't wait to actually do what they are going to do every day when they
go to work.

They got home in fifteen minutes with the scarce traffic on the roads. The
minute they walked into the door, Franseca called them over to the kitchen
to eat. She explained to Alex and the others that everyone one had already
eaten except them and Jacob's grandfather.

After dinner, Alex and Matt went to their house to do their homework. As
they finished their homework, Alex headed back over to Jacob's to spend
time with Lorenzo and Ismail. He knows his little brothers are waiting for
him to play video games.

Somehow they went from playing video games to wrestling with each other. Of
course Alex let his little brothers win every time. After they won, they
ran around the game room yelling that they can't be beaten. Alex just laid
there on the ground letting his little brothers enjoy themselves.

He finally left his little brothers close to ten. Alex showered, laid out
his clothes for the next day before getting into bed. He looked at the
clock on the nightstand to make sure the alarm clock is on and when he saw
the time. He couldn't believe that it is already eleven fifteen.

He flipped over to look at Matt as he sleeps. He just laid there in the bed
looking at his boyfriend. Alex moved the few hair strands that had fallen
into Matt's face. He leaned and kissed Matt on the lips before he fell to
sleep.

At one thirty in the morning, Alex jolted awake from a bad dream. He pulled
himself up and leaned his back against the wall in a cold sweat. As he sat
there trying to calm down, he realized that he didn't need to set the alarm
for the morning. It is Saturday and they don't need to get up so early in
the morning.

Alex turned off the alarm before he crawled under the covers. As he pulled
the covers over him, Matt reached out and wrapped his arms around him. Alex
moved as close as he could to Matt. He grabbed a hold of Matt's hand and
held it tight. It didn't take long before Alex fell back to sleep again.

He didn't wake again until he felt Matt kissing him. Alex opened his eyes
and looked up to see Matt smiling down at him. He reached out and pulled
Matt down to him where he could return the kiss that Matt had woken him up
with.

Alex reached between Matt's legs and placed his hand on his thigh. Slowly
he moved his hand up Matt's thigh until felt Matt's balls. Alex squeezed
Matt's balls gently a couple of times before he moved towards Matt's
dick. Matt knows what Alex is doing so he stepped back from the bed,
breaking the kiss.

"Oh no you don't, you gangster of mine! You know if we get started we won't
be able to stop. We need to get up, get ready for work and go over for
breakfast. When we get home tonight, I want your gangster muscular body all
over me!"

Matt kissed Alex on the lips before he pulled Alex out of the bed. Alex
didn't know that Matt was going to pull him out of bed. He landed up ended
up falling to the floor, smashing his hard dick between him and the
floor. He looked up to see Matt laughing as Matt walked to the closet.

Alex got up and pulled down his underwear. His hard dick sprung straight
out. Matt walked out of the closet to find his boyfriend standing in the
middle of their room flexing at him with his underwear at his ankles.

"You know that you want this body all over you right now." Alex stopped
flexing and grabbed a hold of his hard dick. "He wants your warm mouth all
over him. He and I have been missing your warm mouth all week."

Matt stood their looking at Alex as he talked about his dick in a second
person. He thought that was hot. It took every ounce of will power for Matt
to not drop the clothes in his hand and run over to Alex, fall to his knees
and grab Alex's dick. Matt walked over and kissed Alex on the lips, tugged
on Alex's dick a couple as he whispered into Alex's ear.

"You and him..." Matt tugged once more on Alex's dick. "...are going to
have to wait until tonight to get my sweet, warm lips around him! You or
him won't regret it if you wait until tonight. Damn the big bed! We are
going to have sex no matter if we have the bigger bed or not!"

Matt let go of Alex's dick and walked out of the room leaving the door
open. Alex quickly pulled up his underwear before anyone could see him
standing there naked. Alex ran over to the chair where he laid his clothes,
he got dressed and headed out.

Just like last night, Alex and the guys hitched a ride with Tom and
David. Jacob and Dewayne are staying at the house for the delivery of the
new bedroom set. Alex tried to stay in order to help Jacob moved out his
old bedroom set into his room. But Jacob refused to let Alex stay. Jacob
promised that he and Dewayne will move the furniture around. By the time
they get home this afternoon, both rooms will be set up.

With hesitation Alex agreed and headed out. They got to work to find the
building locked still. Alex is surprised to find the building that still
locked up. He suspected to run into either Ron or Al as they got to work.

Alex reached down his pockets and realized that he didn't bring his keys to
the building. Matt pulled out his keys and unlocked the building. Before
heading down to the print shop, Alex turned off the alarm system. Once they
got downstairs and unlocked the print shop neither Alex nor Matt knew what
to do from there.

Tom, David and Chase went to clock in before doing anything else. As they
clocked in, Alex and Matt turned on the lights to the main floor. They
walked over to their offices and found that Ron or somebody had moved in
furniture. The other three guys joined Alex and Matt in Alex's office.

"So dude, what are we going to do today to earn our paycheck?" Tom asked as
he walked into the office and leaned against the wall.

"Right now all we can do is wait for Ron to show up. He knows what machines
need to be turned on and what we need to be running right now. So just
relax and enjoy this time, because we will be working very soon."

Everyone found a spot in the office and sat down. Not even ten minutes
passed when Ron, Carlos and a couple other guys walked in. Before Ron did
anything he went over to the break area and put on a pot of coffee. Once he
got his coffee made and drank a couple slurps of it, he is ready to go and
called the guys out to the floor.

"Today we are going to run only four machines. I want to try to get two
print jobs done before the day is over. Follow me over to the machines we
are going to run. I will show you what each of you will be doing today."

After Ron started up the machines he showed each person what they are going
to do for the day. At first he had no plans on putting the Alex or Matt on
a machine. But they asked to work like the others in order to learn. Ron
agreed and put Alex and Matt together on one of the machines.

Each group tried to talk to each other, but none of them could hear the
other over the machines. They finally gave up and just paid attention to
their tasks at hand. Before they knew it, Ron walked out and called lunch.

Since none of them brought lunch, they decided to go down the street to the
McDonald's. Alex stopped at Ron's office and asked him to join them, but
Ron declined. Alex didn't try to talk him into going with them. He just
left and joined the other guys at the elevator.

As soon as they returned back from lunch, Ron had the machines ready to
go. Alex and Matt walked over to the machine that they were working on
before lunch, but it was still turned off. Just as they turned to see
what's going on, they found Ron standing behind them waiting for them. They
walked over to the office in order to hear each other.

"I love it that you guys want to get your hands dirty, but you need to
learn other parts of the company such as a management area. You will be
running this company very soon by yourselves. I don't plan to go anywhere,
but this part you need to learn as well."

"Okay, we agree with you on that we need to learn all parts of the
company. Why don't Matt and I spend half the day on the machines Saturday
and Sunday in the other half with you learning the management part? We then
split the week evenly between working on the machines and working by your
side for you to teach us."

"That I can live with, and you can learn every part of the business. What I
need to show you today is what printing jobs were going to do for the
day. Just in case you get here again and I'm not here. You can come to the
office and know what machines to turn on. I will never have my office
locked."

The rest the afternoon, Alex and Matt sat with Ron and learned how to read
the schedule of printing jobs. Once they got a hang of doing that, Ron took
them out to the floor. Using the other machines that aren't on he showed
Alex and Matt how to turn them on.

"Now, you guys can turn on the machines, but you can't run them. That is
why I have these other guys here. They will be running the machines and
you, Matt and the other boys will be doing everything else."

Alex and Matt nodded their heads in agreement to what Ron is saying. Ron
let Alex and Matt practice on turning on and off the machines before
heading back to the office. They rested may be fifteen minutes before Ron
got up and called it a day.

Ron, Alex and Matt walked around and turned off the machines. As Ron took a
look out the printing they did during the day. Carlos pulled Alex to the
side. They walked over to Alex's office and closed the door.

"I am very grateful that Mr. Baird gave me a job. Last night when I got
home my grandmother reminded me about my community service hours. With me
working here every evening and Saturday and Sunday, I don't have any time
to do my community service hours. You know I have an ass for a probation
officer. He wants to find a reason to revoke me and send me back. I don't
want to give them any reason to do so."

"I can cut you hours back, but that means you won't be making your forty
hours a week. You can only have one or the other Carlos. You won't lose
your job if you need fewer hours, just tell me what you want to do and we
would do it."

Carlos moved around in his seat. "I need my hours here in order to not only
pay for my fees but to help out at the house. My grandparents can't make it
on the money that they are getting on their Social Security checks. I'm
what you call stuck between a rock and a hard place. I'm damned if I do and
I am damned if I don't!"

"Let me see if we can double dip in your hours. I know when we originally
set this company up it was for people to complete their community service
hours. Let me speak with Jacob and find out if we are still registered for
people to do their community service hours. If we are, we will find a way
to get you your forty hours and your community service hours." Alex got up
and walked over to Carlos.

Carlos got up and walked out of the office with Alex. Carlos clocked out as
he walked to the elevator. Ron locked the print shop and joined the boys at
the elevator. Everyone walked out of the building as Ron tried to set the
alarm. He couldn't set it because it kept giving him several errors.

Alex walked in to read the panel and didn't understand what it meant. He
walked over and called Jacob's house to speak with Al. Al explained that
there are several doors in the building that aren't closed right. Alex,
Matt and Ron checked every door on the first floor and basement. They found
two doors on the first floor cracked open.

After they made sure that all the doors are closed and secured. They walked
back to the front of the building. This time when Ron set the alarm, it
activated. Everyone said their good byes and headed home.

On the way home Alex can't stop thinking why those doors on the first floor
were cracked open. Once everyone that was scheduled to work showed up, they
didn't go up to the lobby. They used the door in the basement that lead to
street.

Matt noticed once again Alex in deep thought. He debated with himself on
whether or not to ask Alex what he is thinking about. He finally gave in
and decided to ask. He leaned over to Alex and whispered in his ear.

"You seem to be in deep thought a lot lately. When we were in the center
and you were likes this it was something to do with the gang. Now we are
out of the center and you are still keeping things from me. What is on your
mind?"

"Matt please forgive me! I don't mean to shut you out. Yesterday is was
what our teacher did with our grades. Ever since I found that I really
liked school, I aimed to get the highest marks on all of my assignments. He
goes and gives me a failing grade because I didn't want to get up and speak
in front of the class."

"You can't let things like that bother you Alex. If you do that, you will
fold under the pressure. I know it is easier said than done, but just let
yesterday go. You will bring that grade up. Don't tell me that is all that
is bothering you right now."

"No, that isn't what is bothering me right now. The thing that is bothering
me today is the open doors on the first floor. Those doors should not have
been opened. Al and Jacob are trusting us with a lot. Now look on our first
day being without them, this happens."

"This I see where you are coming from. There is an easy fix to this problem
as well. Now on during the weekend or in the evenings after Al and his
staff goes home, we have our staff use the exit to the street from the
basement. The only ones allowed in lobby will be you, me and Ron."

Alex looked over to Matt and smiled. "That is a good idea. Also we lock
down the elevator and stairs so that anyone that doesn't have the keys
can't use them either. They can only be in the area where they should
be. Very good idea Matt!"

Matt didn't say anything else. He leaned in and kissed Alex instead. He
loves it when he sees Alex not worried about anything. Matt knows there is
going to be times that Alex is going to worry, but he needs Alex to start
talking with him. Matt decided to shelve that discussion for another
day. Alex is back in a good mood again.

Alex and Matt walked into Jacob's house and said hello and good bye to
everyone they ran into as they made their way to their house. As they
walked into their room, they fell right into their new bed. They forgot
that Jacob and Dewayne moved their new bedroom set into their room while
they were out.

Both of them looked at each other and started to laugh. Matt pushed Alex
back on the bed on his back and got on top of Alex. Matt started to kiss
Alex, not giving Alex a chance to even get comfortable.

When Matt broke the kiss it was for him to pull off his shirt. He pulled
Alex up from the bed and pulled off his shirt as well. Pushing Alex back
onto his back, Alex started to kiss down Alex's neck, to his chest and back
to his neck.

"I want to make love with my gangster boyfriend. I want your gun in my
mouth so bad, I can't wait another minute!" Matt whispered in Alex's ear.

He crawled between Alex's legs. Unbuttoning Alex's pants, pulling down the
zipper, Matt separated the flaps of Alex's jeans to get to what he
wants. As Matt put his hand into Alex's boxers, he immediately found Alex's
hard dick leaking pre-cum.

Matt struggled trying to get Alex's dick out. Alex is so hard; Matt can't
get it out of the fly of Alex's boxers. Matt gave up and got up from the
bed. He pulled off Alex's shoes and socks and then pulled off Alex's jeans
with his underwear at the same time. He lay back down between Alex's legs
and grabbed Alex's dick.

All at once, Matt put Alex's dick into his mouth. Alex started to moan as
Matt sucked his dick. With his eyes squeezed shut, Alex reached out and
wrapped his hands around the back of Matt's head. He didn't do it to
control the speed Matt is going. It was just reflex for Alex to do that.

As Alex felt the urge to cum, he pulled Matt off of his dick. He rolled
Matt onto his back as Alex got up from the bed. After he pulled off Matt's
shoes, he unbuttoned Matt's jeans and pulled them off along with Matt's
underwear.

Just like Matt, Alex crawled between Matt's legs. He put Matt's dick into
his mouth and quickly deep throated it. As he sucked Matt's dick, Alex
played with Matt's balls one at a time. That threw Matt into another gear
that he never knew that he had. Between moans, he half whispered and yelled
to Alex. He didn't even know that he started to yell.

"Please, I want my gangster to fuck me! Bury your cock in my ass and make
love to me! I need to feel you meat in my ass now!"

Alex let Matt's dick slip out of his mouth as he looked up to Matt. "I want
to make sweet love to you. I don't want to rush one second of us being
together. I want to be inside you and I want you inside me as well."

Matt couldn't speak, he just shook his head. Alex helped Matt move all the
way to the head of the bed. Once Matt got settled, Alex lifted Matt's
legs. He threw them over his shoulders. Alex wanted this love making to be
long and meaningful. Pre cum wasn't going to be enough lubrication to make
it just right. Reaching over to the nightstand, Alex got the KY and
generously lubed Matt's hole, working the lube into the opening. He then
lubed his cock. Gently Alex pushed his cock against Matt's hole and didn't
stop until his dick broke through. Once Alex's dick penetrated, he slowly
sank it in completely. With the KY, it went easily and smoothly for both of
the lovers.

As Alex started to get into his rhythm, Matt kept grabbing at Alex's arms
and chest. Not scratching at them, just cresting any part of Alex's body
that Matt could touch. Matt rested his hands on Alex's nipples. Matt
squeezed Alex's hardened nipples as Alex fucked him.

Alex stopped himself before he exploded. He pulled his dick out and lay on
his back. Matt put Alex's legs over his shoulder just like Alex did to
him. Matt loved the sensations that lube provided, so he grabbed the KY and
lubed Alex's love chute the same way Alex had done for him. He also
generously lubed the full length of his cock ensuring that he would give
Alex the same awesome experience Alex had given him. Matt slowly pushed his
dick into Alex until his entire dick was buried to his pubes.

It didn't take long for Matt to reach climax. "Man you are so tight Alex
and I am about to cum! Do you want me to cum in your ass or in your face?
Please, I am about to cum in your very tight ass, tell me what you want."

"No, pull out and cum on me Matt! Don't cum in my ass, cum on me!" Alex
looked into Matt's face with a pleading look.

Matt pulled out his dick and quickly moved up to Alex's face. Alex opened
his mouth as Matt knelt above him stroking his still well lubed cock. As
Matt was stroking, Alex slipped his middle finger into Matt's hole and
found that sweet spot and massaged it to heighten Matt's passions. Within
seconds, Matt started to shoot. Almost every shot of cum landed in Alex's
mouth. The ones that didn't either landed on Alex's forehead or cheek. One
shot actually landed on Alex's shoulder.

Matt didn't rest after shooting his last shot of cum. He fell to the bed
and started to jerk Alex off. Alex already got close to exploding twice
today, so it didn't take long for him to shoot. When Alex started to
shooting, Matt leaned over until his mouth got directly above Alex's
dick. Every shot of cum Alex shot landed in Matt's mouth.

While Matt ate down below, Alex scooped up the cum on his forehead, cheek
and even the one that landed on his shoulder and ate it. Once they both
felt they got all the cum the other shot, they fell side by side onto the
mattress.

Covered in sweat and still breathing hard, they just lay there on the bed
slowly coming down from their highs. Not needing to say a word, Alex and
Matt knew what the other is feeling. Matt crawled up to Alex and lay by his
side. They kissed each other for a long time before falling asleep at each
other side.

Alex woke up first, but didn't get up. He moved to his side and just lay
there looking at Matt sleep. He looked Matt up and down his naked body. He
can't believe how happy that Matt makes him feel. Alex kept thinking to
himself that he is in a dream that he hasn't woken up from. When he does
wake up, he will be in jail still and not have ever met Matt at all; the
love of his life is nothing but his mind playing tricks on him. He lay back
down at Matt's side wrapping his arms around Matt. Alex thought as he dozed
off to sleep that, if this is a dream, he doesn't want to wake up. He wants
to live the rest of his life in this happy dream with his boyfriend at his
side.

TO BE CONTINUED...

WRITER'S CORNER:

{I like to welcome you back readers to another chapter of "Beneath the
Mask". This story is starting to roll along at a good pace. The time line
is not going so fast anymore nor has it slowed down to the point I think
you guys will get bored.

This is the first time that I left a chapter barely ending a sex
scene. Many times I find myself in a position that I can't find a breaking
point. Some of the chapters all of a sudden end when I bring a plot to a
conclusion faster than I would like from simply needing to find a breaking
point to move onto the other chapters! Can you imagine had I left you guys
in a cliff hanger in the middle of a sex scene? Aren't you glad there are
no more cliff hangers?

Alex and Matt I keep saying are getting closer and closer. You can see it
in their love making and in the way they are with each other. I wish they
could just drop the act and hold each other's hand at school. If they want
to kiss each other, they should. But keep in mind this story is back in
1992. Things like that were not seen in public.

In this chapter we see two different probation officers. One that is a
really big prick and the other is okay. I used to work at a job that we use
to hire from halfway houses. I used to talk with some them during lunch and
they told me stories. That is where I get the probation and halfway house
plots from. So if there are any readers out there that have been in these
places and feel I have miss-stated or didn't do justice to these plots,
remember it is just fiction. Please let me know what you have gone through
in places like this or on probation. I might write it into my stories.

As you see in this chapter I didn't write that much about Jacob. He
appeared here and there, but I didn't write a huge amount involving
him. Now that Alex and Mat are away from the center and on their own, I
feel they have a set of good plots of their own. Jacob will appear and at
times and I will open plots in this story and finish them off in Jacob's or
the other way around.

Also I am using characters from Jacob story such as Chase, Tom and
David. They aren't getting a lot of playing time in Jacob's story and I
want to get them back involved in the stories. But they will remain main
characters in Jacob and appear quite a bit in this story as well. Keep an
eye on their plots as well.

The print shop is up and running. Mr. Baird is running the everyday stuff,
but wants Alex and Matt to learn every aspect of the business. I agree with
Mr. Baird and Alex and Matt should. They need to get their hands dirty with
manual work, but they also need to learn the everyday management of the
business. They can't depend on Mr. Baird forever for that.

Alex has a problem speaking in front of his classmates! I think the main
issue there is that he doesn't want to be up front in every student's
eye. He wants to keep a low profile and just get through high
school. Remember there is the lingering fact that his former gang is
looking for him. If he starts to get into the spot light, that makes it
even easier for his former gang to find him.

Carlos I think is going to come around and be a good person. He wants to
work and get money to help his grandparents out. He also has to worry about
his probation officer. I really do hope that he can keep his forty hours
and get community service hours done at the same time. He doesn't need to
give his probation officer any reason to revoke him.

What is up with Steve do you think? I really hope he doesn't cause Alex and
Matt trouble. He was cool in the center, but upset about finding out that
Alex and Matt have a different time to be in their house than he
does. Let's just hope he lets it fall to the side and leaves it alone.

The one I think that will be able to settle him down on that is Robert. We
haven't heard much about Steve and Robert since they got out of the
center. We will in the next few chapters. How are they handling being out
of the center with each other? Are they still together? Is their
relationship getting stronger? You know love making is a lot better when
you don't have to rush it like they had to do in the center.

Since this story received a makeover in the last four or so chapters, it is
going to be very exciting in the chapters to come, trust me on that. Right
now, so many of the old plots in this story I keep bringing in, probably
has you wondering on what is going on.  As the chapters finish, you can't
wait for the next posting of the new chapter.  I really thank you guys for
coming back week after week, and reading my postings.  I hope I will never
let you guys down as far as the drama in the storylines is concerned.

I don't want to say too much more and spoil the future chapters to come, so
I won't. I warn you though! Don't skip a chapter, or you will be
lost. There is a so much to answer in the chapters to come. Keep reading
the future chapters, and enjoy! Please email me and let me know how I am
doing at jacobmillertex@aol.com, Thanks!}

EDITOR'S CORNER:

Jacob, GREAT love scene with Alex and Matt! Their lovemaking is maturing
and becoming more emotionally driven making the physical more passionate. I
like it that both Alex and Matt focus on giving their counterpart
pleasure. Sex coupled with deep love is the glue that will hold any good
relationship together.

The print shop is taking off at Warp Speed.  With the team of Jacob and
Mr. Baird and Al in the background, coupled with the dedication of the
friends being employed in the business, I expect that the business will
thrive, grow and will be profitable.

I agree with Alex that the teacher that rated him at 50% for his assignment
was outside his agreement with the students in doing so. Any aspect of
grading a student's performance must be contained within the syllabus for
the class. The syllabus is a form of contract outlining the expectations
and policies for a class. It should be adhered to and if there are any
changes, such changes must be outlined before being implemented. I am a
teacher in an adult education environment and that is the bar to which both
my students and I are held accountable. I hope that Alex will find a way to
appeal the grade to preserve his grade average. It would be a great life
lesson for Alex if he can find a way to appeal the grade relying on new
ways to resolve a conflict rather than the ways he used in the past.

I hope that Steve has enough maturity to work though his feeling of
unfairness regarding his curfew time. I hope that his P.O. will gain trust
in him and that the curfew will be extended with evidence that Steve is
going to be reliable and trustworthy.

I suspect, like Jacob said, that Carlos has turned his life around and is
taking the right path along with Alex and Matt. I worry that the gang will
find him and threaten him into revealing where Alex is and how to get to
him.

What is the deal with those doors in the office building on the first floor
being unsecured? Was someone lurking in the building? Just how did those
doors get opened? If I were Alex and Matt, I would report that to Jacob and
Al to cover their butts!

I hope you all enjoying the story as much as I am. Jacob weaves a tale that
I find addictive. I can't get enough of his work. I so admire someone that
has the ability to weave tales of this caliber.

Until next time,

"Daddy" Rick