Date: Fri, 15 Feb 2002 21:06:48 -0500
From: Sequoyah <sequoyah@charter.net>
Subject: The Concord Five--Chapter Ten

		    ASP--The Concord Five--Chapter Ten

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				 Comments

This chapter is for Kenneth, where ever he may be, with appreciation, after
all these years, for playing Curt to my Jack.

A note is always appreciated: sequoyah@charter.net. Also check out the
Yahoo group devoted to the story at SequoyahsPlace@yahoogroups.com.


ASP--The Concord Five--Chapter Ten--Mary Kathryn

"What do you mean you won't be available? What's happened? What are you
doing?" It was obvious I was on edge as I panicked a bit, not knowing what
was going on.

"Just calm yourself. Nothing major for you, I suspect, but pretty major for
Jens and me. We have the lake house for the weekend and we're leaving work
early Friday and will be back late Sunday night. I've made arrangements for
you to stay with the Greywolfs. Think you can stay out of trouble?"

"I'm sure I can," I replied. When I glanced at Linda, she gave me the ok
sign and winked. I blushed and hoped Mom didn't notice.

Thursday was a beautiful fall day, bright blue skies and warm, very warm
for October. At lunch the whole gang decided we should go to the falls
after school. It would probably be too cold for swimming, but we could just
enjoy being outside after being cooped up in school all day. There was a
small produce stand beside the road on the way home, and we stopped and got
a bunch of apples which we munched on as we drove into the country. Bill
and his carload stopped at the Greywolfs' and Michael and our carload went
on to his place and got towels in case it was warm enough for swimming.

When we got to the falls, Linda and Bill, Jacob and Susan and Jack were
waiting for us--sitting on a blanket Bill had taken from his car. Keith and
Christopher were with our group. As soon as we arrived, Linda asked, "Who's
going to test the water?".

There was a mad rush as Bill, Michael and Jacob started
stripping. Christopher asked, "You guys going in the nude?".

"Yea, we're members of the world skinny-dipping team," Bill
laughed. Christopher was hesitant, as was Jack, but it didn't take them
long to get undressed and all five hit the water.

"How's the water?" Linda shouted to the guys.

"Water's fine," Michael answered, but I think his teeth were
chattering. Linda and I quickly undressed and, while she was in no rush,
Susan finally joined us. I dived in and the water was fine, I guess, but it
sure wasn't warm! We swam awhile nonetheless, but finally all climbed out
when we started turning blue. We quickly dried ourselves and got
dressed. It was not warm enough to sit around naked.

Michael had brought a blanket too, so we spread it out and all of us
flopped down. The sun felt good after the cold water. "Have you guys
thought about costumes for the Halloween party?" Michael asked. "Douglas
wanted us to wear costumes and, given what he's putting into this, it's the
least we can do."

"Did you tell Dan he's to wear a costume?" Michael asked Christopher.

"No, I didn't."

"Will you be talking to him anytime soon?"

I swear, Christopher blushed and half-stammered, "I suspect I will. I talk
to him every night. He's really a great guy, you know."

"Yea, we know. We also knew him when he was not such a great guy and that
makes who he is now even more remarkable," Bill said. "Anyway, what have
you come up with, Michael?"

"Thought I might go as a Lakota medicine man. Got all the stuff for that."

"I'll say you have, and it works," Christopher said. "Man, it really
works."

"I guess that means I have to go as your Lakota woman," I said.

"You have to go as my woman, regardless of how you dress!" Michael said,
and gave me a great kiss.

"Hey, no making out now. Christopher and Keith are without partners," Linda
said.

"Maybe you two should be a couple," Jacob laughed. "That's what happened
with me and Paula."

"Don't think so," Keith said, "but he is a nice one, if a little skinny."

"Yea, Christopher, we need to get to work and get you in shape," Bill
said. "You eating enough these days?"

"Like a horse, but it all seems to be settling about my middle."

"Tomorrow, after school, we all meet in the weight room and get you started
on a workout program. But what are the rest of you wearing?"

"I thought about digging out my great-granddad's Greek soldier's dress
uniform, if Granddad would permit it," Christopher said. "It's a nifty
outfit--knee socks, shirt with huge sleeves under an embroidered vest, and
a pleated skirt. Told Granddad it looked like something a girl would wear
and he told me never to say that to a Greek. 'Your great-granddad was a
brave soldier and people know what kind of fighters the Greeks are.' It
really would be great if he will let me wear it."

"Linda and I are working on something, but we want to keep it for a
surprise," Bill said.

"Same here," Jacob said. "Susan and I have been thinking of wild outfits
and I think we have it."

Keith said, "I haven't given it a lot of thought. I guess I still can't
believe we are going to Lexington and climb on a plane to fly to Ohio for a
party. It sounds like something a rock star would do."

"Hey, that's it, Keith... Keith Bad Man Lewis, rock star!" Susan said.

We talked about that a bit longer then the talk turned to all that had been
going on in the fall. "To tell the truth, I am more than ready for a
break," Michael said. "We have had more school work than most, since all of
us except Christopher have at least one AP class and Christopher missed a
bunch of school before and after he was dumped in the shit. How's school
coming, Christopher?"

"Great. With Bill and Jack tutoring me in math and chemistry, I'm doing
pretty well. Hell, I'm doing better than pretty well; I'm doing great and
it sure feels good."

"Well, with school and peer counseling... Christopher, I think you should
join that group next semester. We're having a training session during
Christmas break."

"After all the trouble I've caused? I doubt that I would be accepted."

"Hey, you've been there and got back. That's what's important. You can tell
some kid where they are headed and make it stick because you're been
there," Keith said. "I planned to asked to join. I've seen what a word can
do. If I hadn't spoken to that young kid, he'd been in Rocky's clutches and
taken a long time to escape. It took me one hell of a long time to wake
up."

That provoked a round of talking about people who stay with partners who
abuse them. Everyone said they couldn't see how anyone could let it happen
and Keith said, "Yea, I know. Now I look back and can't believe I let it
happen to me, but I did. I know it doesn't make sense. It doesn't make
sense to me, but at the time I guess I wanted to be wanted by anyone who
would have me, even if it was to abuse me. I really can't explain it
because I don't understand it myself. But I did learn one thing: I'll never
let it happen again."

"I thought it was a very rare thing," Linda said, "but I'd say half the
girls I talk to, especially those who are not pretty and popular, are
abused to one degree or another by their boyfriends. Bill, you ever try
that and you'll go to your grave childless because I'll rip your balls
off," she said, as she gave him one of her patented slugs on the arm.

"How about women abusing men?" he asked as he rubbed his arm, pretending to
be in great pain.

"Don't laugh," Jacob said. "I had a kid come to talk to me last week and he
wanted to know if women were supposed to beat up on their boyfriends. It
happens both ways. Of course I wondered what girl could beat up on him as
he was a pretty good-sized fellow, then I saw his girlfriend. She should be
on the football team," he laughed.

We lay in the sun for a good while longer, talking about school and what we
planned to do in the next semester, and other things which were not
important, just teen chatter.


ASP--The Concord Five--Chapter Ten--Keith

I enjoyed being with the Fellowship, as they called themselves. I guess
that really should be 'we call ourselves' because I have definitely become
a part of that group. They were an honest, straight-shooting bunch. Once
they knew my terrible secret, it made no difference. They accepted me just
as I was and appreciated who I was. When the guys started stripping, I
wondered just what was up and I was thunderstruck when it all seemed very
natural to them. No-one was embarrassed or shy, no-one made fun of
anyone. I'm sure that in ordinary circumstances there would have been a lot
of "Mine's bigger than yours" kind of joking, but not here.

I also really appreciated how concerned they were for each other, for the
school and all that. They were a real caring crowd. I was surprised when
someone suggested Christopher and I could be a couple. I must admit I found
the idea attractive, but I saw how Christopher reacted when he was asked if
he would be talking with Danny anytime soon. You want a couple? There was a
couple whether they knew it yet or not. Jack was also attractive, but I was
sure he was as straight as they came. But I was not in a rush to get
coupled up with anyone after my experience with Rocky.

After we left the falls, Michael took me and Christopher home. Going home
was a lot more relaxed these days. Once I told Dad I was gay, I didn't feel
as if I was hiding something which he might find out and do I didn't know
what. We talked lots about what being gay meant in terms of relationships,
society's reactions, problems in school, all those sorts of things. He made
sure I realized that, while he wished I wasn't been gay because of all the
flack I would catch, he didn't feel any different towards me, or maybe he
did. He was, particularly after I told him about Rocky, more protective. He
was all for me going to the party in Ohio. "You'll see two gay couples
there who seem to have it all together. I think that will be of benefit to
you. Whatever you need to go, let me know," he had said.

At the falls that day we had talked about what we needed to take: regular
clothing and toiletries, of course--and Christopher, who had lived up
north, reminded us we each needed a warm coat--and a costume. The more I
thought about it, the more I liked the idea of going as a rock star. I'd
pick up some temporary tattoos. I had black leather pants--tight!--and a
black leather vest which I wore when I was DJ at the club in Lexington. I
had an ear pierced with a stud, but needed to find a more obvious earring,
I thought a silver ring. I laughed when I thought about going out and
finding one. I was sure Christopher had a bunch from which I could
choose. He was wearing about half of what he had been at the beginning of
school.

Friday, when I got to the tables--two tables had long ago been pushed
together to hold the group--where the Fellowship sat, there was a new girl
there. She was as red-headed as Jacob, with fair complexion and startling
green eyes. While I was not into women, I knew she was a looker. She was
kinda short--I guess about five three or four--and had a fantastic
figure. I noticed Jack was so taken with her that he missed his mouth a
couple times when he was shoveling food into it. "Who's this new girl who
has Jack all a-goo-goo?" I asked as I sat down. "I'm Keith," I said as I
held out my hand.

She took it and Jacob said, "This is my cousin Rachel. She's new here as of
today. Her mom and dad have split and her mother works nights so she asked
her brother, my dad, if Rachel could live with him for a while--probably at
least until school is out. Now ain't that weird? My dad threw me out of the
house because I dated a Jewish girl, but takes in a cousin. Makes no
never-mind to me, I have a real family--Bill's. Rachel will be treated like
a princess to show me what I'm missing. She knows all about me being kicked
out so she will play it cool."

"She will be making the trip to Ohio with us, won't she?" I asked.

"Hell, I hadn't thought about that. I'm not sure whether Dad will let her
go or not. I know he wouldn't if he knew where we were going," Jacob said.

"Guess we need to think about this one and come up with something," Bill
said. "Like a school trip or something. She sure needs to go."

"Gives us another problem to solve," Mary Kathryn said. "We have a
planeload Thursday night and Friday evening as well."

"I forgot," Linda said. "My parents can't go. Dad is going on a business
convention that weekend and Mom had planned to go with him. I guess Rachel
can come up Friday with the adults. Probably not what you would choose,
Rachel, but they really are a grand bunch of people."

Rachel had been sitting quietly, but I was sure her head would be
spinning. "Rachel, has anyone bothered to tell you what they are planning
for your life?" I laughed. "I guess you will learn quickly to speak up for
yourself or your entire life will be planned for you and you'll not have
the slightest idea of what's going on."

"He's right, Rachel. Don't be shy around this bunch or you'll be left out
in the cold. Not that we mean to, but we just race along most of the time
assuming everyone is keeping up," Jack said. "We have been invited to a
Halloween party in Ohio. Mary Kathryn's brother and his partner, two other
guys who are partners, and Jacob's former girlfriend, are in college at
Oberlin. They own a house on Lake Erie which, from what I understand, was
made for a Halloween party. A couple from the Sarasota School of Art
decided to have a Halloween party there and are flying us all up. We'll
leave Thursday after school and get back sometime Wednesday. You, of
course, are now invited."

"If my head wasn't spinning before, it certainly is now," Rachel
laughed. "A plane is carrying you to a party? In Ohio?"

"Yea, seems Douglas--he's the guy from Sarasota--has a friend whose father
has a private jet which costs as much on the ground as in the air, except
for fuel. Douglas is picking up the tab for the fuel. All we have to do is
pack what we need, including a costume, and we're off to a party," Bill
explained.

"Since Linda's parents can't make it, one of us should stay here and come
Friday with Rachel," I said. "After all, we are all strangers to her and
she will be coming with the adults."

"I guess I need to do that," Jacob said, but it was obvious his heart
wasn't in it.

"Why don't I do it?" Jack asked quickly. "Bill, if you can give me the use
of your car, I could pick her up, meet Jacob's dad and explain that I am
picking her up for a school trip. We'll probably need an official-looking
letter to throw him off track."

"Done," Linda said. "I will pick up some school letterhead when I work in
the library this afternoon, and we can get a letter composed and
ready. What kind of trip is it? Where are we going? How can she be
contacted?"

"Well, obviously it's a sociology trip for social studies. She will be
studying some interesting people and situations. Not many houses have two
gay couples living with a straight man and woman--the woman the former
girlfriend of one of the participants. We are going to an outpost of
Oberlin College," Michael said. "You have the Oberlin Five's number don't
you?"

"Yea, and that sounds good," Linda said. "I'll get the letter ready
tonight."

"What do you think of all this, Rachel?" Jack asked. "It sounds kinda
strange to me."

"Sure sounds strange to me. I've never done anything like this. Cut school
I mean. I don't know what Uncle Ab will say."

"He'll say nothing except he's glad you are adjusting to school," Jacob
said. "Of course if he finds out what you really did, he'll probably ground
you for life, but I think we can cover for you and, if not, sneak you out
of the house once in a while. One question, Bill, Michael, how will Jonesy
deal with this?"

"I think we can handle it, don't you, Michael?"

"I think so. She was very easy about us going and I think she will let
Rachel go as well. Bill and I will take care of that."

"And I'm to stay over and come up with Rachel Friday, right?" Jack asked. I
took a look at him again and it was clear to me that guy could have creamed
his jeans more than once during this lunch period!

"Yea, that's right, Jack, provided you can get yourself under control," I
laughed.

"Man, I am under control," he said.

I leaned over and whispered to him, "Maybe now that you have shot off in
your drawers a couple times but, man, you've got the hots big time."

He looked at me, grinned and whispered, "Damn right! I'm not about to let
this one escape!"

On that note, the bell rang and the group broke up for Friday afternoon
classes.


ASP--The Concord Five--Chapter Ten--Michael

After school, we all met in the weight room and got Christopher started on
an exercise program. We told him one of us would meet him after school each
day.

As we were leaving school, Bill called to me. When I went to his car, he
opened the glove compartment, took out a package and handed it to me. "The
cash register receipt is inside. You can pay me when you like," he said.

I opened the package, took out the receipt and saw I had enough money, so I
paid Bill. "Thanks a million, Bill. I really appreciate you doing this for
me."

"Always ready to help a brother in the Fellowship, he said. "By the way,
don't you think the new members need to be told about the rings? I was
thinking last night that they were pretty important when we started and
they are a good symbol. What do you think?"

"I think you are right on target. We'll bring it up Monday at lunch. And
thanks again for these," I said as I lifted the package. "Mary Kathryn's
parents are away for the weekend and I hope I have a need for one or
two--maybe more."

"Hey, remember they are disposable, so don't try to hang on to one for a
second round. Clean up and start over."

"That doesn't sound like much fun," I replied.

"Lot more fun than being called daddy," Bill said, and I saw he was only
half-joking. "Mary Kathryn staying at her place?"

"Nope, at the Greywolfs'."

"Best I recall, Luke and Matt made great use of the trellis. Maybe you can
as well. See you Sunday, if not before." Bill got in his car, kissed Linda
and drove off.

I walked to the Tracker and when Mary Kathryn asked what that was all
about, I tossed her the package. "Don't know about you, Wild Woman, but I
plan to put some of those to use this weekend."

"I better be involved or you're a dead man, Michael Andrews!" she said as
she pulled me to herself for a kiss. I managed to escape being impaled this
time. Maybe I'd learn how to make out in the Tracker yet.

I took Mary Kathryn to her place to get what she needed for the weekend at
the Greywolfs'. While she was gathering up things, I couldn't keep my eyes
off of her. This new girl, Rachel, was a beauty sho' 'nuff and I could
understand Jack getting that sick-calf look every time he looked at her
but, man, she couldn't hold a candle to Mary Kathryn. I was lying on her
bed as she packed things and when she finished, I grabbed her around the
waist and pulled her on top of me. We both were very playful. I guess there
was a lot of lust there somewhere, but I didn't feel lustful--I just felt
great and, well, playful. We played around for a while before I became
really aroused, But when Mary Kathryn crawled on me, took my shirt off and
started nipping a nipple, I registered just a notch below diamond on the
hardness scale.

Mary Kathryn leaned forward, pressed her lips to mine and her tongue
started doing things to the inside of my mouth. Her hair, not nearly as
curly as Luke's, fell forward, a cloud of gold around my face. And the
fragrance! "God, Mary Kathryn, what is that fantastic fragrance? I have
never smelled it before."

"I don't remember its name. One of Mom's cousins sent it to her for
Christmas last year. She didn't like it and put it aside. Last week, when
she was straightening up their bedroom, she called and asked me if I liked
it. I did and she gave it to me."

"Mary Kathryn, I love it. It smells like... well, like... kinda like... I
know, tuberoses and ferns. Think that's what it smells like and I love it!"
We started playing around again and, this time, Mary Kathryn unzipped my
pants and pulled them down my legs after she removed my shoes and socks. I
lay, spreadeagle on her bed, in my briefs which were straining hard to hold
my tool inside. I reached up and pulled Mary Kathryn's shirt over her head,
unsnapped her bra and tossed it aside. I buried my face between her breasts
and then started washing one with my tongue, stopping to suck on it gently
from time to time.

I hooked my thumbs in the waistband of Mary Kathryn's pants and panties and
slid them down her beautiful legs. She was all over me, kissing my nipples,
nipping an earlobe, and then she moved down and gave my rock-hard cock a
tease with her hair. She finally moved back up my body and whispered,
"Michael, I am ready. I want you right now!"

"You may be ready, but I'm not."

She raised up, looked me in the eye and said, "That's a hell of a note! Get
me hot as a firecracker and then say you're not ready. What's wrong with
you, Boy?"

"Toss me my pants and I'll show you."

"You want what? You want your pants? What kind of joke is this?"

"Just toss me my pants, Woman," I answered.

Toss them she did, right in my face. I reached in a pocket and took out one
of the condoms I had put there, hoping we'd end up at her house before the
Greywolfs got home.

When she saw the condom, she laughed and said, "No, you're not ready. I
guess I'll have to dress you." She took the condom from my hand, opened it
with her teeth and took it out of the packet. When she saw it she laughed
and held it where I could see it. "Leave it to Bill," she said as we both
looked at a bright pink condom. She moved down my body, kissed the head of
my cock, then rolled the condom on it.

"You did that like you have had practice," I said.

"No practice, but Linda told me she liked putting one on Bill and told me
how. Nothing very complicated about it." She kissed my condom-covered cock,
moved up my body and really started working on my nipples. I knew I was
more than ready and was about to do something about it when she reached
down and guided me into herself.

She had her first orgasm almost as soon as I was inside. I started moving
in and out slowly, but gradually moved faster and faster as my wild woman
urged me on. I guess it was the difference the condom made, but I didn't
reach a climax as quickly as I had the last time we'd made love. When it
did hit, I caught my breath and think I kinda blacked out for a
second. Damn, it felt wonderful.

We lay in each other's arms, exchanging angel kisses until I was completely
limp. Bill had given me very strict instructions about being careful when I
withdrew, in order not to spill any seed. "You don't want to be planting
anything," he had laughed.

I withdrew, picked up the condom cover and gave it and the used condom to
Mary Kathryn so I could pick her up and carry her to the shower. After she
flushed the "love peelings", we got in the shower together and had a
wonderful time. We dried each other and dressed and drove to the Greywolfs'
minutes before they got home from school.

I took Mary Kathryn's things upstairs to the guest room while Mary Kathryn
stayed downstairs talking to Yong Jin and Greywolf.

When I came down, Yong Jin asked if I'd like some cookies and milk. "I seem
to always have an abundance of cookies and milk these days," she said. "I
guess I can't get used to not having Matt and Luke around all the time and
I seem never to see you two. What's going on these days? I mean other than
school. I know what you and the Fellowship are doing there. You two should
be very proud of what you have brought about at school. I have never been
so pleased with students as I am this year. But I'm rattling on. What's up
with you two?"

I dared not look at Mary Kathryn and I don't think she looked at me. "Well,
we are really excited about the party in Ohio. I still find it hard to
believe someone has access to a private jet to haul us all to a party,"
Mary Kathryn said.

"I feel the same way," Greywolf said as he walked into the kitchen from the
library. "I guess what is even stranger is the fact that they are hauling
us old folks up as well. I don't think many Halloween parties around here
would welcome parents."

"It's a shame they don't," I said. "I think any time we have a real
celebration, parents are expected." I laughed as I said, "Don't know why
that is".

"I really don't either," Yong Jin said. "I overheard two students talking
about it in class today and one said, 'And their parents are going. How
dull.' I guess I never thought about it that way."

"Neither do we," Mary Kathryn said. "You have never interfered with our
plans if they weren't dangerous. You never spy on us and we just like
having you around, most of the time anyway," she said and blushed.

"And we like being around, not as police but as party-goers as well as you
all," Greywolf said. "Sorry Margaret and David won't get to go. She is
doing ok, isn't she?"

"Yea, after that scare last week, she's behaving herself."

"I see the new girl, Rachel, has been incorporated into the Fellowship,"
Yong Jin said. "What's her connection with the group?"

"She's Jacob's cousin," Mary Kathryn said, and then told the Greywolfs
about why she was starting at Independence.

"I'll never understand parents turning kids out of the house, but there's
real irony in that situation," Yong Jin said. "But Jacob seems to be doing
ok."

"Yea, he really loves Bill's parents and Bill's dad feels he owes Jacob big
time for reminding him he had a son," I said. "Well, I see I have helped
reduce the cookie surplus, Yong Jin, so I guess I better run. All right if
Mary Kathryn comes to my place to study tonight? We get together just about
every night to study. Only way we can both keep our heads above water these
days."

"Sure, no problem. You want to come get her or let her walk by herself?"
Greywolf asked.

"Mr. Greywolf, Sir, I would never let this beautiful woman risk walking in
the dark, tempting dragons, trolls, ghouls and ghosts. I, Sir Michael will
arrive on--well, in--my trusty steed Tracker and whisk her away to my
castle for loving, AP English and AP math, and personal biology."

"You better watch that personal biology, Sir Knight, or the fearful Danish
troll will have your head," Greywolf laughed.

I turned to Mary Kathryn and said, "Til we meet again, fair and beautiful
princess," as I bowed deeply. I started a magnificent gesture of departure
as I said, "Now I must exit stage right already," in my best Snagglepuss
voice. As I did, I stumbled over a kitchen stool and fell, splat, in the
middle of the kitchen floor. Mary Kathryn and the Greywolfs started
laughing and, after I got over being embarrassed, I joined them.

"Sir Michael, methinks your trusty steed better be more trusty than your
not-so-trusty legs," Yong Jin laughed.

"Anyway," I said, as Greywolf extended a hand and helped me up, "I'm out of
here. Laters."


ASP--The Concord Five--Chapter Ten--Jack

Ok, I admit it, my heart did a complete flip-flop when I saw
Rachel. Jacob's dad had dropped her off at school and I was standing in the
front hall, waiting for the gang before homeroom sent us in different
directions. I said I flipped and I did, but I hesitated going over and
speaking to her. I was waiting for the guys and, see, women gave me a real
problem.

Don't get me wrong, I was definitely into women, but seldom had a date and
never really had a girl. There had been just too many other things to
occupy my time and energy. In fact, I was beyond just being a virgin, I'd
had only one very hot make-out session. It had been on a science club
camping trip when Faye, a girl I had wet dreams about, and I got
together. I was madly in love with the woman, but didn't get a chance to
ask her for a date until a couple weeks after the camping trip.

I had to get the car and a time my best bud, Curt, and his girl could
double date, because I only had a learner's permit, not a full driver's
license. Even then I was in such awe of Faye, it took that long for me to
get up the nerve to ask her out in spite of the make-out session during the
camping trip.

Curt lived way out in the country, as did Faye, but in the opposite
direction. He had a steady girlfriend who lived in town. I finally asked
Faye for a date and the four of us did a movie and pizza afterward. Curt
took his girl home first because she had a definite curfew. Faye
didn't. After we were well out into the country, headed for Faye's, Curt
called over his shoulder, "Jack, how'd you like to drive? You need the
practice." I liked sitting beside Faye, holding hands, but Curt insisted I
drive.

Curt stopped the car, got out, and we exchanged seats. Of course he was
supposed to be beside me for my learner's permit to count, so I was kinda
puzzled when he got in the back seat with Faye. When I glanced in the
rearview mirror, they were really going at it! I was steaming! Before I
knew what was really happening, a bra came across the seat and landed in my
lap, followed in minutes by a pair of panties! I really stepped on it,
speeding dangerously on a country road. Minutes later I pulled into Faye's
drive, got out, opened the door and she crawled out. I handed her the bra
and panties. She said, "Thanks. And thanks for bringing Curt along. He
knows how to treat a real woman!" I walked her to her door, turned and
left. I was seething.

When I got back to the car, Curt was sitting in the driver's seat. "I don't
think you are in any condition to drive," he said. I said nothing. Curt
drove slowly for a couple miles. "Jack, I love you like a brother and I
hope that we will always be friends but, even if tonight breaks up our
friendship, I had to do with I did, Bro, because you are my very best
bud. Faye is a slut. I know you are naive and innocent and if I just
out-and-out told you that, the way you drool when you're around her, you
wouldn't have believed me and I would definitely be on your shit list. This
way there can be no doubt in your mind. Jack, you are too important to me
to get involved with a tramp."

I said nothing for ages. I felt big tears running down my cheeks. I was in
love with Faye--at least I had thought I was. As soon as the car stopped, I
said, "Curt, you knew I loved her and you went ahead and did what you did."

"Jack, you only saw Faye at school except for being with her on the science
club camping trip. I was there and know that, to your mind, you two made
out big time. Why she was willing to stop with some hot kisses and being
felt up, I don't know. I don't think she has stopped there with anyone
else. You think you're in love, but it's hormones and romanticism. A damn
dangerous combination, especially when they involve a woman like Faye."

I had stopped crying and was struggling with what Curt had said. He was
right about me only having seen Faye at school and the science club
trip. Maybe it was hormones and romanticism, but it felt like love. I mean
I guess it felt like love. How did I know? Curt had gone just about as far
as he could go without actually sticking it to her and, if I was honest
with myself, I'd have to admit it was Curt who had stopped. Faye had said
nothing to get him to stop. "Curt, I guess you're right. I mean there's no
reason to think you're not being honest with me but, Curt, it still
hurts. Man, it hurts like hell."

Curt hugged me and I put my head on his shoulder and I started crying
again. Curt held me tight and said, "Jack, I know it hurts. It hurts like
hell. Not only did you have to learn that Faye didn't think anything of
you, but also that she is a tramp. It's hard, man, I know it's hard. But
you'll get over it. Maybe you'll even forgive me. And, Jack, somewhere out
there there is a great, wonderful woman who deserves a guy like you. May
take a while but, sooner or later, she'll show up and then you'll know you
had nothing with Faye. Ok?"

My head was still on Curt's shoulder as I nodded. "Curt, thanks. I know it
hurts me but, Bud, I know it hurts you too. I mean, I know you didn't want
to hurt me, but you did anyway because it was more important that I know
what was going on than for me not to be hurt and you not to hurt
me. Thanks, Curt."

"I'm forgiven?" Curt asked.

"Yea, not only are you forgiven, but you have my heartfelt thanks also.
Doesn't mean it doesn't hurt, but it would have hurt a lot more if I found
it out some other way. I know you were thinking of me. It could have been
otherwise."

After that, I got busy doing other things and dating kinda took a back
seat. Oh I dated occasionally, and for special occasions, but I never
allowed myself to get as involved as I thought I was with Faye. Then it
happened! May not be such a thing as love at first sight, but I can tell
you I felt something the first time I saw Rachel and every time I see her.

When I got home, I knew I had it bad. Curt had moved away over the summer
and I sat down and e-mailed him at once about Rachel.

I made another decision--I was going after this woman before somebody else
got his hands on her.