Date: Thu, 29 Jul 2010 02:10:03 -0400 (EDT)
From: jacobmillertex@aol.com
Subject: Jacob Finding His Way: Chapter 40

{Jacob Finding His Way is based on mostly true events in my life. To keep
the story interesting for the readers, some events now in the story are
fictionalized. 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.

Any similarity to any other 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 any way,
shape or form without my expressed consent.}

Written by J.P.G.


		Chapter 40

(GRANDPA AL's POINT OF VIEW)

After everyone left the house for school I decided to spend some time with
Jeremy. I have gotten so involved in all I am doing right now that I have
not spent enough time with Jeremy; that's not what I wanted to have happen
when I asked Jacob to bring Jeremy down to live with him here in El Paso.

As I made my way up to Jeremy's room, Francisca came walking to the door. I
looked at her to see what was going on. I turned around and walked back
down towards her, because she shouldn't be here today.

"I thought you needed a day off to bury your husband. Why are you here,
with all due respect? Take your time and deal with your loss."

"I just came by to get a couple things I need that Beth has for me. My
house is already getting filled with people I have never met. I already
know this is going to be one of those days I wish I never woke up. It's not
because of the loss of my husband, but because of all those people
trampling all over my house."

"Francisca it is only one day, and it will be over. Just sit with your boys
and greet everybody and they will go away. I know it is easier said than
done. Still, there are people that want to pay their respects to your
husband."

Francisca shook her head and made her way towards the kitchen. I started
making my way back to Jeremy's room. I knocked once and opened the door to
see what Jeremy was doing. I know it might sound strange that I knocked on
his door, but he deserves the same respect I give others.

He looked up at me from the floor and smiled. I smiled back to him as I
walked over and sat down. Jeremy was actually drawing a car with a family
in it. I took a piece of paper and started drawing alongside Jeremy. The
whole time, he kept looking at me and smiling I could not understand what
he was smiling at.

Kids like Jeremy have and a lot of love in them. They don't know how to
hate. I wish I could take some of that from Jeremy, bottle it up and sell
it. We have way too much hate in the world. I wish at least half of the
world's population would be like my grandson; what a world that would be.

I also learned a long time ago not to anger him. If he gets pissed, he gets
this strength from somewhere. One time he actually got mad enough and
pulled a table that was bolted to the floor off and threw it out the
window.

After that, I try my best to keep him calm, happy and settled. I try not to
anger him or get him uptight. At the same time I have to make sure he
doesn't get away with things. If we allow him to get away with things, it
will be hard to go out in public, have friends and family over or just have
Jeremy around the house.

Just then Jeremy's teachers walked in. Right away, Jeremy jumped up from
the floor and went and hugged his teachers. I got myself up off the floor
and walked over to shake their hands also. I figured to take a moment to
talk with them as well.

As we sat there talking about Jeremy, they brought up a good point. They
think Jeremy will progress more if we start getting him with other kids
like him. Right now he is being home schooled and not allowed to make
friends of his own.

"What do you suggest we do? Have you guys stop coming and letting him
attend some kind of public or private school? My grandson and I checked the
schools out when we decided to bring him here. We both agreed in order for
Jeremy to get the best education possible it could only be done through
private tutoring."

"No, Mr. Serna, that's not what I'm saying at all. There are daycares, or
playgrounds that these kids are at. One of us can take him for a couple of
hours a day. We don't want him in a school for eight hours a day. There is
no way Jeremy will be able to sit there for that amount of time."

"I know you're right, and I will speak with Jacob about this. Although it
is my decision to make, Jacob does have say in the matter. For the time
being let's keep him on the same routine we have him on. If we decide on
the change, it will be done after the Thanksgiving holiday."

I left the teachers alone with Jeremy and made my way back downstairs. I
noticed the builders had started working outside again.  I need to find out
how much longer it is going to take them to finish joining the two
houses. I think they should be more than halfway done by now, but they
aren't even close to that.

I went out to talk to them and find out what the delay was. To tell you the
truth, I really don't care what the problem was as long as they could
promise me that they would be done before Christmas. That's the only thing
I care about.

(GREG'S POINT OF VIEW)

I decided over the weekend to throw caution to the wind. I will find Marie,
and ask her out. I think I know the answer but I won't know for sure unless
I grab my balls and just ask her.

As soon as I got to school I went looking for Marie. I found her in the
cafeteria eating with a group of her friends. I walked up and kneeled down
in order to whisper in her ear. I didn't want the entire table to hear me
ask her.

"Can I speak with you alone, please?" Marie just looked at me and nodded
her head. She got up and we walked out of the cafeteria into the
hallway. We stopped a couple steps away from the door and just looked at
each other for a few minutes.  I know the only thing you know about me is
what I did with your mother. If I were in your shoes right now, I would
just walk away. But you haven't and, I thank you for that. So let me go
ahead and ask what I want to ask you.  Will you go out with me sometime and
give me a chance to prove to you I am not the crappy person you know. I
won't make any excuses for what I did. I was wrong, and I am sorry for
that. Will you please give me a chance?"

Marie just looked at me and didn't say a word. Her silence was actually
getting me very nervous. I know I deserve it, but I am daring to hope she
has in her heart to give me a chance.

"Greg this is what we are going to do. If you go over and make it right
with my brother and his boyfriend, we can go out sometime but not until
that's done. Jacob means a lot to me and what you and my mother did with
Joey hurt him a lot."

I looked at Marie and thought that she was out of her mind. If I were to
walk up to that table and try to talk to either of those two, well, I
wouldn't make it away from the table without getting my ass kicked.

"If that's what is going to take for me to get a date with you, so be it. I
will go over there and talk with Jacob and Joey. I just hope they let me
get out of there alive with all the shit I pulled on them."

"They won't harm you Greg. And yes, that's what it will take for me to even
consider going out on a date."

Marie and I walked back into the cafeteria together. We separated when she
walked over to her table and I walked over to Jacob's table. As I walked up
to his table, I couldn't stop myself from shaking, but I couldn't let them
see that I was actually terrified of them.

I walked up to the edge of the table and every one of them looked over at
me. With a shaky voice, I asked to speak with Jacob and Joey alone. They
looked at each other at first and then at everybody at the table.

Jacob and Joey both got up at the same time. Once again here I was walking
with one of the Hernandez's out of the cafeteria. We walked to the same
spot I was just at with Marie moments ago.  "I need to tell you guys how
sorry I am about everything I did. I have no excuse and I won't even try to
make one up. I was wrong for what I did and I wish I could take it all
back. But we know I can't and I am asking for you guys to start on the road
of forgiving me for the crap I pulled."

They both looked at each other and just like with Marie there was nothing
but silence after I finished talking. This family really knows how to get a
person to have second thoughts on what they said. I am not having second
thoughts. I am hoping I said the right things to Jacob and Joey.

"Joey and I have talked about this several times since that night in our
house. I don't have a grudge against you, Greg. I know if we had met under
different circumstances, we could have become friends. We will never know
the answer to that question, I guess.  One thing is for sure though the
future is ours make. I am willing to forgive the past and try to work on a
friendship. I know I'm speaking also for Joey as well. We both want
friends, not enemies so we don't have to be looking over our shoulder all
the time."

"Deal, you guys are one-of-a-kind. The shit I pulled on you Joey; I don't
know I could ever forgive someone doing that to me. You two are better
persons than I am. I hope I can become like you two eventually."

I shook hands with Joey and then Jacob. We walked back into the cafeteria
together and over to their table. Jacob actually moved over little to allow
me to sit down beside him. He introduced me to everybody at the table and
made it clear that we are leaving the past in the past.

As I sat there listening to them talk, I couldn't believe my ears. I always
thought these guys talked about different things than we straight guys
do. Boy was I wrong on that. They are the coolest people I have been
introduced to since I started high school.

I know I am going to have to ask Jacob if he is okay with me dating his
sister. I have to do that out of respect to him and in light of what I have
done. I really want to become friends with these guys and at the same time
date his sister. This is going to be a hard line for me to walk. The reason
I say that is because of the rocky way we started our friendship.

I also know Jacob's mother isn't going anywhere. With her looming in the
background I will be joining forces with Jacob when it comes to his
mother. This new alliance isn't going to go over well with Jacob's
mother. I will become just as hated by her.

(JOEY'S POINT OF VIEW)

All weekend long my mother talked to me every chance she got. She won't let
go of what Jacob's grandfather did. She believes that he should've included
me in the contracts for the restaurants. No matter how I explained it or
how many times I explained it she feels that Jacob is trying to be superior
to me.

Now, with Thanksgiving just four days away, all of our family is coming to
town. Some are staying at hotels, but many of them are staying with
us. Some of the family from in town is on my dad's side. Out of town family
is staying at mom's house, not at Jacob's and mine.

Still, I am not getting a moment of rest from my mom getting on my case
about the restaurants, and all my family telling me the mistake I was
making being with Jacob. They actually believed the same way my father
believed.

I decided to try to stay away from my family as best I could. Since they
are staying at my mom's house and have no reason on coming over to my
house, it will be easier. In fact, Jacob told me to tell my mom that she
doesn't need to be over at our house, working, while the family is in
town. I agreed with Jacob for her to take a break, and enjoy the time with
our family.

As soon as I got home after school I decided to go over to my mom's house
to let her know. I headed out the back door to make my way across the yard
to my mom's house. Just as I approached the back door of her house one of
my uncles from my father's side called me over. He was sitting outside
smoking a cigarette.

"Hey there young man, sit with me for a few moments. I would like to talk
to you about something very important. I feel, since your father is gone,
it is up to me to try and help out your mother since your father was my
little brother."

I walked over and sat down on a lawn chair next to my uncle. I figured I'd
give him this moment to talk with me. I would hear him out and see what he
had to say, if it sounds good, I would take it into serious consideration.

"Ever since your father told us about you, I tried to put myself in your
shoes; to see what makes you the kind of person you are. I am not going to
sit here and try to tell you that you are a sin or an abomination. I'm also
not going to sit here and try to change you in any way, shape, or form.
Look, you are the only one that can continue our bloodline, and our last
name. Your sister will be able to continue the bloodline but our last name
will be gone. I can't stress enough about the bloodline and the name."

"My mom, your grandmother on your father's side, had four boys. Out of the
four boys, I am the only one still alive. One of my brothers died at birth
and the other died at sixteen in a car crash. Now your father is gone, and
it leaves only me.  I can't have kids for health reasons. That leaves the
kids that my brother had with your mother. And he only had two, you and
your sister. That's why I am talking with you today.  You are the last one
in our family that can continue our bloodline with our name. Again, let me
emphasize this point, I am not here to ask you to change your ways. I'm
simply asking you to have a girlfriend or wife in order to have kids. If
not for you, please for the family's sake! You are the last chance to
continue our bloodline with our name."

"I see where you're coming from uncle, but I am in love with Jacob. We have
been together for almost three years now. We have accomplished a lot
together in these short three years. If I wasn't with Jacob, it would be a
very different story and not so happy story."

"If this guy loves you as you say he does. He will understand and back you
up on this decision. After you have a baby or two you can come back and be
with Jacob. Bring the kids with you; that's fine. Go out and get a young
lady and have children with her.  When it comes to true love, once in a
while, you need to test your love and see if it is true love. The
relationship between you and Jacob will be OK no matter what is thrown at
it. You are young right now, and you can come back Jacob when you have your
kids."

Just then my mother walked out of the house. She looked at my uncle first
and over to me. I think she was listening to the entire conversation at the
door. She has already been on my case, all weekend long.

"Honey, you know I adore your boyfriend. I want you to be happy, and with
Jacob, you are. With that said, I have to agree with your uncle on this
subject. Jacob will be here after you have your baby or babies. This love
you have with him can withstand this hiccup. You have told me time and time
again. It is true love!"

I stood there in silence, thinking over what both of them were saying. It
does make sense to me about the kids. I don't believe that I would lose
Jacob over this; what we have is actually true love like my mom just said.

"Mom, you do understand if I do this, we can no longer live here. There is
no way I could live behind Jacob after breaking his heart, and that's what
you are asking me to do. I know your intentions are in the right place. I
also know once the dust settles, I can come back and make things right with
Jacob."

"I don't understand why we can't live here. Jacob bought this house for me
and gave it to me. You guys had to know that your relationship might not
work. If that happened in the regular way, I would stay in this house. So
why does that change if you leave Jacob now in order to have kids?"

"Mom everything that has been bought, has been bought with his money. When
we bought the original house, I never gave him my half. When I volunteered
to give his mom the house that was left to me, Jacob fought me on it.  I
kept telling him I would give him my half but I never did. He loves me so
much. He told me each time I told him about money issues to stop talking
about it. What's his is mine, no questions asked.  So, we have lived that
way ever since we moved in together. You've got to understand what you are
asking me to do is going to make us lose a lot more than me having a
boyfriend. I am pretty sure Jacob will give you time to find another place
to live."

"Joey I don't care about this house or anything in it. As long as you are
happy is all that matters to me. Look if you want to do what your uncle
just mentioned, then do it. I am still concerned about what he and his
grandfather did dealing with the restaurants. They are doing something
behind your back, no matter if you want to see it or not."

I agreed with my mom and uncle and headed back to my house. I don't want to
get into the same old argument me my mom have been having the last several
days. I already have a lot to think about. If I do this, I will have to do
it soon.

(JACOB'S POINT OF VIEW)

The rest of the week went by fast and before I knew it. We were out of
school, getting ready for the Thanksgiving holiday. I had been noticing
some weird things going on. Ever since Monday, Joey has been acting weird.

Since he walked in from talking with his mother, he has been keeping his
distance from me. That evening and Tuesday evening, Joey didn't come up to
bed until he thought I was asleep. When he crawled into bed and I tried to
cuddle with him, he would pull way. I can't figure out what's going on with
Joey, but whatever it is I wish he would just tell me so I can help him fix
it.

I know his mother has been getting on his case on the restaurants buy
out. She really believes that my grandfather and I are doing him wrong in
this deal. I think Joey is starting to listen to his mother on this issue.

I decided to confront Joey about this before it went any further. It was
Wednesday evening, and I didn't want this to continue into
Thanksgiving. Tomorrow, not only his family is going to be here, so is
mine. I can't let my mother see us fighting. She will think she
accomplished what she set out to do.

I walked in to find Joey writing a note. At his side were several suitcases
that I knew were his because I bought them for him. I guess Joey was going
to finally tell me, what was going on without me confronting him about it.

I didn't move from the door. All I did is just stand there watching Joey
write his note. He finally turned around and jumped back a couple of steps
as he saw me. He looked like he had just shit his pants.

"You scared me Jacob. Why didn't you tell me you were there?"

I just looked at Joey wondering what in the world is going on. Why did he
have his suitcases out? Why is he writing a note? Why did he jump like he
did when he saw me standing at the door? He was acting very strange.

"Look Jacob, I have been meaning to sit down and talk with you, but
couldn't figure out how to. I have realized something and I have been
fighting it for months. I just can't hide it from you. I also can't
continue to be making our lives unlivable, like I have been doing the last
week or so."

Just by the look on Joey's face whatever he had to say isn't good. In fact,
I am getting this weird feeling in the pit of my stomach that it isn't good
for me at all. I started to get a creepy feeling that I am about to get the
worse news handed to me in a long time. Tears started rolling up in my eyes
as I stood there listening to Joey.

"Please Jacob understand. I have never fallen out of love with you. I will
always love you, no matter what. Just I figured out that I did not give
myself a chance to date woman before hooking up with you. I have been
thinking I should try and see if I am straight, bi, or just plain old
gay. I don't want to, years from now, end up hating you or myself for never
really finding out where I stand."

At first I felt angry. I can't understand how he can be standing there with
a straight face and telling me what he was telling me. I know what he is
telling me is nothing but total bull. Then the anger quickly went away and
I started to feel hurt.

At that point, I just broke down crying. I can't believe Joey was saying
this to me. I couldn't believe he was actually leaving me because he thinks
he might be straight. There is no way Joey is straight. No way with the way
we have been making love for the last three years.

Through sobs I begged Joey not to leave me. I begged him and told him that
I would do anything he wants me to do, through sobs.  Just don't leave
me. I kept crying and sobbing, begging him not to leave me. I will give him
everything I have in this world, if he would just stay with me. All that I
need to survive is him at my side. I couldn't stop crying as I talked to
Joey. I don't know if he can even understand what I was saying to him.

Joey didn't say another word. He just grabbed his bags and walked out the
door. I ran after Joey, grabbing a hold of his arm trying to pull him back
into the house in order for us to talk! Through tears and sobs, I begged
him to give me another chance.

I slid down his leg, as we were halfway down the sidewalk, not caring who
was watching us. I just wanted Joey to stay with me. He looked down at me,
not a tear in his eyes. He kicked me to the grass.

He didn't even look back at me as he walked to his truck. I walked back
into the house and shut the door. I fell to the floor where I stopped,
crying not able to understand what I did wrong to run Joey off. I just
couldn't understand what I did in order to make him so unhappy to leave. I
love him so much.

I don't know how much time passed from Joey leaving before my grandfather
walked in. He dropped his bags and ran over to me. He grabbed me from the
floor asking over and over what was going on, what was wrong?

I couldn't say a word. I couldn't stop crying. It felt like my heart had
been torn out of my chest and stomped on several times. My grandfather
helped me up from the floor and we walked into the den. As we walked, my
grandfather kept asking the same question over and over again, `what is
wrong? What has happened?'

I just couldn't answer him. I still couldn't believe what just happened. I
love Joey with all my heart and being and I thought Joey loved me as
well. I figured with what just happened now that I was wrong about the love
I thought we had.

I don't know how long my grandfather kept asking me the same questions over
again, but he finally gave up. He got up from the floor and walked out of
the den. Between crying and hitting myself in the head I somehow fell to
sleep. I woke up to find the entire room dark with no lights on even in the
hallway.

I somehow got myself on my feet and made my way out of the den. I heard
talking coming from the kitchen. I decided to find out who was in there. As
I walked towards the kitchen, I kept hoping that Joey came back.

When I entered in the kitchen I found my grandparents talking. Seeing that
Joey wasn't there, I had to fight to keep the tears down. My grandma hit my
grandfather on the shoulder to get him to look towards the door. He turned
around, and when he saw me, he got up from the table.

"Jacob, I found the note that Joey left you. I can't believe what he wrote
to you. There is no way he is what he says he is. Still, I am not going to
talk about it until you are ready. I can see you are hurting really bad
right now. Both your grandmother and I are here for you. Whatever you need
or want, we are here for you."

I walked over and sat down on the chair and started crying again. I never
thought anyone could cry as much as I am crying right then. I just couldn't
stop the waterworks. Why did he choose now of all times to breakup. I
couldn't understand that. I just couldn't understand why he would choose
the day before Thanksgiving to break up with me. Damn, we had been together
for so long already. We took everything that had been thrown at us; I mean
everything anyone threw at us.

I looked at my grandpa with tears rolling down my face. I wanted to ask if
he had been down to Beth's house but couldn't speak a word. I got up from
the chair and walked over to the window to see if there were any lights on
at Beth's house. As I looked out the window I could see the entire house is
dark.

Once again, my hopes were smashed. I hoped that Joey would be at his
mother's house. That way I could have a chance to go down and speak with
him. I'm starting to think that Joey's mom knew before I did.

I turned back around and made my way out of the kitchen. I couldn't go up
to my room that I shared with Joey from the day that we bought this
house. Just looking at the empty closets and drawers would just kill me. So
I decided to go down to the apartment in the basement. I just wanted to
lock myself away, and die. There was no reason for me to live anymore
without my Joey.

(CHASE'S POINT OF VIEW)

I got home after spending the evening with my friends. When I walked into
the house it was totally dark. As I shut the front door, I turned on the
hallway lights to find my way through to the kitchen. As I walked towards
kitchen, I noticed someone asleep in the den. Just about to walk in, Al
stopped me.

"Chase, please don't disturb him. It took a while to get him to go to
sleep. He has had the roughest day anyone can ever have. Come with me and I
will explain everything to you."

Still not knowing who was sleeping in that room, I followed Al to the
kitchen. I sat down at the table as he handed me a note. I started reading
it and as I got halfway through it I dropped it. I looked up at Al trying
to find out if this was a trick or something. Al nodded his head back and
forth.

I just got up from the chair and walked out the back door. At this point I
was so angry. I couldn't stop myself. How can Joey do this to Jacob? There
was no way that Joey was straight no, FUCKING way in hell! Al ran after me
as I made my way toward Beth's house.

As I reached the back door I noticed all the lights were off. It didn't
stop me from banging on the door until my fist started bleeding. I thought
to myself, `screw this shit'. I kicked in the door and walked in, yelling
at the top of my lungs.

I was yelling for Joey yelling for Joey's mother, yelling for Joey's
sister! Just yelling for someone to answer me! When no one answered me I
walked further turning on lights and finding empty rooms. I couldn't
believe these guys actually emptied this entire house in less than a
week. I was here on Saturday, and there were no boxes anywhere.

I turned around to look at Al and he had the same stunned look on his
face. We stood in the middle of the empty living room. Nails and tacks were
still on the wall. I went from room to room to see if they actually moved
everything out. There was nothing left anywhere in the house. Joey and his
mother had been planning this for a while.

I turned off every light in the house and walked out. I found Al standing
in the back yard, looking at Jacob's house. I walked up to him, to see, for
the first time since I've known him, with tears rolling down his face.

"This kid, I brought into my family..."  I saw Al holding back tears and at
the same time forcing himself to talk. "He is killing my grandson. What he
did today is worse than anything that has happened in Jacob's life,
period. I'd rather have my grandson shot again, than go through this pain
that he is going through right now. At least a gun shot wound can heal a
lot faster than this sort of betrayal."

We walked back to the house not saying a word to each other. I promised
myself right then and there to find and destroy Joey at any cost! I don't
care if I go to jail for killing him. I can't have him hurting my best
friend this way. I love Jacob like a brother and I thought of Joey the same
way.

(GRANDPA AL's POINT OF VIEW)

After seeing the house that Jacob and Joey bought for Beth empty I couldn't
stop thinking what control does Joey have over Jacob's money. I quickly
walked into the study and started pulling out paperwork after paperwork.

After I found the eight hundred numbers to the banks, I started calling
them. I needed to make sure Joey didn't clear out the accounts. Running
into brick walls due to the hour, I couldn't get a live person. I just
can't leave this till Friday. So I picked up the phone and called the
attorneys. It rang a couple of times before the phone got answered.

I spoke quickly, as soon as I knew who was on the other line. I briefly
explained what was going on and demanded that he wake up whomever he had to
in order to protect my grandson's money. I made it clear I would pay the
law firm awesome amounts of money. I wanted the answer within thirty
minutes on all of the accounts.

After getting a promise it would be done I hung up the phone and started
once again to go over the paperwork to see how much was jointly owned by
the two of them. After going through every single document from the title
of the house to the titles of the cars, I was relieved with what I found. I
could actually breathe again.

Jacob unknowingly or knowingly protected himself. The only thing that's was
under Joey's name was a truck. Everything else was under just Jacob's
name. Joey's name is nowhere on any of the documents, titles or
investments. In fact the house that Gloria lives in was actually under hers
and Jacobs name only.

Just then the phone rang and I right away answered it. I found that
Mr. Mason contacted Mr. Roberts and Mr. Scott. All three of them were on
the line. We said our hellos and who was on the line before we got down to
business.

"Al I actually got through to the bank manager. He actually was still at
the bank and was able to give me the needed information. No one has touched
any of the accounts except you or your grandson. The person you gave us
went in yesterday and closed off only his personal account.

I had the bank manager revoke all privileges of this gentleman from all of
Jacobs and your accounts. He was only listed on Jacob's accounts. He was
never listed with your accounts. As of now he is no longer on any accounts
dealing with your grandson. They will be sending you new credit cards in
the mail. So let Jacob know not to use any of his credit cards. They will
be denied, and taken from him."

Before hanging up with the attorneys, I reconfirmed with them that Joey
couldn't do anything with Jacob's money or accounts. They reinforced that
they stopped everything that had Joey's name involved. As of now, the only
ones on the accounts that could use them were Jacob and I. I was satisfied
and I let the attorneys go after that.

I sat there in the study with one less worry on my mind. Joey couldn't do
anything dealing with property, money, or accounts. I really didn't care
that he shut his own account down. All that's telling me is that he had
been planning this for a while now.

I was able to fix and help Jacob in the financial area. I will now also try
and help him put the shattered pieces of his love life together again. I
don't know how. My grandson was hurting like all hell right now, and there
was not a thing I could do to take that hurt and torment away.

When I walked in the door and saw my grandson, a very young man that has
had everything thrown at him it broke my heart. It started with a shooting
that almost took him from us, to cancer he fought back from, and won, all
the way to a kid that tried everything he could do to kill him. It only
took a loved one to do what cancer, a shooting, and an idiot couldn't do.

I got up from the desk and headed out to see if any of the other guys had
arrived. I looked in on Jacob to make sure he was okay. He was still
soundly asleep on the couch in the den. I decided to go and have a cup of
coffee with my wife.

(DAVID'S POINT OF VIEW)

Basically all day tomorrow we will be with our families. Tom and I decided
to go out for dinner, just the two of us alone before the headaches of
family hit, not talking about family, school, or anything else except us
during dinner. I couldn't remember the last time we have had that much fun
without the pressures of life smacking us around.

Before going into the house, we decided to stay in the car for a while and
kiss. After steaming up the windows we figured it was enough and headed
in. I noticed as I walked towards the house how quiet everything was.

Just yesterday evening, the house was so loud I thought a neighbor was
going to call the cops on us. Now tonight, you could actually hear a pin
drop on the ground. I looked over at Tom as we walked up to the
door. Another thing I noticed was that all the lights were off. I guessed
everybody went out to eat for dinner tonight like Tom and I did.

We walked in, and headed to the TV room. To tell you the truth I ate so
much during dinner, I don't think I could move another inch. If I move
anymore, I may actually rip my pants seam. I knew Tom would enjoy it, but
not everyone else.

Tom sat down beside me on the couch as I turned on the TV. We kept flipping
through the channels trying to find something to watch. We finally settled
on a movie on HBO. The only thing I cared about was relaxing and trying to
get this food to digest.

As we sat there watching TV Andy walked in and joined us shortly after we'd
settled in. There was a quiet knock at the front door and then we heard it
open. Then we heard Marie's voice yelling down the hall. Andy yelled back
that we were in the TV room. Moments later Marie walked in with Gloria.

We were all around the room just chitchatting, really nothing that
important; we were just talking to pass time. Maybe about thirty minutes
later Jacob grandfather walked in with Jeremy and their
grandmother. Immediately Jeremy came running over and sat down on the floor
next to the couch where Tom and I were sitting.

The only ones missing from those that lived in the house were Joey, Jacob
and Chase. Of course Beth too, but I didn't think she was gong to join us
due to her having a huge family in her house over the Thanksgiving holiday.

I couldn't help but notice the look on Al's face. I really couldn't
describe it because I have never seen this look on him before. The only way
I can describe it was a look of hurt but I couldn't imagine why he would be
hurting right now. Everything was going great for him and Jacob.

I just ignored it thinking it was just my imagination. You know, at times
our imaginations can play tricks on our minds I think this was one of the
times. My imagination is trying to read too much into something that's
probably not there. I just looked back over to the group and got back into
the conversation.

When Gloria asked us to help her with the bags in the car, we all jumped up
to help. After unloading the few groceries she bought for tomorrow's dinner
we helped her getting her bags to the downstairs apartment. I found the
door locked, which I thought was strange.

I kept jiggling the doorknob when Al stopped me. He said he was going to
take the bags over to his part of the house and put her in one of the other
rooms. The draft in the downstairs apartment will probably get her sick. He
grabbed several of the bags and headed back upstairs to the room where he
was going to set up Gloria for the night.

Once all the groceries were put away and everybody was in their rooms, I
headed back over to the TV room. Tom, Andy, and Marie were already watching
another movie. This time they picked a movie from pay-per-view. I walked
over to Tom and sat down next to him once again on the couch. I noticed
Jeremy still on the ground drawing like crazy. One thing I notice about
Jeremy is that he loves to draw.

Grandpa Al walked in and waved Tom, Andy, Marie and me over to him. He
didn't say a word as we followed him into the study. We all sat down and
just looked at each other. I was wondering why in the world were we
there. I didn't know what the others were thinking, but this situation was
starting to give me the creeps.

Grandpa Al spoke; "Look I am only going to say this once. I don't want to
repeat myself so please listen and don't ask any questions. There's no
point in asking questions because I won't have the answer to any questions
you might have. Is that understood?"

Everyone nodded their heads before Al started speaking again. "Something
happened here earlier this evening. Chase already knows and took it pretty
hard. Right now he is upstairs in his room and will probably not come down
till tomorrow. I walked in to find Jacob on the floor in a ball crying. I
couldn't get him to stop or get him to tell me what was going on. I finally
got him off the floor into the den. Shortly after that, he came to me in
the kitchen still not saying much, and then he headed downstairs.  David,
that's why the apartment door is locked. Jacob locked himself in there and
refuses to come out. I can't have Gloria finding Jacob in this state. She
will revel in the reason why he can't stop crying."

"I don't know how it was done, but I know Joey left Jacob tonight. Once I
settled Jacob in the den. I found a note written by Joey and left on the
table in the hallway. To tell you the truth I think Jacob walked in on Joey
when he was writing the note. Then Joey told him in person, what he wrote
in the note. The reason I say that is because the note was still on the
table and not with Jacob on the floor.  We need to cover for Jacob, while
Gloria is here. At all costs Gloria can't find out what happened with Jacob
and Joey because once she does, she will never let it go. Do you guys
understand what I'm saying?"

I started nodding my head looking around to see what the others were
doing. They were nodding their heads up and down just like me. I could see
tears starting roll down everyone's faces.

"Grandpa Al, how is Jacob doing right now? Is there anything we can do to
help him?"

"Right now, I think the best thing for Jacob is for him to be alone. What
we need to do is go down there at least once an hour and use our key to
make sure he is okay. I don't think Jacob is going to do anything stupid,
but who knows. He just got his heart torn out of him by the roots. When
that happens to anyone, it makes that person wonder if life is worth
it. That is a normal reaction."

"I don't know about the rest of you, but I plan to go across the yard and
find out what the hell is going on. Joey can go only to one place, and
that's his mother's house. That house is right behind this house, and I
want answers."

I got up from my chair and started to make my way to the door. Grandpa Al
stopped me right as I started to open the door.

"There is no use going to Beth's house. Chase already did that and found it
empty. I believe Beth and her family had a lot to do with this breakup. The
house is completely empty. I am surprised she didn't pull up the carpet and
take it with her."

I just stood there at the door stunned. I was actually at a total loss for
words. How could Joey do this to Jacob? I thought I knew the guy, but
obviously I had no idea what kind of guy Joey actually was. Simply put, the
Joey I thought I knew would never have done this.

(JACOB'S POINT OF VIEW)

All night long, I couldn't stop thinking about Joey. I tried to sleep, but
every time I closed my eyes, Joey's face was all I could see. When I did
fall to sleep, I dreamed about Joey. I dreamed about the time we spent
together in the last three years.

We had our share of fights, but we got through them. We had had worst
fights that should have broken us up. Now this belief that Joey has that he
might be straight!  I could believe that if he cheated on me with a
girl. But every time I ever suspected or caught him with someone else
except me it was always with a guy.

I have forgiven him on a load of crap. I have always believed what he has
told me no matter what was before my eyes. There were times I knew Joey was
flat out lying to me but I loved him so much, I just let it go. I can't
believe I let so much stuff fall to the side and never called him on it.

As the smell of food crept through the door, I looked over to the clock to
see what time it was. I couldn't believe it was already seven in the
morning. I pulled myself out of bed and washed up before heading up to the
kitchen. I know by now everyone in the house knows what is going on.

I walked into the kitchen to find my mom cooking breakfast for
everyone. She turned and smiled at me as she put the coffee on. I smiled
back as I walked passed her. I need to change into another set of clothing
because of the Thanksgiving festivities and parade.

I took a quick shower, got dressed in slacks, a polo shirt and dress
shoes. I headed back down to the kitchen. This time when I walked in the
kitchen, it was full. If I'm not mistaken everyone is already awake and
here in the kitchen.

Everyone looked up at me as I took a seat at the table. Just the look on
their faces told me they know but they won't say anything. When the food
was put on the table, I just picked at it. I really didn't feel like eating
anything right now.

I respected the others and waited for them to finish eating before I got up
and put my dish away. I walked over and asked who was going to go with me
in my car to the parade. Chase, Andy and Marie asked for a ride. I figured
the rest would go in the other vehicles to the parade.

We all jumped in the car and headed down the freeway. The parade starts
downtown and makes its way up Montana St. I needed to be there to make sure
everything goes off without a hitch. Most importantly, I needed to make
sure the banner was in front of the unit.

As I drove I couldn't stop but think about Joey. At times, I started to
cry. I couldn't hold it in and I knew everyone in the car could hear me. I
needed to push this hurt all away down and keep it down for good. I
couldn't have people see me like this.

I parked my car in the Wells Fargo parking lot. Right behind me was my
grandfather in his car and Tom and David in their own. They parked right
beside me, and we walked together to the parade route. Just as we
approached it, I excused myself to join the ROTC cadets that were marching
in the parade.

Major Moore and Sergeant Haney were the first two I met up with. Major
Moore, being his normal self, wasn't too happy.

"Mr. Hernandez, I left this parade and the organization of it in your hands
you are to be the first one here and the last one to leave. Why is it I
found Loraine here before anyone? She isn't even part of the Battalion
Staff anymore. Yet she's doing your job. If you don't get your act right,
you won't be part of the Battalion Staff much longer."

I just nodded my head and walked over to where Loraine was. I really wanted
to bitch slap this woman right now. With every ounce of strength, I held
back. I walked up to her and pulled her to the side.

"You think you have Major Moore on your side? That's all fine and dandy but
remember whom it is that signs off on officer promotions. Major Moore puts
them in but Colonel May is the one that approves them. He hates you and
will never approve you for another promotion. You are stuck at captain's
rank.

Don't take me on and don't do it today. I have the ear of Colonel May and
he will be more then happy to bust you down a couple more ranks if I
ask. So get your fat ass over to your drill team and stay there. You just
made me a complete enemy. That's something you didn't want. You already
have too many enemies in the Battalion."

"Jacob listen to me and listen well, I am..."

"Did I ask a question Loraine? I don't believe so. I gave you an order and
you better carry it out. You are a company commander and I am a battalion
commander. I out rank you and you will follow through on my orders. Don't
say a word. Just do what I tell you to do. It is that simple!"

Lorraine gave me a dirty look but walked away. As I watched her head to her
drill team. I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around to find Mr. Fierro
standing behind me with a big smile across his face.

"It is about time Jacob. You put her in her place. You have taken a lot of
crap from her since you got promoted to Battalion Commander. She needs to
understand that she needs people in her corner; not more enemies."

"I know you're right. I just feel bad that she is getting the brunt of my
anger. More than likely she doesn't deserve all of what I did."

"Jacob, not only did she deserve what you did, but she deserved more. Stop
being so nice to her Jacob, damn it! If the shoe were on the other foot,
she would step all over you. Let's go and check the banners. I want to make
sure they are up and what you want."

We walked from battalion to battalion to make sure each of them had their
banners.  I needed to make sure their sponsors were on them and could be
seen. As we reached the sixth battalion, we found Colonel May talking with
the SAI.

He turned as we approached him. He finished whatever it was that he was
talking about with the SAI. He turned and shook both my and Fierro's hands.

"So boys I see, everything is in order right now for the parade. I like the
banners Jacob. You need to let me know what company you used to get these
banners done. That way we keep using them for things like this."

I shook my head and promised him when we returned to school I would get
that information right over to him. Alongside Colonel May, we started our
way back to the First Battalion. Just as we arrived I saw Loraine speaking
with Major Moore.

Major Moore turned to me and waved me over. I excused myself from
Mr. Fierro and Colonel May. I walked up to see what Major Moore wanted.

"Mr. Hernandez, I won't tolerate you making another officer look like crap
in front of her drill team. Once you return to school, I want to see you in
my office. More than likely I will be taking away your rank."

"You know what Major Moore you can have my rank now. Find somebody else to
do all the crap that I do and take the crap from you! I can guarantee you
will never find anyone person, let alone ten in this battalion to do
it. Stop threatening me, because I'm not going tolerate it anymore."

At that moment Colonel May walked up to see what was going on. "Major Moore
and Mr. Hernandez why don't we take this away from the battalion, everyone
is watching.  I want to know what is going on here and I want to know fast
before the parade starts."

We walked to the street and stopped. Major Moore spoke first and told
Colonel May what Lorraine told him about what I did to her earlier. He left
out the part of him already yelling at me about getting to the parade on
time.

I explained to Colonel May what had happened when I first arrived. I did
not disagree with what Loraine said to Major Moore. The only difference I
had in the story was how it started and why I said what I said to Loraine.

Colonel May was locked and loaded; "Major Moore, you and I will talk in
private on Monday. And as far as Loraine is concerned I want her removed as
drill team commander. In fact, I don't want her as a company commander
either.

I have taken your word that you could handle her. It seems to me that she
is handling you instead. No battalion needs a cadet like her causing the
kind of trouble she has caused in the past, and today. My patience for her
has run out."

"Wait a minute Colonel May, Mr. Hernandez here is the one that turned in
his rank. He should be the one to be removed from his positions. Loraine is
hardheaded, but is good at what she does. I can't afford to replace her as
drill team commander. If we do that I will more then likely lose. At this
point, I would rather lose a battalion commander than her."

"Major Moore, you have no choice in the matter, and furthermore, since when
did this become about you? I noticed that it was what "you" would lose, not
the battalion. You belittled your battalion commander in front of his
battalion. That same thing, you are condemning him for is what you were
doing to him. With what I have seen of the way you treat anybody that's not
part of your drill team, it is unacceptable. I would have done the same
thing that Mr. Hernandez did if the shoe was on my foot."

"This is my battalion, with all due respect Colonel May. I will choose whom
I keep in position and whom I don't keep in position. Mr. Hernandez stepped
down from his position. I will accept his resignation."

Colonel May looked at me and then back over to Major Moore. I was just
tired of Major Moore and I couldn't deal with him today. If he feels that I
am the one that's expendable, and then so be it!

"Colonel May, if Major Moore thinks I am the one that's expendable I will
give him my resignation. First thing Monday I will go to the register's
office and drop the class. I will turn in my uniform on Monday as well."

Colonel May just stood there watching me as I walked away. I couldn't
believe what I just did. Two in half years of hard work down the
drain. When it rains it pours. Right now it is hailing on me nonstop.

I walked under the bleachers and sat down. The minute I sat down everything
that happened last night and this morning, just hit me. Once again unable
to control myself, I started crying right there under the bleachers.

The rest of the day was a blur to me. I remember someone finding me
underneath bleachers, but whom I don't know. All I can remember is getting
back in my car and driving home. I heard voices in my car, but I again
can't remember who was in my car.

Then everything went black and the next thing I remember was sitting down
in the dining room table with everybody. I know my grandpa cut the
turkey. I also remember having a plate of food in front of me. Although I
know I didn't eat anything.

I remember getting up from the table and walking over to the TV room. I sat
down with everybody, but what was said or what we watch, I couldn't tell
you. The next thing I remember saying goodbye to my mother and sister and
then heading back down to the apartment in the basement. That's the only
pieces I can put together of the day.

(ANDY'S POINT OF VIEW)

By midday our mom realized Joey wasn't around. She started asking where he
was. The only thing we could come up with to say was that Joey was spending
the day with his family. At first it seemed to take care of my mom's
questioning.

During dinner my mom started asking again about Joey and Jacob. This time,
she kept asking, what was wrong with Jacob? Once again, we lied to her
about the entire thing. We couldn't let her know the truth. That decision
should be Jacob's and his only.

When I walked up to the car she finally opened up. "Andy, I know there is
something going on in this house right now. I know it has something to do
with Jacob and Joey. At the same time, I know it can't be good. I know my
kids and Jacob is hurting.

Andy, tell me what is going on in there. Joey and Jacob would never spend a
day apart like this. They would find a way to see each other. No family or
friends can keep those two apart. That's how I know there is something
going on here."

"With all due respect mom, this is not my place to say. In time Jacob will
talk with you, but when he does, listen to him. Don't judge him. Just
listen and be there for him like you were when he was small.

He needs his mom, brothers, sister, grandparents and friends right now. If
you're going to belittle him, or make him feel like crap, or judge him,
then don't talk to him and let us be there for him. Let go of your hate for
once."

"Andy please talk to Jacob and let him know I am here for him. Whenever he
is ready I will listen and not judge or make him feel worse than what he is
feeling right now. I love you kids so much. I know I have acted as if I
don't." For the first time in my life, my mom broke down in front of me.

"Just let him know I am here. I love him so much and I miss him. I can't
stand seeing him hurting the way he is right now. I will do anything to
have my kids back."

My mom got in the car and drove off. I just stood there in the middle of
the street thinking to myself. There might be some good that can come out
of this. I wish it never happened, but it did. Let's salvage what we can.

I walked into the house and looked in on everyone. They were just where I
left them, in front of the TV. I looked down the hall to the door of the
basement. I could actually feel my brothers hurt all the way up here.

Slowly I walked downstairs, debating with myself what to do. On one hand I
want be there and be a shoulder for Jacob to cry on. On the other hand, I
wonder if it is best for me to let Jacob get through this on his own. As I
reached the bottom of the staircase, I made up my mind on what to do.

I walked across the game room to the apartment. I took the key from the
shelf and let myself in, and then putting the key back on the shelf. Just
in case somebody else wants to come in. I shut the door behind me and stood
there for a few moments. Trying to hear if Jacob was awake or crying.

I looked around to see where Jacob was. I walked over to the bed to find
Jacob laying there staring up to the ceiling. I crawled into bed with
him. Putting my arms around him, I held him as tight as I could. Jacob
buried his head in my shoulder and just started crying nonstop. All I could
do was hold him and rub his back.


TO BE CONTINUED...


OVER VIEW:

{Ok guys this is the most emotional chapter I have written recently. I
would like to start out by saying this actually happened in my life. I have
a lot of readers writing me asking how much this story is true and how much
of the story isn't. To let you guys know, this breakup happened and it
happened exactly like I wrote it.

The two main characters in this story and what they have gone through
happened. The breakup I wrote in this story did not happen in our junior
year in high school. It actually happened many years afterwards but it
happened nonetheless.

After Joey left me, we talked a little, but never got back together. In
fact, the last time we talked was right before he moved out of El Paso. We
met at a gas station, where I met his son. A good-looking son and without a
doubt, the son is his. He will always hold a spot in my heart as my first
true love.

Enough with the facts, let's get back to the fiction of the story. Because
of the breakup there could be a lot of changes. Will Jacob find another to
love or spend the rest of his high school years alone? Will he get back
together with Joey or is that relationship truly over?

Did Joey believe what he told Jacob? Or is he doing all this for his
family? I also wonder, since they cleared out the house and the bank
accounts. Is he still going to go to high school with Jacob? If he does I
wonder how strange it will be walking down the same hallways no longer
together.

I'm glad Grandpa Al had the ways and means to urgently check up on Jacob's
accounts. To some it may seem odd that Grandpa Al did that. To others it is
the right thing to do. Keep in mind, Joey doesn't have as much as Jacob
does.

Chase reacted just like the best friend should do. He considers Jacob more
than a friend. He feels that Jacob is like a brother to him. I hope that
Chase doesn't follow through with his threats. Just let Joey go.

What was up with this thing with Major Moore? I really hope either Major
Moore or Colonel May pays a visit to Jacob to let him know how needed he is
in the battalion. Everything seemed to hit poor Jacob at the same time. I
really hope he can put his life together and at least keep ROTC. It's one
thing he loves to do.

So many plots and not enough paper to write on them in one chapter! It
finally looks like Gloria might stop her evil ways. Only time will tell. As
well it looks like Andy is being the big brother that Jacob needs. Again,
so many plots out there that needs to come to an end. I really hope you all
stick around for them.

As always I can go on and on about the open plots in the story! If I do
that, I can actually write several more chapters. There are so many plots
that can take a turn at anytime. You might think it is going to go one way,
but is lands up going another. Don't miss out on anything, or you will be
kicking yourself for it.

There is a so much to answer in the chapters to come. Stick around and 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:

Greetings from the other side of Texas! (Jacob is in El Paso in far, far
west Texas and I am in Dallas, two thirds of the way east across the state.

Well, gang, I sure didn't see this breakup coming! It hit me out of the
blue. I can't begin to express how disappointed I am in Beth. With her
malice, she accomplished what Gloria couldn't. I guess that reinforces the
adage of "keep your friends close and your enemies even closer".

Andy is redeeming himself with his having put Normal in her place and
reunited himself with his family. He is a loving brother and his judgment
and values were compromised. He's coming back, thank goodness.  I like the
way he addressed his mom over Jacob's current situation. I hope that he
will diligently stand guard and make sure Gloria does as she stated. Her
turnaround is too vast and fast for me to feel it is fully sincere. I don't
trust that `woman' (looking for a nice word).

Marie is a gem, holding Greg to a high standard. She's has a deep insight
as Jacob and she knows how to bring out the best in people and also set a
high standard. You go Girl! Perhaps with Marie and Jacob's circle as an
anchor, Greg can grow into a truly great person.

I'm glad that there's no financial or business worries for Jacob over Joey
leaving. I'm glad Joey was honorable at least in the business dealings and
that Beth didn't get him to do something bad with his access to Jacob's
holdings.

I'm sure sorry Jacob had to have something so bad happen before he got the
brass in his boxer briefs to deal with Lorraine. I agree with Colonel May;
Lorraine manages Major Moore! I'm curious as can be as to how Colonel May
is going to get things fixed and get Major Moore in tow.  My bet is that he
will do it and in fine style!

I hope that Jacob will ultimately heal from Joey's leaving. He's strong in
many ways, yet so vulnerable with matters of the heart. I hope that he will
embrace his friends and family and that he will leave love interests until
his life is more set. Why add complications when the high school years
bring enough on their own ?

Ok, I'll let you go rather than keep you reading my thoughts. I'm sure you
have your own and Jacob and I both thrive on hearing your thoughts and
ideas. Keep those e-mails coming. They ARE important and appreciated.

Until next time,

"Daddy" Rick