Date: Tue, 22 Aug 2006 10:48:28 -0700 (PDT)
From: L Rush <laramierush1@yahoo.com>
Subject: Laramie Rush - Chapter 2

This is a fictional story involving gay teenagers and will contain some
sexually explicit material, but not right away.  If you're too young to
read this type of story or if it's illegal for you to do so, you should
leave or at least don't get caught.  This story is copyrighted so please do
not duplicate, in whole or in part, by any means (including electronic)
without prior written permission from the author.

This story and its characters are purely fictional, although some things
may be based on real events or locations.  However, no persons, places or
situations in this story are in any way connected to, or associated with,
with reality.

Now, the "Laramie Rush" soundtrack for Chapter 2: "Talk" by Coldplay and
"Open Your Eyes" by Snow Patrol.  Feel free to get them however you get
your music!  Listen and Enjoy!

Your comments, good, bad or whatever are welcome!  Love it? Hate it?  Tell
me!!  Email me at laramierush1@yahoo.com.

Thank you Matt.  You're the best.  LR.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

Chapter 2.

Both sets of grandparents came to Evanston for my first birthday party, but
it was also their last visit together.  Grandpa Rush just happened to have
business in Minneapolis, so it was convenient to fly here a day early and
bring Grandma along.  When Mom invited her parents to come, they seemed a
little reluctant, but finally Grandma Mack gave in.

"Why the hesitation?" Mom asked.

"Oh, we don't want to interfere, honey," Grandma Mack told Mom.

"Interfere??  Are you nuts?  He's your grandson, ma..."

"Well, okay, but we won't stay long."

"Mom, you're traveling half way across the country, stay as long as you
want!"

Some of the neighbors with small children came, and Jake and Jess invited
some of their friends.  Of course, Mr. and Mrs. Timmons, along with Rick,
Kate and Jeremy were there too!  All I cared about was that Jeremy was
there, even though I was only a year old.  I got lots of gifts, mostly
toys, clothes and money.  The party was in the backyard and even though
there was plenty of cake for everyone, I had my own that I got to dig into
and smear all over me.  It's fun to look at the pictures now.  Grandma
Mack's left eyebrow arched when she found out Mrs. Timmons baked the cake.

Grandma Rush was mostly focused on how to get Jake and Jess to New Jersey
for the summer.  Should they stop on their way back from Minneapolis and
get them or should Dad bring them later this week?  What a dilemma!

"Now Suzy, we'll keep them until mid July, you know."

"Mid July??"  Mom was startled.  "Umm, I don't think so.  That's such a
long time"

"What do you mean?  You and Eddie agreed to all of this.  Why are you so
surprised?" Grandma insisted.

"When we talked about this at Easter you said a week..."

Dad intervened.  "Mom, it's okay.  Let's talk about it later.  I'll talk to
Suzy."

Mom was pissed.  Mrs. Timmons could see that, so she quietly took over as
hostess, but most people were leaving anyways.  Mom talked to Grandma Rush
privately and got things settled.  They'd pick up the twins Tuesday and Dad
would bring them back to Chicago July 15.  One more time Grandma got her
way, and Dad smoothed things over with Mom...

Now, about that mess with the cake.  Of course I had to have a bath!  Boy
how I wish Jeremy could have joined me in the tub!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

I wish I could tell you that things went smoothly between my parents and
their parents.  Things really cooled down with Mom and the Rush's and the
McKenzie's.  Relationships that had always been close were now a bit tense
and awkward.  Not unfriendly, but strained.  Why were the Rush's so eager
to take Jake and Jess?  Why couldn't they come to Chicago just to visit us?
After all, it was a little easier for the two of them to travel than our
whole family.  They only came when it was convenient for them, and it
wasn't all that often.  Then again, why would they need to?  Grandma Rush
got to see Dad usually once a week, when he was in Jersey on business.  And
they had Jake and Jess every summer.  I guess Mom and I didn't matter?

And what was Grandma Mack's problem?  Is it possible she was envious of
Mom's and Mrs. Timmons' relationship?  One time Mom confronted Grandma.

"Eddie takes good care of you and the kids, Suzy.  You don't need me.  Your
dad and I would just be in the way."  Grandma insisted.

"In the way of what, Mom?  Tell me.  Can't you just visit and enjoy the
kids?"

"Well, it's not as simple as that, Susan."

"What's so complicated?  When we lived in Jersey we saw each other almost
every day.  Now I have to beg for us to get together."

"It's not that." Grandma said.

"Well what is it then, Mom?  Is it my friendship with Linda Timmons?"

"Don't be ridiculous, Susan!  That's the silliest thing I ever heard!"

That was it!  Mom was convinced her parents couldn't handle the fact that
they moved away and were doing fine.  Mom thought Grandma felt replaced by
Mrs. Timmons, even though that was nonsense.  Dad stayed out of it.

And what was with Dad placating his mother where Jake and Jess were
concerned?  That "week" in the summer became the whole summer, and Dad just
went along with it to shut up Grandma Rush.  What did he care?  He wasn't
home much, and he could always see them when he was in Jersey.

Over the years, birthdays became less of a celebration.  With Jake and Jess
having the same birthday, but different friends, it was hard to have a big
party.  Mom and Dad always like to do something a little special for their
own birthdays, like go out to dinner, just the two of them.  For me...well,
every year it was just a little cake and ice cream thing.  Sometimes Jake
and Jess weren't even there.  And Mom always invited Mr. and Mrs. Timmons,
Rick, Kate and Jeremy.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

It was weird growing up with a brother and sister six years older than me.
I hardly knew them.  As a toddler, the gap between us seemed to widen.  If
Mom and Dad hadn't had me, Mom would have started working since the twins
were in school during the day.  But, I came along, and with the move to
Chicago, it looked like her career would be on hold again.  Until
Mrs. Timmons had an idea.

"Now that Kate has gotten that promotion she wanted, I'll be babysitting
Jeremy every day.  I'd be happy to have Laramie too, say, if you wanted to
start working."

"I do need to get on with things.  We've been here two years now.  I'd have
to get my Illinois teaching certificate and all..."

"Funny you should mention that.  I'm very good friends with Bob Wilson, the
school director at Lake Academy in Wilmette.  They need a third grade
teacher to start this fall.  Anyways, Bob asked me if I could recommend
someone and you're the first person I thought of!"

"Gosh, that would be perfect, but... I couldn't impose," Mom was excited.

"Nonsense!  The reason the position came about so suddenly is Mary
Anderson's husband has been transferred out of state sooner than expected.
It's kind-of like your situation moving here.  About your certificate, it's
really a paperwork issue and that can be processed quickly. Come on, I'll
make a few calls."

"Well, I better speak with Eddie first.  I will tonight."

"Good! It's a done deal!"

So Mom talked to Dad and he had no choice but to say okay.  Mom was
supportive of all of his career moves, even leaving her family and moving
to Chicago.  Now it was Dad's turn...to be supportive of her.  The next day
Mrs. Timmons called her friend Mr. Wilson.  Mom interviewed and was hired
on the spot!

Mom started teaching at Lake Academy that fall.  Her schedule worked out
perfectly.  Jake and Jess walked home after school, Mrs. Timmons was there
with Jeremy and me, and Mom got home about fifteen minutes later.  And that
was sort-of our life for quite a few years.  When Jeremy and I were four we
went to pre-school at Northwestern which was for employees' kids.  So we
kind-of fudged it a bit...Jeremy's grandfather had a little pull, being a
professor and all.

But, the next year I went to kindergarten in public school and Jeremy's
mother insisted that he go to a private school.  Mom even suggested that
maybe Jeremy and I could both enroll at Lake Academy, but Kate wouldn't
hear of it.  She wanted to send him to another school.  After being with
Jeremy everyday for so long we were bonded like glue, and now we were
separated.  I was closer to him than to Jake and Jess, who it seemed I
hardly knew.  I know...we're the same age and have a lot in common, the
'separation' isn't forever, and kids that age bounce back quickly.  But not
me.  I was attached to Jeremy, and I knew it, at the age of five.

The next couple of years were tough not seeing each other constantly.  We
had to settle for weekends and holidays.  I was too young to know or think
anything about love or sex, but I felt empty if I wasn't near him.  I
missed eating with him, falling asleep next to him, playing soccer and
video games with him.  Giggling with him.  Touching him.  Smelling him.
Jeremy was all that was on my mind.  I daydreamed about him.

Jake and Jess were growing up as well, developing their own unique
personalities.  While it seemed they adjusted to the move to Chicago just
fine, a few things cropped up that Mom observed.  By the time they were
nearly finished with eighth grade, Jacob was becoming the kid no one knew
and Jessica treated him horribly.  She was turning into a real bitch, and
turning him into her bitch!  Did it have something to do with the move?
Was spending every summer in New Jersey a factor?  Blame it on puberty?

Mom talked to Dad about what she was noticing with the twins.  "Eddie,
we've got to do something.  I'm worried about Jessica...she can be so nasty
at times."

"Really?  She seems fine when I'm here."  Dad was oblivious.

"Well, that's the problem...you're never here."

"Look Suzy, I'm sure it's nothing.  Her grades are fine and she has
friends.  It's got to be hard having a twin brother."

Mom thought Dad was nuts and told him so.  "That's insane!  What does that
mean...it's got to be hard having a twin brother??"

"Give it time.  Plus, I'm objective, not being here all the time.  But
you're with them everyday.  You see and hear everything.  If you're really
that worried talk to their counselor at school."

Mom dropped it.  But, about a week later, she got a strange phone call from
Grandma Rush.  Apparently Dad told her Mom's concerns about the twins.

"Suzy, they both do so well when they're here in the summer.  But I have
noticed Jake can be a little submissive.  I think he really wants to please
his sister and get along," Grandma insisted.

"I know, but I've tried to ignore some things, tried to address other
things, like her nastiness, and I encourage him to speak up, but..."

"As a teacher, a mother and a grandmother, here's what Bill (Grandpa Rush)
and I want to do.  They're starting high school soon, and we want them to
come here and go to boarding school.  Normally, I think a public education
is just fine, but you know first hand how well kids do at private
schools...you teach at one!  We'll pay the tuition."

"Wait, wait...what did you just say..."

"It's the least we can do.  And there really isn't a problem.  Maybe a
little distance will be good for them.  Sometimes a change in surroundings
can be good."

"Have you already discussed this with Eddie?"  Mom wanted to know.

"No, I haven't.  But after he told us how worried you are, Bill and I
talked, and we made up our minds this is what we want to do for you guys.
Please talk to Eddie about this, Susan, please."

Although Mom and Grandma Rush had always basically gotten along, the last
several years had been a little rough.  She wondered if my Dad's parents
were genuinely concerned or just being selfish.  Yet, Grandma did make a
few good points.  Mom agreed that private schools are good, and certainly
my grandparents could afford the cost, even for both.  She talked it over
with Dad.

"I'm not surprised my mother suggested this.  She makes a really good
case."

"I don't know.  Maybe their behavior is normal and it's just a phase for
both of them.  Maybe it will work itself out.  Plus, even though your
parents have the money, I just can't ask them to do this," Mom told Dad.

"You're...we're...not asking them.  They offered.  And yes, they do have
the money.  And maybe it is just an early teen phase the twins are going
through, but we should nip this in the bud before it gets worse," Dad
insisted.

Mom decided to get another opinion.  She did talk to Jess and Jake's
counselor.

"Well, Mrs. Rush, this certainly would be a great opportunity for both Jess
and Jake.  Neither of them is really, what I would say, a... problem.  In
fact, this is the first time we've ever met about them.  But I have noticed
that, well, how can I put this...Jessica, well, she can be a
little...well..."

"Bossy?  Pushy?  Nasty?"

"She's downright mean to your son.  She bullies him, and he takes it.  It's
going to be hell for him at the high school because others will see that
and won't leave him alone," the counselor added.  "I think your
mother-in-law's idea is very appropriate."

Mom's mind was made up.  She would take Grandma and Grandpa Rush up on
their offer.  But she also wondered why the counselor never called her and
Dad about Jake and Jess, if the situation was that noticeable.  Were things
out of control?

Mom told Dad, "Eddie, I'll go along with the whole boarding school thing
with your parents, but we should at least offer to pay half.  Whether they
agree or not, at least we offered."  That night Mom and Dad told Jake and
Jess the plan for school in the fall.  Jake said okay and Jessica sighed
and rolled her eyes around.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

Jeremy's mom drove him to school, and once in awhile Mrs. Timmons picked
him up, so occasionally I did get to see him and play during the week.  But
my normal routine was that I walked home from school with a kid named Ronny
Selby.  I really didn't care for Ronny, but we were in the same grade and
he lived on the next street, Hinman.  A couple of times he invited me over,
but I never wanted to go to his house.  Usually he tried to invite himself
to our house.  I'd either ignore him, or if he did come over he'd get so
engrossed with playing Nintendo that I still ignored him.  Ronny and Jeremy
knew each other, and Jeremy felt the same way about him as I did.

Ronny's older brother Tommy liked my sister, and she kind-of liked him,
too.  Tommy was a smart-ass.  In fact, all the Selby's were smart-asses,
including their dad who was a cop.  Tommy creeped me out for some reason.
His hair was long and dirty, he wore weird clothes like stupid tee-shirts
and chains and stuff.  He swore a lot, except when adults were around; then
he put on the altar-boy act.  Every other word was 'fuck'.  I don't know
what Jessica saw in him.

Mom couldn't stand Tommy Selby either, and every time he came to our house
Mom quickly thought of a reason to politely get rid of him.  I swear, smoke
would come out of Jessica's nose, but Jacob seemed visibly relieved when he
left.  I never fully understood why until I was a lot older.  I just
remember when I was eight, it was the end of the school year, right when
Mom and Dad told us that Jess and Jake would be going to boarding school in
New Jersey for the next year.  Old Tommy was over and was trying to be all
sweet to Mom, saying how much he liked Jessica and was going to miss her.

"We'll all miss Jess and Jake both, " Mom said.

"Really, Mrs. Rush, Jessica and I have become really close.  More than
friends.  I kind-of think of her as my girlfriend."

"Yeah, Tommy, well, Jessica's a little too young to be someone's
girlfriend."

"Well Mrs. Rush, my mom and dad think it's healthy and normal for kids our
age to..."

"Umm, Tommy, if that's how your parents feel, that's fine," Mom
interrupted.  "Now really, you should be going, I need to go shopping with
Jessica and we'll be gone awhile.  Bye Tommy.  Say 'hi' to your mom..." Mom
was so cool trying to get rid of him!  Except, she didn't.

She and Jess did leave to go shopping.  And Tommy did start walking down
Judson to go home.  But as soon as Mom turned onto Davis, old Tommy Selby
turned back to our house.  I was in the backyard when he walked up the
sidewalk.

"Where the fuck's your fucking brother, you fucking little shitball?"

I just glared at him.  Pretty brave for an eight year old, huh?

"You little bastard, where the fuck is he?"

"I'm up here."  Jake was visible from his window.

Tommy called me an asshole and told me to fuck off.  He disappeared in the
house, and I figured he just wanted to talk to Jake.  I kept to myself,
occasionally staring at the Timmons' back yard, hoping Jeremy would show
up.  Then I had to pee, and I wanted my other soccer ball, which was up in
my room.  I went upstairs using the front steps, which were quieter because
of the carpet.  I was real quiet because I heard Tommy and Jake in Jake's
room.  Tommy was talking kind-of mean to Jake, but I couldn't tell what
Jake was saying.  The door was partly open.  I looked in and saw Tommy's
jeans and underwear pulled down and I could see his naked skinny butt.
Jake was kneeling down in front of him and I think Tommy was pulling his
hair, and saying stuff like 'suck me' and 'lick my balls'.  I couldn't see
Jake's face, but I heard him cough.  Then Tommy said, "I said suck me you
fucking cocksucker!  Maybe I oughtta shove my cock up your sweet ass, huh
Jake?  Or up your sister's hot pussy and make you watch."

I was scared shitless and started to pee my pants.  I forgot about getting
my soccer ball.  I ran downstairs and back outside, not knowing if I made
any noise or if they saw me.  I did pee my pants, and I ran up into the
garage attic and hid.  I was scared for Jake.  I was scared for myself.  I
shut my eyes.  All I could see was Jake on his knees.  I started to cry,
but I stopped.  I saw Jeremy.  I saw Tommy half naked.  I kept seeing these
images in my mind over and over and my own penis got stiff in my wet pants.
My heart was pounding.  I was only eight years old but I wanted Jeremy with
me, in the garage attic, at that moment.  I shut my eyes, held my breath
and put my hand down my pants to feel my hard dick.  I didn't even know
what I was doing or why.  I have no idea how long I was like that, up in
the garage.  Then my dream came true.

"Lare...  Lare...  Laramie, you up there?"  It was my favorite voice.

"Jeremy!!  I'm up here!"

He ran up the garage attic steps.  "Hey, let's play!  What are you doing up
here?  Where's everyone at?  My dad's letting me stay at grandma's tonight!
Wanna sleep out in the tent in the backyard?  Wanna set up the telescope?
Grandpa said we can cook out hotdogs!  Grandma just made brownies...want
one?  Wanna ride bikes first?  Lare...  Hello...  What's going on?"

After 20 Questions Jeremy could tell something wasn't right.  I started to
cry.  "I had an accident.  Please don't tell, please," I begged.  But it
was Jeremy, so I didn't have to beg too much.

"It's okay."  Jeremy hugged me.  "Want me to go in your room and get you a
new pair of pants?"

"NO!!"  I shouted, "NO WAY!!"

He backed away.  "Okay, okay, settle down."

"I'm sorry."  And I looked away, trying not to cry.  "Umm...is...umm...that
Tommy Selby around?  Did you see him or Jake?"

"Why?  Did he try to do something to you?"

"No." I answered.

"I'm pretty sure he's not here.  I saw him walking on Grove Street and he
gave me the finger when we drove past him.  And Jake's on the front steps."

"Good."  Then I heard the car.  Mom and Jess were home.

"Look, I'll go get you a pair of my pants and clean underwear, and some
brownies.  Stay up here I'll be right back.  You can change up here.  No
one will know."

I was hard again.  I never remembered it being hard like that, only
sometimes in the morning.  I was nervous, but felt relieved, and was glad
Jeremy was there to help me out.  He and I had seen each other naked
before, like changing into our swim trunks, but what if he stayed in the
garage when I took my wet pants off and he saw my woodie?

In a flash Jeremy was back, discretely carrying the clean pants and
underwear.  "Here," he said as he gave them to me.  "Oh, man, I forgot the
brownies.  You get changed and I'll go get 'em.  Meet me on the deck!"

So I peeled off my pee-soaked jeans and underwear and rubbed my little
boner for a few minutes, then put on Jeremy's dry clothes.  That calmed me
down.  I figured I'd hide the wet pants and worry about them later; we'd
think of something.  When I got into the yard, I saw a cab pulling away and
that meant Dad was home from the airport.  I ran up to give him a hug. Then
went next door to get Jeremy and some of Mrs. Timmons' delicious brownies.

We were all in the kitchen and the phone rang.  Mom answered it.

"Jess, it's for you, it's Tommy Selby...again."

Dad asked how we all were, Mom told him it had been a great week, but we
missed him.  Jeremy and I said we were sleeping out in the tent tonight,
and Jake was mostly quiet.  Dad put his briefcase in the den and went
upstairs to change.  Jess informed us Tommy was coming over.

"Mom, can I go somewhere with Tommy tonight?" Jess pleaded.

"Ahh, no."  Mom was firm.

Jess was about to spit fire again.  Then, old Tommy just walked right in
without even knocking.

"Tommy, please knock next time."  Mom warned.

"Why?  You're all standing right here in the kitchen...Mrs. Rush, ma'm."

Jess rolled her eyes and muttered 'Jesus' under her breath, but Mom heard
it.  "I'm sorry Tommy, Jess has to stay in tonight."  Jess ran upstairs.

Just then Dad came back in the kitchen.  I was pouring a glass of diet Coke
for Jeremy and me.  Jake stood there, frozen.  "Dude...how about you and me
hangin' out tonight.  Wanna?"  Tommy asked Jake.

Dad, as smart as he is, was clueless.  "Hey, son, that'd be a great idea.
It's Friday night, you guys just go let off some steam!"  Jacob stood
there, emotionless and silent.

"NO!" I blurted out.  I turned quickly, knocking over my glass of diet
Coke, spilling it mostly onto Tommy's jeans and shoes.  "NO, Jake can't go
anywhere, he promised to...umm... umm..."

"...He promised to help put up the tent and get all our stuff ready for
sailing tomorrow, right Jake?" Thank God for Jeremy.  Dad looked puzzled.

"Yeah, guys.  Sorry, Tommy."  Jake went along with it.

"You little f.......  Look at my jeans!  You got soda all over me..."

I wanted to laugh.  And I wanted to cry because I felt bad for Jake.  And I
wanted to hug Jeremy for rescuing me and Jake.  And I knew that bastard
Tommy Selby would probably someday want revenge.

I think Dad caught on, but it was Mom who shoved Tommy out the door again.
"Well, we've got stuff to do here, Tommy.  Lare, let's get this cleaned up.
Bye Tommy, some other time."

Jake still barely moved or said anything.  He's a good-looking kid, with
longish, pin-straight brown hair over his ears that kind-of flips up, blue
eyes and the whitest face.  But now it was red.  I wanted to talk to him,
but, even though he's my big brother, I couldn't talk to him.  I hardly
knew him, really.  But I knew what I saw with him and Tommy in his bedroom
earlier that day.

"Hey, Lare," Jacob said softly.  "Uhh, you guys want me to help with the
tent for real?"

I fought back tears and nodded.  "Uh-huh, yeah."  We re-filled our sodas
and took them with us to get more brownies and start pitching the tent.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

Jake, Jeremy and I put up the tent in the Timmons' backyard, and we got the
blankets and sleeping bags all set.  Mr. Timmons cooked the hotdogs on the
Weber grill and they were delicious, even though I could barely eat half of
one, without the bun.  I was putting together my telescope and we could
smell another batch of home-made brownies right out of the oven.

What a day.  Finally, it got dark, everyone went in, and the neighborhood
got quiet.  Stars were out and we had a pretty good view of the moon.  And
occasionally planes flew over us, heading southwest towards O'Hare.  Thank
God my mind was in the stars.  Jeremy and I went into the tent and stripped
down to our underwear and put on our pajamas.  Luckily, I did so without
pitching another "tent."  But not for long.

We were laying on our backs snugly inside our sleeping bags.  Jeremy and I
talked, but didn't say much.  I was confused about what I saw going on with
Jake and Tommy earlier.  I wanted to tell Jeremy about it but I couldn't.
I wondered how Jeremy knew just what to say in the kitchen.  Jeremy was
talking again, but I couldn't hear him.  I closed my eyes and saw the
images again; Tommy's naked ass.  Jeremy.  Me, in the garage attic rubbing
my hard little boy pole.  Jake on his knees, head in front of Tommy's
crotch.  Jeremy hugging me.  I wondered what I'd do if Jeremy saw me naked
and hard.  I reached down in my sleeping bag, under my pajamas and the
elastic of my underwear, and grabbed hold of my boner.  My heart was
pounding out of my chest, but the tent was silent.  I opened my eyes and
looked at the boy next to me.  The boy who makes me dream.  He was sound
asleep.

To be continued...