Date: Fri, 17 Oct 2003 10:58:00 -0400
From: Sequoyah <sequoyah@charter.net>
Subject: Mountain Magic, Chapter Five

Mountain Magic

Warning!

The usual warning applies: This story contains erotic events involving
alternative sexualities. Do not read the contents if such will offend
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Disclaimer

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either
are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously and
any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments,
events or locales is entirely coincidental.

It is under this rubric that literary license is taken in regard to the
conversations among the hospital staff and our three heroes. Much of what
the three learn would not be information they would be permitted under the
new rules and regulations about medical records.

Only the Patriot Act permits anything and everything about you becoming
public knowledge!!.

Copyright Notice Reminder

This story is copyright by the author and the author retains all
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Other Stories

Several readers have asked about other stories. There is a very, very long
one, "A Special Place" and two parallel sequels, "The Concord Five" and
"The Oberlin Five. Additionally, there are two stand alone short stories,
"Climbing Bear," based on a character in the two sequels, and "Aaron and
Andreas."


All these stories can be found as Adobe files in one of the Yahoo Groups
dedicated to Sequoyah's stories,
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SequoyahsPlace/.

An earlier Yahoo group, now inactive because Yahoo managed to make it
impossible for the moderator to function, has a great deal of material
about the stories and Sequoyah.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Sequoyahs_Place/ (note the space between
Sequoyahs and Place is an underscore, not an empty space.

All of these stories are found on the Gay Writers Guild website,
http://www.gaywritersguild.org/books.htm.

They are also found on Nifty. ASP and CF in the High School section, CF in
the College section, CB in the Relationships section and AA in the
Beginnings section.

Thanks

A very specal thanks to those who have edited MM-5. Readers are indebted to
you. Remaining boo-boos are mine.

Comments
Good, bad or indifferent are appreciated: sequoyah@charter.net

Sequoyah


Chapter Five

The weeks after our trip to Asheville and the thrift shops, I was surprised
when several people, especially girls, commented on Jason's and my new
look. For someone who had never had very many clothes, Jason really knew
how to dress. Not only had he shown great taste in picking out what he
bought, but also in how he put things together. With the "pre-washed" look
so popular with teenagers, our thrift store clothes were high fashion at
Coldsprings.

I, of course, enjoyed the compliments on my new dress, but the fact that I
had, in Hank's words, become somewhat of a chick magnet was not all
good. So long as I was pretty much ignored by girls, I could ignore a part
of me which I didn't want to face. I liked having girls notice me. I
enjoyed talking to them, but unlike Hank, they didn't turn me on. What was
even more troubling was that guys did, well, not all guys, but Jason did
and he really did. All I had to do to get hard was to remember his remark
about my nice round ass making him hard. Yea, so long as girls paid no
attention to me, I didn't have to pay attention to what they did not do for
me. Now? Well, now I spent a lot of time wondering if I was gay, knowing I
was gay, denying I was gay--the whole thing I guess any gay teenager goes
through if he starts facing who he is and who turns him on.

One thing about it, Jason may have made that remark, but I had to assume he
was kidding or risk losing his friendship. While there was no question
about Hank's preference, I wasn't sure about Jason's. Most of Hank's waking
hours were spent chasing girls, dreaming about catching girls and leaking
precum imagining what he would do if he did catch one. Yea, there was
increasing anxiety on my part concerning my sexuality and that of one of my
friends.

Additionally I was getting sick and fed up with Jerry and his boys. One
October Monday he tripped me as I was racing down the hall, nearly late for
class. My books went every where and I got a foot in my face. By the end of
the period, I had a mouse under my left eye and knew I'd have a real
shiner. I had been bruised before, but it was never where it showed. This
time, it showed! When I met Jason and Hank, they asked about it, but I
tried to laugh it off.

 Wednesday Hank told me and Jason we had to end our time as monks. "There's
a concert in Asheville Friday night and I have six tickets. Beth will be
going with me"--Hank had pretty much settled on one girl, but not
absolutely--"so you jokers have to get dates." When we talked about that,
Hank was thunderstruck that neither of us had dated a lot. Jason
practically none which was not surprising given his living conditions and I
had "dates" which were pretty much dictated by things like dance lessons
and St. Stephen's parties, not something anyone would call a real date.

Jason and I talked about getting a date, but neither did anything about it
until Hank said two of Beth's girlfriends were dying to go to the concert
and suggested we ask them, which we did. The rest of the week the concert
and our dates was all that Hank talked about. I noticed Jason seemed about
as enthusiastic as I was, which was not much.

Hank said Jason and I were the talk among the girls. "Seems Sandra and
Janie have moved up the social scale by having dates with you and are
making sure all the other girls know it."

I had thought my new clothes and now dates would, maybe, cut down on Jerry
and his henchmen's harassing me, but I was wrong. It got worse and more
insulting. I had ignored it, but that didn't help. Every time I met him or
one of his buddies, they had something to say or do to me. Since I had new
clothes, they didn't do the fancy pants bit, but increasingly they made
some comment about my being a faggot. Faggot almost became my name so far
as they were concerned. Well, faggot sissy. The fact that I was struggling
with the question of my sexuality didn't make the harassment easier to
take. But the hazing didn't stop with name calling. When they caught me
without Hank or Jason around, I . . . well, let's just say I was becoming
very familiar with the floor.

When I mentioned the continuing harassment to Jason and Hank, Hank said,
"He would've found something else from the beginning if it hadn't been your
clothes. You're the new boy, you and Jason. He has always picked on kids
who were different--you know, new, dressed differently, African-Americans,
Indians, just different," Hank said. "And what is most different so far as
he is concerned? Someone gay. So he just tacks that on to you. But it's
time it stopped and especially the physical harassment. Jason and I found
out about the mouse and know that's just something that showed. You have
been physically harassed all along. Why didn't you tell us Jerry and the
Assholes were doing things to you?"

"I guess I thought they would get tired and stop, but it doesn't look as if
it will stop until I put a stop to it." I thought Hank and Jason had pretty
much forgotten about it, but I found out later I was wrong.

Friday of the concert the three of us were headed for the parking lot,
making final arrangements about the concert. Hank had to make sure we had
everything arranged about our dates. He was worried because the six of us
were too much for a single car. Hank's brother was home from college for
the weekend and Hank wanted to drive his Miata. Jason and I assured him we
could pick up our dates and get to the concert. "We'll meet you there,"
Jason assured him.

As we approached the Jeep after school, Jerry and his hangers-on came from
the stadium area. As they got close I could smell weed. They were not
smoking tobacco today. I had heard people talking about how grass can just
mellow you out and it may be true. If it is, Jerry and the Assholes were
doing something along with their grass because when I smelled weed, they
were unusually nasty.

"Well, if ain't Sissy the Faggot and his asshole buddies.  You with you
queer earring. You and your faggot buddies are just too cute with your
pierced ears. You three are asshole buddies ain'che?"

"Jerry, Douglas has been a gentleman and ignored your ignorance. He has
even ignored your physical attacks on him, but now I have had it. You don't
call anyone faggot and from now on when you speak to Douglas, you are to
address him as Mr. McElrath and you and your asshole buddies are to leave
him strictly alone. You understand or do I need to draw a picture?" Jason
said in an icy voice. It was enough to frighten me, but Jerry couldn't let
well enough alone.

"You got a dumb Indian protecting you sissy ass, faggot?"Jerry sneered in
my face.

"I mean it Jerry. Back off and apologize," Jason said, his eyes flashing
fire.

"Afraid your pretty boy pussy will get his face messed up again?" Jerry was
right in my face, close enough for his breath to make me gag.

I decided the time had come to let Jerry know I had had enough and that I
didn't need Jason or anyone else to look out for me. After all, I had done
really well in my martial arts classes. I looked at Jason and Hank and
said, "I can't take on all four of these jerks, but I can handle the
situation if you two will make sure I only have to take on one at a time."

"You sure?" Hank asked, clearly frightened.

"Yea, you sure?" Jason echoed.

"I'm sure, but knowing how trash fights, as soon as I start busting ass
they will all jump me. Think you two can hold back the others so I can take
them out one at a time?" I was very calm, breathing correctly, getting
myself ready.

"Sure," Hank said. Jason nodded as he jerked Jerry from in front of me.

"Who's first?" I asked.

Phil, a big, overgrown guy walked up, put his nose in my face and said,
"You are dead meat, boy pussy" just before I got his knee with my heel and
he hit the ground.

"Next?" I asked. Hank had twisted one guy's arm behind his back and he was
going nowhere until Hank decided. Jason was holding Jerry and another
fellow. "Jason, you have two. How about letting one go? But save Jerry
asshole until last," I said. "I have something special for him."

"As you wish, Mr. McElrath," Jason grinned.

"I'll bust your faggot ass," Snake, the second fellow Jason had, said. When
Jason turned him loose, he ducked his head to ram me. I sidestepped him
and, as I did, caught his chin with a quick knee kick, sending him to the
ground, clutching his jaw.

 "Hank, turn your jerk loose." Hank shoved the third tough guy, Slim,
toward me. He was smaller, leaner and faster than the two on the ground. He
came at me cautiously, far more dangerous than either of the others. I
waited, wanting him to get closer. He was very carefully approaching me in
a crouch. Suddenly he rushed toward me and before I knew it, punched me in
the stomach. Fortunately, he didn't recover his balance as quickly as I
recovered from his punch. He was totally unprepared when first one, then
the other of my feet lashed out, one catching him under the chin, the other
behind his neck, sending him to the ground. As he fell, I got in another
kick catching him in the chest, knocking the wind out of him.

Jason and Hank were keeping their eyes on the three I had put on down,
keeping them on the ground. When I looked up at Jerry, I saw a crowd of
students standing behind him. Some, I knew, had permission to leave as I
did, others were cutting class. One of them called out, "Jerry, go over and
say, 'Mr. McElrath, I am sorry I have been an asshole and I'm be good from
now on,' and kiss his foot and he might leave you alone."

"I'll see you all in hell first," Jerry said with his tough guy sneer.

"Wrong attitude, Asshole," Jason said. "You ready for this shit bag,
Mr. McElrath?"

"Yea, I have other things to do. Let him loose." I hate to say it, but I
didn't put Jerry on the ground immediately. I could have, but I wanted him
to realize he was messing with someone who could protect himself. He made
an absolute fool of himself, charging where I had been, but was no longer,
trying to kick box, really making a fool of himself.

I played with him like a cat plays with a mouse. He was getting madder and
more frustrated which meant any control or discipline he might have had was
gone. I toyed with him while the crowd of students laughed and hooted. I
heard someone shout, "Jerry, I think you better crawl on your knees to
Douglas, apologize, and ask politely if you can kiss his ass. Man, you are
one fool."  Jerry was truly enraged and as he charged, I sent him sprawling
in the parking lot without seeming to move. I was really proud of myself
and wished my martial arts teacher had been around.

While I was gloating on my accomplishments, neither my buds or I were
keeping an eye on those who had fallen earlier. Suddenly I saw something
flash in the sun and before I realized what had happened, Jerry had caught
a switchblade and was rushing toward me with it open. Before I could do
anything, he slashed my face. I grabbed his arm, gave it a sharp twist,
causing him to drop the knife, then used his weight to put him on the
ground. I heard a crack as he fell.

 As Jerry started groaning, I heard Coach Alexander, who came running from
the building, shout, "That's more than enough! You four, on the ground!
Stay there! Hank, Jason, two of you--Jake, Cowboy--see that they stay
there. LaToya, to the office, have Ms. Prince call 911 and get the EMS and
police out here. Derrick, get my first aid kit out of the locker
room. Move! Anyone got a clean--and I mean clean--hanky? A girl handed him
one and he pressed it to my cheek. "Afraid you'll need stitches, Douglas."

Jeffery came running out of the building carrying a first aid
kit. "Thanks," Coach Alexander said, took a compress out, unwrapped it and
replaced the hanky. "You're still bleeding pretty badly, so keep pressure
on the cut until the EMS arrives."

The police and EMS came racing into the parking lot ten minutes later. As I
was put in the ambulance, I saw the police cuffing three guys. It was very
ironic that Jerry couldn't be cuffed because of his arm. It was even more
ironic that he was placed in the ambulance with me. "I'll call your folks,"
Hank said just before the ambulance door was closed.

When we reached the medical center, a doctor took a look at the cut on my
cheek and said to an EMS nurse, "Keep the pressure on the cut and head for
Asheville. I'll have a plastic surgeon standing by. Take the other fellow
into the emergency room. I think he has a broken arm."

The ambulance, its siren blasting, wasted no time. As soon as they arrived
at Mission St. Joseph's, I was rushed into the emergency room and then into
a surgery suite. The plastic surgeon told me as he was closing the wound,
"You'll have a scar, Douglas, but I think I have done a great job. You will
still be able to drive the girls wild, maybe even more so since you can
tell them a war story about how you were wounded. When they ask about the
scar, just tell them it was a life threatening wound, but fortunately
Dr. Freifogle patched you up. Then you are to say, 'Damn, he's good.' Got
that?"

"Sure thing, Doc," I smiled what had to be a crooked smile because half my
face was numb.

Dr. Freifogle grinned and said, "You'll be in some discomfort--that's
doctor talk for hurts like hell--when the anesthetic wears off so I'm
giving you some pain medicine. I think you'll be ok. Seriously, you will
have a scar, but it won't be close to disfiguring. It would be too bad if
your face was disfigured. You're a good looking kid, do you know that?" I
could feel myself blushing even with my face still numb. "Good to see your
blush machine is still working." He patted me on the shoulder and said,
"You are ready to roll. The nurse will give you a sheet on caring for the
wound and an appointment to come back so I can make sure everything's ok."

A nurse brought me the sheet, pain medicine and ointment to use after the
dressing came off. When I walked out of the emergency room, my
grandparents, Jason and Hank were waiting for me. I handed Grandmom the
sheet and my medicines and grabbed Hank and Jason and hugged them. As I
did, I started crying from nerves. The two held me until I stopped.

We finally broke our hug. I was so glad my grandparents had brought my
friends with them.  About half way home, the anesthetic started wearing
off. By the time we got to the school to pick up my Jeep, I was in real
discomfort. Discomfort hell, I was in major pain. Granddad asked Jason to
drive the Jeep home.

Shortly after school started, Jason mentioned he had taken Drivers' Ed last
year, but had missed so much that he hadn't gotten his license. Hank
labeled that a problem, said we'd see that he got a learner's permit and
practice. The learner's permit required a licensed driver be beside Jason
in the car. Neither Hank nor I actually qualified as that driver because of
our age, but we got a lot of practice in the pasture and back roads and
Jason had gotten his license on his first try.

 When he and Hank arrived, Hank said, "Well, I guess our dates are off. "

"Definitely for me," I answered.

"I'm sure not in any shape to enjoy a concert," Jason said.

"But why don't you go ahead, Hank. Take the Jeep so you can pick up all
three girls."

"I don't think I want to leave you," he said.

"Look, I'll be all right. In fact, I'll probably be asleep soon because I
am going to take a pain pill."

"Jason, you're not up to going?" Hank asked.

"I don't think so, Bud. You go and enjoy yourself."

"Yea, drive the Jeep and then come back here and spend the night," I
suggested.

It was about five when we got back and Hank didn't leave to get ready for
the concert until five thirty. Granddad called the swim coach and told him
I wouldn't be in for several days since I wasn't allowed to swim until I
had healed some. I could shower and do regular stuff since the doctor had
used what he called clear skin to cover the wound, but I shouldn't try to
swim. As soon as Hank left, Jason called his boss at the cleaning service
who said he had already heard about the fight and was glad Jason wasn't
hurt.

The pain I was feeling was pretty acute by the time we reached the house. I
took a pill as soon as I could. Grandmom started getting supper ready
shortly after she walked in the house and Granddad said he'd take care of
the chores.

When Granddad left the kitchen, Grandmom said, "Ok, Douglas, you granddad
has been pretty calm about the events of this afternoon, but I suspect he
is brooding over it. Maybe you should let me in on what lead up to your
getting cut. Maybe, just maybe I can keep your granddad from going off the
deep end. He is really upset with the principal since he learned the boys
who attacked you this afternoon have been hazing you all fall."

"Grandmom, it seems so silly, so childish."

"It may be childish and silly, but it happened, whatever it was."

 Between Jason and myself, we told Grandmom how Jerry and his buddies
started on me the first day of school. "They made fun of how I was dressed
and started calling me sissy. It bothered me at first, but I soon realized
most students paid the four no never mind and it didn't bother me a whole
lot. But Jerry didn't let up. Even after I started dressing differently, he
kept finding other things to harass me about. Also, he and his buddies
started physical harassment--pushing shoving, tripping, kicking."

"That's how the black eye came about rather than your running into a door,"
Grandmom asked. Well, really it was a statement rather than a question.

"Yes, ma'am. Today he just went too far, first by calling Hank, Jason and
me names, then he provoked a fight. Hank and Jason made sure I had only one
at a time challenging me and when I got the best of Jerry, one of the
others gave him a switchblade which he flicked open and slashed me on the
cheek." Jason added to my story when he thought I wasn't telling it all.

"Douglas, why you didn't tell us you needed different clothes?"

"Grandmom, you and Granddad are supporting me. The least I can do is to
make a little demand on you as possible."

"Douglas, if you ask for something that seems excessive, we are
grown-ups. We can say no. I think the three of us need to do some work on
communicating with each other. But that's later, right now you need to go
lie down. You're going to sleep on your feet. I'll call when supper is
ready."

Jason helped me upstairs because my legs were pretty rubbery. When I got to
my bedroom, I lay down my bed. I expected to go to sleep immediately as I
was pretty woozy, but I didn't or maybe I did. I wasn't sure whether or not
I was dreaming. All I knew was that my mind was just whirling, trying to
make sense out of what had happened. I guess the pain pill made me lose
some of my defenses because I kept asking myself if Jerry was right--about
me, about me being a faggot.

When Granddad came upstairs to call me to supper, I heard him, but didn't
get up. He left me and I slept. I dreamed about the three of us, actually
about Jason and me. Hank was with us, but just looked on as Jason explained
what he had meant by his comment about my round butt.

Sometime later, I woke up and saw Jason sitting near my bed. When I looked
at him, I think I finally realized even if I wasn't gay, I was in love with
Jason. If that made me gay, so be it. I smiled at him and he gave me one of
his special smiles. "How you doin', Douglas?"

"Better. I'm not in a great deal of pain. How are you doin'?"

"Better. Douglas, I have been sitting here watching you sleep and thinking
about what could have happened today. You could have been killed."

"I don't think so. Not with you and Hank there."

"We didn't keep you from getting cut and that knife could have cut you
somewhere else or been plunged in your chest. No, Douglas, it could have
been all over this afternoon and I have been thinking about what I would
have done if you had been killed."

"But I wasn't. I just have a cut which will soon heal. No permanent damage
done."

"Douglas, I've been thinking, really thinking. You barely missed being
killed along with the rest your family and today you could have been
killed--easily. You know what I was thinking about? I was thinking about
how quickly someone can be killed, their life ended."

"That's kinda depressing, Jason."

"It may be depressing, but it's true. Sometimes we can put things off until
it's too late. I don't want to do that. I need to tell you something,
Douglas, but I'm afraid, but if I don't tell you, you may never know. Life
is just too uncertain. I want to tell you something and I want your promise
you will hear me out before you say anything. When I finish, I will listen
to what you have to say and do what you ask. Promise?"

"You sound so serious, Jason."

"I am. Promise?"

"Promise."

"Douglas, you know why I am here. My old man killed a man. Both were in a
card game and both were drunk. The other guy accused my old man of cheating
and a fight broke out. Both grabbed their knives and when it was over, my
old man had cut the other's neck and he bled to death before anyone could
do anything. My old man went to prison and will be there for a long
time. Jerry could have ended your life like my old man did that guy's."

"My old lady had always been a heavy drinker and after the trial, she
stayed drunk as long as she could get alcohol. Then, when she lost her job
because of her drinking, she started turning tricks. One came to live with
us. He didn't care that she turned tricks, in fact, he liked the money she
brought in. One night she was out and he tried to rape me. I fought him off
and when my old lady came home, he told her I had attacked him. The two of
them put me on the street. I didn't know what to do--I was homeless and no
one cared."

"Finally I decided maybe my grandma might give me a place to live. I
hitchhiked to here and started living with her. She is a drunk, living in a
shack, trying to buy a month's booze and food with barely enough to keep
her alive. I was ashamed of my family, my clothes, everything. I had no way
to get to work, so I couldn't get a job--you know all that. Then, one
evening I managed to get to Clarksville to hear a group playing
bluegrass. I was across from you and your grandparents and when I saw you,
I got a very strange feeling." Jason stopped talking and sat, his head down
for several minutes. I started to say something, but he said, "I'm not
finished."

"The next day I just had to get away from the shack and my drunk grandma. I
went walking out behind the shack, into the woods. I came to a meadow and
just before I walked into it, I happened to look up and saw you on top of a
rock outcropping across the meadow. I went back to the meadow just about
everyday, hoping to see you. One day while I looked, I saw you..."

Before Jason could say more, Granddad appeared at the bedroom door, "Jason,
there's a fellow here who has some bad news." He motioned for a tall, husky
fellow to come into the room. "Jason, this is Herman Jacobs."

The two shook hands and Granddad pulled up chairs, but before he could say
anything, Mr. Jacobs said, "Think I better stand, Gerald."

 Granddad sat down and Mr. Jacob moved closer to where we were.  As they
did, I smelled smoke. "Jason, I am member of the volunteer fire department
and am just back from a fire," Mr. Jacobs spoke slowly, hesitantly. "I'm
very sorry, Jason, but your grandmother's cabin burned. The roof had
already fallen in when we got there. All we could do was keep the fire from
spreading to the woods. When it had burned out, we watered down the ashes
to cool them enough so the chief was able to investigate a bit. Your
grandmother's body was found on her bed. Of course we will probably never
know for certain, but it seems very likely the fire started from a
cigarette she was smoking. I'm very sorry."

Jason was crying softly when Mr. Jacobs finished. "She was an old drunk and
I had warned her again and again not to smoke in bed, especially when she
had been drinking," Jason said. "Her check arrived day before yesterday and
before I got home, she had bought a gallon of 'shine. She was half drunk
the last time I saw her so I am pretty sure you are right. She was drunk
and smoking in bed. She was an old drunk, but all I had. Sometimes it was
hard to be around her, but I loved her and she loved me. I could see life
sober was just too much for her some times."

Mr. Jacobs stood, put his arm around Jason and said, "Anything I can do
Jason, just let me know." Jason nodded and Mr. Jacobs said, "Gerald, I can
show myself out. 'Night all."

As soon as he was gone, Jason said, "I don't know what to do. There needs
to be a funeral, but I have only a few dollars and I'll have to have a
place to stay."

"Don't worry about the funeral, Jason, between the fire department and the
county that will be taken care of. Don't worry about a place to stay
either. There's a extra room up here and it is yours as long as you need
it. There's not much in it right now except twin beds, but we'll get what
you need."

Granddad stayed until Jason ran out of questions, then went downstairs. I
was anxious for Jason to finish what he was telling me, but knew from
experience other things were pressing. I had sat up when Granddad had come
to the room and was sitting cross-legged on the bed. I reached out and
patted the bed, indicating that Jason should join me. He did and as soon as
he was seated, started talking. He talked about when he was very young and
lived for a couple years with his grandmother while his mom and dad did
heaven only knows what. I was surprised to learn he had spent several
summers with her since we hadn't met until Coldsprings High.

I was taken aback when I looked at the clock on my bedside table and saw it
was after midnight. Hank should have been back, I thought. I guess Jason
read my thoughts because he said, "I hope nothing's happened to Hank. That
would be too much. My best friend gets cut and my grandma burns to death
all in one day. I don't think I could handle Hank getting hurt."

I had wondered where Hank was, but hadn't thought about him being hurt
until Jason suggested it. Now I joined him in worrying. We didn't worry
long because Hank came in just before 1:00 all excited. He burst into the
bedroom where Jason and I were lying back on my bed. We sat up as he rushed
in and joined us on the bed, all three sitting cross legged. "Man, you two
guys missed one hell'va concert. It was beyond great. You also missed a
date with two hot, good-looking women!" Neither Jason or I interrupted
Jason's blow by blow account of his evening, urging him on with a question
now and then. He finally wound down and said, "Shit, some friend I am not
even asking how you're doing, Douglas."

"Hey, no problem," I answered. "I'm ok. Pain pill's wearing off, but I'll
take another one soon. I'm ok, but Jason's not. He got bad news tonight."

Suddenly Hank looked very serious as he reached out for Jason's hand. "What
happened, Jason? What's wrong?"

In a calm, even voice, Jason told Hank about the fire and his grandmother.

"Shit, Man, why didn't you tell me to shut up? You'll have to come live
with me. We can share my place."

"Doug's granddad has said I could stay here. There's an extra room. I'm not
surprised the shack finally burned. I warned Grandma time and again about
smoking in bed, especially when she was drinking. I'm not sure she cared.
Life was pretty miserable for her, but burning to death would be horrible."

"Everything you had burned as well?" Hank asked. When he said it, I
suspected the answer was yes, but I hadn't thought about it. Just when
Jason got some decent clothes, he lost everything. Sometimes things, like
clothes, are important.

"I didn't lose my school stuff. Most of it is in my school locker, the rest
I tossed in the Jeep when Mr. McElrath came to take us to the hospital. But
all my clothes are gone except what I have on."

"Hey, it's back to the thrift shops," Hank said. "No problem."

"It's a problem. I won't have any money until I get paid next week."

"As I said, 'No problem.' One for all and all for one! You have to call and
make sure you don't work tomorrow. We'll go to Asheville and get you
clothes. You can pay us back when you get paid. It's bad enough you lost
everything, but there's no reason why you shouldn't get clothes now and pay
later. My rates are reasonable," Hank laughed. "But, hey, what do you have
on under those pants?"

Jason grinned, unfastened his belt and unzipped. As he pulled his fly open
he say "Tada!" as he revealed red bikini briefs, one of the five pair Jason
had bought him..

We talked a few minutes more, but the pain killer was wearing off and I was
hurting. "Sorry, guys," I said, "need to take a pain pill. I'm hurting
again. Grandmom said you two could sleep in the spare room--well, I guess
Jason's room now."

"That sounds like a winner," Hank said. "I need to take a leak and hit the
bed."

"Same here," Jason said.

"Wait for me," I said. I guess it was a combination of the earlier pain
pill and how I was sitting, but when I put my feet on the floor, I couldn't
feel my right leg. It had gone to sleep. I started falling, but Jason
caught me. "Whoa, buddy. Take it easy," Jason said as he eased me back on
the bed.

"Thanks, Jason," I said as he started massaging my leg. "Ouch! Talk about
needles and pins!" After Jason had massaged my leg for awhile I was able to
stand, but he kept his arm around me as we walked to the bathroom.

When we reached the bathroom, Jason laughed, "Can you handle taking a piss
or do you need help?"

"I think I can handle things, if not, I'll let you know," I laughed in
return.

When we finished in the bathroom, I said goodnight and started back to my
room. When I did, Jason asked, "Are you going to be all right, Douglas?"

"I think so. I'll take another pain pill and then to bed."

I suppose it was the pain pill, but after I took it and went to bed, I
started thinking about the events of the day--Friday--and how much it had
changed things: Jason would be living here and I had taken on four
bullies. I was thinking about what that might mean when I went to sleep. I
had weird dreams, none of which I remembered when I woke up Saturday
morning at 10:00.

When I got up, I took a shower which made me feel a lot better. Before
going downstairs, I glanced in the spare bedroom and saw it was empty. When
I got downstairs, Jason and Hank were sitting at the kitchen table, having
a cup of coffee with my grandparents.

"How's the terror of Coldsprings High this morning?" Jason grinned.

"I have been better, but I'm ok."

"Douglas, just telling Hank and Jason what I learned this morning. I had to
go into Clarksville and ran into Deputy Kostner. He told me three of the
guys who jumped you had been taken to jail yesterday. Their parents made
bond for them so they were released. The one with the broken arm's parents
came in and made bond for him later. All have been charged with assault and
Jerry what's-his-name has been charged with assault with a deadly
weapon. The principal has made it known that all four will face a tribunal
and will probably be suspended for the rest of the school year."

"Seems pretty severe punishment. Well, I guess not, but they have messed up
not just for now, but for life. If they are convicted, they will be felons
without a high school diploma," Jason said.

"You're right, but we all have to learn some time we are responsible for
our actions and that our actions have consequences," Granddad said. "But
all of that can wait. Are you really feeling ok, Douglas?"

"I'm feeling much better than I expected," I answered.

"Good," Hank said. "Get some breakfast and we'll be off to the thrift
stores.