Date: Fri, 1 Oct 2010 02:09:09 -0400 (EDT)
From: J.P.G. <jacobmillertex@aol.com>
Subject: Shadow Of My Father: Chapter 27

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

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

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

Written by J.P.G.


				Chapter 27

The Governor Elect checked on the boys before heading into the office. They
are both sound asleep in their separate beds. He knows he can trust Josh on
a lot of things, but sometimes love makes you forget common sense. That is
what the Governor Elect is afraid of when it comes down to dealing with his
son and his boyfriend.

The Governor Elect got into the office so early the only one he saw was a
person sitting in the lobby that he doesn't know. He ignored the guy and
walked into his office. Minutes later, Rich walked in.

"Sir, by your request we found Cesar's father and asked him to come to the
office. You won't believe where we found him and what is going on in that
house. When I found out this morning I couldn't believe it."

Daniel just looked at Rich waiting for Rich to tell him what he found
out. "Okay, you've got my attention, so tell me what you guys found out
that is so surprising. We have a lot of work to do and this is just more
work for us. Let's not waste time and just tell me."

"Well, Cesar's father hasn't been living in the house for a while. He has
been paying for the house and sending Cesar money, but he is not
around. Cesar has been paying the bills with the money his father has sent,
including grocery shopping."

Daniel just looked at Rich as he told him about Cesar's father. "Is that
the man that is sitting in my lobby right now?" Rich nodded his head up and
down. "Okay, have him come in for me please and you stay here as well. I
need someone to pull me off of him if I end up beating the crap out of
him."

Rich walked out of the office and came back shortly afterwards. Daniel got
up from his chair and asked Cesar's father to take one of the seats he's
pointing to. Daniel followed, closing the door before heading back to sit
at his desk. Rich sat down right beside Cesar's father as Daniel looked at
them.

"Mr. Romero, my name is Daniel Lopez; I am the father of Joshua Lopez. My
son goes to school with your son. I have been trying to get a hold of you
all weekend. I'm pretty sure you are aware of what happened on Friday."

"Yes, and I wish that your ex-wife actually hit my son as well as
yours. Your son is not just a friend of my son and you know that. They are
both lovers and that I can't stand it. I put my foot down with Cesar and he
still refused to break up with your son. Now he must fend on his own."

Daniel collected his thoughts before he spoke. He didn't want to say
anything in the heat of anger. "I have had enough of people like you around
my son. You are nothing but bigots and don't deserve children like my son
and yours. Do you know you can be arrested for abandoning your son? I am
pretty sure there are a lot more laws you broke when you walked out with
your son."

"Fine, have me arrested then. I will do what you're ex-wife tried to do
with your son and that is send my son to the right school. A school that
will give them his high school education, but as well turn him around to
being right," Romero stated with hate in his voice.

"What is right to you? A son that is living in fear of his father and doing
what his father wants no matter if it is against every fiber in his being?
Those schools you are talking about brainwash those that are in their
care. Most of the time the kids get hurt or even killed at the hands of
those people!

You have already shown that you don't want any dealings with your son. I
can see that you love him, but you are so mixed up about him being gay, you
can't think straight. I don't want your son or my son hurting in
anyway. So, why don't we make a deal between the two of us, here and now,"
Daniel proffered.

"I am listening; tell me what you have on your mind."

"You give me your parental rights for Cesar. We don't go to court, we have
a couple of attorneys prep the paperwork here today and we sign the
paperwork. They go and file the paperwork with the courts and I pay for
everything.

That way as of today you do not have to worry about Cesar in any way, shape
or form and that includes financially. I will take the spare room at my
house and transform it to Cesar's room. Then, give us a couple days to move
out everything that belongs only to Cesar and you can move back into your
house."

"Why should I do this? I mean, why should I let my son move into the house
of his boyfriend? They won't stay in separate rooms and that means you are
giving them the green light to be together."

"First of all Mr. Romero, I have already given them the green light to
date, not to have sex, but to date. I won't belittle my son because of
something he can't control or decide. Those two are in love as you were at
one time with your wife and as I was with my wife.

Second, I will lay down ground rules and those rules will include not
having sex. But, after today, your son will be my worry and not yours. They
respect my house and my rules. They won't break the rules or my trust.

You're son is not happy and you can see it in his face. Do one thing for
your son and make him happy. If you can't live with the fact of having a
gay son, let him go. If you ever get to a point in your life that you can
handle your son being gay, then step in and start a relationship with
him. Right now, you are destroying any chances of ever coming back into
your son's life."

Cesar's father didn't say another word. In fact, it looks like he is going
to actually fall apart. What Daniel just said, hit home. He knows that he
is losing his son and when he finally is able to deal on the fact that his
son is gay, he won't have a chance to step back in and be a father to his
son.

"I will sign any paperwork you want me to. But, I won't stop sending him
money. You can set up a bank account for him and deposit the money I send
him every month. I love my son; I just can't wrap my head around the fact
that he is gay right now. I know it isn't his fault, as much as it wasn't
your son's fault.

He is my legacy that I will be leaving behind when I leave this world. I
know my son will do good things as he ventures into the world. He is my
life and I will always love him as my son. Maybe one day, as you say, I can
get right with myself about him being gay. Then I can start up a new
relationship with my son."

Cesar's father broke down and started to cry. He is realizing that he has
done so much damage to his son and somehow. His son has turned out very
strong and loving. That shows what type of person his son is going to be.

Rich pulled Mr. Romero up from the seat and helped him along to his
office. Daniel asked Rich to call the attorneys and get the paperwork over
here this morning. That way, Cesar's father won't have time to change his
mind or make it worse for Cesar.

As the sun started to breach the curtains of the boy's room, Cesar woke
up. Little by little everything around him started to get clearer. He
pulled himself out of bed, rubbing his eyes he remembered that he stayed
another night at Josh's house.

He pulled himself out of bed, walked over to Josh's bed and knelt down. He
just looked at Josh as he slept on his back. He looked down to Josh's chest
and then back at his boyfriends face.

Cesar leaned to kiss his boyfriend on the lips. Josh didn't even budge one
inch as Cesar kissed him on the lips. He got up from the floor and walked
out to the bathroom. He pulled out his cock, already hard because of his
morning woody and kissing his boyfriend. Cesar used the bathroom and then
climbed into the shower.

As he finished up taking a shower, the door to the bathroom opened and
Carlos walked in. Half asleep, Cesar peed and scratched his butt. He looked
over to the shower and saw Cesar in the shower, not one of his brothers.

"Oh, I am sorry for walking in on you like this. I thought you were one of
my brothers in here taking a shower. I normally use the other bathroom, but
Daniel is in there using it. I will get out of here right now."

Carlos pulled up his boxers, walked over to the sink to clean his hands and
then headed to the door.  As he walked out, he turned around and
chuckled. "I now know why my bother is in love with you. You have a huge
cock on you my friend. I hope you don't hurt my brother with that thing
when you guys have sex."

Carlos walked out laughing, leaving Cesar embarrassed in the shower. He got
out of the shower, pulled a towel out of the cabinet, dried off, and ran to
Josh's room. As he closed the door, he slid down against it to the floor.

"What is going on with you Cesar? You look like you just saw a ghost or
something." Josh said as he pulled himself out of his bed.

"No, I was just taking a shower and your brother Carlos walked in on me. He
apologized, but left teasing me. He saw me naked with a half hard on in the
shower. Do you think your brother is going to tell the others?"

Josh got out of his bed and walked over to Cesar. He knelt down between
Cesar's legs and grabbed Cesar's cock underneath his towel. Cesar opened
his eyes with a surprised look in them. He got hard instantly when he
realized it is Josh grabbing his dick.

"I really don't care if the entire world knows about the size of your
dick. Just as long as your dick is mine and only mine is all I care
about. Not only that, my sweet lover, anyone that sees that wonderful cock
of yours will either be green with envy they don't have one as nice, or, in
the other case, they will WANT it!" Josh said as he pulled on Cesar's cock.

Cesar leaned in and started to kiss Josh. Josh let go of his boyfriends
dick, and wrapped his arms around his shoulder. They sat there by the door
not wanting to break the kiss. Then Josh's grandmother called up that
breakfast is ready.

Josh and Cesar broke the kiss when they heard that. Josh helped Cesar up
from the floor as he walked out the door.  He went and washed up for
breakfast. As he finished, he felt Cesar arms around his stomach. He looked
up into the mirror to see Cesar's smiling face looking back at him.

Josh turned around and kissed Cesar again before they left the
bathroom. They headed downstairs to join the others in the kitchen for
breakfast. Josh's brothers are already at the table and eating the
pancakes, bacon, and eggs that their grandmother prepared.

After breakfast, Josh ran upstairs and took a quick shower. Although the
boys are going to laze around the house, Josh wants to feel clean. As he is
getting dressed, Cesar walked into the room and returned the favor that
Josh gave him before breakfast.

"So, what do you have planned for today?" Cesar asked as he let go of
Josh's package and walked to the bed.

"Well today I really don't have anything planned, but tomorrow's a
different story. I have to go Glee club practice in the morning and on
Thursday morning as well. Other than that, I have no other plans for the
Christmas vacation."

"Why do you have to go to school on Christmas vacation? The point of these
three weeks is for us to not have any school. Now you're telling me that
you have to go to school twice a week. You need to let Mr. Edger know that
isn't fair!"

"Come on Cesar, we need to practice for the inauguration. We would've
probably not have had to go to school if it was not for that. We just want
to make sure that we are ready and don't look or sound bad."

"Well, nothing that comes out of your mouth sounds bad at all. I love your
voice and I know anyone that listens to you would love it as well. Let's do
this, let's take every moment we can to be together during this vacation."

Josh agreed with Cesar as they headed downstairs. Just as they passed the
front door, the doorbell rang. Josh walked up and answered the door and he
was surprised to see who is standing there. He waived Cesar over to the
door as he let Cesar's father in.

"Is there some where private where we can talk son?"

Cesar looked at as Josh for directions. Josh escorted Cesar and his father
to his father's study. He showed them in, shut the door and left. Josh
couldn't help but wonder why Cesar's father came down here, when he is
supposed to be out of town.

Cesar and his father sat down across from each other on chairs. Cesar has
no idea what his father is up to. His father on the other hand doesn't know
how to speak with his son, because they haven't spoken for so long.

"Cesar, you know that I love you very much, at least I hope so. I have made
a lot of mistakes in my life, but you are not one of them. In fact, you
have been the best thing that has ever happened to me.

I know I am wrong about everything I have been doing with you since you
told me that you're gay. I couldn't get my head wrapped around the idea of
having a gay son. I kept asking myself over and over again what I did
wrong. I had to do something wrong with your upbringing to make you gay.

I got so angry with myself; I was unwilling to clearly see what a great son
I have. So I walked away and left you to fend on your own. That isn't right
for any parent to do to their children at any time."

Cesar's father wiped his eyes as he talked. This is the first time that
Cesar has seen his father defenseless. He started to cry as he got up to
walk towards his father. He knelt down from his father and started to talk
through his sobs.

"I don't blame you dad or anything. I understand what a disappointment I am
in your eyes as far as being a man. You want to have grandkids and you now
won't get them because of who I am and I'm so sorry. So, so, so sorry for
letting you down like I did..."

"Son, you are not the one that has let me down. I have let you down and
been a bad parent to you." Cesar's father got up and knelt down in front of
his son. He grabbed a hold of his sons face in order for him to see his
eyes. He wiped the tears off of Cesar's cheeks.

"It took Josh's father to bring me in and wring my neck for being so
stupid. I have never seen a love between a father and son that they have
and I want that. He offered to adopt you, in order for you to..."

"No dad, I don't want you to leave me! Please dad, I will be good, I
promise to be good dad. Please, pretty please dad don't give me
away. Please..." Cesar started to cry really heavy that his dad pulled him
into a hug.

After Cesar's got a hold of his emotions, his dad continued. "He had to
remind me of what a great person you are. You have been such a great son
and you have not been bad. I am the one that has been bad.

It will take us a while to get to the point where Josh and his father are,
but we will get there. I love you Cesar and I don't care anymore who you
love. I want you to be happy and if Josh makes you happy, I'm fine with
that.

It took Josh's dad to open my eyes on what a wonderful kid you are. I will
never give you away. You are stuck with me until the day I leave this
world. I will learn to be a better father to you and handle you being gay.

I will be moving back into the house and act as your father like I should
have been. We will eventually be like Josh and his father. I want you to be
happy and stay going with Josh."

They stood there in the middle of the study holding onto each other longer
than they have done in many years. They talked with each other more than
they have ever had before. They learned about things they never knew about
each other.

After an hour or so of talking things out and both of them collecting
themselves, they walked out of the study. Josh sat outside in the hallway
waiting for Cesar to come out. He couldn't leave because he was worried for
his boyfriend. He got up when Cesar and his father walked out into the
hallway.

"Josh, I would like to apologize to you for not giving you the time of day
whenever you have been at the house. My son is a good judge of character
and if he loves you, then I accept you and love you as well."

Josh smiled as he accepted Cesar's father's hand. "Now Cesar, will I see
you for dinner tonight or will you be staying here. Whatever you decide,
I'm fine with it."

"Um, well I think I'm going to stay here for dinner and then go home
afterwards. We only have three weeks to spend together before going back to
school."

Mr. Romero noticed the ring his son is wearing. He looked over to the
Josh's hand and noticed no ring, but saw the watch. Josh noticed Mr. Romero
looking at his watch and tried to cover it up, but it was too late.

"Don't worry Josh. If my son gave it to you that watch, it means he really
truly loves you. That is a family heirloom that has been passed on for now
five generations. Just take good care of it and please understand that is
the only thing we have that we have passed on from generation to generation
that is of value."

"I promise you Sir that I will cherish this as I cherish your son. I love
Cesar so much; I can't do my feelings justice in words. I am glad that your
son loves me as much as I love him."

No one said another word as Mr. Romero left. He told Cesar to be home by
ten as he got into his car. Cesar waved at his father, as he drove away. He
is feeling, for the first time since he came out to his father, a chance of
a real relationship with him.

He walked back in and joined Josh and his brothers watching TV. Cesar
wrapped his arm over Josh's shoulder as they watched the movie. They didn't
say a word to each other. Their body language spoke volumes.

Josh's grandmother called out for them to eat lunch. As they ate, the door
bell rang. Brandon got up and answered the door. The next thing Josh heard
is Bernice's voice piercing through the silence.

She walked in with Eric right behind her. Both of them seem to be in high
spirits. So much so it started to irritate Josh's brothers. Bernice is
bouncing around like a little girl on a sugar high.

"Hey, you know what we need to do, we need to go and hang out at the mall!
Let's not just hang around at the house and do nothing." Bernice said as
she sat down at the kitchen table with Josh and the others.

Everyone looked over at Eric to see what the heck is going on with
Bernice. She is just jumping around getting on everybody's nerves. All that
Eric could do is sit next to Bernice and hold her hand to try to calm her
down.

"You guys know it is very hard for us to go anywhere without giving our
security detail enough notice. I just can't jump up and go like I used
to. I also promised my father that I won't try to ditch my security
detail."

"Come on, your mom is locked up and there is really no one out there that
wants to hurt you. We can breathe a sigh of relief and have fun for once,"
Bernice said keeping up the pressure.

Once again, everyone looked at Bernice. She doesn't understand that it's
not just Josh's mom that they have to worry about. There are so many crazy
people out there that want to do harm in one way or another to elected
officials they don't agree with.

"I will make you a deal, if I go and ask my security detail if they can do
their job, we can go. But, Bernice let me tell you that if my security
detail says no and that they need more notice, then I can't go."

Bernice agreed with Josh's rationale and he headed off to speak with the
security detail. As Josh is talking with the security detail, Bernice and
Eric kept trying to talk Cesar into going even if Josh can't go. Cesar
finally had to get up and raise his voice for them to understand that he is
not going anywhere without Josh.

As the morning quickly went into the afternoon, Josh, his boyfriend, his
brothers and friends headed off to spend the afternoon at the mall. At the
same time Daniel Sr. and his Chief of Staff headed to Beaumont hospital.

As Daniel's limousine pulled into the private entrance of the hospital, he
took a quick deep breath and got out of the limousine. Flashes of lights
started to go off from the reporters trying to get a picture of the
Governor Elect arriving at the hospital to speak with his ex-wife. They
would actually pay in the millions to get a picture of the Governor Elect
with his ex-wife in a hospital bed.

As Daniel and Rich walked in, they boarded a private elevator. As they got
off on the ninth floor they were greeted by the head of the hospital and
several of his colleagues. They walked along with Daniel to Martha's
room. On the way they explained to him her condition and more than likely
when she will be getting out.

"Thank you all for everything you have told me. I am glad that she's
recovering and she will soon be where she belongs, which is behind bars. I
would like to have a few minutes alone with her and before anyone else
comes in. I promise that I won't harm her in any way. All I want to do is
speak with my ex-wife."

None of the hospital personnel objected to Daniel's request. He walked into
Martha's private room and found her wide awake watching television. She
turned and realized that someone had walked into a room, so she turned the
television down.

"Daniel I have nothing to say to you. I'm tired and all I want to do is
sleep. All that we are going to do is have the same old argument and I'm
tired of it." Martha turns back towards TV and turned it back up.

Daniel went unplugged the TV and then walked up and stood in front of her
bed. "You may not want to talk with me Martha, but I want to speak with
you. If you don't want to answer me that's fine, but you will listen to me.

I don't know what the hell is going on in that head of yours, but whatever
it is you need to get it fixed. If you thought you would actually get away
with trying to kill your son, you are insane.

You gave me the greatest gift last Friday and that an immediate hearing in
front of the judge. He has granted my motion to completely take your
parental rights away. You no longer have any visitation rights or say in
the upbringing of our children. If our children ever choose to speak with
you, I won't object. That will be their decision and their decision only as
far speaking with you.

I just don't understand how any person could pick up a gun and try to kill
their own children. You must be..."

"You got me wrong Daniel completely. I only wanted to kill the demon I gave
birth to. He needs to be taken out of this world and sent back to hell
where he belongs. Just like the Bible says, it is a sin to lay down with
your same sex. Your son Josh will never reach the Gates of Heaven."

Daniel walked around to the head of the bed and leaned in to whisper. "Let
me make myself clear to you fucking bitch! If you get near any of my sons
again, I will personally kill you. I don't give a damn if I go to prison
for the rest of my life. I will take you out of this world before you ever
have another chance to harm our children."

Martha turned her face towards the window and Daniel moved her face back to
face him.

"If you somehow get out of this, you sick bitch, you better get very far
away from me and our kids or you will regret it. Do I make myself clear on
this Martha?" Martha nodded her head up and down with no signs of regret in
her eyes.

Daniel looked over her face and stepped back from the bed. Just then, Rich
and the doctors walked in. Martha started to scream them Daniel threatened
to kill her. None of them paid any attention to her. They just looked at
Daniel as she went on and on her tantrum. Daniel looked back at Martha and
spoke again.

"I hope that the courts find you competent to stand trial for not only the
attempted murder of your children and me but also everyone that was in that
rope line, the police and the Secret Service that you shot at and hit.

If somehow you are found incompetent, I will do everything in my power to
make sure you never see the light of day. You will spend the remainder of
your years in the nut house where you belong.

So everyone in here understands this, this is not only a threat, but a
promise. You won't get another chance to hurt anyone again. This will be
the last time you will see me in the free. The next time we see each other
will be the day that you are being dragged away. One way or another you
won't have another minute of freedom."

Daniel looked over to Rich and the doctors and then headed out of Martha's
room. They followed him into the hall and shut the door. No one said
anything at first until Daniel broke the silence.

"I want you and this hospital do everything in their power to make my
ex-wife well. I want her to have her day in court and then be
sentenced. She doesn't deserve the easy way out. She has had too many of
those handed to her already."

The doctors and the Chief of Staff of the hospital agreed to do everything
they can to make sure that Martha gets in front of a judge. As Daniel got
escorted to the floor where the wounded soldiers are located, they gave him
more detail about Martha's prognosis.

"Governor Elect, more than likely your ex-wife will never walk out of this
hospital. One of the bullets grazed her spine. She will be paralyzed from
the waist down. Don't you think that she has gotten punished enough?"

"When anyone pulls a gun and tries to kill another, they are taking their
own life into their hands. With Martha is a different story because she
tried to kill her own kids there is no excuse for that in my book.

She was given a benefit that she didn't give her kids that day. She had the
option to lay down her weapon and she would not get shot. She got a
courtesy in my mind that she didn't deserve. She pulled a gun, opened fire
to kill her kids, and then she refused to put down the weapon and attempted
to kill any other person she could hit.

No, I am sorry that she won't walk again, but she deserves to spend the
rest of her life somehow behind bars. I can guarantee if someone in your
family was there, you would be thinking totally different."

"Sir, you need understand that..." The doctor got interrupted by the Chief
of Staff of the hospital. Everyone around Daniel can tell that this doctor
is getting underneath his skin and someone needs to shut him up.

Daniel spent a couple more hours at the hospital visiting wounded
soldiers. As he walked into their rooms, the expressions on their faces
change from sad and hurt to being happy and honored by their guest.


Daniel sat there speaking with them and if they wanted a picture he is more
than willing to pose with them. One of the soldiers actually asked Daniel
why he decided to visit him, because he's no longer in the military.

"Son, I may no longer be in the military, but I will always respect and try
to honor the work and sacrifice you guys do. Too many Americans have
stopped respecting the soldiers and their willingness to serve and to, if
necessary, give their life for their country. Because of you and everyone
else that puts on the uniform every day, I can do the job that the people
of this State have elected me to do with out the worry of being attacked."

That satisfied the soldier and they took a picture together. The doctors
tried to keep Daniel away from the last room in the hall. Daniel didn't
allow it and walked in. He stopped at the doorway and just looked.

Laying there on the bed is a soldier that has lost both of his legs and
half of his right arm. His wife and family are sitting around the bed
consoling the soldier. Daniel walked further into the room and introduced
himself. After meeting everyone in the room, Daniel sat down in his seat
next to the bed.

"Hello there son, is there anything I can do or get you? Daniel asked as he
lowered his head over to hear the soldier speak.

"No sir, just you coming down and visiting me is unbelievable. When I heard
you retired, I told my family that we lost the only commander we have that
actually truly cares for their soldiers. He just doesn't say it to get into
the headlines."

"I never once said a thing to get into the headlines. My visits with you
guys are between me and you. I will never bring in the press for a photo op
or anything like that. That is disrespecting what you and the other service
men and women have done.

I know you have to be going through a lot of pain right now. This can't be
easy for you sitting here like this. No matter what I say or anyone says it
won't give back what you lost. I just want you to understand that I am very
thankful for what you have done to keep us safe. I would give my life, my
own arms and legs so none of the youth of our nation has to go through what
you are going through right now."

"I honestly believe you when you say that sir. Thank you so mush. I am
wondering one thing though."

"Name it, and if I can do it, I will!"

"The government has cut so much out of our benefits, I will be wheel chair
bound for life. I don't want to have to depend on others to do the simple
things in life that I took for granted before this. Could you see if there
is something you can do to help others after me not suffer the way I am
going to?"

Daniel took the soldiers hand as he thought of what to say. The military
benefits are on the federal level, not the state. His hands are tied when
it comes to that, although he does agree with the soldier's comments.

The federal government has forgotten those they should be taken care
of. Instead of lining their pockets, they need to take care of our active
duty, veterans and the elderly of this nation. If nothing is done soon,
there will be nothing there to fix anymore.

"Son, I am a state Governor Elect. The benefits are decided at the federal
level. I will promise to talk about it as much as I can. I will talk so
much about it; the federal government will get tired of hearing me and
maybe do something to fix it.

But, I don't want you going home like this. If I have to spend my own money
to get you walking again, I will. I won't take no for an answer. Before I
leave today, I will call in all my favors and get whatever you need. You
will walk out of here on your free will."

The soldier swallowed the lump in his throat, held back his tears of joy as
he thanked Daniel. They sat there talking for another twenty or so minutes
before the Governor Elect left. The family kept thanking him as he walked
out the door.

Just as he promised the soldier, he didn't leave until he knew the soldier
will get what he needed to walk out of the hospital on his own. After
calling in a few favors and writing out a personal check, the plan was put
into motion. When the soldier leaves, he will leave able to walk and use
both arms.

Daniel noticed as he drove up from work, his kids are just arriving as
well. It is a huge group of Josh's and his older son's friends with
them. The house is going to full of kids this evening, and more than likely
every evening for the next three weeks.

Danielle walked in to find everyone in the den trying to find a seat. It
looks like they rented several movies to watch. He walked by and straight
into the kitchen to see how his mother is doing.

After watching a movie and eating pizza, every decided to head outside to
the back yard. They got board just sitting and watching movies, and they
want to do something more than sitting in front of the TV. They decided
there a plenty of them to make two teams to play a little tag football.

By six, everyone started to head home and call it a night. This being the
first night that Cesar's father is going to be home, he decided to head
home as well. He is torn between going home and spending another night with
Josh. He really enjoys his time with Josh even if they do nothing but sleep
in the same room.

As Cesar headed home, Patrick and Frank walked with him. They reached
Cesar's house first and they said their goodbyes.

Patrick and Frank continued on their way to Patrick's house, because his
parents are out of town again. They walked into the house and immediately
went to the bathroom to clean up. They originally decided to take separate
showers, but when they walked into the bathroom and saw the tub, their
plans changed immediately.

Both of the boys undressed as the water filled the bathtub. Patrick got in
first and then Frank got in next. As Frank sat between Patrick's legs, he
fell back against his chest. Patrick wrapped his arms around Frank's chest
and they just sat there relaxing in the tub of hot water.

It got so relaxing for Frank he actually started to fall asleep. Patrick
slowly slid his hands down to Franks belly and then to Franks dick. Patrick
started to rub his finger on the tip of Frank's dick. Almost immediately,
Frank got hard.

Frank woke up with Patrick's hand wrapped around his dick. He started to
moan as Patrick continued to play with the tip of his dick. Frank reached
around and found Patrick's dick hard as a rock and lying up against his
stomach.

Frank got up and turned around in the bathtub to face Patrick. He leaned in
and started to kiss Patrick on the lips. They only kissed for a few moments
before Frankel broke the kiss and made his way down to Patrick's hard,
leaking dick.

Frank slowly started to go down on Patrick not giving him any warning on
what he's about to do. The next seeing Patrick felt is Frank starting to
press one of his fingers into his butt.

Patrick pulled Frank off of his dick and pulled him up to his face. "I want
you so bad right now I can't wait. Please, take me here and now in this
tub. I want to feel your dick inside of me."

Grabbing the shampoo bottle, straight squirted some of it on his dick and
than some at the entrance of Patrick's butt. Patrick doesn't need to ask
Frank twice to fuck him. Using the shampoo as lubrication, Frank slowly
sank his dick into Patrick's ass.

Patrick kept himself above water by pressing his arms against each side of
the bathtub and Frank threw Patrick's legs over his shoulder. Little by
little Frank gained speed until he got into his rhythm properly fucking
Patrick.

With water splashing everywhere and Patrick starting to moan louder and
louder, the boys started to get into intense lovemaking. Both of them
started to feel emotions they have not felt before when they made love in
the past. They don't know if it is because of the water or are they just
simply falling deeper into love with each other. Whatever is causing these
new emotions, neither of them wants them to end.

Frank pulled out of Patrick because he kept slipping into the bathwater. He
pulled Patrick out of the water for the third time and he doesn't want to
hurt him. They quickly got out of the bathtub and made their way to
Patrick's room.

After closing the door, both of the boys laid on the bed side-by-side
kissing each other. Neither of them wanting to break the kiss, but at the
same time both of them wanted the other inside of themselves.

Patrick broke the kiss and moved between Frank's legs. He placed both of
them on top of his shoulders and started eating Frank's butt. Once he felt
that Frank is lubricated enough, he pressed his dick at the entrance of
Frank's hole. After entering into Frank, he leaned down and started kissing
Frank's chest.

As Patrick played with Frank's nipples with his tongue, he slowly started
to fuck him gaining speed faster than normal, but getting into his rhythm!
Before the boys knew it they were both moaning louder and louder.

Each time that Patrick hits Frank's special sensitive spot, it drives him
crazy. Because Frank is still tight, and his ass wraps around Patrick's
dick so tight, it drives Patrick up the wall each time he sinks his dick
into Frank's ass.

Patrick felt that he is getting closer to his climax and he pulled out. He
quickly lay down on his back on the bed and asked Frank to pick up where he
left off at in the tub. Frank went between Patrick's legs, using his
pre-come as lubrication. He sank his dick once again into Patrick's ass.

Frank tried to do the same thing that Patrick was doing to him and that is
hitting his prostate each time he sank his dick inside Patrick. It sounds
like by Patrick's moans, he is hitting the right spot.

Just like Patrick before him, Frank started to feel the tingling feeling
from his toes all the way up to his face. He knows he's about to cum and he
needs to pull out. Without warning Patrick, Frank pulled out of him.

The boys got into the sixty-nine position and finished each other
off. Almost simultaneously, both of them blasted into each others
mouth. They tried to swallow each others cum, but didn't have the
luck. Both of them ended up dripping each others cum on their legs.

Once there climax ended, Frank moved up and laid beside Patrick. They both
reached down to each others legs and scooped up the cum that they couldn't
swallow. But this time instead of eating the cum they scooped up; they fed
each other their own cum.

After making sure every drop of cum got eaten, they wrapped their arms
around each other. Slowly they drifted off to sleep and each others
arms. Both of them having a dream up about the other as they slept!

The next morning, Josh got up and got ready to go to school. He felt weird
because he's the only one getting ready. He started to think back to what
Cesar told him the day before. This is their Christmas vacation and they
shouldn't be going to school.

The minute Josh got ready, he headed downstairs, but to his surprise he
didn't find his grandmother in the kitchen. He grabbed a bowl of cereal and
ate quickly. After rinsing the bowl and placing it into the basket, he
rushed out to school.

Mr. Edger had the Glee club practice for three hours. After practice, Josh
couldn't wait to get home. He has never sung as long as he did today in his
entire life. He can't wait to get home and not pick up another sheet of
music until Thursday.

After being home for several hours, Josh started to worry. He asked his
brothers and his grandmother if Cesar had come down or called while he was
at school. Each of them told him no and to relax. Cesar won't miss a day
with out seeing his Josh. Still Josh couldn't relax because he hasn't heard
a word from Cesar.

Another hour passed, and still nothing from Cesar. Josh started pacing
around the house unable to relax. He can't understand why Cesar hasn't
picked up the phone at least and called him. Just yesterday, Cesar was
saying that they need to take advantage of every free moment they can
during this vacation. Now he is not even calling and that is what has Josh
worried.

Josh started gave up waiting and grabbed his coat. He decided to walk over
to Cesar's house and see what's going on. He opened the door and stumbled
back falling on his butt. Cesar started to laugh as he walked into the
house.

"What, did I scare you or something? I know I'm not the most gorgeous
person in the world, but not the ugliest either."

Cesar walked over to Josh and pulled him up from the floor. After dusting
himself off, Josh leaned in and kissed Cesar. They both walked to Josh's
room and sat down on the bed. Not saying a word yet to each other, all they
are doing is kissing.

"Sorry for not getting here sooner, but my dad had me out all day long. We
had been playing catch-up on a lot of things today. But, not a moment
passed without you being on my mind. You don't know how badly I wanted to
be here with you today."

"Trust me; I'm getting to know my boyfriend and his thoughts. I know if he
had any choice in the matter, you would have been here all day with
me. Still, I am glad that you and your dad are finally getting along. I was
getting worried about things going on in your house. I figured it wasn't my
business, so that is why it didn't ask you."

"Josh, you and I are boyfriends. That means we are going to have to lean on
each other when ever we need a shoulder to lean on. Never be afraid or
hesitate to ask me anything. I will never hide anything from you. At the
same time I hope you'll never hide anything from me."

They both agreed in order for their relationship to work they can't be
afraid to talk to one another. A lot of relationships fail because one in
the relationship is afraid to talk to the other. Neither of them wants that
to happen in their relationship.

As Cesar started to leave to go home, Josh stopped remembered the promise
they made to Chris. "Don't forget about the deal we made with Chris about
tomorrow. How do you want to handle it? Either I can pick you up or you can
come down here, but we're going to head downtown with my father in the
morning."

"Why don't I just come down here? That way is a lot easier for all of us to
just leave from here and head downtown."

Josh agreed and kissed Cesar goodnight. He hates that when Cesar leaves
after it gets dark. He knows that Cesar doesn't live that far from him, but
he still worries. Simply put, anything can happen at any time and anywhere.

Just like Cesar promised, he met up with Josh and his father as they
climbed into the car. All the way downtown, Josh's father kept asking Cesar
how everything is at home. To Daniel's surprise, Cesar told him that
everything is going great.

So the kids didn't have to walk in the cold, Daniel had his driver drop his
son, Cesar and the security detail at the courthouse before heading to his
office. Daniel had the boys promise as soon as the court hearing ended they
will head straight over to his office.

Because of the guards carrying weapons, they have to take a private
entrance into the building. It is better for everyone concerned, because if
the guards have to go into the front entrance they would have to clear the
area in order to make sure Josh isn't in danger.

They walked into the 120th District Court and quickly found Chris. Josh
recognized Chris's father from the day at the pool. Man does the pool bring
back so many bad memories. From Chris's dad to Elizabeth, nothing went
right in and around that pool.

The bailiff called the court into order and had everyone stand up. The
Honorable Judge Dinsmore took his seat and had everyone else sit down. His
court clerk handed him the file and he looked out to his courtroom.

This judge looks like he has been on the bench for a very long time. As he
reached out to get the file from his court clerk, he couldn't hide his
shaking. He tried his best not to show that he is sick, but he is too far
along.

"We are here in order for me to decide who will have custody of the minor
child Christopher Jimenez. His biological father has requested this court
to reinstate his parental rights over his son.

I am a fair man, and I will listen to both parties. But, once I make my
decision, I won't change my mind. I really do believe that the biological
parents should have custody over their children unless something
significant is occurring.

With that said, why don't we get the show on the road. Will the
petitioner's attorney give his opening statement?"

Chris's attorney got up and walked over to the podium in the middle of the
courtroom. As he walked over he looked at Chris. I don't know if he is
sizing Chris up or his attorneys, but he is sizing somebody up at the
table.

"Your honor, my client, the minor child in question's biological father is
coming before you here today to ask for you to give back his parental
rights to his son. As you can see with my written argument, he should be
granted this request.

Not only has he fulfilled every request of the courts, he has done that
before his deadline. From setting up a household for him and his son and
maintaining it, to getting sober been staying that way from the day the
court requested him to do so.

He knows he has made mistakes in the past on dealing with his son, but he
has learned from them. He won't discipline his son in the fashion in which
he's done in the past. He knows it's wrong and he should never have done
it.

So your honor, as we go through these next couple of hours. You will see
without a doubt that my client is ready to take his son home. I truly hope
that you will grant my client's request and give back his son."

Chris's father's attorney returned to his seat, as Chris' attorney walked
up to the podium. He looked at the judge, over to Chris's dad, and then
back to the judge. He cleared his throat and started his opening statement.

"I'm going to make my opening statement short and to the point. With
everything that has been documented on the way Mr. Jimenez disciplined his
son, this court can't in good conscience give back parental rights to him
over Chris. Throughout the next hour or so, I will prove it. Thank you your
honor and I hope you do the right thing and not send Chris back to the
nightmare he has already escaped."

"Well, that was short and to the point. I hope the rest of this hearing is
just the same way. I understand that Mr. Jimenez is your first witness, is
that correct?" Judge Dinsmore looked over at Chris's father's attorney and
he answered yes.

Chris's father got up and walked over to the witness stand. Before he was
able to sit down, the bailiff swore him in. His attorney walked back up to
the podium, and started putting on his case.

"Mr. Jimenez, you have signed an affidavit stating that you are ready to
take back the responsibility of your son. Just as your son's attorney
stated in his opening argument, there is a lot of documentation of you
disciplining your son. Are you going to continue to discipline your son in
the same fashion?"

Mr. Jimenez sat back in the seat and started to answer. "I believe as
parents we have a right to discipline our kids when they are doing wrong. I
was brought up knowing that if I did something wrong, I would be taken out
back and given a couple hits on the butt. That made sure I would never
break the rule again.

The laws have changed and I didn't know about that. Now that I am aware
that I can't discipline my son in the way my father disciplined me, I will
find other means of disciplining him if he does wrong."

"When you say you'll find other means of disciplining your son, what do you
mean by that? Do you mean you're going to be smarter about not getting
caught?"

"No, what I mean by that is take away his TV privileges or punish him to
his room without his radio or TV. But I won't start to hit him and try to
hide it."

"You have a long history of really disciplining your son by hitting
him. How can you now come before this court and say you have changed?"

"I love my son and I want him back. Most the time when I did hit him was
because I was drunk. Now I am sober and going to AA meetings and classes. I
have seen the error of my ways and I plan not to commit the same mistakes
again."

"That is another concern this court probably has. You have basically been
drinking the entire time your son has been alive. It is very difficult to
quit drinking after that long period of time. You can't honestly promise
this court you can stay sober, can you?"

"No, and nobody can say that. I will try every single day to stay sober,
not for me, but for my son. Again, I have talked with neighbors and
friends. They have told me what kind of person I was to my son when I was
drunk. I never want to put my son through that again. He deserves a lot
better than what I had given him in the past."

"Thank you Mr. Jimenez for being truthful with me here today. I see that
you are a changed man and ready to take responsibility of your son once..."

"Objection Your Honor, he has already had his opening statement."

"Objection sustained, either ask a question or sit down."

"I'm done your honor, thank you!"

Chris's attorney walked up to the podium and went right to
work. "Mr. Jimenez, I am happy that you have fulfilled the requests of the
courts. You have stated to this court you are doing everything for your
son. So why did it take for a judge to order you to take these classes? If
you love your son as you want this court to believe, you should have
straightened out without being ordered by the courts to do so."

"It took for me to go to jail and get sober to see the errors of my way. It
didn't take the courts to order me; it took me to get sober to see what I
have done wrong. So when you say that it took the courts to order me,
you're wrong."

"I am wrong, okay answer me this. What was going through your mind the day
you were hitting your son in front of Hooters? What did he do so wrong that
day that you felt that he needed to be beaten in front of so many people?"

"That is a personal family matter that I would not like to air in public."

"No Sir, you won't get away with that as an answer. You'll beat your son
and dragged him into your vehicle that day. No child can do something that
wrong to get beaten on in that manner. So answer me Mr. Jimenez, what did
he do?"

Mr. Jimenez started to move around in the witness chair. "I have told him
several times to change his ways. He has refused, and I tried to show him
what he is doing is wrong. Nothing has sunken accept hitting him."

"What do you mean when you say change his ways?"

"You know the answer to your own questions Sir, there is no need for me to
air our family dirty laundry in public."

"Your honor, direct the witness to answer my question."

"Mr. Jimenez you will answer the question being asked of you by the
attorneys. If you do not, I will hold you in contempt and jail you."

"My son thinks that he is gay, but he is wrong. He needs to be taught the
right way of being a man and that is not laying down with another man."

"Okay, if you get custody of your son, do you plan to continue to
discipline your son the same way? Because you believe that by hitting him
he would no longer be gay."

"No, I went about it the wrong way. There are other avenues to take in
order to teach the youth that being gay is wrong."

"Tell me about these avenues you are talking about."

"I plan to send him over the summer, to a summer camp that straightens out
teenagers that think they are gay. Many parents in this country send their
kids off to boarding schools, military schools or disciplining camps when
their kids become a discipline problem. Why shouldn't I have the same right
to send my son to a camp that can straighten him out? I know it's not
against the law to do so."

"So basically you are telling this court that the minute that you get your
son back, you are going to send him off to a camp."

"Yes, and again I believe I have the right to do that as his father."

"Let's leave that for right now, I want to go back to your disciplining
beliefs. Did you go to your son's school and pulled him out of the pool and
started beating on him in front of his coach and classmates?"

"No, you have your facts incorrect on that. If you are getting your facts
from the man that wants custody of my son and his former lover, they are
lying to you. I never did what you are claiming I did."

"Remember Mr. Jimenez, you took the oath to tell the truth. Not only I have
their affidavit, I have an affidavit from every student that was in that
pool that day. Do you want to change your answer?"

Mr. Jimenez once again started to move around in his seat. He really does
look uncomfortable sitting there being questioned about his past. But yet
he is willing to sit there and lie about others that told the truth.

"As I've said before I was wrong on the way I discipline my son in the
past. I do not plan to discipline him like that again. Once he goes to that
camp, everything will be different."

"Mr. Jimenez it would take me all week to go through all of what you've
done to your son, and still run out of time. From the beatings to the car
crash that almost took your son's life. In all these incidents, you were
underneath the influence of alcohol and angry about your son being gay.

Is it true that you blame your son for the death of your wife?"

"My wife lost her life giving birth to our son. At first I he was very
angry, hurt and confused when I lost my wife. She and I were warned about
the pregnancy, but she ignored the doctor's warnings. She went ahead and
had the baby. Now I have a son, but no longer my wife. So, yes at one point
I did blame my son for her death."

"I'm a little confused here Mr. Jimenez and maybe you can help me clear
some things up. You have beaten your son since he can remember, almost
killed him, blamed him for his mother's death, and now you want to send him
to a camp that in essence either beats or otherwise tries to brainwash the
kids that they are in charge of."

"Objection Your Honor, facts not in evidence and just plain smearing these
groups for doing work that others won't do!"

"Objection sustained! Unless you have facts to put into evidence, move on
from this line of questioning."

"Your Honor, I do have facts to put into evidence. I have several
affidavits from parents regretting their decision of sending their children
to the very camp Mr. Jimenez wants to send his son to. I also have death
certificates of kids that either killed themselves while they were at the
camp or just right after they left the camp. With those death certificates,
I have their suicide notes they left behind. In these letters, they clearly
state that they couldn't change and what the camp did to try to change
them."

"Your honor, I am unaware of this evidence and he is surprising this court
with it."

"Your client opened the door to this line of questioning. Under oath, he
stated to this court that he plans to send his son to this camp. So please
sit down and let's get this line of questioning over with."

"Thank you Your Honor, now where was I. Mr. Jimenez, let me ask you this
simple question. You stated that you have learned your lesson from the past
and every time that you did hit your son it was underneath the influence of
alcohol. Let me remind you that you're under oath. Have you consumed a drop
of alcohol since you were released from jail?"

"No Sir I have not! I have been sober since the day I was arrested and
thrown into jail."

"Okay, I believe you that you have not drunk a drop of alcohol. Since we
believe you that you have not drunk a drop of alcohol since you were
arrested. Let's even give you the benefit of the doubt that you have
learned from your past mistakes of hitting your son.

Then answer me this Mr. Jimenez. The day that you went to your son's foster
parent's home, and beat your son so bad that the police showed up..."
Chris's attorney walked back to his table and grabbed pictures from a
folder. He walked back up to Mr. Jimenez and placed the pictures one by one
in front of him.

"When the police showed up and took these pictures that I'm showing you
right now, you were not drunk. You told this court that you have not
consumed a drop of alcohol and you have learned your lesson of hitting your
son. How do you explain this beating and these pictures Mr. Jimenez?"

Mr. Jimenez just looked down at the pictures and didn't say a word. He
knows that he has been caught in his web of lies. The judge looked over at
the pictures that Chris' attorney placed in front of Mr. Jimenez.

"No problem Mr. Jimenez, the pictures give us our answer. That old saying a
picture is worth a thousand words is actually true here today. Thank you
Your Honor, I am done with this witness."

Chris' attorney gathered the pictures and walked back to his
table. Mr. Jimenez got up and went to his table with his head down.

The judge requested to see the pictures that were shown to
Mr. Jimenez. After going through the pictures several times, he put them
down on his desk. He looked down at both parties as he started to speak.

"I came into this courtroom today with my mind made up after reading your
written arguments. This is why we are forced to have hearings in order for
the truth to come out. Because of this hearing I have changed my mind and
will rule in a different direction.

I don't need to hear any more witnesses to make up my mind. I know both
sides have several more witnesses to put on the stand. With your written
arguments and now with just hearing Mr. Jimenez testimony, I don't need any
more testimony to make my decision concerning this case.

I'd really didn't care about the camp, about the past beatings, Mr. Jimenez
blaming his son for her his mother's death or his alcohol problems. I
believe in giving people second chances after they demonstrated to me they
should get it. I felt that Mr. Jimenez has shown that he is willing to get
the help needed and do the necessary changes in his life.

But, after hearing the last part of his testimony here today and looking at
these pictures. Mr. Jimenez hasn't changed and more than likely can't
change. By the looks of these pictures he wants to really harm his son. I
can't live with myself if I were to put this young man back into the care
of his father after seeing these pictures.

Mr. Jimenez I am completely stripping you of your parental rights of the
minor child Christopher Jimenez. From this point on you are no longer
allowed to speak, see or get near your son. If you choose to break the
ruling of this court, you will be prosecuted not only for breaking this
ruling but for the past cases that have been dropped.

I am also awarding full custody of the minor child, Christopher Jimenez, to
his foster parents Juan and Nancy Montoya. From this date forward the
Montoya's are Christopher Jimenez's legal guardians.

I really do hope Christopher you are able to put aside the wrong has been
done to you at the hands of your father. I don't care about your personal
life, what I care about is your well-being. I know your adopted parents
will correct and show you the true love and care that parents should give
to their children. This court is now adjourned."

Mr. Jimenez jumped up from his table and started yelling at the judge. "You
can't take my son away. No one has the right to take anyone's children away
from their parents. I don't care what the ruling of this court is; I will
have my son back."

"Be careful what you are about to say next Mr. Jimenez. If you do not quiet
down and leave my courtroom, I will have you arrested." Judge Dinsmore said
slapping his gavel several times.

The security detail walked up to Josh to ensure his safety as Mr. Jimenez
exited the courtroom. After Mr. Jimenez left the courtroom, the boys
started to high five each other and hug one another.

Nancy and Juan walked up and hugged Christopher as well. They walked down
together through the private entrance and over to Josh's father's
office. They spoke the entire way about the way Chris' dad looked on the
witness stand as he got caught in his lies.

Chris knows that his father isn't going to go away quietly. As far as the
legal battle, it is over, but Chris' dad will try to get him. For now
though, Chris decided to enjoy this victory and not let anything get him
down.

TO BE CONTINUED...

WRITER'S CORNER:

{This chapter started a little weird. I threw a curveball in this chapter
as you guys read on. At the beginning it looks like Josh's father was going
to adopt Cesar, but it changed a quarter ways in. I will start doing things
like this here and there in all of my stories.

Josh's father felt a need to sit down and speak with Cesar's father. After
their talk, Cesar's father realized he was wrong. He went down to see his
son at Josh's house and had a heart to heart talk with him. A talk that was
overdue and needed to be done! I really hope that Cesar's father can follow
through with his promises that he made his son.

I really do think that Josh's father knew what he was doing when he talked
with Cesar's father. Daniel can size people up quickly and he sized up
Cesar's father the minute he walked into his office. He knew that this guy
can't be without his son and by threatening to take his son the away he
would see the error of his ways. Daniel is very smart guy and knows is
exactly what he is doing, when he does it.

For example, the visit to Martha at the hospital! He said his peace to his
ex-wife and at the same time he made it clear to her to stay away from him
and their children. I don't know what's going happen in the courts with
her, but I truly hope that she gets sentenced behind bars for a long time.

Daniel also visited the fallen soldiers at the hospital. It is true what
one of the soldiers told him about the leaders of our military and our
politicians. They use the wounded men and women of our military as props to
get into the headlines. It has gotten so out of control, every time I turn
around I see the President or a politician with the military as their
background. I really do believe that Daniel is a different sort of
politician.

Finally we see Patrick and Frank back in and making love. Those two are
truly in love with each other and have been together for a very long time
already. I really do believe those two will make it as a couple through
life.

Josh and Cesar are also getting close to each other. Their love is a little
bit different because they're building it. They are fine just being near
each other and spending time with each other. They are teenagers and they
want to have sex. Still they are okay without having sex every day of the
week.

I am glad that the judge changed his mind on the custody hearing. I don't
know what would have happened to Chris if the judge awarded his father
custody back. One thing that we need to look out for in the chapters to
come is Chris' dad. He lost a legal battle, but he isn't gone by a long
shot.

There is so much still going on in this story. I don't even know where to
end every time. This chapter when a little bit longer because of not
knowing where to end it. Bernice, Eric, Josh's brothers and all the rest
are going to fill these chapters with a lot of drama and excitement. So
don't miss an installment of this saga.

So many open plots to continue to read in the future chapters!  Some of the
plots were not touched in this chapter, but will be back in the future
ones.  Some characters will finally be getting their just desserts in the
future chapters.  This story is just beginning, and there is still a lot to
come.

I could stay here all day long, with all the open plots already in this
story, but I won't. I warn you though! Do not skip a chapter, or you will
be lost. There is a so much to answer in the chapters to come. Keep reading
the future chapters, and enjoy! Please email me and let me know how I am
doing at jacobmillertex@aol.com, Thanks!}

EDITOR'S CORNER:

It appears that things on all fronts are moving in a good direction with
all the characters, except Martha, of course. Lots of issues got addressed
in this chapter.

Martha is debilitated and much less a threat even if she could escape the
clutches of the law. I have run into people in that have such ingrained
hatred and fear of gays. I've never encountered a woman willing to take out
her son, however, I've seen the aftermath of gay bashings that have left
the victim injured and disabled for life. I simply can't get my head around
that level of hatred. I can't begin to understand it. I think that it's
better that I don't and can't.

Cesar and his father are reconciled and it feels solid. I'm daring to hope
that's the case.

Bernice was acting all giddy. Hmmm...I wonder what had her on such a
`high'.  Did she and Eric take the plunge? Could it be love that has her
flying? I wonder if Eric has been approved by Bernice's father, the good
father.

Chris is going to stay with Coach after the judge made the proper ruling in
the matter. I'm sure it won't be long before Chris' dad makes a move that
will cause a great deal of drama and have the long arm of the law deal with
him once and for all.

Ok Jacob, I'm ready for some political intrigue again!

Until next time,

"Daddy" Rick