Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2004 18:19:23 -0800 (PST)
From: Fup Duck <fupduckmd@yahoo.com>
Subject: Life Goes On - David and Chad #1

STANDARD DISCLAIMER: This is another story of two boys loving each other.
One is 20, and the other is 15 at the beginning of the story.  If you can't
handle that, or it's illegal to read this in your area, or you're underage,
then now is the time to leave.  If you continue reading after that
admonishment, Nifty and I aren't responsible.

There are also incidents of unprotected sex.  As always, I don't condone
this practice - especially in this day and age.

**********************************************************************

<slides to middle of stage in stockinged feet> Hiya folks!  Welcome back to
David's Soap Opera!  lol

My advice to those who are just joining the broadcast is to go back and
read Under Pressure in the Young Friends and High School sections.  Most of
the character development is there.  This is not a 'screwing like rabbits'
story.  What can I say?  I'm a romantic.  Once again, the story is based on
real-life events and experiences, the names have been changed, but the
people and events are as real as I can make them.  The typical caveat holds
true - what happened, happened.

This part of the story will be posted with a couple of days between
chapters at Nifty's request. :-)

Fup
******************************************************************************
LIFE GOES ON - DAVID AND CHAD - Foreword

Some things have changed from when I originally started this part of "War
and Peace."  Errr, I mean David's story. :-)

First of all....apologies to those to whom I might have responded 'lightly'
after the Epilogue of Under Pressure.  I'm a light-hearted person, and
sometimes it makes its way into places it shouldn't.  I honestly never
realized how many of you were becoming familiar and 'intimate' (so to
speak) with the characters in UP.  So if my response to you had a "shrug-
type" air, I definitely apologize.  Believe me, I'm glad that you all
'felt' for the characters.  Sort of a "my friends are your friends" type of
thing, which is very cool.  I stand chastised.  :-)

Now, on to more recent matters.  During our last phone conversation, "Chad"
voiced an interest in reading and commenting on this story before I posted
it.  Due to his prior commitments - that's about the only thing he will be
doing.  Some of you have said it would be neat to get his viewpoint and
comments, but there are no guarantees.  The story is still written from
David's POV, but if it seems that some "assumptions" are being made, you'll
know where they came from. :-)

Now, with THAT out of the way.....

LIFE GOES ON - DAVID AND CHAD #1 - There's No Place Like Home

David stared out at the scenery along the interstate.  Mark and Vic were
chatting in the front seat, leaving David to his thoughts.  Another year of
college was over, and they were northbound, heading home.  The U-Haul
trailer behind Mark's car swayed as an 18-wheeler passed them, blocking
David's view momentarily.  They had been on the road almost two hours, and
depending on traffic, had another three to go.  David's reverie was broken
by a soft smack on the back of his head.

"So, what will it be?" asked Vic, grinning.

"Huh?"

"Burger King or McDonald's?"

"Or did you just wanna starve?" Mark chimed in with a laugh.

"Oh, uh, Burger King," David answered.

"Burger Elvis, it is then," Vic laughed.

David shook his head and smiled at the two in the front seat.  "You guys
are definitely real strange."

Vic nodded his head, then turned to Mark, "Isn't that why we hang out with
him?"

Mark looked into the rear view mirror at David, grinning, "Maybe that's why
he hangs out with US."

David chuckled and turned back toward the window.  "So whatcha going to do
this summer?"  Vic asked.

"Got a job with a forester, put my expensive education to good use."

"Cool, out walkin' in the woods, hugging trees, sounds fun," Mark joked.

"Yeah," David answered as Mark exited the interstate at the next ramp,
pulling into the parking lot of Burger King.

They piled out of the car and into the restaurant, ordering their lunch and
then finding a table.  David wondered about Vic's choice of tables though.
He was sitting in a back corner, away from most of the patrons.  David
raised his eyebrows as he sat down, then looked around.  "I like the
atmosphere, Vic."

Vic gave him a small grin, then dug into his burger as Mark slid into the
booth beside David, good-naturedly shoving him over.  They concentrated on
inhaling the burgers and fries, then Mark turned to David.

"Look man, don't think we haven't noticed how out of it you are.  You've
been a lump since we left school."

"I know, sorry," David admitted, staring at the tray in front of him.
"It's just that...,"

"Hey, we know that too.  We're not all that dumb," Vic laughed.

"And it's the first time I've been home since."

"Yeah, we thought it was weird you stayed down over Spring Break."

David shrugged, "Just didn't wanna go."

"Well, look, we just wanted you to know that you can call us anytime over
the summer, okay?"

David turned to look at Mark.  "You guys are something else, you know
that?"

"Well," replied Vic, "when you find out what it is, let us know, okay?"

David chuckled, then started, "You know, I really...,"

Mark turned serious.  "Hey, don't go there right now.  It's been a shitty
year, man.  No need to say anything else."

David gave the two a wan smile.  "Thanks."

Mark sucked the last of his milkshake into his mouth, then said, "Well,
let's roll.  Our adoring fans are expecting us."

"What?  The men in the white suits?"  David laughed.

"Yep, got our rooms all ready.  And guess what?  You're next door again."

They rose from the booth laughing, then jostled each other back to Mark's
car, Vic sliding into the driver's seat.  "You wanna ride shotgun?" asked
Mark.

"Nah, might take a nap."

"All right then, don't say I didn't offer," grinned Mark, as they climbed
into the car and headed back toward the interstate.

David returned to looking out the window as the drive continued.  In a way,
he was glad to be going home.  But it seemed the closer they got, the more
he felt like he was out of place.  He felt disconnected.  He realized it
had gotten quiet in the car and looked toward the front seat.  Mark's head
was resting against the side window and he was fast asleep.  Vic glanced in
the mirror, shrugged, and grinned.  David answered the smile, then turned
back to his thoughts.

It was early afternoon when they pulled into the shopping mall where David
was going to meet his parents.  Mark and Vic lived close to DC, and David
felt that it would have been a huge inconvenience for them to have to drive
him home, even though both said it wouldn't.  His parents had been willing
to meet them at the mall, and were waiting.

Mark woke up as they pulled to a stop beside the Barker's Chevy.  "We there
already?"

Vic laughed, "Already?  You've been asleep since we left Burger King."

Mark grinned sheepishly and climbed out of the car, helping David retrieve
his stuff from the trailer and packing it into the trunk and backseat of
his parents' car.  When they were done, Mark put his hand on David's
shoulder.  "Anything you need, man, call me."

David drew in a shaky breath, and smiled, "Thanks, I will."  He squeezed
Vic's shoulder in farewell, and as they drove off, turned to face his
parents.

"Hey," he greeted them, getting a hug from his mother and a small grin from
his dad.

"Hey, yourself," his dad answered.  "Ready to get home?"

David nodded and squeezed himself into the backseat of the sedan.  The way
home was filled with discussion about David's year.  He took note that
neither Kelly nor Spring Break was brought up.  "Just as well," he thought,
answering the questions as they arose.

When they pulled into the driveway, there was another car pulled up behind
his.  Before his parents had even pulled to a stop on the carport, Chad's
grinning face was peering through the back window.  He looked questioningly
at his parents who smiled, his mom answering the silent question.  "We
thought it might be nice if he was here when you got home.  And he's been
calling the house every day," his mom laughed.

David smiled at the response.  Sometimes his parents seemed to know exactly
what to do.  He opened the back door and was immediately engulfed by the
blond teenager.  "Hey, David!  Man, I'm glad you're home."

David returned the hug, and looked to where Mr. and Mrs. Murray were
walking toward them.  He chuckled as they shook their heads at the antics
of their youngest, who was still babbling about how nice it was to have him
home.  He put his hands on Chad's shoulders, and gently pushed him back.
"Man, you've grown up," he observed.

"Yep," Chad answered proudly.  "I'm almost as tall as you are."

David chuckled, "Yeah ya are, remind me not to make you mad.  I think you
could probably put me out."  Then he turned to the Murrays, "Hey, how are
you guys?"

"Just fine," Mr. Murray laughed, then nodded toward Chad, who had rested
his arm on David's shoulder.  "Especially now that you're home.  He was
driving us crazy.  How was school?"

"Okay," David responded, "considering."

"Well that's good," Mrs. Murray answered, then the adults went into the
house.

"So, guess I can't call you 'kiddo' anymore, huh?" asked David, turning to
face Chad.

"Why not?"

"Well, in case you haven't noticed, you're not really a kid anymore," David
laughed.

"Nope," Chad said proudly.  "Guess you'll have to figure out somethin'
else, huh?"

"Guess so.  Ya wanna help me get my stuff?"

The two started unloading the car, carrying David's stuff back into his
bedroom.  On their final trip, Mrs. Murray said, "Okay, Chad, if that's the
last of it, we need to go and let David spend some time with his family."

"Mooom," Chad complained.

"It's okay, Mrs. Murray," David answered.  "We caught up on the way home.
I'll bring him home later if that's okay.  He can help me unpack."

"Well, if it's not an inconvenience, it's okay with us."

"David," his mom interjected, "we really haven't had a chance to talk yet.
Maybe Chad should go home."

David turned to his mother, his face calm - aware of his audience, "Mom, it
won't take that long.  He can stay if he wants."

The pending eruption was interrupted by Mr. Murray, "David, why don't you
catch up with your parents and just come by later?"  He then gave a sharp
shake of his head to Chad, who had opened his mouth.

"Yeah, Dave, that would be cool," Chad agreed.

"Yeah, I have to unpack and all that," David answered, shooting a glance at
his parents.  "I'll give ya a call before I come, okay?"

"Cool," Chad answered.

The Murrays said their farewells, and departed.  David waved through the
picture window as they backed out of the driveway, then started toward his
room.

"David," his father's voice stopped him.

Without turning around, he answered, "What now?  I need to unpack."

"Unless you've forgotten, young man, this is our house.  While you're
living here, you will follow our rules.  Do you understand?"

"Sure, while I'm living here," David answered, still turned away.

"As long as that is clear."

"Crystal," answered David.  "I'm going to unpack now."  Without waiting for
a response, he walked back to his room, closing the door behind him.  When
the door was shut, he let out an explosive sigh, and started unpacking.  He
had been at it for about 30 minutes when his mother knocked on the door.
He walked over and opened it, then turned back to finish unpacking.

"David, are you okay?"

"Sure, I'm fine.  Why wouldn't I be?"

"Oh, no reason, you just seem to be a little upset."

David turned to face her, forcing a smile, "I'm just tired, that's all."

"Okay, if that's all it is."  Then she focused her eyes on the necklace
around his neck.  "Oh, that's cute," she said smiling.  "Did some girl give
that to you?"

David fingered the necklace briefly, considering his response.  "Someone
special, yeah."

"Oh, that's nice," she replied.  "I'm glad to see you're socializing more."

"As long as it doesn't interfere with my school work," David replied
evenly.

"Well, we're glad to hear that, David.  Now why don't you finish unpacking
and go see your little friend."

In the same tone, he answered, "I will, thanks."  Then he resumed his task,
waiting until he heard the door close before sitting on the edge of the
bed, putting his face in his hands.  "Dammit, Kel. I can't do this," he
whispered.  He angrily wiped away a tear, then finished putting his stuff
away in a room that used to be his.  Finally finished, his dirty clothes in
the hamper, books in the bookcase, he noticed something different.  Hearing
his parents outside in the front yard, he left his room and went into
theirs.  He looked out the window and saw them in the lawn raking up the
cut grass from the last time his dad had mowed.  Confident he wouldn't be
disturbed, he calmly started going through their room.  He only had to
search for a few minutes before he found what he was looking for between
their mattress and box spring.  He looked at what was in his hand for a few
seconds, then made a decision.  He replaced it where it had been, then took
a shower.  He was pulling on his sneakers when he heard his parents come
into the house.  He took a breath and put on a smile he hoped was
convincing, then went out to the kitchen.

"Hey," he said smiling, "I think I'm gonna go to Chad's for a bit, okay?"
He chuckled inwardly at his mother's double-take from his change in
attitude, and smiled even more.

"Okay, hon," she answered, "supper's in a few hours, don't be long."

"No sweat, mom.  See ya later."

He was still smiling as he backed his car out of the driveway, and headed
to the Murray's.  Pulling up beside their car, he walked up to the door and
rang the doorbell.  The door opened, and Mrs. Murray invited him inside.

"I want to apologize for earlier," David said.  "I was a little tired."

"It's okay, David, we sort of have it figured out," she smiled in reply.

He heard footsteps on the stairs and turned to see Chad standing in the
doorway, beaming.  "Hey, kiddo," he laughed.

"Hey," Chad replied, blushing a little.  "Thought you weren't gonna call me
'kiddo' anymore."

"I changed my mind," David laughed.  "Don't mind do you?"

"Nope, it's cool."

As Chad walked toward him, he turned to Mrs. Murray.  "Do you have today's
paper?"

"Yes, I think so," she answered, looking through the stack of newspapers on
the kitchen bar.  "Here it is."

"I wanna catch up on the news," David grinned.  "C'mon, kiddo, let's go out
onto the porch."

David thanked her for the paper, then followed Chad out the front door.
Chad sat on the porch swing and grinned, patting the seat next to him.
"What am I gonna do with you?" he teased the teenager as he sat down beside
him.

"Keep me?" Chad laughed.

"I dunno, if I'm not satisfied, can I get a refund?"

"Sure," Chad laughed, then squeezed David's shoulder, almost causing him to
lose his happy mask.  "So whatcha lookin' for?"

David flipped through the paper until he found the classifieds.  He paused,
and looked up at Chad.  "An apartment."

"Why?"

"Just because.  I'll tell you sometime, okay?"

"Okay.  Ummm, does it have to do with Kelly?"

David paused again in his reading, keeping his eyes on the paper.  "A
little, yeah."

Chad reached over and squeezed David's shoulder again.  David's eyes
blurred a bit, then he looked up at the boy beside him.  Chad's expression
did it.  It was a mixture of sadness and caring, and David lost it, silent
tears leaking from his eyes.  Chad wrapped his arm across David's shoulders
and whispered, "I miss him too."

David sniffed a little then pulled away from the boy, wiping his eyes.  He
grinned and said, "Thanks."

Chad, still serious, replied, "Anytime."

David continued looking through the ads, aware of the friend beside him.
There seemed to be a fair amount of apartments available in town to David's
pleasure and he looked up at Chad.  "So, ya wanna take a cruise with me
tomorrow?  Maybe check out some of these?"

"Yeah, that'd be cool.  I'll go ask."  With that, Chad returned to his
normal dynamo self, jumping up from the swing and rushing inside,
forgetting to close the door, leaving David laughing quietly on the porch.
He returned a few minutes later, informing David of his parents'
permission.  He returned to his seat on the swing and the two caught up on
the latest happenings.

David looked at his watch and saw the time.  "Hey, I gotta go eat supper.
I'll pick you up about ten or so tomorrow, okay?"

"Yeah, but I gotta get up that early?"

David laughed, "Early?  Sheesh, you're worse than I am."

"Just kidding, Dave.  I'll be ready."

"Cool," David smiled and started to tousle Chad's hair, then pulled back.
"Guess you're a little old for that now, huh?"

Chad grinned and tousled David's long hair.  "Only if you are."

David wrapped his arm around Chad's neck, putting him in a loose headlock
as he thoroughly made a mess of Chad's combed hair, getting mock protests
and complaints from the laughing teen.  He released Chad, and the two
grinned at each other.  Then David rose off the swing, said his goodbyes to
the rest of the Murrays, and walked to his car, followed by Chad.

The boy bent down to the open window as David started the car.  In a
serious but friendly voice, he said, "I'm glad you're back."

"Yeah?  Well, I'm glad I am too....mostly."

Chad smiled, then squeezed David's shoulder.  "See ya tomorrow."

"You bet," David replied, putting the car in gear.  "Missed ya, kiddo."

"Me too, see ya," Chad replied, then was off, running up the porch steps.

When David got home, supper was almost ready.  He hid the paper under his
arm, and ran into Lynn on the way back the hall.  She almost hugged the
breath out of him, surprising David.

"Hey, brat," he smiled when she let him go.

"Takes one to know one," she smiled in return.

David laughed, pleased at her attitude.  "So what's been happening with
you?" he asked as she followed him into his bedroom.

"Why didn't you come back for Easter?" she answered his question with her
own.

David sighed a little, "Didn't much feel like it."

"Oh.  Well, the whole family was disappointed you didn't."

"So, you get your license yet?" David asked, changing subjects.

"Months ago," Lynn answered, rolling her eyes.

"Guess I've sorta been gone, haven't I?"

"Yeah, I was worried," then she added, grinning, "a little."

David shook his head, and the two walked out to eat supper.  The meal
passed well.  David answered his family's questions amiably, even offering
an anecdote or two about college life.  There were times that evening when
he wanted to confront his parents about his earlier discovery, but it
wasn't quite the right time.  So, once again, he played the good son role,
setting everyone at ease.

That night in bed, he fingered the necklace around his neck, thinking.  The
sad memories were fading, replaced more often by fond remembrances of the
good times.  As he drifted off, he was smiling.

******************************************************************************
A heckuva homecoming, huh?  Well, there IS no place like home...lololol

Some people change, some people don't.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or feedback.  Thanks!

email:  fupduckmd@yahoo.com
AIM and Yahoo: fupduckmd

Fup