Date: Thu, 16 Dec 2004 13:45:55 -0800 (PST)
From: Fup Duck <fupduckmd@yahoo.com>
Subject: Life Goes On - David and Chad #14

STANDARD DISCLAIMER: This is the continuation of David's story.  One of two
boys loving each other.  So the same disclaimer applies.  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 could also be incidents of unprotected sex.  As always, I don't
condone this practice - especially in this day and age.

A somewhat disjointed chapter...but hopefully you'll understand why.... :-)

Fup

******************************************************************************
FROM CHAPTER 13

Chad looked up and nodded.  He grinned as David tousled his hair, then
walked toward the bedroom.  He stripped out of his clothes, and naked
slipped between the sheets.  He was just drifting off, when he heard the TV
go off, and felt Chad's nude body spoon back against him.  He wrapped an
arm across Chad's waist, kissed the back of his head, and sleepily
murmured, "Night kiddo."

"Night," Chad answered, then David was asleep.



LIFE GOES ON - DAVID AND CHAD #14 - Been Through the Desert

David flipped the sofa cushions onto the floor.  Not there.  He stood up
and looked around the living room.  Where did he put it?  It was Sunday
evening and he had just returned from taking Chad home.  What a weekend.
They spent that morning laying in bed and holding each other, no sex, just
physical closeness.  David already was missing it.  And would be missing it
for almost two weeks.  So here he was, tearing apart his apartment to find
what Chad had left.

As Chad was getting out of the car, he said, "I love you, and...I hid
something for you while you were taking your nap yesterday."  Then he had
laughed and ran into his house.

He had first checked in the obvious place, under the pictures on the
bureau.  Now he was conducting a systematic search.  He grinned at the
empty apartment, he'd find it.  There were only so many places to look.  An
hour later, he was disappointedly sitting on the sofa, empty-handed.  His
head hurt.  He chuckled to himself and took two more aspirin, then reclined
on the sofa.  The phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Find it yet?"

"You little beggar," David laughed, "no."

Chad laughed and said, "Keep looking."  Then the dial tone was humming in
his ear.

"Just rub it in," he said to the receiver as he hung it back on the hook.
If this is what kids were like, he knew he didn't want any.  Unfortunately,
he DID have one - in a way.  He reclined again on the sofa to think.  Where
would Chad hide something?  And what was it?  If he knew that, it would be
easier.  He should have asked when Chad was on the phone.  Somewhat
disgusted, he closed his eyes.

It was ten o'clock when he woke up.  Damn, he must really be tired.  "Work
tomorrow," he said to himself, then headed for the bedroom, putting on his
gym shorts and sliding into bed.  He remained in the office on Monday, his
co-workers good-naturedly teasing him about his 'head wound,' and racked
his brain about the location of Chad's 'secret.'  Maybe, just maybe, he
hadn't hid it while David was napping.  There had been plenty of
opportunities later in the weekend for him to stash something.  Quitting
time couldn't come fast enough.

He tossed down a quick supper, then resumed his search.  This time he
looked in places he hadn't in last night's search.  He was rifling through
Chad's bureau drawer when he heard a papery crackle.  He grinned
triumphantly as he removed the folder piece of paper from a pair of Chad's
briefs.  "Little twit," he laughed.  He carried the piece of paper to the
living room and sat in the chair under the light and opened it.

"Dear Dave, This is kind of a dumb thing to do, but I felt like it.  ha ha
I'm not too good with saying things, but I love you a lot.  I know you do
too.  I hope I'm being a good boyfriend.  Love, C"

David sat stunned on the chair.  His throat constricted a little bit at the
brief note he was holding.  He read it again, then walked to the kitchen,
picking up the phone.

"Hi Mrs. Murray, it's Dave.  Is Chad there?"

"Hello David, no he's not.  And what happened to you this weekend?  Chad
said he almost killed you."

"Oh, I just fell and cut my head a little.  And, believe me, he didn't
almost kill me.  I just stumbled and fell.  That's all."

"Well if you say so.  I told him that if was going to keep being a pain to
you, he wasn't going to be allowed to come over anymore."

"Honestly, Karen, he's not a pain.  Far from it, actually.  We were having
a good time before I fell, and the rest of the weekend I made him wait on
me hand and foot."

Karen laughed, "Well good for you.  Keep him in line David.  Don't let him
take advantage of your friendship."

"He's not, Karen," David assured.  "You can count on that."

"You're a good friend, David."

"Thanks," David blushed over the phone.  "Just have Chad call me when he
gets home, okay?"

"Okay, David, hope you have a good weekend without the leech hanging on
you," Karen joked.

"I'll make do," David smiled.  "Bye."

He hung up the phone and once again reread the note.  How could Chad think
any different?  David mulled that question over for a few minutes before
coming up with an idea.  He looked at the clock, too late to call for
tickets, so he'd have to remember it tomorrow.  Almost an hour later the
phone rang.  He grinned as he picked up the receiver.  "Hello?"

He was slightly taken aback not to hear Chad's voice.  This one was
familiar, but he couldn't immediately place it.  "Hey, Dave, how are ya?"

"Not bad," David answered, then it came to him.  "I didn't think they let
mentally unbalanced people use telephones."

"Mentally unbalanced?  Well, YOU were the one that rode home with us.  So
who's the mentally unbalanced one?"  Mark laughed.

"So how are ya, Mark?  And how's Vic?"

"We're doing pretty good, Dave.  How's your summer going?"  The two talked
for almost an hour, filling each other in on their respective lives.  "Well
another reason I called is to see if you need a ride back to school," Mark
said.

"Don't think so.  I sent off for a parking sticker a couple weeks ago.  I'm
hoping to take my own car this year."

"Well, if you need a ride, give me a call."  After a slight pause, he
continued, "So why an apartment?"

David appreciated the concern in Mark's voice, but it wasn't something he
wanted to get into over the phone.  "Long story, man, but it's no big deal.
I'll tell you guys when I see you."

"You'd better, Vic's been working construction this summer and could
probably tear you limb from limb if you don't."

"Man, hard to believe it's only like six weeks away," David complained.

"And then nine more months of academic hell," Mark laughed.

"Being juniors won't be so bad though."

"Much rather be a senior."

"True," David laughed in agreement.

They chatted a few more minutes before saying their farewells.  David had
barely hung up the phone before it rang again, sort of startling him.

"Hello?"

"Hey," came Chad's voice.  "Mom said you called."

"Yep, I found your little secret, kiddo."

"Yeah?" Chad asked.

"Yeah, and you're the best."

Chad laughed quietly.  "You didn't think it was dumb?"

"Nope, but I was ready to drag you over here to find it."

Chad started laughing.  "Hid it real good, didn't I?"

"Yeah, once I figured out that maybe you didn't hide it on Saturday, I
found it pretty fast."

"Well," a pause, then, "you know."

"Yeah, I know.  And anyway, pay backs are in order."

"What do you mean?"

"You'll see, kiddo."

"Tell me."

"Nope, it's a surprise.  You'll get it before I go back though."

"C'mon, Dave, please?"

David walked over to the kitchen door and knocked on it.  "Hey, I've got
company, gotta go."

"Oh, okay.  See you later."

"Yeah kiddo," then David dropped his voice.  "Love ya."

"Me too, see ya."

"Bye," David once again answered to the dial tone.

David hung up the phone, half-expecting it to ring again.  When it didn't,
he took a shower, grabbed a book and relaxed in the living room.

By Thursday, he was almost stir crazy.  This 'taking it easy' stuff was
really getting on his nerves.  And probably part of it, if he had to admit
it to himself, was knowing Chad wouldn't be over this weekend.  They had
talked to each other twice since Monday evening, and David had received
permission from Karen for his 'pay back' idea.  The tickets were in an
envelope under the pictures in the bedroom, and he smiled as he thought of
Chad's reaction.  Hearing from Karen that Chad had never been there was
even better.  But that didn't eliminate the fact he was bored.

He tried to get into the book he was reading without success.  The inanity
of what was on TV did even less for him.  If he didn't have to work
tomorrow, a movie might do the trick, but he really didn't feel like
driving 35 miles for a 90-minute break.  The apartment was immaculate.
"For once," he said to himself.  "That's it," he stated to the apartment
walls, and grabbed his car keys.

"What the hell are you doing?" he asked himself, pulling to a stop behind
his father's pickup.  David shrugged, then walked to the door and rang the
doorbell.  The look of surprise on his mother's face as she came to the
door was quite memorable.  She opened the door and ushered him inside.

"What are you doing ringing the doorbell?  This is still your home."  David
smiled, not willing to argue the point at the moment, then his mother was
fussing over the bandage on his head.  "What ever happened, David?  Are you
okay?"

"Yeah, Mom, I'm fine.  I just tripped and fell when I was out in the
woods."

"Did it need stitches?  And I didn't think that job was going to be that
dangerous."

David mentally rolled his eyes.  Well, he DID get it in the woods, let them
think what they wanted.  "No stitches, and I just stumbled, that's all."
He looked up to see his father standing in the doorway to the living room.
"Hi Dad."

"Hello David, nice to see you."

"Well, thought I'd stop by and say hi."

His mother started again, "Are you hungry?  Looks like you've lost some
weight."

"Leave the poor boy alone, he can take care of himself.  Right David?" his
father said.

He glanced at his father, then directed his attention back to his mom.
"No, I had supper.  And walking around the woods at work is good exercise."

"Well, come in and sit down.  Tell us what's been going on with you," his
mother said, guiding him into the living room.

David settled in the chair across the room from his parents.  "Not much
really, just work and getting ready for school.  Went to a party at Sean's
a little while back, it's been a good summer, so far."

"Any lady friends been by lately?" his father asked.

"Not lately, I'm always afraid of being interrupted," David answered
pointedly.  The statement was definitely not lost on his father and David
saw the man's eyes narrow a bit.

Sensing something was afoot, his mom asked, "So when do you go back?"

"In about a month, gonna take the car this time.  It'll give me a little
more freedom."

"Well, that's important," his dad stated.

"Yeah, I think so.  And it'll be nice not to have to rely on my friends for
a ride if I want to go somewhere."

"Well, just don't let it affect your grades, okay David?" his mother
responded.

David could literally feel the tension.  This was all 'weather' talk.
Covering up and glossing over what they all really wanted to say.  Then the
first shot was fired.

"Just remember, David, we helped pay for your schooling.  Don't do anything
to mess it up," his dad said.

"Yeah, I know," David replied.  "But I paid for it this year, Dad.  I'm
going to be forever paying off the grants and stuff I have."

"Well, just remember that."

"Don't worry, I'm sure I won't forget," David answered.

"Well, we're sure you won't, David.  We're proud of you," his mom said,
trying her best to play peacemaker.

"Thanks, Mom."  David gave her a small smile.  His head was starting to
hurt again.  He rubbed his forehead with his fingertips.  "I think I'd
better get home.  Starting to get a headache."

As he rose to his feet, his father said, "Well, David it was good seeing
you.  Nice to know you still have a little sense."

David sighed.  "Don't worry, Dad, I won't do anything to screw up your
life, okay?"

"What the hell is THAT supposed to mean?"

"Nothing," David mumbled.  "Just forget it.  My head hurts, I think I'm
gonna head home."

He sadly smiled at his mom, "Thanks."

"You're welcome, David," she replied on their way to the kitchen door.
"He'll come around."

"I doubt it," David admitted.  "But, I tried."  He opened the door, "Bye,
Mom."

"Bye, David, I love you."

"Me too," David smiled, then walked to the car.

David drove aimlessly until dark, berating himself a little for making this
visit.  What was the point?  He needed to talk to someone.  Looking at his
watch, he realized it was too late to go to his grandmother's.  His
grandfather would already be in bed, and he didn't really want to disturb
them.  Maybe?  It was worth a shot.  Getting his bearings, he turned toward
the Sites'.

The lights were still burning in their living room as he pulled into the
driveway.  He was raising his fist to knock, when Mr. Sites opened the
door.

"Hi David, saw you pull in.  Good to see you."

"Thanks Mr. Sites, I was just driving around and thought I'd stop in and
say hi," David said as he was invited inside.  He followed Mr. Sites into
the living room, greeting Mrs. Sites with a smile and a small hug.

Comfortable on the couch, David chatted with them for a few minutes, then
Mrs. Sites asked, "Dave, what's wrong?"

"Huh?  Nothing really."

"David," Mr. Sites admonished, "it's nine-thirty at night on a weekday."

"Well, just thought I'd stop in," David smiled.  "You made the offer.
Sorry it's so late."

"What's on your mind, Dave?" Mrs. Sites prodded.

"Nothing really, just my parents are being a pain."

"We have a tendency to be that way," Mr. Sites smiled.  "At least through
our kids' eyes."

David laughed.  "Seriously though, just talking with you guys makes it
better," he admitted.

"Well, we were serious when we said you were welcome here anytime,"
Mrs. Sites assured him.

"Thanks, I really do appreciate it.  Guess I oughta get back home," he
finished, rising from the sofa.

"Anytime, Dave, drive safely," Mr. Sites stood and shook his hand.

David grinned, "Always."

"Remember, we still owe you a meal," Mrs. Sites reminded him.

"There's no way I could forget that," David laughed, walking toward the
door.  Grabbing the knob, he turned. "Thanks, really."

Mr. Sites dramatically rolled his eyes.  "For what, I have no clue.  But
you're welcome anyway."  He patted David's back on his way out the door.
"Night, Dave."

"Night," David answered over his shoulder, climbing into his car.  He
backed out of the driveway, giving the two adults on the porch a wave, then
drove home.  Definitely in a better mood, he got ready for bed and was
almost immediately asleep.

Friday evening he pulled into his parking space and raised his eyebrows as
he saw the note taped to his apartment door.  Slightly disappointed it
wasn't from Chad, he still chuckled as he read, "Since we know where you
live, no peace for you.  Card game, my house, 7 PM, be there or we'll find
you.  Steve.  PS: bring lots of money."

The bank was open until seven, so he took a shower and got dressed before
heading out to get change.  He grabbed a bite to eat at McDonald's and
arrived at Steve's house a little after seven.  The note on the door
informed him to come inside and the card game was in the basement.  He
walked down the basement steps into Steve's rec room, where the other four
were already holding cards.

"Hey, there's the bank now," Sean laughed.

"You're late," Steve complained.

"Jeeez, it's only ten after seven, and I had to clear out the bank
account."

Steve glanced up and started laughing.  "I looooove the hat."  David
laughed and gingerly rubbed the bandage.  "Told ya that college was sucking
your brain out."

"Yeah, yeah, hope you have plenty of money, rent's due tomorrow."

David took the last seat around the table, grinned and pulled out a roll of
pennies.  "Okay, deal me in."

"Cleaned out the bank account?" Mark asked.

In a loud whisper, Steve leaned over toward Mark and said, "Shhh, remember,
he's brainless."

David shook his head, then replaced the roll of pennies with one of
quarters.  As the cards were dealt, he filled them in on his injury, using
the woods story again.  "So where's Rhonda?"

Sean answered for Steve.  "Guys' night out.  No virgin ears around, so we
can fart, belch and talk dirty without getting into trouble."

"Ahhh, good idea.  Don't want Rhonda getting the wrong idea."

"That's who I was talking about," Sean laughed, ducking an empty soda can
launched from Steve's side of the table.

"Mouth like a sailor," Jim jokingly informed David.

"Must be," David agreed.

The five friends chatted amiably as the card game went on.  Around nine
they took a break and ordered pizza, lounging on the furniture around the
room until it arrived.

"Hey, man, you seem a little out of it," Mark observed to David as they
were eating.

"Ahh, just some semi-major crap going down, family-wise."

"That sucks, but hey, look at it this way, at least you're not around to
listen to it all the time."

"True, once or twice a month is just fine with me," David grinned.

"What's that?" Steve interrupted.  "Sex or jacking off?"

"Ugh, you're really full of yourself tonight," Mark said to Steve.  "Glad
the toilet works."

"Right, whatever," Steve grinned.  "Now c'mon, let's get back to it, the
kids need new shoes."

"They're gonna starve if you keep playing like you have been," Jim observed
as they sat back at the table.

By three in the morning, all five were yawning widely.  Steve's parents had
stuck their heads in about eleven then went to bed.  "Man, I need some
sleep," David yawned.  "How come whenever I'm with you guys it's always
early in the morning before I get to bed?"

"Because we're party reptiles," Sean chuckled tiredly.

"Must be," David agreed, pocketing his remaining change.

Expressing their thanks to Steve, they plodded up the stairs, deciding on
another game in two weeks.  "Don't forget it, brainless," Steve said.

"I won't.  Had a blast, man, thanks," David replied.

"No sweat, see ya in a couple weeks."

David waved as he got in the car and began the drive home.

He slept late Saturday morning, no ringing phone disturbing his morning
like the last time.  The sun was high in the sky when he finally ventured
outside to get the mail.  He raised his eyebrows at an envelope with the
college's return address and tore it open.  Ahhh, his parking sticker.
Good deal.  He sort of had a feeling he'd be doing a lot of driving this
year.  Then his smile faded a little.  Maybe.  He and Chad were going to
have to talk about this sometime - soon.  They had been avoiding that topic
all summer.  Chad seemed to want to continue, and David sure wanted to, but
was it possible?  He'd probably go crazy.  The last couple of days had been
bad enough.  Guess he sort of knew what Chad felt like when he was at
college.  If they were going to stay together, and David came home to
visit, there was the obstacle of staying someplace.  He definitely didn't
want to stay at his parents', too many questions and way too much crap.
And staying at Chad's probably wasn't a good idea.  It would be too much of
an imposition.  And, he thought with a smile, way too dangerous too,
probably.  Argh, why did it have to be so difficult?  Well, he was sure
they'd figure it out.

He spent the rest of the day washing and waxing the car and cleaning the
inside.  Then he changed the oil and made sure it would be ready for the
next weekend - and driving back and forth from college.  His dad had made
sure he could do the basic maintenance stuff, and it had saved him some
money over the years.  The 'busy' work kept his mind occupied until almost
six that evening.  Then, not feeling like making anything for supper, David
headed for McDonald's.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" he asked himself out loud on the way
back to the apartment.  "The kid's only been gone a couple days."  He
frowned at himself in the rearview mirror.  "What's gonna happen when you
go back to school?"  He had no answers for himself, though.  This was dumb.
Here he was, talking to himself out loud.  Insanity must run in the family,
he thought with a smile.  Being back in the apartment didn't do much for
him either, he read for a while, watched - well, sort of - TV, and around
ten decided to call it a night.

His restlessness faded as the weekend drew to a close.  Maybe that was it.
He was just used to having company on the weekends lately.  His right hand
definitely wasn't as enjoyable as a blond teenager, but you had to do what
you had to do, he thought.  And, he looked at the clock, less than 24 hours
to go.  "You're pathetic," he admonished himself in the bathroom mirror as
he was getting ready for bed Sunday evening.  He leaned against the sink,
examining himself in the mirror.  "What the hell are you thinking?"  He
shook his head, now he was talking to himself.  Well, he shrugged, he was a
pretty good conversationalist when the mood struck.  "You're dating a
fifteen-year-old, what the hell is your problem?"  He was also his own
worst critic, but it sort of felt okay to finally vocalize this stuff, even
if it was in a mirror.  Then he smiled, "Sometimes things just are."  He
nodded to himself wisely, then snickered at his actions.  "You're weird,
David Barker."  Still chuckling, he slid between the covers, turned on the
alarm and settled in for the night.

He was looking for something.  He didn't know what it was, but knew that
once he DID find it, it would be crystal clear why he was looking.  The
machinery was silent in the dimly lit factory.  The only sound was the
almost inaudible echo of his footsteps.  David brushed his hand along the
flank of one of the machines.  Cold...and dusty, he frowned and wiped his
hand on his pants.  He was very familiar with this particular factory, he'd
been here plenty of times before.  This time though, it was.....different.
He stopped walking and looked around.  Unlike his previous visits, there
was no sense of the place being used.  The floor was even dusty, he looked
back to see his wandering footprints, then faced forward again.  There was
nothing here to find.  The place was abandoned.  He wandered aimlessly for
what seemed like hours until a sound began to encroach on the silence.  He
halted, trying to figure out from where it was coming.  A familiar sound,
but out of place in here.  Maybe that's why he couldn't quite put his
finger on it.  He was getting closer, the sound was getting louder.  He
closed his eyes to better ascertain the direction of the sound, then opened
them again...to be faced with red LED numbers reading 6:30.

He groaned and rolled out of bed, feeling somewhat unrested and
disoriented.  Weird, he thought as he went through his morning routine.
"Yes, you are," he laughed at himself in the bathroom mirror.  "Weird
people have weird dreams."  He shook his head, then walked into the kitchen
to begin another week.

******************************************************************************
LOL, the meaning of the dream?  Who knows, but it was the last time I had
the 'factory' dream....

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

email:  fupduckmd@yahoo.com
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