Date: Tue, 01 Mar 2005 15:41:28 +0000
From: David Lee <dlee169@hotmail.com>
Subject: Zeke, Chapter 40

Warning:
This story contains scenes of love and sexual interaction.  Much of this
involves males with other males.  If the reading or possessing of such
material as this is illegal in your country, state, province, county,
municipality, etc., please leave this site immediately and do not proceed
further.  If you are under the legal age to read this, please do not do so.
It is not my intention to offend anyone or to get you in trouble.

The author retains all rights to this original story.  Please do not publish
without explicit authorization from me.

Disclaimer:
This story is completely fictional.  Most of the places mentioned, and none
of the characters exist in real life.  Some may possess physical or
personality characteristics of people I know or have known.  But if you see
yourself in this story, your imagination is better than mine!

Zeke is a romantic story centering on the lives of high school kids.  Lovers
of other ages may appear, but not normally in a cross-generational sense.
References to sex with under-age kids may be made for the sake of the story
line.  However, I feel that child molestation is a crime and should not be
glorified or tolerated.

If you just interested in hot stories that will get you off, or if
references to religion and God offend you, you should probably read
something else.  While there are some steamy scenes, this story is about
love, not just sex.

If you are still interested in reading this, I hope you will enjoy the
story.

This is my fourth attempt at writing fiction.  My other stories on Nifty
include: Always and Forever (March 25, 2004) under High School, Brad and
Alan's Canoe Trip (April 23, 2004) under Camping, and Jacob and Jacques (May
5, 2004) under High School.  Some characters from previous stories have
cameo roles in this one.  However, you need not read them first.  This is
another story of kids at Cosgrove High.


Our only reward for contributing to Nifty is your e-mails.  Please write if
you like the story.  Please include Zeke in the title of your e-mail.  I get
a lot of spam!


If you want to read some stuff just to "light your fire," you might look at:
masturbateforpeace.com.  It will give you a new reason to be a peace
activist!

Finally, thanks and hugs to Tim who edits for me so that there are fewer
typos!


Dlee169@hotmail.com

Zeke, Chapter 40

By David Lee

Thanksgiving break was a welcome change for most of the students and staff
of Cosgrove High.  Carol Croy had her hands full with preparations.  This
year, she and Doug were going to host his family and hers.  The main meal
would be served at her apartment where her parents would be sleeping.  The
more informal times would be spent at Doug's house because there was more
room for watching football on a large screen TV and there were places for
undisturbed visiting and card games for those not wanting a marathon of
pigskin.

Carol's little brother, Kyle, would be staying at Doug's.  Doug had even
promised him the use of a spare key so that he could come and go as he
pleased.  He was excited about being in an all-male atmosphere.  He hoped
that Doug's workout area had that locker room scent that he had come to
love.  He wondered if there would be any stray sports briefs or jock straps
that he could sniff.  He found himself hardening up in anticipation.

--------------------------------

Zeke was excited about Thanksgiving as well.  This would be the first year
to celebrate with his little bro/cousin/godson.  Young Zach smiled easily
and was gaining in personality every day.  Thanksgiving was good; Christmas
should be a blast!

Bryan wasn't as up for the holiday as his lover, but he would enjoy
everything through Zeke's eyes.  Zeke was his world; so everything that made
Zeke happy made Bryan joyful too.

The Adams' and Stillwell's were going to celebrate together again.  It was
becoming a tradition.  Mary hoped that the boys would always remain
together.  She would hate to see strained relationships in the group which
felt like extended family.  Todd and Lisa would be there for dinner this
year.  Mary would have a full house.

As in other holiday preparations, the boys were pressed into service.
Despite their extra hours at the store, they pitched in without complaint.
After their summer job, the hours of stocking shelves and sacking groceries
seemed like child's play.  Since their pool was closed for the winter, the
boys would often go for a run just to work off some of their pent-up energy.

--------------------------------

Lon Peters was not that excited about Thanksgiving.  He wasn't in the mood.
Life sucked.  The whole fall semester had been a series of ups and downs for
him.  He was pissed with Jennifer and with himself.  He had abandoned his
best friend for an empty-headed brunette who wanted to make him over to her
specifications.  His friends weren't good enough for her.  She didn't like
to watch the sports that he liked.  He was supposed to dress preppy for her.
  She objected if he wore grubbies.

If that weren't enough, she wanted to make out until he was all hot, but
stop when he wanted to explore in her panties.  His balls were aching on a
regular basis.  Whether he was in the mood or not, he was now in the habit
of jacking off before he went out with her just to keep from being in pain.

Because of his preoccupation with Jennifer, his grades weren't as good as
they could be.  Coach Newman had been on him about that and about his
"cocky" attitude.  Shit!  Things were not going well at all.

This afternoon, Jennifer had been especially bitchy because he didn't want
to drop what he was doing to go shopping at the mall with her friends and
her.  She had pushed his buttons and he had reacted.  He had told her that
he was through being her boyfriend.  He was tired of not feeling like he
could do anything that HE wanted to do.  She had cried and carried on, but
he had remained firm in his position.  He wasn't ready to be formed into her
idea of the ideal boyfriend.  He was done.

Now he had to repair things with his best friend whom he had been
neglecting.  What he needed was a good excuse to see Aaron.  Hmm, there was
this essay coming up in Ms. Croy's class.  Aaron was much better in language
arts that Lon had ever been.  Lon needed to raise his grades.  That would be
his reason.  He could go over to get Aaron to help him do some research on
the `net.

--------------------------------

Aaron had been in a funk ever since his return from the sleep-over.  He had
not had much appetite and had slept a lot.  Gina was worried about him, but
reasoned that if he were sleeping, he didn't have to listen to his father's
constant bitching.  She was going to have to do something about the
situation soon.  If they could just get through the holidays, things might
improve.

Perhaps she was optimistic, or maybe she didn't want to face up to the
inevitable.  James still resisted going to counseling with her.  He had
finally gone to one session, but had left early claiming that everyone was
ganging up on him.  That was his excuse for never going again.

Aaron was asleep when the phone rang.  As a consequence, James answered it.
He told Bryce that Aaron didn't want to talk to him now or ever.  Bryce was
crushed.  When Mike returned home from work that afternoon, he found his son
sitting idly in front of the TV not paying attention to the program.

"Hey, son, what's up?" Mike called cheerfully.

Seeing that Bryce was unresponsive, Mike sat down beside him putting his arm
around the boy's shoulders.  Bryce collapsed into a sobbing heap.  Mike
wisely kept his mouth shut as he held the weeping kid.  He knew that Bryce
didn't need words at the moment, just love.

When he got himself under control, Bryce told his dad about the phone
conversation.  He even told Mike about what Aaron had said in his sleep.  He
kept no secrets from his step-father.

"Now I've screwed up again.  He probably didn't mean to say that and he
probably doesn't want to hang around with a queer!" Bryce began to cry
again.

"Did he use your name when he said: `I love you.'?"  "Did he say: `Bryce, I
love you.'?"

"Yeah, he did.  He really did.  And he said it clearly."

"Then I wouldn't give up hope.  He may be afraid that you will tell his
father.  I would be afraid at that age in that situation if I were he."

"But his dad said that Aaron didn't want to talk to me -- ever!"

"Yes, his father said that, but HE didn't.  Give him a chance to tell you
himself.  If it is true, you will have to deal with it, but don't be sure
that it is."

Bryce felt a little better.  Mike was not a man who ran his mouth all the
time, but when he talked it was worth hearing.

--------------------------------

Aaron woke up from his afternoon sleep to a darkened house.  No one was
around.  There was a note on the table from his mom saying that they had
eaten and were going out to get a jump on Christmas shopping.  She had left
a plate of food for him in the fridge.  All he needed to do was warm it in
the microwave.  They would be home around 9:30.  (Gina figured that time
away from James was part of what Aaron needed to lift his spirits)

It was now 6:30.  Three hours should be enough time.  No sense wasting the
food; it didn't appeal to him at the moment.  Someone could eat it later.
He had used up enough of the world's resources already.  Now that he had
made his decision, he felt at peace for the first time in ages.

>From the back of his underwear drawer, Aaron retrieved the bottle of
anti-depressants that he had been pretending to take.  There should be
plenty.  He rummaged through the fridge for a can of beer.  He had read
somewhere that alcohol would speed up the process.  He had also heard that a
person's bowels let loose when the final moments came.  He didn't want to
leave a mess.

The notes that he wrote were longer than he had intended.  It took several
minutes to write out what he wanted to say.  He wrote a special one for
Bryce and sealed it in an envelope with his name on it.  His mom could be
counted on to deliver it.

Finally, Aaron settled down in the empty bath tub.  (The mess would at least
be in just one, easy to clean place.)  He had put his favorite CD on his
portable boom-box.  Now he was chugging down the pills with the beer.  His
stomach didn't feel very good, but that would not be a problem much longer.
Then he closed his eyes to wait for whatever lay beyond.  Once more, he was
oblivious to the ringing of the phone.

Gina clicked off her cell phone with a worried look on her face.  Something
didn't feel right.

--------------------------------

"Mom, I'm going over to Aaron's house.  I'll be back in a couple of hours,"
Lon called.

"Okay dear, it's nice that you are going to see him.  You guys haven't done
much together lately.  I've missed him this year."

"Yeah, me too."

Lonny let himself in the unlocked kitchen door.  He got no response when he
called out Aaron's name, but he headed toward the source of the music.

Seconds later, Sophie Peters was trying to calm her son enough to make sense
of what he was saying.

"Hold tight, I'll be there in a minute," she assured him.  "Keep his mouth
clear.  Make sure he doesn't choke!"

Sophie had to quickly switch to her nurse mode.  In order to do what was
necessary, she had to block out the fact that this was a kid she loved like
one of her own.  Her training and experience paid off.

The smell of vomit was strong despite the fact that Aaron hadn't eaten in
several hours.  Lonny couldn't take it.  He rushed to the pot and tossed his
dinner.  Sophie didn't let that distract her from her primary duty even
though she wanted to help her son.  Lonny, to his credit, took care of
himself.  He rinsed his mouth and got himself under control quickly.

"I wonder how long it's been since he took these," Sophie said aloud as he
read the label on the pill bottle."

"The CD has been playing only about 20 minutes," Lonny responded.

Lonny's brain was beginning to function again. When it did, he was a good
problem solver.

"Good!  Given the amount he has regurgitated, I think this is going to be
okay."

"Should I call the ambulance?"

"No! We don't want to wait that long.  Get the car keys out of my purse on
the kitchen table at home and bring my car to the front.  Oh, bring my purse
too.  I'm going to see if I can get him to throw up a little more.  When you
get here, we will drive him to the hospital.  Be quick!"

Lonny hurried.  He had only a learner's permit, but he could drive some.
Tonight he had to.

Sophie had the bottle and the notes in her hand as she and her son half
carried, half dragged, the unconscious Aaron to the car.  Sophie sat in the
back seat holding Aaron and directed Lonny to drive carefully to the
hospital.

"Put on the flashers and keep sounding the horn if any one gets in your way.
  Don't go through any red lights until you see that the intersection is
clear.  We don't have time for an accident!  If the police stop you, I'll
deal with them."

Lonny used all the quick reflexes he had gained from sports and video games
as he maneuvered Sophie's big Park Avenue through the streets.  Fortunately,
there was little traffic and few traffic lights to deal with.  Most of those
miraculously turned green at the right time.

At the ER, attendants jumped into action at Sophie's orders.  She quickly
briefed the doctor in charge about what steps she had taken and how long she
estimated that the drugs had been in Aaron's system.  She was near the end
of relaying the information when, Mabel Miner came rushing in.

"This is highly irregular!  We can't admit this boy without someone to
assure us that the bill will be paid."

"Mabel, get the Hell out of our way!  This boy could be dead before we could
locate his parents.  He is my neighbor and his records are on file in our
computer from when he was here recently.  I will personally take
responsibility for him!"

Mabel left in a huff.  Someone had to watch out that the rules were obeyed.
No one else seemed to do that.  Mabel had appointed herself to fill that
need.

--------------------------------

Lonny's brain was still on high alert.  His mom had seen to it that Aaron's
care was under control.  Lon wasn't one to sit with nothing to do.  He
looked up Bryce's number in the phone book in order to place a call.

It didn't take long for Lonny to explain the situation to Bryce.  He was
careful in choosing his words so as not to unduly alarm the kid.  Bryce's
voice sounded unsteady, but he seemed to be rational.

In a very short time, Bryce and his mother were sitting with Lonny waiting
for any news on Aaron's condition.  When Sally excused herself to go to the
restroom, Lonny slipped Bryce the envelope Aaron had left for him.

"I don't know what's in it, but I thought maybe you would like to read it in
private."

Bryce nodded.  Then he headed for the men's room.  Seated inside the locked
stall, he opened the envelope.

"Hey Bryce,
	I don't want you to be sad about what I have done.  It's really better for
everyone.  I did mean it; what I said in my sleep.  I'm sorry, I know that
you are straight and it must have been awful to hear me say that I love you.
  I hope you have a good life.  Tell Mom that I want you to have my model
cars.  I know that you thought they were cool.
	You have been a good friend.  If there is anything beyond life, I hope to
see you again in a few decades.  Don't hurry on my account.

Love,
Aaron."


Lonny heard the sobbing when he went in to check on Bryce.

"Come on out.  He's evidently out of danger and I think they are going to
move him to a room now."

Bryce came out.  He looked so distraught that Lonny decided not to do what
Jennifer would have considered the manly thing (in other words nothing), but
instead he enveloped the weeping boy in his strong young arms.  As a result,
he ended up with dampness on his shirt and warmth in his chest.  It felt
kind of nice.

"I love him so much," Bryce cried. "How could he do this?"

"I love him too," Lon replied.

Then realizing how Bryce must have meant it, he added:

"He's like a brother to me -- has been since we learned to walk."

--------------------------------

Aaron was now convinced that there is an after-life.  Through the slits of
his eyelids, he saw a mocha-colored angel.  But the angel was dressed in a
flannel shirt and jeans.  No matter, he was beautiful!

Other faces began to come into focus.  Most of them were friendly.  Then,
Aaron saw his father's scowl.  He closed his eyes firmly as if to block out
what he didn't want to deal with.

Aaron heard Bryce's soft voice whispering in his ear:

"I love you too, Aaron."

Aaron smiled in spite of himself.

James and Gina were just close enough to overhear the words and see the
smile.

Gina pulled James out into the hall before he could make a scene in the
room.  Of course he was plenty loud.  No one in the entire ward could miss
his what he said.

"That's disgusting!  No son of mine..."

"That's right!  He's not your son anymore!" Gina cut him off mid-sentence.

Gina whipped out her cell phone and hit the speed-dial number for her
lawyer.

"Sorry to bother you at home, Charles.  I know you weren't planning to work
tomorrow, but could you go ahead and file those papers?  Great!  Yes, I'm
sure."

Then, turning to her husband, she said:

"You will need to find a place to sleep from now on because you are not
spending another minute in my house!"

Mabel Miner came around the corner to investigate the ruckus just in time to
see James slap Gina across the face.  Her call to security was one of the
few good things she had done in her short tenure.

"You, sir, are a bully and an abuser.  I will not tolerate that in MY
hospital!"

Mabel was on a roll.  Being already pissed at how things were going that
evening, she dressed James down in no uncertain terms until security came to
take him away in handcuffs.

--------------------------------

Back in the room, Aaron had mixed feelings.  He guessed that he was glad to
be alive, but he felt like he had destroyed his family.  It was obvious that
his mother was divorcing his father.  Aaron felt guilty.  To top it off, his
stomach felt like someone had stomped on it.

On the other hand, Bryce had said: "I love you."  Wow, that was the best
thing he could have heard.  Lonny was there on the other side of him holding
his hand.  His two favorite guys were there for him.  He had a reason to
live.

It was beyond visiting hours; the adults began to gather their things to
leave.  Lon and Bryce were not making any move to do so.  They insisted that
they were spending the night.  Despite the half-hearted pleas of parents,
the boys were resolute.

"I'm not going anywhere," Bryce insisted.  "They will have to drag me out
screaming and kicking!"

Lonny agreed.  He was not moving either!

Ms. Miner came in to remind the crowd that visiting hours were long past.
When she overheard the boys' plans, she balked.  Having teens stay the night
against the rules.  Sophie challenged her; Mabel backed off.

"Okay, I know, you will take responsibility."

"Now you are reading me loud and clear, lady," Sophie smiled.

Gina wanted to stay with her son, but she knew he would be happier to have
his buddies watch over him.  She had two more at home that needed her as
well now that she had sent James packing.

Actually, the presence of the two teens in Aaron's room saved the hospital
some hassle too.  He had been placed on suicide watch, but since he had two
companions, it was not necessary to check that often.  After the adults
left, the boys spent a while talking.

"I heard about what you did, Lon.  I guess I owe you.  But I wonder if it
would have been better if you had just let me die."

"No way!" Bryce insisted.  "I will thank him forever for not letting you go.
  I love you.  I mean it!  You are precious to me just like Jennifer is to
Lon.

"Well, maybe that's not a good example," Lonny grinned.  "I broke up with
that bitch this afternoon.  As far as I am concerned, she can get fucked --
but not by ME!"

The three guys giggled.

Pretty soon, a cute nurse came in to make sure they were going to get some
sleep.  After Aaron told her that Lon had lost his dinner, she went off to
make him some toast.  A few minutes later, she returned with the toast,
chips, juice, and some crackers for the boys.  She had brothers of her own
who were about that age.  She knew that they were perpetually hungry.  Aaron
felt hungry too, but the thought of food made his stomach churn.  He sipped
a little water while the others snacked.

When the sofa bed in Aaron's room had been pulled out, Lon and Bryce lay
down together to sleep.  The nurse had pulled two pillows and a blanket from
the cupboard.  It wasn't the Marriot, but it would do.

Aaron was sleepy, but stayed awake until his friends' breathing patterns
changed.  His eyes filled with tears.  He loved them both.  Yes, he still
loved Lonny, but now it was more like a brother.  Lon was straight, but
seemed to be understanding.  He seemed like his old self.  Aaron's best
friend was back!  And Aaron had someone new in his life whom he loved and
who loved him in return.

--------------------------------

Rusty and Bobby were spending the holiday with Bobby's mother, Linda.  They
had invited Helen to come for dinner and she had accepted.  Her divorce from
Rusty's father was final and she had been thinking that she would be alone
on Thanksgiving.  She was delighted to be included in the extended family.

On Tuesday night, Bobby's mother was off to play bingo.  She had told the
boys that she would not be too late so they had better not make love where
she would be likely to see them.  Both boys blushed, but appreciated the
`heads-up.'

They were making out in the living room when they heard the noise that made
them think she had cut her outing very short.  But instead of Bobby's
mother, they found themselves face to face with Ted brandishing a small
hand-gun.

"You two queers are coming with me.  We have a score to settle," he hissed
through his wired jaw.  "Donny has my car out front waiting to take you to
our old barn out in the country."

Bobby figured that Ted couldn't keep the same gun on both of them.  If they
could get separated enough, one of them distract him and the other could
take him.  If they were driven to the isolated farm building, there would be
less hope of escaping unharmed.

Ted wasn't the sharpest knife in the drawer, but he knew enough to keep his
victims in line.

"Any false move and Rusty gets it!" he said.

Bobby looked behind Ted.

"Mom, don't be crazy.  Get out while you can and call the police!"

Ted snickered.  "You don't expect me to fall for that old line.  I've seen
too many movies."

"Want to be your pair on that?" came Linda's soft female voice behind him.

At the same moment, Ted felt the presence of cold metal in the lower part of
the crack of his butt.

"You wouldn't pull the trigger," Ted laughed nervously.

"You want to bet the left one or the right?  Of course at this range I can't
guarantee that I won't take out both.  Now, hand the gun to Bobby very
slowly, butt first."

Ted did as he was told.  The steel in Linda's voice was as cold as the
barrel of the rifle she held.

"Gee, Mom, I had no idea you would be home this early, but I am thankful
that you are!" Bobby exclaimed.

"Well, luck was against me, so I gave up.  I don't part with money easily.
Hmm, maybe there was a reason that I wasn't winning tonight."

"Linda, you are terrific!  I can't believe what you just did.  You've got
bigger balls than any of us!" Rusty exclaimed proudly.

"Well, I can't have anyone hurting my boys," she replied.  "I do run a
pretty good bluff if I say so myself.  I'm not sure this old thing is even
loaded after all these year."

As she said that, she dropped the gun, butt first, into the corner of the
kitchen.  The resultant blast and small hole in the ceiling laid to rest any
doubts that the rifle had live ammo.

Rusty, Bobby, and Linda all jumped.  Ted fainted dead away.  Outside, they
could hear the screech of tires from a car speeding from the site.

____________________________________________________________________

Author's note:  Aaron was slated to die.  I had planned his memorial
service, but Lon came along and saved his life.  It's funny how characters
sometimes have lives of their own or how some unseen hand seems to guide
things.

I recently heard statistics that show suicide as the third leading cause of
teen deaths.  I think that among gay teens it is probably higher.  It is
hard to know for sure because when they are gone, in many cases, we can't
know if they were gay.  Please be kind to anyone who is down.  Please be
supportive.  But if you fail to save a life, don't feel guilty.  Sometimes
we just can't.  At least try to be a loving, non-judgmental friend.  We can
all use those!  And, as they say: what goes around comes around.

David

PS: I highly recommend Kit's story: Not Always Easy (now in revision).  I
have started reading his more recent one: "Tapping" and find myself totally
enthralled.  I think you will enjoy them too.  If so, please write Kit to
tell him.

Also, thanks for the recent email from faithful readers like "Ghost", Gary,
Richard, Tony, Paul, and Dave.  (I don't want to identify you enough to out
you if you aren't out, but you know who you are!)  And, special recognition
to new responders: Duke from Texas, Matt, Tom from Scotland, and Dean from
Denver.  No, Tommy, I didn't forget you.  Tink says thanks for the clap!
(Wait, that doesn't sound right!)  We all need people to believe in us.

One more bit.  Dave wrote to say that his surgery for lung cancer was
successful!  He is one that I asked you to think of and pray for.  I wish
him continued recovery.

dlee