Date: Thu, 23 Oct 2014 10:02:31 -0500
From: Naked Guy <ihateclothes@gmail.com>
Subject: Life of a Twisted Twin Part 5

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Life of a Twisted Twin Part 5

(Fiction/fantasy, teen romance, incest)

It was hard to concentrate at work after the disturbing experience at
JJ's house.  I half-ass and hurriedly did my work.  When my manager
inspected the aisles I worked on, he found a lot of stuff for me to
redo.

"It's not like you, Johnson." he said.

"Yes sir, I'm just not feeling good."

I made a gesture like my stomach was bothering me.

"Well, thanks for hanging in there until your shift was over."

I just nodded and went to the time clock and keyed my employee number
to log out.  Well, I didn't totally lie.  I did feel sick over what
I'd overheard at JJ's the night before.  The experience played over
and over in my head.  I felt really bad for him.

I walked out to my car and it was misty and cool.  I turned on my
windshield wipers after the engine started.  I took a detour on my way
home and passed JJ's house.  The moisture hanging in the air gave his
house a haunted look--it looked more dismal than ever.  I didn't see
him around anywhere.  I wondered if he was in his miserable room.

I couldn't run around too long because Jeff needed the car earlier
than usual that day.  I sped home and got there before he had to
leave.  After he left, I went outside and let the dogs out to run
around in the yard.  They ran in circles and I played with them in the
wet grass and dirt.  Each time I sat on the ground, both Thelma and
Louise smothered me with licks and jumped all over me.  Their innocent
and unconditional love warmed me despite the chilly temperature.
After they tired, I got out a brush and gave them each a good going
over inside their pen area.

I was quite dirty when I went inside, so I went straight to the shower
and took a good long hot one.  As I washed my hair, I thought about JJ
again.  I wondered why his mom was such a cunt.  I thought about my
own mom and how I missed her.  I thought it was better to have a mom
like her for only a small part of my life than to have one like his
for any duration.

I got out of the shower and dried off.  I wasn't hungry at all, so I
went to my room and went to bed.  I wanted to talk to someone about my
experience.  Jeff was at work, but I didn't feel like telling him
about JJ anyway.  I remembered how he'd told me after the Antonio
incident that I didn't have to hide anything from him.  I thought
about calling Dean and telling him the horror story of the night
before, but decided to tell no one.

- - -

I didn't see JJ at lunch on Monday.  I was hoping to talk to him.  I
figured he'd want to apologize for standing me up...but I couldn't find
him anywhere.  I bought a few dinner rolls and chocolate milk in the
cafeteria.  I ate and walked around the school campus hoping to see
him, but I didn't.  When I got to my gym class, he was there.  I
wondered if he'd purposely avoided me or if I didn't find him anywhere
by chance.

During P.E. Class, Coach Martinez had us playing basketball indoors.
Most everyone sat bored while we rotated off and on the court.  I
tried to "accidentally" sit near JJ.  He nodded hello but said
nothing.

When the guys sitting between us got up to play their turn, he spoke.

"Sorry I didn't make it last night...but I had no way to call you.  Our
home phone's been turned off for some time anyway."

"It's cool," I said. "I waited for a bit then headed on."

I lied, but didn't want to make a huge deal of it.  The coach called
up the last of us half of us played against the other.  JJ half-ass
played or pretended to.  I began to realize he didn't know the game at
all really.  He looked more tired than before and looked relieved when
we returned to the stands.

"When can I see you again?" I asked.  "Can I take you out tonight?"

Before he could answer, the last guys who were playing returned to
bench behind us and began gabbing and JJ got paranoid and stopped
talking.  The coach dismissed us to go to the locker rooms and dress.
We lagged behind everyone.  Discreetly, I spoke to him again.

"Don't you want another 'Grade A' blowjob?" I practically whispered.

His face went bright red and he casually looked around to see if
anyone was nearby.

"That was really hot the other night.  I don't think I can tonight.
My mom will be home."

He still looked around to see if anyone was listening or watching us.

"Well, let's go hit a movie or just go hang someplace...we can just go
walk around at the mall even."

The bell rang throughout the building.

"Okay...that's cool.  What time?" he asked.

"How about six thirty?  I've got track practice today for an hour."

"Sounds good...I'll wait outside by the curb."

Some of my friends rushed up beside me clowning around as we entered
the locker room, so I didn't get to say more to him.  I went to the
water fountain and refilled a bottle.   Jeff came into the locker room
and greeted the other guys who were hanging around for football or
track practice.  He stripped totally naked and then put his jock,
shorts, shoes, and sweatshirt on.  There was lots of chatter in the
room as guys came and went.  I got out into the gym to begin my
stretches and waited for practice to begin.

- - -

After practice, I drove home with Jeff.  As we got home, I told him I
had plans with some of the guys and was heading back out later.  He
didn't ask any questions, so I said nothing else about it.  I made
everyone sandwiches and did the small amount of homework I had.  I
told dad I was going to meet friends at the mall for an hour or two
and I'd be home before ten.  He was cool with it.

Dad never kept us from going out or running around after school.  He
only got pissed if we came home too late.  Our weekday curfew was ten
o'clock sharp.  So, I wanted to get to JJ's as soon as possible so we
could make the most of the short amount of time left of the evening.

When I got to JJ's place, he was at the curb just as he said he would
be.  My dick hardened at the sight of him standing there.  He was in a
dark t-shirt with an unbuttoned brown and blue plaid flannel shirt.
He had on his usual relaxed fit jeans and black Sketchers.  I noticed
that his demeanor changed when he looked up and realized it was my car
driving up beside him.  He smiled.

Once in my car, we decided to head to the mall to see if there was a
good movie playing.   He was kind of quiet during the drive as I was
doing most of the talking.  We just talked about school being boring
that day and stuff.  Soon after parking, we walked up to the theatre
ticket booth and read the times.  None of them were early enough for
us to see them and allow for me to get home on time.  We settled for a
walk in the mall.

I was never one to go through stores at the mall unless they sold
electronics, gadgets, cool t-shirts, skateboard stuff, etc.  I didn't
actually enjoy "shopping".  To me, that was a chick thing.  However,
as we walked around idly in the mall, I was surprised to see JJ
peeping into some of them but hesitating to go in.  When he did it
again, I walked directly into the store so he would follow me inside
it.

The first one was a clothing store.  Like I said, boring to me unless
there were some bad ass shirts, shorts, or something related to my
interests.  JJ looked at some Polo shirts that looked generic and
plain to me but were very expensive.  He held one up to him and the
basic stripes and colors favored him.  He walked over to a glass
display which had cool cross pendants and tribal looking bracelets.  I
had to admit many of those were cool.  They looked like stuff Dean and
Dave wore.

The next store was a bigger surprise.  He walked over to a watch
counter and was fascinated by one in particular.  It was just a watch
to me.  I never bothered with wearing watches because gadgets like an
MP3 player or cell phone had the time on it.  Watches seemed a waste
of money to me, but the watch he looked at made his face light up.  He
was so impressed with it.

Just after we left that store, he said he had to take a piss.  I ran
back to the last store and asked the gal at the counter what the price
was.  I was stunned that it cost two hundred dollars.  I told her
thank you and walked hurriedly back to the bench where he left me.
When he came out, I pretended to be checking texts on my phone as if
I'd never walked off.

We spent the rest of the hour "window shopping" and saying we wanted
this or that.  He was more focused on basic things like shirts and
shoes where I was excitedly looking at computer games, laptops,
stereos, etc.  I made him blush several times when we were on a
clothing aisle and no one could see below our waists.  I grabbed his
ass or crotch a few times.  It embarrassed him, but he didn't tell me
to stop.  I got hard and had to pull my shirt down to cover it up.

We settled down at the food court and I bought us some slices of
pizza.  I hoped we could talk about something dirty at a table in the
corner.  I'd become very horny after being with him for the past hour
or so.  After I paid for our food and drinks, we walked over to an
empty table.  Just then, some irritating girls sat down at the table
opposite us.  The four of them giggled and laughed.  I was very
irritated.  I rolled my eyes and asked him if he wanted to move.

"They don't bother me.  I'm used to blocking out stuff." he said.

I didn't ask him to elaborate, but I suspected he was referring to his
home life.

"You're not kind of flattered?  I know you're not into pussy and shit,
but it must be nice to have so many people noticing you."

"What?" I said with a full mouth of food.

"Girls talk about you at school all the time.  They think you're (in a
girly voice) 'cute but really shy'.  If only they knew you just wanted
a cock down your throat."

His comment made me laugh and I spitted a chunk of pizza onto the
table by accident.  That made us both start laughing hard.  I slowly
recovered and managed to finish my pizza without choking on it.  His
pizza was gone way before I had spit that piece out.  I liked the way
he looked at me sheepishly when I made eye contact.  I wanted to pull
his face to mine and lay a big kiss on him.  I fancied the thought of
kissing a dude at the busy mall food court.  Wouldn't that have been a
scandal!

The rest of our table conversation was basic.  No big secrets were
discussed and there was no sex talk...just regular talk.  Which was
good--I was getting to know him slowly.  His moods were quite complex
at school, but one on one he was very likeable.  I forgave him for the
past right then and there as we finished our food.   When we stood up,
I was able to fully recognize just one of the girls at the table.  I
nodded hello and she smiled--no reason to be unfriendly just because I
wasn't attracted to her.  As we walked away, there was more irritating
and shrill giggling.  I was so over females.

We left the mall and I drove him back home.  I didn't get to have sex
with him, but right before he got out of the car we kissed.  My second
outing with JJ had been successful.  I drove home quickly and jacked
off immediately.   In the afterglow of my date and self made orgasm, I
slowly dozed off into a peaceful sleep.

- - -

The next day at school started normally, but my day turned sour as
lunch started.   While waiting for Jeff to enter the cafeteria, I
looked at the menu posted on a dry erase board.  Just as I stepped up
to get in line, Jeff came storming in with four guys following him.
Jeff was cussing up a storm and the guys with him were shaking his
head.

"What's going on?" I asked as he stopped.

"That fucking asshole again!"

While we all stood in line and ordered our food from the cafeteria
ladies, he quickly told me of an altercation he had with of all
people...JJ.  JJ had told Eddie Robertson, a dude in a wheel chair, to
get the fuck out of his way and then insulted him further about his
disability.  Jeff heard it and took up for Eddie.  JJ and Jeff got
into a yelling match in the hall before the janitor came by and broke
it up.  Luckily no teachers were around or they would have both been
sent to the principal's office.  At least Jeff had been cool-headed
enough to not strike JJ.

On the other side, I was feeling a little defensive for JJ.  Only I
knew what he went through on a daily basis at home.  I didn't comment
on Jeff's story much at all except for saying an occasional, "wow".
The other guys were egging him on saying how he should have punched
JJ's other eye so that he'd have a matching set!

Once at the table, I didn't talk at all.  I had gone from being elated
from my "date" with JJ to being upset over his behavior in just
minutes.  I'd corner him and bitch him out in P.E. later that day.

- - -

When I got to the locker room, he was there and already in his workout
clothes.  Today was going to be more boring basketball.  I liked
watching the game on TV, but playing it in the gymnasium was not too
exciting.  I sat in the stands right next to JJ without caring what
anyone thought.  He seemed a little surprised and looked around us to
see if anyone was even watching.

"We're friends, so I'm going to sit right next to you and not care
what anyone thinks." I said in a low voice.

"Cool." he said.

Then I turned around and spoke to him face to face.

"Dude, what are doing fucking with a dude in a wheelchair?  A fucking
Wheelchair, man?"

He shrugged his shoulders.

"He got in my way and almost ran over my damn foot!"

"Then tell him to steer clear and tell him what he did...but you don't
have to be such a butthole about it!"

He just looked down and said nothing.

"Nothing?" I said.  "You don't think you were wrong at all?"

He just looked up at me with that melancholy look and then down again.
Before I could bitch at him any more, the coach called us to play.
Irritated with him, I dribbled around him and played in a manner that
made him look ridiculous--I exposed that he didn't really know the
game at all.  Some of the guys were laughing their ass off at him.
Then Coach blew the whistle and we walked off the court.

"How does that make you feel?" I said behind him.

"Point taken, dude." he mumbled.

Coach dismissed us and JJ walked far ahead of me to get his stuff and
go.  One of the other guys patted me on the back as if congratulating
me.

"Way to go man...you put that guy out on Front Street!" he said.

I turned to him and gave him my best "go to hell" glare and his face
turned serious as he walked off quickly.  I didn't get any
satisfaction from making JJ look like a dork, but he deserved it.  I
wanted him to know how he probably made others feel.  I grabbed my
things and headed out to the car.  It was my turn to drive, but Jeff
was already there.  I unlocked the car and slid into the driver's
seat.

"Man, I wanted to beat that son of a bitch today..."

His rant went on an on as he recapped it for the third time and added
comments from all his friends.

"OKAY! SHUT UP!" I yelled.

He looked shocked.  Stunned, he turned to face me.

"You have a bad day bro?

"Yeah, kind of." I said flatly.

"Okay, I'll chill..."

That was my brother for you.  He knew when to back off.  I loved him
for that.  I wanted so badly to confess that I was falling for the guy
he wanted to beat up that day.  I was crushing on the dude that
everyone at school was beginning to hate.  The conflicting emotions
ate at me.  Worse thing...I had no one to talk to about it.

- - -

JJ was standoffish the rest of the week and said little in P.E. Class.
I was still kind of mad at him anyway.   In a roundabout way, he
apologized to the wheelchair guy in front of me.  JJ was behind me and
tapped me on the shoulder as we walked to our next class.   I turned
around and saw it was JJ, but he didn't look at me.  Instead, he
walked straight to Eddie who was driving his motorized wheelchair up
ahead.  I walked faster to see what he was going to do.  He walked up
close to Eddie and followed along side the chair.

"That was uncalled for from me...my bad dude!"

Eddie stopped his chair and looked surprised, JJ walked on.  I felt
touched but the gesture, but I wondered if it was done for my sake
only--was he really sorry he insulted Eddie?  Either way, it gave JJ
points with me.  I knew what I was going to do because of it.

- - -

Immediately after school, Jeff and I stopped at our jobs and got our
paychecks.  I cashed mine there at the store as he did the same at
Wal-Mart.  After we got home, I took the rest of my savings and headed
to the mall.

An hour later, I was at JJ's place.  I hoped his mom wasn't home--I
didn't hear her before knocking.  He was surprised when he came to the
door and saw me standing there unannounced.  He was a million more
times surprised to open up the bag I handed him--it was the $200
watch.

He pulled me into the house and hugged me hard.  He didn't do any
kissing; he just hugged me in a tight bear hug until I told him I
couldn't breathe.  He put it on and it looked great on him.  It fitted
perfectly.  He didn't ask me why I did it or question anything.  He
just accepted the gift and was flabbergasted.

"This is so fucking awesome man...you're too much!  This watch is bad ass!"

He went to the bathroom and looked at the watch on himself in the
cracked wall mirror.   His face was the happiest I'd seen it.  It was
like he was another person.  He hugged me again but told me his mother
was on her way home.

"Your mom doesn't let you have friends over?" I asked.

I knew he wasn't "out" to his mom, but surely she didn't care if
regular friends came over.

"Well, she's not the friendliest person at times.  Embarrassing
actually.  It ain't so much that I can't have friends over, I don't
want friends to be around her."

I didn't push it any further.

"Okay, well I enjoyed seeing you," I said.

I put my arms around him and we kissed for a couple of minutes.

"Curt...I really like you."

My dick started growing.

"I like you a lot!"

I smiled so big...it was just what I wanted to hear for days!

"Please tell me you have time for me to suck you off again!" I begged.

"Okay, but hurry man."

I told him to sit on the couch.  It fiercely creaked when he sat down on it.

"Pull your pants down dude!"

He complied.  He was already totally hard.  I went all the way down on
him and he moaned.  My nose pressed into his gamy pubic bush and I
inhaled deeply.  I sucked him quickly and deeply while he moaned even
louder.  After some time of bobbing up and down, I jacked him and
sucked on his balls.  That brought him to the edge.  When I felt his
thighs tense up, I went back down on him and sucked while I jacked the
lower half of his dick.  My other hand grabbed his balls.  He started
cumming and this time I let it collect on my tongue.

When he was done, I pulled off and let him zip up quickly.  He
immediately looked tense again and said that I'd better go.  I nodded
and kissed him on the side of the face.  As I ran out to my car, I
rubbed the jizz around in my mouth to savor its essence.  My nose and
face retained the scent of his balls and bush.  I smiled at the
thought of bringing some of him home with me.

- - -

On Monday, I noticed that JJ didn't wear his watch.  I asked him about
it and he said that he took it off for gym class.  It made sense.  For
most of the class he was acted kind of gloomy again.

"I really didn't deserve it.  You shouldn't have spent so much money on me."

The locker room filled and we couldn't speak candidly anymore, but I
didn't pretend to "not talk" to him.  Coach told us to work out in the
weight room that day, so I asked JJ to join me in my routine like we
did during detention.

"Folks are gonna look at us weird," he said.

"Are you embarrassed to be friends with me?" I asked.  "Or do you
think they will think we're gay because we're talking?"

He shrugged his shoulders.

"They probably will think we're gay if you clam up every time someone
comes near us.  Just act natural and workout with me, cool?"

"Okay man,"' he said.

As we worked out, no on really paid attention.  We didn't chat a lot,
we just worked out.  I spotted for him in the free weights section
when he did some chest presses.  He did the same for me.  I caught our
coach's expression in the reflection of the large, mirrored wall.  He
was apparently beaming with pride over having made the two of us
becomes buddies.  If only hew knew what he really had instigated.

The rest of the week was the same during school--no new drama.  I
openly talked to JJ in P.E. but not about anything private.  In the
locker room, I did ask when we could hang out again and he said he
wasn't sure.  I wasn't in a hurry anymore...I knew I had myself a new
boyfriend.

- - -

Jeff had been preoccupied in the evenings with the laptop.  I found
him several times jacking off on cam with other dudes.  I got tired of
him hogging my internet time, so I told him to ease up on it.

"Dude, why don't you just go find a real guy to mess around with?" I complained.

"I don't wanna get wrapped up on all that back and forth emailing shit
just trying to hook up.  The last time I tried it, the guy flaked out
and wasn't home when I went over.'

"He probably didn't answer after seeing you through the window--didn't
know you were high school age.  You should look for someone our age,
not those 'twenty something' dudes." I suggested.

"Well, guys our age are so fickle or mommy and daddy are always home.
I don't want to waste time; I just want to get off.  There's too much
drama in trying to meet up."

"Come on, here...let's look."

I picked up the laptop and looked at the chat buds he had jacked with
online.  On his chat website, it showed about thirty guys he'd chatted
with and chosen as "favorites".

"Look, two of these guys are from Texas...one says 'DFW' area.  Why
don't you hook up with him?  You've already met online...he's seen your
'work'.  Although, he's sort of nerdy."

"Hey now, he looks nerdy there, but when he gets naked and those
glasses go off...he's smokin' hot!" he said defensively.

"Well, then hit him up.  Go meet him.  You two could have real sex." I said.

Well, he did just that.  After a few emails, we discovered the nerd
guy lived less than thirty minutes away.  They chatted some more
online and then Jeff called him.  They talked for nearly two hours on
the phone.  I kept hearing Jeff say, "Oh man, me too...that's so cool!"
I have no idea what it was about.  After they got off the phone, he
was beaming.

The chat guy agreed to have Jeff drive over Sunday afternoon.  Between
their schedules, that was the best time for them to meet.  His name
was Alex and he lived alone.  He was nineteen and a student at the
neighboring university.  He lived in a dorm but was currently without
a roommate.

Jeff talked about nothing else all weekend.  I was soon sick of
hearing about it.  He even told dad about it--and dad just told him to
be careful and to not fuck without a condom!   I hoped it would work
out so Jeff would get it out of his system and shut up about it.

- - -

Saturday night was rough at work after two guys didn't show up.  The
rest of team bore the brunt of their work.  Even my manager rolled up
his sleeves and was seen stocking with us (which made me respect him
even more).  I worked really hard.  During our break, I suggested to
the guys we take a specific approach to knock out the remainder the
work.  It was very easy to convince those guys...surprisingly because I
was the youngest of them all.  My tip worked and we finished on time.
On my way out, my boss told me I showed a knack for leadership.  I
felt really good about that.

When I finally got home and ate, I was totally exhausted.  I lay on my
bed and didn't remember anything else happening until I woke up by the
front door being slammed shut.  I lazily got up to see what it was--it
was Jeff.  I looked at the clock and it was a little more than an hour
after he was supposed to have met up with Alex.  I opened his door and
began to speak.

"Hey bro, how did it go--?"

"Get the fuck out!" he yelled.

I was taken aback at his shouting.

"Close the fucking door and get out!"

I quickly did as he said.  I figured that his date must have gone
really bad.  I went on to the living room and dad was dozing on the
couch.  He sat up and rubbed his eyes when I opened the refrigerator.

"You mean the fridge wakes you up but all his noise didn't?" I said to dad.

I poured myself some Mountain Dew into a large glass full of ice.

"Well, yeah...I heard the door slamming--who couldn't.  What's wrong
with your brother?"

"I don't know dad.  He just came home, slammed his door, and told me
to fuck off."

"Well, if he won't talk to you about it he certainly isn't going to
tell me." he said.

I nodded in agreement.  He rubbed his eyes some more and stood up.  He
grabbed his jeans from his chair and slid them on.

"I need to get off my ass and get to the hardware store.  The bolt in
the gate is about to fall off.   Maybe you can talk to him after I
leave."

"Okay dad."

I went back to his door and knocked.  He just yelled at me to go
away...so I did.  Just then, I heard someone driving in through the
window.  I figured dad forgot something and was returning.  I saw it
was Dean's car instead.  I didn't know he was coming over.   It was
cold out, but I stepped out naked anyway to greet him.  He was at the
dog's pen petting them through the chain link fencing.

"Hey what's up?" he said to me.

He got up and walked over to me and gave me a quick hug.  He looked
really cute with a fresh haircut and dye job.  He always looked good.

"Well, Jeff just came home after he was supposed to hook up with some
dude he met online.  He won't talk to anyone and is in a really shitty
mood."

As we walked into the house, I filled Dean in on who Alex was and how
they'd met online.

"Well, let me go try..."

"Okay, but be prepared to be run out of there!"

Dean remained composed and just smiled.  I went back to my room and
closed the door as he went to Jeff's door.

"Hey dude, it's me.  What's up?"

I heard nothing.  Dean didn't wait for an answer and just opened the
door and went in.  He closed it behind him.  Very quietly, I opened my
door and tip toed to Jeff's door and squatted on the carpet.

"Curt said you're in a piss poor mood.  Wanna talk about it?"

I was waiting for Jeff to tell him to leave, but he didn't.   I heard
Jeff tell Dean in a short version of the story of how he was supposed
to go meet Alex.

"Well so, what happened?"

It was silent for a minute and then Jeff sniffed (was he crying?) and spoke.

"He...he told me I stink!"

"What?  He didn't like they way you sucked his dick or?"

"NO! NO!  He told me I stunk...as in funky smellin'!"

I bit my fist and tried to not burst out laughing.  Dean remained cool.

"So tell me in detail what happened." Dean said.

Jeff began telling him what had occurred.   Jeff showed up and he and
the guy seemed to be very comfortable.  They chatted for a few and
then stripped naked.   When they started kissing, Alex froze up and
moved away.  He told Jeff that he wasn't comfortable and that he
should leave.  Jeff was confused and asked him why.  Then he told him
that he stunk.  Jeff immediately dressed and hurried home.  Dean
listened without any comments until the end.  I put my ear to the door
so that I could hear better.

"Show me what you were wearing," Dean said.

I'm guessing Jeff pointed to the clothes in the floor.  I heard Dean
get up and rustle the clothes.

"When did you wash these jeans last dude?" he asked. "They're sort of rank."

"I don't remember." Jeff answered.

"Have you bathed since you got home from your date?"

"No."

I tried to look under the gap under the door and I saw Dean's shoes
next to Jeff's feet.

"What are you doing." he protested.

"Just stay still," he ordered.

"Get your face out of my hair, man!" Jeff complained.

"Well, it's official," Dean said.  "You do stink dude."

"Get out of here!" Jeff yelled.

I was rolling on the floor trying not to be heard.  It was painful to
hold the laughs in.

"Seriously man, listen.  When you go hook up or go on a date, it's
best to fully shower, wash your hair, and wear totally clean clothes.
Remember you making fun of me washing my stuff all the time?"

"So what?  I didn't see you complain when you ate out Dave's stinkin'
pits or his dirty ass!  I've seen you sniff everyone's socks around
here!"

"Hey man...just because all of us here like funky man smells doesn't
mean everyone does.   Why do think I freshen up when I got to work or
go out?  Most people prefer that...and sometimes cologne.  I think you
got too used to what we've done around home and accepted that as
normal.  I bet if you tell that guy you just didn't have time to
shower and try to meet up again, he'll be cool with it.  Give him a
chance--if you think he's worth it."

I didn't hear a reply from Jeff.

"Curt, are you done listening out there?" Dean said through the door.

I bolted up and hopped into my room and closed the door quietly--but I
was still busted.

- - -

Dean came out of Jeff's room and hung out watching TV with me until
Dad got back.  Apparently, he'd just come by to visit after a rehab
meeting (he was now actively helping others). Little did he know he'd
get wrapped up into my brother's drama.  By the time dad got home,
Jeff came out and acted like nothing ever happened.  When dad asked
Jeff what he was mad about, I was about to blurt it out.  Dean looked
at me and shook his head, so I closed my mouth.

"Nothing dad...just a bad day."

Dean stayed another hour and left.  I followed him out to his car to
say goodbye.  He was very cool to have been there for Jeff like that.
Seeing him in that different light, I got a quick urge to blurt out
about my relationship with JJ.  Just before he opened the car door, I
turned chicken shit and didn't say a word except, "Take it easy
dude!".  I watched him drive off and disappear into the trees toward
the gate.   I thought if Dean and Dave could last, then surely I could
get along with JJ.

- - -

Monday came again.  When I didn't see JJ in P.E., I didn't think much
about it.  He probably stayed home sick or something.   It was the
same scenario on Tuesday.  Wednesday and Thursday--no JJ.  I decided
to go to his house Thursday evening to check on him.  I imagined all
kinds of things:  he was sick at home with the flu, he was in an
accident, etc.  After we ate supper, I told everyone I was meeting
guys at the mall arcade.

I hadn't really done the arcade thing since I was much younger, but no
one raised an eyebrow.  I headed straight to JJ's house.  Upon
arriving, I parked across the street and noticed a truck in the
driveway.  I stayed in my car and pondered the thought of going up to
the door.  I toyed with the idea of sneaking up to his window and
lightly knocking.

Just then, his mother and some sleazy looking bald guy came outside
and got into the truck.  I turned off my ignition and sat still.  His
mother had badly dyed red hair and too much make-up.  Her face looked
gaunt and hateful--even when she smiled at the man with her.   The
truck backed out frantically and peeled out as it switched out of
reverse and sped away.

I got out and walked quickly to the door.  I knocked and knocked but
heard nothing.  I walked off of the creaking and slanted porch and
into the piles of dead leaves.  When I reached JJ's window, I knocked
hard.  After knocking again, I saw his fingers poke through the
mangled blinds.  I saw enough of his face to see that him nod and
motion toward the back door.  I walked through even deeper leaves and
tripped on some dead vines.  I got to the back door and it opened
before I could touch it.

"Come in" he said.

His eyes were red and puffy.  I saw duct tape wrapped around the side
of the refrigerator where he or someone had tried to repair it after
the argument with his mom.   A smell of greasy food and mildew filled
the air.  A pile of clean dishes sat in a rack that was rusted where
the plastic covering had broken off.  The floor creaked horribly as we
walked to his room.

"Are you okay dude?  You don't look good." I told him.  "You been sick, huh?"

He wiped his eyes with the bottom of his holy t-shirt.

"I'm cool.  What brings you over?"

I was almost pissed at his question.

"You dude...you.  I missed seeing you all week.  Where have you been?"

He sat down on the edge of his mattress.

"I wasn't up for school.  I just can't take that place anymore.  I
can't take this place anymore."

I sat down on the mattress and my butt felt something hard under the
sheet.  Before I could ask him what he meant by his last comment, I
stuck my hand under the sheet and pulled it out.  I felt like someone
had just backhanded me across the face when I saw it.  In my hand was
the watch I had bought him, but it was smashed.

"What the fuck?" I said.

He tried to grab it from me but I was too fast.

"Speak man!" I shouted.

"That's what I'm talking about!"

He got up and walked to the far wall and hit it hard with his fist.  A
small dent was made in the sheetrock.

"My mom broke it!  She found it and asked where I had stolen it from.
I couldn't tell her a guy gave it to me!"

His voice broke upon that last word.

"She wanted to know and I told her I bought it.   She knew I was
lying.  I tried to grab it from her and she flung it hard on the floor
and stomped it.  She said, 'See how you like that stolen watch
now--you retard'."

I was speechless.  He was crying and his hand shook as he reached out
for the watch again.  I slowly put it in his hand and he grabbed it
back.  He held it against his fist and looked me straight in the eye.

"You're the first person that ever gave me anything...anything!"

I grabbed him hard and he sobbed on my shoulder.  I wanted to take him
away from all his misery and drive him straight to my house.  He
moaned as I pulled him tighter...it was just too gut-wrenching to listen
to.

"Come home with me dude...please.  Just leave this place and come with me."

We packed up his books, radio, and clothes and took them out to the
car.  It was everything he owned except for the mattress.  In a few
minutes, we were driving out of town to my place.  I didn't care what
my dad was going to say.  Surely, he would be sympathetic and allow JJ
to at least spend the night.  My secret relationship would finally be
out to my brother.

As I drove with one hand, I reached over to his seat and grabbed his
hand.  He held on to it so tightly I thought it was going to break.

To be continued...

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