Date: Sun, 15 Aug 2010 14:44:52 -0400
From: Ronyx <ronyx@woh.rr.com>
Subject: Down the Darkened Path   Chapter 18

The following is a work of fiction. Any similarities to anyone are purely
coincidental. The story is intended for a mature audience. It may contain
profanity and references to gay sex. If this offends you, please leave and
find something more suitable to read. The author maintains all rights to
the story. Do not copy or use without written permission. Write
ronyx@themustardjar.com with your comments. Ronyx is a prolific Nifty
author. Visit www.themustardjar.com for more stories by Ronyx.



Down the Darkened Path                 Chapter 18



Troy made his way carefully down the stairs to the basement. He could feel
Trixie brushing along side his leg as he took one step at a time. He was
carrying a tray with Jayden's lunch. Once he reached the bottom, he grabbed
the golden retriever's collar as she led him across the recreation room to
Jayden's bedroom.

Trixie had somehow instinctively sensed that her beloved master was having
difficulty seeing. She had never been trained as a guide dog, but she
obediently stayed beside Troy as he made his way along the house. She was
also picking up Troy's commands on where he wanted to go. "Jayden," was a
command which was becoming very familiar to her.

She led him across the room and nudged the door open with her nose. "Can I
come in?" He waited until he heard Jayden sit up in bed.

"Yeah." He couldn't see the smile on Jayden's face. "Come on in." Troy
carried the tray over and held it in front of Jayden. "What's this?" He
asked as he took the tray and examined it.

"Chicken noodle soup," Troy replied.

He sat on the side of the bed as Jayden laughed. "Chicken noodle soup? I
thought you gave that to people who had a cold?"

"It was the only thing I could find," Troy replied. Jayden laughed again as
his face reddened. "I had to open three cans until I found it. I don't
think you'd have liked the others."

"What were they?" Jayden again laughed as he pictured Troy in the kitchen
opening cans from the cupboard. Since his parents had both returned to work
and Penny had gone back to school, they were left alone during the day. The
doctor had ordered Jayden to stay home from school for a week until his
shoulder had time to completely heal.

No decision had yet been made what to do when Jayden returned to school and
Troy would be left alone during the day. Mrs. Neal was insisting on hiring
a maid so Troy wouldn't be alone, but he had objected strongly. "All you
want is a damned baby sitter for me," he had shouted the last time the
subject came up.

"Refried beans, I think," Troy laughed. "And I'm not sure what the other
can was. It could have been Trixie's dog food." Jayden again started
laughing.

"I could have gotten up and fixed us something for lunch," he said.

"It's only been three days," Troy replied worriedly. "You heard the
doctor. He didn't want you doing anything for at least five days."

"I feel fine," he assured Troy. "Really." He pulled back his shirt and
examined the wound. It was still red and puffy, but it seemed to be healing
quickly. As he looked at it, he realized just how lucky he had been. If
Tyrone had been using a higher caliber gun, he might not have been sitting
beside Troy holding a bowl of steaming chicken noodle soup.

He quietly sipped at the soup as he watched Troy. His head was turned
toward him and he could tell he was deep in thought. "What?" He finally
asked.

"What, what?" Troy asked innocently.

"I can tell when something is bothering you." He placed the tray on the
table beside the bed.

"Nothing is wrong with me," Troy insisted as he rose from the bed and
reached for Trixie's collar. "Piano, Trixie," he said harshly as she
started to lead him from the room.

Jayden got out of bed and dressed as he listened to Troy playing the
piano. The music was slow and sorrowful, almost like a dirge. He walked
barefooted into the room and leaned against the door and watched as Troy
ran his fingers masterfully over the keys.

After listening for a minute, he quietly tiptoed over to the bench and
stood behind Troy. Troy tilted his head, but continued playing. His body
stiffened when Jayden placed his hands on his shoulders.

"That's beautiful," Jayden said as he gently caressed his shoulders. "What
is it?"

"Something by Wagner," Troy responded as he leaned forward, indicating he
didn't want Jayden to touch him.

When Jayden sat down beside him, he scooted so that their bodies weren't
touching. "Penny said you were playing the piano almost before you could
walk."

"Yeah," he replied as he dropped his hands down on the keys. "It's about
the only thing I can do anymore." He started playing the piece he had been
playing earlier.

Jayden started to laugh. "Can't you play something a little more, um," he
paused briefly, "cheerful?"

"How's this, then," Troy responded sarcastically. He started singing, "The
sun will come out tomorrow, bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow, there
will be sunshine." He suddenly stopped and then began banging the keys on
the piano. When he started to get up, Jayden grabbed his arm.

"Don't go," he pleaded as he pulled Troy back. He then put his arm around
him and held him. Troy rested his head on Jayden's shoulder and began to
cry softly.

"Why, Jayden?" He cried mournfully. "Why?"

"I don't know," Jayden said soothingly as he rubbed Troy's back. "Maybe
someday you'll have an answer for why this happened to you." Troy lifted
his head and looked tearfully in Jayden's direction.

"I'm not talking about me," he cried. He threw his arms around Jayden and
clutched him tightly. "I'm talking about you."

Jayden hugged Troy tightly and then lifted his head. He wiped the tears
from Troy's face and then leaned in and kissed him gently. He expected Troy
to pull away, but he pressed his lips firmly to Jayden's and kissed him
passionately.

After a minute, Jayden pulled away and looked into Troy's face. "I love
you," he whispered softly before kissing him gently again. Troy returned
the kiss and then laid his head on Jayden's shoulder and sighed.

"I can't say it yet, Jayden," he said sadly. "Give me some time, okay?"
Jayden kissed him again.

"Take as much time as you need," he smiled, knowing Troy couldn't see
it. He was just happy that he was beginning respond to him. "Just get used
to me saying it." Troy nodded and leaned in and kissed Jayden once again.

It felt good to be held again. When he began a relationship with Will a few
months earlier, it had taken him a few weeks to begin to enjoy Will's
affectionate behavior. It was one of the things he had been missing. As
with Will, he still wasn't sure if it was love he was feeling, or just his
overactive teenage glands.

But for now, he had decided that he was going to give Jayden a chance and
see if it did lead somewhere. He was tired of walking down the dark path
alone. If Jayden was willing to walk with him, then he knew he had to make
an attempt.

He didn't realize that Jayden was still kissing him when he felt his hand
slip inside his shirt. He jumped when Jayden started to lightly squeeze his
nipple. His cock immediately became erect.

"Oh, God," he moaned when Jayden lifted his shirt and began licking his
erect pink nipple. He grabbed Jayden's hand when he started to squeeze his
hard cock through the material of the thin shorts he was wearing.

"No," he insisted as he pulled Jayden's hand away. Jayden leaned in and
kissed him again, slowing slipping his tongue inside Troy's mouth.

"Why?" Jayden moaned as he once again reached down and began rubbing Troy's
erection. He started laughing into Troy's mouth when Trixie rose from the
floor and nudged his hand.

"I just can't," Troy insisted.

"Why?" Jayden asked, once again squeezing Troy's cock.

"I can't tell you," Troy replied like a young child. Jayden sat back and
laughed.

"Are you a virgin?" He laughed louder when Troy's face brightened. "I
thought that you and Will were dating?"

"We were," muttered Troy. "Just because we dated didn't mean we were having
sex."

"Why not?" Jayden asked. "You never played around?"

"Well, yeah," Troy admitted. "We would feel each other, but we never really
had actual sex."

"Why?"

"If I tell you, you'll laugh," Troy responded with a childish voice.

"No, I won't." Jayden insisted.

"I know you will," replied Troy, "but I'll tell you anyway. I wanted to
wait until I graduated. I wanted to give myself to Will as a graduation
present."

Jayden leaned in and kissed Troy. "I think that is the sweetest thing I've
ever heard anyone say."

Troy pulled away. "Really?"

"Of course," responded Jayden. "Will would have been a lucky guy."

"Yeah, well," replied Troy sadly before he once again felt Jayden's lips
pressing his.

"Let's not talk about Will," Jayden said softly. "Let's talk about us."
Troy moaned when Jayden once again offered his tongue inside his mouth. He
opened it and began sucking his eager tongue. He didn't jump when Jayden
grabbed his cock and started to stroke it through the material.

He felt Jayden playing with the zipper, eventually unfastening it and
opening his shorts. He felt his cock spring up and emerge through the front
of the boxer shorts he was wearing. Jayden wrapped his hand around it and
slowly stroked it.

"Jayden," he grabbed his hand but didn't attempt to remove it from his
swollen cock. "We should stop."

"I don't want to," moaned Jayden as he took Troy's hand and placed it
against his erect cock. "I want you." He leaned in and kissed him as he
kept Troy's hand against his hard cock. He laughed when Trixie rose and
started smelling his crotch.

"Come on." He pulled Troy to his feet. He looked down at Trixie and ordered
her to stay. He then led Troy into his bedroom. He sat him on the side of
the bed and then resumed kissing him.

Troy pulled him away. "I really think we should wait."

"For what?" Jayden asked. "You said you weren't going to attend graduation,
so why can't we do something now."

Troy sighed. "It was always my dream to give up my virginity on graduation
night. I know it sounds silly, but it was what I really wanted."

Jayden reached down and grabbed his hand. "Then you'll have to attend
graduation."

Troy gasped. "I can't do that. Look at me, I'm blind."

"So? That shouldn`t stop you from getting the diploma you earned." Jayden
kissed his nose. "Besides, I'll be there too."

Troy sighed deeply. "Let me think about it, alright?"

Jayden laughed, and then took Troy's hand and placed it against his hard
cock. He then reached down and squeezed Troy's. "What are we going to do
about these?" He felt reassured when Troy playfully squeezed his.

"You said you and Will played around some?" Troy nodded his head. "I've
already seen you jack off, so why don't we just do it together?"

"I don't know," Troy responded as he gripped Jayden's cock tighter. Jayden
rose from the bed and began stripping off his clothes. "Come on, Troy, get
naked." Seconds later he was standing nude before him. He wished that Troy
could see his naked body.

"Come on," he said as he climbed on the bed and pulled Troy's shirt over
his head. "It's just a little harmless fun. Besides, I've already seen you
naked." He grabbed the end of Troy's shorts and boxers, and in one quick
tug, Troy was lying naked on the bed.

He leaned in and licked Troy's erect nipple. Their hard cocks rubbed
against each other. Troy reached down and grabbed his and began stroking
it. Jayden bent forward and kissed him. Troy wiggled excitedly under him.

"Wait," Troy pleaded as he grabbed Jayden's shoulders and tried to push him
away. "Lay back. I want to feel your body." Jayden laid back and threw the
pillow over his head to stifle a loud moan as Troy ran his hands gently
over his body. He started at his neck and rubbed his hand gently down his
body until he reached his hard cock.

"Nice," Troy said as he started to stroke his cock. Jayden removed the
pillow. He could see that Troy was enjoying what they were doing. Troy's
face was close to his cock as he continued to rapidly stroke him. After
several minutes, he felt that he could no longer hold back the rapidly
rising orgasm.

"I'm going to cum," he moaned. Troy put his hand over the head of his cock
so he could feel when Jayden exploded. Within seconds, his hand was coated
with white cream.

"Holy crap," Jayden moaned. He had had numerous sexual encounters the past
few years, but none had been as satisfying as the one he had just received
from Troy. Troy lay down beside him and nestled his head against his chest.

"I can hear your heart beating," he said softly. He laid there for several
minutes listening as Jayden regained his breath. He then turned Troy on his
back.

"Your turn," he said as he kissed him. He then ran his tongue down his chin
and neck before licking Troy's nipple. From Troy's earlier reaction, he
knew he enjoyed the sensation. Troy grabbed his head and giggled.

"Stop," he begged breathlessly. "You're going to make me cum."

"That's the point," Jayden replied lustfully as he ran his tongue down
Troy's body and nibbled the soft brown hair surrounding his cock. Troy
gasped when he ran his tongue up his erection and quickly engulfed his
cock.

"No, Jayden!" He pulled his head off his reddened cock. "I want to wait
until graduation night. Alright?"

"Promise?" Jayden watched as Troy nodded his head.

"I promise." Jayden wetted his hand and then placed it around Troy's hard
cock. After about twenty strokes, Troy arched his back and cum flew all
over his chest.

`Unnggghhhh!" He shouted as Jayden continued to milk the last drops out. He
threw his head back and gasped for air.

Jayden scooted beside him and kissed him on his lips. "Feel good?"

Troy smiled. "Hell, yeah," he moaned.

"Sure you want to wait until June?" Jayden licked his finger and applied it
to Troy's pink nipple. "I can make you feel even better." Troy moaned and
grabbed Jayden's hand.

"Yeah, I`m sure," he laughed. "Graduation night." He moaned again when
Jayden leaned in and ran his tongue over his nipple. Jayden could taste
some of the cum that had splattered earlier on Troy's chest.

"Damn," Jayden moaned. Troy laughed and then felt for Jayden's face. Jayden
leaned in and they kissed passionately for several minutes. Troy was the
first to break the kiss.

"Thanks," he said as he buried his head into Jayden's shoulder.

"No problem," Jayden laughed. "Anytime.." Troy placed his finger against
Jayden's lips.

"No, not just for what we did," he said. "Thanks for accepting me as I am."
This time it was Jayden who put his finger to Troy's lips.

"It's about loving you." He leaned in and kissed Troy. "Not accepting you
as you are." He kissed him more passionately. Troy rolled his body on top
of Jayden and they kissed for several more minutes.

They were startled when Trixie nudged the door open and ran barking into
the room. Before they could pull away they heard Claire's voice.

"Hey guys," she shouted as she through open the bedroom door. A second
later they heard a shrieking scream and then footsteps running up the
stairs. Both boys fell back on the bed and began laughing uproariously.

"I guess she caught us having quality time," Jayden laughed.

"What?" Troy had a puzzled look on his face.

Jayden leaned in and gave him a quick kiss. "I'll explain later."

*********

Troy was nervous as he entered the large auditorium where graduation was
being held. He gripped the sleeve of Jayden's graduation gown tightly. Even
though he had attended the graduation practices, he still felt uneasy
knowing that he was the center of attention.

He felt someone grab him around the waist and kiss his cheek. "You look
wonderful, Troy." It was Mrs. Connors, his music director. "Are you ready
for this evening?"

"I suppose," he replied nervously. She had insisted that he play Pomp and
Circumstance as the seniors marched in. It had been arranged that Jayden
would lead him onstage as she introduced him. She had also asked him to
perform a solo after the senior president gave her speech. He had
reluctantly agreed, but he had told no one what song he was going to sing.

"Just look at you two!" Claire approached with Allison by her side. "Hold
still, I have to get a picture." Jayden turned Troy so that they were
facing her. Just before she took the picture, Jayden leaned in and kissed
Troy on the cheek.

They stood around chatting with other seniors. The room was filled with
nervous excitement as girls helped each other with the finishing touches on
their hair, and boys helped straighten a friend's crooked tie.

Jayden looked at the clock on the wall. It was 6:35. Only fifteen minutes
until he was to take Troy backstage. He looked admiringly at Troy. He had
improved so much the past three months. They had been to the mall several
times with Claire. Troy seemed to adjust quickly to being out in public. He
was even becoming comfortable eating in restaurants, as long as Jayden sat
beside him and positioned his food for him.

"I can't wait to hear what you're going to sing," exclaimed Allison. "I
still don't.." Suddenly, everyone became quiet. Troy could sense that
something was wrong when Jayden wrapped his hand around his waist and
pulled him into his side.

"What's wrong?"

He couldn't see the angry looks exchanged between Jayden, Claire and
Allison when Will walked up. "Hi, Guys," he said timidly.

Troy's body became rigid when he heard his voice. He reached down and
grabbed Jayden's hand and squeezed it.

"Hi, Troy," Will said almost in a whisper. Troy nodded but didn't say
anything. Will looked nervously into Jayden's face.

"Can I talk to Troy?" He asked. "Alone?"

Jayden again felt Troy's body become tense. His face was taut. Jayden
looked at Will. "I don't think it's a good idea."

"No," responded Troy. "I'll talk to him." He knew that there had to be some
kind of closure to their relationship. He knew that it had been over after
the incident, but they still needed to talk.

"Are you sure?" Jayden asked Troy worriedly. Troy nodded and released his
hand from Jayden's. He then extended his hand to Will. Will took it and led
Troy to a nearby corner where they could talk privately. Claire started to
move toward them, but Jayden put out his hand and stopped her. "Let them
talk," he insisted.

"If he says something to hurt Troy, I'll kill him," she said angrily as she
balled up her fists. She looked over and saw Troy and Will talking quietly.

"I'm sorry, Troy," Will apologized. "I know it was wrong for not visiting
you. I really did..."

"I understand," he interrupted. "I gave it a lot of thought. At first I was
hurt." His mouth turned into a curl. "I won't tell you some of the names I
called you."

"I can imagine," Will replied. "It's probably some of the names I've called
myself the past few months."

"But we are young," Troy said. "I couldn't expect you to hang around and
let me be a burden to you."

"Troy," Will interrupted, but Troy again stopped him.

"It's okay, really," he said. "I do understand. We dated for a while and
had some fun, but we weren't committed to each other."

"But I still should have.." Troy again stopped him.

"It's okay," he said again. "I understand." He reached for Will and gave
him a quick hug. Will nervously looked over at Jayden who was carefully
watching their exchange.

Will pulled away and smiled. "He really loves you."

"Yeah," Troy responded. "I'm a lucky guy."

"So you're happy?"

"Yeah," he smiled. "I'm happy." Will gave Troy a hug and kissed his
cheek. He looked back over at a watchful Jayden.

"Jayden's the lucky guy," he said sadly. He took Troy's hand and led him
back to Jayden. He placed Troy's hand in Jayden's and walked away.

"Okay, Ladies and Gentlemen!" Mrs. Connors shouted nervously above the loud
chatter. "Line up." Claire and Allison hugged the boys quickly before
Jayden led Troy away.

**********

Halfway through the senior president's speech, Jayden took Troy backstage
to get ready to be introduced for his solo. Even he didn't know what Troy
was going to sing. For the past several weeks he had tried to listen to
Troy playing the piano for some clue, but most of it was classical
music. He assumed that he was going to entertain the audience with a
concerto.

Troy stiffened when he heard Mrs. Connor's voice. "We have a special treat
for you this evening. One of our talented musicians has agreed to sing a
special song for you. You will remember Troy Neal for his performance
earlier this year in the role of Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof." They could
hear loud applause coming from behind the curtain. "Ladies and Gentlemen,
I'd like to introduce Troy Neal." Jayden wrapped his arm around Troy's arm
and led him onstage. They stood quietly for a minute as the audience gave
him a standing ovation.

Jayden could feel Troy trembling. He put his hand behind his back and
rubbed it gently. "It's going to be alright," he said assuringly. "I'll
only be a few steps away." Troy felt for Jayden's hand and squeezed
it. When the applause subsided, Jayden led Troy to the piano and helped him
sit down. He gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder and then walked
backstage and positioned himself so he could closely observe Troy.

Troy sat quietly for a minute as the audience remained silent. He finally
cleared his throat and spoke softly into the microphone in front of him.

"As you know," he started, "My life has changed dramatically the past few
months. There was a time when I didn't think I'd be here tonight." He
paused before continuing. "But as I sit here tonight, I know I'm one of the
luckiest people in the world. Through all this, I found out what love
really is." His voice was becoming thick with emotion. Again, he cleared
his throat. "I found out how much love my family had for me." He turned
toward the audience. "I don't know where you are, but I love you Mom, Dad
and Penny."

Mrs. Neal leaned her head on her husband's shoulder and cried. Mr. Neal
found himself wiping tears that were falling gently down his cheeks. Penny
grabbed his hand and held it.

"I also discovered what true friendship is." Again, he looked toward the
audience. "Claire and Allison, I love you more than you'll ever know." The
nearby seniors turned and smiled at the two teary seniors.

Jayden wiped away tears when Troy turned toward him. "And Jayden," his
voice shook with emotion. "I really do love you." Soft applause filled the
auditorium.

He then sat straight and placed his hands on the piano keys. "For my number
tonight, I'm going to sing a song I've listened to each year since I was a
little boy. Tonight it has a special meaning for me. It`s a song from the
musical, Carousel. It was composed by Rodgers and Hammerstein." His fingers
ran effortlessly over the keys as he played the introduction. Everyone
immediately recognized the song and began to applaud. They quieted when
Troy began to sing.

"When you walk through a storm, hold your head up high; and don't be..." He
suddenly stopped singing as his voice started to quiver. Finally, he
continued, "And don't be afraid of the dark."

Jayden watched backstage as Troy's shoulders began to shake. Even though he
continued to play, it was obvious that he was overcome with emotion. Jayden
stepped onto the stage and walked over and sat down beside his distraught
friend.

"It's okay," he whispered. "I'm here." He placed his hand on Troy's thigh
and squeezed it. Troy wiped the tears from his eyes and then sat upright
and took a deep breath. Jayden smiled when the audience began to applaud
encouragingly.

By the time Troy had reached the final bars of the song, everyone was
standing and applauding loudly.

"Walk on, walk on, with hope in your heart

and you'll never walk alone. You'll never

walk alone."

Jayden took Troy's hand and led him to the center of the
stage. Mrs. Connors and Mr. Fallingsworth walked over and gave him a hug.

"That was wonderful," exclaimed Mrs. Connors as the applause began to die
down. Jayden wrapped Troy's arm around his and led him offstage. He looked
around to make sure no one was watching and then kissed him.

"I love you," he said softly as he kissed him again.

"I know," responded Troy. "I love you, too." This time he leaned forward
and kissed Jayden.

Jayden grabbed his arm and started to head off the stage. "Now let's go get
our diploma," he said. He looked around to make sure no one was watching
before he reached down and squeezed Troy's crotch through his graduation
gown.

"You've got a promise to keep."

********


Jayden sat in bed with his laptop computer watching Troy's bare chest rise
and fall as he slept beside him. His eyes were filled with tears as he
tried to reread the email he was preparing to send to Troy's parents.

Dear Mom and Dad Neal,

Troy and I are doing well. After three weeks we've finally settled in and
our lives are returning to normal. We've made a lot of new friends. Troy is
having no problem getting around. If I'm not helping him, then someone is
always ready to lend a helping hand. He's extremely happy with the music
department here. He has also volunteered to help the drama department with
their fall production of Annie Get Your Gun.

The nursing courses seem like they may be difficult for me. I did well in
math and science in high school, but I probably should have taken more
advanced classes. I can't thank you enough for helping me get the grants
and scholarships to attend school here. I know you keep saying you don't
mind, but I do. I will repay you someday for the financial support you are
giving me. It is what my mother would have expected me to do.

I also want to thank you for Troy. His coming into my life has been a
blessing. I know it happened under very tragic circumstances, but I can't
imagine my life now without him. Before I met him, my life was going no
where. I was traveling down a darkened path with no end in sight. Today, I
wake up to a shining sun and a beautiful, smiling face. Our love grows
stronger everyday. I can now see a bright and long road ahead for both of
us.

Your other son,

Jayden

Jayden again looked down at Troy's sleeping figure and through misty eyes
hit `send.'

THE END


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