Date: Fri, 13 Jun 2008 19:16:38 -0500
From: juilian james <juniorj009@gmail.com>
Subject: what makes a family /chapter 2/ gay relationships/interacial

WHAT MAKES A FAMILY
BY: Julien

This story is 100% fictional and is by no means depictive of the life of
any person, place or thing.  It contains sexual activities between males
and should only be read if it is legal to do so in your area.  Read at your
own risk and enjoy.  Comments are welcomed and would be very much
appreciated.  ENJOY!

This will be a short mini series of sort.  Comments are always appreciated.
Thanks.  J.


CHAPTER 2

THREE MONTHS LATER

JAMES

David had been the first one other than myself to see the new apartment and
from the look on his face, I knew he approved.

"This is so cool!  You even have a gym!  Shit, this is so cool!"  I smiled
at his excitement and squeezed his shoulder as I watched with wide eyes
wander as this sixteen year old got excited over a rusted apartment with an
out of sync gym room.

"I'm glad someone likes it."  I stated.

"It's not that bad dad.  At least you have a decent view."  And I had to
smile at that.  Our old apartment had a window facing a dingy alley and
even though Neil and I had planned to buy a house, we could never agree as
to the location among other things.

"I'm glad you like it David, and I hope that means you'll drag your little
behind around here more often."  He looked at me and smiled.  It was his
father's smile and even though I was over Neil, it was hard for me to look
at David and not feel as if a part of me had stayed behind with them.

"It's just that I've been busy with school and stuff and it's hard getting
all the way here with dad and all."  He didn't elaborate and I didn't ask.
This had to be hard on him.  Having to deal with his father's reaction to
all of this.

"Well if you need a ride or anything, give me a call and I'll come get you,
ok."  With that, he looked up at me, smiled, and nodded.

We spent the rest of the afternoon just basically chilling.  He showed me
the new hand game he had bought and told me all about his girlfriend
Deanna.

"Are you guys playing it safe?"  I asked.  He looked up at me all
embarrassed and nodded.

"Good.  I'd prefer it if you weren't sexually active at all but if you're
gonna be, I'm glad you're being smart about it."

"I am."  He confirmed.

"And what about you?"  The question caught me off guard and I found myself
looking at him.

"What?"

"Are you playing it safe?"  The smirk on his face was a testament to how
truly funny he thought my predicament was.

"That's none of your business."  I challenged.  But he was far from letting
it slide.

"So you are seeing somebody.  When do I get to meet him?  Is he cute?"  I
had to smile at his persistence but behind that smile I saw something else.
Sadness maybe but I wasn't sure.  I hadn't hooked up with anyone since
leaving Neil but for some reason I didn't want him knowing that.

"I'm not having this conversation with you kid so stop asking."  And as if
making my point, I asked about his father.

"How's your dad doing?"

"He's fine."  The monotone answer worried me and I pushed the issue.

"Fine?  That's it?"  I prodded, hoping for something more substantial than
fine.

"You walked out on him dad, what do you expect."  And I'm sure his words
weren't meant to hurt me but they did.

"I mean he's still the same if that's what you want to know.  He still sits
around in his boxers when he watches the news and he rides my ass for being
late for school, so I guess he's fine."  His straight to the point
mannerism meant that he was uncomfortable with where the discussion was
leading so I decided to drop it, for now.

 "So, how are things at school?"

He shrugged and turned his head to look out the window.  His body language
was off but that was about all I was able to decipher.  It seemed strange,
but after three months away from him, it seemed as if I were a stranger
getting to know him all over again.

"It's going.  Testing is riding my ass but things are better.  I haven't
gotten into any fights recently so..."  He didn't add anything else and I
didn't ask.  I guess I would have to find out about it from Neil.

Neil Just thinking about his name made me shudder silently.  I wanted to
pick up the phone and call him.  Find out how things were going with the
rent, the car payments, his job, David's school life.  But he refused to
let me close enough to get a word out.  Whenever I tried calling from my
house phone, my number would not go through thanks to Verizon's phone
block.  And the few times that I managed to get through, he would hang up
the moment he recognized my voice, not giving me a chance to say anything.
It was as if he has obliterated me out of his life, both his and David's'
life.  He cashed out on our joint account and mailed me a check for half,
took me off his life insurance policies, and requested that David be taken
off of my health insurance plan.  Not the most mature way to handle things
but it was Neil's way of getting back at me.  He knew how much I loved
David and was trying his hardest to put a giant wedge between us.  But
David being David, the ever defiant one saw through his father's game and
found a way around it.  He refused to let me just melt away from his life
like a bad dream, and for that, I was grateful.

David's phone rang, interrupting me out of thought and I leaned into the
sofa, watching him intently as he took his call.

""Hey dad, what's up?....  No I'm not at home yet.  I told you I was going
to stop by Jimmy's before I got home.  Yes I did!  Damn, I told you not to
worry.  No, I don't need a ride.  Please dad!  No!  Do not come over to
Jimmy's, you know how his dad is about you.  Ok, Ok.  I'll see you in an
hour."

I didn't have to think at all as to who was on the other end of his phone.

"Shit!  I hate how he rides my ass now that you're gone, it's like I'm 4
years old or something.  I'd wish you'd go talk to him for me dad.  He
listens to you."

His word touched me but we both knew better.

"You know I can't kiddo.  Your dad won't even accept the money I send you.
What makes you think he'll want to listen to anything I have to say?"

"Because despite all the shit you've been through with him, I know he still
loves you.  He still has up all the photos of you guys and that picture of
us at Disney world, he keeps in his wallet."  And as an afterthought he
added, "He wouldn't even let me say anything bad about you when you left.
You have any idea how many fucking days he made me stay in my room because
I called you an asshole."

I can't say I was surprised that David had held some resentment towards me,
but the fact that despite all, Neil was a strong defender of my honor was
more than a tough pill to swallow.  But I wasn't going to dwell on that, I
couldn't.  Neil and I were done and there no going back, no matter how much
my heart misguiding seemed to be pulling in that direction.

NEIL

It seemed as if it were ages since I found myself in this predicament, but
in fact it hadn't been that long.  What was different though was the fact
that some guy was knelt down in front of me, my pants drawn down around my
ankles while his hands caressed my ass cheeks.  And even though the thought
of this was enough to give me a boner, it didn't take much to bring me back
to the present reality, and back to the fact that was in my doctors' office
while he examined a lump stationed between my inner thigh and scrotum.

"So Neil, I'm looking at this and it seems to have grown about half a
centimeter.  That worries me a bit so I think I'm going to go ahead and
take some tests and send them to our lab for analysis, just in case."

His words chilled my bones but I didn't let him know that.

"Just in case what?"  I asked cautiously.

"Just in case," he repeated again, continuing with, "I don't want to give
you any ideas.  We'll leave it at just in case until the tests come back,
then we'll go from there.  Other than that blood pressure is good,
cholesterol is good, your HIV test is negative and you do not have
diabetes."

"Thanks."  I responded.  I know I should have been happy, ecstatic even,
about my prognosis but his words kept on playing in my head.  I tried my
best to push those thoughts aside, pulling up my pants, buckling my belt
and sitting in a chair across from him.

"So, how is everything going with David?"

I looked across him and forced a smile on my face.  Matthew Chase had been
my MD since David was three, and more importantly, he had been the one to
introduce James and me.  They had been high school friends who chose
different paths after graduation with Matt going to med school and James
going straight into the military, then becoming a mechanic and later, going
to university to become a social worker.  It was New Years Eve of 1993 when
James and I crossed paths, courtesy of Matt.  And just thinking of that was
enough to force myself back reality and back to the man in front of me,
still waiting for an answer to his question.

"David is fine.  Things have been better since...well things have been
better.  We're on speaking terms again."

Matt smiled at me and reached across his desk to grasp my hand, "See, I
told you it would get better.  David is a good kid.  Remember what we were
like at that age Neil?"  He winked at me and let out a chuckle.

Of course I remembered what it was like to be David's age.  It was nothing
like the pleasures he had the opportunity of experiencing.  I didn't have
hoards and hoards of games, DVD's and an ipod.  I didn't have curfew till
11:00 and most importantly, I didn't have access to a car whenever I
wanted.  What I remembered of my 16th year was an 8:00 pm curfew, a no date
policy, and a proverbial in the closet mentality, hence the reason that
David is even alive today.  But of course, I said none of this to Matt
because I knew it would lead to one of his infamous counseling sessions
where he would offer me an ear to yak off and a shoulder to cry on if needs
be.  And the last thing I wanted was to be reminded of is that for the
first time in twelve years, my life was falling apart and the one person I
could run to, was no longer in it.

"Yeah, but still.  We're adjusting though.  We're fine."

"Well have you spoken to James since you guys..."  I did not give him the
opportunity to finish his statement.  This was one place that I did not
want Matt and me to go.

"No and we won't and before you ask Matt, I'm ok with that.  Couples break
up all the time so it's no big deal.  They move on, meet new people and
life goes on.  James has his shit to deal with and so do I."  The look he
gave me told me that he understood my need not to talk about it (there goes
the sympathy factor again) and for that, I was grateful.

"Well I'm so glad that you brought up moving on because Michelle and I are
throwing a get together this week and we would love it if you and David
would come.  And before you ask, it's nothing big, just my in laws, a
couple of guys from the clinic, Ronnie and Jermaine and of course, your
favorite person in the world, Dorian."

I visibly grunted and shook my head, "Well if Dorian is going to be there,
I might as well opt out.  You know I can't stand that son of a bitch with
his cocky attitude."

Matt just smiled and shook his head.  Dorian was another high school friend
of his that I had been introduced to shortly after James and I had started
seeing each other.  To make a long story short, he had tried to fuck James
behind my back.  James being James though, let Dorian know that we were
together and that was the end of that, according to everyone else.  Matt
and James may have been able to put that shit behind them but I was not.  I
didn't trust Dorian even for a hot minute and I wasn't above saying to so
to Matt, something which he often chided me on.

"This isn't about Dorian, Neil.  You know me and Dorian go way back and
believe me when I tell you I have dealt with him about all that happened.
He would never step to you like that ever again.  And besides, this isn't
about him.  Michelle hasn't seen you and David in ages and she misses you
guys, and besides, if you didn't come, she wouldn't get a chance to ask
your opinion on baby names."

His words stopped me dead in my tracks.

"What!  Michelle's pregnant?"

"Yes, pregnant with a capital P!"

His grin widened and I couldn't help but grin along with him.  Matt and his
wife had been trying to have a kid since they got married six years ago.

"Wow, I know you must be happy!  When the hell were you planning on telling
me?"

He shrugged his shoulders and gave me a lopsided grin.

"We've only known for like a week.  We haven't even told her parents yet.
You're the only the second person I've told."

"And who was the first?"  I asked, my eyebrow inadvertently arching.

"James.  He came by the other day to help Michelle with the car.  It's been
making funny noises under the hood and I've been busy with patients,
conferences and all that shit."

I tried not to let my smile falter at the mention of James' name but I had
a feeling that I was failing that task miserable.

Matt must have interpreted the look on my face as he changed the subject
once again.

"So I know this guy who happens to work in the psychology department and he
happens to be single and he happens to remember you from last years'
Christmas party and he happens to want your number and..."

"And," I continued for him, "You happen to give it to him."

"Of course not Neil, you should know that I would never do such a thing."

"Good, because you know I'm not ready for..." I started and stopped as his
words cut into mine,

"I happen to tell him that I'd arrange an intro at the get together that
we're having."  He stated as he continued to look at me trying to gauge my
reaction.  "I know it's only been a few months but I think it would be good
for you to meet other people.  Not necessarily get into a relationship, but
to meet other men.  You need to get back out there."

And I knew what he was saying was true, but was I ready?  I knew the answer
to that question was an unequivocal no but I didn't say that to Matt,
instead, I promised to think about it and agreed to at least make an
appearance at his shin dig, if for nothing else, to at least show I was
making an effort to at least move forward, no matter how I truly felt.

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

Despite all my preconceived notions, I was enjoying myself.  Matt's friend
Tim turned out to be not so bad company and the fact that he was cute as
hell didn't hurt matters.  I didn't see us falling into bed anytime soon
nor did I hear wedding bells in the background but I knew that for the time
being, he would make a pleasant distraction for me.  Even David noticed my
change of mood as I made my way over to the open bar, intending to fill up
on my gin and tonic.

"You having a good time dad?"  He asked, his eyes darting over to Tim, who
sat on the edge of Matt's balcony.

"It's not bad.  I appreciate you coming kiddo.  I know you would have
preferred to stay at home but...I'm just glad you came, it means a lot to
me, to Matt and Michelle too."  He looked up at me and smiled.

"I'm glad you're glad.  It's been a long time since you've been this
relaxed.  So ...You like that guy cause he sure seems to like you."

I tried to feel out malice in his words but came up empty.

"I'm not here to start up a relationship, David.  Tim's good company and
all but that's all it's gonna be.  Besides, I'm not sure bringing in
someone new right now is the best thing for either of us."  And of course
what I meant to say was that bringing in someone new was not the best thing
for me.  I'm not sure if it would ever be.  And after what I went through
with James, I was not sure I wanted to even think about putting myself in
that position ever again.

At this point, I felt things were getting too intense, too personal, and I
asked David to give me a second, as I turned around and walked into the
kitchen, knocking into someone coming out through the double swiveling
doors.

"Scuse me."  I started and stopped as I looked up into the all too familiar
face.  And for a minute, I had to remind myself to breathe.

"Neil!  Are you ok?"  His large hand reached out to steady me but I
intentionally pulled away, not wanting him to touch me.

"I'm fine."  I wanted to be anywhere but in here with him but just as I was
about to turn around and walk out, David pushed his way in, a smile
reaching his face as he saw James.

"Da...uh James, it's good to see you.  I didn't know you were coming."  He
pushed gently pass me and rushed into James' open embrace, forgetting for a
minute that he wasn't a teenage boy.

James sighed and leaned down to kiss his forehead.

"Hey kiddo, I'm so happy to see you."

For a minute, I seemed to vanish and it was as if they were having some
moment that did not include me.  I cleared my throat loud enough to break
up their embrace and cast my gaze unto David.

"Come on David, let's go."  "But Dad..." he started and stopped, probably
taking serious heed to the expression on my face.

"I'll see you around James."

"You too kiddo."  And we both watched as David doubled back through the
kitchen doors and out of sight.

When it was clear that David was out of earshot, I opened my mouth to say
something but was cut of by James' words.

"So are we going to finally talk this out like the adults that we are or
are you gonna continue ignoring me?"

Comments for this and other stories are encouraged and appreciated and I do
reply to all emails.  My new email address is juniorj009@gmail.com Thanks
for reading.  Other stories of mine include:


BEGINNINGS
December 3rd 2002   YO B
Dec 27 2002	heart-and-soul/
INTERACIAL
Nov 5 2004	story-of-us/Jan 2 2003	to-sir-with-love/
Dec 27 2002	heart-and-soul/

MILITARY
Dec 21 2002	the-recruiter/
RELATIONSHIPS
Nov 5 2004	story-of-us/
Jun 6 2005	redemption/
BI RELATIONSHIPS

Dec 20 2002	graduation-day/