Date: Mon, 16 Feb 2004 18:14:18 -0800 (PST)
From: Kirk Landers <ilj4ever44@yahoo.com>
Subject: Dating and the Single Life- part 13

Copyright and Disclaimer:
1. This is a fictional story with fictional
characters.
2. No one is to steal this story under any
circumstances.
3. This story deals with relationships and not sex, so
if you're looking for a story with a lot of sex in it,
this isn't the story for you.


Hope you are all enjoying.  These next chapters will
all be leading up to the season 1 finale, so hope you
enjoy.  Here's part 13 entitled "Remorse"

"REMORSE"

"How is he?" Marcus asked David as the two of them
were in the kitchen at Kyle's apartment talking.

"I don't know," David answered.  "He doesn't talk to
me about it."

"Well, I'm sure he will eventually," Marcus said.

"It's a really sensative subject for him," David
replied, "He didn't like talking about his mom when
she was alive and now that she's gone, it's even
worse."

"Are you going with him to the service?" Marcus asked.

"No," David replied. "He said it was something he had
to do alone."

"Oh," Marcus said.

Then Kyle came out of his room dressed in a black
suit.

"Hey Kyle," Marcus said trying to be cheerful.

"Hi," Kyle replied putting on a half-smile.

"You sure you don't want me to come?" David asked.

"Yea, I'm sure," Kyle answered getting his car keys. 

"It's raining pretty hard outside, I can drive you
there if you want." David offered.

"I'm all right," Kyle replied. "I'll see you guys
later."

David and Marcus watched as Kyle quietly left.

"I can't be there and comfort him if he won't let me
in," David said feeling frustrated.

"Just give him time," Marcus replied, "You're always
the first person he goes to, so when he's ready he'll
talk to you."

"I hope," David said.

Over at Jake and Tyler's place the two are slowly
growing apart because of Jake's guilt and resistence
to tell Tyler what happened.  Jake was getting ready
to go to work, but Tyler couldn't take it anymore.

"Listen, I know something is bugging you.  You have to
talk to me, other wise we're never going to make it,"
Tyler said

"I'm fine," Jake said unconvincingly.

"Come on Jake, be honest with me," Tyler said, "We've
been dating for two months and we've been friends for
years, I think I can tell by now if something is
wrong."

"It's nothing," Jake said. "I'll talk to you later."

"No, you need to talk to me now," Tyler protested.

"Tyler, I just don't want to talk about it right now. 
Can't you understand that?" Jake asked.

"Yes, of course I can, but you're pushing me away,"
Tyler answered. "If you don't want to talk that's
fine, but please don't shut me out."

"I'm sorry," Jake said sadly. "It's just hard right
now."

"Jake, if you keep this us you'll end up breaking us
apart," Tyler said.

"Tyler, I love you.  And I want to be with you.  I'm
just going through some stuff right now that I need to
figure out on my own," Jake said.

Well, while you're doing that, I'll stay at Randal's
place because I can't take it here anymore.  If you're
going to just push me away when I try to help you then
there's no point of me being here," Tyler said.

Jake looked at Tyler worried.

"Are you breaking up with me?" Jake asked afraid.

"No," Tyler replied, "I just think we need to take a
break."

Jake took a minute to absorb that statement and shook
his head in agreement.

"I think you might be right," Jake said.  "I'm sorry
Tyler, I just really need to figure all this out on my
own."

"I understand," Tyler said. "I'm just going to pack
some things and then I'll go over to Randal's."

"No, you don't have to leave, "Jake said.

"Yes, I do," Tyler replied. "You need some alone time
so the best way for that to happen is if you just stay
here by yourself for a little while so you can sort
out your thoughts."

Jake went up to Tyler and hugged him.

"Thank you for understanding," Jake said quietly.

"Of course," Tyler replied.

"I have to get to work," Jake said releasing the hug.

"Yea, I know," Tyler said.

"I'll see you," Jake said heading for the door.

"Bye," Tyler replied watching Jake leave.

Meanwhile, Kyle was at his mom's funeral.  A lot of
his family and family friends were there all holding
up umbrellas up so they wouldn't get wet from the
rain.  Kyle just stood there starring at the coffin,
everything around him seemed to dissapear.  He didn't
hear the words the minister said or the crying from
the other people there.  All he could do was look at
the coffin his mom was in.  Then he watched as the
coffin was lowered into the ground. Unable to take
anymore he turned and walked away dropping the
umbrella on the ground.  He walked slowly through the
cemetary getting drenched with rain.  He looked back
at the people still standing at his mom's coffin and
couldn't help but feel left out.  All of the people
there were close with his mom, he couldn't take the
fact that they were all closer to her than he was, her
own son.  He then turned away and headed to his car
and drove off.

Later that day, Tyler went to Randal's place.

"Can I ask you a big favor?" Tyler asked.

"Yea sure," Randal replied.

"Can I stay here for a while?" Tyler asked.

"Did you and Jake break up?" Randal asked worried.

"No, he just needs some alone time to think," Tyler
replied. "He's been very upset lately."

"Why?" Randal asked.

"I don't know," Tyler replied

"Sorry to here that," Randal said.

"So, it's cool that I stay here?" Tyler asked.

"Of course, yea sure," Randal replied.

"Thanks," Tyler said coming in.

"Do you have your things?" Randal asked.

"They're in the car," Tyler replied.

"Okay, well come in and sit down," Randal offered.

"Thanks," Tyler said.  "So how are things going with
you?"

"They're all right," Randal replied.

"Didn't you have a date the other day?" Tyler asked.

"Yea," Randal said smiling.

"I take it by that smile that it went well?" Tyler
asked.

"It went extremely well," Randal replied.  "We hit it
off right away."

"Did you guys have sex?" Tyler asked.

"Nope," Randal answered.

Tyler looked at Randal in shock.

"You went on a date with someone and you didn't sleep
with him?" Tyler asked suprised. "Randal, I've known
you to sleep with guys you didn't even like."

"I know, it's weird.  I've never felt this way about a
guy before," Randal said.

"What's his name?" Tyler asked.

"His name is Stanley," Randal replied. "And he's just
such a great guy.  He grew up in Seattle like me. He's
just a great guy."

"I'm glad you two had fun," Tyler said.

"Yea, actually he's coming over tonight, so you can
meet him," Randal said. "Him and I are going to stay
in and watch movies.  Can you believe it?  I never
thought that I'd be the type of guy to be excited
about staying in and watching movies with a guy."

"That's great," Tyler said smiling.  Tyler was very
happy that Randal for once found a guy that he was
able to see a future with, but at the same time he
couldn't help but be a little jealous of what Randal
has, he wished that him and Jake could go back to that
enthusiasm they had together.

"I know what you're thinking, but just give it time,"
Randal said.

"What?" Tyler asked.

"You want things to go back to normal with Jake,"
Randal replied.  "Don't worry, he'll come around."

"I know," Tyler answered. "It's just weird now.  That
trip we were all going to take this weekend that Jake
and I had planned out at Christmas will probably get
cancelled.  I don't think he'll want to go."

"We'll just put a hold on it for now," Randal said.
"When he comes around we'll all celebrate by doing
that trip okay?"

"Okay," Tyler replied.

Over at David's store he was doing some inventory when
Marcus came in.

"Heard from Kyle?" Marcus asked.

"No," David replied. "I keep checking my cell phone to
see if he left a message or something, but nothing."

"Well, he's probably with his family," Marcus
suggested.

"I don't know," David sighed. "So why aren't you at
work?"

"I didn't have much to do today so I left work early,"
Marcus replied.

"That's good," David said. "Oh hey, you had a double
date with Randal the other night right?"

"Yea," Marcus answered.

"How did it go?" David asked.

"Not good," Marcus replied.

"Really?" David asked.  "How come?"

"Every time I asked him a question his answer was,
'Whatever'." Marcus replied. "He makes a brick wall
seem interesting."

"That bad huh?" David asked. "Sorry to hear that."

"It's probably for the best," Marcus replied. "It made
me realize that I'm just not ready to date yet."

"Marcus, don't let what Thomas did to you put a burden
on your dating life," David said.  "I know that it's
hard, but if you give in to that then Thomas will
win."

"I know, you're right," Marcus answered. "I will
eventually, I just need some more time."

"Okay," David said.

"I actually have been thinking of visiting him,"
Marcus said.

"Thomas?" David asked.

"Yea," Marcus replied.

"Why?" David asked suprised Marcus would even suggest
it.

"I just think that it might help me get over my fears
quicker if I went to talk to him," Marcus answered.

"I don't think that's such a good idea Marcus," David
said. "I was there that night, I saw what he did to
you, the fear in your eyes.  He's a sick person
Marcus, it might end up doing more damage than good if
you see him."

"Or it might help me to move on," Marcus brought up.
"I'm not saying I'm going to do it.  It's just
something I've been thinking about."

"Well, just make sure you think about this carefully,"
David said. "I don't want to see you get hurt again."

"Thanks," Marcus said sincerely.

David looked outside and saw the rain coming down
harder.

"Maybe you should call Kyle," Marcus suggested. "I
know you're worried about him."

"Yea, I think I should," David said taking out his
phone. "He shouldn't be driving around in this weather
with the state of mind he's in now."

Kyle was in his car at the beach when his phone rang. 
He looked at the caller ID and saw David's name
appear, but he didn't answer the phone.  He wanted
some alone time.  He stepped out of the car in the
rain and started walking along the beach.  The rain
was coming down hard, but Kyle didn't seem to notice. 
He just looked out at the crashing waves and thought
about his mom.

Back at the store David hung up the phone.

"He's not answering," David said frustrated. "I think
I should go look for him."

"Want me to stay and watch the store?" Marcus asked.

"Yes, thank you," David replied.

"Yea sure, but where are you going to look?" Marcus
asked, "He could be anywhere."

"I know of a couple places he likes to go to when he
wants to be alone," David replied as he headed out the
door.

Over at Jake's work he was folding up some clothes
when Miles came up to him.

"Hi," Miles said.

"I can't talk now," Jake replied.

"We need to talk," Miles protested.

"No, we don't," Jake snapped. "What happened between
us was a mistake. It should have never happened."

"But it did," Miles replied.  "And I felt something
between us, didn't you?"

"No, the only thing I feel right now is disgust,
because I can't stand to look at myself anymore
knowing that I cheated on Tyler," Jake said.

"Jake, can you honestly tell me you felt nothing when
we kissed?" Miles asked.

Jake looked at Miles unable to answer him.

"Just leave me alone," Jake said walking away.

"Why?" Miles asked walking up to him.  "You can't deny
that there is something between us.  You don't have to
be scarred of it."

"Listen, get it through your head," Jake began, "I'm
with Tyler and I love him."

"How do you know that he's the right person for you?"
Miles asked. "I could be the guy for you and it's just
bad timing that's going to keep us from being
together."

Jake thought about what Miles said for a minute.

"I'm sorry," Jake said and then walked away from
Miles.

"Me too," Miles said sadly.

Later that day, David drove to a couple of places he
knew Kyle liked to go to alone, there was only one
place left he didn't look yet, the beach. He pulled
into the parking lot and saw Kyle's car.  David got
out and looked on the beach and saw Kyle sitting on
the sand in the pouring rain still wearing the black
suite he wore to his mom's funeral.  David got out his
umbrella and quickly went up to him.

"Kyle, you're going to get sick," David said taking
off his jacket and putting it around Kyle.  "What are
you doing out here?"

"Just thinking," Kyle replied quietly.

"About your mom?" David asked gently.

"You don't understand," Kyle replied. "You and you're
mom have a good relationship together.  I never got
the chance to have that.  I was at the service today
and saw all these people, some I didn't even know
except for the fact that they probably were closer to
my mom then I ever was."

"I'm sorry," David said not knowing anything else he
could say to comfort Kyle.

"I just wish things had ended differently," Kyle said
simply.

"Well, there is one way you can get close to your mom,
or at least a peice of her anyway," David suggested.

"What?" Kyle asked.

"You have a new little brother right?" David brought
up.

"Baby Ricky," Kyle said.

"Yea, he could be your second chance," David said.

"You think?" Kyle asked.

"I think so," David replied sweetly. "Come on, we need
to get you home and into some dry clothes."

"I have to go back to the cementary first," Kyle said.

"Why?" David asked.

"I never said goodbye to my mom," Kyle replied.

"Okay," David said. "I'll see you back at your place?"

"Actually, can you come with me?" Kyle asked. "I need
you there with me."

"Of course," David replied taking Kyle's hand as they
went into David's car. "We'll come back for your car
later."

The two got in David's car and drove to the cemetary.

At Randal's place, Stanley just arrived and was
getting to know Tyler.

"So Randal told me that you grew up in Seattle?" Tyler
asked.

"Yea, born and raised there," Stanley replied.

"That's cool.  I love it up there," Tyler said.

"It's really beautiful, I mean it rains a lot, but I
like the rain so it's nice," Stanley said.

"Only a true Seattle native would be able to say that
about the rain," Randal joked.

"It's true though," Stanley said. "I think the rain is
very calming.  That's why I think today is such a nice
day."

"Yea except the traffic sucks when it rains," Tyler
brought up.

"That's just because Southern California people don't
know how to drive in the rain," Stanley joked.

"Randal says that all the time!" Tyler replied
laughing.

"Really?" Stanley asked looking at Randal.

"Yea, it's true," Randal replied.

"Wow, you guys are two peas in a pod," Tyler said
getting up. "I'm glad to see Randal is finally dating
someone for once.  I'll give you guys some privacy. 
I'm going to go get some sleep it's been a long day. 
Good meeting you Stanley."

"Nice to meet you too, Tyler." Stanley replied. 

"Goodnight Randal," Tyler said heading for the guest
room.

"Later Tyler," Randal replied as Tyler closed the
door.

"So, what did Tyler mean when he said he was glad to
see you dating for once?" Stanley asked.

"Well, I've never actually been on a second date with
a guy before," Randal admited.

"Really?" Stanley asked. "How come?"

"I never was the relationship type of guy," Randal
replied. "I was always the type of guy who just hooked
up with people.  That way I'd get the sex with out
having to deal with the emotions of love.  I never
thought that I could be in a good relationship.  I
mean they take a lot of trust, and I have problems
opening up to someone like that."

"Have you had bad experiences with relationships in
the past?" Stanley asked.

"No, I just always saw my friends in them during high
school and there was always drama and stuff like that,
then when I met the guys I hang out with now I've seen
a couple of them with boyfriends and it always seemed
like relationships were doomed to end.  It wasn't
until lately that I started seeing the good in
relationships." Randal said.

"What made you see that?" Stanley asked.

"Well, Tyler and my other friend Jake got together a
couple months ago and seem really happy, well Jake is
having some problems right now, but him and Tyler
truly love each other.  Then my other friends Kyle and
David, they've been the two that have inspired me a
lot." Randal began, "Kyle was like me, he didn't do
relationship either, and he was best friends with
David.  David always loved him and told him a few
months ago and things were shaky for a while between
them.  Kyle still didn't want a relationship, David
stopped seeing Kyle for a while, then David met
someone and tried moving on from Kyle.  Then just
recently Kyle realized how much he loved David and the
two got together.  When I saw that Kyle was able to
open up like that, it sort of made me realize that I
might be able to as well.  Then I met you, and I
realized that maybe there is someone that I could
trust and open up to."

Stanley smiled and leaned in and kissed Randal.

"So, this is our second date.  That's a pretty big
step for you," Stanley said.

"Yes it is," Randal replied. "We should celebrate."

"I think so," Stanley said smiling.

Randal leaned back in and started kissing Stanley some
more.  The two laid back on the couch together.

"Wait," Randal said stopping himself.

"What's wrong?" Stanley asked.

"I can't do this," Randal replied. "Not just yet
anyway.  We're just acting on our hormones right now. 
I want to wait and do this when there's more intimacy
and heart involved in it."

Stanley smiled and kissed Randal.

"That sounds like a good idea," Stanley answered.

"You don't mind?" Randal asked.

"Not at all," Stanley replied. "I can wait."

"Thanks," Randal said. "So, want to watch a movie?"

"Sounds good," Stanley said.

Randal put a movie on and the two laid on the couch
together holding one another.

When Kyle and David arrived to the cemetary it was
dark.  The two got out and went to his mom's grave,
Kyle brought with him a white rose.  Kyle stood at the
foot of the grave looking at the tomb stone that read,
'Carol Garrett: 1955-2004, Beloved Wife, Mother, and
Friend.'

Kyle took a moment to think about his mom then set the
Rose down next to the grave.

"Goodbye mom," Kyle said. "I love you."

David went up to Kyle and held him.

"Thanks for being here," Kyle said.

"I'm always here for you," David said. "I want you to
know that."

"I know, and I'm sorry I wasn't really opening up to
you earlier." Kyle said.

"It's okay," David said giving Kyle a kiss.

The two then went hand in hand back to David's car and
drove back to Kyle's place.

Jake got home to his place and looked around, even
though the place looked the same it felt empty since
Tyler wasn't there.  He went into the bedroom and laid
down on the bed thinking about Tyler and Miles.  His
mind was at a state of pure confussion and he didn't
know what to do.  He felt truly alone, not knowing
where to turn.  He fell asleep thinking of them hoping
that the one he's supossed to be with will come to him
in his dreams...

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

To Be Continued....

Hope everyone enjoyed it.  With any questions,
comments or feedback please e-mail me at
ILJ4EVER44@yahoo. com Thanks!