Date: Fri, 30 Aug 2002 23:10:10 -0700
From: Dewey <dewey@deweywriter.com>
Subject: Brian and Pete Chapter 14

Brian and Pete
Chapter Fourteen
Decisions

Copyright Notice - Copyright  (c)January 2002 by DeweyWriter Ltd.

This story is copyrighted by the author and the author retains all rights.
This work may not be duplicated in any form, physical, electronic, audio,
or otherwise without the authors express written permission.  All
applicable copyright laws apply and will be enforced.

Legal Disclaimer: This story is a work of erotic fiction involving teenage
boys partially based on real people and events.  Names have been changed to
protect the guilty as well as the innocent.  All the usual rules apply.  If
it is illegal for you to be reading this now, then don't continue.

 --oo00OO00oo--

"Hello, son.  It's good to see you again," Kevin said in a quiet, emotion
choked voice.

"Whatever.  I'm busy.  Why are you wasting my time?"

"Raymond," Mrs. Cox said in a disapproving tone, "maybe you should go in
and see what they have to say."

"Fuck that.  They can tell me here or not at all."

"Ray, I need to talk to you about your case.  Would you at least come up to
the office?"

"Oh, no.  I ain't goin' up there again.  Last time you told me to get the
fuck out!"

"We did not!" yelled Jason as he shot to his feet and ran for the door.
"We gave you a choice..."  Kevin quieted him with a hand on his shoulder.
With great effort, Jason contained himself.  For the first time, I saw he
was feverishly clutching Ray's medallion.  Ray stared back at him with
contempt.  I squeezed Brian's hand for comfort.

"Some choice!"

"Ray, please?"  Kevin was pleading.

"Tell me now, or I'm walking."

"I don't think this is something you want to discuss in public."

"Bye.  Thanks for wasting a perfectly good day."  Ray turned to walk away.
When he was half way to the car, Kevin blurted, "You're free, Ray!"

"What?  Free of what?"

"Your parents.  You're free to be adopted now."

"Yeah right.  Who's gonna adopt a loud mouthed wise ass fifteen year old
faggot?"

Tears fell from Kevin's eyes. "I would."

Ray seemed to swell in his fury.  "Don't play with me, old man!  You told
me to get lost and I did.  You expect me to come crawling back, begging you
to take me in?  Wrong!  Not happenin'."

Brian marched over to the door and calmly walked outside to face Ray.  I
could tell he was pissed by the way he held his head and shoulders stiffly
erect.

"What do you want?"  Brian came nose to nose with Ray.  He said something,
but I couldn't make it out.  Ray responded, "And I'm supposed to believe
that?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because I wouldn't joke about that, Ray.  You know that."

"No, I don't know anything.  They said they wanted me, then kicked me out."

"They didn't kick you out.  They gave you a choice, and you chose to leave.
Not them."

"They could have stopped me, but they didn't.  Fuck 'em.  I don't need 'em.
I'm fine on my own.  And fuck you, too."

What happened next is a little bit unclear.  Brian moved, and Ray fell
down, hand on his cheek.  Kevin held Mrs. Cox back, to let Brian and Ray
have it out.

"YOU FUCKING IDIOT!" Brian screamed.  "Standing right over there, you have
a family that loves you like their own, and you're going to throw that away
BECAUSE OF YOUR FUCKING PRIDE?"  Brian struggled to control himself as Ray
regained his feet, his eye already starting to swell.  "You don't deserve
them, you self-centered egotistical prick."

"I'm an idiot?  Look at them!  The only reason they put up with you is
because Pete won't let you go.  If he dropped you, you'd be out on your ass
just like me.  Talk about stupid."  I could see Brian's eyes narrow as Ray
spoke.

"You're wrong.  They love me.  I know they do."

"Yeah, right.  The only reason they say they love you is to keep Pete
happy, and the only reason Pete says he loves you is because he gets a
quick piece of ass when he wants it!"

"You better take that back, Ray."  Brian's voice was dangerously low.

Ray's grin was pure malice.  "The truth hurts, don't it, loverboy?"

Brian launched at Ray, and the fight was on.  I was surprised to see that
they were pretty evenly matched.  They were screaming at each other, back
and forth, Brian telling Ray how stupid he was, and Ray taunting him with
our supposed lack of love.  They fell down into the lawn, and Brian quickly
seized the advantage, neatly rolling Ray up into a small package.  Ray
continued struggling, calling Brian every name in the book, but Brian just
held on, speaking quietly but pointedly into Ray's ear.

"Lemme go!  Lemme go, you fuck!"

"Not until you hear what I have to say!"

"No!  You got nothin' to say I wanna hear!  Lemme go!"

"Ray, why are you afraid of letting them be your family?"

"I ain't afraid of nuthin, you prick!  Lemme up and I'll show you who's
afraid!" Ray renewed his struggle, but Brian held firm.

"Is it because your parents abandoned you?"

"Don't you ever mention them in my presence again!  They ain't my parents!
They never were!  They're nuthin to me, get it?"

"But it still hurts, doesn't it?  That they didn't want you?"

"SHUT UP!  Shut the fuck up!"

"Mommy and Daddy didn't care about you.  You weren't worth the effort to
love.  You were dirt to them.  A source of pain and misery."

 "Stop!" Ray screeched, but Brian had no mercy.

"What happened when their already-troublesome child grew up?  They had to
get rid of you!  They had the money; what did they need you for?  All you
were was another mouth to feed, and you were gay to boot!  'Can't have a
fag living in our house,' they said, so they beat you and beat you until
you went away!"  Ray's struggling ceased.

"Stop.  Please stop," he pleaded through his tears.  Ray was on the verge
of crying, but Brian continued on.

"You entered the foster care system.  How many more families didn't want
you?  Three?  Four?  More?  You're a rude, crude teenager and no one wants
you!"

"Why are you doing this to me?" Ray wailed.

"Because you don't appreciate what Kevin, Pete, and Jason are willing to do
for you, ya big dope!  They want to adopt you!  They want you just as you
are! They want you in their family, and you just want to run!  You have
their love.  You've always had it!  And it scares you because you're afraid
it won't last; that they'll kick you out just like your parents
did. They're not going anywhere, Ray!  They're here for you, regardless of
whether you accept the adoption or not."

"How do I know that?" Ray countered.  "That bitch used to tell me she'd
never leave me all the time when I was little, and look what happened!  Why
set myself up to go through that again?"

"Can I let you go now?  Will you listen to what we have to say?"

Sniffing, Ray said, "Yes."  Brian released him, and Ray sat on the lawn
facing a crouching Brian, tears still streaming down his face. I was
surprised to see tears on Brian's cheeks, too. "Brian?  Why do you care
about what happens to me?  After all I did to you?"

"You didn't do anything that left a lasting mark, Ray.  I know what it's
like to go through life feeling unloved.  As to why you should give them a
chance... well, they'll never be able to prove themselves to you if you
don't give them an opportunity."  Ray and Brian seemed oblivious to the
fact that Jason, Dad, Mrs. Cox, and I were listening from the front porch.

"I don't want to get hurt again!"  Ray was crying again, tears running down
his cheeks.  I think I saw some tears in Brian's eyes, too.

Brian pulled him into an embrace, but Ray shrugged it off.  "And you think
I do?  Ray, life is a risk.  Love is a risk.  You risk your heart and soul,
because you bare them to the people that love you, and whom you want to
love.  But if you never risk it, you'll never find love, either."

Ray wiped his nose with his arm.  "I don't know if I can do that again."

"We'll help you."

"Why?" he demanded.

"Because we love you."  Ray stared at Brian, disbelief plain on his face.
"Ray, you're a lovable person, and you're capable of loving others.
Nothing in your past has taken either of those things away from you.  All
you have to do is look on the porch to see it's true."

Ray turned his head, seemingly shocked to find us gathered on the porch,
watching the interchange between them.  Tears were still falling as he
examined our faces in turn.  Abruptly, Ray rose and ran to the car.  Once
inside, he held himself while he cried.

Brian sighed and limped back to us.  "Are you okay, baby?" I asked.

"Yeah.  Ray just kicked my knee while I was taking him down.  It'll be fine
in an hour or so."  I hugged him tightly.

"Brian," Kevin said, eyes shining, "I don't know how you do it."

"Do what?"  Kevin didn't answer, but wrapped Brian in a bear hug.

Jason just smiled sadly as he watched Ray in the car, crying himself out.
Then he walked to the car and opened the door.  Ray immediately tried to
stop the waterworks, but it was way too late.

"Ray, I just want you to know," Jason said quietly, "you'll always be my
brother."

He handed Ray his medallion, hugged him, and backed away.  Ray didn't move
a muscle.  He just stared at the pendant, running his fingers over the
raised symbol in the center.

"What's this?" he asked quietly.

"It's for you.  It's my gift- our gift- to you."

"But... why?  What does this mean?"

Jason was choking up.  In an unsteady voice, he answered, "The symbol means
'younger brother'.  We all have them, including Dad.  They remind us that
we're family.  Brothers.  Brothers Forever.  Nothing will change that."

"Why give it to me?"

"Because, Ray.  You are my brother.  Forever.  No matter what.  And if you
decide not to be with us, it's something to remember us by."

With shaking hands, Ray continued to examine what Jason had given him.  For
a long while, he sat there, not moving.  Jason backed away from the car to
join us on the porch.  Kevin embraced Jason, holding him tightly.  In a
quiet voice, Kevin said, " You've done all you can, boys.  It's up to him
now."

"The hell it is."  Brian pulled away from me and stomped his way to the
open car door.  He physically pulled Ray out of the car and slammed him
against the side.  It looked so painful that I winced in sympathy.

"Now, look, Ray.  I know you're afraid, but I also know, deep down inside,
that you want to stay. They're afraid that you won't stay with them.  I'm
going to make sure you do.  You have two choices.  You can come back with
us as you are, or you can leave- in an ambulance, and come back in a body
cast.  You have five minutes to decide whether or not I beat you to a
bloody pulp."

Ray glared at Brian.  "You and whose army?"

"I don't need an army for a weak little fuckstain like you."

"Oh yeah?"  "Yeah!"

"Prove it!"

"You forget already?  I just did."

"You took me by surprise!  Like this!"  Ray swung and planted a cruel
looking right hook to Brian's left eye; about the same place Brian had hit
Ray earlier.  Brian staggered back a few steps and then gathered himself
for an attack, but before Brian could retaliate, Ray said, "We're even."

"No we're not, but we can settle this later.  So what's you decision?"

"The adoption came through?"

"It came through last night."

"And they really want me back?"

"They really want you back, Ray."

Ray once again searched our faces.  "I'm going to have to think about it.
I'm ready to go," he added to Mrs. Cox as he got back in the car.  She
spoke to Kevin in a hushed tone for a moment, then got in the car and drove
away.

--ooOOoo--

The house was very quiet that night.  Jason retreated to his room and
didn't come out.  Kevin ran around the house for a few hours, as if unsure
what to do with himself, and then left to go who knows where.  Probably
over to see Ben.  Brian and I watched TV to get our minds off of things,
while he held an icepack to his eye.  It was going to be a good shiner.

Around six, Brian and I got hungry.  I rummaged around and decided to make
spaghetti, since it was simple.  Brian tried to help me, but he just got in
the way, so I shooed him out of the kitchen after he set the table.  The
poor guy's eye had swollen shut.  People at school would love it.

Jason didn't come down for dinner.  The only time he showed his face was to
take a phone call from David, but he went straight back to his room.  Kevin
didn't return until after Brian and I were in bed.  We didn't say much
before we went to sleep, but we did cuddle for a while, and fell asleep in
each other's arms.

The next morning, Brian and I got up for school and went through our normal
routine.  His eye wasn't swollen shut, but he said he couldn't see out of
it very well, either.  I drove us to school, which was weird.  Jason always
drove when it wasn't Kevin or Sharon.

It was finals week.  I wasn't worried, because studying with Brian helped
me a lot.  It was amazing how he could look at something just once or twice
and then remember it almost forever.  It took me time to get things down,
but I could count on him to help me when I needed it, but he sure didn't
make it easy.  When I asked him a question, he'd ask me a question in
return, to make me think about the answer, and try and reason it out for
myself.  The only way he'd give me the answer outright was if he ran out of
questions (a rare occurrence) or couldn't think of a way to use his usual
method.

As expected, Brian caught a lot of flack over his black eye from the guys
at school.  He just listened to what was said and laughed right along with
them, but I could tell he was getting tired of it by the end of the day.

Jared was waiting for us at our usual table at lunch.  The school seemed
empty with all the seniors gone, and without Brent, it would be just us
three.  Jared waved as we sat down, chewing a mouthful of mystery meat.

"Hi Jared," we said simultaneously.

He swallowed, "Hey guys.  HOLY SHIT!  Who happened to you?"  Jared was
obviously staring at Brian's bruised face.

 "We heard from Ray," I said.

"Oh.  Really."  Jared's tone was cool, but he was still looking at Brian's
eye.

"Yeah," Brian continued.  "The adoption came through late Friday night.  We
saw him on Sunday."

"And..."

"He and I had words, then exchanged black eyes.  He hasn't accepted the
adoption."

"He hasn't rejected it either, Brian," I said.  Jared's expression was hard
to read.  I know he still harbored some feelings for Ray, but he'd also
been badly hurt.  "He said he'd 'think about it'.  I don't understand what
there is to think about."

"I do," Brian said.  "He's spent the last couple months bracing himself to
live his life without a family.  Now he has the chance to have a family
again.  It's another huge shift in his perspective."

"Still," Jared said, "He lived with you guys for almost 4 years.  He knows
what you're like.  There aren't any unknowns."

"Doesn't matter.  He's got to shift his whole attitude toward life again."
I took a bite, chewing pensively.  I thought Ray was just being stubborn as
usual, but I wasn't going to say that to Brian.  He's incredibly empathetic
to things like this.  I was pretty sure he could 'feel' what Ray was
thinking and feeling that Sunday afternoon.

"What'd you guys take this morning.  English?"

"Yeah," I replied.  "It was pretty easy.  All we had to do was write an
essay on anything we wanted.  Mr. Walker said he'd grade it for form and
punctuation, spelling, the usual stuff."

"Yeah," Brian said, "It was a piece of cake.  Math is the next one.  Should
be pretty easy."

"Speak for yourself, Bri.  You know I hate math."

"You do well at it for hating it."  I snorted.

"I had chemistry this morning.  It was pretty brutal."

"Did you pass, Jared?" I asked.

"The final?  I hope so.  I hope he grades on the curve, too."

Thinking the same about biology, I asked, "Does Mr. Griffith use the
curve?"

He smirked.  "You should know better than that.  Last year, only six people
out of the whole sophomore class got an 'A'."

"That sucks."

"Don't worry, babe.  You'll do fine."

"I hope so.

"We don't take the final for seventh period until Thursday morning, anyway.
We can go over the material again this week if you want to."

"Okay.  That's the only one I'm really worried about."

"No problem," Brian said.  "Jared, can I ask you a question?"

"Sure, Brian."  I smiled to myself.  Jared couldn't stop staring at Brian's
eye.

"What's it like to be out?"

"You mean, am I harassed?"

"Yeah, I guess."

"I don't get bothered, mostly.  Some people bump me in the halls, knock my
books out of my hands, that kind of thing.  Other people can't look me in
the eye.  I've lost a few so-called friends.  I've told you about that
stuff before."

"Doesn't it make you angry?" Brian asked.

"Of course, but what am I going to do?  Fight them?"

"It's not right."

"No, it's not, but we can't do anything about it, Bri," I said.

"Let me think about it for a while."

"Brian, we only have a week left of school."

"I know."  Brian chewed thoughtfully for a moment, swallowed, and then
said, "We haven't talked about it for a while, Pete.  Do you want to come
out?"

"Do you?"  He nodded.  "When?"

Jared asked, "Are you guys sure you want to do this?"

"If we do," Brian answered, "we'll have safety in numbers.  Other people
will come out, if not to everyone, then at least to us.  It'll be okay."

"When, Bri?"

His face transformed into an evil grin.  "Thursday at lunch, right here.
I'm gonna plant a big ol' kiss on ya."  Jared was keenly observing my
reaction.

"Are you sure?"

"Positive, if you want to do this.  If not, I'll wait until we get home and
plant one on another part of your anatomy."

"Brian, don't say stuff like that.  I have a hard enough time being around
you without you making things more difficult.  Especially when we have to
walk to class."

He grinned mischievously.  "Now you know what I feel like all the time.
Why do you think I carry a book everywhere I go?"

Jared chuckled.  "I've always wondered about that.  I've never seen you
open a single book you bring to lunch."

"Now you know!"

The lunch hour ended and we went to take the math final.  It wasn't as bad
as I'd feared, and Brian was the first person done.  He pretended to work
on the test until I was finished, and then turned his in about five minutes
after me.

After dropping off our books, we headed home.  Jason was gone, and Kevin
was at work, so we went straight to bed.

--ooOOoo-

Brian and I decided between us not to come out at school, at least not that
year.  There were too many ambivalent feelings to go through with it.  I
was still worried about what might happen when people found out.

The rest of the week passed uneventfully until Thursday afternoon.  Brent
wasn't at school anymore, so some of his Junior friends took advantage of
it, and attacked Jared.  Brian and I happened to be just around the corner
when it happened, and the noise alerted us.  When Brian saw what was
happening, he crashed through the crowd and literally knocked one of the
attackers unconscious with a huge right to the jaw.

Jared seemed to be holding his own fairly well against his three
assailants, and with Brian having taken one out of the fight, the two
remaining attackers turned to face him, giving Jared a chance to disengage
and move behind Brian.

Brian just stared at them, waiting for them to make a move, as I pushed my
way through the stunned mob surrounding them, and stood beside my
boyfriend.

Brian spoke in low, dangerous tones, which told me he was ready to kill.
"You should go.  I don't want your blood on my clothes."  The two thugs
glared at him, but didn't attack.  Brian had a reputation after the fight
he and Brent had earlier in the year.

It was in that standoff that I got my first look at Jared's battle scars.
He had taken a shot to the left eye, and had a small cut on his left cheek.
Other than that, he looked okay.  I snorted.  Maybe I should get someone to
give me a black eye, then we'd look like a matched set.

No one moved until Mr. Johnson and a couple security people arrived, then
the crowd gradually dispersed.

"You again, Mr. Kellam?  All right, who started this?"

Five boys said, "They did," simultaneously.  The sixth remained
unconscious.

"What happened to him?"

One of the attackers said, "Kellam took him out.  He wasn't even looking."

Brian calmly stated, "He wasn't looking because he was too busy trying to
kill Jared."

"All of you come with me."  Mr. Johnson motioned to a security guard to
stay with sleeping beauty until the nurse could look him over.  The other
came with us, followed by a teacher that had arrived just after
Mr. Johnson.

In the office, we were separated by groups.  Mr. Johnson joined us first.
"Well, well, well.  Another fight for Mr. Kellam.  Why am I not surprised?"
The Vice Principal's lips held a slight smile.  "I suppose they attacked
Mr. Tanner and you came to his rescue."

"Exactly," said Brian.

"What did you do to knock that boy out?"

"I only threw one punch.  It got their attention."

"I should say.  I trust you, Mr. Kellam.  I won't ask why the fight
started."

"It started," Jared said, "because I'm gay."

Mr. Johnson nodded.  "I assumed as much, Mr. Tanner."  Jared wasn't shocked
that Mr. Johnson knew of his orientation.  I guess he thought everyone
knew.  "Go to the nurse's office and get yourself an icepack and some
gauze.  I don't want blood on my floor."  He said it with a smile.

"Yes sir."  Jared rose and did as he was told.

"What am I to do with you?  This is becoming an irritating habit of yours,
Brian."  I was surprised to hear Mr. Johnson use Brian's first name.  I'd
never heard him use anything other than mister or miss toward anyone,
teachers included.

"If they'd leave me and my friends alone, I wouldn't be in here so much."

"It looks to me like you've had another fight earlier in the week.  Not on
school grounds, I trust?"

"No.  My... my brother and I had a fight.  He looks as bad as I do."

"Not something to be proud of.  Can I expect this to continue next year?"

"If things remain as they are.  They might get worse, though."

"And why is that?"

Brian looked at me for permission.  I nodded and put my arm around his
shoulder.

"We're gay, too. We're thinking about coming out next year."  Mr. Johnson
blinked in surprise.

"I see.  I think I have some extra work to do, then.  Why do you feel you
must 'come out'?"

I said, "We're both tired of hiding.  If other couples can kiss and hug in
the hallway, we should be able to, as well."

"You've thought about the consequences, then?"

"Of course.  We considered coming out today, but we both decided we had
some more thinking to do."

Brian added, "And given what just happened....  People are already
wondering about us.  It'd just be a confirmation.  With three of us, we
have safety in numbers.  And I'm sure that there are more like us."  Jared
returned, gauze in hand.

Mr. Johnson nodded thoughtfully.  He pulled out a piece of paper and made a
few notes.  "Let me see that cut, Jared."  Jared complied.  The cut was
small; only half a centimeter. "You'll be fine, but it might scar.  I
recommend you see your doctor."

"Okay, I will."

"Have you checked out with the library and the custodian?"

"Not yet," I answered.  Brian shook his head.

"I have," Jared said.

"The you may go.  I'll go deal with those ruffians next door.  Have a good
summer, boys.  I'll see you in August."

"Thanks, Mr. Johnson."

"Don't mention it, Brian."  There was a babble of voices coming from the
next room as Mr. Johnson entered.  As we left, we heard him bellow,
"Quiet!"

Brian and I checked out and headed home, inviting Jared over later.

School was over for another year.  We'd be Juniors in the fall, with Jared
being a Senior.  It didn't seem possible, but it was.

On the drive home, I thought of everything we could do together, from
camping on the beach, to the mountains, anywhere that a car would take us,
if Ben and Lisa would let Brian go.  I was sure they would.

Wouldn't it be cool, I thought, to take a road trip for a month?  Go down
to that little town we stayed in a couple of years ago, then down to the
San Francisco area.  We'd have to see Chris and his mom, Danny too.  Then
on to LA for all the parks and the beaches, over to Phoenix, up to the
Grand Canyon and Las Vegas, back through the Sierras to Yosemite and Lassen
Park, Crater Lake, Bend, and back home.  No one to hurry us.  Money wasn't
an issue.  I had plenty available for the trip, and Kevin would let me
spend it.  It's not like he has a choice, but I like to give him the
illusion of power.  "Um, Pete?  Are we going somewhere?  I thought we were
going home."  I'd been so preoccupied with planning our trip that I missed
the turn for our street!  Grumbling, I turned on the next street and came
in the back way, Brian chortling the whole time.

"What were you thinking?"

"I was making plans for the summer."

"Really?  Like what?"

"Oh, I don't know.  Maybe some camping on the beach or up in the mountains.
Maybe a trip down south.  I don't know."

Brian sighed and patted my thigh, sending a shiver up my spine.  "That
would be nice.  I'd like to see that place you went camping with the
family, down in southern Oregon.  I don't remember the name."

"Brookings.  Yeah, I was just thinking about that.  Maybe Jason and Ray or
Jared could go with us."  Brian hummed his agreement as we pulled into the
driveway.  I knew then that we'd take that road trip.  I wanted Brian to
see those places.  They had a special place in my heart, and I hoped that
Brian would come to think of them as special, too.  Jason and David were
home.  They were in the kitchen digging for a snack.  They were wearing
shorts and nothing else.

"Hi guys," Brian said, a smirk on his face, "having fun?"  Jason glared at
Brian, but seemed unfazed.

David answered, "I'm always having fun of one kind or another, right
Jason?"  Jason blushed and tried to hide in the refrigerator.  "Boy, he
wasn't kidding about that black eye.  Where'd the guy hit you?"

"Here," Brian said as he pointed to the point of the cheek bone.  "It
didn't hurt really, just bloomed well," Brian replied.  "It was a sucker
punch."

"Sure."  David grinned, making me think he didn't believe Brian.  Then
David joined Jason at the fridge.  As Pete and I headed up to our room to
change, we heard David exclaim, "OH!  Whipped cream! And HONEY!"  Cracking
up, we shut the door behind us.

As I undressed, I heard Brian saying, "Mmmm... whipped cream...."  in his
best his Homer Simpson, and I finally lost it.  I could mount no resistance
when Brian jumped me on the bed, and then I didn't want to resist.

--ooOOoo-

When I heard the racket down the hall, and then saw Jared in the middle of
it, my brain stopped working.  I was running on raw instinct.  All I could
see was that asshole's jaw, and him hitting the ground when I broke into
the fight.  The next thing I knew, he was on the ground, and the other two
guys turned to look at me.  I vaguely remember staring them down, and then
Mr. Johnson showed up.

I remember everything after that perfectly.  Mr. Johnson puts on a good
asshole act, but he's very cool once you get past it.  He has a good sense
of justice too.  The time he suspended me for two weeks, he told me that if
I hadn't popped off to the coach, he would have only given me the week
required for fighting.  We talked about it for a while too, and he got to
know me a bit.  He asked me to avoid fighting, and feeling flip, I told him
I would avoid every fight I started.  He actually laughed, and sent me
home.  Pete told me later about the crack I made about getting their blood
on my shirt, and it did sound funny, but I don't remember saying it.  In
any case, it kept my shirt and their faces clean.

On the way home, Pete seemed preoccupied.  I wasn't sure what it was about,
so I didn't say anything to him.  I thought he might be angry with me for
jumping into the middle of that fight without thinking about it.  As we got
closer to home, I began imagining things that he could be pissed at me for,
and of course my mind started running rampant with the worst case
scenarios.

Only when Pete missed our street did I speak to him, and it seemed to make
him even more angry when I pointed it out to him.  Trying to lighten the
mood a bit, I forced a laugh, and tried to get him to smile.  It didn't
work very well, so I finally asked him what he was thinking.

It kind of caught me by surprise when he said he was planning our summer.

Everything he said sounded way cool.  Maybe we could turn it into a road
trip for a couple weeks, just him and me.  Jason and David might be cool,
so would Jared and Ray, but they weren't seeing each other, and I doubt the
foster home would let Ray skip town for a couple weeks.  It was like being
on probation or something.

When we got home, we found Jason and David looking around the kitchen for a
snack.  They had obviously just gotten out of bed, judging by their hair
and their flushed appearance, not to mention the tents in their shorts.  I
couldn't help but give them a hard time.

It was so strange to see Jason playing around with David in more than a
casual friendly way.  You could tell he was uncomfortable with it too, but
it didn't stop him.  I guess it was something he had to get used to.

Pete and I retreated to our bedroom to leave David and Jason to their
playtime.  David apparently found something good to eat judging by his
excitement.

Pete closed the door behind us and slowly took off his clothes while I
raced to get undressed.  I thought back to what David had found in the
fridge and said "Mmmm...  Whipped cream...."  Pete started laughing, and I
knew I had him.

I tackled him to the bed and slobbered all over his face, all the while
helping him get out of his remaining clothing.  It wasn't very hard,
because between my licking his face and his near hysteria, I had him
helpless.  When he was finally free, he grabbed my head and kissed me.
Suddenly, our situations were reversed as I melted into him.

--ooOOoo-

A knock on the door woke me out of a deep sleep.  "Guys?"  Jason's voice.
I heard the door open, and too late I realized Pete and I were naked lying
on the bed.  Jason peeked in then quickly pulled his head back.  "Sorry.
We were going to go eat dinner, do some shopping, and maybe see a movie.
Want to go?"

I looked at the clock.  It said six-thirty.  Pete stretched next to me.
"Sure.  Can you give us twenty minutes to get cleaned up?"

"Sure. No problem.  We'll be in my room waiting.  Oh, Dad said he's working
late tonight."

"Thanks, Jason."

"Sorry about walking in on you..."

I shook my head.  "It's okay.  It's not like we have anything to hide."
Pete just smiled.

"Okay.  Well, uh, we'll be waiting."  He closed the door behind him.

 We took our shower together, and were out within ten minutes.  It was fun,
but we stopped before we had too much fun.  That we would save for later
on.

Twenty minutes later, we were in David's car heading out to dinner.  Jason
had left his car at David's since he knew he'd end up there eventually.  We
were going to this little Mongolian barbecue place.  I'd never had it, but
all three of them swore up and down it was great, and with the
all-you-can-eat dinner, it was a good place for a bottomless pit like
myself to eat.  And it was terrific!

We tossed around ideas for the summer with Jason and David.  David talked
about going to Hawaii and taking Jason with him.  Of course Jason protested
he couldn't afford the trip, but David told him he could find some way to
pay him back, if he used his imagination.  Jason just blushed.

Pete became quite thoughtful at the mention of Hawaii.  I kicked him under
the table and said, "Don't you dare!"  He just grinned and got up for
another helping.  "Thanks, guys.  Now I have to talk him out of that trip,
too!"

David looked at me curiously.  "Why?"

"Because I can't afford to go, and I want to contribute to our
relationship."  Jason looked troubled as I spoke.

Exasperated, David said, "Look, Brian, you do contribute to the
relationship.  If you didn't, then there wouldn't be a relationship.
There's more to being together than who pays for what.  If Pete wants to
take you to Hawaii, or Jamaica for that matter..."

"Don't give him any ideas!"

"... then let him.  It's part of the package.  Enjoy it, and like I told
Jason: you'll find creative ways to pay him back."

Jason glanced at me and our eyes met.  I could tell he was having as much
trouble with this aspect of his relationship with David as I was having in
mine with Pete.  I made a mental note to talk to Jason about this later,
but later became sooner as Pete came back and I was getting up for my
fourth bowl.  Jason joined me for his third, leaving Pete and David alone
at the table.  Not a good thing, in my mind, but I couldn't very well go
back.

"Jason, you don't think David's putting ideas into Pete's head, do you?"

"Most likely," he replied with a wide grin.  "He might be trying to talk
Pete into taking you to Hawaii with us when we go."

"That'd be cool, but I don't like Pete spending that kind of money on me."

He sighed.  "I know the feeling.  David does the same with me.  He spends
like there's no tomorrow."

"Well, you know Pete; he's not like that.  Not usually anyway.  He needs to
save that money for college."

"Brian, he doesn't.  He's all taken care of.  Probably for the rest of his
life.  David is too.  He showed me his bank accounts."

"Why?  Trying to brag or something?"

"No, not really.  He was trying to get me to accept that he had more money
than he could spend, so I should just take what he gave me.  I was kind of
insulted.  He made it seem like I was a beggar or something."

"That's exactly my problem!  I feel like I'm leeching off of Pete."

Jason smiled.  "It may seem that way, but you're not.  You guys love each
other.  Really, truly love each other.  David and I... well, we're lovers,
but love?  I don't think so.  Not at this point anyway.  That's what makes
the difference."

"Do you see it going to the next level, to real love?"

He shrugged. "Maybe.  We'll see.  We've only been going out for a little
while.  It's way too early for me to make any kind of commitment.  I might
meet someone else, too."

"Like a girl?"

"Could be.  Who knows."  Our conversation ended as we reached the line to
load up our bowls.

Upon returning to the table, I saw Pete sigh in relief as I sat down.
David seemed not to notice the furtive glance Pete gave me to indicate
David was driving him up a wall.  I smiled sympathetically and patted his
leg as I sat down.  Normal conversation resumed as we finished dinner.
David insisted on paying the bill.

Our next stop was the Washington Square Mall.  We agreed to split up and
meet below the food court in an hour.  Pete and I went one way, and David
and Jason went the other.

"What do you think of David, Bri?"

"Um, he's okay, I guess.  Why?"

"He's still giving me some weird vibes."

"Like?"

"Like he's always talking about how much money he has."

"He told me that money couldn't be the center of a relationship if it's
going to last."

"He said that?"

"Well, not those exact words.  We were talking about what people bring to
relationships, and how money didn't mean everything.  There's more to a
relationship than who pays for what."

Pete was quiet for a while.  I knew I'd pissed him off.  I didn't say
anything either.  I just followed him around through Suncoast Video and
Babbage's, pretty much making myself miserable. Pete noticed as we left the
software store and led me to a bench.

"Are you okay, Bri?  Did I say something?"

"No.  Did I?"

"No.  Well, yeah, but it just got me thinking."

"You're not angry?"

"Of course not, Bri."

"Oh.  I thought you were."

"Nope."  He picked up a CD and looked it over.  "Do you resent that I have
this money coming in.  Bri?"  His question caught me by surprise.

"Resent it?  Kind of.  I don't know if resent is the right word.  I guess
I'm jealous more than anything."

"Why?"

"Because... well...."  I held up my hand with the ring he gave me.  "I'm
jealous, because I want to be able to get you things like this on my own,
without you having to spend your money so I can get you something.  I
mean... Oh, hell.  I don't know what I mean."

"I do," Pete said in a whisper.  "I know exactly what you mean.  But I
don't know what to do about it."  Pete's features set in a melancholy
expression.

"I'm trying, Pete.  I really am.  I know you don't mean to make me feel
this way, and I probably shouldn't, but I do."  Suddenly, Pete's expression
brightened.

"You know what that means to me?"

"No..."

"You're afraid that if I pay for something you want to give me, it somehow
means less, right?"

"Well, kind of.  It's like I'm leeching."

"But, because you want to do this for me on your own, it means even more to
me.  I could have bought myself a matching ring when I got yours, but it
didn't seem right.  I know you want me to have one too, right?"  I nodded.
"And you can pick it out and write the inscription, right?"  I nodded
again.  "Then we can go over and you can do that.  I'll pay for it, and you
can pay me back."

"I'll have to get a job, and it'll take me months to make enough to pay you
back."

"Didn't you listen to what David said, Bri?  Money isn't important!  It
doesn't matter who pays for it!  Your love would buy that ring for me,
Bri."

"Then you're paying for my love!"

"Yeah, I'm paying for a high class gigolo."  He saw my face darken and
hastily continued, "Brian, you're not thinking!  Look, we've been together
for almost eight months now, right?"

"Yeah, the end of this month."

"You still love me?"

"Of course I do!"

"I'm yours and you're mine, right?"

"Yeah..."

"And everything I have belongs to you and vice versa, right?"

Now I saw where he was going with it, I balked.  "It's not right for me to
take your money, Pete."

"You're not taking it.  I'm giving it to you!  Brian, you are my life.
You're my husband in every way that matters.  If you want to look at it
another way, I make the money for our family, and you're my adoring
husband."  He smiled excitedly at me, and try as I might to take umbrage at
him comparing me to June Cleaver, I couldn't do it.  It made sense, in a
way.  I wasn't sure I was completely comfortable with it, but I promised
myself I'd work at it.  I could tell it made him happy to give me things;
to share his good fortune (if you can call losing his grandparents good
fortune).  "Brian, I asked you if you'd spend the rest of your life with
me.  You said yes.  Do you still mean it?"

"What?"

"Do you still want...."

"Yes, yes, of course!"

"Then part of that is sharing with each other.  Sharing everything."

"But I want to help contribute to that!"  I was yelling loudly, but quickly
lowered my voice when I saw people staring at us.  "I want to help you
support us."

"Brian, baby, you do.  I'd give every penny I have, and more, just to make
sure I have you with me.  The money means nothing, just like David said."

"That still doesn't tell me how I come close to matching what you put into
our relationship."

"Why are you thinking in material terms?  I fell in love with you for who
you are, Bri, not for anything else.  Why did you fall for me?"

Poignant question.  Why did I fall in love with him?  It wasn't for the
money.  When I fell in love with him, he was twelve, and had none.  "For
the same reasons."

"Then why does the money make the slightest difference?  You give me
everything I want, Brian.  Everything.  Would you stop loving me if the
money disappeared?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because I don't care about the money!"  Again I was raising my voice,
causing people to look.  I saw a security guard walking our way, eyes on
us.

"Make up your mind.  Either money is important, or it isn't.  If it's
important, then you'll have to get a job to get your own money.  If it
isn't, then you have to share mine.  Make your..."

"Is there a problem here?"

"...choice."  Pete looked up at the security guard.  "No problem.  We're
just having a conversation."

"Looks more like an argument to me.  You kids are going to have to move on.
You're causing a disturbance."

"We're having a heated discussion, that's all," I said.

"I don't care.  Get moving, or do I have to go get the police?"

Turning away from the guard, Pete said, "Brian, do you understand what I'm
trying to say?  It's your decision.  You know how I feel."

"There's no decision to make, Pete.  It's just going to take some getting
used to."

"Move it!" The rent-a-cop ordered.

"This is none of your business," I said.  "We're having a family
conversation.  We're not fighting."

"I told you, I don't care.  Get your butt out of that bench and get
moving!"

"Come on, Pete.  He's getting too much pleasure perving on us."  Before the
guard could say anything, I stood and walked off toward Fye's Music and
Movies down by J.C.  Penny.  Pete gave the guy an insolent grin as he
followed me through the crowds.  We met Jason and David right on time and
decided to check out what was playing at the theatres, and maybe go back to
David's place afterward.  We drove down to Wilsonville, but by the time we
got there, we'd decided to skip the theatre and go straight to David's, and
watch a movie there.

Pete and I took the loveseat while Jason and David took the couch.  We
threw in the first Indiana Jones film and settled in with popcorn and
chips.  Toward the end of the film, the phone rang.  David excused himself,
and answered it.  It must have been a half hour before he returned and sat
back down without a word.  Jason whispered in his ear, but David just shook
his head, remaining silent.

The movie ended about eleven-thirty.  Jason called home and left a message,
saying we'd be staying over.  David disappeared for a while, long enough
for Jason to go looking for him.  When he came back, Pete and I had started
the second film, and settled in to watch it.

Jason sat down on the couch, and put on his shoes, which he had taken off
earlier.

"Come on.  We're going home."

Pete and I exchanged a worried glance, but said nothing as we followed
Jason's instructions.  As we drove home, the car was filled with a stormy
silence.  Not wanting to rock the boat, I sat in the back and kept quiet.
Pete kept glancing over at Jason, becoming more worried as time passed.

Unable to take it any more, Pete spoke.  "What happened, Jason?"

"Nothin'.  Don't worry about it."

"Uh, too late, Bro."  Jason cast an irritated glance at Pete, then sighed.

"David's Dad called.  They'll be in town day after tomorrow.  For two
months."

"Okay... did he say something to you?"

"Yeah.  He told me to get lost."

"Out of the blue?"

"No.  I'm not going to tell you what happened, but it was time to leave."

The silence returned, and lasted until we pulled into the driveway when
Pete said,

"I'm sorry, Jason."

"Don't be, Pete.  David has some things he needs to deal with.  Besides, I
learned something tonight.  Something I should have known a long time ago."

"Like what?"

"Like, I don't know him as well as I thought I did."

"Are you guys over, Jase?" I asked.

"I don't know.  We'll see tomorrow or the next day.  He needs his space
right now."

Jason unlocked the front door, and we walked in to find Kevin asleep on the
couch in front of the TV, an empty bottle of Crown Royal on the floor
beside him.

--ooOOoo-

Getting Kevin upstairs was a chore.  He wasn't that heavy for the three of
us, but he was dead weight, and he flopped all over the place.  He woke up
just as we got him into the bed and lurched for the toilet.  He didn't
quite make it.  Jason watched him, his expression alternating from concern
to disgust.

"Go ahead and go to bed, guys.  I'll take care of him."

"No, Jase.  We'll do it together," Pete replied.

Jason looked deeply into Pete's eyes, and then in mine.  I nodded.  Softly,
he said, "Thank you."  I smiled, and we turned to the task at hand.

Kevin was hugging the toilet bowl, half laying on the floor, moaning.  In a
slurred voice, he said, "Jusht kill me now."

"I don't think so, Dad," Jason said "We need to get you cleaned up and in
bed, okay?  Brian, go call your dad.  Ask him to come over, okay?"

"Sure, Jase."  I ran to the office and dialed my dad's number.  He answered
on the fourth ring.

He answered with a sleepy, "Hello?"

"Dad, we need you to come over."

"Brian?  Now?"

"Yeah.  It's Kevin.  He's pretty bad off."

My dad was awake now.  "What do you mean?"

"We found him on the couch with an empty bottle of Crown Royal next to him.
He puked first thing when he woke up."

I heard a long sigh.  "Okay.  I'll be there in about twenty minutes.  In
the mean time, just keep him safe."

"Okay, Dad.  The door will be unlocked."

"See you in a few, son."

"Bye."  I ran downstairs and unlocked the door, then returned to the others
to find Kevin more or less kneeling in front of the toilet, the sweet odor
of alcohol heavy in the air.  "Dad'll be here in about twenty minutes."

"No!  Notch'er dad," Kevin drawled.  "I'm okay. Really."  Again he retched.

"Um, I don't think so Dad," Jason replied after Kevin was done.  "Why did
you do this?"

"Do what?"  Kevin's voice was hoarse.

"Get drunk.  What happened?"

"Punishin' me.  But he's your shon, I shay.  Not my shon.  Jeesh, ya don'
have ta shcream.  Takin' everythin!  Even th' housh!"  His mumbling grew
too faint to hear.

"Shh, dad, it'll be okay.  Just rest, alright?"

"Yer a good boy, Jashon."  Kevin said.  Drunkenly, he looked at me and
said, "You too, Jeff."  Alarmed, I glanced to Jason, but he seemed not to
have noticed.

"Just rest, Dad."  Kevin didn't answer, but started snoring softly, head
resting on the rim of the toilet.

We watched him for a few moments, in silence.  I was afraid to say
anything.  What Kevin said in his stupor led me to believe that Sharon had
demanded everything.  He'd even called me Jeff!  He must really be out of
it to do that.

"What do you guys think?" Jason asked.

"Um, about what?"  His disgusted look told me what he meant.  "I don't
know, Jason.  It sounds like he talked to Sharon, and it didn't go to
well."

"Yeah, that's what I got too.  She's taking the house?"

"I'm not sure she can.  At worst it'll be sold and the money split."

Jason looked around, as if trying to inspect the house.  "This is the only
home I've known."

"We don't really know what happened, Jason," Pete said.  "Let's not make
any assumptions here.  Once dad is back on his feet, we'll figure things
out. Right now, let's just take care of him."  Jason gave a sad smile.

The next fifteen minutes seemed an eternity.  We heard Dad come in the
house.

"Brian?"

"Up here, Dad!"  He took the stairs two at a time and walked in the
bedroom.  When he set eyes on Kevin's pitiful form, he groaned.

"Oh, Kevin, why didn't you call me?"  Dad looked him over for a few
minutes, then said, "Why don't you boys go to bed.  You look like you're
exhausted.  I'll take over here, get him cleaned up and in bed.  No, I
don't want to hear any argument."

"But-"

"Jason, I mean it.  I'll take over."

"I just want to help!"

Dad smiled gently.  "I know you do, son.  You have.  But in the morning,
your dad is going to have a tremendous hangover, and he'll need help then,
too.  Okay?  You can help then."  Reluctantly, Jason nodded.  He walked to
where Kevin rested and whispered something in his ear, then retreated to
the bathroom to clean himself up.  "You two should go to bed, as well.
Tomorrow's going to be a rough day, and not just because of what happened
tonight.  Go on, son.  I've got things here."

"G'night, Dad."

"Goodnight, son."  As Pete passed him, my dad pulled him into a rough hug.
"And don't think I've forgotten my other son.  Goodnight, Pete."

Pete smiled. "Night, Dad."

--ooOOoo-

The next morning, Pete and I woke earlier than I thought we would, having
stayed up past two the night before.  We decided to go for a run.  It
wasn't anything huge, just a short run to get the blood moving and the
muscles working again.  When we returned, we lifted some weights in the
workroom, then we showered and got dressed for the day.  Kevin's door was
still shut, as was Jason's.  It was just after nine when Jason came
downstairs to join us for breakfast.  He looked like he had a hangover,
too.

"Morning, Bro. How are you feeling?" Pete asked.

"I couldn't sleep, and I have a headache.  Is there any Tylenol down here?"

"Let me check.  Want some pancakes?"

"Sure."  Pete tossed a pill bottle to Jason, who barely caught it in time.

"Boy," I said, "You are the worse for wear.  What kept you awake?"

"Last night.  All of it."

I smiled sympathetically.  "Do you expect David to call you?"

"I don't know."  Jason sighed.  "He was really messed up last night.  And
with the...."  Jason stopped speaking abruptly, making a show of opening
the pill bottle.

"With the what?"

"His parents will be here tomorrow.  Not much time for him to make
arrangements."

"He hates them that much?"  Jason nodded.  He seemed relieved somehow.

"Yeah.  He spent ten minutes cursing them when we were back in his room.  I
tried to comfort him, you know?  He told me not to touch him, and to go
home."

That doesn't sound like much, I thought.  Jason was pissed last night.  If
that's all it was, Jason's big enough to understand that kind of thing.

"How many pancakes, Jason?"

"Four to start, okay?"

"Sure.  Maybe you should go back to bed after you eat.  We can handle
things."

"No, I have to help with Dad."

"I doubt there will be much to help with, bro," Pete said.  "Just giving
him water and watching him sleep.  And maybe throw up again."

"We'll see.  Your dad come down yet, Bri?"

"No, not that I know of.  We went for a run and did some lifting, so he may
have come down while we were out."

"Oh, okay.  I'll go up and check on them then."  Jason stood to go, but
Pete cleared his throat.

"Breakfast first, bro."

"Yes, daddy."

"Get yourself some OJ."

"I'll get it," I said.

"Thanks, Bri."

"Sure."

Jason sat there just long enough to eat his pancakes and gulp down a glass
of orange juice.  As soon as he was done, he darted upstairs, but came back
down a moment later.

"They're both asleep."

"See?  They probably won't wake up until noon," Pete said as he put the
dishes in the dishwasher.

"Hope not.  Dad's gonna have a killer of a headache."  Jason sat back down
and steepled his fingers in thought.  "You know, I think this is the first
time I've ever seen my dad drunk."

"He wasn't drunk last night, Jason," I said, "he was sloshed!  How much was
left in that bottle anyway?"

"I dunno.  I think it was about three-quarters full.  He said he was
working late last night.  I wonder what time he got home?"

Pete asked, "Has anyone checked the office?"

"Not really," I replied, "I just ran in to use the phone."  Glancing at the
wall where the kitchen phone was, I was surprised to see nothing but the
phone jack there.  "Look at that!"  Jason and Pete followed my gaze.

Pete gave a low whistle.  "Guess we found out where he got the call."  He
stood and looked for the phone.  He finally found it in the utility room,
the pieces strewn about the floor.  A dent in the washer was revealed by
bare sheet metal showing through freshly chipped paint.  "Take a look at
this!  Man, he must have been pissed."  Jason stared at the shattered phone
in stunned disbelief.

"Uh, Jason?"

"Yeah?"

"Are you okay?"

He looked up at me.  "Yeah.  Why wouldn't I be?"

"Just making sure."

"I just can't believe Dad did this.  Other than that fight we had down
south that one time, I've never seen him get physically violent."

Pete said, "He's had plenty of provocation, I'd say."

"Yeah.  I feel sorry for him."

I responded, "I feel sorry for all of you.  This isn't easy for you, I
know, Jase."

"I'm okay right now.  Just worried about Dad, is all."

"Well, don't worry about me."

"Dad!  Are you all right?"  Kevin stood at the door, Dad half supporting
him by the elbow.

  "Other than being incredibly stupid and still half drunk, I'm okay."  He
gingerly made his way to a chair, which Pete pulled out for him.  "God, I
love Crown Royal.  Only have a small headache."

"Well, Kev, you're dehydrated," my dad said.  "Wait until I start feeding
you water.  You get to be drunk all over again."

"Ah, the gift that keeps on giving.  Just don't make me puke again."  I
couldn't help but laugh.

"That's not up to me.  Pete?  Get him some water, please?"

"Sure thing."

Jason asked, "Is there anything I can do for you, Dad?"

"Yes.  Call Van and tell him I won't be in.  As if he couldn't figure it
out with as late as it is already.  Thank you, Pete."  Kevin downed half
the glass and returned it to Pete for a refill.  "Other than that, I can't
think of anything.

"Hey Ben, don't you have to be at work?"

"I talked to my boss last night.  He told me to take care of you."

Kevin snorted. "I'm fine now."

"We'll see after you have a couple more glasses of water."

The phone rang upstairs.  Pete sprinted to the office to answer it.  Kevin
glanced up at the bare phone jack and shook his head.

Jason asked, "What happened last night, Dad?"

Kevin sighed.  "I came home earlier than I thought I would because I
reached a good place to stop.  When I opened the door, the phone was
ringing, and it was your mother."  "She's not my mother."

Kevin ignored that.

"We... had an argument, and she hung up on me.  I lost control, and
apparently ripped the phone off the wall.  I think I threw it into the
laundry room, but I'm not sure.  Don't remember it too clearly."

"Jason!" Pete called, "Phone!"

"Be there in a second!  What happened next, Dad?"

"Well, I needed a drink, and that turned into another, and another,
and... well... I don't remember anything after that."

"How much was in the bottle before you started drinking?"

"I don't know.  Maybe two thirds full?  Why?"

"You, um, finished it."

"Really?"  Kevin grinned.  "I haven't done anything like that since
college!"  The guy actually seemed proud of his accomplishment!

"Jason!"

"Coming!  I gotta take this phone call."

"Sure, son."

Jason ran upstairs, and Pete came back into the kitchen.

"What'd I miss?"

"Kevin's confession."

"Oh, man!  I wanted to hear it."

"Nothing exciting," I said.

Pete looked at Kevin.  "Uh, Dad?"

"Yes, son?"

"What was the argument about?"

"Among other things, what's going to happen to the house.  She's demanding
her half."

"I don't understand something," Pete said.

"What's that, son?"

"Why is she being so vindictive?"

"I don't really know.  I think... well, maybe she's slipped a bit mentally.
I told you she never really got over Jeff's suicide.  Maybe hearing that
Jason could have helped prevent it pushed her over the edge.  Every other
word was about Jason.  She's obsessed with it."

"What are you going to do?"

"Take her to court.  What else?  Van knows this really good divorce
attorney.  He's called in a favor to ask him to represent me.  Personally I
don't like the guy, but he's damn good at his job."

Pete asked, "So there's no hope?"

"I'm sorry, Pete.  I don't see any.  This is going to be ugly, and I'm
going to have to fight.  I have no choice."  Kevin was quiet for a few
moments, swirling the water around his glass.  "Who was on the phone for
Jason?"

"David."  I gave Pete a curious look, and he shrugged slightly.

"Drink, Kevin," Dad interrupted.  "If you're lucky, the rebound will make
you sleep through the rest of this."

"Okay, okay, Ben.  Maybe I should go upstairs now before I get re-drunk?"
Kevin was grinning again.

"Probably a good idea."

"Okay.  Night, boys."

"Sleep well, Dad."

"Night, Kevin."

Once they were out of earshot, I said, "He seems to be holding up well.
Especially considering last night."

"Yeah, I suppose."  Pete sat next to me, and put his arm around me.  "I
hope things work out.  I hate seeing Kevin like this."

"Yeah.  Jason, too.  What did David have to say?"

"He said he wanted to apologize to Jason.  And to us."

"He owes it to Jason for sure.  Do you know what happened between them?
I'm certain more than what Jason told us went on.

"No clue.  Maybe Jason will tell us."

"Tell you what?"  Jason had returned without us hearing him.

"What happened in David's bedroom last night."

"I can't.  It's between me and him."

Pete asked, "Are you going to see him?"

Jason nodded.  "He's coming over here.  We're going to talk. We'll see what
happens."

"What are you feeling, bro?"

"I don't know.  Nervous, I guess.  Scared."

I stood up and hugged Jason.  "I know exactly what you mean.  We're here."
Jason looked down at me and hugged me back.

"I know, Bri."

Pete and I cleaned up the remains of breakfast, then sat in the living room
with Jason as he waited with David.

When he walked in, David was a mess.  He was wearing the same clothes from
last night, and hadn't showered.  His face was drawn, almost a grimace of
pain.  He didn't acknowledge Pete and I, instead he just headed straight up
the stairs.  Jason, his expression unreadable, followed him up.

Pete and I sat on the couch watching the television, fidgeting.  We both
wanted to know what was going on.  I was even more convinced that something
important had taken place in David's bedroom that night.

A couple hours later, Pete and I were dozing on the couch.  Jason hadn't
come out of his room in that time.  When he did come down around noon,
Jason looked relaxed, but he was still obviously worried.

"Jason?"

"He's sleeping.  We had a good talk, Bri."

"Everything's okay?"

"No, but we're going to work on it.  That's what you guys do, right?"

I looked down as Pete, sleeping with his head in my lap.  So peaceful.  I
stroked his cheek gently, and murmured, "Yes, Jason.  That's exactly what
we do."


--oo00OO00oo-

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