Date: Thu, 16 Jan 2014 17:23:56 -0800 (PST)
From: Eric Foster <efoster447@yahoo.com>
Subject: In Time part 28

Disclaimer: this story contains sexual material. If you are not 18 or over,
or this is not legal in your country you should not read any further. This
material may offend if you find homosexual acts offensive or homosexual
acts between younger boys offensive. All similarities between this story's
plot line, characters, names, places, or any other item are purely
coincidence. Enjoy.

In Time

"Alan...are you ok?"

Alan quickly looked over to see Wyatt watching him. He slowly moved his
hand and took Alan's in his own.

"I'm fine," Alan replied, his eyes darting to the right to avoid making
contact.

"Are you though?"

Alan let his head move just enough so he could lock eyes with Wyatt. It
really didn't make things any easier.

"I just had 'the talk' with my dad."

Suddenly Alan felt Wyatt's arm snake around him and wrap him into a tight
embrace. He could feel the smaller body begin to warm and relax his own. He
wasn't sure how he survived without the feeling before.

"You told your dad about us?" Wyatt asked quietly.

Alan, surprised at the comment, jumped away a bit.

"What!?"

"I'm guessing not?" Wyatt said, his amber eyes scanning Alan's face "No I
didn't."

"Well its fine, I'm guessing he was talking about having a girlfriend and
stuff?" Wyatt said as he turned sideways to lay himself across Alan's lap.

"Yea, but I mean we both know we still like girls."

Alan felt Wyatt's body become a bit tenser in his lap. He quickly leaned
down and lightly kissed Wyatt on the cheek.

"But I've got you now, and I'm happy that way," Alan said quietly into his
ear.

"I'm also happy that way," Wyatt said as he leaned up to return the kiss.

"Though I am curious."

"About what?" Wyatt asked as he leaned up to listen more closely.

"Well, what are we going to tell our parents eventually? Cause I've started
to notice other guys too, like cute guys," Alan replied, his voice becoming
quieter towards the end.

"I've noticed it too, so I don't know. I mean we're not gay, but we like
guys," Wyatt said as he leaned back into the couch, pondering the thought.

"Here, I'll just look it up," Alan said as he pulled out his phone.

"What does it mean to like guys and girls?"

The phone quickly did a google search on the question and immediately had a
Wikipedia link.

"Let's see.... it says it means were bisexual"

"Can I see?"

Alan leaned over to hold the screen up in front of Wyatt. He quickly read
over the first few sentences of the description.

"That does sound like us," Wyatt commented as he leaned back into Alan's
chest.

"So I guess we're bisexual then..."

"I guess. But hell, who cares? We can just figure it out as we go," Wyatt
said as he let his head move up to lie on Alan's shoulder.

"Yea we can," Alan agreed as he wrapped his arms around Wyatt.

The two sat for a few moments in silence, letting the quiet house resonate
and echo their soft heart beats and slow breaths. Their warm bodies
exchanged the heat and intimacy of the moment when two people are drawn
together. It had a physical and sexual element about it, but the emotions
couldn't be belittled.

"Alan, do you think we'll go to college together?"

Alan looked down to see Wyatt looking up, his amber eyes softly searching
Alan's face for an answer.

"I don't really know. I mean I'd like to, but we're only in 7th
grade. Isn't that pretty far away?"

"Yea, but in class they started talking about career paths and how we need
to get ready for high school and stuff."

"Well, what do you think you want to do?"

"I think I want to do aerospace engineering," Wyatt said, his eyes scanning
the ceiling.

"What's that?"

"I'd design airplanes and rockets and anything that flies," Wyatt said, a
twinkle coming to his eye at the thought.

"Sounds pretty cool, and you've always been good at math and science
right?" Alan said, a smile forming on his lips.

"Yea, I think I'll talk to my teacher about it tomorrow. What about you?"

"What about me?

"What do you think you want to do when you grow up?"

Alan let his head drop back as he let out a long and loud 'hmmm'.

"I don't really know yet. I'm ok with math and science, but I'm way better
at social studies, and arguing, so maybe a lawyer or something like that,"
Alan said as he shrugged his shoulders.

"Law's always a good area."

"But why are you so worried about our futures?" Alan asked as he leaned in
and softly ran the tip of his nose through Wyatt's hair.

Wyatt suddenly leaned in close as he embraced Alan tightly. His face buried
in Alan's chest as he let himself be enraptured by the larger boy. His
emotions, insecurities, and his whole inner self became visible in that one
moment.

"I just don't wanna lose you..." Wyatt said quietly into the larger boy's
chest.

Alan leaned down and softly let his lips run across Wyatt's forehead as he
felt the smaller boy begin to relax in his arms.

"Well you haven't lost me yet, and if we start to separate, we'll cross
that bridge that day, together," Alan said softly as he continued to hold
Wyatt.

He could hear light sniffles coming from Wyatt, and he knew why. It wasn't
a secret that Wyatt worried a lot, and it wasn't a secret that he liked to
plan ahead. But Alan wondered just how much of their future Wyatt trying to
bear on his shoulders alone. And honestly how much he could bear. After
all, they were just kids.



The room around him didn't feel familiar anymore, and the posters didn't
feel like his own. The only item he was certain was his was the picture
that sat on his desk, so carefully placed. Yet everything else, all the
posters of the cross, the bible, the video games, who owned them? Whose
girlfriend kept calling him, angrily texting him? What church kept asking
when he would attend the next service? And why did he feel so certain Caleb
was the center of all this uncertainty?

Jack got up from his bed and walked over to his mirror. He stared at
himself in the fading winter sun and looked over the reflection that stared
back at him. It looked like him, it acted like him, it smelled like him,
and it even sounded like him, but was it him?

"What the hell is wrong with me" Jack said, his voice unsteady and
cracking.


I'm falling in love with a middle schooler for god's sake. He's not even 13
yet and I'm already a high schooler!! I'm falling in love with a boy!!

Jack suddenly moved to his bed and collapsed on top of it as he buried his
face into his pillow, desperately trying to stifle his cries. He couldn't
let his parents hear him crying, he couldn't let them see him as he was. He
was shirtless, so they'd see the bruises and scratch marks on his arms, as
well as the other marks, the ones that ran down and across.


I need to trust in God. He'll save me from this, He'll keep me away from
these evil thoughts and I can too, it's been...working

Jack looked over to his desk, and saw the small pocket knife sitting there,
a pertinent reminder of what would happen if he let those thoughts take
over again.


"Jack, it's time for dinner!" came the call from his mom downstairs.

"I'll be down in a minute Mom."

Jack got up from his bed and quickly walked over to his mirror. He scanned
his face, and felt he'd be able to just say he got up from a nap. He
grabbed his t-shirt and slung it on as he took one last look over himself
in the mirror. Yet again, the same sense from before began to infiltrate
his mind. He wasn't sure if he was really seeing himself anymore.

"Jack?"

"Coming Mom."

Jack quickly walked out of his room and shut the door behind him as he
walked slowly down the stairs to dinner. He entered the dining room and saw
his mother and father already seated at the table.

"Jack, your face is red," his mom noted as she got up to feel Jack's
forehead from across the table.

"I'm fine Mom. I just woke up from a nap is all," Jack said, a forced smile
forging itself on his lips.

"Would you say grace for us son?" Jack's dad asked as he held out his hand.

"Sure Dad," Jack replied as he took his mom and dad's hand in his own.

"Dear God, thank you for this meal and for all the blessings you have given
us today. Please forgive us of our sins and let us continue to glorify your
name. Let this food be nourishment to our bodies to allow us to be humble
servants. In Jesus Christ's name we pray Amen," Jack said as he let go of
his parents' hands and grabbed the silverware.

"Amen. And speaking of grace son, I was wondering if you'd be coming with
us to church this Sunday?" his dad asked, carefully watching Jack for a
reaction.

Jack froze for a moment. The thought alone seemed too daunting to
consider. He quickly managed to regain his composure, but found he couldn't
look his dad in the eyes when answering.

"I mean, maybe Dad. I'm not sure."

His father glanced over at his mother who shared the same concerned look on
her face.

"Jack, is it because you don't want to see Jessica again?" his mother asked
him in a soft tone as she reached out and lightly placed her hand on top of
his.

I guess she's part of the reason.

"Yea...I guess I don't know if I'm ready to see her again," Jack replied,
trying his best to sound convincing.

"Well son, I think if you went and tried to just talk it out with her,
she'd be willing to listen. Plus you need to attend church. The only way
you'll get through this is with God's help."

"I guess I'll attend this Sunday then," Jack said halfheartedly as he
brought a bite of mashed potatoes up to his mouth.

His parents quickly changed the subject after that, neither really wanting
to ask any more questions. Neither really wanted to ask what the root
problem was for Jack, despite the fact that he felt his faith was crumbling
around him.



"Why do we have to leave!?" Jack shouted from the back seat as the car sped
down the road.

"Because it's better for you son. You'll be happier this way." his dad
responded, not turning back to face his son.

"But I was happy already!"

"And living a life that was wrong. Jack you had a choice, and you chose
wrong, so we're correcting it for you!" his dad shouted, quickly silencing
his son.

The 13 year old boy looked out the window and watched the variety of
beautiful leaves fly by.

He watched all the streets he had known so well disappear behind him. His
life, friends, Nickolas, all were simply memories of the life he once
lived, of all the things that made him happy. It just seemed
so...wrong. And once again he watched the beautiful leaves fall to the
ground as the car sped by, and again he wondered if that was freedom.



"Wyatt, it's great to see you," Alan's mom said as she corralled Wyatt and
her son into the dining room.

"Thanks, Ms. Weslen. I always love having dinner over here," Wyatt said as
he took a seat at the table with Alan.

"Well it's always good to see you around Wyatt," Mr. Weslen said as he came
into the dining room with a plate of food.

"Boys, dig in," Ms. Weslen said encouragingly as she passed them their
plates.

The two boys quickly took the utensils and began scooping up large
quantities of food that they quickly began wolfing down. Neither boy had
eaten much that day, and they certainly felt it. Just as the two were about
to grab a second serving, Ms. Weslen spoke up from her conversation she was
having about the school.

"Speaking of which, Alan, your father tells me that you have a romantic
interest."

Both Alan and Wyatt perked up. Wyatt's eyes went wide as he quickly glanced
sideways over towards Alan, who looked to be equally in a state of shock.

"He...he did?" Alan said, trying to keep himself from stuttering.

"Yes, he said you'd said her name was Sarah and you had recently become
interested," Ms.

Weslen said with a small smile.

Alan looked over to Wyatt and immediately noticed the change. His entire
demeanor exuded anger, his eyes narrowing as his eyebrows crinkled at the
center.

"Umm....I...."

"Well Alan, who is she? Wyatt do you know who this person is?" Alan's
mother asked, trying to poke an answer out of one of them.

"I've got no clue, but whoever she is I really hope Alan is happy with
her," Wyatt said, with a painfully sarcastic smile strewn on his lips, but
his eyes showing hurt.

"Wyatt where are you going dear?" Ms. Weslen asked quickly as Wyatt got up
from the table and began to walk to the door.

"I've just gotten a text from my mom. I need to be home for homework and to
help out with some late night chores. Thanks for the dinner," Wyatt said as
he quickly grabbed his jacket and walked to the door.

Alan knew he couldn't leave it like that. He quickly got up and began to
walk towards the garage doorway as well.

"Do you have somewhere to go to?" Alan's dad asked as his son began heading
to the garage.

"I forgot to tell Wyatt something for school on Monday," Alan said as he
quickly went into the garage.

Alan just barely managed to get out to the driveway before Wyatt had picked
up his bike and was about to speed off. Alan quickly reached out and
tightly held onto Wyatt's shoulder.

"I'm going home Alan!"

"Not until we talk," Alan said, taking two steps forward and placing his
foot under the bike tire.

"You lied to your dad, or did you?" Wyatt asked, his eyes locking with
Alan's.

"No, I lied to him, ok? He came in and asked me if I was dating someone,
and I said yes without thinking about it."

"Then why didn't you just tell him the truth?" Wyatt implored, his stance a
bit more relaxed now.

"Because, I didn't know what he'd say. I don't want to lose you either
Wyatt," Alan said, daring to enter into a closer embrace just in front of
the garage.

Wyatt stood that way for a few moments, allowing himself to be embraced by
the boy he liked so much. Yet he finally pulled away and stood silently,
looking up into the larger boy's eyes.

"Alan, my name is Wyatt, not Sarah."

"I know that!"

"And I'm a boy, not a girl, I hope you know that at least," Wyatt said, a
light smile forming on his lips.

"Well dir," Alan retorted.

"Well apparently, you've told people otherwise, and I'm not ok with that,"
Wyatt said, his tone becoming more serious.

"Wyatt I can't just come out about our relationship."

"And why not?"

"Because....I mean, dude, why do I have to do this? What about your
parents?"

"They already know I'm dating you!" Wyatt aggressively responded
"Seriously, how long?" Alan asked, his eyes wide in disbelief.

"For a week, though they suspected it sooner."

Alan took a few steps back as the realization he had been outed to an adult
he trusted slowly set in. His eyes scanned the concrete pathway as his mind
raced around the thought.

"Alan, I like you, and I want to date you, but only if you're going to be
honest about us to people who it matters to," Wyatt said as he started to
place his foot on the pedal.

"So you want me to come out to my parents about us?" Alan asked, his tone
reflecting his uncertainty.

Wyatt stopped the bike just as he had begun to roll down the driveway. He
sat, silent for a few moments, before he looked back to lock eyes with
Alan.

"At least stop lying about having a fucking girlfriend!" Wyatt said as he
quickly turned around and pedaled away, cutting a sharp turn out of Alan's
driveway.

Alan stood there, watching as the small boy disappeared down the road, the
boy he liked so much. It seemed almost like it wasn't really happening,
like this was all just a bad dream. But he quickly realized it was
happening, and that he had only one option. Alan turned around again to
face his house. The lit up windows almost felt like they were a looming
presence, a reality of what had to be faced. With a rapidly beating heart,
an unsteady breath, and panicking mind, Alan took step into his house. Now.



The Sunday service was drawing to a close as Jack sat near the back row
away from the rest of the congregation. He watched the preacher again, but
only barely noticed him, his words like a white noise to fill in the
background. His focus was on the girl five rows in front of him. His focus
was on reassuring himself; he could do this. Jack knew so well that if he
got back with her, dated her again, then he'd fall in love with her and
he'd be happy again. It was so easy, he just had to do it. He just had to
try harder.

Jack was plucked out of this trance when he noticed the rest of the
congregation getting up to hear the benediction. Jack stood with them all
and recited the words. The moment they were done, he quickly walked the few
steps he had to.

"Jessica," Jack said softly.

The girl looked over to see Jack standing next to her. Her eyes cast a look
of disapproval on the boy in front of her. She looked around, and noticed
that no one was watching.

"What is it Jack?"

"Jessica, could we maybe talk outside for a bit, please?" Jack quietly
asked as he motioned his head back towards the exit.

Jessica again looked around, and again, nobody was looking.

"Fine," she replied reluctantly as she quickly followed Jack to the exit.

The two walked a short distance towards the garden next to the oak tree. It
was just a small fountain with a bench beside it. Jessica stood in front of
the tree, while Jack stood just a few steps behind her. The sound of the
fountain filled in the background noise along with the birds chirping and
the light sway of the trees in the winter breeze.

"So what do you want Jack?" Jessica finally asked, her body language
showing her discomfort at being here.

"I wanted to just talk," Jack said, moving a step closer.

"What are we talking about?" Jessica said, turning so that her back faced
Jack.

Jack took a few steps closer and reached out his hand to gently hold
Jessica's shoulder.

"About us," Jack said in a softened tone.

He felt Jessica relax a little, a light sigh escaping her lungs as she
turned back around to face Jack. She stared back at him, her eyes locking
with his. Jessica leaned forward, her lips perched a little, expecting to
feel Jack's on her own, but she only felt air as Jack leaned back to avoid
the kiss.

"Why won't you ever kiss me?"

"What do you mean?" Jack asked, as Jessica took a few steps back.

"Jack, we never do anything together. You never kiss me, or try to move
forward, why?!" Jessica said, her voice becoming less stable, her eyes
growing wide and he mouth hanging open.

"Jessica, I just..."

"And why did you stop talking to me? Why did you suddenly start ignoring
me?!" Jessica asked, raising her tone.

"Because I was really stressed out about something..." But again Jack's
sentence was cut short.

"About what?! Why didn't you tell me what it was?!"

"Because it didn't involve you!" Jack stated mater-of-factly as he took a
more aggressive stance.

"Who did it involve?" Jessica asked calmly, her eyes suddenly becoming cold
as her lips formed a scowl.

"What?" Jack said, his voice weakening, a feeling of panic overcoming him.

"I asked, if it wasn't me, then who did it involve?"

"I....it doesn't matter. Jessica please I just want to fix this so we can
be happy again," Jack stated, walking forward to take Jessica's hand in his
own.

"And who said I was happy dating you Jack?" Jessica said as she took her
hand out of his.

"What do you mean? I thought you were happy?"

"Yea Jack, I thought you would pick up on the fact that I wasn't. I thought
you would get that I was wanting more. Jack I don't think I could've made
it any more obvious that I didn't just want to go on dates, talk, and go
home," Jessica explained, her breathing becoming angry huffs and her eyes
squinting at him.

"What do you mean?!"

"I mean," she said, glancing around to make sure again that they were
alone, "I took off my shirt and bra, and you were still totally soft," she
finished in a snide voice as she turned to walk away.

Jack stood, frozen, blushing, clearly embarrassed by the comment, and not
realizing how obviously uninterested he had been.

"Jessica please..."

"I'm not going back out with you Jack, and quite honestly I don't think
you're interested in me anyway." Jessica paused for a few moments and then
continued. "Or any girl for that matter."

"What?" Jack felt his breath catch, his voice crack.

"I mean, I'm not going to pretend date a homosexual," Jessica said as she
finally began walking away.

"But I'm not!" Jack loudly retorted, but still finding himself unable to
move.

Jessica stopped and turned around, her eyes locking with Jack's. The two
could hear the rest of the congregation coming out of the church. The
people talked loudly amongst themselves, hardly noticing the two distressed
teens in the garden. It almost felt surreal. Jack watched his life turn
into a state of panic as he sensed that the biggest secret he held could
suddenly be on display for the world to see.

"And I'm not an idiot Jack."

And with that Jessica walked away, leaving Jack alone and in a state of
panic. His heart raced while his mind struggled to comprehend what just
occurred; his breathing was unsteady. His eyes were wide and his mouth hung
open as felt the world crumble like an old brick building. It was only a
matter of time now, and this time, he was certain it really was the end.

"Jack are you coming son?"

Jack looked over to see his parents waiting next to their car. The parking
lot was near empty, and most of the congregation had already left.

"Yea sorry Dad."

Jack ran over and quickly got into the car, and the family pulled out of
the parking lot.

"So son, how did it go?"

"I think," Jack paused for a moment to try and steady himself. "I think it
went horribly wrong,"

Jack said, his eyes scanning the road outside.

"What do you mean horribly wrong?" his mom asked, quickly turning around to
see if Jack was ok.

"I mean I just don't want to talk about it right now," Jack said quietly as
he continued to look out the window.



"Alan? Son, can I come in?"

Alan looked up from his math book and turned around to see his father
walking into the doorway to his room.

"Sure, what's up Dad?"

"Why are you doing math homework on a Friday night?"

Alan looked down to realize he was actually doing homework that wasn't due
until Wednesday.

"I...I'm not really sure."

"I think it's because you have something on your mind that you're not
wanting to think about,"

Alan's dad said as he sat down on Alan's bed.

Alan turned in his swivel chair to face his father who was scanning the
bedroom floor with his eyes. He seemed so hesitant, so deep in thought
about what his next words would be.

"Son, is something going on between you and Wyatt?"

Alan froze, but quickly regained composure. He didn't have to reveal
anything just yet.

"We're just arguing a bit right now Dad," Alan replied, stumbling to keep
his tone consistent.

His father watched his face in silence. Alan stared back for a few moments,
but darted his eyes to the left, feeling insecure about what his father
might pick up on.

"I meant, are you two dating?" His father finally asked outright, but in a
calm tone.

Alan looked over and didn't sense any hostility. He sensed he was seeking
an answer to clarify, not condemn.

"Ye...yes dad," Alan said quietly.

Alan's father got up from the bed and walked over to his son. He then knelt
down and took his son into a tight embrace. Alan wrapped his hands around
his father and held on tightly as he started to feel his breath become
steadier, the weight being lifted off his chest.

"Son I love you no matter what, and if you're happy with Wyatt then that's
ok with me," Alan's dad said quietly as he continued to embrace his son.

"Thank you Dad," Alan managed to force out, his voice becoming weak as he
tried to keep himself from being overtaken by his emotions.

The father and son stayed like that for several minutes. The young boy, so
uncertain, was finally able to feel that his emotions were something that
could be accepted. The father, though uncertain, understood that his son's
happiness was what took priority. And why be angry? It was just a part of
life.

"Dad, how did you know?" Alan finally asked quietly as he let go of his
dad.

"You weren't very quiet in the driveway for starters," his dad said with a
light smirk.

Alan started to blush as he looked away.

"But, to be honest," his dad paused as he let out a light breath, "I'd
suspected it. You two have always been close, and there were a few times I
sensed it might just be more than best friends."

"Are we really that obvious?"

"Not really, I think most people would just think you're really good
friends, and you're only 12.

Speaking of which, son did what I talk to you about still pertain to you?"

"Yea it did, I mean I still like girls dad, but...well I like boys too. I
think it's called being 'bisexual'," Alan said, a hint of uncertainty in
his tone.

His father raised an eyebrow as he raised his hand to his chin.

"Well yea, that's what it's called, but how do you already know about that
term?"

"Wyatt and I looked it up yesterday on google."

His father took a step forward and lightly placed his hand on his Alan's
shoulder.

"Well, that might be true, but why are you trying to label it when you're
still so young?"

Alan looked up to see his dad with a small smile on his lips.

"Son, just be safe, and date who makes you happy."

"Thanks Dad," Alan said, again wrapping his hands around his father in an
embrace.

"Anytime son. And also, please don't lie to me like that again," his father
said in a more serious tone.

Alan felt the guilt and shame cast over him again as he remembered Wyatt,
and what he had done to him.

"I'm sorry Dad, I just...well I didn't want you to tell me I had to break
up with Wyatt"

"Alan, you're not at fault for being cautious about this. I mean there are
plenty of parents out there who'd react far worse. But son, I think you
should know better by now that I'm not like that," his dad said, lightly
patting Alan on the back as he finished his statement.

"I know now Dad," Alan said, a smile spreading across his own face.

"Well, how about you do something a little more fun?" Alan's dad said as he
patted his son on the back again.

"Ok dad," Alan said as he leaped out the door of his room.

"Oh, and son?"

Alan stopped and quickly turned around to face his dad again.

"Yea Dad?"

"I think you should give Wyatt a call," his father said with a serious but
compassionate look in his eyes.

Alan, rather than respond with words, gave a single nod to his dad as he
walked out the door and down the hall.



Caleb felt the dismay and array of unsettling emotions begin to cascade
down upon him. His surroundings seemed only to imitate his feelings, and
his own mind felt fogged. He knew what everyone was telling him, and he
knew what he probably should do, yet he couldn't get himself to. He knew
that by this point, he'd probably only be able to use one word to describe
his feelings towards Jack.




Love


But why Jack? Why the hell do I have to love him....


Caleb pulled his phone out of his pocket and looked at the messages that he
had received since last Sunday. He pulled up the first message he had
gotten from Jack.


Hey Caleb can we just talk man

20 minutes later

If you'd rather not, it's fine, I mean I just really wanted to ask you
something

One day later, Monday

Never mind, just forget I asked anything, I wasn't thinking when I sent
that.


Two hours later

Caleb...I know I'm being confusing but plz....can we just talk I really
think maybe things have changed.


Caleb continued to scroll through the over 70 messages, all the exact
same. A continually flipping pattern of desperation to talk, and wanting
just to ignore Caleb's existence. He was so unstable, he
was...dangerous. Caleb knew very well his emotional limits, and he knew
Jack was far outside of them, yet he knew it was stupid to deny that he
felt something for him. Everything else about him was so...enrapturing. He
was just like him. Like Mr. Stevens. Yet he wasn't the same, but just as
dangerous. Caleb hadn't even realized he was crying until he felt the tears
hit his hands beneath. He quickly ran over to his bed and buried his face
again in his pillows.

"Why the hell do I like him?" came the muffled cry between his sobs.

It almost felt like a cruel joke, that the person he liked was just as
unstable as himself, just as dangerous; that they understood that one step
closer may shatter them both. Caleb was well aware of this. He had always
been aware of it. He turned for a moment to look out his window, and
watched the last of the leaves fall as winter's grips finally tightened on
the town. The beautiful cascade of colors was strewn so carelessly across
the yards and roads. Like a modern piece of art, beautiful, but so
senseless that it was like a maze with no clear boundaries, and no marked
exit. The boy wondered, for just a moment, when maybe this maze would
finally end.



It had nearly been a week since the encounter with Jessica, and here it was
Friday, and nothing.

Jack loomed over his phone, unsure of what he was really expecting from
it. He knew that Caleb was getting the messages, but he wasn't responding
to any of them. He knew he wasn't being consistent, but every time he felt
the urge it was almost impossible to resist. He just wanted a chance to
talk with to him. Jack wondered how desperate he must seem to Caleb.

"Jack, I need to come in."

Jack quickly looked up from his book to see his father walking into his
room. He gave off a hostile, judgmental aurora.

"Son, I just got off the phone with Jessica's parents," Jack's dad started.

He looked to see that his mom was now standing in the doorway. She was
biting her lower lip and looking up at him, her eyes cautious, as if she
were trying to avoid making eye contact.

"Ok, and?"

"She thinks you left her because you're a homosexual," Jack's father said,
the words coming out of his mouth like acid.

"What?!"

"I thought we dealt with this last time. I thought we moved to fix this
son!" Jack's dad said, raising his voice until he was nearly shouting at
his son.

"I did fix it!" Jack stood up, his own voice raised to a shouting level.

"Then why are you still like this?! Why are you choosing this son?!"

"I'm not choosing anything!" Jack yelled back, taking a step towards his
father.

His dad looked over and noticed the picture on his desk. The picture of
Jack, and the small blonde haired boy next to him.

"I don't think you need to be keeping this with you until you're better,"
Jack's dad said as he reached out to grab the picture.

"That's all I have left of him!!" Jack said quickly snatching the picture
from his father's hands.

His dad took a step back, his eyes wide and his mouth left open.

"You give me that picture right now!" his father said, taking several steps
forward with his hand outstretched.

"Please Dad. I'm sorry, just let me keep the picture. I promise I'll talk
to the preacher tomorrow!"

"I think we might need to take more drastic measures," his father said in a
low tone.

"What...?" Jack asked, his voice trailing off as he felt his breath become
unsteady. He could feel the emotions rising up inside of him.

"I've signed you up for a camp you'll be attending over winter break. It's
one where the power of prayer, and whatever else they need to do, will fix
you. Maybe with that we'll finally move on," Jack's dad said, turning so
his back faced his son.

"Dad please...just give me a chance. I'm trying my best!" Jack finally
yelled out as he felt the tears run down his cheeks.

"I gave you a chance, but clearly your best isn't good enough because
you're still a fag!" Jack's father yelled as he turned around and took
several steps towards Jack.

Jack continued to sob, trying his best to control his emotions, but he knew
he was losing an uphill battle with what he was feeling. The tears
continued to cascade down his face as his breath became shallower and less
stable.

"Dad....what if I'm gay," Jack said quietly, his eyes locked to the floor.

Jack's father stopped mid stride. He turned around, and his eyes grew wide
as he faced his son.

"What?"

"Dad, what if I'm gay?" Jack said again, but still unable to look up and
face his father.

"Don't you dare say that!" Jack's dad said, his tone becoming panicked as
he reached out and took his son by his shirt collar and held him up by it.

"Don't you dare say that!" his father yelled directly in his face.

"But what if I am Dad!? What if that's why I can't be fixed!?" Jack yelled
as he loosed himself from his father's grip.

"I will not have a gay son!"

"Then who am I?"

Jack stood still as his father glared at him, and neither was willing to
speak in rational terms.

"If you're gay, you're not my son" Jack's father said, a scowl forming on
his face, a cold look in his eyes.

"And what if I left and I never came back?" Jack asked, his eyes showing
hurt, pain.

"I don't think it would matter," Jack's dad said as he began to turn around
and walk to the doorway.

"And what if I just died!" Jack shouted at his father, who only then
stopped.

He stood in the doorway, his mother already sobbing as she walked to the
other end of the hallway. He placed his hand on the doorway and looked back
at his son, his eyes cold like a stone in winter.

"Maybe it'd be better that way, for all of us," Jack's father said, as he
softly closed the door behind him.

Jack stood, but he really wasn't there. His mind had gone far away, so far
he didn't know if he'd ever find it again. It didn't feel like he was home
anymore, his emotions were so great, so many.

The spiral down only seemed to have gotten darker, faster. Did he have
minutes, or only seconds left to the end?

He walked over to his closet, and grabbed a duffel bag he kept around for
when he spent the night with friends. He grabbed a few clothes, some
toiletries, his wallet, and a few other items.

Then he walked over to his desk and grabbed the picture and the pocket
knife, and carefully placed both in his bag and zipped it up. Jack found
his thicker jacket and put it on. The boy walked out the door and down the
hall and reached the bottom of the stairs. He looked to his left, and
there, with a cup of coffee in their hands, were his parents sitting in the
dining room. He locked eyes with both, neither saying anything, though
there were fully aware of what Jack was doing.

"Do you even know where you're going to go?"

"Does it matter?"

His mom and dad continued to just stare at him, almost like they were
watching a movie. They may have felt sympathy for the character, but they'd
never do anything for him. It wasn't even real.

"Jack."

He stopped midway, just as he opened the front door. He looked back to see
his father looking at him.

"Don't come back until you've changed," his father said flatly, the same
cold expression across his eyes and face.

Jack only glared, then slammed the door shut behind himself. The cool night
air met him as he walked down the front pathway. The night was dark, with
only street lamps guiding his way as the misty atmosphere blocked the view
of the stars. He felt his breath become unsteady, and he again felt like
crying, but he knew that wasn't a luxury he had right now. He needed to
find shelter. The park always had options for him, and he knew he wouldn't
raise any suspicion if he was dressed in sports clothes and was there with
a duffel bag. It was a common sight. Jack began his walk towards the park,
and immediately recognized his stomach growling.



It doesn't matter anyway, it'll be over soon enough


Authors note: Hello again everyone, and yea I know it's another dark
part. But let's be honest, there are a ton of LGBT kids who go through this
and I felt this was a theme that was vital to incorporate. Though I also
want to note and wonder if anyone noticed the parallel between Jack, and
Alan and Wyatt. So I hope you all enjoyed this part, though I know it is
more of a cliff hanger than anything. So do you have questions, comments,
suggestions? Well please feel free to send them my way at
EFoster447@yahoo.com.  I really do enjoy getting mail from all of you, and
I really enjoyed the letters people wrote last time. It's what keeps me
writing and looking forward to giving you guys each new part. Also I wanted
to thank my editor, Mike Archer, for reading over and editing this. Anyway
let me know what you guys think and I hope you will continue to read and
enjoy the parts as they continue to come out. Thank you all so much for
taking the time to read this series and stick with it.