Beneath the Mask

By: J.P.G.
(© 2010 by the author)

The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at...

Chapter 26

Alex found Lorenzo in the living room, not the game room, with Jeremy. He walked over to see what they are up to in the corner. When he reached them, he couldn’t believe his eyes. Jeremy actually got Lorenzo away from the TV and video games to draw. Since he has been out of the center, you could always find Lorenzo in front of the TV playing a game on it or simply watching it.

Trying to not make a noise. Alex turned to walk away when he heard his brother call for him. Alex turned around to see what Lorenzo needed. Lorenzo showed Alex the picture he is drawing with a big old smile on his face.

“That is really good Lorenzo.” Alex walked back over to his brother. “I am not lying, that is very good. You are a very good drawer, with awesome detail. There is no guessing on what you have drawn here.”

Lorenzo smile got even bigger; it went across from side of his face to the other. He gave Alex the drawing and started to work on a new one. Alex sat down and pulled a piece of drawing paper from his brother and started to draw himself. Drawing is one of the things he started to do when he was locked up. Either draw, play cards, dominos or sit-ups is pretty much all you can do, Alex chose drawing.

He got so into drawing with his brother and Jeremy, Alex didn’t realize that he had been there on the floor for over an hour. Matt walked in looking for Alex for the third time and this time he saw them on the floor behind the couch. Matt quietly walked up to see what his boyfriend is doing behind the couch.

“Hey, you had me worried Alex! I have been looking for you all over the place. This is the third time I walked into this room. I never thought of looking behind the couch for you. What in the world are you guys doing behind here?”

Alex looked up at Matt, who is leaning over the couch. “Can’t you see that we are drawing and coloring here? There is no way you have been in here three times already. I would have heard you the first time you came in. Also, I haven’t been back here that long, maybe twenty or so minutes.”

“That’s where you are wrong Alex. You have been drawing for over an hour if you started doing this since you left me and your mother.”

Alex peeked over the couch to look at the grandfather clock in the corner of the room. He couldn’t believe his eyes. Matt is right, he has been drawing over an hour already. How in the world the time passed by the fast, Alex thought. Not thinking too much into it, Alex got up from the ground and joined Matt on the other side.

“Please don’t get mad out me for what I am about to say.” Matt looked deep into Alex’s eyes as he grabbed Alex’s hand into his. “Your mother and I started to talk after you left. We were not talking about the subject that all of us were talking about. I told her about what is happening with us dealing with getting to work and back after school.”

“No, please don’t tell me that you told my mother about not having a ride to work. I told you Matt that I wanted to take care of this issue on my own. My mom and Jacob have already done so much for us, we need to start showing that we can do things on our own. How can we do that if we keep going back to them every time something comes up?”

“I didn’t mean to do that Alex, please believe me. We started talking about things at school and some how we got into the subject about our job. Once I said the words, I really wanted to take them back. I knew you were going to get mad with me, but I couldn’t do anything after I said it.”

“So what did you and my mother decide without me being there?” Alex got up angry with what Matt did.

“We didn’t decide anything without you Alex. We talked about several options that we have, but no decision was made. You are acting like I planned to go behind your back to talk with mom about this. I didn’t mean to do that and I am sorry that I even mentioned it to mom. If I could take it back, I would.”

Matt got up from the couch and walked out of the living room. Before Alex could say another word. Matt made his way through the kitchen and had reached the back door. Alex ran after Matt, but didn’t catch up to him until he reached their house. He walked in the house right as Matt closed the back the back door.

Alex grabbed a hold of Matt and swung him around. He pulled Matt into him and held him tight. After a few seconds of standing there, Matt wrapped his arms around Alex, whispering in his ear that he is sorry for talking with their mother. Alex broke the hug and placed his hands on Matt’s shoulders. He looked straight into Matt’s eyes.

“You did nothing wrong when you talked with mom about the ride issue. I need to stop being so hard headed. There are things I just can’t do without help and one of them is getting a car right now. Thank you for talking to mom about it! Now tell me what you and mom think we can do to solve this problem?”

“Well, there are two options we came up with. The first one is the one that we talked about and that is taking the bus to work. There are some draw backs to doing that. The main one is the time it takes the bus to get from point A to point B. I can go through the list of the others, but you know them.

The second is getting a car. Mom is willing to go with us to a dealership and put her name on the paperwork since she has the employment history to show that she can pay for the car. All we have to do is pay the monthly payments. Basically those are our two options, besides walking to and from work.”

“Where will we get the money for a down payment if they ask us for one? All dealerships ask for a down payment on any car they sell and we don’t have that kind of money. The only one I know that has that kind of money is Jacob and there is no way I will go and ask him for another loan. Not after all the money he has loaned us already.”

“That I don’t know. We didn’t even talk about that part. It must have slipped our minds or we didn’t know about it. If the dealership asks……”

“That is where I come in at as well Alex.” Alex and Matt looked over to Franseca as she walked into the kitchen. “Since I have no house payment or sending a good chunk of my money to your father, I have been saving. I have little tucked away in the bank and I will loan it to you guys to put down on a car.”

“But mom, you worked hard for that money. I can’t….”

“Don’t think I am just doing this for you. I like to say I am, but to be honest, I am not. I need a way to go shopping on my own as well. Whenever you guys are at school, I plan to use the car if I need to. Don’t worry, the car will be here for you to use when you get home from school. But I don’t like asking for a ride to do my shopping.”

Alex and Matt looked at each other and laughed. This will work out for all of them. Alex didn’t even think about how his mother went shopping without a car. He just came home and always found what he wants or needed in the house. Now he can she that she had to always ask for a ride to go to the stores.

“Now if you boys are done talking about this, let’s go out and look at the cars before it gets any later.” Franseca walked out of the kitchen towards the rooms. “Go over and get tell your brothers that they need to change to go out. Virginia already agreed to give us a ride to the dealership to look at cars.”

Not having to be told twice, Alex got up and went over to get his brothers. Lorenzo and Ismail came running into the back door to their rooms to get ready. Alex stayed at Jacob’s house to help Virginia with Jeremy. Although he doesn’t know sign language, Alex is doing his best to help Virginia to explain to Jeremy what is going on.

It got to a point that Virginia told Alex that it might be best that she stays home and loans them her car. Alex figured to give it one more try to get Jeremy to understand what is going on. He walked over to where he is curled up at on the floor. He sat down several feet away from him remembering what Jacob has told him about Jeremy.

He kept saying Jeremy’s name over and over again, until Jeremy looked up. Alex did his best to make things out of his hand as he talked to Jeremy. Somewhere in the middle, Alex got through to Jeremy and he got up and walked upstairs to get ready. A few minutes later Jeremy walked back down ready to go.

Not willing to loose the progress he has made. Alex walked with Jeremy over to Virginia’s car. They got in and waited for Virginia to join them. The whole time they waited, Jeremy tried to talk with Alex, but again Alex didn’t understand him. Right then and there, Alex decided to ask Jacob to teach him sign language.

Virginia walked out of the house, followed by Matt, Franseca and Alex’s little brothers. Before walking out of the house, Virginia told them how Jeremy is acting. She explained not to make any sudden moves or do anything that might confuse Jeremy. If Jeremy gets agitated, just step back and let her or Alex deal with it.

So when they got into the car, they talked in very low voices and didn’t do anything that would get Jeremy going again. They made it to the car dealership where Jacob bought his truck. Remembering what Virginia told them, they waited for Alex to explain to Jeremy where they are and what they are doing there. Once Jeremy understood everything, he got out, which allowed the rest to get out as well.

Virginia and Alex walked Jeremy inside with his coloring books to the waiting room. They sat down and let Jeremy settle in before doing anything else. Once Jeremy got into his coloring books, Virginia told Alex that he could join the others. She will stay with Jeremy and if she needs help, she will have someone go out to find him.

Alex found his mother, brothers and Matt looking at the same big cars that they looked at when Jacob bought his truck. They turned and saw the look on Alex’s face and walked towards him. Matt reached Alex before anyone else.

“I know what you are going to say, so don’t say it. There is no way we are going to buy a grandma car. Even mom has said there is no way she is going to drive an old person car around town. We just were waiting for you so where we can look at the cars that we want to buy and are happy with.”

Alex laughed, grabbing Matt’s hand, and walked with his family up and down aisles looking at the cars. Every chance they got, Alex and Matt stole a kiss in places where people couldn’t see them kissing. Each time they stole a kiss, they felt tingling feelings all up and down their bodies. They feel closer than they have ever felt before.

On the way home, Alex drove with Virginia. Although he really wanted to drive in the SUV they just bought, he didn’t want to leave Virginia alone with Jeremy. She kept telling Alex she would be fine, but he didn’t listen. He rode in the back seat with Jeremy all the way home. The entire time Jeremy kept Alex laughing.

At the same time they drove into the driveway, Al drove in. Alex helped Jeremy out of the car and looked over to Al. Man does he look tired, Alex thought. By the looks of it, Al didn’t sleep at all. Whatever is going on, it took it out of Al really bad.

Virginia walked up to Al and grabbed his bag that Jacob took him last night. “You look beat honey! Why don’t you just go in, take a shower and relax the rest of evening? I will prepare something to eat and bring it up to you!”

“No, I am tired but all I need is a nice hot shower. Once I take a shower I’ll be okay. Where are you coming from with Alex and Jeremy? Forget that, how were you able to keep Jeremy calm to even go anywhere?” Al chuckled as he brought Virginia into a hug.

“It wasn’t me that kept Jeremy calm. If it wasn’t for Alex, I had no chance of keeping Jeremy calm. That young man has a way on talking with our grandson, I can’t even explain it. He doesn’t even know sign language, but Jeremy understands him. In fact Jeremy seems to love being around Alex.”

Al looked at Alex as he passed him with Jeremy. Not saying a word to Alex, he walked in with Virginia. Not saying anything to his wife, Al went up stairs and took a quick shower. When he returned downstairs, he found Franseca and Virginia trying to defrost some meat to cook dinner.

“Don’t worry about that, ladies. Let’s just go out to eat dinner.” Al walked up to Virginia and wrapped his arms around her. “I am tired and I am pretty sure you both are tired as well. So instead of making a mess for you to clean up, let’s just go out and eat dinner.”

Franseca looked at Virginia trying to get some kind of sign from her on what to do. She put the meat they were trying to separate in the bottom of the refrigerator for them to cook tomorrow. As she walked out of the kitchen, she told Al and Virginia they will be ready in fifteen minutes.

A lady of her word, right down to the minute Franseca and her family walked into the kitchen ready to go. Al smiled at them as he got up to go and get Jeremy. The good thing for them is that Al does know sign language. Plus Jeremy trusts him no matter what he says. It didn’t take long for Al to return with Jeremy ready to go.

“I understand you guys bought a vehicle today. I wish you would have waited for me or Jacob to get you a good deal on the vehicle. These car dealerships try to get every penny that they can with their vehicles. Trust me when they are giving you huge discounts, they can give you even more.”

“Yeah, that is no lie sir! The salesperson we were talking to gave us a price and told us that it was the best price they can give. When we went in and talked with the manager, we told them who we knew, well let’s just say the red carpet got rolled out.” Al started to laugh when Alex said the part of the red carpet.

“Let’s take the new SUV so I can ride in a new car. We can talk on the way to Golden Corral. I would like to hear all about what happened when you gave out our names. It’s good sometimes to hear that companies we deal with actually will roll out the red carpet for those that are part of our family.”

All the way to the restaurant, everyone took turns telling Al what happened when they were buying their SUV. As they talked, Al looked around the fully loaded SUV and couldn’t believe the deal they got on the truck. Some of the savings will be wiped away with the interest charges on the loan, but even then they still will end up paying a lot less than what the truck is worth.

One thing that Al understands is that they didn’t want to ask him or Jacob for help buying a car. As they explained it they feel they owe way too much already to them, they can’t keep adding to that. In Al’s eyes he doesn’t feel that they owe him anything, and he is sure Jacob sees it the same way.

When they walked in the house, Al went straight up stairs and went to bed. He could barely keep his eyes open during dinner. At times he caught himself actually falling asleep. He thought it would have been funny if he would have fallen asleep and his face landed in his plate of food! Thank god that didn’t happen!

Although it is Sunday morning, Al got up and went into work. He missed Friday and Saturday and there was already too much work on his desk before he left. As he walked up to the front door of the building, he ran into Ron. They did their normal greetings as Ron unlocked the door and Al turned off the alarm.

“I can’t believe what I am seeing all over the news Al. There can’t be places like that in real life. The news had to doctor the footage to make it look that bad. If there are places like that, I don’t want to live in a state that allows this to be a normal kind of business.”

“I wish I could tell you that the news did doctor the footage, but they didn’t. When I got there on Friday, I couldn’t believe my eyes. A place like this isn’t only up and running, but parents actually put their kids in there at no fault of their own. It made me sick to my stomach so much I had to get out of there.

Let me tell you when we pulled Joey out, we thought we saw the worst that place was able to do, but we were wrong. We barely scratched the surface at that point. Hundreds, I mean hundreds of kids were locked up in that building in rooms even smaller than the criminals in our jails get. Then on top of that building, we find out about a camp that they have. When we got to that camp, it was even worse.”

“We need to thank our lucky stars that we don’t think that way. There is no doubt I have had friends that are gay, but never said a word to me about it for fear of what we are seeing right now. When I met Alex and Matt, I didn’t know they were gay. They are no different than you or me. When I found out, I didn’t care. I even told them that I didn’t care that they are gay.”

Al and Ron walked to the elevator and went up to Al’s office. Al put on a pot of coffee and they sat in the break room talking about the camp and drinking coffee that Al got ready. Ron couldn’t believe the details that Al is giving him about that place. From the rooms, the torture rooms, the amount of food they gave each of them all the way to what the kids looked like when they pulled them out of the building. Ron just couldn’t believe what these poor kids went through.

“How is your grandson Jacob, Al? I hear that he isn’t doing so well. Something about his kidneys isn’t working. I really don’t know how you are getting through the days without going crazy. If I were in your shoes, I would be out of my mind already.”

“I tell you when it rains it pours Ron! At first Jacob didn’t want to tell us what he was going through and I think that is why his kidneys completely shut down. He waited too long to see the doctor.  Now he has no other choice but to go under the knife. Let me tell you that he doesn’t like that idea!”

“At least you don’t have to worry about waiting for a kidney to come available. Not with what Alex is doing for Jacob! A friend that is willing to do things like that for their friends are unbelievable. Who would have ever thought these two would have become friends like they have after what they went through.”

“Wait a minute Ron, what are you talking about? Jacob is on a waiting list to get a kidney as far as I know. This thing about Alex is the first time I have heard about it. When did you hear that Alex is a match and is going to donate one of his kidneys to Jacob?”

Ron tried to recover as fast as he could. He realized that Al didn’t know and he shouldn’t have let the cat out of the bag like he did. Mentally, Ron kept kicking himself for speaking out of turn. By the way Al is acting; Alex meant it when he said that he is going to not tell anyone about what he is doing.

“Look Al, I just screwed up! I shouldn’t have said a word. Alex asked me not to say a word to anyone. I walked into his office the other day when he got the call letting him know that he is a match to Jacob. He asked me not to say a word to anyone and here I am screwing that up.”

“I don’t even know where to start here Ron. I had no idea that Alex is doing this for Jacob. I doubt Jacob knows, because he would have told me. That means Alex just went in the last couple of days because Dr. Whitmore hasn’t called to inform Jacob that he has a kidney for him. We will probably get that news on Monday more than likely.”

“Please Al; don’t tell Jacob that it’s Alex the one that is donating the kidney.”

“Why? If I were to donate an organ I would want the person to know! That is where I am so confused. Why doesn’t Alex want anyone to know that he is the donor? He has turned out to be a great kid. There is no reason for him to do this for Jacob or anyone else.” Al got up from his chair and started walking back and forth.

“I don’t know why Alex doesn’t want you, Jacob or anyone to know that it is him that is donating the kidney. All I know is that when I talked with him he told me that he is doing this because it is the right thing to do. Not to pay back you or Jacob, it is the right thing to do. Dr. Whitmore even made sure of that when Alex asked to be tested.

I shouldn’t have even mentioned this to you Al. Alex asked me not to and if he finds out that Jacob knows that it is him that is donating the kidney, Jacob will try to talk Alex out of doing it. Plus I will loose any trust that Alex has in me. You know how hard it is to get these kids to trust you.”

“Yes I do and I will not breathe a word to Jacob. I still need to talk with Alex about him doing this. Not to talk him out of it. It looks like he has his mind already made up. I just want to talk with him and let him know how thankful I am for what he is doing for my grandson. He is indeed a very special young man for doing what he is doing.”

Al started to walk out of the break room as he continued talking. “I promise when I talk with Alex that he won’t know I got the news from you. Dr. Whitmore has always told me what is going on and he will tell me when he calls to give the news. That is where I will tell Alex that I got the information from. So don’t worry about losing the trust that Alex has given you. I will cover you there.”

Even though Al is going to cover for him, Ron still felt bad for letting Al know. Alex trusted him not to say a word and the first time he sees Al, he spills the beans. There is no way that Alex will believe him that it was an accident. If he ever finds out that he was the one that let Al know that is.

Ron went down to the print shop to start working on the paperwork he came in to do. At the same time, Al sat in his office thinking about the news he just got. Both of them couldn’t get their mind off of the conversation.

Alex woke Matt up by kissing him on the lips. As Matt came to life, he couldn’t help but smile when he saw Alex’s face looking down at him. Matt started to return the kiss and before they knew it, they got into a full make out session not paying attention and ended up falling off the bed onto the floor. They started laughing as they got up and sat back on the bed.

Matt pushed Alex onto his back and crawled on top of him. At this point Alex is lying between Matt’s legs. Without warning, Matt started tickling Alex, causing Alex to try to wrestle free. He couldn’t, not with Matt holding him down with his body weight and tickling him. Alex is laughing so much; he has no strength to use to get himself free.

As fast as Mat started tickling Alex, he stopped. Alex looked up with blurry eyes. He laughed so much; it caused him to start crying. Not the sad crying but the happy, joyful crying! He thought that Matt started to lean in to kiss him, but Alex is wrong.

“I can’t say it any other way but to say it straight out. You are the cutest guy I have ever seen in my life. You make me feel so special I can’t wait to be with you every minute of every day. Boy I got lucky when you became my roommate and my wildest dreams were answered that day!”

Alex wrapped his arms around Matt with a big grin across his face. “You say you are the lucky one, I beg to differ with you. You brought the real me out. The person I kept pushing down inside and never wanted to release. When you were created, you were given every good trait and none of the bad ones. I love you Matt and nothing will ever change the love I have in my heart for you!”

Alex pulled Matt’s into him until Matt lay on top of him. With their chests pressed together, they could feel each other’s heartbeat. It felt as if their hearts are beating as one. Without saying a word, they knew what each other are thinking at this very moment.

Just as Alex started to move his hand down Matt’s back, someone started knocking at their bedroom door. Once the knocking stopped, Lorenzo’s voice came through the door letting them know that breakfast is ready. Neither Alex nor Matt answered Lorenzo in hopes he would go away, but that just made Lorenzo knock again.

“Okay Lorenzo, we are awake and getting dressed. Thank you and let mom know we will be there in just a few minutes.”

Lorenzo talked through the door letting them know that he is going now. Matt got off of Alex and pulled Alex up. They got dressed, pushing their hardened dicks into their pants. Both of them hoped that their dicks would soften up before they walk into Jacob’s house, because if not, everyone would get a visual that they are not expecting to see!

“You know Alex, I love it that your mother cooks for us and all, but it seems she knows what we are doing somehow. This isn’t the first time we were about to have sex when your mom sent one of your brothers to get us for breakfast. Now I will have to deal with blue balls all day long!”

“Who says that you are going to have to deal with blue balls all day?” Alex walked up to Matt and squeezed his package. “As soon as we finish eating, we can come right back to and pick up where we left off. You will only have blue balls through breakfast.”

They walked out of their room adjusting themselves. No matter what they do, they can’t hide what is going on down below. As soon as they walked into the kitchen, they took their seats as fast as they could. Everyone just looked at Alex and Matt when they sat down. By sitting down so quickly, the table nodded.

After getting question after question on why they sat down so quickly, Alex gave in. “Fine you guys caught us. Matt and I were about to be with each other when Lorenzo came over to get us for breakfast. We didn’t want you guys to see what is going on down below, so we tried to hide. Are you guys satisfied now that you know what is going on?”

Alex looked around the table trying to hide the fact he is embarrassed, but it didn’t work. The color of his face changed several shades of red as he tried to show that he isn’t embarrassed. Franseca laid down the plate of pancakes and changed the subject, letting Alex and Matt off the hook.

Right after breakfast, as promised, Alex and Matt returned back to their room. The minute they closed the door, they started to pull each others clothes off. By the time they got to their bed, they are both naked. Alex fell first back onto the bed and Matt crawled on top of him. They are back in the same position they were in before breakfast.

This time they didn’t say a word to each other. Instead they started to kiss each other. Matt broke the kiss and started his way down Alex’s neck, chest and finally stopped right at Alex’s dick. His dick is pointing straight up, leaking a steady stream of pre-cum.

Matt wrapped his hand around Alex’s dick and jerked it a couple of times. That caused Alex to softly moan. Matt reached over and pulled out their tube of gel. He spread it all over his dick and Alex’s entrance. After getting what he thought is enough, Matt put the gel on the floor and lifted Alex’s legs over his shoulders.

Since they are used to each other, Matt put his dick at the entrance of Alex’s hole and pushed in. Not fast, but not slow. Alex bore down and his hole opened to welcome Matt’s cock in.  Matt slid his dick right into Alex. Matt loves the way Alex’s butt feels around his dick. It is so tight that it fits like a glove.

After sinking his dick completely into Alex, Matt leaned in to kiss Alex. Alex opened his eyes right when Matt’s lips touched his own. Matt allowed Alex’s tongue to invade his mouth without a fight. Alex felt every inch of Matt’s mouth with his tongue, while Matt started to get into a rhythm.   

Before they knew it, they started to work up a sweat. Each time they reached their climax, they stopped to come back down from the edge. Neither of them wants this to be quick. They want it to last as long as it can. They want to make patient love with each other.

By the fourth time Matt got close to his climax, he pulled out of Alex. He picked up the bottle of jell and prepared Alex’s dick. Once he felt that Alex is lubed up enough, he got on top straddling Alex and lowered himself onto Alex’s dick facing Alex’s feet.

As Matt allowed Alex’s dick to go deeper and deeper inside of him, Alex wrapped his hands around Matt’s stomach. He allowed Matt to choose the speed; he just sat there for the ride; a ride that he loves to get on when ever he is given the opportunity to do so!

Matt leaned all the way back until his back rested on Alex’s chest. As his back end got pumped with Alex’s dick, he started to enjoy the intimate kiss that he is sharing with Alex. Matt couldn’t help moaning into Alex’s mouth as they kissed. Every times that he went down onto Alex, Alex’s dick hit his prostate.

Just as Alex reached the point of no return, he mumbled trying to warn Matt. Matt understood what Alex is saying and stopped to let Alex to calm down. Once that happened, Matt started all over again. They did this for the next thirty minutes before Matt finally got off of Alex’s dick.

He got between Alex’s legs and started to jerk him off. It didn’t take much for Alex to start shooting his cum. Every bit of cum that Alex shot, Matt swallowed it. He can’t get enough of Alex’s cum. He could drink it every minute of every day if he could.

Once Matt drained Alex, he crawled back onto the bed. He kneeled over Alex’s face and started to jerk himself off. Just like Alex, it didn’t take long for him to start shooting. When he did, Alex reached up and pulled Matt’s dick into his mouth. He wants to have every drop of Matt’s cum as well.

Matt fell back onto the bed once he had no more cum to shoot. They both lay on the bed side by side. Alex reached over and grabbed Matt’s hand. They held each others hands as their sweaty bodies laid side by side.

After they got their strength back, they ran out of their room to the bathroom. Not even asking each other if it is okay to shower together, they got in. At first the water was cold as ice, but warmed up. Taking turns, they washed each others backs. Not skipping anything, they made sure that every inch of the others backside is clean.

It took the water to go cold again to make Alex and Mat get out of the shower. They had fallen to the floor of the bath tub and started kissing each other under the shower head. When the water went cold, it brought them back to earth and out of the shower.

As soon as the dried off, they walked back to their room and got dressed for the second time. Alex checked Matt over and Matt did the same thing to Alex before they left their room and headed over to see what Lorenzo and Ismail are doing. All the way to Jacob’s house, they held hands like love sick puppies.

To no surprise to Alex or Matt, they found Lorenzo and Ismail down stairs playing video games. Alex couldn’t help but think to himself that his little brothers might one day get sucked into that TV. If that happens, neither Lorenzo nor Ismail would be bothered. They would actually enjoy living out the games that they play.

Alex and Matt played video games with Lorenzo and Ismail as long as they could. They have to head out and get some of their community service hours done. After a couple hours of playing, they got up to leave, but Alex’s little brothers asked to go with them. Alex had to explain to them where they are going and why they can’t go with them. Not liking the idea, but accepting it, Lorenzo and Ismail went back to playing their game.

As they reached the kitchen, Franseca stopped Alex. “Where are you boys going? Al asked if you guys could help him with the yard. A lot of the trash the construction workers should have cleaned up is now all over the yard. Al doesn’t like seeing his yard is the dirtiest yard on the block.”

“Mom, we have to go and get some of our community service done. We are going to go down to the retirement home and put in a couple more hours in before we have to report in again. Anyways, Al isn’t here, I think he is at work!”

“That doesn’t matter if he is here or not, he is asking for you guys to help him out. I just got off the phone with him and he asked for this favor.” Franseca put away the dishes in her hand and looked over to Alex and Matt. “Al also told me that Ron, the guy you see do your community service hours with, is at work. Plus didn’t you guys do some of your hours earlier this week?”

“Yes we did do some hours earlier this week, but we don’t want our probation officer to have any reason to try and take this away.” Alex picked up his leg and pointed to the anklet around his ankle. “Plus we had no idea that Ron planned on going into work today. By Al giving you the heads up, it saved us a trip that we would have wasted gas.”

“Your probation officer has to settle with the hours you can get in. Between going to school, working and your homework, he is lucky that you have time to get any community service hours done. You guys can’t be killing yourself to get what he wants. He is going to have either take lower hours or lower payments.”

“He doesn’t see it that way and we can’t tell him that. If we tell him anything like you just said he will put us in front of the judge. Let me tell you if that happens, the judge will for sure send me back. I know when he found out I got released, he didn’t like it. He is just waiting for me to mess up. I will not give him that satisfaction.”

“Since Ron is at work and not at the retirement home, we can stay here and help out Al. The people in charge over at the retirement home will not let us deal with anyone else but Ron since he is the person we are assigned to. They are already giving us a break on letting us continue doing our hours over there as it is.”

Matt surprised both Alex and Franseca when he spoke up. He spoke with logic and common sense that neither Alex nor Franseca could object to. There isn’t a thing that Alex and Matt can do at the retirement home when Ron isn’t there. So they would have been turned away when they walked in.

Alex walked out to the back yard over to the shed to get what they need to work on the yard. As they pulled out the rakes, gloves and bags, Lorenzo and Ismail came running out. With the four of them working on the yard, it didn’t take long to get it done. They worked their way from the backyard to the front.

When they reached the front yard, they found Jeremy on the grass playing with Cupid. At first Alex feared that the little dog would try and take off, but as he watched Jeremy and Cupid play, he released that Cupid didn’t want to leave Jeremy’s side. He thought that was neat to see Jeremy actually outside playing instead of coloring in side.

They worked around Jeremy, trying not to scare Cupid. When they could no longer work around them, Alex asked Jeremy to go back inside with Cupid. At first Jeremy looked like he was about to blow, but after Alex explained to him why, he picked up Cupid and walked back into the house without a problem.

Once they finished cleaning the yard, they sealed the bags and brought them to the curb. Alex looked around and could see a major difference on how the yard looks. He patted himself on the back for a hard days work as he walked into the house. The yard does look different from what it looked like when they started.

Just as Alex started to walk into the TV room, he heard the door open. He turned to see Al walking in with his brief case. Alex waived at All as he started to walk into the room. Alex didn’t even make it past the door frame when he heard Al calling for him. He stopped in his tracks hoping that he heard wrong, but Al walked up behind him.

“If you have a few minutes young man I would like to speak with you before dinner.” Al looked into the room over Alex’s shoulder. “The yard looks very good you guys. Thank you! I know it took some of your weekend away and I am sorry for that.”

Al walked into the TV room pulling out his wallet and gave Lorenzo, Ismail and Matt ten dollars each. As he walked out, he gave Alex the same amount. Alex didn’t feel right taking the money, but he knew he needed it for gas. He put the money in his pocket and walked with Al to the study.

“This will not take long, trust me! I am already dead on my feet and all I want to do is sit in front of the TV like you guys are doing.” Al made his way around his desk. “I tell you when you start to run your company Alex; don’t think it will be any easier than doing the job that you are doing now. In fact running the company is a lot harder than just working like a regular employee.”

“By the look on your face, I can see that. I hope running the print shop isn’t as hard as running the huge company you are running without much help. I know Jacob wants to help, but he is still going to school. Pretty sure when school is out, you will see Jacob hard at work along with you.”

“That I know will happen as well. No matter what I tell that young man, I can’t keep him away from the office. He doesn’t like seeing me working so much. I think he feels guilty that I am working as much as I am, but I want to. It keeps the blood flowing through my veins and makes me feel young.”

As Al talked about how he is feeling, Alex felt more at ease. He knows that he isn’t in trouble like he first thought. In the short period of time he has lived here with Jacob, he knows when Al isn’t happy. This isn’t one of those times!

“The reason I needed to speak with you is about something I found out today. One of the things I did when I first went into the office this morning is return the calls that I missed while I was put on Friday. Let me tell you I thought I would never get off the phone.” Al chuckled as leaned back in his seat.

“One of the calls I missed was from Dr. Whitmore. Before I get into that call, I need to let you know that Dr. Whitmore has to call me with anything that is going on with Jacob’s health. Ever since he got sick and didn’t tell anyone, Dr. Whitmore and I made a deal to talk with each other dealing with Jacob’s health. Plus Jacob has given Dr. Whitmore permission to speak with me about anything and everything.

With that said Dr. Whitmore told me that he found a match for Jacob. When he said that I couldn’t believe it, I couldn’t believe that he found a match this quickly. Then I started to worry because of what I know about organs. If he found a match, that means a poor soul has just lost their life and the organ is on ice somewhere. I know for a fact that an organ could only be kept on ice for a certain amount of time before it goes bad.

You know that Jacob isn’t in town and by the time we get him back it might be too late. When I explained that to Dr. Whitmore, he told me not to worry. He explained that it is a private donor. There is no need to rush Jacob back into town, but he would like to get the surgery done in the next couple weeks.

I started to press him on who the donor is, and he didn’t want to give up that information. He kept telling me that the donor didn’t want to be revealed. I understood that, but I still wanted to know. So I kept asking him over and over again who the donor is.”

Alex started to feel very uncomfortable being there in the study with Al. He can’t believe that Dr. Whitmore actually folded and told Al that he is the donor that is going to donate the kidney. If Al knows, that means Jacob will find out as well. That is something he never wanted to happen. No matter what he says, he knows Al will tell Jacob.

“No matter how many times I asked Dr. Whitmore, he refused to give me the information. That is why I have called you in here. You are close to Jacob and I am thinking that Jacob might know who the donor is. If you find out, I would like you to come and tell me who the person is.

The only reason I want to know is to thank the person from the bottom of my heart. I need to let that person know the gift he or she is giving me and my family means the world to us. Saving my grandsons life is something I will always be in debt to that person for. No matter what happens, I will always consider that person part of my family. Please try to find out for me where I can pass this on to that person personally!”

“I will do what I can to help you out sir.” Alex is trying not show how much the words Al just spoke mean to him. “No matter if you get that chance or not sir, I know the person that is doing this for Jacob isn’t asking for any pay back. He or she is doing it from their heart and knows what a gift that Jacob is to you, this family and everyone around him.”

Al wished that he could tell Alex straight out that he knows and how thankful he is for what he is doing. But he knows that he has to do it this way where he doesn’t get Ron or Dr. Whitmore in to any trouble. He tried his best to thank Alex and show him that he is in his debt for helping his grandson out.

“Do what you can, but I mean what I have said. I want to thank that person in person.” Al got up from his desk joined Alex on the other side. “Now let’s get out of this stuffy room and relax for the evening. I have a full day ahead of me tomorrow and I know you probably do as well.”

They walked out of the study together and over to the TV room. Alex joined Matt on the couch, while Al sat in his lazy chair. Matt looked over at Alex and started to pull Alex closer. Once Alex rested his head on Matt’s chest, Matt wrapped his arms around him. They sat there watching TV until dinner.

After dinner, they found themselves right back on the couch relaxing. Even Al joined them in front of the TV for the evening. Within an hour and half, Al and Alex dozed off to sleep. Matt kept fighting to keep his eyes open, but eventually lost the fight. They got woken up when they heard the front door open.

Alex got up, stretched and walked out into the hall to see who is making all the noise. As he walked out, Jacob and Dewayne walked into the house. Jacob looks just as bad as Al looked, maybe even worse. He has no color whatsoever in his face and he looks like he is dragging himself around.

Matt walked over to help them with their bags. Alex walked over to see if Jacob needed help with anything else. Jacob polity said no and headed to the kitchen. Alex looked over to Dewayne to see if he would lighten him on what is going on.

“Don’t worry about it Alex, Jacob is just a little tired. Imagine what he is going through right now. The poor guy doesn’t have the strength anymore like we do. He gets tired a lot faster, but tries to hide it. I can see it and try to help, but you know Jacob. He will not take any help from anyone.

To make matters worse, Jacob didn’t use the machine Friday night because we were driving up to Alamogordo. As soon as we got there, we went straight to the hospital after grabbing something to eat. Spent the entire day with Joey and didn’t get into our room until eleven or so Saturday night. He can’t afford to skip treatments like that.”

“Well hopefully all this will be over soon. I can’t imagine what Jacob is going through right now. The look on his face, the lack of color and how he is dragging himself around I can see. Still, seeing is one thing and actually being in his shoes is another. You guys need to eat and just go upstairs and relax for the rest of the evening.”

Dewayne agreed with Alex and walked to join Jacob in the kitchen. Alex decided to stay out of there way and headed back to the TV room. He sat down and started to watch the movie that is on. It has already started and Alex has no idea what the movie is all about.

Matt walked in several minutes later and rejoined Alex on the couch. Soon after that, Chase, Tom and David walked in. They sat down and started to tell Alex and Matt all about what they saw over the weekend.

Alex couldn’t believe what he is hearing. If he would have been put in one of those places, he would not let them change him. He would fight them to his dying breath. There is no way he will allow them to pass judgment on him and than try to change him to what they think he should be.

He kept thinking to himself that these people are worse than they make the gay community out to be. They think they know better and can decide who lives and dies. And if one of the kids die in their care, they wash their hands of it saying it is meant to be. In Alex’s mind people like that should be taken out back and shot.

“So how is Joey doing? It sounds like he went through hell and back and is able to tell the story of it. I don’t know where he got the strength, but I am glad that he made it.”

“That I agree with you one hundred percent Alex. He is doing good and he is back home with his boyfriend and his boyfriend’s family. It will take months before Joey is back to his normal self, but he will get there.”

Tom went on telling Alex and Matt about Joey’s new boyfriend and how they found him a wonderful match for Joey and how the family is awesome. How they have accepted their son and now they have accepted Joey as their son’s boyfriend. They went into a little detail on how Caleb looks and that did surprise Alex. A total opposite of Jacob, Alex thought. Jacob isn’t stocky or big, but slender and cut. Joey went for an opposite this time.

They stayed in the TV room talking about their trip for hours. Finally David got up and headed out to get ready for school. Tom followed and shortly after that Chase headed up to get ready for school. Alex and Matt picked up Lorenzo and Ismail and headed to their house. After putting Alex’s brothers to bed, they got ready for bed themselves.

When the alarm clock went off, Alex hit the snooze button and rolled over. He started to mumble to himself loud enough to wake up Matt. Matt pretended to try and turn off the alarm clock by hitting Alex’s forehead softly. Since Alex is mumbling loud enough to wake him up, he wanted Alex to know that he wanted to sleep a little longer.

“What is bothering you so much that you are mumbling so much? I love you Alex, but I wanted to get a little more sleep in before I had to get up for school.” Matt leaned forward and stretched out.

“Sorry, I hate it when the weekends go by so fast. Don’t you think this weekend went faster than the weekends in the past?” Matt nodded his head in the positive as he crawled out of bed. “I just wish the weekends would go slower and the school days would go faster but I know that is wishful thinking!”

Alex gave up trying to fight a losing battle. He walked over to the bathroom and got ready along side Matt. After brushing their teeth, Matt leaned in to kiss Alex. That woke up Alex and put a big smile on his face.

“I knew that would wake you up. Whenever you have a hard time getting up, just let me know. I have something that will always make you look forward to the day ahead.” Matt leaned in and kissed Alex once more at the same time pinching his butt.

Carlos started to walk up the stairs heading into the main building when he heard his name being called out. At first he froze in terror, he thought that maybe the gang has found him finally. Once again the same person called for him and he recognized the voice. He started to turn around thinking that he is imagining things.

Just as he turned around the person calling his name came running up to him with a smile across the face. That is when Carlos knew that he isn’t imagining the voice at all, it is actually her. He met Dabria halfway down the stairs. They ran into each others arms, hugging each other as if Carlos just returned from war.

“What, I mean how did you get out? I thought you were locked up just like I was until our twenty first birthday. Now here you are out and at the same high school. Don’t get me wrong, I love it and wow, did I miss you! Still I am so confused on how you did this.”

“If you will stop talking I can answer all your questions.” Carlos and she walked up the stairs to get out of the way of the other students. “I couldn’t stop worrying about you when I heard that your gang wanted to kill you. Everyone talked about it in our dorm when you left. They didn’t know that you and I are going out so they didn’t care talking about it in front of me. I had to sit there and listen to what they are going to do to you….”

“I am okay Dabria, seriously I am okay! You can see that for yourself! The plot was found out in time before I got back from the Christmas break. When I went to report in, they sent me back home until they could figure what they were going to do with me. I got the anklet instead of the facility.” Carlos showed Dabria his ankle.

“Wow, I heard about those! Even my attorney tried to get me on that instead of the facility, but I got the facility instead. It is so good to see you Carlos! I couldn’t believe it when I saw you walk past my mother’s car. I jumped out and yelled out your name hoping that I wasn’t imagining things. When you turned around, I thought my heart was going to jump right out of my chest!”

Carlos opened his mouth to say something, but Dabria put her finger over his lips. She knows that he wants to know how she got out. There is no doubt that he is worried that she is here in one way or another to hurt him. The kind of life he led makes him ask these kinds of questions. Dabria knows that and is fine with it.

“My parents hired a new law firm to get me an early release. Not only did they get it granted, they got my records expunged. As long as I don’t get into any more trouble, my past will never be brought back up again.

I got out last Wednesday, but my mom didn’t enroll me until Friday. She wanted me to have time to settle in before going back to school. If I had known that you are attending this school, I would have come to school the first day I got out! Now we are out and attending the same school. We are meant to be if I don’t say so myself.”

Carlos looked into her eyes as she spoke. She never broke eye contact, stuttered or looked like she was making up the story as she talked. He knows that she is telling the truth. Plus she had no friends in the gang or knowledge of the workings of the gang he belonged to. When they first met, she didn’t even give him the time of day because he belonged to a gang. In time, Carlos broke Dabria down and they fell in love.

“I want you to come and meet my friends. A couple of them you know from the facility, but the others you have never met before. I need to warn you before hand Alex might not take to you right off the bat. He will think that you are here to find us and let the gang know where we are.”

“I thought by being on the anklet you couldn’t be around others that have a record or on the anklet as well. Don’t get me wrong, I want to finally meet your childhood friend, but I don’t want you to get into any trouble. I know you owe him a lot and even more when he got into the facility. Because of him, you were able to come out of protective custody.”

“You always worry about me and that is one of the things I love about you along with how beautiful you are and how you accept who I am. I was so lucky when I met you Dabria. I never thought that I would find someone like you in a place like that.

Now I know you are worried for me, but due to what had happened at the facility we all ended up on this side of town so the judge gave permission for us to be around each other. The ones that got out of the facility with me are the only ones I’m allowed to be around. I can’t be around anyone else that has broken the law and is on some kind of probation. Trust me when I say that my probation office doesn’t like it, but has to accept it.”

Without hesitation, Dabria grabbed Carlos’s hand as they walked over to the cafeteria. She actually didn’t want to come to school this morning because of being the new student and not knowing anyone. Now that her boyfriend is attending the same school and he has a group of friends, she will not be a loaner.

Grabbing their breakfast, Dabria followed Carlos to the table where his friends are sitting. She laid her tray on the table beside Carlos. She felt every eye looking at her as she sat down. This is a lot harder than she thought it would be.

“Everyone I would like you to meet my girlfriend Dabria, and Dabria this is….” Carlos went around the table introducing everyone to her.

Alex just looked at Carlos, not even looking at Dabria as he nodded his head. He knows her name and he knows that she is the girl from the facility. In return he thinks she is here to find them and let his former gang know where Carlos and he are. Out of respect to Carlos, Alex didn’t say a word about what he suspects.

Not only Dabria got the feeling that Alex doesn’t like her, Carlos got it as well. Carlos is thankful that Alex didn’t tear into him in front of the others, but he knows it’s just a matter of time before he does. One thing he knows about Alex is that he is a very cautious person. More so when his life is at risk!

While they ate, Alex kept a very close eye on Dabria. When she smiled at Alex, Alex didn’t return the smile. He just stared her as if he is trying to read her mind. That bothered her even more than the knowledge that he doesn’t like her. Dabria started to feel that Alex is making a mental plan to take her out.

When they walked out of the cafeteria, Alex finally walked up to Carlos. “Will you please excuse me and your boyfriend for a few minutes? He will be right back at your side as soon as we finish talking about a very important issue.”

Not giving Dabria a chance to respond, Alex pulled Carlos down the other hallway. At this point Carlos knew that Alex is very angry with him. Not only he could hear the anger in his voice as he talked, he can see it in Alex’s eyes. As they walked into the men’s restroom; Alex locked the door and slammed Carlos against the wall.

“What the fuck is wrong with you man? You keep fucking everything up. Every time I turn around you find a new way to get us caught. This doesn’t look right no matter how you look at it. How in the world did she get out and end up coming to this fucking school?” Alex held his arm against Carlos neck.

“She isn’t here to report back to our former gang. I know….”

“There is no way you can know that for sure. No one gets out of that place until their twenty first birthday. We were the exceptions to that rule because what Mr. Henderson did that put our lives in jeopardy. No sir, there is no way she is out by luck. She is here to find us and report back to out former gang.”

“No matter what you believe Alex, our former gang doesn’t have that much power. They can touch us anywhere in the prison system, but they can’t get anyone out. In order to have that done, they would need to have judges on the payroll. Our former gang isn’t the mafia. They are lucky they have guards on the payroll.”

Alex removed his arm from Carlos’s neck and walked away from him. Carlos fell against the wall rubbing his neck where Alex’s arm was at. He understands why Alex is thinking what he is thinking. At the same time Carlos believes that Alex needs to trust him for once. There is no way he is going to do anything that will harm him or anyone.

“You have to trust me Alex; she isn’t here as a spy. Just like you, I was totally shocked when I heard her calling out for me in front of the building. At first I didn’t trust her. After she told me how she got out I believed her and know for a fact that she will never involve herself in a gang, no matter what they offered her.”

“If you are wrong on this Carlos, it isn’t only your life you are putting on the line. It is mine, Matt’s, Robert’s and Steve’s that you are putting on the line with her word. You know as well as I do how our former gang works. They will come by this school and shoot it up to get who they want damn whoever gets in the way of getting us!

Because of everything you have done for me and our friendship, scratch that, we are brothers, I will believe in you. I will believe that you know what you are doing here. No matter what we do now, she knows where we are. I really hope you are right and we can continue rebuilding a normal life.”

Just then someone started to pound on the door. Alex washed his hands and walked out of the bathroom. Carlos followed Alex back to the group. Neither of them spoke another word about what they talked about in the bathroom. When they reached the group, they put on a happy face as if nothing had happened.

Matt looked at Alex and knew right away that he is mad as hell. He looked over to Carlos and saw the markings on his neck. Whatever happened, Alex had the upper hand. He knows that it has to do with Dabria, but why he will need to find out.

They started to walk to their lockers right before the bell is to ring splitting off into their normal groups once they entered into the building. Matt tried to tap Alex’s hand like they do, but each time Alex pulled away. That confirmed to Matt that something is definitely up because Alex is starting to return to his old self.

Alex started to turn the dial of their combo lock when Matt put his hand over the lock. When Alex looked up, he face turned from anger to sadness. He started to shake and tears started to roll down his cheek.

“I don’t think I can do this much longer! Every time I think things are going good, something comes at me and puts me back in my place. I will never be able to leave the gang life. They will keep searching and searching for me until they find me. When that happens, they will kill me and anyone around me. I don’t want you to be killed because of the decisions I have made in my life.”

“Look Alex, when we started to go out with each other, I knew what I was getting into. I know what is going on and nothing is going to make me leave your side. I love you way too much to let any son-of-a-bitch run me off. No sir, I will not let anyone take you from me. Not after I got you back.

If something is going on with that girl that Carlos brought to the table, we will deal with it together. You stay strong for me. You stay the man I fell in love with. If you do that, we will make it through whatever your former gang or enemies throw at us. Let’s not let them or anyone break us apart Alex!”

Alex reached out and took Matt’s hand into his. He opened their locker and leaned in to kiss Matt. They broke the kiss, grabbed their books and headed to class. As they walked down the hall, they noticed that no one saw them kissing. They were too much in their own little world to care what they were doing.

Alex sat down in his desk and waited for roll call to be taken. He looked over at Matt to see him smiling back at him. That smile will make anyone smile no matter what they are feeling at the time. Alex smiled back, but really wanted to run over to Matt and just start kissing him in front of everyone.

He turned back to face the front and thought to himself that Matt is right with what he said at their locker. Whatever is thrown at them, as long as they are together, they will make it. Just look at what they have gotten through already. Just thinking about that, Alex’s hope got renewed. His body felt reenergized and ready to take on whatever is thrown at him not matter what.

So if Dabria is a spy from his former gang, bring it on. Alex knows it is going to take a lot more than just a couple of his former gang members to take him down. If they are coming at him, they better come ready to die themselves. That is what is going to happen if they come at Alex. If they come to kill him, he will defend himself to the very end.

To be continued...

WRITER’S CORNER:

{This story is unfolding so well after I gave it new life. I have said this several times already, I felt I was losing you guys in this story. At least where I had it at, the plots were getting very boring and now, well let’s just say it brings you back week after week.

At the end of this chapter I threw in a plot twist and I love it. First let me sum up the chapter from the beginning. This story had the characters from Jacob Finding His Way, but basically went on its own merit. I am trying to re-separate the stories, but it will have plots that you will need to read the other stories in order to understand what is going on.

At the beginning of the chapter we saw a side of Alex that I know we all knew was there. Just look how he is with his younger brothers. So it wasn’t much of a jump for him to be able to keep Jeremy calm. It is good that Alex was able to do that, because if he wasn’t, they would not been able to go and look at cars.

Talking about cars, I gave the solution to the problem that popped up in the last chapter when Tom told Alex and the others that he will not be able to give them rides anymore. I didn’t spend much time walking you guys through them buying the car. I did that twice in Jacob and I will not put you guys through it again. I took you to the dealership and back home. I know you don’t want to read about the sale in any way shape or form.

It seems that people around Alex keep slipping up. Mr. Henderson screwed and almost caused Alex and those around him their lives. Poor Ron slipped up and told Al about Alex being the donor for Jacob. Ron didn’t mean to do that, he thought that Al knew. No matter what he said, he couldn’t take it back.

Al covered for Ron when he talked with Alex. In Al’s own way he did thank Alex for doing what he is doing for Jacob. He did it without letting Alex know that he found out that the kidney is coming from him. If Alex ever puts it together, it will be too late. By the looks of it, Jacob is going to need the transplant soon.

There is a very small love scene in this chapter. I don’t want to have my main characters jumping over each other when they make love with each other. I want it to sound like and make you feel that they are making patient, deep love with each other. So once again if you are coming to my stories for stroke material, you shouldn’t read on. These stories I am writing are more for readers that want to see what is going on in the everyday life of my characters with their ups and downs as they work through their problems.

Now the twist I threw into the chapter. I pulled up my characters list and was trying to figure a way to bring life to Carlos again. He is basically a minor character right now because of Alex not being locked up anymore. Now bringing his girlfriend back I was able to bring life into the character of Carlos.

It does look weird with her appearing the way that she has. If I was in Alex’s shoes I would be thinking the same thing. Do you guys think she is spying for the gang? Or do you think that she is telling the truth? Carlos believes her and we know that he will do anything to protect Alex from those that are out to hurt him.

Now with Dabria coming onto the scene it allowed me to recover another plot I went into detail earlier chapters. Somehow some of the readers missed it or I thought I wrote it in and never did, but I took this opportunity to clear it up. I explained the question I keep getting on how is it that Alex and the others that got released from the facility are allowed to hang around each other. In this chapter I answered that question and I hope I cleared it all up with any of your readers that keep asking me.

Since this story received a makeover some characters were dropped and new ones came in. It is going to be very exciting in the chapters to come, trust me on that. Right now, so many of the old plots in this story I hope are keeping your head spinning on what is going on.  As the chapters finish, I hope you can’t wait for the next posting of the new chapter.  I really thank you guys for coming back week after week, and reading my postings.  I hope I will never let you guys down as far as drama in the storylines are concerned.

I don’t want to say too much more and spoil the future chapters to come, so I won’t. I warn you though! Don’t skip a chapter, or you will be lost. There is a so much to answer in the chapters to come. Keep reading the future chapters, and enjoy! Please email me and let me know how I am doing at jpg@tickiestories.us, Thanks!}

EDITOR’S CORNER:

I really like this story a lot. It’s very balanced and is a read where I don’t have to consciously suspend my senses of disbelief. I think that is high praise for an author’s work.

Al got his message through to Alex loud and clear. It wouldn’t surprise me that Alex gets a feeling Al knows what’s going on, but it’s not going to be right away. When the truth surfaces I expect it will be an incredibly emotional scene. That’s the thing about truth, it defies being kept covered up. Truth by its nature works its way to the surface and into the light.

I’m glad Alex and his family finally got transportation. It was no surprise to me that Franseca stepped up to pave the way for that to happen. It was cute that she had a very pragmatic angle to make it seem so much less a gift or burden to Alex and Matt. She carefully crafted the situation to preserve their pride, integrity and dignity.

I really appreciate the expressions of caring toward Jeremy by all in the immediate and also the extended family. I may have mentioned this before, I have three severely autistic grandsons. I know, first hand, what a person like Jeremy needs and the challenges. I know how vitally important unconditional love and caring is to those with mental challenges.

I’m glad Dabria showed up and came into Carlos’ life once again. Carlos deserves to have love in his life. I don’t sense anything dangerous with her. I think it is just what it appears to be. I hope Jacob will give us a glimpse of Carlos and Dabria’s intimate moments; not in detail, but enough for us to get a sense that the love is real and that there is passion and intimacy there. I hope to hear wedding bells for those two in time.

Another aspect of Carlos’ life we’ve not heard about is his family and living situations. We could use an update on that aspect of his life. That will have to come to light if he and Dabria get it going strong.

I want to say a heartfelt thank you to those that e-mail me or mention me and send greetings in e-mails to the author.  Those e-mails mean a lot to an editor!  Thanks, again.

Until next time,

“Daddy” Rick

Posted: 12/10/10