The Reluctant Mentor
By: Morris Henderson
(© 2009-2010 by the author)
 

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

Chapter 11
 

Todd had never admitted being gay to other students. His reputation from his former school followed him, however, and nearly everyone knew he was gay. He hadn’t denied it; that would be futile and dishonest. As a result, he was the frequent target of derision and insults, which he had learned to ignore. The other students’ opinion of Stu was different. They simply regarded him as an oddball because of his outspoken opinions, especially about irrational ideas and behavior that had been molded by peer pressure or status-seeking. He was not the victim of insults; he was simply ignored and was viewed as an eccentric but harmless nonconformist. The two teens, for different reasons, were loners so no one thought it strange that they palled around together during the school year. As the school year drew to a close, however, other students noticed that Todd and Stu were together much more than usual. They arrived together in Todd’s car. They ate lunch together. The left school together in Todd’s car. Most tellingly, however, were the subtle signs of bonding -- their smiles, their lingering eye contact, and their hushed conversations at lunch and in the hallway between classes. Rumors and innuendos took root and spread faster than kudzu.*
(* An invasive vine that grows very rapidly in the southeastern United States.)

A flash-point occurred at the end of a school day when Todd and Stu walked out the front door of the school joking and laughing. They paid little attention to the two groups of boys assembled on either side of the doorway until the groups merged and surrounded them. Surprise was quickly replaced by anxiety as Todd and Stu saw the menacing expressions on the faces of the eight or nine boys, all of whom they recognized -- preppies, jocks, and wannabes. Memories of his beating at his former school paralyzed Todd but Stu kept his wits about him. Standing resolutely in place, he said in a firm tone but with remarkable calm, “If you goons will step aside, we’ll be on our way.”

“Not until we deliver a message, weirdo,” snarled Jacob, the school’s football quarterback. He was only a Junior but was the team captain. Directing his next comment to Todd, he continued, “Listen, fag-boy! We don’t want you messing around with anybody. Don’t think for a minute that you can drag anybody down to your level, even if he’s a weirdo like this shit-hole you’re with. You’re nothing but a sicko queer and we won’t let you infect others. Do I make myself clear, you perverted fag?”

Stu was incensed. Standing to his full height of five feet, six inches and looking up at the six foot something football jock, he shot back, “If anybody is infecting others, ass-hole, it’s you. Look around you. If you had a fuckin’ brain, you’d know that you and idiots like you have infected these guys with your cancerous bigotry. That’s far worse than being a gay who’s never bothered any of you. Todd minds his own business and you should, too. If anybody is a sicko, it’s you and your henchmen. It’s your perverted attitude that makes you thoroughly contemptible. Now, if you’ll step aside, we’ll be on our way.”

The jock’s face reddened in anger. His intimidation had backfired and, worst of all, it had happened in front of all his hangers-on. He felt (quite irrationally, of course) that his manhood had been challenged and that he had to defend it in the only way he knew how. He grabbed the front of Stu’s shirt, lifted him almost off the ground, and spat out a warning. “Stay away from the fag-boy! Let him rot in Hell alone. If you don’t, I will personally beat the living shit out of you. I’d do that to your fairy friend, too, except I might get AIDS from his sissy blood.”

Stu’s adrenaline was pumping, which explains his next, very uncharacteristic action. He raised his knee quickly and forcefully into the jock’s groin. The pain must have been excruciating because the blow to his balls caused him to scream and drop to the ground. Doubled up and clutching his groin, he moaned pitifully. His cohorts knelt down around him. Todd grabbed Stu’s arm, pulled him toward the parking lot, and said, “Let’s get out of here!”

They ran about 20 yards but heard the moans interrupted by a command from the suffering jock, “Get the little bastards!” Obediently, the gang of boys ran after Todd and Stu like a pack of attack dogs responding to their master’s command. They made it to Todd’s car just as he was pulling out of his parking place. It was too late for them to do anything but curse and return to their suffering ring-leader.

Another student who had witnessed the incident rushed back inside the building to summon help. She found a teacher leaving his classroom and exclaimed, “There’s been a fight outside. Somebody’s hurt.”

The history teacher rushed outside to find dozens of students gathered around the school’s star quarterback, Jacob Klein, who was writhing on the ground and moaning. He forced his way to the injured student, knelt down, and asked, “What happened? Are you all right?”

“Some fucker kicked me in the nuts,” the boy said.

Ignoring the profanity, the teacher barked over his shoulder, “Somebody go to the office. Tell them we need an ambulance.”

“NO!” the football player screamed. “I don’t need no fucking ambulance!”

“You have no choice,” the teacher said. “You were injured on school property and it’s standard procedure to see that you get medical attention. Who did this to you?”

Jacob was ashamed to admit that it was a smaller boy who delivered the crippling blow and very afraid of revealing why it happened. “I don’t know,” he said. “And I’m not saying any more. Gimme me a minute and I’ll be all right.” He then struggled to his feet and started to hobble away, followed by his pack of loyalists.

“Wait!” the teacher called to him. “You have to be checked out by the medical squad.”

“Wrong!” the boy called over his shoulder. “I’m leaving.”

The teacher directed a question to the crowd. “Did anyone see what happened?”

A pert girl was the only one who answered. “I didn’t see how he got hurt but Todd Peterson and Stuart Brown ran away. Those guys ...” pointing to Jacob’s friends in the distance “...chased after them until they drove off -- I think in Todd’s car.”

“Come on,” the teacher said to the crowd of students. “Somebody must have seen what happened? Who did it?”

To a one, they claimed not to have seen what happened.

The teacher, frustrated by the obvious lies but realizing that further interrogation would be futile, turned to one of his students and said, “Jerry, go to the gym. Find coach Latimar. Tell him his quarterback has been injured. Have him meet me in the principal’s office right away.”


Todd and Stu arrived home and went immediately to their room where they discussed the confrontation and the possible outcomes.

“You were terribly courageous standing up to that bully,” Todd said. “The swift kick in the nuts was just what he deserved but I’m afraid he’ll be out to get you now.”

“I know,” Stu replied, unable to conceal his concern. “He’s got a score to settle now and he has to do something if only to maintain his alpha-dog role with his gang of goons.”

“You know,” Todd began thoughtfully, “I can ignore insults. They’re just rantings of fools. But now I’m worried about you. Jacob is not only a fool; he’s a vicious, vindictive fool.”

“Don’t worry,” Stu replied as he put on his game face. “We’ll just mind our own business, keep our eyes open, and avoid situations where the ass hole would have a chance to get back at me.”

Todd was not convinced that Stu was actually so stoical about the danger and said, “Do you think we ought to tell my parents ... or the school? They might have some ideas on how to protect you.”

“NO!” Stu exclaimed. “That would upset your parents and what could the school do, anyway?”

“Okay,” Todd grudgingly agreed. “But I’m going to watch your back. Before and after school, I’ll be right there with you.”

“Sure,” Stu said sarcastically. “Then he’d beat you up, too.”

“Listen. I want to say something important. Believe it ‘cause it’s true. You’re the best thing that’s happened to me. I want nothing more than to be with you ... forever. That means through thick and thin. We both know it’s tough to be gay. But it’s important that we face problems together. We’ve got a problem now. It’s not your problem; it’s our problem. I know you’re fiercely independent but let me be there with you. Let’s face this together.”

Stu was deeply moved by the extreme sincerity in his lover’s tone and facial expression. He seized Todd in a firm embrace and said, “What have I done to deserve you? You rescued me from my Dad. You took me into your life ... into your home. And your parents have treated me wonderfully. Now you say that you want to be with me forever. When am I going to wake up and find it’s all just a dream?”

“It’s no dream, Stu. You and I -- two misfits -- are together. And we’ll stay together no matter what.”


Meanwhile, the altercation at school was the topic of a discussion in the principal’s office. The principal, Mr. Davidson, convened a meeting with Coach Latimar, the teacher who tried to get medical help, and Mr. Perry, the guidance counselor. They reviewed the incident, including what was known about Stu, Todd, and Jacob but could reach no conclusions about how the fracas started or who did what to whom. The principal summoned the school secretary into the closed-door meeting and said, “One of the security cameras cover outside the front entrance. Would you please get the tape and bring it in here?”

She left to retrieve the video tape. Moments later, she returned with the tape, which the principal inserted into a VCR and pressed the rewind and play buttons. The quality of the picture was poor but adequate to reveal that Jacob had initiated the physical contact and that Stu had delivered the knee to the groin. There was no audio on the tape but it seemed clear that eight boys responded to Jacob’s command when they ran after the fleeing teens.

The principal was visibly upset by what they had seen. There were several moments of silence before the principal said, “I’d like to handle this without outside intervention or publicity ... unless it becomes absolutely necessary. We know what happened but we don’t know why.” Turning to counselor Perry, he said, “I’m going to call all three boys into my office during home room tomorrow morning; I’d like you to be there.”

“Would it be better to talk to them individually?” asked the counselor.

“Perhaps,” the principal allowed. “But this is not -- yet -- a criminal interrogation. I’d like to gauge the reaction of the others when each one gives his account of the incident. You can help me do that.”


That evening at supper, Todd and Stu were unusually quiet. Todd’s mother noticed the somber mood and said, “You’re awfully quiet. Is something bothering you?”

The boys gave each other a quick glance and Todd said, “Yes ... but nothing serious.”

“Want to talk about it?” she probed.

“Not now. Don’t worry. Stu and I are okay.”

“Well,” she said. “You know we’re here if we can help.”

Later, as the teens got ready for bed, Stu said, “I’m glad you didn’t tell your parents about the fight. It would only upset them if they knew.”

“Yeah,” Todd said. “But they’ll be even more upset if something happens to you ... or to us ... and I didn’t tell them what happened today. I’ve always been able to talk to them and I don’t feel good about keeping things from them.”

As they crawled into bed, Stu said, “Let’s forget about today. And not worry about tomorrow. Let’s enjoy the here and now.” Todd felt Stu’s hand fondle his cock, which dispelled any doubt as to what Stu wanted -- more than that: what he needed -- and Todd was especially tender and loving as he brought his boyfriend to climax.


Todd and Stu were cautious and watchful as they arrived at school the next morning but Jacob nor any of his cohorts were to be seen. Their anxiety rose when their respective home-room teachers told them they were to report to the principal’s office immediately. Their anxiety levels increased significantly when they saw Jacob already there.

“Come in,” the principal said warmly. “Have a seat, please. Thank you for coming. I suppose you know what it’s about. We know what happened after school yesterday. But we don’t know why. I’m hoping you can tell us.” No one spoke for several awkward moments but all three students were visibly nervous. “Come on, boys. Each of you was there. What happened and why?” Still, no one spoke. “Okay then, I suppose I’ll have to call on you one at a time. Jacob, it seems you started it all. Why did you grab Stuart?”

The macho jock squirmed, shocked that the principal knew that he was the first aggressor. He made his first foolish mistake when he denied it. “I didn’t! Whoever told you that is a damn liar!”

Very calmly, the principal said, “Apparently you don’t know ... or forgot ... that we have a video surveillance system here. Would you like to see the video tape?”

Jacob knew he had been cornered and tried a back up strategy, a second mistake. “Okay. But that little weirdo there...” pointing to Stu “...kicked me in the balls! He’s the one you should be going after!”

“In due time,” the principal said struggling to maintain his calm. “Right now, I’d like you to tell me why you grabbed him. And please do it without profanity or insults.”

“Insults? Talk about insults!” The defiant anger in Jacob’s voice and demeanor was palpable. “That’s why I did it. The little squirt called me an idiot and an ass hole. I grabbed him to get his attention. Nobody insults me like that! I was just trying to make my point clear.”

The principal turned to Stu and asked, “Did you say those things, Stuart?”

“Yes, sir. And you probably want to know why. He had just said far worse to Todd ... about his being gay. I’d prefer not to repeat the filthy things he said but it made me furious. I told him that he was the one who was sick because of his bigotry and spreading that bigotry to his friends. That’s when he grabbed me and threatened me. He said he would beat the ... ah ... beat the crap out of me if I remained friends with Todd. To get loose from his grip on me, I kicked him. Hard. That was wrong and I apologize. Todd and I ran away. As we ran, I heard him tell his friends to ... pardon me but I have to quote now ... he called out, ‘get the little bastards’. They all chased us but we got away.”

The principal turned to Todd and asked, “Have you anything to add?”

“Yes, sir. I’m sorry Jacob got hurt but I’m not at all sorry that Stu stood up to him. Mr. Perry here told me once that I should have the courage to change things I can. My courage failed me when I was surrounded by hateful guys but Stu stood up to them. I’m grateful to him for that.”

“Okay,” the principle said. “Do any of you have more to add before I make a decision on possible punishment?” No one did. So the principal said, “Return to your classes. We’re well into the first period so the secretary will write each of you an admission slip. I want Jacob and Stuart to report to my office immediately after the final bell today. And my thanks to each of you for your information.”

The three boys left the office. While waiting for their admission slips, Jacob glared at Stu and whispered, “You’ll get yours, weirdo.”


After school, Stu and Jacob were sitting in the principal’s outer office, while Todd waited in the hallway outside. Jacob hid his nervousness behind a façade of bravado. Stu was also nervous as he speculated on the punishment that the principal would undoubtedly administer. His nervousness only increased to anxiety, however, when Jacob glared at him and whispered, “I’m going to get even with you, weirdo.”

The principal came out of his office and said he wanted to see Jacob first. The jock rose and followed the principal, who closed the door. “Jacob,” the principal began. “I’ve considered what happened and what you did. I acknowledge that you were injured but you initiated the altercation by your verbal abuse, by grabbing Stuart, and by threatening him. The verbal abuse is enough to warrant a suspension. The intimidation and the threat magnifies the seriousness of your behavior. None of this you deny. I am suspending you from school for five days beginning tomorrow. I will be contacting your parents to explain why you are suspended. I must emphasize, Jacob, that the sort of overt bigotry that motivated your actions is intolerable here at school. I can’t change your attitude but I’m obligated to warn you that any repeat of discrimination and persecution of others, whether it’s because of race, ethnic heritage, or sexual orientation will result in severe consequences.”

“Five days!” Jacob exclaimed. “I’ll miss final exams.”

“I realize that,” the principal said unsympathetically. “I will notify your teachers of your suspension. It will be up to them to decide whether or not to allow you to take the exams following your suspension. If they don’t, you may not be able to graduate with your class.”

“That stinks!” Jacob moaned. “It’s not fair! I was only defending moral values. And I was the one who was injured when the little fucker kicked me in the balls.

“I sympathize with you because of the pain you suffered. But you must accept the fact that you’re free to practice your ‘moral principles’ as you see fit. That does NOT include imposing them on others and most certainly does not give you license to intimidate or threaten others who do not share your values. That will be all. Ask Stuart to come in as you leave.”

Jacob stalked out. As he passed Stu in the outer office, he quietly snarled at him, “You’re dead meat, ass hole!”

Stu entered the principal’s office, having prepared himself for the worst. Nervous to the point of trembling he sat down as the principal requested.

“Stuart, your action -- injuring another student on school property -- is automatic grounds for expulsion.” Stu’s heart sank. “However, I’ve considered the context of your behavior. First, you admitted it and, moreover, apologized. Secondly, you were responding to verbal abuse of Todd. Significantly, you were being intimidated and threatened. It’s fairly clear that you acted in self defense ... over-reacted perhaps but given the disparity in size of you and Jacob, it’s understandable if not excusable. Because of the mitigating circumstances, I’m going to override the automatic expulsion. Instead, you will serve one day’s detention on Saturday. Report to the school library from eight until noon Saturday morning. While there, you’re free to do homework if you have any but I also want you to spend some time researching anger management on the Internet. Take notes. I don’t expect a written report but I want to see you next week sometime to tell me what you learned from the experience and from your research on anger management. Just one more thing. I will be contacting your parents to explain why you’re serving detention.”

“That’ll be a problem,” Stu said hesitantly.

“And the problem is?”

Ashamed of the full story, Stu replied simply, “I don’t live at home anymore. I’m living with Todd’s parents.”

“And why is that?”

“My Dad and I had an argument. I left home and he doesn’t want me to come back. Ever.”

“Never? What on earth made him say that?”

“I’d rather not say, sir. I’ll just say that Todd’s parents have been very gracious in allowing me to stay with them. If you must contact anyone, call Todd’s parents since they’ve become, in effect, my new parents.”

“Most unusual,” the principal said. “There’s obviously more to the story than you’re willing to share but I won’t probe. I will, however, contact Todd’s parents if only to ensure that you have a secure home.”

“May I ask a favor, sir?”

“Of course.”

“Don’t call until tomorrow. You see, Todd and I haven’t told them yet about what happened yesterday because they’d be upset and worried. We’d like a chance to explain everything tonight. They’d be even more upset if they heard it from you first.”

“Agreed,” the principal said. “That will be all for now. Thanks for coming in.”

The punishment had been mild and Stu left the office feeling much better. He gave Todd a broad grin in the hallway. Walking to Todd’s car, he related what the principal had said.

“What about Jacob?” Todd asked.

“I don’t know, Todd. The principal couldn’t talk about it, of course, and Jacob just snarled at me when he left.”

“So what did he say to you?”

“Not much ... just that I’m dead meat. But don’t worry. I’ll be careful. Besides, school is almost out for the summer and then we won’t have to worry.”

“I wish I could be sure of that,” Todd said ruefully.

To be continued...

Posted:02/05/10