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 12
 

Todd and Stu agreed that they would wait until after supper that evening to tell Todd’s parents about the fight after school and the meetings with the principal. The also agreed to be cheerful throughout the meal, unlike their somber mood the night before. They didn’t want to spoil the ‘family time’ together. When the meal had been cleared away, Todd said, “Mom, Dad, can Stu and I talk to you for a few minutes?”

“Sure, son,” his father said. “What’s up?”

They settled in the living room with the boys on the sofa and the adults in facing arm chairs. By previous agreement, Todd let Stu tell of the confrontation the previous day and the discussions with the principal. Todd’s parents were shocked by Jacob’s threat, surprised at Stu’s aggressive reaction, and extremely concerned about Stu’s safety. Stu told them they could expect a call from the principal and that he would be spending Saturday morning in detention. He concluded by saying, “I’m sorry I’ve caused you trouble. You’ve been more than kind to me and look at the mess I’m making for you and Todd.”

“Nonsense!” Mrs. Peterson said. “We’re happy that you’ve joined the family. Sure, we’re worried about your safety now but you can count on everyone here to help.”

“I appreciate your support,” Stu said. “I’m sure I’ll be all right. There’s only a couple of weeks of school left.”

“I wish I could be as confident,” Mr. Peterson said. “From what you’ve told us, I think Jacob is a real danger. I think we’ll have to figure out a way to protect you from him.”

Todd and his parents explored various ways to avert a potentially tragic situation. Throughout that discussion Stu, although he was more worried than anyone, continued to insist that he would be all right. Eventually, Todd proposed a plan. “Jacob realizes now that he’ll have to avoid the video surveillance in and around the school building. The most dangerous times will be travelling to and from school and perhaps in the parking lot. I’ll be with you then but maybe another set of eyes can alert us to a possible ambush. You’re wondering whose eyes, right? Here’s my suggestion. Mom and Dad will be at work but we could ask Rick to drive us to and from school. That would also eliminate the possibility of Jacob and his goons vandalizing my car in the parking lot while we’re in class. I’m sure Rick would be willing. How about it?”

“No,” Stu said. “That would just be a problem for him. It’s bad enough already that I’ve screwed up your lives. I can take care of myself.”

Mr. Peterson said, “First of all, Stu, you haven’t screwed up our lives. On the contrary, you’ve made Todd very happy. And we’re happy to have you in the family. Secondly, I doubt that you could defend yourself against a gang of hoodlums who are out for blood. Quite frankly, I don’t think you would be as lucky as you were yesterday. Finally, I know for certain that Rick would be glad to help; he’s that kind of guy.”

Todd and his mother echoed the encouragement until Stu finally consented to the plan and the two boys left for Rick’s condo to explain the situation in person and to ask his help. As Todd and his father predicted, Rick agreed to drive the teens to and from school and to watch for any signs of looming trouble along the way. It wasn’t what he had in mind when he first decided to mentor a lonely teen but he welcomed the chance to protect Todd and his boyfriend. Being an honorary ‘uncle’ to two young men with promising futures was extremely satisfying.

When the teens returned home and reported Rick’s agreement, everyone was relieved although still somewhat fearful of what might happen. Todd and Stu then went to their room to -- as they claimed -- study for their final exams. Todd’s parents suspected, however, that their son would “comfort and reassure” his boyfriend in a tender and intimate way. They were proud of Todd for his compassion. More than that, they were genuinely pleased to have a ‘son-in-law’ join the family.

Finally alone behind their closed bedroom door, they embraced, kissed passionately, and put aside all thoughts of studying for final exams. It wasn’t long before they were naked and in bed, lavishing affection on each other until their steel-hard cocks seemed to plead for satisfaction. The fear of Jacob’s revenge vanished as their erotic love-making grew more intense. It was only after accepting, savoring, and swallowing each other’s creamy nectar and after cuddling together contentedly for a long time that Stu thought once again of Jacob’s threats.

“I’m sorry, Todd,” he said. “For causing problems for you and your family.”

“We’ve gone over this before, Stu. One: it’s not my family, it’s our family now. Two: I admire you for standing up to that bigoted bully; you did what I didn’t have the guts to do. Three: I know you are fiercely independent but if we’re going to be partners, we’ll have to share our problems as well as our affection for each other. So please ... don’t be sorry. And don’t feel guilty. As long as we have each other, as long as we consider ourselves not two lovers but one loving couple, we can overcome whatever problems we face.”

“That’s sweet, Todd. I don’t deserve you.”

“Bull crap!” Todd exclaimed. “You deserve all the admiration and love I can possibly give you. You’re bright. You’re honest. You’re courageous. And sexy as hell!”

“And what did you mean,” Stu asked, “when you said something about us being partners? Does that mean what I think it means?”

“Geez, Stu! Do I have to spell it out? ‘Partners’ ... as in ‘couple’ ... living together and loving each other. That is, if you’ll have me around for the next fifty or so years.”

Stu began to tear up as he hugged his lover. “I think you just proposed to me, Todd.”

“I did!” Todd said. “Will you let me love, honor, and cherish you forever?”

“YES!”


Rick drove Todd and Stu to school the next day without incident. That, together with learning that Jacob had been suspended, seemed to reduce the teens’ vigilance in watching for trouble when Rick picked them up after school. Rick, however, was more concerned than he showed and his eyes nervously scanned everything around them as they drove away. On the second day when Rick picked up the boys, they got in the car laughing and joking. Several blocks away from the school, Rick turned onto the main road leading to the downtown area.

“Where are we going?” Todd asked. “This is not the shortest route home.”

Rick suspected that a car full of boys was following them but he didn’t want to unnecessarily worry his charges so he said, “I need to pick up something at the grocery store on the way home if you don’t mind.” Two blocks later, he turned onto a side street. “Oops,” he said. “I turned too soon.” He had not made a mistake; the suspicious car turned to follow them. He made two left turns to get back onto the main road; the car behind continued to follow. When he pulled into the strip mall parking lot, the following car was not far behind. Rick pulled up to the curb in front of the grocery store, stopped, and watched his rear-view mirror.

“What’s going on?” Todd asked. “Is something wrong?”

“I’m not sure,” Rick replied. “Don’t look behind us but a car full of boys followed us from school. It may be Jacob and his friends. Stu, I want you to get out of the car and go into the store. Act natural! Don’t come out until Todd comes in to get you.”

“You’re not going to confront the bastards are you?” Stu asked.

“No. They would just drive away and try it again later. I want you to go into the store now. It will appear to them like you’re just making a quick purchase while we wait here.”

“But what are you going to...” Stu objected.

“No time to explain, Stu. Go! Now!”

Stu went into the store while Rick dialed a number on his cell phone.

Moments later, a police car pulled up behind Rick’s car. The Officer, as requested by Rick on the phone, came up to the driver’s side window and said, “Okay, sir. What’s the problem?”

“A car full of boys followed me from the school, through several turns. I have reason to believe their intention is to carry out a threat they made to my nephew over a grievance that happened a few days ago. The threat is credible and the physical injury to my nephew would be severe.”

“Is this your nephew?” the Officer asked, pointing to Todd.

“Yes, but I sent the nephew in jeopardy into the store to be safe. Would you do me the favor of walking back to their car and have a few words with them? They’re in that blue Camaro.”

“All right,” the Officer agreed. “But there’s not much I can do unless they’ve committed some offense.”

“I recognize that, Officer. But perhaps if they know you’re aware of their intentions, it can prevent them from attempting something serious. Oh. One more favor if you can manage it. They’re likely to drive off if they see you approaching. Is it possible to call for back up in case they do?”

The Officer returned to his squad car to radio the dispatcher, getting a surreptitious visual fix on the blue Camaro’s location and occupants. Moments later, he pulled away from the curb.

“He’s leaving, Rick,” Todd said urgently. “Isn’t he going to help?”

“Probably thought I was a paranoid crackpot,” Rick sighed.

Meanwhile, in the Camaro, the boys argued. Two wanted to leave as soon as they saw the Police car arrive but the others successfully convinced them that it was just a routine stop on a car parked in the fire lane in front of the store. When the Police car pulled away, they were all relieved. They could wait and resume their mission to find out where Stu lived. However, their hopes were shattered when the Police car stopped in front of them, blocking their escape. The Officer got out of the cruiser and asked the Camaro’s driver for his driver’s license.

“What’s the problem?” the driver asked.

“Your license, please,” the Officer said curtly.

Grudgingly, the husky teen complied.

Seeing in the mirror that the car full of boys could not escape to continue following them, Rick said emphatically to Todd, “Go get Stu! We’re leaving!”

The Officer took some time examining the driver’s license and then said, “Jacob Klien. I’ll remember that name. Please wait in the car for a few minutes, please.”

“What’d he mean by that?” one of the passengers asked. “Why’s he gotta remember your name?”

“Dunno,” Jacob grunted. “Just a fuckin’ pig who thinks a badge makes him important.”

The Officer returned to the Camaro and said, “Can you tell me why you’re parked here?”

Jacob quickly thought of an excuse (He was skilled at that.). “We’re waiting to meet somebody. Is that a fuckin’ crime?

“No, Mr. Jacob Klein. But why did you take such a devious route to get here?”

“I didn’t!” Jacob exclaimed, habitually lying to get out of a jam.

“A witness said you did,” the officer coolly replied. “It’s also been reported that you followed another car here and that you may have intended to harm one of more of its occupants.”

“Goddamn lies!” Jacob shouted.

“Still, Mr. Jacob Klien...” (emphasizing the name again) “...I must file a report. To be complete, I’ll need the name of each of your passengers. In case something serious happens in the future, we’ll know who to contact in our investigation.”

After writing down everyone’s name, he said to Jacob, “Please step out of the car, sir.”

Pissed, arrogant, and belligerent, Jacob stepped out.

“There’s an outstanding warrant for failure to appear in court on a speeding violation. Would you please get in the back of the cruiser?”

Jacob was stunned. “You’re taking me in just because of a chicken shit speeding ticket?”

“Yes, sir. Please get in the back of the cruiser.”

“What about my car? And my friends? What are they supposed to do, walk home?”

“Not my problem,” the Officer said as he grabbed Jacob’s arm and pulled him toward the cruiser. “You can make arrangements with your friends or your family to retrieve your car.”


Rick delivered Todd and Stu safely home and walked with them to the Peterson’s condo. Once inside, he insisted on staying until Todd’s parents came home. Both boys protested but Rick would have none of their objections. He concluded the disagreement by saying, “If you two want to go to your room and pout ... or ...” (with a wink) “anything else that arises, that’s fine but I’m staying! End of discussion!”

When Tom and Ann Peterson arrived home, they were surprised to find Rick in the living room watching the evening news on TV. Rick quickly hit the off button on the remote, rose from his chair, and said, “Sorry to have made myself at home but I brought the boys home from school and thought it best to stay here until you got home.”

Tom immediately sensed there was something Rick was not saying and asked, “Has there been more trouble?”

“Almost,” Rick answered. “But maybe the boys ought to tell you about it. They’re in their room. And ... ah ... it might be good to call to them rather than interrupt their ... ah ... homework.”

“We know the drill,” Tom laughed. He stepped to the end of the hallway and called, “Todd, Stu, can you join us in the living room?”

The boys came promptly, having completed their love-making almost an hour before.

“Are you all right?” Ann Peterson said with maternal concern obvious.

“Yes,” Todd said. “We’re just fine.”

Tom said, “Rick says you might have something to tell us. All he would say is there was almost more trouble today. What does that mean?”

Todd related the events of the ride home from school, including ample praise for Rick for being alert enough to notice Jacob following them.


At the Police Station, Jacob was allowed to call his parents. “Dad,” he said on the phone. “I need you to come to the Police Station and post bail for me. Seems like I missed a court date on a speeding ticket. When can you be here?”

A thoroughly exasperated father replied, “Tomorrow. After work. I warned you to drive carefully and about the consequences of not going to court. Perhaps a night in jail will give you time to think about being responsible.”

“But, Dad....”

“But nothing! You’ve screwed up one time too many. I’ll bail you out ... this time ... but don’t count on me if you ever screw up again.”

Jacob was going to plead -- something contrary to his nature -- but the line went dead; his father had hung up.

He was taken to the juvenile detention facility and escorted to a jail cell where he was introduced to his cell-mate, a short, thin, 15-year-old boy named Tim. Tim was a fiesty lad with an ‘in-your-face’ attitude. The clash of personalities was inevitable.

To be continued...

Posted:02/12/10