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The Locker – Chapter 6

Saturday, 8. September 2007 12:00

 

Chapter 6

Saturday

8:21 p.m.

Dinner had been strange; different in a way he just couldn’t put his finger on. Every time he’d look over at Dakota he got this feeling that everyone else at the table was noticing and then like the perfect dufus he had to have a choking spell, that sure was a hit with Dakota’s mom who seemed so distant, so strange really. He couldn’t quite say why, but he was sure she kept looking at him as if to see if he was good enough for her son and yet at other times it was like she was feeling angry with him, upset that he was even sitting at their table.

It certainly wasn’t a dinner like he was used to. At his place his folks would talk, laugh, tell and ask things of him and each other, sort of like they were catching up or something, but Dakota’s folks seemed different. It was more like they were only there to fuel up, not to check up or anything. It was kind of weird for him and even Arizona was quiet which he didn’t think was possible and yet, he couldn’t quite put his finger on it but it didn’t just seem because he was there, that somehow this was normal for them.

Noah had tried to offer to help with the dishes but both Arizona and Rosalie, Dakota’s mother, refused his offer quickly. In fact he sort of felt like she really didn’t even want him there and he noticed a strange glance between her and Dakota as well which only made him feel more out of place. He really didn’t understand it but somehow it didn’t seem to matter much, as each time he would steal a glance at Dakota he would feel the strange glow in his body flare up. It was like he wanted to just reach across the table and grab Dakota and kiss him, and he could feel the desire inside, feel it burning into his body with each stolen look, each covert glance.

Everything seemed so sad really and he couldn’t help but notice at times how Rosalie would look at both Arizona and Dakota, as if she was about to cry or something and he wondered what it was that made the place seem comfortable, but so sad, so empty really even though people were there. It was like no one wanted to talk and yet they were desperate to do just that. He couldn’t figure it out but what he did notice was that every now and then, everyone stole glances at him and Dakota, as if they knew which worried him. He had figured out that Arizona knew about her brother, but did his family know too?

That really was freaking him out because he couldn’t even begin to imagine what his own parents would feel if they knew how much he ached for another boy, and he doubted if either of them would accept it the way it appeared Dakota’s had or were. Maybe he was just being silly but he couldn’t get it out of his head as he waited for Dakota out on the front porch that somehow his mother at least had a suspicion that he was queer, but if she did, why hadn’t she said anything?

He wished at times he could just sit down with them and tell them, that maybe if he could just share how he was feeling that maybe it would be easier, that maybe he could get through another day just a bit easier, but he doubted if his parents would understand. He had heard his father talk about it, about how gays were sick or perverted, and his mother had agreed too and for a bit he had wondered if that was it, that maybe it was some disease or something that he could get help for, that he could take a pill for but inside, deep down he knew it wasn’t that way at all. Hell, he had proven that by the way he wanted Dakota so much, how he couldn’t even begin to control the strange emotions that ran thru him each time he thought about Dakota inside of him.

Sitting there he squirmed a bit, as he could really still feel that first press against his butt, that first jab of pain that went up his whole body as Dakota tried to enter him and he felt the searing pain even now but it was just a memory, not real and he tried to hold it back, tears near threatening to break free and roll down his face as he realized that he had held back, that he had whimped out. How could he have been so stupid, so dumb as to not know it would hurt and instead of taking it for a moment he had ran, and now he was feeling like this whole weekend was going to wind up with him once more being alone, despite all that Dakota had said.

How could he still want him after Noah failed him like that? Could they have sensed that and that was why dinner was so quiet? Had they somehow seen his failure to please written on Dakota’s face or his own? He shook a little sitting there, wondering why it was that he just couldn’t do things right, that every time he tried to be who he was he failed? Even his attempt at being a part of the school had failed when he joined the drama club, and that whole mess in wearing the dress had only embarrassed his father, and sitting there he could still hear his father’s voice, telling him that he shouldn’t be surprised at the writing on his locker, after all he did dress up in a dress, and that was what happened to kids who did that kind of stuff. He could still hear his father telling him he should have tried out for some sports instead, at least then when he failed it wouldn’t be so bad.

It irked him too, as he replayed that conversation in his mind that his father already had chalked him up to being unable to play sports that he would fail but that at least he wouldn’t have been branded queer like he had been for doing the drama play. Shit, what did he really expect from him? It wasn’t like he was gifted with a great body like Dakota or Rusty, yet his father kept at him to try, to be something he wasn’t. He shook his head, knowing that his father would never understand if he did tell him, but how could he keep it hidden? How could he keep his feelings hidden for so long, especially the way they seemed to be only getting more intense, more controlling?

If anything he was feeling more alone now than before Dakota had shown up at his place that first night, and yet something inside kept telling him that things would change, that he couldn’t just sit back and stew about stuff. He wondered if he’d ever have the courage to speak up, to say how he really felt when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned quickly to stare up to find Dakota’s mother looking down at him. He felt an icy fear inside, thinking that she was going to send him home or worse, tell him he couldn’t see Dakota anymore.

He felt the tears welling up even before she spoke but the way her eyes looked at him kept the tears from falling, kept his heart from stopping as he waited, just looking up into her face. Noah could see the pain inside and once more the thought that she was going to stop him and Dakota came to mind, but there was something about her, something that held his fear at bay, kept it from overwhelming him as she smiled a thin weak smile, her hands looking rough as it rested on his trembling body.

Rosalie “Mind if I sit with you? Dakota won’t be much longer”

Noah “Uh, sure, uh, thanks again for dinner, it was really good”

Rosalie “Arizona made a special effort, she seems to like you a lot”

Noah “Uh, I like her too”

Rosalie “Yes, but not as much as you like my son, huh?”

He felt the panic inside and he didn’t know what to do or say. He looked down at his hands, resting in his lap and he wondered if all mothers knew this stuff, or was he sending off some signal, some sign that he was in love with Dakota? Christ if he was, did that mean his own mother knew? He could feel the eyes staring at him, waiting for him to answer and he had a small lump in his throat as he croaked out his answer.

Noah “Yes, I really do like Dakota… uh, he’s been nice to me…”

Rosalie “He’s a good boy, I think he likes you too, you are the first boy he’s ever brought home, did he tell you that?”

Noah “The first? Uh, no, no he didn’t”

Rosalie “Yes, he doesn’t usually talk much, but all week he kept telling us about you, I have never really seen him so happy in a long time”

Noah wasn’t sure how to answer that nor if he could even. It was all so strange to listen to her soft voice, almost as if she was tired and yet it was different too, like she was saying one thing but was thinking about something else. He stared at her, seeing the eyes glisten a little and he realized that she had tears in her eyes. He couldn’t understand it as he saw the pain once more showing through but he didn’t feel the fear this time. It was as if she was talking to him but not really, like her mind was elsewhere and she was just stalling, like maybe she wanted to say more but didn’t know how or maybe even what.

The idea that Dakota had been talking about him all week made him feel warm inside too, and it was a glimpse into something he wished he knew more about. Suddenly he felt at ease, almost as if the fear had vanished but he knew it was still there, just that the whole idea of Dakota thinking about him all week was just too much for it. He felt kind of pleased too, and his mind was off on a dream even though it was still wondering what Rosalie wanted from him. Was she maybe trying to see if he cared for Dakota the same way he cared for him? Could it be that or was there something else and he saw her hesitation too, the way she would quickly glance at him and then turn away to stare out from the house. He too turned to stare out, seeing the nights sky grow darker, seeing the first sign of stars glittering and he felt strangely quiet as he sat there with her.

Noah “I really like him, I have never felt this way about someone, it is scary”

He didn’t know why he said it or even if she heard him because she didn’t say anything right away, she just kept staring out at the field and the sky. For a minute or two he wondered if he should say it again but he kept silent, staring out at the sky himself, wondering if she would understand how he felt, if she would object or support how he felt?

Rosalie “I suppose it can be, you do use condoms, don’t you Noah?”

His whole body suddenly grew taut and he felt his heart skip a beat as she asked him, and he felt the sweat start on his forehead as he could feel her eyes on him now. He knew she was staring at him but even though they did use condoms, it still was strange to discuss it with an adult, worse to discus it with Dakota’s mother.

Noah “Yes… he insisted, uh… I mean…”

Rosalie “Good, this, all this is still strange to us Noah, but, you both are so young, it is hard for me or Dakota’s father to quite believe it is how he says, but, he is our only son left, so I want your solemn promise Noah, never, I mean this, never let yourself get too carried away that you or he forget to use condoms, please… will you do that for me? For Dakota?”

There was something in her voice that finally made him summon up the strength to turn and look at her. He saw the pain but he saw something else too, and he wasn’t sure but he thought he saw fear, real fear in her face and it frightened him a little as he felt her take his hand into hers. He could feel her searching his eyes, staring deeply into them and he knew that she meant what she was saying, that somehow they maybe weren’t thrilled about Dakota bringing him home but they cared so much for him that that didn’t matter, as long as he and Dakota were safe.

Noah “Of course, I mean, yes…”

They held each other’s gaze for a few seconds and to Noah it seemed like hours had to have passed, the look was so intense and he could almost believe that she was searching his heart and soul to make sure he was telling her the truth. He had never felt so naked as he did in that second and yet his mind seemed to think he should be frightened but his heart kept telling him there was nothing to fear because he had spoken the truth. He stared back, letting her see his own feelings, feelings that even he hadn’t quite yet focused on or understood but somehow it was like she could read them, could understand them. He waited, his heart pounding or so it seemed but the fear was held back.

She patted his hand, feeling his nervousness and knowing inside that he was frightened of her and of the conversation but she had to do it, she had to know just what kind of boy her son had brought home. The whole day had been unreal to her not to mention the conversation she had with this boy’s mother. How would he react if he knew that his mother had come to her, had sought her out to find out if her son was who she thought he was? Would he bolt or would he face it? Looking into his eyes she knew that he might want to run, but that he wasn’t a coward, that he had more courage inside than maybe he realized but run he wouldn’t do. It gave her some hope too because she knew that ever since Montana had passed away that Dakota had been slipping away, that he had become withdrawn from them all and only this last week had he come close to being the boy she had always thought of. Noah had done that, she could see it now and she silently prayed that it would last, wondering what it was that had made God test them so much?

Her heart was heavy as she thought back to the first news, to that first explosive announcement that had so taken them aback and changed their lives forever. Inside she felt the loss growing and yet as she sat there, as she heard Dakota in the house, she knew that as much as she missed her eldest boy, she would never be without him. He lived on in her other children, in Arizona and in Dakota and maybe in some ways, all that she had gone through had a purpose, what she wasn’t certain but after talking to Noah’s mother, she knew that somehow there was a reason.

Rosalie “Good, I knew you would, and Noah?”

Noah “Yes?”

Rosalie “Don’t be afraid to talk, either to Dakota or me if you need to, okay?”

Noah “Okay”

Rosalie “Good, now I understand you boys are going star gazing, don’t forget your jacket, it gets chilly out there, and Noah… remember your promise”

Looking into her eyes he could see that she meant what she had said. He saw the love in there, behind the wall of pain that seemed ever so present around the whole family and he wondered for a moment about it, not sure what to do or say but he knew that at least she wasn’t against him, and that counted for something. He felt a bit easier about it too, remembering how she had told him that Dakota had been talking about him. In a way he didn’t feel so bad now and he felt a sense of hope, that maybe they could get past his fear and his stupidity from earlier, least he was hoping so when he saw Dakota standing at the door, Noah’s jacket and backpack in his hands.

Dakota “Promise what?”

Rosalie “To go easy on you of course”

Dakota “MOM!”

Rosalie “Yes dear?”

Dakota glanced at Noah and saw a small smile curling around his lips. For a brief moment he wished he could just reach out and kiss him but he couldn’t, well at least he didn’t think he could. He saw the sparkle in his mother’s eyes too and wondered what she had made Noah promise and somehow, he knew that Noah would tell him once they left the house. He kind of had an idea anyhow, his father had already stopped him inside and asked him if he was using protection, and he could see the worry in the man’s tired face. His heart had cried out, as he knew that his father wasn’t comfortable with this whole gay stuff but he also knew that he loved him. He wished things had been different, and he knew too that it was weighing on both of his parents just as it was on him too. Damn he missed Montana but there was nothing he could do about that, and that hurt as much as knowing that his parents were worried about him. It was the last thing he wanted, to add to their worry because he knew how much Montana being sick had cost them.

Dakota “Noah isn’t that type”

Noah “Oh I don’t know, I might surprise you”

Dakota and Rosalie both looked at Noah, a sort of amazement on both their faces as they realized that he was saying one thing, but meaning another. Rosalie had a small smile on her face and for the first time since Dakota had mentioned Noah, she felt a bit easier in her heart about it. She was so worried that he would make a mistake like Montana had, that she had thought about not allowing this weekend, but the look on Dakota’s face, the way it actually shone when he had been speaking about Noah, she couldn’t deny him and it had caused a few tense moments between her and her husband, Gary. In the end they had both agreed to at least meet Noah and take it from there and now, now she felt that maybe it was a good choice. Noah was certainly not what they had expected and then too, neither had his mother been. She still had to figure out how to cope with that and as she watched the two boys head off from the porch, she realized that she and Gary would have to have another of those talks.

She sighed a little, feeling the pressure a bit, knowing that her life had one more complication in it, and that being the mother of a gay teenager was even harder than even she had thought. Her heart was heavy as she glanced heaven wards, wondering if Montana was at least at peace when she felt a tug around her waist and looked down at Arizona’s face.

Arizona “It’ll be okay momma, Noah is nice and he really does like Dakota”

She reached down and patted Arizona’s head and smiled at her. She too had felt Montana’s loss deeply but she adored her remaining brother and besides, she was a pretty good judge of characters too. Her heart felt a bit easier as she glanced back to see the two boys disappear into the gathering dusk, knowing that it would be some time before they returned. She took Arizona by the hand and went back inside, seeing her husband waiting, seeing the concern on his face and she realized that as much as he didn’t still understand the whole gay issue, he loved his children which allowed him to move beyond. He was worried as she ran her hand down his face, smiling at him and together the three of them moved to the sofa to sit down and watch some television, their youngest between them and yet as they sat there, they could feel each other’s fears, doubts and yet for the first time in a long time there was also a sense of peace between them, something they had so desperately been seeking.

11:02 p.m.

Noah stared up at the sky, seeing the small brilliant blue white sparkles of the stars as he lay on the wooden floor. They had walked for almost a half hour through the field until a large tree had loomed up in the horizon. Slowly Dakota had guided them to it and once there Noah could see that it was not only a tall solid old tree but that there were wooden rungs running up its thick trunk. He stared at it a bit frightened because he wasn’t good with heights, but with some gentle urging from Dakota he made the climb up the tree.

He had taken each rung carefully, feeling Dakota right below him with each step, Dakota’s upper body resting lightly against his own shaking lower body. In some ways it was rather exciting too, which helped to contain his fear enough so that he could make the climb. Noah came up onto a rather firm wooden platform and as he crawled onto it, waiting for Dakota to join him he looked around, seeing a well laid out hide away.

Near the trunk was a large box, a small Styrofoam cooler and three rolled up old army sleeping bags. There also was a large metal plate with the stub of a candle dead centre and as he looked out, he could see the house they had come from, the warm lights showing the way back and as he turned around, he saw the endless sky open up before him. At the edge of the platform was a small telescope and it was aimed high up into the heavens.

They really hadn’t spoken much, Dakota lost in his own thoughts or so it seemed to Noah, and he was grateful in a way too, after all how did you tell the guy you loved that his mother wanted to make sure you used condoms? He didn’t quite understand why the whole family seemed so concerned about condoms, first Dakota when he came over that night, now his mother but he shrugged it off, after all it did make sense, still, the idea of feeling Dakota inside him, his bare pole running in and out against his insides did have a certain appeal to him, if he could just get past its size.

Noah could still feel a sort of dull ache in his butt and sometimes, as he walked or especially when he was climbing those rungs, he felt a strange tenderness inside, a sort of dull throb and part of it was from Dakota, but he also thought that part of it was that he still wanted it, still wanted to feel Dakota deep inside of him. He couldn’t quite explain it, because he could remember that tearing pain still and it was like his body was fighting, part wanting Dakota inside the other part not wanting the pain that came with it. Maybe there was another way? Maybe there was a different position or something, least Dakota made it seem like there was, which at least gave him some hope. Only trouble was, what if he couldn’t take it? No matter how or which way Dakota tried, what if he just couldn’t handle the pain would that end it for them? Would Dakota stop wanting to be with him or would it not make any difference?

Sitting there staring up at the sky, he knew that this wasn’t exactly how it went when he had dreamed about this time, about being with someone like Dakota. Reality was a lot different and he sat there, confused by what he had thought it would be like and what it had been like. He knew he cared for Dakota, that there was something about the way he felt each time his eyes would lock onto Dakota’s that made his heart skip a few beats as well, and yet it wasn’t quite how he had dreamed it. He never had thought about that pain for instance, and he hadn’t thought either of the need for protection and how it seemed so difficult to keep in mind, to have to take the time to use it, and he wondered if he could keep it hard enough, would he suddenly go limp because of it? What about Dakota, how did he manage to keep that weapon of his so hard and still take the time to slip that plastic cover on? Was it something you got by doing it often or what? So much to think about and yet despite all those thoughts, the primary thought still seemed to be his fear of failing Dakota.

In some ways he thought that maybe Dakota felt that way too, that maybe Dakota was just as scared, just as uncertain and yet he seemed so confident, so casual in how he had done it all, planning to have the condom in reach, planning even the time when to go for it, which wasn’t how Noah thought love making was. He always believed it was a sudden burst of desire and not something you just planned, or was it like the boy scouts, just a matter of being ready, being prepared? He shook his head a little, staring back around at the simple little tree house and he wondered if Dakota had ever done it up here with others, or was that why they were even here? Could Dakota have brought him up here so he could tell him that they could just be friends, or worse?

Dakota “My brother died of aids, did you know that?”

Noah hadn’t even noticed that Dakota had moved up to sit beside him. Both of them had their feet dangling off the edge of the platform. He turned to stare at the boy that had stolen his heart and he felt frightened as he saw the sadness written all over Dakota’s face. Noah wasn’t sure what to say, as he stared at the trembling lower lip of his friend, wondering why Dakota was saying this to him, and for a brief moment he thought about AIDS and what it meant, and his mind recoiled, wanting him to shift his body away, to move away so he wouldn’t be close to Dakota, frightened that perhaps Dakota also had it, that it might rub off on him too. His heart ached as it battled the unreasonable fear that welled up inside of him, his eyes growing wide as they sought out signs, wondering if there was something he had missed that would tell him if Dakota was also infected, also doomed.

Noah “I am sorry, I uh, I mean… it must have been hard”

He didn’t look at Noah, afraid to really as he could feel the fear reaching out, could feel the revulsion coming from Noah and he sighed, knowing that maybe he had been wrong in thinking that Noah would be different, in thinking that maybe he did have a chance at something other than a fleeting memory of what love, of what caring for someone else could mean. Maybe he should just take him home, letting his own dreams pass because he could feel the fear growing, hearing it in each word that Noah hesitantly spoke.

Dakota “You know, you don’t really die from AIDS, it’s from the other stuff, still… I think you would have liked him, I know he would have liked you, but… anyhow, that’s why you got the condom quiz from mom”

Noah “The condom, I mean, how did you…”

Dakota “They mean well, I guess its their way of trying to show, I mean… they don’t want to go through it again… least, well… you know.”

Part of him wanted to reach out, to put his arms around Dakota as he stared at him, saw the way his head was bend down, the way his eyes were misted over with threatening tears and yet all he could do was sit there, his hands in his lap, his fingers twitching a little as his own fear took hold keeping him from doing what his heart ached for him to do. Noah didn’t know what to say but at least he understood now why Dakota’s mom had made him promise, and why Dakota had freaked so much that first time. Still, why hadn’t he told him this before, why now? Was there more to tell? His heart grew still as he thought about it, wondering if the worse was yet to come, knowing that he was frightened now, scared that maybe even what they had done so far had given it to him too, and so he sat there, scared and confused, unsure of what to do or say.

Noah “I suppose, uh, why, uh, why didn’t you…”

Dakota “Tell you sooner?”

Noah “Yeah”

Dakota “I don’t know, guess I was scared you’d freak, that you’d maybe not want to get close to me, I am negative if you are wondering”

Noah “Negative?”

Dakota “Yeah, HIV negative”

Noah “How do you, I mean…”

Dakota “Took the test, hell every six months I take the test, ever since… ever since Montana told me, took my last one Tuesday… the results came back yesterday… so no I don’t have it, least not yet”

The relief he felt vanished as quickly as it had come. Noah stared out at Dakota, saw the tear near one corner of Dakota’s face slowly trickling down from the eye, slowly rolling down the pale face and he felt the pain inside, wondering where all this was leading to? His body shook a little as he realized that Dakota was afraid of him, that he was scared to look at him and as much as he felt confused and frightened himself, he realized that Dakota did care for him, that he was telling him this because he did care, that this wasn’t some way to push him away. His body shook a little as he reached out slowly, letting his one hand lightly touch Dakota’s knee, his eyes staring at his fingers resting on the faded jeans.

Dakota felt the soft touch, the hesitant brush against his knee and his face turned slowly, to stare down at the small hand resting just above the kneecap. He saw the fingers shaking a little as they rested barely on his leg, almost as if they were ready to fly off the second danger approached, and he could feel Noah’s fear but more than that he could smell it too. It was the same fear he had had when Montana had told him. Would Noah run, would he disappear from his life or would he stay and see it thru, and he stared at the hand and knew that he’d only find out by looking, so slowly his face lifted up, to find Noah’s.

Noah “What do you mean, not yet? If you don’t, I mean, I…”

He saw the confusion in Noah’s face, saw the fear and dread too in his eyes and as he heard the words he knew that he would have to tell him, that for some reason it had become important to him to let Noah know everything, to tell him the truth about who he was, what he was, and what he had done. Maybe, just maybe Noah would understand though he doubted it. He had never told anyone and yet the instant he had seen Noah, the very second he had seen him walking down the hallway towards the locker he thought maybe, that just maybe Noah was indeed the one person he could trust, he could love.

Dakota “I made love to Montana… before I knew, and…”

Noah’s eyes widened as he heard the words, a strange fear reaching for his heart as the ‘and’ hung in the air, as if to tell him more and he felt angry for a moment then frightened, wondering just how could Dakota have done it.

Noah “And? And what… you had sex with your brother after? I mean… You?”

Dakota “No, we didn’t have sex, I made love to him, here, on this platform, just before… just before he… “

Noah ‘He died? How… I mean… fuck how could you…”

There was no mistaking the anger or the disbelief in Noah’s face. He didn’t know why he had blurted it out, why he had to try and make Noah understand, but he had to, at least his heart seemed to tell him. There was so much he wanted to say, to explain and yet in some ways he didn’t think he should have to. It wasn’t that he was ashamed either, Montana was special to him, Montana had done things for him and protected him too, he owed him that and more, and all he had ever wanted had been taken from him, until now. Now he thought there might be a chance at what he and Montana had talked about, had dreamed about and yearned for. It was too late for Montana, AIDS had seen to that, but maybe there was a chance for him, but looking at Noah’s face his hope seemed to quiver, seemed to fade as he saw the shock registering across Noah’s face.

How do you explain something that you yourself don’t quite understand? What he and Montana had done, it wasn’t sex, not like everyone thought and it wasn’t like either of them had forced it, it was something that, well that happened at a time when they both needed that intimacy, that special connection that being together in that way brought them both. How could he tell Noah about it when he still didn’t quite know what it was that they had shared? He knew one thing, that what he felt for Montana then, and still, wasn’t the same as what he was feeling for Noah, but how could he explain it? How?

Dakota “I had to Noah, he was so, he needed to know I loved him, I knew you wouldn’t understand, but I had to do it, you can’t imagine how it felt… he was so afraid, so… I just had to is all”

Noah “But how could you? He had aids…. you could get it now, didn’t you, how could you?”

Dakota “He was my brother, I loved him, he needed me, I couldn’t let him die without knowing… I am sorry, I guess you just don’t, I guess you… I am sorry”

First he couldn’t take Dakota inside, now he was finding out that Dakota had done it not only with his brother, but that his brother had AIDS too, and he just didn’t know what to do. Part of him wanted to run, to just scamper down the tree and run as far away as his legs could take him. His mind kept telling him to leave, to run to escape but something held him, kept him from giving in to the panic that was raging inside of him.

He couldn’t even look at him, afraid that if he did he would grow to hate looking at Dakota’s face, at the vision he had of him inside and yet he felt himself being drawn to him, as if some strange force was taking hold, orchestrating it all and he hated it, wishing he could have just stayed safe in his nice little empty world. That was what he really wanted, because all this was so hard, so tough to understand. His heart ached though as he listened to Dakota’s voice, hearing the pain in it as well as the defiance and something inside wanted him to listen, wanted him to try to understand what could have possessed Dakota that way, or his brother for that matter. How could he have let Dakota do that if he really loved him?

Noah “No I don’t understand, how could you?”

Dakota “Don’t you think I knew that? Fuck… It happened because… because I loved him, I still do, maybe not the same way I care or love you, but it was just as powerful, just as important…”

Noah “You love me?”

Dakota “Yes I do, I don’t know why, but that first moment I saw you… it was like Montana had said it would be, I am sorry Noah, I didn’t want to hurt you, I am so sorry”

Strange how hearing that word, that simple little word could stop his anger, his disbelief so quickly. His heart seemed to suddenly pound faster as it took that word and felt it, felt the truth behind it too and his eyes misted as he tried to make sense of it all. Just for a brief moment he felt the warmth inside of him, that same warmth he always began to feel when thinking of Dakota and he didn’t know how to react now, what to say even as his face grew flushed and his eyes looked downwards at his hands.

Noah “He told you? I don’t… you really love me?”

Dakota “Yes, why do you think I am telling you all this?”

Noah “I don’t know, I guess…”

Dakota “It has to be love, I have never told anyone this, but for all those months that he was sick, fighting one illness after another, no one touching him, holding him or even just hugging him because they were all scared of catching it, the way his eyes looked each time I or anyone would walk in, the hope inside slowly getting less as we stood by, our hands always at our sides. Don’t you see? He thought we didn’t love him anymore, and all the words, they were just words, I had to show him, to prove to him that I at least still loved him, and it was the only way I could, the only way Noah, I only wish I hadn’t waited so long, I only wish I had always come in, hugged him each time, kissed him even, because now I can’t, I can’t touch him, hold him, don’t you see? At least I showed him before it was too late, can’t you understand that?”

Noah “But to have sex with him? He was your brother for Christ’s sake”

Why couldn’t Noah see it? It wasn’t sex, sex was just a way to get off, to shoot your load, what he and Montana had was more than that, it was being together in a way that maybe, even for those brief seconds when they were one person, one heart beating together, that they shared something more, they shared their thoughts, their dreams. It wasn’t about getting off, hell he couldn’t even remember if he did cum or not, all he could remember was how scared Montana had been and then how calm he became after, how he managed that smile a few more times, how his eyes didn’t look so frightened, so empty. That was what he remembered, not how his dick felt or even how Montana’s had felt. That wasn’t sex, couldn’t Noah understand that?

Dakota “It wasn’t sex, it was love”

Noah “Yeah right”

Noah had heard the angry lilt in Dakota’s voice but had ignored it, failing to recognize it before he spoke and yet now, after his sarcasms had been voiced he felt a chill inside, a sort of signal really and once more his eyes were drawn to Dakota’s face. He could see the flash of anger there, feel it even as he saw the way Dakota suddenly seemed to gain strength, to tower up in fact even though his body didn’t move. It was how he held himself, the way his shoulders became squared off, his eyes sparkling with defiance and his lips pressed tighter together as he answered him. He saw it all and felt a strange sense of awe creeping into him, and he also felt shame too, because as much as the whole idea of Dakota doing it with his older brother troubled him, it also made him feel a strange sense of pride too.

His mind was still reeling from the idea and yet deep inside the small voice kept hammering at him, forcing him to think, forcing him to listen and to look deep into Dakota’s face. The defiance in Dakota’s face wasn’t just that, it was also in a way a sort of pride, a sort of sign that Dakota was saying this is who I am, this is what I am about and it confused Noah, because in many ways it was also telling him that this is what he expected from Noah too and he didn’t know if he could meet that expectation, if he could rise to that standard that Dakota seemed to have.

Dakota “Yeah right it was, just like what you and me did, that wasn’t sex, least not to me, if it was just sex I was into I sure as fuck wouldn’t have stopped when you said it hurt…”

Noah “That is different”

Dakota “Why? Just cause you aren’t my brother or cousin? I showed him that he was special to me, just like he showed me a few years earlier, when I needed to know that someone out there cared… you have no idea how it can feel to be, to be this way”

Noah “I don’t know? Fucking hell I don’t! If I don’t know, how come I have never, well, you know…”

Dakota “It’s different for you, no one is pushing you to be something you aren’t, everyone in school isn’t after your ass cause you are some hot shot jock”

There was anger in his voice as he spoke up. How could Dakota be this way, think that he had it so bad? Christ the guy had it all, had the looks, the charm, the abilities and he though that he, Noah, had it easier? Shit, what did he know about going thru life having few friends, seeing everyone else have fun and go to parties while he sat at home watching television? The fire inside was hot, as he spoke up, unsure why Dakota couldn’t see what everyone else saw about him.

Noah “True, I am not drop dead gorgeous like you, but uh, you did notice my locker didn’t you? Doubt if you ever had that”

Dakota “I am not drop dead gorgeous… fuck I wish I was”

Noah “Shit go look in a mirror man, you are hot, that’s why the girls chase you, its why guys like me pinch themselves when you talk to us”

Dakota “Pinch yourself?”

Noah “Yeah, to make sure it isn’t just a part of the dream man”

Dakota “Dream? Is that what I am?”

Noah “No, well, yes in a way, shit Dakota you have it all, you are good in sports which is one thing, but you have the looks too, shit, you walk into a room and people know you are there, they sense you, you are what everyone wishes they could be”

Dakota “I doubt that”

Noah “It’s true, shit you have the looks, the eyes, the hair, everything, even the way you walk, talk, don’t you think you do? I mean… you have to know”

The words sounded good but he didn’t believe them and yet a part of him wanted to and maybe even a small part did. After all it was what Montana had told him too but it was just that he couldn’t see it. All he saw in the mirror was some kid who wanted something that everyone else had, something that he couldn’t have because what he wanted was a partner, someone to share not just his body with but his thoughts with, and while everyone else could have that, he couldn’t because his ideal partner wasn’t female, it was another guy. How could he be special, be hot like Noah said if his dream was to just be with someone, if what he really wanted was only a fantasy?

Dakota “No, no I don’t, but, that is why you want me? Because I have the ‘look’ or something?”

Noah “I guess, in a way yeah, but I don’t know, there is more too, I mean I have seen hot guys before, hell Rusty is one, but you, you are different, least for me you are”

Dakota “Yeah, different how?”

Noah “I don’t know, all I know is that when I think of you I want to cum, I get hard, I get scared too, I want to make you like me so much I don’t know what I mean anymore”

Dakota “So its sex for you? Is that what it is?”

They had been together naked, touched each other in places where no other guy had touched him, had kissed and hugged and as he heard the accusation, he realized that here he was, still a virgin really and here was this super hot stud, and even though he had failed to give Dakota the sex, the guy still was fighting for him, still wanted him. Noah knew he had disappointed Dakota by not being able to take it, by whimping out and yet, did he really know that?

Staring at Dakota, seeing the pain in his face as he had said the words, as he had thought that all Noah had wanted from him was sex showed him that maybe his own fears were wrong, that maybe all of his concern over trying to please Dakota was just his imagination of what Dakota had wanted? Could it really be that Dakota did want more than just a fuck boy? Did he want to be more than that to Dakota?

Noah “No, I mean, in one way it is, to think of losing my virginity to a guy like you, fuck that’s a dream come true, but I want more than that too, so no it isn’t about the sex, it’s like, I don’t know, when I look at you, touch you, it is like I am real and not some stupid fag, some geek that everyone picks on, it is like, well, like I matter…”

Dakota “Now you know why what Montana and I did wasn’t sex, it was love, least what I think love is, he made me feel special Noah, he made me feel like I wasn’t just some fag, some slime, he made me realize that who I was was special to him, at least I had that, can’t you see? I couldn’t let him die without showing him the same love, letting him know that he had made a difference, that he too wasn’t just a dumb fag, that he was special”

Noah “But you risked your life, you could… I mean…”

Dakota “I’d have done it bareback if he would have asked, he was the only one who ever really loved me Noah, least he was until… I mean, well…”

Noah “Until what?”

Dakota “Until I saw you, I never… I mean, until I met you, I didn’t think I could ever love anyone, that when Montana died, my life had died too, even if I could still walk and stuff, it was like there wasn’t any purpose, any reason… but seeing you, I don’t know, guess its why I showed up at your place, it was like suddenly life didn’t seem so bad, so empty”

Noah “really?”

Dakota “Really”

Noah “But what if, I mean I don’t know if I can do what you want, it hurt so much…”

If only he could say the words, if only he could find the way to tell Noah how he felt, to make him understand what it was that he wanted. In some ways he felt like he was fighting a losing battle, that maybe Noah wasn’t the one, that maybe it was all in his head and that he had built up this image of Noah that was just a fantasy and yet when he looked at him, when he saw how his face stared into his own, he felt hope, felt that there was something there, that it was just that Noah didn’t know how to respond, or that maybe he was just too scared, just as he had been when Montana had shown him how it was, how Montana had held him close, his hand caressing his hair, wiping his tears away, maybe that was it, maybe he just need to be patient, like Montana had been with him?

Yet too, it felt like maybe Noah didn’t want to know, that maybe Noah didn’t want the same things he did and that maybe, he was wrong, maybe Noah wasn’t the one, that perhaps he just wanted someone to pop him? He just didn’t know and yet, somehow inside he felt that he was wrong, that Noah did want what he wanted but that he, Dakota, wasn’t able to make it clear enough, wasn’t smart enough to break past all that so called book stuff. He felt helpless as he realized that he was failing, that all his dreams about what he and Noah could be together were just that, dreams.

Dakota “You don’t get it”

Noah “I want to, I do”

Dakota “Do You? ‘Cause I don’t care if I never fuck you, or you me for that matter, that isn’t what I want, it isn’t what makes me think of you all the time, I mean, yeah I like doing it, I mean the idea of being deep inside of you or having you in me, it makes me shake, but smelling you, listening to your voice, just watching the way your lips pout, or the way your nostrils flare, the touch of your breath on my face, all that makes me just as warm inside, makes me shake just as much if not more so, yeah that physical stuff is nice, but you do more for me without it, I don’t need that, I just want to, I just want to mean something to you, to have you feel just a little like I feel about you.”

Noah “Then why, I mean why tell me about you and Montana?”

Dakota “I guess, I don’t know, I guess in some ways it was to see if you were real, if you wanted me for me or for my dick, I don’t know Noah, all I know is that to me, you make me feel like, well, feel like I count, that there is someone I can talk to, share things with.”

Noah “Share things? Like what?”

Dakota “I don’t know, I guess to have someone near when I wait for the next test result?”

Noah’s head lifted up as Dakota spoke and he could hear the fear and loneliness in each word that Dakota spoke. His heart ached for him and he didn’t know what he could do as he stared at him, saw the desperation in Dakota’s eyes and yet he felt his own fear too, wondering if he could be what he thought Dakota wanted. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to try and be that, he just didn’t know if he could, if he had what it would take but as he stared into Dakota’s brown eyes, saw the flickering hope growing weaker, he felt a tremble in his body, and without even realizing it he knew he was now standing up.

Dakota saw Noah shake, saw his arm quiver as Noah pushed himself up onto his feet and Dakota could feel his heart trembling, afraid of what was to happen. His mind screamed at him, telling him he should have kept quiet, should have kept his big mouth shut and yet deep down inside, the small tiny frightened voice still spoke up, still haunted his heart with its desire to be heard and he closed his eyes for a second, willing his body to stay still, willing his heart to keep on beating as he felt Noah walk past him towards the tree trunk and the way down.

Tears filled his eyes as he blinked and he was afraid to turn and watch Noah disappear down the tree, afraid to feel the waves of emptiness come back to haunt him as they had ever since Montana had finally ended his suffering. His body shook as he imagined the worse, his eyes finally peering upwards, asking if there would ever be that right person, if there would ever be a chance to stop being so alone when he heard Noah’s small frightened voice calling his name. Dakota turned around to see that Noah hadn’t left; instead he was standing by the rolled up sleeping bags and the wooden box.

Dakota “What?”

Noah “I said can I put these out on the floor, the sleeping bags”

Dakota “yeah, uh sure but I thought…”

Noah “That I was leaving?”

Dakota “Uh huh”

Noah “Do you want me to?”

Dakota “no”

Noah “Good, I don’t want to leave, I want to stay”

Dakota “Are you sure?”

Noah “Uh huh”

He watched with his mouth slightly open as Noah pulled the three bags away from the tree and brought them over to where Dakota was sitting. He looked down at Dakota, a thin smile around his lips as he unrolled two of them, laying them side-by-side and open out on the deck. Slowly he unzipped the third bag, putting it down at the foot of other two, making it look like a covering sheet and then he slowly walked over to the edge, staring down and then upwards, watching the stars blinking in the growing darkness of the night.

Noah stared up, not sure if he was doing the right thing as he could feel the fear tearing at him as his mind continued to torture him with what Dakota had revealed. How could he have done it still echoed in his head but his heart seemed to understand, seemed to make sense out of it and the small voice within seemed no longer to be pleading, no longer afraid either and as he looked upwards, he felt his doubts subsiding a little, afraid still but willing to try, willing to take that blind leap of faith towards fulfilling his dreams.

Noah “Are we boyfriends?”

Dakota stared at Noah, saw the way he was staring upwards and he wondered what he was thinking, wondering if he was doing this because he wanted to or was it out of some sort of pity, some form of feeling sorry for him? The words startled him as he saw the way Noah held himself upright.

Dakota “If you want, I’d like that”

Noah “Even if it meant that we never had sex?”

Dakota “Yes”

There hadn’t even been a second’s hesitation in Dakota’s answer, which surprised Noah a little. His mind told him that they couldn’t have a relationship like that, and yet Dakota seemed to think they could which was weird. He had to admit though, he still wanted Dakota, he still wanted to touch him, to feel him and yet he was holding back, still afraid of the unknown or maybe it wasn’t that, maybe he was simply afraid that all he had to offer was sex and he knew he wasn’t good at it. Could that be why he was feeling so torn, so uncertain?

Noah “Are you sure?”

Dakota “Yes”

Noah “I mean, nothing, no physical stuff, not even maybe being naked together, wouldn’t that make you want someone else?”

Dakota “No, I don’t think so, shit Noah, all I know is I want to be with you, naked, dressed, it doesn’t matter to me, I just want you, whatever you are comfortable in sharing with me”

Noah “Even if all that might be is a kiss or a hug, or just sitting holding hands? You are okay with that?”

Dakota saw Noah turn to look down at him and he saw the fear in his face as well as the doubts. It was strange but he could sense what was troubling him, what was really bothering him and he sighed, seeing also how Montana had looked when he had reached out and touched him, letting his finger run along Montana’s quivering lips, the way his heart had shuddered at the first real human touch and he knew that sex wasn’t what Montana had wanted or needed, that what Montana had needed was just that simple touch, that simple gesture was all that mattered.

Looking at Noah he knew that as much as he desired to be a part of Noah, to experience all of his body, to taste it to feel it, he wanted that other touch more. He wanted to feel Noah’s heart beat next to his every second that he took a breath, and he knew that he could have that just by a touch, just by a closeness.

Dakota “Sometimes, when it really counts, just a look is enough Noah, if two people really care about each other, I know that is how I feel about you”

He could see that it was true too, the way Dakota’s eyes looked right into his, past his eyes to reach deep down into his soul. He felt the touch of Dakota’s desire reaching for him, knowing that all he had to do was stand there, that it was all Dakota needed but he wanted more, he needed more.

Noah “I want to make love to you but I am afraid”

Dakota “I know”

Noah “No, it isn’t that, not the AIDS stuff…”

Dakota “I know Noah, but you don’t have to be afraid, just, just saying what you have said is enough for me, honest”

Noah “Maybe, but not for me, I need more, but I am afraid I’ll fail you again”

Dakota “But you haven’t failed me”

Noah “I couldn’t take you inside, what if I can’t please you if I…”

Dakota “You tried, that’s what counts, and you don’t have to worry about being in me, just being next to me is enough, honest”

Noah “No, no it isn’t, will you help me?”

Dakota “I don’t, how?”

Noah “Tell me, tell me what to do, how to do it, please… I want to make love to you, to feel you, to have you feel for me what, what you felt for your brother, please… Please Dakota… help me”

Tears were running down his face as he slowly stood up and walked over to where Noah was standing. He looked into his eyes and gently he raised his hand up, wiping the few tears that were rolling down Noah’s face. His heart skipped a beat or two as his fingers touched the warm flushed cheeks, feeling the trembling body shake to his touch and he could hear a distant roar in his ears, a roar that he knew was coming from Noah.

He leaned inwards, gently moving his head to one side, seeing Noah’s head tilt the opposite way and gently his lips brushed up against Noah’s mouth. He felt the flash of fire deep inside and in a millisecond he felt the answering flicker coming from deep within Noah’s own soul as well. He sighed as he pulled his head back and stared into Noah’s warm eyes, seeing the love growing inside, seeing it slowly push aside the fear that held them both captive.

Dakota “Are you sure?”

Noah “Yes”

Dakota smiled and then he reached into his pocket, taking a few small packages out and he bent down and placed them off to one side of the sleeping bag. He could feel Noah’s eyes watching him as he bent down and then he stood back up and turned to face Noah once more. His face was aglow with a new warmth that came from deep within his soul as he reached out and once more let the back of his hand run down Noah’s face. There was no mistaking the tremor that his touch brought to Noah and he felt his own body shake as well as he pulled back, letting his hand reach to his shirt, slowly unbuttoning each button, his eyes glued to Noah’s face, watching Noah watch him.

He let his shirt fall to the floor and then he kicked his shoes off, and then bent forward to remove his socks. As he leaned forward he brushed past Noah’s body and he breathed in deeply, smelling that special aroma and scent and he felt his legs shudder as the scent filled his body with its tantalizing fragrance. His bare feet rested on the open sleeping bag, as he stood upright once more, staring fully into Noah’s face. Dakota could see the eyes peering at him, taking it all in as he unbuttoned his pants and let them fall down his long lanky body. He stepped out of them by reaching out with one hand, to rest it on Noah’s shoulder, steadying himself.

The shock of touching Noah was almost too much as Dakota felt his body grew tense, felt the hardness of his own penis as he now stood up to his full height, letting the warm night air blow gently across his naked body as he looked into Noah’s face, making sure that it was as he had first seen, that Noah truly did want this and he wasn’t disappointed. There was no mistaking the love that now shone out from Noah’s face and Dakota felt his heart beating a bit faster now as he smiled at Noah, gesturing for him to follow his lead and to undress.

Noah’s eyes were filled with tears as he saw the way Dakota smiled at him, his heart beat faster as his hands slowly began to reach up. His fingers shook as they moved across his body to gingerly unbutton his shirt. He lowered his head to stare at his trembling fingers watching each button pop open slowly exposing his milky white flesh to Dakota’s eyes. With his shirt open he took a quick glance upwards, staring into the soft warm face of Dakota. His heart skipped a beat as he saw the desire welling up in the rich dark eyes of the boy in front. His hands pulled his shirt open wider until it slowly fell off his shoulders to rest at his feet. Dakota could see the quick beat of Noah’s heart his own body trembling with the mounting excitement that filled him.

Noah could feel Dakota’s warm breath blowing across his chest as his fingers struggled with the buttons, slowly unpopping each one. He held his own breath as his nervousness still held sway, as his mind still reeled from all it had heard, but his heart continued to rise in tempo, continue to shout down the doubts and fears that seemed to plague him as his trembling fingers finally undid the last button to his shirt. He felt the warm night air gently caress his flesh, and with still trembling fingers, he slowly opened his shirt, pulling it back to let it gently slide off his shoulders and fall to the floor around his feet. He couldn’t look up but his heart continued to thunder, the voices from deep down within began to grow in strength and his eyes flashed upwards for a second, and as they did they were suddenly held in a warm embrace that seemed to flow across from Dakota.

His eyes began to water as he stared into Dakotas face and he felt a slight lump rise in his throat as his hands moved to the waistband of his pants. With trembling fingers he popped the button open and his body suddenly shook as Dakota’s hand reached out and held his. He stared upwards now, looking into Dakota’s face and he saw a cloud pass across the sparkling eyes.

Dakota “Are you sure Noah? I mean…”

Noah heard the soft words, heard the fear in them too and he knew in that instant that Dakota was the person he wanted to share his body with but more than that, who he wanted to share his life with. It was weird really, to think at his age that he’d want no one else but the way Dakota looked, the way his touch made him feel was exactly how he had dreamed it would be. The doubts, the fears, they still rested inside but they no longer controlled him and he felt the warmth inside, the desire and the love as they now took charge.

Noah “Yes”

As he spoke he pushed down on his pants forcing them down his thin legs, the growing desire making them tremble with excitement as his body brushed next to Dakota’s, and he felt the strong hands holding him steady, keeping him from falling as he slowly stepped out of the pants and then lifted his torso upright, to once more gaze into Dakota’s face. He smiled a thin smile as he still saw some doubt, some worry but as he smiled, he let his face moved forward and he lightly brushed his lips up against Dakota’s mouth, tasting the saltiness and also tasting the desire.

He could feel the desire growing as he reached out and moved Dakota’s hands up onto his chest, his own hands then moving back down to push his shorts off his body, to let free his own throbbing pole of desire. His eyes blinked as they stared down, seeing the long throbbing penis of Dakota, the white blinking flow of pre cum slowly coating the fiery purple cock head and he breathed in deeply, smelling the scent of desire, smelling his and Dakota’s youthful desire mingling together and his heart started to pound louder, echoing loudly inside his head. His mind was denied its power now, no more did it hound him with its doubts and fears and hesitations, instead it was pushed aside by the roar of his heart and the singing voices coming from deep within his soul.

Noah’s shorts lay at his feet and he reached up to hold onto Dakota’s shaking shoulders as he slowly stepped out of them. His body moved in closer to brush closer into the warm flesh of Dakota’s own throbbing body. The touch of Dakota’s hard pole against his belly made his body shudder as he felt Dakota reaching for his face, his hands gently holding his cheeks and lifting his face up to stare into his eyes. He saw the desire but something else too as his head came closer and they touched lips, the shock making his body tremble with a strange warmth that filled every part of his body.

Every inch of his body suddenly felt so alive, so full of life that he couldn’t believe it and all from a simply touch, a simple brush of the lips and yet it was like a whole new world being suddenly opened before his very eyes. Noah felt the tears rolling down his face as he shook and stared into Dakota’s very soul. He saw the love now, recognizing it for what it really was and his heart leaped forward, gunning into fast gear and he thought it would burst out from his chest as his body heaved and he felt the strong arms holding him tight, feeling the love surrounding his young body and he just knew that this was how it was supposed to be, that this was exactly what he had prayed for, dreamed of but never quite understanding what it was. Now he knew and he felt relieved as he leaned inwards, pressing his lips hard into Dakota’s mouth, his tongue flicking out in a furious flash that surprised Dakota.

He tasted the salt of Dakota’s own tears and their flavour only drove him into an even greater frenzy as his hands now reached out, holding onto Dakota’s own trembling body, the palms moving along the well defined sides, feeling the taut muscles coiled beneath the simmering flesh. He could feel each nerve tingle to his touch that only made his own body ache more and yet it was an ache that seemed to give him immense pleasure. His body groaned as it pushed inwards, wanting to melt into Dakota’s own hot fiery flesh.

He felt the hard push of Dakota’s massive thick penis running up the side of his belly, making his whole skin burn with the desire that raged from within, and he sighed as he felt his own pole digging hard into the soft warm flesh of Dakota’s thigh muscle. His whole body groaned with desire as his mouth continued to drink from Dakota. Everything was a massive explosion of new feelings as his lips now pressed up against the firm jaw of the young boy, then his teeth suddenly nibbled lightly on the underside of the chin, the force pushing Dakota’s face upwards. Noah could feel the rising heartbeat next to his own heaving chest as his mouth licked and kissed at the soft hollow of the neck, his back feeling Dakota’s strong fingers digging ever so slightly into his muscles. His body pressed inwards, meeting Dakota’s own feverish thrust and he felt the rise in his groin, felt the press of his balls up into the very root of his cock and he knew he would soon release his cream, but he didn’t mind because he knew they had all night, that it would be awhile before he would be anywhere near ready to explore the inner sanctum of Dakota’s body.

The realization that this was just a first step towards a whole new life for him dawned in brilliant techno colour. His body shook as his penis pressed harder into Dakota’s thigh, his mouth sucking on the warm salty flesh of Dakota’s neck, his teeth gently biting at the skin, and he could hear the increasing shallowness of Dakota’s breathing. His body grew tense and he could feel the fiery heat welling up in his groin as his body continued to press harder, continued to try and become a part of Dakota’s own mortal flesh.

Dakota’s hands reached down and firmly gripped the two shaking orbs of Noah’s buttocks, the fingers began to dig into the soft hot flesh and he could hear Noah’s soft moan of pleasure mingle with his own strident groan of desire. His body grew hotter as he pulled the young body closer, forcing the thick throbbing penis to push beyond his thigh and go past his own sweating groin. The touch of the hot cock head past his balls made his own penis jerk and sway as it was pressed between their two bodies. He felt the coiled muscles in Noah’s belly tighten and he pulled harder, forcing Noah in even more, forcing the hot throbbing pole to squeeze past even as his own legs clamped themselves tighter, trying to deny the throbbing pole any space.

Noah suddenly cried out and his body bucked and swayed in Dakota’s arms as his penis hurled itself forward, the hot press of Dakota’s flesh only adding to the pleasure that now raced from deep inside of Noah’s soul to pour itself out along the wide open tunnel that led out from the hot blood gorged pole. His body shook to the violent explosion and unlike all the other times, he didn’t feel ashamed, he didn’t feel like he had let Dakota down or ruined anything. This time he felt good as his body was held tightly in Dakota’s arms, his exploding body held close as the hot stream of his cream came cascading out and splattered all along the inside of Dakota’s inner thigh. He felt the sudden inhale of breath as the first stream struck the sizzling flesh of Dakota’s inside leg and it was like a whole new experience for him as he could feel the sudden press of Dakota’s own massive pole. He felt it jerk and grow hotter as his body shook and he felt a small tremor starting around the back where his own hands rested on Dakota’s body, and he could feel the boy’s muscles tightening even more as his body continued to empty itself of its first stream of milk.

His breath grew ragged as his body surrendered to the sudden explosion of love that began to roll down the inside of Dakota’s legs. He could feel the hot breath of Dakota on his shoulder and it only grew hotter as his body continued its wild gyration of motions. His groin was pressed hard into the body, his softening penis still dripping hot love from its gorged head and he could feel his own muscles slowly uncoiling, slowly relaxing as the force of his explosion started to end its wild torrent but the hot press of Dakota’s own hard member against his stomach seemed to be growing, becoming hotter and more pressing. Noah could feel the hard press as Dakota’s own body began to shake more, began to tremble with a pending sense of urgency that was confirmed by the rapid intake of breath and shallow breathes that now blew hotly across his neck and shoulders. The arms held him even tighter, squeezing him tighter, removing all space between their two sweating bodies. It was almost as if he was being sucked into the very flesh of Dakota’s body and he cried out as he felt the hard thick pole digging into his very stomach.

He heard a loud gurgling cry of pain and then a searing heat began to crawl up his body from where Dakota’s hard penis rested. He felt the hot liquid defying gravity as it was shot out from the huge cannon that was Dakota’s penis and he found his own hands clasped around the shaking and trembling back of his lover, holding him even tighter, squeezing him as if his very life depended on it. His body shook and tears rolled down from his eyes as he felt the hot thick cream rolling up his heaving stomach and onto his chest, their two bodies crushing each other, smearing the hot thick milk between them, making it like a hot glue that was binding them together. His head ached and the tears misted his eyes as he heard Dakota’s cries next to his ears.

The pain was so intense and yet so sweet that he wasn’t sure if it was pain or pure joy that was causing his chest to ache so hard. Every part of his body felt like it was being twisted and turned into shapes that were impossible for a human body to conform to, but his was and all the time he could feel the slow roll of Noah’s cooling cum travelling down his inner leg just as his own hard cock was rearing back, just as his own body was suddenly no longer his to command but was overtaken by its own secret desires. He felt the sharp pain of his balls slinging upwards, felt the heat inside his body boiling up as he grasped tightly to the shaking body in his arms.

Dakota couldn’t believe that this was happening, that his own body was about to explode without even the touch of a hand or the press of a lip. One part of him was suddenly shocked by the wild emotions that were suddenly released inside of his soul while the mind was off in shock, his heart being the only part that seemed to know and understand what was happening to him. He cried out as his hard thick cock suddenly seemed to explode, all feeling gone as all he could feel was a sudden exhilaration, a sudden release of all of his fears and doubts and he cried out, hearing his own voice garbled by the power of his emotions.

He knew his penis was only resting along the taut stomach of Noah and yet it felt almost as if he was indeed inside of the boy’s body. He could almost hear the heart pounding next to his own thundering heart and yet not quite, not fully but as his body continued to spew its milky love all over the shaking flesh, he knew inside that this was just a prelude to what was to come and he suddenly saw the image of his brother flash before his eyes. He cried silently as he saw that smile, that knowing look and that tell tale wink as if the image was really there, as if it was watching and giving its approval and his whole body continued to twist and turn and press inwards, devouring the flesh that stood before it and now he could hear it clearly, now he could feel Noah’s heart beating as well as hear it.

Tears rolled down his face that was now nestled deeply into the crook of Noah’s neck. He could feel them mingling with sweat and yet he didn’t feel embarrassed anymore as he held on, knowing that this was a beginning for him, a chance that he had never dreamed would come again to him but it was and he felt the joy coursing thru his whole body. He felt the tingle down in his toes and in each strand of his long hair. He felt so alive, so full of love that his hands grew even tighter, his clasp growing like a steel chain that nothing could severe and as he felt the strength of his own desire, he also could feel it coursing thru Noah’s own smaller body. He felt the power there and suddenly he was no longer afraid, but more than that he didn’t feel so alone anymore, so empty.

They stood there in the darkening night, the warm soft wind gently blowing across their shaking bodies and yet they saw nothing but each other. They stood there, feeling their love begin to form an unbreakable bond that no one could ever break and as they stood there, their cum mingled with their sweat to unite their souls for a brief second in time. Time seemed to stand still in awe of the force of their love as they held tightly to each other, slowly letting the force of their desire cool, slowly letting the shock of their wild show of desire for each other ease.

As the physical passion seemed to cool between them, Dakota could feel the passion within only growing warmer, only becoming more intense as finally they were able to stop their shaking, to hold less tightly onto each other because somehow, in some weird strange way they both knew that the other was never going to be far away, that the other would always be there to hold, to hug, to kiss and to love. Dakota’s body relaxed and he pushed his head up to stare finally into the liquid pools of Noah’s eyes. He saw the truth of their desire, of their love resting there and he felt the growing love reaching for him, reaching for his own love and he lifted his hand up, a finger gently wiping a tear from the corner of Noah’s face.

Dakota “God I love you Noah”

Noah “I… I know, I can feel it…”

Dakota smiled as he bent his head forward and lightly pressed his lips against Noah’s warm moist lips. He tasted the salty sweat and tears that had flowed around them and he reached out, holding onto Noah’s hand and slowly helped him to slink down to his knees. He too let his body sink down, and finally the two of them were stretched out on the open sleeping bags. He propped his head onto his hand as he turned to look down at Noah all stretched out, his face peering up at him with nothing but a shiny glow, a beaming ray of love that shown out from deep within Noah and he felt at peace as he let his one hand gently caress the sweaty chest, his eyes never leaving Noah’s adoring face.

Dakota “Me too…”


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The Locker – Chapter 4

Wednesday, 5. September 2007 0:02

 

Chapter 4

Saturday

8:14 a.m.

Noah stared at his reflection in the mirror, knowing it was useless, the damn zit was still there despite the scrubbing and the constant application of that stupid zit cream stuff he used. He saw his eyes narrow as he stared at himself, wondering if he wasn’t being stupid, after all he was only 16 and you were supposed to have zits, just that why now? Couldn’t it have waited till next week to pop up? Christ Dakota wouldn’t want to kiss a face that had zits would he, but then he had barely had time to talk with him ever since he had shown up that night.

They had talked briefly since that night, and he wondered, staring at the mirror, if maybe he had been wrong, maybe he had only thought he had seen what he had seen or maybe Dakota had changed his mind? Maybe he had decided it wasn’t worth the risk but then he would have cancelled today, wouldn’t he? His head shook and he saw the fear in his own eyes, the fear that he had already failed to measure up to what Dakota had expected, but then, maybe he was just being stupid? Maybe he was just too nervous, expecting too much and maybe that was scaring Dakota off too? It could be, after all Dakota was, well, he was hot and he, Noah, wasn’t, so why should he be interested?

Christ he was feeling weird, his palms were sweating and he wasn’t going to meet Dakota till 4, and he leaned back on the wall, staring at his face, staring at the zit and way his face looked so ordinary. He sighed, knowing that it wasn’t Dakota’s fault they hadn’t had time together, after all he did have an image to keep up and Noah understood that. Last thing he wanted was for anyone to suspect anything about them, even if they already suspected him, he couldn’t let them get wise to Dakota. It was bad enough that some thought he was queer, Christ it would be impossible if they knew for sure.

Lunch was the worse, he had to sit there listening to Marvin whining about something or other, or worse sit alone while ‘the group’ surrounded Dakota and he could see how he was being drooled over by every cheerleader and girl in school. He had that look, the same look he thought Rusty had, but with Dakota it was different, more intense really. He could see too that Rusty wasn’t exactly pleased, no longer number one but he had to give the guy credit, he didn’t seem to let it bother him but every now and then, Noah could see the way Rusty’s eyes would flare, a sort of hatred in them that scared Noah. He never thought Rusty was that way, but then how would he know? He was never popular, he was the funny kid who dressed up in girls clothes for plays and stuff, he wasn’t the super jock or anything, but there was something in Rusty’s eyes that made Noah keep his distance.

As much as he had wanted to talk with Dakota, each morning at the locker or after classes or during lunch break, Rusty seemed to be there, watching, and staring and yet not staring. It was like he was spying on Dakota, trying to figure him out and he could see that Dakota didn’t even notice it. Yet as much as he tried to be careful, he couldn’t help but feel all giddy each time Dakota would walk up to the locker, or each time he would see him standing there. He was like a Greek God that they had learned about in English, the way he just looked so, well, so commanding. Seeing him each morning was like a whole new experience for him and he had to admit, seeing Dakota’s eyes light up, seeing him smile and speak to him was enough to keep him going in dreamland for the day, which was another problem he had to come to terms with.

He had already been spoken to about his sudden lack of attention in class, and he knew that he hadn’t done well on the pop quiz on Friday, but that was then, today was his time and he could feel his legs getting wobbly even though his dick was rock hard, again. Christ that too was becoming a problem, because each time he would think about Dakota, which was almost constantly, he would get a hard on, he would think back to the night, the way Dakota looked, naked and with that monster dick staring at him. Christ he still could feel the fear he felt then, and yet he also felt the excitement of it too.

Strange, but he could think of virtually nothing else but what it would feel like to have Dakota inside of him, and he had wondered if he would scream, or would he cry like a baby? Every time he thought about it, his ass felt weird too like it knew what he was planning and was just as uncertain about it as he was, and yet at times it itched so much, like it was really wanting it. He knew it was just nerves, yet it felt real to him, it really did feel like it was itching and as he wiped the lock of hair from his face, he saw the blush on his face, realizing the stupid things he had done this week.

His hand moved down his flat stomach, feeling the press of his dick against his jeans as he felt that ache there again, knowing that what he really wanted to do was to unzip his pants and just jerk off but he had made up his mind last night, no touching, no hand jobs in case it would make him soft when he wanted to be hard, when Dakota would need him hard. Damn, just thinking of it and he could feel his dick moving inside his pants, the fresh new boxer’s bit stiff but no where near as stiff as his cock was feeling. Maybe it would be okay if he did jerk off now? Hell it was early enough, still, if he did and then what would happen later, would he still be able to or worse, would he maybe shoot early again, or maybe not at all? He had heard about that, that some of those who did the porn took forever to cum because they did it so much, or at least that was what Marvin had said, but he always came up with weird little comments.

Noah knew it was crazy to be this way, that he would do okay, or at least he kept telling himself that, telling himself that Dakota wasn’t the type to make a big deal out of him being a rookie, and he had shown he cared, least he thought he had, or was he just being nice? Was all this just that, was it that maybe Dakota had been lonely or was it what he had thought? Thinking back he could still see the way Dakota would smile at him, a sort of smile that said more than just ‘hi’ but then maybe he was doing his normal routine, making mountains out of molehills? His mother sure seemed to think he did a lot of that, so did his dad but then it had been ages since they had been his age, besides things were different these days.

Looking at the mirror and seeing his expression, he wondered why Dakota even bothered with him? He wasn’t good looking, his hair didn’t look great, his face was thin and angular even, his nose was way too small and hell his ears were more like a girls than a guy’s, so why the fuck would Dakota want him? It just didn’t make sense unless it simply was that he was available, that he was ‘one’ that Dakota knew about. Maybe if he found some one else better looking he’d have cancelled, but it wasn’t easy to find that kind of stuff out, so maybe that was why tonight was still on?

Looking at his reflection he could feel the doubts raging inside, his mind continued to keep on throwing up things, to harp on his imperfections that he knew were glaring and yet somehow, deep inside the voice kept telling his mind to frig off, to take a hike and as it spoke, his heart kept beating stronger with anticipation and desire. Funny how suddenly he could feel all this turmoil inside, all this sort of confusion and yet deep down he knew that tonight was important, that it was something special that would change his whole life. He knew inside that if he chickened out as his thoughts kept urging, that he would never be totally happy.

Funny, looking at himself this way, he noticed how his hand had crept down into his jeans, how his fingers were already running along his hard cock, and it was more like instinct than anything else at how much he really wanted to be with Dakota, under any terms, any conditions. Maybe it was like his head kept saying, that he was just horny and wanted to get fucked or maybe it was like he felt inside, that it was something special, that there was more to being with Dakota than just getting laid, that maybe those little glances, those little smiles were more than a come on, were a signal of something much much more?

His resolve grew stronger as he looked into his own eyes; saw the doubts but also the desire. He pulled his hand out from his pants, and looked deeply at his reflection, deciding that this time, he’d let the voices deep down have their way, ignoring the pleas of his mind. As the decision grew within he felt a strange sense of calm come over him and he walked out of his bathroom to stare over at his unkempt bed, still able to see Dakota’s silhouette on top, the way he had been when he had woken up Tuesday morning, the way he had felt and Noah breathed in deeply, smelling that strange sweet fragrance that was Dakota. It was unnerving how he could still smell it, and even though his mom had washed and changed the sheets he could still smell him, as if it was a scent that now belonged to him.

As much as he hoped and prayed he still felt the twinge of nervousness inside as he surveyed his room, wondering what it would be like to be sharing all this with someone else. The dream that he had and that Dakota seemed to also have was still fresh in his mind, it was something he couldn’t shake and even though his thoughts started out differently each night since, they always came back to that, to the two of them in a small room, only a bed in the room but it felt right, it felt as if it was where he belonged. He shuddered a little, feeling the stiffness in his groin and the itch in his buttocks.

1:34 p.m.

He stared out at the parking lot, sipping his cold can of pop and watching the people as they rushed around the lot. Some where leaving, others arriving and yet they all seemed to be in a hurry, always walking a little bit faster, always tugging on the kids arms, hurrying them along and he wondered why? They really weren’t going to get anywhere all that quicker, they weren’t going to miss any big bargain if they were a few seconds longer in getting into the stores, so why the rush? Funny, he used to do that, run all the time but that all changed now, and he felt the loneliness creep back inside. His hand tightened on the can, feeling the soft aluminium sides giving to his pressure and his eyes were blank as he felt that hitch come back to his throat, that little nagging itch that really wasn’t an itch, but a reminder.

His dark hair flowed around his face as the wind kicked up a little, a bit of chill in the afternoon’s air but he hardly noticed it as he stared out at the parking lot, seeing nothing of the people anymore, instead thinking back to when things were different, when he wasn’t this empty, this alone. There were times, like now, when he thought he could still feel Montana’s breath on his cheeks or hear his laughter as they threw the football around the back yard. He could even hear his father’s voice booming on a Sunday, calling them to come watch the game on television but all that was gone now, his father was rarely home, working as many hours as he could get in, his mother spending the weekends doing things that would normally have been done during the week if she hadn’t been at work till 7 or 8 each night.

Dakota dug his hand into his pants pocket, pulling out the ten-dollar bill, a gift from his sister and he felt the tears coming, wishing them back, desperate to hold onto his composure. Strange how she had been able to read his mind, to know that he was feeling scared and yet in her own way, he knew that she too was scared. The way she had silently entered his bedroom this morning, standing quietly next to his bed until he finally sensed her presence and woke up to see her. She had looked so scared that for a minute he thought that something was wrong with his mom or father but as she handed him the folded money, speaking softly he knew it wasn’t them but him that she was worried about.

He had refused the money but she had insisted, saying it was from tips she had saved up and then she had blown him away as she wanted to know if he had condoms. How the hell did she know about that stuff and yet he knew the answer even before it was framed in his mind. How could anyone in their family not know about condoms these days, and he sighed, wishing for a moment that things could go back to simpler times, when all he worried about was skinning his knee playing catch with Montana and his dad. Funny how determined she was to know the answer too, and she wasn’t satisfied until he had shown her the small packages in his night table, and only then was she satisfied. She told him the money was to buy his friend something, to maybe get some snacks for later and he felt her love then, knowing how hard it was for her too. They had hugged each other for several minutes in the morning and he knew that he would not spend the money, well at least not all of it.

Thinking about it he wondered what Noah would think once he saw their house. It wasn’t a bad home really, even though everyone worked the place was clean and it did have a sort of warmth to it, but it had a great deal of sadness too. Maybe Noah would see it and run, just like he wanted to that night he saw Dakota’s naked body but then he was coming tonight, so maybe there was hope? He felt uneasy, wondering if he was doing the right thing or was he just feeling sorry for himself again? He shook his head a little, trying to toss away all the fears and doubts that he was feeling, wishing that he could talk to Montana but there just wasn’t time for that, not today as he was working till 3:30 and Noah was coming here, to the mall at 4pm so there just wasn’t time. He sighed, knowing that nothing would change anyways, that no matter how much he hoped it would, it just wasn’t going to and he stood up, draining the last drops from the can and then headed to the store, to get his nickel for the can and to get back to work. Whatever else had happened, at least he knew that he could survive just about anything, but was that really something he wanted to know at 16?

Rosalie Northwood was checking the appointment book at the desk, and she had seen her son sitting there, so alone, so much in pain that her own heart forgot its troubles and ached for him. She saw how he sat and then how he looked, tossing his dark hair to one side as he turned to head back to work. It wasn’t fair, she thought, as she ticked off the name of one person and then saw that she had a new client at 4pm for a cut and trim. Her mind couldn’t really focus as the name sounded familiar and yet wasn’t but her eyes were drawn to the tall young boy outside, the way he stood there, his body erect as he headed back to the grocery store. She knew how much he wanted to be elsewhere, and yet too she was proud of him, of the way he never complained about having to work, not showing a seconds hesitation when he would sign over his paycheque to her and her husband, his way he said of helping out, of doing what was right.

The pain in her heart was almost unbearable each time he would hand her the cheque, each time he would look into her eyes or into Gary’s face, and she knew how her husband would hate it, would barely manage to look back into his son’s face, wishing he could simply push the hand back, push the money away but they had no choices, they needed it and so their pride had to suffer. She knew how much it was killing Gary, how much it ate at his very soul that he needed the money from his wife and his young children to just survive. Rosalie didn’t know how much longer they could go on this way, how much longer any of them could continue to take the abuse and suffering of their existence but maybe there was hope, at least a chance of hope?

Seeing Dakota heading back, the empty pop can in his hand instead of already being tossed, she wondered if maybe their pride was something too costly, something that they should have put aside a long time ago or maybe it was all that was keeping them going now? She didn’t know but as she followed Dakota back to the store with her eyes she felt his pain, knowing that his heart ached and that something was up. He had been more moody all week, and it wasn’t like to him to have disappeared like he had Monday evening, but he wouldn’t say much, except that he had made a new friend. She had known, by the way his eyes had looked that this was something unlike the others, this was something she had rarely seen in his face but one she recognized from Montana’s face a few times. Her heart grew still as the fear was reaching for her, the panic was within striking distance, as she knew they couldn’t afford another battle like the one they had has with Montana. It was still too fresh, the fights, the shouts, the screams, and then the final blows, all of which only made her heart ache more. No, they couldn’t go thru that again and she wondered what Gary would say, or would he even speak? Would he remember the bitter fights he had with Montana when now there was no Montana to fight with? Would he still feel that way about them or had he changed too? He was so quiet these days, so pained and yet he never spoke about it, never talked to her about how he felt, and that too worried her as she turned away from the big window, to get back to work and to try and let her pain dull for a few more minutes.

Turning away she saw her daughter staring at her and she smiled, trying to hide her troubled thoughts from showing, but she knew that Arizona had seen them. It was hard enough to try to keep it from Gary and even Dakota, but somehow Arizona always seemed to know, always seemed to be able to see past her smiling face to the deep hole in her heart and yet as she looked at Arizona, she saw a strange warmth, a sort of compassion that was rare to find anywhere, never mind in a 15 year old girl. Her head tilted to one side, and Rosalie smiled as she headed to her customer under the dryer, patting Arizona’s shoulder as she went past, feeling her daughters hand touch hers and for that brief moment, it was almost as if they could see the pain they both had. Her heart trembled, as she knew that Arizona was frightened too but like her mother, was putting on a brave face.

As her mother passed by she could feel her pain, and she wished she could make it easier, knowing though that there really wasn’t much she could do. Everything had changed so quickly for her that she still didn’t quite understand it all, except that everyone seemed so sad all the time, so unhappy and yet in some ways, they were closer than ever and yet even more distant. Hard to say which it was at times, like this morning she had never felt closer to Dakota than when she had made him show her that he had condoms, so that he would be safe and when they hugged, she could feel his love for her, almost like when Montana would reach down and toss her into the air when she had been little, but that would never be anymore. She sighed as she finished her chores; her quitting time almost here and it was up to her to get dinner ready for tonight, something she was actually looking forward to.

She knew it would be a surprise to everyone, but she had saved up from her tips at the shop and even by giving Dakota the ten dollars she still had enough left over to plan her surprise for dinner. Maybe it wasn’t much but she wanted Dakota to be happy, to not be embarrassed with his guest so she had it all planned out. Besides if her parents got upset about it she’d just claim it was an early birthday gift for Dakota, which should solve that little problem. Funny though, she could remember a time when dinner was something a lot different than it was now, when spaghetti night was always with meat sauce and meatballs, not watered down tomato paste as it was now, well usually but not tonight. Tonight she had splurged and bought hamburger, onions, and even a can of spaghetti sauce to put in with the tomato paste. This would at least be a normal meal, and she knew it would last, that even with Noah coming for dinner they’d have enough for tomorrow too plus she had her best surprise of all, home made brownies. They rarely had any dessert but tonight was important, she could tell that Dakota really liked Noah and more than that, she knew that Noah liked Dakota, and it was important to her that they have a good time together, that for a change Dakota got to laugh a little, got to be 16 for a change.

Arizona put her stuff away, making sure that everything was were it was supposed to be and then she went to get out of her smock, to count her tips for the day and then head off to go home and get dinner started. She really rather enjoyed her Saturdays, it was a chance for her to feel more useful, more of a help to everyone than normal, like when her mother had to take to her to the clinic for her check ups, for the waiting in line to get her medication instead of being able to just go to the drugstore to get them, but Saturdays were different, that was when she could do stuff for them, and it felt good too.

She counted the change out, seeing the few crumpled bills and she smiled, realizing that it had been a better day than normal, that she had an extra $4 to spend and she wondered if maybe she’d get some of that fancy French bread or maybe there was something else she could get. Her eyes were full of life as she stepped outside, to decide if she should run over to the grocery store for a few extra things or head straight home when she spotted the two boys. Her heart was filled with plans for tonight and she didn’t really give it much thought as she started to walk towards the grocery store when it hit her. Those boys, they were from the new school and one of them she really didn’t like all that much, and the other was sort of okay or at least seemed so. Why where they here she wondered, knowing that they were the type who wouldn’t be in this part of town without a reason, it just wasn’t their normal hangout and she stopped, to stare at Hector and Rusty, a strange feeling of unease creeping inside her heart.

2:08 p.m.

Rusty “So he works here, what’s the big deal Hec?”

Hector “Don’t you think its weird man? I mean what’s he doing working anyhow?”

Rusty “Hey not everyone’s dad can be a big shot real estate salesman”

Hector “Hey, your dad isn’t exactly a slouch, but its weird man, I mean the guy never shows up to any of the after school we invite him too, don’t you think its weird?”

Rusty “Little I guess, but shit man, cut him some slack, the guy is new”

Hector “Yeah well I did some checking, he was the same back at his old school, never really socialized”

Rusty “So? What’s the big deal? He still was damn good to get MVP at the basketball finals”

Hector “Yeah, but I mean, I don’t know man, it’s just strange is all”

Rusty looked around at the mall, not one of the town’s more modern shopping centres and it looked it too. He felt kind of creepy being here, not really liking the place one bit, but Hector had insisted and Hector was always good for some fun, but lately he was becoming way too much of a red neck, even for Rusty’s tastes. He glanced at the busy parking lot, seeing all the old cars and trucks and he realized that there were really very few newer cars around. Even his older car was newer than most in the lot and he felt sort of uneasy, feeling uncomfortable in this part of town.

Rusty “Uh huh, what’s really got your shorts in a knot is you can’t stand it that Sheila might be setting her sights on him”

Hector “Yeah well you wouldn’t like it if Karen was drooling over him, now would you?”

He stared at Hector, looking him squarely in the eyes and he saw something that made him blink. He never realized before how much anger Hector had inside, and looking at him now he saw that his friend had changed a lot over the years and it sent a shiver down his spine, making him shiver a little and raising warning flags inside. He chose his words carefully, wondering what really was bugging Hector.

Rusty “No, I’d most likely kick his ass but then Karen and I are still together, so that’s a lot different Hec”

Hector “Yeah well, just cause we are temporarily not officially together, still doesn’t give him any right”

Rusty “Christ man, listen to you, like she’s the only girl out there?”

Hector “No, but she did put out, and it was good, besides, she knows a girl this Dakota dude dated”

Rusty “So?”

Hector “So? So she said some strange stuff, kind of makes a guy wonder, ya know?”

Rusty “What kind of stuff?”

Hector “Stuff, like he wasn’t into doing it all that much, though the way Sheila said it, the guy is hung like a fucking horse, which is why she has her eyes on him, the fucking bitch”

Rusty “Shit so that’s what this is about, he’s got a bigger dick than you and you can’t stand it, fuck man, you need some serious help”

Hector “Fuck off Rusty, ain’t like that at all, besides, I just don’t like him”

Rusty “God man you don’t even know him, just cause he isn’t from our side of town no reason to hate the dude”

Hector “Ain’t that, I don’t know, maybe its just cause he’s sharing a locker with that pansy Collins”

Rusty “Fuck man you really got it out for him, just out of curiosity what is it about Collins that has you steamed at him? He try to date you or something?”

Hector’s whole body became rigid and Rusty could see the way he was clenching his fists and letting them hit the side of his legs. There was no doubt that he had hit a sore spot in Hector’s armour and he wondered more and more about his friend, wondering just what was it that made him so angry, so ready to explode? He felt a strange sense of fear creeping into his thoughts, something he wasn’t used to. He usually had the answers but lately he was finding that Hector was like a loose cannon and he knew that one day he would just go off on someone and he did not want to be there then. He saw Hector’s eyes, the colour drained and a sort of deep darkness came over them, making the fear in his mind grow.

Hector “FUCK OFF!”

Rusty “Christ he didn’t did he? Come on to you I mean? No fucking way dude, he’s too much of a wimp to do that shit…”

Hector “No it isn’t that, I don’t like him, him and all those other fag types, man don’t they creep you out too?”

Rusty “Yeah but shit, long as they keep it to themselves it don’t bug me, well not that much, now that Marvin thing, he’s a different story, he’s really off the wall, but I don’t know, you really think Collins is one too?”

Hector “Christ you have to ask? You saw how he looked dressed up as a broad, fuck he was better looking than some of the girls we got on the cheerleaders”

Rusty had to admit that Hector was right on that score. Noah did look a damn sight better than some of the girls in school but as much as he didn’t care for fags he still wasn’t totally convinced that Noah was one. He might be a wimp and all and he might look like a girl at times, but shit, there were others who had that look too and it didn’t make them queer, least not so he knew. Staring over at Hector’s face he saw the cheeks growing redder, saw the eyes glazing over and he knew that for whatever reason, Hector really had a mad on for fags. Well it was no skin off his ass, he didn’t exactly care for them himself.

Rusty “Yeah well, don’t tell them that, but so he looked good in a dress, doesn’t make him queer”

Hector “Get off it, you know damn well he’s a piss ant faggot, the way he looks at you some times, the way he is always staring at the floor in the locker room, you know damn well he’s one”

He had to agree there with Hector, the guy did look at him strange at times, usually when he was at the locker getting stuff or such, but he kind of thought it was because he was who he was, not that Noah had some sort of crush on him. God, just the thought was kind of creepy and he didn’t like it one bit. His own face became a bit darker, as he wondered if maybe Hector was right, if maybe Noah was one of them?

Rusty “I suppose, still, no reason to be so damn hostile all the time, besides you got him good with that paint on his locker, that should be enough to satisfy you”

Hector “Haha, yeah that did kind of get his attention didn’t it? Still don’t know how you got the paint in though…”

Rusty “That’s my business, besides you have him still looking over his shoulder all the time man, that should be enough for you”

Hector “I don’t know, suppose, but he is friendly with that Dakota dude and him I really ain’t too sure of, MVP or not”

Rusty “So what the fuck does it matter? If you want Shelia back, duking it out with Dakota ain’t gonna help, besides you don’t even know if the guy is interested in her or not, this will only get you in more shit with her.”

Hector “No, maybe, I don’t know man, but I need to do something”

There were times when he wondered why he bothered associating with Hector but then the guy did have his uses at times. It was always good policy to have someone who resembled an animal around, you never knew when you might need the backup and as his eyes stared out at the parking lot, he felt a whole lot better knowing he was with Hector right now than say a pansy like Noah, still, it had kind of bugged him seeing Noah all in tears when he saw his locker last year. He had to admit that the joke was a bit much but everyone it seemed got a good kick out of it, so maybe Noah reacted too much, and maybe Hec was right, maybe the guy was a queer, after all no real guy would bawl his eyes out like that, would they?

Looking at Hector he knew that if he let him to his own design there would most likely be a big battle and the new kid wouldn’t even know what it was about, and he didn’t need any complications right now, not this early on in the year. Besides, if Hector got tossed for fighting, he’d need to do some fancy footwork for some of the things he had planned for later on in the year. Hector did have his uses even if he was a damn bull in a china shop.

Rusty “Look, why not let me talk to him? Maybe I can sort of see if he’s interested in her, and if he is maybe talk him out of it, how’s that sound?”

Hector “I don’t know, think he’d listen?”

Rusty “Hey worth a shot and if he does, well then you aren’t in the doghouse with Sheila”

Hector “Makes sense, when?”

Rusty “Jesus, you really want her that bad?”

Hector “No, just that, I want to get fucked man, she’s good in bed, she knows what I like”

Rusty “Shit is that all you think about? Getting your damn dick wet?”

Hector “Hey what can I say, I am all man dude, and don’t act like you don’t think about it either”

Rusty “Yeah but shit, not every fucking minute”

Hector “No? Just every other fucking minute?”

Rusty “Jesus Hector, it’s not like you haven’t had any since you broke up with Sheila”

Hector “Yeah so?”

Rusty “I swear, you live to play football and screw girls”

Hector “Hey don’t forget I like to party too”

Rusty “Yeah but that’s just so you can screw girls man”

Hector “Never heard you complain about it, so? You gonna go in and talk to him or what?”

The way Hector said it made his skin crawl, and he stared at his friend, wondering just how much would Hector keep quiet if the shit ever hit the fan? Would he squeal like a stuck pig or would he keep his mouth shut? He didn’t like having someone like Hector have a hold over him and yet at the same time he knew he didn’t have much of a choice, and he did admit, it was rather fun at times. Hell it was fun all the time and he knew that as long as Hector played it cool, then they were safe but lately, he wasn’t too sure if Hector could play it cool. His eyes narrowed a little as he thought about how he could extradite himself from this mess but then the throb in his crotch told him that he wasn’t exactly in the mood to pull out of the deal just yet, not with a whole year ahead of high school.

Rusty “Christ… Okay why don’t you go cool your jets and I’ll go and see if I can’t set something up, okay?”

Hector “Thanks, I owe you one”

Rusty “Fuck you owe me a damn sight more than one dude”

Hector “Yeah well you can collect at the party tonight if you want”

Rusty “Oh? You bringing some treats are you?”

Hector “Depends, might, all I know is I need to get fucked man, one way or another its happening tonight”

Rusty “Yeah well, don’t let Shelia catch you or no way you ever going to get back together”

Hector “Yeah, that’s why I said it depends”

Rusty “Sheila going to the party?”

Hector “Not sure, tried to find out but she won’t talk, she might if that Dakota is there, but last I heard he had backed out, said he had to work late or some shit like that”

Rusty “Oh? Well then, should be a fun time, that new girl, the transfer from up state, she’s going”

Hector “Oh? She is hot man”

Rusty “Don’t I know it, think maybe I’ll bring along a few extra little pals if you are bringing the treats”

Hector “Christ, why do you bother with that man, not like you screwing some hooker or anything, and hell they are all on the pill”

Rusty “Yeah but you never know, I don’t like leaving any calling cards like you man”

Hector “Fuck that, I just don’t like the way it feels wearing those damn things, besides it’s a pain in the ass to have to stop and put them on, and its for queers anyways, or dumb ass chicks who forget to take the pill”

Rusty “Yeah well, you never know, I kind of don’t feel like waking up with some fucking itch on my dick, and not like they are going anywhere”

Hector “yeah well you bring what you want, I’ll stick to doing it the old fashioned way man, besides, feels a damn sight better without that plastic crap around my pole”

Rusty “Suit yourself dude”

Hector “Karen not going tonight?”

Rusty “Nope, she’s gotta babysit tonight, told her I’d pop over later on though”

Hector “Christ and he says I am a pig? Just how much do you want in a night?”

Rusty “Fuck man, she doesn’t put out every time, not like Sheila”

Hector “Yeah, she is one horny broad, speaking of that, you going?”

Rusty “Yeah okay, cool your heels man, and you owe me man, big time”

Hector “Like I said, you can collect at the party, with what’s her name? Haha”

Rusty “Corin or something like that, I swear though, one day you are gonna get nailed”

Hector “Nah, never happen dude, I make damn sure of that.”

Rusty “Yeah, still, you never know, why I use a condom, less chance of being connected to it dude”

Hector “Shit you watch way too much television man, so? I wanna get out of this dump, shake a leg okay?”

Maybe he did but as he shrugged his shoulders he knew that at least he was safe, assuming Hector kept his yap shut if caught and as he stared at his friend, there was a glint in Hector’s eyes that made him shiver a bit more. He knew that he was getting out of his league and he also realized that as much as he loved the extra fun that he had, thanks to Hector’s treats, it was getting time to get out of it all, but the question was going to be, how? Well, he’d leave that for another time, tonight hopefully he’d be busy enjoying Corin and then off to Karen, who knows maybe it would be a double pleasure tonight?

Rusty “Okay, back in a few”

Hector moved over to the small group of tables and sat down, staring at Rusty who shrugged his shoulders and turned away, heading towards the grocery store. He knew that Hector was crazy and yet he could feel the excitement building up inside of himself. He was starting to look forward to the party tonight and he hoped that what Hector had said was true, that Dakota wasn’t going because it would mean that Sheila would be there and that would cramp his mood and his style. That Corin chick sure was hot and he was itching to see how hot but if Sheila showed up he’d have to cool it, she was good friends with Karen and no way did he want to risk that for a one night romp, even if she was Pamela Lee herself.

Rusty had disappeared inside the large store and Hector leaned back, his elbows resting on the table as he stared at the shabby grocery store. The place really bugged him and he couldn’t wait to get out of here. So far everything was going as he had planned, knowing that Rusty would intercede for him, which was cool. He really wasn’t into battling with Dakota, the guy looked too lean, to hungry and one thing he had learned, never tangle with someone who has nothing to lose. His dad had taught him that one, and he had a few knocks on the side of his head to show for not listening but one thing about him, he wasn’t the stupid jock that everyone thought. Hector saw Dakota as a threat but not one he could attack face to face, this way he’d let Rusty do his dirty work and let the super star think he was pulling his balls out of the fire. It worked for him and he smiled a little, waiting, knowing that Dakota would be easy to take down if he got in his way, as long as he kept things cool. His eyes narrowed as he glanced at his watch; seeing that time was moving ahead and he still had things to do, especially if he wanted to have another good time tonight at the party. Man, chemistry was not his long suit but it sure did help a guy out and he smiled a bit wider, a grin that made a few people stare as they passed by.

3:35 p.m.

Carefully he added up the hours, taking the half hour and the 15 minutes off and then he subtracted the extra 15 minutes that he had spent with Rusty and wrote down the final number on the small space on the calendar. He looked at it, mentally adding together the time and he felt a little dejected, realizing that he was short this period of at least 3 hours. He grimaced a bit, wondering if maybe there was a way he could work extra to make up for it but he knew there wasn’t. Dakota sighed as he realized that he’d just have to cut back on his expenses, maybe cut down on lunches for the next week, that would save him close to half, but then he had to take into account the extra gas he was using, going to school, which made him remember earlier.

The frown grew on his face as he remembered how surprised he was to suddenly turn around and see Rusty standing there. There was something about the guy that made him wary, and yet everyone at the new school kept saying how nice Rusty was, but he could see something that they didn’t, which was his eyes, the way they looked past you at times and other times the way they seemed to just pierce you, trying to find out things he had no business wanting to know. He felt clammy as he walked towards his locker, to put away his red apron that he had to wear when on the floor. He saw that it was nearing time to get it washed again and for a second or two he thought he should maybe take it home but then he remembered Noah was coming and he doubted if he’d have the time to any laundry before his next shift.

Standing at his locker, he saw the small photograph pinned to the inside of the locker door, the image of two smiling faces peered out at him and his heart began to ache once more, tears welled up near the corners of his eyes as he looked at the picture, seeing his own smiling face and wondering if he’d ever feel that happy again, knowing that the hole inside would never truly ever be filled, even if he did find someone. The other face stared at him, a hint of a smile on his face, a glint even in his eyes and Dakota felt pain even more as he looked into Montana’s face, seeing him as only he could, and he felt the loss even more now than when he had seen the last rise of Montana’s chest.

He sat down on the wooden bench, feeling the pain taking hold of his body, feeling it constrict his muscles and make him shake a little. The sight of that afternoon rising upwards to fill his vision, the bed with the curtains drawn around and his parents standing off to one side, his sister at the foot of the bed and he at the other end. He could see the way his brother’s sunken eyes looked at them all and even in those last few minutes, he was defiant almost as he stared at them, then the small smile came and he could even now hear his mother’s cries as she held his hand and then the surprise registered again as he saw his fathers face, the tears rolling down his cheeks and the deep gut wrenching sobs as he cried, bending down and kissing Montana’s forehead, wiping the sweat soaked hair back, looking into his eyes and his mouth moved but no words would come and yet as Dakota watched, he could see that at last there was peace between Montana and his father.

Arizona had cried, running to place her head in their mother’s chest, as the final moments came. Dakota stared up at the photograph, seeing that same look and the image shimmered in the pale light of the back room, the image seeming to dance a little as it all flashed before him once more, just as intense, just as real as the actual moment had been. He felt Montana’s hand clasping his suddenly and he could see the white ashen face turn slowly, the pain etched across the face despite all the morphine that he had taken and as he watched, he saw the eyes open wide, staring fully into his own eyes. He shivered now, knowing what was coming, powerless to turn away, helpless to prevent the memory from once more taking hold of him and he felt the slowing beat of his heart, felt the hole beginning to form in his heart just as it had that day.

The room had lost its shape and all he could see was Montana’s eyes, the way they stared into his and for a brief time, second or minutes he wasn’t sure which, they felt each other’s heart. His wishing it could reach out and beat for Montana, Montana’s touching his easing its burden, comforting it even and yet even as it did just that, he could feel Montana’s pain, feel the regrets, feel the sorrow for past things but the one thing he didn’t feel was fear, almost as if something or someone had come and taken that fear away. Montana had always felt scared about this moment and now that it was here he seemed at ease almost and Dakota felt it, deep inside of him he felt the acceptance but there was more to it than that too, almost as if Montana now couldn’t wait for the end to come, as if he wanted it to happen.

His eyes grew moist, his hands were now balled up into fists at his side as he saw that look, felt Montana’s heart beating next to his and they spoke without words. He could hear Montana telling him how much he loved him, how proud he was to have him as his younger brother and the tears rolled down his face as he begged Montana not to leave, cried for him deep in his soul for Montana to keep on fighting, to hold on for just another extra second but he knew it wouldn’t be, knew it was asking too much. The tears were trickling down his face as once more he could feel Montana’s presence, feel him invading his very spirit, holding it for a brief second, his arms wrapping around the aching soul and he sobbed now, feeling the love wash thru his whole body, filling every nook, every crevice and his heart thundered now just as it had then, the strength of their love embracing each other within his very soul.

The soft whispered ‘goodbye’ rang loudly within his ears and deep in his heart as he saw the long eyelashes flutter once, then a second time, felt the hand growing cold in his, felt the skin cooling as the last beat echoed inside of his body, and he knew that he had lost the most precious gift of all, feeling the pain reaching into his body, tearing at his heart and ripping his soul and spirit apart into thousands of tiny shards, and yet still his heart beat, still his soul cried, thundering its love. He had thought he’d collapse, that he couldn’t bear what he was seeing and as he felt his legs growing numb, felt his mind darkening and clouding over a strange warmth suddenly began to creep inside of him, warming the coldness of his bones, easing the growing chill that had come to him and he stared at the face in the bed, seeing the eyes closed, seeing the lips shut and for a mere instant, he saw the thin tendrils of pain vanish from the face. The skin was no longer stretched taut, no longer burning with unbearable pain and he saw his brother’s face as it used to be, full of life, full of merriment and his heart grew stronger, the ripping pain suddenly held at bay.

The image in his locker stopped shimmering as the pale yellow light continued to glare in the room, filling it with its eerie shadows but his heart no longer ached, no longer felt like it would be split apart and he saw his hand reaching out, the tip of one finger lightly touching the image of his brother, gently caressing the lips and then he stood up, the pain once more held at bay, once more bottled up inside in the dark empty hole that resided in not just his heart but in his very soul. He stood tall, looking at his brother’s face, knowing that he missed him immensely and that even in death, his brother had shown him, had taught him things that he maybe hadn’t wanted to know, hadn’t wanted to learn but he had. Dakota squared his shoulders, smiled weakly at the photograph, and now he started to think ahead, to wonder if maybe what he had seen in Noah’s face that first day, that first second had been real or just his imagination. The pain was at bay but the fear was still there, different and yet the same as he wiped away one more tear, wondering if he was wrong, if maybe he was reaching for something not there but then he saw Montana’s face, heard his voice deep in his soul, urging him to look beyond the ‘what if’s’, to look towards a future that was his if he wanted it, if he was willing to just stretch out and grasp it.

His hand pulled the old worn windbreaker out and he put it on, feeling the rip in the inside sleeve, feeling it cover his still trembling shoulders as he saw the smile on his brother’s face and he knew that maybe what he had seen in Noah’s face was real, but whether it was or wasn’t there would only be one way to find out. He felt the ache in his heart ease a little in one spot, grow in another as he wondered what tonight would bring for him, but whatever it brought, at least he’d be doing what he had learnt, he’d be trying. With his car keys in his hand he walked out towards the staff parking area and his rendezvous with Noah, his heart no longer filled with pain, instead filled with anticipation and a bit of excitement even.

3:50 p.m.

He sat down at the bench, watching the door to the beauty salon close and his mother no longer in his view. Noah breathed a sigh of relief as she had disappeared inside and he wondered for a second or two why she was getting her hair done here, her normal place was way back near their place and besides, she had her hair done only last week, oh well he thought, shrugging off the peculiarities of mothers. There was no doubt that she was acting kind of weird, had been all week actually and he had thought about it, but not as much as he had thought about today and tonight. Strange, the closer it got for him to head over here, the less sure he was of what he wanted. He knew he wanted sex, least that was sort of what he was sure he wanted, but it was something else that he kept thinking about, kept dreaming about and it puzzled him.

Noah stared down at his feet, the backpack resting between his feet, and as his eyes saw the dark nylon he could feel a sort of hitch in his heart’s beat, the way it sort of just skipped forward a bit. Looking at the pack he wondered for the umpteenth time if he had everything or if he should have gotten more or maybe a different brand? His eyes were distant, his mind dredging up one more fantasy as he sat there, waiting for the slow movement of time and yet his heart was racing, his forehead feeling warm as he wondered if he could do it, if he really could please Dakota or would he chicken out? It was the one fear that kept intruding on him and the whole week had been one mixed with that fear and the other fear, the fear that Dakota wouldn’t even want to try, or be willing to let him try to please him.

It was strange, he had thought that they would spend time together, have lunch, hang out but instead he had barely seen Dakota during the rest of the week, and when they did see each other, Rusty was always there or else someone else was and yet he had to admit, Dakota did smile at him when he could, and the way his eyes looked when he smiled, it was enough to send him into another daydream. Noah had to admit, it had been one of the longest and hardest few days of his life, the way his mind would just wander into a dream, a dream of him and Dakota lying on a beach somewhere, naked, letting the sun tan their bodies and they would only wake long enough to satisfy each other’s desires, a continuing process that never seemed to tire either of them, but then that was the beauty of dreams, reality was never close. As that thought came to his mind, his eyes narrowed a bit and his heart grew silent, as the fear rose once more inside.

Thing was, that he could see how everyone was turning to Dakota, how his locker now was a meeting place, or a bulletin board of notes for Dakota. Strange how some kids just attracted others? Maybe that was it; maybe it was just that he was attracted to Dakota like it appeared every other person seemed to be? Use to be that everyone waited or left notes for Rusty but while that still happened, the majority of attention was for Dakota, everyone, every single girl it seemed wanted to meet him, to talk with him or to walk home or have lunch with him and he had to admit, Dakota kept it pretty cool, still it bugged him and he wasn’t really sure why, unless it was jealousy, as Marvin told him the other day. He laughed it off and yet as he stole a glance at Marvin, when he had said it, he could see that same glassy look in his friends face as he saw in most girls that came around the locker. It was the same look and he wondered what Marvin would say if he knew the truth? If he knew that this evening he would be in bed with Dakota? Would he be angry, would he be sad, would he be happy? Strange, he never thought this way before Monday and now he was.

Time felt like it was standing still as he looked once more at his watch, seeing the slow march of the seconds and yet the pouring sweat on his forehead and on the palms of his hands seemed to take not even a millisecond to soak him. Weird how he could feel detached in some ways and consumed in other ways. His mind was off on several tangents, each one vying for dominance and he could feel a slight tremble in his legs, even his lower lip as his eyes focused on the watch and then the back pack. He had two boxes of condoms, one was the ‘Sheik’ brand, the other ‘Ramses’ and he felt like an idiot when he had bought them, unsure if he had the right ones. The whole shopping trip had been nerve wracking and he wondered how Dakota could have been so casual about getting them, didn’t he get nervous or was it that people naturally assumed someone like Dakota would need them? That had to be it, because he sure was certain that the girl looked at him strange, sort of like she had wanted to ask why would a dork like him need condoms, never mind two dozen of them?

He sighed as he leaned back a little, wiping his palms once more on his denim pants, wishing that time would hurry up and that 4 o’clock would get here. His eyes looked down once again and then he stared out, down the driveway that circled around the cement walk and patio type areas, where benches and tables were placed for shoppers to sit and rest. Still no sign of the car and his heart was starting to beat a little faster as the time crawled forward to that special time. He still wasn’t sure why he was here, why someone like Dakota would want someone like him, after all Dakota could have whoever he wanted, even a straight guy would probably be willing, if he was drunk enough.

Thinking about that suddenly made him think of Rusty, and for a few seconds his mind compared the two boys. Rusty was popular and hot looking, just like Dakota and yet there was something about Dakota that Rusty didn’t have, a sort of mystery to him that made you always take a second look at Dakota. Rusty had a nice smile, all those perfect white teeth, the dimples, even the sparkle in the eyes and yet when you looked at Dakota, the thin lips, the smouldering eyes, it was a totally different feeling, least it was for him and he supposed for everyone else, judging by all the attention they were giving to Dakota. Even Rusty was paying attention to him but it didn’t feel the same as with the others, as if maybe Rusty was just biding his time. For what Noah wasn’t sure, but a couple of times he had caught a strange look out of Rusty, one directed at Dakota and seeing that look had made him suddenly frightened, scared even but he couldn’t explain it, or understand it really. All he knew was that Rusty wasn’t quite what he had first thought him to be, just as Marvin had said for a long time and now Noah was starting to believe it.

Staring down the road he thought he spotted Dakota’s car but as it turned down a different lane he knew it wasn’t and his heart sagged a little and once more he wiped his hands on his pants, feeling the wetness and feeling the fear again. Damn he wished he would just stop worrying so much, feeling so scared about stuff, after all Dakota was the one who had made the first move, he was the one who had shown up at his window that night, had wanted to do it, so why would that have changed? Well for starters he now knew more kids at school, so his brain told him, secondly he had a chance to find out more about him, as his brain continued its litany of reasons why tonight wouldn’t be what he had expected and yet thru it all he could feel the rising excitement in his heart. The way his legs felt itchy and the hands kept sweating, all of it dredging up the fears more but also bringing up strange new visions, visions of him stretched out with Dakota’s long full body on top, his long thick hard cock wedged between Noah’s legs, and their mouths locked in a deep tongue duelling embrace. Those thoughts were more powerful than the doubts his mind conjured up, and as he glanced at the watch he didn’t see the car pull up, and then suddenly he knew that Dakota was there.

His whole face lit up and he even blushed a little as he looked over at Dakota, saw those eyes peering out at him and he felt the slight hitch again in his heart’s beat as he stood up, knowing that his body had already pushed aside his minds fears. He could feel the press of his hard cock against the pants, knowing that he was already hard. Noah saw Dakota smile at him, his eyelashes fluttering and he could see that mysterious glint in those eyes, the look that almost brought him to ejaculation but he fought it, holding it back as he ran towards the car, tossing the pack back into the empty back seat and climbing in, his palms suddenly dry.

4:00 p.m.

Rachael saw the old sports car pull up out front of the grocery store, next to where her son was waiting and she saw his face light up as the car stopped. He looked so happy as he jumped in the car and she felt a heaviness around her chest as the old mustang pulled away, a rather good looking young man behind the wheel, the boy she was certain was Dakota, Noah’s new friend. She didn’t know what she was thinking of when she had made this appointment or even when she had agreed to drive Noah here, hell she didn’t even know why she had agreed to letting him spend the night with his new friend when what she had really wanted to do was lock him in his room. It had taken a lot of self-control to keep her face calm but she had pulled it off, least she had so far. Now the next step, a step she still wasn’t sure about either, wondering if maybe she should just walk out and leave but then she knew in her heart that she couldn’t do that, after all Noah meant the world to her and to Nat, her husband. God, if he found out he’d go thru the roof and so far she was fairly certain she had hid her knowledge from him, but he wasn’t a stupid man, he sensed something was up but she had deflected it so far.

Rosalie “Ms Collins?”

She turned at the sound of her name and was a bit startled to see an older woman, or at least one who looked much older than she had expected. The woman had lines across her forehead and as Rachael Collins stared at her face, she could see a sort of sadness there, something she hadn’t expected. It had taken her almost two whole days to find out who Rosalie was and where she worked, an impulse making her make the hair appointment for today. Her eyes narrowed as she saw the smile, one that was warm and friendly and yet she could see that it wasn’t coming easy for the lady, that despite whatever was going on inside she was trying her best to ignore it and it made her soften her own face, her mind wondering if maybe she should just leave, but something in Rosalie’s eyes made her push that panic thought away.

Rachael “Yes? Oh sorry, I was daydreaming, please it’s Rachael”

Rosalie “Okay Rachael, I am Rosalie, care to come this way and we can start?”

Rachael “Yes, uh, thank you”

Rachael followed the slightly shorter woman towards the back of the shop, her eyes taking in the slow even gait of the Rosalie and she noticed how her shoulders sagged a little, almost as if there was some invisible weight on the lady’s back and she knew instantly that Rosalie knew about her boy, and she wondered if she too would look like that, or would it pass for her, was Noah really that way? Maybe it was just that he was curious, maybe that was it in which case maybe all this would pass but somehow, seeing the way Rosalie moved, she knew that there was a lot more to all this than she had imagined. Fear took hold of her as she sat in the chair, staring at her own reflection and that of Rosalie’s in the full-faced mirror. Rosalie was asking her something, she saw the lips moving but the words were meaningless as the fear and panic rose up, shutting off her ears and closing her mind. Her face grew sombre and grey as she just stared, nodding a little trying to summon up some hidden source of courage but failing as Rosalie smiled at her, a smile that somehow made Rachael feel helpless, feel even a bit angry too.

Her heart was beating a thousand beats a second and the roar was filling her ears as she swallowed, struggling with the emotions that were running in and out of her mind. She wanted to just jump up and head home, to leave all this and ignore it, but in her heart, deep in her own soul, she knew she couldn’t leave it, couldn’t ignore it and as the first spray of warm water hit her head, she knew that she had to say something, that she had to somehow find out the truth. Her eyes grew cloudy, the fear taking hold of her and her silence only was more repressive, more depressing as she felt Rosalie’s hands taking her hair in her hand, holding it out, asking just what it was that she had wanted.

She wanted to scream out, to ask why her son was seducing hers when her eyes were drawn to the small simple silver edged picture frame. Her eyes narrowed as she stared at the family picture, the two boys laughing, the small girl in between them both and something about the boys faces, the older one touched her in a way that made her bite her lip. She couldn’t speak as she just looked at the face, the way the eyes looked so unhappy, so sad and yet the other boy, the one she recognized as the boy her Noah was with right now, his eyes looked so full of life, so full of spirit that it was a stark contrast to the other boy and yet as she stared at them, she could feel a sort of strangeness, like they both had a secret and were daring all who looked at them to figure it out. It shook her and she glanced up at the mirror, seeing the way Rosalie was looking at her and then at the picture frame.

Rachael “Uh, your children?”

She had looked towards where Rachael was staring, seeing the photograph that could make her smile or make her cry, depending on how she was at that particular second. She saw the look that most if not all never saw, the look of daring, of mystery that was in both of her boy’s faces. She never had known Montana and she doubted if she really knew Dakota either. They were so much alike and yet so different. Dakota was the quieter of the two boys and yet the more popular in school, or so Montana would say, and yet she knew that no one loved or cared about Dakota more than Montana had. He wasn’t just the big brother, but the protector and teacher and friend all rolled up into one and she had never really noticed that before, never really been aware of how close her two boys were.

Rosalie “Yes”

Rachael “Handsome young boys, uh is it a recent photo?”

Rosalie “No, not really, it was taken, uh last year, sorry”

The softness of Rosalie’s voice grabbed her attention and her eyes lifted up to stare into the mirror, to look into Rosalie’s face and she saw the pain, the hurt that was there and for a moment or two her own heart ached for this stranger, for this unknown person. She recognized the pain as one any real mother would know, would feel and her heart grew silent, wondering what it was that was troubling this lady, this stranger, and yet even as she wondered, she knew what it was. There was no mistaking the agony and grief of a mother in torment for her children, and her own eyes softened as she looked back towards the photograph, seeing the happy faces reflected there but knowing in her heart that it was only a brief moment, captured at a time before now.

Rachael “The boys, the younger one, he has your eyes it seems”

Here eyes were filled with tears and Rosalie felt the shame welling up inside, wondering for a moment if she could continue or if she would have to get someone else to take this new client, but her heart refused to give in to the doubts, to the panic and as she stared into the mirror and then down towards the photograph, the questions inside became more intense. Her worry over Dakota grew as she suddenly realized who this lady was, as the fear that she was once more heading down the same path she had trodden with Montana now rose up fully, taking hold of her spirit and twisting it with its icy fingers. Her face showed no emotion despite the warring battle going on inside as she looked deep into Rachael’s eyes.

Rosalie “You are Noah’s mother, aren’t you?”

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