Born to run.

As the alarm clock rings Jack rolls over, he reaches out and pushes off the bedside table. He opens his gray eyes and yawns to the cloudy morning. He pulls his tired ass up and sits on the edge of his bed. He rubs his eyes as he looks over to the small TV on the small bureau at the foot of his bed.
Another slow day in Tom's River, New Jersey. Maury was on his TV. He watches for a few minutes until he sees the red neck couple about to confess to cheating on each other. It's the same thing every day on that show. Jack Daniels gets up and heads for the can to relieve himself.

Redemption. VII

It was dark as Danny Bensin slipped out of his shack carrying everything he owned wrapped in a torn bundle over his shoulder. He had to be quiet or he might wake up the master, then he would be beaten so bad he might never getaway. As the door closed, Danny stood there for a minute to listen. He had to be sure no one found him.  All he heard was the chirping of the crickets as they called trying to attract a mate for the night. Since everything was quiet, Danny stepped away from the house and took his first step into freedom. Life will now be different. Suddenly a torch came out of the big house. Danny saw it lift up showing Jon Darkstan's face. Danny froze scared to death to move  muscle..

"I know you are out here." He yelled. "Come out and there will be no punishment."

Danny's heartbeat was beating like a racehorse. He knew better than to believe what he said. There would be punishment if he was caught. The master had his whip clutched tightly in his hand. No matter what he said, Danny knew he liked using it.

"Come boy." The master's voice was getting louder, more serious. "Do as I say. I won't hurt you."

Danny moved quietly through the forest. He had to get away now before he got his hands on him. He moved slow and quiet one step at a time. He could hear his own screaming in his ears. There was no way he would be giving up now.

Suddenly Danny heard dogs barking. He was being hunted. Those dogs would tear him to pieces if they caught him. Danny untied to bundle he was carrying and pulled out a foul-smelling jumpsuit. The smell of his master assaulted his senses. Quickly he put on the jumpsuit. If he was lucky, this smell would throw off the nose of the dogs. Being careful, Danny got in his feet and started to move. He had to get out of the area before he got caught. His steps were very careful. The master and the dogs were coming after him now. He was alone, but soon others would join the master and there would be no way for him to escape.

Danny had been a slave since he was born. His father hated him for being born and screwing up his life. He was heading to a privileged life until Sarah, Danny's mother dropped the bomb on him and messed up his life. Jules Jameson had been secure in his fancy life until Sarah told the world she was pregnant. From that moment on, Jules hared her. Who was she to destroy his life? She wasn't anybody. She was from a poor family thought they had it made with her pregnancy. But that wasn't in Jules plans. He would one day get married but it wouldn't be to her. When he married, it would be to the proper girl with money and a station to back up his family's money. What Sarah got was a set of chains and a shabby hut on someone’s plantation. Her family couldn't help her. Her father barely had enough to get a sandwich. When she disappeared, there would be no search party out looking for her. She would be lost and forgotten.

The morning Sarah disappeared, she was supposed to meet Jules for dinner in Monte Ballen and she did. But that night hadn't gone the way she thought it would. She never got the fine dinner and proposal she expected. What she got was a hamburger and a set of chains to start off her new life. After her cheap dinner, Jules dropped her off at the slave market where her new life began. She was beaten, stripped, put in chains and sold to someone from far away that would make sure she never stepped foot in Monte Ballen again.

For the next nine months, Sarah spent her nights in chains until Danny was born. He grew up less than fifty miles away from his grandparent’s estate Yes, he knew who he was but there would never be anyway to prove it. He even saw his father from time to time. His mother made it a point to point him out. But Danny never spoke to him. Not even when his master forced him to work in his father's fields. But one day Danny knew he would get revenge for what he did to him and his mother. It will take years but, Danny would have his revenge.

Life at the Darkstan plantation was hard. It was worse for Danny because the master saw a way to torture his father every time he saw Danny. At least that's what he thought. The truth is that Jules rarely gave Danny a thought. He didn't care when he saw Danny limping or with a black eye and bruised. But Danny knew why it was all happening to him. Jon Darkstan had a morbid way to love someone. He thought the more he beat him, the more Jules would suffer. No one ever said Jon Darkstan was very smart.

With his head down, Danny slipped away into the forest. He had to be careful where he stepped. The snapping of a twig or the rattle of some branch might give away his position. The master wasn't that far away. He was still in hearing range. As Danny moved away from his shack, he kept a close eye out for the master. It was more than twenty miles to the harbor. He had to keep off the road so no one caught him. The forest was dark, but the lamp post alone the road gave off enough light so he could still see. Suddenly Danny heard the sound of dogs barking. That was the master and his hounds. They weren't that far away. Danny looked up on the road and saw the master being pulled by his hound. At his side he had a double holster with two handguns and a whip. Danny knew that whip very well. He got beat with it almost every day. He had never seen the master without it.

As the master got closer, he stopped and looked down into the forest. Danny was frozen in the dark forest. If the master came down into the forest, he would be caught. He held his breath as Master stepped down off the road. the dogs yanked almost pulling him from his feet. The master cursed and yanked the leash back. One dog growl as it stared into the dark forest.

"Get going." Master Darkstan said as he slapped the dogs back. "Get moving!"

Turning away from the forest, the dogs pulled him down the road. As Danny relaxed, he saw three men up on the road laughing as they staggered away. Danny got down. He didn't know these men, this could be a trick. As they staggered away, four more men dressed in wild tight pants, one had a gold vest. It was old and threadbare, came slowly walking up the road. When they saw the first three, they pulled their weapons and charged. The drunks pulled weapons they tripped over each other as the pirates attacked. While one drunk, fidget and fell. a pirate grabbed a tree branch and cracked the drunk over his head. As he fell, the drunk dropped his pistol and kicked it into the forest. Danny saw the pistol lying in the forest. He couldn't grab it. Not yet he couldn't.

As they fought, the master grabbed his gun and shot one of the pirates. He dropped the leash and grabbed his whip. With a quick flick, he struck a pirate and pulled him into a right hook. Danny wanted to help the pirates but he couldn’t expose himself, and there was still the master. He couldn’t take the chance and allow the master to see him. If the master manages to win, he would insist Danny be given to him. That can’t happen.

As the fight finished, the pirates were all tied up and walked into town. Danny stayed behind in the dark as they left the area. Danny didn’t know what to do. He could go to town, the master is there and he would be immediately put in chains and returned. But the pirates were in town too. If he could get to them, he might get the chance to join them.

As Danny looked to see if anyone was still out there, he stepped out into the light. The gun was there under a bush. He picked it up and checked its charge. It was full. That was his first bit of luck. Danny went up on the road to see if anything else had been left behind. There was one of those gold vests, a backpack and a sword laying on the side of the road. Dany stuffed his things in the backpack and clipped the sword to his belt. The gun, he stuck in his belt So far it had been an interesting night. But it wasn’t over and he was still an escaped slave. Sticking to the forest, Danny continued on his way to town.  

Monte Ballen is a small town with a lot of important people living in the plantations that were built all around the city. The mayor and the city council had plantations off half the back roads. Important people from all over the state had placed in the mountains. The main restaurant, Monte Bella was owned by Jules Jameson.  Yep, that Jules Jameson. It was one of his favorite places. Not only could he get drunk there for free, but some of Monte Ballen’s most beautiful women worked there as hosts or on the waitstaff. He was there back to hers always there trying to pick someone up either with his money or with a few of the connections he had in the city. Yeah, Monte Ballen was a wonderful place to work, if you didn’t mind being treated like shit.

Tonight Monte Bella had a real special mystery guest watching the entrances and exits. He had plans for someone here and tonight would be his only chance to pull it off.

At the bar, Jules had a tab open and he was buying for everyone.

“Rock.” Jules called with his arm around Magda’s waist. “Shots for everyone.” 

Magda grabbed the shot and tossed it back, then she smiled at Jules. She really hated the pig, but she liked taking his money from him. She would be here all night if that was what it took to empty his wallet. She had three thousand in her bag so far, but she knew he had more. A lot more. 

Outside, Danny sat quiet waiting for Magda to bring his father out. They had been working on this plan for a year. Ever since Danny’s mother died working in Jules cotton fields. She died of dehydration and exhaustion. One of Sarah’s friends found out where she was and sent a message to Danny. When he got there, she was laying off behind a row of cotton. The Master wouldn’t allow anyone a minute to take her somewhere she could die with dignity. That night Danny got the worst beating he ever had. When he found his mother, he picked her up and took her home so she could lay with friends. With every lash of the master’s whip, Danny swore he would show the master and the man that put them there, the same fate she got.

As Danny watched the back door, two men dressed like the pirate only with more style road up to the back of the restaurant. Danny wasn’t sure, but it looked like they were arguing. Something told him he needed to hear this argument.

“That was the last time that man put his nose in my business.” The man in the skull covered bandana said. “I will kill him before I let him step on me again.”

“Come on Style.” The shorter man said. “You know Jon Darkstan owns this place and it’s with his grace that we are allowed here.”

“Is that supposed to mean I owe him something?” Style said in a deeper voice. “I’ll rip his throat out before I give him another scrap of gold.”

They were talking about the Master. They were talking about that fight on the road.

“That pig killed two of my crew.” Style spit out the word like they were poison. “I will have my revenge. I swear I will.”

As Danny listened, an idea popped into his head. This might work. Standing straight up, Danny stepped out of the forest and looked around to make sure the Master wasn’t there. Straightening out his clothes, Danny walked over to Style and his first mate with his hands up.

“Excuse me, gentlemen.” Danny bowed. “Maybe I can be of some assistance.”

Surprised, Style pulled his lazar and aimed it at Danny.

“Who are you?” Style said.

“I may be the answer to your prayers,” Danny said smiling.

It was early in the morning, the roosters were crowing and the sun had just come up over the eastern mountains. Magda carried a drunk Jules out of the restaurant and started on they’re way through town towards the back harbor where the Sleeping Dragon was anchored. Jules mumbled something about some girl he once loved. Magda felt sorry for the girl. The way Jules was talking, she could tell he was just using her for sex. He told her he would marry her, but that was a lie. He planned to get rid of her once he was tired of her.

Once they passed the harbor master's cabin, Danny and two pirates came and took Jules and escorted him to the Dragon. Jules was to drunk to fight even if he had an idea of what was going to happen to him. Once on deck, he laughed and dug in his pocket and pulled out a wad of money. He passed it out to the pirates then turned and fell into a cargo hold where he fell asleep as chains were put on his hands and feet.

“That’s one,” Danny said to Capt Styles. 

“Now you earn your keep.” Capt Styles said. “Find me the Master.”

With a dark smile on his face, Mr. Bensin lead four pirates off the Dragon and into town. He knew the master was still out there looking for him. All he had to do was let the people in the shipyard know where he was and the Master would come to him.

There was a small tavern where pirates and sailors spent hours getting drunk. This place was also good for shanghing men to crew a ship if one was desperate for a crew. Mr. Pax, the first mate took Danny in and set him up with enough money for drinks until the Master came in. Danny sat at a table in the back while Pax and his men waited at the bar. Danny drank beer while Pax and his men had Rum. In the corner, there was a small stage where two men with guitars sang as entertainment. It was loud in the tavern, men played poker and darts to help the morning slide by. After waiting two hours, the Master came in with two other men. Danny saw him the second he stepped into the bar, but he played drunk. Danny picked up a flagon and slammed it down on his table calling for more rum. When the master saw him he smiled thinking this would be an easy capture.
The Master whispered something to his two allies than pointed to the right and left of Danny. As the waitress brought Danny another glass of rum, the master followed behind her staying down out of Danny’s sight.

“For you kind sir.” she slid the glass over to Danny as he fumbled in his pocket for a coin. When the master saw Danny had money, he stopped and looked around. Danny shouldn't have money. He was a slave. Where would he get money from?

As he slammed a pair of shackles on the table, Danny looked up at him with clear blue eyes.

“Good evening Master Darkstan.”

As Danny stood up, Pax and his men jumped the Master and slammed a fist into his jaw. When he fell, the two men that were with the master darted out of the door and ran out of the shipyards and into town. Heaving the master up, the two men carried him out of the bar as Pax paid off the Barkeep to keep his mouth shut.

“Let’s go.” Pax said as the bar went back to its usual business.

When Jon Darkstan woke up, he was chained to the center rack with a blond-haired man inexpensive clothing. His whip and his guns were gone and the floor moved up and down like he was on a ship. Of course, he was on a ship, there wasn’t any other way to take him captive. He owned enough of Monte Ballen to make kidnapping impossible. This had to be the pirates. Then he remembered Danny Bensin. He had something to do with this too. Jon couldn’t wait to get to someone that was in charge here. He would make them all sorry.  

As he tested his chains, the blond moaned. Good, he was waking up. As he turned over, Jon got a good look at his face. He knew him. It was that bastard, Jules Jameson. Danny’s father.

Jules sat up, put his hand to his head and groaned.

“Oh, my head.” He opened his eyes then shut them again cut off the light. As he swayed back and forth with the rocking ship, he suddenly felt sick to his stomach. He turned and threw up. Jon Darkstan stood there looking down at him. He smelled terrible. He was sitting in piss, throw up and shit. He had made a mess all over himself in his sleep. 

“Are you finished?” The master kicked him.”You smell like a pig!”

Jules opened his eyes and looked up at him and recognized him.

“Jon Darkstan?” He looked around him. “Where the hell are we?”

Just as he was about to answer, a door opened and Capt Style and Pax walked in carrying a bundle of rags.

“Good morning gentlemen.” He said throwing the rags at Jules. “You stink.”

“Where am I?” The master demanded. He had woken up up some ship out at sea. This is not where he was supposed to be. “You will take me back to Monte Ballen right now How dare you bring me here. I will have your head for this!”

Calmly Capt Styles stepped up to the master and smacked the hell out of him.

“This is my ship.” Capt Styles said. “It doesn’t matter how you got here. You are here, and that means you belong to me. That’s right, you are now MY slave. How do you like them apples?”

Jon started to say something, but Capt Style waved him off.

“Doesn’t matter.” He said. “You are here and you will do whatever I say, for as long as I want you.”

Just then the door opened and Danny Bensin came in.

“YOU!!” Jon tried to leap out and grab him, but the chains stopped him. “When I get my hands on you…”

“You won’t do anything.” Danny said.”I’m not your slave anymore and I have a lot to pay you back for. And you!!!”

Danny pushed the master out of his way and grabbed Jules and pulled him up to face him.

“Do you know who I am?”

“No.” Jules said as he removed his shirt and put the other one on. “And I have no idea what I’m doing here.”

“Do you remember Sarah Bensin?”

Jules stopped when he heard the name. He turned back to Danny.

“She was a slave.” He said as he tied the rope around his waist. “Big deal. I’ve had a lot of slaves.”

“Yeah.’ Danny nodded his head. “And you made a few too. Sarah Bensin was my mother. You sold her to him when she was pregnant.”

“Yes, you did,” Jon said. “I’m not ashamed of what I did. I bought her from you and made her a slave.  I have no reason to lie and nothing to prove. What I did was wrong, and I don’t care, but I’m not a liar.”

“No,” Danny said. “You’re a sadistic bastard and you will pay for my mother’s death. Both of you.”         

“I had nothing to do with your mother’s death.” Jon sneered.

“No, you didn’t. Danny said as he stepped up to face his ex- master. “What you did was worst. You knew how weak she was and you couldn’t show even a minute’s compassion. She would face died right there in the mud if I didn’t come and take her to someplace where she could find a bit of peace. And you beat me for that. You will pay for that.”  

                                       

Redemption VI

The night was cold and Steven was alone again. He had a date with Patrick, but that turned out to be a let down. Patrick was not who he thought he was. At school Patrick always was made himself to look like he was the big man on campus. He walked with confidence, but he was really just as confused as I was. He told everybody about his conquest, but it was all a big lie. What he really wanted was to be put down and dominated. Steven thought at first it might be fun to kick him around spank him. But it wasn't. Steven really liked Patrick and he couldn't treat him like that. What he really wanted was for Patrick to like him as an equal. No games and no fetishes. He wanted Patrick to love him. Yes. Steven could say it out loud, he wanted him to love him. But if wishes were horses. They would all be on horseback. So that left Steven with no date on a Friday night.

Bored, he drove down into town to see what was going on. Then he remembered that Lisa was having a party tonight. That might be good for a laugh. As he entered town, Steven made left down Kilroy ave then turned down Paulison.

Redemption IV

It was late in the afternoon and Joey Parker was sitting in the funeral home waiting for the rest of his family to show up for his fathers funeral. The last 48 hours for him had been the hardest days of his life. His father was gone. He had died and home while Joey was out at a party. For Joey that night had been a blast. He made new friends, danced, he got high and had the best time he had ever had at a party before. It was New Years after all, it was supposed to be fun.
As the party came to an end, Him and his friends Jack, Todd and David walked home. They joked and grabbed and pushed at each other like kids from the 5th grade.
They dropped Jack at his house first, then continued on to  Todd's house leaving David and Joey to walk the rest of the way home alone.
Joey and David were best friends since 3rd grade. Now they were in High school and shared homerooms and a lot of their classes. Guy was the math guy while David liked science best. They were both passing though some classes barely. There would be some make up classes next year. Their junior year. They both knew that though they were looking for some way to get out of it.
As they reached Hamilton Ave, David said good night and turned down his street. He could see the lights were on in his house. They must be still up waiting for him.
Leaping two steps at a time David hurried into his house. He really wasn't in the mood to talk to his parents. He had been drinking and they would smell it all over him. He opened the door quietly dreading what he knew was about to happen.
"Hi Mom." He said as he walked through the kitchen. "How was the party?"
David looked at his mother who's eyes were swollen with tears. She fad been crying. Something was wrong here.
"Mom? What's the matter?"
"David, where's Joey?"
"He's on his way home." David said looking nervous. "Why? What's going on?"
"I want you to go out there and catch him before hi gets home." She said. "Bring him back here. He's spending the night with us."
"Why?" David asked. "His parents ain't gonna like that."
"Just do what I ask you please."
"Ok."
David hurried out of the house and took off gown the street. Joey only lived two blocks down so he had to run to catch up with him. As David turned the corner he saw Joey standing there in the middle of the block staring at the cop cars that were parked in front of his house. David swallowed hard then ran down to catch up with Joey. When he caught him he reached out and put a hand on his shoulder.
"Joey?"
Joey turned and looked at David. His eyes were red and tears streaked down his face. At that moment, David wanted to take him in his arms and hold him. He didn't know what, but something bad had happened at Joey's house. David reached over and turned Joey away so he wasn't staring at the cop cars or the flashing red and blue lights.
"What happened?" Joey asked him.
"I don't know." David said. "But it can't be anything good."
"Its my Dad." Joey said as the tears started to flow. "He was the only one at home. I should have not gone to that party. I should have been here with him."
"Maybe your right. But I don't think this is in any way your fault. Come on, we're going home to my house."
As they turned, Davis led him back up the street and around the corner to his house. Joy was barely moving. He was walking like the whole world had just dropped out from under him. And it had.
At the top of the stairs to David's house, Mrs. West was there waiting for them. She grabbed Joey in a hug and held him while he cried. David stood there and watched as his mother played Mom to his best friend. After a few minutes, Mrs. West led Joey into the house and sat him at the living room table.
"What happened?" He asked her.
"I'm not sure but your brother was here and hour ago and he asked in you could stay here with us. Of course I said yes. I asked him what had happened. He said we would find out tomorrow. So tomorrow he will be back and we can talk this all out."
With David and Joey safe up in his room, Mrs West shut out the lights and went to bed. joey lay there in bed with a million things going through his mind. His father was dead. What could have happened? He probably drank himself to death. His father had been a alcoholic saw before Joey was born. For years Joey would find bottles of Scotch and pour them out. He loved his father very much but he hadn't been the same father for years. He worked until the drinking had gotten so bad that he either always had the shakes or he was totally unaware of where he was or what he was doing. He got social security and that kept them with a roof over their heads, he was barely there anymore. He lost his car and his license, their house burned one night while they were all out. Now that had a small apartment in a part of town Joey would never be caught dead in.
The next day, Joey got up and left the West home. He wanted to go home. He knew his father was gone, but he still had to go and collect all his stuff. Not that he had much. Some clothes that really didn't matter. Wherever he was going to live now they would get him new clothes.
As he walked up on the porch, he heard sounds coming from his apartment. he walked down the short fall and went into his place. The voices he heard belongs to two of his uncles searching through his fathers things for anything valuable.
"Excuse me." Joey said. "What are you doing here?"
"We came to get your fathers things in order."
"Oh you mean like his wallet?" Joey stood there with his hand out. "Give it to me."
"You seem to forget he was my brother. "Uncle James said in a huff.
"No I didn't forget." Joey said. "But you did. Where were you when he needed your help? Then he was just a drunk that you couldn't be bother with. Now here you are looking to pick through his bones! Get out!! Get out and don't come back!!"
Uncle James put down the wallet and started out the door.
"And where do.."   Slam, Joey slammed the door in there face.
Enraged, Joey left the kitchen and went into his room. He picked through his clothes and took a few things but, he didn't care about anything here.
As Joey sat there, he thought about the last time he had seen his father. It was two days before New Years and Joey was the with his friend Michael in bed. Michael was the love of his life and he always will be. They were wrapped in Joey's sweaty sheets making serious love. Suddenly Joey heard banging on his bedroom door. As they jumped up, his father pushed his way through the door. The conversation. no it was more of a yelling match. It didn't last long but once they were dressed, Joey and Michael stormed out of the apartment. Joey was embarrassed, but he doubted if his father would remember anything pass the night, and he didn't.
So here we are alone in the funeral hall waiting for his family and friends. Michael was there beside him holding his hand. They didn't care what anyone thought anymore. It really didn't matter. They would be together for as long as their relationship would last and that was just fine with them. But Joey was getting sad again when he thought about his father. He really loved his Dad. So they stood up and walked our to the car and sat there in the air conditioning. Joey reached over and put on the CD player. Simple Plan came on. a song named Perfect.  He sat back and thought about the last time he saw his father alive.
It was a few hours before the party. Joey spent the day hang out with his friends. Somebody had gone to the liquor stopped and brought a bottle of Jack. They were sipping and laughing all
day..Michael stopped by and told them he wouldn’t be going with them to the party..After a few hours everyone left to go home and get dressed. Joey went home for a quick shower and shave. Once his shower was done and he was dressed, he went next door to his father’s room for some cash.As joey entered his father’s bedroom, he could smell the Scotch in the air. His father must have dropped the bottle and spilled his drink. As Joey looked around the room, he saw his father laying silently in his bed. He thought he was asleep. But now that I think back, it was to quiet in the room. No snoring, no sound as all.His wallet sat there on the bed side table.. Joey grabbed it and took $20. It wasn’t much. He just needed something in his wallet when the New Year started. With money in his pocket, Joey left locking the door behind him.

So there you go. I should have checked my father closer. He might have been dead or maybe there was something I could have done, like calling an ambulance. I might have been able to save his life.Redemption? I’ll feel guilty about this for the rest of my life.Why? Because to me it shouldn’t have mattered that he drank. This was my father, all I had to do was love him and respect him, and I couldn't get that right. I'm sorry and its gonna hurt forever..

This is a true story. The names have been changed to spare the innocent.

Hey, Dad, look at me

Think back, and talk to me
Did I grow up according to plan?
And do you think I'm wasting my time
Doing things I want to do?
But it hurts when you disapproved all along
And now I try hard to make it
I just want to make you proud
I'm never gonna be good enough for you
You can't pretend that I'm alright
And you can't change me

'Cause we lost it all
Nothin' lasts forever
I'm sorry I can't be perfect
Now it's just too late
And we can't go back
I'm sorry I can't be perfect

I try not to think
About the pain I feel inside
Did you know you used to be my hero?
All the days you spent with me
Now seem so far away
And it feels like you don't care any more
And now I try hard to make it
I just want to make you proud
I'm never gonna be good enough for you
I can't…

xxx

There are frowns and there are tears.
There are times where I just can't stop crying.
All my pains and fears.
Are the days when I can't stop trying.
Do you remember those days that
nothing they said really mattered.

Redemption V

The morning was bright and cool. School had just started a month ago after a hot and sticky Summer. Jake Cutter had spent his vacation at the lake with his friends camping, swimming and staying out late listening to music and watching concerts at the Civic center. Sammy, his best friend, well he was to more than a best friend. He hadn't admitted it to him but, since the first day they met in junior high, Jake was deeply in love with Sammy Morris. He had prayed and prayed for Sammy to notice, but really he was scared of what he might think if he found out his best friend was gay. Yes, he said it again to himself. He was gay. He was gay and there wasn't a girl in Harmon High that could ever change that no matter how hard they tried. Don't get me wrong, he had good friends and some of them were girls. He even loved a few of them like Hannah and Sarah. But not that way. They were friends and that's all they will ever be. Sammy was different. He wasn't like any of the others. Male or female. Since the day they met, Sammy treated Jake with respect and kindness. It was funny really. What he really did was save his life.
It was three years ago. Jake and his family had just moved to Harmon Maine. His father had been sent to the Bank as its new President from Little Falls New Jersey. Jake at the time wasn't speaking to his parents. He loved where they had lived and he didn't want to leave his friends. When they told him about the move, he asked. No, he begged them to let him stay with his Grandparents. But they said no and packed him up and they were off to Harmon. For Jake, it had been a quiet and lonely ride. His parents talked and sang as they drove, but Jake never said a word. Not to either of them. He was still to upset about the move.
They left Jersey on a Friday morning. The drive had taken them four hours. That included traffic and a stop for lunch. as they pulled into Harmon, they stopped at a gas station and got directions to Main street where Dad's bank was. From the Bank, it was another half an hour to the new house.
As his parents unloaded their things from the car, Jake sat in the back seat with his arms crossed. He didn't help with any of their things. He just sat there brooding. He got no dinner and he slept there with nothing but his coat to keep him warm. The next morning, his Mom came out with his breakfast.
"Good morning Jake."
"Good morning." He said coldly as he sat up.
"We have to talk." She passed him the plate and a glass of milk. He tried to push it away, "EAT!!"
He took the fork from her and started on the eggs.
"You surprise me, Jake. I always thought you were smart and fair. Your honest and I thought you loved your Dad and I. But lately I'm disappointed in you. I realize you liked it back in Jersey and you wanted to stay, but that wasn't possible. Your our son and where we go, you go. You'll get to go back and visit. You can stay there all next summer if you want. But this is home now. This is our home and you better get used to it."
Jake put down the fork and looked away. He knew he was being selfish. But he didn't want to be here.
"Do you have any idea how upset your father?" She asked. "Do you care?"
"Yes of course I care."
"That's not how I see it." She frowned at him. "He works very hard to give us this life. You have never gone hungry and you ALWAYS got your clothes new. New sneakers, new stereo, new MP3 player and the PlayStation. What about your laptop? So far you've had 3. Do you know how much they cost? Is this how you thank us?"
"No," Jake said. He knew his parents deserved a lot better than the ways he's been treating them. "I'm sorry."
"I'm not the one you should be apologizing too." She got out of the car and slammed the door behind her. "When your Dad gets home, you will apologize. You will not let him see a second of discomfort in your eyes. You will show him how much you love and appreciate him. Now you sit here and think about how lucky you are. When your ready, you get up to your room and put your things away."
That night when his father got home, Jake was sitting on the front steps waiting for him. Father pulled into the garage and stepped out of the car. The second Jake saw him, he ran out and grabbed him and cried.
"Don't cry." He said. "Everything is going to be OK."
As tears welled up in his eyes, his father never felt so loved in his life. Jake pulled away and looked up into his eyes.
"I'm sorry," Jake said. "I hurt you and I didn't mean to. I was just so mad."
"We moved here to make a better life for us all." He said. "There will be so much you'll be able to do here. You'll make new friends. You'll get to camp and swim. We'll be happy here."
"I know Dad." Jake smiled at him. He was right. Things would be different here.

That Monday morning, Father to Jake to his first day in the new school. It wasn't a bad day. There were eight periods per day. He had English, math, gym, and science every day. History was 3 days a week. Shop class was on Thursdays and Friday. Lunch fifth period and study hall was his last class of the day.
During homeroom, Jake sat across from a tall blond kid with the most handsome smile. He introduced himself as Sammy Morris. He was on the football team and the track team. As the day went on, Jake saw him in 3 more of his classes including lunch. They didn't talk that much in school that day. Not until the incident after school.

As Jake walked up Hamilton Ave, the blond kid Sammy was on his mind. He wondered what he meant by he would see him after school. He wasn't in his study class and he didn't run into him out it the yard. Jake did look for him, that was the day he met Hannah. She walked him to the park but had to turn off on Sherman. The home was three more blocks north of Lexington Ave.
\All Jake could think about was Sammy's deep blue eyes. Jake had been lost in them for all of the third period. During lunch, Sammy asked Jake something about his Little Falls High shirt he was wearing. Jake had mumbled something back but he really didn't remember what. What he did remember was his smile and how it felt when he touched him. Jake had gotten all warm all over. There was one more thing. Jake got hard as a rock when Sammy put his hands on his shoulders. Not only did he get a hard-on, but the touch also sent chills all through his body.
Yeah, he was gay and I guess he was in love for the first time. But how dd Sammy feel? Did he get the chills too? Did he like when he touched Jake? Sammy did have a huge smile on his face. Maybe he liked it too.
Just then, Jake heard something behind him. Could it be Sammy? With a smile on his face, Jake turned around.
"Well, well well." The dark-haired Latino boy said. "Look what we have here. It's the new kid."
Jake swallowed then took a step back and ran right into another one of the gang. As the boy put up his hands he pushed Jake into the center of the ring of gang members. There were eight surrounding Jake and pushing him from one to the next. Juan the leaders, laughed as he pulled a switchblade from his pocket and started cleaning his nails.
"I think its time we got to know you a little better." Juan reached out and grabbed Jake by his jacket. "Whoa!! Looka here boys. It looks like he's glad to see us."
Juan spun him around and stuck his hand down in Jakes jeans and grabbed his cock. The gang laughed not realizing how good it felt to Jake to have him stroking his cock. Though he was scared, what this boy was doing fulled Jake's body with excitement. Sweat poured off of Jake as Juan unbuttoned his pants and pushed them down, Jake fell back almost paralyzed in fear. He looked at Juan's gang smiling and rubbing the bulge in their pants. They knew when Juan was finished, it would be their turn.
As Jake trembled, two members stepped up and helped Juan bend him over. Still laughing, Juan undid his pants and stepped out of them and pushed his way up between Jakes' legs. As Juan pushed in, Jake screaming out in pain. For a second, he blacked out wishing he was anywhere but here getting raped. As the pain banged away at his bottom, Jake heard a yell as he fell down on the ground. Then he felt someone pick him up and helped him to what felt like the back seat of a car. As fear rattled around in his head, Jake pushed himself back thinking the gang had him set for the next round. Scared, Jake opened his eyes and there was Sammy holding him in his arms trying to comfort him.
"Shhh!!" He said as he rocked Jake softly. "It's over and they won't hurt you ever again."
As Jake looked Sammy in his eyes, tears welled up and he started to cry. He looked down at himself and saw he was covered with a blanket. His pants and underwear lay there at his feet. With his face buried in Sammy's chest, Jake tried to push the memories of what happened away from him. But how could he forget? The pain in his bottom wouldn't let him forget. As Sammy stroked at his hair, he bent over and kissed Jake on his forehead.
"It's over." He whispered. "I'll take you home so we can call the police."
"No!!" Jake said weakly. "I don't what my parents to see me like this."
"Then where do you want to go?"
"I don't know." He cried. "I want to die!"
"No Jake," Sammy said. "I just met you. I can't lose you."
Jake laid back and let Sammy hold him and slowly rock him. His chest smelled so good and clean. He could feel Sammy's heart pounding as they rocked. Being here with him felt right. He never wanted him to let him go.
"There's no one at my house," Sammy said. "We can go there."
"OK."
Sammy wrapped him in the blanket and told him to hang on to the seat belts. Then he climbed out of the car and went and hopped into the drives seat, As he started the car, the engine roared in life. Slowly Sammy drove the six blocks and pulled the car into his garage. Parked he pushed the button to close the garage door and went back to help Jake into the house.
As Sammy laid Jake down in his bed, he opened his eyes and looked around. Sports figures hung in posters on the wall. There was a desk with a laptop and speakers in the four corners of the room. An electric guitar sat on a stand next to a small portable amp. Sammy's bed was king sized with blue sheets and blankets to match.
As Jake lay there, memories of the rape flashed through his mind. The pain and humiliation burned deep in his heart. Though he loved Sammy, he could barely look at him. The shame of being raped and used by the gang tore at his soul. How could he ever face Sammy again? He had seen him laying there with that bastard on top of him ramming his cock in and out of Jake hole. There was only one way that he could clean that shit from his mind.
Jake sat up and listened for Sammy. He was somewhere downstairs fixing a cup of tea for Jake. Standing up, he turned and made his way to the Morris bathroom. The house was really nice with lace drapes all in a light blue tone. The bathroom was done in soft blue tiles. Jake open the medicine chest and rummaged though looking for something that would end his problem.
He found Metropolol and Atorvastatin. One was for the heart and the other was for high blood pressure. Neither of them would do. He dug in some more. The next shelf had just what he was looking for. Pain killers. There was a bottle of Oxicoton. Sammy's father had fallen and hurt his back. The doctor had to order something serious for pain.
Jake stared at the bottle in his hand. These would do. Then would put him down and keep him sleeping while the drugs did their work.
As Jake twisted the top open and poured the pills in his hand, the down opened and Sammy came in with a cup of coffee. He looked in at Jake and dropped the coffee.
"What are you doing?" He asked as he pushed his way in. He grabbed the pill bottle from Jake's hand looking at him with fury in his eyes. "How in the hell do you think this would help?"
"It'll stop me from thinking about what happened." Jake said as he reached how the pills. "Besides, this is my life. I'm sorry you had to see what happened, but  I have to figure out how to deal with it. Not you, and not my parents."
"Yes." Sammy said. "You have to figure out how to deal with it, but you don't have to be alone. You have people that love and care for you.Your mother, your father and.......me."
As the room spun around and around, Jake squeezed the pill bottle in his hand until it cracked, then he dropped it. His ears were ringing and his eye were slightly blurred. Sammy had just said something, but Jake wasn't sure if he heard what he thought he heard. What he thought he heard was impossible. Sammy couldn't have said what he thought, could he? Was Jake's mind hearing just what he thought? Was he going crazy? He turned away from Sammy and walked to the window and opened it up. If he dived out. he would land head first and that would stop all the confusion. He would be dead and he wouldn't have to deal with all this plan
As his leg lifted to the window ledge, Sammy leaped forward and dragged him away from the window.
In his mind a voice whispered something that soothed his mixed up mind.
[That's twice he caught you and saved your life. Don't say your sorry, this was not your fault. You don't need to be sorry. What will it take to convince you of his love? Doesn't it feel right when he holds you? Don't you see the sparkle of love when you look into his eyes? Listen to his heart, what do you hear?]
"Please don't go." Sammy said as tears ran down his face. "Now that I've found you, I can't lose you. Not now, not ever. My heart is your's and I can't live without you. Give me your heart and I will protect it with my life. I love you Jake. I love you now and for the rest of my life."
Suddenly all the confusion was gone and bells were ringing out loud and clear. Jake smiled and looked up into Sammy's eyes.
"I am and always will be yours Sammy Morris." Jake kissed him deeply. "And I will never let you go."                                                                                                                                                         

Sparks

I could sing of love long past in days of old.
Or I could tell a new tale of a bright new day.
I could cry about the loneliness deep in my heart
Or  I could tell you about a handsome lad in a French cafe.
I could talk of two eyes that meet in a park.
and the way they're hearts beat until
they finally touch and sparks fly.
It's all about love, its all about pain.
its all about tears and how I cry in the rain.