This is a work of fiction with an adult theme. I hope you will take the time to share your comments once you've read the story: Frontrnrusa@netscape.net
Diatribe By: Holloway H Copyright: 2005 Holloway H
The headlines of the local paper spread the unbelievable news that Timmy killed himself, 17 years old, 7 months away from graduation. Timmy had excellent grades, good attendance, he was friendly and according to many people that knew him, he was the every day high school boy. But Timmy's story isn't unique, it isn't the exception, Timmy's story is the rule when you are young and gay and male in the public school system where religion still dominates the thought process and the prejudices of school employees; principal, dean, teachers, etc., encourage children with similar thought patterns to act in ways that harm or kill other students. In this case it is not that the teacher, the minister, the police did not see what was happening but rather that they did not care what was happening.
Timmy's story:
Timmy attended McPherson High School, an A & B student he was on the school's track and soccer teams. He was a popular boy with lots of friends he definitely was not a loner or someone who was afraid to be around people, so what happened?
Timmy's parents wanted him to be well rounded he was an only child. His father encouraged Timmy to join the Cub Scouts and Timmy loved it. By the time, Timmy was nine his parents had bought their first RV. Timmy loved the outdoors, every chance he had he camped out either in the RV or in a tent in the backyard with his best friend in the whole wide world, Adam. Adam was Timmy's next-door neighbor he was nine too and had the same joy as Timmy did in camping out. Timmy and Adam decided to build their first fort in a large oak tree in Adam's backyard. The boy's fathers decided they would assist with the construction even though secretly they were both worried about the boys being up in the tree. It really didn't matter if there was a fort or not the boys were going to be in trees just maybe the fort might be the safest option for two nine year olds. The two men began working on the fort on a Saturday morning. Timmy and Adam were great helpers getting this and that, the boys helped their father's cut wood and hammer too. This was one of the greatest days of their lives, at least that is what they told their parents time after time that night as they tried to go to sleep but couldn't due to the excitement. Sunday morning there would be no building. By 9:30 Timmy and Adam sat in Sunday school listening as the Sunday School Teacher talked about how a Whale swallowed Jonah and what it meant. Timmy loved the singing they did in Sunday school, he had a special relationship with God at least his nine-year-old mind told him that. He wasn't afraid of God, he loved him and wanted to do the right thing as often as possible, with the exception of the occasional small story he told. Timmy loved when Sunday school ended and he was able to stand next to his parent's in regular church, the beauty of the church awed him. He would stand close to his father comforted by the fact that nothing bad in the world could happen to him or anyone else because his father would not allow it and neither would God. After church, Timmy's parents would stop to eat Sunday dinner at Morrison's cafeteria, Timmy loved it because he was dressed up and because he was eating out with his parents it made him feel more grown up. Timmy walked through the line at Morrison's in-between his mother and father. He would point at something and if he could not reach it, his parent's would place it on his tray. The very first time he was allowed to chose he picked all desserts. Timmy's mom looked at him and asked if he was sure that was all he wanted.
He looked up with the sincerest blue eyes at his mother, "what should I have?"
His mother smiled, to hide the pride and the imminent tears in her eyes, "whatever you want."
Timmy smiled, he put back a few of his desserts and picked other things to eat he liked, he smiled at his parent's when they sat down and he told them about his decision to pick good things to eat. They congratulated him and secretly smiled to themselves at this change. Timmy still thought about that and smiled too, he was younger than he must have only been seven.
Timmy's parent's walk slowly up the stairs to Timmy's room, both of them expecting to see his smiling face open the door and bound down the stairs stopping in the kitchen for a coke or glass of milk. That will not happen today or ever again. Pausing outside Timmy's room his father turns the doorknob today they have to pick one of his suits for the funeral home to bury him.
Timmy picked up his fork and began to eat the green beans he chose, he loves the small bowls they put much of the food in and he just as quickly wonders how they know how much to put in each bowl? Another bite of biscuit and a drink of his lemon sweetened tea and he sits back looking up at his parents, his eyes heavy now that he is content. Soon the remainder of his lunch is placed inside a Styrofoam container and he slips into dreamland in the back seat of his parent's car.
Timmy and Adam spend all their time either at Cub Scout meetings, fishing or in their fort. Timmy's parent want to have another child but have recently learned that Timmy is the only child they will ever have, medical problems prohibit another safe birth. Content to have their wonderful child they move on as though another child was never a thought.
The Cub Scout Pack has volunteered to help feed the homeless on Thanksgiving. Timmy's parent worried about Timmy being away from home, offering to help and make it a family event, soon many of the Cub Scout's also have family members helping to make this day special for someone else. When Timmy walked into the homeless shelter, he looked around thinking to himself this looked more like a cafeteria than a place where people came to get out of the rain and cold. He looked at the people sitting here and there, they didn't seem unusual to him at all. He watched with awe as all the food was placed on tables, he was in charge of the mashed potatoes, as people lined up he stood there proud in his Cub Scout uniform smiling at everyone. A few times during the day, he had tears in his eyes when someone his age would come through the line. While he saw no difference in the adults he knew what poor meant and he saw plenty of poor children who were eager to be fed, it made him feel sad but he worked hard to keep a smile for everyone. When the last person was fed Timmy and Adam got their trays, and sat with a bunch of the kids they had served, somehow Timmy knew this felt right. It was almost dark when Timmy and his parents got home. Timmy kissed his parents then went up to his room he opened the closet door and sat inside pulling the door closed behind him. He cried for the poor people he had seen that day and just as quickly his tears changed to prayers to God asking him to watch over those people and to give them the happiness he had with his family. He never told his parent's about his tears, he knew they would understand but he wasn't sure he did, not yet.
At 12 years, old Timmy was tall almost five foot nine. He kept his blonde hair cut short. He was not one to follow other kids, he was a leader and did what he felt was right. He went his own way. During the school year Timmy and Adam both were picked for the Soccer team, they had found a new love not connected with camping. Soccer was their world whenever they were not studying or attending Boy Scout meetings. In three months, Timmy would be 13 and he would be going to the Boy Scout Jamboree along with his troop, it would be the first time he would be away from his parents, he was not worried, Adam would be with him. The two boys looked increasingly like brothers as they grew up. Adam's hair was light brown but other than that, they were the same height with a thin muscular build common in Soccer players. They were always wearing each other's clothes.
Timmy's father sits on the bed in his sons room, draped over his legs is Timmy's suit, he looks around the room at all the awards and trophy's on the shelves and on the walls wondering what could have caused Timmy to do this? He stares at the dark suit in his lap and tears begin to fall steadily from his eyes, at this moment he wants to die too, he's angry he didn't protect his child better, his son Timmy. Standing he wipes his eyes, walking out of the room he pulls the door closed. Softly he walks to his room where his wife sits on their bed her tears of loss very real and utterly heartbreaking.
Timmy writes home to his parent's from the Jamboree.
'Dear Mom and Dad:
I miss you. We built a teepee with trees we cut down from the woods. Tonight we will sit in the Teepee and hold council. Adam and I have earned another badge, being here is so much fun. I love you, see you on Saturday, and don't forget to pick me up at 1pm.
Love Timmy.'
The second night of the Jamboree Timmy and Adam lay in their tent late at night talking about soccer. Timmy tells Adam he has a secret and he makes Adam swear he will not ever tell anyone. Adam swears, Timmy tells Adam that he knows how to masturbate. Adam giggles and replies so does he. They talk a while longer before falling asleep. In the morning, as Adam is climbing over Timmy to get out of the tent he put his hand on the front of Timmy's pants, Timmy looks at him and grabs him in a bear hug before letting him go. Saturday at 1pm, Timmy's parent's wait for the arrival of the bus as soon as the bus pulls in and the boys unload Timmy hugs his mother and father's neck reminding them he loves them more than anything in the whole wide world.
The Fort -
Psychologist and Psychiatrist have voiced some basic assumptions, one of those being that at one time or another boys become curious about other boys, what dictates how far they go with their curiosity hasn't been sufficiently studied to make any qualified assumptions.
Timmy and Adam took new interest in their fort. It was big enough for probably four guys their age, not that it mattered the fort was for them only. Over time they brought up sleeping bags and other things so they would have a comfortable place to hang out. They spent a lot of time sitting beside each other reading comics, playing game boys, and talking about school. Something that would change their lives happened on a Friday night. Adam's parents were out of town and he was staying the next two weeks with Timmy. Friday night Timmy's parents went out to eat buying the boys a pizza to take up to their fort, they were camping out once again. They ate, drank cokes, talked sports and Boy Scout stuff before turning the light off. Timmy lay on his back next to Adam. Adam turned on his side pretending he was asleep and let his hand fall against Timmy's stomach. Timmy did not move, he was pretending to be asleep too. After five minutes, Adam moved again this time his hand rested on the front of Timmy's shorts. Timmy did not move, he was not sure he was even breathing. All he knew at that moment was that he had never felt anything as wonderful as the warmth of Adam's hand on the front of his pants. Almost ten minutes passed before Adam began to move his fingers around slowly. Timmy reached over and touched Adams hair, they whispered to each other in the dark, before the night was over the boys had used their hands to please each other. What they both realized was that the bond they had always had between them was growing rapidly, very rapidly.
Timmy's Girlfriend -
Timmy met Dinah at school during a dance they were both fifteen. He had the best time of his life dancing the entire night. Not once did he look around the room, if he had he would have seen the look of devastation on Adam's face. Over the next few weeks, Dinah and Timmy became very close. Timmy and Adam were still the best of friends, but Adam knew this was something he had no control over. Dinah's mother was a single parent raising two kids, Dinah 15 and her brother Landon 17. Dinah and her family did not have all the nice things that Timmy had he was aware of that and went out of his way to make sure he never made Dinah feel bad.
A friend on the soccer team invited the two of them to a hayride, Adam was invited too, but he decided not to go. Saturday evening around seven the hayride took off around Matthew's property, the ride was expected to last about half an hour and then the kids were going to have a party at the house there were six couples in all. The Hayride was great and soon the boys and girls paired up unsupervised outside. Dinah had been with a boy before and was quick to show Timmy what to do, Timmy became very afraid as Dinah placed his hand on her clothed breast, he drew his hand back and told her that it was not proper for him to do that unless they were going to be married. She laughed at him and asked if he was serious, he said he was. She didn't say anything for a few minutes, she lifted his hand and they walked hand in hand to the house, Dinah stood beside Timmy for a while before being drawn to a few of the other girls, he heard them laugh and became self-conscious. He felt very uncomfortable and as soon as he could, he made excuses to leave. When Timmy got home, he said good night to his parents and ran to his fort, he knew that Adam was in the fort. He climbed the ladder and poked his head in Adam was reading a comic by flashlight. He looked up then looked back at his comic. Timmy crawled in, removed his shoes, and lay down. Adam did not even look over at Timmy. Timmy was trying to tell Adam what happened, Adam put his book down and looked over at Timmy, that was all it took for Timmy to break down and cry. Adam put his arms around Timmy and held him unsure what to say or do, Timmy told Adam the entire story. When he finished Adam gently wiped Timmy's eyes with his fingers and whispered that he loved Timmy so it did not matter what Dinah said.
Timmy looked at Adam, "I love you too you are my best friend in the entire world."
Timmy lay back in the dark, Adam rested his head on Timmy's chest, and they talked, Timmy's fingers moving in Adam's hair, Adam gently touching Timmy's clothed body. That night the boys brought each other pleasure. Unbeknownst to the other both boys worried about what their actions meant to their futures. The next couple of weeks filled the boys with a lot of tension, Adam and Timmy sought each other out constantly, and at school, they were inseparable. Timmy knew that Dinah had told a few of her friends what he had said, one of his friends on the soccer team laughed and told him he better wake up. Adam heard the conversation and said, he admired Timmy for standing up for himself the guy replied with yeah cause your probably queer for him. Adam punched the kid in the mouth Timmy broke it up quickly. Adam was suspended for three days for fighting. Timmy felt like his heart was breaking worrying about what was happening at school and what Adam's parents were going to say when he told them. After school the two boys met up in the fort, Timmy pulled Adam in his arms and kissed him on the lips, Adam responded willingly, he told Timmy that he meant everything to him. Timmy made Adam swear there would be no more fighting, Adam swore. Timmy held Adam for a long time before moving down his body and making love to him, he knew what he was doing was right, he knew because of the way he felt being with Adam. Adam layback exhausted and asked Timmy to hold him. Timmy moaned under Adam's touch and the two bare-chested boys lay in the dark, falling deeper in love with each other than even their fifteen year old, minds could comprehend.
Adam's parents were upset with his suspension and grounded him for a week, and that meant no contact with Timmy. Timmy died each day, he would sit up in the fort and worry about Adam and how he was doing often, as not he would end up crying out of the loneliness he felt. On Sunday at church was the first time the boys had seen each other in six days, Adam looked at Timmy and his eyes watered. Timmy smiled and winked looking around he mouthed I love you he was not aware his father was watching him. When he looked up at his father his face turned a bright crimson, his father was quick to place his hand on Timmy's shoulder. After Sunday dinner Timmy changed clothes and prepared to go to his fort, his father asked him to have a private talk and that stopped him short. Timmy became instantly nervous as he nodded his head. They walked to his father's office and closed the door. Father and son sat side by side on the sofa.
Timmy's father put his arm around Timmy and began to talk. "I love you more than anything in this world, no matter what you do or where you go in life the one thing you can count on is my love."
Timmy looked in his father's eyes, "I love you too so much."
His father hugged him tightly then gently let him go, "Timmy tell me about you and Adam?"
Timmy's eyes remained focused on the coffee table, "we're best friends in the world."
Timmy's father smoothed the boy's hair with his fingers, "there's more isn't there?"
Nodding his head, Timmy spoke slowly when he finished he had told his father everything about Dinah, Adam and being in love with all his heart.
His father's eyes filled with tears as he took in everything he had learned, he knew before the conversation what he would hear but secretly he hoped he was wrong. Now that he was not he had to protect his son no matter what. "Timmy, I love you and for now what we have talked about is between just you and me, I'll talk to your mother myself very soon. Promise me one thing, you will not do anything that is unsafe."
Timmy looked in his father's eyes and began to cry, his heart was breaking he felt he was letting his father down. He told him through tears that he didn't know he would not like girls or that he would fall in love with Adam, he loved his dad and didn't want him to be ashamed.
Timmy's father tilted the boy's tear streaked face back and kissed his forehead, "I have never and will never be ashamed of you, you are the joy of my life, and I love you no matter what, always remember that."
Timmy hugged his father for dear life they sat in silence for close to an hour before the sound of his mother's voice told him Adam was here.
He hugged his father quickly, "I love you Dad." They walked out of the office together. Adam saw Timmy's face and knew something was up. He looked at Timmy's father who smiled at Adam, "you boy's be careful in that fort."
"Yes sir." Adam replied
"Yes sir." Timmy echoed.
The boys walked silently to the fort climbing the tree and sitting in the dark before a word was spoken. Timmy told Adam what he had told his father.
Adam's breath caught, he looked at Timmy, "I love you so much that it makes me cry all the time."
Timmy pulled Adam in his arms and told him they have each other so everything would be all right. Adam loved having Timmy's arms hold him tight. He didn't say anything to Timmy but he would tell his parent's tonight that he was gay. He knew his father and mother would probably go nuts but he loved Timmy too much not to tell them.
During dinner at Adam's house, he looked at his parent's and began to tell them about him and Timmy. He began to cry and that alarmed his mother, she went around the table and hugged him, he finally got out the fact that he was gay. His father's eyes never left his face his mother began to cry. Adam ran to his room and lay on his bed heartbroken, feeling his parent's didn't love him anymore. His phone rang, he knew it would be Timmy but he could not answer it. Adam had fallen asleep and was awakened by his parents.
They sat beside him on the bed his father was the first to speak. "Adam we love you, we never even suspected anything like this about you. We will learn to deal with this please just give us some time. But remember we love you and nothing can change that, do you understand."
Adam looked at his mother, she hugged him, and his father put his hand on Adam's back and told him again, "We love you."
Around 11pm Adam's phone rang it was Timmy, he sounded frantic, a combination of hormones and immaturity made him cry. "I was scared something happened to you."
Adam was in tears now, "I told my parent's about us." There was a long silence between the two boys. Timmy talked about soccer practice after school and then meeting in the fort.
Adam said goodnight, "I really love you a lot."
Timmy sniffled, "I love you Adam, I really do."
Timmy's father straightened his tie in the mirror he hated wearing dark suits during the summer. His wife stood next to him her eyes red and swollen. Looping the tie through he straightened the knot then picked up his wife's hand. Thirty minutes later, they pulled up outside of the funeral home where their only son lay in a coffin. Entering the building, they were escorted to a room. Walking inside they both could see Timmy's profile. As they walked up to the coffin both parent's broke into tears sitting in chairs directly in front of the coffin they held each other knowing comfort was not possible at this moment.
In the morning Timmy and Adam met out front of the school, they walked out to the track and sat up in the bleachers.
Timmy looked at Adam, "I miss you all the time."
Adam, smiled, "me too, all the time."
Timmy kept looking at Adam and Adam asked him why, he said, "you are awesome."
Adam smiled, "so are you."
The bell ringing caught them unaware and they had to run to get to first period class. In their seats across from each other they felt safe once again and happy with life.
It took several months for both boy's parents to come to grips with the news about their sons, it had not been something either family had ever considered, the reality was these were their sons and they loved them.
Adam and Timmy were becoming closer, on the outside what one saw was the best of friends on the inside was two soon to be 16 year old boys very much in love with each other and looking toward a bright future together.
Timmy's parents bought him a used Volkswagen for his birthday, he was awe struck when he saw the black bug parked in the drive way with a red bow on top, he looked at his parents and fought to keep from crying. On the back window, his father had placed a soccer sticker for Timmy. He hugged them both then him and his dad sat in the car going over what everything did and how it worked. Timmy and his dad took the car around the block, his father made him promise to never drink or do drugs and drive and also to never let anyone else, then he changed his mind and said anyone other than Adam drive the car.
Timmy looked over at his father, "I love you so much."
His father nodded his head, "I love you sport."
Timmy drove back to the house and asked his mother to go for a ride, she smiled and followed him to the car, as he was backing out he looked at his mother, "I love you very much, thank you."
She smiled. Timmy took his mom to the Sonic and bought her a soda they talked about the car and then returned home. Timmy left to see Adam.
Adam ran outside as soon as he saw Timmy pull up. He smiled. He had a gift in his hand. He sat in the passenger seat and handed the gift to Timmy, Happy Birthday. Timmy read the card Adam had signed it 'with all my love.' Inside the box was a new sports watch Timmy had wanted, he looked at Adam and could not speak, he smiled, "Adam never stop loving me, promise me that."
Adam nodded his head, "I swear it."
A month later, they celebrated Adam's sixteenth birthday. His parents bought him a used Toyota Celica, now they both had transportation one was always riding with the other. The first time Timmy saw Adam's car instead of being happy he was afraid, he worried that Adam would no longer need him now that he had his own car, he could go anywhere he wanted with anyone and that fear was overpowering. Timmy asked Adam to go eat with him they went to the drive in and talked in between mouthful.
Timmy told Adam exactly what he was afraid of, Adam looked at him. "Timmy I would die without you in my life, I mean it, I never want to love anyone but you forever."
Timmy was getting ready to put his hand on Adam's leg when a soccer teammate walked up to the car. The three boys talked endlessly about soccer and getting a scholarship to college, no one quite sure where they wanted to attend school. Timmy said he wanted to stay local, maybe get an apartment.
Adam smiled, "great we could share and I could attend locally and save a lot of money."
It was soon just the two of them once more.
Timmy reached over and touched Adam's leg, "I love you."
Adam smiled, "Timmy I don't care if people know that I'm gay, all I care about is loving and protecting you."
Timmy looked at Adam, "I don't know what to say, I haven't thought that through yet, I know I'd kill anyone that touched you, I would."
Adam nodded his head.
Timmy thought about what Adam had said. He was worried about more than he should at 16. He worried what people at school would say, he was also worried about Adam and how he could protect him at school if people found out and finally he was so in love with Adam it was hard for him to not be Jealous, he knew better but he couldn't help himself.
Timmy told Adam that he was worried and explained it all to him.
Adam looked at Timmy, his eyes watered, "I couldn't love anyone else, I don't care who they are or what they look like. It doesn't matter to me how old we are I know that you and I will always have each other."
Timmy hurriedly looked away and then the shear weight of the situation caused him to cry, he loved Adam so much. The two boys held onto each other, whispering promises and words of love. They ended up laughing at all their tears, Timmy joked that the guys on the team would think they were two sissies crying like that.
Adam reached out touching the side of Timmy's face, "What anyone does or says doesn't matter as long as we've got each other."
Timmy kissed Adam gently, "You're right."
That evening Timmy talked with his parents, he told them about his fears of people at school finding out. His mother and father both agreed it would be better to confront the issue when it arose but that it would serve no purpose to bring it up and make it an issue.
Timmy hugged his parents then went to his room he called Adam. "Next time someone ask me if I'm gay I'm going to tell them yes, I'm not going to hide how much I love you or feel ashamed because I'm gay."
Adam was silent for a few seconds, "It's going to be okay we have a lot of friends, some of them will understand."
Timmy's father stands looking down at his son, Timmy's eyes closed, his hair perfect, his skin pale. Gently he reaches out and touches the side of Timmy's face telling him how much he means and telling him how much he misses him. Then he kneels and begins to pray asking God to watch over his only child to love and keep him, he tells God that Timmy was a good boy.
Two months had passed since Timmy and Adam had the conversation about their sexuality and telling other people. The Soccer Team was scheduled to compete in the State finals, which meant the team would travel almost five hundred miles they would be staying in a hotel for three days, two boys to a room. Timmy and Adam were quick to insure they roomed together. During the bus, trip the conversation on the bus turned to girls and dating. Boys being boys they were asking each other some personal questions. Timmy and Adam tried to avoid being caught up in the conversation. One of Timmy's friends and a teammate joking said he wishes he was like Timmy and had a bitch like Adam to take care of his needs. Timmy was out of the seat before the boy had gotten out the last syllable. Timmy jerked him out of his seat and told him if he ever said another word about Adam, he would wipe the streets with his dumb ass. The kid backed down quickly. It didn't matter the team knew that there was more to Timmy and Adam then just friends.
Someone in the back of the bus asked, "you two guys queer."
Adam, without looking calmly said, "No we're gay." At that moment you could have heard a pin drop.
The coach stood up, "did I understand you right, you two boys are faggots."
Timmy looked at the coach, "no sir, we're gay, not faggots."
The coach nodded his head, "I don't care what the hell you call it, it's a sin and you sure the hell aren't going to play on this team."
Timmy looked at Adam. A few of the guys questioned the coach but were soon quieted by heckles that they might be queer too.
The bus was pretty quite the remainder of the ride. After the bus arrived at the hotel the coach attempted to harass Timmy and Adam, Timmy called his father and told him what had happened. Within the hour, the school had notified the coach that Timmy and Adam would play. The coach was deadest against it but gave in. During the game, those that supported Timmy and Adam included them in plays, those that didn't did everything to keep them from playing including giving up shots to the other team, when the night was over the team lost 6 to 1. As they were walking off the field one of Timmy's teammates blamed their loss on the fucking faggots. Timmy punched him in the mouth, it was not long before Timmy and Adam where standing up to six guys the coach stood on the outside long enough to make sure that Timmy and Adam got their licks. Timmy and Adam fought hard and gave as good, or better than they got, finally the coach broke it up and blamed the entire incident on Timmy.
"You can't take offense every time someone says something you don't like."
Adam, looked at the coach, "we'll see what a lawyer has to say about that and your harassment."
The coach looked at the boys, "fuck you faggots."
Timmy and Adam flew home alone their parents were at the airport to pick them up. Timmy and Adams parents hired an attorney and by the end of the month, the school grudgingly terminated the coach due to misconduct. The situation at school got worse for the boys, now everyone knew about their sexuality polarizing the student body into those on the boys side and those on the side of homosexuality being a sin. The boy's parents offered to send them to an alternative school but the boy's refused saying they only had another year and a half before graduation and they believed the furor would die down. It didn't, as the next few months moved forward the fights increased to the point where Timmy refused to leave Adam's side, it was at that point that all hell broke lose. A local minister and his congregation started picketing the school with signs that made it very clear where they stood on the issue of homosexuality. The ACLU got involved due to the news coverage and was representing the boy's rights.
Quietly and without further legal wrangling Timmy and Adam moved to a school in another county, one with a more liberal student body. The first week at the new school, both boys felt the difference. The soccer team was pleased to have them and it was not long before they were back into their old routine. At home the phone number was changed to unlisted, the boys received hate calls, threats and tons of mail for and against what they believed. During this time, Adam had become increasingly quite.
Timmy took Adam on a camping trip he was worried sick about Adam. Timmy sat up their campsite while Adam looked around, uninterested in what was happening. Timmy fixed dinner for them, after dark, they crawled into the tent. Timmy pulled Adam in his arms and told him what he felt and how afraid he was. Adam's body began to shake and he fell apart, he cried until he fell asleep from exhaustion. Timmy watched Adam sleep all night, his eyes never left Adam's face, he studied the line of his jaw, the way his brown eyebrows moved as he slept, he found himself moving his fingers through Adam's hair praying that Adam would be all right.
Adam woke and looked up at Timmy, he felt tears in his eyes. "Timmy, I'm sorry but I've been so afraid something would happen to you it was making me crazy. Why would people hate us so much just because we love each other it doesn't make sense?"
"Adam, people are ignorant, it makes them feel good to have someone to put down, and if it wasn't us it would be someone else. Love doesn't mean anything to those people all they see is the hate they've built into their religious beliefs, hate replaces Jesus in their teachings, it gives them a purpose."
Adam snuggled closer to Timmy, "don't let me go."
"You never have to worry about that." Timmy gently kissed Adam and told him to go back to sleep.
Adam reached up running his fingers through Timmy's hair, "I love you with all my heart."
"I love you too you're my baby."
Adam smiled.
The camping trip was what the boys needed to get some normalcy back into their lives. Returning home things were as they had been before all the uproar. The night of Timmy's seventeenth birthday, Adam rented a room at the beach for the weekend it was one of his surprises for Timmy. After school, the boys went home and ate. Timmy's parents had a cake for him and gave him a beautiful watch engraved on the back it read, 'we are proud of you and love you.' He hugged them before leaving to go meet Adam.
Adam was all secretive making Timmy crazy. When they pulled up to the hotel, Timmy looked over at Adam, Adam smiled, "follow me." After checking in the boys went up to the 10th floor, the room was beautiful. They hurriedly changed and ran down to the pool and played around until they were exhausted then returned to their room, ordered room service and watched television. Around 9pm, Adam went to the bathroom and came back with a small gift-wrapped box he looked at Timmy.
"I want you to always remember how much you are loved."
He opened the box and pulled out a gold wedding band placing it on Timmy's finger. Timmy looked at the band and then at Adam, he did not know what to say.
He pulled Adam in his arms "God I love you so much, more than you'll ever know."
Adam kissed him deeply, "I have one other gift, and this gift means we are forever."
Timmy nodded.
Adam lay back and asked Timmy to make love to him. Timmy looked at Adam afraid he would hurt him Adam needed this expression of love from Timmy. Timmy was gentle but it still hurt Adam, slowly they both became comfortable and Timmy took Adam whispering to him over and over that he would always belong to him, always.
Exhausted the boys lay beside each other, Timmy lay on his side looking at Adam, his fingers gently caressing the side of Adam's face, "you all right."
Adam looked at Timmy, his eyes brimming with tears, "yeah, I love you so much, all I want for us is to have a good life together not having to worry about if people know we're together or not."
Timmy continued to stroke Adam's face, "next year we'll be in college, it gets easier and I'll never let anyone hurt you, never."
Adam gently pulled Timmy's lips to his and they kissed their eyes looking deep into the other's soul.
Timmy's father rises and sits beside his wife his eyes never leaving his son's profile. Timmy's mother rises, she walks slowly to the coffin cradling her only child. Her fingers move gently over the cool skin of his face as she questions him, "why would you kill yourself, you had everything to live for?" Tear's fall from her eyes glistening off the front of his dark blue jacket gently her fingers smooth his hair, she leans forward kissing his forehead, "how do we go on without you?" As she turns her husband stands, coming to her side they look down at their son. Their hands caressing the shell that rested in front of them. Turning slowly, they leave the room knowing that tomorrow they would see him one last time in this life.
Waking early the next morning, Timmy slips out of bed dressing hurriedly he leaves the room, Adam's car keys in his hand. He drives downtown finding a jewelry store where he buys Adam a gold wedding band. Returning to the hotel, Adam is still sleeping. Timmy orders breakfast then changes into shorts and flip-flops. When room service arrives, he pulls the cart in, Adam already waking, sees the cart and smiles. He puts his arms out and Timmy hurries over to him, they hold each other then Timmy urges Adam to sit up and brings him breakfast the two boys eat and talk non stop, they are deep in conversation about a recent soccer match when the topic turns to the beach. Fed and clean the boy's head down to the beach, their youthful bodies, light colored hair and overall appearance makes one take a second look. The morning is early and not many people have arrived at the beach, a few are running, riding bikes or walking along looking for shells.
Timmy looks at Adam, "what do you see in our future."
Adam smiles, "I see you and me as old men after a hundred years together, your head laying in my lap as I read to you or we listen to music together."
Timmy nods his head, Adam's words had really pulled at his heart, he smiled. "How do you know you'll always be happy with just me?"
Adam looked at Timmy, "my heart tells me, my body tells me. You're a part of me, without you I couldn't go on living."
Timmy stopped looking out to sea then sat down. He called Adam over. Adam sat close their legs touching. Timmy pulled the ring from his pocket he lifted Adam's hand and slipped the ring over his finger. "Adam, I'll love you forever, it doesn't matter what happens in the future, I know without a doubt I'll always love you."
Adam stared at the ring, he hung his head Timmy saw the tears falling from Adam's eyes, gently he stroked the back of Adam's head, "I love you." Adam's head nodded slightly. The boys sat in silence until Adam's tear streaked face looked up with a smile, "You are my life."
Adam stood up giving his hand to Timmy they brushed the sand off each other and continued walking. Well after five, the boys returned to their room, their bodies lobster red from a day in the sun, exhausted the boys hurriedly ate then crawled into bed watching movies and holding each other throughout the night. The following morning after breakfast they checked out and returned home, each of them sporting a sign of their commitment to one another.
The door bell rings at Adam's house, his mother looks out to see a State Trooper, she calls out for her husband, he rushes to her side opening the door, with the door open they see the Chaplain standing beside the Trooper, Adam's mother faints. The Trooper opens the door helping Adam's father carry his wife to the sofa. The chaplain calls 911.
Timmy was already making plans for Adam's seventeenth birthday. He has saved every dollar and with his savings, he had enough money for the two of them to drive to Western Sports a sport resort that Adam was always talking about visiting. At the resort, you had the chance to play sports with professional players. The place was fantastic it overlooked the ocean there were beaches and places to hike. Timmy told his parent's about his plans, they were happy for him and offered to advance him funds if he needed them, after hugging them, he told them he had saved enough.
The ambulance arrived at Adam's house, after the EMT examined his mother they left, sitting in the living room were Adam's parents, the Trooper and the Police Chaplain. Adam had been missing since the night Timmy killed himself, his parent's were frantic trying to find out where he was, they knew he would be devastated by Timmy's death.
The Trooper looked around the room then at Adam's parent's "Adam has been found."
Adam's mother began to cry, his father sighed.
"As near as we can tell Adam died the same night as the other boy."
Adam's father began to cry, he shook his head no. His wife put her arms around him consoling each other with tears. The Chaplain explained to them that they would need Adam's dental records. Adam's mother stood almost mechanically walking to the kitchen she pulled a card off the refrigerator it was Adam's scheduled dentist appointment. She handed it to the Chaplain. The Trooper rose offering his condolences and following behind the Chaplain he left the house. Closing the door Adam's father pulled his wife in his arms together in their sorrow.
Timmy was excited as the reservation clerk gave him his reservation number. He was so excited over the next week Adam constantly asked him what he was up to. The morning of Adam's birthday, Timmy showed up at his house and got him to pack, Timmy had already told Adams parents what he was doing. Adam kissed his parent's as he headed out the door with Timmy.
The drive was three hours, the boys listened to music, and talked the entire trip, when Timmy's car pulled up to the resort Adam, looked over at Timmy, "you're kidding."
Timmy smiled, "Happy Birthday."
Adam's face broke into the biggest grin, "Oh my God, this is great."
Timmy laughed. After checking in, they took a tour of the facility. They were scheduled to play soccer with a couple major league teams players that afternoon. With their tour complete, they returned to their room and got ready for their first big game.
Adam looked over at Timmy, "This is great, but just being with you is everything."
Timmy smiled, "I love you but I'm still not going to let you win."
The boys checked out the sports arena before showing up on the field about fifteen minutes early. Standing on the field also waiting were the members of their old high school soccer team the shock was apparent.
Adam looked at Timmy, "let's go, they aren't worth it."
Timmy's face took on an almost angelic look, "this is your birthday, and they are not going to ruin it for you."
Several major league players came out on the field and introduced them selves, then they had the boys introduce themselves too. One of the high school boys pointed out quickly that they would not be playing with the two faggots. The professional players asked the boy what that had to do with how well someone played soccer he shrugged his shoulder. He looked at the other boys telling them they could either play or forfeit and leave the resort. They decided to play. The soccer game turned into more a game of football then anything. However, when all was said and done two of the high school, players were thrown out of the resort, and the professional players apologized to Adam and Timmy for the actions of the other guys. All seven of the professional players stayed on the field an extra hour with Timmy and Adam giving them tips on playing and complimenting them on their style and ability in the game. Walking off the field after shaking everyone's hand and getting autographed shirts Adam was on top of the world, Timmy's face beamed with a huge smile, Adam was happy. Timmy and Adam went to their room and showered.
Timmy looked at Adam, "I'm so sorry, I didn't know."
Adam smiled, "I had a great time, they made themselves look like fools."
Timmy sat on the bed after his shower, his back against the headboard. Adam came in the room and laid his head against Timmy's chest they talked. Timmy told Adam that he meant the world to him and whatever made him happy he would do.
Adam looked up at him, "Never stop loving me."
Timmy looked at Adam, straightening his hair with his fingers, "I never will."
Timmy had arranged a special dinner for Adam, the server brought out Adam's birthday cake and everyone in the restaurant sang happy birthday, then Timmy gave Adam, a gift, he looked at Timmy, "More?" Timmy smiled. Adam tore the box open finding a new CD player for his car, he smiled at Timmy, and mouthed, "I love you."
The next two days went great every game they played were with team members they did not know. The techniques they were learning from the professional players on the team would make their abilities on their high school team much better. With one day left at the resort they decided to go hiking and see the sites before they had to leave the following afternoon. Timmy drove over to an area the hotel recommended for hiking. As soon as they pulled up they sat in the car for a minute and just looked out over the ocean it was beautiful. They hiked for an hour up one cliff and down another before returning to the top and sitting near the edge looking at the rocks below and the ocean rumbling in. The sun was setting and the scene was beautiful. As the sun set Timmy stood up and helped Adam to his feet. Behind them two people yelled dirty faggots, Timmy turned there were five guys from the high school soccer team standing there. Timmy told them to fuck off. One of the guys pushed Adam and Timmy instinctively punched him in the face. All hell broke loose two guys held Adam while three guys were beating Timmy severely, Adam was yelling for them to stop. Timmy lay in the dirt not moving the boys looked at each other then jerked Timmy to his feet he could barely stand, they literally drug him to the edge of the cliff. The other two boys brought Adam next to Timmy. Adam was trying to reach out for Timmy but the boys held him just out of reach. The boy's let Timmy go, he stood swaying unsteady on his feet.
Adam was calling out to him, Timmy looked up "I love you."
One of the boys took his foot and kicked Timmy, he fell back, Adam grabbed for him, and two of them came to rest 80 feet below on a large wave swept boulder sticking out of the ocean.
The boys looked at each other in disbelief. Then scoured the area making sure they had not left anything that would point to them. Piling in their car they returned to the resort, they sat up in their hotel room and swore to one another that what they had done was what God would have wanted, one boy even pointed out that the minister and the coach had told them the only good faggot is a dead faggot. They made a pack with each other never to tell a sole, then they prayed before going on as if they had done nothing wrong.
Early the next morning, a young couple spotted a body on the rocks below and called the police. By afternoon the police had shown up at the resort, Timmy's body had been found at the bottom of the cliff an apparent suicide. Everyone that had been in contact with the boys during their stay was interviewed. The boys that had killed them were interviewed and told the police that Timmy was a fag and had seemed very unstable. The professional players that had met Timmy and Adam gave a much different story to the cops including the run in with the other boys. The cops not wanting to deal with the queer issue confirmed the scene showed no struggle and it was ruled a suicide unless the Coroner came up with another cause of death. The search for Adam was on no one knew what happened to him, other than the boys that murdered him. His body had been swept out to sea.
Around 2pm, a police cruiser along with a chaplain showed up at Timmy's parents house, his mother answered the door. She quickly invited the police in. The officer asked her if she could contact her husband, she looked at them nervously but did as asked. Within half an hour, the two parents sat on the sofa in the living room looking at the two police officers across from them. The police officer began to tell them what they knew so far, at first, they stared at the police then Timmy's mother began to cry, Timmy's dad continued to stare. The chaplain offered words of comfort but there would never be comfort in this house again. Timmy's dad stood almost mechanically and showed the officers out of the house, he returned to his wife pulling her in his arms and they fell apart. It was dark outside before they let each other go, stood up, and turned some lights on. Timmy's dad called Adam's house, Adam's parents cried on the phone at the news, becoming concerned about Adam. Timmy's father thought about where Timmy was and he became excited, he had to make sure his only son was all right even though he was dead. He began calling everyone unsuccessfully finally he called his attorney, who before midnight set up a meeting at the Coroner's office in the morning to view Timmy's body before releasing him to the undertaker. Timmy's father had been warned it would not be advisable to view Timmy before the undertaker had a chance to prepare him. Timmy's father was adamant he would see his son.
At 7am, Timmy's parents accompanied by their attorney along with a hastily signed court order rang the bell at the Coroner's office. Fifteen minutes later the parents and the attorney stood in front of a sheet covered body in a glass room with the curtains pulled. Timmy's father pulled back the sheet slowly. Timmy's face was swollen and bruised, he still had crusted blood near his nose, and his lip was split. Instinctively his father went to smooth Timmy's hair he saw the large indentation in Timmy's skull.
He stood looking at his son and cried, "I love you so much how could you do this?"
Timmy's mother pulled the sheet back she almost fainted and had to be carried out of the room by her husband and the attorney. What she had seen was that Timmy's body covered in cuts and bruises. The Coroner's report stated the majority of his injuries came from the fall but how he sustained the remaining, bruises could not be determined. In addition, even though no note was found he listed the cause of death as suicide.
Adam's parents called Timmy's parents letting them know Adam had been found. Timmy's father cried as he heard the news. It isn't possible that both boys would kill themselves there had been no signs whatsoever. Once more Timmy's father arranged with the Attorney for Adam's father to view his son. That morning it was only the two boys' fathers. They had been strongly encouraged not to view the body due to the amount of time it had been in the water. Once more Timmy's father stood where he had when viewing his son just a few days before, under the sheet this time was the boy his son had loved so much and a boy he had come to care for as a member of their family.
Adam's father slowly pulled back the sheet. He knew it was Adam but only because he had been his father for seventeen years. He cried. Timmy's dad pulled the sheet all the down the bruising was present on his body too. The two men left together their only children dead and they had no idea why.
Friday morning at 11am, two closed white coffins sat in front of a lectern where the minister would speak, one covered in yellow roses the other in red, both where just children 17 years old when they died. The Chapel filled up as family and friends came to pay their last respects still shocked by the apparent double suicide. By 2pm, a small backhoe was filling in the freshly dug graves, pulling tons of dirt on the coffins, never to be seen again.
Adam's family did not understand but over the next few months, they accepted their son's suicide.
Timmy's father would not accept it, he hired a private detective to investigate the records he had received from the sheriff's office were inconclusive.
Bill McGrevin was the private investigator. He was a father of three and had been an investigator for five years. He took on the new role once he retired from the New York City Police Department. Bill met with Timmy's parents he outlined the cost involved and a projected time. Timmy's father told Bill all of Timmy's college money was available and if necessary he would sell everything they owned but he would not rest until he knew for sure. Bill shook hands and left, flying to the resort that afternoon.
Bill's first visit was the resort. He spent time talking with the players the boy's met that day. He learned about the dispute between the boys on the team and Timmy and Adam. He collected the boy's belonging taking them back to this hotel room. The first box he opened had a partially wrapped present in it, a CD player. He opened the card addressed to Adam, inside Timmy had written. I love you so much I hope this is the best Birthday ever. You and I have a whole life together I cannot wait for college. Bill closed the card placing it back inside the envelope. He went through the remaining belongings finding a picture of the two boys in each other's wallet it was the same picture. He shook his head, what a senseless thing to lose two boys so young. He sat in his room that night eating dinner and reading over the Coroner's report, he couldn't understand how the numerous small bruises could have been caused by the fall, unless Timmy's body was battered around in the ocean which it wasn't. There were too many ifs going on in his mind.
He returned to the resort the next morning and after some quick talking he was able to secure a guest list for the period the boys had stayed at the resort. Leaving with his list he went to the place where the boys had hiked, he took extensive pictures. He looked around the area where it was speculated the boys had jumped. On his hands and knees he studied the edge, he noticed several dark spots, he returned to his car and secured some specimen swabs, he placed them in his container. He was crawling around farther away and found a part of a button unsure if it had any significance, he placed it in a specimen container. Positive there was nothing else to be found he returned to his room, he wondered if Timmy or Adam's fingernails had been examined. He reread the Coroner's report. No, neither boy's hands had been bagged or examined other than the perfunctory examination required by the Coroner. He quickly jotted down several notes, he wanted to examine the clothes the boys were wearing when found. Leaving in the afternoon, he returned home, driving to the Coroner's office in time to get the boy's belongings.
Instead of going home, he returned to his office. He laid the boys clothes out on clean tables in his office. With a bright light and magnification, he began combing every inch. He noticed that Timmy's shirt had several tears on the backside the tears were jagged as though the material had been pulled apart. He also found blood splatters on the front of Timmy's shirt where his stomach would have been, why would there be blood on the front in that area? He made several notes. Bill was not one to jump to conclusions and he felt there had to be an explanation that was reasonable, but he kept an open mind.
Unsure what he was actually looking for he flew back out to the resort. It took a day but he got a diver to take some close ups of the rock formation where Timmy was found, he showed the diver the original picture and explained he needed it from the same vantage point but much closer. The diver was able to get the pictures Bill needed, he returned home late in the evening this time actually going to his house to rest. Bill wasn't away from the office for long by 9am he was going through the pictures he'd developed, the tear patterns on Timmy's clothes didn't match the way his body was found lying on the rocks. Maybe it was just coincidence but something was starting to be out of whack. Rereading the statements, he'd taken from the people the boy's met at the resort he knew the boys didn't fit the picture of being suicidal. Then again, he thought maybe they got in a fight with each other and fell over the cliff fighting. Without an examination of the boy's fingernails that would be difficult to determine. His only option was to interview the boys from the high school that had stayed at the resort, he did not think he would find anything to add since they had not been friends of the boys but it was a lead.
The first boy he contacted was Carl Morgan Carl's father was quick to point out that his son was not speaking with anyone unless ordered to do so by a judge. He then contact Stewart Williams, his parents were happy to help and set up the interview for later that day. Bill arrived at 3pm Stewart would arrive home at 3:30pm. Bill met Stewart's parents and waited for Stewart. Right at 3:30pm Stewart walked in the door, his father told him who Bill was. Stewarts face turned a bright shade of red he would not look Bill in the eye. Kids nowadays seldom look anyone in the eye. Stewart sat in between his parents as Bill asked him questions, he stuttered through his answers and several Bill had to ask again as Stewart forgot the question or nodded instead of answering, the recorder couldn't pick up nodding. When he was satisfied, he thanked the parents giving them and Stewart a card just in case they might think of something.
Artie Sweats parents refused to let Bill interview their son.
Roger Davidson's parents also refused.
Tim Matheson was a different story, his parents wanted him interviewed, and if he did something wrong they wanted him out of the house. Tim sat alone looking directly at Bill answering every question his voice had a chill to it. His face appeared passive he almost had a smirk on his lips.
Bill got ready to leave, he turned to Tim and asked him a final question, "Tim are you gay like those two boys were?"
His face turned a hot red, "fuck no, those boys were faggots they're in hell where they belong."
Tim's father looked at Bill, "no son of mine is queer."
Bill hurriedly thanked them and went to his car. He thought about his interview and found Tim's the most interesting, for some reason he knew now that Timmy and Adam had not killed themselves but he couldn't prove it, right now it was speculation.
Bill met with Timmy's parents the following afternoon. He wanted permission to have Timmy's body exhumed and his fingernails swabbed for evidence. They agreed without comment. It took almost a week to have a judge sign the order but when signed the coffin was exhumed and taken to the Coroner's office. Bill was present for the examination, underneath Timmy's finger nails they found foreign matter it might be nothing more than deterioration, but samples were removed and sent out for DNA analysis. Before the end of the day, Timmy's body was laid to rest for the second time in a month. Bill knew if the foreign matter they had taken from Timmy's finger nails matched Adam's DNA then in all likelihood the boys may have had a fight and ended up falling over the edge, maybe on purpose maybe accidentally but that went with them to their grave. The test would take two weeks. During the interim Bill worked over every angle of Timmy's body lying on the rocks, it was not possible that the damage to his clothing and the blood spatters could have happened after the fall, it had to happen before the fall. On a hunch he removed Adam's clothing from the packaging once again, this time he looked for damage of a similar nature. The back of the shirt Adam was wearing when he died was ripped all a result of the fall and resulting period spent in the water. On the front of Adam's shirt, there were two very similar areas of damage that concerned Bill. On Adam's collar there appeared to be blood spatter, Adam had hit the rocks on his back when he fell the blood spatters if that is what they were had to have happened prior to his falling. The likely scenario being either a broken lip or nose as a result of a fistfight, there could be other possibilities. Additionally, the button near where Adam's abdomen would have been in the shirt was broken. Bill pulled the partial button he had recovered at the scene it was not a match. The test results came back from the FBI lab. The matter found under Timmy's fingernails was human tissue, probably because of scratching or grabbing hold of someone with the fingernails being imbedded. The DNA results showed that the tissue did not belong to Adam. Bill's mind started turning at a million miles an hour. Someone out there was involved and knew exactly what happened, it could still be a double suicide or suicide-murder the important aspect was someone knew. Bill started his investigation over. He contacted the local police department where the resort was located he talked with the investigating officer. During the conversation, the officer asked Bill why he was so interested in the suicide of two fags. Bill wrote the comment off in order to continue to get information from the source, when he finished he sat back in his chair. He looked around the room, he knew then the investigation was completed inadequately and hurriedly because the victims were gay. He shook his head and continued his research.
At the end of the first month, he reached two conclusions, the deaths were not suicide, based on the evidence and the killer was still out there waiting to be caught. He flew out to the resort for the fourth time he interviewed everyone on his list before returning. He had also hired a professional photographer to take detailed photos of the area where Timmy and Adam had fallen and died. On his return, he paid to have Timmy's car released to him. He went over the car with a fine toothcomb, in one of the notebooks in the backseat he read a note written by Adam. 'If the guys on the soccer team would just leave us alone things would be fine. I don't understand why, we don't bother them.' Other than the hastily written note in the back of a notebook, there was nothing of importance in the car. He drove it over to Timmy's parents house, Timmy's mother and father were standing in the driveway when the car pulled up. The look on their faces told the story they were hoping that Timmy stepped from the car. Bill handed over the keys they walked in the house together. Bill went over the evidence he had and the conclusions he had reached, he wanted the family to authorize him to contact the State Attorney's office and see if the investigation would be reopened? They readily agreed.
Bill met with Susan Hanlin the Assistant State Attorney he provided the evidence he had amassed.
Susan read his report than looked at Bill "this is all circumstantial."
Bill nodded his head, he had known Susan many years, "I've got a feeling these boys were murdered because they were gay."
Susan looked at him over the report, "what?"
He stood up, "Susan, these boys were murdered. The Coroner, the police everyone involved with these boys rushed because the boys were gay. I've had cops ask me why I was investigating a crime against two fags, even the dead deserve justice."
Susan put the report down, "Bill where's the key to this investigation then."
He smiled, "the boys they knew from their old high school were at the resort during the same period, somehow I know it's connected."
She nodded, "all right this is all I'm willing to do with what you've provided, I'll have the boys interviewed from that we'll see where we go."
Bill smiled, "thank you Susan."
She shook her head, "I'm a push over for a New York cop"
He smiled and they shook hands.
Yancy Morgan served as an investigator for the State Attorney's office. Yancy read through the report Bill had provided, he told Susan he personally found homosexuality disgusting, but he added the law is the law and everyone deserves justice. He arranged individual interviews with the boys involved. The first boy he interviewed was, Artie Sweat. He arranged for an interrogation room, he planned to intimidate the boy if possible.
He walked in the room and introduced himself. Sitting with Artie was his attorney Marion August, she looked at Yancy they had worked together before. The court reporter began when Bill asked Artie his name.
He replied "Artie William Sweat, 122 Diamond Street"
"How old are you Artie?"
"17" he replied shifting in his seat.
"Are you gay?"
Arties face turned red, shaking his head at the same time, "Never, faggots go to hell, our minister says the only good faggot is a dead faggot."
Marion turned to her client and issued instructions.
Yancy began again, "Artie let me tell you what we know from our evidence. We know that a fight occurred before the boys fell, we know that someone else was present we have DNA samples of someone at the scene taken from under the fingernails of the boys." Yancy abruptly stopped and looked at Marion. "Artie, what where you wearing the night the two boys died?"
Artie looked at Marion, she nodded her head, "I was wearing a pair of blue jeans, my rebooks and a light blue polo shirt."
Yancy nodded his head, "do you still have the clothes you wore that night?"
"Yes Sir." Artie replied.
He looked at Marion, "I'd like to examine his clothing."
She shook her head no.
Yancy nodded, "I'll have the order in an hour, make sure your client doesn't get rid of the clothes and I'll be requesting a DNA sample." She nodded. Yancy knew by the way Artie had answered the questions he knew more than he was letting on. He returned to the office and asked Susan to have a judge order all the boys to take DNA testing based on the evidence so far and to have the boys surrender their clothing from that day. Susan looked at Yancy doubting a Judge would be willing. She talked to Judge Sara Williams, she explained about the boys the evidence they had and the fact that she felt the boys may have been murdered because of their sexuality. The Judge wrote the order but admonished Susan from asking for another one on this case without more substantial evidence.
It took some doing but Yancy arranged to have the boy's clothing collected almost immediately, he feared it would end up disappearing. He also arranged for all of them to show up for their DNA samples at the same time. He watched as the nurse swabbed the insides of their mouths, he noticed that one of the boys, was near tears, he wrote that down for later use. There would be almost two weeks before the boys DNA was matched with the DNA material found under Timmy's fingernails.
Yancy began by inspecting the clothing. Of course the clothes had been clean repeated times it was impossible to find anything that had not been washed out. Yancy was looking at the last set of clothing belonging to Carl Morgan when he noticed a button broken on the shirt. He returned to this office and pulled out the evidence Bill had provided excited he returned to the exam room, the buttons were a match now he knew that at the least Carl Morgan was at the same spot.
He called downstairs and asked for the transcript of his interview with Carl Morgan. He read through to the question, "Have you ever visited or been in the area where the two boys supposedly committed suicide?"
His reply, "never I don't like hiking stuff."
The excitement Yancy felt was overpowering. He still had another week before the DNA results returned. He had the shirt photographed along with the button that had been found by Bill then he turned over all the boy's clothing to the forensics team.
The FBI report showed that the DNA found under Timmy's fingernails belonged to Artie Sweat. He called downstairs for the transcript of his interview with Artie, he had asked Artie the last time he had had any contact with the boys, he said it was the first day he was at the resort and that he didn't play soccer that day because they were on the team. Although there was not a clear picture, the pane was beginning to clear up.
Yancy called Susan telling her what he had found. She could not believe it she congratulated him, and decided to go for a touchdown. She issued a warrant for the arrest of Artie Sweat and Carl Morgan in the murder of Adam Phillips and Timmy Simons. Before having the warrants issued, she contacted both families of the two slain boys and explained that there was sufficient evidence to suggest foul play in the deaths of their sons.
Artie and Carl were arrested at high school. Stewart, Roger, and Timmy watched in utter disbelief as the two boys were handcuffed and lead away. Their arrest had the intended impact Yancy had hoped. He knew the boys would be in Juvenile within a couple of hours.
Carl and Artie were separated. The detective began questioning the boys. Artie was silent he wanted an attorney.
Carl on the other hand made a statement on tape that sealed his fate, "I only held Adam." When the detective questioned him, further he became upset and asked to speak to his dad before saying anything else. At that point, the interrogation ended. Now without a doubt Yancy knew the two boys that were listed as suicides there was much more to it. He called Susan and read to her the statement Carl had made. She decided after hearing the new information to expend more resources on the case.
By 4:30pm, a reporter from the local newspaper showed up at Timmy's parents house. He asked if they had heard that two boys had been arrested in the murder of their son and another boy. Timmy's father nodded his head, yes. The reporter asked him if it were true that the boys were murdered because they were queer.
Timmy's father looked at the man, "the boys were gay, but I'm sure that had nothing to do with their death, my God I hope not."
The reporter fired another question, have you heard that the original investigation was rushed because neither the Coroner's office or the Sheriff wanted to deal with two dead homosexual boys?
Timmy's father looked at the man, his eyes filled with tears and he went back inside the house. He sat beside the phone trying to control his nerves, then he called Adam's father to prepare him for what had just happened.
Artie and Carl's first appearance was scheduled for 9:30am. Susan asked the judge to not allow bail she stated she intended to charge them as adults. Carl started to cry, his attorney desperately trying to calm the boy. The Judge granted the State's request and the boys were bound over the county sheriff led away.
Yancy was pleased but he knew there were still possibly three boys out there with first hand knowledge if not participation in the murder of the two boys. He wanted justice and would not settle until everyone involved answered for their part in the crime. Yancy decided to interview the boys again. He interviewed Stewart Williams first Stewarts parents said an attorney wasn't necessary since Stewart had not done anything wrong.
Yancy's first question threw Stewart for a loop. "Artie and Carl have told us that you pushed Timmy over the cliff."
Stewart shook his head "that's a damn lie, it wasn't me, Tim pushed him with his foot."
Yancy nodded, "what about Adam?"
I held Adam, "sure we beat them up, but it was to teach them a lesson. It was not to hurt anybody. Tim had called Adam a faggot, and Timmy punched him in the mouth. Tim and two other guys beat Timmy up pretty good he couldn't even stand. The guys drug him over to the edge they were going to scare him, instead Tim pushed him off the cliff with his foot. Adam tried to save him and ended up going over with him. I swear that's what happened."
Yancy shook his head and called Susan. She listened in disbelief as Yancy told her the story Stewart had just relayed. She went to the Judge and asked her to issue three more warrants.
The story hit the front page of the papers the following morning and by mid afternoon the story had hit the wires. News trucks parked on both sides of the road outside Timmy and Adam's parents house. The minister of the five boys arrested in the murders began picketing outside the houses carrying signs reading 'They Got Their Just Reward." And the 'only good faggot is a dead fagot.' By evening, there were 20 protestors. The following morning the nightmare got worse.
Susan announced to the press that she would be prosecuting the crime under the Federal Hate Crimes act. The American Civil liberties union contacted the family of the dead boys and asked their permission to monitor the trial the families approved.
Eighteen months after Adam and Timmy died, justice was served.
Tim Matheson was found guilty of first-degree murder in the deaths of Adam and Timmy he received life without parole.
Artie Sweat was found guilty of accessory to the murder of Adam and Timmy and received two 25-year sentences to run concurrently.
Carl Morgan was found guilty of accessory to murder of Adam and Timmy and received two 25-year sentences to run concurrently.
Stewart Williams was charged with manslaughter and was sentenced to 1 year in the county jail and five years probation, he testified on behalf of the State.
Roger Davidson was charged with manslaughter and received a 1-year sentence in the county jail and five years of probation for his testimony on behalf of the State.
Adam and Timmy's parents have found comfort in the fact that justice was served. They are currently pursuing civil suits against the sheriff and coroner's office. Any award will go to establish scholarships in Adam and Timmy's name. Adam and Timmy's memory continues to live in the love of their parent's and the people they touched in a positive way.
http://www.hatecrime.org/ http://www.hate-crime.net/ http://www.lambda.org/ http://www.worldzone.net/international/mattshepard/prevent.html