{Jacob Finding His Way is based on mostly true events in my life. To keep the story interesting for the readers, some events now in the story are fictionalized. As I am writing this story, I am above the age of 21. If you want a story with lots of sex, look elsewhere. This is a love story.
Any similarity to any other events, names, or life events is purely accidental. If you are underage, (according to your state laws as a minor), if this literature is offensive to you or to anyone around your viewing area, or it is illegal for you to view such content where you are reading it, stop reading the story. This story can't be distributed in any way, shape or form without my expressed consent.}
Written by J.P.G.
Chapter 36
(JACOB'S POINT OF VIEW)
I heard my grandfather calling me from upstairs. I had hoped to have Jeremy settled down before my grandfather, or anyone else, saw him like this. I yelled up to my grandfather that I would be right up. That didn't keep him from coming down though.
"What are you doing down here Jake?"
"Jeremy and I were just down here fooling around."
You'd have to be blind not to see Jeremy is upset. My grandfather was neither blind nor was he stupid. He knew there was something going on with Jeremy.
"What has gotten Jeremy all upset Jake?"
"He is settling down grandpa. He was worse than this a few minutes ago."
"I don't understand this at all Jake. When I went to the other side of the house, Jeremy was fine. Now, when I return maybe thirty minutes later, he is all wild and wound up. Tell me what happened to get him like this Jake? I know he doesn't get like this with you."
"Mom came down to asked me to give money to Andy for his wedding. When I told her no, she got upset. Instead of letting her be on her way, I asked her to spend some time with Jeremy. Jeremy didn't like the idea at all"; I explained.
"You know Jake, Jeremy doesn't do well with those he really doesn't know. It's a shame he doesn't really know his mother, but that is on her shoulders. She needs to spend more time with Jeremy and I will tell her that. Let's get upstairs and get ready to eat!"
Jeremy seemed to be better now that my grandfather come downstairs. I figured Jeremy gets the same feeling I do whenever he is around my grandfather. Somehow our grandfather makes us feel safe as if nothing could hurt us when he is around.
Just as we got upstairs Joey ran up the stairs. I looked at my grandfather then over to the stairs. I figured practice didn't go so well. As I just stood there, my grandpa pushed me to go up and find out what was wrong with Joey. I agreed and headed upstairs.
(JOEY'S POINT OF VIEW)
I couldn't believe this kid would touch me in any way, more so when I was naked in the shower. I pushed his advances off hoping he would get the hint I am not on the market. Boy I was wrong about that.
Before I knew it he had his hands around my head pushing me into a kiss. This damn fool had some balls. He actually thinks he could do this and I would fall on my knees and suck his cock for him. What the hell was going on? The question of `why' kept going through my mind as this kid tried to stick his tongue in my mouth. Enough of this shit!
I just pushed the kid away from me as hard as I could. He stumbled back until he hit the wall of the shower room. I couldn't believe it; he started using the wall to get himself back up. All along he was looking at me with this big boyish grin on his face. I think the ass thought he was God's gift to guys and girls. Well, he has another think coming concerning me and my body.
"What the fuck man! I am not interested or on the market anymore!"
"Come on I saw the way you were looking at me when you thought my eyes were closed. What, you are the only one that can look at someone when the other person isn't paying attention?"
"Fine I was wrong for looking. I didn't mean to send you a message that I was interested. I am a guy, gay or not, I am guy. We look at others, but I don't touch. I love my boyfriend and will never cheat on him."
"That is what you say now, but give me time. I promise you will be begging for me to be your boyfriend. You will drop this so called boyfriend in a New York minute!"
"Fuck you and what you stand for. Go and crawl back under whatever rock you came from!"
"Just a matter of time. I know you as a person and by rumors. Once you cheat, you will always cheat. Plus I always get what I want, and right now I want you!"
I just couldn't believe what this kid was saying. I knew he was saying it; I heard him and saw his lips moving, but I still can't believe it. I walked out of the shower room leaving him there. I wanted to get the hell out of there as fast as I could.
I ran to my locker, got dressed, and ran out of there. I climbed into my truck slamming the door. I sat there thinking what had happened. I never meant this to happen. I love Jake so much. And right now things are going so great between us. How could I just fuck it up? I should have never looked at this kid. Why in the hell did I look at this kid?
I couldn't control the questions going through my mind. I wanted them out so bad. Before I knew it, I started slamming my head against the steering wheel. Why do I keep doing this to the best relationship I have ever had in my life? Jake has always been there for me.
Finally I got control of myself enough to get out of the school parking lot. All the way home I kept crying about what just happened. I want to stay and be with my Jake. I don't want any other.
As I drove up to the house, I stayed in the truck to get control of my feeling. The crying had to stop before I walked in. Once I had that under control I made my way in. The minute I opened the door, Jake, Jeremy, and Grandpa Al were all in the hallway. For sure they couldn't see me like this. So I headed upstairs in order to hide that I had been crying.
Not even going into the bedroom, I went straight to the bathroom. I needed to splash some water on my face in order to get rid of the puffy eyes. Just as I turned off the water Jake walked into the room calling for me.
"Be right out babe!"
"Why didn't you stay downstairs with us Joey?"
I couldn't stay hidden in the bathroom all night long. If I do that, Jake and the rest of the guys will know something was up. Even before I could open the door to the room, Jake walked into the bathroom. Just one look at his face set me off again.
"What's going on Joey? Please tell me what's the matter!"
Jake pretty much ran to me grabbing hold of me to console the cheating ass that I am. I couldn't hurt this guy anymore. I have hurt him way too much already.
By Jake holding me in his arms, it made me cry even more. Some how we started our way back to the room. As we reached the bed, we both sat down at the same time.
"Whenever you are able to, please tell me what is going on Joey!"
"Promise me Jake you will not be mad with me, please promise me!"
"Joey there isn't anything you can do that will get me mad with you."
"Trust me on this, there is. I need you to know I love you so much Jake. I never meant this to happen. Never in my wildest dreams..."
I went on to tell Jake from the beginning what had happened. From the bad practice I had right up to my shower, the kid walking in to the shower room and selecting the shower next to me; me looking at him when I thought he had his eyes closed, to him touching me, and to the kiss and everything else in the middle and end of the events.
"Jake I promise you I didn't look at him in order to have him. I just looked at him like I have done to so many other guys a hundred times before. I never thought there would be one out there that would take my looking wrong."
"Joey this is what you are upset about? Look at me handsome, come on look at me!"
Jake grabbed my chin moving my face to look straight into his. Using his other hand he wiped the tears from my face.
"We have been through this in the past Joey. I left it in the past because I love you and believe in our love for each other. I trust you totally, Joey. I know you will not cheat on me. I see it in your eyes everyday how much you love me.
"You look, I look, and we all look at others. Come on, it's in our nature. But when it comes down to it, we know where our heart lies. Our hearts belong to each other and no one else. This is something rare that not many people have."
"People will try to come between us, trust me on that, but our love will always keep us together. So stop this crying and beating yourself up about something that didn't happen. You didn't cheat on me, and as for that guy, well let's say he better hope I don't find him."
"I love you Joey with all my heart. You already know my heart is yours and only yours."
"I love you so much Jake. I can't stand it. You are the only good thing that has come into my life. I never want to lose you."
Jake held me tight until we heard Grandpa Al call us down for dinner. As we got up, Jake wiped my face once again and then gave me a kiss on my forehead. He grabbed hold of my hand and lead us down to dinner. Jake always surprises me!
(GLORIA'S POINT OF VIEW)
Man what a selfish son I have. His brother needs him and he isn't willing to part with some of the money I helped win for him. Jake is in the wrong as it comes down to what happened between him and Andy. It is him that needs to open the doors to make things right again between the two of them.
Now I am going to have to deliver the bad news to Andy. I should have told Jake I needed the money for a totally different issue. There was no way Jake is ever going to lend or give money for Andy's wedding.
When I turned the corner to Andy and Normal's house, I saw Andy sitting outside. I honked as I drove up the house. Andy saw it was me, so he headed down to meet me.
"How are you son? Everything with you and Normal going well?"
"It could be better if Jacob and grandpa would talk with the District Attorney to get the charges dismissed against Hector."
"Why is it causing you and Normal problems?"
"It is causing a lot of problems between me and Normal. We just had a fight about it right before you drove up. There is no need for them to prosecute Hector and his friends. They are not going to beat up Jacob anymore."
"I will see what I can do when I talk with your grandfather. As far as Jacob, well, he will not give a penny to your wedding."
"WHAT! He promised to help me out with the wedding. Normal and I figured in his part of the money. He can't back out now."
"Well Andy he pretty much told me that he has no plans to give you one red cent. I can try him again, but there isn't going to be a change. He would rather spend all his money on that group of faggots that are living in his house."
"Damn it mom! I told Normal I would fix this. Now I have to go in the house and give her more bad news. Jake has no right taking back his word. He needs to follow through with his promise to help me with the wedding."
"You know Jake. Neither of us can tell what he is going to do next. All I can do is ask him again. One way or another I will get him to follow through with his promise. Even if I have to take out a mortgage on the house he gave me and stick him with the bill."
"Mom I really need this money. I can't afford having Normal angry with me on another issue. Please if you can take out a mortgage on the house, I will pay it once I go into the Army. I just need to get things to settle down over here."
"No worries Andy, I will get it done. Sit tight and wait on word from me before you tell Normal anything. Jake has no right to take back a promise, even if you did disinvite him from the wedding. What did he think? Life is going to be a bed of roses being what he is. No, and he must get the message sooner than later."
"Thank you mom for everything! I love you and will wait for your call."
"Love you to Andy! Give me a couple more days to get things done. Take care of yourself and Normal."
I watched as Andy walked back up his driveway. Right then I decided one way or another Jake would give what he promised. I drove off thinking what I could do to make this faster. Andy couldn't afford any more problems with Normal.
I noticed a young boy sitting in my driveway as I drove up. When he lifted his head, I knew who he was. To say I was angry seeing him there, is an understatement.
"What are you doing here Greg?"
"Ms. Hernandez I wanted to come down and let you know what is going on with the matter you hired me to take care of."
"I don't want a report, I want action. The kind of results I want to see is Joey breaking my son's heart so bad he will not get another chance with my son."
"You do know even if we get rid of Joey. There are going to be other's that will date your son. I have seen your son, and if I was gay I would date him."
"Greg I don't want to hear that from you. I didn't hire you to tell me how cute or dateable my son is. You were hired to get Joey to cheat on Jake with you. I don't care if you have to let him have sex with you. Just get it done!"
"Ms. Hernandez, with the amount of money you are willing to pay me when this happens, trust me, I will get it done. I made my first move on Joey today in the showers. To show you how much I want this to be done. I actually grabbed another mans naked body for the first time in my straight life. Then I kissed him. He actually kissed back for a few seconds."
"What did I tell you? Joey will cheat on my son with any cute guy that would give himself to him. Keep doing this and within a month the job will be done. Then you can go back dating girls or what ever floats your boat."
"Ok Ms. Hernandez that's cool with me. I will give you regular updates."
"Greg I don't want updates from you. Just get the job done and do it fast. I want my brokenhearted son running back home to his mother. Now get the hell out of here before anyone sees you. Don't visit me again until the job is done."
Greg just looked at me as I passed him on my way into the house. I needed to make clear to him not to come down to the house again. I didn't hire him to give updates. I hired him to break up my son and Joey.
(MARIE'S POINT OF VIEW)
My mom was running late from work. It was very rare that she gets home late. Since Jake left, I have had to take over all the chores in the house. That includes having dinner ready for my mom and me when she gets home.
My mom didn't tell me she was going to be running late, but she was. So when she comes home and finds dinner cold, it's her fault. I took dinner off the table and stuffed it in the oven to keep it warm.
I didn't even know my mom had gotten home. At first I thought I might be hearing voices outside, at least until I recognized my mom's voice. I walked over to the window to see whom she was talking to.
When I first looked out the window, I got scared for my mom. She was talking to that creepy kid that I have seen walking up and down our street. He must have stopped her as she got out of the car. I was about to call the police on him until I heard my mom actually carrying on a conversation with him.
He gives me the creeps. I don't understand why he doesn't freak out my mom. That she was talking to him at all, made me want to know what they were talking about even more. I know I couldn't open the window or go outside. So I tried to hear what they were talking about through the closed window.
Most of it was muffled, but I made out some. They were talking about Jake and Joey. Their names I kept hearing being said over and over again. The rest I tried to piece together. Once I got the gist of it, I knew I needed to talk with Jake. To top it off, my mom got loud at the end of their conversation confirming what I thought they were saying and I was right.
I knew if my mom walked in and caught me there, it would be over. She would ground me until I turn twenty-one. So I ran to the kitchen to warm up the dinner as she changed.
All through dinner she complained about Jake and about how he was wrong not giving the money he had promised to give Andy for his wedding. Is she stupid or what? Andy uninvited Jake from the wedding! Why should he give them money?
That woman my older brother is marrying, sent her brother and his friends to beat up Jake. Andy feels it was Jake's fault. She told Andy to disown his brother because he was gay. Andy did that as well. Now he wants money. Andy must have been dropped on his head one to many times when he was a baby.
I would have done the same thing Jake did. You disinvite me; I would not contribute one red cent to the wedding either. I really wanted to tell my mom that, but I couldn't. So I sat there listening to her complain about Jake and using the "F" word over and over again.
I couldn't be happier when we finished eating. I needed to get away from her before I did say something I couldn't take back. I really hope I don't turn out like my mom. If I do, I hope whoever is around me would just shoot me.
(GLORIA'S POINT OF VIEW)
The first thing I did when I got up was call in for the day. I thought it over last night and realized I could talk until my face turns blue to Jake about the money. He will not give it up to his older bother. So I have to take matters in my own hands.
After calling in to work, I got ready to go to the bank. Since Jake isn't going to give the money straight out, I will borrow it from the bank giving the house as collateral. This way Jake has no choice but to pay the house loan off.
I wanted to be one of the first persons at the bank so I arrived at the bank before it opened. I parked the car and headed to the front the door. The guard opened the door right at nine.
We had to sign in if we needed to talk with a representative. Before I could even take a seat I got called.
"Ms. Hernandez good morning. How can I help you this morning?"
"I would like to take a loan on my home. I have the clear title to it."
"Let me see your title so I can see what we can do for you. May I ask what you need the money for? Home improvements or personal issues?"
"My oldest son is getting married. He needs my help with the wedding."
As we talked I handed her the deed to the house. She looked the paper work over several times before she excused herself getting up and leaving. A few minutes later the rep returned.
"Ms. Hernandez I have never seen a deed set up like this so I needed to ask my boss what all this extra stuff meant. He told me that you do own the house, but not out right. A Mr. Jacob Hernandez is the only one that can put a lien on the home. Is this the son that is getting married?"
"No he isn't the son that is getting married. He gave me the house as a gift. As you can see on the title of the home it has my name on it. That means I can borrow against it if I wish to."
"No ma'am it doesn't. The deed is structured where the home is yours, but you have no authority to sell it or get a mortgage on it. Only your son can come in and get that done. No bank or agency will loan you money using this home. I can call your son and get permission," she offered politely.
"I have never needed to get my kids permission on anything. He is under the age of eighteen and I am his mother. That means I have complete say in all financial items concerning my son. I know that to be true. And since that is true, I can borrow against the home without the permission of my minor son."
"Let me find out if that is true from my boss. Hold on for a few minute Ms. Hernandez."
The bank representative left the office again. When she returned, she had her boss with her. He looked even meaner than she did.
"Ms. Hernandez I am sorry for the misunderstanding here. You are right on the law as far as the minor son. But as we read further down the paperwork it is stated that you don't have the say in his financial decisions. A Dr. Whitmore has that authority."
"We can either call Dr. Whitmore or your son to get permission on the loan but until we see them in this bank, we can't make a loan against this house. No bank will do that, I am sorry Ms. Hernandez."
"No problem I will return with my son and Dr. Whitmore to get this done. I never signed that right away. I will get that fixed as well."
I thanked them and left. Jake really screwed me here. Not only had he made sure I couldn't sell the house, he made sure I couldn't even borrow against the house he gave to me. I thought I had that right at least.
Then he actually took away my rights to making decisions about his financial issues. When I see him tonight I am going to lay into him for that. Screw waiting for tonight. I am going to go and pull him out of class to have him correct this. I have never been this embarrassed in my life.
I went straight to the attendance office when I arrived at Jake's school. Once I got to the front of the line I requested the lady at the desk get my son. At first she thought I was some crazy woman. But then she saw I wasn't. She saw I was a concerned parent that needed to speak with her son.
(JACOB'S POINT OF VIEW)
By the time Joey and I got downstairs the rest of the guys had served themselves and had begun eating already. We just jumped into it all. My grandparents seemed to like all the youth in the house since they moved in. In fact they were the last to call it a night at times.
Everything got quiet when we heard banging, not knocking, but banging on the front door. No one had invited anyone to the house so it was no wonder each of us were just sitting there looking at each other. Probably wondering who was banging so hard on the door. I looked around one more time before getting up.
"Don't worry, I'll get the door. I am telling you, whoever was banging on the front door was going to get a earful from me!"
Everyone started laughing as I left the room. The banging got louder as I approached the front door. Who ever it was wasn't making me happy with the hard knocking they were doing on my door. I didn't even bother to look through the peephole or windows by the door, I just answered it.
As I opened the door, I found Andy and Normal standing there on my front step. Andy was about to knock again as I opened the door. Before I could say a word, Andy went into his speech.
"Who do you think you are; some kind of king sitting here in your castle making decisions regarding other people's lives?"
"To be honest with you Andy I have no idea what you are talking about. One thing I do know. I don't like anyone banging down my front door the way you were doing. Don't you have any respect for others anymore?"
"Fuck the front door and fuck the respect! You decided to take back a promise you gave me to help with the wedding. We depended on that money and now we don't have it."
"You actually have some balls coming here Andy talking about going back on a word given. Your soon to be wife not only lied to you about how the things unfolded in the study that day, she had her brother and friends beat me up. Look at my leg; you want to see the fucking broken ribs they broke?"
Andy just looked at the ground as I talked to him. But not Normal, she just looked straight into my eyes.
"Then you listened to your girlfriend to disinvite me from the wedding. You did it Andy and that hurt the most. My own brother disinvited me from his wedding because of something I had no choice over. You sided with Normal over your own blood.
"That is fine Andy. I can't do anything about that. But if I would still give you the money for the wedding, it would look like I paid for my own beating. I paid for you guys to disinvite me from the wedding. No Andy, you want it both ways. I am here to say you can't have it both ways. You made your decision, now you just have to live with it!"
Andy still wouldn't look up from the ground. Normal still didn't flinch at all. All of a sudden she looked away as the door opened all the way. I looked back to se my grandpa standing there. He didn't look happy at all.
"Andy you know better than to make a scene like this. I know my daughter brought you kids up better than this. She has her faults, but not on bringing you kids up with respect for others. Making a scene by banging down the door, yelling at your brother, isn't right and you know that Andy."
"Now I understand you are angry, and maybe hurt at the same time. How do you think your brother felt when you listened to Normal here and disinvited him from your wedding? You know how Jake loves and looks up to you. You also know Jake didn't have any choice with whom he fell in love with, any more than he had in the choice of the color of his hair."
"I know grandpa but I don't want to lose Normal as well" Andy spoke for the first time.
"I am not afraid to say this in front of her. In fact I am glad she is here to hear me say this. Normal or any girl isn't worth marrying if they ask you to choose her over your family. By treating Jake the way you are, you are losing your family in favor of her. She isn't worth that at all. I love you Andy. You are my grandson and when you come to your senses the door is always open for you."
My grandfather pulled me away from the front door and closed it not letting Andy say anything more. That hurt even more than the day he left. The look on his face just killed me. I wanted so bad to embrace him and never let him go. We never had that as we were growing up. I think that is why Normal could influence Andy in the way she does.
My grandfather led me into the den not saying a word. Even as we sat down all he did was look at me, letting me, I figure, gather my thoughts.
"Jake you need to stay strong for not only your sake but for Joey's as well. One of the things I have noticed here is these guys in this house depend on your strength. They go off of your strength and more so Joey."
"I know grandpa; it just hurts seeing Andy that way. I know you love all of us including our mom. Still you didn't grow up in that house. Yeah she gave us everything we needed as far as physical things. I will never take that away from my mom. She never took a handout from anyone and still brought up three kids the best way she knew how. But we needed to be shown emotion as well."
"For that I am to blame. I worked all the time as your mom had to pick up the duties in the house when their mom abandoned them in the park. I never thanked her for that. Then your mom saw I got married, not out of love, but out of convenience."
"I knew they needed a mother figure. I also knew it wasn't right for your mom to be taking care of her two older brothers and younger sister. So I made a deal with my second wife to marry her. She would take care of my kids, and I would support the household including her kids; she had just lost her husband."
"Once our youngest child left the house, we followed through with the deal. We divorced and went our separate ways. I knew there was no love in that house so how could your mom learn that, and then show it to you guys?"
We sat there quiet. For the first time I saw my mom in a different light. I never knew this story and my grandpa was right. If you never grew up with a loving family, it's hard to show love in yours.
As I sat there I couldn't blame my mom anymore or my grandpa. He did what he thought was right at the time. Normally the love comes from the mother in the house anyway. The father is always the one that lays down the law. I got pulled out of thought with a surprised statement.
"Jake I respect you on every decision you make. I just can't understand why you are going to court next Tuesday to help the guy that tried to kill you so many times."
I knew it was hard to believe. Believe me when I say it was hard to explain it to anyone that asked. I just felt for this guy. I turned his attorneys away so many times refusing to hear them out. The only thing going through my mind was this kid wanted me dead for no good reason."
"Then when his attorney came and talked with me for the sixth time, I heard him; I heard what he was saying. Alejandro was wrong and his attorney wasn't saying he didn't do wrong. He needs to be punished, but give him a chance to have a life. If Alejandro messes up this chance that is being given to him he only has himself to blame."
"In other words grandpa, I want to say I did everything to help out my fellow man. Alejandro is guilty and needs to be punished but let's make the punishment not only fit the crime but the person. Plain and simple he was fifteen when he made the first mistake that just made him stumble all over himself after that."
"I trust you Jake and the decisions that you make. Alejandro better shape up with the chance he is given. If he doesn't and comes here to do harm, he will regret that decision. I am licensed to carry a weapon and trust me, I carry a weapon and wouldn't hesitate for a split second to use it if needed."
My grandpa got up hitting the side of his leg a couple of times as he walked out. My mom told me stories about my grandpa always having a small gun always in a holster strapped around his ankle and one under his front seat of his car. I just thought my mom was just talking to talk about my grandpa.
Joey walked in and wrapped his arms around me neck. He started kissing me on the neck before speaking.
"A penny for your thoughts babe!"
"I am thinking about things my mom told me as I grew up. I see now it wasn't all lies like I thought. Let me ask you Joey, do you ever think the money we got is more of a burden than anything else?"
"No not really Jake, I don't think so. Look, we have the greatest friends in the world around us. They are not here because we have money. They are here because they want to be friends with us no matter if we have money or not."
"I know you are thinking about this right now because of your brother Andy. You love him and I know you are going to do it anyways. Give him the money that he needs to get married. You will not be able to sleep if you don't."
I just looked at Joey when he said that. We have gotten in sync so much. We can figure out each other's thoughts. He is right about me giving the money to Andy. If I don't do it, I won't be able to sleep.
Joey grabbed hold of my hand to pull me up. We walked over to join the rest of the guys to watch TV. Sometime during my talk, either with my grandpa or Joey, Linda arrived and was sitting with Chase watching TV.
I really didn't realize how tired I was until I kept nodding off in front of the television. If it weren't for Joey's arms wrapped around my neck, I would have fallen off the couch.
I called it a night leaving Joey with the guys watching television. I didn't even know when Joey came to bed. All I knew was I didn't sleep well all night with the thoughts running through my mind. So when the alarm clock went off, I didn't want to get out of bed.
I dragged myself out of bed, got ready and went to school. People still look at me as I walk down the hallways in my uniform. It isn't because of the medals or anything like that. It is due to me cutting the pant leg off in order for me to wear my uniform over the cast on uniform day. Don't worry; I bought another pair of pants to do this.
Just as I sat down to eat breakfast with the guys, Joey came up behind me. He put his hands over my eyes trying to have me figure out who it was. I knew it was Joey, but I played as if I didn't know by throwing out different names.
Joey finally gave up and sat down next to me. While in uniform we don't show affection in public. We just respect to the uniform, and the rules on the books right now about gays in the military. Major Moore and Sergeant Haney haven't said anything to us yet.
Before we knew it, the bell rang for first period. We all mumbled under our breaths about going to class. The holiday breaks are so close now we can feel them. I know I can't wait for the holidays to begin.
Joey and I headed to first period after grabbing our morning books from our locker. As was too often the case, class seemed to be dragging on. I don't know what it is about first period classes, but they just drag on and on.
The door opened to classroom and a note got handed to our teacher. She looked at it and then called me to the front. I got up and walked to the front to see what she needed. All my teacher did was hand me the note and told me to report to the attendance office.
I looked back at Joey wondering if he knew what this might be. He just shook his head as I looked at him. I had no choice so I wobbled over to the attendance office. I stopped using the crutch because it just got in my way. Now as I walk, I wobble instead of walk. People actually laugh at me when they see me walking down the hall.
When I walked into the attendance office, I couldn't believe my eyes. My mom was sitting there waiting on me. I walked over to her to see if something was wrong. But before I could say a word, she started laying into me.
Everyone in the attendance office just looked at my mom and me. She got so loud one of the clerks actually came around and escorted us into a private office asking her to keep her voice down.
"I can't believe how embarrassed I am right now because of you, Jake. You embarrassed me at my bank. I know you set it up like this in order to humiliate me."
"I don't know what you are talking about mom. You just keep saying I have embarrassed you. How have I embarrassed you now mom? Tell me how I have done that. I am no good in your eyes. You wish you never had me and I know that!"
"Don't try to become the victim here Jake. You organized the paper work to the house where I can't sell it or get a loan on the value of the home."
"You knew that from the beginning mom!"
"Then this isn't my house. I live in a house you are allowing me to live in. I have no say in what happens with this house. So why tell me you are giving me the house when you are actually not."
"The house is yours in every way except selling it or getting a loan on it. I explained all that to you the day I gave you the house. Originally, it was put in like that with the fear you might get married again and the guy takes advantage of you. He tries to sell the house and splits on you. Now I see another reason it was a good idea."
"What in the hell does that mean Jacob?"
"Not only do I need to protect the house from any future husbands, but from you as well. You have no need to borrow against the house. Even if you need that kind of money, I will not let you."
"You have no right talking to me this way. You are my son and still under age. I will pull you from that house and bring you back under my roof. You will give me the authority over my house. If you don't do as I ask I will take you out of this school by your gay little ears in front of everyone. Do you understand me Jacob?"
"Do whatever you think you can. You will never get authority over that house the way you want. As far as taking me from this school, I dare you. I am tired of this and this time I mean it! Stay the hell away from me! Do you hear what I am telling you?"
"Don't test me Jacob, I am warning you. I will take you to court and control every part of your life. Trust me I have enough to hold against you that any judge in their right mind will agree with me."
"Then do it if you have that proof. Until then LEAVE ME ALONE!"
I just left my mom standing there in the office. She didn't say anything else as I walked out. I think she realized she is in the wrong here, not me. The house was hers but with some strings attached. This was why I attached the strings.
(GRANDPA AL'S POINT OF VIEW)
I just got off the phone with Jacob. I can't believe what his mom just did to him at school. I never did that to any of my kids. Why would she do it to her own son? It seems no matter what I say, she isn't listening to me anymore.
Between Andy and my daughter, Jake isn't getting a chance to breathe. I decided to move here to give Jake a chance to be a teenager and look how good that is working out for him. His own mother is now humiliating him at school.
Right then I remembered I asked the attorneys here to work on something for Jake. I needed to see if they had finished it up so I picked up the phone and called them.
As soon as they heard I was on the line, we got down to business. They did complete the work I asked them to do. Jake already signed the paperwork that made him an emancipated teen. Basically he is on his own just like Joey.
Once I got that confirmed, I hung up. I know where Jake keeps all his paper work dealing with legal matters so I went and looked for the emancipation paper work he signed. Gloria should have been served a copy of it as well.
I found the papers just where I thought I would find them. Without a second thought I went out and made copies of the paperwork. Then I decided to go over to Gloria's house. I knew she was home because her car was in the driveway.
I parked behind her as I drove up to the house. I got out and went and knocked on the front door. By my second knock, Gloria answered the door.
"It didn't take long for Jacob to call you. Now here you are to his rescue like always. That is why Jacob thinks he can get away with anything. He will learn really soon that he is wrong about that."
"Glorie I am going to make this short and simple. Here, you should have been served this paperwork awhile back. Your son went to court to get emancipated and the courts granted his request. Under the law you no longer have any rights over your son. So you need to stop threatening him and causing him problems."
"By the way, just so you know, I am the one that instructed him to set up the house this way. I wanted him protected with such a huge gift he was giving you. Like Jake said, at first it was put in place to protect you and him from future husbands wanting you for what you have. Now I see it was the right thing to do. It protected not only you from future husbands, but also Jake and Joey from you as well."
"I am not getting through to you Glorie. I know I didn't bring you up this way not with this hate you have. It had to be your stepmother. I thought I was doing the right thing with you guys by remarrying. I see now I didn't. I love you and I hope one day you see the hurt you are doing to your son."
I didn't even give my daughter a chance to respond to what I said. I just walked away from her getting into my car. All the way home I kept thinking back where I messed up with her. I should have been more involved bringing her up.
(MARIE'S POINT OF VIEW)
During lunch I looked for Jake finding him at his normal table. Knowing that I needed to speak with him, I walked over.
"Jake can I speak with you and Joey please?"
Jake nodded his head patting Joey on the shoulder. We walked out into the hallway to talk.
"Look Marie mom was in the wrong this morning when you came down. I did what I did to ensure you guys would always have a roof over your heads."
"I have no idea what you are talking about. But thank you for the warning. Now mom is going to be in an angry mood when I get home. I needed to speak with you on another matter altogether."
"Sorry about that sis. You know if it gets to hard over at mom's you can always come over whenever you want."
"I know Jake and thank you. Mom is just lost right now. She doesn't know where to go losing her sons. She thought for sure you would always be with her. Now you are living on your own. That isn't why I need to talk with you though. Last night when mom got home, she was talking to some kid. I think he goes to high school, maybe middle school. He looked very young. Anyway they were talking about you guys."
"Listen, I didn't hear what they were talking about. All I know is they were talking about you guys because your names kept coming up over and over again. I just wanted to warn you two to watch out. Just keep an eye out for strange things."
"Thank you Marie! Are you ok with everything else? Do you need anything?"
"I am fine Jake; just promise me that you will make an effort to get along with mom. She will get through this stage in her life."
"I promise you I will do my best. You take care and come to me if you need anything."
We hugged before parting ways. I love my big brother. I just can't understand why my mom and Andy can't do the same. I hope one day we all can be in one room again.
(JACOB'S POINT OF VIEW)
Finally Joey and I decided what we were going to be for Halloween. I volunteered to buy our costumes after school today. Joey wouldn't hear of that. He decided to ditch practice to go with me.
Without going in, we dropped off my car at the house. We needed to get to the Halloween store before it closed. All the way over we didn't talk about the events of the last couple of days. It felt great to talk about anything except the crap going on in our lives for once.
The first thing we did when we walked in the store was to look for a sales clerk. The store was packed with last minute shoppers and we didn't want to fight them for the costumes, and we kind of had a hook up here.
One of the sons of the owner goes to school with us. He knows Joey really well from football. Joey spotted him in the crowd. Right away Joey pulled him to the side.
"Dude we need your help really bad!"
"Name it Joey! If I can do it, I will."
"I know we are late shoppers but we want a certain costume. I am afraid it is a popular costume though, Simon."
"Tell me what they are and I will look in the back and see if we have them."
"I want to be Robin and Jake here wants to be Batman."
"Which one, with tights and cape or no tights?"
"No Simon, like in the movie Batman. The ones with the whole plastic armor and mask."
Simon smiled pushing us to the back. He pulled down a couple of boxes from the shelf opening them. Boy did I like what he pulled out.
"That is it Simon; you got it! What about the Robin costume?"
"Don't worry I have that one too," Simon replied with a grin.
He opened the other box he pulled down. Just what the doctor ordered. I just looked at Joey smiling from ear to ear. These costumes are going to be badass. I wouldn't mind seeing Joey in a pair of tights either. Maybe I will buy a pair for our private time.
"Cool just what we wanted. How much are they Simon?"
"For you Joey, I will sell you them at cost. Let me take you guy's back up front and ring you up. Just put them back in the box. These are the only ones we have, and I really don't want to explain to others that we have no more."
We laughed while putting the costumes back in the box. True to his word, he rang us up at cost. Couldn't believe the hook up Joey got us today and knowing we are the only ones with this costume. How cool is that?
The rest of the evening was quiet. Even as we sat there watching television, no one said a word. I just looked at Joey wishing I didn't have this damn cast and bad ribs. I wanted to jump Joey so bad right now.
Tom and David said goodnight and went up early. I knew exactly what they were up to. More and more David was becoming his normal self again. I was glad to be getting our David back. He even was volunteering again at the hospital. I tease him from time to time about not giving the cute guys what they want; he knew what I was saying.
The rest of the week flew by. On Halloween we all dressed up and went out to actually trick or treat. All night we went around the neighborhood knocking on doors trying to get our pillowcases filled with candy. None of us were wearing the costumes we bought to wear on Saturday.
My grandpa stayed back to give out candy to those that came to our door. My grandma and Beth stayed back to help out too. I know all I wanted was candy bars so that is what we bought to give out to the kids around the neighborhood.
By the time we swung around to the house, I saw it was already eight thirty. I wanted to call it a night due to my leg in this damn cast. But before we did, we actually knocked at our own door for candy. Beth answered the door as we all screamed trick or treat. She laughed as we walked into the house.
We did a pretty good job if I don't say so myself. My pillowcase was pretty much filled. I looked over at the others to see they were the same as we started pouring out the candy onto the floor. We sat there for the next hour or so trading candy with each other. I wanted candy bars but no one wanted to part with theirs.
The next evening we all went to watch Joey's game. Although Halloween was over, many dressed up at the game. Joey and the football team won the game without breaking much of a sweat. Joey did his normal carries and touchdowns we have grown accustomed to seeing from him.
After the game Joey didn't even bother to shower before meeting us in the parking lot. We needed to get ready for the party in a hurry. I saw Joey jump into his truck and wave for me to lead. We rushed home to get ready.
In order to save time Joey and I showered together. It took time to wrap my cast, but other than that we were in and out in good time. Both us put on sweats under the heavy plastic costumes we bought for this party. We wanted to look the part the best we could.
After much debate, we decided to catch a ride with Tom and David. I really don't like going to a party and not having my own transportation home, but Joey talked me into it. Neither Joey nor I could drive in these costumes so it was best all the way around.
We drove up to a new dancehall on the west side of town. The host of the party, a fellow student and football player, had rented the dancehall for the party. It was a pretty good size dancehall. It was large enough for all of us to have fun without bumping into each other!
Joey, the guys and I headed into the dancehall after parking the car. Right away we ran into kids we knew. They gave Joey and I our props on our costumes as we made our way to a table.
Once the music started playing again, Joey talked me into dancing. We danced more than we actually were in our seats. I don't like dancing, but Joey talked me into it so I threw caution to the wind. I know I looked like a jacked up Batman dancing with my cast on my leg.
By the sixth or maybe seventh song I had to find the restroom. If I didn't get to it soon, there would be a lake on the dance floor. I pretty much speed walked over to the restroom.
I knew I was in my own mind as always when I felt Joey's arms around me. I turned my head to face him. We leaned in to kiss each other.
"I want you so bad Joey. I could just tear your costume off right here and have sex on this dirty ass floor."
Joey just started laughing. I figured it was the words I said that got him laughing.
Joey and I washed up before heading out. As we walked back to our table, I kept turning each doorknob on the way. Second to the last door actually wasn't locked. I grabbed hold of Joey's arms to pull him into the closet.
I slammed the door by pushing Joey's body against it. While we kissed I reached around locking the door. Fumbling around in the dark, I finally found the light switch. We stopped kissing looking around the room we were in. I thought the room was a closet, but it was a storage room of some kind.
We didn't care. There was nothing on the floor and that was what we wanted. We went back to kissing and trying to get our costumes off of each other. The masks were easy, but the body suits, well let me say this, getting out of them was proving harder than it looked.
I got Joey's suit off without breaking or ripping it. Joey stood right in front of me in all his glory. Damn he was hotter than ever. The weight room was paying off for him. Falling to my knees I took Joeys dick into my mouth.
As I started sucking on his cock, Joey put his hands on the back of my head. Pushing me further and further down onto his cock! Joey all of a sudden pulled me up. I thought I might have done something, but that wasn't the reason.
"Jake we haven't done sixty nine in awhile. I want you going down on me as I go down on you. I want us to cum at the same time in each others mouths."
"Hell yeah Joey!"
I got out my costume faster than I thought I could; Joey helped of course. We got into the sixty-nine position on the floor. I didn't think about how cold the floor would actually be.
I took Joey's dick once again into my mouth. Almost at the same time Joey took my dick into his. My dick was already hard simply because how hot my Joey looks. He always gets me hard.
Each time I got close to cumming, Joey pulled off. I figured since he didn't want to let me cum, I would repay the favor. This went on for almost thirty minutes until Joey's moaning started getting louder than the music.
I didn't want him to cum in my mouth. I actually wanted his dick in my ass. I let his dick slip out of my mouth. Looking straight at his dick, it stood right in front of me at attention; that was a sight I loved to see!
"Joey I want you in me so bad! Please, can you fuck me right here and right now?"
"We have no lube babe. I don't want to hurt you."
"Use your pre-cum as lube. You are leaking enough of it!"
Joey laughed looking down at his dick. I grabbed it, moving my hand up and down on it.
Joey moved around until his face was looking at mine. He gently put my legs over his shoulders. Lining his dick up to my hole and then slowly pressing against the entrance, his dick slowly entered my ass until he got completely in.
I love Joey's dick in me because I can feel his heart beating through his dick. I didn't feel any movement so I opened my eyes. Joey was actually looking down at me with a big smile on his face. I smiled back wondering why he hadn't started yet.
My question was answered as he leaned in and started kissing me. I didn't even feel Joey starting to fuck me. I was involved in the most deep and passionate kiss ever. I felt as if I actually was floating in space.
Then I got pulled down to earth as Joey hit my button. When he hits that certain spot inside me, it drives me up the wall! That was when I started moaning like there was no tomorrow. I don't even have to touch myself when he hits my special spot. My dick stays hard the whole time.
"That's it Joey! Man you know exactly where to hit! Damn you feel good inside me! Fuck me even harder Joey, fuck me harder!"
I didn't even have to ask again. Joey started slamming my ass with his dick. Driving me up the wall as he does! I am getting closer and closer to my climax. I didn't want this to end any time soon. I tried to keep myself from reaching my climax, but it didn't work. Without touching my dick even once, it started shooting all over the place.
"I am going to cum, Joey! Look out I am about to cum! Oh fuck yeah..."
Shot after shot fired out of my dick over my head and then hitting my face, neck and stomach finally. Every time I start to cum, some how my butt cheeks clamp down onto Joey's dick making him cum.
"Damn it Jake you knew that was going to make me cum! Please stop Jake, I am about to..."
That was it for Joey as well. I felt his first shots of cum hit me hard. The rest I felt, but nothing like the first ones. Man, can Joey cum. falling down on top of me drenched in sweat and breathing hard.
"Jake I love the way you make love with me. I always look forward to making love with you babe." Joey whispered into my ear.
I don't know why we started whispering. I knew we were pretty much yelling and moaning while in the throws of sex. Everyone out in the hall could hear us over the music. I really didn't care. I just had the best sex with the sexiest man in school.
We lay there on the floor side by side. Not saying a word to one another. We just lay there with our eyes closed holding each other's hand. If someone would walk into this room right now, they would turn and run.
I heard the DJ letting everyone know the next three songs were going to be the last three songs of the night. I got up, pulling Joey up with me. Knowing we have to get dressed and quick, but also we needed to clean up some. I actually found a bag of clean towels on the shelf. Joey and I used them to clean up the best as we could.
Even with my leg in a cast, I somehow got dressed faster than Joey. I waited for him to finish before opening the door and peeking out. After seeing there wasn't anyone around, I pulled Joey out of the room.
As we reached the table where Chase and the rest were sitting, they just looked at us. They knew what we were doing, so there wasn't any need to explain to them about the birds and the bees.
"Now that we are all together, let's get out of here and go home!"
We all nodded and Tom grabbed our coats. I noticed walking out to the parking lot; Joey actually put the top of his costume on backwards. I couldn't help but laugh. I don't know how he could have done that but at the same time I didn't want anyone else to notice. I threw my jacket over his back to cover it up.
I can't speak for Joey or the rest, but I was actually dead on my feet right now. On the drive home, I had fallen asleep on Joeys shoulder. The next thing I knew, I felt Joey's hands going through my hair.
When my eyes opened, there looking back at me was an angel!
"Babe we are home now. Get up and let's go inside."
"Do we have to handsome? Let's stay here for awhile please!"
"No it's late and you need to get your leg on an actual bed."
With that we climbed out of the car and walked into the house. The only light on was the one that leads us upstairs. Once we reached the top of the stairs I was about to turn off the light when I heard Chase's voice call out that he was still downstairs. So I left it on and headed to my room.
After pulling off my costume I crawled into bed. Joey crawled into bed as I was taking off my costume. Crawling up next to Joey, I wrapped my arm around his chest and went to sleep.
(TONI'S POINT OF VIEW)
Jacob and the guys invited me to a party after the football game. But when I asked my grandparents it I could go, they said no. I have never been to a party before. I know that seems strange for a junior in high school, but remember I am only thirteen.
I know you don't know much about me except what I have told Jacob and the guys. But I did not tell them the complete truth about my parents, who they were, and how I really ended up here. You know how my parents died shortly after each other and I was now living with my grandparents. What you guys don't know will surprise you.
When my dad passed in the army, that's the easy way on putting it; all I had left was my mother. Then I lost her to cancer after I lost my dad in the military. I was away at school when it happened. I actually was told by phone. That kind of news being delivered to anyone by phone is the worst. To top it all off, no one wanted to take me in after my mother died.
It was very simple why I wasn't being accepted. My parents were not even my parents. What I mean by that is that my real parents put me up for adoption when I was born. They were both in trouble with the law in one way or another. To top that all off they were both drug users. While my mom was pregnant with me, she actually was locked up. That means she couldn't get her hands on drugs during her pregnancy.
The doctors didn't even think I would live when I was born. Then they said I would die within the first week, but I didn't; I lived. Then they said if I lived past my first birthday, I would be mentally handicapped. They were right finally about that one. My mind worked so fast, it made it easy for me to learn things. So I figured I owed my parents one thing and that was me being smart.
I have never met my parents due to them being sentenced to life in prison. Being in trouble already with the law, separately already, they received life because the last thing they did together was kill several old people in a retirement home for there valuables. They didn't even make it to the door due to being high on so many drugs.
So, I got adopted and then lost my adopted parents. Due to me not being blood to my adopted parents, no one wanted me. Right before I was about to be pulled back into the system, my grandparents on my adopted mother's side, which I had only met once, accepted responsibility. I really think they did it out of grief of losing their daughter. They surely didn't do it out of love.
I shouldn't complain because I have a roof over my head and food in my stomach. But that is all my grandparents do for me. They don't show me any kind of love or emotion or anything like that. Again I should consider myself lucky. They don't beat me or throw me in the basement. They just don't show me any kind of love.
The only rule I really had was being in my room whenever I am at home and letting my grandparents know where I am at when I am out of the house. They don't want to see me at all.
They just leave me alone up here in my room. To tell you the truth, I like my peace and quiet. I can read my books or write, really whatever I want to do. No one ever comes up here and bothers me at all.
I know they blame me for the loss of their daughter. Strange but true! In their minds they think their daughter and son-in-law died because they did everything for me. What they got in return, they lost their lives. I can't help it if I lost my parents in the way I did. I loved them for everything they had done for me.
So basically that is my story. Now that you know more about me, you can see why I am so mixed up. My birth parents were druggies, in prison, and didn't want me at all. My adopted parents died before I even had a real chance to accomplish what they had hoped I would accomplish.
Now I am becoming good friends with Jacob and the guys. I really feel, for the first time in my life, I have true friends. I only wish I could hang out with them when they invite me places. I want that part of my life as well, hanging with friends.
Oh yea I better clear the air here. I am only thirteen years old, barely getting out of that age of hating girls. I am now looking at them in a different light now. So I know I am going to love girls. Nothing against Jacob, Joey, Tom, and David, I just don't bat on their side of the fence.
I waited for my grandparents to go to bed. You can set your clock on them turning in for the night. Once they turn in I go down and get me a something to eat before I turn in. Tonight was different though. As I made my way down the stairs, I noticed my grandparents still watching television.
I thought maybe I could just walk past them and grab something really quick from the kitchen. On second thought I'd better play it safe and just wait. They sleep in the master bedroom on the first floor. So all I have to do is wait them out. I grabbed a book I started and sat at the top of stairs waiting to hear the TV go off.
With my stomach growling with hunger, I really didn't know how long I could wait. I decided to call it quits after waiting for almost two hours. I would just go to bed hungry tonight. I would wake up early and grab something then.
The next morning I got up, dressed and started my way down to the kitchen. Half way down, I heard the television blaring. What the hell? They got up already? I just stood there thinking what I should do. I decided again not to take any chances, so I went back to my room. Still very hungry, but I didn't want to mess up having a roof over my head.
By eleven I decided to take my chances. Quietly I walked past the living room, looking seeing my grandparents sitting on the couch. I made my way to the kitchen to get me something to eat. Just like a mouse, I moved around the kitchen where they didn't hear me. I didn't want them getting upset with me.
After fixing a couple sandwiches, I went out the back door in the kitchen. I ate my food sitting in the back yard enjoying the cool wind. That was very unusual for this time of the year. We usually have these strong windstorms at this time of the year.
I figured since it was such a nice day I would go to the park and read. I headed back knowing that I would need to pass the living room again. Just like before I walked past looking into the room. My grandparents hadn't moved from when I saw them earlier.
Stuffing my books in my book bag, I headed back down. As I reached the front door I yelled out to my grandparent that I was going out. I didn't get a response. That was very unusual for them. I yelled out again, and still no response.
I started getting a bad feeling about this. Too many times now this feeling in the pit of my stomach had come true. I walked into the living room. I yelled once more standing at the doorway. Still no response, so I walked around the couch. I dropped my book bag and ran up to my grandparents.
It seems that when people get old, they don't go out and get a suntan. Well that holds true with my grandparents. They were pale skinned, as it was, but not this white. I got down on my knees right in front of them. The first thing I could think to do was shake them.
"Grandpa, please wake up grandpa! WAKE UP PLEASE!"
All of a sudden I started to cry. I couldn't stop crying as I shook both of my grandparents. Yelling at them to wake up, knowing deep down inside, they were gone. I just didn't want to believe I had lost them as well.
I kept shaking them and yelling out for them to wake up. I couldn't control my crying at all. When I my brain finally registered they were gone. I stopped shaking them and crawled over to the far corner of the living room.
I was quivering in the corner like a scared two year old, crying and just looking at my grandparents lying there on the couch through blurry eyes. I wasn't moving at all, knowing I needed to call nine one one, but couldn't move at all.
All I could do is think what was going to happen to me now?
TO BE CONTINUED...
{Wow you have heard that old saying: If I didn't have bad luck, I wouldn't have any luck at all. Poor Toni, that is the kind of luck he has had all his life. We now know the whole truth about him and now this. What is he going to do? Or should we be asking where is he going to go now? That is the question he is asking himself right now.
Then there is the issue still out there about Joey and that guy. We found out early on in this chapter it is a set up. Jacob's mom really wants to break them apart and she will do anything to do it. I wonder if Joey is going to fall for it or will this kid and Jacob's mom get caught playing this game with Jacob and Joey's lives.
I thought Jacob's sister heard everything, but she didn't. She did warn Jacob and Joey, but with not much detail. Marie is trying to be good sister to Jacob. At the same time though, she is being tugged in the direction of their mom. Wouldn't it be cool that Marie is the one that blows the whistle and then goes and lives with Jake, leaving their mom all alone? She wouldn't be happy then.
Still looks like Andy hasn't come to his senses. In fact he is getting worse as the days go by. What right does he have to demand money from his brother after he disinvites him from the wedding? I say Jake, stick to your guns and don't give any money.
I can sit here talking about all these open plots. From Jacob's mom trying to get a loan on the house that was given to her as a gift to her embarrassing Jacob at school. With the investigation of Joey's dad's death still looming on top of Beth's head still and all the way to the construction going on at the house, the holidays right around the corner, and Alejandro appearing on the scene again
There is a so much to answer in the chapters to come. Stick around and keep reading the future chapters, and enjoy! I like to give special thanks to BJ for everything! Please email me and let me know how I am doing at jacobmillertex@aol.com, Thanks!}
EDITOR'S CORNER:
Well, here we go again with a cliffhanger and dangling plot lines. Does this writer of ours know how to keep us wanting more or what? Once again I'm in that bad situation where I don't have the next chapter in the queue! Just like you, I have to wait. Harumph!
I was nearly cheering when Jake FINALLY let his mom have it. I just have no clue how someone can have that much self centered tunnel vision. And what about the scheme of getting Greg to get "with" Joey? How warped is that? I'm betting my money on Jacob and Joey's commitment and Jake's savvy to figure it out. Marie did give them a clue.
As our esteemed author says; there's so much yet to be revealed in the upcoming chapters. I'll be waiting anxiously and expect you will too.
Remember to let us hear from you! Your e-mails are very important. It's the only "pay" author and editor get for a LOT of hard work.
Until next time,
"Daddy" Rick