Tommy and Tanner Chapter 56
Warning:
This story contains scenes of love and sexual interaction between males of similar age. If the reading or possessing this material is illegal in your country, state, province, county, municipality, etc., please leave this site immediately and do not proceed further. If you are under the legal age to read this, please do not do so. It is not my intention to offend anyone or to get you in trouble.
The author retains the copyright, and any other rights, to this original story. You may not publish it or any part of it without explicit authorization from me.
This is not my first attempt at writing fiction. My longer stories on Nifty include: "Always and Forever" (March 25, 2004), "Jacob and Jacques" (May 30, 2004), "Zeke" (August 29, 2005), "Tales from Bentonville" (November 16, 2008), and "Second Chance" (September 24, 2010) under "High School" and "Someone to Watch over Me" under "Beginnings" in the gay male section. There are a few short stories also: "Brad and Alan's Canoe Trip" (April 22, 2004 under "Camping", "Of Angels and Dragons" (November 8, 2008) under "Camping", "A Christmas Tale" (December 22, 2009) under "High School", "Brazil Affair" (October 1, 2010) under "Beginnings," "Seth's Gift" (October 10, 2010) under the Science Fiction/Fantasy category, and "A Technological Christmas" (December 23, 2011) under "Beginnings."
I am listed on Nifty under the category of "Prolific Net Authors" which will make it easier for you to access earlier stories. Some of these stories are also posted at: www.storylover.us along with those of other writers that may interest you.
My only reward for contributing to Nifty is your emails. Please write if you like the story. Please include the name of the story in the title of your email because my email service sometimes puts them in the "spam" file.
Thanks and hugs to Tom and David (boxerdude) who edit for me so that there are fewer mistakes! They not only proof-read, but make other valuable suggestions.
Finally, David has a new site that is hosting a number of authors. It's at: www.saberpeak.com. My first story, "Always and Forever," is posted there.
David (dlee169@hotmail.com)
AN EXTRA WARNING
ON THIS CHAPTER: THE LINKS AT THE END ARE REPORTS ABOUT PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN DRIVEN TO SUICIDE BY BULLYING, ETC. IF YOU ARE PARTICULARLY SENSITIVE TO THIS SUBJECTMATTER, PLEASE DON'T USE THEM!
Tommy and Tanner, Chapter 56
After pondering what good could come out of the recent fight aside from four local jerks being put out of commission, Ava did an Internet search on bullying. She ran into several very sad accounts of kids committing suicide after facing years of torment from parents and other adults, including school personnel, as well as their peers. The video made by Eric James Borges nearly broke her heart.* She found a number of other accounts equally depressing. The new word added to her vocabulary, "bullycide", was not one she was happy to learn.
Then, she blundered into an article about a small school in neighboring Iowa where two seniors were in trouble for bullying younger wrestlers. The father of one of the victims said that two older boys held his son down, urinated on him and then rubbed their genitalia in his face. It sounded rather like the rumors about what the bullies at Coolidge had attempted to do to one of the football players.
A link from that disgusting story led her to a report about what the student council of that same school was doing to change the school culture in the future, starting with elementary students. Council members and their friends had instituted a program of positive interaction with the younger kids in an attempt to transform the social climate in a positive way for the next generation. That got Ava thinking.
At the next council meeting, she made a proposal that the group might look into the program from the Iowa school and possibly copy or adapt it if it turned out to be a good one.
All present were in favor of pursuing the issue and asked Ava to consult with Dr. Moore about the feasibility of doing something similar in the Middleton schools.
"We have a busy schedule with soliciting donations for Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets, but I think this is definitely a worthy cause too," Andy said. "Having had a very personal experience dealing with bullying, I'd really like to see changes made in kids' attitudes at an early age."
Ava was excited about the unanimous support, and immediately made an appointment to see the principal.
The Cougars lost the last football game of the regular season because their opponents had learned from the Tigers' mistake and were ready for a passing game. The final score was fairly close, and the team would still be in the playoffs because of their nearly perfect record, but the boys were disappointed none-the-less.
The Coolidge defense had kind of fallen apart after Michael was hit hard in the fourth quarter by a much larger player from the other team. The player who ran into him was called out for unnecessary roughness and the team was given a 15 yard penalty, but the damage had already been done. Michael had been carried off the field on a stretcher and sent to the hospital by ambulance when he continued to feel dizzy, because neither Tark nor the team's trainer was going to take any chances.
Naturally, his teammates played the rest of the period without their heads entirely in the game.
In the locker room after it was over, several players were quite distraught over the injury. Chief among them was Lance.
"He just has to be okay," Lance said, on the verge of tears. "I've gotta go to the hospital to see him, but I don't have transportation `cause I rode with Jeremy."
"I'll see that you get there," Devin promised. "I know Andy will want to go, and I bet Tommy and Tanner will too. We'll probably have to take a couple of cars."
They checked with Tark to see if he'd heard anything, and were told that Michael's father had texted him saying that he was stable, but would probably stay in the hospital for observation for 24 hours. He was allowed visitors as long as they were considerate and didn't wear him out.
The charge nurse wasn't especially pleased to have five high school boys invade her territory, but Michael's parents intervened just as she was about to turn the guys away.
"He's really tight with these guys and they won't do anything to impede his progress. If anything, they'll help him heal more quickly. I'll vouch for them." Julian Bryant insisted.
"Well, you're his father, so I'll have to allow it, but I'll have to make note of it on his chart that it was done against my better judgment!" she exclaimed.
"Document it if you feel you must; I'll take full responsibility," Julian told her.
They went quietly into the dimly lit room where Michael lay with his eyes closed. Lance tried not to show his emotions openly as he saw his buddy looking somehow small and vulnerable against the stark white sheets.
He bit his lip to keep his feelings in check as he introduced the boys to Julian, Tessa, and Michael's younger brother, Damon, in hushed tones. When all the names had been exchanged, Tessa's eyes lit up with recognition.
"You're the guys who were attacked!" she whispered. "Michael has regaled us with your heroic feats. He's been begging us to let him take that training, kempo, is it?"
"I want to take it too," Damon spoke up. It's Japanese isn't it?"
"It is," Tanner answered. "Andy got us all interested in it and we're very thankful that he did."
"I know you all were looking out for Michael when you were jumped. You can't know how thankful we are that you were willing to help keep him from harm," Tessa continued. "He's a strong boy, but it would have been three against one if those guys had caught him alone."
"Hey, don't talk about me like I'm not here," Michael objected.
"We thought you were asleep, Honey," his mother answered.
"I'm mostly resting my eyes and eavesdropping," he grinned.
His smile made Lance smile too. He moved closely to the side of the bed and took Michael's hand for a brief moment, giving it a squeeze.
"Did we win?" Michael asked, searching Lance's eyes hopefully.
"Nope. Without you we were doomed," Lance answered. "Everyone really tried, but the defense kinda caved without you there to spur them on, and I think none of us could concentrate not knowing if you were okay. You are okay, aren't you?"
"I'll be fine, but I'll be out for the rest of the season and I probably won't get to take kempo for a while either. The MRI found a little bleeding and some fluid on my brain, so they don't want to chance jarring my thick head," Michael joked.
"Tommy, Tanner, you be sure to thank your dad and the trainer for sending my boy right here and not letting him continue to play like he wanted to," Julian said. "I know of coaches who might have put him back in the game."
"There's a lot more attention to concussions and other head injuries these days after a number of deaths," Tommy said. "I'm sure Dad would have been in big trouble if he hadn't done what he did. But even before the new guide lines, Dad would never have sacrificed the wellbeing of a player for the sake of a win. He's not that kind of guy."
"Thanks for the accolades, Son," Tark said having overheard the conversation as he was entering the room. "I don't mean to intrude and I won't stay long, but I wanted to see how you were doing, Michael."
"I've got a killer headache, but when that goes away I'll be good as new," the boy answered.
"No he won't," Tess exclaimed. "Do not fall for that. The doctor doesn't want him doing any contact sports for the rest of the semester."
"Don't worry, Mrs. Bryant, Tommy was correct about how I treat my players. I care about their futures too much to chance having them seriously injured."
"I'm sure you do, and please call me Tessa."
"Tessa, you'd fit into our family quite well. My wife has a thing for alliteration and everyone's name in the Torrance household starts with "T" which is why I go by a shortened version of my middle name."
"Oh, I just assumed that `Tark' was your name. It sounds so masculine and right for a football coach."
"Mom, quit flirting with my coach!"
"Mr. Torrance, I didn't mean anything by that despite what my bratty son implied."
"No problem either way. I'd be flattered if you did.
Well, I'd better get out of here and let you rest, Michael. Shoo these hooligans out when you want to go to sleep," Tark grinned making a sweeping gesture toward the guys.
"Don't worry about me, Coach. These are my best friends and they give me strength."
"Okay, but I mean it guys, don't wear him out."
"Your father is a handsome man," Tessa said to Tommy and Tanner after he left.
"MO-O-O-M!" Michael protested.
"Well it's a fact. Don't you agree, Julian?"
"Yes I do. I wish I were in as good a shape."
"Oh, you're fine, Baby," Tessa cooed. "I wouldn't trade you for anyone else, including Antonio Banderas."
"Could you two please go grab a coke or something and give me a few minutes with my homeys?" Michael requested.
"I think we've been dismissed," Tessa grinned. "We won't be gone for very long, so you'd better get it all said quickly. And stop talking like a ghetto boy; we've discussed that!"
"Yes, Momma, but white boys talk like that too."
"Michael!"
"Yes, ma'am."
When it was just the boys together, Michael made apologies for his mother.
"I'm sorry about Mom, but she does love to flirt. It doesn't mean anything, honestly."
"She's charming," Tanner assured him. "I know Dad didn't take it the wrong way. Any man likes to know that the ladies think he's looking fine."
"Do you like it when girls think you're a stud?" Michael asked with a twinkle in his eye.
"Sure I do, but I like it more coming from another guy. Do you think I'm a stud?"
"Yup! Anyone who looks as good as you do and can stand up for himself like you can is a real man in my book."
"Are you flirting with my man, Michael," Tommy grinned. "You know he belongs to me."
"Nope, I'm just sayin'..."
"We'd better go. I think Michael's brain is more addled than we realized," Tanner laughed.
"I wish I could stay longer," Lance said quietly.
"You can," Julian said as he and Tessa came back into the room. We took two cars to the game because of my tight schedule today. Tessa can take Damon home with her and I can drop you off so the rest of your friends don't have to wait."
"That would be great!" Lance enthused. "But I don't want to put you out."
"It's not out of my way more than a few blocks. Consider it done."
The rest of the guys said their good-byes and walked out to the parking ramp with Tessa and Damon.
"I'm going down to the waiting room to watch part of the news. I'll be back shortly to take you home, Lance." Julian said with a nod as he departed.
When they were alone, Lance asked Michael how he really felt.
"I'm pretty good considering... My headache is easing up now. I'm not sure if it's the painkiller or having company to distract me."
"I hope I'm helping. Speaking of distraction, it was awful having to play for eight more minutes after you were carried off the field. None of us could concentrate very well. I know I couldn't and the defense sure couldn't hold it together."
"I'm not that important to them."
"Yes you are."
"Maybe a little to them, but not to the offence."
"You are to this receiver." Lance proclaimed, taking his hand again and holding it longer, while gazing deeply into his eyes. "You've become my best friend in a very short time. It's like something magical that I've never felt before. I really..."
"I'm back and I think we should let Michael rest now. I didn't want to see the sports scores," Julian called.
Lance gave a start and let go of Michael's hand. Both boys appeared to be a little uncomfortable about not hearing Julian's entrance and being caught in a somewhat intimate situation.
"Okay, I'm, uh, ready," Lance agreed.
He wanted to take Michael's hand again as he said goodnight, but settled for dapping fists with his buddy.
"I'm pretty sure Michael has a crush on you." Julian said as they pulled away from the parking ramp.
"Uh what makes you say that?" Lance asked in a voice less steady than he'd hoped it would sound.
"He doesn't talk about anything or anybody other than you lately. If I didn't know otherwise, I'd think you made the sun come up in the morning. He's dated a little, but he's not exhibited a great deal interest in girls. With you, he lights up. I've never seen him like that before."
"Wouldn't it be a problem for you if he did like another guy, uh, like that?" Lance gulped, wondering if he should have kept his mouth shut and
let the subject drop.
"No, not really," Julian said. "Being black is not always an easy road. If it turns out that he's gay as well, it could be worse. Still, he has to be who he is.
Michael probably told you that I teach a few classes at Loyola, but did you know my main job there is in genetic research? I can verify that Lady Gaga's song `I Was Born This Way' is absolutely true. We can shape our own destinies to an extent, but we have to do so within the context of who we are. As the Good Book says, a leopard cannot change his spots. So if he is into boys, it's not anything he has any say over. I had a brother who was gay and I don't want Michael to be treated the way Malcolm was. So I will love and support my son unconditionally!"
"And you wouldn't be upset if he dated another guy, even in high school?"
"Not if the guy was good to him. I don't want to see him hurt. If I thought the guy was just leading him on to find out if he's gay and then hold him up to ridicule, I'd be very angry.
I think he could find someone to love in high school, but I also know that teenage romances don't necessarily last. I had a couple of steady girlfriends at his age and another in college before I met Tessa."
"You're a very cool man, Dr. Bryant. I wonder if MY dad would be as understanding as you are."
"Your parents seem pretty open and accepting about other differences, like race for instance. I suspect he might be, and probably your mom too.
In light of our personal little chat, will you still be hanging around with my son, or have I frightened you away?"
"I'll be with him tomorrow as much as I'm allowed to be, Sir."
"I'll make sure the people at the nurses' station know that you're family and have complete access to his room. They might not believe we're close kin given our difference in skin-tone," Julian laughed. "Maybe I can claim you as Michael's third cousin on my mother's side."
"Thank you, Sir, and thanks for our little talk."
"You are most welcome, Lance, and please call me JJ if you're comfortable with that. When you say, "sir," I keep looking around for my father."
Lance's parents were eager to hear about Michael when he got home.
"How is he, Dear?" Janelle asked.
"Other than a blinding headache, he seems pretty good, but there was blood and stuff on the brain and he needs to stay in the hospital for observation. He's out of football for the rest of the season at least. No one knows about the future."
"I suppose you'll want to be with him tomorrow, so you'd better go to sleep soon. I'm sure you're exhausted. By the way, who brought you home?"
"His dad dropped me off. He's a really cool man. He told me to call him JJ."
"I'm sure he is a cool guy if he's anything like his son," Richard responded. "We should get together with them for brunch some Sunday or for dinner some evening – perhaps meet in a restaurant or something to avoid having anyone obligated to do pay-backs.
Too bad about the loss tonight, but you did your part. I'm really proud of you, Son."
"Thanks. I hope I never disappoint you."
"I don't think you ever could," Richard smiled as he put an arm around Lance's shoulder and pulled him close. "Your mother and I will always love you."
As tired as he was, Lance found it difficult to settle down. Part of it was the result of being keyed up for the game, but a significant amount of it had to do with his emotions. He had a lot to think about.
Tonight when he'd taken Michael's hand in his and looked into those beautiful dark eyes, he was nearly ready to say something lame, like "I care for you" or even that scary "l" word. If JJ hadn't come back when he did, there was a possibility that he might have kissed Michael. He'd been tempted, but would he have had the nerve to have carried through? He wondered how much of their interaction JJ had witnessed.
Then there was that unusual conversation in the car on the way home. Why would Michael's father discuss his suspicions about his son's orientation? Unless... Unless he overheard Lance start to tell Michael how he felt in his heart.
Obviously, Michael had given his father reason to suspect he had feelings for Lance or the subject would never have come up in the first place. Lance wondered if JJ had been trying to give him tacit permission to be with Michael in the way he'd like to be.
Lance's parents seemed to understand that he would want to be at the hospital tomorrow, but how would they react if they knew what was going on in his head every time he thought of Michael? Would his dad still love him? Did his remark about not thinking it was possible for Lance to disappoint him mean that he suspected?
After jerking off to mental images of Michael's awesome body glistening with a light sheen of sweat, Lance eventually fell asleep around 11:30. However, he tossed and turned all night and was not going to be thoroughly rested in the morning.
*http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/12/eric-james-borges-gay-teen-filmmaker-death_n_1203123.html?ref=gay-voices&ncid=webmail7#s415348&title=Hubley_Tribute_Video
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-groshoff/bullycide_b_1202718.html
Author's notes:
It was good to hear from all of you this past week. The list includes: Anthony B, Walter Sz, Rutabaga, Walt S, Tim K, Ott H, Roger L, Bill K, Danny A, Tom A, Wayne, Paul F, Paul R, RC, Jim C, Bill T, Trish R, Sage E, Steffan, Jim W, Douglas and Lawrence, and Lacu P.
I sincerely hope I didn't miss anyone. I should probably automatically include some of your names because I hear from you so regularly.
If suicide is a subject that is too sensitive for you to think about, I'd advise not delving into the links that are posted above. I truly don't want to mess anyone up.
Love and peace,
David