Copyright and Disclaimer: 1. This is a fictional story with fictional characters. 2. No one is to steal this story under any circumstances. 3. This story deals with relationships and not sex, so if you're looking for a story with a lot of sex in it, this isn't the story for you.
I know many of you are upset with the way part 31 ended, but I didn't want to make this a story that always had the happy ending. That's not how life works and that's not how I wanted this story to go. So hope you still enjoy!
Part 32
"A Change of Life"
Kyle and David were quiet the entire ride home, both were too in shock to fully understand and comprehend what they just heard from the doctor. When they got inside the apartment David went into the bedroom and closed the door. Kyle stood in the living room staring at the closed bedroom door and collapsed to his knees breaking down in tears unable to handle the news that they both received. In the bedroom, David was laying down on the bed crying as well. His life has just changed, everything has shifted and he felt powerless, and the part that he feared the most was not that his life might very well be shortened now, but that Kyle might one day leave him because he might not be able to handle all that he's about to go through.
That night David finally emerged from the bedroom having cried for most of the day to find Kyle on the internet.
"What are you doing?" David asked coming up to him.
"Trying to find some information out, there has to be something we can do to fix this," Kyle said.
"There isn't," David replied.
"No, I won't accept that," Kyle insisted. "There has to be something that can help you, us."
"There isn't," David repeated. "We just have to accept what was dealt."
"No, I won't," Kyle replied.
"Kyle," David sighed.
"Don't say anything," Kyle said filling up with tears, "I don't want you to die!"
David didn't know what to say, he just went up to Kyle and wrapped his arms around him.
"Why you?" Kyle asked. "Why did this have to happen to you?"
"I don't know," David sighed. "I don't even know what to think."
"You're going to get through this," Kyle said trying to convince both David and himself.
"As long as I have you with me," David said.
"You will," Kyle replied. "Always."
The two spent the rest of the night just holding one another and contemplating their future.
The next morning Marcus, Trevor, Randal, Tyler, and Jake were at the diner waiting for Kyle and David.
"What do you think is taking them so long?" Marcus asked.
"I don't know, they're usually always here before all of us," Tyler noted.
"So how you doing Jake?" Marcus asked.
"I'm doing better," Jake replied.
"Good," Marcus said.
"And I'm glad to see things are good again between you two," Tyler said to Marcus and Trevor.
"The guys better hurry," Randal commented. "I'm hungry."
"Someone's grumpy," Marcus said.
"It's early and I haven't eaten yet," Randal replied.
"How's Stanley?" Jake asked.
"I don't know," Randal replied quickly.
"Really? He still living at the apartment?" Jake asked.
"Not for long," Randal replied. "I think he went to look at a couple places today."
"Is that good?" Jake asked.
"It's fine," Randal replied. "What is this? Twenty questions?"
"Geez, sorry," Jake replied.
Before they could press Randal on his behavior, Kyle and David walked in.
"Where've you two been?" Marcus asked.
"Sorry, it was a long night," Kyle said as the two sat down quietly.
"Well now that you two are here I can share with you my news," Marcus said.
"What's up?" Jake asked.
"Trevor and I are moving in together!" Marcus said happily.
"What?" Randal asked.
"Congratulations," Tyler said.
"Thank you," Marcus said.
"You two just got re-connected, is it really the best to be moving in?" Randal asked.
"I know that it's right between him and me," Marcus explained, "And I don't want to waste another minute."
"Well that's great," Jake sad.
"Thank you," Marcus answered.
The group then looked over at Kyle and David and noticed how quiet they were being,
"Everything okay?" Trevor asked.
"Not really," David replied.
"What's up?" Tyler asked.
David and Kyle both looked at one another, not sure what to say.
"Well," David began. "I went to the doctor and..."
"Everything all right?" Jake asked getting worried.
"I'm positive," David replied.
Those two words put everyone in shock.
"Oh my God," Marcus sighed.
"Can we do anything?" Tyler asked.
"No," David replied. "Thanks though."
"So Kyle you were positive this whole time?" Randal asked.
"I'm not," Kyle replied.
"So then how did you become positive?" Trevor asked.
David and Kyle remained quiet.
"Oh," Marcus said understanding. "When did that happen?"
"Hawaii," David replied. "I got drugged and woke up the next day in some guys room."
"And now you're positive?" Randal asked.
"Yeah," David sighed.
"This is insane," Trevor sighed. "I'm so sorry."
"Thanks," David replied.
"I can't believe it," Marcus said.
"Are you going to be on medication?" Tyler asked.
"Not yet," David replied. "They're going to track it and see how fast it's progressing, and will decide on my medication from there."
"I see," Tyler replied quietly.
The guys all sat there awkwardly not knowing what to say.
"Well, let's eat," David said trying to change the mood.
The guys all began looking at their menus quietly.
"Pancakes sound good," Kyle said.
"Yeah," Marcus agreed.
Kyle tried his best to act like everything was normal, he looked around the table and saw that everyone was tense and didn't know what to say. He finally just couldn't take it anymore.
"I'm sorry," Kyle said getting up. "I'll be at the club working."
Kyle then headed out.
"Should we go after him?" Jake asked.
"No, I think he needs some time," David said. "He's really scarred right now."
"I can only imagine," Tyler sighed. "But you know, some people go on to live long, healthy lives despite being positive."
"I know," David agreed. "And I'm going to do everything I can to stay healthy."
"Good attitude to have," Marcus said putting an arm around David.
"Kyle's just scarred he'll lose me," David said. "He's trying to not show his worry in front of me, but I know he's scarred."
"Of course he's scarred," Jake said. "We're scarred."
"I can deal with this," David said confidently. "I know I can."
Later over at the club Kyle was keeping busy and painting inside when Randal walked in. He stood at the top of the stairs watching Kyle for a minute before he made his presence known by coughing.
"Hey," Kyle said as Randal walked in.
"How are you?" Randal asked.
"I'm fine," Kyle replied.
"Liar," Randal said.
"I just wanted to come here and get started today," Kyle said pointing to the wall.
"No you didn't," Randal said.
"I'm okay," Kyle said. "I'm sure David will be fine."
"You're avoiding," Randal said.
"No I'm not," Kyle said not wanting to get pressed on this anymore. He knew he had stuff to deal with, but saw this as an opportunity to get Randal to deal with his issues. So he decided to play bad cop.
"Don't avoid your pain. Confront it," Randal said.
"You're one to talk," Kyle shot back.
"Excuse me?" Randal asked.
"You heard me," Kyle replied. "You're one to talk about avoiding issues. You avoided yours to the point that you drove Stanley away."
"Hey!" Randal fired back. "I came here to try and comfort you, where do you get off talking to me like that?"
"I know you're trying to help and I appreciate it," Kyle replied. "But you should deal with your issues."
"Oh and what are my issues?" Randal asked.
"Faith," Kyle said.
"What?" Randal asked. "Don't start on the baby again."
"Why? It's the reason you've become such an asshole lately, it's the reason you pushed Stan away." Kyle said.
"Shut up Kyle," Randal said.
"No," Kyle said. "You're so eager to help everyone deal with their issues, yet when it comes to your own you run the other way."
"Fuck you," Randal said turning to walk away.
"No," Kyle said angrily as he went over and grabbed Randal's arm, "What? Suddenly don't want to play a round of therapy? Look at me, I'm Randal, I can walk around all high and mighty and tell people to not avoid things, to deal with things, but if I have to, I turn to chicken shit and run away."
"Oh yeah? Well at least I try and be strong, instead of you, someone who always runs away whenever something bad happens," Randal accused.
"Excuse me?" Kyle asked.
"Don't try and pretend like you don't know what I'm talking about," Randal said. "Look at today, you didn't want to deal with what David is going through so you get up and go away. Look at your whole history with David, when you two first were going to get together you got scarred and ran away, then when you two finally moved in together things weren't going well so you went and moved out," Randal spat at him.
"At least with all of those I realized that I ran and I came back," Kyle said. "You're the one who's been acting like you're not hurting. You wouldn't be fighting with me like this if you weren't hurting that much over Faith's miscarriage."
"Don't you dare mention the baby," Randal scolded.
"Oh? Does that upset you?" Kyle asked. "Does the death of Faith's baby upset you?"
Shut up Kyle!" Randal said tearing up.
"No, face it," Kyle said. "Faith lost her baby. She's dead."
"Kyle, stop it," Randal said, tears coming down his face, "Please."
"No," Kyle said. "Face it Randal, stop avoiding it."
Randal looked at Kyle, and all the emotions he's been holding back for all this time from the death of his niece came flooding in, he suddenly found himself on his knees covering his face with his hands crying. Kyle sighed in relief that Randal has finally let it out. He then quickly ran over to Randal and wrapped his arms around him, wanting Randal to know that he was only being a jerk so that Randal could finally let his emotions out.
"I'm sorry Randal," Kyle said holding him. "I'm so sorry. I just didn't want you to hold it inside anymore."
"I just can't believe she died," Randal sobbed.
"I know," Kyle said. "I know."
Over at Tyler and Jake's apartment the two got back from breakfast, both taking one more day off of work to rest up and fully recover from all that's been happening.
"I still can't believe it," Tyler said sitting on the couch. "David is positive."
"I know," Jake sighed. "I feel so helpless."
Before they could talk more about it their phone rang.
"Hello?" Jake asked answering the phone.
"Is this Jake?" a male voice asked.
"Yes," Jake replied.
"You son-of-a-bitch," the voice shot.
"Excuse me?" Jake asked shocked.
"You murderer," the voice accused.
"I didn't-" Jake began, but couldn't find any words to defend himself.
"He killed himself because of you," the mystery voice said.
"Who is this?" Jake asked helplessly.
"Murderer, I'll never let you forget what you did," the voice said one last time before hanging up.
Jake stood there motionless with the phone in his hand, he was in pure shock.
"What was that babe?" Tyler asked oblivious to what just happened. Tyler looked up at Jake's face and saw the look of terror in his eyes. "Babe, what's wrong?"
Jake didn't reply, he just stood there starring at Tyler with the fear building up inside him.
Tyler quickly ran over to Jake.
"Babe, talk to me, what was it? Who was it?" Tyler asked worried.
"Someone knows," Jake said finally.
"What?" Tyler asked.
"Someone knows I killed Miles," Jake said.
"No you didn't," Tyler said.
"Someone's not going to let me move past this," Jake said painfully. "What am I going to do?"
"We're going to try and find out who called, we'll call the police," Tyler offered. "They might be able to track the call."
All the progress Jake had made since the incident just went away and he was a wreck again.
"Come here," Tyler said holding Jake. "Don't worry, we'll figure this out."
Back at the club Kyle and Randal were sitting down on the floor and talking.
"I'm sorry I was such an ass," Kyle said. "It's the only way I could think of to finally get you to let out your pain."
"No, I understand," Randal said. "I appreciate it. Sorry for some of the cruel things I said to you."
"It's okay," Kyle said. "It's true, I do run from my problems."
"But like you said, you always go back and face them," Randal said. "I have to do that."
"You talking about Stanley?" Kyle asked.
"Yeah," Randal replied. "I have to get him back."
"Maybe it's not too late," Kyle offered.
"You think?" Randal asked.
"He loves you so much," Kyle replied.
"What should I do?" Randal asked.
"Is he still living at the apartment?" Kyle asked.
"I don't know," Randal replied. "I know he's been looking for a place, but I don't know if he found anything yet or not."
"Well, hurry," Kyle said. "Go get him."
What about you?" Randal asked. "Will you be okay?"
"Yeah," Kyle replied. "I just have to talk to David."
"All right," Randal said getting up. "I'll talk to you later."
Randal then hurried and ran out of the club. Driving back to his place Randal started thinking of all that him and Stanley had been through. They've been together for so long, they can surely overcome this.
FLASHBACK
Randal and Stanley were in their car driving to get breakfast and both talking about plans they have for re-decorating their place. They were both very excited and very much in love. While they were driving it began to rain.
"I love you so much," Randal said.
"I love you too," Stanley replied.
"Hope this rain doesn't last too long," Randal said.
"Hey, you should be used to this, I mean you got it all the time living in Seattle," Stanley said.
"True, but that's why I like living here now, it hardly ever rains," Randal replied.
"I always like the rain, it's very relaxing," Stanley said.
"Not when you're driving in it and these people down here don't know how to drive in weather like this," Randal answered.
They stopped at a stop light and they both smiled and gave each other a kiss. Then suddenly they heard a loud honking noise and looked out and saw a big rig behind them approaching very quickly.
"My brakes are out!" the truck driver shouted.
"Brace yourself!" Randal shouted and the truck slammed into them causing Randal's car to swerve into the middle of the intersection. Then they both watched in horror as two cars from both directions came screeching and sliding right into them smashing them in the middle.
"What happened?" Randal asked.
"Car accident," she replied. "My name is Olivia and you're Randal Brody correct?"
"Yea, how'd you know?" Randal replied.
"We had to look through your wallet," Olivia replied pointing to his clothes and wallet that were all folded and set on the counter.
"Where's Stanley," Randal asked starting to get worried.
"He's right there next to you honey," Olivia answered pointing to the bed next to his.
Randal looked over and saw Stanley asleep.
"Is he all right?" Randal asked.
"Well, he's unconscious," Olivia answered, "It can go either way I'm afraid. He had a worse hit to the head then you did."
"But there's a good chance he'll wake up right?" Randal asked.
"Yes, of course there is," Olivia said trying to calm Randal down. "All you have to do is just have a little faith. I'm sure he'll be fine, we've had patients with worse injuries walk away just as good as new."
Randal just starred blankly at Stanley hoping and praying he would be okay.
"Now I have a couple other patients to tend to so you just try and relax, I'm sure everything will be fine," Olivia said exiting the room.
Randal laid back down and looked over at Stanley, "Come on babe, you can do it."
Over at Randal and Stanley's apartment Randal reached out his arm in bed to try and hold Stanley, only to find that Stanley wasn't in bed with him. Randal opened his eyes and looked around and saw Stanley sitting in a chair on the balcony, looking out at the ocean. Randal got up and wrapped a blanket around himself and headed out to check on Stan.
"You okay babe?" Randal asked sliding the glass door to the balcony open. "Why are you up so early?"
"I couldn't sleep," Stanley replied.
Randal came closer, leaned down and gave Stanley a kiss. "Do you want to talk about it?"
"It's just the same stuff I've been thinking about since I found out I had a son," Stanley answered.
"Have you thought about what you're going to do?" Randal asked.
"No," Stanley replied shaking his head. "Selfishly, I want him in my life and for him and I to have a relationship together."
"That's not selfish," Randal comforted.
"Yea, it is," Stanley said. "Because, he's lived his whole life not knowing who I am, and he's been raised by Nicole and her boyfriend. That's the family my son knows, that's his true family to him. I'm going to turn his world upside down if I decide to bring him into my life."
"But you never had the option to be a father to him," Randal pointed out. "Him not being in your life wasn't your choosing, so why should you be denied the chance to have him now?"
"I don't know," Stanley said. "I'm just so confused. And I'm scared."
"What are you scared of?" Randal asked sitting down next to him.
"I'm scared that whatever choice I make, I'm going to regret," Stanley confessed. "If I decide to keep him in my life, what if he grows up and gets hurt and ridiculed for having a gay dad? I'll regret putting him through that. But if I sign those papers, I'll regret that I won't get to see him grow up. I can't make this decision, I'm just not that strong."
"What are you talking about?" Randal asked. "You are the strongest person I know."
"No, I'm not," Stanley replied. "I always need guidance and reassurance. I can't be counted on to make big decisions. I mean, remember when I hired a guy to get in a fight with me to impress you? That was all just me needed reassurance that I wouldn't lose you. I'm not strong like that."
"Then this is your chance to prove to yourself how strong you can be," Randal said. "There is no right or wrong choice here. It's all a matter of what you feel you have to do."
"How am I supposed to decide?" Stanley asked. "See, Randal, I can't do this. No matter what, I always end up questioning myself. I need you to help me."
"I can't," Randal replied. "This is something you have to do on your own."
"But I need you," Stanley pleaded. "I can't do this with out you. Randal, how am I supposed to do this? In everything I've done, I've always needed you to help me through it."
"I'll be there for you," Randal said.
Later that night Stanley was lying in bed looking at the picture of him and his son. Randal got in to bed and put his arms around Stanley.
"You okay?" Randal asked.
"I don't know," Stanley replied. "I think I am one minute, then the next I feel like I'm falling apart."
"It's going to take time," Randal said. "But you will get past this, just remember that he is going to be safe and loved."
"I know," Stanley replied. "I just wish I was the one loving him and keeping him safe."
Stanley then began to cry again.
"Babe, it's okay," Randal said holding Stanley tighter. "You're going to be okay. Is there anything I can do?"
"Just hold me," Stanley said quietly.
"Always," Randal answered as Stanley leaned against his chest in tears.
END FLASHBACK
When Randal got back to his apartment he quickly parked and ran upstairs and burst into his apartment.
"Stanley!" Randal called out.
No one answered. He looked around the apartment and his stomach dropped, all of Stanley's things were gone. He looked on the coffee table and saw a note for him.
'Goodbye' was all the note said.
Randal quickly took his phone out and dialed Stanley's cell phone, but then remembered that Stanley no longer had a cell phone since he canceled his phone from the account they used to share.
Randal sat down on his sofa and sighed, realizing he blew it.
That night Kyle came home to David who was sitting on the couch reading some stuff the doctor had given him to read up on HIV.
Hey," Kyle said.
"Hi," David replied. "You okay?"
"I'm sorry," Kyle said walking over and sitting next to David. "I haven't been handling this well at all."
"I know you're worried," David said.
"No, I'm not just worried, I'm terrified," Kyle said. "I am so scarred now. We are supposed to have this long full life together and now it's been taken away. You've been cheated and it wasn't even your fault."
"I know," David sighed, "But we'll deal with it the best we can."
"I don't want to," Kyle said, "It's not fair."
"Life is never fair," David countered.
"How are you taking this so well?" Kyle asked.
"Because look at my life Kyle," David said. "I have accomplished everything I ever wanted in life. I have a successful business, I have a great place to live, great friends, and I have you. I have had a great life and even though I don't want this to happen, I don't feel like I'm missing out on life if it gets cut short."
"But you will be missing out," Kyle said. "What if you die young, you'll miss out on having kids or grandchildren, us growing old together."
"I might still grow old with you," David said.
"But you might not," Kyle said starting to tear up again.
"Come here," David said wrapping his arms around Kyle. "It will be okay."
"I don't want to lose you," Kyle sighed.
"You won't," David replied.
The two sat there together, both thinking about the new future that fate has set out for them, both unsure, both scarred, but both hopeful that they can get through it.
To Be Continued....
With any questions, comments or feedback, please e-mail me at ilj4ver44@yahoo.com Thanks so much!