The Metamorphosis of Jeremiah Long, Chapter 35
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.
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.
I have written several other stories. My longer ones 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), "Second Chance" (September 24, 2010), and "Tommy and Tanner (October 21, 2012)under "High School" and "Someone to Watch over Me" under "Beginnings" in the gay male section.
My short stories include: "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), "Wyatt's Thanksgiving" (November 20, 2012)under "High School", "Brazil Affair" (October 1, 2010), "A Technological Christmas" (December 23, 2011), and "Patrick's Christmas (December 19, 2012) under "Beginnings," I have one story in the Sci Fi/Fantasy category called, "Seth's Gift" (October 10, 2010).
"Banana Splits" was added under "adult friendships" (September 17,1013).
You can easily access most of my tales by going to the "Author" button in Nifty's home page and scrolling down to David Lee. Some of these stories are also posted at: www.storylover.us and www.saberpeak.com.
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 subject line 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.
Your donations to Nifty are appreciated to keep this a free site for us and for you.
David (dlee169@hotmail.com)
The Metamorphosis of Jeremiah Long, Chapter 35
The school term began to fall into the usual routine of comings and goings, only this year the boys had transportation options. In good weather, they usually rode their bikes, but sometimes they took their cars. When they did, Davy often drove instead of Jon so that Joe could ride with them. Bradon usually brought Mark and Micah. On the days in which the older boys had different schedules, Joe and Mark biked together. Most of the time, their activities jibed because they were all out for cross-country.
At first, adding karate club to their slate of activities had seemed overwhelming, but soon it worked out okay. It didn't take up a lot of extra time because the guys could practice at school instead of home. It was a lot of fun to help the beginners, and the experience of teaching others made the guys more aware of honing their own techniques.
Among the freshmen who enrolled were Eddy and his buds, Paul and Jack. All three of them had been concerned about being picked on because of their relatively small physical size. Learning self-defense moves helped them to gain confidence as well as preparing them to hold their own if it came to that. They walked taller and looked confident. Kids who had good self-esteem were less likely to be targeted.
Some upperclassmen, including Jenna and Willa, joined as well. The girls had never shied away from activities which were sometimes thought of as "guy" things, and having Davy, Jon, and Bradon there tended to make them feel comfortable. It didn't hurt that Dr. Campbell was one of the sponsors. All of the girls at school had respect for her – some loved her and others were not happy with her, but all knew her to be a strong lady.
On a Thursday night in late September, Davy and John got a text message from Spence asking them to get on Skype. The minute they connected, they were treated to the images of Spence and Billy grinning at them. They all greeted each other and soon got down to what Spencer wanted to tell them.
"There's good news and bad news," Spence said. "The first part is kinda sad, but also kinda strange. You may think I'm insensitive not to being in mourning since my grandmother's funeral was yesterday, but you'll see why when I explain. Grandpa is sad, of course, but almost relieved.
Grandma was diagnosed with Alzheimer's a year ago and had become increasingly worse the last few months. It seemed like her whole personality changed. She would scream and swear and hit people. The worst was how she treated Grandpa. He kept his cool in spite of everything and tried to focus on the good times."
"That's got to have been tough for him," Davy empathized. "It's always hard when someone you love turns on you."
"Yeah, it was bad for Billy and me too in that way. She never accepted her own son when he came out, but she was nice to us until she figured out we were boyfriends. Grandpa did his best to keep her away from us and to change the subject when we were around, but he couldn't control her every move. I can see now why my dad's the way he is. He's just like her without having the excuse of dementia! Neither of them was ever very religious, but they could quote scripture, or more rightly, misquoted it, at every turn to put gay people down. They're about as bad as that church in Kansas!"
"That reminds me of my mother and her parents," Davy sighed. "So, what's the good news? You indicated that you had some."
"Part of that IS good news because she won't be harassing us anymore, but the best news is that Billy and I are getting married at 11:30 on December 21st in Iowa! We want both of you to be our groomsmen. Mom managed to book this beautiful glass and wood chapel near Lake Delhi. The couple of ladies who operate it tailor weddings to fit the needs of gay couples. Their package includes a priest to officiate, a lunch reception, and everything – even a honeymoon cottage if we want it. We wouldn't have been able to get in on short notice except somebody cancelled."
"That's really cool!" Jon exclaimed. "Let us know what to wear and we'll do our best to comply with your wishes. I'm sure we can order stuff on-line if we can't find it locally."
"We'll send you a list, but it's pretty much things you have in your wardrobe already. This isn't going to be some over-the-top affair. It'll be family and some friends who we feel close to.
We want to have Mom walk me down the aisle, and Grandpa will act as Billy's escort. Eddy is going to carry the rings. We teased him that he was going to be sprinkling rose petals in front of us like a flower girl and the little twerp didn't even flinch, isn't that cool?"
"He loves you enough that he'd do anything for you, including that," Davy agreed.
"That he does," Billy chimed in. "I'll love having him for my little brother-in-law. He's already planning to spend part of next summer with us."
They talked awhile longer, getting caught up on each other's lives before signing off.
October passed without much excitement. There were the usual homecoming festivities and sports events with Davy and Jon, Bradon, and Micah, Joe and Mark all attending dances and other activities openly as couples. None of them felt the need to hide their orientation anymore and they met very few problems as a result.
Several freshmen gawked initially because they weren't used to such openness and there were a couple of kids from the religious right who viewed them with righteous indignation. They knew better than to make a scene because they didn't want to tangle with the administration.
There were probably a few more who would have made their displeasure known, but they were the type who wouldn't go to "sinful" dances in the first place.
The gay/straight alliance held their annual Halloween costume ball at the end of the month. It was well attended, with a number of couples dressed as famous duos all the way from Cleopatra and Marc Anthony to Batman and Robin. Bradon and Micah won the prize for best costumes, having shown up as mac and cheese. Needless to say a lot of work was involved in making their outfits.
Phil and Wally got better acquainted while cutting up lengths of old garden hose and spraying the antique white for Micah's costume and their wives chatted while creating a big piece of cheese made of cardboard and yellow vinyl for Bradon to wear. Of course the boys did a lot of the work with their dads. As a result, Micah's family became even more accepting of their son's orientation and seemed at ease knowing they were officially dating.
Early in November, the Republican governor of the state held another anti-bullying conference in Des Moines. While he wasn't the most liberal of leaders, he proclaimed that he hated to see any school kid harassed for any reason. The state already had a policy in place, but the governor wanted to strengthen it with additional laws and penalties against cyber bullying as well as requiring all teachers to go through anti-bullying training. There had been a few high-profile suicides of gay students who had been hounded via social media to the point of taking their own lives to escape, so it was probably politically expedient for him to take action. No matter how skeptical his opponents may have been about his motives, at least something was being done on a state-wide scale.
While some of his right-wing supporters didn't like to see "special protections" for gay, and therefore immoral, kids, they couldn't wage a campaign against his plans because he was careful to emphasize his concern that ALL students have a safe learning environment.
Dr. Pilchard, being politically savvy in his own right, felt that his high school should be prominently represented at the conference, so he had encouraged Dr. Campbell to apply to be one of the speakers as soon as he learned about the upcoming symposium. When she was accepted by the committee, he asked her to choose a team of students who were articulate as well as active in helping to stop discrimination. Dr. Campbell, in turn, asked teachers for their recommendations.
Of all the guys in the school, Davy's and Jon's names were high on almost everyone's list, followed by Bradon, Joe, Mark, and Chandler. Jena and Willa were tops for the girls.
For financial reasons, the school had limited the student participants they would sponsor to four. However, there was no cap on the number who could attend on their own, as long as their parents were responsible for their transportation and registrations fees.
Dr. Campbell chose to take Jenna, Willa, Jon, and Davy. They were all top students academically and they participated in the gay/straight alliance. In addition, they had empathy with others and had the reputation of standing up to bullies and doing what was right.
Davy and Jon felt privileged to be chosen, but they also thought that several of their friends would have valuable input too, especially Joe and Mark because of their affiliation with the crisis hotline. Davy talked to his dads about sponsoring the other guys.
In the long run, Brent and Brock both arranged to take the day off in order to drive their Highlander full of guys to the conference. Mark wanted Bradon to go as well as Joe. Bradon wanted Micah there, and all agreed that Eddy would be a good addition. Dr. Campbell was really thrilled to have younger students involved so there would be continuing leadership after her four chosen ones graduated in another year and a half.
The two vehicles went as a tiny caravan until they got separated at a traffic light not far from their destination. They were still able to park close to each other which would facilitate leaving together on the return trip.
"As you can see, statistics on the suicide rate among gay teens are pretty grim. A lot of it has to do with their being targeted by bullies. Data also tell us that kids who are self-confident are less likely to become targets. Kids who are loved tend to be more confident. That is why I'm very much in favor of the Governor's plan to involve the parents of the victims and of the bullies as well.
We need to find a way to teach empathy to the perpetrators and self-assurance to those who have been picked on. I know this phrase is probably overused, but THINGS DO GET BETTER, despite what you may have heard about that football player! I'm sure there are people in the audience who can bear witness to that." Dr. Campbell said in summing up her address. "Now, I'm finished with the formal part, but my panel of students is ready to welcome questions and comments from any of you."
"I can testify to what you said about things getting better," a young man in the audience said. "I was miserable through four years of high school because I didn't have anyone like you in my school who had empathy. I was worried about starting college and considered not going at all, but I found an entirely different atmosphere at Iowa State. No one seems to give a crap about who I hang around with or who I love. It's really awesome!"
"Thank you," Dr. Campbell responded. "Did everyone hear his comment?
There are mikes in the main aisles you can use if you can't project your voice in this big room."
"I'd like to tell everyone about a program we have at our school," Eddy said as he stood up at one of the mikes. "Dr. Campbell and the spouse of one of our teachers have started a martial arts club that's really helped me feel more comfortable. I know I can defend myself if necessary and that makes everything better."
"Thank you for the plug, Eddy," she smiled.
Willa, Jenna, Davy, and Jon talked a bit about their involvement in the gay/straight alliance. Davy and Jon emphasized the effect the club had on acceptance of students who didn't fit the perception of what "normal" was often thought to be.
"It's cool that I can dance with my boyfriend without catching flak," Davy grinned, squeezing Jon's neck affectionately.
"So you're gay?" a boy in the audience blurted out.
"Yup," the boys answered together.
"We've been accepted by our families and friends, so we're not among those who feel the need to escape from life." Jon smiled.
"Do you know of any organization that's offering help to kids who feel so low that they consider doing themselves in?" a teacher asked.
"I do." Davy answered. "In fact, my brother and his friend are involved in such a program and they came here on their own today in case they could participate. Joe and Mark please come to this mike and tell everyone about what you're doing.
They were instrumental in helping save the life of a boy in another state recently."
The two boys blushed a bit at being in front of such a large crowd, but they soon relaxed as they warmed to their subject. Their initial presentation was brief, but their time up front was extended quite a bit as interested parties asked pertinent questions and got answers.
Dr. Campbell asked if anyone else had something to say for the good of the cause. She was about to wind up the session when a boy from the back of the room came forward to the mike. He looked very nervous, but seemed intent on speaking.
"My name is Jerry, and I'm a bully."
The hush that spread over the room was so complete that one could have heard the proverbial pin drop had it not been a carpeted room.
"At least, that's what I have been. I'm not asking you to excuse bullies, but I want to give insight into what might be going on in some of their minds. When I was a little boy my buddy's grandfather molested me. It made me believe that all gay people were evil and that I should hate them. You can imagine how much I loathed myself when I figured out that I was gay too. I'm not saying the old man was gay; he was probably just a pervert, but things like that can twist a kid's mind.
Sometimes bullies have what my shrink calls `unresolved issues' and that's what I had. I couldn't accept myself and I took it out on others that I thought were weaker or who appeared sensitive.
Anyway, I would like to propose starting an organization for bullies, kinda like Alcoholics Anonymous. Maybe it's stupid to believe bullies would admit they have a problem, but I have and I think others might if they could see themselves as they are.
I also want to say it really does get better. After I got up the nerve to come out to my family, I found that they still love me. In fact, my dad took the day off without pay to bring me here.
Anyway, Joe and Mark may remember what a jerk I was last spring when I dropped out of the program they're in. I wish I had gotten help earlier and had been able to do what they've done.
Oh, and I want to ask forgiveness of a very special guy named Toby. I thought I caught a glimpse of him earlier. If you're here, Toby, please forgive me if you can - someday. If you're not here, I hope Joe or Mark will tell you.
Thanks, I'm sorry I've taken up everyone's time. I think I'm making us late for lunch."
To Jerry's amazement, everyone applauded for him. He swallowed hard, fighting back the tears. When he got halfway down the aisle, Toby ran out from a row of seats and hugged him.
The audience stood and turned toward them as they continued to clap.
"Thank you, Jerry, for giving us food for thought and for being a living example that people can change. I commend your bravery!" Dr. Campbell said. "This session is now officially over. Please meet back here at 1:15 for the next one."
Like the parting of the Red Sea, the crowd flowed around the two boys standing in the middle aisle. Many of the members of the audience gave Jerry and Toby a pat on the back or a touch on the shoulder.
When Joe got there, he let his hand rest on Jerry's bottom for a second. Instead of jumping away, Jerry turned and smiled.
"Are you hitting on me?"
"Just checking if you really are on our team," Joe grinned back. "No offence intended."
"None taken," Jerry replied. "This is the awesomest day ever! Toby says I'm forgiven. I was so scared to be up there, but I wanted everyone to know I'm sincere."
"Let's get some lunch before I starve," Mark suggested as his stomach gave a growl.
"C'mon, I have to see that my boyfriend is taken care of," Joe requested.
"I wish I had a guy to take care of my needs," Jerry said suggestively.
"If you really have turned over a new leaf, I'm sure you could get your wish," Mark observed. "You do clean up well."
"Now don't YOU go hitting on him!" Joe joked.
"Hey, someone has to let him know he's cute."
When the two carloads of people stopped for dinner before leaving the city, they all ate together at one big, extended table. Frances, as she asked the men to call her, Brent, and Brock sat at one end with the kids in various conversation groups on down the line.
Everyone felt it had been a successful day. Joe and Mark were still on a high from having made their presentation about the peer counseling organization and about Jerry's impromptu speech. Micah and Bradon commended their four classmates on how well they'd spoken and fielded questions. Frances commented on how well they'd all represented the school. Eddy mostly sat in awe of the company he'd been invited to hang out with.
Because they had thought it might be late when they arrived home, Brent and Brock had arranged with the other boys' parents for them to sleep over at their house. Each of the guests had left a gym bag there with a few essentials.
As it turned out, they were home by 9:30 so there was time to check over homework assignments and take showers before hitting the sack. Once again, Davy and Jon gave up their bed in the apartment for Bradon and Micah, choosing to sleep in the guest room. Joe and Mark invited Eddy to share the bed with them since he wasn't big enough to take up much room.
He told them that he was small, but tough.
"Mom say's I'm a pocket pistol, especially since I'm taking karate," he joked.
"That you are; we'll be careful not to roll over on you lest we trip your trigger." Joe quipped.
"Um, speaking of that, am I going to keep you from, um, doing stuff? I could sleep on that futon in the basement."
"No, we don't fool around every night! Besides, Bradon and Micah might keep you awake for hours."
"Do they mess around like Spence and Billy do?" Eddy asked.
"Beats me," Mark responded.
"You say you want someone to beat you off?" Joe giggled.
"No, you dirty pervert! Be nice; we have a young guest who shouldn't be hearing things like that!"
"You must know I DO jack off," Eddy said with a hint of indignation.
"Of course," Mark responded. I didn't mean to make you feel like a little boy."
"That's okay. I guess I really am one."
"No you're not!" Mark countered. "You can't hide the big bulge in your undies."
That made them all giggle.
Eddy felt completely comfortable being in bed with his two gay friends. They hadn't come on to him, but they had teased him as if they were his buddies. He hoped that would continue.
As he drifted off, he heard Joe and Mark kiss each other good-night.
Thanksgiving for the Mason-Hart household was going to be a fairly quiet affair because they were hosting Christmas when Amanda and David and Sean's family were all supposed to come.
Jim and Todd planned to have Brock and Brent's group over for the big turkey dinner. They began to prepare things ahead that could be frozen and reheated instead of waiting till the last minute.
To their surprise, Melba phoned to say that she and Matthew were flying in from the Southwest on Monday so that she could help cook and so they could all spend the holiday together.
Todd and Jim went to the airport to pick them up, but Jon couldn't come along because of a school activity which he'd agreed to be involved with before he knew his grandparents were coming.
Matthew and Melba arrived looking sun-kissed and happy. Jim and Todd couldn't miss the glow they both radiated.
"Your dad must be hung like you are," Todd whispered as they waited. "I haven't seen her that happy since before my dad died."
"Naughty, naughty! What makes you think they're doing it?"
"I've never seen anyone who's celibate looking that good!" Todd grinned.
"I have to agree. I know you and I wouldn't be."
After hugs all round, Melba thanked them for altering their plans on short notice.
"I hope we haven't messed up everything for you," she said.
"If you did, we'd never let you know," Todd joked.
"I'm serious!" Melba retorted. "We don't mean to impose."
"Having either or both of you would never be an imposition." Jim responded. "I'll owe you forever for your help after the incident."
"You would have survived okay without me," she demurred.
"Survived, perhaps, but not well. You were my anchor."
"Matthew, you have raised a wonderful son!" Melba exclaimed. "He's a keeper."
"I did my best, but it's not all my doing. He was a sweetheart from the day he was born."
"Could we change the subject?" Jim asked. "I'm beginning to feel a bit self-conscious here."
"Of course," Melba agreed. "I was about to anyway. I think Matthew and I need to buy a car to keep here for when we come in for a short stay. We were thinking about something fairly small, but sporty enough that Jon wouldn't be embarrassed to drive the rest of the time."
"We've already helped buy one for Davy and him together," Todd protested. "It would be a lot more than they'd need."
"Well, you can drive it then and keep your convertible out of the elements in the winter. We were thinking of the convenience for us, and we're not short on cash you know."
"We'd really like to do it," Matthew added. "We're using Melba's car out there and since I haven't purchased one since coming back to the States, it won't be anything more than I'd be doing anyway."
"We made up the guest room and Jon's room as well. They'll sleep at Davy's as they love to do. We weren't sure about your, um, sleeping arrangements." Todd blushed.
"We'll sleep separately, dear. We don't want to embarrass Jon." Melba said.
"I'm not sure they'd be shocked if you slept together. They do, and I'm positive it's not all involved in sleeping."
"That may be true, but you know how children can never believe their parents still have sex, much less their grandparents, I suspect!"
"This is the twenty-first century, Mom. Lots of TV commercials allude to people of a certain age being sexually active."
"That may be true, but I'm old fashioned."
Melba seemed almost disappointed that "her boys" had so many things prepared ahead. She had come to roll up her sleeves and make a holiday dinner, but she really didn't have a lot to do.
Brent and Brock were bringing a side dish and two pies. Still, the turkey needed to be roasted to perfection, so she would arise early on Thursday to get it in the oven in time for a 1:00 p.m. meal.
On Wednesday night after visiting for a while with Melba and G-Matt, Jon and Davy retired to the basement apartment at Davy's for a shower before turning in early.
They took a slow journey to Nirvana that evening, enjoying all the stops along the way. By the time they reached their destination, both were certain they would die from the pleasure.
"You were gasping so hard, I was afraid you were having a heart attack!" Davy teased.
"You know by now that I seem to have an entire body orgasm." Jon replied. "But if something did happen to me, I'd want you to find another lover."
"And I wouldn't want you to waste away without love either, but I'm not sure I could love again, maybe have sex, but not love. You have my heart," Davy replied. "I can't even imagine life without you."
"Let's hope neither of us has to face that decision for a long time, if ever. Wouldn't it be cool if we could die together?"
"Like Romeo and Juliet?"
"Something like that, but not so young!"
Author's notes: Did you see the bold type in the disclaimer? I still find responses in my spam folder which I'm often afraid to open because of not knowing who they're from. Please put Metamorphosis in the subject line, especially if you haven't emailed me before. Most of the regulars I recognize.
Since last posting, I've heard from: Roger L, Ott H, Bill T, Tony W, Walter Sz, Daniel L, Tony W, Jim W, Bill K, Walt S, Paul F, Wayne, Vern, Paul R, Harry T, Paul D (another Paul, honest!), Stuff (Second Chance), Tom A, Trish R, Dick W (Zeke), and Steffan F.
I thought you might be interested in this link about a young man who stood up to the bullies, especially in light of the subject covered in this chapter:
http://www.upworthy.com/this-kid-was-bullied-a-lot-he-could-have-told-his-teacher-or-his-principal-he-had-bigger-plans?c=
Also, I have a couple of story recommendations. Ron has a Dickens-like Christmas story at the Mustard Jar called, The Red Wagon. http://www.themustardjar.com/
Hans has a touching tale about love and understanding that I believe you'll enjoy as well. It's also a short story.
http://www.nifty.org/nifty/bisexual/highschool/the-tenth-year
As always, please remember those in need during this holiday season and also consider donating to organizations like Nifty who are non-profits.
Peace and love,
David