Another Chance - Book Two

By Zarek Dragon

 

It was the fifteenth and the boys from the gym class started showing up around one. Jim had finished taking Matt and Gina for their usual ride when the first boy pulled into the parking lot. The weather was too chilly to go swimming, but some of the boys said that they would anyway.

Coach Jenkins was just going to drop Dylan off but the boys insisted that he stay. He felt honored that they would include him but after all, he is a part of their gym class. There wasn't one boy who failed to show up. Jackson charged the boys and Coach half the usual price for the horses that they used and Jim and Joe used Gold and Aurixi. As the boys headed to the lake, Jackson offered to go out and grill hamburgers for them. He still had a couple packs left that he bought for Ryan's party and there would be just enough for each boy to have two if they wanted. The boys accepted, especially when Jackson said they were free.

Once they got to the lake, the boys hitched their horses to the posts and removed the saddles. The boys brave enough, stripped naked and jumped in the lake. Dylan challenged all the football players as he was stripping. Some of them took his dare. None of the boys stayed in the water very long and they came out complaining that it was freezing. The "smarter" boys laughed as they came out of the water. One boy commented on their shrinkage. Coach did point out that it was the middle of November.

One of the boys brought a football so they divided into teams. Coach was asked to pick the teams. He made Jim and Dusty the captains and told them to pick their teams. "I pick Dusty," Jim said laughing.

"And I pick Jim," Dusty threw in.

"OK, so the two of you against all of them?" Coach asked.

"Fine, I pick Dylan," Jim said. Dylan Jenkins was the quarterback for the school's football team, so having him, Jim figured, would give them an edge. Dusty chose Michael for his team. Jim wanted to pick Joe but Joe said that he wasn't playing. He said that every team needs a coach and Coach could be Dusty's team's coach. He would be Jim's.

They played for almost an hour when Jackson said that the food was ready. No one kept score, they were just playing for fun. Coach said that everybody who enjoyed it won. Some of the boys would probably wake up the next day with bruises though.

As they were eating, Jim and Joe were sitting on a log with no one else around. Dylan walked over and asked if he could join them, to which they agreed; they had no problem with it. "Can I ask you something in private and know that it won't get back to my dad?" Dylan asked.

"You ask me not to say anything, trust that I won't speak of it except with you when no one else is around," Jim stated.

"And I give you the same promise," Joe assured.

"How did you know that you were gay?" Dylan asked.

"Until I met Zac, I considered myself bi-. Once I met him, I knew that I loved him, from the first time we met. Both of us were afraid to make a move because we were unsure what the other would say."

"For me, I enjoy looking at guys more than girls. I'm drawn to their masculine physique. Are you interested in anybody?" Joe inquired.

"Yeah, but I don't know if he's gay and I don't want him to know that I might be just in case he's not," Dylan was starting to shake. Jim and Joe could see fear in his eyes about anyone else finding out he was gay.

"It's not easy, and your secret is safe with us. I won't even tell Zac," Jim assured him.

"Thanks, not sure what my dad would do if he found out. He seems cool with you guys, and I've never heard him say one derogatory remark, so he might accept me, but then I heard how Joe's dad reacted, finding out about him. I just don't know what to think."

"It's rough and any time that you want to talk, we're here for you," Joe offered.

"If you feel comfortable saying who you like, we can try and find out if he's gay or might be interested. I promise that he won't find out about you until you let him."

"Ummmm, his name is, ummmm," Dylan started to blush a little. He glanced over at the young man who plays center. Dylan has to look at his ass every game and some games he has trouble concentrating because his mind goes to thinking, "I so want to tap that." Jim and Joe smiled thinking how hard it must be for him. Joe walked over to the boy.

"Kevin, how are you?" he asked.

"I'm good, you have a minute that we can talk?" the center asked.

"Sure, what about?" Joe asked.

"How do you know if another guy likes you or not?" Kevin inquired.

"That depends, are you saying that you might be gay?"

"Well, promise not to tell? Every time Dylan touches me, I feel like an electrical shock of euphoria goes through my entire body. I swear that I feel him staring at my ass and the games where we lost, I think he forgot what he was doing like his mind wasn't in the game, but on me. Am I just thinking this because I want him to be gay, or is it real?" Joe started laughing and told Kevin to come with him.

"I'm sorry Dylan, but after talking to Kevin, I had to bring him here," Joe apologized. "Not really my place to say, so Kevin, tell Dylan what you told me."

"I-I-I don't know if I can. He-he-he's the quarterback and coach's son," Kevin stuttered.

"Kevin, are you gay?" Dylan asked almost in tears. Kevin turned red almost scaring Dylan. "It's alright if you are. No one will ever find out unless you let them. We won't tell."

"I don't know if I am or not, but I feel something when you touch me. I've wanted to kiss you for a long time, and when we're in the shower after the game, I think, 'Dylan's got a perfect cock. I wonder what it would be like sucking it or feeling it in me.' I hope that doesn't creep you out and please don't tell your dad." Kevin rushed his words he was so nervous.

Dylan stood up and stood face to face with Kevin. Kevin wasn't sure whether he was going to punch him or what. Not even looking to see who was watching because at this time he wasn't even thinking about that, he took Kevin in his arms and kissed him. Afterwards, he did look to see who may have seen it. Looking at his dad, he saw that Coach had his back to them talking to Jackson. "I've wanted to do that for a long time, too. As for my dad, he doesn't need to know until we both are ready to come out of the closet."

Thanksgiving was upon them before they even realized it. Jackson wanted his mom and dad to stay and feast with them, but they wanted to get back home. Jeff flew with them and wouldn't be home until the following Monday. Jackson had added a kitchen to the "party" barn and invited the boys and their families to come out for a meal. Jacob and his family were invited as well. Jackson made a table that was six-foot by six-foot square of solid oak. The support in the center was three foot by three foot, leaving just a foot and a half all the way around. Each family coming had three members and there were four families, so each was given a side. Teasingly, Jackson put place names at each setting and put Jim and Zac as far from each other as he could. He chuckled when the boys came up asking if they could make a slight change. Heather was placed in the middle of their side, so Jim traded with Joe. Zac traded with Vinnie, so now Jim and Zac were still with their families, but yet able to hold each other's hand when they say the blessing.

Heather and Marilyn offered to come early to cook the meal. Vinnie came with his wife to help with the heavy lifting. Jackson got the biggest birds that he could so there would be plenty and each family could take home left overs. Along with the turkeys, the ladies prepared ten pounds of mashed potatoes, they had dinner rolls, cranberry sauce, corn and stuffing. Heather made gravy from the turkey drippings.

For dessert, some (not mentioning Jim's name) were going to have a tough time choosing. There were pumpkin pies, cherry pies, and Marilyn made two orange meringue pies. Jim decided that he was going to have a slice of each.

They set the food on a separate table, then everyone went through as in a buffet line, grabbing their food. Jackson had the boys go first, then the ladies, Vinnie, Ryan and then himself. Once everyone was back in their seat, he led them in saying grace and had everyone say what they were the most thankful for this year. Jim had a hard time choosing one thing. "I guess I am just thankful for this year. I have the best friends ever. My super wonderful boyfriend and I will be able to get married when we are ready. I'm always thankful for my great mom and now my brother, Joe. We got Aurixi back. I got to forgive the guy who killed my father. I received a letter from him yesterday, by the way, telling me how thankful he was. Took him a few weeks, but he has forgiven himself and is starting to feel more at peace, but he still has a long way to go. When he gets out, he wants to do something to try and convince others not to drink and drive. It's just been a great year and I'm very thankful."

Everyone applauded and they continued until everyone had said something. After they had gone around the table, they started to eat. When Jackson was done, he walked over to Zac and Jim. "You boys did such a fantastic job decorating last Christmas, I think I'm going to assign the job to you again. I'm getting the tree tomorrow. Zac, you do have a ranch credit card, correct?"

"Keep it in my wallet and only use it for porn sites," Zac teased.

"Make me pay for them and not invite me? Do you at least invite Jim?"

"Tried, but he says that he doesn't want to watch three four-hundred-pound women doing it," Zac kept going. "Seriously, yes I have the credit card you gave me and only use it when picking up stuff for the ranch."

"Good, if you need more decorations or lights, just go get what you need, but keep the cost below the usual," Jackson instructed. "Now, I need to figure out what to get for you boys."

Heather turned in her chair to face Jackson when she heard this. "When Jim was nine, all he wanted for Christmas was six jars of pickles. It was the funniest thing when he opened the box and there were only five."

"That's enough, Mom," Jim started saying.

"No, you asked my mom about embarrassing things about me. Turnabout is fair play." Jackson admonished. Then he turned to Heather, "So what did he do?"

"Mind you, he was nine at the time. He wanted us to call the police and have Santa arrested for eating one of his jars. He picked up the phone but fortunately, before he could dial, my sister Brenda came over. She was holding a jar of pickles and said that Santa left a note stating that they must have fallen out while the elves were wrapping the present. He knew that she would be stopping by and asked her to bring it for him. Jim hugged that jar of pickles." Jackson started chuckling as he walked away.

"If he gives me six jars of pickles, I'm blaming you and NOT sharing," Jim told his mom. She just laughed.

"What about with me?" Joe asked leaning forward so Jim could see him past their mom.

"Fine, since you asked, I'll share," Just as Jim finished saying that, Jackson came back over carrying a jar of pickles.

Zac leaned over and whispered, "I'll give you my pickle, any time that you want it."

"I heard that, Zac," Heather remarked.

"Damn, she has good hearing."

"Tell me about it. One time, I dropped a feather in my room and she yelled that I better pick it up," Jim quipped.

"Seriously?"

"No, but I think she could hear a feather fall."

"So you couldn't get away with anything, could you?" Joe asked.

"She has excellent hearing, eyes in the back of her head, and I didn't even have a brother to blame until last Christmas. You tell me."

"I don't have eyes in the back of my head. You make me sound like an alien."

"No, just a very good mom who knew how to watch her son so he didn't do anything stupid because you love him so much," Jim stated as he leaned over to kiss Heather on the cheek.

"And you still better not blame your brother for something," Joe warned with a laugh.

When everyone was done, Jackson told the ladies that they did a wonderful job. He told them to relax while the rest of them did the cleanup. Jackson said that he and Ryan would do the dishes, Jacob could put the food away, and the boys could bring the dishes from the table. "I don't know how much more of this food I can put away, I'm full already," Jacob joked.

Jeff came home on Monday and was talking about how good things were getting to visit friends that he had left, stopping at the Second Chance Ranch and visiting. He had a good time, but he was glad to be back in Wyoming. He saw Caleb working with a new student and commented that he thought yesterday was the end of the season.

"It is for planned horseback riding. Someone wants to learn how to ride, I have no problem with that going on as long as the weather permits. I could build an indoor arena so we can give lessons all year long," Jackson told him.

"Unless you have a problem with it, I'm going to just let Caleb know that I'm home, then put my luggage away."

"How about you put your luggage away, then say hi. He should be done with his lesson in about ten minutes and you can do more than just say hi," Jackson suggested.

"Fine," Jeff said sounding a little defeated, but a wicked smile came across his face.

A few minutes later, Jeff came out of the house to see Caleb talking to someone in a car. He figured that it was the child's parents and that after the lesson, he walked with the child to give them a progress report. He watched as something was slipped to Caleb, probably a tip. Caleb turned around to head towards the office and upon seeing Jeff, he got a big smile on his face. He quickened his step.

"I just got home," Jeff informed Caleb. "Was going to come say hey, but Jackson suggested that I put my luggage away and give you time to finish your lesson."

"Well I am done for the day. Want to go out? The dad slipped me a couple of twenties." With that, they headed for Caleb's car.

In school, Dylan was talking to Jim about dating Kevin, "I'm definitely gay. Kevin and I have had some great dates over the last two weeks, I can't believe how happy I am just being with him but we try to keep it low key. Someone comes around, we just start talking football and everyone thinks that's why we hang out."

"But if you really want to be happy, you need not hiding who you really are. I never had to deal with that stress as I never hid from my parents who I loved. Sure, they were shocked when I commented on a boy I thought was cute, but I never knew any difference as to hide it from them. My dad told me that whoever I date was fine with him as long as I am happy."

"I hope that my dad is the same way. Kevin and I are thinking about telling him this week," Dylan stated.

"The sooner you do, the happier you will feel, I'm telling you," Jim advised.

"I'm sure you're right, but I would be lying if I said that it doesn't scare the shit out of me. I think Dad will be cool with it, but then...;" Dylan hesitated.

Just then, Coach walked up to them in the hall. "Think I'd be cool with what?"

"Two of your players dating each other," Dylan said testing the waters.

"You mean, you and Kevin? I saw you kiss him at the lake, but wanted to wait for you to feel comfortable telling me, so I turned to talk with Jackson. If he makes you happy, I have no problem with it," Coach told his son. "Would I rather you date a girl? Only if she makes you happy. I can't say that I'm a hundred percent happy that you are gay, but my only concern is your happiness and well-being. This world is tough enough to live in without the added stress of being gay and that's my only concern here. I love you and am happy for you that you found someone. Explains a little about those games we should have won."

Dylan couldn't believe his ears. He also couldn't believe the feeling of stress that left his body now that he didn't have to worry about his dad's reaction. He just hopes that Kevin doesn't get too upset that his dad knows. "Just so you know Dad, all we've done is kiss but we have talked about going further. Most couples have..." Dylan started.

Coach raised his hand to stop his son, "I don't need to know that, all I ask is that if you do anything else, please use protection. I'm sure you're both clean and I want to keep it that way. I'll even buy the protection when you need it."

"Kevin said that if we win the championship this year, his ass was all mine," Dylan smiled. Coach walked away shaking his head and laughing. Dylan looked at Jim, "You were right, I do feel better."

As Jim drove to the dojo, he shared with Joe what happened with Coach and Dylan. Joe was happy that Coach was so acceptant. Made him sad that his own dad wasn't, but then he wouldn't have been given the family that he has now, so he was at peace with how things transpired.

At the dojo, Dusty was working with Joe again, and was impressed with how quickly he was catching on. When Joe was moving, you couldn't tell that one leg was shorter. Having gone most of his life without any special footwear, Joe learned to compensate. After the class, Sensei walked up to Joe, "You still have four more weeks before I start charging you, so what are your thoughts so far?"

"Dusty would make an excellent sensei and I don't need four more weeks to know that I want to learn," Joe stated.

"Yes, that would be one of the reasons that I wanted Dusty to work with you. He has a great mind and will excel at whatever he decides to do, and I thought you would be more comfortable with him. You know him and I'm sure that you trust him. You're still getting the next four weeks free since I already offered them, but if you want to go ahead and join, we can fill out the paperwork and have your mom sign it."

"You are an honorable man, Sensei," Joe said in his best Chinese accent, and then he bowed. Sensei returned the bow and laughed. He handed Joe the packet and told him to bring it back next class.

Throughout the rest of the week, Jim and Zac decorated and redecorated the barn. They just couldn't get the tree looking good to them. Joe was walking by and Jim called him in. "What's up?"

"We think this tree is missing something and we want to get it right before we put tinsel on."

"You don't have a topper on it," Joe pointed out.

"What happened to the angel we had last year?" Jim asked.

"I think he moved in with you. Joe, climb up and sit on the tree," Zac suggested jokingly.

Joe laughed, "Thanks for the compliment, but I'm no angel." Jim put his arm around him and kissed his forehead. Zac went to look for any decorations they had missed. Maybe the angel was there. He couldn't find it.

Calling Jackson, he found out that when the hands were taking down the decorations, one of them dropped the angel and it broke. He had forgotten until Zac asked about it and just told Zac to just go get a new one. Zac asked Joe and Jim to go with him to pick out a good one. Joe wanted to go to Buster's house, but Jim assured him that Buster was no more of an angel than he was. Joe laughed.

While at the store, Jim picked up some ornaments and mouthed to Zac, "I've got blue balls." Zac licked his lips. Joe looked at a very beautiful angel. The robe looked to be made of silver thread, the wings were slowly moving and almost transparent. They had fiber optics running through that were constantly changing colors. The face wasn't feminine like most of the angels, but had some masculine features to it. "Guys, I think this is the perfect angel, but will it be too heavy with the motor moving the wings?

"Pick it up," the sales clerk suggested. Joe did so carefully so as to not damage the moving wings. He was surprised that it barely had weight. "This was made to be a tree topper, so they used the lightest material that they could and the motor is just big enough to move the wings," the clerk informed him.

Zac and Jim were in awe of the angel. "How much is it?" Zac asked.

"Well it might seem a little pricey at fifty-nine ninety-nine, but it does have a ten-year warranty against defects, even if dropped."

Zac pulled out the ranch credit card and said that he would take it. The clerk carefully placed a boxed one in a bag, ran the card and had Zac sign for it. Back at the ranch, the boys went back to decorating and the angel made a big difference.

Jackson came in and whistled, "That's a sharp angel, didn't blew the whole budget on it did you?"

"No, but it was more expensive than I thought an angel would be," Zac told him. Then he told him the cost and about the warranty. Jackson told him that he did a good job.

When Jim and Joe got home, they walked in the front door and saw a brown-haired boy sitting on the couch. He looked to be about eight years old. At first Jim thought, "Déjà vu," but then he called out to his mom.

"I'm in the kitchen, Jim," she called out, but then her mind started thinking about last year just two days before Christmas. She walked out and Jim saw his Aunt Brenda following behind her. His face lit up. "Well, I guess that you remember my sister, even though it has been a few years since you've seen her. Do you remember your cousin?" Heather asked, as she motioned toward the boy sitting on the couch.

"Austin was like five last time I had seen him. He's grown some in three years," Jim was amazed. "So, how long are you staying?"

"We'll be here until the first of the year, then we head back to Japan and it may be another three years before we can visit," Aunt Brenda stated.

"I'm glad you'll be here that long, but wish you could visit more often, or we could come visit you," Jim was excited yet sad, thinking about them leaving already. Seeing how she was his only aunt, and her husband, his only uncle, they were his favorites. They moved to Japan just after Christmas three years ago which broke Jim's heart. He really loved them but Uncle Bryan's company gave him the option to move there or resign when their offices moved. The company bought them their house and paid to have them move, plus they offered Bryan a raise. "Where are you staying?"

"Brenda will sleep in my room, then I figured, you and Joe could share a bed, or you and Austin."

"He can share my bed with me so Jim and Zac can still sleep together," Joe offered.

"By the way Brenda, this is my son Joe that I was telling you about. Joe, this is your Aunt Brenda, my sister," Heather took this time to introduce them.

"You are just as handsome and polite as your mother described you, Joe. It will be a pleasure getting to know you. And when do I meet Zac? I've heard so much about him," Brenda asked.

Jim swears that Zac has the most impeccable timing as he chose that moment to come in. Jim laughed. "Aunt Brenda, this is the love of my life," Jim stated.

"You ever hurt him, I'll hurt you," Brenda said, giving Zac her best "evil eye". Zac started to laugh. "That wasn't supposed to be funny."

"No, but I can tell that you don't have a mean bone in your body. Explains why Jim doesn't either. As for hurting him, you'd have to rip the heart out of my chest before I would purposefully do that. I hurt him once teasing and I felt so bad that I wanted to cry. I love him too much."

Brenda smacked Zac on the ass and said that was for hurting Jim. Zac told her that she owed him many more for it, but he had learned his lesson and would never do that again. She hugged him. Joe was sitting on the couch getting to know Austin.

"I'm sure this is a silly question, but do you have any pickles? I've been craving a nice juicy dill pickle ever since I got on the plane," Brenda asked. Jim went to grab the jar that Jackson gave him.

"You've been eating a lot of pickles, Mom," Austin stated. Then he scrunched up his face, "Even with ice cream."

"Brenda, are you?" Heather started. Brenda nodded her head.

"Due date is Jim's birthday, actually. Brandt planned on coming with us so we could tell you together, but something last minute needed him at work, so he had to delay his trip. He's going to try and be here before Christmas."

"When he gets here, Zac and I can sleep at his house so you and Uncle Brandt can use my room," Jim offered.

"Thank you for offering. I was thinking about asking once he got here," Heather hugged Jim.

Last day of school before the holiday break was approaching and all the students were getting excited. Most of the teachers were lax in giving homework, but in their English class, the teacher wanted them to pick one of four subjects and write a thousand-word essay in print, couldn't be typed or printed from a computer. It had to be cursive. The choices were, "My Hero Other than my Dad or Mom," "If I could Change the World," "My Goal after I Graduate" and "My Christmas Present to…" They had two weeks before Christmas vacation. If they were finished before, they could turn it in when completed. If it wasn't, it was due on the day that they returned. The teacher was nice though, and said that the rest of their class time until the break could be used for the assignment and he'd be happy to help them as best as he could.

Jim wasn't sure which subject he wanted, but Joe already knew. He had read another story called Lil Bros. The main character's brother was killed in a plane crash along with his parents. When Michael, the main character, went to school to chat with his adopted brother/son's principal, one of the teachers shared an essay that had been written by Adam, the brother who died. It was about how Michael was his hero. Joe decided that he was going to write about Jim; how he was so loving the first day Joe entered his life, how he has always protected him, especially when his dad came to hurt him, and how he always let Joe know he was a part of the family, even before the adoption was final. Yes, in Joe's eyes, Jim is a hero.

Joe had started his essay...

When the teacher walked by, he stopped and read what Joe had written so far. "If this is as good as I think it'll be, I would like for you to read it in front of the class. Or if you don't feel at ease doing so, maybe I can?" the teacher requested.

"I think I'd rather you do it. I'm sure Jim will know who wrote it, but I would rather not stand in front of the class if not necessary," Joe wasn't normally bashful, but he could feel emotions stirring as he wrote, who knows what would happen if he read it aloud.

"Well, you seem to have excellent writing skills, and I love how your story is going," the teacher said patting Joe on the back. He looked at Jim's paper next but it was still blank, "Having trouble thinking of what to write?"

"Sort of, I'm actually having trouble picking which subject to write on. I can think of a few people who have been heroes in my life, but don't know if I could pick just one and write a thousand words on them. Changing the world, I would want to remove all hatred, but how could I do that?" Jim seemed puzzled.

"Do you have plans for after you graduate?" the teacher asked.

"Yeah, I plan to go to college, but do I know enough to write a thousand words? Don't get me wrong, all of these are good subjects, but coming up with a thousand words won't be easy."

"So you're saying that I'm challenging you?" the teacher grinned. Jim smiled and nodded his head. The teacher squeezed Jim's shoulder and told Jim to write the subjects on four pieces of paper, put them so he didn't know which was which and pick one at random. Once he had the subject picked, he was sure that Jim could come up with enough words.

Jim pulled four note cards out of his book bag and wrote each subject on one. He shuffled the cards, placed them face down on his desk and picked one. At the top of his paper he wrote, My Goals for after I Graduate. 'Good, now I have a subject, but how can I write a thousand words on this,' he thought.

The teacher stood at the front of the class, "Almost time for the bell, so let me say this before you go. Some of you have already written quite a lot and some of you have barely started if even started. This isn't really that hard of an assignment. You read a good book and this wouldn't even be half a chapter, maybe not even a quarter of one. Just write what you feel and it will surprise you how short a thousand words actually are." He had just finished talking when the bell rang.

"So what are you writing on?" Dusty asked Jim.

"Took me the entire class just to pick a subject, but I finally decided to write about my goals. You?"

"I haven't picked a subject yet, they all seem so good," Dusty admitted. Jim laughed and handed Dusty his note cards and told him what the teacher suggested to him.

"What about you, Joe?" Jim inquired.

"I'm working on my third paragraph already. The teacher wants to read it in front of the class," Joe said smiling.

"Which subject did you pick?"  

"Not saying, I want it to be a surprise," Joe stated.

Last period was gym class and they were playing football. Since Joe couldn't play, Coach gave him the option of going to study hall or he could sit on the sidelines and watch. Joe chose to go to study hall so he could work on his assignment.

Joe had to stop writing as his eyes were starting to get blurry. The study hall teacher came over and asked, "Are you alright?" Joe just handed his paper to her. After she read it, she patted Joe on the hand and handed him a tissue. Joe put the assignment away as he couldn't write anymore at this time. 

He started working on his Algebra assignment. If x=y/x and y=y/x, what is the value of y? Joe looked at the problem for a few minutes. Then he realized that x had to equal y and the only value that could work is one. That was easy, and being the only question on the paper, Joe laughed. "These teachers must be looking forward to the break as well as the students," he thought.

On the way home, Jim asked Joe if he could read his essay to give him an idea of what he wants to write. "I told you that it was a surprise, how can you read it and it be a surprise. Think of it as a sort of Christmas gift," Joe told him.

"You're just saying that so I won't ask again, aren't you?" Jim questioned.

"Maybe, but you don't get to see it until after the teacher reads it to the class," Joe warned. Jim remained quiet the rest of the way home.

At the table, Joe said that the only homework he had was working on his paper, but he didn't feel like doing it anymore today. Jim said that his teachers didn't assign any except for the essay and asked Joe if he would help. Joe looked at Jim's paper. "Other than the title, it's blank!" Joe exclaimed.

"So you see my problem," Jim started. "I just don't know how I want to write this."

"For me, it was a no brainer. You're one of the smartest guys I know, you'll write probably the best essay in the class, well either you or Dusty. Just don't stress and let your mind flow about what you want to do."

Jim sat there and started writing, not really thinking about what he wrote. He figured he'd just write and then plan an outline for what he had written. 

Jim decided that was enough for now. He would take time to read it during class and see how he wanted to structure it. Joe asked if he could read what Jim had written. Jim thought about telling him that it was a surprise, but he slid the paper over to Joe. "See, this is really good. You were just thinking too hard," Joe complimented.

Austin came over to the table. "If you is done wif your homework, wanna pway cars wif me?" he asked looking at Joe.

"I would love to play cars with you, did you bring any?" Joe inquired.

"Jim used to half some, we pwayed wif his when I's come befowah."

"And I still have them, Buddy. I put them in a safe place just in case you ever came to visit. Can I play, too?"

"Dey is your cars, silwy," Austin said with a grin. Jim picked him up and started tickling him. Austin started squealing and laughing. Brenda came out of the kitchen to see who was "attacking" her son. She smiled and went back into the kitchen with Heather.

"The way Jim is with Austin, he's going to be a great dad someday," she told her sister.

"I know that just from watching how he is with his animals and Joe. I have never seen someone as protective as Jim is when Joe is threatened," Heather stated. Then she started telling Brenda about Joe's dad coming and Jim having to fight him. She mentioned how attentive Jim was to Joe's needs when Joe had his leg in a cast. There was no doubt that Jim would make a great dad.

Jim pulled the box of cars off the shelf in his bedroom. The one Austin always liked was on top. It was a red Dodge Viper. Austin grabbed it, then he grabbed a blue Ford GT. "Here Jim, dis is your favowite car," Austin said holding the GT out.

"You know it buddy, perhaps after supper, we can go for a drive in my real car," Jim suggested.

"The one wif da dwagon?" Austin's eyes got big. "Joe going wif us?"

"Yes, that's my car and if Joe goes with us, you have to sit in back," Jim told him.

"Joe, you going wif us?" Austin asked.

"If you want me to go, I will. I'll even climb in back if you want to sit up front," Joe said as Austin ran over and hugged him.

"We have to get your mom's permission, but I don't think she'll mind," Jim informed him. Jim wasn't surprised when Austin seemed to forget about the cars and ran downstairs. He put the box back on the shelf, turned and shrugged his shoulders to Joe. 

Austin came back upstairs. "She said after supper we can go, where are da cars?" he asked looking around.

"You ran off, so I didn't know if you were coming back," Jim explained.

"You silwy, Jim" Austin said, then ran behind Joe.

"OH NO!" Joe exclaimed. "He tickles me enough without me being YOUR protection." Then Joe started tickling him.

The boys played "wif" the cars to entertain Austin until Brenda called that supper was ready. As they sat at the table, Austin started talking about going for a drive. "And da car has a dwagon on it so weese can go wheel fast," Austin stated.

"Not sure how fast we can go, Buddy. There may be ice on the roads, and I've only been driving for seven months," Jim advised. Brenda mouthed a thank you to Jim. "While speed may be fun, I have to think about your safety as well as Joe's, mine and every other car on the road."

After supper, Jim and Joe started cleaning the table. Austin was getting antsy, "We going dwiving, come on."

"I'll finish cleaning, just be careful," Heather told her sons. Jim thanked her and kissed her on the cheek.

Joe climbed into the back, and Jim buckled Austin in securely. He got into the driver's seat and started the engine. He revved the engine a few times so Austin could feel the vibration in his seat. Then he backed out of the drive and headed down the street.

Jim was doing well below the speed limit because he still wasn't used to driving with snow on the ground. He headed for the ranch as he wanted to show Austin the horses. Gold wasn't even a year old when Austin last seen him. "Is Shadow out here, too?" Austin asked.

Joe thought Jim might have to pull over, but Jim simply smiled and said, "No, Shadow's up in heaven waiting for me. She went ahead to make sure everything was perfect for when I get there."

"She's a good doggy," Austin said and smiled.

"That she is," Jim said, "but she asked my two new dogs to take care of me here."

You mean Cheese and Coony?" Austin asked.

"You mean Colby and Kuno, as in Kunoichi," Jim corrected.

"Yeah, Colby Cheese and Coony," Austin smiled.

Jim's face went solemn as he felt the car slide a little on ice. He took his foot off the accelerator and the car started to fish-tale and then spin. It surprised Jim when the car came to a stop without hitting anything, but he was facing the side of the road and he heard someone sounding a horn. He looked and there was a Ford F-150 heading straight at him. Didn't look like he was slowing down and in seconds, it was plowing into the passenger side of Jim's car.

The passenger window shattered on impact and the truck pushed Jim's car several feet. Jim looked at Austin but the boy wasn't moving. He hollered back at Joe and Joe moaned a little. Jim found a pulse on Austin and called nine-one-one. The person on the other end wanted Jim to stay on the phone until help arrived, but Jim said that he needed to call his mom and would call back. The person insisted that Jim wait to call his mom, but Jim hung up and phoned home.

He was crying when his mom answered. "Mom, we were… in an… accident… I, I, I already… called nine-one-one… Austin is… hurt, and… I don't… know about… Joe. I was… hit with… flying glass…"

"Where are you?" Heather asked franticly. "Never mind, you called nine-one-one, we'll see you at the hospital, and don't worry, God has everything in his hands." Brenda had her hand over her mouth.

I hope you enjoy the story and that it draws you in, wanting more. If you have any suggestions or concerns, don’t hesitate to email me.  Thoughts and suggestions are always welcomed and may or may not be implemented. Concerns will be considered and addressed as much as possible.

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