This is a fictional story involving gay teenagers and will contain some sexually explicit material, but not right away. If you're too young to read this type of story or if it's illegal for you to do so, you should leave or at least don't get caught. This story is copyrighted so please do not duplicate, in whole or in part, by any means (including electronic) without prior written permission from the author.
This story and its characters are purely fictional, although some things may be based on real events or locations. However, no persons, places or situations in this story are in any way connected to, or associated with, with reality.
Now, the "Laramie Rush" soundtrack for Chapter 2: "Talk" by Coldplay and "Open Your Eyes" by Snow Patrol. Feel free to get them however you get your music! Listen and Enjoy!
Your comments, good, bad or whatever are welcome! Love it? Hate it? Tell me!! Email me at laramierush1@yahoo.com.
Thank you Matt. You're the best. LR.
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Chapter 2.
Both sets of grandparents came to Evanston for my first birthday party, but it was also their last visit together. Grandpa Rush just happened to have business in Minneapolis, so it was convenient to fly here a day early and bring Grandma along. When Mom invited her parents to come, they seemed a little reluctant, but finally Grandma Mack gave in.
"Why the hesitation?" Mom asked.
"Oh, we don't want to interfere, honey," Grandma Mack told Mom.
"Interfere?? Are you nuts? He's your grandson, ma..."
"Well, okay, but we won't stay long."
"Mom, you're traveling half way across the country, stay as long as you want!"
Some of the neighbors with small children came, and Jake and Jess invited some of their friends. Of course, Mr. and Mrs. Timmons, along with Rick, Kate and Jeremy were there too! All I cared about was that Jeremy was there, even though I was only a year old. I got lots of gifts, mostly toys, clothes and money. The party was in the backyard and even though there was plenty of cake for everyone, I had my own that I got to dig into and smear all over me. It's fun to look at the pictures now. Grandma Mack's left eyebrow arched when she found out Mrs. Timmons baked the cake.
Grandma Rush was mostly focused on how to get Jake and Jess to New Jersey for the summer. Should they stop on their way back from Minneapolis and get them or should Dad bring them later this week? What a dilemma!
"Now Suzy, we'll keep them until mid July, you know."
"Mid July??" Mom was startled. "Umm, I don't think so. That's such a long time"
"What do you mean? You and Eddie agreed to all of this. Why are you so surprised?" Grandma insisted.
"When we talked about this at Easter you said a week..."
Dad intervened. "Mom, it's okay. Let's talk about it later. I'll talk to Suzy."
Mom was pissed. Mrs. Timmons could see that, so she quietly took over as hostess, but most people were leaving anyways. Mom talked to Grandma Rush privately and got things settled. They'd pick up the twins Tuesday and Dad would bring them back to Chicago July 15. One more time Grandma got her way, and Dad smoothed things over with Mom...
Now, about that mess with the cake. Of course I had to have a bath! Boy how I wish Jeremy could have joined me in the tub!
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I wish I could tell you that things went smoothly between my parents and their parents. Things really cooled down with Mom and the Rush's and the McKenzie's. Relationships that had always been close were now a bit tense and awkward. Not unfriendly, but strained. Why were the Rush's so eager to take Jake and Jess? Why couldn't they come to Chicago just to visit us? After all, it was a little easier for the two of them to travel than our whole family. They only came when it was convenient for them, and it wasn't all that often. Then again, why would they need to? Grandma Rush got to see Dad usually once a week, when he was in Jersey on business. And they had Jake and Jess every summer. I guess Mom and I didn't matter?
And what was Grandma Mack's problem? Is it possible she was envious of Mom's and Mrs. Timmons' relationship? One time Mom confronted Grandma.
"Eddie takes good care of you and the kids, Suzy. You don't need me. Your dad and I would just be in the way." Grandma insisted.
"In the way of what, Mom? Tell me. Can't you just visit and enjoy the kids?"
"Well, it's not as simple as that, Susan."
"What's so complicated? When we lived in Jersey we saw each other almost every day. Now I have to beg for us to get together."
"It's not that." Grandma said.
"Well what is it then, Mom? Is it my friendship with Linda Timmons?"
"Don't be ridiculous, Susan! That's the silliest thing I ever heard!"
That was it! Mom was convinced her parents couldn't handle the fact that they moved away and were doing fine. Mom thought Grandma felt replaced by Mrs. Timmons, even though that was nonsense. Dad stayed out of it.
And what was with Dad placating his mother where Jake and Jess were concerned? That "week" in the summer became the whole summer, and Dad just went along with it to shut up Grandma Rush. What did he care? He wasn't home much, and he could always see them when he was in Jersey.
Over the years, birthdays became less of a celebration. With Jake and Jess having the same birthday, but different friends, it was hard to have a big party. Mom and Dad always like to do something a little special for their own birthdays, like go out to dinner, just the two of them. For me...well, every year it was just a little cake and ice cream thing. Sometimes Jake and Jess weren't even there. And Mom always invited Mr. and Mrs. Timmons, Rick, Kate and Jeremy.
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It was weird growing up with a brother and sister six years older than me. I hardly knew them. As a toddler, the gap between us seemed to widen. If Mom and Dad hadn't had me, Mom would have started working since the twins were in school during the day. But, I came along, and with the move to Chicago, it looked like her career would be on hold again. Until Mrs. Timmons had an idea.
"Now that Kate has gotten that promotion she wanted, I'll be babysitting Jeremy every day. I'd be happy to have Laramie too, say, if you wanted to start working."
"I do need to get on with things. We've been here two years now. I'd have to get my Illinois teaching certificate and all..."
"Funny you should mention that. I'm very good friends with Bob Wilson, the school director at Lake Academy in Wilmette. They need a third grade teacher to start this fall. Anyways, Bob asked me if I could recommend someone and you're the first person I thought of!"
"Gosh, that would be perfect, but... I couldn't impose," Mom was excited.
"Nonsense! The reason the position came about so suddenly is Mary Anderson's husband has been transferred out of state sooner than expected. It's kind-of like your situation moving here. About your certificate, it's really a paperwork issue and that can be processed quickly. Come on, I'll make a few calls."
"Well, I better speak with Eddie first. I will tonight."
"Good! It's a done deal!"
So Mom talked to Dad and he had no choice but to say okay. Mom was supportive of all of his career moves, even leaving her family and moving to Chicago. Now it was Dad's turn...to be supportive of her. The next day Mrs. Timmons called her friend Mr. Wilson. Mom interviewed and was hired on the spot!
Mom started teaching at Lake Academy that fall. Her schedule worked out perfectly. Jake and Jess walked home after school, Mrs. Timmons was there with Jeremy and me, and Mom got home about fifteen minutes later. And that was sort-of our life for quite a few years. When Jeremy and I were four we went to pre-school at Northwestern which was for employees' kids. So we kind-of fudged it a bit...Jeremy's grandfather had a little pull, being a professor and all.
But, the next year I went to kindergarten in public school and Jeremy's mother insisted that he go to a private school. Mom even suggested that maybe Jeremy and I could both enroll at Lake Academy, but Kate wouldn't hear of it. She wanted to send him to another school. After being with Jeremy everyday for so long we were bonded like glue, and now we were separated. I was closer to him than to Jake and Jess, who it seemed I hardly knew. I know...we're the same age and have a lot in common, the 'separation' isn't forever, and kids that age bounce back quickly. But not me. I was attached to Jeremy, and I knew it, at the age of five.
The next couple of years were tough not seeing each other constantly. We had to settle for weekends and holidays. I was too young to know or think anything about love or sex, but I felt empty if I wasn't near him. I missed eating with him, falling asleep next to him, playing soccer and video games with him. Giggling with him. Touching him. Smelling him. Jeremy was all that was on my mind. I daydreamed about him.
Jake and Jess were growing up as well, developing their own unique personalities. While it seemed they adjusted to the move to Chicago just fine, a few things cropped up that Mom observed. By the time they were nearly finished with eighth grade, Jacob was becoming the kid no one knew and Jessica treated him horribly. She was turning into a real bitch, and turning him into her bitch! Did it have something to do with the move? Was spending every summer in New Jersey a factor? Blame it on puberty?
Mom talked to Dad about what she was noticing with the twins. "Eddie, we've got to do something. I'm worried about Jessica...she can be so nasty at times."
"Really? She seems fine when I'm here." Dad was oblivious.
"Well, that's the problem...you're never here."
"Look Suzy, I'm sure it's nothing. Her grades are fine and she has friends. It's got to be hard having a twin brother."
Mom thought Dad was nuts and told him so. "That's insane! What does that mean...it's got to be hard having a twin brother??"
"Give it time. Plus, I'm objective, not being here all the time. But you're with them everyday. You see and hear everything. If you're really that worried talk to their counselor at school."
Mom dropped it. But, about a week later, she got a strange phone call from Grandma Rush. Apparently Dad told her Mom's concerns about the twins.
"Suzy, they both do so well when they're here in the summer. But I have noticed Jake can be a little submissive. I think he really wants to please his sister and get along," Grandma insisted.
"I know, but I've tried to ignore some things, tried to address other things, like her nastiness, and I encourage him to speak up, but..."
"As a teacher, a mother and a grandmother, here's what Bill (Grandpa Rush) and I want to do. They're starting high school soon, and we want them to come here and go to boarding school. Normally, I think a public education is just fine, but you know first hand how well kids do at private schools...you teach at one! We'll pay the tuition."
"Wait, wait...what did you just say..."
"It's the least we can do. And there really isn't a problem. Maybe a little distance will be good for them. Sometimes a change in surroundings can be good."
"Have you already discussed this with Eddie?" Mom wanted to know.
"No, I haven't. But after he told us how worried you are, Bill and I talked, and we made up our minds this is what we want to do for you guys. Please talk to Eddie about this, Susan, please."
Although Mom and Grandma Rush had always basically gotten along, the last several years had been a little rough. She wondered if my Dad's parents were genuinely concerned or just being selfish. Yet, Grandma did make a few good points. Mom agreed that private schools are good, and certainly my grandparents could afford the cost, even for both. She talked it over with Dad.
"I'm not surprised my mother suggested this. She makes a really good case."
"I don't know. Maybe their behavior is normal and it's just a phase for both of them. Maybe it will work itself out. Plus, even though your parents have the money, I just can't ask them to do this," Mom told Dad.
"You're...we're...not asking them. They offered. And yes, they do have the money. And maybe it is just an early teen phase the twins are going through, but we should nip this in the bud before it gets worse," Dad insisted.
Mom decided to get another opinion. She did talk to Jess and Jake's counselor.
"Well, Mrs. Rush, this certainly would be a great opportunity for both Jess and Jake. Neither of them is really, what I would say, a... problem. In fact, this is the first time we've ever met about them. But I have noticed that, well, how can I put this...Jessica, well, she can be a little...well..."
"Bossy? Pushy? Nasty?"
"She's downright mean to your son. She bullies him, and he takes it. It's going to be hell for him at the high school because others will see that and won't leave him alone," the counselor added. "I think your mother-in-law's idea is very appropriate."
Mom's mind was made up. She would take Grandma and Grandpa Rush up on their offer. But she also wondered why the counselor never called her and Dad about Jake and Jess, if the situation was that noticeable. Were things out of control?
Mom told Dad, "Eddie, I'll go along with the whole boarding school thing with your parents, but we should at least offer to pay half. Whether they agree or not, at least we offered." That night Mom and Dad told Jake and Jess the plan for school in the fall. Jake said okay and Jessica sighed and rolled her eyes around.
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Jeremy's mom drove him to school, and once in awhile Mrs. Timmons picked him up, so occasionally I did get to see him and play during the week. But my normal routine was that I walked home from school with a kid named Ronny Selby. I really didn't care for Ronny, but we were in the same grade and he lived on the next street, Hinman. A couple of times he invited me over, but I never wanted to go to his house. Usually he tried to invite himself to our house. I'd either ignore him, or if he did come over he'd get so engrossed with playing Nintendo that I still ignored him. Ronny and Jeremy knew each other, and Jeremy felt the same way about him as I did.
Ronny's older brother Tommy liked my sister, and she kind-of liked him, too. Tommy was a smart-ass. In fact, all the Selby's were smart-asses, including their dad who was a cop. Tommy creeped me out for some reason. His hair was long and dirty, he wore weird clothes like stupid tee-shirts and chains and stuff. He swore a lot, except when adults were around; then he put on the altar-boy act. Every other word was 'fuck'. I don't know what Jessica saw in him.
Mom couldn't stand Tommy Selby either, and every time he came to our house Mom quickly thought of a reason to politely get rid of him. I swear, smoke would come out of Jessica's nose, but Jacob seemed visibly relieved when he left. I never fully understood why until I was a lot older. I just remember when I was eight, it was the end of the school year, right when Mom and Dad told us that Jess and Jake would be going to boarding school in New Jersey for the next year. Old Tommy was over and was trying to be all sweet to Mom, saying how much he liked Jessica and was going to miss her.
"We'll all miss Jess and Jake both, " Mom said.
"Really, Mrs. Rush, Jessica and I have become really close. More than friends. I kind-of think of her as my girlfriend."
"Yeah, Tommy, well, Jessica's a little too young to be someone's girlfriend."
"Well Mrs. Rush, my mom and dad think it's healthy and normal for kids our age to..."
"Umm, Tommy, if that's how your parents feel, that's fine," Mom interrupted. "Now really, you should be going, I need to go shopping with Jessica and we'll be gone awhile. Bye Tommy. Say 'hi' to your mom..." Mom was so cool trying to get rid of him! Except, she didn't.
She and Jess did leave to go shopping. And Tommy did start walking down Judson to go home. But as soon as Mom turned onto Davis, old Tommy Selby turned back to our house. I was in the backyard when he walked up the sidewalk.
"Where the fuck's your fucking brother, you fucking little shitball?"
I just glared at him. Pretty brave for an eight year old, huh?
"You little bastard, where the fuck is he?"
"I'm up here." Jake was visible from his window.
Tommy called me an asshole and told me to fuck off. He disappeared in the house, and I figured he just wanted to talk to Jake. I kept to myself, occasionally staring at the Timmons' back yard, hoping Jeremy would show up. Then I had to pee, and I wanted my other soccer ball, which was up in my room. I went upstairs using the front steps, which were quieter because of the carpet. I was real quiet because I heard Tommy and Jake in Jake's room. Tommy was talking kind-of mean to Jake, but I couldn't tell what Jake was saying. The door was partly open. I looked in and saw Tommy's jeans and underwear pulled down and I could see his naked skinny butt. Jake was kneeling down in front of him and I think Tommy was pulling his hair, and saying stuff like 'suck me' and 'lick my balls'. I couldn't see Jake's face, but I heard him cough. Then Tommy said, "I said suck me you fucking cocksucker! Maybe I oughtta shove my cock up your sweet ass, huh Jake? Or up your sister's hot pussy and make you watch."
I was scared shitless and started to pee my pants. I forgot about getting my soccer ball. I ran downstairs and back outside, not knowing if I made any noise or if they saw me. I did pee my pants, and I ran up into the garage attic and hid. I was scared for Jake. I was scared for myself. I shut my eyes. All I could see was Jake on his knees. I started to cry, but I stopped. I saw Jeremy. I saw Tommy half naked. I kept seeing these images in my mind over and over and my own penis got stiff in my wet pants. My heart was pounding. I was only eight years old but I wanted Jeremy with me, in the garage attic, at that moment. I shut my eyes, held my breath and put my hand down my pants to feel my hard dick. I didn't even know what I was doing or why. I have no idea how long I was like that, up in the garage. Then my dream came true.
"Lare... Lare... Laramie, you up there?" It was my favorite voice.
"Jeremy!! I'm up here!"
He ran up the garage attic steps. "Hey, let's play! What are you doing up here? Where's everyone at? My dad's letting me stay at grandma's tonight! Wanna sleep out in the tent in the backyard? Wanna set up the telescope? Grandpa said we can cook out hotdogs! Grandma just made brownies...want one? Wanna ride bikes first? Lare... Hello... What's going on?"
After 20 Questions Jeremy could tell something wasn't right. I started to cry. "I had an accident. Please don't tell, please," I begged. But it was Jeremy, so I didn't have to beg too much.
"It's okay." Jeremy hugged me. "Want me to go in your room and get you a new pair of pants?"
"NO!!" I shouted, "NO WAY!!"
He backed away. "Okay, okay, settle down."
"I'm sorry." And I looked away, trying not to cry. "Umm...is...umm...that Tommy Selby around? Did you see him or Jake?"
"Why? Did he try to do something to you?"
"No." I answered.
"I'm pretty sure he's not here. I saw him walking on Grove Street and he gave me the finger when we drove past him. And Jake's on the front steps."
"Good." Then I heard the car. Mom and Jess were home.
"Look, I'll go get you a pair of my pants and clean underwear, and some brownies. Stay up here I'll be right back. You can change up here. No one will know."
I was hard again. I never remembered it being hard like that, only sometimes in the morning. I was nervous, but felt relieved, and was glad Jeremy was there to help me out. He and I had seen each other naked before, like changing into our swim trunks, but what if he stayed in the garage when I took my wet pants off and he saw my woodie?
In a flash Jeremy was back, discretely carrying the clean pants and underwear. "Here," he said as he gave them to me. "Oh, man, I forgot the brownies. You get changed and I'll go get 'em. Meet me on the deck!"
So I peeled off my pee-soaked jeans and underwear and rubbed my little boner for a few minutes, then put on Jeremy's dry clothes. That calmed me down. I figured I'd hide the wet pants and worry about them later; we'd think of something. When I got into the yard, I saw a cab pulling away and that meant Dad was home from the airport. I ran up to give him a hug. Then went next door to get Jeremy and some of Mrs. Timmons' delicious brownies.
We were all in the kitchen and the phone rang. Mom answered it.
"Jess, it's for you, it's Tommy Selby...again."
Dad asked how we all were, Mom told him it had been a great week, but we missed him. Jeremy and I said we were sleeping out in the tent tonight, and Jake was mostly quiet. Dad put his briefcase in the den and went upstairs to change. Jess informed us Tommy was coming over.
"Mom, can I go somewhere with Tommy tonight?" Jess pleaded.
"Ahh, no." Mom was firm.
Jess was about to spit fire again. Then, old Tommy just walked right in without even knocking.
"Tommy, please knock next time." Mom warned.
"Why? You're all standing right here in the kitchen...Mrs. Rush, ma'm."
Jess rolled her eyes and muttered 'Jesus' under her breath, but Mom heard it. "I'm sorry Tommy, Jess has to stay in tonight." Jess ran upstairs.
Just then Dad came back in the kitchen. I was pouring a glass of diet Coke for Jeremy and me. Jake stood there, frozen. "Dude...how about you and me hangin' out tonight. Wanna?" Tommy asked Jake.
Dad, as smart as he is, was clueless. "Hey, son, that'd be a great idea. It's Friday night, you guys just go let off some steam!" Jacob stood there, emotionless and silent.
"NO!" I blurted out. I turned quickly, knocking over my glass of diet Coke, spilling it mostly onto Tommy's jeans and shoes. "NO, Jake can't go anywhere, he promised to...umm... umm..."
"...He promised to help put up the tent and get all our stuff ready for sailing tomorrow, right Jake?" Thank God for Jeremy. Dad looked puzzled.
"Yeah, guys. Sorry, Tommy." Jake went along with it.
"You little f....... Look at my jeans! You got soda all over me..."
I wanted to laugh. And I wanted to cry because I felt bad for Jake. And I wanted to hug Jeremy for rescuing me and Jake. And I knew that bastard Tommy Selby would probably someday want revenge.
I think Dad caught on, but it was Mom who shoved Tommy out the door again. "Well, we've got stuff to do here, Tommy. Lare, let's get this cleaned up. Bye Tommy, some other time."
Jake still barely moved or said anything. He's a good-looking kid, with longish, pin-straight brown hair over his ears that kind-of flips up, blue eyes and the whitest face. But now it was red. I wanted to talk to him, but, even though he's my big brother, I couldn't talk to him. I hardly knew him, really. But I knew what I saw with him and Tommy in his bedroom earlier that day.
"Hey, Lare," Jacob said softly. "Uhh, you guys want me to help with the tent for real?"
I fought back tears and nodded. "Uh-huh, yeah." We re-filled our sodas and took them with us to get more brownies and start pitching the tent.
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Jake, Jeremy and I put up the tent in the Timmons' backyard, and we got the blankets and sleeping bags all set. Mr. Timmons cooked the hotdogs on the Weber grill and they were delicious, even though I could barely eat half of one, without the bun. I was putting together my telescope and we could smell another batch of home-made brownies right out of the oven.
What a day. Finally, it got dark, everyone went in, and the neighborhood got quiet. Stars were out and we had a pretty good view of the moon. And occasionally planes flew over us, heading southwest towards O'Hare. Thank God my mind was in the stars. Jeremy and I went into the tent and stripped down to our underwear and put on our pajamas. Luckily, I did so without pitching another "tent." But not for long.
We were laying on our backs snugly inside our sleeping bags. Jeremy and I talked, but didn't say much. I was confused about what I saw going on with Jake and Tommy earlier. I wanted to tell Jeremy about it but I couldn't. I wondered how Jeremy knew just what to say in the kitchen. Jeremy was talking again, but I couldn't hear him. I closed my eyes and saw the images again; Tommy's naked ass. Jeremy. Me, in the garage attic rubbing my hard little boy pole. Jake on his knees, head in front of Tommy's crotch. Jeremy hugging me. I wondered what I'd do if Jeremy saw me naked and hard. I reached down in my sleeping bag, under my pajamas and the elastic of my underwear, and grabbed hold of my boner. My heart was pounding out of my chest, but the tent was silent. I opened my eyes and looked at the boy next to me. The boy who makes me dream. He was sound asleep.
To be continued...