The following is a work of fiction. Any similarities to anyone are purely coincidental. The story is intended for a mature audience. It may contain profanity and references to gay sex. If this offends you, please leave and find something more suitable to read. The author maintains all rights to the story. Do not copy or use without written permission. Write Ron at ronyx@woh.rr.com with your comments.
You Promised Me a Tomorrow Chapter 9
I left Carter's house before he woke up. I took my clothes into the bathroom and dressed while he still slept. It was about 6:45, so no one was up yet as I crept downstairs and slipped out the backdoor.
I was still extremely upset. I was mad at Carter for what he had done. He knew I liked Randy and didn't want to do anything with anyone else. I felt I had betrayed him even though I had been asleep when Carter sucked me. I still thought it was my fault because I'd let him finish me off. I should have stopped him.
I also didn't know how I was going to deal with this. I'd really become fond of Carter. He was a friend, and the only person who understood me. He gave me perspective when I thought things were getting out of control. He was also my source for some great weed, which I was beginning to enjoy more and more.
I was also struggling with the idea that I did owe Carter. He had shared his weed with me and never asked for anything in return. Once he did tell me he'd `take it out in trade.' Maybe that's what he'd done last night.
"There's always a piper who has to be paid." I'd heard my mother say this many times. I guess my time to pay up had finally come. I was also torn as to why Carter had done it. Was he just a horny kid, or did he have feelings for me? You don't usually suck off a guy unless you like him. I just wish he'd asked and given me a chance to say no.
I suddenly remembered it was my 16th birthday. Happy Birthday, TJ, I thought to myself. This was not how I was to spend it. Randy was supposed to pick me up tonight and take me to his home for a small party. Then I had seen him kissing Dean. I knew they were too close to each other to just be friends. Randy was a touchy-feeling type guy, but he seemed to be a little more intimate with Dean.
I didn't know where to go when I left Carter's. It was too early to go to the mall and hang out. I didn't want to go home. My mother would probably ask where I had been. It wasn't that she really cared; it was just that I'd never stayed out all night. Butch would take one look at my red eyes and know that I'd gotten high. I'd never hear the end of it.
I passed by an all-night market and decided I'd go in and buy me something to eat. I had five dollars in my pocked that Carter had given me last night. He told me it was a birthday present when I'd mentioned that my birthday was today. The owner was outside sweeping the sidewalk and looked suspiciously at me when I entered. A younger man was behind the counter and looked up when I entered.
I walked through the small store deciding what I wanted to purchase. I figured it'd be the only thing I ate today. I got a large bag of potato chips and some onion dip. I also picked up a small box of doughnuts. The typical answer to a teenager's wholesome meal. I then passed a display of Wild Irish Rose, the favored wine of street bums. I'd had it before when I found a bottle in my brother's room. I knew I was too young to get past the cashier. Surely, he'd ask for ID, which I didn't have unless you count my high school identification card.
But the wine was tempting. It was what I needed for a small celebration for my birthday. I could find a secluded spot and have myself a private party. I looked around the store and noticed the cashier busy at the counter. The owner was still outside sweeping litter off the sidewalk. My hands were trembling when I grabbed a bottle of the wine and reached around behind my back and hid the it inside my pants.
I had never stolen anything in my life. I'd heard my classmates talk about shoplifting items at the mall and found it disgusting. Now I was doing what I'd vowed to myself I'd never do. But I deserved it. It was my birthday, and I wanted to feel good. I couldn't go back to Carter's and get high. I definitely couldn't do it at home today.
I walked nervously around the store acting as if I was still shopping. Then I headed to the counter and put my purchases on the counter. My hand was still trembling as I pulled the money out of my pocket. The cashier studied me as I paid for the items. He bagged them and handed me my change. I hurried out the door.
I thought I had made it safely out, when he suddenly shouted, "Thief!" The man outside threw his broom under my feet and I fell flat on my face on the concrete. Before I knew what happened, they had pulled me up and held my hands behind my back as they led me to the back of the store.
"Why do you want to steal from us, boy?" The older man asked as he reached behind me and pulled the wine from my pants. He held it up in my face and shook his head angrily.
"I work hard for my money, and young punks like you think you can just come in here and take whatever you want from me." He shouted in my face. The younger man tightened his grip on my arms.
"I'm sorry, Mister." I cried. "I've never stolen anything in my life. Please let me go." I was scared to death. I didn't want to go to jail.
"That's what you all say." The man behind me shouted. "Then you come in the next week and do the same thing. I've already hit the alarm. The police should be here in a minute." He twisted my arm behind my back so tightly I thought it was going to break.
"Please! Today's my birthday. Cut me a break, please." I was trying to make a final attempt to get them to let me go. "I'll pay for it."
"You want me to go to jail, Kid? I can't sell you liquor." He stated. I looked towards the door and saw two very large policemen come walking in. "Happy Birthday, Kid."
"I see you caught another one, Mr. Mitchell." He laughed as he walked up and took me from the younger man. He threw me up against the wall and placed handcuffs on me. When they took me out and placed me in the car, I saw Carter standing across the street with a worried look on his face. He waved timidly to me when we pulled off.
The next few hours were a nightmare. I was taken to the local precinct and booked. I was being charged with petty theft. Everything went by so quickly. I was fingerprinted and pictured. Within an hour I was standing before a magistrate. Since I was sixteen, they were charging me as an adult. He suggested that I plead not guilty and then I was assigned a court appointed attorney. Bail was set at $1000. I couldn't even afford $10. I knew I would be here for awhile. Happy Birthday, TJ.
I'd been in here about eight hours. According to the clock on the wall it was well after 4:00 PM. The door at the end of the hall opened and I could hear footsteps coming toward my cell. I looked up from the bed I was sitting on. Mr. Lawrence was standing there with the arresting officer.
"Hello, Son." He looked at me very disappointedly. I buried my head in my hands; and for the first time since my arrest, I cried.
Dean and I searched everywhere for TJ. We got in his car and drove to the park he took me to before. He wasn't there. I think we drove down every street in the city. We next went to the mall and spent two hours searching for him. I wish I'd asked him what area of town he lived in. At least I could have spent time there driving around, but I had no idea.
We went home around 11:00 at night. My parents were still up when we got home. Dean was planning on spending the night, and then we were going back out searching tomorrow morning- TJ's birthday.
I had really screwed this up. Dean and I were only playing around, but TJ had no way of knowing that. Sure, we'd had sex before; actually quite a bit over the years. But it was just a buddy helping a buddy out. You know what I mean? Whenever he or I became serious about another person, we had an agreement where we wouldn't mess around. Neither of our relationships ever lasted long, so there wasn't a large time interval until we would be back in bed together. You know, helping each other out. We'd talked about being boyfriends, but we knew it would ruin our friendship if we did. We were better off as fuck buddies, not lovers.
When we passed the den, my parents called us in. They were on the sofa. My father was sitting on one end while my mother was lying with her head in his lap. He was softly stroking her hair. You'd think after almost 24 years of marriage they'd be past the cuddling stage, but not them. Sometimes it is almost sickening. The next time I bring TJ home, if I ever bring him home again, we're going to sit on the sofa and make out until we shoot a load in our pants like we did before. That will teach them.
"Are you boys ready for the party tomorrow night? My dad asked. I think they were as excited about the party as I was. They'd bought TJ a gift, but they wouldn't tell me what it was. I found it in the closet the other day and almost tore the gift wrap off.
"I don't think there will be a party." I said sadly. Dean reached over and put his hand on my shoulder. We sat down and explained to my parents what had happened. They weren't surprised because they knew Dean and I were close. I don't think they had a clue what we did once we shut the bedroom door, though. Maybe they did. They just didn't want to discuss it.
Again, I was embarrassed when I had to tell my parents I didn't know where TJ lived or his phone number. We decided to call Wilson and Trisha in the morning and cancel the party. I was so disappointed. I'd really wanted the party to be something special for TJ.
Dean and I went up to my room and went to bed. We slept together, but didn't do anything. The moment I met TJ our rule went into effect. Once in bed, though, he did pull me into him and held me tightly. That wasn't breaking the rules. That was Dean showing his love for me.
We woke up early and resumed our search for TJ. After eating breakfast at IHOP, we drove around town hoping to see him walking down the street. I was also looking for Carter. Maybe he'd know where he was. We ended up at the mall. It was a magnet for teenagers on the weekends. We saw a lot of our friends. We asked them if they'd seen TJ. No one had. It seemed he'd just disappeared.
I was disappointed when Dean finally told me it was useless to search anymore. He asked me to go to the movies with him, but I told him I just wanted to go home. He dropped me off and I went straight to my room and lay down on my bed and fell asleep, dreaming about TJ.
I'd been asleep for about an hour when I heard the phone ringing downstairs. I had a cell phone and most of my friends called me on it. It rang about six times and stopped. I thought my mother had answered it, but realized they had gone out for the afternoon and I was alone in the house.
Fifteen minutes later the phone rang again. I got out of bed and went downstairs to answer it. I looked at the Caller ID and didn't recognize the number.
"Is this the Lawrence residence?" A boyish voice asked.
"Yes, it is." I answered.
"Does a Randy live there?" He seemed nervous.
"This is Randy." I informed him.
"This is Carter. Remember me?" My heart stopped. I knew he wouldn't be calling me unless something had happened to TJ. He hated me. So I knew this was serious.
"Is TJ alright?" My voice cracked as I talked.
"I don't think so." He sounded like he was crying.
"What do you mean you don't think so?" I was becoming anxious.
"I think he's been arrested." I let out a burst of air. I'd been holding my breath since our conversation started. I thought he was going to tell me TJ was hurt. Being arrested was bad, but the news could have been worst.
"Where's he at, do you know?" I asked.
"No, all I know is I saw him being arrested at a store at 22nd and Maple." He said excitedly.
"Alright. I'll see what I can find out." I told him.
"Ok. Thanks." He said.
"Carter."
"Yeah?"
"Thanks for calling me." I said appreciatively.
"No problem. Just make sure he's alright. Bye." He hung up. I had a thousand questions. Why was he arrested? Was he alright? How did Carter know about it? It wasn't doing any good to worry about things I didn't know, so I pulled out my cell phone and called Dean. He was knocking on the door ten minutes later.
I quickly explained the situation to him. Before he had arrived I'd called the police station and found out he was at the 3rd precinct. They wouldn't tell me anything more over the phone.
Just as we were getting ready to head out the door, my parents walked in. They could tell by my agitated behavior that something serious was wrong. I explained to them about TJ's arrest. My father stopped me before we got to the door.
He explained that there wasn't anything I could do as a minor. He'd take care of things. When I told him I would go with him, he refused. He said I was too upset to be of any help, so he made me stay home. We argued for five minutes, but once my father's mind was made up about something, he wouldn't change it. I was to stay home and wait.
Dean and I went up to my room, but he left shortly after. He said I was making him too nervous. I kept pacing around my room, occasionally walking over to the window and looking out to see if my father had returned. I was a nervous wreck. About two hours later I heard my father's car door slam. I looked out the window, but he was alone. I was sure he'd have brought TJ back to our house.
I ran downstairs and met him as he was coming through the door. He seemed extremely angry. My father was usually a pretty calm guy, but when he got mad it was best to stay out of his way.
He had me and my mother sit down in the den while he explained what happened. It seems TJ was arrested for shoplifting wine at a carryout. The owners found it hidden in his pants. He was being charged as an adult for petty theft. My father had bailed him out. But that's not the reason he was so angry.
When he got there the police refused to speak to him because he was not related to TJ. My father even called his friend who was an attorney and he told him basically the same thing. They did give him TJ's home address and he went over to get his mother to help get him out.
His face reddened with anger as he described TJ's family. He said when he got there TJ's mother appeared at the door drunk. She at first refused to let him in the house, but he pushed her aside and walked in anyway. He said the place was a filthy mess. Beer cans were laying all around the house. Drapes were hanging loosely on the windows. The carpet looked like it hadn't been vacuumed in months.
When he explained to Mrs. Johnson, Somerset was TJ's father's name, she became abusive. He explained that he was the father of a friend of TJ's. She began cursing about her no-good son, and that he deserved what he got. My father loved TJ and it hurt to hear her talk so badly about him. Then his brother came out of the room in his underwear and began ranting and raving.
My father was going to walk out, but he needed their help to get TJ out of jail. After thirty minutes of angry words being spoken, he sobered TJ's mother up enough to get her to accompany him to the precinct. His brother wanted to go along, but my father told him that there was no way he was going to get in his car.
My father's attorney friend was waiting for them when they arrived. He'd already told the sergeant that he was representing TJ and had arranged for his release. My father posted bail and accompanied the sergeant to the cell where TJ was waiting. He said TJ began crying when he saw him. I felt tears welling up in my eyes when he said this.
TJ was released and he took him and his mother home. My father had asked if TJ could return home with him, but his mother began screaming that her son was not going to be going to a home of a pervert-me. She said I was the reason for all TJ's current troubles. He'd been a good boy until he started school. Now he was staying out all night and getting arrested. She didn't want her son hanging around with a faggot.
My father said he left before he hit her in her drunken face. She was already on her second drink and they hadn't been in the house five minutes. He said TJ looked so sad. He walked over and started to give him a hug when TJ's mother began cursing and asking my father if he was trying to fuck her son too. She started hitting him while she told him to `keep his fucking gay hands off her son.' My father stormed out of the house, almost shattering the door on his way out.
My father was seething with anger. My mother tried to calm him but he wouldn't stop ranting. Finally, he went into the kitchen and started yelling on the phone to his attorney friend. He wanted TJ removed from that house.
My mother sat beside me on the couch while I tried to digest everything my father had said. She put her arm around me and held me tightly.
"I know you're going to be upset with me, but do you think TJ is the kind of boy you need as a boyfriend." She said softly.
"What did you just say?" I jumped off the couch breaking her embrace.
"Don't get upset. It just sounds like TJ has a lot of problems. I don't know if you should be involved with him." She tried to explain.
"Dammit, Mom." I was red with anger. "That's all the more reason he needs me. Stay out of my business." I stormed out of the den and up to my room, slamming the door behind me. I threw myself on my bed and slammed my hands into my pillow.
It wasn't fair. TJ was one of the nicest guys I knew. I knew things were bad for him, but I had no idea just how bad. The pieces of the puzzle were beginning to come together. I knew why he would never talk about himself and why he dressed like he did. He didn't deserve the hand that had been given him. Now my mother sounded like she didn't want me to be with him. He needed me and I wasn't going to turn my back on him. I loved him more now than I ever did.
There was a knocking on my door and I heard my father calling out my name. I told him he could enter.
"Son. You alright?" He asked me as he sat on my bed. "You know your mother's downstairs crying right now. You hurt her when you shouted at her."
"But Dad, she doesn't want me to see TJ." I screamed.
"Did she tell you that?" He said calmly.
"No, not exactly." I admitted.
"She just suggested that maybe TJ has enough problems to handle without trying to have a relationship too."
"It didn't sound that way." I replied angrily.
"We've always respected your wishes. You know we back you in any reasonable decisions you make. We will back you on this too." He said, putting his arm around me, pulling me into a hug.
"Thanks, Dad." I kissed his cheek.
"I think you owe your mother an apology." He suggested.
"I do too. I'll apologize in the morning." He gave my shoulder a squeeze, and then left the room. I laid across my bed and fell asleep, thinking about TJ.
I was awakened later with a pounding at the front door. At first I thought I was dreaming, but it continued. I looked at the clock and it was 2:18. I heard my parents' door open. I walked into the hall and followed my dad down the stairs. He walked to the door and cautiously opened it. He gasped, and then disappeared onto the porch. He emerged seconds later carrying TJ in his arms. He had blood all over him and his face was bruised and swollen. Carter followed behind them. Tears were streaming down his face.
Let me know if you're enjoying the story. Write me at ronyx@woh.rr.com or join my Yahoo group at www.groups.yahoo.com/group/ronyxstories where you'll find updates on this story.