All About Love Part I

“Robbie! Robbie!” Jack shook him this time.
Robbie shook himself and looked around with confusion. “W-What?” he stammered.
“Class is over man and everyone else is gone. Everyone except Mr. Shectmen.”
Robbie looked up and his face reddened when he saw his teacher standing in front of him with a look of amusement on his face. “You okay Robbie?”
“Ahh yeah,” he replied with embarrassment. “I’m fine Mr. Shectmen.”

Thank God it was the end of the day and school was over. He rose from his seat and picked up his books. “Just a minute Robbie. I want to speak to you two.”
He led them to the front of the class and closed the door. He sat behind his desk and gestured for the two youths to take seats in front of him.
“Now Jack I know that you are indeed a gay youth,” he started. Jack smiled slightly and waited for him to go on. “Robbie I know that you may be struggling with the same thing. However, what I don’t want to see is either one of you come to any harm. The reason I’m taking an interest in this is because I have a brother who is gay. I would be the last person to come down on you or make fun just because of who you are. People like Todd Hamilton and his buddy Billy Osgood are another problem altogether. Jack from your school records I know that you’ve been into scrapes with other kids your age because of your sexuality. I think it’s wonderful that you can be so open at such a young age. I just don’t want any fights in my classroom. You handled yourself quite well today and I was actually kind’ve proud of you…even though I don’t really know you. My question to you is this; Are you going to help my favorite student here with his problem. A problem that I know he has but is unwilling to discuss with his favorite teacher?”
Robbie colored slightly but grinned never the less.

“Well I told him last night that I’d be here for him but he had to ask first.”
Both Jack and Mr. Shectmen looked expectantly at Robbie but he said nothing. He just continued to stare down with the same goofy look on his cute face. 
Mr. Shectmen smiled. “I’m not going to get involved with your personal lives but I will caution both of you to be very careful. Especially in this town. There are a lot of old prejudices that are still hanging around here. Some go back to the civil war days so, prejudice against gay people are just one of many. Please boys…be on your guard. Okay then…class dismissed.”

The two boys left the class in silence and headed to the parking lot outside. The school yard and the parking lot were rapidly becoming deserted. Robbie walked with Jack toward his truck.
“I remember the ride last night,” he said softly as they stopped in front of the F-250.
“I didn’t think you did,” Jack replied. “You were a little out of it.”
“I remember you picking me up and carrying me. I remember you placing me inside and you driving away. After that, I remember you and your dad standing over me and everything else that happened after that.”
“Jack grinned wickedly. “So then you haven’t forgotten the kiss you planted on my cheek?”
“Well…I…of course I do! I put it there!”
Jack laughed openly. “Yeah you did alright. Listen, you wanna hang out tonight? I don’t have much homework and my dad’s working late. In fact, I probably won’t see him at all tonight.”
“You…you really want to hang with me?” he asked increduously. 

“Robbie you may not believe this but I happen to think that you are cute, kind’ve sexy and the smartest kid I’ve met in ages. I would be honored if you would let me cook you dinner tonight. Besides you can help me with my biology…even though you weren’t paying attention.”
Robbies face lit up. “I don’t know what to say,” he started. I mean…I don’t know what to say about anything you just said. But, I’m pretty sure it won’t be a problem with my mom if we hang together for awhile tonight. I’ll follow you home in my car and call her when I get there.”
He turned and started to his car. Stopping, he turned around again to find Jack staring at him with a slight, lopsided grin. “Do you really think I’m cute and sexy,” he asked quietly.
“Yeah,” he whispered. “I do.”

Robbie turned back around, walked to his car and climbed in. Jack climbed up into the cab of the truck, started it up and pulled away. He was as happy as pig in shit! He knew why too…he was feeling something for this kid. The feeling could only be described as love. Yep! Jack was falling in love.
When the two vehicles pulled away, Todd and Billy came from behind the van where they were hiding. It was parked only two spaces down from where Jack had been parked.

“So,” Todd said slowly. We have to genuine ass munchers in our school. What are we going to do about it Billy?”
Billy Osgood looked at his friend and hid well the fear he was feeling. Todd could be crazy sometimes if you crossed him and he definitely didn’t like gay people! Plus, one had gotten the best of him too. He chose his words carefully.
“You got to be real careful Todd. I mean…if your father were to find out you’re getting into trouble…”
Todd whirled around cut him off. “What the fuck Billy,” he snarled. “You going soft on me? You an ass muncher too? Because if you are then I’ll kick your fucking ass as well!”

“No man it’s not like that at all! I just don’t want to see you get sent away again!”
Todd thought about this for a moment. Billy was right. The last time he’d gotten into trouble with the police proved to be a huge humiliation for his family. His father had sent him to North Carolina to a reform school for a year. He played the game until the year was up. As soon as he returned home he played the game with his parents too. In fact, he was still playing it. He was going to have to plan this one carefully.

“You’re right,” he said slowly. He turned and smiled at Billy. “Forget about those two. Come on I got some beer back in my bedroom.” Billy climbed into the passenger seat of the van as his friend walked around to the drivers side still smiling. That smile wasn’t lost on Billy. Todd was not about to forget about it. Billy shivered and sat back. He was scared. He didn’t want any part of whatever Todd was planning. This time, before he got into trouble too, he was resolved to do something about it. Even if it meant getting his own ass kicked by Todd.

****

As Robbie rounded the circular driveway and came to a stop behind Jack, his eyes widened in surprise. Last night it had been really dark outside and the outside lights weren’t on. However in the daylight he could now see what he had missed last night. The house was at the end of a long driveway which ended in a circle. As he stopped his car behind Jacks truck, the first thing he noticed were the long, white pillars that supported the outside of the building itself. There were six of them in all. The house was fashioned after one of those old plantation homes that the south was so famous for. It was absolutely breath taking. The veranda looked like it extended halfway around the house on both sides. There were four windows that seemed to run from the first floor to the ceiling. The second floor also boasted a veranda that extended halfway around on both sides as well. The windows weren’t as large but they were just as impressive. The whole structure was white with black trim. There was a widows peak on the third floor. Just large enough for two people to stand on and look at the horizon. Outside of the house there were all sorts of flowers and shrubbery. In the middle of the circular part of the driveway was a fountain with lights that was on. The whole thing was picture perfect.
Robbie climbed out of his car with his mouth wide open as he stared at his surroundings in awe. “Close your mouth Robbie,” Jack said behind him. “You give me ideas.”

He whirled around, blushed slightly and said, “I didn’t realize…it’s so big and…so…well…so much!”
“Yeah,” Jack laughed. “We’re rich. But don’t let the outside fool you. Inside we live simply. Just two guys. We only pull out the expensive stuff when Grandma comes over. She’s the snob in the family!”

He laughed at the look of horror on Robbies face. “I’m joking dude! Come on inside and I’ll buy you a drink.” 
He hadn’t even noticed that Jack had taken his small hand in his large one as he walked him into the house. Once inside, Jack led them down the hall and past the room they had sat in last night. The room he took them into had a large screen TV, a large sofa, a small love seat, one high back chair with a foot rest to match and a bar that ran the entire length of one side of the room. At the far end of the room was a large white, thick and plush rug that was laid neatly in front of a screened in fireplace. He would find out later that Jack liked to fall asleep on it. Although it had not happened in this house the prospect that it would was definitely good. 
Jack stopped in front of the love seat and gazed down at Robbie tenderly. He had definitely fallen for this kid. His feelings were in turmoil but he knew what they were all about. He’d never been in love before but he knew without a doubt that this was the real thing. He decided to test them both. He was certain in his gut that Robbie felt something for him too but was to afraid of rejection or was just to afraid period to say anything. Or perhaps he was just shy. Afraid or shy? He didn’t know for sure. But he was betting it was a little bit of both. 

He slowly raised Robbies hand which was still entwined in his fingers and kissed the back of it gently. Robbie gasped slightly and he swallowed hard as he sat down slowly. His look was one of fear, expectation and just a hint of excitement. Jack smiled sweetly at him. 
“It’s okay Robbie there’s no need to be afraid and I would never…could never do anything to hurt you.” 

He released his hand and turned and walked to the bar leaving Robbie to sort it out in his mind. Good thing too because he didn’t want him to see how hard he had gotten when his lips pressed gently against Robbies soft hand. The kids hand felt so tiny in his huge meat hooks! But, damn! It sure felt good. The best thing was that Robbie didn’t flinch or run for the door. They had both passed! 

He went behind the bar and mixed two rum and cokes. He had a feeling that Robbie had never really drank before so he mixed him a weak one. Then he returned to the love seat and sat down next to him. He placed a glass in Robbies hand (which trembled slightly) and clinked them together. 
“To us and our new found friendship.” 

He raised his glass to his mouth and took a swallow. Robbie followed his lead and did the same. Big mistake! He’d drank beer before but this was new to him. His first sip was to large and it was choking him! He sputtered and coughed and tears came to his eyes. He put the glass down and leaned forward still coughing. Jack reached out and started patting him on his back.

“You alright Robbie? My God man! I’m sorry…I thought I made it weak enough for you…”
“I-It’s A-Alright J-Jack,” he sputtered. “I’m f-fine…really.”

He coughed once more and cleared his throat. He smiled weakly at Jack and turned his attention back to the glass on the table. Jack watched silently. I can do this, Robbie thought to himself. He reached out, picked up the glass and brought it to his lips. This time he took a small sip. It went down quite easy. In fact it was rather good. Kind’ve sweet…not to bad. He took another sip, a bit of a larger one. Yep! He could definitely get used to this. He sat back and smiled broadly at Jack.
Jack took another sip and smiled back at him. “You like it now huh?”