Warning:
This story is fiction - all names were made up. So if there is anyone out there with these names, I don't know them. If you do not like the idea of male relationships, then please do not read any further.
This is my first story, so please let me know how I'm doing. I have been reading the stories on Nifty for about three years, and decided that I wanted to try being a Nifty writer. I would like to know what you think... so drop me an email, and let me know. Please add the story title in the subject of the email.
I want to thank Joe for all the help he has given me throughout this story. Without his help, I would probably still be on chapter 1. I also want to thank Jere for taking the time to edit the story for me.
So, get comfortable, read the story, and I'm hoping that you enjoy it!
A Voice from The Past
Chapter 7
THE NEXT FEW CHAPTERS WILL MOSTLY FOCUS ON ANDY AND HIS LIFE, WITH HIM TRYING TO GET THINGS IN ORDER. WHILE THERE WON"T BE THAT MUCH ABOUT TONY AND JASON IN THESE CHAPTERS, WE WILL LEARN MORE ABOUT ANDY WORKING OUT THINGS IN HIS OWN LIFE.
Four months have passed since Melinda had found out what Andy had been through. He was so certain that she would leave him if she knew the truth about his days at the Police Academy; but just the opposite happen. Andy and Melinda have grown closer together, and the bond between them became a lot stronger.
Melinda came home from her doctor's appointment, very excited. She had just been told she is going to have a baby. Having a healthy baby was the most important factor; however, Andy was secretly hoping for a daughter; but he would be extremely proud and happy with a boy or girl.
Things seem to be going very good for Andy and Melinda, and for Tony and Jason. Tony is still working a few hours at a time, not yet ready to work full time, however. He spent a lot of time trying to focus on his relationship with Jason, and with his family. He was making good progress, and felt lucky to have such a supportive family.
Steven had been tucked into bed for the evening, and was sound asleep. Melinda and Andy were lying in bed, talking. "I can't believe we are having another baby," Andy said, kissing Melinda.
"I know; this is going to be great!" Melinda said. "You had better start to think about girl's names, because I just have a feeling that we're going to need one this time.
"Really? I certainly hope so! However, I'm so nervous about going to The Hideaway tomorrow, and my stomach is getting all tied in knots. I hope things go well. I know I promised Tony I would go, just to try to get past what had happened, but I am still scared stiff," Andy said.
"Andy, you need to do this for you; not because you think it will help you with Tony. You have to make peace with yourself, and then think about other people. What you went through was very hard on you. If it will bring up too many bad memories, then don't do this, but you will have to face all your problems at sometime in the future. Just remember, I am here for you, and the rest of your family are behind you. We will be there to catch you if you fall," Melinda said.
"Mindy, I already have an appointment set up with a counselor. I know that, in my heart, the counselor will get me to the point where I can face my past. I have called The Hideaway, and have made arrangements to meet with a young boy named James McDowell. He is fourteen, and he has been there since his father killed his twin brother. I don't know all the details, but it should be interesting," Andy said.
"That is awful! That poor boy. I hope he will be okay. I hope that both of you will get along well; we will see how things go tomorrow. Do you want me to go with you?" Melinda asked.
"No, Honey, I don't think that will be necessary. I need to do this on my own. This is one battle that I have to fight by myself. Maybe later you can go. Please don't think I am trying to shut you out, because I am not. Just knowing that you are on my side will give me the strength to overcome," Andy said, kissing Melinda.
Andy awoke the next morning, still feeling nervous and tense about going. His appointment with the counselor is at 10 am, and the one with James was to be at noon. Finally, the time came for him to leave, and he left the house feeling like part of his burdens had already been lifted from his shoulders.
His meeting with the counselor went better than expected, and he was actually looking forward to their next session. The counselor had finally convinced him that none of the problems with the roommate was his fault, and he was just a victim of circumstances. Even though the session was very painful, and he was filled with tears, and at times he felt like he had been hit in the stomach with a baseball bat, he could now say to the world, `Look out; here I come.' He made his way to Mrs. Caldwell's office, not really knowing what he would say to James.
"Mrs. Caldwell?" Andy said, knocking on the door. Mrs. Caldwell looked up from her desk, removing her glasses. "I'm Andrew Cooper; please call me Andy," He said, shaking her hand.
"Andy, please come in and have a seat; so nice to meet you. I'm glad you agreed to meet with Jimmy. He is one very troubled young man, and needs a positive adult male influence. I am sure that there have been times when he has considered suicide," Mrs. Caldwell said.
"Mrs. Caldwell, I am sure that I need him as much as he needs me. Together, we are going to clear hurdles, and move on with our lives," Andy said, with a strange look on his face, because he thought he was there to see a `James'.
"Jimmy is the name he uses, but his legal name is James McDowell," Mrs. Caldwell said.
"Okay, what can you tell me about him?" Andy asked.
"Jimmy is fourteen years old, and has had a rough life; the rest I will leave for the two of you to get to know each other. Let me show you his room, so you can get your visit started," Mrs. Caldwell said.
"Would it be okay if we meet where you have your meals, or even better your social hall, unless it is too crowded? I think it would be better than being in his room, with us just now meeting. A bedroom becomes very personal; I would like something with a lot less chance of building up tensions," Andy said.
"That's fine; I'll show you where to wait; then I will go get him," Mrs. Caldwell said.
"Thanks!" Andy replied.
"Jimmy, there is someone here to see you," Mrs. Caldwell said.
James looked up at Mrs. Caldwell standing in the doorway. With his tear-stained face, he looked away, and focused on a picture he was holding in his hands.
"Jimmy, Honey, are you okay?" Mrs. Caldwell said, sitting beside Jimmy and putting her arm around his shoulder.
"No, I'm not. Why would anyone want to see me?" Jimmy asked, with tears still left from his last cry.
"Jimmy, you are a wonderful young man, who has a lot to offer someone," Mrs. Caldwell said.
"Why do I have to meet with this guy? The minute he finds out I`m gay, he will never want to see me again," Jimmy said.
"Give it a chance, and you may just find yourself a friend. Can you do that for me?" Mrs. Caldwell asked. Jimmy agreed to try.
Walking to the social hall, Jimmy was getting very nervous. He knew this was a waste of time, as there was no way this guy was going to have anything to do with him. He had no one, and there would never be anyone who would want him in their life.
"Jimmy, you seem a thousand miles away. What is going on in your head?" Mrs. Caldwell asked.
"I'm sorry, Mrs. Caldwell. I know I'm wasting my time meeting this guy," Jimmy said.
"Jimmy, you haven't even met him yet, and you are already throwing him out of your life. Remember what I said a few minutes ago; please give him a chance," Mrs. Caldwell said.
"Here we are, Jimmy! He is over there by the window. I'll introduce the two of you, and then I will let you get to know each other," Mrs. Caldwell said.
"Mrs. Caldwell, wait! What am I going to talk to this guy about?" Jimmy asked.
"Honey, you will be fine, I bet two guys in a room will find something to talk about. I don't know what guys talk about, since I am not a guy," Mrs. Caldwell laughed.
"Okay, are you going to stay with me?" Jimmy asked.
"I will stay for a minutes. Andy, this is Jimmy," Mrs. Caldwell said. Jimmy was standing a little behind her, and was holding her hand.
"Hello, James. May I call you Jimmy?" Andy asked.
"You can call me Jimmy, mister. I'm sorry; I don't know your name," Jimmy said.
"The name is Andy Cooper. It's good to meet you," Andy said, shaking Jimmy's hand.
"It's nice to meet you, Sir," Jimmy said, smiling shyly.
Jimmy and Andy began talking, and, surprisingly enough, Jimmy was talking and acting like they have known each other for a long time. They appeared to be friends who hadn't seen each other for a long time.
"I'll be down the hall if you need me," Mrs. Caldwell said, as she left the room.
After a couple more minutes of talking, Jimmy decided to ask Andy some questions.
"Mr. Cooper, can I ask you some questions?" Jimmy asked.
"Yes, you can! Please call me Andy," Andy said.
"Do you have a wife?" Jimmy asked.
"Yes, I have a wife; her name is Melinda. I have a two year old son, Steven.
We just found out the other day we are going to have another baby. I'm a police officer," Andy said
Jimmy jumped from his chair, and started backing away. "I have to go," Jimmy said.
"Why? What happened, Jimmy?" Andy said.
"Nothing; I just have to go," Jimmy said, as he ran out of the hall.
TBC