My Only Love Part 9
Author's notes:
Hey everyone. I just want to say to those of you who sent me e-mails complaining about the murder, all is not what it seems. But that is all I'm going to say at this point in time. And no more asking me who the killer is! Honestly, I don't even know yet! And when I figure it out, I'm not telling!
Now for everyone's favorite part of the author's notes, the disclaimers. Well, you all know the drill, and I don't have the energy to write it all down, so I am not going to. If anyone disagrees with that, tuff luck! (And I know I spelled that wrong!)
I love to get e-mails. (Honestly with the way work and my love life have been going lately, the e-mails have been the highlight of my day, no joke!) My e-mail address is gibsongirl101@hotmail.com. And, I write back!
Now on to the 9th chapter in the lives of Chris and Eric. You will meet some new characters in this chapter; so let me know how you like them!
Chris:
The ride home from the club was very quiet. I for one took the time to reflect on what had happened that night. I still couldn't get past the fact that Robby was gay. It was almost too much for me to take in. But I really was thrilled. Now Eric and I would have a couple to go double dating with.
I looked down at Eric, to tell him my idea, but when I saw that he was asleep on my shoulder, I didn't have the heart to wake him up. Instead, I brushed his hair from his face, and rested my head on his. I felt more contented than I ever had in my life.
In the front seat, Kyle and Mac were talking quietly, probably about their new "girlfriends". I still thought that it was the funniest thing that my two best friends tried to pick up girls, who were mostly guys. It would be a great story to tell their children 20 years down the road.
About an hour later we were at Kyle's house, which was completely dark. Not that that was surprising, seeing as it was almost 4:00 in the morning. It took awhile, but I finally woke Eric up. We were ALL exhausted. The four of us stumbled into Kyle's house, and up to his room.
I love Kyle's room. It was huge! It was almost as big as my basement. He had two sets of bunk beds along one wall. He even had a couch and a couple of chairs centered around a big-screen television. I had to say, for a straight dude; Kyle had really good decorating taste.
We quickly got undressed and grumbled goodnight. We all just about dropped into our respective beds, and soon I was lulled to sleep by the sounds of gentle snoring.
It was dark in my dream. I couldn't make out any of my surroundings. But somehow I knew that I was at the lake. The same lake where Brandon, Kyle and I had become blood brothers.
I was standing in the trees, staring at the lake, looking for something. But I didn't know what. Then I sensed someone, or something behind me. I looked, but there was no one there.
I heard voices, two of them, a boy and a man. At least I thought it was a boy and a man. I couldn't quite make out what they were saying. I tried to get closer, but the closer I got, the further away the voices seemed.
Then I was running, running as fast as I could. I had to get away. He was going to get me, like he had gotten to Brandon! I ran faster, and faster, but he just getting closer and closer.
I tripped over a tree root, and went down. Now he was going to get me. I felt him above me, and saw him raise his arm. I screamed...
"Chris, buddy wake up!"
I sat up in bed, and looked around. Kyle, Mac and Eric were all standing around my bed, looks of concern on their faces.
"I....I..." my voice trembled, and I couldn't stop the tears that came.
"Honey, it's ok! It was only a dream!" Eric said, sitting down on my bed and holding me close.
"It was so REAL! I dreamt that I was at the lake, you know Kyle, where you, Brandon and me always hung out. Only it, was different, darker, scarier. I heard voices, but I couldn't see who was talking. I only knew that I had to reach them before it was too late!" I couldn't go on, I was crying too much.
Kyle gently pushed Eric aside, and gave me a tight hug. "I didn't know you still had those dreams, buddy." He said.
I knew that he was referring to the series of nightmares that I had for about a year after Brandon drowned in the lake. I've always felt that if I'd been able to be there with him, he wouldn't have slipped and hit his head.
"I haven't. Not since just after Brandon drowned. This is the first one in 5 years. But this one was worse. I was going to die too." I looked at Kyle. "Have you ever thought that we could have done something to save him?"
"Every day of my life. But we weren't there. We can't blame ourselves, or live in the past, or we will never have a future." Kyle said softy.
"I know. I just want to go back to sleep now." I looked at the clock. It was 6:30. "We can still get a few hours of sleep today."
Mac yawned and headed back to bed, but not before patting my shoulder reassuringly. Kyle got up from the bed after one more hug. Eric gave me a kiss and started to get up too, but I put my hand on his arm to stop him.
"I don't want to be alone. Sleep with me please?" I asked.
"Do you even have to ask? Move your ass over, baby!" I laughed and did as he said. He slipped under the covers, and pulled me to him. I rested my head on his shoulder and let him hold me.
"Now, no funny business, you two. I don't need to loose my breakfast before I eat it!" teased Mac. Eric and I both laughed and were soon fast asleep.
The next time I woke up, it was 12pm. Eric was still snoring softly beside me. Well, actually, he was more on top of me, seeing as it was a very small bed. But I didn't mind. I did, however, wish we were alone.
"Little, buddy, wake up!" I said softly. Eric mumbled something unintelligible, but he did roll over and crashed with a thud on the floor.
Kyle shot up in bed and rubbed his eyes sleepily. He saw Eric lying on the floor, looking bemused. He started laughing, which woke Mac up, and soon the two of them were laughing like loons. I couldn't help but join in. Eric did look kinda silly, sprawled on the floor, his hair sticking up in tufts.
"You think that this is funny?" Eric demanded. He looked hurt, so I made myself stop laughing, and got up to help my love stand up.
I offered a hand, and after a moment's hesitation, Eric grasped it, but instead of pulling himself up, he tugged, and I fell on the floor next to him. Eric started laughing, which made Mac and Kyle laugh harder. I got to my knees, but instead of getting up, I straddled Eric, and began to tickle him until tears started running down his beautiful face.
"STOP!" he laughed, trying to push my hands away, but I refused to budge.
"Do you give up?" I asked.
"YES!" cried Eric. I got off him just as the door opened to reveal Kyle's mother.
Betsy Donaldson was a beautiful older woman. Her son shared many of her features. She looked at the four of us; still wheezing from our laugh fest, and just shook her head. Then she said, "Boys, you might want to get dressed and come downstairs. There is someone here to see you."
"Who, Mom?" Kyle asked.
"Oh, I think they want it to be a surprise." With that, Betsy walked out the door, and left us to get dressed.
Normally, after a sleepover, we all take showers, but today we were all too curious as to who was waiting for us to bother with showering. So we all just threw on shorts and tee shirts that Kyle lent us, and ran downstairs.
When we reached the living room, we heard voices, that of a man, and two women. The voices sounded familiar, but I couldn't place them, except of course, for Betsy.
"Oh, boys, there you are. Come on in." Betsy said when she saw us standing in the doorway.
The visitors turned to greet us, and I almost fell down from my shock. It was Brandon's parents.
My face must have shown my shock, as did Kyle's and Mac's. We never expected to see Brandon's family again. They had moved away shortly after Brandon's death. The memories were too poignant to stay, they said.
I went over to Brandon's mother, Kristin, and gave her a big hug. I had always loved her. When I was 8, I had a serious crush on her. "It's so good to see you, Kristin." I said.
Kristin hugged me back and whispered in my ear, "You look good all grown up, Chris."
I'm sure I blushed as she pulled away. I turned to Frank, Brandon's father, who I had never really felt comfortable around. He was so stern and serious, and had always made me feel like a knotty two-year-old.
"Hello, sir." I said. "Hello Chris. Still playing football, I hear?"
"Everyday. We just won a big game yesterday." I told him.
"Daddy, I told you that, remember? Mommy and I went to the game last night, while you were still at work." A sweet voice said.
I turned around and almost fell down again. Brandon's little sister had grown up. She was absolutely beautiful, with short auburn hair, and creamy white skin. If I were straight, she would definitely be the kind of girl I would go for.
Kyle and Mac both rushed over to greet the vision of loveliness. Eric stayed in the background, looking shy.
"Boys, you remember Caitlyn, don't you?" Betsy asked.
"Yes." Breathed Kyle. He went over to her and took her hand to give it a kiss. "How do you do, m'lady?" Kyle asked in a fake British accent.
Not to be outdone, Mac elbowed Kyle aside, and bowed before Caitlyn. She laughed and said, "I remember when you two would pull my pigtails. Don't think that I have forgiven you that."
"Those were the actions of little boys, just trying to get the attention of a pretty girl." Kyle said.
"You are too much, Kyle Davidson." She turned to Eric and said, "I don't believe that we have met. I'm Caitlyn Caruthers."
"I'm Eric Harrison. I just moved here a year ago." He offered his hand, and the two shook hands.
"So, how'd you get caught up with this bunch of losers?" Caitlyn asked with a smile, so we would know that she was joking.
Eric looked at me before answering. I knew he was asking permission to tell Caitlyn the truth. I nodded to tell him that it was up to him what to tell her.
"Well, Chris and I became friends when I first moved here, and that grew into something more." Eric said subtly. Caitlyn apparently caught on, because she smiled knowingly, but didn't say anything more about it.
"Well, it has been nice seeing y'all again, but we really should get going. We still have a lot of packing to do." Kristin told us.
We said our good-byes, and before Caitlyn could get in her parents car, Kyle had the door open for her, and Mac handed her the purse he had grabbed from the hall table before she had a chance. Caitlyn looked confused for a moment, but she smiled at my two goofy friends and got in the car.
"I'll see y'all in school on Monday. Maybe you could show me around?"
Mac and Kyle jumped at the chance to spend more time with her, and they agreed to meet in the morning at the bell-tower.
After the Caruthers had driven away, I said, "Could you two be any more obvious? You acted like baboons."
"Well, who would have thought that Brandon's gawky little sister would grow up to be such a pretty little thing." Kyle asked.
"Yeah, and she is going to be my girlfriend before the week is out." Mac said.
"Oh, yeah? Wanna make a bet?" asked Kyle.
"Bring it on. I bet you $50 that I will have a date with Caitlyn by Friday night."
"Ok, but I will be the one who is $50 richer by Friday." They shook hands, and the deal was done.
"Umm, guys?" Eric interceded. "Are you sure this is a good idea? I mean, I'm no expert on women, but wouldn't you think that they would take exception to being a bet?"
"Oh, what would you know? You're gay." Kyle said matter of factly.
"Yes, I am. Ok, you do what you want, but don't say I didn't warn you."
8 year-old Davy Jackson was going fishing. He was very excited. Two of his best friends were meeting him at the lake. IT was their first time going fishing without an adult around.
Davy was the first to arrive. He set up his pole, and decided to fish while waiting for his friends. He baited his hook and cast away.
It wasn't long before his hook got caught on something. Davy was excited. He started to reel in the line, but it wouldn't come.
"I must have a very big fish!" He thought to himself. Davy used all his strength to reel in the line.
He looked out to where his hook was caught and screamed. He hadn't caught a fish. He had caught a body!