All About Love Part I

“I asked you a question young man! Are you in love with my son?”

Jack stared into the icy blue eyes boring holes into him. At first he was intimidated but, he’d come here to let Robbie know how he felt. He wasn’t sure how Robbies mom knew but, she did. He squared his shoulders, stood up straight and in a firm voice he replied, “Yes Mrs. Burns. I am in love with Robbie.”
There! He said it and there was no going back. But, it would be just fine. Mrs. Burns eyes softened and a beautiful smile filled her face. She was a very striking woman with long, soft black hair, beautiful blue eyes and a smile that lit up a room. No wonder Robbie was so incredibly cute.

“You’ll find him just behind the barn,” she smiled warmly. “He has his own private spot a little ways down the hill. It leads to a small pond on our property. He goes down there to be alone when something is troubling him. He’s been doing that ever since he was seven. Even though he’s hurt and upset right now, I’m sure he’ll be thrilled to see you.”

“Thank you ma’am,” Jack smiled back brightly. He turned to hurry out the door when he felt an unusually strong grip on his shoulder stop him cold. He turned back around to face her again.

“Know this Jack Parsons; Somehow I don’t think you will but, if you harm my son in anyway, shape or form you and I will be taking a walk to the wood shed and I guarantee you I will be leaving it by myself.”

She released her hold, smiled warmly again, turned and walked away. How the hell does she do that?? He didn’t want to know so, he hurried out the door and raced around the back, making his way through the dark Atlanta night. Somehow he knew Robbies mom was not kidding. How the hell did he come to this point in his young life? Well, actually he knew. It all started when he and his Dad moved to this new town two weeks ago.

****

“So Jack how was your first day at your new school?”
Jack looked up from his last bit of homework at his dad. At the age of forty, Scott Parsons still looked and acted like a twentyfive year old. He was fit (worked out twice a week in his own private gym in the basement) and he ran at least two miles every morning. He kept his youthful appearance simply because he was growing old very, very gracefully. Jack was a much younger version of his dad. He had the same brown hair and eyes to match. They were the same height…6’2. Plus, he worked out with his dad but drew the line at getting up every morning at five to run around the neighborhood. He maintained that he needed his sleep. The only real difference between them was their ages and the fact that Scott was raising a gay son. A son whom he loved fiercly and would protect with his life. Especially since his mother had abandoned them both when Jack was just nine. In the beginning it had been tough but, the two of them learned to lean on each other for practically everything. That was the reason Jack had no problem telling his father about his sexuality. 

“Don’t sweat it son,” Scott had said with tears and love in his eyes. “We all have our crosses to bear. But no matter what, you and I will bear ours together.” 
Then he hugged him tightly and kissed him tenderly on his forehead while Jack just cried openly until (at last) he had exhausted himself and fell asleep in his dads arms. They slept sitting up on the couch all night. Jack nestled in his fathers strong grip and Scott holding his son protectively. That was two years ago. Now Jack was seventeen and almost ready to graduate.

“School,” he replied. “Was boring as hell but my homework is finished (he slammed his math book closed) and I’m taking my truck out for a spin to see what the other youth in this one horse town are doing! Your supper is warming in the oven and I’m off!”
“Totally,” his father said drily. “Don’t forget it’s a school night and I want you home by ten!”
“Yes mother,” he said in a squeaky voice. 
“Smart ass,” his father growled.
Jack laughed, leaned over and kissed his father on the cheek. “I’ll catch you later dad…by the way…how was work?”
“Do you care?” 
“Do you still pay the bills?”
“Yes.”
“Then I care!”
“Well, work was boring as hell…just like school. Now go before it gets to late!”
****

Jack rode around aimlessly in his F-250. A present from his Grandmother for christmas last year. Yeah…his family has money. In fact, they were disgustingly, embarrassingly (at least to Jack) rich! His fathers dad started his own textile business when he was just twenty years old. It started out in an old warehouse and it only employeed 5 people back then. However, with a background education in finances, he turned that one warehouse into five warehouses and three textile mills. The buisness continued to grow after Grandpa had passed away only this time his dad was at the helm. That was why they moved out here. He had decided to expand (yet again) and he was overseeing the construction of the latest warehouse and the mill which would sit on the same property.

As the darkness continued to grow, he came to a section of the town that he was only slightly familiar with. To his left were a few scattered houses, nice ones, and to his right was a large empty field. In the middle of the field he could barely make out a group of kids in a circle. There was something moving around between their legs. He could hear them faintly (they were kind’ve far) but whatever was crawling around seemed to be trying to get away. His curiosity having gotten the better of him, he pulled over and turned off the engine. Climbing out, he stood at the edge of the field and froze when he heard someone cry out in pain. He started walking slowly towards the group in the dakness. When he was about twenty feet away, he stopped. Nobody had seen him yet as they were to involved in what they were doing. What he heard made his blood chill and his anger start to rise.

“So,” one of the voices sneered. “You like to suck cock huh you little faggot?” The question was followed by a swift kick to the poor devils back.
“Uugh,” the kid on the ground grunted in pain.
“And don’t forget,” another youthful voice said. “He probably takes it up the ass too!” This statement was followed by another kick from someone else and it landed squarely in the kids gut.
The other boys in the circle started laughing hysterically and joined in the kicking, the taunting and all that stuff bullies delight in. Jack had seen and heard enough.
“Hey,” he called. “Is this a private party or can anyone join in the fun?”
Abruptly six teenage boys turned around and stared at the new comer.
“If you know what’s best for you asshole, you’ll turn around and walk away.”

Jack didn’t know it yet but, this kid (all six kids) attended school with him and would make it their goal to make his life miserable.
“Now is that anyway to talk to someone new in this town?” Jack took two steps forward. “Now I have a bit of advice for you,” he said as he slowly advanced on the group glaring at him. Why don’t you turn around and walk away and while you’re at it…learn some manners.”
Someone laughed. “Kick his fucking, faggot loving ass Todd!”
“Okay asshole,” Todd said lightly. “I told you to walk away and you didn’t. Besides which I think that my boy Billy here is right. You must love faggots. Otherwise you wouldn’t be standing up for this one. Awww fuck it!” 

He rushed toward Jack with his arm raised and his fist balled into a fist. Just as he brought his arm down in a menacing, graceful arc, Jack stepped aside and stuck out his foot. Todd went sprawling face first onto the ground.
“What the fuck?” Billy said. He too rushed at Jack who (again) moved aside. But, this time he used his fist. He stuck it squarely and solidly into Billys gut. He dropped to his knees, clutching his stomach in pain.
By this time Jack stood over the kid they had been beating on. He was laying on his side in a fetal postion between Jacks legs. Jack placed his hands on his hips and addressed the other four boys.

“Help your buddies to their feet and take off,” he said quietly. Nobody moved. “Or we can continue our little lesson on good manners.” 
They looked at each other with shocked expressions and moved slowly away from Jack toward the other two on the ground. They helped them struggle to their feet and started to half walk, half drag them away. The first one (Todd) shook them off him and turned to face Jack. His bottom lip had been torn open when his face hit the ground. Evident by the rapid swelling, the blood on his teeth and the dirt filled scrape on his chin.
“I don’t know who the fuck you are pal,” he spit out at him. “But this ain’t over by a fucking long shot. You and your cocksucking buddy are gonna pay and pay hard!”
Jack smiled and whispered. “You wanna make that wish come true now?” 
“Fuuck you pal.” He hissed. He turned and limped away with the other five boys.