Second Chances

Chapter 3


I have always loved coming here to Uncle Brandon’s house; it has so many rooms, each unique. He gave me my own suite of rooms in the opposite side of the house as his; he says that young men need their space and privacy. I suppose he would know because he used to be one. My suite has two bedrooms and baths, a living room area and a study. I only needed to come out of my rooms to eat; everything else is right at my fingertips. I didn’t want to be unsocial, so I always roamed the house talking to the staff or spent time hanging out with my uncle.

Life seemed to fall into place there, I wasn’t afraid of the shadows anymore and my nightmares were becoming less frequent. My physical hurts healed themselves, but the emotional ones took the most time.

College is so much different than high school is. I have spent the last three summers taking classes in a program they had for students like me. Of course, there are just seven of us on any given year, but we were to take classes with the rest of the student population. Luckily, there weren’t that many regular students during the summer months, so it was easier on us that were in the program.

I enrolled later than the rest of the students, so I had to catch up on the work that I missed. That was fairly easy; it was just a lot of time-consuming work. The hard part was getting use to the differences in atmospheres from high school to college. Don’t get me wrong, there were still some immature college students out there, but the majority of them were just open to new experiences and ways of thinking. I was use to the fact that I was much younger than everyone else was, that was the story of my educational career. I should have my M.B.A. in another year and a half and my PHD in another year after that. I have done most of the groundwork for both.

Because I can’t drive yet, Uncle Brandon gave me a driver/bodyguard so I can still get around without having to beg for a ride. My driver, Corey Little, is not such a little guy as his name suggests. He is around 6’3” 210lbs of raw power. I have never seen Corey smile once; I have made it a goal in life to see if I can make him smile - just once. Some days I feel like the many tourists that try to get the guards in front of Buckingham Palace to smile.

Corey is quickly becoming a trusted friend lately, but he can be extremely protective of me. I try not to let it get to me, but he can be overbearing at times. It doesn’t ever bother him that I am gay; he told me that his brother was gay but he died after someone beat him to death one night. I think that is the reason for his over protective nature so I just try to deal with it.

I got the best surprise on my sixteenth birthday, Bruce, Kim, and Mara showed up with my mom and they were staying the week since it was spring break. We all hung out and scoped out the coffee houses (for Kim) and the best places to hang out around town.

The four of us were sitting in a coffee shop/bookstore enjoying the laid-back atmosphere, making sure we watched Kim’s caffeine intake.

“Are you glad that you didn’t have to testify at Curtis and Mark’s trial?” Mara asked me looking unsure of something. It was almost as if she wanted to say something else, but didn’t know how to bring it up.

“Yeah, I was glad that they pleaded guilty. I just wanted that whole thing over with.” I told her still waiting for whatever it was she wanted to say.

Bruce and Kim were staring down at their cups, trying to look everywhere else but me. “What’s going on? You guys have some news of some sort that you don’t know how to tell me. What is it?” I was just trying to get whatever it was finished. I had a feeling it was some sort of news about Brett.

Despite the fact that he didn’t want anything to do with me anymore, I still cared about him and wanted to make sure he was all right. Dumb huh? I can’t help it; it is not easy for me to turn off caring about him when it has been so deep rooted in me since I was 8 year old.

Mara looked directly at me, “Brett has been dating this girl in school, Stacey. Rumor has it that she’s pregnant by him.”

I felt a strong feeling of hurt grip my heart. I know that this should have not hurt me; Brett has made it clear that he doesn’t like me, but it still did. I knew then that I had to work harder at getting over him, but it still felt like I was missing part of my soul.

“I hope everything works out for him and that he is happy.” I said closing my eyes briefly. I really did want him happy, regardless of what has happened in the past.

They stared at me in disbelief when I said that, I guess they were expecting tears and hysterics. Kim seemed to know what was going on with me; I think she knew that I came to the decision of letting go, or trying to anyways.

“It will take time, but you will be able to move on. You will never forget, but you will get to a point where you are able to move on.” Sometimes Kim can be wise beyond her years. I can’t wait for her to move here for college.

“Thanks. I’ll work on it. Now, let’s continue our fun day.” I said getting up from the table and throwing away my now empty cup.

We spent the rest of the time they were here just roaming around Holliston exploring more of the city we were going to be living in for the next few years. Holliston is a beautiful city with a lot to offer in ways of entertainment, history, and arts. There is just a little of everything here so you could explore what caught your interest. We spent their last few days at my Uncle Brandon’s offices.

Uncle Brandon’s company headquarters are downtown in a large 12-story office-building complex that also had four annex buildings. The top five floors of the main building houses the corporate offices of the Greystone Corporation and the bottom floors were leased to various other businesses. I showed them around the building and the offices, Bruce, Kim and I will be working there this summer with my Uncle Brandon. Greystone is one of the few private multi-billion dollar corporations in the world left. Uncle Brandon wants to keep it that way because he didn’t like to be at the mercy of public trading.

Uncle Brandon has always let me work with him since the time when I was six, he was working on buying a mining company, and I was in his office with him. I ended up reading the papers he had lying around and by asking the multitude of innocent questions, came up with a way for him to buy the company and save a huge amount of money in the process. This started our working relationship, he has used many of my ideas, and causing him to be able to expand to the size he is now. He tells me that I have a natural head for business along with my unique ideas. Not all of Uncle Brandon’s top people in the corporate offices ever paid any attention to me at first, because I was only 6 years old, but over time, I proved myself repeatedly with my knowledge, ideas and willingness to learn from them. I think that was what brought them around, even though I was very intelligent, I showed them wisdom in willing to learn from them. I unofficially hold the title of Executive Vice-President for right now; at least until I obtain my Bachelors, then it will be official.

Greystone Corp. owns over thirty other companies that fall under them. Uncle Brandon likes to acquire a different type of companies occasionally, to have a variety under this one umbrella. He firmly believes that it is best not to keep all your eggs in one basket, but also not to have too many baskets out there.

Greystone has a very big philanthropic organization as a subsidiary under its wing. Kim has shown interest in that area of business so that is where she is going to be working this summer. Uncle Brandon also owns several precious gems and metal mines, which is the area where Bruce’s interest lay. For me, it has always been the main overall part of the business that I like.

When the week was over, I hated to see my friends leave for home. I know that I will get to see them again at graduation, but that seem like a long way off instead of just a couple of months. The hardest one to say goodbye to was my mom - I miss her the most. I guess you have to leave home sometime; I just didn’t want to have to do it so soon.

A few days after everyone left, my uncle knocked on the door one evening wanting to talk. From the way he looked as he walked into the room, I knew that there was something major bothering him.

“We need to talk about some things Adam. I have spoken with your mother while she was here and she gave me the ok.” Uncle Brandon paced the room, as he talked not really looking at me.
“Tomorrow, we need to see my attorney and accountant so they can explain the trust fund that I had set up for you when you were a baby. You will receive full control of it now that you have turned sixteen. There is also a separate trust that you will also have immediate access to. It was set up when you were six years old. That has the ‘income’ in it from the work and advice you have done for the company.”

I looked at my uncle in amazement that he did all of this for me. “You didn’t have to do that Uncle Brandon. You know that I never was big on how much money anyone had, let alone how much I did or did not have.”

“I know. That is why I did it. I want to make sure that you are taken care of for the rest of your life. For you to do the things you want to do without having to worry about whether or not you have enough money to do it.” Uncle Brandon stopped his pacing and sat down beside me on the bed looking at me as if he was memorizing my face.

“What’s wrong Uncle Brandon? You are acting weird. Is everything ok?” I had the strangest feeling that there was something wrong, something he still wasn’t telling me. I guess he will tell me when he is ready.

“I…” Uncle Brandon paused and then shook his head. “I just have a lot on my mind. Work has been a little hectic lately.”
I knew he wasn’t being completely truthful, but I let it go anyways. “Try to get some rest. You have been looking tired a lot lately. You have to take care of yourself; you are not getting any younger!” I told him jokingly trying to break the tension.

Uncle Brandon smiled and chuckled softly shaking his head. “The meeting tomorrow won’t take long; you just need to sign some papers.” He ruffled the hair on my head as he stood up and left my room with a heavy walk.

The next day sitting in with the attorney was an eye opening experience. I thought there was just going to be a few pages here and there to sign. There were stacks and stacks of paperwork that had to be signed, initialed and notarized. It took nearly two hours to finish it all. By the time I was finished, I felt like I signed my life away. I started reading the papers, but after seeing how many I had to sign, I just signed them. I knew whatever my uncle wanted me to sign was for my own good.

I left the office with Corey in tow, walking around downtown trying to find something I wouldn’t mind eating when I bumped into David Campbell. David is in some of my classes and sometimes we study together in the library. I tried to find his dorm room one day from the student services center but they told me that he moved out of the dorms several weeks ago. When I asked him about it, he changed the subject quickly trying to distract me. I have a feeling that something has happened but he refuses to talk about it.

From what I could find out, David use to play basketball for Worthington but lost his scholarship when he was hurt during a game this season. I have a feeling that he was doing everything he could to pay for college and moved out of the dorms to save money. I don’t know where he is living though, he still won’t say.

“Hey David.” I looked up at him and found dark circles surrounding those beautiful light brown eyes. David is a very handsome man, tall, with light brown skin that spoke of his black and white mixed heritage. He is over 6’2” tall, built of solid muscles that flexed gracefully as he moved. He looked like he hasn’t slept in a month and his clothes looked like he balled them up before he put them on.

David’s hazel eyes smiled down at me, “Hey Adam, where are you off to?”

“Trying to find something to eat, but I don’t want to eat alone. Corey never wants to eat with me; he says it wouldn’t be proper.” I told him hoping both he and Corey would forgive the little white lie.

Corey just started eating with me whenever I was out or by myself; I think he just got tired of my bitching and whining.

“Think I could talk you into eating with me? I’ll buy; I owe you anyways for helping me get caught up.” I hoped that excuse would work on him and he would take me up on my offer. I had a feeling he hadn’t eaten in a while, he has lost weight and it was starting to show.

“Umm…sure. I guess I can.” He stuttered out looking at me with confusion and suspicion. I smiled brightly up at him before I turned around and led the way back to the diner I saw a half block away before he could change his mind.

“How have you been? I haven’t seen you around lately.” I asked him occasionally peeking up from the menu.

“I kind have been a little busy with work lately.” David mumbled in response barely looking up from the menu he was staring at intently.

“Where are you working?” I asked closing the menu after deciding on what to order.

“A garage not too far from here.” David still looked very uncomfortable answering these questions. I decided to save them for later before he decided to leave before he got to eat. I was worried about him but I didn’t want to press too hard. Some people don’t know how to ask for help, or they let their pride stop them from it. I still couldn’t decide which it was in David’s situation.

A waiter come over and took our orders, I noticed that David ordered a good-sized lunch. I was hoping he would, he needed to eat. Now if I could get him to tell me what was going on with him.

“Thanks for lunch.” David said his eyes on the table between us.

“Not a problem, like I said, I owed you.” I shrugged my shoulders nonchalantly. “You missed class yesterday. Do you want my notes?”

“Yeah, that would be great. I just couldn’t turn down the hours the garage offered me.” David still kept his eyes on the table the whole time.

“David.” I called to him softly. David looked up into my eyes. “Please tell me what’s been going on with you. Before you tell me nothing, I know that something has been going on with you. I don’t want to seem like I am prying, but if I can help in any way, I want to. Please let me. I consider you a friend and friends help each other.”

David sat there and watched me as I spoke, sitting rigidly in his seat. He took a deep breath and when he exhaled, all the tension him his body went out with that breath.

“You know that I was hurt during practice back in January?” I nodded my head in response. I didn’t want to risk saying anything until after he had finished his story. David needed to get this out on his own time and terms.

David continued, “Well, the injury wasn’t anything big, just a slightly sprained knee. I only needed to no put too much stress on it for a week or so. One of the guys from the team came by after one of my doctor appointments and brought a case of beer and some tequila to cheer me up. We got drunk and some how ended up together in bed naked and passed out. Nothing happened, but my roommate came in and saw us. He got the wrong idea and in order to save face, Tim, my teammate jumped out of bed yelling that I was a faggot and that I got him drunk to have my way with him. Before I could say anything, he punched me, got dressed and quickly left. It was all over the school by the next day; my coach called me in and told me that they were revoking my basketball scholarship.

I had just enough in savings to pay for spring, but not any living expenses, so I moved out of the dorms and got a job. No one really wanted to hire me for some reason, the only experience I had was working on cars. I still haven’t found a place to live, so I’ve been living in my car. I wasn’t getting many hours at work until this past week, so money for food has been low. Now that I have more hours, I can’t get to class everyday. This might be the last semester I can attend for a while; I can’t afford it right now. I have been trying to get financial aid, but you need an address for that.”

The story just spilled out of him throughout lunch. I just sat there and listened until he was finished.

“Do you have any family that could help you?” I asked him concerned that he didn’t have anyone he could turn to.

“No. My parents died when I was 15. I was in foster care until I graduated and came here. I thought the guys on the team were my friends, but...” A sad look crossed David’s face when his voice trailed off.

“I know how it feels to be betrayed by a friend. You can stay with me.” I picked up the check and made my way over to cashier to pay. I gave him a chance to think while I paid the check and walked back over to the table as he was getting up.

“Let’s go get your stuff.” I grabbed his arm and started out the door. David had yet to say a word; he just let me drag him along. “Where is your car?” I turned back and looked up at him.

David had a dazed look in his eyes but answered my question automatically. I still didn’t give him a chance to agree or disagree. I told Corey where we needed to go and off we went. David was silent during the whole trip and still didn’t say anything when I asked for his keys so one of the other drivers Corey called can drive his car to the house. We continued on back to the house with David still deep in his own thoughts. I doubt he noticed when we stopped and I guided him to my suite of rooms and into the room, he was going to sleep in. I sat him down gently on the bed and he automatically lies down and promptly fell asleep.

I watched him for a few minutes, looking him get the much-needed rest. I left David’s room, walked into my sitting room, and called my uncle. I told him what was going on and he wholeheartedly approved of my actions.

When David’s stuff arrived, I had the staff take care of his clothes and laundry. After a couple of hours, they brought back his clothing freshly clean and pressed. David was sleeping so hard that he didn’t even stir when they went in to put away his clothes, books and personal items.

I was copying my notes for David when he finally stumbled from his bedroom rubbing the sleep from his eyes. I smiled at how cute he looked when he did that. David finally looked around at his surrounds, his eyes got wide then they fell on me. I smiled up at him, “I see you are finally awake. Did you sleep ok?”

“Yeah. You live here?” David sat down at the other desk I had moved in to the room and looked at me intently.

“It’s my Uncle Brandon’s house. I am living with him while I go to school.”

“You uncle is ok with me living here?” David asked with a frown.

“Yep, he doesn’t mind.” I told him smiling. “He wants to meet you at dinner, so you might want to get a shower and changed. Dinner is in a half hour.”

David nodded as he got up and headed back towards his room. All of a sudden, he stopped mid stride and turned back to me. “I don’t think I have any clean clothes. I haven’t done any laundry lately...” A slight blush spread to his cheeks.

“It’s all taken care of. Look in the dressers and closet. While you were sleep, the staff washed and pressed your clothes for you.”

“I…” David stopped still not knowing how to express his gratitude.

“There is no need to be embarrassed or thank me; I hope you would do the same if I were in your situation.” I smiled at him knowing that he would.

David nodded and continued his way into his room for a much-needed shower. After he left, I finished copying the notes and went to get myself ready for dinner. After I got out of the shower, there was a knock on my door. I opened it and found a freshly showered David wrapped in a towel. I couldn’t help myself and stole a look at his gorgeous body. David caught my look and just smiled at me.

“What is the dress code for dinner?”

“Casual, I am just wearing some jeans and a shirt.” I told him grateful he didn’t mention my blatant stare at his body. “We rarely dress up for dinner here, only when we have business clients over, even then we try to be casual.”

“Thanks.” David turned and sauntered back to his room. I watched him retreat to his room staring at his way his muscles flexed as he walked. I closed my door looking down noticing that my staring caused me to harden. Blushing, I finished getting dressed and walked back into the sitting room to find David waiting for me.

“Can I ask you something?” David said looking at me closely.

“Umm…sure.” By the tone of his voice, I gathered what he wanted to ask. I felt very nervous at the thought of answering his question. I promised myself that I would be honest with my friends from here on out, but after the trauma I had experienced I still was reluctant.

“Are you gay?” The question I knew was coming, but still dreaded came out of his mouth. I didn’t look up at him; I didn’t think I could take seeing his disgust and rejection on his face so all I could do was nod in response.

“Ok. I thought so from the way you looked at me just now. All the time we spent together you never gave me any indication that you were. I am bisexual, but leaning more towards men than women.”

I looked up in surprise at his revelation about himself. David just smiled at my surprised look, “To be honest, I have had a crush on you every since the first day you showed up in class. That’s why I volunteered to help you catch up.” David smiled bashfully at his confession.

I smiled at him feeling strange at his declaration. “I just don’t want you to feel that I am just saying this because I am grateful for your help either.” David had a serious expression in his eyes when he said this. I knew that he wouldn’t just say stuff like that unless he meant them.

“I know.” I simply stated walking up to him. “I don’t know if I am ready for any sort of relationship right now, but I am willing to start off as good friends and see what develops from there.”

I looked deeply into his beautiful eyes as I said this noticing the soft look he was giving me as he watched me. I felt his admiration shining through those eyes, his friendship, his thanks and his love. Those looks left me feeling warm inside as I stepped into his open arms to return his hug. David’s arms enveloped me in a cocoon of warmth. I laid my head on his broad chest, closing my eyes enjoying the feeling of his strong arms surrounding me.

David tightened his grip on me briefly before letting me go. I looked up at his watering eyes, “Thanks, I needed that. Let’s get some dinner.” I grabbed his hand and led the way through the maze of the house to the small dining room Uncle Brandon and I use when it was just us home.

Uncle Brandon was waiting on us when we entered the dining room; he smiled when he saw that we were holding hands.

“Everything ok?” he asked gesturing for us to sit down.

I looked at David, my eyes silently asking for permission to tell my uncle the details of his situation. When David nodded his head in agreement, I told Uncle Brandon what had been going on with David the past couple of months.

“You actually received an academic scholarship in January. The funds were paid to the university after it was determined that you were still enrolled. I spoke with them and explained about the mix-up. After you didn’t answer the letter about claiming your refund from the tuition you already paid, they credited you for the next semester. I explained that you had a change of address and forgot to inform them, you can pickup your money in the morning.”

David looked at my uncle in disbelief at his statement. “I applied for that scholarship right after the athletic department revoked mine. I had forgotten about it with what’s been going on lately.”

David looked relieved that he was going to be able to finish college. I was happy that things were looking up for him without David having to feel like he was taking a handout. He had already put the wheels in motion for his future. Things just got lost in the shuffle along the way.

Suddenly, David frowned and looked at both Uncle Brandon and me with a very serious expression. “How did you know about that scholarship I applied for?”

“When you started hanging out with Adam, Corey did a background check on you. After he called earlier, they just updated it and I found out what had happened. You actually applied for a scholarship through one of our organizations and that showed up when they updated your background information. Before you get upset, first, I am very protective of Adam. After a situation that happened to him a little while ago, I am even more so.

Second, you earned that scholarship based upon your grades, I didn’t even know about it until my security people told me.” My uncle is very good at reading people; he answered all of David’s concerns before he could voice them. I want to be just like him when I grow up.

David stared at my uncle, processing what he just told him. After a few moments, he just said thank you and continued eating. I felt happy that things were looking up for David and that my uncle accepted him in our lives.

“Just one thing, be careful in your budding relationship. Adam is much younger than you are, he might seem like he is more mature, but other people might not understand because of the age difference.”

I looked at my uncle and blushed at what he was suggesting. “We are just taking it a step at a time Uncle Brandon. We already talked about how I am not ready to get into a relationship right now. We are just going to get to know each other better.”

I felt my face heat up some more when I looked at David’s smiling face. His eyes were twinkling with merriment at my apparent embarrassment.

**~**~**~**

Spring faded into summer with graduation for Bruce and Kim in a few days. I talked it over with my mom and I told her I really wanted to attend. I knew that Brett would be there as well, but I didn’t want to back out. I was given to choice to walk with the rest of my class, but I turned them down politely. I didn’t want to be among them, I only wanted to see my friends graduate.

My uncle arranged for Corey to take David and I back to Lake View for their graduation. We were to stay with my mom in her new apartment. She moved there shortly after I went to live with Uncle Brandon saying that she felt lonely living in a big house by herself. I really felt relieved that she still didn’t live next door to the Hightower's house anymore. I planned to stay far away from Brett and the others while I was in town.

After a few weeks of living with us, I finally got up the courage to tell David what happened to me. I remember how tears welled up in his eyes and he just hugged me tight all through the night. From then on, we always ended up sleeping in the same bed holding each other. We never progressed past hugging and maybe a quick kiss on the lips, but that seem to be all we needed from each other. I felt safe and loved when I around him and in his arms.

My mom fell in love with David and calls him her other son. She says that she is proud how we are taking our relationship slow and getting to know each other. I overheard her talking to David one day when she was thanking him for not pushing me into sex yet and letting me find what I wanted. She also told him that she would support us when we finally decided if we wanted to start having sex. I know David was embarrassed talking about sex with my mom, I was embarrassed just ease dropping.

Mom had no problems with us sharing a room when we came for graduation, I don’t think she even set up the other spare bedroom. I was really excited about giving Bruce and Kim their graduation present. My uncle conspired with their parents so they were in on the plans. We are all going on a cruise for a week to the Caribbean. We fly out to the port that evening after the graduation ceremony. I had to bite my tongue from blurting it out to them when they came over the day we got into town.

Bruce, Kim, and Mara knew who David was; I spent the last few months talking about him constantly. They just have never met him until now. It was as if we all had been friends for years, they accepted him wholeheartedly into the group. I am grateful for the group of friends that I have and they didn’t mind added more to our close group.

The day of graduation arrived with much flare from Kim; she dragged me around with her when she went to get her hair done and do some last minute shopping. I guess she just assumed because I was gay, I like to do all that stuff. I didn’t have the heart to tell her I didn’t, so I just sat back and enjoyed my one-on-one time with her.

We were coming out of one of the many stores we visited in the mall when Kim just stopped mid-stride. I stopped and looked back at her seeing an icy look in her eyes. I followed the direction of her gaze and saw that she was looking at a girl wrapped around a guy with their tongues down each other’s throats.

“What’s wrong Kim?” I asked her confused why she would be looking at the two of them that way.

“That’s the bitch that Brett is supposedly dating.” Kim hissed. I looked back at the girl still sucking face with someone other than Brett. So, this is the infamous Stacy, for a brief moment, I felt sorry for Brett but quickly brushed it aside. He chose this path; he will have to live with the consequences. My sixteen-year-old heart hardened, for the first time in my short life, I knew what cynicism felt like.

“Let’s go, it’s not our business to get involved. Plus, I don’t think he would listen to us if we told him.” I turned Kim away from the couple and tried distracting her with a shoe store display.

“How can he sleep with that…?” Kim trailed off, frustration evident in her demeanor and voice. “Brett might not be a friend anymore, but I just don’t like to see anyone betrayed, regardless of who they are.”

Remembering the feeling of betrayal caused my heart to constrict slightly. I gathered my shambled emotions and continued with my torturous journey through the mall with Kim. The excitement over our excursion seem to dim slightly after that, but Kim bounced back right after I bought her an espresso.

Graduation came with its usual excitement of activities. I sat down with Mom on one side of me and David and Corey on the other side. I listened to them call Bruce’s name while he got up and sauntered across the stage with a huge grin. I cheered loudly along with his family as he received his diploma effectively ending his high school career. The same happened when Kim’s name was called, just more cheering because of her popularity. I felt so much pride at their accomplishment like a parent watching their young take their first steps. I didn’t regret not being walking the stage at my high school graduation. I knew that I would give my mother the pleasure of seeing me at my college one. I guess we both knew that I would graduate high school so it wasn’t a big deal, but being at my college graduation is what my mother really wanted to see.

They called Brett’s name and I watched him walk across the stage to receive his diploma. Cheers erupted from the audience and the football players. He turned toward the crowd smiling, so his family could take a picture of him and the principal holding his diploma. Our eyes met briefly. I saw some unknown emotion flicker in them before he turned and walked away. David grabbed my hand and gave it a slight squeeze. With that action, I knew he saw what happened and was lending his support. I turned to him and gave him a small smile in thanks wanting this ordeal over with soon.

After the ceremony, we all made our way over to Bruce and Kim’s families hugging everyone and handing out congratulations. Bruce picked me up and spun me around during our hug telling me how happy he was that I come to share this moment with them.

“Put me down!” I was beginning to feel dizzy from the spinning. Bruce laughed and dropped me on my feet. Bruce’s mom and dad came over and gave me a hug whispering that they had Bruce’s bag packed and in the limo. I smiled at them and looked toward Kim’s parents who were giving me a slight nod as well.

“Let’s get to dinner guys.” Bruce’s mom Mrs. Connelly said trying to guide everyone to the parking lot.

After much stopping and picture taking, we finally made our way to the restaurant where we had reservations for dinner. The restaurant set us up in a small banquet room since there were a lot of us eating together. Dinner went smoothly with everyone talking, laughing and reminiscing about our younger years. I watched all the happy faces around me, the genuine smiles light up faces and twinkling eyes shining with joy, knowing how close we all were like a big happy family.

While we were waiting on the big cake, I stood up and cleared my throat. “Excuse me everybody, I have an announcement to make.”

I waited for everyone to quiet down turning in my direction. “I just want to say how happy I am in sharing this moment with Bruce and Kim. I thought a lot about what you both have helped me through this past year. I know that you both have been my friends for years, but it took the event in February for me to really appreciate your devotion as friends. I want to thank you both for staying by my side.”

Bruce smiled at me and Kim blew me a kiss. I laughed at her antics, “I have to admit that I have kept a big secret from you both.” I silently laughed to myself at the confused and concerned expressions on their faces. “I have been covertly planning your graduation present with your parents.”

Kim perked up at the word ‘present’ but Bruce looked like he wanted to strangle me for making him think the worst. Each parent handed their graduate an envelope with a hug and kiss. I watched Bruce and Kim tear into the envelope excitedly. Kim was the first to get it open and read look at its contents. She shrieked loudly when she saw the cruise tickets, credit card, and itinerary. Kim bounced up from her seat and hugged her parents then raced up to me nearly knocking me over to hug me tight. Bruce was not too far behind her smiling and hugging us both in his arms.

“Oh! I have to go! I have to pack and shop for a new bathing suit and…” Kimberly’s dad Mr. Dorn interrupted her before she could go on, “Everything is all packed and ready to go. I put the credit card in there for you to buy whatever your mother forgot.”

“We leave right after we have cake.” Answering her next question before she could ask.

Kim grabbed Bruce by the arm and dragged him back to their seats, “Hurry and eat your cake sweetie, we have a boat to catch.”

Everyone broke into laughter at her excitement causing Kim to blush slightly. I excused myself from the table and made my way to the restroom. I was excited myself about the trip. Corey was coming with me as my ‘guardian’ and David was coming along too. I know we were going to have a blast.

As I was washing my hands, the door opened and in walked Brett. I stopped and looked up at him. Brett stopped in the doorway when he saw me. A slight frown crossed his face. He opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, but quickly closed it and continued into the bathroom. My heart was hoping he would say something to me, to apologize for hurting me, to tell me that he was wrong and he wants us to be friends again. Nothing came, my head was expecting that reaction but my heart had other ideas. I looked back over my shoulder to take a last glimpse of him before walking out the door. I guess that chapter of my life is really over, now I can hopefully move on. “I am still young and have my whole life ahead of me.” I said to myself. The words sounded good, I just needed to put them to action.

With much flare, we all left the restaurant and were off to the airport to board our plane. One week in the Caribbean was just what the doctor ordered for a broken heart. We all had fun basking in the sun, exploring new places and deepening our friendships. The week passed too quickly for us and we were soon back in Lake View. David and I planned to stay a week in Lake View with Mom before heading back to Holliston. I always enjoyed spending time with my Mom so it was time well spent.

On the last night we were there, Mom pointed at several boxes in a corner, “I thought you might want to take these with you. It’s your electronic stuff you were messing around with.”

Looking in one of the boxes, I remembered the computer I pulled apart a few years ago because I wanted to see how it worked and how I could make it faster. You know how most guys are, the faster the better is our motto.

“Hmm…I think I can finish it if I make some new parts for it.” I immediately got lost in my invention ignoring everyone around me. I vaguely heard my mother explain to David how I get when I am involved in something.

I couldn’t wait until I got home tomorrow to finish the computer I worked on. I actually developed a processor that was fifty time faster than the fastest computer out today. Then I watched a sci-fi movie that had an A.I. computer in it and thought it would be cool to program one. I almost finished it but put it aside with all that was going on with Brett and school. Looking at the pieces now I felt my old excitement grow and fresh ideas pop up.

“Mom, would you be upset if I didn’t take classes this summer? I really want to work on something and it needs my whole concentration right now.” I looked at my mother with excitement glowing on my face. I never told anyone what I was working on just in case I couldn’t do it or have someone take it away from me.

“Sure sweetie, plus I think it might be good for you to take a break.” Mom hugged me and gave me a kiss goodnight. “Not too late Adam. I know how you get when you are obsessed over a new project.”

“Umm hmm.” I mumbled already lost in my project. By the time I looked up it was 2:00 am. I had formulated my plan of action and made a list of things I needed to do and with a bit of luck, get my project to work. For the first time in ages, I was excited about something on my own. With that thought, I carefully put my stuff away and headed to bed. The upcoming months should be exciting.

After many hugs, kisses and tears from Mom, we left for the journey home. The ride was quiet; Corey and David let me lose myself in my thoughts. I was grateful for not having to try to hold a conversation while my mind was working in high gear. When we arrived at the house, I hopped out of the car with one of my boxes and ran all the way up to workshop. When I moved in with Uncle Brandon, he set up a room that had any type of tools, computers, and various other paraphernalia in it and called it my ‘workshop’. He was one of the few people that knew how much I loved to pull stuff apart to see how it works and if I can make it work better, most of the time, I just improved upon the existing design. The only thing that I was working on that was my own design was the A.I. computer with the lightning fast processor. The groundwork had been done on it, but the A.I. needed tweaking, the processor could be faster and the casing for it all modified. You have to understand, I was 12 when I came up with this idea. A lot of the stuff I did was based upon a twelve year olds imagination. I felt a little more mature now at the age of 16, so I wanted to modify some things before I presented them to my uncle for his appraisal.

I ignored the world around me for several weeks before I had a breakthrough with my project. “I DID IT!” I yelled running through the house around 3:00 am one morning. I pounded on my uncle’s door - getting impatient, I barged right in. I ran into his bedroom and jumped on the bed. Uncle Brandon was barely awake, rubbing his eyes while trying to focus them on me.

“What…who…what’s going on?” Uncle Brandon stuttered with his sleep-roughened voice.

“I did it Uncle Brandon! I finished the A.I. computer!” I steadily bounced on the bed with each word I yelled at my sleepy uncle.

I don’t think it really sunk in until a minute or so after I yelled my news at him. “What time…YOU FINISHED IT!”

My uncle quickly hugged me bouncing right along with me, at this moment David walked in looking sleepily at us bouncing on the bed. I turned to him, still bouncing, and proceeded to tell him my happy news. Needless to say, David joined in on our bed bouncing congratulating me. I stopped and jumped off the bed grabbing both their arms dragging them back through the house to my workshop. “You have to come see it. I want to show you how well it works and then you can tell me if it needs any modifications done.”

We arrived in my workshop, sleep long forgotten in the excitement.

“Prima introduce yourself to everyone.” I watched the faces of my uncle and David turn to confusion over my command.

“Good morning Uncle Brandon and David. My name is Prima, I am the artificial intelligence brought to life by Adam.” Prima replied with a voice that sounded like my mother. “What is your command?”

My Uncle Brandon and David just stood their with their mouths gapping open in shock.

“I told you I would build it!” I said to them with a cheeky smirk on my face.