When Jess got back to the house, it was little over one and the three men were nowhere to be found. Good he thought can deal with them later.
Jess headed up to his room and got out the new blanket he bought. He stripped of the scratchy old one and remade his bed with this new blanket. It may have only been a simple gray blanket but it didn't itch and it was the cheapest one they had.
Jess looked in his pocket and saw he had about fifty dollars left. He stored the money in the top most drawer, putting it at the bottom of all his band t-shirts. Then Jess headed downstairs into the living room.
It was already to late doing his chores now, so he might as well watch some TV until they get back. Once again, he had to settle for the lousy soap operas on ABC and after forty minutes he had quiet enough melodrama for one day.
Jess laid there on the couch, letting his mind wander into parts unknown. He picked idly at his large studded bracelet and chewed on his tongue. What to do? Jess thought what to do, what to do.
After lying on the couch for who knows how long, Jess drifted of to sleep.
When Jess hadn't shown up for breakfast this morning, Ennis walked up to his room to wake him only to find his bed empty. Oh, not again Ennis thought.
He headed downstairs were Bobby was finishing his breakfast and Jack was sipping some coffee.
"He ain't in his room" Ennis said, "I think he's gone of again".
"Again?" Jack said "wait, did we even do anythin?"
"Must have been that letter" Ennis said, "maybe it reminded him to much of New York and he just decided to head of".
"Oh stop Ennis" Jack said, "You know that ain't true. Besides, was his stuff still in his room?" Ennis nodded "then quit worrin' so much" Jack said "he'll be back".
"maybe" Bobby muttered.
The men then headed of to the farm. Each one did a fair share of Jess's required work and after a hard day, they went back to the house.
When Ennis walked in, he saw Jess sleeping on the couch.
Ennis walked over and shook Jess's shoulder, hard.
"W-what?" Jess said in an irritated voice.
"Where did you go of to this mornin?" Ennis growled.
"I went out with Lois, sue me" Jess said.
"You could have at least left a note" Ennis replied.
"Oh don't get your panties in a bunch" Jess replied, "I came back, didn't I? So why don't you just fuck off".
"How bout not" Jack said, walking next to Ennis.
"What are you going to do?" Jess said in a challenging voice "ground me? I like to see you try".
"That ain't a bad idea" Jack said, "you'r grounded for the week".
"Oh look who's being parent of the year again," Jess said in a sarcastic voice.
"That's it" Jack said, "You just bought yourself double the work load" Jess rolled his eyes. He then got off the couch and walked past the men before deliberately bumping into Jack.
He then headed up the stairs "Fag!" he yelled angrily from upstairs. This was followed by the loud slam of the door.
Apparently, Jess had underestimated just how far Jack and Ennis would take this whole grounding thing. He was only allowed out of the house to go to school, that was it. This meant he wasn't allowed to go to the game this Friday. Jess didn't tell Lois though; he'd find a way to get to the game.
As soon as he got home, he was instantly put to work. Jack and Ennis gave him the most grueling of tasks to complete, sometimes even staying out so late that nighttime came. must have been from that fag comment he thought. When he finished his work and got back in he was given cold leftovers for dinner.
As for school…well actually, school had gotten a bit more tolerable. Though Jess hated to admit it but Bobby did manage to scare Doug off him. Now, gym wasn't a daily punishment. It was still gym but he couldn't complain.
Jess had even begun to finally master the basics in drawing. Thanks to Lois's teachings, he began to rely on her less and less and soon was now creating actual good pictures that didn't look like some sort of deformed blob. He was still far away from being as good as Lois but that's okay, he wasn't looking for an art major.
Friday soon rolled around and it seemed like the entire town was ready for the football game. All Jess could hear from the classmates was talk about how the game would turn out. Jess figured so, this being such a small town football games must be what they most look forward to.
Jess still didn't have an idea how good the team was but from the towns reaction he was thinking that maybe they had some skill.
Jess sat there eating his sandwich on one of the rocks when Lois said, "so Jess, ya free tomorrow night?"
"Why?" he asked.
"Well" she said "my daddy said it would be all right if ya came over for dinner and all". That actually sounded like a nice idea and if would be nice to eat over at someone else's house for a change. And maybe get some decent food.
"I'll have to ask Jack and Ennis" Jess said. He wasn't sure they'd let him go considering how he'd been acting. But since when did he care what they thought of him?
"Okay" Lois said "give my you'r answer when I pick you up for the game" Jess wondered if he should tell her about him being grounded…but then again, if Ennis and Jack were going it would be easy for him to walk out the door.
Soon, the ball clanged, signaling the end of school. As Jess walked out he could see some banners put on the football players lockers saying good luck and all.
Jess walked out and Lois soon pulled up. As they began to drive threw town, Jess could see the signs beginning to go up.
Closed for the game is what most of them read. Guess football is big in this town Jess thought.
They pulled up to the house "I'll pick you up at six" Lois said "that should give us enough time before kick off".
"Okay" Jess said "see ya then". He closed the door of car and headed up to the house.
They finished chores up early today and ate an even earlier dinner. Bobby was sitting at his seat, nervously drumming his fingers.
"Nervous?" asked Jack.
"A little" Bobby replied.
"Don't be" Ennis said "you'll do great". Bobby smiled. After a few minutes, Jack looked at the clock.
"You better get goin" Jack said "don't wanna be late". Bobby nodded and finished his food. He then grabbed his boots.
"We'll be there by six okay?" Jack said.
"All right" Bobby said.
"And good luck" Ennis said.
"Thanks" then Bobby headed out of the door, leaving Jess with the two men. Jess ate his meal when he remembered Lois's arrangement for him to have dinner.
"Lois invited me over to her house" Jess said "can I go?" Ennis looked at Jack.
"Ya, sure" Jack said, "I think we can do that. That okay with ya Ennis?"
"Don't matter to me," Ennis mumbled.
"Then yes, you can" Jack said.
"Kay" Jess replied. he ate the remainder of his meal and walked to the sink.
"I hope you don't have any ideas bout sneakin' out tonight," Jack said.
"What? You're gonna lash me to the house" Jess said.
"If it'll keep ya here" Ennis said.
Jess glared "you don't honestly except me to stay here?"
"Yes we do," replied Jack.
"Well" Jess said, crossing his arms "you can't make me". Ennis got up and walked right to him.
"Oh, really?" Ennis said. Jess stared at him, his eyes hard. After a few moments, Ennis sighed.
"Well, I guess we can't make ya" huh? Jess thought. He accepted a bit more of a fight but this worked to.
"Ennis" Jack said.
"No Jack" he replied, "I believe he's made his point. Its not like were gonna stay here and baby-sit him".
"Well, I can stay-" Jack began but Ennis cut him off.
"No Jack, this game is way to important to miss. You don't want the boy thinkin' you didn't bother goin' to the game?" Jack shook his head.
Ennis turned to Jess "is Lois pickin' you up?" Jess nodded.
"Okay" Ennis said "but first, I need ya to fix you'r bed before you go" Jess thought this was a bit odd. Ennis had never asked him to make his bed he just did it naturally. So Jess just shrugged oh well he thought it's just a bed.
So Jess headed upstairs and walked into his room. Then he realized something. He had already made his bed this morning. Then he heard the door shut behind him.
Turning around, he headed to the door and tried to turn the knob. It was locked.
As Jess walked up the stairs, Ennis grabbed one of the kitchen chairs. Jack gave him a questioning look.
"What the hell are you doin' Ennis Del Mar?" he asked.
"Wait" Ennis replied.
Once he saw Jess enter his room, Ennis quickly grabbed the door and slammed it shut. He then jammed the chair up against the knob. He saw the knob gangle a bit and then loud thumping from the door.
"What the hell?" Jess said, "Open this door!"
"Sorry bout this Jess" Ennis said "but can't trust ya enough to leave you here alone".
"You cock sucking fag!" yelled Jess "open this door! I swear to god, I'll fucking cut you!"
"We'll be back soon," Ennis said, ignoring Jess's protest "I'll open the door once we get home".
"Don't you fucking dare leave me locked in!" yelled Jess "open this god damn door you-" Ennis walked down the stairs, still hearing Jess throwing out every single queer slur he could think of.
Once down stairs, Jack was at the door.
"I knew there was somethin' funny goin' on" Jack said, a smile creeping onto his face "nice thinkin' there cowboy".
"Only thing I can think of to keep him in" Ennis said. He then slipped on his boots and the two men walked out of the house.
"You don't think we're being a bit harsh now?" Jack asked.
"Oh Jack quit worryin', he'll be fine. Besides, do you have a better idea of keepin' him in?"
Jack thought for a moment "well, I guess not".
"Then quit you'r worryin" Ennis said. They then climbed into the car and headed on down the road. As they drove down the road, Ennis felt Jack's hand rub his thigh.
"Jack" Ennis said. But Jack kept on going and soon began to drift to another part of Ennis's body.
"Jack!" Ennis said in surprise "what are you tryin' to do? Get us in an accident?"
"What accident?" Jack said "there's no one on the road. Besides, we have a few minutes before the game" Jack then leaned over and began to kiss Ennis's neck.
"Come on Jack!" Ennis said, as he pushed Jack of him "I'm about to swerve of the road here!"
They soon reached the football stadium were it was already beginning to pack with people. Ennis found himself a spot near the stadium. Then Jack scooted up real close to him, his face almost touching Ennis's.
"Jack!" Ennis said in alarm "not in public".
"Aw, look who's getting' all flustered" Jack said in a cooing voice, moving even closer to Ennis "how bout the bathroom at half time?" he suggested, his voice very tempting.
"Are you outta your damn mind Jack Twist!"? Ennis said, "what if someone…you know, walks in?"
"They'll just assume its some regular couple" Jack said, "the way you moan…"
"I already told ya" Ennis said, "I don't moan like a girl".
"Really?" Jack said, his eyes sparkling. He kissed Ennis lightly on the lips "then prove it". Ennis was so tempted, just so tempted to just ravage Jack right in the back seat and prove to him he wasn't no woman. But that familiar emotion of being caught grabbed hold of him and all his fears surfaced.
"Come on Jack, we're in public" Ennis said. Jack's eyes suddenly went dull and he slumped down in his seat.
"Oh come on Jack" Ennis said "don't be gettin' like this".
"I just wish for once Ennis" Jack said "you would at least…"
"Jack, we already discussed this" Ennis said "we agreed it was for the best" Jack shrugged.
"I guess," he muttered. Ennis then got out of the car and began to walk to the entrance when Jack came in front of him.
"You know" Jack said, the sparkle back in his eyes "the offer still stands" he then got extremely close to Ennis's face, then pulled away and headed of for the stands.
"God damn it tease" Ennis muttered under his breath. He just can't take no for a answer.
Jess kept on banging at the door until his shoulder got sore. That ass hole actually locked me in he thought. Jess did not expect Ennis would actually do something like that, apparently he underestimated him.
Okay, think Jess thought Lois is gonna be here soon and if you don't come out she might think you blew her of. And Jess didn't want to lose his only friend here in this town.
So think he thought I can't simply break down the door. He knew he wasn't that strong and there was no way he could move the chair. So how am I to get out? Then he spotted the window.
Window he thought that's it! He quickly got onto his bed. He just prayed this thing could open. He pushed on the window and sure enough it opened. Yes! Jess thought. It was far too small for him to climb out and even if he did he'd just fall right to the ground. No, what Jess planed to do was call out for Lois when she came. He knew he'd had to explain how he lied to her but he would worry about that once he got to it.
He soon saw Lois's beat up Vista Cruiser pull up into the driveway.
"Lois!" he yelled "Lois!" he waited and she didn't come out. "Lois!" he yelled "Lois!"
then, he saw the car door open and Lois stepped out "Lois! Over here!" he saw her look up in his direction.
"there you are!" she yelled "what are you doin? Yellin' down at me like that?"
"well!" Jess said "I sorta got grounded his Sunday and well…they locked me in my room"
"locked ya in you'r room!" Lois said "well, that ain't no good"
"so uh" Jess said "could ya, um open the door for me?"
"won't ya get in trouble?" she asked.
"not if I get home before they do" Jess said.
"I don't know, I mean if you'r grounded and all…"
"no please Lois!" Jess said "I can't stay in this room for four hours I'll tear my hair out! Besides, I'm sure you've broken the rules before too" Lois shuffled her feet a bit.
"oh" she said "what the hell! Its only teenage rebellion. All right, I'll be right up" Lois then ran onto the porch. Jess found a small handle on the inside of the window and closed it shut. He waited a few minutes before the door opened and Lois stood there.
"well come on" she said "we better hurry if we're gonna make kickoff" Jess nodded. The two then raced down the stairs and climbed into Lois's car.
"You know" Lois said, "it's always a bit exciting, breakin' the rules ya know".
"no shit" Jess said. Lois laughed and then pulled the car out and off they went.
"Oh come on ref!" yelled Jack, getting of his seat "what the hell kinda call was that?"
"Sit down Jack" Ennis said "its not like he's gonna change the call over one angry parent". Jack reluctantly sat back down, still fuming over the whole thing. Jack tended to get a bit emotional over the football games. He always had the idea that he knew more about plays then the ref himself and would always yell out over calls he felt were totally unnecessary.
It wasn't exactly a great start to the team. It was nearing the end of the first quarter and they were down four to one. But there was still plenty of time left in the game, so they had a good chance of catching up.
"Bathroom?" Jack suggested.
"Jack!" Ennis exclaimed.
"What? Only askin," he said.
"Well, can't ya keep that to you'r self?"
"Oh don't be getting' all defensive" Jack said "besides, you seemed eager bout it before".
"I was not," Ennis said.
"Oh please" Jack said "I saw that look in you'r eye. You were just itchin' to go at me".
"Was not," Ennis muttered.
"Don't be lyin' to me now Ennis Del Mar" Jack said, sliding closer to him.
"Come on Jack" Ennis said, pushing him a bit "not out in public".
"Sorry but I love seein' ya get all flustered like that" Jack said "makes ya look sexy".
"Jack!" Ennis exclaimed.
Soon the first quarter ended and things didn't get much better in the second half. The opposing team scored another touchdown and Jack was now up on his feat, ranting to the ref.
"Come on, I can make a better call blindfolded!" Jack yelled. By the time second quarter was coming to an end, they were now down fifteen to six.
"Bathroom?" Jack suggested for a second time.
"Jack" Ennis said "I've already been threw this".
"Oh come on Ennis" Jack said "can't you ease up a bit? Besides, I'm lookin' for something' to take my anger out on" Ennis felt a hot flash race across his body. He knew exactly what Jack was talking about. It was then Ennis realized his growing problem.
"Oh look what ya did now Jack!" Ennis exclaimed, pulling his jacket down further to cover his problem.
"You know" Jack said, "That's another reason for the bathroom". Jack began to reach over and Ennis batted his hand away.
"Jack!" Ennis said.
"All right, all right" Jack said, "I get it. No bathroom then" soon, the whistle blew and it was the end of the second quarter.
Lois and Jess had to park a few blocks away from the stadium because it was all full and this was the only place they could find. They then walked up to the stadium and entered onto the bleachers.
It seemed like the entire town had come out for this Jess thought. It was still relatively small group, not unlike the sheer thousands that packed the stadiums at New York for baseball games but it was probably the most people Jess had seen in a while.
It was almost the middle of the first quarter when they entered and had to bump into a lot of people before finding a spot.
"Ah" Lois sighed, "Here we go, nice little spot" they were three rows back from the field and so far Jess hadn't spotted Jack or Ennis. Looking up at the scoreboard, their team was losing. Jess didn't bother with specifics; he just wanted to know who was winning.
For most of the first and second quarter, Lois sketched some drawings in her notepad. Some were of players catching the ball, beginning a play, and even throwing the ball. Bobby was actually doing pretty well. He managed to throw the ball at all his targets, was able to run a few yards, and from what Jess saw he seemed to be the best on the team.
It still baffled him that some ass wipe like Doug could have gotten the quarterback position but who was he to judge? He barley knew anything about the sport. When the whistle was blew signaling halftime, Lois looked up from her drawings.
"So, who's winnin?" she asked.
"The other team" Jess said.
"Aw" Lois said "and here I was hopin' we get a win on our first game of the season".
"Maybe we can still win" Jess said.
But by the time the final quarter came into play, it seemed like there chances of winning had gone right down the drain. Wait, fourth quarter Jess thought I better get home before Jack and Ennis.
"Hey Lois" Jess said, "you don't mind if we leave a bit early? You know, with the whole being grounded and all".
"Oh ya" Lois said, "We better. That's all right, I got plenty of sketches done". They got up and began to push threw the throngs of people. And once again, Jess didn't spot Jack or Ennis.
The two made there way to Lois's car and were soon on the road again. They pulled up to the house a few minutes later.
"Wait" Jess said "I need you to come up and put the chair back in its original place".
"Oh right" Lois said, "to cover up the fact you've been out all night. Oh, it's just so exciting breakin' the rules and coverin' up our tracks. Why I feel some sorta spy workin' for the government".
"Well, don't report me to the president" Jess said jokingly. They walked into the house and up the stairs. Jess headed into the room and Lois closed the door.
"Okay, its in place" she called from behind the door "oh, one more thing. What did Jack and Ennis say about dinner?" shoot, Jess nearly forgot.
"They said it was fine" Jess replied.
"Okay" Lois said, "How's bout I pick ya up at…sevenish?"
"Sevenish" Jess said, "Got it".
"Okay" Lois said in a happy voice "sees ya tomorrow".
"Bye" Jess called. He heard Lois then run down the stairs. He got up on his bed and saw her get into the beat up car and then made her way down the dirt road.
The game had ended with a score of twenty-one to thirteen. Jack and Ennis were outside waiting for Bobby. They knew he might need some consoling for tonight's lost.
"Well, that was a pitiful display" Ennis said.
"Ya" Jack said "its because of the damn Macarthur kid, can't he follow a simple play instead of tryin' to impress everyone and go right for the touchdown? All he got was a slam in the chest"
Ennis lit up a cigarette. By now, the crowds were beginning to thin and he and Jack were one of the few people left in the parking lot.
"You should think bout quitting one of these days," Jack said.
"And why?" Ennis asked.
"There bad for ya, that's why" Jack said.
"I ain't quitting the one thing that relaxes me" Ennis replied.
"Hey, I thought I was the one who was suppose to relax you" Jack said as he edged closer to Ennis.
"Jack" Ennis said "still in public. Can't ya wait till home?"
"There's barley anyone here" Jack said.
"but there are still some" Ennis replied "just wait a few"
"Can't help it" Jack said, "You know I can't when I'm around ya".
"Well try" Ennis said as he took a long drag on his cigarette. Soon Bobby came out, his head held low not daring to look at Jack or Ennis. Jack came over and put an arm around Bobby.
"Hey now bud" he said "you did great tonight".
"We lost dad" he said in a low voice.
"Ya, because of that Macarthur kid" Jack said. But that wasn't helping much. Sensing his son's discomfort, he took his arm of him.
"Ah don't worry bout it Jack" Ennis said "he always gets like this after a loss. Believe me, tomorrow he'll be back to his old self". The two men then got in the car and drove out of the parking lot. Like last time, Jack kept on rubbing Ennis's thigh causing him to complain he was trying to get them into a crash.
Once the got home, they saw Bobby had already arrived. Once they got in, Jack then slammed Ennis against the door and kissed him hard.
"Jesus Jack" Ennis said, surprised by the sudden jump.
"Sorry partner" Jack said "you've just been holdin' out on me all night" he kissed Ennis a few more times "and now its time to pay up". Jack pressed himself upon Ennis and began to unbutton his shirt.
"h-hold on there" Ennis said "let me go check on Jess first, see he ain't gotten out". Jack was barley listening, being to busy unbuttoning Ennis's shirt and kissing his neck.
"You locked him in" Jack said, "it ain't like he goin' anywhere" Jack began to slip of Ennis's belt now.
"Hang on hang on there horn dog" Ennis said, "I'll just be a few" he pushed Jack of and made his way upstairs, holding on to his slipping pants. Sure enough, he saw the chair still on the door. He took it of the handle and opened to door to see Jess lying on the bed.
"We're back," Ennis said.
"Fuck off" Jess simply replied.
"Nice to see ya too" Ennis mumbled and closed the door. He then made his way to his room were upon entering Jack grabbed him and forced him on the bed.
"Okay cowboy" Jack said in a low whisper "enough stallin'" he then slipped of Ennis's belt and took of his shirt.
"You sure ya ready?" Ennis said in his growl that Jack loved so much.
"Like I said," Jack said, "I need somethin' to take my anger out on". Jack then kissed him and after a few minutes their clothes were off and the rest of the night became one long passionate blur.