Amaroq's notes: Hey, all thanks for the reviews; it makes me so happy to see ya all liking what I'm writing. Don't worry folks Tom will eventually get what's coming to him. I'm really enjoying writing this story, and as much as I hate doing short chapters it seems to be what's working for this fic. So, bare with me this fic is going to be a long one, but with short chapters. Between four and six pages each chapter depending on where each chapter is supposed to go.

Jeff felt like asking Chris why Tom had said they would be working early today, when he got up at a little after ten, but decided against it. He realized a little after an hour after going downstairs to the kitchen and eating Cereal with Chris and watching Saturday morning Wrestling with him, that it was Saturday. He looked at Chris who was watching the show blankly and then sat back and remained quite not wanting to bug Chris. He slowly got up and studied the note on the counter. He took it to Chris and held it out.

Chris took the note and looked at it. He looked at Jeff. "You want to go to Adam's party?" He asked.

Jeff shrugged a little then nodded. "Yeah,"

Chris smiled. "Me to, lets get cleaned up, will take my bike into town."

Jeff hopped up and ran upstairs changing out of the overly big P.J's he didn't remember putting on last night, hell he didn't remember a lot of what had happened last night. He pulled on Jeans and an old T-shirts two sizes too big. It used to be Matt's it still smelled of Matt. He ran his hands across his stomach and sighed softly fighting the knot in his stomach that wanted to make him cry. He rubbed his hands down his back then sat down on the bed and pulled on his socks and padded downstairs to get his sneakers.

Chris was waiting holding two Helmets and a set of keys. "You ready to go Jeffo?" He asked.

Jeff nodded. "Uh huh." He said. "I'm ready."

Chris led him out back behind the house and to a shed. He unlocked the padlock and went in. A minute later he came out with a dirt bike. He arched an eye at Jeff. "My Dad gave it to me for my 10th birthday." He said slowly.

"T- - t- - "He couldn't spit it out he started shaking.

Chris watched the boy fall apart before his eyes and it scared him. "No, my real dad." He said.

Jeff stared at him. "Your real Dad?" He asked.

Chris nodded checking one of the wires to make sure it wasn't loose. "Yeah, his name was Ted Irving, he plays Hockey for a team in New York. He left a long time ago, and once in awhile sends expensive gifts."

Jeff nodded. "Oh, okay."

Chris smiled and tossed Jeff a helmet. "Come on kiddo, let's hit the dirt paths." He said with a laugh.

Jeff smiled and pulled the helmet on over his hair. Chris grinned wider and helped him up onto the back seat. He climbed on kick started the bike and drove into the woods behind the house.

In took about an hour to drive into town the roundabout way that would have them avoid the diner on the edge of town. Chris parked his bike in front of the Copeland's garage and led Jeff to the door.

Jeff watched Chris knock on the door and stood there quietly behind him as they waited for someone to open the door and let them in.

After several minutes passed the door opened an older man, an older version of Adam, looked down at the two of them sternly then smiled. "Hello, boys come on in."

Chris smiled. "Hello, Mr. Copeland." He said.

The older man who must be Adam's dad smiled and nodded. "There in the back yard Chris." He said and turned to go then looked at Jeff. "And who's this?" He asked.

Chris looked at Jeff and spoke quickly. "This is Jeff, he's my mom's godson." He said.

Mr. Copeland smiled and nodded. "Nice to meet you Jeff." He said and headed off into the kitchen. Chris led Jeff outside where Adam was with Jay, some cousins and a few people Chris didn't know. Least that's what he explained to Jeff as they walked over to Adam and Jay who looked very bored.

"Hey, Adam Jay!" He called out waving his hand.

Adam smiled and waved Back Jay just continued looking bored. Chris flopped down next to Adam and waved Jeff over. "So, what's the plans for today?" He asked.

Adam shrugged. "Mom said I can't take off today, wish I could I'm dying to watch them set up the fair."

Chris nodded in agreement. "Yeah, me to." He said. "But, Tom's probably up there I don't want to run into him."

Jeff shivered at the mention of the man's name. He ran a hand across his arm and looked down at the grass. Jay saw him and watched him silently and shrugged it off at Jeff being shy or still upset over loosing his family. Jeff fidgeted and looked around the backyard studying it silently.

It was well manicured, with a tire swing hanging from the oak tree in the back. A wooden clubhouse was built on the right of the tree and it was all so nice. The back patio was made from Red bricks and a gas grill sat on it. A round pool sat to the left of the patio with a wooden deck built around it. With a padlocked gate so little kids couldn't get in. A brown fluffy dog lay under the deck and it wagged its tail every once in awhile.

As he continued looking around he suddenly realized someone was saying his name. He turned and looked at the four older boys. "Huh?"

Jay snickered and shook his head. "He said do you want something to eat?"

Jeff blinked then looked at Chris silently for several minutes. He could feel Adam and Jay's eyes on him. He turned and looked at them for a second his slender body starting to shake under the cold eyes. They were all laughing inside. He was alone. He backed up a step tripped over the dog, which yelped in surprise. It had walked over to see what its master was doing, and wasn't to happy with being tripped over and landed on. It let out a growl and latched onto Jeff's leg biting down hard.

He let out a yelp of pain and Adam kicked at the dog. "Brownie get!" He snapped shoeing the dog away from Jeff. The dog barked twice and darted across the yard to watch from her doghouse.

Both Chris and Adam kneeled down next to Jeff; Chris went to roll up Jeff's pant leg to cheek for blood. "Hold still Jeff." He said to him. "Damn your crazy dog Adam!" He snapped.

"WHAT! How the hell is it my Dog's fault! He freaked out and tripped over him." He responded.

Chris glared. "It just is! That damn dog bites everyone who fucking pets it wrong!"

Adam stood up shooting a mean look down at Chris and Jeff. "Fuck off Chris!"

Chris stood up and balled up his fists. He hated fighting with Adam; coming to Adam's house was sanctuary. He didn't know what to do if Adam started hating him. He held still and then turned away and crouched down over Jeff who was looking at his leg with Jay. "You okay Jeff?"

Jeff nodded smiling a little. "Yeah, I'm okay--its not bleeding." He responded.

Chris nodded and sighed knowing Tom would kill him if Jeff got hurt. He looked up at Adam and sighed. "Sorry, man didn't mean to get angry with you, just was worried about Jeff."

Adam looked at him silently for a minute then nodded. "Its cool man."

The rest of the day went smoothly, Jeff was even proud of himself when he made friends with Brownie. She had been sulking either in her doghouse or under the pool for most of the afternoon. He had eaten half his hot-dog and couldn't eat another bite so he had gone over to the dog. "Hey, pooch." He whispered whistling softly.

He watched the one brown ear, then one white perk up at his words. "Come on girl, its okay." He held out the hotdog. "Here girl." He said.

She slowly stood up studying the small boy. She walked over; head down watching him Jeff watched her right back. Her dark brown eyes met his light jade ones. She wagged her tail slightly and he smiled and held out the hotdog. "If you want it ya got to come over here." He said.

She let out a soft whine and crouched down on her belly and crawled over watching him. "Its okay girl I won't hurt you." He said softly still holding the hotdog loosely between his fingers.

She finished her slow crawl till her nose was inches from his thigh and licked at the hotdog and looked up at him pleadingly. "Here ya go girl." He whispered

She licked it from his fingers the rolled onto her belly wagging her tail happily as he rubbed at her furry white under belly. He smiled and laughed ruffling the dog's fur. "You're a good girl aren't ya?" He asked. "You didn't mean to bite me, I just scared ya didn't I?" He whispered and she whined in agreement.

When Chris came looking for Jeff later on; He found the younger boy curled up on the grass his hands fisted in the dogs soft fur and his eyes closed in sleep. Brownie looked up at Chris and whined protectively over Jeff. He smiled and shook his head and went off back to Adam and Jay.

Jeff woke later when Chris shook him awake. He slowly sat up looking around he rubbed at his eyes and stared up at Chris. "What's up?" He asked.

"Parties over," Chris responded. "We got to get home." He said.

Jeff yawned and stood up slowly. "Okay," He shook his head and followed Chris.

The two of them climbed up onto Chris's dirt bike and headed home for Tom and everyone else who was waiting.

TBC....

A/N: Rushed ending I know, but I'm going to be gone for the weekend. I should be back late Tuesday night, maybe Wednesday.

Peace,

This life and the Next,

Amaroqwolf.