Rumors
by
Phil M. Williams
Copyright © 2018 by Phil M. Williams
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Printed in the United States of America.
First Printing, 2018.
Phil W Books.
www.PhilWBooks.com
ISBN-13: 978-1-943894-50-5
CONTENTS
Chapter 1: Gwen and the End of the Beginning
Chapter 2: Caleb and Worthless
Chapter 3: Rick and Controversy Brewing
Chapter 4: Janet and the Connection
Chapter 5: Gwen and the Leprechaun
Chapter 6: Caleb and Ragu
Chapter 7: Rick and His Dirty Little Secret
Chapter 8: Janet and the Poison Apple
Chapter 9: Gwen and the Gossip
Chapter 10: Caleb’s Fine
Chapter 11: Rick and Sugar’s Addicting
Chapter 12: Janet and Silent Snowballs
Chapter 13: Gwen and Buster
Chapter 14: Caleb and Perspective
Chapter 15: Rick’s Summer Fling
Chapter 16: Janet and Rachel
Chapter 17: Gwen and the Personal Narrative
Chapter 18: Caleb and the Picture
Chapter 19: Rick and the Big Eye in the Sky
Chapter 20: Janet and the Watchdog
Chapter 21: Gwen, the New Girl
Chapter 22: Caleb and the Goal Line Stand
Chapter 23: Rick and That Drink
Chapter 24: Janet and the Facebook Friend
Chapter 25: Gwen and the Invisible Wish
Chapter 26: Caleb and Zolpidem
Chapter 27: Rick and She’s Trouble
Chapter 28: Janet and Trust But Verify
Chapter 29: Gwen and Letting Go
Chapter 30: Caleb and the Hangover
Chapter 31: Rick and the Crush
Chapter 32: Janet and Second String
Chapter 33: Gwen and the Big Dumb Football Coach
Chapter 34: Caleb and Self-Hatred
Chapter 35: Rick and the Saboteur
Chapter 36: Janet Digs Dirt
Chapter 37: Gwen and Her Star Students
Chapter 38: Caleb and Doth Protest Too Much
Chapter 39: Rick and Garden Grove
Chapter 40: Janet and Intel
Chapter 41: Gwen and the Toad’s Stool
Chapter 42: Caleb and Suicide Stats
Chapter 43: Rick’s Compromising Position
Chapter 44: Janet, the Photographer
Chapter 45: Gwen and a Change of Scenery
Chapter 46: Caleb and Ice
Chapter 47: Rick and Blackmail
Chapter 48: Janet and Holier Than Thou
Chapter 49: Gwen and Influence
Chapter 50: Caleb and GTA
Chapter 51: Rick Takes a Hit
Chapter 52: Bending Wills
Chapter 54: Caleb’s Got a Gun
Chapter 55: Rick Lies
Chapter 56: Janet and Hershey Kisses
Chapter 57: Gwen and Secrets
Chapter 58: Caleb Ditches
Chapter 59: Rick and That God-Awful Picture
Chapter 60: Janet and Bob’s Lucky Day
Chapter 61: Gwen’s a Mandatory Reporter
Chapter 62: Caleb and Stupid White Trash
Chapter 63: Rick and Any Body Fitness
Chapter 64: Janet and #FirePruitt
Chapter 65: Gwen and the Confidant
Chapter 66: Caleb, the Liberal Faggot
Chapter 67: Rick and Disrespect
Chapter 68: Janet and Complications
Chapter 69: Gwen and Grocery-Store Gossip
Chapter 70: Caleb and Popping Bubbles
Chapter 71: Rick and the Deal
Chapter 72: Janet Never Lets a Good Crisis Go to Waste
Chapter 73: Gwen’s Held Hostage
Chapter 74: Caleb and the Truth
Chapter 75: Rick and Chaos
Chapter 76: Janet, the Hero
Chapter 77: Gwen and the Negotiation
Chapter 78: Caleb and His Holy Grail
Chapter 79: Rick’s Banished
Chapter 80: Janet Does Damage Control
Chapter 81: Gwen and Detective Strickland
Chapter 82: Rick and the Funeral
Chapter 83: Janet and the Funeral
Chapter 84: Gwen and the Funeral
Chapter 85: Rick Goes to East York
Chapter 86: Janet and the Game after the Game
Chapter 87: Gwen and NBC
Chapter 88: Rick and the Breaking Point
Chapter 89: Janet and Heather
Chapter 90: Gwen Has a Change of Heart
Chapter 91: Rick and the Truth’ll Come Out
Chapter 92: Janet and #VoteMiles
Chapter 93: Gwen and MGTOW
Chapter 94: Rick and What Are We Now?
Chapter 95: Janet and Cracks in the Facade
Chapter 96: Gwen and Telling the Truth
Chapter 97: Rick and Pariahs
Chapter 98: Janet and the Eye of the Hurricane
Chapter 99: Gwen and the Facebook Peanut Gallery
Chapter 100: Rick and the Kerfuffle
Chapter 101: Janet and Stop, Just Stop
Chapter 102: Gwen and the Throwback
Chapter 103: Rick and Too Much to Drink
Chapter 104: Janet Ups the Ante
Chapter 105: Gwen’s Priorities
Chapter 106: Rick and Shattered
Chapter 107: Janet and the Election
Chapter 108: Gwen and TNSILF
Chapter 109: Rick and the Real Deal
Chapter 110: Janet and #BringBarnettBack
Chapter 111: Gwen and the Tide’s Turning
Chapter 112: Rick and the Lawsuit
Chapter 113: Janet and Mahanoy
Chapter 114: Gwen and a Glimmer of Hope
Chapter 115: Rick and Intertwined
Chapter 116: Janet and Liar
Chapter 117: Gwen and Good News
Chapter 118: Rick and the Big Game
Chapter 119: Janet and Her Guests
Chapter 120: Gwen and into the Lion’s Den
Chapter 121: Rick and Photo Evidence
Chapter 122: Janet Turns the Tables
Chapter 123: Gwen and the Public Comments
Chapter 124: Rick and the Vote
Chapter 125: Janet and Students for Change
Chapter 126: Gwen and Wherever You Go, There You Are
Chapter 127: Rick and Students on Strike
Chapter 128: Janet and Truancy
Chapter 129: Gwen and Good Conscience
Chapter 130: Rick and Sick Days
Chapter 131: Janet and Disrespect
Chapter 132: Gwen and Parental Consent
Chapter 133: Rick and Options
Chapter 134: Janet and Dr. Matthews
Chapter 135: Gwen and Victor Moretti
Chapter 136: Rick’s Back
Chapter 137: Janet Strikes Back
Chapter 138: Gwen and the State Championship
Chapter 139: Rick and Back to School
Chapter 140: Janet and the Shot Heard Round the World
Chapter 141: Gwen and Justice
Chapter 142: Rick and Just Visiting
Chapter 143: Gwen and No Child Left Behind
Chapter 144: Rick … Three Months after the Knockout
Chapter 145: Gwen … One Year after the Knockout
Chapter 146: Rick … Two Years after the Knockout
For the Reader
Gratitude
A NOTE FROM PHIL
Dear Reader,
If you’re interested in receiving my novel Against the Grain for free and/or reading my other titles for free or .99 cents, go to the following link: http://www.PhilWBooks.com.
You’re probably thinking, What’s the catch? There is no catch.
Sincerely,
Phil M. Williams
CHAPTER 1
Gwen and the End of the Beginning
Gwen sat on a plastic and metal chair, waiting with a diverse group of people. The seats were set up in strict rows and columns. An elderly couple chatted quietly. A mother bounced her son on her knee, trying to keep him entertained. Several women tapped their feet, wishing they could tap their phones. Everyone’s cell phones had already been confiscated. Two young men wore long-sleeved shirts to cover their tattoos. One had a large bandage on his neck. Displaying gang tatts or wearing revealing clothing would likely result in a denial of visitation. Gwen glanced at one of the women. She was busty, her blouse low-cut. Despite the August heat, Gwen had worn a long sundress with a conservative neckline.
An officer entered the waiting area. The patch on his shoulder read, Philadelphia Department of Prisons. “Group seven,” he said.
Gwen and her unknown compatriots stood in unison, making their way to the officer. They’d be the seventh group of visitors that Saturday. The officer looked them over, narrowing his eyes at the busty woman.
“You got a sweatshirt?” he asked.
She frowned, putting one hand on her cocked hip. “It’s damn near a hundred outside. Whatch you think?”
He swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down. “I think you’re not gettin’ in.”
“I done signed in. They ain’t said nothin’.”
“They don’t check dress at sign-in. Just your ID.”
“That’s stupid.”
The officer nodded. “You got thirty seconds to find a shirt, or you’re not gettin’ in.”
The woman looked around at the group, hoping someone would or could rescue her. One of the young men took off his long-sleeved T-shirt, revealing a white tank top and tattoos covering every inch of his caramel skin. He handed her his shirt.
“Thank you,” she said, barely audible.
“Sir, it’s against the dress code to display tattoos,” the corrections officer said.
The man nodded to the officer, his expression resigned. “I know.” Then he addressed his friend. “I’ll wait in the car.”
The other young man lifted his chin in acknowledgment.
The corrections officer checked IDs again and led them in a single-file line to the metal detectors. When no one set off any alarms, he led them through double doors, where inmates waited at stainless steel tables. The group separated, everyone finding their person and their table.
Gwen spotted Brian toward the back of the beige room. He stood from the table, his shoulders slumped. Despite his posture and baggy orange jumpsuit, he was handsome and well-built—naturally athletic and muscular from three years of pumping iron at the prison gym. They hugged for two seconds and sat across from each other. There was an envelope in front of him, turned facedown.
Brian forced a smile, his hazel eyes still. He opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out.
Gwen searched his face. He had a strong jaw, high cheekbones, and a long thin nose. Tears welled in her eyes.
He reached across the table. “I know.”
She wiped her eyes with the side of her index finger and placed her hands in his. “What do we do now?”
Brian took a deep breath. “It’s time to let go.”
Gwen shook her head. “I’ll save everything I make from my new job. I’ll rebuild our credit. I’ll hire another lawyer.”
He squeezed her hands. “Gwen, no. It’s over. I don’t want you throwing good money after bad.”
“Then what? I just sit around and hope for the best over the next twenty-two years? I won’t give up.”
“I’ve been thinking a lot. Especially now with the rejection of the appeal.” He exhaled heavily and paused. “We can’t go on like this.”
“We can’t go on like what? You’re not making any sense.”
“I’ll be fifty-seven years old when I have my first shot at parole. You’ll be fifty-four. We’ll never have kids.” His voice wavered. “We’ll miss our best years. You never know. I may not make it out of here alive.”
“Don’t talk like that. If it’s the last thing I do, I’m getting you out of here.”
“I want you to stop.”
She removed her hands from his. “Stop what?”
“Everything. No more appeals. No more letters. No more phone calls. No more visits.”
“What are you talking about?”
Brian clenched his jaw. A tear slipped down his face. He slid the envelope across the table. “I want a divorce.”
Gwen flipped over the envelope, her mouth hanging open. It was addressed to a Virginia law office and already stamped.
“Just sign where I highlighted,” he said.
She sniffled, her eyes glassy. “You don’t love me?”
He looked away for a moment. “You’re everything to me, … everything. But … I can’t be the reason you’re not living your life. This is my punishment, not yours.”
“Please don’t do this.”
A tear snaked along the side of his nose. “I’m sorry, Gwen. I’m sorry for everything.”
CHAPTER 2
Caleb and Worthless
Cleats click-clacked on the concrete floor. Metal lockers opened and slammed shut. The mood was jovial and raucous—everyone happy for the last practice of football camp. Two-a-days had been grueling, the temperature unusually hot for West Lake, Pennsylvania. Teenage boys were in different stages of dress. Caleb Miles worked the combination lock and opened his locker. He removed his shoes and placed them on the bottom of his locker. He stripped off his T-shirt, exposing his slight upper body. He glanced to his right, then to his left. The starting quarterback, Shane Wilcox, stood in front of his locker, wearing only a diamond stud in each earlobe. Caleb’s eyes swept over his tall, athletic frame. For a moment, he settled on Shane’s flaccid penis.
“You lookin’ at my dick?” Shane said.
Caleb looked forward. He rummaged in his locker, pretending not to hear Shane.
Shane stepped closer, still naked, and now within striking distance. “I asked you a fuckin’ question.”
Caleb turned toward the tall boy. Shane had ice-blue eyes, dark hair, and a pencil-thin beard.
“I’m sorry. … I, uh, didn’t hear you,” Caleb said.
“You were lookin’ at my dick, weren’t you?”
A group of football players in various stages of dress surrounded the scene.
“I, I wasn’t,” Caleb said.
“Faggot-ass faggot.” Shane looked around at his audience with a crooked grin, then zeroed in on Caleb again. “Don’t fuckin’ lie. I saw your bitch-ass lookin’.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to.” Caleb dipped his head in deference, accidentally catching another glimpse of Shane’s penis.
“Dude, he did it again,” Lance said, pointing and laughing at Caleb.
The rest of the crowd laughed in unison, and someone said, “What a fag.”
Lance moved closer, standing next to Shane. Lance wore his football pants and no shirt. He was the star receiver and Shane’s favorite passing target. “You’re outta the closet now. You might as well look at his junk. You know you want to.”
The crowd laughed. “You know you want to,” they echoed.
Caleb turned back to his locker, rummaging through his things again.
“You ain’t gettin’ off that easy,” Shane said.
Lance sidled up to Caleb and put his arm around him, turning him toward Shane. “Go on, Caleb. Check it out.”
Shane widened his legs and put one bare foot on the bench, his penis and scrotum on full display for Caleb.
Ca
leb held his gaze upward.
Lance grabbed Caleb’s head and forced his gaze toward Shane’s crotch. “Go on, faggot. You know you want to.”
Caleb’s gaze followed the trail of hair leading from Shane’s belly button to the nest of dark hair and Shane’s circumcised penis.
The crowd hooted and hollered, providing a running commentary.
“Look at him.”
“He wants your junk.”
“Dick-slap him.”
A dark-skinned boy pushed through the crowd. “Let him go,” Jamar said.
Lance smiled at Jamar. “Or what?”
“I said, let him go.”
“Who are you, his black boyfriend?” Shane said, laughing.
“Ten minutes,” Coach Bob Schneider said, entering the locker room. “Move your asses.”
As the burly, bearded coach walked past, Lance let Caleb go. Shane hurried back to his locker to get dressed. Caleb spent the next ten minutes arranging and rearranging his locker, afraid to face anyone. With the last player gone to the practice field, Caleb sat on the bench, put his chin to his chest, and cried. After a few minutes, he sniffled and wiped his face with his T-shirt. He put on his football gear, exited the locker room, and jogged to the practice field.
Head Coach Rick Barnett stood at the edge of the practice field next to his Offensive Coordinator Bob Schneider, while the team warmed up on the fifty-yard line. The summer sun beat down on the coaches. They wore hats with intertwined initials WL, which stood for West Lake. Coach Schneider had sweat rings under the arms of his WL Wolf Pack T-shirt.
Coach Barnett frowned and glanced at his watch as Caleb jogged closer. Coach Barnett was tall and well-built, with a stubbly beard. “You’re eight minutes late. That’s eight laps. Get moving.”
As Caleb started to jog, he heard Coach Schneider say, “If it wasn’t for his hot mom, he’d be worthless.”
CHAPTER 3
Rick and Controversy Brewing
Coach Rick Barnett frowned at Coach Schneider.
Bob Schneider chuckled, his hands on his gut, as if he were trying to hold it in place. “Come on. You know it’s true. What I wouldn’t give for one night with her.”
“What I wouldn’t give for a family like yours.”
“I can look. I just can’t touch. You can though. Then you can gimme the details.”