72 comments/ 45597 views/ 57 favorites What The Future Holds By: double_entendre Hello Fans: Sorry, but I've always wanted to say that:) Although I would not classify this as a jack off story (again sorry) it does contain areas of explicit sexual content. For this reason I must ask that if this type of thing offends you, or you happen to be under age in your area to view such material, Please leave this site, and go enjoy the many more age appropriate sites which can be found using this great tool we've come to know as the internet. When you are legally able to, I hope that you will return here, and with any luck you may be able to pull this, as well as any future stories which I have written up from the archives. This is my first submission. It is very long, and contains very little sex. I hope that you enjoy it anyway. * If there was a single word that best described James Mantle it would be gifted. He was a straight A student from as far back as anyone could remember with a near photographic memory. He excelled in everything academic, from math to English to science there did not seem to be any subject that he could not master. School work always came very easy to him, as did his vast array of personal interest, which seemed almost endless. If James could read about it he could learn it, and he was always reading. Jamie, as he was known to his family, classmates and the few friends that he managed to acquire during his life was shunned by most of the other students, now young adults that attended Michaels High School. Being written off as your average nerd, few people saw Jamie's true potential. One of those who managed to look past the nerd persona was Carol Dawson. Carol moved next to the Mantles about four years ago when Jamie was just entering high school. She had just finished her Bachelor's Degree in literature and had been offered her first teaching position as an English instructor at Michaels when they met. Fresh out of college, a stranger in town, new job and scared to death Carol quickly befriended the Mantle family, who seemed to welcome the new outsider to their small community with open arms. James's father Joe offered his own as well as his sons help with moving her things into the house she was renting while Sherry, James's mother, concentrated on cooking up a fine meal for the four of them. Over the next few months Carol quickly became close to the Mantle family, whom had made her feel so welcome. Sherry became almost like a second mother to her always inquiring about her day what was going on in her life and if she was happy in their little town. Joe on the other hand was a bit different. She found him a bit racy, borderline crude on occasions, but quite harmless, and yet at times so funny that you couldn't help but be drawn to his quick wit and warped sense of humor. And then there was Jamie. Jamie was quiet and shy, but yet there was something special about him. If you could manage to get him talking, which was a task in and of itself he could discuss just about any subject with the intensity and knowledge of a college professor, quoting facts figures theory's and their authors straight from memory. Carol had of course inquired about Jamie's vast intellect, and why he was still in the normal phases of high school, when he could have easily tested out and advanced to higher learning. Sherry confided that Joe and herself felt that Jamie needed the social structure that would be provided by being around people of his own age group. After high school was completed Jamie was free to handle college in whatever speed he chose to. Sherry did mention that perhaps this restriction was a mistake since Jamie showed almost no interest in his high school classmates, and preferred to spend his time with his nose stuck in either a book or his computer screen. His only social outlet seemed to be that gym that he joined a few years back. She said that he attends it about three times a week, and although he doesn't say much about what he does there Sherry had noticed that his physical appearance seemed to improve greatly. Hoping that he must at least be interacting with an actual person, she never really pushed him for any more information. Carol could tell that Joe and Sherry though nice enough people personally, were just of average intelligence, and may not fully understand the complexities of their sons rather exceptional gifts. With no one else to do it, and since she was new to teaching, and a bit gung hoe Carol took it upon herself to befriend Jamie and try to guide him into using his mind to the best of his abilities. Although he was not officially her student yet, she still demanded great things from him, and he always delivered beyond her wildest expectations. They talked about books, political subjects and technological advancements, each challenging the other to keep up with the latest goings on in the world beyond their little community. As Jamie entered his senior year of high school he knew that he had secretly fallen in love with Carol over the last few years . His fantasies included not only the giving and receiving of pleasure through the coupling of their variously body parts in every position that his advanced copy the karma sutra described, but also the accepting of his proposal of marriage and the birth of their future children. Jamie knew that Carol, or Miss Dawson, as he would soon be calling her, at least in her classroom, shared none of his feelings, and thought mainly of him as a friend, or possibly even a little brother. Although only five years his senior Jamie realized that Carol could never fall for him as a mere high school student, but perhaps just maybe he would have a chance with her after college, that is of course if she hadn't found someone else by that time. Jamie knew that Carol was a strict teacher, and he suspected that she would be roughest on him, demanding only that which she knew he was capable of producing. She was big on discipline and kept a wooden paddle hanging beside her desk out in plain view where her students would be sure to notice it. She promised to tan the hide of any student she felt did not show her proper respect, or turn in their assignments when due. Jamie was not concerned about this however, as he had always been the perfect straight A student. He had never been suspended or punished, he had never served detention, and his school record was spotless, and besides Carol was his friend. Jamie turned 18 during his senior year and everything seemed to be going his way. His grades were impeccable, and he thought he had a real shot at being valedictorian. He had aced his SAT's applied to MIT and was anxiously awaiting their response. Jamie and a few other students were invited to attend a competition that one of the major universities was hosting where they could win a $5,000 dollar scholarship to the college of their choice. The game was set up similar to jeopardy, and although the top prize was not substantial when compared to the cost of most college tuitions it would definitely help, and look good on a transcript as well. Two other students from Michaels went alone with himself. Miss Dawson, as he still had to call her, had volunteered to be the chaperone and driver for the trip. Harold Smith, and Trisha Olson, who happened to be the principals daughter, got knocked out in the early rounds of the competition, but Jamie not only managed to make it into the final round, he won the match , leaving his opponents, who were favored to walk away with top prize scratching their heads. Carol watched in awe as Jamie advanced in the rounds showing the confident side of himself that he kept hidden from most of the people who knew him. Carol had always been attracted highly intelligent men with strong personalities, and as she watched Jamie she picked up on something that only someone who knew him very well would have been able to notice. She started to suspect that he actually knew more of the answers then he was letting on. It was all very subtle, but she could see that when a question was asked his hand would automatically twitch like he was reaching for the buzzer, and then stop suddenly. His eyes also seemed to light up a bit, and there was this tiny smirk that would come across his face for just a second and then quickly disappear, leaving Carol to believe that he was letting the other players appear to be giving him a respectable challenge. She came to the conclusion that he wanted to win, yet he did not wish to crucify anyone. It was during this time that Carol began to realize just how attractive Jamie really was. Carol Dawson grew up rather shy herself. She was smart as well as frugal, and she took most of her required courses at a junior college, before moving onto a four year university to get her degree. Although She did not enter college a virgin, her after prom experience did not do much to satisfy her high sex drive. Carol decided to acquire a small array of toys which were meant to help ease her desire for human companionship of the opposite sex while allowing her time to concentrate on her studies. Her plan was going fine for the first few semesters, that was until she walked into his classroom. Dr. Brian Winters was a thirty something recently divorced and brilliant instructor of mathematics at the university Carol attended. His class was a requirement, and although she struggled with the subject she had no choice but to sign up. At first everything seemed to be going ok for her, but during the second half of the semester she started to really have problems with the assignments. The F she received on her pop quiz told her that she was in trouble, and rather than fail the class she went to the professor for help. Curiously, instead of assigning her a tutor he took it upon himself to try and open her brain to the complexities of the subject matter. He had her come in during, and after office hours, corrected her assignments before she had to turn them in and made up practice test just for her in an effort to help improve her grades. The day she aced the final exam securing her a solid B in the class she came to his office and engulfed him in a big bear hug. When he bent down and placed his soft, hungry lips to hers all forms of reason suddenly decided to take an extended leave of absence, leaving only passion and desire to drive the vessel of her body to its intended destination. They ended up locking the door, closing the blinds and making love, or at least lust on the couch in his office for the next several hours. Carol discovered an outlet to her sexual frustration that only an experienced lover could provide, and her toy collection couldn't compete with. This began a long term affair which lasted throughout her remaining time at the university. Brian Winters had an old farm house about 5 miles outside of the town in which he taught. It was spacious and cheap with the nearest neighbor being over a mile and a half down the road. This allowed him the seclusion and privacy necessary to carry on whatever affairs he may choose with minimal risk of being caught. Carol ended up practically living with him, and although she never spoke of her secret lover, even to her closest friends, it was painfully obvious that she was at least unofficially off of the dating market. After graduation Carol wanted to go public with their relationship, but Brian convinced her that if someone were to suspect that they were having an affair while she was his student it could put both of their careers in jeopardy. Although she didn't like it, Carol agreed to carry on a long distance relationship with Brian for a couple of years, and then they could claim to meet up again, fall in love and finally be able to go out in public as a couple. As the three students and herself were sharing dinner together and talking about the contest that Jamie had won they were approached by a representative of the university that was hosting the event. "Good evening and congratulations, My name is Dr. Simmons, and as director of the events held here today I would like to extend an invitation for the four of you to stay on an extra day as our guest and have a tour of this fine university. I assure you that we have many opportunities here to offer students like yourselves, and we would love to have a chance to discuss them with you on a more personal level." He stated. As Harold and Trisha were eagerly contemplating this new turn of events, Carol quickly stated that she couldn't possibly afford to spend another day away from her work at home. Jamie of course knew that this was not the case as she had confided in him before they left that she had got all her grading finished, and was looking forward to a relaxing weekend with nothing to do. Carol hoped that Jamie would not rat her out to the others, and of course he didn't. "I have a possible solution Miss Dawson. Since everyone here is 18, if we call their parents and get permission I would be happy to personally see that they get home safely after the tour tomorrow." Dr. Simmons replied smiling. Carol wasn't too keen on the idea, but the others seemed excited about the prospect, and with them all being of age she really didn't have much say in the matter when they each called their parents and were all given the ok to stay. After all she figured that since Trisha was the principals daughter and if he approved of the situation it must be ok. She did; however make sure to personally speak to him as well as all the parents, just in case one of them tried to pull a fast one by claiming to have permission to stay when they really didn't. Jamie, although having his heart set on MIT decided that a tour of this university would be a good experience, and if word got back to MIT that other colleges were interested in him all the better. With Dr Simmons taking responsibility for Jamie and the others, Carol decided to head back early. On her way home she was replaying the scene where Jamie was on stage. There was something different about him that today. He showed confidence and strength. He stood tall and seemed older or more mature then his 18 years would suggest. If it came right down to it she would have to describe his behavior tonight as nothing short of being sexy. It frightened her to know that she could feel this way about one of her students. Jamie being her neighbor and friend on top of it made this situation all the more stressful. Carol knew that she was sexually frustrated being away from Brian for so long, but she couldn't let her desires cloud her judgment and force her do something that she may later regret. As she was going over this in her mind she looked down at the map and realized that the university she graduated from was not that far out of her way. Feeling horny as hell and without any students to attend to, she made the changes to her GPS, and an hour and a half later pulled into Brian's driveway for a surprise visit. Brian for his part seemed shocked and for some reason even a bit nervous when Carol crawled into his bed unexpectedly in the middle of the night. He had long since given her a key to his place when she practically took up a residency there herself during her college years. Brian felt that he had masked his reaction rather well, and the couple went on to have a marathon sex session that would have put any porno movie to shame. It started right after she arrived and stretched long into the wee hours of the following morning , leaving Carol both tired and satisfied as she left Brian's house Sunday afternoon. Jamie was surprised to find that Carol had not returned home when he arrived Saturday night after being dropped off by Dr. Simmons. He started to get a bit concerned until he saw her car pull up a little after 5:00 PM Sunday evening. He noticed from his window that she seemed happy, although a bit tired as she made her way into the house. At first he was a bit put off thinking that she may have been with a boyfriend all this time, but then he remembered her saying that some of her old girlfriends were at the event, and he convinced himself that she probably stopped off to see them on her way back. At any rate he did have a fun time touring the college with Dr. Simmons, and knew that winning the Jeopardy contest would surely increase his chances of securing a scholarship to MIT. His final month of high school had been a whirlwind for Jamie. Word got out how he had helped a few members of the football team when they were in danger of becoming ineligible to play due to failing grades. The tricks he showed them for remembering facts and dates helped tremendously in improving their test scores, and now with the end of the school year looming, Jamie's time had become a very sought after commodity. A representative from MIT contacted him and said that although they preferred more extracurricular activities in their applicants, Jamie's grades and SAT scores were more than enough to gain him admittance to their university, but to be granted a full scholarship he would have to be named valedictorian of his class. Jamie didn't see this as a problem, as he only had about a week left to go now, and he was as usual acing all of his classes. With as busy as he'd become Jamie had not seen that much of Carol outside of class. He was; however, becoming slightly concerned with her demeanor as of recently. She seemed rather moody lately, as she even to the point of being quite short when he asked if she was feeling ok. She did apologize to him later claiming that she thought she was coming down with a slight case of stomach flu. This puzzled Jamie somewhat, as it was not the right time of year for something like that to be going around. Jamie did not have time to dwell on it though, as he was tutoring other students, preparing for his graduation and getting ready to start his new life as a college student. He had just finished up a ten page report on William Shakespeare for Carols class that he felt was some of his best work yet. This paper would be worth 30% of his semester grade, and he could hardly wait to hear Carol's reaction to it. Jamie was sitting in Miss Dawson's class about a week before graduation, and he was really starting to get concerned. Carol was now not only moody, but she seemed to always be losing focus and yelling at everyone for no real apparent reason. She still refused to tell Jamie what was bothering her, and he was seeing a side of his teacher and friend that quite frankly was not very appealing. Throughout all of this he still was head over heels in love with her, and hoped that one day in the near, or maybe not so near future that she just might return his feelings. As the bell rang to signify that class had ended Jamie stood up ready to hand in his report when one of the guys that he had been tutoring stopped to thank him for his help. As they were chatting there was some commotion coming from the hall, as happy seniors were enjoying their last days of high school. Miss Dawson angrily stormed out of her classroom to yell at them to keep quiet, while Jamie walked up to her desk and set his report neatly on the top of the pile before being the last to exit the classroom to enjoy his weekend. The following Wednesday afternoon found Jamie again sitting in Miss Dawson's classroom, only this time they were lazily relaxing while a move played on the benefits of creative writing, and how one could use various styles to entice the imagination of his or her reader. Carol seemed different today, lost, but focused, angry but controlled almost like there was a split personality ready to take control at any given moment. All kinds of thoughts had passed through his mind as to what might explain her behavior, everything from a sick relative, to a relationship problem to an issue with her job. He just wished he knew what was bothering her. The movie ended right before the bell rang, and as she continued passing back the graded reports she purposely skipped his desk. Mr. Mantle would you please see me after class. Now any other time this statement would not have come as a surprise as she would probable want to discuss how much she enjoyed his paper, but the way she said it, and the coldness in her eyes made him wonder if he may have done something to upset her, although for the life of him he could not fathom what that would have been. What The Future Holds "I know that your upset, and maybe you have a right to be, but if you wish to continue to speak to me I must ask that you reframe from using any more profanity." His Principal said. Well you won't have to worry about my foul language, because after today I am leaving Michaels. I don't care if I ever see this town or anyone in it ever again! Jamie said. "Your parents still live here." reminded Principal Olson. "And they are one of the reasons I'm leaving!" Jamie replied as he exited his Principal's office for what he hoped would be the last time. Jamie waited around until it was almost time to leave for the graduation ceremony before returning home. Although he had no intention of attending himself he wasn't about to tell that to his parents. "Where have you been?" His Mother asked as he walked through the door. "I was just out talking to a guy about my plans after graduation." Jamie replied. "Are you ok son?" She asked. "I will be." He replied. "Well I just wanted to say" she started before being interrupted by her son. "Mom I don't want to talk about it, especially not today. Why don't you and Dad take off so you can get a good seat. I am obviously not ready to leave just yet." He said heading for his room. "Alright, but do try and hurry, you wouldn't want to miss your own graduation" She said. Jamie did not respond to her statement, for he had every intention of being gone by the time they returned. Carol Dawson was just getting in her car to leave for the graduation ceremony. She placed a box of ink pins that had class of 20xx behind her seat in the back. They weren't much, just a memento to express her congratulations to the senior class. As she drove her thoughts went back to Jamie. She hoped that he would accept her token without causing a scene. Carol had previously purchased a much nicer gift for him, in hopes of delivering it at his party tonight. She doubts now that she would still be welcome after what transpired between them two days ago. After finding a parking place in the already crowded lot, she reached back to retrieve her pins, but the box slipped out of her hands spilling its content all over her back seat. "Shit!" Carol thought as she crawled in the back of her car to collect her gifts. As her hand went behind the passenger seat of her car it wasn't a pin she felt, but a folder of some sort. Remembering that she had just cleaned out her car a couple of weeks ago, Carol now had a good idea of what she was holding. With trembling hands, she opened the folder to reveal the top of the title page which read William Shakespeare his life and legacy and at the bottom were the haunting words Written By Jamie Mantle. "DEAR GOD NO!" She said out loud as tears begun to swell up in her eyes causing her makeup to smear and cloud her vision. Her memory was all too clear now. She had left school that evening placing the stack of papers on her front seat, and made the long drive to her boyfriend's house with news she felt should only be delivered in person. Her intent was to surprise her former professor, make passionate love, and then in the morning let him know that he was going to be a father. The house was dark when she pulled into the drive and after killing her engine she used her key to gain entry. Her plan was to slip seductively into bed with him, but as she opened the bedroom door it was her that got the surprise. "What the Hell!!!" She screamed as she saw the sight before her eyes. There on the bed lies her former professor, the father of her unborn baby with his dick half way sticking out of some tramps twat, and his face buried between the folds of her breast. "Carol! What are you doing here?" asked her stunned lover. "What am I doing here? I think the question is who are you doing here? Carol spat angrily. "Carol you really should have called, this is not a good time." He said. "Funny it looked like you were having a good time to me!" She replied. "Carol this is Tiffany one of my students. She came to me asking for help a few weeks ago, and well one thing led to another." His voice taped off. "Well Tiffany I sure hope you were smarter then I was and used birth control, otherwise he might have another kid on the way besides the one he implanted in me!" Carol retorted addressing her now ex-boyfriend through his lover. "You're pregnant!!!" He replied completely bewildered. "Yes asshole I am, and I'm so glad that I decided to make the trip to tell you in person, rather than relying on just a impersonal phone call. This is so much more intimate don't you think? She sneered. "Carol we need to talk." He stated. "Oh no! Not tonight! Why I wouldn't dream of coming between you and Barbie's study time. I'll just go and you can call me when you get done with your um tutoring session." then turning to his lover she replied " You really are a fortunate young woman you know. He is quite dedicated to his students, and you're in very capable hands." She spat. "Yes I am, replied the girl smugly, and by the way my name is Tiffany, not Barbie" She leered. "Oh believe me I know that dear!" Carol coldly replied before turning to leave. She was already backing out of the driveway when Brian came out of the house still shirtless to try and flag her down. Carol was too quick for him, however and pealed out of the farmhouse leaving a trail of dust and the squeal of tires that echoed her cries in the night. How she made it home that night God only knows, but standing there next to her car Carol remembered that she had to reach between her passenger door to retrieve some of the reports that had been scattered due to her reckless driving. When she noticed that Jamie's report was not among her pile Carol did check the front passenger side of her car, but it never occurred to her that one of the folders could have fallen behind the back seat. Now that she thought about it Jamie did mention that his report was on the top of the pile, so she should have reasoned that this could be possible. Forgetting about her box of graduation mementos Carol raced into the school with his report in hand and frantically combed through the rows of seniors. Jamie was not among them. Next she turned to the crowded seats of the gymnasium and anxiously scanned each section until she finally spotted her neighbors. "Carol, My God honey What's wrong?" Asked Jamie's mother. "Where is Jamie" She asked in a panic. "He should be on his way I hope. He was not ready when we left, but I think that was just an excuse not to ride with us. He has always been a quiet person, but I have never seen him act like this before. Just what went on with the two of you anyhow?" Sherry asked. "Oh Sherry I screwed up big time. I Was just now getting something out of my back seat and look at what I found!" She said. "Is that what I think it is? Sherry asked with a sickening look on her face. "Yes! It's Jamie's report. The one that he swore he turned in, the one I accused him of lying about, the one I punished him for!!!" Carol sobbed. "No wonder he is acting so strangely. Jamie had always had this thing about injustice. When he was younger if he did something wrong, which wasn't very often, he would be the first to own up to it, but if he felt he was innocent he would fight with every fiber of his being to be exonerated. I guess I forgot about that." Sherry stated. "He hates me doesn't he?" Carol asked meekly. "Right now I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't hate us all. Joe and I blew him off when he came to us swearing that he handed in the assignment. We felt that you wouldn't have accused him unless you were sure, so we figured he was just going through some teenage rebellion phase." Sherry stated. "I should have believed Jamie, but instead I not only accused him of lying, I accused him of tampering with the dates on his computer to backup his lie. I have to go find him! I have to apologize and beg him to forgive me! OH God, he said before I spanked him that he would never forgive me! What if he meant it?" Carol asked to no one in particular. "Carol calm down!" Joe said. "I'm not sure that going to him right now is the best idea. In fact I don't think you should tell him you found his report at all!" Joe stated to a bewilderment of the two ladies. "Joe are you insane we have to tell him!" Sherry said. "No we don't! Now before you go crazy just hear me out. If you tell him that you found his report he will be like see I told you so, and constantly throw it back in our faces that we were wrong for not trusting him, however if you tell him that you decided not to punish him twice, and let him turn in a makeup report to change his grade, you come out looking like the gracious party!" Joe exclaimed. "Joe I did find his report! How could I possibly look him in the eye and tell him I didn't, especially after what I did to him. Joe I spanked him far worse than the situation called for. I was mad because I thought he was lying to me, and I took his punishment way too far." Carol replied. "Look Carol, he is a teenage boy. If he didn't do this I am sure he did something bad that he got away with. All teenagers do. If you tell him that you found his report we will never hear the end of how he was right and we were wrong!" Joe said. "Joe is that all you care about? You had better listen and listen good, I am going to tell Jamie I am sorry for not believing in him, and if you don't want to take up permanent residence on the couch you had better do the same." Sherry stated ending the argument. "Where is he?" Sherry asked. He should have been here by now. She said "I am going to go find him." Carol stated. "You can't! The ceremony is set to begin in less than half an hour!" Sherry exclaimed. "I don't care I have to find him! Carol replied heading towards the door. Jamie had been planning to leave earlier, but being injured had inhibited his mobility, and made packing all that much more difficult. He had just closed his last suit case and was dragging it to the foyer when the door bell rang. "Shit!" Jamie thought. Who could that be?" He wondered looking out the peep hole to find his worst nightmare standing on the porch. "I know that you're in there Jamie. Please open the door." Carol begged. Running over the scenarios in his mind Jamie concluded that the fastest way to make Carol leave was to face her. "Mom and Dad aren't here." Jamie said with the door cracked just enough to see out of. "I came to see you." Carol replied. "You are the last person I want to see! Jamie stated. "I know, but please let me in anyway. I did come to apologize. She said. "Please just leave me alone Miss. Dawson. I don't need to have to deal with you today on top of everything else." Jamie replied. "Look I have to talk to you and I am not leaving until I do so." Carol stated. Throwing his hands in the air in frustration, Jamie finally relented and let her in. As she walked through the door Jamie noticed the red report folder clutched in her hand. "Can I assume that the folder your caring is my missing report?" Jamie asked coldly. "Yes! she said meekly. I found it today in the back of my car. It must have fallen off the stack and slid under the seat." she said. "I can't even begin to tell you how sorry I am. I feel absolutely terrible for what I put you through. I know I don't deserve it, but is there any way you can find it in your heart to forgive me!" She asked tears streaming down her face. "I believe I have already addressed that question Miss Dawson, and my answer has not changed!" Jamie stated. "Please call me Carol?" she asked in a low voice. "No I don't think so! The Carol I knew is dead, if she ever actually existed in the first place. Her replacement is some evil bitch that gets her jollies from beating her students and ruining their lives." He shouted. "Jamie please, I know I hurt you, but I didn't ruin your life." she replied. Instead of saying anything else, Jamie just handed her a printout of the email that Mr. Bruster had sent him after they talked yesterday. It confirmed him losing the scholarship and why. When Carol finished reading the letter she was open sobbing. "Oh God! What have I done?" She asked looking upward. "I'll fix this! I'll make it right! First thing Monday morning I will call this Mr. Bruster and tell him it was a mistake! I will tell him that it was all my fault. I'll make him listen! I'll change your grade in the records I'll" She started to say but was interrupted by Jamie. "Enough! Jamie yelled getting her attention. He already gave the scholarship to another student. It's too late!" Jamie said as a tear rolled down his own cheek as well. Feeling that he said all that was needed Jamie picked up one of his suitcases and headed towards the door. "Wait a minute, where are you going, and why aren't you dressed for graduation?" Carol asked finally noticing his attire. Where I am going is away from this damn town and everybody in it. As for graduation, I am not going." Jamie said. "You have to go. You need to get your diploma." Carol replied. "I did that four hours ago." Jamie said. "What are you talking about?" Carol asked. "I went to Principal Olson's office first thing this morning and picked up my diploma." he said. "But why would you do that? You deserve to graduate with your class. She said. Oh really! So let me get this straight. After everything else that I have been through you want me to go sit on a hard bench for two hours listening to boring speeches my ass on fire the entire time, and then I am suppose to get up stiff as a board and try to make my way up to the podium while struggling to look as normal as possible while doing so, and attempting to dodge the so called well wishers, who knowing what you did to me will be trying to give me congratulatory slaps on the ass to see if they can make me jump or actually cry out in pain. Just what the hell did I do to deserve that?" Jamie screamed. "But your parents will be devastated if you don't show up." Carol whispered. "Oh yes my loving parents! I went to them begging for their help, and do you know what they said? My Mom told me that she knew you, and if you said that I didn't turn in my report then I must not have. I have been a near perfect son to them. A straight A student from day one. They have never once had to come to the school because I was in trouble. I am mature and level headed. I have won countless awards and before this little disaster took place I had secured a scholarship at one of the finest universities in the country, and yet she chose to believe a woman whom she's only known all of about four years over her own son. Dad was even worse. He said that he believed you, but on the slim chance that I was telling the truth, I probably deserved to be punished anyway for getting away with some imaginary offence that I was never caught doing. You can probably see why I am not concerned about my parents feelings." Jamie replied. "Besides they would have had to be at the ceremony anyway, that idiot cousin of mine is finally graduating." he said as an afterthought. Desperate to get him not to leave Carol tried to come up with solution. "Look I have an idea. Go put on your cap and gown and I will drive you to school. If we hurry we might just make it." She stated. "I already told you I'm not going to graduation!" Jamie yelled. "Please just hear me out. I will slip your diploma back in its proper order, and your parents will never know that you ever had it. If you do this for me I will give you a graduation present that you won't ever forget!" Carol said seductively. "You already did that!" Jamie said rubbing his sore ass. "This gift I am sure you will enjoy!" Carol said with a wink. "What makes you think I want anything from you?" Jamie asked starting to get her meaning. "Oh you'll want this! You have for a long time!" Carol said smiling. "Maybe my desires have changed!" Jamie replied. "Oh I doubt it! Carol said, though she was beginning to think otherwise when she noticed that a certain part of him had not rose to the occasion. "Just so there is no confusion, what exactly are you offering? Jamie asked. "Myself. A full access pass if you will. After your party tonight tell your parents that you are going to a friend's house for the night. Drive around the block and pull into my garage and shut down the door. I will be waiting to rock your world. I'll even kiss your poor little butt and make it feel all better." She answered smiling. "Not interested! Jamie said. But why? She asked. Instead of answering Jamie came back with his own question. "Before this mess happened is this the graduation present you had intended to give me? he asked. "Well no, but after all I put you through I felt you deserved something special." Carol stated still stunned that he hadn't jumped at the chance to have her. "I would rather pay for my first time then to have it be a mercy fuck!" Jamie replied picking up his suitcase and heading for his car. A distraught Carol watched as Jamie loaded the rest of his things into his car. Next he entered the kitchen where he proceeded to removed his house key from its ring and place it next to his graduation cake. Finally Jamie took an envelope from his pocket and placed it next to his key on the table. "Time for me to leave Miss. Dawson!" Jamie stated. "Do lock up on your way out." He asked before getting in his car and driving away. Carol assumed that Jamie had at least left his parents a goodbye letter, but later would learn that it was nothing more than a printout of the dictionary definition of the word betrayal. It had been a few years since anyone had seen or heard from Jamie. Carol gave birth to Timothy about 8 months after Jamie's disappearance. She still lived in the same house, and has stayed close friends with the Mantles almost to the point of being family. Carol was busy doing up some dinner dishes, as a news bulletin interrupted the cartoon that her son Timmy was watching. It seems that there was an attempted bombing of an embassy building that the Vice President was at that evening. Reporters got word that the terrorist plot was foiled by Sergeant James Mantle of the US Marine Corp, who had been wounded during the attack. More information would follow as it was learned. Carol Jumped up and grabbed the phone. With trembling hands she finally managed to dial the Mantle residence. "Hi Carol! It's about time you gave us a call. Joe and I were starting to wonder if you and that God son of our fell off the face of the earth." She said not giving Carol a chance to get a word in edgewise. "Sherry quick turn on your TV to a news channel" She yelled into the phone. "Why? What's wrong?" She asked. "Just do it!" She exclaimed. Sherry actually dropped the phone when she saw her son's name flash across the television screen, and while sinking onto the couch screamed for her husband. When Joe entered the room his wife who was at the moment unable to form a coherent sentence only pointed in horror to the TV screen. Through stunned Joe had noticed the phone laying on the floor, and the muffled voice coming from it. "Hello!" "Yes, we see it too." "No I had no idea he was in the Marines!" "Yes if you can get another neighbor to watch Timmy I'm sure that Sherrie could use your support. "Thanks Carol, we'll see you soon, goodbye" Joe said. After letting Carol in, and regaining some of his composure, Joe decided to call Frank Miller, a friend of his who retired from the military a couple of years ago. Joe knew that Frank was once pretty far up the chain of command, and hoped that he still had enough clout to get the information the Mantles required. "Frank I swear to you I had no idea he joined the marines. We had a bit of a falling out and I haven't seen or heard from him since he graduated." "Ok, thanks Frank! Bye" Joe said into the phone.