These Four Walls

By GA Hauser

After having been homeschooled, Jimmie Beck began his freshman year of college. Luckily for Jimmie, his next door neighbor was a teacher; one who Jimmie’s mother had asked to help Jimmie with his math and science.
Rudy Oberon had recently separated from his wife, and despite his misgivings, he had agreed to allow his ex-wife’s thirteen-year-old daughter, Cathleen, visitation. Soon after the split, Rudy struggles to deal with Cathleen, who has spun out of control. Giving up on trying to handle the unruly teen, Rudy moves her out of his home.
Within days, Cathleen is missing.
As details unfold about her disappearance, an investigation begins, and secrets must be revealed.

These Four Walls. Living within them, or breaking out of them, sometimes to find love, you must take a chance. And for Jimmie and Rudy, that means revealing a very big secret.

• Language: English
• Publisher: GA Hauser
• Release date: Mar 28, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370893799

GA Hauser

About the AuthorAuthor G.A. Hauser is from Fair Lawn, New Jersey, USA. She attended university at The Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC, and has a BA in Fine Art from William Paterson College in Wayne NJ where she graduated Cum Laude. As well as degrees in art, G.A. is a Graduate Gemologist from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). In 1994 G.A. graduated the Washington State Police academy as a Peace Officer for the Seattle Police Department in Washington where she worked on the patrol division. She was awarded Officer of the Month in February 2000 for her work with recovering stolen vehicles and fingerprint matches to auto-theft and bank robbery suspects. After working for the Seattle Police, G.A. moved to Hertfordshire, England where she began to write full length gay romance novels. Now a full-time writer, G.A. has penned over 200 novels and short stories. Breaking into independent film, G. A. was the executive producer for her first feature film, CAPITAL GAMES which included TV star Shane Keough in its cast. CAPITAL GAMES had its Film Festival Premiere at Philly's Qfest, and its television premiere on OutTV. G.A. is the director and executive producer for her second film NAKED DRAGON, which is an interracial gay police/FBI drama filmed in Los Angeles with the outstanding cinematographer, Pete Borosh. (also the Cinematographer for Capital Games)The cover photographs of G.A.'s novels have been selected from talented and prolific photographers such as Dennis Dean, Dan Skinner, Michael Stokes, Tuta Veloso, Hans Withoos, and CJC Photography, as well as graphic comic artist, Arlen Schumer. Her cover designs have featured actors Chris Salvatore, Jeffery Patrick Olson, Tom Wolfe, and models Brian James Bradley, Bryan Feiss, Jimmy Thomas, Andre Flagger, among many others.Her advertisements have been printed in Attitude Magazine, LA Frontier, and Gay Times.G. A. has won awards from All Romance eBooks for Best Author 2009, Best Novel 2008, Mile High, Best Author 2008, Best Novel 2007, Secrets and Misdemeanors, and Best Author 2007.G.A. was the guest speaker at the SLA conference in San Diego, in 2013, where she discussed women writing gay erotica and has attended numerous writers’ conventions across the country.

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THESE FOUR WALLS

By

G.A.HAUSER

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © G.A. Hauser, 2017

THESE FOUR WALLS

Copyright © G.A. Hauser, 2017

ISBN Trade paperback: 978-1543-1340-7-0

© The G.A. Hauser Collection LLC

This is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or business establishments, events or locales is coincidental.

All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

WARNING

This book contains material that maybe offensive to some: graphic language, homosexual relations, adult situations. Please store your books carefully where they cannot be accessed by underage readers.

First The G.A. Hauser Collection LLC publication:

March 2017

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Secrets.

Every has them.

Some of them are meant to

stay in the privacy

of your own

four walls.

Chapter 1

Jimmie Beck tapped his pencil on his lip while sitting in his dining room. Textbooks were open in front of him as March sunshine filtered through the sheer curtains.

These four walls were painted ‘uptight’ white. A white linen tablecloth covered the dark brown dining table which was surrounded by six chairs. A matching china cabinet held his grandmother’s antique crystal and silver.

A chandelier with bulbs the shape of tiny flames threw angular shadows on his notebook.

Okay. Multiplying polynomials.

Jimmie sat up higher in his chair.

Rudy Oberon, the middle-school teacher living next door, was tutoring him. Combine like terms. Rudy wrote an example on his notepad.

Jimmie hadn’t the vaguest idea when he would ever use these math equations ever again, other than his freshman year exams.

Hey.

Jimmie looked into Rudy’s brown eyes.

Do you want to take a break?

I can’t do it. It just doesn’t make sense.

When Rudy put his hand on Jimmie’s shoulder, Jimmie forgot about his math lesson. You’ll get it. Just stick with it.

Jimmie’s mother, Emily, stood by the dining room threshold. Can I get you anything? Iced tea? Water?

Rudy allowed his hand to rest on the table. Iced tea sounds good.

I’m okay, Ma. Jimmie slouched in the chair and set the pencil down.

Rudy moved the textbook closer to himself and fanned through pages. He then, slid the book in front of Jimmie. Here’re sample questions. Why don’t you see how you do?

His mother handed Rudy the tea in a tumbler glass filled with ice. Thanks, Emily.

How’s Jimmie doing, Rudy?

Fine. Rudy sipped the tea.

Jimmie looked at the sample text to see the questions. He put a bookmark on the page and then flipped to the beginning of the chapter. His mother returned to the kitchen, and Jimmie could hear her fixing dinner.

Do you want me to read the chapter now?

Rudy set the glass down on the white linen table cloth near the centerpiece of candles and silk plants. You can do it later. Just make notes on the equations you have trouble with. Rudy stood from the chair. Don’t give up. I know you can do it.

Jimmie glanced at the bulge in Rudy’s faded jeans. He tapped his pencil eraser on his notebook while Rudy said goodbye to his mother.

Next, Jimmie heard the door to the house open and close. He gazed out of the picture window to see Rudy pass by, walking across the lawn to his own home. Rudy looked into the house as he did and smiled at Jimmie.

Jimmie read the information Rudy had written for him, examples of math equations. On the flipside of one of the papers was a note. After reading it, Jimmie erased it. He picked up Rudy’s glass of iced tea and drank from it, licking his lips.

~

Rudy entered his home and walked through the living room to the kitchen.

Rudy?

Yeah?

His thirteen-year-old stepdaughter, Cathleen Merkle, leaned on the wall near the refrigerator using her thumbs to tap her phone. What’s for dinner?

He wasn’t happy with her outfit, or the amount of makeup she was wearing. But her mother seemed to allow it so it wasn’t worth the battle. What are you in the mood for? He glanced at the time. It was only four pm.

I don’t care. She kept texting.

Do you mind if I get a workout in?

Nah. Still tapping her thumbs on her phone, she walked off.

Rudy heard her close the door to her bedroom. He entered his and changed clothing, dressing in a pair of running shorts and a T-shirt. Rudy sat on his bed to put on socks, then smoothed his hand over his hair and thought about what to do for dinner for himself and his stepdaughter.

He hid his phone from her snooping eyes, and then sat on the kitchen floor to lace his running shoes. Once they were on, he knocked at her door. Will you be here? Or should I take my key?

I’ll be here.

I’ll be back in around a half hour.

Okay.

He found his sunglasses and stopped at the bathroom to relieve himself. Once he had, he rinsed his hands and looked into the mirror. His dark eyes were the same color as his hair, chocolate brown. At thirty-years-old he already had a failed marriage which turned into a divorce after only three years, and visitation -every other weekend- for his stepdaughter. It shouldn’t have annoyed him but, Cathleen spent more and more time at his home than the agreement had stated. It was only Thursday, and Cathleen was once again here.

Rudy shut off the light in the bathroom, leaving through the front door.

As he jogged in the street, he looked at Jimmie’s home. Jimmie. Enrolled in his first year of college at the local community school.

In the mild air, Rudy warmed up quickly. The weather was perfect. Spring had finally broken through the cold days and icy nights. Cherry blossoms were blooming, daffodils were popping up from the wet soil, and the air smelled of jasmine and eucalyptus.

As he jogged, his thoughts were elsewhere.

~

Jimmie read the chapter and worked on the equations. He finished eight out of ten questions and got stuck on the last two. Even with looking back at the information in the text, he couldn’t figure them out, so he didn’t.

After closing his book and gathering the notes, Jimmie brought his books to his bedroom. He picked up his phone to see a text from Cathleen. Groaning in annoyance, he sat on his bed and sent her back, ‘I can’t. I already have plans.’

Jimmie set his phone beside him and rubbed his face, yawning.

He’d lived in this home all his life. He’d known Rudy ever since Rudy moved in three years ago. At the time, Rudy was married to April, who had a daughter; Cathleen.

Jimmie’s mother didn’t waste time in finding out who had purchased the house next door. She baked cookies and took a care package to the newcomers to meet them, welcoming them to the neighborhood.

Soon after, Cathleen became enamored with him. Jimmie didn’t mind at the time. He was fifteen and Cathleen was ten. On her summer breaks, he would even hang out with her, throwing Frisbees or skateboarding. They’d hung out together for Halloween and rode their bikes around the neighborhood.

When Rudy divorced Cathleen’s mother, Jimmie remembered how upset Cathleen was because she didn’t want to move.

At the time he had a hunch she was reluctant to stay with her mother full-time because she liked him. But he certainly couldn’t do anything to prevent a divorce or separation, nor have any influence on her mother’s decisions.

What did surprise Jimmie was the fact that Cathleen continued to stay part-time at her stepdad’s house. Deep in his heart, he hoped she would leave, and never return.

He had let Rudy know Cathleen still texted him, sent him hearts and rainbows. Rudy told him to ignore it.

They had both figured it was harmless flirting. But, not any longer. Now that he was eighteen and Cathleen was thirteen, Jimmie didn’t want Cathleen to think she had any chance of a romance with him. So, he did his best to keep away and prevent her from imagining the feelings were mutual.

Ironically, Rudy had tutored Jimmie ever since his mother found out he was a teacher. Jimmie’s parents homeschooled him. They told Jimmie they were keeping him away from bad influences, like drugs, booze, sex, and guns.

It wasn’t until this year that he’d been allowed to leave the house for his education.

His mother had taught him daily, not working another job until now. With his entrance into the local college, Emily began working as a secretary.

When his phone chimed again, Jimmie picked it up. Cathleen had asked him to meet with her, telling him her stepdad had left for his run.

What part of ‘no’ don’t you understand? Instead of starting a debate with her, Jimmie shut off his phone. He fell back on the bed and stared at the ceiling, growing tired of the four walls that felt like a prison at times.

Jimmie! Set the table, please!

He stood back up, tucked his shirt into his jeans, and headed to the kitchen.

~

Rudy caught his breath, standing in front of his home. He took off his shirt and wiped the sweat from his face.

A beige sedan rolled onto the driveway next door, parking.

Rudy watched, his breathing returning to normal after his run.

Jimmie’s father, Reed, waved to Rudy after he’d exited his car. How are you, Rudy?

Good, Reed.

Rudy waited as Reed walked across the lawn towards him. Reed was a heavyset man, wearing a suit and tie, carrying a shoulder bag-briefcase.

Rudy dabbed at his upper lip with his T-shirt and smiled amiably. I helped Jimmie with his math today.

How’s he doing? Reed’s hard work and worry were engrained on his face.

He’s smart. I think he’s making the leap from homeschooling to the community college just fine.

You’ve been a big help to me and Emily. Her strength is in English and history. Math isn’t one of her strong points.

I had him work on one of the practice exams. We’ll see how he does.

Much appreciated, Rudy. Reed took a step towards his own home.

Glad I can help. Rudy nodded to him and when he approached his front door, Cathleen had opened it and was peering out, being nosy.

What did Mr Beck want? she asked, as Rudy entered the living room.

He was just checking on Jimmie’s progress in math. He toed off his running shoes.

How much work are you giving poor Jimmie?

Rudy paused, holding both his T-shirt and shoes by his side. Poor Jimmie? He was aware ever since Cathleen had met Jimmie she’d had a crush on him. Rudy also thought it may be a big reason as to why she insisted on being here at all. Rudy didn’t mind Cathleen showing up for two weekends a month, he just thought it was odd she kept mooning over Jimmie when the young man had no interest in her. But her bimonthly visits were turning into her living with him more than with her mother.

I never see him hanging out.

He’s five years older than you are. Why don’t you find friends your own age? Rudy continued to his bedroom to shower. As he did he said, Speaking about hanging out, are you finished with your schoolwork?

Yes.

After I shower, I want to see it.

Whatever. Cathleen closed herself into her room.

Rudy entered his master bathroom. He glanced at his reflection in the mirror over the sink seeing the anger on his face, and then he stepped into the shower.

Once he had dressed and started a load of laundry, Rudy scanned the cupboards for an idea on what to prepare for dinner. He checked his phone for messages, seeing one from his ex-wife.

‘Can you host a sleepover for Cath this weekend?’

His patience a little tried, Rudy wondered why April kept pawning Cathleen off on him. They were married for three years, dated for six months previous to that time, and didn’t have a particularly good marriage. One of the reasons he agreed to have Cathleen part-time was to avoid child support payments. On his salary he couldn’t afford it, not to mention, April earned more than he did.

‘No. I have weekend plans.’ He didn’t but he wasn’t about to deal with a dozen thirteen-year-old girls invading his home. ‘I’ll be dropping her off after school tomorrow.’

Nothing was texted back, which was common. Rudy knew Cathleen’s desire to live here with him was a result of her crush on Jimmie.

Jimmie didn’t show any attraction at all to Cathleen, and rightly so. Although Cathleen acted like she was sixteen, she wasn’t. No amount of makeup, piercings or skimpy outfits would lure Jimmie into her arms.

He removed a cookbook from a shelf to get a recipe for macaroni and cheese and began to prepare it. Cathleen! he yelled from the kitchen. After walking to the hallway and calling her name, she opened her bedroom door. Please make a salad and set the table.

She blew out a breath like he was asking her to dig a ditch.

Wash your hands, please. He put a pot of water to boil on the stove for the pasta.

She rinsed her hands and then set plates on the table.

Rudy glanced at her outfit, trying not to comment. She had painted her nails navy blue, and had bright red lipstick and dark eyeliner, wore short-shorts, and a midriff top.

I can’t host your sleepover this weekend. Rudy grated cheddar cheese.

Why not?

I’ve got plans. He saw her check her phone, then she set it down and took lettuce and tomatoes out of the bin in the refrigerator.