"JACOB ALLEN WILLIAMS! What do you think you are doing!" A female voice shouted in anger. It was then that Adam knew what was going on. It was his cousin Jake, Shelby's only child. He was just like Chuck, Adam's best friend at home. He was a chunky soul that would make any quarterback dance with glee. It had been years since he had seen Jake. Jake and Adam were always close cousins and were both equally as mischievous. Unlike Chuck, however, Jake had brown hair and big brown eyes that were accented by his freckles and rosy cheeks. Also, Jake was always up for any type of adventure where as Chuck liked the peaceful times. None the less, it was apparent that Jake had not changed over the years.

"I was just sayin' 'hi' Mom," Jake said, still laying across Adam, who was still pinned to the cold ground.

"You can't go bouncin' him around. He was in an accident, remember. He can not be thumped around anymore," His mother, Shelby shouted as the family gathered around the two boys. Jake's face went white after remembering being told of the accident. Quickly getting up off of his cousin, he helped him up and brushed him off.

"Sorry 'bout that. I plum forgot about your acseedent," Jake said regretfully. "I am jus' glad yer back visitin' that is all. It's been a long time ya know."

"Jacob, first of all, it is acc-I-dent. I swear, he just talks like his father and they wonder why he can't spell very well," Shelby corrected her son. Then she rushed over to Adam, who had the breath knocked out of him. "Are you all right sweetie?"

"I'll be fine," He managed to answer. Jason flashed him a worried look, but Adam just looked away from him. Jason had been extremely protective of Adam after his accident that left him with brain trauma. After their last "case", Jason had became even worse. It was like Jason was afraid that Adam was either going to do something stupid or get himself hurt again. But Adam was determined that during this "vacation" he was going to live a normal life and enjoy what southern Ohio had to offer. Jason, meanwhile, was still uneasy about this visit. He knew Jake very well and he knew that Adam would be chumming around with him and probably joining in on his crazy ideas. He also knew that Jake was mentally handicapped and did not always think things through the way he should. Shelby did her best by tutoring him and practicing his school work with him each night, but Jake lacked common sense. However, you could not ask for a more fun loving and hard working person than his cousin. Jason was going to keep an eye on them for sure.

"We had better get in there and let Momma see you. She has been with the jitters ever since she knew that you were all coming back home for Christmas!" Katherine commented. The group headed towards the house. Adam lagged behind for a moment, but was quickly herded to the front of the pack by Jake.

"Grandma has been waitin' to see the both of you," Jake said, flopping his arm around Adam. It was then that Adam noticed that Jake had grown a lot since he had seen him last. Jake was a good five inches taller than he now was, even though Jake was a year younger than Adam, who was seventeen.

They entered the old Victorian style farmhouse into the familiar living room. It had not changed at all since they last visited several years ago. The old fireplace was still lit with a nice warm fire. It looked like they had never left at all. Adam noticed her wall of pictures that aligned the wall that held the staircase. It was adorned with the most recent family and school pictures of each of her six grandchildren--- four grandsons and two granddaughters. Adam and Jason's school pictures were there too, even though they were miles away.

"There is my baby girl!" they heard a voice squeal. "And there is my adopted boy, how are you doing Carl!" Jason could barely see his grandmother, but he could hear his mother crying. He knew that this was something that she had been waiting on for a long time. "Where are those boys at?"

Adam and Jason were soon in front of their grandmother and going through the usual spot inspection that most people go through from their grandmothers. "And you, I was so worried about you Adam. You can't go scaring me like that. I prayed and prayed that you would be fine and the good Lord answered my prayers!" Adam could see the tears in her eyes and it caused him to blush. He did not like people making over him.

The sun was setting when all of the introducing and greetings had ended. The Kramers were exhausted and were looking forward to a good night's sleep. It was decided that Adam and Jason would be sharing a room with a double bed, while Laura and Carl would be staying in her old room. Jason was not looking forward to sharing a bed with his brother because Adam was constant motion. After everyone was settled and a chicken dinner with all of the fixings was enjoyed, the group called it an early night. Jason had not been feeling well and went to bed just a few minutes before Adam had made it to their room. Adam tried to remain quiet as he made his way around the room with only the moonlight that streamed into the window. He was just about to change into his jogging pants and sweatshirt when he heard a small peck at the door and then it swung wide open. It was Jake.

"Hey Adam, Jason, you wanna go muddin'. It is Saturday night and the pit should be great," Jake boomed.

Adam quickly shooshed him, pointing to his brother in the bed. Jason was stirring around, so both boys never made a move. Soon Jason was back into his deep slumber. Adam slipped out of the room and closed the door quietly.

"Sorry, I didn't think you California boys ever slept on a Saturday night," Jake whispered.

"I was not exactly tired. I have to ask Mom and Dad though," Adam said, walking back into the room to get his coat.

"Nah, they are already asleep by now. Jus' tell Grandma that you're with me and it will be jus' fine," Jake said, following him into the room again.

"What are you doing?" a voice said. It was a half-awake Jason. The sinus medicine had taken its hold on him, but he could not help but be awakened by his cousin's booming voice.

"Adam is going muddin' with me. Wanna come?" Jake asked with enthusiasm.

"What?" Jason muttered.

"Nothing. I am just going to go out and spend some time with Jake. You had better stay here and rest," Adam said as he walked over towards his brother. "I can't believe that we are not here a day and you already have a cold."

"Adam, I don't think that is a good idea," Jason said as he sat up. "I will go with you."

"No, I don't need a bodyguard. You just stay here and rest and I will be back before one," Adam said, going out the door.

"Yeah, I will watch out for him. If anything happened, my mom would kill me anyways. We will be back because we have church in the morning bright and early at nine," Jake said. Jason had a bad feeling in his stomach, but he was definitely not up to doing anything. He also knew that he had to let Adam live his life so he reluctantly agreed to stay in bed. The boys went silently down the old creaky steps and kissed their grandmother goodbye, promising to be back in time to get some sleep for church.

"So what exactly are we going to do?" Adam asked his cousin. Jake was driving his old beat up Jeep CJ-7 with a black ragtop. Adam had never really been in an older Jeep and imagined that it was going to be a cold ride, but the heater was great and warmed his sore legs. Even though it rattled and shook, Adam kind of liked the old 4x4.

"We are going to go muddin down by Raccoon Creek. You will be amazed at what you can do with these things," Jake said, patting the dashboard. "It is even better at night and we light up the path with all of our headlights!"

Soon the boys were greeted by several kids their age at the site and Adam was amazed at how many 4x4's were there. Huge trucks, jeeps and even one old Cherokee was there and it looked like each of the vehicles had already taken a turn since there was mud caked all over them. It was similar to California except there, convertible cars and newer Jeeps that would have never seen a drop of mud like that of the flat bottoms of Raccoon Creek. He met so many people that night that he could not remember a single name. At about midnight, the kids started to slowly dwindle home. Jake was about to pullout towards home when one of the boys flagged him down. Jake opened the door, for which Adam thought was funny. I guess you can't roll down the windows, he thought to himself, looking at the mud-covered plexi-glass.

"You coming to the party?" he asked. "We are getting together up at Schiender's barn on the back plot."

"I really don't want to leave Adam here so," Jake said to the boy.

"No silly, you can bring him. He is cool. So can we expect to see you both there?"

"In that case, sure. See you there John!" Jake said with a smile and shutting the door.

"I guess things are the same in all small towns," Adam said with a smile. Jake looked at him quizzically. "We meet at each other's barns too." Jake just grinned as he shifted the jeep into gear.

When they arrived at Schiender's barn, it was apparent that they did their parties a little different than in California. The usual gang of "beer drinkers" and the "make out group", but a large bonfire was burning not too far from the barn. In the back of the trucks were coolers that held both pop and beer, something that Adam had also noticed as different.

"They use their tailgates like picnic tables and smorgasbords!" Adam remarked to his cousin.

"That is not the only thing they use them for," His cousin replied, pointing to a couple huddled up in the back of another truck. "So is this what they do in California?"

"Yes, but not me. I would never think of doing that with Alyssa," Adam said sternly. He loved Alyssa too much to go against either of their beliefs.

"Alyssa? Do you have a girlfriend?"

"Yes, and she is a knockout! We have our time together, but not like that," Adam said again. He showed Jake a picture of her that he had in his wallet of the two of them together at Homecoming.

"She is in a wheelchair?" Jake exclaimed in a loud voice. His comment caught the attention of a few of his other friends. Soon everyone was grabbing Adam's wallet to see what Jake was talking about when he yelled out.

"We were in a car accident and she was left paralyzed," Adam explained to the group, including his big mouthed cousin.

"That accident that you hurt your head in?" Jake asked.

"Yeah, but everyone is fine and she is super. She is going to walk again someday," Adam said, wanting to take the attention off of him.

"She is a pretty one," John said. He was the boy who had invited them to the party. The blond-headed girl beside him immediately thumped him over the head. "Dang it Nikki, I can look you know!"

"As long as that is all it is, looking. Hi, I never caught your name earlier," The girl said, turning towards Adam. She was a good catch herself, Adam thought. She was dressed in tight blue jeans, a slinky sweater and black cowboy boots with silver plated tips.

"Adam. And your name is Nikki right?" How do you guys know Jake?" Adam asked, trying to swing the conversation off of the accident completely. She handed his wallet back to him and walked over to Jake, giving him a hug.

"My name is Nikki Weston and I have been friends with this lug since kindergarten. That is my boyfriend, John," She said with a smile. Jake blushed with embarrassment. "John is Jake's right hand man. We hope you like your visit here. Why don't you come and get yourself a drink?"

"I am thirsty so that sounds good," Adam said. With that, Nikki took both Jake and Adam by the arm and walked over to a large keg like container. She handed them each a plastic cup, but Jake held up his hands.

"Now Nikki, you know that I don't drink," Jake said with his hands in the air.

"Just checking. I always forget that you are John's chauffeur!" She said with a laugh. "Adam, what about you?"

"No thanks," Adam said. Even though he did not like beer at all, he could not drink any alcohol with his seizure medicine.

"Have you ever tried it?" she said with a smile and holding the cup up.

"Yes, and I remember the bad taste that it left in my mouth too," Adam replied, remembering the first time he tasted beer. His Uncle Bill had forced him to drink a glass of beer when he was little. The smell alone made his stomach turn. Bill laughed at him the entire time he threw it back up. He also remembered how mean his uncle would get when he was drunk. The beatings were even more brutal than normal. It was strange that every time his uncle would inappropriately touch his cousin Maria, he would get drunk first. The smell of the beer brought back many memories, enough that Adam had sworn off beer a long time ago. "I can get my kicks off of Pepsi or a Coke."

"How does Kool-Aid sound?" Nikki asked, putting the cups down. "I made some myself. Actually it is a good cheap drink for the non-alkies." She led them over to another smaller keg like cooler and filled both cups with the red drink. "I always make cherry. It is my favorite and Jake's usual favorite."

Jake thanked her and quickly took a sip. It tasted different. Sweeter with a tangy twitch to it. "This is really good stuff Nikki. What did you add to it?"

"I put some 'Berry Splash" in it. I thought I would try it," she remarked.

Adam tasted it and thought it was different tasting as well. It had been a long time since he had tasted Kool-Aid. He was about to compliment Nikki on her mixture when the music started blaring. "Time to dance," she said with a smile and ran to join in the small crowd of friends.

Adam and Jake just sat there awhile and drank the rest of their Kool-Aid. As the night went on, they consumed two more glasses and both boys were joining the others dancing. Adam had never felt like this before in his life. He felt like he was simply there and had no control over what was going on around him, but he was having a good time anyway. Actually, he did not have a care in the world. Jake seemed to be sharing the same feeling as well as he bumped around the "dance floor" strutting his stuff. It was then that Adam's favorite song strummed through the portable CD player's speakers.

"Yes! Finally some real music!" he yelled as the familiar riffs of Angus Young's guitar made him more festive. He started to dance around with the other teenagers to ACDC's "You Shook Me All Night Long". It was then that his vision started to become a little fuzzy, yet he was still feeling really good. Everyone was dancing around him and having a good time. Finally, he felt a tap on the shoulder and felt himself being drug to the side of the barn.

"We had better be getting back home, it is after two!" Jake said in a slurred voice.

"What is wrong with you? Are you drunk?" Adam asked. It looked like to him that Jake was staggering around, but Jake did not drink anything.

"All I had was Kool-Aid, but you know what, I am feeling kind of dizzy," Jake replied, putting his hand up to his head. He tried to concentrate on what had happened, but it was apparent what had happened when he looked at Adam's glassy eyes. "Adam, did you drink tonight?"

"Jake, you know that I can't mix alcohol with my medicine," Adam said with a silly laugh. Jake then watched his cousin stagger over to the Jeep and fall out of sight on the other side.

"Oh God, I am in so much trouble," Jake muttered as he made his way over to Adam, who was lying on his back looking at the stars in the clear night sky. Jake knew that neither one of them could drive, but he did not want to face his friends right now. They had been the victims of a cruel joke. A joke that they played on every newcomer to the area. It was sort of like an initiation to the "club" and since he was with Adam, he was a victim of this initiation as well. The Kool-Aid had been spiked with something worse than beer. Someone had spiked it with hard liquor and now they were both drunk. As he tried to stand Adam up again, he knew that it was going to be a long walk home. He was hoping that maybe the cold night air would help sober them up before they got home. He knew his mother would kill him for getting drunk and not looking out for Adam. He smacked his forehead as he steadied Adam. Adam looked at him with bewilderment and then laughed.

"I wouldn't laugh if I were you. I don't think this is funny at all. Your brother is going to thump the tar out of me when he sees you like this, not to mention thump the tar out of you!" Jake remarked as he led Adam onwards over the hills towards home.

***