Black And White

Twenty Nine

"That's not my problem." Scott mumbled, holding him even tighter. "I just want to love you, Mitch. Why won't you let me?"

Mitch squealed, feeling Scott's body press completely to his own. He felt tears gathering in the corners of his eyes as he laughed. "Scott, please! I can't breathe--" He interrupted himself with a laugh.

Scott chuckled a little, and then let up, releasing his grip just a bit. "Kiss me, and I'll back off."

Mitch reached up, placing both hands on Scott's face to kiss him once. "Now let me go, you beast."

"That didn't count. Kiss me like a man."

Mitch giggled, and then leaned up to try again, this time sliding one hand underneath Scott's shirt onto his stomach. Mitch deepened the kiss, waiting for Scott's mouth to open a little before he attempted to slip his tongue-- And then he stopped abruptly and shoved Scott's shoulders away. "Oh my gosh! You almost got me."

Scott just grinned at him. "I'll have to try harder next time."

"I wish you wouldn't."

Scott leaned toward him, but not to kiss him this time. "Game on."

*

Nel walked Scott to the door, glancing behind herself to see where Mike was before she spoke to him. "Listen... I have a few things I'd like to say to you. Is that okay?"

Scott nodded quickly, tilting his head a little at her. "Is something wrong?" He looked back inside the house. "Is Mitch..?"

"No, it's nothing about Mitch. Can we go outside?"

Scott stepped out onto the porch, holding a hand out to help Nel step down too.

She did so, and then closed the door behind her. "You're very kind, Scott. I admire that about you."

"Thank you. Oh, um... Ma'am? I promised Mitch I wouldn't leave him alone with his dad... He's afraid of what he's gonna say."

Nel frowned. "I understand that... He and Mitch always have different opinions. Hang on." She opened the door and peeked her head inside. "Kissyboy, come here, honey."

Mitch took a few seconds to appear in the doorway, but when he saw Scott he stepped down to the porch quickly. "What's up?"

Scott held his hand out for him, and then tucked Mitch under his arm. "Hi, baby."

Mitch blushed a little when he did that, especially when he saw the grin on Nel's face. "Hi... Um. What are you guys doing out here?"

Nel just smiled. "I wanted to talk to him for a second. But he was worried about leaving you inside by yourself. I promise I'll talk to your father about accepting Scott. I know how much he means to you."

"Thank you, Mother. That would mean a lot to me."

Nel turned to Scott then. "Anyhow, I just wanted to talk to you, um... I know Michael is hard to break. But regardless of him, I think you and Mitch are wonderful for each other. Mitch has truly shown an improvement in his mental health since you've come around."

"I'm glad to hear that, Ma'am." Scott responded, looking down at Mitch with a grin.

"I was also wondering. I've seen your truck outside our house in the morning... Have you been driving him to school?"

"Yes, Ma'am. I just--"

Mitch interrupted him, too overwhelmed with guilt to be quiet. "I'm so sorry, Mother. I didn't mean to lie to you. I just knew how upset Father would be, and I was scared..."

Nel waved a hand at him. "No, I understand. I was just asking, because... I want to be sure I know where my son is. I also wanted to tell you that there's nothing wrong with your relationship at all. Mitch's grades haven't dropped at all, and in the long run that's all Mike really cares about here. So... It's not a problem at all."

Scott just nodded. "I'm aware. Mitchie is a very intelligent person. And he would never let me get in the way of that."

"My final point, Scott... I didn't really want Mitch to be here for this... But I just wanted to reassure you, that... The sexual stuff, it's all healthy. And it's normal. And... Mitch is old enough to make his own decisions, I agree with you about that. As long as you're being safe, I have no problem with any of it."

Mitch blushed a little, leaning a little closer to Scott. "Mother, please... That's so embarrassing."

Scott shook his head once. "No it isn't, Mitchie. If we're brave enough to do it, we have to be brave enough to talk about it. And I appreciate that, Mrs. Grassi. Thank you for saying all of those things."

Nel smiled at him and nodded a few times. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Scott."

Mitch turned to Scott suddenly. "While I have your attention, will you go with me tomorrow to Kirstie's play? She's been begging me to go all month, and I'd really like you to come with me."

Scott sighed. "Oh nice. You ask me in front of your mother, so I can't say no."

"It's a strategy."

Scott reached down to grab his car keys out of his pocket. "Fine. I'll go. Do you want to go to dinner beforehand?" He spoke a little quieter, wanting to keep it between himself and Mitch. "I wouldn't want you to be hungry... Plays tend to run a little long. What time is it at?"

"Seven, I think? Should go until nine or ten. They run late on Fridays since there's no school the next day."

"Then we should definitely eat. I can take you somewhere after school. Maybe we could get coffee too? If there's extra time we can hang out at my house." He looked to Mrs. Grassi. "If that's okay. We could come here instead, if that's better..."

She just smiled. "You go ahead and do whatever you'd like. Just as long as he's happy."

"That's always the goal."

*