Black And White

Hundred Sixty Seven

"That's not what I've been hearing. You don't have to be modest, Scott."

Scott shook his head, pulling his hand away from Mitch's. "Sorry... Sorry, I gotta go."

Mitch watched him walk away, and sighed. "Damn..."

The reporter tapped Mitch's arm too. "Anything you can tell us about the incident?"

Mitch stared at Scott for a second longer, and then he turned toward the camera. He owed it to Scott.

*

Scott was sitting in the car, forehead against the wheel.

Mitch opened the door and jumped into the passenger seat. "Alright, let's go then."

Scott sat up quickly. "Where were you? Did you talk to them? What did you--?"

"Calm down, honey. Let's go to my house, okay?"

Scott drove silently, the radio not even on. He was hardly even moving, no more than he had to while he drove. 

Mitch couldn't help but speak to him softly. "Scottie, are you mad at me?"

"No. Sorry.. I'm just tired. It's been quite a day."

"I know, honey... I'm proud of you for today."

"Thanks. You wouldn't happen to have alcohol in your house, would you?"

"That's a joke, right?" Mitch giggled a little. "No, Scottie."

"Can I grab some from my house? It won't take ten--"

"Scottie, no. Honey... You drink when you're upset. You can't be upset right now. You just saved a bunch of people from a burning--"

"Mitchell, enough. I don't wanna talk about that anymore."

"But why not? Why are you pulling a 'Mitchell' on me?"

"Stop treating me like a hero. Because I'm not."

"Yes you--"

"I don't want to be."

*

Nel had filled both boys' plates with many things, knowing they'd been through a lot of stress that day. 

She then sat in front of them with a smile, before jumping back up. "So sorry, can I get you boys anything to drink? Mitchie, I bought some more of that water that comes in a can."

Mitch stood slowly, gesturing for Nel to sit back down. "I got it. Thanks anyway."

As soon as Nel sat back down, she smiled at Scott. "I didn't get a chance to thank you for helping him out."

"No problem."

"I'm so proud of you, Scott. And so thankful for what you've done."

Scott's phone went off on the table, and he rolled his eyes at the sight of his dad calling him.

Nel continued to smile. "Who's that?"

"Rick."

"Isn't that your father's name?"

"Uh huh." Scott answered, and then hung up the phone. 

Mitch sat down with his water, setting a soda in front of Scott, which earned him a pout. 

Mitch just eyed him. "Suck it up, Scott. Your dad called?"

"Yeah."

"What did he say?"

"Don't know. Didn't answer."

Mitch sighed at him, reaching over to hold Scott's hand. "Honey, he probably saw the news. He's probably worried sick."

"I doubt that."

Mitch shook his head slowly, taking Scott's phone from him. "Start eating, babe. I'll take care of it."

Scott pouted again, reaching down to grab Mitch's chair and pull him closer, just to place a hand on Mitch's thigh. "Fine."

Mitch called Rick back, putting a hand on Scott's arm to calm him down. "It's okay, baby."

Scott started eating, but almost instantly set his fork down. 

"Hello, this is Mitch... Scott had to run to the store for a moment, but I was hoping I could take a message or--?" A long pause. "No, Sir, I understand. He's still a little in shock, that's all."

Scott just stared at his food, almost wishing he didn't have to listen. 

"That's not important. What you should be asking, is if he's okay. And he is."

Scott looked over at him, a sad expression on his face.

"If that's all you care about, I'm going to hang up. Yes, he's okay. No, he wasn't injured at all. And yes, he'll call when he gets a chance. Have a good day, Rick."

Scott leaned over to kiss him once, just to thank him. 

Mitch set the phone back on the table. "I know, baby. Now will you please eat? You're making me nervous."

Nel couldn't help but speak up. "I'm sorry, I don't think I understand. Should I give you some time alone..? I'd like to help."

Scott shook his head quickly. "Please don't. Sorry, I don't mean to be an inconvenience. Please stay and eat."

Mitch began to eat his own food, offering a little to Scott. He pushed the fork a little closer when Scott refused it. "Honey, come on."

Scott took it off the fork, chewing slowly as if he was trying to prolong eating it. 

Nel tried once more. "Scott, is something wrong? Does your stomach hurt? I can grab some pain killers from the bathroom if you'd like."

Scott looked at her with the sad eyes he was still carrying. "Yes please... Thank you."

She hurried to do so, and Mitch put his fork down only to lean over and hug the boy next to him. 

"Scottie... What's wrong, Sweetie? Please talk to me."

Scott didn't hug back, he just sat still. "Sorry... I'm not trying to be upset... I understand that it was a good thing that I did today... And you're safe, so I should be happy, but... I just don't feel good."

**