"Adriana, I'm fine. I'll be home in the next hour. No one is messing with me or Gus. Please, just look after the kids and remain calm. I love you. Bye."
Jon hung up his cell phone.
"I love that woman with all of my heart but damn she can worry!" Jon said.
"She just wants you to be safe is all," Gus said. "She just wants to see her husband."
"And I want to see my wife," Jon said. "Gosh I love her so much. We created four wonderful kids together. We have a lovely family. Damn, I'm about to cry!"
"Awww!" Gus said.
"See, your cousin is a wonderful person. If I have a headache or something she'll make me something to eat or she'll give me medicine then she'll chant and meditate with me. It helps calm me down. The kids even clean their room without me and Adriana saying anything to them. They don't try to kill the hamster but Jasmine hid the cat. Even though my boss is a fuckface, at least I do have some income coming in. Therapy is going great. I'll be attending a few more sessions. Stuff isn't too bad."
"The boss is retiring tomorrow," Gus said.
"Score!" Jon said. "I was gonna beat up fuckface."
"I'm sure you were. Me and Beatrix are doing fine ourselves. She wanted to paint the walls in the living room and I just let her do it," Gus said.
"You know what? It's amazing how far we've come," Jon said.
"Yeah. But Marty still needs help," Gus said. "When was the last time you saw him?"
"Two weeks ago I guess. I still don't have much to say to Marty," Jon said.
"Oh come on now! You can't stay mad at him," Gus said.
"I'm not mad. It's just...Aiden is going to face some problems growing up. I don't want something to happen to my son simply because he loves another boy," Jon said.
"Understandable. But you know that Marty would never say anything like that. Ever. Marty has been stressing out lately over some things and he just snapped. I know he can't take back what he said. But you can forgive him and continue on with life," Gus said. "I'll always be here for you."
"Thanks," Jon said. "I guess I'll talk to him tomorrow."
Aiden was waiting for Michael to get to school. He was getting more anxious to see him but he couldn't find him. Even the other students were waiting for him to show up to class. Unfortunately he didn't. Aiden was sad but he continued on with his day. Luckily he had Michael's number so he decided to call him once he got home.
Aiden waited patiently for someone to pick up the phone. No one answered the first time he had called so he tried again. After the fifth ring, Michael picked up.
"Hello?"
He sounded distant.
"Hi. How are you, Michael?"
"Not good."
"What's wrong? Are you sick? Is that why you didn't come to school today?"
"I'm not sick."
"Oh. Do you want to tell me what's wrong?"
"I told my mom and dad that I liked you. My dad beat me up. My mom tried to stop him but he kept hitting me. Mom didn't like the fact that I like you but she never would hit me. My dad always wanted me to be like him. He hates me. Said so tonight. Told me that he wished that I would've never been born. My mom and I packed my bags. I can't stay here anymore. Can I come live with you?"
"I'll ask my parents. Are you in your room? Are you safe and okay?"
"Yeah. For now."
"I'll talk to my mommy. Hold on."
"Okay."
Aiden got up from his bed and went to go find his mother. He found her in the garage washing clothes.
"Mommy, can Michael stay with us? His parents kicked him out and his dad keeps beating him up," Aiden said.
"What!? Is he on the phone now!?" Adriana said.
"Yeah. Here you go," Aiden said. He handed her the phone.
"Michael? Hi, this is Mrs. Good. Can I have your address so that I can pick you up?"
Aiden waited anxiously as his mother listened.
"Okay. I will be there soon," Adriana said.
She hung up the phone.
"Stay here and watch your sisters. I'll be back soon."
Jon came home and found Michael and Aiden sitting on the couch watching t.v. together.
"Why hello there!" Jon said.
"Hi, Mr. Good," Michael said. "How are you?"
"I'm doing fine. Tired and hungry," Jon said. "How are you, Aiden?"
"Great. Can Michael stay with us?" Aiden asked.
Right then and there, Jon knew that Michael's parents had kicked him out for telling them he liked Aiden.
"Of course Michael can stay with us," Jon said.
"Yay! We are going to be together forever!" Aiden said.
Him and Michael hugged each other tightly. Jon went into the kitchen and found Adriana making dinner along with Jasmine.
"Daddy!" Jasmine said.
Jasmine ran towards her father. Jon picked her up and gave her a big kiss on her cheek.
"How's Daddy's little buttercup?" Jon ased.
"Good. I play with the cat. The cat likes me. The cat is mine," Jasmine said. "Now, I make food with Mommy. Mommy is wearing the new shoes you bought her...a long time...ago."
"Oh she is?" Jon said.
"I am," Adriana said.
"You look nice in them," Jon said.
"Thank you," Adriana said. "How did you know I liked flats?"
"I've read some of your letters," Jon said.
"You never cease to amaze me," Adriana said.
"Aiden is very happy he has Michael. Michael is cool. He gave me candy," Jasmine said.
"You don't mind Michael staying with us?" Adriana said.
"Nope," Jon said. "I'd rather him stay here then with his so called parents."
"Daddy, grandpa Steve is here!" Aiden called from the living room.
"Oh, yes. More toys hehe," Jasmine said.
"What's with you and obtaining as many toys as possible?" Jon asked.
He went into the living room.
"Well wouldn't you like to know?" Jasmine said.
"You know what?" Jon said.
"What?" Jasmine said.
"Watch it, missy," Jon said.
"I'm gonna watch it alright," Jasmine said.
"You and your mouth," Jon said. "Go give grandpa Steve a hug before I whoop you."
Jon put Jasmine down and watched as she gave Steve a big hug.
"Toys?" Jasmine asked.
"No, not tonight!" Steve said.
"Damn," Jasmine said.
"Jasmine!" Jon said.
"It's alright," Steve said. "It's alright. I bought a cake! I decided to get you guys something sweet. Oh hi there. Are you Aiden's best friend?"
"Yes I am," Michael said. "I'm Michael."
"Nice to meet you Michael. I'm Steve. I'm Aiden's grandpa," Steve said.
"I get the cake," Jasmine said.
"No, I'll get it," Jon said.
"You know what? Fucker," Jasmine said.
Jasmine turned to go back to the kitchen when Jon grabbed her. Jasmine turned to look at her father.
"Now look, you will...gosh I can't even get mad right now. You're just too hilarious. But next time I'm gonna spank you if you keep swearing. Do I make myself clear?" Jon said.
"Yes, Daddy," Jasmine said. "Sorry. You're not a fucker."
"Thank you. Now go help Mommy," Jon said.
"I got a ice cream cake. I hope that's okay," Steve said.
"It is," Jon said. "Thank you. How's Mom?"
"She's doing great. She's going to come by tomorrow," Steve said.
J.J. and Maddy came in and saw Steve.
"GRANDPA!" J.J. and Maddy said.
"Hi you two!" Steve said. "I brought a cake."
Steve went into the kitchen to put the cake in the freezer.
"Hi there!" Steve said to Adriana.
"Hi! How are you?" Adriana asked.
"Good!" Steve said.
Michael was taken aback by how cheery everyone was. Aiden did tell him that sometimes his family argued and stuff but arguing was almost becoming a thing of the past. Everyone learned to get along with each other and work out their problems. He wished that his parents were accepting of him but he honestly didn't care if he ever saw them again. Michael was glad Aiden's family was kind to him and accepting.
"How long can I stay here?" Michael asked Aiden.
It was a dumb question for him to ask but he was still curious.
"Forever if you want," Aiden said. "I don't want you to go. I really love you."
"I love you more," Michael said.
"Let's go see if dinner is ready," Aiden said.
"Okay," Michael said.
Michael took Aiden's hand and led him into kitchen.
Michael was introduced to Nonno and Nonna who also welcomed Michael with open arms. They fed him and everyone else ice cream. Michael's parents barely ever fed him. Last night was the first time he actually had a great meal. A nice and hot meal to be exact. And a warm bed to sleep in. Michael had to sleep on the couch under five blankets just to keep warm. His parents spent their money on other useless shit instead of paying for the ultilities.
"I'm never leaving your side," Michael whispered to Aiden.
Everyone was watching t.v. in the living room.
"Me neither," Aiden whispered back.
They shared a kiss on the lips then cuddled with each other for the rest of day.
Author's Note: Those two are too cute!