Title: Tastes of Home

Writer: Azure K Mello

Part:7

Feedback: Please! I wait for it like a trained dog, plus I like to know what people are thinking, it's reassuring.

Other notes in prior parts.


"Ya notice how Delia wasn't rude to him?" asked Madison still smiling.

"You yelled at her while we were out?" Ephram hazarded.

"No, you walked in smiling. Which" she pointed a finger as if making a deep point, "I've never seen before."

"Now I have to skulk around just to spite you."

"So?" she nudged for an answer.

"You get no details."

"But there are details to be gotten?"

"Delia could choke if you don't watch her."

"She's not three, Ephram." She said sitting up on the counter.

"Can I put this in the microwave or does it need to go in the oven?" he asked holding up a container of chicken in a cream and thyme sauce.

"Put it in a saucer and put it over medium heat. And don't try to change the subject."

"I hate that girls can multitask. . . how much did you cook?" he asked going through all the containers in the fridge.

"Your dad's getting back late; he'll be hungry. And you two are growing boys."

"It's sweet that you care."

"Dish it!"

"I'm smiling. Isn't that enough of a "dishing" for you?"

"Fine. Tell me all about your problems but the minute you aren't miserable I don't get the time of day." Sarcasm leaked from her words.

"Hey," said Jackson as he walked into the room.

Madison looked up and smiled, "I should go check that Delia hasn't choked to death in my prolonged absence." She left and shot a look over Jackson's shoulder at Ephram.

"So," said Jackson sitting in Madison's spot on the counter. "I couldn't help but overhear, as I was eavesdropping, it seems you don't just have one friend."

"Madison's nice: she can cook." Ephram stirred the potatoes Madison had made in a frying pan. Jackson wrapped his arms around Ephram's waist and rested his chin on the other boy's shoulder.

"Also couldn't help but hear that you never smile."

"Was I ever big on smiling?"

"No, but I still don't like it."

"Well I'm smiling now. Isn't that enough?" he asked stroking the side of Jackson's face.

"Yeah. . ."

"Don't start brooding on me!"

"Sorry." He kissed Ephram's neck in apology.

"You're awfully cuddly." Ephram leaned into a caress even as he said it.

"Well just a few hours ago I was told I would be bleeding if I touched you."

"Might still happen," said Ephram softly. He felt Jackson swallow hard against his shoulder. "You just have to play your cards right."

"Is that a promise?" Jack whispered.

"This is not a conversation for the kitchen." Ephram stifled a moan at the hot breath on his cold ear. "You never know who's gonna walk in."

"Good point," he said nodding emphatically as though it were a class conversation as apposed to dirty talk with sadomasochistic overtones. Ephram was dishing out things when Jackson finally asked the question he had been fearing all night, "Can I kiss you?"

"Yeah, why not?" asked Ephram with a laugh. He was turned so quickly that while his tee-shirt went through the flame on the stove it didn't catch light. Like running a finger though a candle's flame fast, you don't even feel it. "I missed you so badly." He said before he pulled the taller boy down to him.

"I'm home!" called Andy as he walked in the front door.

"I asked for that, didn't I?" asked Ephram as they broke apart and he licked his lips.

"A little bit, yeah," He rested his chin on Ephram's forehead, ". . . you smell really well."

"Do you mean good?" he couldn't help but smirk.

"Sure."

"I didn't realize I still had the power to turn your mind to mush in under twenty seconds."

"Yeah-s."

"Let's eat and then we should go face the music. Are you ok?"

"I wouldn't want you to panic, Phram." Ephram beamed at the pet name. "But I think I may have had an aneurysm or a stroke."

"Oh," Ephram didn't know how to reply to that and instead popped a potato into Jackson's mouth. He said, "Don't be offended, but Dad may not remember you."

"I lived at your house since we were ten."

"Yes you did, but Dad didn't."


Madison watched the scene unfold. Dr. Brown didn't remember the boy at all. As she watched she finally understood what Ephram had said about his father being an ostrich. He was completely oblivious to the world around him and it was purely by choice. Embarrassment swamped Ephram's face while Jackson tried desperately to not look upset and tried to make a joke out of it. The joke fell on its face. He was as socially poised as a goat at a diner party. The calm and assured young man who had walked in the door had vanished and in his place was a child trying desperately to soothe his boyfriend and curry favor with Dr. Brown at the same time. He wanted Andy to like him because if Andy liked him then Ephram would be more comfortable. Madison felt sad watching him. To her it was like reading an open book while everyone else was oblivious. Then Andy had asked, "Hey didn't you two have a falling out?" She couldn't stand it but for once she wasn't going to put her two cents in.

"Delia, it's bedtime. Ephram, you said you were going to practice tonight so why don't you do that now while Delia is getting ready for bed and reading. That way you won't disturb her. Dr. Brown, there is food in the kitchen. Jackson, I'll get sheets for the pullout bed in Ephram's room."

"Oh you're staying? How nice," said Andy.

"Yes, if that's alright with you?" asked Jackson nervously.

"No of course it's fine." Andy walked away looking slightly confused.

"Thank you." Ephram turned to Madison, "That was just. . . bad."