The boys night could of lasted forever. Sadly though it came to an end, with one last slow dance. Jeremy's night was wonderful. He had realized by the end of the dance that he was truly, madly, deeply in love with Michael Mell. Finding his soulmate was the best thing that could ever happen to him. Even in the midst of his hectic home life, he felt super safe and secure.
Michael had a great night too. His boyfriends parents were finally getting the help they needed. His boyfriend seemed happier, which is everything he wanted. The dance itself was pretty boring for Michael. He's not used to being at school functions, considering most of his school life he was the target of ridicule. It wasn't until this year where everything fell into place. After the incident with the fall play, he had slowly gained popularity via Jeremy.
It's been a week since the homecoming dance, a week since Crystal decided to go get the help she needed. It's been a nice break for Howard and Jeremy. Michael had been around every night for dinner with the Heere men. His parents even sent him over a couple of times with desert. Howard, has been more relaxed, because his son was being so open around him. Usually Micahel and Jeremy would sneak off into Jeremy's room. Since Crystal's been gone they actually spend time with him. He feels like he's one of the boys, joining in on there very intense gaming sessions, and offering advice with their upcoming SATs and college applications. Even though both boys were still juniors, they already decided on what colleges they wanted to go to. Or at least started thinking about it, which was great for them but it made Howard feel a little sad inside. Jeremy's tried his best to tell his dad he'd still be home every weekend and to call every day but it wasn't the same as having him there.
"Hey dad," Jeremy says as he walks into the house with Micheal trailing behind him.
"Hey boys," Howard says from his newspaper.
"Is that mom on the cover?" Jeremy questions coming closer to his father
"Huh I guess it is,"
On the cover was Crystal Heere in the hospital for an apparent drug overdose. The headline indicated that it was from the mental health hospital that administered the drug but didn't check on the dosage. Howard had gotten a call a little earlier in the morning about it.
"Did you know?" Michael asks
"Yeah, got a call early this morning while you boys were in school,"
"Is she okay?" Jeremy whispers. Michael moves to be closer to him, putting his arms around his waist and burying his face in his neck.
"She passed away late afternoon," Howard says quietly.
A tear slips down Jeremy's cheek, he shouldn't be upset because that women was an asshole to him but he is because christ that was his mother. She wasn't perfect but he loved her and she loved him.
"It's okay Jeremy, to cry," Michael mumbles into his ear.
"Kiddo, we should go to the hospital, to say good bye,"
"Okay dad," the boys follow Howard to his car. Jeremy sat next to Micahel, holding his hand and resting his head on Michael's shoulder, while Michael would turn to the side and kiss Jeremy's hair every once and awhile. Michael was always a source of comfort for Jeremy and now they're comforting each other. When they arrived at the hospital Howard told the receptionist who they were. He held his wrist out to sign in and at the same time she went to grab something. Their charms fitted with each other. Howard pulled his hand back in shock.
"This is terrible timing but I'm Brittany, I think we went to school together," Brittany said lightly
"Yeah. You were the head cheerleader." Howard chuckles
"Yeah sorry about your wife,"
"Don't be. We were miserable," Howard's face dropped "Oh my god that's so terrible of me to say. She's the mother of my son."
"Hey, Howie it's okay. You guys looked miserable whenever you were out." she says comfortingly
