Mrs. H. pointed to the table. “Sit. We’ll eat first.”
Mikey saluted his mother and slid toward the table with a burst of energy. Sliding past his chair and he grabbed on to me. “Thank you, kind sir,” he quipped when he saluted me too. “It seems our mother is planning something big, Coop. For it would appear she’s made her famous lasagna,” he announced in a British accent. “Shall we eat her food and then bail?”
I was confused. Seriously confused. Mikey was acting like nothing had happened. “Sure,” I answered, wanting to also act normal. “There’s garlicbread too,” I pointed out.
“Then eat we shall,” he joked. “We’ll double team her later. Demand she stay out of our affairs.”
I wished.
* * *
Mikey and I rinsed the dishes and filled the dishwasher. My plastic margarine container full of leftovers sat at the end of the kitchen island. I desperately wanted to thank Mrs. H. for the meal and head home immediately before she fulfilled her intervention.
“You boys full?” she inquired.
“Sure am,” Mikey concurred. “How ‘bout you, Coop?”
I nodded.
“We are, mother dearest, so what’s up?”
“Sit,” she began. “I’d like the two of you to clear the air,” she added, folding her hands on the table top. She turned to Mikey and waited for him to sit and give her his full attention. “I told Cooper earlier that we spoke about the unwise comment you made and the news about your sexuality.”
“I see,” he calmly replied. He turned to me next. “Sorry about that, Coop. And I’m incredibly sorry I said that to you, but I’m mostly sorry about her,” he said, tilting his head toward his mother. “She seems to think that our personal life is hers to interfere with.”
“I forgive you,” I whispered. Ireally, really, really,didn’t want to have this discussion in front of Mrs. H.. “And I’m sorry too. I was partially to blame. I’m dumb, is all it was. I probably misunderstood you and then blew it up in my head. You know how I am, Mikey.”
Mikey’s Mom’s eyes moved from me to him, like an umpire at a tennis match watching and judging, but staying out of the actual match.
Mikey rolled his eyes and placed his hand on hers. “Mom is right. I was wrong for what I said and I regret it,” he started. “I could never be talked into being gay if I wasn’t actually gay, and I did not mean to imply that I thought you had done that. I care about you. You’re my best friend and Iwould never do anything to jeopardize our love for one another. I owe you a big apology, Coop. Please forgive me?”
Man, he could talk grown-up.His voice and words were exactly what I had pointed out to him before when I’d noticed the change in him. Mikey sounded like an adult, and I found myself staring at his mouth as he spoke. Oh yeah, it was Mikey all right, and I was seriously turned on by the change which only added confusion to what he was saying.
“That was nice, Michael. Well said and heartfelt. I appreciate those carefully chosen words,” Mrs. H. said. She focused on me next.Uh-oh.“Cooper? How do you feel, son?”
“I feel . . . I feel good,” I stammered. “Really good actually. And happier too.”
My answer was true, but I was still trying to figure out what Mikey was expressing. Was he gay? Not gay? Did he love me like I loved him? Were his words to help me move past everything? I was more confused now than when I’d arrived.
“Still love me?” Mikey asked.
“I do,” I responded.
“Am I forgiven?”
“You are.”
“Wanna go up to my room and hang out?” he asked. “Maybe get away from the Spanish inquisition here?”
I turned to Mrs. H.. “Thank you for dinner, Mrs. H., but I have to go home and do homework,” I said, standing from the table. “See you tomorrow?” I asked, looking at Mikey.
His face fell but he quickly reset and smiled. “Yeah, sure, Coop. Want me to walk out with you?”
He pushed back from the table but I held up my hand. “It’s okay,” I answered softly before grabbing my backpack and heading for the door.
“Cooper?” Mrs. H. asked when I got to the front door. I turned back toward her and Mikey. “You okay? Are we good here?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
