53 – This Gift, This Curse

 

 

"Maybe," Mick said quietly. "If nothing else, she might have figured you deserved to think the best of him, not the worst."

 

"Yeah, that's what I thought too. So I let it drop." He smiled slightly. "And that is the story of my life. Raised by a single parent, doing well enough in school to get a partial scholarship so I could come here, and the meeting a nice man after I did."

 

"Yeah, Will's a great guy," Mick agreed, pretending to misunderstand what Kevin meant.

 

"He is, but he's not who I was talking about." Kevin hesitantly took Mick's hand. "I meant you."

 

"I hoped you did." Mick smiled, twining his fingers with Kevin's. "I'm still not sure this is a good idea…"

 

"Shush," Kevin interrupted. "It's not a bad idea. Liking someone never is. Well"—he frowned—"usually it isn't."

 

"You're thinking about Sue?"

 

Kevin nodded. "Her…and Mom. I mean Mom must have liked—loved—my father, since I'm here. Right? And he must have loved her."

 

Mick hugged him. Quickly, but he did. "I'd say that's a definite 'yes'."

 

"Do that again."

 

"Hug you or agree with you? I can do both." He pulled Kevin into a loose embrace.

 

Kevin sighed softly. "No one's ever done this before, other than Mom."

 

"Hugged you?" Mick looked at him in surprise.

 

"Hugged me like I mattered to them." Kevin rested his head on Mick's shoulder.

 

"I'm glad I'm the first. Well, other than your mom."

 

"Can I ask you something?"

 

"Anything."

 

"What will you do when this is over?"

 

"With luck," Mick replied, "get my GED and then maybe go to college."

 

"That's great! Maybe I can help you study for a change. Wait a second; I thought that was just your cover story."

 

"It is, but it's also the truth." Mick chuckled. "Will's taking advantage of it to make sure it really happens. That man's a taskmaster."

 

"Nothing wrong with that. I bet if my dad was still alive, or around, he'd be a lot like Will. Wanting the best for me and doing all he could to make it happen."

 

"I'm sure he would," Mick said quietly. He wished with all his heart he could tell Kevin his father was alive, and vowed he would do everything in his power to get Will to admit to Kevin who he really was.

 

Kevin yawned and said sleepily, "This is working."

 

"Talking until you are too tired to think?"

 

"No. Being held by you. It's relaxing."

 

"Yeah, it is," Mick said, pretending to yawn too. "So maybe we should call it a night."

 

"I guess so." Kevin sat up, looking reluctant to do so. "One thing, before you leave."

 

"Umm?"

 

"Kiss me?"

 

Mick did. Nothing erotic. Just a sweet kiss that Kevin returned gently, as given. Then he got up, pulling Kevin to his feet. "Off with you," he said, giving Kevin a slight push toward the bedroom.

 

"I'll see you tomorrow?"

 

"Well, duh." He watched Kevin until he was in his room, before leaving the apartment, making certain the lock clicked closed. Then he headed down the hall, muttering, "You and I are going to have a long talk when this is over, Will. So watch out."