Speechless (GRETHAN)

Chapter 19: A Deal with the Devil

Ethan Dolan

It's a funny thing how time flies when you're having fun. It's an unsolved mystery. It had been two weeks since Grayson had been staying over with me and my family and I could tell he was having fun. He'd be joyful, he'd laugh more and he was cuddly with me; opposed to the Grayson I knew before this stay-over plan was put into action.

The Grayson who lived with Nathan was usually gloomy, less of an enthusiast and always huddled into little space but I had been noticing his change. He was becoming more open and he'd be cheerful around my parents; always laughing and giggling. Over the span of 15 days, we had so much fun together. We went out to the movies, we went to a Chinese restaurant for dinner and we also went to one of those tiny delis this town had to offer.

Ever since we had shifted from Jersey, we hadn't the chance to explore the city we now called home and so Grayson took us around. He was like our personal tour guide. Needless to say I made out with that guide? We went camping on Lake Michigan for a night. We set up tents, fished for food and cooked it over a bonfire. Dad seemed to be a pure camper as his skills resonated from his bones. Mum collected mushrooms and we roasted them over the bonfire rotisserie. Grayson and I swam in the cold water of the Great Lake.

That night, we laid on blankets and gazed at the stars. A clear night and it was purely romantic as mom and dad were cuddled in one blanket. Grayson's tiny body huddled into mine, my hand draped over him. Romantic music played softly in the background from dad's portable boom box. Inevitably, Grayson and I shared a tent together. We hadn't had sex yet but we were doing pretty sexual things and it was fascinating to blow each other in the darkness of the night, zipped in the enclosure of a tent.

We also visited his parents' grave. Rationally, mom and dad were melancholy after the holy visit. A visit to the doctor for Grayson's wrist was also in the cards. A young and growing boy like him, his wrist had healed well. The plaster had been taken off but a plastic bandage remained to avoid knocks and bumps. The doctor also said he could get back to writing and we worked the house down until he could actually write. Initially, he found it troublesome to hold a pen or pencil as his wrist would sting him but slow and steady, he conquered his fear.

On the bright side, we did a lot of amusing stuff until today came. The day we all secretly feared—the day Grayson had to return back to his gloomy apartment.

"I'm off work today.",spoke mom at the breakfast table. Grayson and I had our bags packed to head to school. "I can drop you off if you want.",offered dad but we kindly declined his offer. He crossed over to Grayson, his towering figure standing in front of the short boy. Grayson looked up at him with happy eyes.

"Young man, I may not see you this evening when I return but I just want to say it's been an absolute pleasure having you over, son."

"Awwww.",mom and I simultaneously cooed.

"You are always welcome here, day or night. We are family, Grayson. We have your back." Grayson's lips trembled with strong emotions and he wrapped his arms around my father. He hid his head in the expensive trench coat that Father wore. Dad warmly put his arms around the boy.

When they pulled away, I nudged Grayson. "Ready to head to school?" He nodded yes, wiping his damp eyes with his cuffs.

****

It was lunch break as Grayson and I filled into the crowded cafeteria. Students were all over the place, most of them seated at their usual tables. The same tables had listened to teenage drama, gossip, heartbreaks, and who did who over the weekends. We stood in line to grab our food trays. Since a while, I had been buying Grayson his daily lunch. It was a deal I made for a kiss when we were alone. We grabbed empty trays and began to fill it up with food as we walked down the table. I stacked mine with an apple, some chicken nuggets and carrot sticks. Grayson took a chicken roll, a salad and a banana. I paid for our lunches. We stood amongst the sea of students, looking for a table to sit down.