Obvious

Weeks

Things had been different over the last couple of weeks. Mom had been gradually getting sicker, and now she was starting chemo and radiation. I had Jack by my side, and I knew he wasn't going anywhere anytime soon.

On the morning my mother started chemo, I woke up at 4am. I don't know why I just did. Jack was asleep beside me, snoring lightly. God, he was adorable when he was asleep. I got up slowly, without disturbing Jack, and walked downstairs to the living room to find my mother.

"Hey, mom. What are you doing up so early?"

She jumped slightly at my voice. "Oh, Nate, it's just you. I couldn't sleep. Would you believe me when I said I had nervous for today's procedures?"

I nodded, then sat down beside her. Mom wrapped her arm around me and pulled me close.

"Nate, I want you to know something. I will always be here to you, whether or not I am sick. I love you, no matter what."

I sniffle as quiet tears began to spill. "Geez mom, you're making me into a sap!"

She laughed, a good thing to hear.

"Oh, Nate. You're the best son I've ever had."

"I'm also the only son you've had."

She laughed again. "True, true."

We stayed like that for some time, until the sun was beginning to rise.

When mom got up, I had just begun to fall back asleep.

"Let's go get some sleep. I'm sure Jack wants to wake up to your beautiful face."

I blushed at her words but nodded. I followed her up the stairs and gave her hug in front of my door.

"See you later, mom."

She smiled. "See you later, dear."

I went in and quietly snuck back into the bed. Yeah, things were okay, but for how long?

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*Two weeks later*

Mom's hair had begun to fall out.

She still looked beautiful, of course, but she looked so different. She used to have long, beautiful hair, golden and long. Now, she's just decided to shave her head.

I don't mean to make fun of her, but she looks kind of funny without any hair. Still very beautiful.

Today, Jack was coming with me to go Christmas shopping for my mother.

"Do you know what you're going to get her already?" Jack asked in the car on the way to the mall. I nodded, then remembered that Jack probably couldn't see me.

"Yeah, I do. I was going to get her her favorite tea from this tea shop, and then maybe get her a plush bathrobe."

"And what are you getting me?"

"Absolutely not telling you, Jack! You know that's not how Christmas works."

"Hey, at least I tried," he said with a soft laugh. We pulled into a parking spot and I took Jack's hand as we walked in. I expected lots of people to stare at us. Us gays were extremely rare after all.

We first visited Bath and Body Works for lotion and perfume. I was right about people staring. Some looks were centered more towards "aww, how adorable!" but there were also the looks of disgust.

We were in Hot Topic, looking at t-shirts when it happened. Jack had just kissed me when we heard a snort of disgust.

"That's disgusting," someone said, and I went still.

"We don't want your kind in here," another voice said. I turned around and found myself looking at two girls from our school.

Gracie and Sydney were two of the most popular girls, always gossiping. I should have known we wouldn't be in paradise forever. Jack looked pretty pissed and I laid a hand on his shoulder.

"Don't worry about them, Jack. They ain't got anything on us."

"I know. I just...Love isn't disgusting, you know? It's beautiful, no matter what form. They shouldn't say things lile that.

I smiled at Jack and kissed him passionately. I didn't care that ot was indecent. I just knew that in that moment, he loved Jack. The girls fake gagged and left, and I smirked after them.

Our next stop was Yonkers, where I bought a huge fluffy pink robe while Jack bought three new ties for my father. We ended the afternoon by getting food from the food court.

Back at my house, Jack and I were snuggled up next to each other watching Finding Nemo. It was the perfect way to end the day. Except there was one way to make it better...

Pretending to be innocent, I nuzzled into his neck. Of course this made Jack laughed.

"I know what you're trying to do, Nate. It's not going to work."

"Mmm, what are you going to do about it?"

Jack got closer until he was nose to nose with Nate. "Maybe I'll just have to kiss you," he whispered. And that's just what he did.