A Child for Christmas

Chapter 3

Seth

Jeremy and I took a shower together, so that I wouldn't have to leave him alone while I couldn't watch him. The steam of the shower really opened up his pathways, but it also made his nose run like crazy. I had to get out and get some toilet paper so that he could blow it all out. We were out of the shower and dressing when he started to mumble words. I had to ask him to speak up a few times, as he can be shy. "Is this where we're going?" He asked me.

I sighed and shook my head. "No baby, we're going to your aunty's house. We just have to stay here until the car gets better, okay?"

"Okay", he pushed my hands away from his head. I wanted to dry his hair so he would be less prone to getting sick, but I'll let him do it himself. Hopefully it fully dries. He stood there staring at me as I shaved my face with the razor and the other items he left for me. I had to leave some scruff since I feel weird without it. Jeremy and I both brushed our teeth and walked down the stairs and into the kitchen. Haru was leaning against the counter whilst reading a book through his square lenses. Even in checkered pajama pants and glasses he still holds this sense of sophistication.

"Oh, sorry". He pushed his glasses up some. "I didn't see you guys there. So, I was going to make pho, but I didn't know if you guys would like that, so I decided on cheese tortellini with with a light amount of sauce and baby tomatoes. I hope you guys like it. There's fresh parmesan over there and a grater if you guys want some.

"This is fine thank you". He gave curt nod and took off his glasses. They're probably just for reading.

"Oh! I didn't know how much you guys eat so I made a lot, feel free to seconds". He looked in the pot and then back at me. "And thirds". His shoulder rose and the air blew out of his nose in amusement.

"Thanks". I grabbed one of the two bowls that he set on the counter for us. It was a very simple meal, and I was glad for that. I wouldn't really mind what I eat, but I don't want Jeremy to force himself to try something he's never had before. Even though if he didn't like it he most likely would've eaten it anyways since we haven't eaten since morning. I handed the bowl to Jeremy and he strutted into the living room. I was getting ready to tell him to sit at the table, until I realized that he was following Haru. They both sat on pillows that were placed on the floor next to the coffee table. Haru was scrolling through the section for kids on Netflix, while Jeremy was shaking his head no as they went along. His hair was bouncing, making me smile. I quickly made my bowl and joined them.

The only pillow left was on the right side of Jeremy, placing him in the middle. Jeremy finally settled on a movie and we all ate quietly. I got up for seconds ... and thirds. After an hour Jeremy was conked against my shoulder. I wasn't ready to sleep yet, but I still put him in the bed. I was helping Haru clean when he asked me where I was headed.

"Pennsylvania."

"Back to your wife? Girl friend?"

"Sister."

He nodded his head in a way that let me know he was taking in the information. "For the Holidays?"

"No, my job had to let me go due to low funds, so I'm going to stay with her until I get stable". I really do hope that I get a job up there, so that I can get an income and hopefully move back.

"What did you do?"

"I was apart of a construction company, but I was one of their most recent employees, so I as well as a few other people were the first to go".

"I have some friends in construction. They may not be able to give you a job until after Christmas, but I'll call for you". This man is extremely kind, it kind of scares me. I don't meet many people that are naturally this helpful.

"Thank you, that's really considerate of you".

"It's nothing". He put the last dish away. He was facing the fridge pouring some water when he asked about Jeremy's mother. "Would I be wrong if I assumed that his mother isn't in the picture?"

"You'd be right."

"If I'm overstepping you don't have to answer, but what happened?"

"She had depression. She never believed she could be a good mother due to her condition. She wanted an abortion, but I talked her out of it several times, and tried to show her how wonderful she would be. If she could love me, she could love him. But once he was born she had a melt down. After two weeks I guess she decided she couldn't do it. She left while we were sleeping, I couldn't get ahold of her, and she never came back"

"I once had a friend with chronic depression. He described it in a weird way. He said it's like looking up at the stars in the middle of no where. No houses, no lights, no anything - just the land around you. You look up, and at first it's beautiful, but then everything starts to blend together and you can't tell what's what - all the stars look like one big mess. It all just becomes so overwhelming, until you look down. With chronic depression you can't look down unless someone's there to do it for you".

We both just stood there for a moment letting some of the intensity dissolve into the silence. "What about you?" I asked. "No lovers?"

He grinned. "No, my ex was a little too much for me. But he satisfied one of my now close friends needs. I'm happy for them."

Big personality maybe, did he ask too much of him? "He was too much for you?" I didn't think he'd be gay, but guess that's not something I try to guess anyways.

"Well, it's not really my business to say, but he's a Dominant. I'm not really into all that". My eyebrows rose substantially. I wasn't expecting that at all. My mind was automatically filled with thoughts of leather, flogs, and force. I know that's not what it's all about, but it's still disturbing.

"That must be one good story".

"It is, but I'll save it for another day". He turned the kitchen hallway light off, he must be going to bed. I should get some sleep as well. "One last question for the night". I rose one brow letting him know that I was listening. "Are you straight?"

I thought about it for a while realizing that I never thought about it before then. It never came up. I've only been with four people in my life, and they were all women. All of those relationships were long term, so I never had the time to think about other people and my sexuality. "I've never thought about it. I just am what I am. If I like someone I roll with it, if I don't then I just don't. I've never been with a male, but when I think about it I'm not opposed to it. I don't know".

"Well I'm going to turn my alarms on and make sure everything is shut down. You should get some sleep Seth. Good night".

"Night". I wasn't oblivious. I knew that he asked that question because he's interested in me. He wouldn't ask if he wasn't, but I just don't know what to think about it all. I'll just sleep on it for now.