The Diary

:(8):

       That night, as the storm rolled in, wind whistling outside, we all sat at the table, enjoying our first dinner back together. I sat further away from Morty, his thumbs constantly moving as he texted Daemon.

      "So," Jerry set his glass down, "Summer, what's new?"

      Immediately after being, basically, asked to tell us about her entire life from the point in which she left, her eyes lit up and she set her fork down. "Well, I have been doing really well. I've gotten a few positive remarks for keeping all A's," she grinned triumphantly, "and I met a guy." Beth smiled, "That's great, dear! Do we get to meet him?"

       Summer's face fell momentarily before going back to a soft smile, "We can't technically go public until I graduate. He's... he's kind of one of my professors. B-But I made sure to tell him not to mess with my grades or anything! We keep it professional in the classroom." She folded her hands and muttered, "And out of the classroom."

       Beth didn't seem to know what to say for a moment. She fiddled with her fork, staring wide eyed but still smiling. She relaxed after having apparently though about it, "Well, Summer, I'm proud of you for keeping your grades up. As for your boyfriend," she cleared her throat, "as long as you're not cheating through college, and as long as he's taking care of you, I have no quarrel with it. But don't start having him adjust your grades for sex, dear. Just make him keep loving you."

       Summer smiled widely at Beth, picking her fork back up, "Thanks, mom!" Jerry didn't say a word, which had me wondering what he thought about it all. I was still glad he wasn't talking, though.

        Of course, that wouldn't last long. "Morty, what about you? How's my little man doing?" Everybody visibly cringed when Jerry had said 'little man', though Morty cringed the hardest, shoving his phone away. "Well, I've been getting okay grades, A's and B's, a few C's. I uh," he looked down, closing a notification on his phone, "I went to speech therapy." Beth nodded, "I can hear that, sweetheart. That's great!"

         "Thanks, mom." Morty chuckled, "I met somebody too. He's been tutoring me and everything. He's really smart. His name's Daemon, and he kinda helped me get to where I am now. He wanted me to join his band, but I couldn't do that. It seemed too nerve wracking." Morty laughed lightly through his nose, a light, breathy sound. "So, yea, that's about it."

       Jerry dropped his fork this time. "So... you're gay?" Morty nodded, grinning, "Yea, I guess I am."

       "Well, that's a lot to take in for one evening. You two should visit more often. That way we don't have to take a truckload of new information in at one family dinner." Beth laughed softly, "I'm so glad you two came down. Your father and I are going to get a tree later. We have four days til Christmas and we wanted you kids here to help us decorate." 

       Jerry leaned back in his chair, looking out the window, "You might wanna leave now before this gets too bad." The wind still whipped at the windows, snow falling softly. There would be heavier snowfall later. For now, the wind was the worst of it.

      "Alright. You three behave while we're gone. Don't think we've forgotten about your little shenanigans." Beth shrugged into her coat and boots as Jerry did the same, "See you guys later!"

       From the table, the rest of us waved. I stood and set my plate in the sink before taking the couch, finally able to take control over the tv. Once I flipped the channel to something worth watching, I set the remote near my leg and draped my arms over the back of the couch on either side of me. Summer wandered in, followed by Morty, and sat on one side. I shifted and removed my arm, grumbling as Morty sat in the chair near the end of the couch. 

       "What's up, grampa? You didn't say anything at dinner tonight. Usually, you would've said something rude, especially after I'd mentioned that tiny detail about my boyfriend." 

       Scowling, I ran a hand through my hair, "Yea, well eugh I-I've been tired. Running from eugh from the Federation and all that. Been eugh spending a lot of time away from home." I shrugged, "Your parents are always eugh out. Grampa's gotta find something to eugh to-to do."

       Morty set his phone down, now turning his attention to me, "What do you mean? Where've you been staying, then?"

       "Dimension C-132, like eugh like you ca-care." He took in a sharp breath, his eyes widening slightly for a few passing seconds before he regained himself. "That's cool. I'm still, technically, friends with that Morty."

       "Yea, we- eugh well they remember y-you." I pushed myself off the couch once Morty had returned his attention to that damn phone of his, signaling that he was done talking.

       Good. Now I can run off and pretend this isn't real. I'm not gonna fall for this shit. You'd have to kill me, and I wouldn't do it then either.

       I began to make my way upstairs when my sleeve was tugged. Groaning, I spun around, "What do eugh do you want, Summer?"

       "Come with me for a minute."