Shadows From the Abyss

Meet the Grandparents

"So, I talked to Gloria yesterday," Shawn sighed as he and Papa Dave walked down the road, Bayley leading the way.

"Oh yeah? How's everything out there?"

"She wants us to come out for some silent dinner she's putting on," He stopped, letting Bayley sniff a tree.

"That's a long way for dinner."

"That's what I told her."

"Did she invite just you or all of us?"

"All of us," The pair continued walking in silence, both trying to think of what to say next. "I'd like to see her, but I don't think I'd want to go back there alone, ya know?"

"I can't blame you," Papa Dave shrugged, "what's a silent dinner anyway?"

"From my understanding it's where no one speaks or makes any noise if they can help it. It's supposed to help you understand what it's like to be deaf or something like that."

"Huh. That's kinda cool actually."

"What should I do? Should I go? She wants me to visit."

"How long would you want to stay?"

"Maybe like three days?"

"I'd probably shoot for five. That way the time difference isn't kicking your ass every day."

"Good point," Shawn sighed as they crossed the street into the park. "I don't know, man. I want to go but at the same time I really don't want to."

"Well I wouldn't go alone if I were you."

"Shit, you trying to go with me?"

"Not really," Dave laughed. "So we're meeting Art for dinner tonight at Emma Key's, yeah?"

"Yup at six after he gets off work."

"Where's he work at again?"

"Target working security during the day, 913 at night."

"I still can't believe we haven't been there yet. We should go see him some night while he's working."

Shawn smirked, "Okay, but back to California. Would you go with me?"

Papa Dave sighed. "I was kinda hoping to use my vacation time to go see The Church and King Crimson...."

"You can see them somewhere close and not use vacation time."

Dave smiled and put his hand on his grandson's shoulder. "We'll figure it out, okay? If you decide to go, I won't let you go alone."

*

Shawn sat on the bench seat outside of Emma Key's with his grandparents, looking over his shoulder every twenty seconds to see if Art was arriving yet.

"Bud, he's been off work for less than twenty minutes," Papa Dave finally said. "Give him a minute."

Shawn sighed, trying to calm his nerves. He knew his grandparents would adore his boyfriend but he was still dreading that initial meeting. He knew Mama K wasn't the biggest fan of the military and she was a few beers in. Please just don't say anything negative. Please. His cell phone dinged with a text message.

Sorry I'm running behind. Had to bust skulls of stupid teenagers. Almost there!

"He'll be here shortly," Shawn smiled, putting his phone back on the table.

"I told you." Papa Dave smiled reassuringly.

"So what's this I heard about a California trip?" Mama K asked, sipping her beer.