Love sick no more

18. Midnight chat

Ohm heard his stomach grumble. Mick had fallen asleep a moment earlier, blissfully spent, and with a satisfied smile on his lips. Ohm kissed his head gently, and went to the kitchen to get a snack. As he stood in front of the open fridge door, he heard footsteps behind him.

"Did I wake you, babe?"

"It's mom, Ohm. And no, you didn't wake me. I woke up thirsty," she said and went to the tap. Ohm was grateful of the darkness, as he was still shy about having sex with Mick at his mom's house, even though he already had spent several nights there with Mick. That Mick's mom knew, and had even bought them condoms and lube, just made him even more embarrassed somehow. Grateful that she accepted their love, but embarrassed nonetheless.

"Did you want something to eat? Let me," she said, and despite Ohm's protest, she soon put several small bowls in front of him. "I'll keep you company," she said, and took some food on her own plate. They ate in silent companionship for a while.

Ohm looked at her, then back at his plate. "Mick told me the full story, and what his father did."

"I hoped he would, there shouldn't be any secrets between you two. But please understand, my husband wasn't a bad man, he was just under enormous pressure with his new job."

"That's no excuse," Ohm said, his voice hard. He hesitated. There was something he wanted to ask Mick's mom, but didn't find the words.

Mick's mom sighed. "Mick told you he was in the hospital for a short while?"

Ohm nodded grimly.

"That was the first time my husband ever raised his hand against Mick. And the last. I made sure of it."

The tone of her voice made Ohm take a breath.

"I tried to ... keep my husband happy, and to give him an outlet when he needed to let out steam."

Ohm shuddered. He didn't like the images that flashed in his mind. He reached out and took her hand gently. "I'm so sorry."

"It wasn't often," Mick's mom hastened to add. "Mick didn't know back then. I didn't want him to hate his father, or do something rash. But he accidentally saw bruises on my arms the day after my husband died, and guessed. We had the first honest conversation since we left Thailand. He was so upset that he hadn't known."

"He would be. He would blame himself. He has such a great heart."

"It took me a while to make him understand. He was my son, I would have done anything to protect him, even from the burden of knowledge. We grew very close during those weeks. That month after my husband died and before me moved here was quite difficult. Mick felt guilt over me, anger at his father, guilt over not being a better son to either of us, no matter how many times I told him that he was the best son anyone could ever have. He lost quite a bit of weight back then. From the way you keep feeding Mick, you've noticed."

"Mmm. I love watching Mick eat. He is a bit too slim, so I make sure he eats enough."

"You are such a caring boyfriend, Mick is very lucky."

Ohm blushed. "I'm sorry I'm taking Mick away so often."

"Oh hush. Of course you need your time together, you lost so much already. And remember that I told you I didn't see Mick smile for over two years? The first time Mick smiled after we moved to America was when I told him we were moving back to Bangkok. The second time was when Mick came to tell me he had found you. When our departure was delayed by all sorts of logistical issues, Mick became very worried that something would happen, or that you would have transferred elsewhere for the new term, or that you would hate him for having left, so he had few reasons to smile."

"I never blamed Mick, I knew in my heart that he would never have left without a word like that. That's why I was so worried."

"It must have been so difficult for you, my dear. Not knowing."

"That was the worst. But," Ohm paused to take a deep breath, "all of that is in the past. We're here, the three of us, and happy."

"And I thank god every day. You were his strength during those two years, and you are his happiness now. Just promise you will keep him safe."

"Always, mom. I promise." Mick's mom patted Ohm's hand fondly, quickly wiping a tear from her cheek.

Mick's mom cleared away the plates, and stopped to give Ohm a kiss on his brow. "Goodnight my dear."

Ohm returned to Mick's bedroom and slipped carefully back under the covers. He watched Mick sleep for a long while, grateful that despite all odds, he had returned to him. When Mick turned onto his side, mumbling something in his sleep, Ohm moved behind him. He finally fell asleep, spooning his beloved, pressed tightly against his back, his nose buried in the sweet scent of Mick's hair.