McDanno - Camp 5O

30

"He's nice. Seems like a really good friend." His mom said.

Danny nodded, "most of the time, when he's not being a neanderthal."

"I like him."

"Me too," Danny said, without breathing, forcing his face to remain neutral.

Mrs.Williams nodded. Then, she asked him what he wanted for lunch.

What?

She wasn't going to press this? Why wasn't she going to press the issue? Wait, did he even want her to press the issue?

She would if this was a girl we were talking about. Make me tell her if we were dating, if I wanted to date her. She'd want to know all the details. She wouldn't just let an 'I like her too' go by unpestered. What the hell ma? Are you really that old fashioned? Can't even imagine me being with a guy, you just assume we have some amazing friendship or whatever, you can't even imagine the possibility of it being something more?

Danny was surprised that he was upset his mother wasn't bringing up the subject he had dreaded talking about just half an hour earlier.

Maybe she's giving me space? Doesn't want to force me out of the closet or something?

She came in with sub sandwiches half an hour later.

"I couldn't find any good Italian sub place near us!"

"I know, I told you there's no good mainland food places here. I mean all your home cooked meals, I don't just call you to tell you how much I miss them to stroke your ego!"

"My poor son. It's no wonder you always sound so upset when you call home. Don't worry baby, I'll cook you some good Italian home cooked meals this week."

This mean you're just staying for a week? Danny wondered, knowing better than to ask that out loud.

"I'll cook meals for you, Gracie and Steve." She said, settling down on the seat, opening up Danny's sub for him.

He knew this comment sounded like an afterthought, but Danny could feel it carried a heavy sort of significance. One that lifted a heavy rock off his chest. It unclenched his jaw—which he hadn't realized had been clenched. It made him feel accepted and loved.

Maybe she's just waiting for me to tell her in my own time, my own way.

He thanked her as she gave him his sub. She smiled and pinched his cheek. She didn't realize he wasn't just thanking her for the sub.