Sit Back, Gotta Catch My Breath

"Mum, I stayed an extra week just for you," I whined, trying not to give in to her pleads for me to stay.
She sighed. "Fine. Leave your mother here to feel lonely without her little boy."
"You have Dad."
"Your father isn't my little bird, now, is he?"
I shook my head. "Well, no, but he can still keep you company."
"But we're barely ever home at the same time."
"Well..." I sighed. "... How about this: I'll visit once a week."
"Only once?"
I sighed again. "Fine. Twice."
She crossed her arms and just stared at me for a moment. "Fine. You'll visit twice a week. I guess I can live with that."
I gave her a reassuring smile and hugged her. "Everything's going to be okay, Mum. I promise."
She hugged me back. "I know. You're a fine young man... And so is Jack. I think you two will make it just fine out there in the world."
I pulled away from her and smiled. "Thanks, Mum." I kissed her on the cheek before turning around and opening the front door. I turned around to tell her I loved her, and then walked out. I jogged down the steps and to Jack's car in the driveway, where Jack was waiting for me.
"You ready to go?" he asked, a wide smile on his face.
I wrapped my arms around his neck and looked into his deep brown eyes. "I've been ready."
He chuckled and kissed me on the nose before pulling away. "Well then get in the car," he ordered.
I nodded and got into the passenger-side and Jack got in the driver's seat. We began driving down the road and I turned to Jack. "Hey, so, I told my mum that I would be visiting her twice a week."
He glanced over at me with a raised eyebrow. "Why did you tell her that?"
I sighed and looked out the windshield. "It was the only way I could get her to let me leave. I'm lucky to have escaped with just that."
"I see. So, does this take effect immediately?"
I shrugged. "I suppose. But it shouldn't be that bad."
"I'm not saying it will be. All I'm saying is that she needs to let you go. You've graduated and you're now moving on in your life. You're a grown man and she needs to accept that."
"You're preaching to the choir here, Jack. I know. It'll take time. Just like it took her time to accept the fact that I was gay."
"Yeah, I was kind of wondering if she ever fully accepted that."
"I'm guessing so. She called you a fine young man."
"She said that?" he asked sounding surprised.
I nodded. "Yup. And she said that she thinks we're both going to do just fine on our own." I smiled over at him, only to see that he was already smiling.
"That's awesome. I'm glad she finally came around." He grabbed my hand as he continued to drive.
The rest of the drive went by rather quietly, words only being exchanged every once in a while. We turned into a small parking lot in front of a rather tall building.
Jack turned to me with a hopeful smile. "Well, this is it."
My stomach flipped at the thought that this is where Jack and I were going to be living. Together. This was really happening. I looked back over at Jack with a huge smile on my face and giggled. "Well, then, let's go!"
I jumped out of the car and waited on the sidewalk for Jack to get out. Luckily, Jack and Rian already brought over all of the boxes from my room, so all I had to do was help Jack unpack.
Jack sauntered over to me and wrapped his arm around my shoulders. "Are you ready?"
I began jumping up and down before grabbing his hand and dragging him toward the building. Why was he taking his time? I wanted to see the appartment!
He just chuckled and followed me to the building. I stopped by the front doors and bit my lip. I looked up at Jack who just smiled down at me. He then rolled his eyes and opened the doors. I followed him into the building and up two flights of stairs.
Jesus, these must have been a bitch to carry boxes up on.
I continued to follow him down the hallway and to a door that said 312 on it. Jack shoved a key into the lock and turned it. My heart began to race when I heard the lock click. This was it. This was the place I was going to be living in for a while. Jack opened the door and walked into the appartment as if it wasn't a big deal. Which, I guess, it wasn't for him, because he had been here before.
But still!
I followed him into the appartment and I could feel my smile grow on my face as I looked around the small living room. He was right about it being kind of small, but it was okay. I mean, it wasn't too big or too small. After all, it was only housing two people.
Jack and I.
I closed the door behind me and turned to Jack who was leaning against the wall.
"So, where do we start?" I asked him.
He pushed off the wall and crossed the room over to me and put his hands on my waist. "Well," he said, his smiling growing, "We could start in the bedroom."

Notes