Midge the Neko - Boyxboy -complete-

Chapter 24 -- Family

Midge was silent the entire ride home and while Scott was used to him not being overly talkative, this silence after what seemed like great news was surprising. He reached over and took his hand, giving it a squeeze. "Are you okay?"

"Yes, of course. Thank you."

"You're quiet."

"I am... thinking."

"It's a lot to take in. I knew about Marley, but not about Misty. How many sisters do you have?"

"Three. And one brother, if he is still alive."

Scott didn't want to bring up bad memories, but he couldn't help but be curious and was used to coaxing information out of Midge.  "Tell me about them all, please."

"Misty is my older sister by 2 years, then came Marley and me. Cally and Chet are twins as well, 6 years younger than me."

"So 3 M's and two C's, is it a pattern?"

"Different fathers. It is customary. My father's name is Mitt, theirs is Chaz. My mother's name is Sally."

Scott couldn't help but notice the hesitancy with which Midge answered.  "Do you not want to talk about them or what? Should I not ask?"

"I am sorry Sir, I did not mean to be rude."

"Scott."

"I am sorry, again, for my forgetfulness."

"It's a habit, I get it. But you didn't answer the question, which you're very good at, by the way." He parked the car and he let the subject drop until they went inside. "Are you upset about our talk earlier, about the party? You seemed okay afterwards and at the bar."

"I am fine. What can I do for you?"

"You can tell me what's going on in that head of yours. Talk.  Please."  Scott felt like every conversation was a tug of war and he wished Midge would just open up and talk.

"I am not used to talking, I apologize. I have not really had the chance in a long time."

"You dealt with a lot of stuff on your own, okay, I get that. But you don't have to now, if you don't want to. I'm here."

"Must I?"

"No" Scott sighed, smiling a shy grin that didn't reach his eyes.

"But it would please you for me to talk?"

"Yes, but only if you want to Midge. If not, that's okay too."

"I feel very... jumpy. Like I am falling out of one of those planes, like those crazy people with parachutes but I'm not sure I even have one. I do not know what is happening. Before, when things were bad, I got used to it. You get numb and even though it is hard, you know what to expect, what to do, what will happen. This uncertainty is difficult. My family was the last thing I had to lose but now... maybe I have something to lose again and it is scary."

"I can't begin to know how that feels, but do know how much the unknown can wear you down, how scary it can be. I'm sorry. I'll help, in any way I can. I'll try to get you together with Misty, somehow, some way."

"It would....it would be wonderful to see her again, to know she is alright. Scott... if we go, if we are able, are you willing to claim me? It is not safe for me otherwise."

"What do you mean Midge?"

"You must collar me and accept ownership. It is how it is done and Misty's master knows these things."

"If we need to pretend to keep you safe, that's fine. I'll do whatever I need to do to protect you, and I want you to be able to see her."

"I can not pretend Scott. If I let you collar me, I will be yours. To take back my collar would be a huge disgrace and I could not stand it. You must decide if you want me. I understand you may not, and that is, that is fine."

Scott crawled into bed, glad that Midge followed him. "We'll work something out. But you're saying that if I don't agree to own you, you won't see your sister. Is that right?"

"Yes. I could talk to her maybe, perhaps her master would let her call me if we gave Zac my phone number, but I could not see her. It would be dangerous."

"That's a lot of power to put in my hands Midge, control that I do not want." They lay in the dark for several minutes, Scott holding him tight. "Is she what you have to lose? You feel like you're letting her go all over again?"

"No you silly human, no. You are. Goodnight Scott."

Scott smiled and sniffled, fighting back the tears that pricked his eyelids. "I love you too, little one."