Kip shoveled some mashed potatoes into his mouth. Then he heard Mom exclaim, “Oh my goodness!”
He stood. “Mom?”
“It’s—it’s Scott Hunter!”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Kip moved like lightning. Sure enough, there was Scott, filling the doorway of their modest little Bay Ridge home.
“Scott?” Kip said.
“Hi,” Scott said shyly.
Mom looked between them. “Well. I suppose you’d better come in.”
“Thank you,” Scott said. He stepped in and Kip’s mother closed the door behind him.
“Scott?” Kip said again.
“Yeah, sorry for just dropping in like this,” Scott said. “I got your address from Elena. I thought—I thought we could maybe go for a walk.”
“A walk?”
“Yeah.”
They stared at each other stupidly until Mom said, “Well, get your shoes on! Honestly, Kip!”
Scott grinned, which made Kip smile.
Dad appeared. “Ah.” He stuck out his hand. “George Grady,” he said. “Nice to meet you.”
“Scott,” Scott said, shaking his hand.
“Yes,” Dad said.
“Scott, this is my mom, Margaret.”
“Hello,” Mom said, bewildered.
“Scott is my…friend,” Kip said, “if you’re wondering why he’s here.”
“Actually,” Scott said, “I’m his boyfriend.”
Kip was stunned, but he smiled at Scott. “Yeah,” he confirmed, “we’re, um…together.”
“Oh my lord!” his mother said, her hands clasped together over her mouth. “Oh, Scott, you have chosen so well!”
They all laughed, and Scott smiled affectionately at Kip. “I know it, ma’am.”
“Ma’am!” Mom exclaimed. “Oh, Ilikehim!”
“I’m sorry,” Scott said, “were you having dinner? I should have called first. It smells delicious in here, though.”
“It’s fine,” Kip said, still dumbfounded.
“Have you eaten, Scott?” Mom asked. “It’s just meat loaf, but you’re welcome to join us.”
Scott looked at Kip. “If it’s no trouble.”