Date: Thu, 12 Feb 2004 11:00:18 -0500 (EST) From: Danny Subject: Love in the Chocolate Factory Part 5 This story is meant for adults and such, don't read it if aren't supposed to. This is when the story takes a turn. I hope y'all don't get mad. Mitch was quiet and stared at the floor. I began to feel sick. I wished I hadn't said anything. I stood up and looked for my clothes. I started putting on my pants and my shirt. I tried not to look at Mitch. I had my shoes in my hand and was heading for the door. "Don't go," I heard Mitch say. I stopped but didn't turn around. "Please don't go." I could hear the tears cracking his voice. I turned around and looked at his beautiful nude body slumped over with his elbows on his knees and his face in his hands. I stepped toward him. "Why should I stay?" "Because you love me," he said through his tears. I stood staring at him, waiting for him to say something else. "Do you love me," I asked. "Or am I just some little fag you scored." "No, don't say that." He stood up and stepped toward me. I stepped back and he stopped. "You don't understand; I can't love you." I just stared at him with my mouth hanging open. "You are going to have to explain that one to me." I was shaking with anger or pain, I am not sure which. "Please, let's sit down for a minute." I reluctantly walked over and sat with him on the bed. "I came here so this wouldn't happen. I didn't want to hurt anyone the way my father hurt my mother." He started crying, and fell into my lap. I stroked his hair, trying to sooth him. "Just tell me, ok," I said as well as I could through my own tears. He cried for a few more minutes and then started to calm down. He sat up and took my hand. "I am sick. I don't have AIDS or anything, I am just sick." I stared blankly at him. "I am going to die." He let go of my hand and turned his face towards the window. The moon was lighting up the trees outside. I took a moment to process what I had been told. Mitch stood up and walked toward the window. The moonlight through the window set him in silhouette. I followed him and hugged him from behind. I laid my cheek on the back of his neck. I kissed him gently and held him tightly. "I love you." I said it again, not needing a response. I just wanted him to know I was there for him. I turned him around and kissed him. His lips were tense at first, but he loosened up in time. I stopped and pulled away and looked into his beautiful face. "You were hoping you wouldn't find someone to love; another person to grieve you when you are gone." He nodded and looked down. I lifted his chin with my hand and kissed him again. "Too bad." "Now tell me why you are dying." Mitch looked up at me, stricken by the question. "I would rather not. Couldn't we just enjoy ourselves, and make the best of what time we have." He walked away from me again and stared out the window. I tried to wrap my mind around what he was going through. I could not even imagine what went through is mind on a daily basis. "You are right." I walked over to him and held him again. I turned him around and walked him back to the bed. I called my mother and said I was staying over. It was already nearing eleven and there was no reason to go home. I lay down next to my lover and held him until he fell asleep. I could finally cry for the lover I was going to lose. I cried myself to sleep.