Why the Straight One? - Chapter 29: Chapter 29

"So, how did I get stuck with you again?"
"I dunno."
"Do we even know each other?"
"Nope!"
"And you're okay with that?"
"Yep." He scooted closer to me on the couch, and hugged my arm tightly. He looked up at me, small face split into a huge grin.
"I'm Walter. That's the same name as my dad." He informed me happily.
"Well hi there, Walter. I'm Alex."
"Oh I know you!" He got up on his knees so that he was eye level with me. "One time, a long time ago, we ate ice cream together!"
"Yes, we did." I was surprised at his memory, but happy that he seemed to like me.
"Do you know my uncle Thomas?"
"I think so. I'm married to him." He looked at me in disbelief.
"Are you lying to me?"
"Why would I lie to you?" He processed this for a little while, his little hand coming up to stroke his chin in the most adorable way ever.
"Oh yeah, you are. Do you want to know why I know?"
"Nothing would make me happier."
"Cause my mom said that she didn't like you. She said that Alex, and that's you," he poked my chest with his finger. "Was a gold digger who hurt my Aunt Joan. Did you hurt my Aunt Joan?"
"Hey, I've never even met your Aunt Joan!"
"Then you couldn't have hurt her."
"Exactly." He observed me for a little while in silence.
"Are you as old as my dad?"
"No."
"So he's in charge of you."
"Yeah, I guess so."
"I'm gonna be king someday."
"Congratulations."
He tilted his head to the side slightly, and i was shocked at how much he reminded me of Thomas. If that was the case, this kid was going to be a real good looker when he grew up.
"You're funny."
"Thanks, so I've been told." By this time, he had decided that the couch wasn't a good enough seat for him, and worked his way onto my lap.
"Do you have any little kids?"
"Nope."
"Too bad. I wanted someone to play with. Do you want kids?" Wow, since when did we know each other well enough for this kind of conversation? Kids really did ask the strangest questions.
"Nope."
"Why not?"
"Because I don't like kids." He looked at me in horror.
"Do you like me?"
"You're okay, I guess. I just don't have any experience with kids. I don't think I've ever even held a baby."
He laughed, throwing his head back in his merriment.
"You've never held a baby?"
"No, now stop laughing at me! It hurts my feelings."
"Oops." He quickly covered his mouth with both of this little hands, trying to suppress his giggles. Finally, he gave up, and started laughing.
"Rude." This set off another round of giggles, and I couldn't help but wonder what he found so funny. Eventually, he stopped laughing, and leaned his head on my shoulder.
"Uncle Alex, you're funny, but you make me really tired."
"Oh yeah? How'd I do that?"
"Cause laughing that much is hard work." He yawned, and buried his face in my neck. I smiled, and wrapped my arms around his little body, surprised at the fact that he was this comfortable with me.
It's not like I don't like kids. Don't get me wrong. I've just literally never had anything to do with them. No one I knew had younger siblings, and my sister is two years older than me.
"You know who else is funny?"
"Hmm...Uncle Thomas?" He started giggling again, and pushed my shoulder with his arm.
"No, Uncle Thomas isn't funny at all."
"I know right! Do you think he even knows what a joke is?"
"I don't think so. I only know one," He leaned closer, until he was whispering in my ear. "But mom says I'm not allowed to tell it."
"Why not?"
"Because she says it's foolish, but I think it's funny."
"It probably is."
"You know why I know it's funny?"
"Why?" I'm not sure why, but ever since he mentioned his mom, we huddled closer together, whispering in each others ears.
"Because Uncle Elliot told it to me, and he's the most funny person ever."
My good mood instantly vanished at the mention of his name. I tried to remind myself that it had been a week already, and that I needed to get over whatever this was, but that didn't seem to help. I probably should return his calls soon, he's called so often, but I wanted to wait until I knew what to say. Like that would ever happen.
"Oh, did he?"
"Yeah." He played with the collar of my shirt. "I really miss him."
His voice was much quieter than before. Apparently, his good mood had been dampened as well.
"So do I."
He sniffed, and I really hoped he wasn't crying. I literally have no idea what to do if he started crying. Do you just comfort them like normal people? Because I can do that.
"Uncle Alex." He didn't sound like he was crying, so that's a plus. I found it adorable that he was just automatically referring to me as his uncle.
"Yeah?"
"Your phone."
His little hand pointed to where my phone was sitting on the end table. It was ringing, and I sighed at the disturbance. I was actually comfortable, and holding Walter wasn't as awkward as I thought it would be. Adjusting him in my lap, I reached over to look at who it could be.
I was surprised to see Cameron's name, and realized that he was exactly who I wanted to talk to. Why hadn't I thought of calling him before?
"Hello."
"Hi, Alex. How are you?"
It was like he knew that I needed to talk to him. Just the way he asked, I wanted to tell him everything that happened. It had been a week, and the whole situation was weighing heavily on me.
"I actually want to talk to you about something."
"Oh really? Then I'm glad I called. My thing isn't important. Pour your heart out. I'm listening, my son."
"Okay, but I'm holding my nephew right now, and I can't say all this in front of him."
"You have a nephew? Since when?"
"Well, he's Thomas' nephew—"
"Wait, so you are holding the future king?"
"Yeah, I guess I am."
"That's totally awesome, but kind of annoying since I want to know what's bothering you. Ditch the nephew."
"I'll try."
I looked down at Walter who was totally listening in on the conversation.
"Listen I need to talk to my friend for a minute. Why don't you sit on the couch, and I'll go talk to him over there?"
I pointed to a corner of the room, and he pouted.
"Sounds like a bad idea, but okay."
He reluctantly crawled off my lap, and continued to stare at me like I'd just stolen his candy.
So I walked over to the corner, and told Cameron exactly what had happened. It felt amazing to finally get it off my chest. I knew I couldn't tell Thomas, and I really didn't know anyone else in the palace.
"Are you sure this is Elliot you're talking about?"
"Yes, I'm sure, you idiot."
"That doesn't seem like him..."
"I know, and I don't know what to think. He keeps trying to call, but I don't know what to say to him."
"Alex, if I were you, I would answer next time he calls."
"And say what?" I ran a hand through my hair in frustration.
"I don't know. I would let him talk. But don't ignore him. What you just told me about, as frightening and confusing as it must have been, isn't something that should just be ignored. To me, it sounds like a cry for help."
"I-I didn't think of it like that."
"It sounds to me like his marriage is anything but good. In fact, to me, it sounds abusive, if he thought that Thomas might be hitting you. Just answer him next time he calls. He needs his friends around him right now."
"I feel like an asshole for ignoring him all week."
"Don't beat yourself up about it. I mean, if you came up and kissed me out of the blue, I'd probably avoid you for a little while too."
"Yeah." He laughed.
"Okay, but I have to ask." Something in his tone should have warned me.
"What?"
"Who kisses better?"
"Cameron-"
"Because you had to have been comparing."
"I was not. And besides, Elliot kissed me for like two seconds, and I didn't kiss back."
"So?"
"So what?"
"C'mon! Just tell me!"
"Alright! Definitely Thomas."
"I bet neither of them are as good as Raymond."
"Cameron, that was way too much info."
"That's what you get for confiding in me."
"Whatever, thanks for listening."
"Of course. Love ya, man."
"Yeah, you too."
I hung up, and looked over at Walter. I'd completely forgotten about him while I was talking to Cameron. He was looking at me, his eyes as big as saucers.
"So, you kissed my Uncle Elliot?"