Chapter 25

Larry's POV...

Morning mom! Morning Dad! Morning Mr. Shakespaw!"

I rubbed my knuckles against my eyes and yawned. Mom came and kissed me on my head.

"Morning hun!" she smiled and the fine lines around her eyes cracked.

Dad came in cradling Mr. Edgar Allan Paw in his arms, a 6- month old Sphinx and the newest family member. Florante named him. Mom and dad both agreed it is the perfect name.

Dad attempted to replicate what mom did but I shuddered defiantly.

"Hey! This is unfair! Why does mom gets to kiss and I don't?"

"Not with your unshaved beard Dad. That's gross!" Truth is Dad's beard reminds me of Florante's stubble and how it tickles me every time we kiss. With Florante, it feels good. But with Dad, it feels weird.

"Too bad your mom loves my new dirty look, don't you honeybunch?" He grabbed mom by the waist and kissed her. Mom moaned softly as dad brushed his beard against her chin.

"Of course, cupcake! You're my dirty little Jhonny!" She returned to dad's kisses.

"Ewwww!!! In front of me? Seriously guys? That's gross!" I opened the fridge and grabbed the breakfast cereals and a bottle of fresh milk.

Mom and dad are still smooching by the sink so I covered my mouth and pretended to puke.

"If you'll excuse me, teenagers, I gotta grab a bowl so I could eat properly and head for school and pretend that I'm not seeing all of this."

"Says the 17-year-old virgin"

"Dad stop it!"

"Cupcake! That's rude" exclaimed mom in disbelief.

"What? I'm just speaking the truth. While the rest of the guys your age are getting laid on weekends, you are stuck here eating cereals and fresh milk"

"I'm trying to play the role of a good son here dad, you're welcome!" I said sarcastically.

"And what's wrong with cereals and fresh milk for breakfast anyway? So now you're trying to get your nose on what I eat as well?"

"Nothing's wrong with cereal and fresh milk son, except the fact that they're for kids...not for teenagers"

I rolled my eyes and shoved a spoonful of cereal on my mouth.

"Boys that's enough, it's too early for that sort of argument. But I have good news for us!!" she snickered.

"Guess what??"

"What??" said I and dad in unison.

"We're going to the beach this weekend!"

"Really? That's cool!" Dad looked equally ecstatic. My family's crazy about the beach since we moved here in the Philippines.

"Can I bring someone?" I asked hesitantly. Mom and dad looked at each other. That kind of look that parents do as if there's some kind of telepathic connection in their eyes.

"Oh my god! You better not tell me that you have a girlfriend you're not telling us about!" She gaped.

"Geez mom, don't be so overdramatic. It's just....it's just Florante"

"Oh, that little buff friend of yours?"

"Mmmm"

"Honey this is supposed to be a family day!"

"I know mom, but what am I supposed to be doing there? Cradle Mr. Shakespaw? And watch you and dad skinny-dipping by the beach?"

"Well, there's little Edgar Allan Paw if Shakespaw's company isn't enough' said dad jokingly.

"Please mom, please??? I'd clean my room for one-week!"

"So you and this Florante fella are becoming good friends huh?"

"Kinda..." I lied.

This is the first time that I ever lied to mom. I just can't tell them just yet that Florante and I are dating. Knowing mom, she'd be in full Mexican soap opera mode if she knows her only son is gay. And dad always talks about how I should be having sex on weekends and make babies one day because they'd love to have grandkids.

Having that sheer burden of coming out as gay to your parents when you're the only son they expect to propel the family name forward is just so hard. So I decided to stay low-key for now.

"Florante's a good lad, so no problem for me," said mom.

"Well, it's four of us then!" said dad.

"Thanks, mom! Thanks, dad. You guys are the best!"

The image of Florante being half-naked on the beach, wearing nothing but boxer-shorts came to my mind. His naturally-tanned skin and his 6-pack abs would definitely glow like a million dollar bucks under the sun.

I shivered at the thought.