Flea Market Sausage

Bastian and Atreyu were still slightly red when Bastian's mother approached again a little while later. She may have noticed, but she didn't say anything then if she did. Instead, she just smiled and said that as soon as the flea market closed two boys were going to her house to help prepare a meal for two families. The two teenagers both let out victorious cheers before being shushed by Lesley who pointed out that they were in public in a working capacity.

"Yes, ma'am," the boys replied while still grinning ear to ear.

"You two really seem to have hit it off," Lesley said seriously. "I can't believe the odds that the two of you would meet like that."

"I have never been that lucky before," Atreyu told them. "It must have been saving up for this. I know I just met Bastian, but in some ways, I feel like I have known him forever. We just instantly connected as soon as I saw him."

"I felt the same way when I first met your mom," Lesley told the boy. "Somewhere deep inside me it was like a missing link was connected."

"Yeah, that's it," Bastian added. "When I look at Atreyu, it's like I am seeing the other half of my soul."

Lesley was about to say something, but another customer came up just then. The boys went to work, and she wandered away. Bastian couldn't see it, but Atreyu noticed that she stopped a little way down the aisle and turned to stare at her son and his new friend for a moment. When she noticed Atreyu looking her way she turned and quickly disappeared into the crowd.

The rest of the afternoon went by rather quickly and soon it was time for the boys to shut down the snow cone booth. That took a little longer than Bastian expected, but only because he had to explain the process to Atreyu. Lindsay came back over to check on them before the cart got closed down completely.

"How did you kids do today?" she asked. Atreyu handed his mother the money box. "Boys, this is great. I didn't expect to do half this well the first day with the machine."

"Bastian was super at it, Mom," the boy told her. "He could do it blindfolded, I'd bet. He is so patient with the little kids too. I would come really close to losing my cool with them, but he just waits and even helps them pick out the flavor they like."

"Well, with a glowing report like that we'll have to hire you, Bastian," Lindsay laughed. "You boys go ahead with Lesley. I will finish this up and see you in a couple of hours."

"Thanks, Mom," Atreyu told her.

Bastian thanked her as well before the two of them headed out for Lesley's car. Bastian informed his mother over the radio that they were done. She told them to meet her in the parking lot. She wanted to get a few more vegetables for the dinner.

When Bastian and Atreyu reached the car, they had to wait for Lesley to unlock it before they could get in. As they stood looking around, Atreyu started to get a mischievous smile. Bastian noticed it and asked him what he was thinking about.

"Well, I was just noticing that there are tall trucks parked on either side of the car," he responded.

"Your point?" Bastian prompted.

"No one can see us if we are standing between them and the car," the other teen replied. "I would really like to kiss you right now," he added in a whisper. "Actually, I want to do a lot more than that, but we don't have the time here."

"That's ok," Bastian smiled as he blushed hotly. "We'll have time and privacy once we get to my room at home." He did follow Atreyu between the car and the trucks, though. The boys looked around one more time before they drew close to one another. Their eyes closed as their lips parted. When they touched, both boys were instantly lost in a tornado of emotional as well as physical feelings. They completely lost contact with the world around them until they heard a throat being cleared.

Bastian and Atreyu leapt apart, both blushing furiously. Bastian turned to see his mother staring at him. Her face was unreadable. Atreyu was so upset he began to get sick. Lesley stepped quickly to his side.

"Bastian, get the wet wipes out of the glove compartment," Lesley commanded. "Atreyu, try to calm down, son, or should I call you son-in-law?" The horrible sound Atreyu made told her the joke wasn't appreciated. She turned back to her son and saw him staring at her with his mouth hanging open. "Close your mouth, dear; you don't want a bug to fly in there, do you?"

"Mom, I…." Bastian couldn't seem to get his voice to work.

"Not here and not now, son," she interrupted gently. "We'll talk about it when we get to the house. For now, let me tell you both that I have no problem with who you are. If this is just an experiment kind of thing, that's fine. If it's more, that's also fine with me. You are my son, Bastian. Nothing changes that, not even something like this." At this point she took the alcohol wipe that Bastian was holding and gently wiped Atreyu's mouth and chin. She held his head up, and looked deep into his eyes for a moment. "I see a lot of your mother in your face and even more behind these baby blues of yours. Thank you both for bringing her back into my life." She continued to hold Atreyu's chin as she added. "You seem like as nice and loving a person as she was when we were girls. There is one thing you should know however. If you hurt my boy, there will be no place in heaven, earth, or hell that you will hide from me, even if your mother is my best friend. Am I clear?"

"Crystal," the properly frightened teenager squeaked.

Mom looked back to Bastian as she was walking around to the driver's door and whispered, "Way to pick them, son. He's a hottie."

"MOM!!!" Bastian exclaimed, turning fire engine red.

"You aren't going to stop Bastian from coming to work with us for the summer, are you?" Atreyu asked nervously as he got into the back seat of the car with Bastian.

"No, I believe it will be good for him," Lesley responded. "I think even more so now. If I were to try to separate you now, it would just make you that much more determined to see one another. I was a teenager once, too, you know," she added with a laugh.

"Do I have to be talked about as if I weren't here?" Bastian questioned. His mother and Atreyu both started laughing.

"No, of course not," Lesley assured her son. "What would you like to help me fix for dinner tonight, son?"

"We have to help?" Bastian whined. "I thought maybe…."

"I know what you thought, but I think we need to talk first," Lesley told her son. "At the same time, I have to prepare a meal for tonight. The logical conclusion is for you two to help me in the kitchen. That way we can talk while we work."

"That sounds ok with me," Atreyu offered. He seemed much calmer now and Lesley told him so.  "Well, I think it helps that you don't seem to be killing me yet."

"I would never hurt you unless you hurt Bastian," Lesley vowed.  "Besides, I would hate to mess up such a cute face if I didn't absolutely have to." Atreyu paled, and Lesley laughed out loud. "I was kidding, Atreyu. Try to lighten up. I've already told you that I am ok with this."

"I hope my parents are as understanding as you," Atreyu told her.

"I don't know your father at all, and I haven't seen your mother in many years, but the girl I knew would never stop loving someone dear to her just because they aren't exactly what she might like them to be. She loved her parents after all, but it really hurt her that they had some problems."

"Grandpa drank a lot, didn't he?" Atreyu asked. "Mom has never talked that much about him to me other than the good things, but I have overheard some of the other stuff she has said to Dad about him."

"You really should discuss this with her, but since you already suspect, I will tell you," Lesley confirmed. "He was an alcoholic. When I knew them, your grandparents were good people who just had a slight problem. I assume from what you are saying that it may have gotten worse after they moved away. That doesn't mean that they didn't love their family."

"I know that," Atreyu told her. "I just don't think Mom had much fun as a kid except when she was with you."

"Well, we did have some pretty good times together," Lesley remembered with a smile. "Nothing compared to the fun you two seem to be planning, though," she added with a wink.

"MOM!!!" Bastian blushed, as did Atreyu.

By that time, they had arrived at the house. As they walked into the kitchen from the garage, Lesley told the boys, "You have thirty minutes to spend in your room before I expect you back in this kitchen ready to work and talk. I expect you to shower, together or separately, your choice, dress in clean clothes for supper, and do at least a little making out."

"MOM!!!" Bastian cried again as both boys blushed one more time.

"Boys, please try to remember that just because I am old…er than you, that does not make me stupid or naïve. You are teenage boys with active hormones. You were already kissing, so it is only reasonable to assume that you will do it again and possibly more given the chance. The two of you alone in your bedroom is more than enough to qualify as that chance. All I ask is that you remember that I am here and waiting for you to join me in the kitchen, and I will expect you to be clean when you get here."

"Yes, ma'am," Atreyu said bashfully. "And ma'am, thank you again, for being so nice."

"I'm a mother; its in the job description." As the boys headed towards Bastian's room, she added, "Atreyu, please don't call me ma'am. It sounds hideously old. How about just calling me Lesley?"

"That wouldn't be respectful," the boy protested. "Dad would have my hide. I think I could get away with Mrs. Lesley though."

"Well, that's an improvement," she shrugged. "Your time is running boys, and you aren't. Get a move on. Bastian loan Atreyu something of yours to wear. His parents will bring his clothes with them tonight."

"Sure thing, Mom," Bastian called over his shoulder as he pulled Atreyu into his room before his mother could embarrass either of them any further.