"So what did they say?" asked Howie.

"My mom, she was on her cellphone. She should be here any minute" said Nick.

"Do I have time to escape over the back fence" said Howie smiling.

"Your not going anywhere" said Nick.

"Nick, I think the two of you need to talk, alone without the presence of my company" said Howie.

"We're a package deal. She either accepts that or she doesn't" said Nick.

"Fine, but you need to talk to her alone. I'll run some errands. Give you two some space" said Howie.

"Do you always leave your door open for people to just walk right in" said Jane.

"Do you always enter without knocking" said Nick.

"I'll see you later, ok" said Howie kissing Nick on the forehead.

"Ok mom, you wanted to talk, so talk" said Nick.

"Your father and I want to apologize for how we reacted. We we're rather hasty in our judgment" said Jane.

"Yes, you were."

"We don't blame you for turning to Howie. We realize that you spend a lot of time together and that it can get lonely on the road. Howie was there, and I'm sure at the time you had no choice."

"Gee, mom do you think he tied me up and forced me" said Nick.

"I would certainly hope not" said Jane.

"Don't worry their was no bondage involved. Well, unless you count the time we used the handcuffs" said Nick smiling.

"Handcuffs" said Jane.

"Yeah, now that was kinky. What's the matter mom you look like you're about to pass out" said Nick.

"I think maybe I have made a mistake in coming here" said Jane.

"Yes, you did. You see mom Howie and I, we're a package deal. I love him."

"And you expect us to just stand by while you make the biggest mistake of your life" said Jane.

"Do you think it's a pleasure for me to have you call what Howie and I have a mistake" said Nick.

"I won't sit by and watch you do this."

"Then, don't watch. I can survive just fine without you" said Nick angrily.

"So now Howie is more important than your family."

"Family. I don't have a family mom. You and dad saw to that yesterday. What are you doing back, you just left" said Nick as he looked up to see Howie.

"I never left. Someone forgot to put gas in the jeep" said Howie.

"Sorry, I meant to do that."

"I'll just get the gas can and be out of your way" said Howie.

"You don't have to split. We're through here" said Nick.

"Your just going to throw everything away you've worked so hard for" said Jane.

"The only thing I really worked hard for I never got."

"And what was that."

"Love from my parents" said Nick.

"We've never shown you love" said Jane.

"Your love comes with conditions. And love that's conditional isn't love" said Nick.

"Well, I can see this is not getting us anywhere. You want to lead a gay lifestyle go ahead but just be warned I won't allow your brother and sisters to be subjected to it" said Jane.

"Really, I think I'll just get the gas can" said Howie.

"Don't leave on my account, it's obvious we're finished here. Your grandmother is coming over for thanksgiving dinner. I'm sure she would like you to be there." said Jane.

"I won't come without Howie" said Nick.

"Fine. I won't have your grandmother disappointed bring Howie along" said Jane. Watching as she made her way down the walkway Nick smiled as he turned to Howie. "You should have been here. If you could have seen the look on her face when I told her about the time we used the handcuffs."

"Handcuffs, we never used handcuffs" said Howie.

"Not yet" said Nick smiling.

"Oh no, I am not even considering it."

"It would be fun" said Nick.

"Don't give me that cute puppy face. It's not going to work" said Howie.

"Come on, don't you trust me" said Nick.

"No. You know you shouldn't have lied to your mom like that."

"If we use these, then technically I wasn't lying."

"No."

"Fine, just remember me when your up their all cozy in heaven and I'm in hell for lying" said Nick.

"Nice try, but no" said Howie.

"You have no sense of adventure."