Avery & Matt shorts - 3. Lunch Break

Prompt #419:  List of words– a plastic bag, a small child, a hamburger, an orange, and a green jacket. 
This prompt made me think of Avery and Matt again 

Prompt #419: List of words– a plastic bag, a small child, a hamburger, an orange, and a green jacket.

Lunch Break

Matt sat on the bench outside of the animal clinic finishing his lunch. He was peeling an orange, dropping the rind pieces into the plastic bag Avery had packed his lunch in. He thought it was cute his boyfriend wanted to pack his lunch every day. When Avery had discovered he was going across the street everyday for a hamburger, fries, and Dr. Pepper, the teen had suddenly started making Matt's lunch every day.

Matt smiled at the thought of how much Avery enjoyed cooking--and eating--now that he had access to such a wide variety of foods. While his nineteen year old boyfriend had indulged for a while in the explosion of flavors fast food and many ethnic restaurants offered after living on oatmeal (which was one food NOT allowed in the house) for so many years under his abusive father, Avery had eventually delved into learning to cook and experiment at home. And Matt had reaped the benefits.

He watched as a new client pulled up into the parking lot. The woman's dark hair curled around her shoulders as she moved to the back seat to unbuckle a small child of maybe four years from his car seat. Matt was struck by how much the child reminded him of Avery, and he imagined his boyfriend at that young age, happy and smiling up at his mother like this child was.

Avery had had that once, Matt thought sadly. His boyfriend had told him of his memories of his mother before she left her abusive husband. Matt just wished that she had taken Avery with her, instead of leaving him to that monster of a father. But of course the woman hadn't thought that her husband would take out his frustrations on their son.

But then if she had taken Avery with her, Matt would never have met the teen either. His stomach clenched at the thought of never having Avery in his life, and he dropped the rest of the orange in the bag. But if not being with Avery had saved him the pain of the years of abuse then he would have done it. If he could go back in time and beg Avery's mother to take him with her, he'd do it.

"Damn it," he grumbled as he realized his face was wet with tears. He wiped at them furiously, knowing Avery would hate seeing him like this. They had resolved not to live in the past, facing the future together.

He smiled when the woman waved at him as she pulled a cat carrier out of the back of her SUV while struggling to hold onto the young dark haired boy by the hood of his green jacket. He waved back, gathering up his trash and moved to help her.

She sighed gratefully when he took the carrier from her. "Thank you so much..." She searched the nametag on his scrubs, "Thank you, Matt."

"You're welcome, Mrs...?"

"Garrison, but just call me Angie." She swept back a lock of dark hair blowing across her face.

"Angie," he greeted with a nod, glancing at the young boy clutching nervous at his mom's hand. The boy's bright blue eyes darted worriedly to the cat carrier Matt had taken. Matt had the distinct impression the boy was scared about what would happen to his pet. "And who do we have here?"

"Oh, that's Spot," she said breathlessly. "He's here for his shots."

Matt chuckled. "I meant your son, but Spot too."

A flush crept up the mother's face. "Oh, sorry. This is Brandon. He's a little worried about bringing Spot in," she explained, her voice dropped to a whisper. "We had a guinea pig who passed away after visiting the vet."

"Oh, I see." Matt dropped down into a squat to the boy's eye level, surprising both the mom and child. "Brandon, I don't want you to worry about Spot here, alright? He's going to be just fine. I'll take good care of him."

Relief lit the boy's eyes as he glanced at his cherished pet. A quick nod of understanding from the boy had him reaching out for Matt's free hand, squeezing the two fingers that he'd grasped.

As Matt rose to lead them into the clinic, Mrs. Garrison grinned at him.

"Thank you so much. He's been so worried."

"No problem." Matt smiled back as he gave Brandon's hand a reassuring squeeze. He didn't think the boy was going to let go as long as Matt had a hold of Spot's carrier.

"Do you have children of your own?"

Matt halted. "Uh, no actually. My, uh, boyfriend and I just got settled a year or so ago." He waited to see the censure flit across her face and wondered if she'd yank her son away from him, now knowing he was gay.

But instead a soft smile appeared. "You should consider it, when you're ready. You're very good with children."

As the small hand tightened on his, Matt looked down into the eyes that reminded him of his love. "Yeah, maybe."