G-rowing Pains - 5. Chapter 5 - First Kiss

When Jasper returned to his room, he found Jeremy sitting at his desk in front of his computer. On his desk were a couple of printouts with snippets of stories Jasper had been attempting to write, most of them not getting past the first chapter stage. Jeremy was rummaging through them, reading bits and pieces, here and there.

"Did you find anything Pulitzer Prize worthy in there?" Jasper asked, pointing to the now jumbled stack of papers.

"Pulitzer? Maybe not yet, but I do really enjoy your writing style. I was just wondering if this is all part of one story, or a series of incomplete stories?" Jeremy asked in response.

Jasper sat down on his bed with his head buried in his hands. "They're all different stories I started, but I never seem to finish anything," Jasper sounded depressed; this was clearly bothering him greatly.

"Do you have any idea what is holding you back from continuing with the stories?" Jasper inquired.

"No idea. I get a great idea, I start writing, and I just seem to get lost, almost distracted, in what I'm writing. Until I have another brilliant idea," Jasper sighed, "and the whole thing starts all over again."

Jeremy kept staring at the stack of papers. Then, he had an epiphany. "You know, something about this reminds me of something. This looks a lot like the trouble I had writing essays for school. I was constantly getting lost in what I wanted to write, and it became jumbled and unreadable. As if every essay were a never-ending story."

Jasper chuckled, “Which is, in its own, a very good story.” The Never-Ending Story was one of his favorite books and movies. He immediately had a strong mental image of the film's main character, Atreyu. He was hot! 'Wait, where had that come from?'

"Annnyywaaayyy," Jeremy tried to continue, "things really improved when I discussed my problems with my teachers, and we agreed they would set a maximum number of words allowed per essay, instead of a minimum required. That provided me with some clear guidelines. It would have to end at that number of words, and no more. Anything I wanted to say had to fit right in between, which meant I had to plan my essay's outline."

"So, you're saying I should decide how long I want a story to be first, then think about the outline and make it fit?" Jasper inquired. That actually made some sense to him.

"Yeah, and start off with short stories, I think. Like, ten pages at most, or something along those lines. And then built on that. Then it should be like rowing practice: start small, build up, and finish strong." Jeremy flexed his arm muscles as he said this, emphasizing his words.

Jasper got out of bed and walked over to Jeremy. He sorted through the pile of papers. "You know, I had no idea you had these difficulties at school, with your essays."

Looking up at Jasper, Jeremy threw back his head. "If you only knew! It's a never-ending struggle. Sometimes, I feel like I have so much on my mind that there's simply no more room for algebra, or essays," he said, sounding truly exhausted. Jasper could not help picking up on that.

“Perhaps we should study together more often,” Jasper offered, “I would really like that, I think.”

"Are you sure you can keep up with me?" Jeremy joked, smiling. "Remember, I'm a year your senior."

Jasper huffed and pushed against Jeremy's shoulder, spinning the desk chair. "I'm a language whiz, dude!"

Jeremy was now freely swiveling around in his chair and ended up with his legs wrapped around Jasper's. He grabbed his sides once more and dragged him against him, instigating another tickle frenzy.

Jasper was not going down without a fight this time, and he yanked on Jeremy's shirt to pull him out of the chair. He only succeeded partially, and they ended up on the floor, each wrestling to get a better position. In an unexpected turn of events, Jasper was able to get on top of Jeremy and pin him down. They were chest to chest, and Jasper smelled Jeremy's enticing sweaty odor. Without thinking, he inhaled deeply.

“YOU SNIFFED ME!” Jeremy exclaimed in amazement.

“Uhm, dude, no I didn’t,” Jasper tried, denying it.

"You absolutely did, you're perving on me!" Jeremy yelled.

"What the hell, dude, you actually smell really good," Jasper sniffed once more, deeply and deliberately.

Jeremy continued to laugh as he lifted his head and sniffed Jasper's neck in turn. A lovely aroma of boy scents flew up his nose, lighting up all the nerve endings in his brain. He could feel Jasper quiver as his neck was sniffed. "Don't you like that?" He teased, sniffing on the other side now.

Jasper was shocked, "you totally sniffed me back!"

"Ha, so, you admit to sniffing me first." Jeremy gloated.

Jasper rolled off Jeremy with an exasperated sigh. He sniffed Jeremy's hair again. "Mmm, nice," he said.

"Weirdo," Jeremy said, smiling.

At that moment, they heard a door slam shut downstairs. Jasper's parents must have gotten home. Both boys jumped up and rushed down to greet Jasper's parents.

As they rushed into the kitchen, Jasper's mother held up both hands in surrender. "Ho there!" she yelled.

Both boys stopped in their tracks. "Okay, come give me a hug," Jasper's mother relented, opening her arms.

Jeremy had no problem hugging Jasper's mum as well. He had often thanked her with a big hug, showing his appreciation for some of the most fantastic sandwiches.

Holding both boys in her arms, she hugged them tightly. Jasper's mom was a sizeable woman, and her hugs were heartfelt and warming. She oozed 'mumness' and was, in Jeremy's opinion, an incredible woman. "Hi Mrs. D!" Jeremy said.

Holding both boys at an arm's distance now, she asked in a very serious tone. "Now, tell me honestly, has Jasper remembered to offer his guest a drink?"

Jasper tried to squirm away, but Jeremy answered. "No, Mrs. D, but he didn't have a chance yet. We just got here ourselves, and we put our stuff away first."

Mrs. D looked both boys in the eyes carefully, sizing them up. "Well, if you're sure Jasper hasn't just forgotten, let me get you some lemonade now."

When his mother had turned around, Jasper nudged Jeremy in the side. "Thanks," he whispered. His mum was big on hospitality.

Both boys sat down at the bar in the kitchen. It had four bar stools. There was a large kitchen table behind them, which was usually used for dinner and breakfast.

Both boys drank their lemonade and turned around to rush back upstairs.

"WAIT!" Jasper's mother yelled. "Do you boys have any homework to do?" she asked, a stern mom look on her face.

Both boys looked at each other, and they shook their heads in unison.

Jasper said, "I finished mine at school, we were out early."

Jeremy told them they had not been given any homework for the weekend as a reward for high marks on their spelling test.

"Okay, go on up and enjoy yourselves. Dinner will be ready in about two hours," she said, shooing both boys back up the stairs.

Back in Jasper's room, they looked around for a moment. They were not really sure what to do next.

"Want to play a video game?" Jasper asked his friend.

"Actually, to be honest, not really," Jeremy admitted. "You don't happen to have any real games, do you?" Jeremy was not really into computer games.

Jasper thought for a moment, and then he remembered he had a cup with zombie dice in one of his drawers. It's a game of chance where you roll the dice, and you end up either killing zombies, or getting your brains eaten out of your skull.

He briefly explained it to Jeremy, and his friend really seemed to like the whole zombie vibe. So, Jasper quickly dug up the cup with zombie dice and got them both started.

After a couple of rounds, they were pretty much tied score-wise.

"Want to make things more interesting?" Jeremy asked after winning another round, evening the score yet again.

"Dude, you're not seriously going to propose turning Zombie Dice into something like strip poker, are you?" Jasper joked.

Jeremy couldn't help wondering for a moment if that could work, but it was actually not what he had had in mind. "Nah, if you want to get undressed, that's up to you, but it's not what I had in mind," he replied, making fun of Jasper's suggestion. "No, I thought it might be fun to add another reward for the winner. Like, getting to ask a question that has to be answered honestly. And, if you get your brains eaten, you have to answer a question."

Jasper considered it for a moment. "So, basically, a mashup of truth or dare and Zombie Dice?" he asked.

"Kinda, except you don't get to choose. Winning or losing determines whether you get to ask a question, or have to reveal your deepest and darkest secrets!" Jeremy clarified, ending his explanation in an ominous tone of voice.

Seeing as it was now Jasper's turn, he wanted to make sure he understood the new rules right. "So, if I win this round, I get to ask you anything?" he asked.

"Yes, but, if you loose and get your brains eaten, I'll be the one that actually gets to pick your brain!" Jeremy explained.

"Okay, seems fair, here we go!" Jasper said, throwing the dice.

In just a couple of throws, it became apparent that Jasper's brain was very much on the line, and he began getting anxious.

"Ehm, do you think we should set some boundaries on what can be asked?" Jasper tried, he had not really thought this through.

Both boys were now sitting on the carpeted floor, and Jeremy leaned back, relaxed. "Nope, that's part of the fun! Why? Do you have any juicy secrets for me to find out?" he asked inquisitively.

Jasper considered for a moment. As far as he knew, there were no big secrets in his life. He was just hoping he wouldn't be asked anything ridiculous, like, if he had ever eaten a booger.

With the next throw, Jasper lost the remainder of his lives and his brain was forfeit.

"Omnomnom!" Jeremy said, smacking his lips. "Your brain is mine!" He leaned forward and grasped Jasper's head between his hands, and he pretended to take a bite out of his skull.

"Noooo, not my brain!" Jasper squealed, pretending he was trying to get free.

Jeremy let go after a few seconds of gnawing. "So, now I get to pick your brain!" he said in a challenging tone.

"Fine, go ahead, ask away." Jasper relented.

Jeremy thought for a moment. Come to think of it, he didn't really know many personal details about his friend. Other than things about his family, that is, whom he loved very much. Suddenly, he thought of a perfect question to start with.

"Who was your first real kiss?" he asked, pushing his finger into Jasper's ribs.

Oh wow, that was not what Jasper had been expecting. And he would have to be honest in answering. He began fidgeting a little where he was sitting.

"Come on, out with it! Who was the lucky girl?" he asked. "Or, was it a boy?" he continued softly, kind of joking.

"Welll," Jasper began, not really wanting to answer. "To be really honest…" he let Jeremy wait in anticipation. He sighed, "Okay, honestly, I never really kissed anyone. Not like 'that' anyway." Throwing his hands up in the air, he exclaimed frustrated, "There! Happy now?"

Jeremy quickly understood he had inadvertently touched on a sensitive subject. He knew his friend was not really busy with the whole girlfriend/boyfriend thing. To be honest, he still was not entirely sure which way Jasper swung. But most of his friends his age had by now, at least, kissed someone already. He reached out to Jeremy, "Sorry dude," using Jasper's catchphrase, "it's okay if you have never kissed someone before."

Jasper simply harrumphed. "If it's no big deal, then why ask?" he grumbled.

This time, Jeremy was the one to throw up his arms. "It's… a guy thing. I guess," he tried to explain. "I guess we always wonder what the other guy has done, or how we compare under the showers. You know, stuff like that."

Jasper thought he understood, but he still disliked it. "Well, who should have kissed me?" he said. "I've never had someone special. No girl, and no, no guy either."

Jeremy was still left wondering about what Jasper might actually prefer. He had an idea now and asked, "Okay, I'll change my question. If you could have your very first kiss, would you like it to be with a girl or a guy?"

Jasper sighed, that was not much of an improvement. But, at least, this was something he had been thinking about lately as well. He wasn't sure he really cared. With his uncles as a role model for gay men, and his parents as an example of a good heterosexual relationship, he had always thought it didn't really matter. Nevertheless, especially after the last couple of days with Jeremy, he had started to have doubts again. Where did he stand? Did he have any real preference?

"To be honest, I don't really know. I've never kissed either, but right now, I'm not opposed to trying either," Jasper admitted, then he giggled. "Not like I'll get a chance to try anytime soon, I guess."

Jeremy felt his face flush. Oh, he wanted so much to plant a big wet one on Jasper right here, right now!

"You know, you're not bad looking. At least, I don't think so. You shouldn't pull yourself down like you do," he admonished Jasper.

"Hah, I bet," Jasper said, still sounding unconvinced, perhaps even a little dejected.

Jeremy couldn't take it anymore. He hated seeing Jasper down like this, and feeling like he had caused it. Also, he wanted to kiss him, so very much. He took a deep breath and finally admitted, softly, "I wouldn't mind being your first kiss."

That drew Jasper's attention up. Had he understood correctly? Was Jeremy really proposing to be his first kiss? Did he even want Jeremy to be his first kiss? Looking at Jeremy, he could tell he was just as nervous as he was right now. Think about it: he could be seconds away from his first kiss! He got a strange feeling in his stomach; was this what they called feeling butterflies?

"Don't leave me hanging here," Jeremy lamented. Jasper realized he had not yet given Jeremy an answer. In fact, he had drifted off for a moment among his butterflies and the fantasy of a kiss. Yes, he decided he'd like Jeremy to be his first. He gave a quick nod of his head, he didn't dare say it out loud.

However, that was all Jeremy needed. He moved forward, taking Jasper's head in his hands once more, but this time he wasn't going to be gnawing on his skull. Their faces moved closer together, and Jeremy felt Jasper's breath brush against his lips as they almost touched. Then, he made contact.

They kissed at first as if it were just a long hello or goodbye kiss. Lips pressed together, faces pressed together, nothing else. Jasper was, of course, completely inexperienced, and Jeremy's few attempts had been, well, less than stellar. They moved closer as they felt themselves becoming more at ease with each other, and their kiss evolved into a loving embrace.

Jeremy decided he'd see if Jasper was ready for another step and softly tried parting his lips, touching Jasper's with his tongue. Jasper soon caught on and opened his lips as well, allowing Jeremy to enter his mouth just a little. Their tongues met, and they mimicked the boys' embrace. Passion overwhelmed them, and what had started as a cool 'TV'-kiss soon became a lustful entanglement of their bodies and their tongues.

It was as if the floodgates had opened for Jasper. 'Was this kissing? Had he been missing out on this!?' He couldn't get enough of it now that he'd gotten over the initial shock. He tried breathing through his nose to avoid having to let go of Jeremy. In the pit of his stomach, the butterflies had suddenly turned into a raging storm. And then Jeremy abruptly left his mouth, his embrace. He opened his eyes, which had apparently closed somewhere during the kiss.

His butterflies went back to a flutter, and his mind drifted back down from cloud nine. He was at a complete loss for words. He felt like he had found something, and now it was forcefully torn away from him again.

Jeremy turned to face his still-open-mouthed friend. "Jasper, are you all right?" he asked cautiously. He couldn't read what was going on in Jasper's mind right now.

Then, Jasper's face lit up with joy. It was as if the sun had suddenly broken through, where he had looked all doom and gloom just before the kiss. His entire demeanor changed. "DUDE!" was all Jasper could manage, in his typical manner.

Jeremy knew his friend well enough to recognize that this was a good kind of 'dude.' His nerves calmed down a little. He'd just kissed his best friend, jeopardizing their friendship. His butterflies had come with a big portion of fear and adrenaline on the side.

"That was even better than what we did in the showers!" Jasper exclaimed, having finally rediscovered his so-called amazing language skills.

"You're not bad at it yourself," Jeremy snorted in return, smiling.

"So you liked it? Did I do it right?" Jasper asked, his voice concerned. After all, it had been his first kiss. There's always that worry.

"You're a natural, I guess. Not that I have all that much experience to compare it with!" Jeremy laughed at that.

"Well, you're the one who's had a girlfriend," Jasper shot back.

"Ungh, don't remind me. I never cared for her as much as I do for you!" Jeremy let slip, not realizing he had just confessed to Jasper that he had serious feelings for him.

Jasper wasn't a stupid kid; he understood what Jeremy was saying right away. This kiss wasn't something Jeremy had done as a spur of the moment; it was probably something Jeremy had wanted to do for a long time.

"How come you never told?" Jasper asked softly.

Jeremy shrugged his shoulders at that and said, "Just scared, I guess. Me telling you I might like guys last week was already a giant step for me. I never told anyone. Admitting that I actually liked you, well, that was another major mountain to climb. I was afraid I'd risk our friendship."

"NEVER!" Jasper responded vehemently, and he dove back on Jeremy.

They only broke their second kiss when they heard Jasper's mother calling them down for dinner. Both boys were still breathing hard with excitement.

"I'm guessing we're finished with Zombie Dice?" Jeremy asked, pointing at the forgotten dice, that were now scattered all over the floor.

They both quickly cleaned up the floor and attempted to straighten each other's clothes. They were a bit of a hot mess. Shirts untucked, hair a mess. They giggled as they attempted to make themselves presentable once more.

As Jeremy turned to leave, he felt Jasper's hand slip into his, and he was getting dragged out of the room. Jasper had to let go at the top of the stairs, and both of them arrived in the kitchen, trying to squeeze through the door opening at the same time, barely fitting.

"Good, I see you're both hungry!" Jasper's mother beamed, setting a big pan with pasta on the table. "Can you guys get some plates and stuff? I'll call your dad," she asked Jasper.

The boys quickly got the rest of the table ready, and they had already seated themselves next to each other before Jasper's mother returned with his dad.

"Hi boys," he said. "Glad to have you over again, Jeremy. You should come by more often".

Both boys looked at each other and Jasper said, "I've got a feeling he might." Jeremy kicked his friend under the table.

With everyone seated and plates being filled, Jasper's dad asked how the boys' day had been.

Before Jeremy could say anything, Jasper had blurted out what had just happened. "Dad, Jeremy and I kissed!"

Jeremy turned as pale as a sheet. He thought they'd keep it a secret. He had been so used to keeping his feelings a secret, it had never occurred to him that Jasper might tell anyone. Especially not his parents!

Jasper's dad seemed unfazed by the news. "That's nice, Jasper," was all he had to say. Jasper's mother was something else. She jumped up from the table, rushed over to the boys, and Jeremy was already cringing away in fear.

Suddenly, to his surprise, he felt two big arms surround him and Jasper as they were pulled in for another tight embrace. "I'm so happy for you guys!" Mrs. D. exclaimed, clearly overjoyed.

Jeremy went from white as a sheet to purple as a beet. He did not know what to do with himself right now. He wanted to jump up and run out of the door. He was kept firmly pinned into place, though, by Mrs. D.

Jasper's dad seemed to catch on to what was happening here. Sounding serious, he started, "Jasper Day, what have we taught you about thinking before speaking?"

Jasper looked startled. What!? What had he missed? He looked over at Jeremy and saw the sheer panic on his friend's face.

"Oh, dude, I'm so sorry! I should have asked first before I told mum and dad about us. I'm so, so sorry!" he couldn't stop apologizing.

Jeremy slowly felt his panic subside. He noticed that neither of Jasper's parents seemed angry at him. Nobody was yelling. Well, except for Jasper perhaps, still trying to get out more apologies. He held up his hand to try to stop Jasper's torrent of apologies.

"It's okay. I wasn't prepared, that's all," Jeremy said. "I have never told anyone that I'm" he hesitated here and took a deep breath to steady himself, "that I'm into guys." Saying the 'gay' word was still too much for him. In his mind he could admit it to himself, not as much when it came to telling other people.

Jasper's dad lifted his glass to both boys. "Well, congratulations are in order, I think," he said. "Happy coming out, boys!"

Jasper and Jeremy both lifted their glasses as well, it was an automatic gesture when someone proposed a toast.

Before taking a sip, Jasper set his glass down, though. "Dad, I'm not sure if I'm gay."

Jeremy spun around in a split second. Had he totally misread their make-out session just now!?

This time, Jasper did catch on to Jeremy's surprise. "No, no, I really liked us kissing. Really, it was," he made a gesture indicating his head exploding, "mind-blowing!" Then he looked back at his dad, "but I'm not sure whether that's enough to say I'm gay."

Next, he smiled at Jeremy. "I can say that I really like you, though, I have never felt like this for anyone before!" he told Jeremy.

Jasper's dad cleared his throat. He felt a big dad-moment coming on. "Well, son, that's remarkably wise, for a thirteen-year-old rascal like you," he said, joking a bit. "But you're right, you are still young," he now also looked at Jeremy, "you both are. And you never know how things in life turn out. Stay open-minded, is all I can say."

Then he smacked his hand down on the table, "Uncle Geoff is going to love this!" he said, laughing out loud.

Jeremy looked at Jasper askance. "Uncle Geoff?" he asked.

Jasper nodded and explained, "yeah, uncle Geoff. Dad's brother. He's gay. He's married to uncle Karl, they come over here all the time to watch sports!"

That was a bit of a surprise to Jeremy, he had never really heard of gay guys being into sports much.

"Oh sure," Jasper's dad said, "they are coming over next Wednesday. We're going to watch football! I can't wait to tell him his nephew has started kissing boys as well! He'll never believe it!"

Jasper's mother had by now returned to her seat. She looked to be wondering something and said, "well, I'm not sure if he'll be all that surprised," she said.

Jasper's dad now looked wondering at his wife, "you think he knew?"

Jasper now looked his dad straight in the eyes, "Duh! Never heard of gay-dar!?"

"Wait, that's a real thing?" Jasper's father said, flummoxed.

At this point, Jeremy just kind of drifted in and out of the conversation. It was bewildering to him that this could be such a normal thing to discuss, during dinner. He heard Jasper explain all about the 'gay-dar' thing, as if he had always known, and he was pretty sure that wasn't the case, as Jasper had never caught onto him. And he learned that Jasper's uncles were very much not like the stereotypical gay couple he had had in mind. They appeared to be real manly men, into sports, roughhousing and camping. Jasper even pointed out a picture on the wall with both of his uncles, standing together on a surfboard all dressed up in black wetsuit and catching quite a wave.

"So, better be safe!" he suddenly heard Jasper's dad say. Wait, what had he missed? Jasper was kicking him underneath the table.

"Sorry, what?" was all he could say.

Jasper's dad sighed, "It's a wonder you guys manage to learn anything in school. I said, we don't mind you guys hanging out here, or making out, but we do not want to catch you guys not being safe. You know, sex?"

It was a wonder that Jeremy managed to turn purple yet again. It seemed to be becoming a very natural thing for his body to do, he was getting quite good at it. "Oh no, I'm not doing any of that yet!" he exclaimed. "I'm fourteen!"

Jasper's dad laughed. "Good, I'm glad to see Jasper isn't the only wise one here. Still, I've been fourteen as well. And I seem to recall getting quite a similar earful from my dad when I started dating, so now it's my time to have some fun! I'm going to make this so awkward!"

He pointed at Jasper, "You, young man, you're coming with me this weekend, and I'll teach you all about buying condoms!"

Jasper cringed, seriously, his dad thought he didn't know about condoms? "But dad!!" he whined.

"Oh yes, for the butt!" his dad laughed at his joke. "I'm sure you know all about condoms, you have sex-ed in school. But knowing where and how to buy them is a different thing. So, this weekend, we're going shopping!"

Next, he pointed at Jeremy, "And you, I'm guessing you haven't told your parents yet. Actually, didn't I hear from Jasper you had a girlfriend some time ago?" he asked, raising his eyebrows.

"Yeah, but apparently that's not really my thing," Jeremy sighed.

"And have you shared this revelation with your parents?" Jasper's dad asked.

"God no!" Jeremy exclaimed, horrified by the thought. He had had nightmares of what would happen if he came out to his parents. He could not imagine them being as liberal as Mr. and Mrs. D.

Jasper's dad sighed, "And from that, I gather, that that might take some time too." He straightened up, "Well, that means I'll have to offer you the same thing. If you'd like, you can come with me and Jasper, and we'll go condom shopping together."

At this, Jeremy's mother jumped in as well, "If it's going to be a family outing, can I join in as well?"

Both Jasper and Jeremy looked terrified at that, it was bad enough having to go through this with Jasper's dad. The thought of his mother coming along as well was absolutely mortifying! "MOM! No!" Jasper yelled shocked.

Jasper's mother raised her hands, "Sorry, I'm guessing this is one of those guy things! But you know, women know how to buy condoms too! I've gotten plenty for your dad and me."

Jasper tried to cringe away in his chair. The thought of his mother and dad needing condoms was just a bit too much. Jeremy had no trouble understanding that!

Jasper's dad looked at the calendar. "Well, tomorrow is a Saturday, and I have a day off as well. Shall we work the iron while it's hot?" he asked.

"You mean, you want to go to the shops, tomorrow?" Jasper asked, this was all a bit sudden and fast.

All eyes now turned to Jeremy, and Jasper's dad asked if that was okay for him as well.

Jeremy thought quickly, this was not something he'd never dare do with his dad. And he had already come this far with Jasper and his parents. He quickly tried to think if he had anything planned for tomorrow, but couldn't think of anything. Then he had another bright idea, "Well… if we're going tomorrow, wouldn't it make sense if I stayed over for tonight?"

Jasper's eyes lit up. A sleepover!

"Hold it guys," Jasper's dad quickly said, "not too fast!". He looked at his wife, and she gave a small nod, indicating she was okay with it. "Okay, Jeremy," he said, "if your parents are okay with you staying over, we're okay too." Then, he held up a warning finger, "But we trust you guys to behave… somewhat."

He slumped down in his chair and said, "The cat's out of the bag anyway, no point in trying to put it back in." He appeared to be realizing that the age of innocence for his son had suddenly become history this evening.

They had all finished their meal and Jeremy was allowed to leave the table and make a quick phone call to his parents. After only a brief discussion, he returned to the table, still holding the phone. He offered it to Jasper's dad, "They want to talk to you."

Jeremy was again very nervous, he was worried that Jasper's dad might now tell his parents all about what had happened tonight. To his surprise, Jasper's dad didn't mention a thing. Just that both boys were having a great time and were hoping to come shopping together tomorrow. A few ahums, and okay's followed, Jeremy not being able to follow much more of the conversation. Suddenly, Jasper's dad ended the call. "All set, you can stay."

Both boys started jumping up and down together with joy, chanting "Sleepover! Sleepover!".

Jasper's dad buried his face in his hands, "what have I done!?"