The next Tuesday the pair had their first sleepover. After choir Connie took both boys back to the Hoying house. Though her daughters had many sleepovers throughout their years, a sleepover with Scott was uncharted territory.

"So boys I was thinking that maybe we could order pizza tonight. How does that sound?"
"That sound great Mrs. Hoying."
"Mitch, honey, please call me Connie."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Mommy, we can't have pizza tonight. It's Tuesday and Tuesday is chicken day."
"I know it's chicken day. That's why I thought we could order barbeque chicken or Hawaiian chicken pizza. That way we're still having chicken. Do you think that's okay?"
"I guess that's okay mama."

She breathed a sigh of relief, thankful that Scott had agreed to pizza. She was fully prepared for him to meltdown at the mention of changing the weekly menu. Maybe it was the fact that there would still be chicken or maybe it was the fact that Mitch was there, whichever she was thankful that Scott had managed to keep calm.

The sleepover was going well until it was bedtime. Scott had already been up past his scheduled time but he didn't mind so much because his mom explained to him that it was a special occasion and that it was okay to stay up later.

However, when it was time to actually lay down, it was Mitch's turn to melt down. He had never slept over in someone else's house. When Connie came up to make sure they were settled in bed she found Scott consoling a tearful Mitch in the corner of the room.

"Mitchie, it's Scottie. Remember you're at my house. We're having our very first sleepover. You're okay. I'm here... uhhhhh... ohhh! Yeah... think about what you like... remember you told me that when I had my last panic attack. Think about Beyoncé and Sailor Moon. Ooooo! Oooooo! Sing with me! Remember those walls I built, well, baby they're tumbling down, and they didn't even put up a fight, they didn't even make a sound..."

Mitch joined in and by the end of the song his sobs were mere sniffles. Connie entered the room from her lookout by the door.

"Mitch are you okay? Do I need to call your parents?"
"I'm fine Mrs. Connie. I just had a panic attack. I'm okay I think."
"If you're sure, I think it's time for bed boys."
"We're going moma."
"Good night you two."
"Good night mommy."
"Good night Mrs. Connie."

She left the room and shut the door behind her.

"Thank you Scottie."
"You're welcome. You did the same thing to me Saturday."
"Yea, I'm glad we can help each other like that."
"Me too."

Mitch got settled under the blanket on the air mattress they had set up. But he couldn't sleep.

"Hey Scottie, are you awake?"
"Yea, what is it Mitchie?"
"I can't sleep."
"Do you wanna lay with me? I'll let you hold one of my bears."
"But you said that I couldn't touch your bears."
"I know but you're my best friend so I don't think you'll hurt them."
"Are you sure?"
"Yea, come on."

Scot made room in his bed and handed Mitch one of his favorite stuffies. Mitch made himself comfortable beside his friend and dozed off.

The next morning Connie snapped a picture of the two cuddled together.  She sent it to Nel before she woke the the boys.