A/n: Just realized this never posted yesterday so it's a double day.

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Love lots -AV

Lunch was a tad awkward, especially for Kevin and his parents who didn't really know the people they were eating with. Conversation stayed on safe topics, the weather mostly and how it had been a fairly warm winter even for Texas. However, Mr. Olusola was done with that after a while and asked what his wife and son deemed an unwelcome, rude question.

"What did you do when Mitchell came out to you?"

Kevin and Curline immediately uttered apologies and she chaisted her husband for behaving in such a way. However, everyone else seemed to not think anything of the question. Mike answered back almost instantly.

"Well... I wasn't surprised when Mitch came out to us. No offense son. But he's very stereotypical. Now when he brought Scott home... that was a different story. He looked like a football player or something and I couldn't comprehend him being gay. However, you learn to keep an open mind."
"But it just seems so... I don't know... I love Kevin... I really do. And it's not so much I mind him dating a guy it's just so hard to wrap my head around it. You know?"

At this point Kevin was looking sadly at his father, Nel noticed and sent him and Mitch upstairs saying they had some time to write letters back to their boyfriends. Kevin reluctantly left with his friend even though he was more concerned with what was going down in the dining room.

When he thought the boys were safely out of earshot Kyle spoke up.

"I don't know what it's like to be a parent or to have your child tell you he or she is gay... but I know what it's like to be that child. I know how it hurts to have your parents reject you." Danny reached to hold onto his fiance's hand. "It feels like everything is being ripped away. Thank god I had a grandmother who didn't care, thank god I have a boyfriend that loves me, and thank god I have friends that support me no matter what. It's not an easy situation for either party but there's only one side that can change. I can't change my sexuality and neither can Kevin... Neither can you for that matter. But you can change your opinion and work on accepting your son."
"I'm trying... I truly am."
"That's good... my parent's didn't and I haven't spoken to them since I moved out at 17. Even at my grandma's funeral, they didn't speak to me. And it sucks to have that type of relationship with the people who gave birth to you, who were supposed to love you no matter what."

Kyle was holding back his tears at this point. Even the two teens on the stairs eavesdropping could tell. Mitch knew that Kyle had issues with his family but he never realized the extent of it until now. The similarities between his life and Scott's were amazing. And it finally clicked that the reason these teachers reached out so much to the pair, they saw their friend in these boys.

"You know Summer had a very similar experience as mine. Danny's wasn't great but it was better. I think Sara-Beth is the only one of us that had a happy, problem-free coming out."
"Because my parents are hippies... the only reason they are so accepting."
Summer grinned at her girlfriend before speaking up, "yea... my experience wasn't great either. I came out. They attacked me. Verbally and physically. I left my house that night with a backpack full of clothes and somehow made it to Amber's house. Her parents took me in that night and I the two of us have lived together ever since. Her mom made me go to the ER but I didn't tell them who had hit me. I ended up with a black eye and a broken wrist. It was bad but it could have been worse. I'm just thankful I had somewhere to go. A lot of kids don't. Not that I want to tell Scott's story for him... but look at his situation. His parents kicked him out and put him in a position where he had to do whatever he could to survive. That could have easily been me or Kyle. I guess what we're all trying to say is don't push your son away. He needs you right now, more than ever."

Kevin's father had tears in his eyes as he listened to the two teachers share. When they finished he asked Dan to share his story.      

"Well I came out around the same time as Kyle. I told my parents and they freaked out. They ignored me for a few days then they went back to normal as if nothing had happened except they wouldn't allow me to see Kyle. He couldn't come over, I couldn't go to him. I saw him at school but it wasn't the same. It got to the point I couldn't take it. I freaked out and went to stay with Kyle and his grandmother. After about a week they called and apologized and asked me to move back home. I agreed on the condition that they no longer ignored the fact that I had a boyfriend. We talked things out and everything is fine now. It could have gone worse like Summer said. I didn't want to lose my family but I would have if it came down to choosing between being myself and pleasing them."

That struck a chord with Mr. Olusola. He had been doing the same thing with Kevin. He ignored the fact that Kevin just got out of juvie, he ignored the fact he was dating a boy. He realized just how much he was pushing the son he just got back away. And he didn't want to do that anymore.

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Christmas Day breakfast for Scott and Avi included the same mushy, undercooked pancakes they had yesterday with some orange juice that was teetering on the edge of being expired.

However, that didn't dampen their spirits. They were going to get to see their families and their boyfriends today. Two hours of hugging and cuddling and kissing. They couldn't have asked for much more.

Today was a day with no classes so the residents spent a significant amount of time outside before going into shower and change. After bathing Scott and Avi sat in their cell and waited until someone would come and take them to visitation.

"What you think Mitchie and Kevin thought about our letters this morning?"
"Probably cried.What about the lunch they were supposed to have? Kevin was freaking out about meeting Mitch's parents and your foster parents."
He didn't need to worry. They're all great. Mitch was just excited. Usually it's his family that comes over and they're not accepting of us at all. Last year, my first Christmas with him, I got so many nasty glares. One of his cousins even came up to me and told me I was dragging Mitch to Hell. I didn't even know this dudes name. Totally random and out of the blue."
"Damn!"
"Yea... but Mike kicked him out. I hate that I wasn't there with him this year. I know he probably got even more harassment because I'm in here. Now he's not only dating a guy but a convict as well."
"Hopefully today will make up for us missing everything a bit."
"It will. I can feel it."
"I know. I'm so excited!"

The two continued to chat until Rashad opened the door and escorted them down the hall, out the door, and to a trailer behind the facility. He let them in and made them stand as he read them the rules of what was and was not allowed during this time.

"Touching is fine, kissing is fine. Just no makeout sessions and nothing sexual. Your families will be here so that should go without saying. The cameras are on and we'll be watching, the door will be locked from the outside, and you'll be searched before you leave just to make sure. Got it?"

When the boys nodded in the affirmative, he reached to start undoing their handcuffs and shackles. They sighed with relieve and he directed them to have a seat.

"They'll be here soon,' he said with a smile.