“Sounds good to me." He nodded, sipped some more coffee, then putting the mug down, leaned forward, clasped his hands between his knees and smiled.

“Hopefully I will not offend by saying this, but I have to say it looks to me as if the two of you have, shall we say, resolved your conflict?" “What makes you say that?" Not that we weren't going to end up owning up to it at some point, but this was pretty quick.

“You. He said simply, “ALL the times I met you, you seemed distracted, uptight, testy. It was obvious you had some issues going on. Now? You look calm, happy, content." He grinned, “You my dear have that glow about you."

“Oh? The I fucked my son glow?" I raised my eyebrows.

“Actually, I was going to say the glow of a woman in love." He said, “And Paul is sitting there looking like the cat that ate the canary." He paused and his dark eyes had a gleam in them when he asked, “Am I right?" I glanced at Paul, then nodded, "Yes." I took Paul's hand in mine and placed it on my knee for effect.

“We're very happy."

“Oh my." Malcolm breathed, "This is wonderful. To finally see in front of me what I'd always desired and what I've known is out there, but hidden away as it sadly has to be. You two,” He released a long sigh, “Are beautiful together."

“You can never say. I started, but he cut me off.

“You don't have to finish that sentence, Mary. I would never ruin a lovely situation. I don't think you understand what seeing you together means to me, it proves all my theories correct, that when that line is crossed, it's never just about a twisted lust, but a love deeper than that of a normal couple because it's an affirmation of an already deep love."

“So this is like the X-files for you?" Paul laughed, “The truth is out there."

“Don't be a jerk, Paul." I punched him in the arm.

“Just like a couple." Malcolm clapped his hands.

“But he's right, it is an affirmation of my own deep desire, Tells me I wasn't a freak back then, that there are many other sons who feel the way I did. Brian was one of them, but for him, Real Mom was close as he could get, Paul? You are blessed to have this, always appreciate the gift of your mother's heart and her bed."

“I will." Paul said seriously, “This is what I've wanted for a long time now."

“Long time? You're twenty," Malcolm sighed, "So lucky."

“Now that the cat's out of the bag." I wanted to cut off more of his mom son romance theories and laments.

“We can talk about why I called you. I'm considering your offer."

“I was hoping so, Is it because seeing the ice is broken, it's not as big of a deal?"

“If I still thought being with my son was wrong you wouldn't be here. But fact is with me quitting the industry, there's financial concerns and maybe if I feel comfortable enough as we talk we can work this out."

“Okay. Let's start with price." The smile had left his face and he was now all business.

"My last offer was forty, then Paul blurted something higher?"

“Sixty five." Paul said, causing me to turn and stare at him, we had talked about just the number for his tuition.

“Sixty...what?" Malcolm's eyes widened, “How did we get to that number?"

"Well my tuition, then I figure another twelve to go in the bank, make things easy so mom isn't trying to work seven nights a week. Maybe a little saved towards moving."

"Moving?"