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When Jimmy finally turned eighteen and Augustus couldn’t keep him away any longer, he visited his father as often as he could. Even with an inch of glass between them, they managed to make up for the time that Augustus had cost them and forged a deep friendship. David was more than his father. Next to Maury, he had become Jimmy’s best friend, and he treasured their visits.

Jimmy hadn’t seen David in over a month. The city bus didn’t go all the way to the prison, and since Jimmy had to sell his car, he had no other way of getting there except to take a cab. He had no regrets draining his cash to make the trip, as he was eager to see his father for the first time in weeks.

“Hey, slugger,” David said with a grin as soon as Jimmy sat down in front of him and picked up the phone. He raised his hand and pressed it against the glass as he had the first time Jimmy visited him. “Was starting to get worried. Haven’t seen you in a while.”

“Things have been kinda tight,” Jimmy said, his hand hovering over his father’s in greeting. It was part of their ritual for these visits, a reminder of that talk they’d had so long ago. “Couldn’t afford to get down here, but it’s okay! Everything is getting better now.”

David squinted. “Son, is that… is that a hickey?”

Jimmy’s eyes widened, and he blushed as he slapped his hand over his neck. “Uh.”

David burst into laughter. “Oh, well, I guess things are really getting better, huh?”

“Uh, well, yeah, it’s k-kind of complicated,” Jimmy stammered, grinning shyly.

“Relationships always are,” David assured him.

“Anyway. I still haven’t been able to get access to the case files,” Jimmy said, quickly shifting the conversation. “The lawyer told me that if I get a motion from a judge, they’ll have to let me look at them since we’re trying for an appeal. Because of discovery—”

“Son,” David cut in, his fingers tapping the glass. “I haven’t seen you since last month. I’d rather hear about how you got that hickey than talk about the case.”

Jimmy pouted.

How was he going to explain this to his father?

“Uh…”

“Who’s the lucky girl?” David asked with a grin.

“It’s a guy, actually,” Jimmy said slowly, “but I don’t think… you’d approve.”

“Jimmy, you came out to me years ago.” David frowned, obviously hurt. “You know I love you and support whoever you want—”

“No, no, no! It’s not that he’s a guy!” Jimmy replied hurriedly. “It’s that he’s, well. Um.” The mob boss of Strassen Springs and probably almost definitely a murderer. “He’s… not exactly what you… might want for me?”

David tilted his head as he tried to fill in the blanks. “Older?”

“Yes!” Jimmy exclaimed. “He’s older.”

“That’s it? How much older?”

Jimmy stared.

He had no idea how old Cold was. All the silver in his hair hinted that he was older than he looked, or maybe being a mob boss caused premature graying. “Well, I’m not… exactly sure. It’s still very new, uh, I don’t know how serious it is. Exactly. Yet.”

David smiled warmly. “Seems like it’s off to a very good start at least.”

“Yeah.” Jimmy knew his entire face was bright red, able to feel the heat radiating off his skin. He couldn’t help but smile when he thought about Cold, sighing as he added, “But I don’t think it’s gonna last.”

“Why not?”

“I don’t think he’s looking for anything serious,” Jimmy said after a few moments, choosing his words carefully.

“He’s an idiot then,” David declared as any good father would. “Because you’re amazing. He would be lucky to have you.” It seemed as if he could sense how awkward Jimmy felt about discussing his love life, so he opted to change the subject himself this time. “How’s Maury doing? Still rough as hell?”

“Always.” Jimmy chuckled. “But he’s good. Finally quit smoking. You know, mostly.”

“Hey, anything less than the three packs a day he used to smoke is an improvement!” David smiled fondly. “I’ll always be grateful for him looking out for you. He’s a good man.”