Scott looked across the Court room and blew a kiss to his mother. This was the third time he had attended Court, each time his mother had been tried for possession of cocaine. In the past she had got off with a fine or community service, in part because she claimed that that as a single mother there was no one else who could take care of her son. Two final warnings later, the authorities were getting bored. Her brief had advised her that prison time was inevitable and it was now just a matter of how long she would be away for.
Scott was now eighteen, but the Court had insisted that he stay with a 'responsible adult' for the duration of his mother's sentence. He was sitting next to his new guardian, his aunt Kate. He was not much looking forward to it, but it must be better than an institution. His aunt, his mother's much younger sister, was only a few years older than he was. She was impossibly elegant. In the past she had been an infrequent visitor, gliding in with a generous birthday present and then being very quick to leave. Her elegance looked out of place in their cheap rented rooms and his mother always felt Kate looked down on her. All he knew about his aunt was she was a successful architect and lived in Haworth, one of the most salubrious suburbs of New York. Scott had overheard some of the telephone conversation when his mother asked Kate to take care of him. He couldn't hear exactly what his aunt said but it was clear she was not enthusiastic, eventually agreeing on the basis that Scott would obey all her instructions. His mother had emphasised that one slip up and Kate promised he was out for good.
The Court went silent as the judge started to pronounce sentence. He began with a few words about the dangers of drugs, castigated his mother for risking Scott's welfare for her own selfish ends and said a custodial sentence was now inevitable. Scott's heart sank as her heard the Judge say a year. He had been hoping for 180 days. Scott let out an involuntary cry and to his surprise he felt his aunt clasp his knee, she whispered, "Don't worry, with good behaviour she will be out in a few months."
Scott looked around, surprised at the sincerity in his aunt's voice. It was if she cared. Kate guided him out of the Court and into a waiting taxi. Scott swallowed hard, life with his mother had never been easy, but he was familiar with it. He had got used to going hungry at the end of the month and having to put her to bed when she had hit the bottle. What would the next year be like? More comfortable he was sure, but would it be like walking on egg shells? This could get tiring, he knew he had a good heart but was socially awkward and minding his Ps and Qs for an entire year would be torture.
In the taxi, Scott was tongue tied and started to make the most banal conversation about the weather, it was hot in June, and baseball. Out of the corner of his eye his saw Kate look up as if to say, "Is this moron really my flesh and blood?" After that Scott was silent as he remembered the advice, "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt." After what seemed like an eternity the taxi pulled up outside a large nineteen thirties two storied villa. Scott realised his mother had been right, Kate was clearly successful at what she did. Kate welcomed Scott to her house and showed him up to a lovely airy room on the first floor. She said that to celebrate his arrival she thought they would go out to the local Italian. She had booked the table for eight and asked Scott to be down by 7.30. The dress code was informal but most people wore jackets, but no tie.
Scott's heart sank, his mother's budget didn't run to much more than the local pizza place so he didn't have a formal jacket. Scott unpacked showered and wondered what to do. Eventually he dressed in a shirt, found a tie and hoped his aunt would not object to his jeans. She did. "Scott, I think you need to be a little smarter, would you mind awfully putting on some Chinos and the trainers are nice but I think some leather shoes might be in order."
Scott looked at her; he saw disappointment, not cruelty. Kate was not trying to be unpleasant, but this was the best he had. With the tension of the trial, his concern for his mother and now the fear of disappointing his aunt, he felt his self-control going.
To his surprise, Kate came over and put her arm around his shoulders, "I understand, don't worry. Let's cancel the Italian and have a nice evening in with a takeaway Chinese. Sorry, I am a selfish old thing. Tomorrow we will go out and go clothes shopping. It something I am pretty good at and I need you to look good if my favourite nephew is going to escort me around town."
Scott could have died with relief. His stony faced aunt really did have a heart. The film was awful, but the evening was better than he could have hoped. The fact they were watching the movie meant there was no obligation to make polite conversation. Scott was elated when Kate laughed at a couple of his one-liners.
The next morning Kate took charge. The first stop was Brooks Brothers. Scott saw the look of disdain on the shop assistants' faces as he entered the store, but when they realised the elegant lady was paying they became rather more friendly. Kate was in her element and quickly found a blazer she liked, then the Chinos, half brogues and finally half a dozen of their white button downs and a few ties.
When they went to Gap, Kate allowed Scott to choose a few pairs of jeans and sweatshirts. The only slightly embarrassing thing was she kept coming into his changing room, normally at the worst possible moment.
Kate then ordered the taxi to the next shop, 'ElΓ©gance Lingerie'. On entering it was clear the owner knew his aunt well. "Miss Kate, what a pleasure. We have just got the corset you ordered. Have you come to try it on?"
"No Sandro, I trust you, I am sure it will be perfect. I have just brought my nephew to pick up a few things."
The owner looked at Scott as if was far from convinced over the stated blood relationship. "Of course Miss Kate. What does he need?"
"Oh everything. His mother doesn't know how to shop; underwear, shorts, T shirts and trunks. It is summer and you know how teenagers like hanging around the pool."
"Your nephew had good legs. I have just the things for him." Sandro went behind the counter and came out with a pair of white shorts.
"Miss Kate, I will lock the door so your nephew can try these on in peace." The man gave Scott the shorts and waited. Clearly they expected him to try them on and by implication there were no changing rooms.
"Come on Scott, Mr Bertinelli has seen hundreds of boys naked. Don't be modest." Scott turned around and took his clothes off and put the shorts on. They were tight but he had to admit looked very erotic. Kate clearly loved them and ordered a couple of pairs.
"What about trunks. Cosmo says satin is this year's material. What do you have Sandro?"
"Miss Kate, I am pleased you asked. We have just got a new Italian line in, that I am sure would suit your nephew." Mr Bertinelli asked for the shorts back to wrap, so Scott was left stark naked in the middle of the shop. The owner came back with several pairs of trunks and he and Kate watched as Scott struggled into the first pair.
"Miss Kate, they are the finest satin, high cut to show off your nephew's long legs. But I think he needs the next size up. Even so, your nephew may wish to have a little trim. I can recommend a place if he would like it done professionally."
"Thank you Sandro, but I am sure we will manage."
Kate got Scott to try on half a dozen pairs of trunks. She liked the bright colours and how the satin clung to Scott's smooth bottom. Scott looked to the front of the shop, he was aghast when he saw that even if Mr Bertinelli had officially closed up and locked the door, it hadn't stopped curious shoppers staring through the window at his impromptu stripping. He just prayed things wouldn't go on much longer, but Kate kept asking him to try one pair of trunks on after another and then fiddled with the back to see how his bottom looked. Eventually she chose a couple of pairs.
"What about underwear Sandro? Do you still have those gorgeous black briefs?"
"Of course, Miss Kate. Your nephew will look very, what do you say? 'sexy'?" Again Mr Bertinelli ensured Scott was left naked as he found him the underwear. This was almost as brief as the trunks, but Kate insisted on a dozen pairs.
"Miss Kate you must get your nephew a bikini. They are very fashionable this year." Mr Bertinelli brought out some tie-side bikini bottoms. The first pair was dark blue decorated with a selection of ethnic beads.
"Kate, I am not sure this is quite my style."
"Scott, if Sandro says it is the next big thing, we have to believe him. At least try it on."
Scott took the bikini, but the embarrassment of standing naked in the middle of the shop had had its effect and he was now almost erect. There was no way he could get the bikini on now. Kate saw his difficulty, "Don't worry Scott. We'll wait a few minutes, I am sure you will relax." He did, but it took an age. Mr Bertinelli pretended to pack Kate's purchases but Scott could feel his eyes on his naked body.
Eventually he got the bikini on, and despite his protests, Kate bought it.