By C.P. Perry
The teenage boy could only imagine how much money the massive suburban home cost. Andrew arrived an hour after sunset, but there was no perfect night sky; the streetlights were blocking out the stars. That was the first thing Andrew had noticed when he had started making his visits here a year ago. He got out of his car and walked up the beautiful stone walkway to the large oak double doors of the house. To him, it was like a small mansion, but everyone here called it a townhouse. He always scoffed at that. Andrew knew he didn't need to knock; the door was unlocked, and he was an expected guest.
Stepping inside, Andrew was immediately hit with the stillness of a dead house. "Sarah?" He called out for his girlfriend. Every time he called out he swore his voice echoed. The living room was huge, with beautiful lamented wood flooring and chestnut leather furniture. The biggest TV he ever saw hung mounted on the far wall with a wireless home stereo system set up across the room. He took his jacket and shoes off and made for the kitchen.
He rounded the corner and was met with a familiar sight. Ms. Colburn stood by the kitchen island, a glass of red wine in her hand. She wore a maroon sweater dress with a plunging neckline. Her long golden hair was tied up into a professional bun. She was a beautiful curvaceous woman with an hourglass figure.
"Hi, Andrew," she smiled before raising the glass of wine to her lips.
Andrew hated seeing Sarah's mom like this, "Hey, Ms. Colburn."
The first day Sarah introduced Andrew to her mother, Andrew could tell that she had a problem. He couldn't place a finger on it until about a month into dating Sarah. He caught Ms. Colburn in the kitchen on a night not too different from tonight's. She stood at the kitchen window gazing out to the road with a glass in hand. She had been stood up by a date. "Men my age," she once joked with alcoholic fueled humor, "are the worst." Ever since then, when Ms. Colburn resided herself to a late night stay in the kitchen Andrew knew why.
"Sorry, did Sarah not text you?" Ms. Colburn said as she put her wine glass down. "She went to a friend's tonight. I think she's going to sleep over there."
"Oh, no, she didn't text me. She's always bad about that kind of stuff," Andrew joked.
Ms. Colburn smiled at the poke at her daughter. Andrew could see the pain behind her eyes, how the smile on her lips was an act to cheer herself up. He felt awful, like stones in his stomach the pity weighed heavy on him. He wished things were better for her, and he always guilted himself for not comforting her somehow. He always thought he could, but now that it was time for him to step up, he prayed it would simply end.
"W-well," he stopped and tried to focus on talking. Embarrassment started to creep up on him; his cheeks started to burn. He was always bad about excusing himself.
"You can stay awhile, if you want. I know the drive back is a long one."
Andrew nodded as he mentally kicked himself. She certainly knew just how awkward he was being. He took a seat on the stool at the island. He set his phone on the black marble top, its surface gleamed under the white kitchen light like all the other counter surfaces. The kitchen here was twice the size of the one in his home.
"You know," Ms. Colburn said before she took a quick sip of her wine, "I could use some company. Just any, you know?"
"Yeah."
"I'm glad it's you, though. I'm glad you're with my daughter. You're good company and a good guy."
Andrew thought he was blushing hard before, but now his entire body felt like it was on fire. How red was he? "Thanks. I try my best." Great, he thought, another stupid comment. Ms. Colburn seemed to like it, though, as her smile grew bigger.
Ms. Colburn turned and grabbed a second wine glass from the glass rack on the counter behind her. She set it on the island's top and poured in a sip or two of wine. "Here, try it. I think you'll like it. Careful, it's kind of strong."
Andrew had never had wine before. He had only ever tried Blue Moon and a peach Johnny Bootlegger. Being eighteen, he couldn't be choosy. He took the wine glass and examined the blood red wine. It looked good and smelled even better. He always heard wine was the best kind of alcohol, so, with zero hesitation he took a sip. The wine hit with a punch. He didn't expect it to be that strong! Pungent yet rich, he tried his best not to make a face.
"You like it?" Ms. Colburn asked as she poured more wine for herself.
Andrew nodded. He took a second sip, the tautness not as powerful on the second sip. It was good, and he could see why Ms. Colburn drank it so often.
"Well, good. I'm glad I could share some wine with someone tonight. I bought this bottle just for that. Thought I wasn't going to get a chance."
"Err, why not share it with Sarah?"
Ms. Colburn chuckled, "I meant like for a date."
Andrew immediately felt stupid. He took another sip of wine in an attempt to hide his sheepishness.
"I bought the wine to share with a handsome man. Though, I didn't expect him to be so... young."
Andrew didn't miss the devilish smirk across Ms. Colburn's face. How long had she been drinking? "Th-thanks." He couldn't make eye contact.
"Sarah is lucky to have you -- so nice and handsome. She is always telling me all the sweet things you say and do for her, you know? Lord knows if anything happens you'll be damn hard to replace. You set the bar too high. "
Andrew stared at the wine in his glass. His heart had dropped like a stone in his throat and beat twice as heard. He had about another sip left in his glass. He wanted to say something but couldn't find the words to say it, nor could he look up and face his girlfriend's mother. He felt like a little kid. She was just being nice, right? No need to be embarrassed, is there?
"Want some more wine?" Ms. Colburn was already grabbing the bottle before Andrew could answer. He moved his glass towards her and she poured a little more in, just enough for a couple more sips.
"Thanks," he said in a shy voice, "And, uhm, thanks for the compliments. I, uh, I try my best to be the best boyfriend I can be, yuh know? I really like Sarah. That's why we've been together for a year." His smile faltered with anxiety.