Alex had just graduated from college with a degree in visual communications. He had landed a job as a graphic designer for a public relations company in his home town of Los Angeles. He had moved back in with his parents until he could get a good financial base and then get his own place. The goal was to be living in an apartment by the end of the summer. Until then he would work, safe his money and help around the house as much as he could. This morning, Alex had cleaned the pool for his mom. She told him she wanted to lie out or maybe go swimming at some point.
"Thank you so much, honey," said Cheryl. "You are the best son ever; and I mean ever." Cheryl was a short woman in her mid 40s. She wore a one piece, blue bathing suit and her long dark hair was pulled back into a ponytail. Her hips were showing the 'Forty Spread' as she liked to call it.
"Is Dad working today?" asked Alex, as he ran his fingers through his dark hair.
"Yeah," she said with disgust in her voice. "It seems like he has to work every Saturday. Dee from next door said she might come over and hang out at the pool for a while."
"Oh wow; I haven't seen Miss Dee in forever. How is she?"
Cheryl sighed. "She is three years older than me and looks ten years younger. I don't know how the hell she does it. She says it's from partying every weekend."
"C'mon now," said Alex. "You look great. Cheryl smiled. "She moved away when I was in the eighth grade. When did she move back?"
"Her and Roger got back together about three years ago," said Cheryl.
It will be nice to see her again. Well, I'm going to take a shower. I'll be back in a bit."
"Okay sweetie; thank you again for cleaning the pool."
Alex showered and came back into the kitchen. He looked out the patio doors and saw his mom talking with another woman. "Holy crap," said Alex to himself. "Is that Miss Dee? Mom wasn't kidding. She looks amazing." Dee was wearing a white, two piece bikini; she was tall and her long, dirty blonde hair was done up in a ball on the top of her head. Alex walked out towards the pool. Dee and Cheryl were in the middle of a conversation. Dee was talking.
"So I said fuck you motherfucker; I'll go out when I damn well please. Well, he didn't take to kindly to that. I don't care if he gets mad about it. If he has a problem with it, I'll gather up my shit and leave his ass. You know what I mean?"
Cheryl smiled, "Dee, you really need to cut him some slack. I'm sure he is just jealous..." she saw Alex walking up and quickly changed the subject. "Alex, come say hi to Miss Dee."
Dee's eyes widened as she saw Alex. "Oh my," she said smiling, "I can't believe it's you. You're all grown up. I haven't seen you since... since..."
"When I was in the eighth grade," Alex completed her sentence. "It was never the same without you."