Method Acting

WARNING: This story is a tribute to genre legends like George VI, thehumpman, TheStinger and sa2222, especially the legendary story "Home Run". If you're into that kind of stuff, I salute you as a fellow traveler. If you're not into that kind of stuff, and read this story even after this warning, go ahead and rage in the comments section as usual, your tears of outrage taste delicious to me. Also, nobody cares about your threats to give low ratings, you're literally reading this for free.

"Acting is not just a hobby, it needs passion." I could hear the voice of our drama teacher Mr Johnson still echoing in my ears as I walked home. The big school play was in two days and he was still not happy with our performances, he wanted us to put a lot more effort into the emotions and dialogue, which he felt were being delivered stale. I was exhausted from all the rehearsals after school, and just wanted to stuff myself with some tasty dinner and get much needed sleep.

My legs were killing me from standing up all evening long. My friend Fred and I were both playing evil robots and we were expected to act stiff throughout the rehearsals, like we were method actors or something. My entire body ached from it.

As I entered the house I was surprised to hear the sound of laughter, since my father was out of town and I figured mom was alone. Walking through the entrance corridor, I peered into the living room and was taken aback to see the tall figure of my mother standing next to my classmate Josh, with a stack of framed paintings behind them.

I was confused what he was going there. Mom had recently taken up artwork of historical figures and had even sold a portrait of Mary Antoinette a few weeks ago. She loved having her handiwork displayed in our home, and often hung them up on the walls. The two of them seemed to be talking and laughing back and forth, clearly having a great time.

Peering in, I was too tired to talk and leaned against the archway instead to observe. Josh was wiping up the frames with a piece of cloth and laying them as a stack, while Mom took them one by one and hung them on the nails. My mother like taking them all down and rearranging the portraits quite often, so each frame was going on a new nail in the living room wall. The two seemed engrossed in the task.

At one point, as she reached up to hang a portrait on a nail slightly higher above her, mom's shirt inadvertently rode up. I saw Josh covertly stare with a big grin; her shirt was quite short and I'm sure he got a healthy view of her flat midriff. Yes, she is my mom, but I can admit she has a great figure.

I didn't like that Josh was staring at her, but I was used to such things because many of my friends often talked about how hot my mother was. Even though it did annoy me at times, I had gotten accustomed to it and just shrugged it off most of the time.

My mother adjusted the painting and came back for the next one, oblivious that her son's eighteen-year-old high school classmate had just secretly ogled her. That's when I finally limped in, exhausted.

"Hey guys." I said weakly, entering the living room.

"Hey honey!" my mother said, going to hang the next frame.

"Hey Shawn, how was the rehearsal?" Josh asked.

"Not too bad but exhausting, Mr Johnson wants our performances to have more power though. What are you doing here?" I asked, leaning on the wall again.

"He's helping me rearrange the paintings, he's such a great helper!" mom piped in cheerfully.

"I came to hang out after school, but your mom said you were still out for practice, so I suggested I help her with chores." He shrugged.

"Oh yeah, Mr Johnson's rehearsals go on for damn long these days."

"Shawn, how many times have I told you not to swear like that?" mom frowned, swiveling when I said that. Mom often babied me by pestering me about swear words, homework, being tidy and so on. I never made a big deal out of it because I knew she meant well, but it frequently embarrassed me when she did it in front of my friends.

"Geez mom, it's not even considered a proper swear word these days!" I said shaking my head.

"It doesn't matter young man, rules are rules!"

"Ok, ok geez.", shaking my head, I quickly retreated upstairs to shower before dinner.

The shower made me feel a lot more refreshed and the hot water soothed my aching joints a little. As I headed downstairs, I could still hear them. Josh was helping mom set up the plates on the table for dinner. I was starving when I took my seat, the two of them continued talking and laughing with each other. He kept complimenting her on how neat the house was, how great the food smelled, how creative her paintings were and so on. My mother had a big grin on her face, clearly flattered. I just rolled my eyes and thought to myself what a sycophant he is.

I also noticed him secretly ogling her more. I had to admit, she looked very good at the moment, even in her home clothes. The buttoned white shirt was made of a thin material, and the outline of her bra was visible under the bright lights of the dining room. She was in her matching workout shorts, a cotton set. It wasn't short, but was once again thin enough to make out the panty lines under certain angles of the light.

She was not wearing any make-up and her long dark hair was loose over her shoulders. As I mentioned before, she had a great figure. She was 5'10 and slender, reminiscent of the old school runaway models of the 90s. I always thought she uncannily resembled how the model Cindy Crawford looked at 45, including the lean figure, thick lips and beauty mark. Mom never dressed in a slutty or attention-seeking way, but she had a great sense of style and wardrobe.

We ate dinner and I was out of the discussion for most of it. They talked about politics and novels, which was unusual at our house. Dad and I watched movies and sports all the time, so we don't keep up with more intellectual stuff, like mom. Josh seemed to know a lot about these things, so my mom loved having someone to talk with about all that. I was famished and gouged the food down with relish.

He kept bantering with her and even dropped subtle sexual remarks that totally went over her head. Honestly, it was a bit of a relief to have her preoccupied like this. If it was just me at home, she would've pestered me with non-stop questions about school. Or even about the play, and I was too exhausted and hungry to get badgered about all that.

After dinner mom said she was going to go watch a political documentary and Josh offered to watch it together in the living room.

"Oh that's so nice of you Josh, but you don't need to. You probably don't want to be hanging out with an old lady discussing these boring topics."

"No, no I insist, you're really knowledgeable and I'm sure you have great insight." He said, already moving towards the TV.

"That's so sweet." Mom smiled. "Shawn, you should hang out with him more and pick up some useful habits." she said. I would've usually retorted something, but I was too drained to argue back. The truth was that Josh was not so polite usually; he was just being a kiss-ass. We were classmates and acquaintances, but not really close friends. I have a social circle of guys I'm tight with, and he was outside of it.

As we sat in the living room again to watch the documentary, I found myself dozing in and out, while the two of them continued to talk back and forth. We were on the couch, mom sitting between the two of us. At one point, mom scolded me for not paying attention.

About an hour and a half later the movie came to an end, and my mother said she was going to get ready for bed. Josh finally got up to leave, heading for the door. I told him I would see him at school tomorrow and he wished me luck for the final rehearsals. Mom thanked him for helping with the portraits as she walked him to the door and they embraced in a hug. He said it was his pleasure and kissed her on the cheek before leaving.

Mom and I briefly spoke for a few minutes. She said my dad would be returning only on the day after my big play, and that he regretted missing it, but that he knows I will be fantastic in it. Dad was a successful physician and travelled twice a year for about a week to visit various clinics around the state to help train the senior staff. It was unfortunate he couldn't be there, since he and my mom rarely miss my performances. My mother also mentioned how respectful and fun Josh was. I nodded along absently before heading to bed, totally drained.

The next morning I woke up startled to the sound of mom angrily banging on my door, she hated it when I didn't get up on time. "Josh, are you still asleep???" I could hear her voice on the other side. "Breakfast has been ready for 10 minutes and its past seven, where are you mister?" Shit, I overslept!

"Just finishing homework mom!" I yelled, pulling on some clothes immediately as I grabbed my bag and headed downstairs.

"You need to get better at these morning routines young man!" I heard her chiding me from the dining room as I came down the stairs. There was she was, cleaning up her plate, wearing her bikini just before her morning swim. Mom didn't realize I was not a baby anymore and that I was a hormonal 18-year-old. It always discomforted me to see her slender figure revealed so much, it wasn't rare for her to walk around the house in her bathing suit or underwear when nobody was around.

"There were assignments to get done mom, I've been up since six!" I lied, trying not to stare at her sexy body. Thankfully, she was too busy getting her towel and lotion to look directly at me. It was a blue crisscross bikini that tied at the back of her neck and sides.

"Ok honey, it's good that you're taking your homework seriously." She nodded and kissed me on the cheek, seemingly pacified by the answer. "I'll see you in the evening, don't be late for school." She said walking away. I couldn't help but steal a glace at her ass in the Brazilian style bottom and just about looked away when she turned around. "Why don't you invite Josh over for dinner or a sleepover?" she asked.

"I don't think so mom, I need to focus on the play." I said, relieved that I managed to look away before she caught my eyes staring.

"Ok sweetie, you're right. Have a good day." She said, heading off to the pool in our backyard.

It isn't like I'm attracted to mom or anything, but it hard not to notice how sexy she was in that classical Crawford-ian way. Growing up, I always heard comments about mom being a "milf", but it was only in high school that the comments started becoming more graphic. It irritated me that people saw my own mother the way I saw other milfs, but there was nothing I could do about it. I remember this one time we clowned around in school, taking polls of who the hottest women or moms were. I knew mom would get a lot of votes on the mothers poll, but she won unanimously, with every guy voting for her! That sure made me grit my teeth!

Mom and dad have been married for 20 years and she was always a classy, conservative woman with a goody two shoes persona, always warm with everyone. If it wasn't for her sometimes barking at me and embarrassing me in front of my friends, I would have to say she was a perfect mother.

Rehearsals that day were thankfully not as bad, although I was stiff as hell once again. Our classrooms were in one building and the extracurriculars were in another near the school parking lot. I thought I saw mother's green lexus pull away as I headed for practice, but was sure I was mistaken, since hadn't picked me up since middle school. Besides, mom knew I had rehearsals.

My friend Fred and I did the robot walk as best as we could and Mr Johnson seemed in a better mood today, giving the entire cast a big pep talk for tomorrow's play. Fred asked me about Josh hanging out at my house last night. I didn't think Josh had told anyone about it.

When I got home later that evening, I was disappointed to see that my mom was out and dinner was not ready, since I was famished again. The shower helped just like yesterday and I sat on the couch, browsing through the movie channels idly, my stomach growling.

After about an hour, I saw mom's car pull into the driveway. As she walked in through the front door, I couldn't believe that Josh was with her, the two of them laughing together as they walked in with a stack of books in each of their hands.

"Hey sweetie!" mom smiled chirpily as she entered the living room and placed the books aside. "Got some great new stuff to read!" She was dressed elegantly as always, wearing a sleeveless ribbed sweater with a turtleneck finish, tucked into denim jeans. It flattered her slim figure. She also wore make up today like she always did when heading out. Mom had been telling my dad and I for a while now that she wanted to try a new hairstyle, and she must have finally had the time to go to the salon. Her usually long brown hair was cut into a fashionable chin-length jet-black bob cut. She looked really pretty.

I looked at the books in surprise. "What's all this?" I asked Josh, who was carrying a tall pile of at least a dozen books in his hand.

Before he could answer, mom chimed in. "I was telling Josh last night that I had seen this quirky store selling all kinds of second-hand novels, and he said he needed to buy some as well. So I picked him up from school to get some of them. He's such a gentleman, going book shopping with your old mother." She laughed.

I shrugged at him. "Good for you." And was a bit relieved to see that mom had been carrying some takeaway food bags with the books as well. I was starving.

"It's no problem at all, she's so intelligent, it's a pleasure to spend time with her." He said.

"You're too sweet." Mom giggled and ruffled his hair friendlily before opening the takeaway bags. I rolled my eyes, a little envious that they had hung out.

I dug into the boxes of food and fixed myself a big plate, sating my hunger. As we sat at the table again, I was once again a little isolated as they chatted and laughed like yesterday. I still found it odd that Josh had come over two nights in a row now. On top of that, mom seemed to think he was a real gentleman. If only she knew that just last week, he and his buddy Kevin were bragging about spitroasting a cheerleader together, or how often he hung out in the bad side of town.

After dinner Josh helped my mother arrange the new books onto the shelves under the staircase. I was busy running through my lines in the living room, wanting to make sure I didn't flub any of the them and tank the whole play. My part was not the biggest, but it was still quite sizeable and I had an important monologue about the cruel nature of humanity.

Mom took one of the tomes and placed it on the top shelf as Josh passed her more, the two of them standing side by side. They would occasionally read the blurb or browse through the first few pages, talking amongst themselves back and forth. I could see Josh stealing glances at her bra outline under the tight sweater.

"Is that the new Chanel I smell, you've got some great taste in cosmetics." He asked, flattering her and sniffing the air. Mom was clearly surprised, since neither dad nor I are the type to comment on perfume, lipstick, make-up etc.

"Yes, are you familiar with it?"

"I'm thinking of getting one for my mother's birthday." He nodded. Then, handing her a leatherbound book, he leaned closer. "Do you mind if checked it?" he asked. Since mom's hair was now much shorter, there was nothing blocking her neck. He leaned in casually, his nose grazing the skin of her neck as he took in a whiff. "Oh that's so classy, she would love this fragrance." He said.

I thought mom would slap him but she didn't seem to think it was a big deal at all. "So thoughtful, I'm sure she will be delighted, it's a great brand." She just tiled her head to the side for several seconds, letting him inhale. He finally pulled back when she turned around to get the next book. "Make sure you find out which brand she likes best though, she might already have a go-to brand." Mom added, piling up the books again as they continued stacking the books.

"Oh trust me she doesn't have your refined taste."

The two of them laughed again as I sat still, clutching my dialogue paper. I couldn't believe my classmate was audacious enough to stick his face into my mother's neck like that.

Once all the books were all done, mom and Josh talked for a few more minutes. She told us she didn't want us staying up late on a school night, especially with the play tomorrow. I was hoping to at least watch a movie after practicing my lines. "Oh come on mom, its just..."

"Shawn, rules are rules!" mom cut me off sternly. Josh didn't complain, he said he had to wake up at 5 anyway to help his family with chores. The two of them embraced like good friends. He kissed her on the cheek again before walking out the front door. "You should learn from that young man." she said to me, heading to her room before I could retort.

The next morning was busy. I was starting to feel nervous for my performance and mom assured me during breakfast that there was nothing to worry about. Dad was only returning tomorrow morning, but was apparently excited about how it goes for me. "Your father wants me to keep texting him updates about the play, we're so proud of you." She said happily, giving me a maternal hug as usual. I felt a little uncomfortable hugging her back in her usual bikini, scooting my hips back a little.

"Mom, why did you invite Josh for dinner last night even though I didn't want to?"

She looked surprised at the question. "Oh don't be a baby Shawn! He is such a helpful and well mannered young man." She shook her head dismissively. I didn't argue back, I had to focus my energy on remembering the lines and emulating my stage character. I said I'll see her later and headed for school.

School sped by fast and that evening, I made my way backstage, excited for the play. My castmates were there getting into their costumes as I put on my own robot outfit. As always, many of the guys asked me where my mom would be sitting in the audience. Peeking through the curtains, they eventually spotted her in the upper seats and started their train of comments as usual.

"Holy fuck, Mrs Balin is wearing one of my favorite shirts of hers! What a figure!" one of them said.

"Did you see that new haircut, that's what you call a milf!" another chuckled.

I gave them both a typical shove and rolled my eyes. "Get a life guys!" but felt a little weird when I saw her there and noted that she did look really hot. She was wearing a black shirt that was fashionably tied into a knot in the front. Her skirt was classy but stylish, cut a few inches above the knee, typical for the weather outside. Even from where we were, we could see her long toned legs. She really did look like a model. I would've felt a lot less paranoid if my father was there.

Mr Johnson then walked in to give us all a pep talk, rousing us from the fun and games as we got serious. He repeated how acting was as an art and to give it our best. We were all pumped to smash it out of the park, the auditorium was packed.

By the time it was Fred's and my turn for our entrance on stage, I could see that Josh had joined my mother. They were chatting away cheerfully, and it bothered me that my mom wasn't watching me on stage. Even when I started delivering my lines, she was only distractedly paying attention to me, giggling in whispers with Josh most of the time. I ended up flubbing a few lines, but thankfully they were not major enough to do any real damage to the story.

The rest of the crew pulled through great though, and we all got a standing ovation when it was done. Mr Johnson looked relieved as hell and told us backstage when everything was over, that he was proud of us.