Author's Note: All characters in this story are eighteen years or older. This story is based on an idea posted on the Story Ideas discussion board and is a work of fiction.
For KathyJ
*
"How're you doing?"
Jason looked up and smiled. "Great, Mrs. J. The wedding is fabulous. You did a great job with the planning."
Kathy smiled back as she sank wearily into a chair next to him. "Thanks. That's three down and two to go, although it will be awhile before either Brian or Lauren gets married." She looked out at the dance floor - Brian and his date were dancing very close together. "Then again, maybe not."
The thought of another kid leaving her nest was a tad depressing, so Kathy changed the topic of conversation.
"Have you decided on a college?"
"Well, I've been accepted to both State and Tech," he said, "and although I have a partial scholarship to play soccer at State, Tech has a much better program. That said, it'll be harder to make Tech's squad. If they don't offer me a scholarship I might try to walk on. Tech is better academically, too, so I'm leaning that way."
"Well, if go to Tech we'll have you over for dinner often," Kathy offered. She went on. "Your senior prom is coming up, you must be excited."
Jason looked away, his brown eyes serious. "No, I'm not going."
Kathy was taken aback. "I find that hard to believe - a good looking guy such as you must have plenty of girls wanting to go with him."
His mouth twisted in a grimace. "It's not that."
His fingers worked the paper cocktail napkin in his hands until it tore. He exhaled heavily as if a great weight was pressing down on him.
"It was just about this time last year when we got Mom's diagnosis and when I found out, I wanted to cancel my date for the junior prom. But Mom took me aside and said, 'You can't mourn the living. You never know what life's going to bring, so enjoy it while you can.' So I went. After, she told me she missed her high school prom and so enjoyed proms vicariously through us kids. I promised myself I'd take her to my senior prom so she could experience it firsthand." Jason wiped away a tear forming in the corner of his eye. He paused before going on. "Since she's gone now I decided I wouldn't go - sort of my way of mourning the dead."
Kathy found her own eyes misty with tears. "Oh Jason, that's so incredibly sweet." She placed her hand over his and squeezed it firmly.
He squeezed back, lost in his own thoughts. Finally, he spoke.
"Do you know why she missed her prom? She never told me."
"I'm afraid it's my fault. You see, I had an accident and couldn't go, and I felt miserable about it. Your mother broke her date at the last minute to spend the evening with me. She never told me how important the prom was to her. She was always ready to set aside her own desires and wishes in order to help someone. I owe her so much."
They sat in silence holding hands until young woman in a short black dress approached. "Sorry to interrupt, Mom, but I was wondering if Jason would like to dance."
"Sure, Lauren, I'd love to." He took her out stretched hand and followed her to the dance floor.
Kathy watched them dance. Lauren sure was taken with Jason. If they didn't live so far apart they would probably be a couple. He had become a fine young man. Hell, she admitted to herself, he's pretty close to ideal.
As she watched them twirl, she was envious of her daughter. For Lauren the world was full of exciting new experiences and opportunities. It would be years before she would be bogged down with responsibilities and life became - what? Boring? No, that was too strong of a word. Routine? Yes, routine, predictable, ordinary.
Kathy looked across the room to her husband of twenty two years. Steve had a Scotch in his hand and the way he was waving it around while he talked, she knew he was well on his way to many more. And she knew later, when they were finally in bed, he'd press up against her, his hands touching her in that oh so familiar pattern until she gave in. She would coo and softly moan appropriately, her fingers digging into his back at the right moment when his body stiffened.
Shaking her head to dispel the images of the evening to come, Kathy laughed sadly and went in search of a drink.
*****
The music changed to a slow romantic tune. Jason stepped closer taking Lauren in his arms. He looked into her eyes, the same emerald green as her mother's. Lauren pulled him closer, clasping her hands around his neck and resting her head on his shoulder. The heavenly scent of her hair filled his nostrils. He ran his hand through her auburn locks, relishing the silkiness. Lauren sighed and nestled closer. Like her mother, she was tall, long legged, just a couple of inches shorter than Jason. It was remarkable how closely Lauren resembled her mother, not only in physical appearance but also in the way she spoke, the way she laughed, and the way she carried herself with a quiet grace.
Jason thought all this while watching Mrs. J. across the room. She rose from her chair and headed over to the bar and as she walked, the slit in her dress revealed her well toned leg up to her thigh. Seeing the exposed flesh, Jason pulled Lauren closer; she responded be running her hand up the back of his neck to run her fingers through his hair. He envisioned he was dancing with Mrs. J., holding her tightly in his arms as she teased his hair with her fingers, her breasts pressed against his chest.
How long had he loved her? For years he had yearned for her from afar as he could not profess his true feelings. How do you tell someone who's old enough to be your mother, who's so close to your family you feel more connected to them than with some of your siblings? To tell, to confess is to risk losing everything. Would she laugh it off as some schoolboy crush? Worse, would she be horrified? Or would she brush him off gently with the graceful elegance she possessed? Fear of driving her away held his tongue.
Then, his dad accepted a promotion and they moved hundreds of miles away. Jason resented his father for taking him away from the woman he loved. Gone were the weekly get-togethers between the two families. Gone were Mrs. J.'s little visits, brief periods of bliss when she dropped by unannounced. When his mom was diagnosed with cancer Mrs. J. visited when she could but the visits were shrouded in dread. As his mom withered away from the sickness eating her from the inside out, so to did Jason's love for his father. At the funeral Mrs. J. looked splendid in her black dress and veil.
A soft kiss on his neck interrupted his thoughts. Lauren turned her head and kissed him again. If only those lips belonged to Mrs. J. would Jason be truly happy. He closed his eyes and for a moment he was dancing with Mrs. J., and the feel of her lips lingered for an eternity on his skin. Their bodies swayed together in perfect unison, fueling his desire.
Lauren felt his growing arousal and instead of shying away moved closer, her body pressing against his bulge. The song ended and the audience applauded.
Lips pressed against his ear. Lauren whispered, "Meet me out back in five minutes -- it's important."
With another kiss she was gone, melting away in the crowd. Jason headed to the bar, hoping it'd be unattended so he could pour himself a real drink. When he got there, he found Mrs. J. talking with Mr. J. Her husband had his hand on her back, whispering in her ear. She laughed, the tone musical and light. A stab of jealously ran through Jason. Mr. J. turned to him.
"Well, there's Jason. Can I get you something?"
"Um, sure, Coke, I guess."
Mr. J. walked around the bar and began fixing the drink. "Would you like something in that Coke?" There was a hint of mischief in his eyes.
