Mandy sat on the couch feeling out of place. Looking at all the other women at the party, not one of them was over 21. Mandy was pushing 40. She couldn't help but be a little jealous of how young and pretty they were compared to her. More than that, she was just incredibly anxious. She took a sip from her beer. She knew that most of the kids here technically weren't old enough to drink, but the alcohol was flowing freely. She felt like she should say something to Eric, but the last thing she wanted was to cause a scene with him. He probably resented her enough for just being there.
It wasn't that they didn't usually get along. Ever since she had married his father four years ago, they never really got into any real confrontations. Eric was a normal boy. He did alright in school. He played football, though he wasn't the best at it. He had some good friends and previously had a couple cute girlfriends. He was what you could call "an all-American boy." Usually his father was the one to handle Eric any time he acted up. He was a domineering man, but that was what attracted her to him the first place. He was the man of the house, he made that clear, and she loved him for it. It was a perfect match for her far meeker personality.
Still, she thought she should stick up for herself more. It's how she ended up here in the first place. Somehow Eric's father found out he was coming to this party, being thrown by a friend of a friend that Eric found out about on Facebook. He was quick to confront Eric about it.
"Dad, come on! I'm 18!" Eric said.
"I don't care. My house. My rules."
"Come on, why can't I go?"
"I don't want you drinking, and I do not want you to getting in trouble."
"Oh, come on. How am I going to get in trouble?"
"There are a lot of ways."
"What's that even mean? It's not even a school night!"
"That's what worries me."
"Dad, please!"
"Well, I'll let you go on one condition. You have a chaperone."
"You can't be serious."
"Completely serious. The only way you're going is if Mandy comes with you."
Mandy had been sitting on a nearby chair reading. She raised her head from the book. What was he talking about? They had never discussed this.
"Um, why me, honey? Why can't you go?" she said.
"You know I've got a lot to do the morning after. I need to get a good night's sleep."
"Um. I don't..."
"Oh dear, it'll be fine! Just make sure he doesn't get in trouble. So it's settled. Mandy will chaperone you to the party."
"Ugh. Fine," Eric said.
"Thanks for taking care of my son, honey! It's why I love you!" Eric's father said and kissed her on the cheek. He walked out of the room.
Mandy looked at Eric who shook his head and threw his hands up. She returned to her book with a sinking feeling in her stomach.
She had hoped Eric would be discouraged from going. She was pretty sure that's why his father had set down the rule. Then the night of the party came.
"I want to leave for the party in like an hour or so, so get ready will you?" he told her.
She sighed. She had a quick shower, did her make up, and put on a casual but nice dress. She followed Eric out to his car and got to the front seat.
"Okay, listen," he said to her. "I'm going to drop you off a block away. I'll park where you can see the car. Just go in that house."
"Eric, I'm supposed to be your chaperone."
"You are. I just don't anyone to see you arriving with me. I don't want to explain what's going on to my friends"
"Well, that's okay, I guess."
Mandy got it out and let Eric drive off. She watched him park and walked to the house he parked in front of. She watched him walk in and followed shortly after.
Now here she was. Sitting on the couch, music playing loudly, a beer in her hand, surrounded by people half her age. She didn't even know where Eric was. She thought she should go find him and make sure he wasn't getting into trouble. Before she could do anything, Eric came over and sat next to her on the couch.
"Hey Mandy. What's wrong? Why are you just sitting here?"
"Oh. I... um... don't know what else to do. I think I'm a little old for this crowd."
"Well, you're here. You may as well try to have fun."
"I don't know. I'm just supposed to watch you. I don't think..."
"You just need to loosen up a little. Hold on, wait just a minute."
Eric got up and came back with a bottle of Fireball.
"Eric," Mandy said, "you know you aren't supposed to be drinking. You promised your father."
"Hey come on, it's a party. What's the harm?"
"Eric..."
He took a snort from the bottle and held it out to Mandy.
"I won't tell if you won't. Come on, you work hard taking care of things at home. When's the last time you had a chance to let loose?"
She looked at the bottle for a moment and took it from Eric.
"Well, alright. Just don't get too drunk. Okay?"
Eric smiled and nodded. Mandy smiled back and took a drink from the bottle. It had been some time since she had liquor. She shook her head and Eric laughed.
"What's the matter? Are you a lightweight?" Eric said.
"Come on, don't tease me."
Another young man walked up to Eric. "Oh, here you are. man. Hey, who's this?"
"Hey Bill. This is my stepmom, Mandy. She had to swing by to pick up some stuff I left in my car and decided to stop in for a sec. Mandy, this is my friend Bill."