Throuple Date
Dinner was a unique experience for me. Growing up, we never ordered out. No matter how tired my mom was after working, she always cooked a meal or prepped one. She told me it saved money, and saving money was important.
Now I knew that was bullshit. Okay, saving money is important, but that wasn't her reasoning. As we dined on Mexican takeout, she explained that she wanted to set a hard-working example for me. And after a day of getting humiliated by rude customers, she needed to work off some frustrations. I didn't want to think more about what she meant, considering the recent news that she's a masochist.
She also explained that she had quite the nest egg saved up and planned to retire with my father once I graduated. After a lifetime of hating my father, I struggled to imagine him as a decent man. I also couldn't understand how the woman who always sung his praises barely seemed bothered by his death. She wasn't precisely chipper, but nor did she seem to be in mourning. I didn't care to bring it up and ask her. No matter what she may claim, I had more than enough bad memories of him.
I felt awful after the meal. Not because of the company or the news, but I wasn't used to eating such foods. Even after moving out, I scrimped and saved and only went out when someone else was buying. I couldn't judge the quality of the food due to inexperience, but it tasted great, and I overate.
"Since Nikky is using your old room, do you want to sleep in my bed tonight?" Susan asked me as I pushed back from the worn and scratched dining table.
"No," I shook my head, uncomfortable with that idea. I didn't think she was trying anything, just to be clear. I saw her offer as a mother looking out for her child and nothing more. "I'll sleep on the c--um, in front of the couch. I'll just grab a couple blankets and watch some television."
She looked at me like I was nuts but shrugged. "Suit yourself. Just don't come crawling in during the middle of the night and scaring me half-to-death or whine about your back in the morning."
"Hey, Mom?" I got her attention before she headed back to her room. "If you have all that money, why did you rent out my room?"
She cocked half a smile and placed her hand on her hip before answering. "It got lonely here by myself. Of course, I'd never cheat on your dad, but women weren't off-limits. And Nikky can be a lot of fun. She's very friendly."
"Okay," I shook my head. "I'm sorry I asked. Good night, Mom."
Friendly? She wasn't too friendly when I arrived.
I had to admit to myself that could have been partly my fault, though.
"Good night, Honey," she gave me a warm smile. "I know you have a lot to think about, and I'm sorry everything turned out the way it did. That wasn't the life your father or I wanted for you, but we thought it was for the best. Unfortunately, I guess we can't change the past. You know where everything is, so help yourself. Sleep well, Son."
"Good night, Mom," I told her, then went to the closet with the spare blankets and prepared a bed on the floor. My mom kept the house immaculate, which was nice, and with enough blankets under me, the floor was almost soft.
If it seems like I'm rushing through the events of the evening, it's because I am. Don't judge me, but the whole event was uncomfortable. I didn't learn anything new and didn't know how to talk to my mother, who apparently lied to me my entire life.
I flipped on her ancient television. We never had the newer holographic displays in the house. The news and old reruns were all that were watchable on the LED display. I almost turned it back off but realized that I should probably keep up-to-date with everything going on globally, especially now that I'm a Knight.
Mom didn't have cable, so I had to make do with the over-the-air channels. But, according to my history professor, they were less biased anyway. Since Wednesday night, efforts had continued to find survivors of a massive tidal wave that wiped out countless homes and cities around the Gulf Coast. Most of Florida was still underwater. Bermuda and the Bahamas were wiped off the map. The Gulf states, Mexico, and Central America were all reeling from the damage. Complicating rescue efforts, all satellites in the area above the Gulf of Mexico were offline. Communications, GPS, and the internet were all down.
The cause of the tidal wave was the new U-shaped island that appeared in the center of the gulf. Reports were uncertain about why the freaks--not the term the news used--decided to bring their world crashing into ours. Even though that was two days ago, attempts to communicate with them failed.
Some governments were pushing or threatening to nuke the large island. The U.S. government was in shambles as no one knew where the president was. The Vice President was killed during riots after President Louise admitted to sexual relations with Lyden Snow's son.
The news discussing that damned bastard and how he screwed over the nation infuriated me. If I ever got the chance to meet him again, I wouldn't feel guilty about putting him down for good. Not only was he screwing the president, and apparently Shlee Olsen--who it turns out was a freaking werewolf all along--but he got Megan killed.
Investigations into the bombs that went off in Wyoming were also hampered by the Gulf Coast tragedy. Satellites still functioned there, but resources were being funneled to the more significant attack.
Disgusted, I turned off the T.V. and decided to get some sleep. It was still reasonably early, but the sun was down, and I wanted to be sure I was rested when I went back to talk to my wives. But, damn, it feels weird just writing that!
Even though I had a lot on my mind, I was emotionally wrung out. Once I found an almost comfortable position to sleep in, I passed out.
My sleep was fitful, and I had a weird dream about flying on a forklift. I'm sure my psychologist would have something to say about that, but that's all I remember of it.
You know how when something starts out, it's uncomfortable at first, but eventually, you get used to it? Like awkward parties, an odd smell, background noise, or a new way of math? But after some time passes, you don't notice it anymore. Well, as I woke up, that's how I felt. The blankets were comfortable, and I was plenty warm.
Then I felt the blankets shift and heard a grunt behind me.
My eyes snapped open, and it took me a moment to figure out where I was. The decorations were different, but this was my old room. And I was in a bed.
I rolled over as slow and careful as I could manage, but it was for naught. Blue eyes met mine as I heard, "Morning, sleepyhead. Sleep well?"
