Next morning mom went to work as usual.
I arrived home at 10 am and went to see my dad.
He was watching an old Western on TV with a bottle at his side.
"Dad, I asked you nicely to go to AA and try to quit the booze. Don't you see that it ruined your life? You cannot work as an accountant, you don't help with house chores and you cannot accomplish your husbandly duties to mom. You failed once, but you can still try again!"
Dad held his bottle tight and mumbled, "It's too difficult. I won't do it!"
"Look dad, I am trying to explain it nicely. Don't you understand that your part time job is only a charity that the firm gives you out of pity? The money you earn does not cover even half the expenses of the alcohol you use... Your constant drinking makes you impotent!... You are still young in your mid 50s. Isn't is worth it to rebuild your life? Don't you care about mom anymore?"
He grabbed his bottle and turned away from me.
This was the last straw...
"OK dad. From now on the rules in this house are going to change. Instead of being the man of the house you chose to become a dependent, so you'll be one. You'll keep your room and when mom is at work you can use the living room too. You'll eat dinner with us in the kitchen, but the rest of the time you'll be in your room with your TV and your stinking booze. As of now I am the man of the house! I'll help with money as well as with house chores. Mom may be still officially your wife, but she is going to be MY WOMAN. These are my rules! Do you have any comments, questions, regrets?..."
He looked at me, "So I can have as much Whiskey as I want?..."
I looked at this pitiful of a person that was my father, "Is this what you really care about?"
He whispered, "Yes..."
I left the house thinking about my father with utter disgust.
The only good thing - Mom could now be mine without the need to hide anything behind my father's back!...
Mom entered the main door at 6 pm. She looked tired.
"Mom, no cooking today. I am going to order Chinese food. It will be here in 30 minutes.
Mom smiled.
The 3 of us ate dinner quietly. Dad finished and went to watch the TV in his room.
Once mom was done with her food, I served her hot tea with lemon the way she liked it.
She smiled again.
"Do you want to watch TV or go to sleep?"
"I'll watch TV for half an hour and then go to sleep."
"Mom, let me talk to you first."
I explained to her my morning encounter with dad. I told her that I offered him another opportunity, but he gave up on work, gave up on life and gave up on her... He only cared about his liquor. I explained that he didn't show any resistance to me becoming the man of the house and... mom would become my woman...
During my short speech mom's head was bent down, as if the weight of the whole world rested on her shoulders.
"I knew that this would be his reaction," she said sadly, "I lost dad many years ago... Initially I thought that it was because of me. I gained weight and it was awful... But now, with your help, I look and feel better and he still doesn't care... Robbie dear, I really wish to be your woman..."
I kissed her lips gently and told her that while certain nights I'd have to be in the barracks, I'll move some of my stuff home and prepare to live with her in her bedroom...
"Robbie... my Robbie... you'll be mine at last!" She kissed me and her beautiful eyes became teary.
"Mom, I need to go back to camp in half an hour. Why don't you lie down and I'll massage your tired legs."
"Robbie, you need to leave soon, don't waste your time on my stupid legs..."
"Mom, don't you get it? I am not doing it for you... It's just an excuse... It's my opportunity to caress your sexy legs..."
Mom sighed, "You are such a lousy liar! But you are a wonderful son... Thank you."
I brought oily stuff from the bathroom. I massaged her feet and calves for 20 minutes.
Before I left she whispered, "Robbie, I missed you so much when you were gone. You were the only one I loved in this house. Now that you are here, I see that I was right all along... I love you, LOVE you, L O V E you..."
I kissed her forehead and ran out.
Over the next few days I moved all my personal stuff home.
Mom vacated enough space for me in her closets and drawers. I didn't need much anyway.
Seeing dad at dinner on the first day back at home felt weird...
All three of us knew that in few hours I'd go to sleep with his wife in their bedroom...
The tension was too high, especially for mom... I just hugged her and kissed her good night.
The next evening at dinner dad looked at me and mom 'differently', but he didn't talk.
The second night I wanted more of mom... And I got the feeling that she wanted it too, but was uneasy about it.
I understood her dilemma. It was the first time we both wanted to touch and play with each other while dad was at home...
