"What have you got there Sweetie?"
The question caught me by surprise as I thought I was alone in the house. I whirled around to see my mum standing in the doorway, sheepishly pushing the item in my hands behind my back. The item in question being a pair of mum's knickers. This wasn't the first time I'd been through her drawers, far from it, but it was the first time I'd been caught. This was especially embarrassing as I was now in my early 20's so the excuse of youthful curiosity was never going to fly. For a moment I was deeply concerned she was going to brand me some kind of dangerous pervert but her response however genuinely surprised me and gave me the experience of my life.
Among my circle of friends my mother had always been regarded as the 'cool mum.' While other mothers presented a fairly conventional appearance mine had always rocked an 'alternative' look boasting dyed hair, piercings and tattoos. Today her long pink hair fell past her right shoulder with an undercut on the left side. Numerous hoops adorned her ears, a single ring hung from her nose while two small studs decorated her bright red lips. As if to offset her alternative style she wore a vintage style dress in a red plaid pattern, knee length with a white collar and cuffs at the elbow. A vine with an array of colourful flowers climbed her legs while a swarm of butterflies fluttered round her arms. She had caused quite the stir when she met the other mums, not just for her style but for also being a such a young single mother. Over the year however she had been accepted into the parenting group.
"Nothing," I lied feebly as she approached me. I tried to push the drawer close with my body but I wasn't fooling anyone.
"Sweetie, come on. Why don't you show me what you've got."
There was no way to fight it so I pulled the knickers from behind my back. They were white satin, full back briefs with a little bow on the front. In response mum wordlessly crossed the room where she sat down on the bed and beckoned me to sit next to her. Not wanting to risk any more wrath I did what I was told.
"I know this isn't the first time you've been in my underwear draw," she said and I hung my head in shame. She took my hand in hers, "It's OK, you shouldn't be embarrassed. I've always been more than happy for you to explore. It's always been just you and me. Even now your grown up I still want you to feel like you can talk to be about anything. Now tell me, what did you want to do with my knickers?"
Stunned, I said nothing.
"Do you like to wear them?" she asked, filling the silence.
"Yes," I said in a small voice.
"Sweetie, you know I love you and I'm happy for you to wear my underwear if you like. Perhaps I could take you shopping one day?"
"No shopping," I choked out. "Too public."
"I understand. Is it just the underwear or do you like my other clothes too? Maybe the dresses?"
"Just the knickers," I said. "It's not like I want to be a girl or anything, I just like how they feel on me."
"I see. Well in the long run we can still look into getting you your own knickers, would you like that? We can shop online if that would be more comfortable for you."
I nodded, "I'd like that. I'm just a little worried."
"About what, Darling?"
"It's just... I've never had a girlfriend and I'm worried that when I meet someone she'll either laugh at me or run away if she finds out I like to wear knickers."
"Oh Sweetie," mum pulled me into a tight hug. "I'm not going to tell you it'll be easy, finding the right person for a relationship never is. But I assure you that not every girl needs her boyfriend to be a manly man. Many girls today appreciate a man who's in touch with his feminine side, however it manifests. I'm sure when the time comes you'll feel comfortable sharing yourself with the right person. Feel better?"
"Yes, thanks mum. And thank you for understanding."
"My pleasure, it's what mummies are for," she turned her attention back to the ones in my hand. "Are those your favourites?"
"Yes, I've tried on a few and I really like these. The satin feels so nice. I much prefer the full back ones, I didn't really like the thongs."