All characters are at least 18 years old.
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Sex with your son was not conducive to a good night's rest. Don't get me wrong, the sleep itself was very restful, I just wasn't getting much of it. I woke up with Drew's arm draped over my midriff, the boy himself sleeping soundly beside me. The toys were nowhere in sight, and I assumed he'd cleaned them after I passed out. I was dying to lie in bed with him, but unfortunately I still had work. Tonight was the night of the Christmas party, and Leon had emailed us the venue, a small banquet hall booked by the company. Carefully extricating myself from Drew, I groaned as I sat forward, but quickly cheered up when I remembered today was only a half day. Tomorrow was Christmas Eve, after all.
I got ready with the lights off, then kissed Drew on the forehead before having some buttered toast and driving to work. My phone rang and I checked the caller. Helen Thomas. Hoo boy, this was going to be a spectacle.
"Helen? How are you?"
"Hi Coco. I just wanted to say thank you for the advice you gave me the other day." She seemed much more steady today, less flustered and panicked.
"Can I assume everything went well?" I asked.
"I think 'well' is open to interpretation," she chuckled half-heartedly. "But my kids have come home, so I can't complain. It seems they're going ahead with their relationship."
"And how does that make you feel?" I sounded so much like a therapist that I almost laughed. That would've been poor timing.
"I still have my reservations of course, but I kinda-sorta gave them my blessing, if you can call it that. They're, um... going to the local community college next year."
"Oh. Interesting." The news took me a bit by surprise. Had they coordinated with Drew? "I always thought they were smart enough to go to better schools. Though I suppose it's much more affordable, which should be a relief. It's only been a few months since you got your current job, right?"
"I'd say I'm back on my feet now, but there's no way they can even go to state schools without financial aid, with the way my current savings are looking. The alimony that scumbag father of theirs sends is a pittance. Bastard must be paying it all to his lawyers," she groused, before sighing. "I'm sorry for getting into this. The point is, I suspect that the main reason the twins decided this was so they could stay together. If they'd gone to different schools, that would've helped this whole situation."
"Like I said, very smart kids," I chuckled, and she grumbled in response. "But that also means they stay with you. You should count your blessings, most kids these days would rather have nothing to do with their parents, trying to get out of dodge ASAP. Yet yours are staying."
"I suppose. That is quite a nice feeling."
"Y'know, I don't get gut feelings often. But I feel like things will turn out alright, Helen." I smiled genially, though she couldn't see it.
"I just can't help but worry, you know?"
"I understand completely. It's inherent with being a mom, especially with the current circumstances. But they have great friends to help them out. They'll be fine."
"Right. Right." I heard her take a deep breath. "Okay. Gosh, so much damn drama. What a crazy year it's been. How have you and Drew been doing?"
The question caught me off guard. "Oh, you know. I think we've gotten a bit closer."
"Oh? How so?"
I grit my teeth. Why didn't I just say "fine" like a nice boring person? I really needed somebody to teach me how to lie properly. "Well, talk of college apps and all that. Prospective empty nest syndrome, I suppose."
"Mm. Absolutely. You're gonna need a new guy in the house, huh? What about that man Valentine?"
My heart hopped into my throat. "Leon Valentine? Helen, he's my neighbor *and* boss! That would be so awkward!"
"True, true. And I doubt Drew would like somebody so close to home dating his mother, huh?" she reasoned, laughing. If only she knew. I was so glad this conversation wasn't in person, because I had to dab sweat off my forehead. "Anyway, again, just wanted to say thank you. I hope you're right, and things all work out. Say hi to Drew for me."
"Of course. Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas, Coco."
We ended the call, and I breathed a sigh of relief. Another minefield navigated. But the worst was yet to come tonight. I dialed Sasha's number, keenly aware I had to prepare for the party. She picked up on the first ring.
"*Privet*."
"Hi Sasha, it's Coco. Listen, I have something going on tonight, so could we meet a bit earlier today? I'm sorry for the short notice."
"*Konechno*. You have date with Drew?" she inquired gleefully.
"Sort of. We're going to a party with some of my friends."
"*Ura*! You take next step, go public. Sasha is impressed."
I floundered in a rush to correct her. "Going public is putting it strongly. It's not all that. I'll explain over coffee later, it'll make more sense then."
"*Da*. Four o'clock then."
"Sounds good. Thanks. See you then."
--
Jazz was gossipy about the holidays, making it slightly difficult to focus on work. Just before it was time to leave, Leon came out to the bullpen and addressed everybody.
"Well folks, I know it's not quite the end of the year, but I wanted to say something before we all went off to enjoy the holidays," he said, beaming. "The bigwigs upstairs are pretty happy with our performance this year, so I wanted to give a shoutout to all you guys for a job well done. Bonuses look pretty padded this time, by the way," he added with a grin. "Go home and have a merry Christmas, and I'll see you guys on Thursday! Or at the party tonight, for those joining us."
There was the drone of chatter as everybody began leaving, and Jazz attached herself to me as we walked out together. "So I'll be seeing you tonight?" she asked, and I nodded with a smile. "You and Drew heading to your parents' place?"
"Snowstorm's coming in," I sighed, and Jazz grunted dejectedly. "Don't wanna risk it."
"Yeah, that sucks. Ey yo, did you ever get that titty milk situation checked out?" She asked it so nonchalantly, one would think from her tone of voice that she was talking about a flyer in the mail.
"Jesus Christ, Jazz," I hissed. "There are still people nearby."
"Think they'll know what I'm talking about, even if they heard?" she snorted.
I grumbled a bit before answering. "I haven't really found the cause, but I've found a solution."
"Cool, cool." I said a silent prayer of thanks that she didn't ask me to elaborate. "Aight, later, Coco." She waved and headed for her car, and I let out a sigh. Constantly dodging questions, constantly lying to friends. Was all this worth it? *Drew*... Yes. It absolutely was.
I passed the Taboo night club again, reminded that I'd forgotten to ask Sasha about it. Parking in front of the cafe and sitting down across from my Russian friend, she smiled and sipped her mocha.
"*Privet*, Coco," she greeted me.
"Privet," I replied, drinking some of my latte.
"You are comfortable with yesterday?" she asked, somewhat cautiously. As she was right to; what we'd done was frankly outrageous. I still couldn't get over the simple fact that a sex shop had a changing room. What had transpired inside didn't bear mentioning.
"Saying I was comfortable with it would be inaccurate," I said slowly. Already, any apprehension she felt melted away, as she smugly awaited my irresolute answer. I swear this girl could read minds. "But I'm sure you could tell that I... gleaned some enjoyment from it." She gave herself one of her tiny applauses before I asserted, "It's not happening again, though."
"*Net*, of course not. Door is already open, no point to reopen," she said with a maddening grin. I sighed in vexation before moving on.
"Hey, something I wanted to ask you," I began, and she perked up. "You spend a bit of time in this area, right?" She peered around at our surroundings, unsure where I was going with this. "Do you know anything about that club Taboo?"
Realization dawned on her face, and for two seconds it seemed she had a look of joy. "You are interested?"
"I was just wondering about it. It has to be underground, right? And it's not exactly in a prime location. How does it operate? I'd think all the major clubs are in the big city."
She leaned in, prompting me to follow suit as she spoke in a lowered voice. "Sasha hear things about Taboo. Do not let random person inside. Only special customer."
"Have you ever been?"
Sasha shook her head. "I am not even allowed past front door." She looked me up and down before growing the hint of a playful smirk. "You and Drew could get in."
"I thought you said only special customers are allowed in," I pointed out, confused. "I've never even heard of it before. What's so special about me and Drew?"
"Alone, neither of you are special. It is what you are together."
"What does *that* mean?"
She grinned, sitting back with a cocksure smirk. "What are you and Drew?"
I frowned quizzically. "Lovers?" She shook her head. "Neighbors?" At this, she raised an unamused eyebrow. I decided to venture a more daring guess. She knew by now anyway. She was just short of hearing it from the horse's mouth. "Mother and son?"
Then it hit me. *Taboo*. Instead of nodding, Sasha simply maintained her smile as I figured out Taboo's exclusive clientele. Impossible. An entire night club that catered to...
"There can't be that many people out there," I said hesitantly.
"You would be surprised," Sasha chuckled. Just the answer I was afraid of. "And they let other special people in. Different interests." She didn't expound on the subject.
"I... see." I sipped my coffee, head spinning.
"So you are going to party tonight," she prompted, chewing on her pinkie nail.
