(While the first half of this story is written as a romance the back half ventures into very hardcore smut. I wanted this stated up front so that you know what to expect. Also, this story is the length of a short novel so be prepared for a long read. Finally, a particular mental health condition is referenced in the course of the story. It is used here as a device in a cavalier and pulp fiction sort of way and should not be taken as a realistic portrayal. It is not the author's intent to offend anyone. Hope you enjoy the story!)
***
I am hanging around the apartment by myself one night when the phone rings. I glance up from the textbook I was reading and over at the phone with some annoyance. It was the landline which meant it was almost certainly for my roommate Craig. It was probably his work calling. Besides telemarketers they were the only ones to really use that number. Despite needing the shifts Craig refused to give them his cell phone number. He had a standing request of me to answer these calls and accept whatever was offered on his behalf as long as it wasn't the same day. I hated doing it but if I wanted to see his half of the rent on time I had to do my part to make sure the guy got work.
With a sigh of exasperation I get up and walk to the phone mumbling about how I should get a commission for each shift he got like this for secretarial duties rendered. Without even looking to see who was calling I answer the phone.
"Hello."
There is a slight pause before I hear an unfamiliar female voice. "Hello. Is Noah Miller there?"
It was for me but I had no clue who this was. I reply warily. "Yes, this is Noah."
The woman's voice says in a friendly tone. "Hello Noah. I apologize for calling you so late. My name is Doctor Amy Nelson and I am your mother's psychiatrist."
I am hit with a bolt of worry followed immediately by confused curiosity. Why in the hell was my mom's shrink calling me? "Uhhh, okay. Is...she alright?"
"There's no emergency or anything Noah. There is nothing to worry about." She says in a calm easy manner. "Since I've been seeing her I can honestly say that her mental health has never been better. But to answer your question. No, your mother is not alright in one important way."
This answer did nothing to assuage either my confusion or concern. "What's the matter? I just talked to her today and everything seemed fine."
"Yes, she puts on a brave face but..." She sighs. "Michelle is doing great with everything except...she's lonely Noah. She's desperately lonely."
I wait for more but I am greeted by silence. This was not news to me. My mom was divorced from my asshole father just over two years ago now after catching him with another woman...for the second time. The first one she had been able to rationalize away but having it happen again was too much for her. The ego crushing indignity of it destroyed the vibrant and vivacious woman that she had been and left a sad shadow of what she used to be in its wake. I cut him out of my life at the same time. It killed me to see what that bastard had done to her.
In the aftermath she decided to move to the city I was living in to be closer to her only child and the most important person in her life. My mother and I had always been close. This decision had been a mixed blessing. On the one hand she and I got to see more of each other plus she didn't have to see all of the people and locations that would bring back so many hurtful memories. On the other hand she was now in a city where she knew almost nobody at a time of her life she was at her most withdrawn and introverted.
"I visit her at least a few times a week Dr Nelson. As often as I can."
"Call me Amy."
"Sure, Amy. If you want me to visit her more I suppose I can try to..."
"No, no. You misunderstand." She interjects. "No, you are doing everything right Noah. It's not about spending more time with her..." Once more she falls silent. I could tell she was edging around something.
"Dr Nelson, Amy, why did you call me?"
"Listen, Noah, just by contacting you I am breaking patient - doctor confidentiality."
"It's good. I won't say anything. If there is any way I can help my Mom I am all ears."
There is yet another odd pause before she finally speaks again. "Noah, I believe Michelle is very close to a breakthrough. There have been so many positive signs in our sessions lately and I think...I think she just needs a little...nudge."
"A nudge?" I ask.
"Noah, do you have any Oedipal issues? Are you sexually attracted to your mother Noah?"
"What!?" I exclaim. "NO! Of course not!"
"Good. Sorry but I needed to ask that. Ahem." The psychiatrist clears her throat. "What I am going to request is extremely unorthodox. But..." I wait with rising impatience. Out with it already! "Noah, I was wondering if you would ask your mother out on a date."
I wait for the punchline but none was forthcoming. "A date?"
"Yes, a date." Suddenly her voice was all cheerful again. "A first date. Like you would a girl you recently met."
I laugh out loud convinced this had to be some sort of joke. "Are you for real? Who is this? Who put you up to this?"
She is patient and steady in her response. "I am who I say I am Noah. You can look me up if you doubt me. I have a website and I am in the office right now. You can look me up and call me back if you wish."
Shit, this lady was serious!? My laughter fades. "No, that's okay. I believe you. You're...actually...serious?"
She lets out a tense laugh. "Yes, believe it or not I am. Listen. You aren't just her son. You are her best friend Noah and the only person she is really close to in the city. She adores you. But...when I say she is lonely I am not talking about the type of loneliness a visit from family can address. She might be your mother but she's also a woman Noah. A woman with all the needs and desires that go along with it."
"You want her to start dating again."
"Exactly. She's ready for it, she is SO ready for it, and it would be good for her but she won't take the plunge on her own. Your father really did a number on her confidence."
I tamp down the anger that always threatened to rise at the mention of my dad. "Yeah, he sure did."
"Here is what I am thinking Noah. She is comfortable around you like no one else. I'd like you to take her out on a nice 'first date'. I'm absolutely not saying you should try to get to first base or attempt anything lewd. Obviously not! But just a pleasant first date. A dinner and movie perhaps. Dancing maybe? Go through the motions. Be on your best behavior, pretend to get to know her again, and just have a good time with her person to person. Not as mother and son but as two adults enjoying each others company. Treat her like a real special lady, you know?" She waits for a response, of which there is none, before continuing. "I am hoping it might just remind her what she's missing. She's an attractive woman still in the prime of her life and there is no reason she shouldn't be enjoying it. A night out might help build her confidence in a casual and nonthreatening atmosphere. Because you are her son there obviously won't be any of the usual sexual tension or awkward expectations that a regular date would have. Getting out in public with a young attractive man might be just the thing to nudge her to take the next step in her healing process."
I sit there for a time processing what I was hearing and unsure of what to say. There was a logic to Dr Nelson's words yet the mere suggestion felt so twisted and wrong. Also, how did she know I was "attractive"? I realize Mom must have shown her a picture.
I finally find my voice again. "You have to be kidding."
"I'm not."
"How would I even...ask her?" I can't believe I was considering this for even a second.
"Well Noah, luckily I've already done half the work for you." She replies as if expecting the question.
"Half the work?"
"Yes. Lately Michelle has been talking about you a lot. More than usual. She is concerned that you are working too hard at school and that you never seem to have time for a girlfriend." I cannot help but grumble a defense but she continues. "I told her that it was perfectly normal for someone in their PhD to put off a serious relationship but she still worries about you. If you ask her out in such a way that it sounds like it is actually you that needs the confidence boost I am certain she would be more than happy to oblige."
"So...you want me to lie to her?"
"Errr, yeah, I guess I am. A white lie with good intentions though. Noah, If I suggest it or if you let her know your real motivation it will only undermine her confidence even more. The last thing she wants or needs right now is to be pitied. She is an attractive and intelligent and spirited woman that needs to see herself as such again."
I was incredulous. "So you want me to ask my own mother out on a date? Like a date date? You want me to tell her it is because I need a boost in MY confidence? And you don't want me to tell her that you were involved with this at all? That it was all my idea?"
"Exactly!" She replies in a cheerful voice, seemingly oblivious to the sarcasm I'd just been dishing out.
This psychiatrist belonged in the loony bin herself!
"I..." I shake my head in disbelief. "I'll think about it."
"That's all I can ask. It is entirely up to you. Thank you for considering it Noah. You are a good son." She says. "Call me anytime if you have any concerns or questions."
I let out a sharp breath. "Sure, yeah, whatever."
She laughs. "Don't worry. It's just a first date. That's all I'm asking."
Just a first date with the woman who gave birth to me and raised me. This was preposterous. I keep my tone cordial. "Okay, thank you for the call Amy. Thanks for looking after my Mom."
"Of course. After hearing so much about you it was a pleasure to finally talk to you. Goodbye Noah."
"Take care." I hang up the phone and stare at it. After a moment I wonder if that surreal conversation had actually just happened. I pinch myself. "Nope, not dreaming."
I then let out a scoffing laugh and return to my studies. A date with my mom. Ridiculous!
***
I return to the textbook and attempt to start up where I'd left off but the call from my mom's psychiatrist had thrown me off.
"Pfff. A date with my Mom." I scoff. "That shrink is nuts herself. There's no way..." I shake my head and return to what I was doing.
Yet as I sit there in the quiet apartment vainly trying to return my focus to my studies a small seed of concern takes root inside of me. I love my mother like nobody else on this world. The woman meant everything to me. Sure I was a self confessed Mama's boy growing up but it went so much deeper than that. Doctor Nelson had been correct when she said we were also best friends. The pair of us just understood each other. When my mom told me she was thinking about moving here I was extremely supportive of the idea for both altruistic as well as selfish reasons. I wanted her away from those old memories for her own good and I was also happy I'd get to see her more often.
