Don't you just love Halloween?
'Look honey, I'm just not comfortable yet,' said Sophie Miller to her daughter.
'Mom, it's been over a year now. Dad would want you to get on with your life. We've been over this before' said her daughter Mariah Gray.
'I know but ... '
'Mom you look gorgeous. Your new boobs are fabulous, you look years younger.'
'Oh god, if you only knew how they feel. They are so big; too big, I'm intimidated by them. I'm not used to having so much sticking out in front of me, and they're different - like cones, not natural. They bounce around and I'm sure that everyone stares at them when I go to the shops. They're just so big.'
'Mom,' Mariah said in mock exasperation. 'That's the whole idea of getting your boobs done. You want people to look at them, especially guys.'
'Oh god honey, I'm not sure I'm up to that. I'm not comfortable with the thought of another man. Well I just couldn't let anyone touch me, I think I would slap his face. And the thought of being with another man ... I ... I don't know that I want to.'
Mariah turned to her husband Dan. 'What do you think honey?' she asked looking for support, her exasperation evident.
'Jeez, I could get in trouble here,' he said laughing, trying to relieve the tension. 'Mom, I'm with Mariah, you look fabulous. Really, you two could pass as sisters, you're the same height, same weight, it's just the boobs ... and they look sensational. If Mariah wasn't here I might go for a grope myself,' he said laughing. 'Any stares you get are going to be stares of admiration. Soak it up, it's all good. Let's face it girls, you are both hot,' he said smiling at his wife.
'See, I told you,' Mariah said triumphantly.
Sophie had a worried look on her face. She shrugged her shoulders as she spoke. 'Look, in time, all in good time honey. I just need to get used to my new body. These ... ' she said cupping her boobs 'god they seem huge. I guess I'll get used to them eventually but I'm just not comfortable being around men at this stage. Well, apart from you Dan but that's different, you're not a man, you're family,' she said giving a shrug.
'What, not a man, should I be insulted?' he said with mock indignation. He stood up and leaned over his mother in law. Wrapping her in his arms he gave her a warm hug and kissed her cheek. 'Mom, if you want a real man's opinion you look absolutely beautiful and more importantly you are beautiful. Your new body is sensational, let go of your inhibitions and enjoy the attention you get. Now if you need someone to give them a test grope ...'
And she laughed and squirmed in his embrace as he tickled and played with her.
'You look real sexy. If I wasn't already married I might throw you on the bed and show you what a real man is like,' he said laughing.
'Yeah, right, you wish,' said Maria as the two woman looked at each other.
When they were alone Mariah spoke quietly to her mother. 'Ok mom, what's really bugging you? And don't tell me there's nothing, I know you too well.'
Mariah could see the conflict play out on her mother's face before she answered.
'It's been 15 months since your father passed away. If you and Dan hadn't been staying with me all that time I would have been alone. It's been so good having you here, and I mean both of you, I love him too. You've been such a comfort to me.'
'I don't think I'm up to dating yet anyway but if I did and I brought a man home with me we would all know what he was there for. It would probably be embarrassing for all of us and I'm sure you and Dan would want to move out sooner rather than later. I couldn't handle that at the moment. I love you and I love Dan: we are a family, I like it. Having you around gives me a focus, a purpose.'
'Oh mom, we aren't going to leave you alone, we love you,' she said giving her mother a hug. 'I've got an idea, maybe we can work something out,' she said. As Dan walked back into the room the phone rang. Mariah answered it. It was obvious that something was wrong.
'Honey, that was Jenny. They had a car crash, Bob is in hospital, they don't think that there is any permanent damage but he won't be getting out anytime soon. Jenny is in a bit of a state given that the baby is due in a few weeks. Hon, she's got no-one to help. She desperately wants me to come and stay for a while till Bob gets out or she has the baby or both. I can't say no, is that ok with you?' Mariah said with a resigned look.
'Not much you can do babe, that's what friends are for. Stay as long as you think you need to and pass on my thoughts to them for a speedy recovery,' her husband Dan replied. 'You won't be able to go to the Halloween party so I'll ring Alice and tell her we won't be able to go tomorrow.'