The end of the first quarter of Julie's freshman year at college couldn't come fast enough for her. The anxiety that existed in September had not faded much by the middle of December. She and a dozen or so of her former high school classmates who all attended the same college were anxious to get back home and into the more familiar surroundings of their friends and families.
The small group had hung together during the fall quarter, urging each other on when classes got tough…and partying long into the weekend nights. Now, every night was a weekend—at least until January—and they promised to keep in touch with each other.
Julie's mother, Marie, was especially glad to have her daughter home. A single parent, Marie had the arduous task of keeping track of eighteen year old Julie and her twenty year old brother, Justin. College was mostly paid for by insurance collected after the death of her husband. But, she also worked as a paralegal during the day and part-time model on nights and weekends.
Most people were surprised when they learned Marie was thirty eight years old. She looked and acted much younger, allowing the modeling firm to put her in twenty-something clothes without hesitation. She was popular with friends of all ages—including her kids' friends.
During Julie's and Justin's high school years, their house was often the place to go for parties. Marie was known as a tolerant, yet watchful, parent. Her good looks and playful attitude actually made the party-goers hope she was there…not something they could say about all parents. But Marie kept her distance. She was like the plain clothes cop in the mall. Her job was to keep the peace without interfering. She did it well.
It only took one week for Julie and her friends to plan the first holiday gathering. Naturally, Julie volunteered her house. Then she bothered to ask her mother if it was alright, fully expecting an 'OK'.
"Who's going to be here?" Marie asked when presented with the plan.
"Everybody," Julie replied. "Christine. Debbie. The whole gang from school."
"Any guys?"
Julie rolled her eyes. "Of course. Have you ever seen us get together without guys? And if you're wondering, Todd will be there."
Marie tried to look taken aback by the comment. "Why would I wonder about that?"
"Because I think you like him."
Marie shrugged. "Of course I like him. He's a good kid…"
"And he's gorgeous and sexy. I've seen the way he looks at you," Julie said.
"Julie! He doesn't 'look' at me," Marie exclaimed.
"Yeah, right. Anyway, he'll be there. And I think it's time we start trying to get Justin and Christine together," Julie said.
"That would be neat," Marie said, wishing she hadn't shown her age—once again—with such an ancient term. "I think the only reason he went to football games was to watch her cheer."
"I'll make sure he's there. And if I promise Todd comes you'll allow me to have the party?"
"Oh, shut up," Marie said as she got up to leave. Julie had heard the words before and knew the party was on.
###
It was a year and a half since Marie's husband died. The first Christmas without him wasn't really a holiday at all for the family. Since then, Julie and Justin went out of their way to engage their Mom in fun activities and anything else that seemed to rejuvenate her.
Marie's social life had all but disappeared. Finally, the lack of companionship was beginning to wear on her. For months she resisted invitations to be with men because it was disrespectful to her deceased husband. But now she looked forward to her kids' parties again, even if she wondered if it was right to anticipate being around the younger guys—like Todd.
Marie questioned herself again when, on the day of the party, she rummaged through her closet looking for something suitable to wear.
'God, Marie. It's a bunch of college kids. Just wear anything,'
she thought to herself.
Instead, she took several minutes to find the perfect red top that buttoned down the front and clung snugly to her firm body. Another few minutes allowed her to locate the tightest designer jeans she owned—and still fit into. She had modeled both articles recently and got rave reviews from the modeling firm's client.
'You ARE desperate,'
Marie thought when she stood dressed in front of the mirror. She studied, from many angles, the affect her bare nipples had on the top.
'Like some nineteen year old dude is actually going to pay attention.'
Despite her reservations, Marie found herself unbuttoning one more button at the top of the shirt. Satisfied that the proper amount of cleavage was showing, she walked out of the bedroom and towards the bathroom to work on makeup.
An hour before the first of Julie's friends was scheduled to arrive, Marie was in the kitchen finishing up the preparations. Justin walked in behind his Mom and couldn't help but take a long look at Marie's small, tight ass. As she turned around, his eyes moved up to her chest.
"Oh. Hi, Justin," Marie said, wiping her hands on a towel.
"Hi, Mom. You look…great," Justin said, slightly embarrassed at saying that to his mother. "I like the top."
Marie instantly knew her fears were warranted. When her own son had to comment on it, it was probably too revealing. "Thanks. Are you going to stick around?"
"Yeah. I told Julie I would. I hope she's not trying to set me up with somebody."
Marie smiled to herself at her son's intuition. But then, he was two years older than Julie and had done his own share of trying to hook up his sister with one of his friends.
"She'd never do that," Marie lied. Justin's look told her he didn't believe it.
Justin grabbed a snack and, after one last glance at his mother's outstanding chest, left her alone in the kitchen.
People started arriving soon after the designated hour and Julie and Justin were instantly mingling. Marie stayed mainly in the kitchen, wandering out only occasionally to make sure the house wasn't being trashed and to prevent, or attempt to prevent, the use of illegal substances. She wasn't always successful, but the kids were good about it, not wanting to blow a good thing in the use of Julie's big house.
Marie knew everybody attending. The tightly knit group formed in high school and stuck together despite containing every conceivable personality type. One voice, in particular, caused Marie to smile when she heard it—Christine's.
