*All characters in this story are over the age of 18 years old.*
Ugh...thank god it was Friday. Plus I only have 3 more weeks and then high school is over. For an 18-year-old, high school seemed to never end. I was desperately hoping that college would be better. I mean it must be better, right? Students actually have to prove that their smart enough to get in and they have to pay. I was halfway in that boat. My grades were good enough that I could get into almost any college I wanted to and I was a good enough athlete in competitive swimming that I had secured a full scholarship. But high school was dragging along too damn much.
I finally sighed and went into the house. I didn't expect to see my Dad this early and I could clearly tell that something was wrong. He stopped in his tracks when he saw me, his jaw dropped, and he just stared at me, until he finally said, "I was hoping to be gone by the time you got home."
He then looked away and absently said, "I have to go. Talk to your mother."
My Mom then appeared from around the corner. She had puffy eyes and had clearly been crying. She just looked from me to him and said, "Well, he's here. You might as well tell your son too."
Dad looked angrily over his shoulder at Mom. My hackles were already rising seeing my mother upset, but seeing my Dad look at her like that had me staring him down and ready to go. Apparently, they both saw the change in my body language and expression, because Dad eyed me warily and Mom sighed as she said, "Alex, don't. Robert just go."
Dad then left without another word. I watched him get into his car, which I now saw was loaded with suitcases and other miscellaneous items and then drive away. I turned back to Mom and she just held out her hand, which I took, and she then guided me to the kitchen table so she could explain everything. Apparently, Dad had just served her with divorce papers. He hadn't said as much, but Mom suspected he was cheating on her and either he'd decided that the grass was greener on the other side or the other woman was pregnant.
At any rate, Dad had just packed up his belongings and given Mom his house keys, so they were now officially separated. Mom had already contacted an attorney friend of hers and they planned to meet in 30 minutes. I knew the friend Mom was talking about and she was a pit bull in court, so Mom had a good leg-up there. I didn't know what to say, so I kept my comments short and just focused on her feelings and plans. Mom was taking everything pretty well, now. But she had obviously been very upset before I got home and I figured she was just putting on a brave face for me.
Looking at my mother and I, no one would automatically think that she was my mother. Mom had dark brown hair and I had black hair. Mom's eyes were hazel and mine were green. The only thing we had in common physically was that we were both clearly athletic. Mom ran track through college and still liked to jog to stay in shape, whereas I swam. I had a toned swimmer physique and it was obvious that I got my athleticism from her. She was still toned for the most part, but ironically the only places where she hadn't been able to lose the baby weight from having me was her ass and breasts. She didn't mind and actually loved her physique, but she still joked that having me had turned her runners physique into the cliche bimbo physique.
At 38, she knew she had nothing to be ashamed of and had a very comfortable view of her own attractiveness. She never openly flaunted her body, but she was also shameless and not opposed to dressing in revealing and sexy clothing when the situation arose. Mom had gotten pregnant with me during her second year of college. Not only did she finish college on time with a bachelor's degree, but she earned an internship with an investment firm and was quickly offered a position. So money had never been an issue with her. She had worked hard and invested her money wisely, all while taking care of me. I never remember a time when she would say that she was too busy or too tired to play with me or come to a school event.
We stayed at the table and continued talking until her friend arrived, I excused myself so they could talk and stayed out of their way. After a little while, Mom called me back into the kitchen and had me join them. Mom and her friend asked if I had any questions and then answered everything I asked. Dad's attorney had already made a tentative divorce settlement, which included my Mom getting the house, alimony (that my mother didn't need but her attorney refused to let her refuse it), child support for me (for the whole 3 1/2 months until I leave for college), and any court costs that occur including Mom's attorney. I was slightly shocked that he was basically giving Mom everything. Mom's attorney hesitated, but Mom jumped in to say that my Dad probably wants the proceedings over and done with as soon as possible, especially if he intends to remarry soon. I nodded in understanding. After that, Mom's friend said that she would go over the paperwork again, but unless something popped out at her, she'd advise Mom to sign the settlement and be done with it.
The next few weeks were pretty normal for Mom and me. We continued on and acted as normal as we could. Dad had rarely been around anyway, so it wasn't that much of a change for us. She signed the divorce papers and that was that. Dad never contacted me to ask how I was doing and he barely acknowledged my existence when Mom, her attorney, and I met Dad and his attorney at Mom's attorney's law firm. Considering he had barely been around as I grew up and never took an interest in me before, I wasn't going to waste my time on him now.
After I graduated, things remained mostly the same. I had my timeline for my move to college, my summer training schedule, and I'd already chosen my fall classes. One night over dinner, Mom seemed especially depressed. I asked if anything was the matter and she explained that the city symphony was putting on a production of one of her favorite operas. Mom had bought Dad and her season tickets to all the symphony productions and had been looking forward to the event. But she was overly thrilled about going alone. She went on to explain that she had upgraded the tickets this year to include a very nice car service, a 5-course meal at any number of 5-star restaurants, and a private balcony.
I nodded, understanding her issue immediately. Thinking quickly, I suggested that I could go with her. At first, Mom shook her head and said that she wasn't really in the mood for the opera anyway, but I kept on. I argued that I already had a nice suit (a custom-tailored suit gift from Mom for my birthday), none of the high-society types knew me so it wouldn't be weird, I had never been to the opera, and Mom could use a nice relaxing and romantic evening on the town. I could see that she was considering it and sweetened the deal by adding that she could play the role of a sugar momma with a new boy toy that she wanted to show off.
Mom blushed and pursed her lips to hold in a smirk, as she mock glared at me, before asking, "What if they think I'm just an attractive middle-aged woman with an eye for younger men and you just have a thing for MILFs?"
I shrugged and smirked, as I replied, "Mom, how much fun would you have with me on your arm, both of us dressed up for a fancy night on the town, while everyone points and gossips about us?"
Mom held her mock glare, as she pointed out, "You do realize that we'll have to play at being a couple, honey? That means no calling me 'Mom,' no referring to you as my son, and we'd be arm-in-arm the whole night."
I shrugged and argued, "So I'll call you Paige, honey, babe, or some other pet name. You can call me Alex, honey, and whatever else you think would work."
Mom considered the idea as she resumed eating, before saying, "It is an upscale environment and most of the people there are very conservative, so we wouldn't be doing much, other than holding hands, hooking arms, and generally staying together throughout the night. If you're comfortable with that, this could work."
