"And this is when he was fifteen," says Mildred, pointing to the notches in the door jamb. "Five-feet and seven-inches. I knew he would be big and strong. Now look at him."
The room has posters of race cars and science charts. Books lining the shelves. The walls are blue and the bed is a twin with a green army sheets and a darker-green pillow at the headboard. An alarm clock flashing 12:00.
"Is that so?" says Janie, with a sugary inflection.
"Yes. My big strong boy," she says, with a twinkle in her eye. "Now he's my big, strong man."
"Mom. We don't have to keep talking about me, do we?" says Leo, looking embarrassed.
"I'm just so proud of you."
Janie rolls her eyes.
"Janie. You're a piano teacher. I think you'll appreciate this," said Mildred, grabbing Janie by the hand and leading her to her studio.
"Oh, a Shimmel. That's pretty impressive. I just have a cheap electric Yamaha at home, myself."
"Janie's really talented, Mom."
"I bet," says Mildred, smiling. "Will you play us something, Janie?"
"Maybe a little later. I haven't warmed up or anything."
"Where's Dad?"
"Huh?"
"Dad."
"Oh, I'm sure he's outside, practicing."
"Practicing what?" asks Janie.
"His golf swing."
"Oh, I like golf. Always wanted to play."
"Maybe Daniel will teach you later, Janie."
"Yeah, Janie. Dad's pretty good."
The backporch door can be heard opening, "Millie, where's my putter?"
"How would I know?" Says Mildred, raising her voice to the hallway.
"Never mind, woman. You're never any help."
Mildred Laughs, "Good luck, Janie."
Footsteps can be heard from the back of the house. Then an gray-haired man with big shoulders and a striped shirt starts up the stairs, "Who's this enchanting woman?"
Janie's face blushes. She perks up.
"This is Janie, Dad. The one I told you about."
"Yes. She's more beautiful than you led on, Son."
"Mildred is beautiful, too," says Janie.
"Yeah. Sure. For an old lady," says Daniel, moving up beside her. "Are you a cheerleader?"
"No. I'm a piano teacher. I do like to keep in shape, though."
"I can see that," says Daniel, plastering a bright-cheeked smile across his face. "And how's my boy treating you," he says, patting Leo on the shoulder.
"I treat her like a princess, Dad."
"He could use some pointers," says Janie, then nudging Leo with her shoulder.
"C'mon, Janie, let me show you around the house," says Daniel, putting his arm around Janie's shoulder, "I'll tell you all you need to know about Leo."
"Let me finish showing them the upstairs," says Mildred, taking Janie's hand and leading her further down the hallway. "Then you can show her whatever you want."
"Janie do you know how to golf?"
"I'd love to learn."
"I bet you're a quick learner."
Janie blushes more.
Leo looks at the family pictures lining the wall, "Janie's a talented athlete. She used to be captain of her Lacrosse team."
"Very impressive."
"You know, I once did a triathlon."
"Oh, you barely made it through, Millie," says Daniel laughing.
Mildred's face flattens.
"At least you finished, Mom."
"Yeah. For someone your age, Mrs. Rosa, that's pretty good."
"For my age?"
"I didn't meant to offend. I'm so sorry."
"Oh, don't worry about it," says Daniel. "Old women get offended easily."
"Old women..."
"Don't listen to Dad, Mom."
"Hey, boy. You're supposed to back me up."
"I have a personal trainer name Ezekiel. He's always pushing my limits," says Janie, batting her eyes at Daniel. "I tell him not to hold back. He gives it to me good."
"She always comes back to the apartment, completely wiped."
"I bet," says Daniel, not taking his eyes off Janie.
Mildred clears her throat, "I was thinking of getting a personal trainer myself."
"That's great, Mom."
"I could give you Ezekiel's number," says Janie.
"You'll still be old, Millie. Exercising doesn't get rid of aging."
"Stop being mean, Daniel," she says, crossing her arms, "And thank you, Janie. I might take you up on that."
"You don't mind a little teasing, do you, Janie?" asks Daniel.
"Ezekiel teases me all the time. Always grilling me."
"What does he get you doing?" asks Daniel.
"Mostly calisthenics. He does this one exercise with me and my legs turn to jelly. I swear."
"Is that what most personal trainers do?" asks Mildred, with a suspicious tone.
"Why don't you show us the rest of upstairs, Mom?"
"Then let me show you my den, Janie," says Daniel, moving toward the stairs.
"No, Daniel. Here's the master bedroom."
"You have OCD, woman," says Daniel, gesturing down the stairs.
They go to the end of the hall.
The master bedroom is beige and with a waterbed. Draped silk over the top pillars at the corners of the bed. A big flat screen on the wall. Mahogany dresser. A single gold jewelry box. Pictures of Daniel and Mildred and Leo beside the gold box.
"Beautiful, Mrs. Rosa. Looks like the setup I keep trying to talk Leo into."
"I just don't see the point. I like how my room is set up at the apartment," says Leo.
"And that's the problem, Leo," says Janie, laughing.
"Look, Janie, see the figurine of the elephant that Leo carved me when he was eighteen. Right after graduation."
"Leo, You never told me that you could crave figurines."
"I'm a mystery."
"You sure are."
"You'll have to introduce me to Ezekiel, Janie. Sounds like he's really good at what he does."
"He is. I've been seeing him since before I started dating Leo," she says, grabbing Leo's hand and squeezing it.
"Looks like you need a trainer, Leo Boy," says Daniel, slapping him on the shoulder again.
"I don't like exercise."
"Well, engineering isn't the most physical job. Why couldn't you get a job that keeps you in shape? Why couldn't you just go into landscaping, like your old man?"
Leo goes quiet.
"Oh, I'm just kidding, boy. Maybe it's me who should be following your example," says Daniel, looking at Janie.
**********
"Meatloaf, my favorite, Mom."
"As always," Mildred says.
"Pass the mash potatoes, please, Janie," says Daniel.
She does, her thumb edging into the potatoes. She hands the bowl and then sucks the potato off her thumb.
"So, Janie. How long have you been teaching piano?"
"Been at it since...too long."
"Do you like it?" asks Daniel.
"It can be fun. Especially when I get to teach the old guys. I don't know what that says about me," she says, giggling.
Leo leans over and rubs Janie's hand, "She gets great reviews. Five stars."
"Engineer and a successful piano teacher. You guys are doing great," says Mildred.
"And you're a landscaper, you said, Danny?" says Janie.
"Danny?" says Mildred and Leo.
"Nicknames. I love it. Yes I am."
"I see where Leo gets his good looks."
Mildred puffs up, "Leo is more handsome."
"Thanks, mom."
"Can it, Millie."
"How else are you guys alike?" asks Janie.
"They're both stubborn. They both work hard. They both know how to finish what they start," says Mildred, pouring gravy on her mash potatoes.
"Finish. That's good," says Janie, looking at Daniel. "What have you finished lately, Danny?"
Daniel laughs, "Well, Janie, instead of telling you, why don't I just show you. I can take you to my site, tomorrow."
"Oh, that's a good idea," says Mildred. "That will give you two a chance to bond, while giving me and Leo some needed mother-son time."
"It's settled then," says Daniel, clapping his hands.
"Maybe you can teach me some things. Like Ezekiel."
"I'm sure he can," says Leo.
**********
The light above the oven is on. The clock reads 12:23. The full moon is out. She can hear Daniel snoring. She hears movements in Leo's room. She notices that the lights are off. But it sounds like Leo and Janie are still up.
She takes a long sip of water.
The humming of the fridge.
She hears giggling.
Leo is whispering. But loudly.
The linoleum is blue and the light creates a slight reflection off the surface of it.
The kitchen table is neat and the candelabra stands in the middle of it with all five candles erect and ready to be lit.
She goes passed the refrigerator and sets the glass on the counter.
She finds a whole cucumber on the counter.
She hears Janie giggle more. She grabs the glass and grips the cucumber tight.
She walks up the stairs. She sits at the top step.
She watches the door.
The snoring coming from the end of the hall.
The sound of mattress springs going off.
She feels the texture of the cucumber.
The smell of lavender from the living room.
She can hear her son moaning in pleasure.
The squeaking. The springing. The pounding.
She looks excited.
She looks jealous.
Her cheeks feel warm and red.
She moves her hand down to between her legs. The cucumber in her hand. She lightly touches her clit through her nightie.
She swallows and puts the end of the cucumber in her mouth and starts sucking it.
She presses harder into her clit.
She lifts up the bottom of her nightie and puts her hand down her panties. She slides her finger over her clit and starts working circular motions. Sliding her finger inside and then pulling her finger out and rubbing her clit. Sucking the cucumber more.
Leo is making grunting-animal noises.
Janie saying 'Oh god,' over and over.
Mildred presses the cucumber to the end of her throat and chokes on it, increasing the rate of her rubbing her clit.
She lets go of the cucumber, holding it in her mouth with her lips, she pinches her tits while rubbing faster and faster.
The mattress squeaking faster and faster. Leo and Janie making inhuman noises. The snoring stops. But she doesn't notice.
She takes the cucumber out of her mouth and with her other hand she pulls her panties down, sliding them to her ankles.
She inserts the cucumber into her pussy and slides it in, back and forth. Pinching her tit more.
The sound of Leo and Janie pounding as fast as they possibly can.
The moaning and the pounding.
