The story continues.
************
Once Parker closed the door to our room, my tears began to flow. Re-reading the note left on our door, my hands were uncontrollably shaking.
"What are we going to do Parker?" I began. By now, I was sitting in the chair just inside the entrance of our room.
"We're going to go down and enjoy ourselves," he abruptly said.
"Honey, you don't understand," I stood, waving the paper frantically.
Taking my face into his beefy hands, Parker looked at me, with a seriousness that made me melt. "We're going to go down, eat, and have a good time. I won't let anyone shame you. Have I been taking advantage of our free time in between events?? Yes. But I.. do.. not.. care. Hell, these people don't know dad, Steph. We live in America."
Hearing my son speak to me as though he was a coach giving a pep talk, I just sat there absorbing his words. "Parker," I interjected, "I care, though."
"Enough, mom," Parker responded. Pulling me up from my chair, he embraced in a hug.
"I love you. I love seeing you smile. I love seeing the ecstasy on your face and hearing your moans."
As tears were still clouding my sight, I could only chuckke. "You sure know how to schmooz and old lady, don't ya. Give me 5 minutes, sweety. I need to take care of.. this," I commented, my hands going 'round in circles near my face.
Coming out of the bathroom after quickly freshening up, I saw Parker standing at the window looking outward. Walking up behind him, I put my arms around him.
"Penny for your thoughts," I softly asked.
Now joining him in overlooking the Manitoban horizon, Parker was... unusually quiet.
"Just thinkin'," he stated. "We gotta go, remember," Quickly changing the subject.
Burying our key in his pocket, I saw a suddenness in my sons' demeanor. As we walked to the door and opened it, the anxiety I felt at that moment, was still present.
**********
DING!
Watching the elevator doors open, I instinctively tightened my grip on ny sons arm. Stepping out into the lobby, hundreds of guests were making their way, wherever.
The paranoia surrounding me step-by-step, was only enhanced the closer we got to the ballroom.
"Honey," I quietly voiced, "Letsjust go back upstairs."
Turning to look at me, seeing the antipathy on my face, a caring smirk appeared on his face. "Mom, trust me," he proclaimed. "WE will enjoy the festivities." Nodding cautiously, we reached the venue.
Flashing my "badge" they had given me at the start of the reunion, Parker and I walk in. Now 7:10, pretty much everyone has arrived, looking forward to dinner, dancing, games.
Cautiously scanning the room, the table we had originally sat at was already filled with other coupkes.
"Let's just sit here, sweetheart," lightly tugging his arm toward a table. Taking our seats, Parker showed what kind of gentleman he is, by pulling my seat out for me. Once settled. he took the seat beside me. Not knowing, personally any of the residents at our table, but remembering their presence at my high school, I admit, I started to relax, telling myself everything would be alright.
Eventually, the moderator of our event came to the mic and began explaining the changes in our originally planned itinerary. From the course options for dinner, to more pictures at the photo station, to the games in store for the night, all eyes were on her. Once she completed her dialogue, the festivities had officially begun.
"Sweety, can you get me a Ginger Ale," I whispered in his ear, "I'm just feeling off, so I don't want any alcohol."
"Sure mom," he said, getting up from the table. After leaving, the usual questions began, again. Acknowledging our mother and son relationship and that my husband was unable to get out of his business trip, seemed. to satisfy the sudden deluge of curiosity. Coming back with my ginger ale and a Come for himself, I proceeded to mix and mingle with those at our table through friendly banter.
About 7:30, the servers had already gone from table to table securing everyones pregerred choice for their meal. Selecting the salmon with baked potato for myself. and the chicken fettuccine for my son, we just let the time tick. Allowing me to "adult" Parker sat back, quietly listening. When asked a direct question, he answer politely and make small talk.
For an hour, our table was buzzing. Laughter filled the air, and reconnecting with people that I'd recognized only to learn of the many classes we'd shared together, had been worth it. As I was talking to the woman next to me, Parker had cleared his throat.
"Mom," he said, quiet enough to get my attention. Diverting my attention his direction, he simply moved his eyes downward. Looking down, I saw my hand on his. Without realizing, I had been holding his hand then moved it to my lap. Seeing my skirt, partially up over my left leg, the strap holding up my stocking visible, his fingers were on the fabric of my thigh high nylon.
"Oh!" I said, in a quick, dismissive tone. Discreetly pulling my hand from the top of his, he removed his hand from the top of my left thigh. Shuffling uncomfortably in my seat, I had managed to settle my skirt back over my leg.
Looking up, out of the embarrassment that almost befelled me, I saw Grace, Richard, Jeremy and Beth were glancing, unconvincingly, in our direction. Feeling uneasiness, I regrouped, returning to my conversation with the table.
**********
After we all ate, the moderator let us know the DJ would be playing music for the rest of the evening, only being cut off when games were announced. As people were making their way to the mske-shift dance floor, some couples from our table also joined.
"C'mon mom," Parker announced, pushing his chair back, "I want to dance with the most beautiful woman in the room!" Noticing a few smiles from the remaining table guests, I took my sons hand as he led me to the floor.
As we reached the area, a slow song was already playing. Putting my hands up on his shoulders, Parker was respectful enough to keep us at a distance. His hands, innocently on my waist, we just enjoyed the music. Unbeknownst to me, he was guiding us to the side of the dance floor, where the illumination was not as bright. After each song, we found us closer and closer to one another.
Looking up at him, I never noticed the change in atmosphere. The crowd of couples on the dance floor began opening up a pathway that I hadn't seen, being so focused on Parker.
What had been a delightful weekend up until we found the note on our door, turned to much, much worse.
"Look at what we have here!" A voice exclaimed. "Maddie Benson and her son, Parker." Stopping our movements, the room was now, silent. Mrs. Jennings, my former Poli-Sci teacher, Grace and Beth standing side by side. Pulling out a phone, Grace pressed play.
"Unh!Unh!Unh!Unh! Oh honey, yes," the seductiveness of those words were as clear as could be. Hearing the creaking of bedsprings and the incessant thumping of an obvious headboard, my hand flew over my mouth. "Oh Par.. Parker..fu..fuck me, sweetheart. Pump mama's pu..pussy."
Frozen in time, all eyes were, now, squarely on my son and I.
"Yes! Yes! Yes!" it continued, until Parkers words put the final nail into our coffin.
"Fuck mom," his voice, as clear as day, "I'm cumming!"
In an instant, I rushed out of the venue. Behind me, Grace could be heard, "This disgusting, incestuous couple weren't even discreet enough. The condom he had last night said everything! While her husband is away on business, she and her own son are having an incestuous affair!" Hearing uncomfortable rumblings I was not looking back. As the voices faded behind me, I beelined for the elevator. The click-clacking of my heels echoed in the busy lobby.
"Mom!" I hear, waking me out of my stupor. "Mom!"
Seeing Parker in high-speed pursuit, my tears were already flowing. When the elevator door open, I didn't waste time. Getting in, Parker no sooner joined me. Just then, the doors closed behind us.
Hearing my son's heavy breathing from chasing me down, I stood next to him, silent, from what had just occurred.
Ding!!
Exiting the elevator, I was now in a fog. With Parker behind me, I stood at the doors entrance. Finishing our key out, Parker opened it, and we walked in. Collapsing onto our bed, the water works began to fall.
"Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God!" I repeatedly screamed. "Noooo!"
Relentlessly beating the mattress with closed fists, I was inconsolable. "Parker! Oh my God!"
Plopping down on the bed next to me, my son pulled me up to him and wrapped me in a hug. Now beating my sons chest I sobbed.
"We can't show our faces Parker."
Now, 9pm, we were like prisoners in our room. Our flight didnt leave until 1:15 pm tomorrow. Calming down, my son didn't realease his hold on me.
"Parker.. oh honey. I'm so sorry," I'd said softly, looking up into his big brown eyes.
"No mom, I'm the one who should be apologizing," he countered. "It was your reunion and I ruined it for you.
After a few minutes, the chaos was dying fown. As the reunion was going on downstairs, I stayed in the hold my son had on me.
"Parker, it takes two to tango, young man," I sullenly stated. "I wanted it just as much as you did."
Unaware of anything outside of our hotel room, the silence was deafening. Now seated so we could see outside, it was just the two of us. My sweet Parker, his arm never leaving me as I leaned into him. Witnessing the humiliation and shame I was currently dealing with, he was just... there. After a while, Parker broke the ice.
"What now, mom?" he asked, questioningly.
Knowing what he meant, I unbuttoned the top 3 buttons of his shirt, and began traipsing my nails on his chest hairs.
"Between us? Here?," I stated, letting the words settle.
"In general, mom," his words, softer.
"Nothing will change between you and I honey. It's just... this," pointing toward the door. "Parker, do you understand how humiliating what was said, is? Parker, what we do is illegal. Back home. Even here in Canada. I love you, nothing will change that. But," looking away, "I don't know.
As more silence took place in our room, I could see the regret on his face.
"Honey," I began again, "Mama needs to be alone to think. It's not you, I just need to think."
"I'll go take a walk then," Parker said. Taking our key, I pecked him on his lips.
"Be careful, sweetie," I said, lovingly.
************
Returning a couple texts from my husband and daughter, I reminded them we'd be home tomorrow night. Not mentioning the disaster that had unfolded, I knew it would never reach my husband.
"Parker went for a walk," I told John. "I had wanted a little alone time."
"Well I'm glad everything is going well, Maddie. I made it home safely a few hours earlier," he stated.
