A week ago, I would never have believed it if you told me I'd be kneeling in front of my lovely mother, looking up her dress, planning to do what I did for her.
I was raised in a very conservative home with pretty typical conservative values. There is nothing in my teenage years to suggest what was going to happen. My parents were in love until Dad was killed in an accident. In high school, I was surrounded by a group of friends, busy with school, college applications, an affectionate girlfriend, and my last year on the swim team, my third year going to State.
It's just that right before Christmas break, my girlfriend, Shari, dumped me. Thankfully, it was after the State Finals in which I placed in individual butterfly and medley events. She'd been whispering with my best friend, Steve, and I never added two and two together. When I was hit with the truth of the matter, it was right between the eyes. She was very matter-of-fact about it, returning my ring and retrieving a few things she's left at my house.
Steve was painfully bashful about his good fortune, now dating one of the prettiest girls in school. I was numb at first until I understood the situation and then I was pissed. I told them both to go to hell and I threw the ring in her face. She turned to Steve, who cradled her in his arms, telling me to "Chill out, Dude. She doesn't want you, so just deal with it."
I managed to avoid getting into a fight only be the grace of two of my friends from the swim team, Jonathon and Bill, who held me back. I had murder in my eyes and they saw it.
"Hold on, Matty, don't go there. If you hurt either of them, you get expelled for fighting and you don't graduate and you don't get a scholarship just for looking good in a Speedo. Steve, get the skank out of here. We'll take care of Lover Boy."
Steve didn't care for the slur on his new girlfriend's character, but he saw the wisdom of a fast getaway, so they made tracks and my buddies managed to talk me down enough so I could go to my next class and finish the day. Jonathon met me at my locker after the last period and walked with me out to the parking lot, asking me for a ride home.
He usually drives his own car, but I guess he was still trying to keep me out of trouble. We saw Steve and my new ex holding hands as they walked to his car. He held me up until they cleared the parking lot and then he gave me directions to his house. By the time we got there, I'd cooled down.
"Want to come in for a Coke or something?"
"Nah, I'm okay now. She ain't worth it. She's been telling me lies and I think she took $20 out of my wallet. Good riddance. Steve will find out, but that's his problem now"
"Fo shizzle. You sure you don't need a Coke?"
"Nope. I'm going home. I have to finish a paper for Sociology and get some sleep tonight. Thanks, Dude."
"We got your back, man. Don't forget it."
We fist bumped and hugged for a second. "Never. I got yours, too."
He grinned. "I know, Dude. See you at school tomorrow."
"See you!"
I drove home and parked in the driveway. I saw mom had already gotten home from work. Her car was in the garage. I grabbed my backpack and went inside.
"Hey. Mom, I'm home!"
"Hi, honey! How was your day?"
I dropped my pack on my bed and I hung my jacket on the coat hook on my door.
I wandered to the kitchen where mom was busy chopping up veggies for supper. "Oh, it kinda sucked, mom. Shari dumped me and she's seeing Steve."
Mom stopped chopping and looked up at me in concern. "That's kind of sudden, isn't it? I thought you and she were getting along really nicely. Weren't you planning to marry or live together or something?"
"Yeah. That's all in the dumpster now."
"Steve? Your best friend? That's pretty cold, dear."
I grabbed a carrot and began crunching it. I dodged mom's hand. Thankfully, not the hand with the knife in it. "Yep. It sucks pretty bad."
Mom put her knife down and dried her hands on the little towel and she put her arms around me and gave me a hug. I rested my chin on her head for a second and then kissed her there.
"I'm so sorry, dear. I rather liked her, too. I guess she fooled both of us. It's better you find out now than after you've signed a lease or something. You're better off without her."
"Yeah, I guess so, but it still sucks."
She kissed my cheek and squeezed me tight for a second and then went back to making supper. I brought one of my books I had to read for school and sat at the table while mom worked. She's a very pretty woman and she's been my world since dad died when I was six years old. She pretty much raised me all by herself and I think she did a pretty good job of it.
She still works full time as a paralegal for a big law firm in town. Sometimes, if she's helping one of the lawyers prep for a trial, it can be a lot more than forty hours. Dad's insurance didn't leave us a lot, so she had to start work right after the funeral. I've always thought her salary could have been better, but she keeps reminding me that she's not a lawyer. I've tried to convince her to go to law school. I'm sure she'd be good at it, but she says she doesn't want to work that hard.
Anyway, she changed from her work clothes when she came home. She was wearing yoga pants, a tee shirt, and she had her hair in a ponytail. Mom works out regularly and she looks really good. We've had people ask if I were her brother. She likes that!
After a nice meal, I went to my room and did my homework. Mom knocked on my door at about 9:00. I didn't have much left to do on the paper I was writing, so I was about ready for a break.
"Honey, I made something special for you. Take a study break and come to the kitchen for a treat."
I could smell them before I got there. She made my favorite treat, cinnamon rolls. I just absolutely love cinnamon rolls and she makes them for me sometimes on special occasions. I got there just as she was cutting one out of the pan to put on a plate for me.
"Mom, you're the best mom ever made! This is amazing! Thank you very much!"
She gave me a hug and a kiss. "You're welcome, honey. Anything for my special boy!"
She poured a glass of milk for me and brewed a cup of her favorite tea and we sat and munched the goodies together. It didn't take me long to polish mine off. "Save me one for breakfast?"
She chuckled warmly. "Of course, honey. The rest I'll take into work. That way I can't get fat on the leftovers."
"Mom, you'll never get fat. You're amazing."
She shook her head. "My love, if I ate like you do, I'd weight as much as you do and I'm only 5'2" tall. I'm going to have to work out extra for this, but it's worth it. What's life if you can't have a treat now and then? Pretty boring, right?"
I grinned at her. "Yep. You're always right, mom. Thank you again. I can't tell you how much I love you."
"I love you, too, dearest son. I'll take care of the dishes. You go back and finish your paper, okay?"
"Thanks, mom! Good night!"
I only had about a half hour's work left on my paper and then to proof read it. Mom usually does that for me, so I left it out for her on the kitchen table. She can edit it and I'll make the changes and turn it in tomorrow. I have no idea what I'll do without her in college. I hear there's a lot more work you have to do there.