Ryan got out of the car and hurried around to help his mother. As he held open the door and took her hand, he looked down upon her and smiled. Today was her fortieth birthday. She deserved a special celebration, and he was doing his best to give it to her.
It wasn't hard to understand why Ryan felt so strongly for his mom. She had gotten herself pregnant when she was nineteen. Her son, Ryan, was born midway through her twentieth year. Ryan's father took off as soon as he heard she was pregnant and hadn't been heard from since. Together, Megan and Ryan had not only endured and overcome, but in a small way, even prospered on their own.
Megan had worked full time to earn enough money to support the two of them. Somehow, she'd also found enough time to finish her associate's degree in the evenings. She landed a good job at a local company, and managed to save enough money to see that her baby got to attend college.
To accomplish all this, it had been necessary to sacrifice any personal life she might have had. There had been no men in her life; or at least none that mattered. Her son had been the focal point of her entire adult life, the purpose behind everything she'd done. Tonight, Ryan was showing his appreciation of her sacrifices by seeing to it that this was a day she'd never forget.
"I still can't believe this," Megan said as she lifted her still attractive 5'9" frame from the car, allowing Ryan to take her arm in his. "First the play, and now dinner at the Summit Restaurant. How can you afford this?"
"Tonight, price is no object. After all the sacrifices you've made for me, the least I can do is help you celebrate your birthday in style." He stopped suddenly and turned to his mother. "I love you, mom."
Megan looked at her son and smiled, struggling to hold back the tears. Leaning over, she kissed Ryan lightly on the cheek and sighed. Arm in arm, they continued on into the restaurant.
* * *
Dinner turned out to be very nice. The restaurant was on the top floor of a very upscale hotel and had a beautiful view of the city. There was a stage in the corner overlooking the dance floor. Onstage was a small band playing soft, romantic tunes. As they let their dinner settle, Megan enjoyed a glass of wine, while Ryan had coffee.
"Would you like to dance?" Ryan asked.
"I'd love to," she smiled.
He led her onto the dance floor amid several other couples, turned, and took her in his arms. They danced slowly to the music, while Ryan made a conscious effort to keep an appropriate amount of distance between them.
After a few moments, Megan looked at Ryan. "Is this how you dance with your girlfriends?" she asked.
"What do you mean?" he answered.
"I won't break if you hold me closer," she said with just the hint of humor in her voice.
"Oh. Sorry," Ryan muttered. But he did draw her closer. Close enough to breathe in her scent and to realize how wonderful she smelled. Close enough to feel her hair brushing against his face. Close enough, even, to feel her breasts pressing lightly against his chest. But was it close enough, he wondered, for his mom to feel his growing erection pressing against her belly?
They finished the dance and returned to their table while the band took a short break. They talked about little things, inconsequential things, while they enjoyed the view of the city lights below. Mostly, they just enjoyed each other's company. They had always been the most important person in each other's life, and being together in this intimate, romantic setting seemed completely natural.
The band returned, but they remained at their table and kept talking. At last, Megan looked at Ryan. "If you won't ask me, then I'll ask you. Would you care to dance, sir?"
Ryan blushed. He hadn't forgotten the erection he'd gotten during their last dance, and was worried about a repeat performance. But his mom was acting like nothing unusual had happened.
When they got to the dance floor, he took her in his arms, and pulled her nearly as close as he had previously. But his mom pulled him closer, and then pulled him closer still. So close, in fact, that his arousal had to be apparent to her. And so close that her breasts were now pressing firmly against his chest.
It was also close enough to get some looks from other patrons, an older woman with a younger man, holding each other closer than might be considered appropriate. Let them look, Megan thought. As long as no one knew they were mother and son, she didn't care.
She laid her head against his. "This is nice," she whispered. They danced a couple dances like that, sitting down only when the band decided to pick up the tempo a bit. After returning to their seats, they were both unusually quiet as they sipped at their drinks and enjoyed the sights.