SAMBA - PART 1
(Reward, motivation and the sacrifices of wives and mothers)
The Preamble: - The usual applies here. All characters are fictional and over the age of 18.
This work is inspired the the stories 'BTSC' and 'Room 209' by the author 'klrxo'. Also thrown in are elements of the many mom/son stories I've read over the last 25 or so years.
It started out as my own spin on the above stories, but soon took on a life of its own. Too big for one single story, so split over a series.
*****
"Honestly Claire," sighed Mandy. "I just don't know what to do anymore. Mark's attitude has become so bad and his grades are really suffering. Nothing Dan or I say makes any difference. He's totally changed from the boy we knew, and I'm starting to worry about him and his future."
"I know exactly what you mean," Claire nodded. "Jim and I were having the same issues with Scott and had just about given up."
"That's why I wanted to speak to you. I knew you'd had troubles at home with Scott and that somehow, you'd turned things around. I've been hearing great things about how grown up and responsible he's become as well as his academic success. How the hell did you do that?"
"It's actually a lot easier than you'd think!" laughed Claire. "Listen, the answer is simple but at the same time it's something that needs careful guidance. I'm not the right person to help you but I know who can." Claire rummaged around in her bag and finding what she was after, she then leant over the table towards her friend.
Claire handed Mandy a gold embossed business card, on which was printed, 'SAMBA Academy' and at the bottom in smaller letters 'Dr S Dearlove' along with an email address and telephone number.
Mandy looked back to her friend, questioningly.
"SAMBA, that's 'Sons And Mothers Bonding Activities'. That's where I took Scott last year, after hearing about it from Jess at work. It's referral only so new customers need to be vouched for by a previous client."
Pausing to sip her coffee, Claire continued "It's an education programme for moms with sons like ours. The idea is you both go together, and relearn all the things we in society have forgotten about harmonious mother and son relationships. The founder and chief instructor, Dr Dearlove is an incredible psychologist who understands the mom and son dynamic like no one else."
"You have my attention," replied Mandy. "So how exactly does it work?"
"Okay, it might all sound crazy at first but the important thing is that you approach it with an entirely open mind, and remember this is all about doing your best as a mother, which means whatever it takes for the good of your son."
"Go on."
"Well, the academy focuses on reward and motivational techniques. That's all pretty basic stuff of course, but this is where Dr Dearlove's research comes in. She's recognised that as our boys grow up, barriers form between us. It happens so slowly that we are hardly aware of it happening. They start to notice us as women and that confuses them, while we start to notice them as becoming men and that interferes with our own natural maternal instincts."
"That's true enough. I don't know how it all happened so fast."
"Exactly, and where you once showered him with love and affection, hugging and kissing him, now that's being withdrawn. He feels rejected, even if he can't articulate that feeling. He still yearns for his mother's touch but she won't allow it."
"But that's partly because I've sometimes seen the way he's looked at my boobs and butt -"
"And there's absolutely nothing wrong with him doing that," Claire interrupted. "He's starting to get curious about the opposite sex and you are the closest example that he has of that. Of course, he has these strong feelings which are starting to consume him, but by blanking him this way you are making him associate negative thoughts with his growing sex drive."
"What about Dan? Isn't it a father's job to step in here?"
"No, no, no. That's a classic mistake. Dads are great for some things like buying a first beer, but nobody understands a boy's feelings like his own mom. Besides, you would also be neglecting your own feelings which are the flip side of your present predicament. Your love Mark and see some of Dan in there, you don't want to feel restrained about how and when you can touch your boy or how you interact with him."
"He is a good-looking boy, for sure," Admitted Mandy.
"You see, you know I'm right. I think you know what I'm saying has some truth to it. Take my advice and call Dr Dearlove. Honestly Mandy, I can't recommend her highly enough."
*****
One week later, after another blazing argument and Mark doing his usual trick of storming off to who knows where, Mandy was at the end of her tether.
Nursing a vodka soda as she sat thinking on the couch, she recalled the conversation last week at the coffee shop. Digging around in her bag she found the white and gold business card. Picking up her cell phone she dialled the number for the SAMBA Academy.
"Selena Dearlove," answered the woman on the other end of the line, a voice that sounded neither young or old. Perhaps a mom of Mandy's own age.
"Hi, my name is Mandy Wheeler, I'm calling about SAMBA."
"Oh? May I ask who gave you this number?" Dearlove replied cautiously.
"My friend Claire Reece said you helped her and her son out last year."
"Claire! Of course, I remember her and Scott!" Dr Dearlove's tone warmed. "I take it she's referring my services to you, being in a similar situation?"
"Exactly," Mandy answered and proceeded to fill Dr Dearlove in on all the details she had shared with Claire the week before.
"I think Claire is right and I can indeed help you and your son. Obviously, I'll need to contact Claire before we go any further as I'm sure she explained to you that we are very selective with our clients. I'll also check on our calendar and see when it might be possible to book you in. I'll call you back in the next few days, is that alright?"
"Yes, that's great."
"Excellent! Speak to you soon then. Goodbye Mrs Wheeler."
*****
True to her word Dr Dearlove called back a few days later.
"Hello Mrs Wheeler, I'm sorry that you had to wait. You'll be pleased to know that I've spoken with Claire and confirmed all your details. I'd like to offer you a place on our programme starting in next week, if you can do that?"
"I think so."
"Excellent. Obviously, both you and your son need to attend at our facilities. Don't worry, food and accommodation are all included in the fee. Speaking of which, we do require payment upfront, just to cover ourselves and also ensure your commitment. I'll also need you to sign our legal agreement. I can email the forms to you."
"No problem."
"We always like to be upfront with all the formalities. Just a couple more to bear in mind. One, we video all our group sessions, for both educational and legal reasons, you understand?"
"Absolutely!"
"Good. Finally - and I always say this just so we all understand one another - you must be quite clear about what is involved. We do get stunning results, but you must be willing to do things you may have considered off-limits, or outside of your comfort zone. You and your son will be exposed to one another like never before. It's all very natural, but unfortunately goes against the conventions of todays society. I promise that at the end our programme you and your son will love each other like never before and you'll notice a huge reduction in family conflict."
"Dr Dearlove, there are no limits to what I would do for my son. I only have to persuade him now, which will be difficult given how rebellious he has become."
"Mrs Wheeler, we find that the easiest way to get through to young men such as your son, is to appeal to their base instincts. And it's also good practice for you to become comfortable showing your son another aspect of yourself. In a way, treat it like a seduction. Don't go into any details about the course - we handle the induction - but when you decide to discuss it with him show him a sexy side of his mom. Wear a low-cut top, or anything tight that will show off your figure. Don't be afraid to overdo the make-up. This will all serve to both confuse and intrigue him. Teen boys are very malleable in such situations."
*****
Some days before Mandy had attempted to get Mark interested in joining her on the programme, without mentioning the specifics. She was nervous enough and whatever positive results were claimed for the unorthodox methods employed by SAMBA, she thought that even if it worked for other moms, she doubted herself. Did she really have the necessary feminine and maternal skills to motivate a young man? At her age?
Needless to say, her first attempt failed and was instantly rebuffed.
"I don't want to go anywhere with you! What's in it for me?" Her son had scoffed.
So, Mandy Wheeler was left with only one alternative. Going through her wardrobe, the mom found a short brown leather skirt that she hadn't worn in years. Delighted that she could still just about squeeze her hips into it, she teamed it up with some heels and a tight matching caramel top. She had dithered over push-up bra or bra-less and decided bra-less looked more natural.
At forty years old, Mandy was proud of her still pert boobs. She was still in good shape, though these days it was becoming more of a fight to retain her figure. While not excessive, Mandy had a certain thickness to her thighs and ass. She would have said her face was her best feature, still nearly wrinkle free, with big doe like eyes and a pretty upturned nose. Her hair was long, glossy and very dark. At five-seven she was very much an average height, though she had longed for a model's height in her youth.
Eye-liner and a dark lipstick finished the look. Spraying on some of her best perfume she left her room in search of her son.
Mandy found her son on the couch downstairs, flicking through videos on the big screen.
Mark had only recently turned eighteen, and whilst he had grown tall at just under six feet, he still had to fill out. Like his mom, he had dark hair and eyes. His face was handsome, but at the same time smooth and boyish. Physically he had been a late bloomer, but was now coming into his own.
At first Mark didn't notice his mom, but at the click of her heels on the hard floor, he spun his head in irritation.
It looked as though he had been about to make one his customary snarky comments, but when he set eyes on his mom he froze.
