Hey everyone,
Just had to vent this somewhere, since I thought it was really exciting, and I hope you agree. So, my boy Marcus has been sent home from college after breaking his shoulder playing for the college's football team. He's the center offensive, and took things too far in one of his first games after the Christmas period. I've loved having him home, he's been grateful with any help I've given him so far and I myself have personally enjoyed the company as being a stay at home mom can be so boring, especially when things don't get much better when my husband is around anyway. One of those "too caught up with work to worry about the world around him" types.
I'll lend some context about Marcus and myself. Recently celebrated my 52nd birthday, I feel the expiry date on my beauty and grace has been and gone. I try hard to go against the trend of older women being past it, by working out frequently and keeping myself in the know with what is trendy. I'd describe myself as pretty short at 5'2 or 157 cm, quite slim and toned generally with the usual spots that have some noticeable drag around my tummy, breasts and bum. Quite blessed with thick, wavy brunette hair that reaches beyond my shoulders that I love styling even on my off days. Marcus is male perfection. Of course, being his mother I'm going to boast that my boy is the most beautiful, but I feel I have some clout to believe this is genuinely the case. He's a staggering 6'3 or 190 cm, a towering behemoth, but so gentle and well-mannered. The best thing about him being in the college football team is the shape of his tall body, I'd been noticing over the last few summers how toned his chest, arms and thighs are becoming. Certainly made it harder for me to simply relax when we're beside the pool or beach. His beauty attracts many girls, which I've felt for a little while some stingy jealousy. They naturally flock to him, wherever he goes. He's always taken it in his stride and politely bats them off, but it strangely makes me feel inadequate.
Anyway, back to the topic at hand, instead of me gushing about my baby boy. Marcus has been home just over a week now. Most days, I've been a diligent mother and running around the house to ensure he's being fed, and well looked after while he feels sorry for himself either lying in bed or sat in the living room. The nurse came round yesterday to review the injuries, it was hurt to watch as she would push on the areas that are so tender, the pain reaches me. She comments that he needs to rest, and let everyone else tend to his needs. Marcus asks, "What about when I'm like showering, though?" The nurse initially paused, "Well, your mother could perhaps bathe you" She suggests, looking towards me to gauge my reaction. I awkwardly smiled and twirled my hair, looking on. "You don't have to scrub every inch of his body, just get a sponge and dab the harder to reach areas to ensure hygiene is being maintained" She instructed as she was making her leave.
As the door slammed shut, and we could both hear the engine of the nurse's car rev, we looked at one another. "Mom, I can clean myself. Don't listen to her" Marcus protested. Did he not want me near his body? I fretted to myself. "Didn't I teach you to always listen to your health professionals?" I asked, as I tried to get him onboard with the nurse's suggestion. "But mom..." He whined like a child, "Bathing me would be so embarrassing. I could never live it down at college" I shrugged, and walked out of the room.
While I was in the kitchen, making myself a coffee, I could hear the sound of the shower valve turning, and the strong pressure of water bursting in the downstairs bathroom. I rolled my eyes as I had my coffee, feeling a little sad that he wouldn't allow me to wash his body. After taking a few sips, I heard a thud and a crash. I sprung into action as a devoted mother would and ran to the bathroom to see what the commotion was. Luckily, the door was unlocked, and I was able to get in, where I found Marcus on the floor with the shower curtain on top of his body. "Honey, what happened?" I shrieked as I panicked. He was on his back, wearing a face of agony and tortured pain. I could tell his was really struggling, and trying to resist the urge to shed a tear. I went to turn the shower off, and placed a stack of towels under his head. "Marcus, why were you trying to shower?" I asked, with a stern tone. "Mom, I can still wash myself... I just need to pace myself better" Marcus stressed as he winced trying to get himself back up. He looked at the shower, disappointed. "Ugh, I feel so dirty and musky though" He complained. I rubbed his wet shoulder and looked at him. "Mom could still give you that bath, you know?" He took a great sigh, "Maybe a bath is a better idea..." Before he could change his mind, I turned the taps of the bath on and made the water all bubbly and soapy for him. "Mom knows how to have a great bath, so leave this to me" I cheekily suggest. We waited together for the bath to fill, awaiting him to get in, so I could get a glimpse of how my boy has grown up, but before that need could be met, he awkwardly said "Mom, you need to leave, so I can get in without you seeing me"
I shuffled out briefly, so Marcus could get in the bath without his dignity being compromised, and awaited his call to allow me back in. He painfully fell into the bath, creating a large splash and the uncomfortable sound of the porcelain rubbing against his body. I poked my head into the bathroom to check in. "Are you okay, honey?" I asked as he emerged from the water. He looked at me and nodded. I crept closer to the bathtub, and grabbed a sponge. "So... Where first?" I asked as I raised the sponge above his head. He tilted his head side to side, making his neck crack "Just around the shoulder first, mom, but please be gentle" He stressed.
Marcus closed his eyes, and rested his head against the back of the bath tub, as he awaited the sponge to begin washing him. I could feel myself getting nervous, slightly shaking as I placed the sponge against his broad shoulder and started to softly dab it against his tight skin. Even being this delicate was causing him to wince. He let out a big sigh. "Are you okay, honey?" I asked. He slowly opened his eyes and looked towards me. " Sorry mom, it's very tender, but I'll be okay" He assures me as he tries to make himself comfortable.
I continue to wash the top part of his torso as he eventually begins to relax. A layer of bubbles keeps his dignity, much to my disappointment. In a cheeky attempt, while he's at ease, I push the sponge into the water to create a clear opening to see what's hiding beneath his waist. As I attempt to move the bubbles, he flinches slightly. "Mom... Be careful. You're going to leave me exposed" He stresses before he relaxes again, believing that his mother was just being a little clumsy.