This is a story that takes place in the "Tom & Mary" universe. While it's not needed, I do recommend reading both parts of "Tom & Mary".
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My name is Erika Davenport and this isn't my story, though I am a large part of it. No, this is my child's story. My child is my life, as it usually is for single parents. I got pregnant at an extremely young age and ended up marrying the father. We weren't forced into it at all, because we deeply loved one another, but we did need my parents' permission to do so. Since I was pregnant, they reluctantly gave their permission. 5 months after we tied the knot, I gave birth to Robert Jameson Davenport, we nicknamed him RJ. Even though we struggled for a while, my husband eventually urged me to go to college after passing my GED. His job was barely enough for us financially, but he knew my dreams. Despite some late nights, we made it through and he was standing there cheering me on when I finally earned my law degree. Life was perfect.
Unfortunately the perfection didn't last. 4 days shy of my 26th birthday and 3 months after getting my degree, my husband was the victim of a shooting at a convenience store. Wrong place, wrong time. I suddenly found myself single and now having to raise a ten year old child on my own. While my husband's life insurance was quite substantial, I still needed to work full-time. By the grace of God and with the help of family and friends, we were able to get our lives back on track. I was also able to find a law firm who was quite flexible in my hours. By the time RJ entered seventh grade I was able to buy our first house. A small 3 bedroom, 1 and half bath ranch in a suburb of Chicago.
For the next few years, our lives were, well, idyllic. RJ was an excellent student, I was promoted twice at the law office and was now earning twice what I was earning when I bought the house. And while I did go on the occasional date, my heart really wasn't in it. I still felt like the devoted wife to my husband, even though he was long passed. Meanwhile, RJ was turning out to be the spitting image of his father. He now towered over me (6'1" to my 5'5"), he had the same deep blue eyes and sandy blonde hair. He showed nothing of my green eyes and flaming red hair, but I was fine with that.
RJ's 18th birthday was 2 weeks prior to his graduation. So he asked if we could do a combination birthday/graduation party. He was after me to have a party for months after I had an in ground pool installed last summer. I finally acquiesced and agreed to it. As I made plans for the party, I got notification from the school that he'd graduate "with high honors". I was so proud of him! More to celebrate!
The day of graduation I was beaming as only a mother could. It was so incredibly difficult to not clap when his name was called out, but the school wanted things to move quickly. I still quietly applauded my son though! Once the last student's name was called and degree received, hats flew into the air and parents cheered. Many pictures were taken and then I took my leave to make sure I was there to greet the caterer at the house. I knew RJ would get a ride from his best friend, Rick.
The party was loads of fun. I even broke out the bikini that I worked hard to get myself into! I had finally lost that excess weight and I was going to show off a little bit. I knew my 36DDD boobs would drive the boys to distraction, but I wanted to make Cecilia (Cece to her friends and Rick's mother) jealous for a change. I love my next door neighbor to death, she's truly my best friend, but I occasionally got tired of her constantly pointing out how good she looked in a certain outfit. Her Greek heritage gave her flawless olive skin and her body was the stuff models dreamed of having. So when she and Rick saw me, the dropping of jaws was all worth it. Rick exclaimed, "Lookin' good, Mrs. D!" Even RJ smiled at all the compliments I was receiving. Cece's icy stare last a few seconds before she came over and gave me a huge hug, admitting that looked wonderful. The rest of the day was so much fun.
After the last guest left at about 8:00 and after I had put away the last of the food, I was lounging on our deck while enjoying a glass of wine. RJ walked up behind me and gave me a small kiss on the cheek. Looking up and him with a smile, I asked, "What was that for?"
He shrugged his shoulders and said, "Oh, just 'cause. And a 'thank you' for everything. Not just for today, but for everything since.... since dad... well, you know."
I smiled softly and said, "Honey, I'm your mom, I did what I had to do. But I know your dad would be extremely proud of you and the man you've become."
RJ smiled and said, "Thanks, mom. Hey, wanna join me in the pool before it gets too dark?"
I shook my head no and said, "Go ahead, I want to enjoy my wine."
And with that he shouted an "ok" at me and jumped in. I watched him start do some laps, took a sip of my wine, and closed my eyes for a sec. It was then everything changed. To this day I still do not know exactly what happened, but it happened in an instant. As I sat there resting my eyes enjoying the relaxing effects of the wine there was a loud CRACK and I felt like I was hit by some force, like a concussion wave, causing me to drop my wine glass, and making me jump. I was immediately alert. I then saw RJ in the pool floating on his back, unconscious. I rushed to him and jumped into the pool. Looking back at it now, it was an incredibly stupid thing to do, but my son was injured and possibly dead! I didn't realize it at the time, but I remember now how much warmer the water felt and there was a slight tingle to my skin.
I got RJ pulled out of the pool somehow. Right then both Cece and Rick had rushed over to see what made the noise and why I cried out. I was a screaming mess. Shouting at RJ to wake up, while Rick started applying CPR to him. Cece, thankfully, had the calm sense to call 911. After what seemed like hours (probably less than 10 minutes), the EMTs showed up and took over for Rick. RJ did have a pulse and was breathing on his own. In short order they loaded him up in the ambulance, I jumped in the back, and Cece said she'd follow us to the hospital.
The next few weeks were the hardest of my life as RJ was in a coma. Despite all the tests that were run, he seemed perfectly fine, even though his EEG readings were "slightly odd, but nothing to worry about" according to the doctor. I could only hope and pray my son would come back to me.
33 days after the accident he finally stirred. 2 days later he woke up entirely. My son was going to be fine.
How little I knew then.
August 14th he finally left the hospital, almost two weeks after he had awakened, and was back home with me. He still had a long road ahead of him, but he was on his feet again, albeit a little shaky. He collapsed on the coach the moment he got home, saying that he felt like he had just run a marathon. I let him rest up and I let Cece and Rick know that RJ was home. They came over for dinner and we had a small welcome home party for RJ. It was then I thought I noticed something a little different about RJ, but I thought I was imagining things.
Because of the accident, RJ decided to take a year off before going to college. Thankfully the scholarships he had earned would still be there for the next school year, something that many of the parents and teachers made sure would happen for him. I found this out later and was supremely touched.
So for the next week or so, after he got back, he just rested. And even my big, strong, independent son allowed his mother to dote on him. It was on the eighth day of his being home that I definitely noticed the changes. His hair was going from sandy blonde to more of a strawberry blonde. And his eyes seemed a bit different as well, less blue and more... green? I then started paying very, very close attention to him.
By the end of the second week, the changes were even more dramatic. His hair was definitely more red than blonde and his eyes were green like mine. I also saw that he was wearing larger, baggy tops for some reason. I immediately called the doctor to make an appointment. Something happened to him that night and I was going to get my answers.
As we impatiently waited for Dr. Jensen to enter the room, I kept trying to get RJ to open up, but he was avoiding all the questions. Finally the doctor came in and she broke the tension.
"Hm, so what seems to be the problem today, Mrs. Davenport?"
I looked incredulously at her and said snippily, "Look at him! He's changed. His hair, his eyes, and... more I think. He won't talk to me!"
The doctor looked and me and then RJ and then asked, "RJ, would you prefer I examine you alone without your mother present? You are 18 now."
I was about to say something, but RJ spoke before I could. "Mom, please? This is...this... just please."
I was about to protest, but the look he gave me told me all I needed to know. As I walked out I said, "Please call me back in afterwards? I need to know." RJ nodded and I reluctantly left.
After waiting for an arduous 20 minutes, the nurse called my name and said I could return.
As I entered the room, the doctor was going over something with RJ, but she then paused and looked towards me.
"Ah. Mrs. Davenport. Well, the good news is that RJ is in perfect health. He's healed up remarkably well since his accident."
She then paused and I said, "But....?"
She looked and RJ and he nodded his head softly and mouthed, "Tell her."
Clearing her throat, the doctor said, "Well, in all honesty, I don't know what's causing these changes. His hair and eyes seem to be taking on your attributes and then there are his breasts."
I interrupted and almost screamed out, "Breasts?? What do... how?"
The doctor quickly interjected and said, "Yes, breasts. I do not understand how or why he's getting them, but I've taken blood samples and we'll run tests. But he's currently at a 34C. He, um, can I tell her this as well? The other thing?"
Turning red, RJ slowly nodded.