It was two days until my mom's birthday and I had not gotten her a damn thing. I felt terrible about it of course, but the truth is we'd been apart for so long I really had no idea what she would want. Sure I could have done one of those "recreate a childhood photo" things but that's a little played out at this point. I could've converted some of her records to mp3's but then there's the problem of how I would do it without her realizing what I was doing, plus I wasn't sure if I'd have time. That was my own fault, but hey, when you've been searching for a decent paying job to get rid of those looming student loans finding a good gift for your mom is something that slips the mind.
In the end I opted for a simple and rather clichéd dinner for mom. Now I know it wasn't the most innovative thing in the world, but it seemed like the only idea that she would genuinely appreciate since we hadn't been the closest for a while. I didn't ignore her mind you, but when she would ask how the job hunt was going and my only response was a deep breath, a moment of silence and a half hearted "good" it's a bit embarrassing to chat with mom. So a dinner it was. I ended up calling her and asking her if she was up for a big birthday dinner and thankfully she was thrilled with the suggestion.
So I managed to get myself out to a barber shop and cleaned up for mom. She hated the beard I'd cultivated in college and I thought she might get a kick out of me finally showing my "adorable face" once more. After that a simple call to a restaurant and my gift was basically done. I picked up some flowers and made the drive from Richmond to Alexandria wondering if she knew my suggestion was little more than me basically forgetting how close her birthday actually was.
After a couple hours of cursing in the inexplicable traffic jams of northern Virginia and I was pulling up to my mom's. I'd only been gone for a couple years but it seemed like so much had changed. Sure she had done some work in the yard and gotten a fresh coat of paint on the place but it seemed weird to be back. It always did. Even when I would come for breaks and holidays, the house really didn't seem like the place I'd grown up. Maybe it was because dad wasn't around anymore or maybe it was mom becoming more outgoing, but there was a different feel in the house.
As soon as I got out of my car I could see mom smiling from the window and running over to the door. I assumed I was going to get a hug but all she focused on was the lack of a beard. She rubbed her chin, I rolled my eyes, but I was glad she liked it. Maybe my visit would be enough to give her a decent birthday after all.
We hugged, she commented on how cute I was without the beard, and I proudly presented the flowers I'd bought.
"They're so pretty. I'll have to hide them from the cat."
This cat had to be roughly 15 years old. The thing barely moved most of the time, but you put any kind of plant in the house and suddenly it becomes a curious kitten who seems to want to destroy everything.
"Let me get these in some water. I'll be right back hun."
And with that she scurried into the kitchen to find a vase while I was sat on the couch. I still couldn't shake the feeling that it felt weird to be in the house again. Even my mom seemed different. She'd always been an active woman, hanging out with friends, working in the yard. She was the type that couldn't seem to relax. Now though, as soon as she came back in the room she plopped down on the couch next to me like she'd just run a marathon.
"Ya know, the older I get the more I understand your 'relaxing' thing."
"What do you mean?"
"Well I'd run around so much when you were younger, now all I want to do is take a read a book and take a nap."
"Oh yeah the perfect lawn and garden out there sure do say you've calmed down and started taking it easy."
"Well I can't let it go to hell. And gardening can be quite relaxing by the way."
"And the new paint job?"
"Well that's just a matter of the place looking awful. When you have your own house and start to the paint peeling you'll be out there with a ladder and paint cans too."
"That's what painters are for."
She laughed. She always did. I think she envied my willingness to let others handle chores I detested.
"So what have you been up to?"
"Not much really. Just looking for a good job."
"You don't have a job yet?"
"I have a part time thing near the campus in a record shop. It lets me eat so that's a plus."
"Well, just keep trying hun, I'm sure you'll get something soon." She'd been using that line for roughly two years now on the phone. It never was reassuring.
"What about you mom, what's new with you?"
"Oh nothing. Same old same old. So where are you taking your old mom out for dinner?"
"You're not that old yet mom and it's a surprise."
"Oh, well how fancy of a place is it?"
"Nothing too fancy. I'm working with a retail paycheck remember."
"I'm sure it will be wonderful baby. I just want a nice night on the town."
A "night on the town"? I hoped she wasn't thinking about dragging me anywhere other than dinner. I was serious about that retail paycheck. It wasn't much and I was pretty sure my meals for rest of the week would consist of rice and tuna. But then, it was my mom after all. If she wanted more than dinner I would have to oblige.
"How should I dress for this occasion?"
"Well if you want a night on the town I guess you should dress accordingly. The girls I know typically go with micro skirts and deep v cuts."
"Cute, but no one wants to see that."
"Oh I'm sure there's someone who would love it. Again, you're not that old mom."
She smirked and thanked me for the courtesy, but I was serious. She was a pretty attractive woman. For being in her fifties she was still quite fit. Yeah she a bit more weight, but I had put on more than her and she could pull off a tight dress fairly well. She did it for Christmas the year before. I was rather shocked to be honest. She always dressed rather modestly when I was a kid. Every now and then she would were tight jeans but that was basically the closest to immodest she ever got.
"You know, now that I think about it I do have a new dress I could wear."
"Cool."
"When is the reservation?"
"Oh we still have a few hours still have a few hours so you've got time to get ready."
"Thanks."
"Not that you look bad or anything."
"Smooth."
She always had a way with taking playful jabs at me. She never meant anything by it, but she would get me every time.
She took a shower while I watched some TV and screwed around on my phone. After about an hour she yelled for me from her room.
I peeked into her room to see her in a very form fitting blue dress. She certainly did look quite good for her age.
"Zip me up?"
It was then that I realized I'd been doing a bit more staring then was probably appropriate and clumsily shuffled over to zip her up.
She made a quick spin and asked how looked with a smile.
"Good."
I actually found myself looking away when I said it. It is difficult to come to the realization that your mom is pretty damn attractive.
"Well that didn't seem very enthusiastic."
"No no, really, you look good. I may have to keep the guys from hitting on my mom."
Luckily she didn't realize I was serious and laughed it off.
