Amy Anderson sat alone at the table, contemplating her husband's words of moments ago. He was again going out-of-town and it was again supposed to be business. This time he'd said it so matter-of-factly that it made Amy realize how easy it was for him to go.
Right on his heels was her daughter, who let Amy know that she had a trip with friends coming up that she needed money for soon. Well, that left Bobby, her son, and she expected he'd be announcing his plans next.
"Hi mom," Bobby said, entering the kitchen as if on cue. He plopped his lean six foot frame down into the chair across from her.
"What a serious look," he said to her with a smile.
"Hi. Yeah, I'm just wondering where you're about to tell me you're going next week. Your sister's going to the mountains with her friends, and your dad's going on his usual business trip. I figured you were about to make it a clean sweep," she replied, immediately wishing she hadn't sounded so pathetic.
"Well, you know next week is..." Bobby started and then stopped abruptly, thinking better of what he was about to say.
"Next week is what?" Amy replied. She thought for a moment, and when she put it together, she slapped her hand to the table and stood-up.
"Of course, it's Valentine's Day next week," she said as she walked to the window over the sink and looked out at the yard, feeling angry at her predicament.
"C'mon," Bobby said as he stood and went to stand next to her at the sink. "If it's any consolation, I've broken up with Becky, so it's not like you'll be the only one just hanging out next week."
"You broke up with Becky? Oh why, Bobby?" Amy had thought Bobby and Becky had gotten along so well.
"There was something I just didn't trust, you know? And, it'd just gotten old, you know?" He looked to her, trying to explain.
"Believe me, I understand," she said, "I don't really trust your father any more, and it's been old for a long, long time... I'm sorry. I shouldn't say those things to you." She looked down and immediately regretted sharing so much with her son.
It was just so easy, as they were always open with each other and got along so well. Even more so now that he was home taking time off from college.
"Look mom, you know it's okay. You can talk to me about anything. I mean, I don't blame you for not liking what's been going on."
Amy turned to him and wanted to know more.
"What do you mean--- 'what's been going on'?"
"I just mean that dad is gone often now and I don't blame you. That's all."
Bobby didn't say more, but he didn't have to, as they both knew what he really meant.
"Listen," he said to reassure her about herself, "he's crazy to leave you so much," Bobby walked behind her and put his hands to her shoulders, rubbing them. "You are a beautiful woman who should never be alone on Valentine's."
Amy let her shoulders lower a little and tilted her head back, enjoying his touch.
"Bobby, that is so sweet of you," she felt more relaxed and better with his words and his soothing touch. "But really, I know you're just being sympathetic, and really I..."
"What," he exclaimed, "sympathetic? I'm serious. I mean what I said."
"Bobby, I'm 44 years old, and I've been married 23 years. It's not like I have much to offer anymore, now really..."
Bobby turned her around to face him. He took a step closer to her and put his palm to her cheek, cupping her face.
"Don't ever talk like that. You are gorgeous, you take care of yourself, and... ," he paused unable to finish.
They looked at each other in an awkward stare. She very slowly brushed her cheek against his hand.
"And what, Bobby?"
Bobby just continued to look into her eyes and she looked into his, willing him not to stop what he was going to say.
When Bobby didn't reply, she reached to him and embraced him in a gentle hug. He felt strong to her, as he put his arms around her and hugged her to him.
She felt a hard bulge press against her abdomen and she felt a mix of emotions at knowing he was excited.
He tilted his face to her cheek and he kissed her softly there, letting his lips linger on her skin there. When she felt his lips leave her skin, she moved her face to look to him, only he hadn't moved much so that their lips were almost touching.
In the moment that it took her to realize the closeness, he put his lips to hers. She didn't know how to react at first, and only thought of how sensual and loving it felt. He kissed more and moved his lips open and she instinctively parted her's, letting him in her mouth. His tongue slowly moved in her mouth, and she recipricated, putting her tongue to his and sucking on his lips and tongue. She felt stirrings and sensations between her legs she hadn't felt in a while.
After several moments, she put her hands to his chest and gently urged him back, breaking their kiss.
"Bobby," she smiled looking up into his face, "stop it now. You know we shouldn't be doing like that."
