Editor's note: this story contains scenes of rough, reluctant, dubiously consensual, or non-consensual sex.
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I couldn't provide all the consumerist things to my son Josh during his childhood. I did the best I could while raising him, working two jobs to be able to provide a roof over our heads. I wish I could have spent more time with him or could have provided more for him.
His father decided while I was pregnant, he didn't want the responsibility of a child. My family then disowned me because I got knocked up at twenty, wasn't married, and had to drop out of college to find work to support us. Josh and I have been on our own for all his nineteen years.
Josh never complained about anything, never expected anything more than I could provide for him. His obsession growing up was watching professional wrestling. I would watch it with him all the time just to experience his happiness. There was a period during his early teens where he stopped watching it live on TV because hanging with his friends was more important. During this period, I would be home alone, doing my best not to drink myself to sleep.
Josh works a full-time job now while attending a local community college. He is starting to realize how tough being an adult can be. He has gotten back into his love of professional wrestling. It's fun watching how excited he gets when watching it. I tend to sit there and "yes" him to death. I find it entertaining, but if we are being honest, I like witnessing him hoot and hollering with excitement, which is what I enjoy.
A week ago, Josh had picked up extra hours because they were short at work, and he wanted to help. Josh had asked me, "Please don't delete my shows on the DVR. I'm going to watch them on Friday. I've been busy and have avoided watching them."
I asked, "That's how you're going to spend your Friday night?" I realize he liked this male soap-opera shit, but I liked to relax on the couch on Fridays. Just me, a bottle of wine, and the TV; also, I wanted to know what he needed all the extra money for, so I asked, "By the way...Why do you need all this extra money, and what are doing with it?"
"Mom, I've been avoiding telling you this. I've been going to a school where they train you to become a professional wrestler."
I was annoyed that he wouldn't have shared this with me. "Josh, I wish you would feel comfortable discussing these types of things with me. I don't understand any of this pro wrestling shit or your obsession with it. We are going to have to talk about all of this."
"I know mom. I got to go. I probably won't see you until, Friday though. I have a lot to do this week." Then he ran out the door.
For the next few days, I continued to get more agitated. Thinking, why would Josh want to do something so stupid. These people weren't real athletes; Josh has never even been athletic. I was planning on having a long talk with him on Friday.
Friday came, and Josh finally got home at ten o'clock. Immediately I started in on him, "It's about time you showed up! I thought we were going to talk tonight?" As I approached him, I could smell liquor on him. "Have you been drinking?", I asked.
"Yeah, Mom. A few of the other students and I had some drinks after class tonight. Sorry for getting home so late. We can talk tomorrow if you want?"
There was no way we were putting this talk off any longer. "Josh, I have been trying to understand all of this shit. I don't though, so you are going to help me understand. Show me what you are learning from these people." Josh wasn't the only one who had a few drinks tonight. I have been sitting here fuming for four hours, waiting for him to come home and talk to me.
Josh looked at me and said, "You want me to show you? I'm tired, mom. Can't we do this tomorrow?"
I don't know if it was my day-to-day life frustration, the fact that Josh was making adult decisions without my input, or the buzz from the wine, but I was angry tonight. Josh was right; we should have postponed our talk. I felt like I needed to regain control, and everything would be fine. "Yes, Josh, show me why you are so obsessed with this stupid shit. I'm fucking tired too, but you want to do whatever you want, and I've been sitting here waiting for you to come home!"
"OK! OK! MOM!" Josh yelled. "What do you want me to show you?"
I could tell Josh was frustrated, and he did look exhausted. I told him, "Put your show on, and when I see something interesting, we can try it. Is that OK with you? There's no need for us to yell at each other."
Josh seemed to calm down, "OK, yeah, you're right. We don't need to yell at each other. I am going to change into some shorts and a t-shirt. I'll be right back"
I asked, "Should I change into something else, or is this OK?" I was wearing some loose-fitting shorts that went to my upper thigh, with a tank top and no bra.
Josh looked me up and down while telling me, "If you want to wear something else, go ahead. Wresters basically wear underwear, so you are probably dressed appropriately."
We put the wrestling show on, and when I saw something interesting, I'd ask him to do the move on me. There were basic moves he would show me. Then I saw a move where one person got picked up in what looked like a hug, then dropped down, with the other guy landing on him. Next, he put a hold on him while laying on top of him. I asked, "Can you do that move to me? That looked really cool."
Josh looked at me strangely, "Mom, I could. I wouldn't want to slam you on the floor. Plus, the second hold would smother you."
I don't know if it was the adrenaline, being buzzed, or both, but I challenged Josh, "One, we could do it on my bed it's like a wrestling ring. Two, I could get out of that hold. You should not underestimate me."
Josh laughed at my challenge. "Mom, you are out of your mind. There is NO WAY you would be capable of getting out of that hold if I place it on you."
I looked at Josh, stating emphatically, "WE WILL SEE! Challenge accepted." As I walked into my bedroom, holding my glass of wine, I said, "Don't be scared, pussy."
Josh was walking right behind me, "We'll see who the pussy is in a minute. Don't start crying when you can't get up, and I have you pinned."
"HAHA! No way I am getting pinned tonight." I started to feel like we were the wrestlers getting ready to have a match, the way we were talking shit back and forth to each other. I sucked my wine down and jumped on the bed, asking, "You ready to be embarrassed?"
Josh was standing on the bed, laughing, "Bring it bitch." I charged at him, and when I did, he scooped me up and flung me down on the bed. He looked down at me while laughing, "Is that all you got? I thought I was scared?"
All I could think was, thank God I have a king-size bed, and I did not realize Josh was that strong. I jumped back up and went after him again. Because he wasn't expecting me to be back on my feet so quick, I knocked him back. Laughing, I said, "Who's the bi..." I could not finish the sentence because Josh had me up in the air, bringing me crashing down to the bed, pinning me. I was startled by the way he had me pinned. My legs were over his shoulders, while his hands were on my shoulders. He counted to three, continuing to hold me down in this position. I felt flush and frozen at the same time confusion was running through my head. I told him, "REMATCH! YOU CHEATED!"
Looking down at me while I was vulnerable, Josh said, "You should quit while you can. I got to use the bathroom before our rematch. Do you want me to get you anything on my way back?"
I sat up once Josh released me from my pinning predicament. I was flustered. I wasn't used to being manhandled like that, "Yes, bring me the bottle of wine from the kitchen, please." When Josh left the room, I had noticed my tank top and shorts were stretched out a little bit from all the horsing around we were doing. I contemplated changing but thought, "What's the big deal? He is my son."