Elizabeth was a bit relieved when she woke up and realized Chris wasn’t home. She quickly showered, got dressed and went next door to see Nina.
“Hey, Liz,” Nina said, “What’s up?”
“You got a minute, Nina? I need to talk.”
“Of course.” Nina said, stepping aside to let Elizabeth in.
Elizabeth plopped herself down on Nina’s couch and took a deep breath. “I don’t even know where to start.”
“I find the beginning is usually a good place.” Nina said, trying to lighten the mood a bit.
Elizabeth smiled in spite of herself, “Good point,” she said, “It’s just… kind of strange what happened.”
“Liz, if it weren’t for the pesky doctor/patient confidentiality thing, I could tell you some of the strange shit my patients tell me.” Nina said, “Plus you’re my friend, I won’t judge you.”
So Elizabeth recounted the events of the previous night, from the time she started masturbating, to her finishing and imagining Chris watching her.
“He was gone when I got up a little while ago,” Elizabeth said, “And I’m kind of glad, I mean I don’t know what to say to him.”
“Well, it’s best to just be honest with him.” Nina said, “Despite what some people might think, there’s nothing wrong with masturbating.”
“I’ve already discussed the birds and the bees with him.” Elizabeth said. “Although I never discussed masturbation with him, but while I’ve never caught him in the act, I’ve heard him through his door when he thought I couldn’t. Plus, he’s 19 years old, I know for a fact I’m not the first naked woman he’s seen.”
“I remember when you asked me for advice on how to discuss sex with him in the first place. He was what 11-12?” Nina asked.
Elizabeth nodded. “Something like that.”
“Then talk to him like an adult this time.” Nina said, “I’m sure he’ll appreciate it if you don’t talk down to him, but like an equal. You’ve raised him pretty much on your own, and you’ve done a hell of a job. He’s always going to look to you for advice and for you to be honest with him. You’re his mother, he trusts you more than anyone else. Don’t betray that trust now by sugar coating things.”
“Thanks Nina,” Elizabeth said, feeling as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. “I just hope he can forgive me for yelling at him last night.”
“I’m sure he will.”
The two women stood up and exchanged a quick hug, “Want some leftover pizza?” Elizabeth asked.
“I usually charge $150 an hour to listen to people’s problems, but because you’re my friend, I’ll take some pizza as payment.” Nina said laughing.
Later that afternoon, as Chris had finally decided to make his way home, his phone went off with a text notification. He pulled his phone out and felt a slight nervous chill run through him as he saw the text was from his mother.
“Come home, we need to talk.”
“On my way,” he texted back, “Should be home in about a half hour or so.”
When he got home he found his mother sitting on the couch, wearing one of her oversized t-shirts, watching TV. He held up the bag from the burger joint across the street. “I bought a peace offering,” he said.