He got out of the bed. “I better shower before breakfast,” he said and made his way to the shower. “Where are you going?” asked John as he perceived his mother following him.
“I need a shower too. I’ll scrub your back!” replied Maureen as if offering an incentive to let her join him.
“Only if you let me scrub yours,” was John’s reply with a grin.
“It’s a deal,” responded Maureen as she discarded her robe and once again displayed her near flawless body to her son.
As the jets of steamy water sprayed around them Maureen released a scream as John began to tickle and play with her.
***
As the weeks wore on into months John and Maureen’s relationship grew even stronger. Also at the back of John’s mind was his father’s health was slowly deteriorating. He knew also all too well that it was only a matter of time that he would receive that dreaded phone call.
It came while John was maintaining one of the machines on the factory floor. With his earplugs and the general noise in the factory he couldn’t hear anything. He felt a hand tap his shoulder. John turned to see it was Alex Norton, the floor supervisor who pointed to Jenny Lomax, the secretary who signalled in turn that there was a phone call for him. It was Maureen telling him in tears that Dan had had another suspected heart attack and was rushed to the hospital.
Not bothering to change, John jumped into his car still in his overalls and drove as fast as he could to the hospital. On his arrival he saw the forlorn figure of his mother seated.
“Mum?” he cried out.
Maureen ran to her son and hugged. “Oh John, what have we done?” she cried.
A few moments later a man in surgical dress who was perhaps in his mid forties appeared and introduced himself. “I’m so sorry, Mrs Quinn. We did everything we could,” he said.
“Noo!” cried Maureen as John held her. “It’s alright, Mum. It’s alright,” repeated John as he lovingly held his mother. “Let’s get you home,” he finished. He turned to the doctor. “Thank you, Doctor. If it’s alright with you I’ll take care of the necessary details tomorrow.
“Of course, and once again my sincerest sympathy,” said the doctor as he shook John’s hand and gave Maureen a gentle pat on her shoulder.
For the next few days that led up to the funeral John stayed with his mother. Although they slept together during that period they never made love. They were neither in the mood or for some reason it didn’t seem right.
***
One the day of the funeral Maureen stood erect and dignified, supported by John, as each member of the congregation expressed their condolences. There was a reception afterwards and it was late evening when John drove his mum home.
Maureen gripped her son’s arm tightly. “Please John, don’t let me on my own tonight,” she begged in a panic stricken voice.
John hugged his mother. “I have no intention of leaving on your own, Mum. I’m here for as long as you want me,” he responded.
When they were in the living room John turned to Maureen. “You look tired, Mum. Why don’t you have a lie down and I’ll bring you up a cup of tea later?” he said.
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