I invited Mom out to eat. We went to Mama June’s Country-Style Buffet where she got fried chicken, green beans and red potatoes, and rice and gravy, and I got a sample of about fifteen different things. I allowed her to pray, then I announced, “Okay, I’ve decided to do it.”
A smile came upon her lips as she bit into a chicken thigh. She chewed, swallowed, then asked, “What made you decide to do it?”
“In all honesty, Mom, I feel sorry for you that you had such an uptight lover in Dad,” I answered, and that was nothing derogatory against him as I loved him very much. “You deserve to experience these things, and I suppose that if I’m the one you feel most comfortable with, then I should be willing to do this for you, if it truly is your dying wish of me.”
“Thank you,” Mom said as she reached out and placed a hand over one of mine. “Uh … I really am in the dark here. When should we do it, what should I expect, are there any special requests you have? See? I’m just so full of questions.”
“Okay, number one: Special requests. Please shave your pubic hair as I have an aversion to it.”
“I’ll do that tonight,” she responded immediately.
“Number two: Insofar as to what to expect, it won’t be rushed. We will take our time, and I won’t act until you are ready for me to.”
“Thank you.”
“Number three: When? When would you like?”
“Tomorrow night?” she asked. “You could stay the night, if you wish.”
“I’ll be by at eight tomorrow, then,” I agreed. “Anything else?”
“Not at the moment, but if something comes up I’ll let you know.”
We finished the meal in relative silence, just peppering it lightly with conversation about one unimportant thing or another. I drove Mom home and walked her to her door, and when she entered I hugged her, then, instead of kissing her on the cheek as I normally do, I kissed her on the mouth, lingering there for about ten seconds. I pulled back and immediately went to my car, not giving her time to act or comment upon it but giving her something to think about until we would next meet in twenty-four hours.
I packed an overnight bag, and I showered before going over. I arrived to find Mom in her pink robe. She ushered me in and we pretty much assumed the positions we had yesterday. Mom was nervous as hell. Admittedly, so was I. We talked a little about our respective days, and finally, at nine-thirty, she asked, “Are you ready?” I told her I was, and we made our way into her room. I undressed first so Mom wouldn’t feel so self-conscious about doing the same, and then lay on the bed (she had already pulled back the covers prior to my arrival). She slowly untied the loop of her belt, then turned away from me. She then let the robe fall to the floor and I was surprised to see she had a bit of a bump in her rump. She turned, giving me full view of her naked body, then said, “I know I must look horrible, all these wrinkles and sagging skin.”
I held a hand out to her as I said, “I think you look beautiful, Mom.” She smiled, took my hand, and lay in bed beside me. Her hair had fallen across her face, so I gently swept it away. She smiled again. “May I kiss you?” I asked.