“You know, I’ve learned a lot today,” she said. “Becoming a partner at a law firm is a huge step. I’m excited about it, but I’ll admit, I’ve been nervous these past few weeks.”
For a second, I was at a loss for words. I didn’t know exactly what to say. I didn’t even know if she was talking to me, or if she was just thinking out loud.
“So I’m assuming those books helped?” I finally asked.
“Definitely. The main thing I’ve learned is how to assert myself in a more authoritative way, without being seen as being bossy or the other b-word. A woman has to walk a fine line in the corporate world.”
I nodded. “Hopefully that’ll change.”
“Do you actually care about women’s equality? Or are you just agreeing with whatever I say?”
“I don’t know. But I’m happy for your promotion mom.”
“At least you’re being honest,” she replied with a faint shrug.
“Seriously though, you’ll do great. In my opinion, don’t overthink things. Don’t worry about all this discrimination and feminist stuff. It won’t help you.”
“Okay. And how many law firms or corporations have you worked for?” she asked with an eyebrow raised.
I shrugged. “None. I’ll be quiet now.”
Then I went back to eating because the conversation was unwinnable. My mother must have realized the same thing, and she finished her last slice of pizza.
***
A week had nearly passed. We didn’t see each other much during the weekday because I had college classes and my mother always had a packed schedule, especially since becoming partner.
On a Friday afternoon, I was home alone watching tv while my mother was still at work.
There was a knock at the door and I answered it. It was the delivery man again with another package for my mother. Unlike the previous package, my mother didn’t give me an advanced notice that something would be arriving.
I assumed she expected me to open it for her, since I opened the previous package. Instead of books, it was a small box. I wondered what it was.
When I opened the package, I got a big surprise.
My mother had ordered a vibrator. Not the old kind, but the new advanced kind. The kind that had a special top that was specifically designed to stimulate a woman’s clitoris. Obviously, I’m not an expert in a woman’s vibrator, but I’ve seen a few in porn videos.
A slew of thoughts ran through my mind. The most important question was; what the hell was my mother doing owning a vibrator? Obviously she’s a human like everyone else, and she has her needs, but it was a jarring thought to think of my prim & proper well-educated mother using a sex device.
The other major question I had was; what the hell do I do now? I had already opened the shipping package. It was inevitable that my mother would know that I had seen the sex device she ordered online. There was no way around it.
I went upstairs to her room and placed the box on her bed. Things were about to become awkward between us…
***
Later that evening. I helped my mother prepare dinner. She never mentioned the sex toy I placed on her bed. But it was clear that it was on her mind since she seemed a little passive for a while.