Mom’s eyes were wide and her face went pale. I could have sworn the cup in her hand shook before she put it carefully on the table.
“You, okay?”
“Just tired and exhausted from the whole day.” She took both cups and emptied them down the sink. End of discussion. Maybe for the best before she got into what Uncle Zack was up to.
“See you in the morning.”
“Happy birthday,” I said to her back.
*******************************
The next morning I didn’t remember any of it for a while. Not until the words “I want you to fuck your Auntie Lee” came back to me.
I had been so tired the night before I hadn’t even jerked off to the thought.
Now the only hardon I had was of the “piss” variety. While I was in the bathroom, Mom knocked on the door, “Just talked to your Uncle; he and your Aunt Lee want to see you this morning. I won’t be needing the car, so go when you want. Just be home by noon … I have to bring some things back to the rental office. Okay?”
I hated to talk when in the bathroom. “OKAY!” I yelled.
“You don’t have to be like that.”
“Sorry, Mom.” I wasn’t angry at her; I was nervous about having to face my aunt and uncle and what I may have to tell them to get out of doing anything …weird.
Mom made coffee and I made myself some toast. Dad had already left for golf. He played on the weekends as much as possible.
We sat and didn’t talk for a while. I thought she might still be upset about my yelling, but that wasn’t it.
“Your uncle and I talked for a while this morning,” she began.
Uh-oh. I prayed he didn’t say anything stupid. And by stupid I meant about “fucking” in a way that concerned me … and my aunt.
“We’re both having feelings about your leaving for college. We’re both going to miss you. Not just that you’re gone, but that we’re both going to be left without a child to love and care for.”
“You know, your uncle would have made a great dad. He could’ve been. But, it wasn’t meant to be. It’s hurt him not to be a father. Now, more than ever.”
“He’s always been great to me, Mom. As long as I can remember.” I felt I had to say something, but that something sounded so obvious when I said it.
“Me,” she said, “I guess it’s a little easier because I DID have you for all these years. And, even though your father and I have tried, we never had another. Another to fill …” Mom stopped and dropped her head. She put her hand over her eyes.
“You okay?” I reached out and took her other hand. It wasn’t like my mother to get upset, or even if she did, to show it.
“Last night, something you said. About … about being an only child and how that felt. It reminded me I’ve been meaning to tell you something, something important, for a long time. I’ve put it off and put it out of my mind so often.”
That’s when my phone rang. It was Lori. Mom made a gesture to go ahead and answer. I took a final swig of coffee and said “Hey!” as I got up from the table.
“We have to talk,” Lori said.
“So talk.”
“Not on the phone. In person.”
“Well it would have to be in person if it wasn’t on the phone, wouldn’t it? Or on the computer or telepathically, I guess.” I was being a dick, but I was in a dick mood. And why did everyone want to talk this morning?