Leave it to mom to see right through a problem.
“In fact, this is a good thing. It proves you can still function normally. You just needed the right situation. The right stimulation.”
“Yeah, Dad. Too bad we didn’t record it and you could watch it while I’m away when you and Mom want to … yanno.”
“Mike … that’s brilliant,” Mom said. “I’ll do it!”
“Do what?” Dad still looked stressed and bewildered.
“Make a tape for you.”
I’m sure Mom didn’t want some VHS thing. She meant video. But even I didn’t suspect what she was suggesting.
“A tape of you? You and …?”
“Me and Mike, that is if he’s willing?” She looked in my direction. I was slow in coming up to speed on this.
“Mike, if dad writes down what would make him, let’s say ‘happy,’ would you be willing to make a tape of us two together? For Dad. To help him and me have a chance at some normal relations in the future.”
I’m sure I wasn’t the first son to have his mother propose making a sex video, but I guessed it was pretty rare. It took me by surprise, and I sat silent for a second.
Dad had perked up. Mom had piqued his kink: he liked mom/son stuff—especially his own son and his own wife. He had found the key that picked the lock to his dysfunction. I sure didn’t want to stand in the way of that.
“Yeah, sure. I’m in.” I didn’t sound all that enthusiastic. Even after the bizarre month I’d had, this was kind of strange.
Dad leaned forward and got on the edge of his chair. “I could be there, record it all. Figure the angles—”
“No.” Mom said. “We’ll film it without you. If you see the real thing, the tape will always be of less importance. If you see the tape only, then that will always be where the bar is set. Its own high standard. Understand?”
Dad looked a little dejected, but nodded.
“You put your thoughts down on paper. Things you want to see, like your high heels suggestion the other night. You write them down and Mike and I will make the tape when you’re away on business this Thursday and Friday. Agreed?” She looked at Dad and then at me.
Dad nodded. He looked a little more enthusiastic, I guess because he was thinking of scenarios. I nodded because it occurred to me I was going to make love to Mom again.
We were going to “film” a sex “tape”—all digitally, I assure you.
***************************
Dad worked on his list. He even added little pieces of dialogue he wanted to hear us say. I guess if you have the opportunity to have your favorite porno made to order for you, you go for it.
Right up to the last minute, Dad was excitingly pointing out to Mom things on his handwritten pieces of paper. They didn’t show them to me, but, when I’d walk by, Mom would secretly roll her eyes at me and suppress a laugh.
Finally, he left and gave us two days together. We paced ourselves and set up Dad’s video camera on a tripod in different places, or held it in our hands if that was the best way to grab all the action.
Mom and I told each other what a noble thing we were doing for Dad and then admitted that we were glad we had an excuse to fuck each others’ brains out before I had to leave.