“Zero I guess. Thanks Kinsey.”
“I told her of my university dalliances including a hot romance with my freshman roommate. She said I was very sweet to have confided in her and that she could see why any woman would find me attractive. We flirted a bit more and then called it a night. But since then the flirting has escalated and last week she asked me out for dinner. I asked if this meant what I think it meant and she said yes. I told her I was tempted but that I’d have to think about it. Which I have. I realized I’m attracted to her and she’s fun to be with. Plus, to my eyes she’s kind of exotic. Sexy too. She’s only 30 with olive skin, dashing brown eyes and curvy hips. And her ass, oh my.”
I was wide-eyed. I was plenty curious to meet Valeri but I was also regarding my mother as more of a sexual being than I’d ever imagined.
“So when do you start dating?”
“I told her Friday so long as our talk went well. Did it?”
“Well, I’m still digesting that you’ve been with girls, but Valeri sounds nice. And you haven’t dated anyone since Dad left. So I say Go For It!”
“Thanks Bri. You don’t know how much I appreciate your maturity. And Bri…” Even though were sitting on the sofa, she looked up.
“Yes…” What was coming next?
“If it goes well, would you be upset if she spends the night here?”
“Where would she sleep?” The words were out of my mouth before the stupidity of the question registered. Fortunately my mother didn’t answer. At least not in words. But that look of sympathy mixed with pity topped with confoundment spoke plenty.
Part 2 – Valeri
Friday. Date night. Mom was giddy and changed her outfit three times before settling on a stylish silk blouse and a sharp black skirt. She looked damn good and I told her so.
“Good enough to eat?” She giggled and before I could unwrap my tongue, continued “Rhetorical question honey. No need to answer that.”
She went out and I took off to hang out with my friends. Normally we’d make quite a late night of it but my mind was elsewhere. I was dying to know how the date was going and whether Valeri would be spending the night. I didn’t feel comfortable mentioning it to the guys and pleaded fatigue around midnight. When I got home I saw mom’s car in the driveway. On entering, no sounds at first but then I heard voices. The bathroom was beside my mom’s room while mine was well down the hall. I had half a mind to try to listen (not easy from my bedroom) but decided against it. Still slightly squeamish about that kind of intimacy with my mother. So I put on the headphones, cranked up some Clash and conked out.
I was awakened by my mother.
“Brian, I need one of your T-shirts.”
“Whaa?” I was groggy and the request didn’t make much sense. My mother was in a thin baby doll and was looking very good. She looked earnest but there was a glow to her I hadn’t seen before.
“Valeri spent the night. She didn’t bring anything to wear for the morning and doesn’t want to get into last night’s dress.”
That snapped me awake though I still felt dodgy. “Sure”, and waved in the general direction of my clothes chest. She got something out and departed.