Drink in hand, Evelyn laid back on the chaise lounge, propping her head up on the armrest as she looked to the ceiling. Her mind’s eye tracked to the spot where she suspected her son was just one floor up. She sang softly to herself, harmonizing perfectly to an improvised vocal solo.
When she heard the squeak of the shower stop, so did she. It was minutes away from game time.
Aiden’s heavy footsteps announced his arrival as he walked down the stairs. His mother was already standing at the entry to the den, watching as he arrived. Her eyebrow twitched for a moment as this young man strode toward her. She had wondered what he would select from his father’s wardrobe. He had chosen a set of tan slacks and a light blue button-up shirt. She was pleased to see they fit almost perfectly. The shirt was a little big, but he rolled the sleeves to fit his arms better. He had opted for bare feet, no shoes or socks. That part was interesting in its own regard. Perhaps he wasn’t ready to walk in his father’s shoes quite yet.
“Find everything alright?”
“Yeah. Thanks,” he replied.
“Those look good on you. But your collar is not quite right,” she said as she walked up into his space. As she had done a thousand times before, Evelyn reached around his neck and straightened the band and neckline of his shirt.
“You really should get yourself a girl to do this for you, you know.”
“Working on that, Mom,” he said.
“Good.”
She tugged at the collar and flattened the creases across his chest.
“There. Much better.” She beamed up at him with a warm smile, taking a moment to soak in her handsome son. “You really do have a lot of his features.”
“I thought you got rid of his things already. Are we gonna talk about that?”
“Perhaps. Just not tonight.”
“… Okay,” Aiden replied.
“Come on.”
Evelyn walked into the den and picked up her glass, then a second already filled with a generous pour. She reached out and offered the glass to her son as a deep roll of thunder reverberated through the house.
“Thank you,” he said as he let his eyes fall to his mother. “You look great by the way. Absolutely stunning. Did you have already have plans tonight?”
“No,” she said cheerfully. “Just wanted to look nice for you.”
Aiden smiled and felt a slight warming of his cheeks. Evelyn noticed.
“Cheers,” she said as they clinked their glasses. Her eyes never left him as they both sipped.
“Mmm,” Aiden hummed and pulled back to look at the glass. “This one new?”
“No, not really,” his mother replied, basking in the soft burn and notes of vanilla. “It was your father’s favorite. I’ve grown to enjoy it myself.”
She studied him a moment. “Do you not like it? I can get you something-“
“No, no, this is perfect. Thank you.”
He took another sip and let the flavor splash across his pallet. Evelyn smiled.
“So,” she said. “… what game shall it be tonight?”
“Whatever you’d like.”
“You say that every week.”
“So you should be used to it by now.”
“Chess?” she inquired.
“Sure. It’s been a while since you kicked my ass in that, so why not.”
Evelyne smiled and turned to walk away.
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