As always:
Thanks to "Alpineskier" for editing.
Thanks to "Doc" for story ideas.
All characters involved in sexual acts are at least 18 years of age. (So get your mind out of the gutter!)
Chapter 4: Reconciliation
Tim and Mae believed their son's story and was confident he did not switch Chelsea's pills. He spoke clear and concise and with conviction as he recalled every aspect that occurred between him and Chelsea, even the details that were sexual in nature. That didn't sit too well with Mae, but she also believed him when he said they had not had intercourse. The recount of an altercation with a girl named Tiffany right before their son made a public display of affection to Chelsea stuck with them the most. Jason said it appeared "heated."
The next morning, Mae was up early. She couldn't sleep. Mae quietly got out of bed and checked on Jason. He was still lying on his stomach, sprawled out above the covers, still in his slacks and dress shirt, eyes open. He looked like he just came home drunk from a party.
"Honey, do you want to take a shower and then come downstairs? I'll make you some blueberry pancakes." Mae paused, hoping for a response. "Honey, would you like something else? Anything?" Mae literally meant anything. She would've bought him his dream car, the Delorean from the Back to the Future movies if he would've asked.
All Jason did was flip his head so he wasn't facing her anymore. It broke Mae's heart to view her son this way. He was always so strong and confident. At that point, what mother wouldn't try to fix the pain her son was feeling? She took a deep breath, now determined. She silently snuck back into her room and got dressed. She went downstairs and grabbed the keys to Chelsea's Beetle and went off, first she got a dozen donuts and coffee, then drove to Chelsea's house. One more deep breath and Mae pushed the doorbell. After a minute, she pushed it again.
Janet yelled from upstairs. "Just a moment!" She made her way downstairs, muttering to herself. "This had better be important for 7:15 AM on a Saturday." Janet opened the door to a smiling Mae Akers. "Mrs. Akers, what do you want?" The annoyance was apparent in her voice.
"I would like to talk to you about our children."
"I'm still suing your son."
"I brought coffee, donuts, and your daughter's car." Mae lifted the coffee to show the keys were in the cup holder.
"Just you here?" Janet looked past Mae.
"Yes, just me."
"Alright, come on in. and give me one of those coffees."
The two mothers sat at the kitchen table while Chelsea snuck downstairs so she could here every word, knowing very well her relationship with Jason could hang in the balance of this very conversation.
"Miss Pollack, I understand you do not know Jason, in fact never even met him, but he didn't switch those pills."
"Mrs. Akers, if that is all you're going to say is that he is innocent, we are done here." Janet said harshly.
"I wasn't finished. I'll just skip ahead to what Jason told me." Mae took a sip of coffee. "Jason told me everything that happened between the two of them this past week, and I mean everything".
Chelsea cringed when she heard Mrs. Akers emphasize the second everything.
Mae continued. "One particular incident occurred Tuesday. Jason saw Chelsea come into the cafeteria and the two acknowledged each other. Tell me, do you know a girl named Tiffany Prater?"
"Yes, she is one of Chelsea's friends. Why?"
"Well, apparently, she and Chelsea got into a heated debate in front of all the students. After which, as Chelsea came towards my son, the entire time Chelsea kept looking back at Tiffany and she would signal for Chelsea to keep going."
"So what's your point, Mrs. Akers?" Janet was wondering where this was going.
"My point is whatever this Tiffany girl wanted to happen, didn't, because Jason stood up and hugged your daughter and convinced her not to." Mae had a tone of defiance. "I believe your daughter is a victim for standing up against some asinine peer pressure stunt in which my son was the target."
"It's true, Mom." Chelsea ran into the kitchen and landed on her mom, crying. "She wanted me to throw my lunch at him because I was seen with him the night before. After I didn't do it, she said I was so dead. Please Mom, let me see Jason again. He didn't do it." The tears were cascading down her face without end.
Janet was surprised at first, but the compassion overtook her as she returned her daughter's embrace. After Chelsea's tears subsided, Janet pushed her up, but still had her hands on Chelsea's shoulders and their eyes locked. "Chelsea, is this who you really want?" Janet asked in a soft tone.
"Oh yes, Mom, we love each other and you should see how he looks at me and treats me. He's a gentleman and more mature than any other boy I've been with."
"I'm a little worried that you say you love him already. I'm afraid your judgment may be clouded. Its only been a week."
"Mom, I thought I've been in love before with Dave and we had gone out for a while. This is totally different. I've never felt this way about anybody before. I know it's love."
"For my son, it hasn't been a week. It's been four years, Miss Pollack." Mae added with a smile. "Ever since he met her in 8th grade and she gave him a can of Silly String."
"Four years?" Janet peered at Mae in disbelief.
Mae nodded.
Janet turned to Chelsea. "Alright Chelsea, you can see him again."
