It was June and college was out for the summer. Mom and her new husband had been on my case for over a month to find a job, but if I'm honest, I just didn't want to work. I am the first to admit I'm a bit of a sloth. I'd rather be gaming and reading and watching movies than work when my parents can look after me. I'm not a fool. I just know that when I finish college, there'll be nothing but work, slaving for food and rent while trying to save for a house. Why not enjoy my summer holidays while I could?
Like I said, I'm not a fool. I started to form a plan in my mind to win the support of at least one of my parents. It came to me pretty easy after catching my stepfather ogling me a few times when he'd had a few. Mom didn't seem to notice it, but I'm bi myself and I know what those looks can mean.
Reg is a practical sort of guy normally. He's a certified accountant, a numbers guy, and he is, well, maybe not rich, but almost rich. Well off. Mom made a lot off my dad's life insurance when he passed. I don't know how much exactly, but enough to retire at fifty without debts. Together, they had no cash flow problems.
I was the only problem in their life. Mom complained that I didn't work, she didn't like my friends and she thought I was directionless and wasting my life. It annoyed her that I didn't argue with her much. I was just passing the time easy until I finished college. It's not like she and Reg couldn't afford to support me. She'd just scowl and walk away. Then you could count on Reg stopping by my room and giving me a pep talk meant to stir my ambition and raise my aspirations to be someone. Truth is, for Generation Z, it's a different world out there, but they don't get it.
Anyway, it was June. Mom left to go to New York to celebrate Aunt Connie's birthday for the weekend, leaving me with Reg. Without mom around, Reg was a different animal. He relaxed around me a bit, not having to be mom's echo chamber.
"Just us boys," Reg said. "We can watch sports and those horror movies your mom doesn't like. Unless you have plans this weekend?"
"That sounds like a plan," I replied.
I had plans alright. Normally, I would be out with my friends on a weekend, getting drunk, getting high and getting my rocks off. This weekend wouldn't be so different.
"Great! What do you want to watch first?"
I picked up the remote and started scanning for a likely scary movie in one of our streaming services. We eventually found one we agreed on, an oldie.
"This'll scare the pants off you," Reg said.
I almost laughed. He had flippantly foreshadowed my plan.
"We need snacks," I said. "Set up the movie and I'll get us something to eat and drink."
This was fine with Reg. It was his weekend too and he was feeling lazy after a full five days commuting to the city and working long hours.
When I came back, I was loaded down with bowls of chips and popcorn. On the next trip, I brought the drinks.
As the opening credits rolled (he never skipped the intros), he took a sip of his drink, expecting a regular Coke. "Oh, wow, what's in there? Whiskey?"
"Southern Comfort."
"In yours too?"
"Yes." It certainly was.
A look flickered over his face. Reg was trying to decide if he should disapprove of me drinking, but I could almost see the moment when he decided I was twenty and could have a drink. Instead of complaining, he told me it was good.
"Maybe you should be a bartender."
A few minutes into the movie, I saw Reg had put a dent in his drink. I topped it up with more S.C. and Coke. I deliberately made it quite strong.
The movie passed the one-hour mark and it was good, but my mind was on my plan.
"Wow, is it hot in here or is it just me?"