Chris walked into the kitchen unsure of the greeting he was to receive.
"Hi mom."
Karen's puffy eyes and tear streaked cheeks assured him all was not to be well.
"Don't hi me Chris," slipping into sobs, "Don't talk to me. Don't come near me. I want you to just leave me alone while I try to deal with this. Chris, you took advantage of me. God dammit you know that I would have never, NEVER allowed that to happen. It was the same as rape. You're my son. If I couldn't trust you, who is left that I can?"
"But mom, you..."
"NO, don't but mom me. God knows I know what I did, I know how I reacted. Like some fuc... some ruttish bitch. I'm ashamed, God how can I look in the mirror or at you without anger or shame."
"Don't you understand what you did?" she screamed. "Just stay away from me until I can sort it all out. I don't know what we're going to do, what I'm going to do. I can't work today. I can't go in like this. Just leave me be Chris, I don't want to talk to you right now."
"Do you want me to move out? To leave?
"No Chris, I don't want that," Karen replied brushing away her tears. "I just don't know what I want. I don't know. I just don't know. Maybe it would be best. Just go. Just go and let me think, please."
It was a long week. The days were too short when he was away and what little time during the few evenings he spent at home slowed to a crawl. They occasionally passed with neither speaking. He wanted to talk to say something, but Karen always turned away. Chris finally timed his comings and goings to miss his mom completely while staying a few nights at friends.
He was only going to school a half a day now and was working at the Garden Center afterwards. Chris had been at the dock unloading spring and summer stock. They were caught up and now that school was out he would be in the outside lawn and garden area full time.
"Chris, I am so happy you're back. And do I ever need the help. These things are just too heavy to move around for an old woman like me."
"Hi Mrs. Sovell. They've had me in back all last week."
"Well Chris, it's really nice to have you up here. I've missed you." she replied as she gave him a hug and a kiss on his cheek. "And what did I tell you about calling me Joan? I feel old enough without you referring to me as old Mrs. Sovell. And none of that ma'am stuff either."
"Uh, Joan, come on, you're not old at all. At least I don't think you are. You don't look old. I think you look really great."
"Well, that's sweet of you to say. You know one of those snippy little girls at the register asked about you last week. Are you going to go up and see her? I won't say anything if you do, just don't spend too long."
"No, I don't think so. I'll stay back here. What do you want me to do?"
"Well hon, we need to move all these plants over there and set them up on stands. And then we have all those bags there to move and it hurts my shoulders to do it."
Chris reached down lifting the planters, the feel of her large full breasts as Joan hugged him still causing some twitching between his legs. To his relief carrying the plant covered his growing erection. The morning went all too quickly. He ate lunch with Joan in the break room while she chatted away at the things she needed done at home, but aches and pains kept her from finishing.
"Hey, look uh... Joan. I could stop over and help you. I'm not really doing anything else after work."
"Oh could you? Really? You wouldn't mind? That would be so sweet but I don't want to take up your time with your girlfriend or anything."
"Well, I don't think I have a girlfriend right now anyway."
"Oh, I thought you mentioned one the other day when you took the flowers."
"Well, you know how it goes."
"Oh, I'm sorry Chris. If you're not too busy later and don't care, I would love for you to stop over and help me some. You can keep me company for awhile. I'll fix something for us to eat unless you have to run home.
"No, I don't have to be anywhere, but you don't need to fix anything for me."
"Of course I will. If you're going to help me it's the least I can do. I guess we had better get back to work or we'll both need some help."
As he returned to work, his thoughts still on the openings between the buttons of Joan's tightly stretched blouse, he heard his name.
"CHRIS, Chris, I heard you were working here. How are you?"
"Hey hi Aunt Jane."
"Quit calling me aunt. I'm not really your aunt and do I look like an old aunt?" she laughed. "How's your Mother? I haven't talked to her in a week."
"We're sort of not talking right now. She's kind of mad at me so I've been staying out of her way."
"Oh, that's a shame. You want me to say something to her?"
"No, no don't, it might just make it worse. Is there anything I can show you here or help you with?"
Jane turned hiding the lift of her eyes as she thought of several things she would like him to do.
"No no Chris, I just stopped to pick up a hanging basket for my porch. If it's kind of bad at home you know you can always stop over and stay a little while with me. I have plenty of room and that way your mom won't worry and will know where you're at. You can stop over tonight for supper while you decide. I get tired of eating alone anyway."
"Uh, well Aunt Jane, I promised Mrs. Sovell I would help her some after work tonight, but maybe I'll stop over after that if you're sure it's ok?"
Eyebrows slightly raising, Jane glanced toward Joan, "Well, I insist Chris. You stop over after you help out Joan. You can stay in the spare room and I'll call your mom and tell her."
"No, no don't call mom. I'll tell her."
"Well ok, I have to run now but I'll be expectiing you later." she said as she turned and walked over to Joan.
"Hi Joan, I see you have Chris working for you? His Mother and I are good friends."
"Oh, hello Jane. I haven't seen you for awhile. How have you been? Yes, Chris is working here and he's even going to stop over after work to help me with planting a few bushes. He's just the sweetest thing. I'm just getting too old I think to dig the holes to plant them."
"Sure Joan, I know what you want him over for. Harold out of town?"
