"When were you planning to tell me about these?" Lauren asked her son gently when he came home from school that afternoon.
On the dining room table were different forms and brochures for college students looking to transfer abroad.
Tom shook his head. ""I can't believe you've been looking through my stuff again."
She sighed, "Tom, you know how much effort I've put in keeping our family together since your father passed away. Your grandparents and aunts and uncles all want to see you more often. They love you very much. And I don't think you moving out before you've finished your college education is what's best for our family."
"Mom, please, I don't want to fight about this again. Studying abroad
is
part of a college education. And it's not like I've made up my mind about it either. I'm just keeping my options open because it's something I've always wanted to do."
"You're right," she replied, feeling defeated. "We'll continue this conversation another time."
"Don't be upset, please. It's just that... there are a lot of things in life that I was to explore. I'm sure you can understand that."
She nodded. "I can. And you're right. I'm getting older and sometimes I forget what it's like to be young."
"So you understand?"
"I do. But it's complicated. I wish you could see things from my perspective."
He patted her shoulder. "Okay, I don't want to upset you."
"We'll talk about this later," she said, rubbing his hand lovingly. "I don't want us to say anything we'll regret. I want us to be open and honest with each other, in a way that's respectful and thoughtful."
He forced a smile, "Got it. I have some things to do. I'll see you at dinner."
Lauren knew exactly how Tom felt when he went upstairs to his room, because when she was that age, she had gone through those exact same feelings.
***
Lauren stood lifeless in the shower wondering where things went wrong. Just a few years ago, she thought she had the perfect life. She had a romantic husband in a wonderful marriage. Her son was exceeding in both sports and academics. And both she and her husband had successful careers. She couldn't ask for anything more.
But after her husband passed away, things started to fall apart, particularly with her son. He no longer seemed interested in being around the house or with family. After he graduated from high school and began attending college, all he cared about was being his own person and spent most of his free time with his new friends. Lauren didn't exactly object to the changes in her son since it was normal, but she
did
have a problem with her son wanting to move out so soon while their family was still fragile.
Could she change that? Should she?
She made up her mind quickly. The only thing she needed was a plan.
The idea had suddenly dawned on her as she wiped the steam from the mirror. She carefully examined her 43 year old body in a way that she hadn't in a very long time. She had the look of a woman her age; soft, curvy in certain spots, but still very much desirable to younger men. What stood out the most as she gazed at her nude figure was seeing her large pink nipples, which had been routinely complemented by every man she's ever been with.
'Could I really do this?' she asked herself.
'Could I really seduce my own son?'
And at that moment, she realized that her answer was a clear 'yes.' She loved her son more than anything and she would do anything to keep him in her life.
***
"Are you just going to sit there all night and give me the silent treatment?" Lauren asked her son during an awkward dinner.
He finally looked at her for the first time this evening. "No, it's fine."
"What's on your mind? You can tell me anything."
He mustered his courage and spoke respectfully. "I'm tired of you going through my things and trying to manage my life. I'm not a kid anymore, mom. I appreciate what you're trying to do, but I'm a grown up now."
"I understand," she sighed. "You're a young man and you've got your whole life in front of you. Maybe I'm getting old and becoming that nagging mother I've always dreaded becoming."
"Stop with that, I don't think of you as a 'nagging mother.' I just wish you'd respect my boundaries a little more, that's all."
"Have you thought about how moving so far away would affect your relationship with your family and friends?" Lauren asked, switching back to the original topic of their disagreement.
He shrugged off her assertion. "Mom, it's not like I would be gone forever or that we don't have emails or phones in this day and age."
"Fine, but what about your spot on the football team? You know, when you were growing up, no matter how busy I was, I
always
made time to take you to practices and to go see games."
"I appreciate that, but my life doesn't revolve around sports anymore. Besides, it would be nice to not feel so beat up all the time."
"And
me
?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
He smiled and got up to kiss her forehead. "Relax mom, you know I'll always love you."
"Thanks, that's sweet of you to say," she said with a smile of her own. "Now all I have to do is find a way to convince you a little more."
She wondered if Tom knew what he was in for. But of course, no one could have predicted her plan.
***
The wheels were in motion. Lauren took the following day off from work and went to the mall. She knew exactly what she wanted, heading directly towards the lingerie store.
Once there, she picked out a few items from a section she'd never visited before. After grabbing a few of the more sexy items on display, she headed towards the fitting room. She was sure to try on each of the undergarments she picked out and modeled herself in the mirror to ensure that she would be irresistible when the time came.