A few days later, I was lounging around in front of the TV. I had sort of been avoiding mum after the whole trying to make out with her thing. It was difficult as I'd still been needed to help her to the bathroom and prepare meals for us both. While it was a little awkward to start with, the silences didn't last long, we were talking, not quite as openly as before, but still, bearable. I was half way through an episode of some sitcom, when the doorbell went. Usually I'd make my 'I'll get it' joke, but didn't think we were quite back there yet. I got up and went to the door. Stood on the doorstep was Beth, carrying 2 bags over both her shoulders.
'Hi Beth, can I get that for you?' I reached out as she shrugged off a bag and offered it to me.
'Thanks stud,' she said with a smirk on her face. She stepped in past me, usually we'd make small talk as we made our way to mum's room, but today she stood in the hallway and turned towards me. 'So, how was date night?' She asked with a broad smile across her face.
'Err, it was good, thanks.... why?' I realised I was a little too fast and defensive with the question.
'Oh, no reason, I spoke to your mum yesterday, she said she had fun and you were a proper gent,' she smirked up at me. Had mum told her about the kiss? No, why would she do that? I'd be mortified if she told anyone else, there's no way she'd do that to me. She stood there holding her bag, like she was waiting for something more. I smiled back at her like a gormless loon.
'Yeah, she said you were the consummate gentleman and even... kissed her goodnight,' the statement hung in the air, the smile slowly left my face, to be replaced by widening eyes and blushed cheeks. I could feel face burning, I started stumbling for something to say but Beth cut me off.
'Haaa, don't worry stud, your secret is safe with me, Scout's honour I won't say a word,' she held up 3 fingers by her shoulder in a mock salute. Trying to gain some composure I said,
'You weren't a scout!' To which she just giggled. 'Look Beth, it was nothing, I kissed her goodnight, usually I kiss her cheek, but it was like a date night thing, so I gave her a peck on the lips, I have no idea why she even brought it up with you, it was nothing.' I blurted out. Thinking about it, I probably sounded a little more desperate and over defensive, in a 'the lady doth protest too much, methinks' way, than I intended!
'Don't be silly,' she said, 'I think it's beautiful and you are an amazing son. Your mum is lucky, and she knows it.' She looked directly into my eyes, the smile had gone, she looked genuinely sincere. My face contorted into a quizzical expression, my lips pursed to the left side of my mouth and I raised my left eyebrow.
'Oh yeah?'
'Yes,' she said, her tone hushed. 'Look, let me finish up with your mum, then I want to have a talk with you. I haven't got anyone else to see today, so when I'm done, I'll shut her door and you can stick the kettle on and let's have a chat over a cuppa, OK?' My expression hadn't changed, I was wondering what she could possibly want to talk to me about, but I agreed and she walked off towards mum's room.
I sat back in the lounge, going over the conversation I'd just had, trying to fathom what Beth wanted to sit down and talk to me about. We'd never done it before, sure I'd talked to her but usually around mum and they were usually digging fun at me. Every now and again I would hear them both laughing, it made me self conscious. Were they laughing at me in there? Was mum telling her more stuff about me and having a big joke at my expense?
About an hour or so later, I heard her saying her goodbyes, so as promised, I got up and made my way to the kitchen. I flicked the kettle on got a couple of mugs out to make tea. I heard the bedroom door clunk shut and Beth appeared in the kitchen, clutching her bags. She hung them over a chair and sat down as I waited for the kettle to finish boiling.
'Your mum is an absolute hoot, I feel like I've known her forever,' she said as she slid into a chair.
'Funny, she says the same about you,' I replied.
'Really? Ha, cool. You know with this job I come across allsorts and I've only really been able to be this open and honest with maybe 1 other client and she's become a very good friend to me too. I love coming here and spending time with your mum, she's great,'
'I know, I can hear' I said smiling, as I finished up making the tea, 'sugar?' I asked, 'no thanks, I'm sweet enough', she replied. I smiled at the terrible, age old joke and turned towards her and brought the mugs over to the table and sat opposite her. 'So what do you want to talk to me about?' I asked.
'Oh nothing really, just wanted to have a chat,' we both took a sip from our mugs, looking at each other. Beth smiled as she set her mug down. She reached over and took my hand in both hers.
'Look Jake, just be honest with me, I promise absolutely no judgement here,' she paused, I waited. 'Do you want to fuck your mum?' The world seemed to stop moving, time slowed down, I was stuck in this moment, my mouth hanging open. How. The. Fuck did she know?! A few seconds had passed and I hadn't replied. I was shocked she'd asked the question, my head was spinning. 'Jake? You look scared! Don't worry, be calm, I'm just asking a question, do you want to have sex with your mother?'
I pulled my hands away from her. 'Wha-? NO I don't... I mean, why would..... what the.... What a ques-... why, wh-... I mean, has she said.... look Beth, I think...'
My heart was pounding, I could hear my heartbeat pulsing in my ears. I had NOT expected THAT question! I still couldn't form any coherent sentences, just the odd word strung together, I was stuttering, umming and arring.
'OK, breathe! Calm down,' she leaned forward and pulled my hands back to the middle of the table, where she could sit back down while still holding them, she was smiling at me. 'It's OK, trust me, I want to help.' This whole conversation had stumped me, but I had my legs completely swept from under me, if I'd been standing up, I'm sure I would have collapsed on myself.
'Wh- wh-what? What did you say?'
'Haha, you're cute when you're flustered.' She looked like she was thinking for a second, then it seemed as if a decision had been made in her head. She let go of my hands and fished out her phone. She held it to her chest and looked me in the eye.