First story of the new year for me - hope you like it - a bit of silliness and a bit long, but I think it turned out well! Apologies up front for the lyrics - I can deal with prose pretty well, I think, but I suck at poetry/song lyrics!
As always, this is a work of fiction and all characters within are simply figments of my imagination and exist solely within the confines of my mind and in this story.
Let me know what you think - negative or positive, your feedback is important to me! Enjoy
I've never viewed myself to be more than your average, slightly dull working mother. I've been divorced for nearly sixteen years and have raised my son, now an eighteen year old senior in high school, alone – his father left Chicago for Las Vegas before the ink was dry on our divorce decree and we've not heard from him since. I worked as an accountant in a local business firm and we've done well for ourselves.
It's been pretty much just John and me – I've had boyfriends from time to time, but none stuck with us – no one seemed to want the extra baggage I suppose. Still, I'm not what I'd call lonely and I've been very content. John has been the center of my life and I'm very proud of him and all that he's accomplished. He already has won an academic scholarship to a prestigious university here in Chicago and plans to stay at home while in college thus relieving me of any immediate anxieties over impending "empty nest syndrome."
John's a good son, stays out of trouble and helps around the house. He's dating a lovely young cheerleader named Kelly and while she and I have never hit it off (I think she's a bit jealous of any other woman around "her" John, including his mother), but I'm happy that he's happy. I'm sure they're sexually active as I've seen the signs, but he and I had that "talk" a long time ago and I'm sure he's taking all the necessary precautions.
If I had any complaints about my son, it would be limited to his choice of music – he adores "heavy metal" music, the louder the better. But, other than establishing some basic ground rules for volume levels in the house or in the car, I've adapted and have even become used to hearing the noise that passes for his music! I've even learned to accept the sometimes vile language that some of the groups pass off as lyrics.
I sometimes find it ironic that it was my son's love for his music that led to both our worlds being literally turned upside down for all time – well, his love for heavy metal and Dirty Davy and the Chimp! I'm sure you've heard of them – they're syndicated all over the nation now – two of those afternoon shock jock radio people. They are based right here in Chicago and run the late afternoon radio show for the Tri-State's most popular hard rock station.
I was only vaguely aware of them as I prefer the lite-pop stations and only then because of their outrageous stunts and penchant for sexually charged material – well, that and the fact that I think they set a record for the highest FCC fine for obscenity a few years back, something they still brag about. Anyways, it was Dirty Davy and the Chimp who set things into motion that changed the lives of my son and me.
I had known that John's favorite band – some huge British or Australian heavy metal band was coming to Chicago this spring. It was constantly on John's mind. I had agreed to spring for tickets for him and Kelly, assuming he could get tickets. Alas, my poor baby never got out of the gate – the tickets getting snapped up by profiteers before the average Joe had a chance. John was disappointed when the tickets were listed for resale at prices that were way out of our league unless I wanted to take a second mortgage on the house.
That's where Dirty Davy and the Chimp came in. They decided to have a contest to give away a pair of first row seats and my son asked me for permission to enter. Not bothering to listen to the details, I gave him my blessing. I told him to not get his hopes up, that probably hundreds of thousands of other metal heads would be entering. Still, I knew the minute I walked into the kitchen one day that from my son's grin, he had won!
"Mom, I just talked to the Chimp himself! This is so cool!"
"I'm so happy for you, honey! Have you told Kelly? I know she'll be thrilled to hear you've won your big tickets."
My son laughed and said, "Yeah, I called her a little while ago, but Mom, we haven't won anything yet. They just drew our names so we can try and win the tickets. We have to um do it before we actually win."
I sat down at the kitchen table and eyed my son who was leaning against the counter. "Do it?" I replied, "Do what, son?" I kicked off my high heel shoes and crossing my legs, leaned over and massaged my aching stocking clad feet.
John's grin faded to be replaced by a somewhat embarrassed and guilty expression. "Um, you know, make out." He was avoiding my gaze, although judging from the direction he was staring, it was hard to tell if he was doing it out of guilt or was ogling my legs.
I started to pay more attention. "Make out? Like kissing and hugging making out? Don't tell me you and Kelly have to make out on those idiots' radio show."
John frowned and shook his head. In a voice now edged with caution, he replied, "No, Mom, remember? You and I have to make out on the radio show."
"WHAT!" I jumped to my feet, not quite believing what I just heard. I started to laugh, thinking John was playing a joke on me, but his expression was dead serious. "You're kidding me, John, right? RIGHT?"
John slowly shook his head from side to side. "I told you, Mom, remember? Dirty Davy and the Chimp have done this before – they love holding their "Making Out With Mom for Tickets" contest. The mom and son selected have to kiss for one minute to win." John could barely meet my gaze now and he added meekly, "Remember?"
"Hell no, I don't remember. I just remember you asking me could you enter their contest." I paused and tried to honestly recall him telling me the details, but I came up blank. I eyed my son who was suddenly looking like I'd told him I was planning to shoot his dog. "By kissing, you're talking about French kissing, aren't you?"
John glumly nodded. I rolled my eyes and said, "Son, are you crazy? There's no way I'm going to French kiss my own son for an entire minute!"
"But Mom, it's our only chance! This is THE concert of a lifetime. Those tickets are worth like a couple of grand!" Part of me wanted to just laugh my ass off and the other part wanted to clout my son on the head for being so dense.
"I am not letting my son put his tongue into my mouth for an entire minute – not even for tickets to see Elvis if he were to come back from the dead! Sorry, sweetheart, no way, no how!"
John looked down at the ground, his lower lip pooched out like it always does when he's wanting something and my answer is no. "Jeez, Mom, it's just a stupid kiss."
I laughed and went over and hugged him. "No," I replied and started out of the room.