He playfully grabs at my hands while smacking his lips.

Meisha’s eyes search mine. She lets out a deep breath. “We aren’t here to add to your stress, that’s for sure.” She bounces Johnny on her hip. “What do you want to do, little man? This place is much closer to the zoo than our house. Do you want to go to the zoo, Johnny?”

“That’s a great idea.”

My wife looks from my son back at me. “You sure you want to miss his first trip to the zoo? It might do you good to get out of here, too.”

I run my fingers through my hair and try to look casual. “Nah. You guys go on. He won’t even remember it this time. We’ll go again as a family in a year or two.”

She tries to hide her disappointment as I help her pack up what they’ll need for a day out. From her frequent, lingering glances, I know she’s hoping I’ll change my mind.

I can’t change my mind though, and they can’t get away from me quickly enough. Finally, after what seems like agonizing hours, I’m buckling my son into the backseat and watching them drive away while I stand on the steps and wave.

“Good boy, John.” Mother is waiting for me in the foyer when I come back inside. “I brought you something to take the edge off.” She holds out a polished glass.

I greedily snatch it from her only to frown when I see that it contains maybe two ounces.

“It’s just to tide you over. Mother would like you to give her what she needs now. Can you do that, John? Will you take care of Mother’s needs?”

I pound the drink. It’s the perfect liquid courage as it swirls through my body, fulfilling every deep, dark desire. “Yes, Mother. What can I do for you?”

She laughs. The sound is light and trilling while also possessing a low, resonant undertone. “Mmm. You should say that more often.” She holds out a studded leather collar attached to a leash. “Put this on.”

I accept the leather band even as my eyebrows raise in disbelief.

“Around your neck.” She flicks her hand, commanding me to hurry up.

It’s not real. I begin to unfasten the buckle. My heart races. Just like the cuffs weren’t real. The cold of the metal under my fingers certainly feels real. It’s all just temporary and make-believe.

I loop the leather around my neck and struggle for a moment to find a hole for the metal peg to fit through. Then I slide the end through the buckle and look to Mother for affirmation.

“Very good, John.” A lovely flush graces her cheeks. Her breasts heave against the rim of her dress. “You make Mother so very horny.” She tilts her head back, licks her finger, and runs it from her lips, down her neck, to between her breasts.

My arousal strains against my pants. She looks down at the tightness in my groin and grins.

“We’ll get to that. Patience. Mother always takes care of you. I have something to show you first.” She walks to the left, the leash in hand. I follow before the slack is gone.

She glides past the grandfather clock that hides the uncomfortable highlights of my childhood days. Her hand rests on a black doorknob on the wall.

Wait! There’s never been a door here before.

She flashes me an ear-to-ear grin while raising her eyebrows. Her hand twists and pulls to reveal a winding staircase leading down and around. “This way, John.” She gives the leash a little tug.

The walls lining the stairs are the same warm cherry that runs throughout the rest of the house. The steps are smooth and noiseless; the stairway is well-lit.

At the bottom of the stairs is the most amazing nursery ever. Cartoon animals prance on the walls. A crib with an animal mobile sits in one corner. In another is a play corner with a child-sized train set that Johnny can ride.

The room also holds a changing station and a twin bed with a plush comforter. The whole space is brightly colored and absolutely magical. It reminds me of the room Meisha talked about creating for Johnny when she was pregnant with him.

“Wow, where did this come from?” I look around in awe.

“Do you like it, John?”

“Yes. It’s amazing.”

“I thought that little Johnny and Meisha might prefer staying in a more comfortable room while they’re here. What do you think?”

“They’ll love it.”

“Let’s go back upstairs now, John. Mother has a surprise for you, my good little pet.” She gives my leash a gentle tug.

I walk sideways as I follow her, giving the basement room one more glance. I’m convinced they’ll both love it.

When we reach the top of the stairs, Mother stops and gives me a once-over from collar to toe. She frowns and shakes her head. “No. This won’t do.”

My eyebrows rise, and my insides tremble as I wonder what she means. Did I do something wrong?

“What sorts of things wear collars, John?”

The question catches me off guard. “Uh.” I take a moment to think. “Dogs?”

She tilts her head and graces me with a smile. “Bingo. And how many clothes does the average dog wear?”

“None?”

“Right again.” She stands there with her hands on her hips waiting for something.

When her gaze doesn’t shift from me and she doesn’t move, I guess that she’s waiting for me. “Am I supposed to undress now?”

“You’re so smart, John.” Her hands clutch the leash handle together in front of her.

I’m suddenly nervous and my cheeks burn. It’s one thing to undress in the bedroom and quite another to undress in a foyer. Still, it isn’t right to keep Mother waiting.

I unbutton my shirt, slide it off my arms, and realize I have no place to put it. The floor will have to do. Anything for Mother. It falls from my fingers as I move to unbuckle my pants and slip out of them. Soon, I’m naked and shivering a little from anticipation and embarrassment.

Mother still doesn’t move. What else could I do to make her happier??

“Hmm. One more thing. I may have to reward you if you get this one right.”

My mouth waters at the thought of more to drink. Fuck booze. I need Mother’s nectar the way a junkie needs heroin. Please, get this right. Exams always made me nervous and each test from Mother now is the most important one in my life.

“How do dogs walk?”

I hesitate at first, wondering if it can be that easy. “On all fours.”

“Oh.” She puts a hand to her bosom with a look of ecstasy on her face. “You are so good. Mother is so proud of her little boy.”

My heart swells within me as I drop to my hands and knees on the cold floor. I feel vulnerable in this position until Mother starts gushing.