When I turn around with the carafe in hand, I nearly drop it in surprise.
Mother stands behind me. My breath catches at the sight of her. Apparently, her consistent daytime attire is vintage cocktail halter dresses with modern touches of leather. She’s wearing one now.
“I miss our alone time, John, don’t you?” She slowly bats her long lashes and takes the coffee pot, replacing it with a full cocktail glass.
I nod my reply even as I bring the cup to my lips and sip. A warm relief floods my body.
“Why don’t you send them to the park or something for the day, and we can have some fun.”
My head bobs up and down in response. “Yes, Mother.”
* * *
Meisha struggles to control her response.
“I want to support you however I can, John, but I’m confused. You asked us to come out for the week, we just got here, and now you want us to leave?”
“Only for the day. I thought I would go through some things in the house and see if there’s anything I want to keep. It’s a part of my life we never shared, and I’d like to keep it that way. Some really strange things happened in this house.” And are still happening. “Some disturbing things that I’m ashamed of. I want to keep you pure and separate from all the yuck and junk. You and little Johnny.” I reach out and stroke my son’s soft brown hair.
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.”
