mother’s submission
I flung my arms about my son with abandon, hugging him fiercely against me.
“Jenny… ? For gods sake the boy has only been gone four months!” That was my husband, Brent’s step-father, Robert.
My eyes were squeezed tight and I held back a sob - it had been harder for me than Robert when Brent went off to an excellent University out east, on a scholarship.
Brent’s arms were pressed tight against his frame and he gasped, “Mom… ?”
Suddenly, I realized I may actually be harming my boy and immediately released him from my loving, but asphyxiating, grasp.
Holding his shoulders in my hands I leaned back and looked up into my handsome son’s blue eyes. My gaze was blurring with tears, I was so happy to have my only child home - if only for a month.
Robert leaned past me and slapped my son on the chest playfully, “How were the girls at school boy?”
My reaction was automatic, though none seemed to even hear me, “Oh Robert!”
Brent seemed thankful to look away from my sad-happy face, as he playfully replied to his step-father, “Pretty and plentiful!”
His bravado statement took me by surprise, Robert had always teased my brilliant son on the lack of female companionship - and the normal embarrassed and humiliated response was gone. My son looked confident and pleased with himself.
It was only the first of many changes I would notice.
Brent must have seen my surprised look, “Not as pretty as my mom of course!” He leaned in and kissed me gently on the lips. (more…)