I already know my stuff

"I spent years fighting guys in my teenagehood....", I think, going downstairs. "I fight regularly with a man, my husband, and he gets depleted all the times. I am in shape, also muscular to some extent, and after judo I've been training in other deadly martial arts. There is no need for me to wait months before teaching a lesson to that pompous and skinny young man, and I'm sure that he will behave differently after that". Finally, I reach my daughter's door. "Anna, may I come in?", I ask, knocking. "Yes mommy!", she replies. The girl was listening to some music. I take a deep breath before speaking. "It's an amazing April honey and the next week is June! The air is hot and I was thinking about opening the pool". "That's wonderful momy! I was waiting for it and also Jonhatan!", "Oh really?", I asnwer, pretending to be surprised. "So, why don't you invite him? Next Saturday 3 pm it should be fine...", "Yes mommy, thanks! I'll tell him!". I close the door, sending a kiss to my daughter. A part of me is really sorry for lurking her in this way, but my conviction is that they will break up anyway. "This is different than cheating on her though..." I reflect by myself. No, there is no time for remorse. Everything is settled.

Once again, the doorbell rings, but this time I'm ready. A quick look to the mirror boosts my confidence. My pale blue bikini matches my colours perfectly. I wear a pair of black sunglasses but behind it there is my best make-up. I know that in my 40' I'm still in shape and - I hope - attractive. I open the door of my house, welcoming the couple. My daughter just smiles at me but Jonhatan tours his eyes all around my body, as I had wished. "Please, come here, we are ready, I've prepared a pool snack!", I say loudly, walking them through. Outside, the air is warm and the garden very quiet. "Do you have flip flops my dear?", I ask to the guy, pointing at his shoes. "No problem, I can walk barefoot", he responds, doffing them. "Stunning, good. I see that you already have a swimsuit. Anna, honey, you can get a change while I entertain your.....oh no. No! What an idiot! I completely forgot!", my voice is pitching up and my expression changed abruptly. "Mom?? What's going on?", my daughter asks, preoccupied.

"I'm a complete idiot, this is what goes on. I need to get dressed, you can enjoy the food and take a bath in the meanwhile...", "Mommy tell me...I'm getting scared...what's wrong?", "Oh...my memory...", I sigh, "It must be wrecked, I'm a real idiot! Flurry, your aunt's dog, has been alone yesterday all the day and...today until now. Your aunt asked me to look after him and I....I just forgot it". "Mom!", Anna says, horrified. I was expecting that reaction; my daughter was fond of that pet. In fact, the good Fluffy has been alone for less than 10 hours, but everything was arranged to suggest otherwise. "...and I don't even have the car today as you know...", I continue, posturing an artificial despair. "I'm speechless mom...never mind, I'll go. I'm faster than you and with the bike can get there in 20 minutes. In 45, maybe 50 topmost I'll be back!". "Honey, I'm coming with you...", Jonhatan jumps in. My daughter shakes her head. "No, my bike is small and you'd only slow me down. I'll be back with Flurry in no time!". "Thank you my darling....what a relief! I'm so sorry. Take care!", I say, while she leaves. This part was a piece of cake. My attention now focuses on the young man who's still wearing his white t-shirt and seems a bit at a loss. "No problem!" I reassure him, "We can stay together for a few minutes. I don't bite". While speaking these words, I think quite the opposite.