Mom's superpowers

"So when do you want to move in with me, Cuddles?" my future sexy housemate asked.

"I'd like to spend the week looking for a job, Athena," I answered. "How about I move in Saturday?"

"Sounds good, Cuddles," Holly purred. "Just so you know, the school's main office needs a receptionist. Would you be interested?"

"Yes, I would," I confirm.

"I'll put in a good word for you, Cynthia," Holly offers.

"Thanks," I accept.

"Goodbye, Cuddles," my girlfriend speaks out just before blowing me a kiss over the phone. "I love you."

"I love you too, Athena," I reply while repeating the gesture which leads to us both hanging up.

"Athena is a very clever pet name for Holly," Mom complimented.

"Well, she is a teacher," I explained.

"What does she call you?" Mom wondered.

"Uh... Cuddles," I replied while blushing.

"You are rather cuddly at that," Mom teased.

"MOM!" I squeal in indignation as my face heats up.

"Sorry," Mom apologized even though I could tell that she wasn't all that sorry. "Feel like helping me with the groceries?"

"Sure," I concede as my face returns to normal.

Both my brother and I carry bags of groceries from the car to the kitchen. We put the frozen foods in the freezer and the cold foods in the refrigerator. I load the cookies in the cookie jar while my brother puts the potato chips in the cabinet. I put the jar of mixed nuts on the counter and I decide that there is no time like the present to tell Dylan about my situation with my girlfriend.

"You might like to know that I will be moving in with Holly Saturday," I announce.

"Wow, I just got used to having you back," my brother complains. "I'm going to miss you."

"Hey, it's not like I am going to be moving out of town this time," I sneer while lightly punching Dylan in his right arm. "You'll be able to visit me. Although, it would be a good idea if you called first."

"Like I would want to walk in on my sister making out with her girlfriend!" Dylan jibes me while sticking his right index finger in his mouth and pretending to throw up which causes me to give him a light smack on the back of his head.

"Ow! I'll quit!" Dylan gives in while rubbing his head.

"Kids, lets behave now," Mom rebukes me since she came into the room just in time to catch me hitting my brother in the head.

"Yes, mom," I answer respectfully.

How does Mom keep doing it? How does she keep coming into a room just in time to catch me doing something bad? It kind of creeps me out sometimes. It is almost enough for me to think that my mother is either a robot or an alien. Or could she be somehow related to Corporal Radar O'Riley who was on M*A*S*H. I wonder if Holly and I will acquire that talent if and when we adopt a kid.

Even though I had a little bit of fun picking on my brother, a bout of depression comes into my heart. I know that I still have to tell my work friend Bree that I won't be coming back to Piquant Press. If I don't do it by tomorrow, Nick will take care of that for me. I can't do that to Bree. Our friendship means too much to me. We have eaten many meals in restaurants and we have watched many movies together. Without a doubt, my work buddy was the best thing about the time that I spent working about Piquant Press. I sigh as I take my cell phone out of pocket. I march myself up to my room for some privacy because I know that I can't put this off any longer no matter how much I would want to. I push the buttons on I wait for my buddy to answer.

"Hello?" Bree asks on her end of the line.

"Um... hello... Bree?" I **** out.

"Is something wrong Cynthia?" Bree asks me.

At first the words get caught in my throat and then I spit them out.

"I won't be coming back. I've quit my job at Piquant Press."

"What? Why?" Bree screeches over the phone.

"I couldn't bring myself to leave. I enjoyed being back home too much."

"Is... is there any other reason?" Bree whined in a rush.

"Do you remember me telling you about Holly?" I speak out under great stress.

"Yes, she was your best friend in high school," Bree answered.

"I love her and I'm going to move in with her," I put out to put the final nail in the coffin.

"Well... well... I'm happy for you," Bree gasped.

Bree might be happy for me, but I can tell that she isn't happy for herself because she is now crying. That make me start to cry. I knew this would happen.

"L-look, we can send e-mails and I can set up Skype on my laptop," I offer.

"Okay," Bree gives in.

"I'm sorry!" I cry out through my tears.

"No, you have to do what's right for you," Bree comforts me.

"Bye!" I speak out to end the discussion.

"Bye!" Bree responds before hanging up.

I can do nothing but drop my phone to the floor while crying into my hands. After a minute, someone knocks on my door. I open it to find Mom there so I sob on her shoulder. This is a second superpower Mom has. I have already mentioned her ability to catch me with my hand in the cookie jar. She also has this uncanny way of showing up just when I need her.