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Chapter 5 by Catface Catface

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The Cool Mom: Scene 1

June Matron (38) returned from an exhausting day of shopping—groceries, clothes, wine, and few impulsive new outfits she’d probably never wear in public. She liked to think of it as retail therapy, but she knew better. Ever since the divorce, she’d been holding her life together with charm, credit cards, and denial.

At least the kids were doing well. Mostly. She finished stacking the last of the groceries when the sound of laughter drifted in through the open patio doors. Splashing. Music.

Her sunglasses slid on like armor as she stepped out into the late-afternoon sun.] The backyard shimmered—blue pool, green lawn, too many beautiful young bodies.

Her son Darren, awkward in every way that counted, sat stiffly beside Naomi Wilde, who was draped across her son like she’d been born to pose.

Her daughter Amy, shy as a mouse, was giggling at something Brad, the quarterback, whispered.

God, Brad and Naomi were hot. The two of them looked like they could be models. June loved her kids, but why the fuck Brad and Amy would pay them any attention she couldn’t understand. Then she spotted it. Her eyes caught the bottle of vodka, and carton of orange juice sitting on the glass table. Each of the kids had a red plastic cup in their hands.

June: “While you are all legal adults, Brad’s the only one older enough here to be legally drinking alone.”

The pool went silent. Four guilty faces turned her way.

Darren: “Mom! We’re just—uh—celebrating Amy’s exam!”

She placed her hands on her hips. The gesture was pure authority—halfway between sitcom mom and goddess of wrath.

Naomi smiled easily, not at all flustered.

Naomi: “Mrs. Matron, you’re seriously the coolest mom ever. I was just saying how lucky they are.”

June froze mid-retort. The words hit the exact pressure point she didn’t admit she had. Cool. Young. Relevant. Not the ex-wife who spent her nights with a bottle and her days pretending the house wasn’t too quiet.

Her eyes lit up.

June: “Well. Someone has to keep an eye on things. So if you cant legally drink alone, I guess I should join you all!”

June could see that both of her children groaned inside, but this was best for them. June could carefully guide the party and help the children she cared so much about.

June: “Brad, be dear and pour me one while I go and slip on something more comfortable.”

Naomi: “That's very cool of you Mr.'s Matron.” She tilted her head in amusement.

A beat. June turned toward the house, her orange sundress swaying, tone crisp but not cold.

June: “Sweetheart, I can be very cool when I want to be.”

Behind her, laughter resumed. Naomi watched her go, the reflection of the pool rippling in her violet-tinted eyes.

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