A date with Vivian and a weird conversation.

On Friday, you finally take Vivian on a date. You go see a movie, which makes her pretty awkward for some reason, but she completely denies it when you ask. She has a weird question for you, however. When the movie is over, you go to a coffee shop and find a table with few people around to talk. There, she asks it.

“Hey, I know this will be weird, but… I need to asks this. Don’t ask why.”

“So you can ask questions, but I can’t?” You say with a humorous grin.

“Exactly.” She tells you flat out.

Your smile fades, but you decide to comply for now.

“Alright, shoot.”

“What do you think of my mom?”

“Huh?” It really is a weird question, you think. “Well… she’s very kind. She obviously cares about you a lot.”

“I didn’t mean like that.” She interrupts. “I meant… as a woman.” She can’t look at you directly when she asks. She sinks into her seat, but doesn’t withdraw her question.

“As a… woman?” You ask. “You mean…”

She nods. “Yeah. Would you… date her?”

“I’m sorry, but this seems like one of those questions where there’s no good answer.” You say.

Vivian grumbles. “I… I know! Just… answer honestly, please. This is important and I promise I won’t be mad or hold anything against you.”

You briefly remember your mom saying the same when you were a kid, before she took your games away for lying about cheating on a test. You never did cheat on a test again after that, now that you think about it…

Right! The question.

“I… I would date her.” You admit. “I think she’s beautiful, hardworking and kind. And to be honest, I don’t even mind her age. There, I said it. Now, are we braking up?” You half-joke, but immediately feel it was inappropriate.

“No! We’re not breaking up!” She assures you. “I’m… happy you think that way about her, actually.”

“You are?” You ask, incredulous.

“Well, I just thought that Mom has never… actually had a boyfriend.” She says.

Oh shit, she’s right.

“I just…” She glances at you, then looks away. “…wish she could find someone.”

Oh so that’s it. She’s worried about her mom. Well, that’s good! It means things are getting better between them!

On the way back, you pass by a clothing store. Vivian stops walking and stares at something in the shop window.

“What is it?” You ask.

“Nothing. It’s just…” She hesitates. “That dress is cute, is all.”

She points to a red sundress with a white leaves pattern. The mannequin wearing it shows a healthy amount of cleavage, and imagining Vivian wearing it is already sending blood to your lower parts. She’d look amazing in it.

“Summer’s closing in. Do you want to buy it?”

“Me? No, it wouldn’t look good on me.” She says with a wry smile.

Oh, right. Not counting her moments of awkwardness, Vivian has been in such a good mood lately that you almost forgot she has low self-esteem. Well, it’s time to do something about that. Your girlfriend is nothing short of a goddess and she needs to know it.

“Come on, let’s go in.” You take her hand and take her inside the shop.

“W-Wait!” She protests but doesn’t try to stop you. Sometimes it’s good to be pushy with people. You’re hoping this is one of those times.

“Excuse me.” You say to a clerk. “She wants to try that dress on.” You tell her, pointing to Vivian and then to the dress.

The clerk, a woman around her late 50’s gives you two a look and grins excitedly. Vivian’s face is completely red and her eyes are glued to the ground, even if her hand holds yours tightly enough to a bit hurt. That’s a tennis grip for you.

“Of course, come with me, dear! What’s your size?”

She drags Vivian away and, and after a little while, you can’t help but follow them from a distance. You hide behind a rack of pants and peek on their conversation.

“He’s your boyfriend, right?” The lady asks.

“Y-Yeah…” Vivian nods. She’s clearly uncomfortable with how closely the lady is treating her.

“Let me guess. You wanted to try the dress on but were too embarrassed, so your boyfriend pushed you into it.”

Vivian’s eyes go wide, and yours do the same. What the heck? How did she know!?

“How did you know!?” Vivian gives voice to your thoughts.

“Dear, this is a small shop, but I’ve been working here for 20 years. I’ve seen this happen before, but only rarely. Listen to an old lady, dear, that boy’s a keeper.” She grins. “Very few boys care this much about their girlfriends.”

“Ah, young love!” She sighs nostalgically.

Okay, this lady seems like one of those people that love to get in other people’s business, but she looks like a good person and is saying goo things about you, so who are you to complain? Also, she’s doing a good job at what you intended to do: raising Vivian’s self-esteem. She’s telling her she looks great in the dress and to try other ones.

Here’s when you remember you hate going shopping and trying on clothes. Waiting for another person isn’t that much fun, either.

The lady finds you browsing through some shirts and talks to you. “Your girlfriend just finished getting changed and wants your opinion. There’s something I need to do, but don’t call me if you need anything.”

She winks with a big grin on her face.

She winks.

What the hell?

You go to the changing room and nervously knock on Vivian’s stall. She opens the door slowly, embarrassed to show herself in the dress.

Holy hell.

She looks amazing.

You’re speechless as you look at her figure. You see her bare shoulders, the thin straps of the dress the only piece of cloth covering them. Her chest is bigger than the dress was probably made for, so she shows a bit more cleavage than intended, yet it manages to remain tasteful. The dress hugs her figure until it reaches her hips, where it becomes like a pleated skirt that reaches right below her knees.

Vivian fidgets in place nervously.

“Don’t stay silent! H-How does it look?” Her voice is weak, like she’s scared of your answer.