Your gaze was completely transfixed on Miss Card's swimsuit clad body. As Randall maneuvered over to where your mother was, you couldn't help but admire the curves of his adopted body. While the bouncing of his melon sized breasts was always entrancing, the way the white suit clung to his miniscule waist, contrasting with the green sarong on his wide hips and prominent backside was down right hypnotic. A million fantasies seemed to fly through your mind, making it all the more difficult to try to push those kinds of thoughts away. Another detail, was that Randall was still wearing the heels he had worn at school, giving a model like air to his appearance.
You weren't the only one to notice the heels. "You didn't bring any sandals, Laura?" your mother asked. "I'm sure I have another pair around here some place if you'd like to borrow some."
Waving her off, he replied, "Nothing to worry about, Jenny. Heels are basically all I wear these days. If they end up bothering me, I'll just take them off." That seemed good enough for your mom and the two of them quickly descended into animated conversation. From the bits you managed to hear over all of the backyard noise, it seemed that it was mostly about shoes. You mentally cringed, wondering how Randall could play along about something so unbelievably boring. You shifted your focus and jumped on David, tackling him under the water. Using your superior size (though admittedly, David was catching up to you) you tossed your siblings around in the pool, doing your best to seem casual. It didn't take much more than a few minutes before you found yourself legitimately distracted in playing. Sometimes you seemed to forget how much fun it was to do things like this. Before the accident, it was a mainstay of your family activities. However, back then, Randall would have been in the pool with you guys, not playing Chatty Cathy with your mom.
Twenty minutes later, the food was ready. Your dad reveled in his role as the chef and served everyone personally. Sitting down at the table with everybody, it quickly became divided into 'Ladies' and 'Gentlemen' conversations. Tabitha joined your mother and Randall, while you were stuck listening to the sports banter from your dad and brother. Despite your lackluster feelings about sports, you played your part, doing your best to not pay attention to Randall. Fortunately and unfortunately, you didn't have to try too hard. Randall was doing an amazing job on your mother. His behavior was so convincing, you found yourself wondering if this was even an act. Certainly you knew better, but his performance made it hard to remember. Him gossiping like a hen with your mother and sister didn't really help either.
When the dinner conversation had taken a more general turn, you were surprised to observe how your parents called Randall "Laura", while David and Tabitha were calling him "Miss Card". Erring on the side of caution, you went the "Miss Card" route. It felt like a moment of realization transpired when you called Randall "Miss Card". You had a addressed him as such plenty of times in class, but this time was different. It made you realize that outside of Randall and yourself, in the eyes of everyone else, you had taken another step apart both in position and situation. Randall was nearly ten years older than you now. Even though it had only been a week, he wasn't just playing a teacher, he is a teacher. When he had spooked you while you were changing, you realized he was just playing. However, if he wanted to, he could actually give you detention. In fact, under the right circumstances, he might not want to, but have to. You decided not to dwell on it too much. Nothing like that had happened and you were on the verge of having an awesome weekend. Best to just keep your game face on.
As dinner finished up, everyone seemed to be splitting up to do other things. David went off to call Claire, his incredibly emo girlfriend. Something on television had attracted Tabitha's attention. Your dad headed off to the garage. Randall and your mom meanwhile headed inside, mentioning something about a bottle wine. Since your part was basically to act nonchalant and let Randall make the moves, you decided to climb into the hot tub for a nice relaxing soak.
Your dad had the foresight to turn it on earlier in case anyone was interested and you slid into the warm water in a secluded part of the yard without having to wait. You had just begun to relax, allowing your mind to go blank, when you heard the sound of the sliding glass door. Randall and your mother had come back out and noticeable sound of a cork popping indicated that they had brought that bottle of wine with them. After listening in for a moment, you realized that they didn't know you were out here. This could be interesting, you thought.
"You were right, Jenny! Those pumps were absolutely adorable. You must let me borrow them sometime," Randall gushed in Miss Card's syrupy sweet voice.
"Of course, Laura," replied your mother. "I didn't realize you were becoming such a clothes horse. Next time you go out shopping, give me a call. We'll make a day of it." A moment passed. "Now that we are safely away from prying ears, I just wanted to say that I appreciate the grace and maturity you are showing in handling, Tim."
"I don't think it has been particularly easy on either of us, but things are definitely different now," Randall replied, somberly. "Spending time in class has helped put some safe distance between us. I am a teacher now and have to make my choices wisely. Besides, I don't want him getting the wrong idea."
"Well, he is a teenage boy. I don't think he can help but have something on his mind," said your mother, jokingly. That's a bit of an understatement, you thought.
"Jenny!"
"It's true! I think you've made a big impression on the menfolk of the house," she continued. "Tim wasn't especially bad, but David on the other hand... I felt a little embarrassed with how much he was staring. I even caught Don giving you the once over a couple of times."
Sounding a little sheepish, Randall replied, "I guess I'm still getting used to how men react to me now. I admit that I like the attention, but I don't know how to handle the looks just yet."
"Laura, with a body like yours, everyone is going to look. Just smile. Speaking of men, you did mention something earlier that had me a little curious. I'm not trying to put you on the spot. I know all of this is still very new to you, but are you seeing someone?" Your ears perked up immediately at hearing this, curious as to what the answer would be. You knew that Randall was weaving a rather complicated web here, but you were still interested to hear what he would say when he thought you weren't listening.
"Well... between you and me," he said slowly, "there have been a lot of interested parties, but no one that I care for at the moment." Hearing that gave you an immense amount of relief. Even if Randall had answered otherwise, the idea of other guys buzzing around left you with a knot in your stomach.
"Now, I'm not trying to play matchmaker here," your mother started, "but I have a friend who has a son about your age. He just moved to town on a job recently. When she mentioned him to me, and asked if I knew anyone, the first person I thought of was you. At the time, I didn't know if you'd be, um, interested, I guess..."
"Is he cute?" asked Randall. His answer surprised you somewhat. Was he actually interested?
"I don't know what your tastes are like, but I certainly think so."
"Well, why don't you give your friend my number, and we'll just see," said Randall, sounding playful. Randall was right. It was strange to hear him behave this way. Was this the kind of stuff he had to play along with all the time? "But Jenny, that's not the big news I was talking about earlier..."
"What then?"
Randall, voice full of pride, said "I bought a house!" The subsequent moments were full of chipper banter about his new acquisition. Ultimately though, you could tell that Randall was building up to the ploy. "Jenny, as great as it is, I didn't realize how much work needed to be done. I'm not nearly as strong as I used to be and I've been thinking about hiring some help."
"Nonsense, Laura," your mother said. "Why don't you just use Tim? I'm sure he would love to help."
"Are you sure?" Randall baited.
"Absolutely," she assured. "When were you thinking of starting?"
"Well, before you invited me over for dinner, I had actually planned on starting a little tonight or bright and early first thing."
Your mother laughed. "You realize you just said 'bright and early'. I don't think I remember the last time Tim woke up before noon on a weekend." She paused thoughtfully for a moment. "Here's an idea. Why don't you take, Tim with you this evening? It will give you two some time to talk outside of school AND you'll be able to get him started first thing." Agreeing, they decided to come ask you. You struggled to quickly and quietly towel off and sneak back into the house through a side door. As you made your way deftly up the stairs, you could here the footsteps of the two women not far behind you.
You were safe in your room for not more than ten seconds when there was a knock on your door. Your mother poked her head in and propositioned "their" idea. After taking a moment to agree, she rushed you to get ready, so you could take 'Miss Card' home. As excited as you were that the plan worked, you were equally excited that you were actually going to be driving the Fiat there. Before you knew it, you were packed and offering Randall your congratulations back in the car.
"So, where to?" you asked a slightly tipsy Randall, eager to get driving.
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