Nonchalantly, you stepped over and casually picked up.the DVD case. As curious as you were as to what lay hidden on those discs, you knew that it would have to wait until later. No sooner had you slipped the case into your bag than your mother, stepping away from whatever task she was currently micro-managing.
"Tim, don't just stand there being lazy," she scolded. "Find something to do!" Inwardly, you fumed. Aside from whatever needed packing in Randall's bedroom, you had out packed everyone. The only reason the movers were able to get things moving so efficiently was because of you! You knew that she meant well, but part of you thought that perhaps your mom was just showing off for her "friend" as she was want to do. It was normally embarrassing as it was, having her tell you what to do. Considering that this friend of hers was actually Randall just made the situation down right humiliating.
"Mom, I think they have it handled," you deflected.
"Nonsense. I'm sure there is something you could clean or sweep, right, Laura?" she asked, turning to Randall.
"Um..." He struggled, unsure of what to say. "Actually, Jen, Tim's been working so hard, why don't we give him a break? It is the last day of the weekend after all," he said, somewhat sheepishly.
Luckily, your mother acquiesced. "I suppose your right." Behind her, Randall gave you a knowing wink. Thanks, bud, you thought. He had really pulled your ass out of the fire, his suggestion essentially putting you off your mother's radar. As she engaged Randall once more, you realized on some level Randall was the one who was really taking one for the team. Your mother seemed to be bombarding him with a rapid fire series of questions and suggestions, primarily centered on Randall's new abode. With other people around so often, it was getting harder and harder to remember that under all of the pretense, Randall was ultimately on your side. Knowing how overbearing she could be, you didn't envy his position in the slightest.
It only took around an hour of so, but Miss Card's apartment was finally emptied. It was odd to consider, but in the scant few times that you'd been here, you and Randall had shared some pretty sensational experiences. Even some he isn't quite aware of, you thought, musing about the footage you'd seen last night. While you had no real attachment to this place (and you doubted that Randall did either), it was strange to think of how temporary a setting this had been. This was the last place Laura Card had lived, Randall moving seemed like a good way to transition, to move on. Perhaps this sad bit of feeling that had wormed it's way into your mind was a touch of sorrow for your departed teacher, maybe for the way your friendship used to be.
In just these few short weeks, Randall managed to get a job, a car, not to mention status. Now he was a homeowner. You couldn't help but a little jealous. Come to think of it, you hadn't even seen Randall's new place.
As if she could read your mind, your mom said, "So, are we off to the house?" You've got to be fucking kidding me...
"Ah... Maybe in a couple of days, Jen. All I can think about right now is a nice long bath. It's been a stressful weekend," he said. You're telling me! you thought, eager to get home. The rollercoaster events of the last few days, coupled with drinking and sleeping on the couch left you desiring the comfort of your own bed. The look Randall shot you gave you the impression he was thinking along the same lines. Great minds think a like.
You retrieved your bag and followed the two women out to where your mother had parked the station wagon. After giving your mother a goodbye, Randall pulled you into a hug. "Dude, your mom is fucking crazy," he said in a harsh whisper.
"I know."
"We can figured out a plan tomorrow." You nodded. Despite the fact that Randall's voluptuous body was pressed rather close to you, the flowery scent of his hair filling your nostrils, you actually felt close, more so that libidinous for once. Intimacy was not something that manifested itself so obviously very often your friendship. Regrettably, you pulled away.
Your mother gave you a curious look. The hug you had shared didn't seem more than friendly, but clearly it had caught her attention. The ride home was short, but with the way Jennifer Connors could babble on, it seemed to take much longer. Her topic of choice was not one you cared much to listen to these days. She was endlessly impressed with "Laura's" progress, moving out and becoming a fine young woman. Her comments regarding Alex, her friend's son, piqued your interest, deducing that he was the one your mom was trying to use in her matchmaking game with Randall. If she only knew... You'd seen how Randall had handled a few guys thus far and it never went well for them.
Coming home, your siblings gave you the half hearted acknowledgement they usually gave as you wandered up to your room. Tossing your bag aside, you flopped on your bed, exhausted. No more than ten minutes passed when you heard a knock on your still open door. Thinking for sure that your mother had come back to badger you about something, you were actually surprised to see your father standing there.
"Looks who's back," your dad said with a smile.
"Yeah."
"Did you and Randall have a good time?" he inquired, stepping inside and having a seat at your desk.
"It was alright... Not exactly how we imagined it would go-o-o... wait a minute," you said, looking sharply at him. "You just called him Randall. What gives?"
With a slight chuckle, he answered, "You know, son, as much as it pains me to inform you of this, your mom doesn't get to make all the decisions around here." You thought for a moment, trying to discern what he was getting at.
"So, you aren't calling Randall Laura?" you asked softly, slightly amazed that your dad was having this conversation with you. Prior to this moment, you've never heard him say a word to challenge your mother's insistence on helping Randall conform to the identity of Laura Card.
Palming the back of his neck, he said, "Well, I suppose. I guess it makes me uncomfortable. Not in front of your mother, mind you. Not trying to rock the boat here, Timbo."
"With the way Mom has been acting, I figured she convinced everyone that she was right."
"That's her way of dealing with things, Tim," he said. "Everybody deals with things a little differently. Your mom is a good woman, but sometimes she doesn't know when to quit."
Having just experienced an afternoon of that first hand, all you could say was, "Yeah."
"So. How have things been, son? Are you doing okay?"
For a moment, you contemplate spilling your guts. The stress of the situation has been overwhelming. Randall's body. The strain on your friendship. The strain of your mom's constant interference. With such a golden opportunity to relieve some of the pressure that has been accumulating, all you managed to utter was, "Hanging in there, Dad." Silently, you cursed yourself. "This whole thing with Randall hasn't been easy..."
"I bet," Dad smirked. "Growing up, I had a good buddy named Jeff. Now Jeff and I, well we were a lot like you and Randall. We'd been friends since the time we could talk. Well, by the time we were sixteen, Jeff's parents had decided to move. Other side of the country, didn't see him for years. We'd planned on going to college together, chasing girls together. He was definitely my best friend."
"Are you guys still friends, Dad?" you asked. From his tone of voice and the way he was talking about it, you felt almost completely certain that he would say "no".
"Actually," he said, suddenly grinning, "we are. Point of the story, Tim, when you're best friends, it's not always easy, but you can endure. That's why I've always been hesitant to play your mother's game on this. I could see you two weren't buying it either, from day one." Suddenly pointing his finger at you, he continued, "So don't give me some song and dance story about spending the weekend 'packing'. You don't have to tell me what you're up to. That wasn't the point of me coming in here. I just wanted to let you know that I'm here for you. Randall, too."
"Thanks, Dad."
He stood up, giving a slight groan. "I think dinner's going to be ready soon. You hungry?"
"No, I'm cool, " you said, waving him off a bit. Your dad casually strode out of the room.
You couldn't help but feel a bit relieved at your dad's words. It seemed like he really understood where you were coming from. It felt nice to have a little support, even if it wasn't going to solve the problem. Thinking about the soft curves of Miss Card's amazing body, you didn't think there was a lot that could be done to improve the situation. It was what it was.
Having had more than enough oddities for one day, you grabbed at your blankets, ready to roll over and fall asleep. Within just a moment, you were softly snoring.
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