not mad

You break the embrace. "No, I'm not mad," you say.

She sniffles. "Well, I wouldn't blame you if you were. It was very selfish of me to bring you to Rosestead. I hope you can forgive me."

"I forgive you, Mom," you say. The two of you embrace again, your mother continuing to cry a bit.

What's the story with you and Mr. Anderson?" you ask.

"Shall we sit?" she asks, gesturing to the bed. You lie down on the bed while she sits next to you. "Well," she says, "I've been working for him for several years. Your father grew up in Rosestead and had known Mr. Anderson all of his life...."

"Dad grew up in Rosestead?" you interrupt, surprised. You had never known that.

"Oh yes," your mother replies. "He and Mr. Anderson were good friends. It was his idea that I work for Mr. Anderson. Your father told me all about all the things that made Rosestead special before I came to work here. After you were born and for some time after, I had been suffering from recurrent depression. Your father thought that by working here in Rosestead for Mr. Anderson that things might get better for me. So I agreed and he was right. My mood improved considerably. I felt more confident and...." She blushes.

"And?" you prompt.

"Well, sexier. I hadn't been much in the mood for sex with your father for years, but the hormone changes had a big effect on me and our sex life got a lot better. I'm sorry if I'm embarrassing you, Parker," she says.

"No," you say, "it's all right. Please continue."

"Well, then your father died and obviously I became even more depressed," she says. She pauses for a few seconds and you wait expectantly. "Well, I went to Mr. Anderson to help me through it."

"So he slept with you," you say.

"No, it wasn't like that at first. He just gave me the guidance I needed. I wanted him to sleep with me, though, which is why I started dressing this way, trying to tempt him." She suddenly breaks down in tears and holds her head in her hands. "I'm sorry your mother's such a slut, Parker. I'm so ashamed."