A confrontation with mom.

I went into the house and walked over to the living room to check if mom was there. She was watching TV like most Friday nights, with Cake on her lap and, surprisingly, Isabelle sitting beside her.

“Oh wow. You’re here early,” my sister said.

“Yes. I expected you to come back at around 1:00 am, at least,” mom said.

“The date went terribly, didn’t it?” Isabelle asked.

“Hm? No, it was really fun, actually. We went bowling and played in the arcade,” I told them, removing my coat. “Though since I’ve never gone bowling before, I came in last.”

Isabelle flinched. Like Thomas, she used to be a regular at that bowling spot… with her own friends. I remember asking her once if I could go with her and she outright said no. I didn’t need to read her mind to know she was remembering that same thing.

“And your date?” Mom asked, stroking Cake’s back. “What about her?”

I slowly closed my eyes and let out a long sigh. That in itself should’ve told mom it wasn’t going to be a simple answer. I honestly felt the urge to lie, or at least omit information, but I knew it would only come to bite me in the ass later.

“...She’s older than me,” I said, looking straight at mom.

I saw her narrow her eyes. “How much older?”

“...She’s 26,” I admitted.

Isabelle’s jaw dropped, but mom kept a stern look on me. “And you’re planning to see her again?”

“Yes,” I answered firmly.

We had something of a staring contest. Mom’s gaze put undeniable pressure on me. She didn’t approve, that much was clear, and her glare was her attempt to make me back down on my own.

…

But I wouldn’t. Mom wouldn’t understand if I told her, but I was sure Diana and I could have something special. That date confirmed it for me. But much like Diana’s initial worries, my mother would dismiss my belief as the naive thoughts of a horny 18 year old. Regardless, I met her disapproving gaze with a resolute look of my own. I didn’t flinch,

“H-Hey, mom… Weren’t you 4 years older than dad?” Isabelle asked.

Mom’s eyes widened, her jaw half dropped and she was, surprisingly, the one to turn away from me.

“And if my math is right,” Isabelle continued, “You had us when you were 22 and he was 18, right?”

“I…” Her face went completely red. Isabelle had completely caught her off guard. Mom clicked her tongue, and in a resigned tone, answered, “Yes, that’s true.”

“Mom…” I began, but she cut me off.

“I know. I know. You’re a far more responsible kid at your age than I was at 22,” she admitted begrudgingly. “Having you two was what made me get my shit together.” Isabelle and I were taken aback. Mom rarely swore. “That doesn’t mean you can’t make mistakes, Oliver. Serious mistakes.”

I nodded. “I know. And… she knows, too. We talked about it. She’s also concerned about what it means to… date a younger man, but… We hit it off.”

Mom bit her lip and, as if sensing danger, Cake hopped off her lap. She came up to me and began to rub herself on my legs, tail held high. It seemed that calmed mom down. She chuckled, shook her head and turned to me again, this time with a far softer, yet still stern expression. “Bring her here soon,” she said. “When she has time. I don’t care if it’s too soon, this is a special case. Is she working?”

“Yes. She’s a hotel receptionist right now, but will move to manage a new hotel bar soon.”

Mom nodded, glad to see I had asked important questions. “Family.”

“I know her father passed away recently. I think she’s on her own right now.”

Mom and Isabelle grimaced. “I see…” Mom swallowed. “Anything else I should know?”

I nodded. “She… is socially anxious, just like I was. Am. Was.” I shook my head. “She scowls and glares without meaning to when she’s nervous.”

Isabelle snickered. “And you like that?”

Huh? Ah, I was smiling. That’s why she asked. “I… found it endearing,” I admitted sheepishly. “Turns out she’s also the best friend of my boss, Maria.”

Mom nodded again. “Good. So long as she wasn’t lying to get close to a younger man, then it’s good to know these things.”

I groaned. “And giving that impression is exactly what she’s worried about… Fine, I’ll talk to her and ask her if she’s comfortable coming here. You’ll end up loving her, anyway. I’m going to my room.”

I walked away from the living room, frustrated and feeling like a dumb, rebellious child. Actually, part of my frustration was that I knew I was acting like a dumb, rebellious child.

I went into my room with Cake in tow but didn’t close the door. I heard quick steps coming up the stairs and knew Isabelle was coming after me.

“Mom just said your rebellious phase came way too late,” my sister said, smirking from ear to ear. “You were always the good kid I got compared to, I finally get to look like the proper daughter by comparison.”

“It’s every child’s right to go through that phase. I’ll take mine now, thank you very much.” I threw myself back on my bed and smiled at Isabelle. “Thanks, by the way. You saved my ass.”

“I’m also concerned, you know? An older woman could take advantage of you, you know?”

I smirked. “What if I WANT to be taken advantage of?”

“Ewww, gross!” Isabelle laughed and threw Cake at me. The cat landed squarely on my chest, unbothered, and began to rub herself on me again. Maybe she noticed Diana’s scent on me and was marking territory again.

“How would you feel if I started dating a 26 year old man?” she asked me, hands on her hips.

“I wouldn’t like it.”

“See?”

“But that’s because I never like it when you have a boyfriend.”

“O-Oh?”

“You get really annoying whenever you do.”

Isabelle was not amused by that, but sometimes the truth hurts. “I regret saving you. Next time, you’re on your own.”

“Okay, I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” I said, sitting up and laughing.

Isabelle chuckled. “Well, I guess it IS true. Just… be careful, okay, brother? Remember that decisions like this one don’t just affect you anymore.”

My expression hardened as I took Isabelle’s words to heart. “I know. I’ll be careful, I promise.”

That night, it was hard for me to fall asleep. I ended up holding and staring at one of the rubber ducks Diana and I got as prizes at the arcade as my mind flashed back to all the fun and awkward moments we shared.

I wanted to see her again already.

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