A Mother's Fight

Mark and Lisa were both in their forties. They lived with their fourteen-year-old son, Jake, in a large private house at the end of a quiet neighborhood.

Mark worked as an optical hardware engineer. He spent most of his time building his AI camera startup company from the ground up. Most nights, he came home late, exhausted and drained. Lisa was a stay-at-home mom who took care of the house, the cooking, the cleaning, and Jake.

Lisa was a good-looking woman. She had the kind of looks that made people turn their heads just a second too long. She had shiny brown hair that fell past her shoulders, big tits, and a curvy ass that fit perfectly into her mom jeans. She liked to show off what she had, not in a loud way, but in a way that said she still had it.

But at home, things were not perfect.

Mark was tired from all the work he had done. His startup took all of his time and kept him up late. He had nothing left to give by the time he crawled into bed at night.

The feeling of not being able to meet Lisa's needs frustrated him; she had brought the issue up with him several times. But the conversation always ended the same way, with Mark apologizing and nothing changing.

Mark felt trapped. He was the only provider for Lisa and Jake. If he stopped working, they would lose the house, the car, everything. There was no other choice.Sometimes he was afraid their marriage was in danger. He could see it happening slowly, like a crack spreading across a windshield. One day, it would shatter.

Lisa was a mother who took care of her son Jake. Four times a week, she took him to basketball practice outside of their town. Jake was on a youth team called the Hawks. He was a talented player with a lot of potential. Everybody talked about how great he could be in the future. Jake worked hard at practice almost every day and wanted to be a pro player when he grew up.

Lisa went to almost every practice, sat in the stands, and watched her son practice his skills, shoot free throws, and play against his teammates in a scrimmage. She had more faith in Jake than anyone else. She put a lot of effort into his future.

One afternoon, Mark left work early. He wanted to surprise Jake and pick him up from practice himself. The gym was mostly empty when he arrived. Most of the kids were already in the locker room changing out of their uniforms. Mark walked inside to find his son.

He heard voices as he walked by the coach's office. He knew right away that one of them was Coach Davis. The other voice was that of Leo, the assistant coach.

Coach Davis and his assistant coach, Leo, were both Black men in their thirties who used to play basketball in the past.

Mark could hear every word because the door was slightly open.

"Soon we'll have to choose one player to recommend for the professional youth team," Coach Davis said.

Leo nodded. "That's a tough choice. We have three strong candidates."

"You're right, Jack, Jason, and Liam," Davis replied. "But eventually, we can only choose one, and no one should know about this."

Mark stood frozen outside the door. He waited to hear more. He expected Coach Davis to mention Jake. After all, Jake was one of the best players on the team.”

"I think Liam is the right candidate," Davis said. "He has good size. He listens to instruction. And his mom is easy to work with."

Leo raised an eyebrow. "Easy to work with?"

Davis let out a warm chuckle. "She's a single mom with a lot on her plate, which makes her easy to work with. She's the kind of mom who knows how to make a coach happy," he said.

“Uh… make a coach happy?” Leo echoed, trying to sound casual.

Davis laughed but did not say anything.

"What about Jake? He is far more talented than Liam, and his mom, WOW, she is a hot MILF. She’s the kind of mom that makes me happy just looking at her ass on every practice," Leo replied with a big smile.

Davis said, "You mean Lisa, yes. She has great tits; I bet this woman fucks like an animal." This made both men laugh.

Mark felt his stomach sink. At first, he hadn’t paid much attention to the way the men talked about Lisa; it barely registered. The only thing on his mind was his son Jake’s future. He needed to figure out a way to make sure Jake, not Liam, ended up getting that recommendation.

That night, Mark could not sleep. He lay in bed next to Lisa, staring at the ceiling. The conversation kept replaying in his head.

"Make a coach happy." Liam's mother must be doing something for Davis; there is no other explanation, he thought to himself.

He later remembered how the two men were talking about Lisa's looks and Davis's comment about how he thinks Lisa fucks.

“It all clicked, It looks like there is only one way to change Coach Davis's mind.” he thought to himself.

Mark knew that his son would be heartbroken if he didn't get promoted to the professional team. It would end his professional career and could even hurt their already weak marriage.

Mark also knew that Lisa would do everything for their son's future, even if it meant making Coach Davies happy, like Liam's mother. But he wasn't sure how he felt about it. It was not something he had ever thought about before. It seemed wrong, but what other choices do they have?

To convince himself, Mark recalled the times Lisa had brought up their sex life issues. A young man like Davis could probably meet his wife's needs in ways Mark no longer could, he thought to himself. At least Lisa wouldn't complain anymore. And if everything went according to plan, it would be temporary anyway; once Jake got the recommendation, it would all come to an end.

The thought about how it would feel to see another man having sex with his wife scared him and excited him at the same time.

After a lot of thought, Mark finally decided that the price of keeping the conversation he heard to himself was too high. If sharing Lisa was the price he had to pay for his son's future and, by that, his marriage, he had to take the chance.

Mark knew he couldn't tell Lisa directly. She would never agree to it. She would be disgusted, hurt, and angry. So he would have to trick her into doing what he wanted without saying it directly.

He also couldn't tell Coach Davis that he knew about the professional youth team recommendation. That conversation between Davis and Leo was supposed to be a secret. If Davis knew Mark had been listening at the door, the coach would become defensive and suspicious. The plan would fall apart before it even began.

"As long as Lisa keeps Coach Davis happy, Jake's future is promised," Mark told himself.

He repeated the words like a prayer. Like a justification. Like a way to quiet the voice in his head that screamed this is wrong.

Now all he needed was a good story. A believable lie to make Davis think that Lisa was not doing this to help their son. Davis had to believe that Lisa genuinely wanted him and by that, making sure her son gets promoted.

Mark spent the entire night restless. Lisa slept soundly beside him, unaware of the thoughts twisting through her husband's mind.

By dawn, Mark had a plan.

The next morning, Mark drove to the gym before heading to work. He knew Coach Davis was alone in the mornings.

Mark parked his car in the empty lot. He sat behind the wheel for a long moment, staring at the gym doors. His hands were sweating. His heart was pounding.

You're doing this for Jake, he told himself. For your son. For his future.

He got out of the car and walked inside.

The gym was quiet. The lights were dim, and Mark found Coach Davis in his office, drinking coffee.

Davis looked up. His eyes narrowed when he saw Mark.

"Mr. Harris," Davis said slowly. "You're here early. Practice doesn't start for hours."

Mark **** a smile. "I know. I wanted to talk to you."

Davis set down his coffee. He crossed his arms. "About what?"

Mark walked closer and closed the door. He lowered his voice, even though they were completely alone.

"I need to tell you something, but you have to promise me that you'll keep it between us." "Sure," Davis said.

"Look, I'll be honest with you," Mark said. "Things at home aren't great, and I am afraid that it might affect Jake,” Mark took a deep breath ,”Lisa, and I... we've been having some marriage issues,on one hand we don't want to get divorced since it would hurt Jake too much, but on the other hand we're not attracted to each other anymore.”

Mark continued “To keep the family together I even suggested opening up our marriage but Lisa refuses to even talk about it, even though she knows it is just a matter of time."

Davis' eyes locked on Mark's face,”Why are you telling me that?” Davis asked.

"It might sound strange to hear it from me, but three days ago, I heard Lisa talking to one of the moms. She was saying how good-looking and attractive you are. I know she likes you and honestly, I think it could be good for her and for our marriage, as strange as it sounds."

Davis's lips curled into a small smile. "Is that so?"

Mark shrugged. "Look, I just want my son to have a father who isn't constantly stressed out about his marriage falling apart. That's all."

Davis raised an eyebrow. "You're giving me permission to sleep with your wife?"

"More than that," Mark said, leaning in. "I'll help make it happen since Lisa won't agree to this easily. Sooner or later it's going to happen anyway. I'm just trying to speed things up to minimize the risks, as long as Lisa would be happy we can stick together as a family until Jake is old enough to handle it.

Davis leaned back in his chair. He folded his arms across his chest and studied Mark with a new kind of respect.

"You're serious," Davis said. It was not a question.

"Dead serious," Mark replied.

Davis was quiet for a moment. Then he nodded slowly. "Alright. I'm listening. What did you have in mind?"

Mark said, "We need to give you and Lisa a chance to be alone. She won't agree to meet you alone for no reason,So will set up a reason.”

Davis raised an eyebrow. "What kind of reason?"

"A parents' visit at our house," Mark said. "We will tell Lisa that you are holding a parent visit to discuss practice routines, the tournament schedule, whatever. Make it sound official, something she would want to hear."

Davis nodded. "That could work, but you and Jake will be in the house, and I won't be alone with her."

"I've already thought about it; we will schedule it for Friday. Jake will be at my parents' house. I'll be at work," Mark said. "Late night at the office. Unexpected meeting. I'll call Lisa a half hour before the meeting starts and tell her I won't make it home in time. She'll have **** but to host you by herself , you will need to take it from there"

Davis chuckled. "You've really thought this through."

"I've had a lot of time to think," Mark said. His voice was flat. Empty.

Davis stood up and walked to the window. He stared out at the empty parking lot.

Davis turned to face him. "No jealousy? No ****? You won't change your mind halfway through and come storming back with a baseball bat?"

Mark laughed and said, "Only if you won't show up." They both laughed.

"I told you. Lisa and I aren't attracted to each other anymore. We both need something none of us can give each other. If she finds that with you, it’s fine by me. Just don't hurt her. And don't forget what this is really about."

"Jake," Davis said.

"Jake," Mark repeated.

They stood there for a long moment, then Davis extended his hand.

Mark looked at it. His stomach churned. But he reached out and shook it.

"One more thing," Mark said, still holding Davis's hand. "Lisa can never know I was involved; you can't tell her you know about our situation. If she finds out, she will never forgive me, and it would hurt Jake.

Davis pulled his hand back. "Understood. Your secret stays with me."

Mark nodded. He turned and walked toward the door.

"Harris," Davis called after him.

Mark stopped but did not turn around.

"You guys are a strange couple," Davis said.

Mark walked out without saying anything, knowing he had tricked Davis.

Now it was Lisa's turn.

That day Mark told Lisa he would pick up Jake from practice so he could pull the trick on her.

Later that evening when Lisa and Mark were alone in the living room Mark said

"Lisa, we need to talk."

Lisa's eyes narrowed. "What is it?"

Mark took a deep breath. He had spent the whole drive home practicing these words.

Mark leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.

"When I came to pick up Jake from practice today, I got there early. Most of the kids were in the locker room. I walked past the coach's office, and I heard Davis talking with Leo."

Lisa's face went still. "Talking about what?"

"The professional youth team recommendation," Mark said. "They were talking about who they were going to pick."

Lisa leaned forward. Her eyes were sharp and focused. "And? What did they say?"

Mark swallowed hard.

"They mentioned three names," he said. "Jake, Jason, and Liam."

“Coach Davis said that he prepared Liam over the rest."

Lisa's face went pale. "What do you mean? Jake is the best player on the team."

"I know," Mark said. "Leo said he preferred Jason," but when he asked Davis, "What about Jake Harris? Davis said Liam is the obvious choice. He listens to instruction, and his mom is easy to work with."

Lisa frowned. "What do you mean 'easy to work with'? What does that have to do with anything?"

Mark shifted uncomfortably. "That's exactly what Leo asked. He said, "What do you mean easy to work with?” And Coach Davis smiled, and he said, “She knows how to work with her hands and make me happy.”

Lisa's mouth fell open. "He said that? About Liam's mother?"

Mark nodded. "She is probably giving him handjobs, I am sure. Leo even laughed and said, “Oh, I see. So that's why Liam is your favorite.” And Davis didn't deny it."

Lisa sat down hard on the couch. Her face was white.

"I can't believe this," she said. "I know Liam's mother. Her name is Carol; she’s a single mother."

Mark pushed. "She wants Liam to get ahead, and it appears that it’s working. Davis is favoring Liam because his mother is willing to do things that other mothers won't."

"So that's it?" Lisa said, her voice hollow. "The only way to get Jake the recommendation is to do what Carol is doing?”

"I've known Coach Davis for seven years; he is barely 30. He is very naive; I'm sure Carol manipulated him.”

Mark took a big breath. He picked his words carefully, making sure not to say exactly what he wanted Lisa to do.

“From Carol's side, giving a handsome guy a handjob for securing your son’s future is a small price to pay if you ask me.

He paused, letting the words sink in. He knew exactly which buttons to push.

"Davis holds the key to our son's future; offering him something better than what Carol is already providing seems to be the only way to change his mind. We can't sit back and watch Liam get the recommendation and watch Jake's future disappear?"

Lisa looked away. She understood what Mark was saying.

The room fell silent. The clock on the wall ticked loudly. Mark stood up from the couch. He could see the weight of his words pressing down on Lisa's shoulders. Her face was pale. Her hands were folded tightly in her lap.

"I'm tired," Mark said, stretching his arms above his head. "It's been a long day. I'm going to bed."

Lisa did not look at him. She just nodded slowly.

Mark went up the stairs. Lisa's mind was racing with thoughts, and Mark knew that she needed another push. Just before he went into the bedroom, he stopped by Jake's room, hugged him, and said, "Go give your mom a hug; she missed you today."

Mark looked at Jake when he got downstairs and thought to himself, "That would do the trick." He knew that Lisa would do anything for Jake.

After Jake left , Lisa sat alone in the living room. She stared at the wall without seeing it. Her mind was racing, spinning, tumbling over itself.

Offering him something better than what Carol is already providing.

Lisa thought, “If Carol's plain looks and those hands were enough to get Liam a spot, what could my looks get Jake?”

She walked to the bedroom and opened the door. Mark was already sleeping. She grabbed a blanket from the closet and walked back to the living room.