Title:Jess -- Plan B, pt. 1 Author: pseud [ Send a Private Message ]
Copyright: 2005 Content Rating: PG Disclaimer: Set about 15 years into the future.
If you enjoy this site and the stories, consider a donation to support its operation. Author's Note: Thanks to all those who read and especially those who comment. I don't know if this will continue, or if it does, when, but it seemed like something to start.
Summary: Jess enlists her Aunt Alice's aid for a trip to investigate her mom's mystery woman. (Formerly "Interesting Times, pt. 1") Total Views: 8628 times.
I looked up and saw Aunt Alice entering my room. Without knocking. Again. I knew my mom was mad at me, but I didn't think she'd call for reinforcements. "I'm sure you've already heard." Ok, so maybe I didn't have to be snotty to her, but it felt good sometimes. "Why does she call you, anyway? I'm her kid."
Alice sat on the edge of the bed and picked up with Mr. Goofy Bear. "She didn't call me. I just dropped by. Since I could tell something was up"
It's hard to keep mad when Aunt Alice has Mr. Goofy Bear doing some weird dance moves from when she was in high school. Flash dancing, freak dancing, something. She's right about being able to tell, though. Sometimes mom gets really weirded out by things. Even things most people wouldn't totally freak over.
Like that one time, the time that she got mad because I'd painted her dishes for her. I was ten. I didn't really know what china was. Plus, it's her fault for taking me to that "paint-it-yourself" pottery place. Well, I was all mad, and a kid, and kind of dumb. I asked her if she didn't like what I did, why'd she even have me. It was the first time I made my mom cry.
In any case, I'm not quite so dumb anymore. And I've learned that mom's great for playing poker with. She can't hide a thing from me, or from anyone.
"I want to go on this school trip. She said no."
I could tell by the narrowing of the eyes that Alice wasn't quite buying my version of things. Ok, so maybe there was a little more. "It's in New York," I continued. "It's going to be really cool. It's a small group, by invitation only. We're going to museums, and galleries, and she said no."
"Okay." Alice stopped the dancing bear tricks. "This is something you really want?"
I nodded. I mean, New York. How cool is that? For a week. No mom. Sure, we'd have chaperones, but still. It'd be not here and all that.
"I'll talk to her," she agreed. "But you be nice about this, ok?"
"Of course." If anyone could smooth things over, Aunt Alice would be the one.
"No gloating."
She was using Mr. Goofy Bear's paws to emphasize the words. I had to smile. "No gloating, I promise."
"Ok." She reached over and gave me a big hug, and then did that hair tousling thing that she always does. I hate that - and I think she knows it.
"I'll talk to her. Let's see if we can get you to New York."
Then Aunt Alice's face got one of those looks, and I knew the tactics were about to change. "So, what's this I hear about a boyfriend?"
My mom has the biggest mouth. "Nothing."
"Yeah?" Aunt Alice was giving this cute little grin, and I knew I was so busted, since I also knew the grin sort of matched one that I had on my face.
"Well, maybe a little something?"
"And?"
As if I could keep anything secret. Between my mother and my collection of Aunts, a girl didn't have a chance at keeping her private life private. "And, his name is Luis."
"Cute?"
She must have known that was a dumb question. I mean, who goes out with someone that they don't find cute? Even Aunt Alice had to find her husband, Frank, cute from time to time. I mean, he was funny and stuff, but I don't know that cute really was the word I'd use to describe him.
"He's very mature for his age." I thought that was a good answer. After all, that's what people say about me. I thought maybe that would calm their stupid fears about me dating.
Somehow, my calming influence seemed to be minimal, since Aunt Alice just looked even more concerned. "Well, you make sure he's not too mature." She was again waving Mr. Goofy Bear at me. "Or you, either."
"Nah." How could I explain this in a way an adult might understand? "He's nice. And I think he really likes me."
Aunt Alice gave me a huge smile. "Of course he does."
And it was true, too. Even living here in West Hollywood, there were still friends who were weirded out that my mom's gay. Not like I think it matters; she hardly dates, it's not like she's got women going in and out all the time.
Still, it seems like a lot of the guys I know either find that little factoid about my mom to be something really scary, or something that makes them turned on, or something, and they act like jerks. Either way, it's not something I want to deal with.
Luis was different from the start. He just seemed to accept me, and my mom. I never felt like I had to explain it all - as if I could do that, anyway. I'm comfortable with him.
