Chapter 3: Crossing the Line

Maria had wrapped up all her work and was ready to start her vacation on the last day before the holidays. That’s when Pat asked her to join a celebration dinner. It had been only two days since the cologne incident, and Brian hadn’t spoken to her since. She knew she shouldn’t go to the dinner, but she had been avoiding Pat for the last few weeks. She had kept postponing their date, and it would have been rude to refuse the dinner invitation now.

The dinner and festive mood caught up with her as she let her hair down and started enjoying her time. She hadn’t realized until then how special this dinner event was. Given she had married early and lukewarm relationship with her husband, this was her very first date in a long, long time.

This was the first time when Pat and Maria had connected informally. They knew a lot about each other but this was still a unique experience. Maria felt a spark in their connection, but she couldn’t help but compare Pat with Brian. She shook her head, dismissing the thought, and focused on enjoying the moment.

The wine flowed, and their conversations warmed up. Maria lost track of time as they enjoyed the live music and danced to a few songs. While she had enjoyed dancing with Brian, this was different. She was with someone her own age, and she could feel a genuine connection between them. Maria imagined dancing with Brian instead of Pat but quickly dismissed the thought.

The entire experience was surreal and confusing for her. On one side, she connected with Pat, while on the other, Brian occupied her mind. They fulfilled different needs for her, not necessarily comparatively.

She excused herself from Pat to have a moment alone. Looking at her reflection in the bathroom mirror, she saw a woman who had found the clarity she needed. She truly loved her boy and would never let him leave her.

Enough of the games, she chided herself. She had asked Brian to be a man, and he had done it all by himself. He had proved his part, and she loved his transformation. It was her time to keep her word, and she planned to do so over the coming holidays. She had been alone for a long time now, and she needed a true partner.

Despite her beauty and alluring physique, she wasn’t a particularly sexual person. But acknowledging Brian as her man gave her a tingling sensation in her lower lips and a tightening in her chest. This was new, a feeling she had never experienced before.

She planned to console Brian and apologize for all the torment she had inflicted upon him. She stepped out of the washroom with renewed vigor.

By the time they wrapped up their celebration dinner cum date, it was very late in the night.

“Will I see you again tomorrow?” Pat asked sweetly.

...

Back to where our story started

...

Pat looked at Maria with a probing gaze. “I know you, Maria. What are you not telling me?”

Maria met Pat’s gaze as she started with her side of the story...

Pat sat stunned at her confession. “What the bloody hell were you thinking, Maria? Leading on the boy with an Oedipus complex and hoping he would give up?”

Maria stayed silent, but there was a mischievous glint in her eyes.

“Oh no ... no, no, no...” Pat was breathing hard as Maria’s silence spoke of her intention. “Tell me I am wrong, Maria ... tell me you are not thinking of giving in ... that’s bloody incest...” still struggling to grasp the shock and impact of the realization.

Irrespective of Pat’s words, Maria was surprised that Pat was still thinking over what she had said. A new realization dawned on her, perhaps Pat was considering it. After all, Pat was far more open-minded than her. Now she was waiting in anticipation for Pat to continue.

Pat let out an exasperated sigh, “Be careful of how you handle this, Maria. Brian will be in a very sensitive state right now. But no matter what, don’t let him leave you.”

Maria didn’t realize she was holding her breath until then. She tentatively asked, “What should I do, Pat?”

Pat looked annoyed. “Why are you asking me now? We should have had this conversation way before you told him about your dating plan. Fuck...” Pat let out a long sigh... “Anyways, it’s still not too late. We will figure this out together. But please ... don’t tease him anymore ... let him be.”

And just like that, Maria’s biggest worry was resolved with Pat’s acceptance ... but not just yet ... now was not the time.

“Thank you so much, Pat. I will talk to him tonight and apologize to him.” She said.

Pat snorted, “You and apologize? We both know you won’t do that ... Just don’t make it any worse than it already is...”

Maria chuckled, “Oh I won’t mind apologizing to him if that’s what it takes ... but would it be enough?”

“I don’t know, Maria...,” Pat pondered. “Maybe encourage him to get a girlfriend ... or we can go counseling ... but don’t worry, I will come up with something...”

Maria beamed at Pat, “I don’t know what I would do without you.”

Pat bit back the retort and replied, “Take care babe ... and call me if something happens ... ok?”

Maria nodded with a shine in her eyes.

It was late in the night when Maria returned home. She saw the lights on and knew Brian was waiting for her. She took a moment to gather her thoughts and prepared to face Brian.

But nothing could have prepared her for what she saw. Brian was fully dressed in his t-shirt, jeans, and jacket. He was holding a large suitcase and a bunch of papers—his ticket out.

This was bad, very bad. She realized things had gone too far.

“Oh, you here,” he said with an angry, hateful look. “I thought you would be staying the night.”

She could not tolerate such disrespect from him. “Watch your tone, young man,” she warned.

He smirked. “Really? It’s my tone that bothers you now?” He shook his head and continued, “Never mind, I am moving out right now, and you don’t have to put up with me anymore.”

Maria’s heart sank. This wasn’t how it was supposed to go. She was used to being in control, and he refused to play by her rules.

“Really? And what the hell will you do?” she mocked him, trying to mask her worries with sarcasm.

“None of your concern anymore,” Brian replied coldly. “But since you asked, let me tell you a few things. My transfer request has been approved to the university of my choice in another state. I’ve also been granted a full scholarship.”

This was a nightmare. He was being stubborn and headstrong. She had to calm him down and stop him.

“Oh, my? So, my little boy had grown a spine now?” she mocked him. That’s not what she wanted to do, but it was her nature. She couldn’t help it.

She walked up to him, moving too close as she whispered, “Couldn’t bear to see your mom in the arms of a real man?”

Oh god, she had done it again. Not now, it wasn’t the right time. She was pushing him away.

“Mom? I haven’t seen her since I was a kid.” He said with a bitter voice. Years of bottled-up anger burst with his next words. “You are simply a manipulative, cold-hearted ... woman ... who can’t even keep her word.”

She had promised him that she would not go on a date until he agreed, and she had broken that promise. But her hand moved faster than her regret could catch up.

“How dare you?” Maria slapped Brian hard. Her eyes were blazing at his defiance, and she felt the sting of the force on her hand.

He received the slap without flinching while looking straight into her eyes. “Have a good life playing house with your lover,” he said coldly, picking up his bag and starting to walk out.

He had warned her that he would leave if she went on a date. She always thought he was bluffing. The only problem was that he wasn’t bluffing.

The reality of the situation hit her like a freight train. She was unprepared for it. She had become too dependent on him. Unable to imagine life without him. Maria’s legs turned to jelly as she fell to her knees. She wanted to run after him and hold him back.