Chapter 1

It was early October in Georgia, and while the days were still warm with temperatures reaching the high 70s or low 80s, the evenings were beginning to cool into the 50s and 60s. Tim was sprawled on the sofa, still dressed in shorts, when his mother, Marie, arrived home with groceries. Looking at him, she couldn’t help but think how handsome he was. Tim possessed an easygoing nature that made him well-liked, yet he was something of a homebody. Despite being eighteen for nearly a year, he hadn’t shown any interest in moving out—a situation Marie didn’t mind at all, as they had enjoyed each other’s company as a duo for several years.

“I’m glad you’re home, baby!” Marie called out cheerfully, mentioning she had a trunk full of groceries to bring in. She asked what he had been doing that morning. Tim reached for the remote to turn off the television, replying that he had just been “chillin’ in front of the tube.”

Tim was currently between jobs, having recently left a convenience store position that required late nights and weekends. He planned to work as a holiday help at a clothing chain before starting college in the spring. Because his high school grades weren’t spectacular, he knew he would need to take foundational courses and felt the spring was a good time to begin. He was deep in thought about these life changes when his mother’s arrival interrupted him.

Standing up, Tim gave his mother a quick peck on the cheek and went outside. He expertly balanced the remaining eight plastic bags in his hands and used his elbow to shut the trunk. Back in the kitchen, he noticed Marie straining her 5’6” frame to reach a high cabinet shelf. As she stood on her tiptoes, her blouse shifted, revealing a glimpse of her tanned lower back. The tight fit of her khaki slacks showed the clear outline of her undergarments, and Tim found himself reacting physically to the sight. He frequently went without underwear, which meant he was often easily stimulated.