Chapter 55

Riley Mary Margaret Clooney’s beauty was such that she never went anywhere without someone commenting on it. Or they looked at her in such a way that mentioning it would seem like saying it twice. James Clooney knew how lucky he was — his friends gave him frequent reminders.

Unlike Ellie Travis and Hana Kido, Riley was happy at home, happy in her marriage, and more than happy with her son, Flynn. He was a special boy, extremely close to his mother, unusual for a 15-year old.

When he was 12, he had told Riley, “I like boys.”

She understood instantly what he meant. And it was hardly a surprise; she’d suspected that he was gay for some time. He didn’t act feminine, didn’t nance around, but sometimes a mother just knew.

Over the next several weeks, they talked and talked and talked. One thing Riley insisted on was telling his father. She knew that as macho as James was, he would be understanding, even though gayness was alien to his very being.

He smiled at Flynn, “I knew. It’s fine. All Riley and I want is for you to be happy.”

Flynn and Riley bonded over his big announcement. Big to him, but no surprise to her. He shared his thoughts, his dreams, his fantasies. Riley reciprocated.

“Now don’t tell your dad that I told you this.” She spilled her own secret — the Carefree Village weekends that she and James enjoyed so much. And that she also reveled in when he couldn’t go with her because of overtime.

Sharing the news — just Flynn and her — brought them even closer together. Riley found herself answering all of his questions, even when they became increasingly intimate.

“Yes, honey, I love being with another woman. What? Of course I lick pussy. And — newsflash — I love pussy!”

Since Riley and James had been going to Carefree, she and Flynn became even closer. One morning when he was 14 she let him stay home from school even though he wasn’t very sick. She did that when she sensed he wanted some special Mom Time.

Flynn didn’t beat around the bush. He pointed to her array of makeup and said, “Can I?”

Riley folded her arms and pretended to frown, “Absolutely not! This is expensive stuff.” Then she winked, “I’ll do it.”

Except for an occasional mortifying zit, Flynn had inherited his mother’s smooth, creamy complexion. He, too, was a natural redhead. That first makeup session, she had just done a light foundation, a touch of color on his cheeks, a little mascara, and a nude lipstick — Pillow Talk, from Charlotte Tilbury.

Flynn loved it. He stared and stared at himself, and squirmed in the chair, sexually aroused. Riley kissed him on the forehead, “I’ll give you some privacy.”

He looked right at her, not the least embarrassed. They’d openly discussed masturbation a few times. “Thanks, Riley.” He nodded at his reflection, “I really like this.”

They both loved James in their own ways, but relished the time when they could be alone. Her husband’s job took him to out-of-own construction sites from time to time, and she and Flynn grew even closer.

One Monday evening, Riley still had an afterglow from her solo weekend at Carefree. Flynn teased her, “So, you get laid?”

“Young man! That is so none of your business! Shame on you!”

He giggled, “Dish, girlfriend, dish.”

“My two best girlfriends...”

“Ellie and Hana.”

“Ellie and Hana, we tumbled into bed together. Each of us took a turn in the middle.”

She answered each and every one of his questions, went into detail when he asked. She shared her glass of white wine with him.

Then he reached across the table and put his hands on hers. As usual, he was direct, “Riley, I want the whole deal, mask, body lotion, everything.”

She didn’t hesitate, didn’t ask him if he were sure. “Let’s go.”

Riley wasn’t a nudist at home, not like at Carefree. But she and Flynn had caught glimpses of each other over the years. She led him straight into her bedroom and they undressed, giggling like schoolgirls.

She did his mask first — she was trying out a new brand — Tatcha. “It goes on green, then turns red when it’s time to wash it off.”

“Cool.”

“It’s supposed to be good for hydrating and exfoliating too.”

“Let me do you, Riley.”

“Sure.”

Later, she took his hand, led him over to her full-length mirror. She laughed, “We look like space aliens.”