Chapter 7

During the weeks that followed I carved a few more notches in my handle with the girls at school, bidding my time and letting our conversation work on Mom. Of course I gave her some looks which I could tell were unnerving her a bit and once when she and I were playing football with some other kids from the neighborhood, I tackled her (sort of). We fell to the ground laughing, but as she turned over to get up our faces ended up only inches apart. I deliberately held her helpless by letting my body weight pin her as our eyes met. I leaned over to her ear.

"Don't wait too long," I said and kissed her on the cheek before she could react.

Her birthday was in November. I got her a sweet card but my present was a bottle of sensuous perfume and a frilly, see-through lingerie set. I made sure we were alone when she opened them and, as expected, she was stunned, then embarrassed and finally flattered that I would think her so attractive and desirable, something of which I reminded her often.

She tried twice to have "the talk" with me but both times I was prepared and with what Monica had passed along to me they ended with her with more to think about than me. I could tell she was conflicted but weakening. Once I caught her admiring me as I took off my shirt to mow the grass but it was that night in the hallway when I knew I was winning.

I was walking back to my room and Mom was carrying a basket full of freshly washed and dried clothes to put away. As we met it became apparent that we couldn't pass each other with her holding that large basket in that narrow hall at waist height. So she smiled, then hefted it over her head so I could get through. Even without the clothes basket two people made a tight fit in that hallway and so with her arms in the air I made sure our bodies touched as we squeezed by. But the deciding moment was one i couldn't resist. As we passed face to face i leaned over and kissed her gently. Her initial reaction was shock and an attempt to break away. Then, for just a moment, her lips stayed with mine and we shared a real moment. Then, perhaps coming back to reality, she did break away.

"Darin Taylor! That was..."

"Terrific!" I said smiling.

"I was going to say very inappropriate. I've told you..."

"And I've told you. You won't find anyone who can love you, take care of you, or satisfy you like I can. Isn't it about time you admitted that?"

Her hands were still over her head holding the basket so my arm quickly went around her and this time the kiss was longer and more passionate. Again she made as if to break away but it took her several seconds and I noticed her lips were a bit more receptive this time and her body melded against mine for that few seconds before she backed away, breathing hard and I could tell, her heart racing.

"Darin, don't! We can't!"

"Sure we can. All you have to do is say yes."

"You know I can't."

"I know no such thing. Say yes and I'll make you forget Pete."

For one split second I thought she would drop the basket and rush back into my arms. But she shook her head, turned away and continued hurriedly down the hall. At the end of the hall she turned and her mouth opened slightly as if she was about to say something, but I could tell she was at a loss for words and so silently she she turned again and continued into the other room.

It was a few days later that what I thought would be a roadblock turned into a fortuitous event.

I came home from school and heard Mom humming in the kitchen, something she hadn't done since Pete left.

"What's up?" I asked as I watched her peel some potatoes for supper.

I could tell she was trying to stifle a grin.

"I ... I have a date tonight."

"Oh, really?"

"Yes, his name is Dan Schuster. I met him today at the coffee shoppe."

"And?"

"And we struck up a conversation and he asked me to dinner tonight."

"Where's he taking you?"

"The Starlight." The restaurant was decent but not exactly first class. "We're meeting there at seven."

"In that case why don't you go ahead and get ready. I'll finish the potatoes and fix myself some dinner tonight." I was trying to sound gracious and supportive but I already hated the guy.

"Would you mind, Honey? I am running a little late."

"Sure, no problem. Just remember what I said."

"Oh, Darin," she chided, "but you are so sweet." She placed her hand on the side of my face in a motherly fashion.

"Just remember," I repeated and she was gone to make ready for her date.

She left early to allow plenty of time to get to the restaurant. I ate, then, since I had no homework, settled in to watch some TV. I wasn't expecting her back until late but it was only a little after nine when I heard her car pull into the driveway.

"Mom? Are you okay?" I asked as she hurried in the door and looked as if she wished to run to her room.

"Darin, I ... Oh, what a fool I am!" she burst out crying.

I held out my arms and she gladly accepted them around her as the tears rained.

"What is it? What happened?"

"I ... I thought he was nice, but all he wanted was..."

"Can't blame him for that," I mumbled.

"Oh, it wasn't that. We finished dinner and he asked if I would be interested in spending some time alone. I knew what he wanted and, to tell the truth, I was considering it. But then he asked how much."

"You mean?"

"Yes, he thought I was a whore. He asked if a hundred was enough. I've never been so humiliated in my life."

"What did you do?"

"I told him I was not that kind of woman and got up and left. Oh, Darin, have I become that desperate that I have to sell myself to find someone interested in me?"

"I've told you over and over, you have someone interested in you."

"But Honey..."

"Now before you start on those excuses again let me make a suggestion. I know how you like to walk along the beach when you have thinking to do or problems to solve. Why don't we drive there take a nice long walk together?"

"But it's almost nine-thirty at night."

"So?"

"All ... all right," she agreed looking into my eyes and smiling weakly. "You always seem to know the right thing to do."

"I try," I smiled back.

"A half hour later we had parked on a bluff overlooking the beach and, barefooted, were strolling along the water's edge. Mom always liked hearing the waves rolling in. She said it helped to clear her mind.

"I'm so afraid, Darin," she said taking my hand. "I'm afraid I'm too old to ever find the man of my dreams."

"First of all, twenty-nine is hardly too old for anything. You're in the prime of life. You're beautiful, intelligent and loving. No man in his right mind wouldn't want to be with you."

"Trying to flatter me to make me feel better?"

"No, just telling the truth. The problem is that you deserve so much more than these jerks that you've been going out with have to offer."

"I just feel that life is passing me by. Maybe it's already passed me by."

"You need to let life in, Mom. You're so afraid of everything and everyone."

"But I always wind up being hurt."

"Because you choose the wrong guys."

"Maybe it's not them, but me. Maybe I just don't deserve..."

I could hear the sobs in her voice so I pulled her to me.

"You deserve a man who'll love you, respect you ... and satisfy you."

"Do I? Do I really, Darin?" she said, sobbing and looking deeply into my eyes. Those bright green eyes were difficult to distinguish in nothing but moonlight, but I could read the desperation in her voice.

I leaned down and kissed her gently. Again, as in the past, she began to pull away, but I held her tightly and there was no strength in her resistance. Her lips were warm, soft and sweet, just the way I knew they would be when she finally surrendered.