read part 10
“What the fuck?” I don’t know whether that was just what raced through my mind or whether Trent yelled it, but it’s the thought I awoke to, as I saw this beautiful tall slender woman sitting on the bed next to Trent.
“Sarah?” Trent exclaimed.
“Oh fuck, it’s a wife or girlfriend,” is what went through my mind. I didn’t move a muscle, in hopes that somehow I would just fade into oblivion.
“What are you doing here?” Trent asked.
“Trent, your memory totally sucks! You know Mom and Dad and I were coming to visit this week. We left a message for you this morning on your phone, didn’t you get it?” she asked.
“Oh fuck! No, I didn’t… We were… Oh, man. Where are Mom and Dad?” Trent asked, now in a full panic.
They dropped me off because I needed to use the bathroom, but then Mom wanted to run to the store so she can cook for you tonight,” she explained.
“Well, go to the bathroom, then!” Trent said.
“I already did! I came in put my bags over there, peed, and sat and watched you two sleep for a few minutes,” she said with a big smile. “You’re so rude! Are you going to introduce us?”
Trent, seeming very flustered, said, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. This is Paul, he’s my…”
“…boyfriend, yeah, I get that. Hi, Paul, I’m Sarah. I’m Trent’s little sister,” she said as she reached out to shake my hand.
“Hello, it’s nice to meet you. I’m Trent’s neighbor,” I said, in a desperate attempt to recover.
“Mom!” Trent shouted. In all the confusion, none of us had noticed Trent’s parents standing in the hallway, his father holding his mother, seemingly trying to stabilize her.
When she realized we had seen her, she put her chin up and marched into the bedroom, extended her hand to me, and said, “I’m Trent’s mother, Page.”
As I shook her hand, his father approached the bed and extended his hand, adding “And, I’m Dan, Trent’s dad. Nice to meet you, young man.”
At this point, I was still unsure whether this was just a bizarre nightmare or whether it was really happening. Then, Page, who was now sitting on the bed with her arm around her son, said, “Okay, let’s give these boys a chance to get themselves together, out of here, both of you! I’m going to put on a pot of coffee,” she said to Sarah and Dan, as she shooed them out of the room.
As the door closed, and the voices faded, I looked over at Trent.
“Dude… you are white as a fuckin’ ghost!” He said and then started laughing hysterically.I was reeling from the events of the last ten minutes. Trent leaned over and apologized and kissed me and said, “You’re my boyfriend. Once Sarah knows something, there can be no secrets! We just have to assume it’s public knowledge, now.” He said, smiling that big boyish smile.
“Wow, I’m really surprised your parents took that so well.”
“Yeah, they’re really cool. They’ve always been very open-minded and have allowed Sarah and me to make our own decisions. They may give us a nudge from time to time, but they really want us to live our own lives.”
I was speechless. Absolutely stunned and speechless.
“Now, if we don’t get out there quick, they’ll be back in here, so, do you think you can walk yet?” He said, laughing.
We stood up, but I have to admit I was still a little apprehensive. I hadn’t even contemplated my short-lived relationship with Trent would ever get to the “meet the parents” phase, and I has sure never contemplated that I’d meet them all in Trent’s bed! Trent pulled me into his arms and told me, “Relax. They’re really great people, and I know they’re really going to like you.”
As we went into the living room, Dan said, “Trent, throw your shoes on and come with me. We had a blowout on the way, and I want to get a new tire put on the car before I do anything else.”
“Sure, Dad,” Trent replied. Trent grabbed his shoes and put them on.
“Wait, now, I just put on a fresh pot of coffee. Can’t you boys wait until after we have coffee?” Page pleaded.
“No, I want to get this done now, so we won’t be worried about running around in the car. It should only take about an hour,” Dan said.
Trent turned and grabbed his wallet, then turned to me and said, “You gonna be okay here while I’m gone?”
Insulted, Page came to attention, “Well, what in the world… What kind of question is that? You act like you’re leavin’ him with a couple of barracudas!” Trent’s Dad chuckled, as Page continued, “Goodness sake, he’s in good hands. You boys go on, and we’ll take good care of Paul while you’re gone. Paul, you’re just gonna relax with us and have some coffee–do you like coffee, Paul?”
“Yes, Ma’am, I LOVE coffee,” I answered.
“Good, then it’s settled,” Page said.
I was stunned when Trent leaned in and kissed me on the lips, and then turned to leave, saying, “And, don’t ya’ll be interrogating Paul while we’re gone.”
“Now, you stop that! We wouldn’t do that,” Page said.
As I watched Trent disappear out the door, I looked over toward Sarah and Page, who were both looking at me with knowing looks. “Just relax. This will only hurt a little,” Sarah laughed.
“Aw, stop that and carry this coffee for me, Sarah. Paul, they give me the hardest time. Don’t you worry about a thing. You’re in good hands,” Page promised.
Page had put together a tray with cups, cream, sugar, and a French Press full of fresh brewed coffee. Sarah grabbed the tray and headed out toward the balcony, and Page approached me, took my arm, and started leading me to the balcony.
As we took our places around the patio table, Sarah–with a devilish smile on her face, not unlike her brother’s–justified her brother’s apprehension, saying “Here’s how this is gonna go down. We want the dirt!” Sarah said.
I was expecting Page to reign Sarah in, but instead she added, “Yes, sweetie, sing like a bird!” Page cackled, as she poured my coffee. “Be careful, though, dear. Remember, I’m somebody’s mother. I don’t want ALL the details!”
“Yeah, you can save those to tell me later tonight,” Sarah said.
I was horrified. All I really had were dirty details, tales of our sexual exploits and how much I loved making love with Trent. Then, suddenly, as though some third person in my mind stepped up to the plate, I heard myself say, “Well, we were both coming home at the same time one evening, and Trent introduced himself to me. We talked a while, and he asked if I wanted to have a few beers with him. I told him I don’t drink and…”
“At ALL??? You don’t drink at all, dear? Paul, Honey, are you on the wagon?” Page asked.
“Subtle, Mom. Real subtle,” Sarah said, as she sipped her coffee.
“No, no. Nothing like that. Just never developed a taste for it,” I replied.
“So, back to the story!” Sarah said, shooting an agitated look toward her mother.
“Well, I told him I kept some beer in my fridge for company and invited him over. He said yes, and we hit it off. We’ve been together ever since!” I said.
“Oh, it’s so romantic! Sarah, dear, one day you’re going to meet a nice boy like your brother did, you’ll see,” Page said. As the full impact of what Page just said hit her, she had a perplexed look on her face.
“Yeah, those are words you never thought you’d hear pass your lips, eh, Mom?” Sarah chuckled.
“What about the sex?” Sarah asked.
I was once again stunned. I liked how direct Sarah was, much like her brother, but there were times when I was taken aback by it, and this was certainly one of those times. I could feel myself blushing, as I looked down at my coffee, half wondering whether I could drown myself in it in order to escape the rest of my interrogation!
“Oh, come on. We found you in bed with him. I know you all are sleeping together. Plus, we have a good reason for asking!” Sarah said, exchanging a knowing glance with her mother.
“Sarah! Did you forget I’m somebody’s mother?” Page asked, seeming rather annoyed.
“Mom, get a grip. You know why I’m asking.” Sarah countered.
“Okay, but this conversation stays right here. Between us!” Page demanded.
Sarah agreed, and then said, looking knowingly at her mother, as though there was some unspoken communication occurring between them, “I don’t know how to say this, so I will just say it. Trent didn’t do so well with women. They loved him and found him incredibly attractive, but his relationships never really lasted.”
“He’s a man who likes to be a man, if you know what I mean,” Page interjected, trying to lessen the impact of her son’s perceived shortcomings. “He likes to be in control of things, and women today don’t take kindly to that. Women just didn’t seem to understand him. He’s a little rough with them, sometimes, I guess.” She looked concerned and vulnerable, like a mother who recognizes something is wrong with her child, but is wrestling with how to manage it.
“Yeah, he’s a kinky, arrogant, and rough in bed,” Sarah added, as clarification to her mother’s comments.
“Do you find this to be true, dear?” Page asked, making absolutely no attempts to disguise her concern.
“Oh, yeah, that’s what I like about him!” I heard myself say. There was a pregnant pause, as they both looked at me with their mouths open.
“Sounds like you’re our man! Welcome to the family, Paul,” Sarah said, as she and Page clicked their glasses together, apparently toasting the victory at the end of a hard fought battle.
Page chuckled, and then confided, “Sarah thought you were a woman yesterday!”
“What?” I asked.
Sarah explained, “Well, I called Trent at work yesterday, and he sounded like he was walking on air. I told Mom and Dad that I just knew he had found his soul mate, and that I couldn’t wait to meet her. Trent wouldn’t tell me anything, but I kept asking about his new ‘love interest’, and he just kept chuckling.”
“Yes, well, apparently, you forgot that the point of your call was to remind him that we would be here today, and to be sure he was off work for a couple days, so we could spend time with him. She’s such a gossip!” Page said.
“So, you live RIGHT next door?” Sarah asked.
“Yep,” I replied.
“Wow, let’s go see your place!” Sarah said.
“Sarah, you don’t just invite yourself to someone’s home! Good grief!” Page exclaimed.
“Mom, he’s sleeping with my brother. He’s family!” Sarah countered.
TBC………
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