She pouted a little, before saying, “Understand it, yes. Like it? Not a bit. Okay, new subject – what do you want to do for New Year’s Eve?”
“I’ve been thinking about it,” I said. “I just turned 21, but you’re still 20, and I never liked any of the under-21 clubs around here. My Mom said she’ll let me host a small party at our house, and even let those of us who are only 20 have some wine or beer, so long as she gets everyone’s keys so nobody drives home. That kind of limits the party to the number of beds and couches we have, so I was thinking, you, me and my friends Duke and Kenny, plus my Mom, and Costco pizzas and beer. My Mom will even let you sleep in my room with me. What do you think?”
“Sounds fine to me. I’m not real big on the club scene, myself. Too much risk of GHB or something like that being slipped in your drink even in the non-alcoholic clubs.”
~~~~~
Back home, Mom had the new bedding all set up, and I wished her a good night’s sleep and sweet dreams, then went to my own bed, and got to sleep nude once more.
Around midnight, I heard Mom shout “No, No!!” several times. I got up, pulled on shorts, and rushed to her room, opening the door just as she sat upright in bed, a hand to her head.
“Nightmare?” I asked.
“Yeah, pretty bad,” she answered. “Kinda fuzzy already, but I remember being next to your dad’s body again, and suddenly he sat up and black ooze came from his mouth and I started screaming for him to get away from me. I woke up just before his hands would have reached me. Uggh!” she said, shuddering. “Drew, I know I’m imposing on you, but would you mind sleeping with me one more time? I didn’t have a single nightmare this past week that I’ve slept in your room, and I think it’s because you were beside me, making me feel safe. We can do it in this bed, which ought to give you more room.”
“Mom. Whatever you need, I’ll do. It’s okay.” I slipped under the new comforter and top-sheet on what had been Dad’s side of the bed, and settled in, and soon fell asleep. If Mom had any other dreams, they didn’t wake her.
~~~~~
New Year’s Eve
Mom successfully slept by herself the next nights. However, I actually found it harder to sleep without her by me. I think I was on edge, listening for signs of another nightmare that never came. If she had any more bad dreams, she didn’t mention them to me.
On New Year’s Eve, around 8 PM, we started our party. Mom came downstairs, wearing the same blue v-neck sweater, over new slacks, looking even better as she’d put more effort into her makeup and hair than on Christmas Day, even if it was just for a party with my friends..
When Patti arrived, she was wearing one of my gifts, which was the same style sweater, but in the light green color, over a pair of faded jeans. She dropped her overnight bag by the stairs, took one look at Mom and said, “At least Drew had the sense to buy us different colors, Tina. Can you imagine if we’d shown up in the exact same sweater?”
Side by side, they both looked fantastic in the sweaters, although I did have to give the edge to my blond mom’s greater curves, versus the way Patti’s sweater color highlighted her bright auburn hair. Not that I had any intention of telling either one of them that. Mom showed off her new bracelet, and Patti’s eyes shot to me, giving me the clear message that she expected jewelry from me sometime soon.