Mother and Tom and Aunt Make Three

Opening the bedroom door far enough to fit head and shoulders through, Sarah peered in, adjusting her eyes to the lighting. The room was dark except for the lamp that shed its beam onto the opened books strewn across the wooden surface of the desk. He looked up, squinting a little.

"Don't forget, Aunt Jane will be here in an hour, you might want to freshen up a bit. You seem to have been in here for days." Sarah said with a smile, "I know exams are coming up, but give yourself a break, you have that degree in the bag Tom."

He took his glasses off and placed them on top of a book, leaning back in his chair he rubbed large hands over his face.

"Yes, you're right Mum, I could do with a day or two away from all this." He waved his hand in the direction of the papers. "If I don't know enough now, I never will."

"Exactly. Now, get yourself sorted, Jane is dying to see you," Sarah affirmed.

"I will be down soon," he promised.

"Ok love" Sarah retreated through the door and down the stairs.

Tom stood up, crossed the room and switched on the overhead light. The room took on a starker look. He made his way to his wardrobe, glimpsing his reflection, he made a mental note to get out for some air. He looked pale even to his own eyes. Sliding the door across the mirrored one, he reached in and selected a blue shirt and a pair of jeans, grabbing socks and white boxer shorts from another shelf.

As he walked the few steps from his room to the bathroom he began to think of Aunt Jane. He had not seen her for two years. Her office had sent her to Belgium to head their division there and although she had been back for visits, and always based herself in their home, he had been away at college.

Jane was his mother's oldest friend, and his honorary aunt as well as god mother. She had never married, instead, focusing on her career. A striking woman, he had often wondered how she had never been snapped up. He was very fond of Aunt Jane, and admitted to himself how much he was looking forward to seeing her this weekend.

Life was good he figured and if he gets the degree, the sky would be the limit for him. A career like Auntie Jane's would be just the ticket. I will have to pick her brains he thought, and find out how to get in on the bottom rung of the corporate ladder.

He showered and dressed and after shaving he applied some aftershave, he felt a good impression would do wonders.

He joined Sarah in the kitchen. They were a tight but small unit, always there for each other she was a loving mother and he had matured to the man she always hoped he would be.

"Make yourself useful there, I will get a shower now," Sarah said pointing at the salad ingredients she had removed from the fridge. "Would you do some of that salad dressing you like?"

She climbed stairs two at a time and made for the tall dresser in her room, grabbed fresh underwear a top and her tight white jeans and made for the shower.

Tom squeezed the residual water out of the leaves he rinsed under the tap and dropped them onto the waiting sheets of paper towel, patting them dry before dropping them into the wide bowl. He chopped Dill, Coriander and Basil leaves. Once added to the bowl he plunged his fingers into the aromatic green foliage to mix the flavours. He wiped his hands on a towel before opening the cupboard, reaching in for an empty jam jar, into which he poured olive oil, cider vinegar, honey and a teaspoon of mustard. Screwing the lid on tight, he shook the jar fast, watching as the salad dressing began to emulsify.

Sarah tweaked the front of her hair with her fingers, switching the dryer back on, taming the stubborn strands. Once happy with her hair she rummaged through her make up bag, finding mascara and eyeliner, applying both carefully, outlining her grey eyes with a neat black meticulous line, stroking the fine round brush over her long lashes, enhancing their length and colour. She located her favourite rich red lipstick, staining her lips with the flattering shade blotting the excess with a tissue.

Stepping back, she viewed herself. The scoop neck fitted grey top and slim jeans accentuated her toned, womanly shape, her auburn hair shone smoothly to just below her shoulders. She smiled at her reflection. "You'll do," she said to herself. While she adored Jane, she always felt a bit dowdy next to her. The extra bit of effort was worth it, she thought. The sound of the doorbell broke her thoughts.

"Will you get the door darling, I will be down in a minute," she called down the stairs to Tom.

Tom pulled open the door and smiled as he saw the familiar smiling face of his aunt, he momentarily felt like he was a young boy again and felt a wave of nostalgia overcome him.

Jane cried out "Tom, my favourite god child, you look so grown up!" she held his face as she kissed his cheek. As a young boy he would have squirmed but now he knew the importance of this contact. She held him at arm's length. "You smell nice," she murmured and smiled, her eyes sparkled with genuine emotion.

He grabbed her overnight bag from her and stood aside to let her pass into the warmth and the welcome. Sarah's voice was heard by both of them when she called "I will be right down."

"Will you put that up in my room please?" Jane asked, nodding towards her bag. "I am in the usual I imagine. Unless of course it has been nabbed by that new girlfriend of yours" she teased with a wink.

He cleared his throat, "that didn't quite work out, it sort of fizzled out. We split up last month."

"I am sorry Tom. The silly girl, she will regret that. Anyway, plenty of fish in the sea, or so they say," she said and squeezed his arm.

Tom took the bag to Jane's regular room and placed it on the bed. He was curious to see the contents, what does she bring on an overnight he thought. The bag had two large handles and a zip, really an oversized hand bag. He had a peek inside. Nothing to see, as laid across the top was a large sponge bag. He lifted it aside, glimpsing the neatly folded jersey trousers and top, a small stark white roll of satin next to the pyjamas caught his eye. He put his free hand in and ran his fingers over the smooth surface of the knickers. For a moment, imagined Jane in them.

The sound of his mother's feet descending the stairs brought him back to the moment. He quickly replaced the toilet bag and fastened the zip of the holdall before leaving the room to go and join them.

"You look amazing!" Jane's voice, genuinely delighted, was loud with excitement to see her dear friend looking so vibrant.

"Thank you Janey" Sarah beamed, "you do too, but then when don't you?!"

They kissed quickly on the lips in greeting and hugged each other tightly. Stepping back Jane shrugged out of her coat, discarding it on a nearby armchair. She reached into her large handbag bringing forth a thick bottle and handing it across to Tom as he entered the room.

"Can you do the honours?" she asked with a grin.

"Of course" he replied, taking the bottle into the kitchen to uncork, he scanned the label: Chateauneuf de Pape, his mother's favourite. Good old Jane, he thought, she always remembers.

He filled three glasses and returned to the room, passing the glasses to the smiling women.

"Wait a second, I will get mine." He returned in moments with his glass and they clinked glasses awkwardly.

"Let me get this" Tom said as he reached for his phone.

"Not pictures already?" Sarah protested.

"Better early on than when we are all winey smiles."

He quickly snapped a couple catching the two old pals together again. He thought of how many pictures he had seen through the years of the two companions deciding it was right to mark the moment.

"Let me see" Jane said slightly impatient "this may need to be censored."

She checked the picture on the phone screen and gave an approving glance. "That is grand, we don't look too bad."

Tom examined it again. The two strong influences in his life never seemed to age. Sarah looked well in her shapely top, beautiful hair. Better than most of the Mothers of his pals. Jane who was always smartly presented, looked great in buttoned blouse and jeans. His imagination flew to her knickers in the bag and he wondered what shape pants she wore under the jeans.

"Darling, can you take out that lasagne and place it on the side?" Sarah asked him.

Tom went through the kitchen door, he could hear chat behind as he left. He knew that his last relationship would be on the list of things discussed once he had disappeared.

Deciding to spare himself the third degree he stayed in the kitchen and busied himself laying the table. Once the cutlery was set he put a large mat in the centre, with a towel he carried the steaming dish of lasagne over and set it down. The salad bowl followed, serving utensils were placed alongside condiments to the side of it.

He re-entered the sitting room, interrupting the chatter. "Ok ladies. Dinner is served." He gave a deep bow and gestured flamboyantly with his arm. They all laughed, Sarah leading the way into the kitchen.

Jane slipped an arms around his waist as they walked, "I'm so glad you're here this time. It has been such a long time since we've spent time together." Her fingers gently stroked his side as she spoke.

"It's good to see you too Aunt Jane" Tom said.

Stopping for a second she looked up into his face.

"I think you could drop the Aunt, just plain Jane is fine. We are all adults after all." Stretching onto her tip toes she placed a brief kiss on his lips and strode away to take her seat at the table.

"Oh yum, that looks superb. I am utterly ravenous!" she announced as she sat.

"Tuck in then," came Sarah's reply.

Tom took the remaining chair in front of Jane. Settling himself, he wondered if he was imagining things, had he seen a mischievous sparkle in Jane's eyes. He reasoned desperation on his part .He had not been with someone for two months not one month as he had told Jane earlier. He tended to shorten the time to make himself sound less tragic.

He regarded Jane differently now, adult to adult, he speculated on her love life and how she made time in her busy life schedule.

Jane looked across at Tom and at that moment he did something to his hair, she felt a deep loving feeling rise in her. She placed down her fork and touched her necklace and allowed one finger graze the soft flesh of the top of her breasts. She let one button go on her blouse as she felt the heat of the room increase. "Any chance of a glass of water Tom please?"

"Are we going to find you a new girl Tom?" Jane said as Tom returned placing a jug of water and glasses on the table. "My office has a ton of single women all around your age."

"He would be on the rebound. Take your time Tom, you need a few months to find yourself," Sarah said matter of factly, "we can all do with a bit of a rest and Me time."

"How did that girl let you go?" Jane said, her tone complimentary to Tom. "A fine catch like you.

If you are anything like your father she will regret at her leisure" Jane smiled with a look of wistful reminiscence.

"You knew Dad?" Tom quizzed.

"Jane knew your father for ten minutes, they dated before we got together," Sarah responded for her.

"We were all in a gang, boys and girls, in and out of relationships back then" Jane clarified.

"Innocent times" said Sarah.

"Not so innocent, we all did some crazy things," Jane added "I remember your father brought me out once on his bike up the mountains. Now there was nothing innocent there."

"I remember that bike," said Sarah and looked away wistfully.

"All I remember is that we enjoyed the ride," Jane added with mischief.

"Jane, must you" Sarah said slightly disapproving.

"Oh Sarah! Tom is an adult man." Turning herself towards him she stated. "Tom, your father, it must be said, was a wonderful lover."

"Here we go." Whispered Sarah to herself as she topped off all the glasses.

"I never knew this stuff Mum," Tom said, looking towards Sarah.

"Let's just say in the endowment department the lift went to the very top floor." Jane smiled as she said this, expecting a reaction from the table.

There was stunned silence for a moment.

Tom broke it saying, "so, like father, like son."

The gang broke the tension with a burst of laughter.

The conversation flowed throughout the meal, switching from topic to topic, with an ease that made time pass unnoticed.

"That was quite delicious Sarah, you always were a star of the kitchen," Jane, effusive as ever, handed her empty plate to her friend who had stood to clear the table.

"Glad you enjoyed it," Sarah piled the plates and cutlery together and carried them to the sink. "Coffee? Receiving affirmation from the other two, she filled the kettle and scooped ground coffee into the cafitiere. "If you want to go and relax in the sitting room, I will bring this in when it's ready. Could you check the fire Tom, it may need another log." Sarah spoke over her shoulder as she began to load a large tray with cups and a plate of her homemade chocolate biscuit cake.

"Of course" Tom replied as he pushed his chair back under,the table. "Lovely supper, thanks." He stopped to kiss his mother's cheek on his way to the sitting room.

Jane had already decamped and by the time he entered the room, she was reclined on the couch, her kicked off heels strewn on the floor.

"Ah, that's such a relief" she stretched her legs out in front of her, wriggling her toes. Sipping the last of her wine, she watched Tom's back as he tended the fire. Appreciating the sight. "I am looking forward to a relaxing evening. It's such a relief to get away from office-hotel-office routines and enjoy some home cooking and good company," Jane said with a sigh.

Tom turned and chatted about his plans. He decided not to canvass Jane tonight as the mood was not right for business talk. He sat in the chair and watched his Aunt; her raised leg and gaping blouse was there for him to see, her blouse had unbuttoned just a little and he could make out an ivory bra against tanned flesh. He stared at will as he chatted, while Jane looked at the ceiling and wall as she lay on the couch.

Tom had a particular taste for this semi-formal blouse look. He would see it on the bus in the mornings, now he could watch at will and not fear having the object of his attention cover up and stare at him like he was a pervert. Still he thought best not get caught looking. He shifted in his seat as his erection woke up, he crossed his legs as a light went on in his head that read: 'This is your godmother control yourself.'

He was woken from his thoughts by Sarah who entered laden down and proceeded to serve. Jane swung around to let Sarah join her on the couch. Tom made to reach but thought better as he would not care to display the swelling in his trousers.

"I will let mine cool a bit," he said and no one appreciated the double meaning.

Stretching forward to take a slice of the biscuit cake, affording him an ample view of her cleavage - accidentally or not, Tom was at this stage unsure - Jane took a steaming cup in the other had and resumed her position on the couch.

"I need to keep both hands occupied after a meal." She gave a little laugh before biting into the chocolate. "Six months a non-smoker, but after dinner I still yearn for the satisfaction of a Marlboro."

Her voice was slightly muffled through the crumbly succulence. "Oh Sarah, this is Devine!" she fell silent for a moment to savour the next sweet mouthful.

She listened as mother and son chatted, sipped at the hot bitter coffee, enjoying the contrasting yet complimentary flavour. She surveyed Tom over the rim of the cup. He sprawled comfortably in the armchair, his long legs stretched out in front of him, crossed at the ankles. Noticing he had no shoes on, his feet covered in thick socks. She remembered how she had had to stretch to her toes to kiss him earlier, even in her heels he towered above her. He must be about six four, she calculated. His height highlighted the leanness of his body. He would look stunning in a suit, she mused.

"What do you think Jane?" Sarah's voice penetrated her thoughts.

"Sorry. I zoned out for a minute, this chocolate is hypnotic," Jane smiled, casting her eyes over him briefly before turning to her host.

"You must stop complimenting me, I will get a big head." Sarah scolded gently. "Excuse me for a few minutes, I have to pop to the bathroom."

As she left the room, Tom stood up and poked the fire again, squatting in front of the crackling flames. Jane quickly put her cup back on the tray and stood up. As he stretched his arm out to grab a log, he felt her fingertips stroke across his shoulder. Rooted to the spot he stopped. Her fingers trailed down the length of his back. She crouched behind him. Her hands pushed under his shirt and began to stroke his belly and chest, the only movement he made was a sharp intake of breath and an involuntary twitch in his trousers. She pressed her breasts into his back as she leaned forward to kiss his neck with soft, damp lips.

Hearing toilet flush and the bathroom door open, she raised up and retook her seat on the couch and picked up her mug. Meeting his eyes with hers, she smiled.

Tom sat back and let his blood course through him, his heart was racing and the caffeine was helping. He reasoned that this was the moment he must grasp. The circumstances would never combine like this again. He smiled what must have been a goofy smile towards the women and relaxed back into his chair.

"You look like the cat who got the cream Tom," Sarah said, crossing the room to the couch.

"I couldn't be happier than here with you both tonight," he replied.

"Ahhh," the women responded in unison.

"How about a nostalgia disco? I can hook my phone up to your speakers," Jane said as she fumbled for her phone.

With a bit of messing about they were shuffling through Jane's favourite tracks and building a song list. Tom had come to watch as Sarah and Jane flicked through all their 70's and 80's favourites. Tom watched as the women, both softened by good food and wine, giggled at the memories of their youth as they oooh'd and ahhh'd through the hits of the time. He had a full view of Sarah's scooped top and Jane's, by now, half opened blouse. He sat on the arm of the chair as he watched losing all sense of restraint and control.

The song list was started, the phone was set to one side and Tom watched as they danced around to their favourites. With arms raised above their heads, their denim clad hips and bottoms swayed with the flow of the music.

Tom couldn't help but chuckle as they put their cheeks together to sing along with a chorus of a classic song of their day. He silently gave thanks that they were young and wild before the days of karaoke and social media - they would have been dangerous!

A misplaced leg kick by Sarah during a rendering of an anthem resulted in a half full cup of coffee, still on the low table, overturning, spilling its contents onto the floor splashing dark stains on her white jeans.

"Damn, these are new!" she exclaimed, "sorry guys, I have to go and sort this out."

She rushed from the room and up the stairs.

"I'll go and get a cloth." Tom hurried to the kitchen, returning in moments with a rung out cloth.

Jane had stacked all the cups back on the tray and took it out as he dealt with the spill. He rinsed the dripping cloth under the hot tap, as Jane put the last of the dishes in the machine, she pressed the button to start it. Tom drying his hands, watching her every move from a close proximity. As she turned from her task her face was level with his chest.

"Sarah will be up there scrubbing that trouser leg with a nail brush, she will be a while." She drew a nail down the front of his shirt, letting a finger slip inside between the buttons. "What will we do to pass the time until she comes down?" she enquired in a sultry tone. Her finger reappeared, traveling south, finding the swelling in his trousers, trailing over the length. Staring into his eyes, "can you think of anything?" she whispered, moistening her lips with the tip of her tongue.