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MidReal Story
Tempted by My Mom’s Friend
Scenario:I stared at the clock, counting down the seconds until Veronica knocked on the door. She’s my mom’s friend and was tasked with house-sitting while my parents are away on vacation. Apparently, they didn’t trust me to be alone at the house.
Finally, I heard the knock. Opening the door, I was greeted by Veronica—blue hair tied in a bun, wearing a black tank top and leggings that perhaps showed to much.
"Heyyyy! Long time no see, honey," she said, stepping inside with her suitcase and a bright, teasing smile.
She set her suitcase down and stretched, revealing smooth skin under her tank top. "Looks like we’ll be alone together for a while," she added with a wink.
Her gaze shifted toward the backyard. "I heard you have a pool... Maybe I'll let you watch as I swim with my bikini on."
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Christine Windsor
young adult, relationship with Veronica and parents, petite with curly brown hair, curious and naive
Mateo Windsor
Christine's father and Veronica's friend, relationship with Christine and his wife Nicolette, tall with greying hair, protective and trusting
Veronica Carter
house sitter and friend of Christine's mom, relationship with Christine and her parents, striking blue hair in a bun, seductive and manipulative
I watch as my parents finish packing, double and triple checking that they have all the things they need before they head out the door.
"Are you certain you have everything?"
My mom is a worrier, always convinced that someone is going to forget something no matter how many times she checks.
"I think so, my love," my father replies, giving her hand a squeeze.
"We have the hotel reservations, the tickets for the show, money for incidentals...I think we’re good."
My mom looks at him, lips pursed.
"I suppose you’re right. I’m just anxious to get away for a bit, that’s all. I hate leaving Christine here alone."
My name is Christine, and I’m eighteen, so hardly a child in need of constant supervision.
My parents are going on vacation without me, though, because I have to be back here for school in a couple of weeks and they were only able to get two weeks off of work.
Rather than stay here by myself, though, they’re leaving me in the care of their friend Veronica.
"You’re not leaving her by herself, Mom," I remind her.
"Veronica’s staying with her."
My mom nods.
"Right. Of course you’re right. Sorry, I’m just a little stressed about all of this."
"It’s fine, Mom," I tell her, coming over to hug her and giving my dad a hug as well.
We help them carry their luggage out to the car, and just as we’re finishing up, I hear the crunch of tires on the gravel of our driveway.
I look up to see a sleek red convertible pull in, the top down and a woman with blue hair behind the wheel.
She’s thirty minutes early, but it’s definitely Veronica.
She pulls in behind my parents’ car and gets out, wearing oversized sunglasses and a dress that hugs her curves in all the right places.
"Heyyyy! Long time no see, honey," she says, waving at us with a big smile on her face.
She comes over to hug my mom, who’s already rushing over to her.
My dad watches them hug for a moment before turning back to the trunk of the car to finish packing it up.
I stand back and watch Veronica as she helps my mom load her bag into the trunk of the car.
She moves with a grace that’s hard to deny, hips swaying as she walks back over to where I’m standing. "So you’re Christine," she says, turning to me with a smile.
"Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you too," I reply, smiling back at her.
My mom and dad get into their car and Veronica closes the trunk before coming over to stand beside me again.
The two of them say their goodbyes and my mom rolls down her window so they can talk for a minute before they take off.
Veronica waves goodbye enthusiastically as they drive away, one hand still resting on my shoulder.
I watch them go, then turn back to look at her.
She smiles at me again, but this time it’s not quite as friendly looking as it was before.
"Come on, let’s go inside," she says, leading the way into the house.
I follow her in, watching as she walks into the living room and drops down onto our leather couch like she owns it.
She pats the spot next to her, but I choose the armchair instead.
I don’t want to be too close to her.
She pulls out her phone and scrolls through it for a minute, looking at what appears to be some sort of calendar.
"Let’s see," she muses, "your parents left me a schedule. But I think we can make this more... interesting."
The way she says it makes me shift uncomfortably in my seat.
She rattles off a list of chores and curfew times, each one followed by a little suggestion about how we can bend the rules.
"And of course you’ll have pool privileges. I’ll let you watch me swim."
I nod slowly, realizing that this summer might be more unpredictable than I had imagined.
