Share
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."
Create my version of this story
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 watched as my parents said their goodbyes before getting into the taxi that would take them to the airport.
My heart felt a little heavier when...
"Nicolette, don’t forget to give Christine her medication," my dad, Mateo Windsor, reminded.
Veronica nodded.
"Don’t worry. I got this."
My dad frowned but seemed to trust her completely.
He looked at me one last time and waved.
My mom waved at me with her bright red lipstick before the both of them disappeared into the cab.
The taillights vanished into the darkness, and I felt a pang of sadness.
I knew my parents had to go on their vacation, but I couldn’t help feeling a little sad about it.
I looked up at Veronica, who was waving the remaining smoke from her cigarette in front of her.
Her striking blue hair was packed away in a bun on top of her head.
She wasn’t old, but grey lines were visible on her forehead and around her eyes.
Mom said they were friends, and she was also the best teacher in school.
Veronica would be housesitting while they were away, and it made sense since she lived close to us.
She had been my mom’s best friend since college, and I knew they had some secrets between them.
Veronica was also the one who would be house-sitting while my parents were away.
Apparently, they didn’t trust me enough to be alone in the house.
I followed Veronica into the house and into the kitchen, where she began rummaging through the cabinets, pulling out wine glasses and a bottle of red wine.
She poured herself a glass, then leaned against the counter as she drank it, her eyes fixed on me.
I watched her, mesmerized by her beauty.
She was so much prettier than my mom.
When she finished her glass of wine, she set it down on the counter and began to unpack her suitcase.
"So you’re here to babysit me?"
I asked.
Veronica let out a laugh that echoed off the kitchen tiles.
"Babysit? Oh honey, you’re not a child anymore."
She took another long sip of her wine, then traced the rim of her glass with her finger.
"Think of me more as... company."
Her eyes drifted to the medication bottles lined up on the counter and she slid them into her purse.
"Veronica, why are you taking those?" I asked, my voice tinged with suspicion.
She smirked, a glint of mischief in her eyes.
"Let's just say your mom and I have a little arrangement, one that's been in place long before you were born."
I sat at the kitchen counter, doing my homework while Veronica lounged on the sofa, sipping her third glass of wine.
She scrolled through her phone every now and then, occasionally glancing up at me with that knowing smile.
"Veronica, I need to take my evening medication," I said, standing from the counter and walking over to her.
She reached into her purse and pulled out the bottle, holding it in her hand.
But instead of handing it to me, she patted the empty space beside her on the sofa.
"Let's talk about your mom's instructions first."
Her voice was a little slurred from all the wine she had been drinking.
I sat down next to her and looked at her expectantly.
She pulled out her phone and opened a text message conversation between her and my mom.
The messages went back years, but I read them all, my stomach tightening as I got to the most recent ones. "Hey Nicolette, I'm going to be away for a while. Can you take care of Christine?"
My mom had written.
"Of course. You know I'll take good care of her," Veronica replied.
"I mean... really take care of her," my mom wrote back.
"You know what I mean. She's old enough now."
Veronica chuckled at that message, then showed me another one where she asked if she should be gentle or not.
"I'll take good care of her. Don't worry," my mom replied back.
I felt a chill run down my spine as I read those messages over and over again.
My mom had arranged for Veronica to "take care" of me while she was away?
What did that even mean?
I looked up at Veronica, who was watching me with that same knowing smile on her face.
"What does this mean?"