MidReal Story

Tempted by My Mom’s Friend

Maxeen

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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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."

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 hugged me goodbye before they got into the cab that would take them to the airport.

My mom turned back to look at me, her eyes warming with her smile.

"We'll only be gone for two weeks, Christine. Veronica will take good care of you."

"Mom, you've said that now five times already," I reminded her.

I guess I couldn't blame her for worrying, but I was twenty; hardly a baby in need of constant supervision.

Besides, Veronica wasn't just anyone - she was a good friend of my mom's, and it was she who suggested that my parents be brave and take their long overdue first vacation together since I was born.

"I know, baby. It's just... we've never left you on your own before. I'm worried, I guess."

"My mom, the worrywart," my dad chuckled, rolling his eyes as he pulled Nicolette closer to him.

My mom shot him a look but turned back to me and drew a deep breath, her hands settling on my shoulders.

"You'll be safe with Veronica. Just remember to always be brave and never let fear dictate your actions."

"Okay, Mom."

I gave her another hug and smiled at them both over their continued strange behavior.

Ever since they'd mentioned going on vacation the week before, they'd been acting strange.

I watched until the cab disappeared around the corner, then closed the front door and leaned against it.

The house was quiet, the only sound coming from the ticking of the grandfather clock in the living room.

I pushed off from the door and walked to the kitchen, pulling my phone out of my pocket to check the time.

It was three hours until Veronica would be here.

I pulled open a drawer and grabbed a notepad and pen, sitting at the counter with them.

I wanted to make a list of all the things I wanted to do this week while I was alone.

Swimming topped my list, followed by staying up late watching horror movies.

As I wrote, my fingers traced over the edge of the paper, remembering Mom's odd warning about being brave.

The doorbell rang, and I jumped, my heart racing as I glanced at the clock.

Veronica was early.

"Christine, we need to talk," she said, her voice low and urgent as she stepped inside, closing the door behind her.

I took a step back, my eyes darting to the door she'd just closed.

She had been so cheerful and playful when I'd seen her last week, but now her shoulders were tense, her eyes darting around the room.

"Is everything okay?"

I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

She nodded, pulling an envelope out of her purse.

The paper was crumpled and worn at the edges.

My name was scrawled across it in my mom's handwriting.

"Your mom gave this to me last week," Veronica said, holding it out to me.

"Made me promise to deliver it today, right after they left."

I took the envelope from her shaking hands, the paper feeling heavier than it should have been.

There was something inside...

"Christine, it's a letter from your grandmother," Veronica revealed, her voice trembling slightly.

"But... I thought she passed away years ago," I replied, confusion knitting my brow.

"That's what your parents wanted you to believe," Veronica said softly, her eyes filled with an unspoken apology.