MidReal Story

Tempted by My Mom’s Friend

Alexis Barahona

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

"Veronica will take good care of you," my mom says, adjusting my scarf.

"She'll be here until we get back."

My dad adds, "Veronica is like a sister to your mom. You can trust her."

I nod and smile at my parents.

I don't have any problem with Veronica.

She's cool and fun.

I just wish my parents didn't have to leave me behind.

I'm not a kid anymore who can't travel with them.

I'm almost twenty-one, and I feel bad that I'm not going to the Maldives with them on their anniversary trip.

My dad ruffles my hair.

"We're going to miss you, Christine. But we'll be back before you know it," he says, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

My mom gives me a last squeeze before she grabs her luggage.

"I left all the details with Veronica. She knows what to do and where everything is," she says, winking at me.

"I've also left some money for you in case you need anything."

I nod and wave goodbye to my parents as they leave with their friend, Mateo, my dad's housemate.

He's going on vacation with them.

I watch her unpack her suitcase in the guest room.

She lays out a bunch of clothes on the bed, most of them revealing and tight.

She also pulls out a few swimsuits.

She hums to herself as she puts away her clothes in the dresser, bending slowly to put things in the bottom drawer.

"Hey, Veronica?"

I ask, walking into the room.

"What do you want to do tonight?"

She turns to face me, twirling a string bikini between her fingers.

"I was thinking we could order some takeout and watch a movie in the living room," she says, her eyes drifting toward the window where you can see the pool in the backyard.

"But I'm not really in the mood for a movie," she adds, closing the dresser drawer.

"How about we just hang out and talk?"

"Sure. That sounds good."

I sit on the living room couch awkwardly while she sprawls beside me.

She wears a tank top and yoga pants, and her shirt rides up as she scrolls through food delivery apps on her phone.

The silence between us is heavy and uncomfortable.

I can feel her eyes on me as I stare at the floor.

I'm not sure what to say to her.

She's my parents' friend, but we've never really talked before.

I'm not sure what she's doing here or what she wants from me.

"Hey, Christine," she says, setting her phone down on the coffee table.

"You seem tense. Want to do something fun?"

I shrug noncommittally.

"I don't know."

She leans in close, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Your parents' room must have some interesting secrets. We could play dress-up with your mom's clothes."

Her eyes sparkle with mischief as she stands up and holds out her hand to me.

"Veronica, I don't think that's a good idea," I reply, hesitating as I glance toward the hallway.

"Oh, come on, Christine," she insists, her smile widening. "It's just a bit of harmless fun; your mom won't even notice."

I bite my lip, feeling torn between curiosity and loyalty.