Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23758 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 119(@200wpm)___ 95(@250wpm)___ 79(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23758 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 119(@200wpm)___ 95(@250wpm)___ 79(@300wpm)
“Did I ask you to stop dating Mr. Carlton?” she manages in a creaky, raspy tone.
I look up.
“No, but I just thought that’s what you wanted me to do. You had a heart attack Mom! The news was so shocking that you literally keeled over on my living room floor. I had to call 9-1-1.”
She nods and coughs again, her voice still raspy.
“But sweetheart, do you love him? Do you love this Xavier Carlton?”
I sniffle a little, trying to think.
“I think I do. I mean, I know that I feel like I’m soaring through the air sometimes when I’m with him. I know that he makes me happy, and that –”
My mom waves one frail hand in the air then.
“That’s all I need to hear, Katie. If he makes you happy and you think you love him, then I don’t want to get in your way. You should be with your man, sweetheart, and if you like a little roleplay now and then, then so what? Who am I to say what makes someone tick? As long as it doesn’t hurt anyone, and only builds your love, then why not?”
I stare at Dinah’s waxen complexion.
“What? Are you serious? Are you feeling alright, Mom?”
My mother merely manages a raspy chuckle. That turns into a cough, which brings tears to her eyes and with alarm, I hand her the water again. She takes a grateful sip before speaking.
“I’m feeling okay, sweetheart. Well, my poor heart is obviously not doing well, but otherwise, I’m okay. I’m perfectly sound of mind, and I know what I’m saying. I want you to be happy, Katie. I want you to meet the man of your dreams, and if Xavier Carlton could be the one, then why not? And if you both like a little roleplay, then why not? It’s not for your old mother to decide.”
I stare and then break down and begin to half-laugh and half-cry at the same time.
“I had no idea you’d be okay with this,” I say in tears. “This is so amazing.”
Dinah merely manages a small smile of her own.
“You’ve always hated the fact that I’m loopy and absent-minded, Katie, but maybe it’s my loopiness that also makes me open to new experiences and new ideas. Maybe it’s my loopiness that helps me be accepting of others, and different lifestyles. So why not roleplay a bit? Life is hard enough as it is, so why not indulge in something fun and lighthearted? It’s as if you’re living in another universe with a handsome man.”
I laugh a bit through my tears.
“It does feel like that sometimes. Xavier and I have our own little world, and it’s like we live in it together, just him and me. It’s a closed circuit, but we both enjoy it so much, and Mom, I can’t wait for you to meet him. You’ll love him just as much as I do,” I promise.
Suddenly, heavy footsteps sound in the hallway, and the door bursts open. It’s the man of the hour himself, Xavier Carlton, looking insanely handsome with his glowering dark looks and a black suit that emphasizes his tall, athletic physique.
My mom looks at me with surprise.
“Is this –?”
“It is,” I say in a soft voice. “I was on my way to his place when you came to my apartment. I’d forgotten that I gave you an extra key,” I say in a wry voice. “But after we came to the hospital, Xavier called out of concern and when I told him what happened, he said that he was going to come himself. So Mom, meet Xavier. Xavier, this is my mother, Dinah McCall.”
My handsome lover steps forward a bit tentatively.
“Ms. McCall, it’s a pleasure,” he says in a low voice. “Katie told me that you suffered a heart attack, and …?”
I take a deep breath and look between my mom and this man who means the world to me.
“She says it’s okay, Xavier. Dinah knows everything, and she doesn’t mind that we engage in age play.”
Xavier looks absolutely shocked even as a dark flush spreads over his cheekbones.
“Really?” he asks in deep growl. “This is okay with you, Ms. McCall? This relationship between me and your daughter? You see, I love Katie, and I would never hurt her. I know the lifestyle appears odd to people who aren’t a part of our community, but I swear, I will take care of her no matter what. Katie means that much to me, and I’m so grateful to you for your understanding.”
My mom smiles and waves her hand a bit tremulously in the air.
“It’s fine, Mr. Carlton. You see, I’ve decided that my daughter’s happiness matters to me more than anything in the world, and if you make her happy, then so be it. You have my full support. But hurt her one whit, and know that I’ll be at your door with a shotgun.”