Chapter 3

I turned to Mom nervously. She gave me a small, reassuring nod, her lips curved in a faint smile. “Go ahead,” she said softly.

I took a shaky breath, my palms sweaty. Looking straight at her, I muttered, “You’re… you’re so beautiful that I’d really like to kiss you right now.”

For a moment, there was silence. Then Mom tilted her head slightly, her cheeks faintly pink. She smiled softly and said, “Okay… I just have to say,  David … you’re really adorable when you’re embarrassed.”

Aunt snorted into her drink, laughing.

Mom took a slow sip of her own before continuing.

 “That would actually work on a lot of women,” she said, smiling knowingly at me.

I blinked at her, confused. “…What do you mean?”

“You didn’t even realize it, but you sounded genuine,” Mom explained. 

“Some women really like that. They like… cute.”

I rubbed the back of my neck awkwardly. “I… I didn’t know what else to say.”

“That’s fine,” Aunt jumped in, waving her hand. “You’re learning. Now, say it again — but this time, say it like you mean it. Look at her. Mean it.”

I hesitated, my heartbeat thundering in my ears. Then, finally, I met Mom’s gaze and said more clearly, “I would really… really like to kiss you.”

This time, neither of them laughed. Mom held my gaze for a moment, her lips slightly parted, before she gave the faintest smile and took another sip of her drink.

“Better,” Aunt said softly, nodding in approval.

My face felt like it was on fire.

“Okay,” she says. 

“But don’t be too pushy.”

“I won’t,” I Said. 

Mom finished her drink and glanced at Aunt  Jessica ’s glass. “You want another one?” she asked softly.

Aunt smirked, swirling the last sip around before knocking it back. “Sure. Honestly, this is a bit difficult sober.”

Mom stood, grabbing the bottle from the cabinet, and started pouring. Then she handed me a glass with a little, almost mischievous smile. 

“Here you go,  David . This one’s my special recipe.”

I hesitated, taking the glass from her. “Special recipe, huh?”

“You’ll like it,” she said simply.

I raised it to my lips and took a cautious sip. It had a citrusy taste at first, smooth but strong, and the burn came a second later. My nerves were already getting to me, so I threw back the rest of the drink in one gulp.

Almost instantly, I felt the warmth spreading through my chest.

“Alright,” Aunt  Jessica  said, clapping her hands together, “now… kiss her.”

I blinked at her, certain I’d misheard. “…Wait, you mean… really kiss her?” I asked nervously, glancing at Mom.

“Yes,” they both said in unison, sounding a little impatient.

I swallowed hard, my hand tightening around the glass. “O-Okay then…”

I turned to Mom, who gave me a small, reassuring nod. Slowly, hesitantly, I leaned forward and gave her the quickest peck on the lips imaginable — barely more than a brush. Then I immediately leaned back, my face hot enough to fry an egg.

Mom smiled faintly, adjusting her glasses. “That was nice,” she said softly. “Not very… intense… but… nice.”

I glanced at Aunt  Jessica , hoping for some kind of validation. Instead, she gave me a look like I’d just failed an exam.

“You can do better,” she said bluntly. She gestured toward Mom with her glass. 

“Look at her. Isn’t she hot?”

I blinked at her, then glanced back at Mom. She was watching me with an odd little smile, almost like she was realizing what had just happened. My chest tightened, and I quickly looked away.

“You were great,” Mom said gently. “But would you really kiss a girl like that?”

“Of course not!” I blurted out. “But… you’re my mom!”

They both exchanged a look — maybe it was the drinks, maybe it was the atmosphere, but there was a softness to their expressions now.

Leaning casually against the kitchen counter, Aunt  Jessica  tilted her head. “ David , are we doing this or not?” she asked, sounding slightly amused but also serious.

I sighed, rubbing my forehead. “I… guess so. I mean, I’ve never kissed a girl before, so how would I even know what to do? Isn’t teaching me the whole point of this?”

“That’s okay,” Mom said softly, her voice calming. “You’re doing fine.”

Aunt grinned. “Then why don’t you kiss her again? See if you can make it better this time.”

I hesitated, my heart pounding against my ribs.

 “Again?”

“Go on,” Aunt urged. 

“Just… pretend she’s some attractive woman at a bar. Not your mom. Forget that part.”

I exhaled slowly, trying to steady myself. I looked at Mom, sitting there in her neat skirt and blouse, her legs crossed, her glasses slightly tilted as she peered at me over the rim. If I pretended hard enough… she wasn’t Mom. She was just… some beautiful older woman sitting at a bar.

I liked older women. That thought, at least, helped.

“Okay,” I whispered, more to myself than anyone else.