Helping Mom's Best Friend

[slowmagic]

This is a closed thread for Maid of Marvels and myself

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I drive slowly, reviewing the events of the last few days and wondering how my luck could continue to be so shitty. I must have done something incredibly horrible to deserve this. The summer of my senior year should be filled with days at the beach – hanging out with my friends – erasing the memories of my long dull high school years. It’s what I worked for – counting down the days since Christmas – endlessly planning with my buddies – scheming ways to get mom’s car. Oh I got the car alright – but the price was steep.

“Mr. Griffin was involved in a terrible car accident,” my mom had stated two days earlier. “Marilyn is going to need a lot of help around the house.”

I waited patiently, wondering what any of this had to do with me. After all, the Griffins’ had two healthy sons to pick up the slack for their father.

“The timing couldn’t be worse,” she continued. “Christopher accepted a job in Europe and Trey left for basic training last week.”

Now I understood exactly why she was explaining all of this to me. It hit me quickly – the dull ache in my stomach growing as I began to comprehend her motives.

“I know she’d really appreciate your help Sean – you know she’s too proud to ask.”

My mom was almost pleading – using her motherly talent to somehow guilt me into agreement. I had never been able to say no to her and hearing the desperate tone in her voice made it impossible again this time. She was coming to the one person who could help her best friend – knowing I’d cave in without much of a fight. After all – we’d always been there for each other.

So this morning – instead of heading for the beach with Tom, Mike and Phil – I dressed for work and headed to the Griffins’ house.


Turning down Lincoln Parkway, I recognize the house immediately – the big white house with black shutters was the site of mom’s surprise 40th birthday party; as well as many other occasions over the years. I’d been here many times throughout my youth – always dreading the teasing I’d take from Chris and Trey Griffin – both several years older and all too willing to remind me of it.

I park in the long driveway and walk up to the side door, the smell of home baked cookies filling my nostrils as I reach out to ring the doorbell. I wait only a second—

“Is that you Sean?” I hear Mrs. Griffin yell.

“Yes, ma’am” I reply.

“Come on in!” her voice bellows again.

Entering the back hallway, I climb the three steps and walk slowly into the big sunlit kitchen. Mrs. Griffin is taking a tray of cookies from the oven as I step inside, my eyes moving from the shiny silver tray to the nicely shaped tanned legs of my mother’s best friend. It had become second nature for me to check out every woman I happen upon since oh --- my thirteenth birthday. Mrs. Griffin certainly isn’t unique in that way – although the guilt I feel definitely is.

She turns—her eyes peering at me through her glasses—a broad smile covering her face.

“Chocolate chip!” she says cheerily. “Your favorite --right?”

I nod politely hoping she hasn’t noticed my gaze – held too long on her nicely shaped ass.

“You are such a darling – giving up this beautiful day to help me out,” she says placing the cookies onto the counter and turning back to the oven.

I take several steps forward, moving around the kitchen table -- giving me a better view as she bends over to move another tray to a higher shelf. My eyes follow her legs up from her small bare feet to her nice ass – this time not letting guilt get the better of me.

“Not bad,” I think to myself, really looking at Mrs. Griffin for the first time. “ Maybe this summer won’t be a complete waste after all.”

 

[Maid of Marvels]

"I guess your mom told you about Palmer," I said quietly, setting the timer for the last batch of cookies. "With the boys away... Well, I really do appreciate you helping me out, Sean. Milk?"

Truth was, we'd been getting the house ready to sell since the boys left. It was way too big for just Palmer and myself and our own sons had been all wrapped up in their own plans to have been much help before. Nancy's offer to send Sean around was truly a godsend. Especially now.

I smiled at him gratefully when he nodded assent to the milk but helped himself without waiting to be served. "I'll be spending a lot of time at the hospital. Between that, my job and the house... " I poured myself a cup of coffee and set a plate of cookies on the table, shrugging as I sat opposite Sean trying to stanch the flow of tears threatening to overflow.

"So... " My eyes turned toward the note, receipt and menu laden bulletin board by the back door. "I have a list of 'to-do's' up there, but I promise I don't expect you to do it all by yourself. I'll help when and where I can. Okay? It's more tedious work than anything. The lawn, the pool... We had wanted to do some painting."

Shrugging again, I felt a little embarrassed now as I considered that he'd much rather be spending time with his friends than being stuck doing things for his mom's best friend. "Tell you what," I suggested brightly. "When everything is done, how would you like to do something special? You name it and it's yours. A barbecue and pool party? You could invite your girl and some friends... "

"I... "

Sean started to object, but I had to offer him something to make up for this and so I continued, waving aside any possible demurral. "If you don't like that idea, why don't you give it some thought?"

Before he could answer, the timer went off and I stood, walking over to the oven to take them out. "Really, Sean. I mean it. Whatever you like. Promise."

 

[slowmagic]

My ears perk up at her offer.

Anything?

Surely she hasn’t considered all the possibilities that a horny eighteen year old male could imagine.

Having known Mrs. Griffin for the better part of my life, I knew that she probably still thought of me as the snot-nosed little brat that used to take regular beatings at the hands of her two sons. Certainly a nice day at the beach or a trip to the local amusement park would be payment enough for a summer’s worth of work.

I smile and shake my head as she turns to retrieve the second batch of cookies from the oven. I’m now standing closer—almost directly behind her. My eyes again move up her legs to her ass—still in very good shape for a woman her age. I feel the urge to move forward – wanting to grasp her hips and press myself against her.

Come on Mrs. Griffin – surely you realize that you have so much more to offer me.
Haven’t you ever seen “The Graduate” or “The Summer of ‘42’”?

Palmer won’t be in any shape to satisfy your needs for a very long time. From what my mom told me he may never walk again after plowing his “mid-life crisis” Corvette into an oak tree at 80mph.

I can’t say I ever liked the guy anyway. His overbearing macho personality never impressed me much and I’d seen him disrespect Mrs. Griffin enough to reinforce my initial dislike. So I guess my newfound interest in his wife wouldn’t be deterred by respect for him.

“Don’t worry about a thing,” I say—my eyes still locked onto her ass—possibilities flashing powerfully through my mind. “I think payment will take care of itself.”

She rises, turning to place the tray onto the table.

Did she notice my eyes riveted to her ass?

No--- I think I looked away quickly enough.

But why the odd smile on her face?

What’s wrong with me? This is mom’s best friend!

I’ve never thought of her this way before. Why now?

Maybe it’s just that all the obstacles are finally out of the way. The loud, intimidating husband is lying in the hospital fighting for his life---his two asshole sons far away, leaving Mrs. Griffin vulnerable to my creative, dirty imagination.

Or maybe I’m picking up on some subliminal signals from mom’s friend. Could there be something below the surface that I’d never sensed before?

I smile back and walk over to the “To-do” list.

“Where do we start?” I ask eagerly, reading the words scribbled on the small sheet of paper.

Mrs. Griffin walks over—standing close—the scent of her perfume filling my nostrils. I feel my penis beginning to rise and desperately need her to assign a task before I act on one of the indecent thoughts bouncing around inside my skull.

 

[Maid of Marvels]

I stopped to think for a minute. The list was onerous at best and I really didn't want to scare my only chance for help away. "Well... How about the lawn and then maybe the pool? You can always swim afterwards to cool off."

Pointing to another note on the cork board, I commented on its contents. "The pool stuff. It's all in the garden shed and clearly labelled. Really, it's not difficult. Just... tedious? Actually, most of what I need done is more tedious than hard. But I promise... " Placing my hand on Sean's arm, I quickly added "I'll help anywhere and as often as I can, okay?"

"Mind if I take this out with me?" He asked, gesturing toward the list of things to do with the pool.

"No problem. If it's easier you can just leave it out in the shed for the next time. I was just trying to be as helpful as possible." I could feel a flush of chagrin spreading over my face as I spoke. Truth, I was asking a lot from this kid, best friend's son or not.

Moving over to the sink to hide my embarrassment, I put the now cooled cookies into a container and started to wash the dishes. "I'm going to go up and shower and then go sit with Palmer for a while. You'll get tired enough of me hanging around soon enough," I said chuckling. "I'm off work until next Tuesday. Long weekend."

Saying that made me feel even worse than I had before. It was the Fourth of July and I was positive Sean had better things in mind to do than waiting on and babysitting an old lady. "I know you must have plans for the Fourth," I offered quickly, drying my hands. "Please don't think you have to come here instead."

 

[slowmagic]

I feel my ears begin to burn as Mrs. Griffin moves closer, studying the list. I swallow hard, trying to keep my sexual excitement to myself as I feel her hand on my arm. Surely this isn’t the first time she’s touched me, I think to myself. Why am I reacting this way?

She moves across the kitchen and begins washing the dishes. As she works she mentions the holiday weekend – indicating that she doesn’t expect me to break any plans on her behalf. I stop and turn, taking another opportunity to study the older women’s form as she stands at the sink.

“Actually,” I say quietly—hoping to not sound too eager. “Since I’m not seeing Katie anymore, I have no plans. Maybe we can get a good start on this list.”

Her trepidation is an aphrodisiac to me. I can feel how awkward she feels about needing my help and read her desire to make things as comfortable for me as possible. This is an amazing turn-on – knowing I have the upper hand – wanting somehow to use it to gain something unthinkable. To know Mrs. Griffin in a way I’d never imagined before.

She turns slowly – smiling.

“Thanks Sean,” she says quietly. “You’re an angel.”

I lower my eyes, giving her my best “timid kid” look.

“It’s really nothing,” I reply. “My pleasure.”

I exit through the back door, moving to the shed and opening the doors. The smell of stale grass, chlorine and gasoline fills my nostrils as I take a moment to survey the small wooden room. Spotting the large green push-mower, I grab the handle and pull it out into the daylight.

“Sean,” I hear Mrs. Griffin call from the back door. “I’m going to get ready to go to the hospital—make sure you have some cookies and help yourself to a soft drink.”

I turn and smile – waving at the small older woman as my eyes now lock onto her breasts. She’s squinting – the sun shining directly into her eyes – blinding her as I strip her in my mind. What would it be like to be with such a sexy older woman? Man would I love to find out!

“Thanks, “ I shout back. “I’ll do that.”

I watch as she turns and closes the screen door behind her – disappearing into the darkness of the house. I turn back to the lawn mower and try to focus on the task at hand – knowing full well that in a few moments she will be upstairs -- showering.

After checking the gasoline level, I start the mower and begin cutting the fairly long grass in the large backyard.

 

[Maid of Marvels]

Marilyn heard the distant drone of the mower and smiled as she stepped into the shower, wondering if Nancy realized what a wonderful kid she'd raised. No, Sean really wasn't a kid, was he? He was a man, or at least bordering on becoming one.

He was tall and lanky like his own dad; almost a head taller than she was, Marilyn considered as she washed. The fact that she wasn't taking him away from a current girlfriend only slightly assuaged the guilt she was feeling about using him for slave labor when he should be out having fun with his friends. If she'd done a better job with her own sons... Marilyn sighed. Well, that was sort of like locking the barn door after the horses had gotten out, wasn't it?

Vowing to make it up to him somehow, she dressed quickly after choosing a plain linen dress and a pair of short pumps. The temperatures were supposed to climb into the nineties again today and she was grateful at least that Sean would be able to cool off in the pool as well as come inside for some air-conditioned comfort.

She watched him from the doorway for a moment, before calling out. Sean was still mowing but the look on his face didn't seem to indicate that he minded much. In fact, he seemed to be smiling. "You sure did do a good job, Nan," Marilyn murmured aloud to herself before calling out. "I'm off, Sean! See you in a few hours if you're still around. Don't forget to eat. There's stuff in the fridge."

"Thanks!" Sean called out in response, waving back. He'd be all right. In fact, Marilyn was sure of it.

Twenty minutes later found her in the ICU at St. Elizabeth's holding her husband's flaccid hand while telling him about her morning. The slap hiss of the respirator and the various beepings of different machines accompanied her voice as she prattled on, hoping that he would hear her voice and wake up.

Frankly, the doctors were hedging their bets, the full extent of Palmer's injuries just weren't known yet. Not to mention the fact that there had been a woman with him that was yet to be identified. She hadn't been able to help the police when they asked, simply assuming it was his secretary or someone else from the office that he'd been giving a lift home. They'd said they'd get back to her, but until they did, Marilyn didn't want to make any assumptions. She couldn't bear to.

"Mrs. Griffin?" A hand on her arm startled her from her reveries.

"Sorry... I must have been dreaming."

"That's okay," the chipper young R.N. smiled. "Time's up. In fact, it's been, but we were doing other things so I didn't think it would do any harm. See you again at eight?"

Marilyn nodded, leaning over to kiss Palmer gently, somewhere that the bandages didn't cover. "I'll be back, honey," she whispered. "See you in a little while."

Drained, both physically and emotionally from the short time she'd spent there, Marilyn waved at the nurses she passed as she left St. E's and headed for her car. A couple of errands and a quick stop at the grocery and she could go home for a couple hours.

Oddly, she found herself hoping that Sean would still be there. She needed to see someone young and vibrant and alive after listening to the moans and cries that were natural to the Unit where Palmer was.