“This was all your work, your idea?”
“Yes.”
“This is risky. Why do you think it will work?”
“Because, they know I’m running this. All they see is a young kid and it’s making them cocky. I, on the other hand have gone over every takeover they have done or tried. I can pretty safely guess what they will do next.”
Mother scoffed.
“Oh like this thing I got the other day?”
“Mother, that was a set up. I didn’t know what they would send and I needed to flush them out early. Yeah it was a shock but, as you see we’re ready.”
Mom just looked at me hard for a few seconds. A glimmer of admiration crossed her face. Her green eyes had a peculiar light.
“You really do know what you’re doing, don’t you?”
I ignored her remark. But that was a breakthrough.
“You look beat.”
She sighed and got up.
“Yes, But I should be alright to drive.”
Now was another chance to turn the tables.
“You’re not driving.”
She looked right at me and raised an eye.
“Excuse me?”
“You’re exhausted. I am not risking my client’s health and possibly life. You will stay here tonight.”
I have a really big fucking house, so it’s not like it was a hardship.
“But I brought nothing.”
“Mother, I’ll give you something to wear tonight and wash your clothes for the morning. It’s Saturday so it won’t matter that they are today’s outfit, you’re only going home.”
She seemed to be thinking.
“Mom, it’s not an offer, it’s an order. You know damn well you’re too tired to drive an hour. Just stay.”
My softened tone and change of address did it.
“Yes, I suppose you’re right.”
I showed her to one of the guest rooms. I had laid out towels, a washcloth and a double X tee shirt for her to wear and no robe. Initially she took no notice. As I left I told her;
“I’ll be down in the laundry off the butler’s pantry, bring your clothes down and I’ll wash them.”
A few minutes later she appeared at the door of the laundry in my long grey Nittany Lions T shirt looking a little uncomfortable and carrying a small bundle.
“Don’t you have any pajamas?”
I had my head in the washer.
“Nope.”
“Well, what do you wear to bed?”
“Nothing.”
There was a pause.
“Do you at least have a robe I could use?”
“Don’t own one.”
I said as I turned and took the small bundle from her arms. Actually I own five robes, cotton to silk, but I didn’t want to cover this gem up. I looked her over as I took her clothes. Her eyes were a nice contrast to the grey fabric. I imagined, no, remembered what was under just that tee. She didn’t leave, that was interesting. I slowly put each item of her clothing in the wash, pausing, just a little, to hold her bra, it was still warm. I saw the label, 38 C. Something was missing.
“Mother, where are your panties?”
My regal mother actually blushed.
“I have them on.”
I sighed. Time to change my tone, just a little.
“Mom, you need to have them washed, what would grandma say?”
Her mother was a fanatic about hygiene.
“But, I won’t…”
I just stood and looked. Trying to channel her mother. Mom went to leave.
“Where are you going, mom?”
“To take them off, you’re right.”
“Stop, don’t be silly. You’re going to walk all the way back up there for that? Just slip them off right here.”