"You know I don’t approve of your sex lessons from Patty, but I’m allowing it. And you now say you’re dating Kristen. But Patty is still here."
"Yeah," I said. I had hoped that my conversation with my mother would have soothed this out, but I guess my behavior was getting out of hand and I was probably getting blatant in my actions in front of everybody.
"So, explain," my mother demanded. "Tell me why girls in twelfth grade are suddenly finding you attractive. Why does your step-father not seem to give a damn what you do with the girls, even in front of Merry? And what’s this about Kristen being an addict?"
I had expected most of this, but the last question threw me for a loop. "An addict?"
"Jim, I was walking by your room yesterday morning, and Kristen mentioned something about being addicted to something. I didn’t hear everything, but still… a lovely girl like her. If she’s an addict, she should see a doctor."
"Mom, Kristen was saying that she was behaving LIKE an addict. She thinks she’s addicted to ME!"
My mother wasn’t buying it. "Are you dealing drugs, Jim? Is that why girls are hanging around you all of a sudden, offering their bodies to you?"
Was my mother serious? "What?" I asked.
"I’m worried about you, but if you’re breaking the law, and doing it in our home, I’ll have no choice but to turn you in."
"I don’t believe this!"
"Then explain things to me. You told me a few days ago that you’re maturing, and I let you have your space. But things seem to be getting out of hand."
"Mom, I swear I’m not doing any drugs. I haven’t even smoked pot. I don’t think the girls are doing drugs, either. If you don’t believe me, check their arms. Look for needle marks. Do you smell pot in my room?"
"That’s not an explanation," my mother observed.
"Mom, Kristen and I are in love. We love one another. We’re even dating. It took me a few days to realize how I felt, but I can tell her now, and I can even tell you. I would never do anything to hurt her, or you!"
"Let’s say I accept that. You still haven’t told me about Patty."
I tried to explain. "Nothing’s changed about Patty. She’s still a friend… a very close friend. And she and Kristen are best friends. Kristen feels like she’s addicted to me, and Patty is being with me, just as a friend. Nothing more!"
"Then there’s the matter about your step-father."
I knew what the "problem" was there. "Does he have a problem with Patty or Kristen?"
"Jim, he doesn’t even care!" my mother protested. "That’s not the husband I married. He dotes on little Merry, but he doesn’t even think that your bringing up girls every morning and most nights might be a bad influence on her."
"Did you talk with him about it?"
"I did. And, Jim, he DID care. Up until he had that short talk with you. Now he no longer gives a damn!"
I had no idea what to say to that. I eyed the bag that held my precious tickets, but I really didn’t want to have to use them on my mother. Was there a way I could resolve this? I finally decided, "Mom, I’d suggest that you talk with Kristen and Patty. I’m sure they can convince you that nothing terrible is happening."
My mother looked at me, her eyes still burning with suspicion. Finally, she said, "Jim, I’m just worried. If you tell me you’re not dealing drugs, then fine. I do like Kristen, and I think the two of you together are great. I see the way you two look at each other. But seeing Patty here last night, and then this morning…"
"Mom, I told you that Kristen thought she was addicted to me. She wants me to be with Patty for a bit as she works out her feelings. Kristen is not jealous of Patty, and the two of them are best friends. That’s all."
My mother sighed. "I guess I’ll have to trust you for now."
I felt a bit of relief. "I’ll try not to do anything to betray that trust. Promise."
My mother shook her head and wagged her finger at me. "But remember, Jim: if I find any indication that you are doing something illegal, I won’t hesitate to call the police."
After my mother left, I felt my body shiver. I had no idea the amount of adrenaline that had been pumping through my body. I also made a vow to keep my tickets on me or someplace safe from my mother’s prying eyes.
I went downstairs and Patty was sitting with Merry in the living room. She looked at me, giving me a questioning look.
I asked Patty, "Ready to go to Wendy’s?"
"Yeah," Patty said, a bit worried.
Merry piped up, "Can I go, too?"
My mother overheard her step-daughter and said, from the kitchen, "You have laundry to do today, Meredith."
"Aww, mom!" Merry complained.
"Hey, Shortcake," I said, forcing a smile at my step-sister. "Next time I’m invited to Kristen’s, I’ll make sure she invites you. OK?"
"OK. Her place is cool. Will she drive me in the Camaro again?"
This time, my smile wasn’t as forced. "Only if you ride in the back next time!"
Merry smiled in return. "Sure, big brother."
I told Patty about my conversation with my mother in my room. She giggled at her jumping to the conclusion that I was dealing drugs, but turned serious when I pointed out that my Mom could easily call the police on us. Even though we were innocent, it would be embarrassing to say the least, not to mention that our relationship would be quite difficult to explain to anybody.
"I think you need to have Kristen have a talk with her," Patty observed. "I would have done so, but I didn’t realize how upset she was. That was a smart thing, saying that Kristen was addicted to you. I mean, she is, but we don’t need your mom knowing the gory details."
"Yeah," I agreed.
Patty continued to drive, and I asked, "So, what did you and Kristen do yesterday?"
Patty frowned and said, "I told you, Kristen doesn’t want me to tell. She’s not hiding anything terrible from you, trust me."
"If she’s not hiding anything, then why all the secrecy?"
"Wait and see," Patty said, keeping her eyes on the road. "Trust her. Trust us."
I dropped the subject, silently a bit angry at the girls' reticence about telling me what was going on between them.
Patty broke the awkward silence. "By the way, I have a request, James."
James was Patty’s "master" keyword for me. "Yes, Patricia?" I asked, playing the part.
"Patricia hasn’t been given any orders lately. I want you to think of something for me to do at school tomorrow."
I had almost forgotten this part of Patty, the one that likes playing at being a slave. "OK. I’ll think of something."
"I’ll drive you to school tomorrow. Tell me then. And make it wicked!"
When we got to Wendy’s house, I saw that Kristen’s car was in the driveway. My heart jumped, as I thought about being able to see the love of my life again after a day of being apart.
If what I thought had happened privately between Patty and Kristen had indeed happened, I realized that neither one would probably want to talk about it with Wendy and Camille present, so I let the matter fester in my mind for a bit.
As we arrived, Wendy seemed excited. "We’re going shopping today!"
This was exciting? The girls always went to the mall. What was so special about that?
Patty seemed happy. "Yeah. Kristen told me yesterday. I think it’s so cool!"
"What’s so cool about the mall?" I asked.
The girls gave me a look that meant that a mere boy couldn’t possibly understand. "Kristen’s father is giving us a hundred dollar gift certificate for any of the stores in the mall."
I did a mental calculation. One hundred dollars, divided by the three girls. Thirty three and change. Twenty five if I was included, but I didn’t seem to be. And I almost forgot Patrice — and Merry!. Twenty? "What? Twenty bucks?"