But most of all, I hate how she treats herself. I hate that Vivian’s always fretting over some guy or another, and feeling like she needs to stay young and beautiful forever. That’s pretty much a losing proposition, I guarantee you. Life will catch up with you no matter what, and it should be a privilege to age. But unfortunately, the blonde doesn’t see it that way what with her multiple marriages and divorces.
“Mom?” I call as I step through the front door, Trent just a few feet behind me. His presence is solid and comforting. As if on cue, Vivian comes out of the living room, her face a mask of malice.
“Oh my god!” she shrieks. “What are you doing with him still? I’m calling the police!”
“You can do that if you want, Mom, but there’s nothing they can get him for because he hasn’t done anything wrong.”
Vivian starts protesting, but I cut her off. “He didn’t rape me. I wanted him to take my virginity. I want him, and it’s one hundred percent consensual. Plus, I’m an adult in every respect.”
Vivian’s mouth is a thin line of rage and disappointment.
“He’s an ex-con, Janie. How can you want him? Of the billions of guys in the world, you have to pick him? Really? You can’t do better?”
Hurt burns in my heart at her insult, but I make myself stay calm. Trent stands behind my like a supportive wall of cement, ready to back me up.
“Yes, I want him Vivian. And he’s not just him. He’s Trent. Besides, Trent’s paid the price. He got three months for sleeping with a minor who lied about her age, and in some way, he’s the victim here.”
Vivian’s face twists in a mask of rage and disgust.
“I see he’s brainwashed you as well, my dear daughter. You think he’s the victim? What kind of crazy Stockholm syndrome is that? Please, Janie, wise up! He’s got you dick-whipped and wrapped around his little finger. Get a brain!”
The harsh words feel sting and burn, but I make myself take a deep breath and keep calm even though my heart’s beating like a drum.
“No, this isn’t some brain-washing situation, Vivian. Again, I’m an adult and I know what I want. And I want him.”
Vivian changes tactics then.
“He’ll leave you. You can’t trust him. I’ve seen him looking at me,” she hisses maliciously. “He doesn’t want you, Janie, when he can get a piece of ass like myself.”
I inhale, hurt to the quick. But there’s no time to react because Trent speaks then in a deep voice.
“That’s a lie, Vivian, and you know it. Why don’t you tell your daughter the real truth?” I glance from Trent to Vivian, suddenly puzzled. The truth? What’s that?
“What’s he talking about, Mom?” I ask Vivian. But she doesn’t answer, instead folding her thin arms in defiance.
“You can’t trust a word he says,” she announces defiantly. “He’s a creep, Janie,” she says to me. “One hundred percent creep-tastic, and with a criminal record to boot.”
“You’re lying,” growls Trent from behind me. “You’ve been putting the moves on me since I moved in, never taking no for an answer.”
What? My mouth falls open.
“And knowing that I’m in love with your daughter was just too much, wasn’t it? You just couldn’t have it,” he adds.
I’m stock still with surprise at this series of declarations. One, that my mom was putting the moves on Trent. Really really? But it makes some sick sort of sense because Vivian’s desperate for affirmation from any and all men. So yeah, I can see her coming onto Trent real strong.
But the statement that takes my breath away is Trent’s proclamation that he’s in love with me. Love? As in true love? Butterflies rise up in my stomach, despite the tenseness of the moment.
I watch Vivian’s reaction. She freezes, then barks rudely, “That’s a filthy lie, you fucking liar!” But I don’t believe her anymore.
Plus, Trent has some ammunition that he hasn’t used.
“You’ve been watching me from your window, Vivian. Just about every night. I know you’re doing it, you’re not exactly subtle. And the worst part is that I saw you pleasuring yourself while I was in the pool last week,” he says with disgust. “It was gross. I got out of the pool as soon as I realized you were spying on me.”
That throws Vivian into a rage.
“You were the one masturbating in your pool!” she shrieks, but he remains calm. “I was on my own property, with a fence around the yard. What I do on my land is my business. But the minute I saw you peeping at me from your bedroom window, I beat feet inside and I haven’t been in the pool since.”
I turn to gape at my mom with dawning realization. Holy shit! I remember that night because I’d been watching Trent as well. And slowly, the memory comes back. There were moans that night, and I’d automatically assumed it was Vivian having sex with her ex-husband. But actually, she’d been lusting after Trent? Holy fuck.