The Neighbor Next Door

The shock and disgust are too much. My own mom and I were lusting after the same guy. I need to get out of here.

“That’s enough,” I say in short voice before shooting daggers at Vivian. “Stop it. I heard you that night as well, but I thought it was you and Chris.”

But Vivian’s not even ashamed, and only grows more furious.

“How dare you speak to me like that? What do you know, you ungrateful child?” she screams. But I stay calm, continuing as if she never interrupted me.

“I’m tired of being around such a toxic environment. I’m tired of seeing you throw yourself at men in desperation. Your need for male affirmation is unreal, and you need to see a therapist.”

Vivian’s so angry now that her face is bright red. But she can’t manage any words, her mouth merely opening and closing like a dying fish.

So I go for the final blow then.

“And by the way, I’m moving out. Trent and I will be living together, although it’s none of your business.”

That’s it. Vivian’s voice comes back then and she screams at the top of her lungs.

“He’ll leave you! He’s lying about loving you – how could anyone love a fat, useless lump like you?” she hurls. Even though my mom’s said things like this to me before, it still hurts. Only now, I have Trent to prove her wrong. I gather up all my courage and look my mother in the eye.

“Goodbye Vivian,” is my steady voice. And as I walk down the driveway without any belongings, there’s only a sense of freedom. Because I’m leaving behind the old, and walking towards my future with the man I love at my side.

“Are you okay?” asks Trent as we drive to a nearby hotel to spend the night. After all, we want to move in together, but not next door to my mom. That’d be like living next to a toxic dump. A fresh start is needed.

“Yes,” I say, swallowing hard. Despite my hurt at breaking ties with Vivian, she’s still my mom. But I have to move forwards with life. “I did the right thing,” are my slow words. “I’ve always dreamed of leaving and finally cutting her negativity out of my day to day interactions. And you’ve given me the chance to do it,” I add on a deep, indrawn breath.

Trent suddenly pulls the car over to the side of the road and parks on the shoulder, ignoring the vehicles that roar past. He turns to me and I see that something in his eyes that I saw even on our first afternoon together. Once upon a time, I couldn’t put my finger on it because I was an inexperienced virgin who didn’t know the ways of men. But now I know without a doubt what’s reflected in those azure depths: love. Because the man’s in love with me, and I love him in return as well.

Trent takes my hand and kisses it, closing his eyes in reverence.

“For as long as I live, Janie, I will never let anything or anyone hurt you. It’s you and me against the world, okay kiddo?” he says, sealing my overwhelming sense of contentment. And no further words need to be said because the world is our oyster. We stare into each other’s eyes for a moment longer, with a sense of each other’s souls before driving off into a wondrous world that unfolds with colors, shapes, and sounds that never existed before.

Because who knew this could happen? Trent was a hardened ex-con, wary about falling in love and carefully guarding his heart. I was a sweet teen living next door, inexperienced but willing to risk it all. And despite the challenges we faced, somehow it all worked out. Because maybe ChatWorld and sexting opened the doors to a relationship, but our feelings for one another are all too real. And with this man by my side … I can’t wait to enter the next chapter of my life.

Epilogue

Janie

I’m only three months pregnant but already my tits are so huge that it’s obscene. Trent absolutely loves it, and can’t get enough of them night or day. I, on the other hand, can’t get enough of the attention, lapping up the man’s warmth and hot alpha male heat.

But there’s work to be done. I feel the weight of my heavy tits shift as I bent down to pick at some stray weeds. With one hand lovingly cradling my tiny baby bump, I walk through the garden of our little cottage.

Recently, we decided to get a change of scenery. Trent and I moved to a town about two hours away from Littleton, and I’m enrolled at the local community college. After the upheaval last year, I decided not to sit for finals, instead opting to aim for my GED. It’s no big deal. I’ve got it covered, and many of the subjects are pretty straightforward. Plus, the high school equivalency exam isn’t going to be the true test of my accomplishments. Instead, I’m aiming to set up my own baking business after the baby’s born, complete with a selection of pies, cakes, and cupcakes for customers with a sweet tooth.