Chapter #15A Mother's Decision by: Nostrum   “Can I come in?”
Despite a week, it’s still shocking to hear a stranger’s voice coming from your mother’s mouth. Doesn’t help that voice comes alongside a body with firm, juicy titties and a pear-shaped ass. (Heel, Quentin, heel!)
You finished dressing on the ensemble you chose previously, and with his mind connected with yours, you let her in. “Yeah. I’m good.”
“I guess I know what everyone feels when they look at me now.” She closes and locks the door – for privacy – while staring at you, mystified. “It’s hard to believe you aren’t this... man.”
“Not like I want to,” you confess. Barely a minute after Quentin’s mind reconnects with you, you regret the decision to do so. Especially after taking a glance at Cassie’s deflated skin and feeling the sensation of how her body jitters when you shove her fingers up her--
“Then let’s make this quick.” She walks in circles, and the shake of her ass distracts you. “What was he supposed to do here?”
“Eh?” You heel Quentin’s thoughts, seeking only answers. “Help Trevor – the guy I, y’know...”
“Yes, yes, I know.” You notice a subtle change in your mother’s attitude – an exasperated tone, and a look of dread in her eyes. “Help him get inside me.”
“Inside Ashley, yeah.”
“How long since he’s been inside Cassandra?” Your mother didn’t know that name until now - that must be Ashley speaking.
“About... a year or so.”
Your mother nods and hums. “I see. Yeah, she wouldn’t suspect. I know she talked to... well, to her sister... about four months ago about her new ‘flame’. Dear Lord, she’s so soppy!”
“So did Quentin, if you wanna know. More like ridiculous, but yours sounds better.”
“She seemed happy about it.”
“I get that vibe, but I can’t say if Cassie was happy about it. It’s...” You notice something about the mental connection granted by the pens. “I dunno. Like a blind spot.”
“Let’s move on. When did that guy – Trevor – started stalking her again?”
“Again?” You’re getting the answer, but you tell Quentin to stuff it. “Whaddya mean?”
“David, remember! Ashley was abused by that man when she was a teenager!”
“Oh, right, right...” You make the question again, and get the same answer. “About four months, maybe five.” You then get another tidbit of information. “Say - does Ashley know about someone called Helen Morris?”
Your mother gasps, eyes wide open. “Yes! She’s my – I mean, she’s Ashley’s neighbor. Someone she’s taking care about.”
“Did Ashley notice something odd about her?”
“I don’t think so. They were very close, almost like a second mother...” She sits on the bed, rubbing her chin. “She was happy for us – for Ashley and for Paul. But they had a misunderstanding.”
“When?”
“Five months ago. One of her neighbors – Edna – found out Paul was married with a... well, with me.”
“Mom, tell her just to answer questions. Don’t try to think like her.”
“Davey, it’s not as easy as you think!” She takes deep breaths before continuing. “Seems Edna told Helen and they had a talk. Something about good women--”
“Not breaking up marriages?”
“Yes. That’s when she faced Paul, and he confessed. Helen – Mrs. Morris – warned her that he’d drop her once she stopped being pretty, like all cheaters do.” She chuckles, trying to hide her grin. “Wise words I could’ve heard before.”
“Mom, don’t get distracted.”
“Right, right... About a month later, Helen stopped nagging her about it. Ashley was confused – she felt Helen didn’t want her to be happy – but found that a reprieve. But I guess her conscience didn’t help, because she asked her why. Helen didn’t remember a thing, though.”
“Trevor went in blind without the other pen, after all.”
“She did ask if he was rich and handsome, for some reason, then mocked her when she spoke about the marriage issue. That’s the only thing she found odd.”
“I suppose Trevor wouldn’t have wanted to live with Dad unless he could use him. He’s – was – only interested in Ashley, after all”
“But that means they knew, right?” Your mother’s question surprises you. “About your father?”
“Maybe. Quentin knows Ashley’s dating someone older, found amusing that the guy’s married, but... kinda zoned out of the conversation. Didn’t find it interesting enough.”
“Did he tell anyone else?”
“I think he told Ashley’s mom...” Your eyes narrow as you feel dread seeping all over your skin – yours, not Quentin’s. “She said she’d consider dealing with it if necessary.”
“Then that means her mother knows.”
“That’s not the thing, Mom.” (God, it’s so hard to call her ‘mom’ when she doesn’t look like one.) “Remember when I told Tina about the escort service? Her mom’s the one dealing with it. And she’s dealing with some nasty-looking guys – I think they’re from the Mafia.”
“Mafia!?” Your mother shrieks. “This is bad. Ashley’s desperate – I can feel her desperation.”
“Does that mean you’re now the daughter of a criminal or something?”
“No!” The next shriek wasn’t from your mother – it was Ashley speaking through her. “Mom - I mean, her mother – wouldn't do that! Ashley and her sister Barbara chose to study their careers because of her example! She supplemented her alimony with door-to-door sales.”
“Maybe she didn’t tell Ashley the whole story.”
“Watch your tongue, kid.” As your mother blurted that out, she slapped her lips, gasping. “Sorry, Davey. Ashley refuses to believe it – she's the oldest, she should know.”
“And what’s that about alimony?”
“From Ashley’s father, apparently – her and her sisters, I should say. Ashley doesn’t seem to remember him – I get no images about him, but he was always at work.” Your mother tilts her head in amusement. “Seems her father was a judge or something.”
“Yeah, that makes it weirder. Why would the wife of a judge be a criminal mastermind?”
“I agree. From what I’m getting, her mother wouldn’t be that kind of a woman.”
“Then why she’s so callous about her daughters?” That catches your mother’s attention. “It’s what I’m getting from Quentin – doesn't care if other people live inside them. I mean, I – he – got Cassie because he was an old friend and client of a guy named Ross. Which, apparently, is the guy that’s inside her other sister.”
“Barbara?” your mother claims. “Then this is more serious than we thought.”
“Yeah, I agree. We need to distract them, get them off our way.”
“David?” The tone with which she responds tells you it’s your mother who’s speaking. “I wish it was that easy, but they know. Think about it – Quentin knows about your father, and so did Trevor. Even if we told them that I split up with your dad and the switch was made, Cassie would have to return. That means someone would have to replace her too.”
“And you agree with that?”
It’s easy to see in her eyes that your mother doesn’t agree. But that’s not what she says. “If it means they’ll be safe at the end... Our only hope is to act first. Figure out what happened with M... with Ashley’s mother. Get that guy you said off Barbara as well. Once that happens, we’ll be safe.”
You’re surprised your mother came up with such a daring plan without hesitation (other than stopping short of treating Ashley’s mother as her own). “Wow, Mom. That was cold.”
“It’s only fair,” she says, and you notice a change in her voice. “I’m not callous, David – maybe to your father, but not to her family. If I plan to stay as her--”
“Mom?” You can’t believe what you’re hearing. “You’re really planning to live as Ashley?”
“Davey, I made my choice. And that choice involves taking care of her family as well.”
Is she serious? That change in attitude astonishes you. “Are you really considering them your family?”
“As much as I consider Ma and Pa my parents, David. And your aunt Louise too.” (That one’s especially poignant, since you know your mother doesn’t have the best relationship with your aunt, considering she rarely visits.)
“Are you gonna tell them about this?”
“Of course not! They won’t get it. But just as I wouldn’t want one of those creeps to pose as your aunt, I wouldn’t want their lives to be stolen.”
“Tina’s right, though. You’re basically stealing Ashley’s life.”
“I don’t have to remind you that you’re borrowing his,” she replies spitefully. “David, this is a second chance at life. I’m not willing to abandon it – especially now that I can comfortably live as her. I won’t stop being your mom...!” She brings you close to her bosom, and your trouser snake shivers and engorges. “I’ll just be your new, hot and young mom.”
“Mom...” You shirk away from her. “This is awkward. Remember I got a guest upstairs too.”
“Oh!” She giggles nervously. “Right. Right.”
“So, what’s your plan? I mean, to save your new sisters. Should I treat them as my aunts?”
“Probably Barbie – Cassie's the same age as Tina, and I feel she could be your sister instead. As for the plan...” She remains silent and pensive for a very long while.
“You got no clue, right?”
“Other than fooling them, but that’s too risky.”
“And if we call for support? I dunno... the FBI?”
“No.” That reply was harsh and painful. “If I do, I’ll lose Ashley.” She moves away in haste. “Give me some time to think. I’ll find out a way.”
Your mother seems reluctant to part with Ashley’s skin, and she’s made it more than obvious. You understand Tina’s concern with her new obsession, and if you suggested calling to the FBI about everything, she’d agree.
But you’ve never seen your mother as happy as she’s now. And she’s doing this because she cares about those other women. Are you willing to sacrifice your mother’s newfound boldness and comfort for her safety?
What if your father could help? Maybe that could rekindle their relationship...   indicates the next chapter needs to be written. |
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