Claire
One morning on a weekend...
Claire
Looks like you're trying to enjoy every bit of time left before summer classes starts
Akemi
How do you know?
Claire
Akemi
Ah
Claire
Knowing you though
I look forward to your yearly complaint about the grading workload by the end of June
Akemi
Oh
About that
You don’t have to worry about me complaining
I declined the offer to teach summer classes 😉
Claire
That's sudden
And you love the chemistry department
Is everything okay?
Akemi
Everything's fine
I just need a real break
They can survive without me for one summer
Claire
The dean will be scrambling to find a replacement for your block though
Akemi
Teaching college freshmen for 9 months really drains a person
But they can handle it
Claire
What about the extra income?
You usually rely on that money to fund your trips
Akemi
I have enough saved up
I really just want the downtime right now
I don't even care all that much about the trip
Claire
You don't exactly know how to sit still
You're going to get bored after a week
Akemi
I'll be busy at the house anyway
So that shouldn't be an issue, don't worry
Claire
Is Aaron going to be home?
Akemi
Yes
Claire
I assumed he would be taking a summer road trip or working out of town before college
Most boys his age want to get away from their moms after they graduate high school
Akemi
He's staying home this summer
He still hasn't decided which college he’s going to attend yet
So he’s trying to figure it out and work a landscaping job while he does
Claire
That just sounds like a different kind of burden when you're supposed to be taking time off
Akemi
Don't call him a burden
He isn't a baby
Besides
I want to spend time with him
After his dad passed, I want him to at least have a great last summer at home
Claire
I suppose that makes sense
It has been hard on both of you
I just don't want you regretting the lost paychecks when August rolls around
Akemi
I've done the math and I'm sure I won't
I'm looking forward to the quiet mornings
And getting a nice tan by the pool 😉
Claire
You deserve those and more
Are we still doing drinks this Friday? 🍷
You have zero excuses to cancel on me now that I know your schedule's wide open
😄
Akemi
We're definitely still on
I'll tell you all about my lazy summer plans then
Claire
Good!
Usual place at 7, okay?
Don't be late
Akemi
You know I'm never late
I'm gonna go for a quick grocery run now
See you Friday!
On Aaron's graduation day...
Aaron
hey mom
u leaving the house yet
ceremony starts in exactly an hour
trying to make sure u dont miss it
Akemi
I'm leaving soon, Aaron
I wouldn't miss my son's graduation
I've waited years for this
Aaron
good cuz parking's a total nightmare rn
parents are legit fighting over the close spots
u might wanna park down the side street
Akemi
I can handle a few angry parents
Give me a few minutes to finish getting ready
I'm finishing my makeup
I'll head straight when I'm done
Aaron
looking good
just don't take forever in front of the mirror
Akemi
Even if I do, I won't be late
Aaron
lol yeah i know
no clue how you do it
Akemi
A magician never reveals their secrets 😉
Are you and Tyler hanging out together right now?
Aaron
yeah
we're chilling by the home bleachers
whole class is waiting around
Akemi
Make sure you fix your tie before they make you line up
Knowing you, it's crooked right now
Aaron
it's fine
i'm looking fresh today
Akemi
I'm sure you look very handsome
I can't wait to see you walk across that stage
Aaron
yeah finally done with high school
can't wait to get out of this place tbh
Akemi
Don't rush it though
Take it all in today
Make sure you stand where I can get a clear shot of you
Aaron
i'm gonna be in the front row with the guys
just bring the good camera
Akemi
It's already packed in my purse and ready to go
I plan on printing and framing the best picture for the hallway
Aaron
pls don't pick a goofy one
u always pick the ones where im blinking or looking away
Akemi
I make no promises 😈
I pick the ones where you look the happiest
Aaron
whatever lol
just get here safe
also just reminding u about the afterparty tonight
don't wanna forget to text u later when i'm busy
Akemi
The big party at Brad's house?
Aaron
yeah that one
the whole senior class is going tonight
i’m probably just crashing on his couch until tomorrow morning
Akemi
I remember, don't worry
Just promise me you boys will be careful out there
I expect you back in one piece tomorrow morning
Aaron
we will
we just wanna celebrate our last summer before college
Akemi
Of course
You deserve to celebrate
You worked hard for those grades
But if things get out of hand at the party, call me
I'll come pick you up anytime
Aaron
will do, thanks
gotta go line up with the rest of the guys soon
Akemi
Okay, I'll be there soon
Fix your tie
Aaron
lmao yeah yeah i will
Akemi
I'm so proud of you
See you soon, Aaron
Aaron
see you, mom
The morning after the graduation party...
Aaron
dude
u awake?
pick up ur phone rn
need to vent
Tyler
yoo
i'm up
my head's pounding so bad rn
last night was insane
we went so hard near the end
brad's house got trashed p fckng bad
Aaron
yeah
i'm dead today too
crashed so fast when i got home
barely made it upstairs
had a crazy bad nightmare too
Tyler
damn fr
were you fighting zombies or something
what happened in it?
Aaron
tbh i don't really know
can't remember the details
always happens when i'm exhausted
woke up covered in sweat and feeling awful
like i didn't sleep at all
just burning up
Tyler
ugh
gross, dude
go drink some water
hydrate or
idk
diedrate
get some electrolytes in you
Aaron
i'm fine now
but something else happened
after i woke up
Tyler
what?
Aaron
it was mom
i was still in bed
she came right in
Tyler
okay
and?
my mom wakes me up all the time
big whoop
Aaron
no bro
u don't get it
she was being super quiet about it
so i pretended to still be asleep
so it wouldn't be awkward
Tyler
why tf would it be awkward??
you're acting sus rn
should've just said good morning like a normal person
Aaron
my blanket was off the bed
probably kicked it off the bed at some point
i was half naked and sweating
shirt off obviously
Tyler
?? so
you sleep shirtless
like most of everyone in the world prob
you're so weird
Aaron
i kept my eyes closed
i could hear her walking around
picking stuff up off the floor
Tyler
damn
you're just bragging now
free maid service
send her to my house next
Aaron
shut up, ty
it didn't end there
it got way weirder
Tyler
how? lol
did she sniff your socks or something
Aaron
i heard her stand by the side of the bed
and she just stayed there
looking at me
Tyler
huh
wdym looking at you
checking your pulse? lol
Aaron
no, man
she just stood there watching
and it's weird to say this but
u know when a girl checks you out?
that feeling?
Tyler
yeah
wait
Aaron
it felt like that, bro
Tyler
no way
that's like
w rizz
Aaron
bro wtf
what's wrong with u
that's my mom
Tyler
i'm joking lol relax
she was probably studying your breathing or something
making sure nothing was wrong
moms worry about that kinda stuff
esp with your dad gone and all that
Aaron
i guess
but idk man
she stood there for a hot minute
it was real uncomfortable
Tyler
you're overthinking it
maybe you need to rest some more
and hydrate for sure
you sounding thirsty fr
so get out of bed
we gotta go get food
i'm starving rn
Aaron
give me a few mins
gotta take a shower first
Tyler
bet
hurry up though
my stomach's a barren wasteland rn
Later that day...
Aaron
mom
where u at
Akemi
At the mall
Grabbing groceries for the week
Do you need something?
Aaron
nah i'm good
just got back home
ate a double cheeseburger with tyler downtown
anyway
i wanna talk about this morning
Akemi
What about it?
Did something happen?
Aaron
why did u come into my room while i was sleeping?
Akemi
You were still asleep?
I thought you were up
Aaron
i wasn't fully awake
but i was about to so i noticed
Akemi
Were you uncomfortable?
Aaron
kinda??
u snuck in real quiet
and u just stood at the side of my bed
it felt like u were staring for a while
Akemi
Your door was open, so I didn't sneak in
And I didn't just watch you sleep
I picked your clothes up from the floor
Aaron
u don't have to do that
i'm literally 18
i can clean my own room
Akemi
I know you can
Aaron
then why?
Akemi
I guess I just have a lot of free time this summer
I'm not teaching at the college during the break for once
I feel like I need to do things
Aaron
mom pls
u should just chill out and relax
read a book or watch some shows or something
Akemi
I'll spend plenty of time doing that too
Picking up for you isn't a chore for me
If anything, it brings back a lot of really good memories
Aaron
like what? lol
it's just my room and my laundry
Akemi
I used to tidy it up for you when you were younger
Part of me wants to bring that back
Taking care of you like when you were younger
At least for this summer
Aaron
u already do a great job of that
u do all the chores on top of ur job
Akemi
I know
But I want to do this
Since your dad's gone, I just want to focus on us
I want to take care of you some more before you leave for college
Take is as me having some separation anxiety
But it genuinely brings me joy
Aaron
are u sure?
u're supposed to be on actual vacation
Akemi
I'm sure
Unless you have something to hide in your room?
Aaron
of course not
i just don't want you to feel like a nanny or something
Akemi
I don't though
Isn't it normal for a mom to take care of their kid?
Aaron
i guess
...fine
❤️
since you insist
Akemi
Great!
Now what do you want for dinner?
Aaron
anything's fine
still pretty full from lunch
Akemi
Okay
I'll pick up some steaks to grill later then
Your favorite side dishes too
Aaron
perfect
drive safe
❤️
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