Game Over: Life's Over

Girlfriends

I was lucky enough to only have to wait four days before I could stay with Mom. Eric was fine with me going so they called Mom and discussed the plans with her. I hoped she would be just as excited as I was. It had been too long since I had seen her and I was dying for another visit with her. And this time, it would be even better because it would be at home and it would be just the two of us.

Theo helped me pack my suitcase. I didn't know what I was supposed to take in terms of clothes and diapers and all the stupid baby stuff I had to deal with now. He knew what I usually needed so he packed up my diaper bag. I picked out outfits, making sure I had an extra pair in case I made a mess or had an accident. I knew Mom was going to be as prepared as she could be but she didn't know my new routines quite as well as Theo and Eric did.

I just wanted things to go smoothly so I could have a good weekend with Mom.

Eric carried my bags to the car. I knew he was looking forward to a child-free weekend with Theo. They gave up their lives to take care of me. Maybe I'd have to stay with Mom more often so they could have time to themselves.

I got into the back seat and buckled myself in. I'd gotten used to the booster seat but I didn't like having to use it. There were a lot of things I had to do that I didn't want to do. I knew that was a part of growing up but being forced to wear diapers certainly wasn't something a normal adult had to deal with.

Eric and Theo made light chit-chat as we drove through the city. Apparently, Eric had some big client he had to set up a computer system for. He talked about it like it was a big deal. He really seemed like he liked his job and the work he did. It made me jealous that I'd never have that feeling.

We pulled into the parking lot of a gas station and parked the car in a spot facing the road. Eric put the car into park.

My eyebrows scrunched together. "What are we doing here?"

"We're meeting your mom. It's halfway to each of our houses."

I looked out the window and eyed every car in hopes that it would be Mom's. I was really hoping work wouldn't interfere with my visit with her.

We only had to wait a few minutes before Mom's car pulled into the parking lot. She parked beside us.

I tried opening my door but forgot that Theo switched the child lock. Now, only he could let me out of the car. It was another one of the stupid rules I had to follow when I was in the car.

Theo opened the door for me and stood back so I could get out of the car. As I got out, I glanced in the backseat of Mom's Kia and saw a booster seat inside. I was really hoping I wouldn't have to use one with Mom.

I was hoping that the rules wouldn't apply while I was with Mom. It was bad enough that I had to act like a baby around Theo and Eric. I didn't want to do it around Mom. Not when I was home.

But it wasn't like I had much of a choice. My body and mind were going to do whatever they wanted and I just had to deal with it.

Mom pulled me out of my head and gave me a hug. She was less dressy than her normal attire which was a nice change. I liked relaxed Mom.

"Hi, sweetie."

"Hi, mom."

"Are you ready? We have about an hour's drive ahead of us."

I nodded.

Eric grabbed my suitcase and diaper bag and put them in the trunk of Mom's car. "Have a safe drive back."

Theo patted my arm. "Enjoy your visit."

"Thanks. And thanks for letting me go."

"You don't need to thank us."

"Yeah, just go and enjoy your time together," Eric said.

"And be good," Theo added.

I rolled my eyes. "There it is."

Mom smiled and opened the door for the backseat. "Go ahead, sweetie. Do you need help getting buckled in?"

I shook my head as heat filled my face. Having to use a booster seat sucked but it was made worse when everyone brought it up or talked about it. I liked just ignoring the problem and pretending it wasn't there.

Theo and Eric pulled out of the parking lot at the same time we did. They went one way and we went another.

I was ready for some time away. I'd been waiting to go back home since I moved in with Eric and Theo. While this wasn't an official move, I was still excited to go back to what was familiar and comfortable to me.

"Does Chinese food sound okay for dinner? I thought we could stay in tonight and watch a movie or two. Then tomorrow we can head out and do something if you'd like."

I nodded. She kept looking back at me in the rearview mirror. Did she really think she had to keep such a protective eye on me now? I hadn't changed that much since we saw each other last.

"Do you have any ideas on what we can do tomorrow and Sunday? I'm open to doing just about anything."

I shrugged. "I don't know. I haven't thought about what we could do. I was just excited to be able to go back home."

She smiled. "I'm glad to have you home again. The house has been so quiet without you."

"I wasn't that loud growing up."

"When you played video games, you were. I'd be able to hear you whenever I got home from work. I always knew what you were up to."

"It's better than some of the other stuff I could've gotten into." There were times I wished I had been more rebellious and had tried different things as a teenager. There was no way I was able to do anything bad or risky now. Especially not with Theo and Eric always keeping an eye on me.

"You're a good kid, Jake."

My phone vibrated in my lap and I glanced down to see a message from Soleil. When I was at playgroup, I told her I was going to stay with my Mom for the weekend. She seemed really excited for me. I was the only one in our small group who enjoyed time with family. Mom was the only parent who wasn't smothering.

Tell your Mom I said hi.

I rolled my eyes. Her message was exactly what I would expect from her. She knew exactly how to make me feel embarrassed.

"Is that your girlfriend?"

I looked up from my phone to see Mom watching me through the rearview mirror. I wasn't sure how long she had been watching me.

My face flushed and I moved my phone from her view. Not that she could've seen it from where she was but still. "She's not my girlfriend."

Mom raised her eyebrow. "Alright. Just know that you can tell me whenever you get a girlfriend."

"Can we not talk about girlfriends this weekend?"

"Okay, okay. We don't have to talk about it. Do you want me to turn on some music?"

"Please." The rest of the ride was silent save for the music from the radio. I was hoping that the little bit of girlfriend talk we had would be the only amount we had all weekend.