My Boyfriend's Mother

Alexa looked out the window as the landscape shifted from city to suburb. Signs of new townhomes available for sale were everywhere. Traffic had increased on Route 7, bringing the car to a complete halt. D.C. was not the same anymore, as the suburbs had grown and become more populated over the years. However, this was still a big change for Alexa, who came from a small town in Ohio.

For maybe the umpteenth time, Alexa looked at the mirror on the visor and nervously pursed her lips, feeling her lipstick. She turned her head to look at her boyfriend of six months, Alex. She looked at him with a sigh. He was tall and handsome, had a mop of brown hair, and wore geeky clothes. All her friends said he was a catch, and watching him drive, she had to agree.

Meeting his parents was not on her cards. They had met just six months earlier at a tech event. She had started in HR at an event coordination company. She had met Alex over drinks during that event. He was a software engineer at a European automotive company with American headquarters in Arlington. They hit it off, and before she knew it, she had moved into his apartment in Georgetown. He was a local boy but preferred to stay in the city. She loved him and absolutely loved the sex. It was the longest relationship she had ever had.

When he asked her to come with him for dinner, she was taken aback. Was this something serious? The closer they came to the night of dinner, the more nervous she became. She didn’t want to blow it.

"They're going to love you," he said, squeezing her hand. "Especially my mom. You two are gonna get along fine. She’s a sweet old thing." Alexa pictured his mom as an old, matronly woman—slightly plump, wearing a kitchen apron, a baking lady with greying hair, and doting on her son.

“Ready?” Alex asked as they parked the car in the driveway of a two-story colonial with a large lawn in front at the end of a cul-de-sac.

“As ready as I’ll ever be,” she replied, smiling back at him nervously and walking with him, nervously holding the cake they had picked up at Whole Foods.

The door swung open before Alex could press the doorbell.

Jennifer.

She was not like Alexa had pictured. Jennifer was sharp. Elegant. She was tall and slender with a fit body that cried yoga. She was wearing a silk blouse and fitted trousers. Her blonde hair was pulled up in a pony, and she was literally radiating. She smiled at them brilliantly and embraced her son. “Alex!”

She then looked at Aexa, and for a second her smile faltered, but she soon recovered. “And you must be Alexa! Welcome, welcome. Alex, could you please get her coat? And take that cake off her hands. You really didn’t have to do it.”

“It’s so lovely to meet you, Mrs. Walker,” Alexa said, still stunned by how lovely her boyfriend’s mother looked. She also couldn’t place the warm feeling she was feeling between her legs.

“Please, call me Jen. Mrs. Walker makes me feel ancient,” Jen said, her smile never wavering as she took Alexa’s hand. Her grip was firm; her skin felt warm and electric. She held her hand a beat longer than necessary, her thumb brushing almost imperceptibly over her knuckles. “My goodness, Alex, you didn’t tell me she was so beautiful.”

Alex laughed, putting Alexa’s and his jackets in the coat closet. "I know, Mom. I have great taste."

“Oh, pssh. I don’t see what she sees in this dork of a son of mine. But you’re right about taste. She does look delectable.” Jen said, winking at Alexa, causing a shiver to run down the young woman’s spine.

She led them inside to where Alex’s father, Chris, was watching a game on TV. He was a kind-faced man with a comfortable paunch and a genuine smile. Alexa could see he looked like an older version of Alex. He shook Alexa’s hand warmly. “Nice to meet you, Alexa. Alex has told us all about you. And you look as lovely as Alex said.”

They headed to the dining table, where Jen had laid out the table. Dinner was a time to get to know Alexa better.

“Yes, we don’t have an Amazon Alexa. But I heard you can change her name.”

“Alex and Alexa have a ring to it. A lot of friends make fun of us.”

“My father died some years ago. My mother lives with my brother and his family in Ohio.”

“Yes, I love D.C.”

The dinner was a flurry of conversation over food, some of which was catered, such as chicken rotisserie, and some homemade, including beef stew, roasted vegetables, and Italian bread with cheese. Alexa found herself relaxing, charmed by Alex’s parents. Chris was funny and self-deprecating, but it was Jennifer who held her attention. She asked Alexa thoughtful questions about her work in HR, her family, and her opinions on books and films, her gaze never wavering. It felt less like an interrogation and more like genuine, fascinated interest.

Every time Alexa glanced her way, she’d already be looking at her, that small, knowing smile playing on her lips. Alexa felt thrilled.

Once, when Alexa reached for the salt, her hand brushed against Jennifer’s, who had also reached out. A jolt, sharp and electric, passed between them. Alexa snatched her hand back, her cheeks flushing. Jennifer simply looked at her, and when their eyes met, she smiled—a slow, knowing smile.

"You look lovely, Alexa," Jennifer remarked softly, leaning in so Alexa could smell her. "Absolutely ravishing."

"Uh, thank you," Alexa stammered. She felt flustered, hyper-aware of the woman across from her.

Later, as they were saying their goodbyes in the foyer, Jennifer took both of Alexa's hands in her own. Her skin was warm and soft.

"It was truly a delight," Jennifer said, her thumbs stroking the backs of Alexa's hands in a slow, deliberate motion that felt far more intimate than a standard farewell. "We must do this again soon. Just us girls, maybe. Lunch?"

"That would be lovely," Alexa said, her voice slightly breathless.

Jennifer leaned in and kissed her cheek. Alexa could smell her again, and her lips lingered for a fraction of a second too long. "Goodnight, my dear."

In the car, Alex was giddy. "Told you! They adored you. Especially Mom. She’s such a putty."

"Yeah," Alexa said, staring out the window, her cheek still tingling. "She was... very nice."

-----------------

They reached their apartment, a cozy one-bedroom in Georgetown that felt suddenly small and ordinary. Alex flicked on the lights, tossed his keys into a ceramic bowl, and turned to her with a contented sigh. “Great night.”

“It was,” Alexa agreed, slipping off her heels. She suddenly turned to him impulsively and pressed against him. She leaned up and kissed him with her tongue, searching his mouth. Her mind kept replaying Jennifer’s smile, her poise, her intense gaze, and her perfume. She searched for familiarity with Alex, trying to forget Jen—his taste, his feel, and his unique smell.