Must Read: Could This Be Love?

Must Read: Could This Be Love? This is anoda 1…….episode 1… …..Could this be love ??……. One Saturday evening, Sue found Tommy sitting in the living room watching TV as usual. “Tommy, why are you sitting home tonight? Why don’t you go out with someone?” Sue said, sitting down next to her son and putting her arm around his shoulders. They had this conversation almost every weekend. “Come on Mom, give me a break. I don’t need to go out, besides, I’d rather be home with you.” That had been his standard response. It was a lame excuse and they both knew it. “Tommy, you need to have friends, you know… girlfriends,” Sue said in exasperation. Then she looked at him seriously and said, “I’m worried about you.” “You seem to do okay without boyfriends. Why do I need girlfriends?” “Come on Tommy, that’s different and you know it. I’ve already been married. Besides, I already have a man. You!” Sue said, squeezing his shoulder affectionately. “Well, I have plenty time to date. Besides, I already have a woman. You!” Tommy replied, smiling at using his mom’s own words. Sue sighed in frustration. “Well, we’re a fine pair aren’t we?” “Mom, you’re my best friend,” Tommy said seriously, snuggling into her arm. “And you’re my best friend too,” Sue said, hugging him again. However, she couldn’t let it go. “You still need to date. It’s not healthy.” Tommy took a deep breath. “Mom…” “What?” Tommy’s mouth was opened but nothing came out. His head fell back on the sofa and he closed his eyes. His face seemed to color in embarrassment. “It’s nothing. Never mind,” he finally said. “Come on Tommy… please don’t close me out,” Sue said, turning his face to her and looking into his misty eyes. “We’ve always been able to talk about anything. Haven’t we?” Tommy had wanted to talk to his mother for a long time about his shyness and the stutter but he didn’t want to burden her. Additionally, he felt embarrassed talking to her about girls. Now that he had finally gotten up enough nerve to bring the subject up, he knew he had to continue. “It’s… it’s just that I’m… I’m not so hot with the girls. I’m too shy and whenever I get around a nice looking girl I… I… I… get tongue-tied,” Tommy said, his eyes unable to meet his mother’s. Sue was surprised but tried not to show it. She had never heard him get tongue-tied before. “Now wait a minute, you always say that I’m a nice looking girl and you don’t get tongue-tied around me.” “I’m serious Mom, I don’t know what to do or say around girls. I’ve only kissed two girls in my whole life,” Tommy blurted before he could stop himself. “Really?” Sue said in astonishment. My God, he was 18 and he had only kissed two girls, she thought. He must be a virgin! The realization shocked Sue. Then a bigger problem occurred to her. “You like girls don’t you?” “Mommmmmm! Of course I like girls,” Tommy said, now totally embarrassed. Sue sighed in relief. “It’s just that… just that… oh hell… I haven’t even been on a real date.” “Wow Tommy, I had no idea!” Sue was unable to hide the shock in her voice. “I’ve seen you go out. You said you were going out with girls.” “I’m sorry Mom, I lied. I go to the library or the mall. I just didn’t want you to feel bad for me. You have enough on your mind.” Suddenly, Sue realized that she had neglected Tommy since his father died. She had been foolish to think that she could read him. She had been so busy mourning her own loss, feeling sorry for herself and working on her career that she had missed all the signs. It was obvious now that he was very sexually immature. God, how could I have been so stupid? she thought. The two of them sat silently for a long time. Neither one of them knew what to say. Finally, Sue broke the ice with an idea. “Tommy, what would you think about you and I going on a date?” “Come on Mom! Get serious!” “I am serious. You’re very comfortable around me, so why don’t we go out? You can act as if I’m your date. I can tell you what you need to work on. After all, I still remember what girls like.” Sue stopped when she realized that he might be embarrassed to go out with his mother. “Uh…that is if you wouldn’t be too embarrassed to be seen out with your old mom.” “God Mom, you’re not old. You’re the best looking woman I know!” His face turned red as soon as he said it. “Thank you sweetheart, and you are the best looking man I know. So why don’t we two good looking people go on a date?” Tommy was quiet for a few minutes, thinking. Maybe it would be good for her to go out, he thought. Besides, she might get off his back about dating. It could be a way for him to help her. Suddenly, he liked the idea. “Well… okay… I guess it might be fun,” Tommy finally said in a nonchalant tone. “You don’t sound that excited,” Sue said with a pout. “That’s not it,” Tommy said quickly. But… but… WATCH OUT FOR PART 2 TOMORROW