“Hey, I just thought of something funny we could do…you want to play a little ‘joke’ on Robby? Well, check out this idea I just now thought of…”
After explaining my idea to Lisa, she was all in. Hopefully Robby would be, too. My son usually was someone you could have a good time with, and who could put up with his share of practical jokes. I was sure afterward he’d laugh with us, once he’d realized what we did to him…right?
Our flight arrived on schedule and we were able to retrieve our luggage pretty effortlessly from the baggage-claim area. I walked out to the area where the arrivals get picked up, and, sure enough, there was my Robby waiting patiently in his car.
When he saw me, he got out of his car to greet me. As I walked up to him, he flashed his million-dollar smile, and it hit me again as to just how handsome my son was. My heart was literally fluttering as we approached each other.
As he now greeted me…I guess I didn’t think too much about it, or I didn’t care, or whatever. But as I was now so close to Robby, I held out my arms and pulled my son into a kiss. Like I said, I guess I didn’t think about it…because I reached up and kissed him on his lips. And this wasn’t just a peck or a fleeting kiss, I kept my lips pressed against his for more than a few seconds. Robby didn’t seem flustered by it, though. In fact, my son grabbed me by my shoulders with both hands and drew me back into him, returning my kiss just as passionately, if not more than the one I gave him.
“Oh Robby, baby, it’s so good to see you again, I’ve missed you, honey!!”
“I’ve missed you, too, mom. Did you enjoy your trip? I can tell you got a tan while you were out there…
“Hey, wasn’t Lisa going to be with you? I thought I was picking the both of you up today.”
“Well, Robby, she got her own ride back to her apartment. She won’t be coming with us.”
“Oh…okay…no worries though. Here, let’s get your suitcases into the car…
It was very hard then not to start laughing. Unbeknownst to Robby, Lisa was standing about thirty feet away from us this whole time, and was watching him and I first greet each other.
Just as he was getting ready to pull away, Lisa approached us putting into play the plan that we hatched just a while earlier in the day.
“Hey mom, do you see that beautiful blonde woman walking over to us?”
“Yeah, she’s a real looker. You better roll your window down, I think she’s wanting to talk to you?”
“Excuse me, kind sir, would you happen to have an extra seat in your vehicle to help me get home? I was supposed to get a ride from my friend at work, but it looks like she’s stood me up.”
Robby looked at me, and I couldn’t contain my laughter now. I guessed that the jig was up and we’d been found out.
“What the hell, mom, is this some kind of a joke?
He then said to her, “You must be Lisa.”
Robby then got out of his car and went over to greet her, giving Lisa a hug that I was very proud of him for giving her. He then assisted her, getting all her things in the vehicle.
“Okay, ladies, now that we’ve got that shit out of the way, do you have any other jokes that you’d like to play on me today?”
Now we were all laughing together as Robby drove his car out of the airport.
“Okay, Lisa, where are we taking you. I’m assuming we’re going to drop you off at the place that you call home?”
“Thanks, Robby. I live in Garden City. Just head north on Middlebelt and I’ll direct you from there.”
“Hey, mom, I don’t think you’re aware of this yet, but our band is going to be playing at Harpo’s next week on Saturday. This is a giant chance for us, too. There’s a band that’s getting pretty popular, and they’re from England who’s name is Sterling Council and they’re wanting to do a quick tour through the States, and…if things work out…they might want us to tour with them. We are all really geeked up at the possibilities for us.”
“So, you’d be gone for a while then?”
“Well, IF we get the touring gig with them, we’d probably be leaving about two or three weeks from now.
“There’s really a whole lot happening that I haven’t had the chance to tell you about mom. I’m probably going to be moving in with the rest of the band. Keith, our keyboard player, has access to a house in Wyandotte for the next six months. We’re going to use it as a recording studio for our album that we want to put out. And since the house is on the street named Kings Highway, we’re going to call our studio, Kings Highway Studios. Cool, huh?”
“Baby, it sounds great. Will you be moving out of the house in Allen Park soon?”
“Mom, I hope you don’t mind that I do want to move out. I’ve talked to dad, and he’s told me the news about the two of you. I’m really sorry to hear it. I was hoping that things could’ve worked out better for my parents.”
“Honey, this isn’t something that either of us wanted, anymore than what was necessary. Your dad and I have just moved on in two different directions, and there isn’t anything that’s going to change that now.”
“Yeah, he told me that the two of you are going to be meeting at the house tomorrow to figure out how you’re going to settle things. You KNOW I love the both of you, right?”
“And we love you and Susan too, baby. Nothing can ever change that!!
“But, getting back to your show at Harpo’s, I am invited to that aren’t I? I really wouldn’t want to miss that for anything!!”
“Oh, absolutely, mom, I want you there. I talked to dad already about it, but he told me he’d most likely have to be out of town when it happens. I think he said he’s going to be in Chicago that weekend. With…Adam.”
“So, he’s told you about Adam?”
“Yes, he’s told me. But enough about that…Lisa do you think you’d like to come to our show? I can get you and mom pretty good seating. The band gets to invite anyone they want…up to a certain number of people, of course.”
“Robby, I’d love to be there. As you know I’ve never had the chance to hear your band yet…’Ophelia’s Rage’, is it?”
“Yep, that’s our name. I came up with it myself. I’m lead guitarist, as well as sometimes I play keyboard and do some of the singing, too.”
“My boy is one talented dude, Lisa.”
“I can see that, Becks. I’m definitely looking forward to your concert, Robby.”
We were able to get Lisa successfully home to her place in Garden City. And then it was time for Robby to get me back to my home, sweet home, in Allen Park.
Once I arrived, Robby and I were able to talk a little more before he informed me he was heading over to Wyandotte to meet with his band. There was plenty of practicing needed for their show. He was just going to spend the night, so that Robert and I would have our time tomorrow, so we could hopefully get our marriage affairs in order, so that we could have as amicable a divorce as possible.
When my son went to leave we hugged and I kissed him again on the lips. I opened my mouth and gave Robby just a hint of my tongue, and he responded in kind back to me…
“Who is this beautiful woman who purports to be my mother? Would it be tacky to ask, just who the fuck are you, Rebecca Gordon?”