Tommy and His Mommy

Mom’s a dream, a real treasure. I’d gotten in a day earlier than expected and she was out. I’d driven through the night and wanted to get a little exercise in; I was stiff from the drive. Thought I’d swim a few laps then maybe take a nap. So I was in the pool when she got home. Of course she’d seen my vehicle in the drive, she knew I was there but still, I’m her only child, I’d just gotten home from college for the summer; she was on the pool deck calling to me,

“Tommy, come here and give Mommy a big kiss.”

What could I do, over the side I slithered. She stood waiting, a huge smile on her face. I stood up and she hugged me, wet body, wet suit and all, she gave me a big hug and a wet kiss.

“When did you get in son, I didn’t expect you ‘til tomorrow?”

“I drove all night, I couldn’t wait to see you Mom, I miss you when I’m away.”

“I miss you, too, Tommy, I miss you too.”

Tommy I thought, I was Tom to everyone else but I guess I’ll always be Tommy to Mom. I was a junior, so I’d been Tommy to my Pop’s Tom. Pop had died seven years ago but I was still Tommy at home.

“Have you eaten; I can fix some sandwiches, would you like that?”

“Yeah Mom, that would be great, let me grab a quick shower then food sounds good.”

I hadn’t realized how hungry I was until she’d mentioned it.

I headed inside while she went to the kitchen.

She had ham on rye, chips and potato salad, some pickles and olives on Styrofoam plates and Cokes for both of us on the pool side table. We ate in the shade of the big umbrella.

We had an amiable chat, catching up on recent events, she about our mutual friends and me about how school had gone; I was on summer break between my junior and senior years of college.

She asked about my plans for the summer.

“Mom, I thought I’d hang around here for a few days, visit some friends and spend some time with you then, the first week of June I think I’ll go up to Georgia, up in the mountains and camp for a week, maybe do some trout fishing and just enjoy the outdoors.”

She got a sad look on her face.

I thought, Tom you lout, how could you have forgotten, my father had died on June 5th, he’d suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and died within minutes, before emergency services could get to him. She was always melancholy at that time of year. He’d been the love of her life and she of his; Tom and Ellen, her name was Ellen had married when she was only eighteen; Dad had been twenty-two.

“I’m sorry Mom, I wasn’t thinking, I’ll put off the camping until a little later.”

“No Tommy, go ahead with your plans, I’ll be ok.”

I brightened, “Mom, come with me, it’s beautiful where I’m going. I’ve been there before with a couple of the guys. We’ll camp on the banks of a pool, the stream we’ll be on has a little waterfall and below it there’s a pool full of trout. We can fish, sun, and swim; we’d have a grand time.”

“Oh Tommy I couldn’t, how much fun could you have with your old Mom along; you just go ahead.”

“Mom, you’d love it. We used to camp when Dad was still here, I think you always had fun.”

She got a wistful look, “Yeah, I did.”

She was remembering starlight nights and sunny days spent out of doors with Tom and Tommy and she was remembering erotic times with Tom in the sleeping bag after Tommy had fallen asleep. Now that had been a long time ago, seven years in fact, she’d been celibate for seven years.

“Do you really think I could Tommy, I’m not as young as I was then, I don’t know if I could hack it.”

Tommy thought, she does have a point. She’d been an athletic woman, playing tennis and golf, getting plenty of exercise; she’d been trim, now, well, now she was forty-eight years old.

Her former sleek black hair was now tinged with gray, the breasts that had seemed immune to gravity had succumbed to nature, on her hips and tummy she was carrying an extra fifteen pounds and her once taut bottom had spread. What the heck, he still wanted her with him.

“Hey Mom, I’ll do the heavy lifting, carry most everything in. I was going to have to anyway, the only thing we’ll be adding is an extra sleeping bag and some more food, we’d have a ball. We’d have to walk about five miles to get to where I want to go, think you could handle that?”

The only real exercise she got anymore was walking, she did walk two miles every morning, not pushing it, just a leisurely stroll but she thought she could handle five miles.

“I could carry the food, I could do that, so, yes, I’m sure I can still walk five miles; I walk every morning anyway, so, yes, I could do that?”

“Well then that’s set, let’s leave on the second.”

Tommy spent the next several days reacquainting himself with his old buddies and a couple of the girls he’d dated in high school, he took one of them, Linda out to the movies and for pizza but nothing more. He wasn’t seeing anyone in particular and wasn’t really looking for a relationship, just a casual date.

He’d bought the supplies they’d need, a well stocked first aid kit, dried foods; hot cereal, dehydrated soup, bottled water and things like that, foodstuff that were light and wouldn’t spoil. Most of the gear they’d need was stored in the garage. He got out the tent and set it up, checking for rips. It was fine. He did make one concession to his Mom, he bought an air mattress and foot pump, a little more weight but he thought she’d appreciate the comfort. The mattress was a double size, they could both sleep on it, and of course they had separate sleeping bags.

He packed his Jeep Cherokee on the first, they’d take off early the next morning, it was a four hour drive.

They had a hearty breakfast before they left, pancakes, eggs and bacon then set off.

When they got into North Georgia they stopped for lunch then drove to the trailhead where Tommy could leave the vehicle.

With packs on their on their backs the headed for the wilderness; Tommy was doing the heavy lifting but he could, he was 6’2” tall and a slender but powerful 180 pounds. His strength wasn’t a weight lifters, he was lithe and sleek, a runner and swimmer’s muscles. The pack was no problem.

They strolled slowly, enjoying the scenery. Trees had new spring leaves, wildflowers were in bloom, it was a pretty trek.

Ellen kept up fine, she was only carrying twenty pounds, Tommy’s was eighty or more, and they were maintaining a slow but steady pace.

She could hear the waterfall before it came into view. The place Tommy had chosen was beautiful, the sunlight glistened off the surface of the pool, the ripples from the waterfall caused the sun beams to seem to dance across the surface, they were surrounded by towering trees but at poolside there was a grassy glen. That’s where they set up camp.

Once the tents were up, Tommy had brought two, the larger one to accommodate them and a smaller tent where he stowed their clothing, supplies and fire materiel, in case of rain he wanted dry tinder.

He stowed their gear and got out the air mattress saying, “For you Mom, I thought your back would appreciate it.”

Ellen smiled, “Bless you Tommy, bless you.”

“Well, we gotta share, I only brought one but it’s big enough for two sleeping bags.”

She winked at him, “And I get to sleep with a young man, now that does bring back memories.”

Tommy turned back to his task; he was a little embarrassed by her remark. Like a lot on boys Tommy had always been attracted to his Mom. She’d been a hottie when he was younger but even now the feelings remained and he was ashamed of that, she was his Mother after all.

He built a fire ring of river stones and went into the woods to gather up tinder, twigs and bigger logs, they’d be cooking over the fire and the evenings could get chilly in the mountains.

After he’d gotten things set up he asked, “Hey Mom, want to do a little fishing, maybe we can have trout for dinner?”

He’d bought her a license, he already had his and he’d carried two lightweight collapsible fly rods in with him.

“It’s been a long time Tommy,” she answered.

“Oh Mom, it’s like riding a bicycle, you may be a little wobbly when you start out but it’ll come back to you.”

He got the rods and tied on dry flies.

“Come on let’s catch dinner,” he goaded her.

She was right, it had been a long time but after several efforts, only one of which resulted in the fly getting tangled in her hair, she had it mastered again.

Tommy figured they’d get Brook Trout, the setting was perfect for this fish, the current created by the waterfall and the gravel stream bed made for ideal Brookie habitat.

On his third cast he hooked up, line streamed off his reel as the fish made a run; Tommy fought him for several minutes then beached a nice fish, about 20” long. He laid it aside and made another cast.

Ellen got the next one, a little smaller that Tommy’s about 17 inches but a nice fish.

“Take it off for me Tommy, take it off for me.” She was laughing and having a merry old time.

Tommy thought, gosh, I haven’t seen her this happy since Pop died. He was glad she’d come.

He unhooked the fish and added it to his.

“Mom, I’m gonna start the fire and clean these fish, we’ve got enough for dinner but if you want to keep fishing, get one more for me then we can release anymore you catch.”

“I think I will, this is fun,” she replied.

“Oops, got another, she reeled in the fish; it could have been the twin of her first.

Tommy got the fire started and while it burned down to embers he cleaned the three fish. He scaled them then filleted them. He disposed of the entrails but kept the heads and bones, he wanted to make a stock. Dinner was going to be a fish chowder and fried filets.

He filled a pan from the stream, he was going to boil the water anyway, he’d use this for the stock and save the bottles to drink.

He set up a grate over the fire, added the bones and heads to the pot and let it simmer for thirty minutes then strained it through a piece of cheese cloth. Then he added some dehydrated corn and onions and diced a potato, he let this simmer, after thirty minutes he add some powdered milk and one , having diced it, one of the fish. Heating the frying pan, he made fried bread, really just flour, water a little baking powder and salt. Not gourmet fancy but tasty out here.

He added the fish and milk to the chowder and heated some oil in the skillet. Tossed the filets with a bit of flour, cornmeal, salt and pepper and sautéed them.

“Soup’s on Mom,” he called.

“Tommy this delicious,” she commented.

“I think everything tastes better out here over an open fire; I know I sure enjoy it more.”

He’d fixed a pot of coffee; after they’d eaten they sat around the fire and had a cup.

“Tommy I’m really glad you talked me into coming, gee I can’t remember when I’ve had so much fun.”

“I’m glad you’re here too, it’s great having you out here all to myself.”

After a while Ellen said, “Let me clean up here.” She started to get up.

“That’s ok Mom; I’ll get it, why don’t you get changed for bed while you can have some privacy?”

“Thanks Tommy,” she said as she went to the tent.

He gathered up their mess gear and took it toward the waterfall, he’d scour them with the gravel and rinse then in the stream.

Ellen came back out of the tent and walked towards the woods, she wouldn’t go too far in, the camp lantern didn’t provide enough illumination. She was still dressed in her shorts but she had a roll of toilet paper.

Tommy’s eyes followed her, she didn’t go far. He could see as she lowered her shorts but when she squatted she was out of sight; he could hear her though. She stood and pulled her shorts back up and went to the smaller tent. When she came back out she was in her gown and a pair of slippers, her dirty clothes went into the outside pocket of her pack.

She was already in her sleeping bag by the time Tommy finished, he changed in the small tent, gym shorts only and flip flops.

“Early to bed and all that,” he said. “Out here it’s easy to get to sleep, listen to the waterfall, isn’t that soothing?”

He slid into his bag beside hers, as she said, “It’s almost musical I think.”

He kissed her on the cheek, “Good night Mom.”

Tommy was asleep in minutes, he was beat, he’d done most of the work but not so Ellen, she lay awake, her eyes were closed, it was easier to look into the past that way.

She and Tom had been avid campers; before Tommy was born they’d go at least two weekends each month. They took a two year hiatus when Tommy arrived but after he could get around they went at least monthly.

They didn’t have the luxury of air mattresses but they’d zip their sleeping bags together, one big bag, and naked they’d frolic.

Memories, God how she missed Tom, her eyes got misty and she felt a little tingle, oh memories.

She was caressing herself as she dozed off to lachrymose remembrances.

Ellen was up before Tommy the next morning, she dressed in the smaller tent and hung her gown on the line Tommy’d set up, a day in the fresh air and it would be as fresh as if she’d laundered it.

She put some water on to boil and made coffee, the water was for the oatmeal that would be their breakfast.

When Tommy finally stumbled out she was on her second cup, “Good Morning sleepy head,” she greeted him.

“Morning Mom,” he mumbled as he went to the dressing tent.

After they’d finished their breakfast Ellen said, “Tommy where are the bathroom facilities?”

That was pretty thoughtless of him, he hadn’t prepared them.

He got up and grabbed the camp shovel, thinking, Tommy; she needs to move her bowels, damn man, think.

He went out a ways and shoveled out a trench about three feet deep, mounding dirt at one end then went back.

“Come with me, I’ll show you the facilities, such as they are.”

He showed her where he’d dug the latrine; he’d left the shovel stuck in the dirt.

“Primitive, I know but it should be enough to last the week, it won’t flush so just scoop some dirt in when you’re done.”

Ellen went back to the campsite, retrieving the roll of tissue then returned.

She surveyed the situation; it would work best if she straddled the trench.

Oh well, she shimmied out of her shorts and panties and squatted.

When she got back Tommy had already cleaned up.

“Would you like to take a little nature hike,” He asked, “We could walk along the stream, I’ll bet we can see some animals and a lot of birds.”

As they walked she took his hand, “Thank you Tommy.”

“Why thank me, I’m the one having fun, gosh I’m glad you came.”

“I am too; I haven’t enjoyed myself like this in seven years.”

They walked hand in hand, he gave hers a squeeze and pointed, she looked, there was a mother raccoon with four kittens, one of them was stripped, it looked a bit like a skunk. They watched, she was giving them lessons, showing them how to get food and how to rinse it. They stood silently for nearly thirty minutes watching their own private nature show.

Finally the raccoon family moved on, they looked at each other and laughed, “Now that was neat, wasn’t it Mom.”

She gave his hand a squeeze, “It sure was.”

They walked until it was lunch time. Back in camp they dined on hard salami, cheese and crackers. Tommy had made some sun tea the previous afternoon and had put the jug in the stream near the waterfall next to a little surprise he had for his Mom. It wasn’t icy cold but it was chilled, they drank it with their lunch.

After they’d finished Ellen asked, “Want to take a dip,” As she pointed toward the pool.

“Sure, get changed and I’ll meet you there.”

He grabbed a pair of gym shorts from the clothing tent and headed for the water.

Ellen took a little longer, her suit was a two piece from younger days and it showed.

Her tummy bulged a little over the waist and her bottom, well, it didn’t cover as much as when she was younger, must have shrunk she kidded herself, even the top was a little tight. It wasn’t the most flattering of attires but it was what she had. She walked to the water’s edge.

“Is it cold,” she asked.

“Burr, burr, chatter, chatter, yeah, it’s chilly but you get used to it.”

Tommy watched her as she worked up the nerve to jump in. He could see the ravages time had wrought on her body. She looked her forty-eight years, she was still a pretty woman but she was a pretty middle-aged woman and he loved her, she was his Mom.

Let’s get it over with Ellen thought, do it all at once. She launched into a dive, she’d been a swimmer and diver when she was younger, she was still graceful, she cleaved the water cleanly.

The dive was nice, her trip to the surface anything but, she came up sputtering, “My God Tommy, it’s like ice.”

“Oh you’ll get used to it,” he blithely replied.

After a few minutes she acclimatized, and they began to swim.

Tommy was a powerful swimmer and Ellen was no slouch herself, they frolicked like young otters, diving like porpoises trying to surprise one another by surfacing unexpectedly, Tommy tried to swim between her legs, she clamped her thighs and caught him. He wriggled free but he’d touched her, he felt a little arousal, he swam away.

Unbeknownst to him she felt it, too. She hadn’t been touched there in years, Tommy reminded her so much of Tom but this was Tommy, her son not Tom her long departed husband.