“Uh... well..."

“That sounds far less certain than, 'No, of course not.' You DO feel the need to keep your lost virginity a secret, don't you?"

“Well...”

“Some of those girls are going to get jealous when they find out, aren't they?"

“It's not like that."

“Because some of those girls want to have sex with you too, don't they?"

"I... uh..." My voice trailed off as I thought about Naimh constantly trying to get into my pants. And ah, shit, there was the whole thing with Belle starting the pill for me. My face gave me away.

“There ARE others who want to have sex with you." Mother leaned forward and planted her elbows on the table, folded her fingers together, and set her chin down atop them. Her eyes glittered with intensity.

I rubbed my forehead.

“It's... complicated."

“Teenage relationships are always complicated. It's been a while, but I was eighteen once, too."

"I do NOT want to think about that."

Mother chuckled. "Are these other girls using birth control?"

I rolled my eyes.

“Is that all you care about?"

“I care a LOT about whether or not my only son accidentally gets a girl pregnant. Yes, I do."

"Yes, yes, accidentally having me was the worst thing that ever happened to you. I know, I know."

“Matthew.” Mother scolded rather loudly, on the verge of yelling, but she took a deep breath, collected herself, and sat up straight. "I do not pretend to be a very good mother. I don't have that... maternal... instinct. I am sorry that I've always prioritized my career over you. I try to make myself feel better by making sure that you have always been provided for, but I realize that is small comfort for a boy who never really had a father."

I rolled my eyes and glared at her.

“Well... you never really had a mother, either," she conceded. "And there's nothing I can do that will make up for the time already gone by. Nor will I suddenly become a constant part of your Life."

She paused, considering her next words.

I arched an eyebrow. "I smell a ‘but' coming..."

Mother looked amused, and then deliberately began, “However... you are no longer a child. In fact, not only are you legally of age, there are some who would say you've only now reached full maturity tonight. And in plain simple fact, I find it much easier to deal with adults than I do with children."

“What are you saying?"

Mom shrugged. "I'm saying that the older you get, the more we'll have in common. And the more we have in common, the more I hope you'll come to understand that while I will never be the affectionate mama bear to you that Belle's mother was, I DO love you in my own way. And I'd Like to do what I can to support your needs."