I'd actually been thinking about doing a similar one-shot for Seth and for Ryan, and that review was just enough to make me definitely do it. Thanks for all the nice reviews!
"Um…hi, Mom." Seth didn't really know what to say; he and his mother had parted on awkward terms.
"Hi, honey," said Kirsten. "So…um…how's everything?" What a lame question. Since when did she and Seth have nothing to say to each other?
"It's good," he said immediately. Dad had told him that they weren't to mention Marissa and Trey, which had taken up most of his energy this summer. "Summer misses you."
"Really?"
"Yeah, she, uh, she says nothing's the same without you. She's over here constantly, though, since she says I need a woman around…I should probably thank you for that."
"Seth," warned Kirsten. "I may not be home right now, but I am still your mother. Please don't tell me you're doing anything that would embarrass me."
"Okay, I won't."
"Seth."
"Mom, I'd like to remind you that it was you who explained to me that sex is not only natural but actually very healthy. You know, the day you scarred me for life." She flushed as she remembered the occasion.
"That was Dad and me. You and Summer…"
"Summer and I are eighteen. We're going to college in the fall, and we have been dating for more than a year. Well, on and off, but you know what I mean. And I promise you, we are being as safe as medically possible. Don't worry."
Kirsten sighed. It was true; she shouldn't worry. Her baby boy was eighteen years old, and he didn't need her protection any longer. He and Summer had been dating a long time, and he was fathoms deep in love with her, so Kirsten figured that fighting sex was fighting a losing battle. He was going away in the fall. She prayed she'd be able to see him off.
"Well, I guess you're not going to listen to me, are you?"
"Actually, I don't mind if you say 'No sex.' It could be really fun trying to figure out how to get around that…" She closed her eyes and shook her head. There was no way the man musing about "getting around that" was her little Seth Ezekiel, her baby.
"Just don't let me see it," she finally managed to say.
"Funny, I always told you and Dad the same thing…" As Seth heard his mom inhale sharply on the other end, he decided to let go.
"Don't worry about it, Mommy. I promise to be careful, and I promise not to make you think about it more than absolutely maternally necessary."
"Thank you, honey."
"So…yeah…away from that topic. How's the rehab?"
"It's rehab. It's okay. I'm glad you guys made me come here. I miss you so much, though; you have no idea."
"Yes, I do. I miss you." Kirsten sighed.
"I guess we're going to have to get used to this separation thing. Your dad and I are so proud of you for choosing Berkeley, by the way. I probably forgot to mention it what with all the…drama."
"Yeah, it's okay. And that's not separation. You're trying to tell me you're not going to take the Newport Group's private jet out to Berkeley, like, all the time to see your son?"
"We're going to try not to. You're legally an adult, Seth…you're going to eventually need to learn how to be a grown-up."
"Ryan can teach me. I'll still miss you."
"Well, you know. You're not going to live with Dad and me forever. You're going to grow up, live your own life, get married, have kids…the best of everything for my baby boy."
"That's you, Mom, always trying to put a good spin on things, even rehab. I'm not 'missing my mom;' I'm 'learning how to live day-to-day without her.'" Kirsten laughed. He was one in a million, her Seth.
"Yeah, and Mom?"
"What is it, sweetie?"
"That getting married, having kids stuff? Is it actually as great as everyone seems to think it's going to be?" She smiled. Oh, baby boy, you're never going to believe all the things that are in store for you.
"Even better. I love you, Seth."
"I love you too, Mom. Bye."
"Bye."