Mike's mother was relaxing on the couch when the home phone rang. She got up from her comfy place and picked it up, expecting a spam caller on the other end. Instead, she was greeted warmly by her friend's voice. "Hello, Ellen! Is Lucy still over there?"
Mike's mom smiled. "Ah, hello Agatha! Yes, I believe she still is. I think she's up with Mike in his room playing games."
"Well can you let her know she needs to come home now? Dinner will be ready soon." The voice from the other side said.
"Of course. She'll be on her way soon. Have a good evening." Mike's mom replied, then hung up the phone. She looked upstairs with a smile. She hadn't really heard a peep from the two in a while, which was unusual given their dynamic. Often there would be yelling and fighting coming from Lucy's end, but even she remained silent.
The mother walked up the stairs to Mike's room when she heard their quiet voices coming from it. She took a few steps and stood as silently as she could outside the closed door to listen in. It wasn't often she had the opportunity to do so, and it would be nice to see how they were when they weren't at each other's throats.
"You like it?" She heard Mike say, and she could hear the pride in his voice.
"It's so big!" Lucy gasped.
"Yeah, all thanks to me!" Said the boy. Mike's mom's eyes grew wide. Surely they weren't.
There was some creaking from Mike's bed and then Lucy said. "It smells nice."
"I try to keep it clean." Mike said. Silence, and then. "W-wait! Don't get too close to it!"
"I'm not gonna do anything to hurt it!" Lucy said back stiffly. "But… can I touch it?"
"Uh… heh…" Mike's mom heard him say nervously. "S-sure… just be gentle, it's sensitive."
Mike's mom had heard enough. Without a moment's delay, she flung the door open. "What are you two doing in here?!" She cried. Lucy and Mike were on his bed, sitting across from each other. At the sudden commotion, they leapt apart. The way they were positioned, whatever they were talking about was blocked from her view.
The mother rushed over to find… A large flower between them. They both looked rather embarrassed about it, and when Mike's mom realized her mistake, she too looked very embarrassed. "M-mom!" Mike said in exasperation.
"Sorry! Sorry!" She said, taking a step back to give the two some breathing room. "I… well, I misunderstood…" She shook her head. "Anyway, Lucy, your mom wants you home."
Lucy nodded, face on fire, still too embarrassed to speak. She slid off the bed and grabbed her backpack and left, with just a small glance over her shoulder at Mike, whose face matched hers. Mike's mom breathed a sigh of relief, but made something clear. "I want this door to remain OPEN while you two are in here!"