As Sally and Liz rise and head to Liz's bedroom, the shock, anger and bewilderment coaless into a mindbreaking depression of nearly suicidal levels. You're just thinking of whether hanging or shooting yourself would be the better way to go when...suddenly it's gone. Everything is washed away by a burst of pure indifference. Suddenly, you couldn't care less what Sally does. She can fuck off and die of a heart attack in the middle of her "fun" with Liz and then smother your little sister to death. If Sally has no use for you, you certainly have no use for her. All of this comes at once, in the space of a breath, and finally you settle again on the couch wondering what to do with the rest of your day. At this point, your mom enters the room.
"Hey hon," she says, bustling over and sitting down next to you, leaving not much space on the couch for you, "where are the girls."
"Up in Liz's room," you say breezily, "Sally just unceremoniously friendzoned me and then went to bed with Liz in pretty much the same sentence."
"Oh, sweetie, I'm sorry," says mom, wrapping a huge pillowy arm around you and pretty much burying you in her bulk.
You don't fight it. Despite the smells of sweat, her many rolls of flab that pretty much swallow you up, the comfort does feel good. You come to realize that none of this seems a change from what was to anyone except you. You might as well go with it until you can figure out how to solve the matter.
"It's okay, mom," you say, "I guess I should pretty much be used to this stuff by now. Not good enough for any girl, I guess."
"Oh Steve, don't get like that," says your mom, stroking your hair, "you're a fine young man, I'm sure when you find the right girl..."
"Mom, let's face it," you say looking up with a sigh, "Sally's just the latest. No girl I've ever met has been attracted to me honestly. Hell, Sally probably only went out with me this long out of pity. It's just something I'm gonna have to get used to. Well, I've pretty much had it. I appreciate you trying to comfort and encourage me, but you can't make women love me if they're not gonna. Besides, it's not all bad."
Most of the bitterness has drained from your voice leaving a kind of blank quality. A glance upward shows that your mom is getting steadily more worried.
"After all," you continue, "Don't have to worry about looking appealing, paying for dates, buying gifts, wasting my time worrying about getting married and having kids and trying to raise 'em...because I'm not going to have the opportunity to do any of that. You're gonna have to turn to my sisters for those grandkids you want. Sorry mom."
You feel your mom's grip on you tighten just a little, just enough. Glancing up again you can see the frustration and anger in her eyes as well as a few tears.
"I don't know how much I want my daughter dating a girl who would hurt my little boy like this," she says.
"Mom, leave it," you say gently, "It's not her fault. I just happen to be an undersized, ugly little..."
"Stop right there," says your mom, "This has gone far enough. I can't just stand by and allow the rest of the world to leave you behind just because...you're a little on the small side. There's not much I can do but there is something. I've been hesitant to try this, but it might just make things a little better for you."
With that, mom releases you and rises to get something. She quickly returns with a green pill. Without even pausing, she steadies you and pops it into your mouth...causing you to swallow on reflex.
"Mom, what?" you manage.
"A doctor I used to know gave me this for just such an emergency," she says, "It won't solve everything, but what it will do is..."
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