January Exclusive - "Orientation" - Part 5

Carlisle, Massachusetts

Jack runs in to the hallway.

“Wait for me,” his mother calls, laughing as she follows her adult son to the front door.

Jack stands impatiently, waits for the okay to open the door. Because he doesn’t open the door by himself. He doesn’t speak to visitors without his mother.

Jack’s a very good boy.

His mother gives him an approving nod. “Go on then, sweetie. Let’s see who it is.”

They already know. The visit has been all they’ve talked about this morning. And the understanding that Jack knows the identity of the caller, even though he can’t see her, feels like a magic trick.

He wrenches open the door.

“Hi!” he exclaims, feeling a rush of affection for the plump woman on the doorstep.

“Jack,” says the woman. “It’s so good to see you again.” She doesn’t seem surprised when Jack goes to hug her, either by the act or its intensity. She laughs. “Missed you too!”

“He’s such a cuddle-bug,” says Jack’s mother, joining in the laughter. When her son finally steps back, she offers the visitor a hand. “So good to meet you in person, Mrs Taylor.”

The Ngatea school principal beams in agreement. “Finally.”

In the living room, the women drink coffee. (“Normally I stick to green tea, but I’m in America, I should really try coffee!”) while Jack can’t sit still, squirming distractedly on the couch beside Mommy.

“You’re here for…how long?”

“Ten days,” Mrs Taylor replies. “I couldn’t resist paying you a visit. Although really, I’m in the US to see some potential sites for new schools.” She waves in the direction of the window. “I’ll be in Boston, and then a couple of stops and I’ll be on the west coast.”

“How exciting!” says Mommy. “You do such good work; I love the idea of you being to help more people here in the US.”

Mrs Taylor nods and smiles. “Helping people like Jack? That’s our mission.” She puts down her coffee cup and puts her hands out inviting to Jack.

Jack jumps up and goes to stand in front of the school principal. It’s good to see her. This is the lady who helped him when he was feeling foggy. This is the lady who told Seren to help him.

She looks him up and down. “You’re happy now, aren’t you Jack. Finally, a chance to heal all that hurt from your childhood with a mother who just wants to love her special boy.” She rubs her hands together. “I know you were proud of your bright mind, but all those IQ points weren’t serving you well.”

Jack doesn’t know what an IQ point is. But he smiles. Of course, he’s happy.

Mrs Taylor smiles. “And you’re still bright as a button, aren’t you Jack. Still such a clever boy.”

Jack nods confidently. “Bright button,” he echoes with messy diction. Bih budden. He puffs out his chest and gives the headlines. “Imma big boy, don’t weh diapuhs!”

The principal looks distinctly impressed. “What a big boy!” She takes his hands and swings them back and forth. “Not like those silly big babies back at the school, eh. Looks like you didn’t belong in Mr. Briggs’ class after all.”

Jack gives another nod, although his memories of the classroom are so fuzzy that they may as well be a dream. Would he remember Suzie, if she were to walk up to him now? Would he remember Veena?

“Are you being a good boy for Mommy?” asks the lady.

“Uh-huh!” He looks back at his mother for confirmation.

“Good as gold,” says Mommy, and Jack beams.

“Giving Mommy lots of cuddles?” asks Mrs Taylor. She tickles the man’s sides gently, provoking squirms and giggles.

“Lotsa cudduhs!” he blurts. He loves his special cuddles with Mommy.

His mother says happily, “Now I get all the cuddles. He’s such a sweet boy. Utterly transformed!” She loos at he principal with tear-filled eyes. “I can’t thank you enough.”

Mrs Taylor nods. “Team effort, always is. Jack’s teacher did a fine job, they always do, but my assistant’s efforts are really what made the difference. Jack really took a shine to her.”

Jack blinks. What is Mommy and the lady talking about? He frowns with concentration, and yes, he can remember Seren from the long journey on the airplane. (The lady in the row behind said that Seren had the patience of a saint, whatever that meant.)

And he remembers the hallway.

I’m leaving.

It’s up to you. You don’t have to stay here if you don’t want to. It’s not a prison.

The way Seren had said it. As if Jack was free, as if nothing was wrong. Gaslighting his concerns.

Maybe you should leave. Maybe this isn’t for you.

And then reaching forward.

Silly, your shirt’s all messy again. You don’t want to look messy on your first day.

Tucking in his polo shirt, fingers exploring and stroking.

You’re not messy, are you? You’re not a silly goose?

And Jack knew, they’d had this conversation before. And in fact, the words belonged to the orientation video. Of the goose with the scarf. That silly, silly goose. And of being cozy, of letting go.

Should be nice and cozy. I can make you extra cozy Jack. Do want that? You want to be all cozy?

How could he resist? Letting Seren undress him, touch him, stroke him, and then dress him up again, taking him back to the classroom in his fuzzy blue onesie, to play with the others, especially Suzie. He was a silly goose, she was a bunny-boo, and they played together, squirmed together, until they were both red-faced and breathless, until Jack got harder than he had ever been before, and then he made the biggest mess.

“….bright button?”

The lady is talking to him, bringing his attention back to now, the living room at home in Carlisle. Back home with Mommy.

Jack gazes at the lady, a finger creeping toward his mouth. What is she saying?

Mrs Taylor laughs gently. “What a clever boy you are, such a bright mind.” She gestures at his outfit. “And I love your jammies.” She peers at pattern on the two-piece pajamas as if trying to decipher it. “Are those kitty-cats?”

Jack chortles. “No-oh! Doggies!”

“Oh,” Mrs Taylor, “silly me.” Her expression grows puzzled once more. “What sound do doggies make? Do they say miaow?”

Jack squeals with delight. “Woof!” He jumps up and down, enjoying the friction of his fuzzy pajamas against his penis. “Woof-woof!”

Mrs Taylor looks relieved. “Of course. Doggies go woof.” She smiles past him at Mommy. “Still using the special words?”

Jack’s mother nods. “Every day, just like Seren showed me, especially morning and bedtime. I love the look on his face, he gets so silly and sweet.”

“Excellent.” Mrs Taylor nods at Jack. “You look adorable in your pajamas. Are they warm? Are they cozy?” She smiles. “You certainly look cozy to me.”

Jack nods, feeling the glow of praise and the warm hardness between his legs at the same time. He doesn’t touch himself – only Mommy gets to do that – but he pushes with his hips, happy to show off the tenting of his pajama bottoms.

And so Mrs Wilson takes the hint and makes her excuses. She has places to be, new schools to establish. And Jack deserves his special time. To be the silliest of gooses, and the coziest of boys, enjoying delightful, squirmy cuddles with his doting mother.

THE END

A young man fresh from college has to watch a very interesting orientation video before starting at Ngatea Special School - Dean