Page 68 of Paper Thin Love

“Dash,” mom says as if sensing the walls my father build around my heart,“One day you're going to meet a woman. Maybe you have.” She raises a brow.

“Don’t tell me you're giving me the sex talk here.” I glance around the floor, easily spotting mom’s massive security team patrolling the area.“Dad beat you to it years ago.”

“No, but a mother has to give her son a different kind of talk.”

“Mom,” I roll my eyes and sigh.

“Don’t‘mom’me,” she swats my chest,“Now spin me.”

I do as she says, never letting her veer too far before I pull her back in.“I’m a woman in our world Dash, I know what it takes to love a man with ‘King’ as his last name. I also know how you will have a parade of women clamoring to get into your bed.”

“Mom please,” I groan in annoyance.

“Listen to me. Women are different, some of us are ruthless. Please stay away from them, Dash. Others are just pawns. One day, if you ever meet a pawn, don’t play with her heart. Protect it.”

“What do you mean?”

She looks down uncomfortably for the first time.“I’m saying don’t fuck around and yes, I know this talk is better suited for a female in our world, but please, Dash, as my only son make me proud. Don’t treat women like so many men in our world do. Treat them like your father has treated me. We are objects in this world, but some objects can be viewed as treasures, others as weapons and some merely forgotten spoils of war.”

I stumble over my feet. Mom is the one to steady me.

“You’re not an object. You are my mother.” I state, holding her in a tighter grip. I abhor that she feels this way.

Did I fail her?

The smile that touches her now teary eyes is that of a tragic awareness.“I know what I am in your father’s eyes. That’s all that matters to me, Dash. I want you to treat the woman that steals your heart the same way.”

“Fine,” I grunt,“whatever.” I glance down but not before I peer at her with a silence look of respect.

“Oh lord, you’ve slept around already, haven’t you?” She expresses, trying to lighten the mood as she takes control of our dance, sweeping us across the floor.

“Mom!”

Her face blushes.“I’m sorry. I know now isn’t the right time, but I had to tell you. I should have years ago. I just,” She looks over my shoulder lost in thought.

“You don’t have to worry, mom.” I confide in her.

Her eyes bounce back to mine with surprise. Great, now my mom knows I’m a loser who hasn’t had sex yet.

“Just promise me,” she raises her hand and places it over my heart,“promise me you will guard your heart but also make sure you protect other people’s hearts along the way.”

The music slows then merges into a fast song, but mom and I stop dancing. She looks up at me with pleading eyes.

“I promise.” I reply having no idea how that innocent vow would affect me.

I’m not saying I remained completely innocent. I had fooled around, but whenever it came time to sleep with a girl, I heard my mom’s warning. Mom was right, so many women in our world were ruthless.

They didn’t attract me.

The ones that did make my eyes linger had hearts that were so simple to break. I knew if I slept with them I’d shatter their souls, killing their dreams; dirtying my hands.

So I stayed away. Until my father bound Mila to me.

I can’t stay away.

I also can’t love her like my father loved my mom.

I’m using Mila, but she’s using me. I just don’t know who is using who more.

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