Breaking Free from a Mama's Boy

What girl wouldn't fall for a guy who stood 6'1", was ridiculously handsome, had a great sense of humor, and was unfailingly polite?

If he could sing, play the guitar, dominate on the basketball court, and came from a well-off family, wouldn't he have been every girl's dream boyfriend?

Well, let me tell you, I used to have a boyfriend exactly like that.

His name was Julian Lawrence-a name as smooth and captivating as the person himself. I was head over heels for him.

But Julian had one fatal flaw: he was a mama's boy.

Julian and I met after graduating from college while interning at the same company.

He was so handsome it almost felt unfair. Even our middle-aged female managers couldn't resist giving him sly glances during meetings. Work-wise, they gave him all kinds of special treatment.

The rest of us interns noticed, but we had been too low on the totem pole to complain. And me? I was just another intern.

Yet somehow, it was Julian who had pursued me.

I once asked him, "Why me?"

His answer? "I like you. Does there have to be a reason? When you're moved by someone, there's no logic to it."

I had to admit, I hadn't had a clever comeback to that. Plus, being with him had been fun, and I had secretly loved the envious looks we had gotten from others.

After our internships ended, we both landed better jobs and were busy with work and life.

Three months into dating, Julian suggested we move in together. After thinking about it, I gave up my apartment-losing my deposit in the process-and agreed.

Little did I know that after just one day of living together, I'd end up moving out.

On our second morning together, I was still half-asleep when I heard loud clanging noises outside.

I panicked and nudged Julian. "Babe, I think there's a burglar!"

Julian squinted at me groggily and said, "Oh, that's just my mom making breakfast."

Mom?

My heart raced. Was I about to meet his mom already?

I glanced down at myself-messy hair, crumpled pajamas, and an unwashed face. Definitely not the look I wanted for a first impression.

I quickly got out of bed and tiptoed into the bathroom.

In a hurry, I washed my face, did my makeup, and tidied up my hair. After changing into proper clothes, I walked toward the kitchen.

When I reached the kitchen doorway, I saw a short but stylishly dressed woman standing with her back to me. She was wearing her hair in loose curls and cooking breakfast.

I greeted her warmly, "Good morning, Mrs. Lawrence!"

Startled, the woman turned around so quickly that she dropped the spatula she was holding.

"Who... who are you?" she had stammered.

That was her first reaction, and it gave me a good look at her face. She wasn't stunning, but she looked decent enough-pleasant, even.

"Hello, Mrs. Lawrence, I'm Katy Evans. Julian's girlfriend."

At the word "girlfriend," her eyes widened, and she nearly exploded with emotion.

She shoved past me and stormed into the bedroom. Seconds later, she yanked Julian's blanket off him and started interrogating him.

I followed her quickly and stood behind her, staring at Julian, who was still half-asleep.

"Julian, why didn't you tell me you have a girlfriend?" she demanded. "How could you keep something this big from your mom?"

Julian, who was only wearing a pair of boxers, sat in bed in shock. After a few seconds, he dropped his head, looking helpless and guilty.

His expression was just like when kids got caught doing something wrong and knew they were about to be punished.

I froze, completely taken aback. My first thought was: Wow, his mom is scary!

"I'm sorry, Mom," Julian stammered, his voice soft and timid. "I didn't mean to hide it from you. I just wanted to wait until Katy and I were more stable in our relationship-until we were ready to get married-before telling you."

"Julian, you... how could you...?"

Before she could finish her sentence, tears suddenly started streaming down her face.

Her crying left both Julian and me utterly dumbfounded.

What was going on here? Why was she crying all of a sudden?

"Son, you've always told me everything first. Now... now you're keeping such a big thing from me. Do you not trust your mom anymore?" she wailed.

"No, no! That's not it. I just-" Julian, clearly panicking, jumped out of bed to hug her, trying to console her.

I couldn't even describe how surreal this scene was. There they were, mother and son embracing each other, and Julian was still just in his boxers!

I felt like a third wheel, like some mistress who had just been caught in the act by the wife.

"Mom, please don't cry. I never meant to keep this from you. I just-"

She sniffled and cut him off. "I understand. I believe you, my son. Someone must have influenced you, convinced you not to tell your mother, isn't that right?"

What the heck was that supposed to mean? You'd have to be an idiot not to get what she was implying.

Standing there behind them, I really did feel like an idiot.

Julian gave me an awkward, apologetic look before saying, "Katy, why don't you get ready and head to work?"

"Oh, okay," I muttered, grabbing my bag and phone before heading out the door.

On my way to work, I kept replaying the whole incident in my head, wondering if I was still dreaming. How could something so bizarre have just happened?