Betty
Hey honey it’s your mom texting you.
Landon
Yes mom I know it’s you. We talked about how texting works remember?
Landon
Your name is in my phone so you don’t have to keep telling me it’s you.
Betty
Well I suck at these things. You know that.
Landon
Yeah. What did you want to tell me?
Betty
I’m running late. I had a conference with a student at school.
Betty
Could you help me out and just be sure to email me that power point and the extra links I have up on my computer.
Landon
Mom you don’t need to email it. You can just plug in your computer to one of the projectors.
Betty
I know, but I use the schools computers and just like doing it that way.
Landon
Yeah no problem. I’m heading to Eric’s soon, so I’ll see you this time tomorrow.
Betty
Okay good night and have fun.
Betty
Landon one of the kids played a mean trick on me today.
Landon
That sucks. What happened?
Betty
Well it was the start of class and I was getting my stuff set up.
Betty
And then I go to my email to click on the link to pull up my power point and after I clicked I went to something else
Betty
because it always takes a minute or so to start up.
Landon
I have no clue where this is going.
Betty
Oh I didn’t either at the time.
Betty
Well I notice the kids all looking at the over head projector and making comments like,
Betty
“I really have to start doing the reading homework for this class.”
Betty
And “what page was this stuff on”.
Betty
Not one of them even tried to warn me.
Landon
Mom just come out with it already.
Betty
It was a one of those GIF things with two men?
Landon
You mean like those quick little repeating video clips?
Betty
Yes! One of those things. I was mortified and tried to take it down.
Betty
I couldn’t believe that’s what happened when I clicked the link on my computer.
Betty
I tried it a few more times and more of my students noticed because I didn’t unplug the cord that hooks it up the large monitor
Betty
so they kept seeing it repeat. It was two men with a close up camera angle of them...in a sexual act.
Landon
Oh gosh mom. I am really sorry this all happened this way.
Betty
Don’t be. I wasn’t embarrassed I went to those kids one by one and made up reasons for why I suspected each one of them.
Landon
You did that? Mom you could get fired! One of them is bound to complain.
Betty
OH no worries. I’m a hop, skip and a jump rope away from retiring anyway.
Betty
But this class is very open-minded. Very off bunch. They all just laughed it off.
Landon
What if they tweet it or start telling their friends and it gets out? Mom I’m really sorry.
Betty
Well one girl admitted that she did, but she didn’t say my name. It’s fine.
Betty
Why are you apologizing? To make it even better I really gave them a show and left it on the screen for a bit. That had their attention.
Landon
Mom it was me. When you asked me to do that stuff for you last night Eric was over.
Betty
So you and Eric pulled a fast one...April Fool’s Day will come soon for the two of you.
Landon
No mom. Eric did it to make you question me.
Betty
I don’t think I see what you’re getting at.
Betty
You know I wouldn’t be upset with you for a harmless prank. Eric either. He’s your best friend.
Betty
I’m not truly upset about this.
Landon
I know mom. I love you.
Betty
Honey you’re acting strange. Why won’t you answer the phone?
Betty
I know you're there you were just texting me!
Betty
Landon. I’ll be home soon alright? It’s fine honestly.
Betty
I thought it was really funny. I even told some of my staff about it.
Betty
I obviously didn’t try to do it again until it was safe and what do ya know the darn thing worked right that time.
Betty
You kids are good with computer gadgets these days.
Landon
Mom I don’t think I should be here when you get home. I don’t think you will want that.
Betty
Landon. What is it?
Landon
He did that to make me tell you about me and him.
Landon
I wasn’t ready and you always talk about how old fashioned you are.
Landon
I want you to still love me. I won’t do this without you.
Betty
You’re scaring me. I have your father hurrying to get there. Just talk to me. You know we will love you regardless.
Landon
I’m gay. I’m sorry mom.
Landon
I really am I tried fighting it for so long. I feel horrible.
Betty
Landon. You are my son. I will always love you.
Betty
I’ve had my suspicions, but I wanted you to confirm or deny it. Who you love doesn’t change my love for you.
Landon
Really? But grandma and grandpa would hate this...and they did raise you.
Betty
Oh honey they also raised me to be sane, but your mom is a rebel.
Betty
I love you too sweet heart. Don’t you ever be afraid to be who you are.
Landon
I feel so relieved.
Betty
Not so fast. You’ve been dating Eric and having him over...we will talk about that. You are only 17.
Landon
Oh gosh please don’t have ‘the talk’ with me again.
Betty
Okay honey...I’ll have it with both of you together and he can’t spend the night over anymore.
Betty
And you know many boys only want one thing from you
Landon
I should have told you when I was 18. And mom please don’t go there.
Betty
You will still be my child no matter how old you get. And I am so going there.
Betty
You are a very nice boy and other boys will try to take advantage of that.
Landon
Mom stop! This is embarrassing and weird.
Betty
I’ll be home soon. Call Eric over. We will have this talk with both of you. I’ll teach you to prank me again.
