It had been a silly mistake to make.  Normally Paula was so careful.  After having been on the computer and using the search engines she would always delete the history files so nobody could see where she had been.  For once though she'd slipped up.  Her mother had guessed it would be Paula and had asked conversationally “so what's the interest in anal sex?”

Keeping her eyes down on the newspaper Paula had muttered “Just curious”, but couldn't prevent herself from asking “Have you ever done it?” Her mother swallowed, lost for how to respond. Sensing the silence, Paula had looked up at last.  Her mother had never not answered a specific question, however personal. “Yes” she said at last.  “What's it like?” Paula blurted out.  Another long silence, then “Very different to normal sex” her mother said “It can give very strong physical pleasure once you get used to it”.

She had gone on to say that Paula had probably read all about the need for plenty of lubrication and the need for hygiene before and afterwards. Her mother had regained the initiative now and asked Paula “Have you done it? Or just thinking about it?”.

Before Paula could answer, she had said “We need to talk young lady, I'll be back in a minute”.  Paula heard her mother go upstairs and could hear drawers being opened.  Those words 'young lady' were normally the start of a lecture or telling-off.  She wished her father and/or sister would come in to save her, but no such luck.

Her mother returned, “Time for a few home truths” she said.  “How long have you been smoking?” holding a pack of cigarettes Paula had left in her bedside drawer.  To Paula's surprise her mother took a cigarette and lit it.  Paula had never seen her mother smoke, although she knew from old photographs that both her mother and father had smoked years ago. “Do you want one?” her mother asked offering her her own cigarettes. “I found these earlier when I was tidying up and tried one earlier. I realise I miss the habit, so I'm not going to mind you smoking”.  Paula took one and joined her mother.  Watching Paula her mother said “you've been smoking for a while obviously” “Rather than sneak around the playground or wherever,you can smoke in the house when you want, but not upstairs.  There will be a problem with your father, but I'll clear matters”.

Her mother then reached into her skirt pocket and put an opened pack of condoms on the table.  “Well at least you're being sensible and using extra protection” she had said.  “I don't want to pry and ask who with, when or how many times, but I do remember how many there are in a pack of these things”. “All I'll ask you is do you know what you're doing”.  Paula hadn't even blushed and was a bit taken aback about how calm her mother seemed.  She noticed that the cigarette in her mother's hand was trembling slightly so it was a bit of a front.  All Paula could think of to say was “Don't worry, I'm OK with it”. “Well, I'm here if you want to talk”.  “Now back to how this started, have you had it up your bum yet?” Paula replied “Not fully, I've tried to do it but can't get it in”. Paula's mother had smiled sympathetically “You have to be really relaxed and use plenty of lubrication the first time.”

“Which brings me on to another thing, if you are going to borrow my vibrator, could you please clean it after”.  Paula opened her mouth to protest.  She always wiped them after use, and made sure she put them back in the drawer in the exact same place.  Realisation dawned on her, Karen must have been nosing around and found them.  “Sorry, mum” Paula said, She'd kill her younger sister later.  Her mother went upstairs and returned with the larger of the three vibrators “Here” she said “You can have this.  I know you've found the KY in the bathroom cabinet”.

Somewhat stunned Paula had reached for her cigarettes.  Nervously she offered the pack to her mother and they sat each with their own thoughts.  Paula felt a bit relieved, no more secrets.  She felt a bonding with her mother closer than ever before, and she knew her mother knew she wasn't a young lady anymore.