[Chasmo]

As Nicole, Jules, Will and the other gala attendees found their seats – each at a table adorned with white linen tablecloths, flowers and all the other accoutrements of a Hollywood awards show, including copious amounts of free-flowing wine – Fitness Fest began to take on the pace that one might expect. Fitness company executives, local athletes, regional dignitaries, and the like took the stage to show their wares, support their teams and inform all present of the opportunities for wellness and athleticism that their various towns, burbs, and counties offered to residents. There was a dance contest between the respective mascots of the Washington Commanders, Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles and – as the evening reached its midpoint -- a keynote speech given by Joe Theismann, the long-retired Washington quarterback who had led the team to a Super Bowl victory in the 1980s.

For Sharon Miras, the night seemed literally endless. Having been completely humiliated before the evening began by both her boyfriend Will and Jules Silver’s overbearingly showy mother Nicole, she found herself sitting between them during dinner. Worse yet, after excusing herself for a moment to use the powder room, Sharon returned to find that Mrs. Silver had moved into her seat next to Will, which resulted in Sharon now being sandwiched between the haughty showoff and her son Jules.

“It’s almost time for your big show, young man,” Sharon heard Nicole whisper to Will while coyly wrapping her gloved hand across Will’s broad shoulders. You should really head back stage to get changed . . . and oiled up. After all, you don’t want any of these women . . . and girls . . . missing any of your ripples.”

Sharon Miras simply fumed – the “and girls” remark was accompanied by Nicole rolling her eyes in the timid girl’s direction. This muscled-up MILF needed to be brought down a few pegs but far be it for someone like her, or her meek mother Rachel, to make it happen.

“Hey babe,” Sharon’s train of thought was broken by the sound of Will’s voice finally acknowledging her existence, “why don’t you come backstage with me to help me change and get oiled up.”

Although that was the last thing Sharon wanted to do, she knew she needed to keep an eye on Will with Nicole clearly on the prowl.

“Sure Will,” she smiled, before offering her seatmate an exit from his overbearing mother, “Jules, do you want to come too.”

"I don't need that creepy nerd watching me change," snapped an annoyed Will Parnell, as usual castigating his girlfriend while humiliating the smaller boy.

“Jules doesn’t have time to follow you around anyway dear,” Nicole haughtily interjected taking Will's side, “he has more important things to do, namely, to help me. Come now Jules, mommy needs to head back stage too. Her big acceptance speech is going to take place immediately before Will’s pose down so she can then present him with his ‘Adonis Award.’”

“Yes mom,” Jules croaked more annoyed than ever by his haughty mother and that muscle head Parnell. Without making eye contact with anyone, he rose to follow Nicole backstage.

“And Miras,” Mrs. Silver smugly commanded Rachel Miras who remained at the table with Katherine Wray and Emily Duncan, “make sure you don’t blather on when you hand me my prize, and for God’s sake stand behind the podium up there. I can’t have the entire audience think you’re one of my followers – not with that four square body you have – it would be completely humiliating.”

As Rachel Miras seethed, Nicole began to make her way backstage from their table only to be temporarily halted as Jules – not looking where he was going – inadvertently stepped on the trailing hem of his mother’s incredibly sexy black gown.

“Jules you idiot,” came Nicole’s sharp rebuke as she felt her dress strain against her fabulous body, “watch where you’re stepping or you’re going to ruin my dress . . . or worse. Don’t you embarrass me young man.”

Having witnessed Nicole’s near wardrobe malfunction, Rachel smiled for the first time all night. She now knew exactly where she would stand while presenting the pulchritudinous prima donna with her award, and she couldn’t wait. Although Jules may not be embarrassing his mother, Rachel certainly intended to.