Mixed Signals

The scene unfolds with a stunning woman, Josie, alighting from her vehicle. She inhales the crisp air and grins, thrilled to be home after a lengthy journey. She opens the trunk, retrieves her belongings, and hesitates before returning to the passenger side.
Tapping on the window, it descends to reveal a somewhat uneasy young man. Josie has brought her 22-year-old son, Aaron, back from university for the summer. This is Aaron's first visit to his mother's new residence and her new family.
Recently, Josie remarried a man with a 19-year-old daughter. Aaron, an only child, has no experience with teenage girls and is still a virgin, a rather clumsy one at that. His mother inquires if he's prepared to enter the house.
Aaron seems thoughtful, and she assures him no one will harm him. She appreciates his willingness to spend the summer bonding with the family. Aaron requests to go to his room, but Josie, slightly annoyed, opens the door and guides him out of the vehicle.
'Aaron,' she says, 'I am your mother and I adore you. Today is significant for me. Will you humor me?' Aaron takes a deep breath and agrees.
Josie beams and embraces him tightly. CUT TO TITLE PLATE Aaron sits stiffly on the sofa while Josie, in the background, shows him her husband's art collection and boasts about his refined tastes. One benefit of his frequent travel for work, she says, is living in a place that feels like a museum, a vast improvement over Aaron's negligent father.
Suddenly, the back door swings open and in bursts Alexis, the scantily-clad step-sister. Alexis rushes to Josie, gives her a warm hug, then turns her attention to Aaron. Aaron flushes at the sight of her.
'Is this my new big brother?' she asks flirtatiously. 'Mom, you didn't mention your son was this cute!?' She slides in next to Aaron, straddles him, and gives him a hug. Aaron is unsure of where to place his hands.
She giggles and slides off, introduces herself and welcomes him to the family. 'Sorry, I can be a little over-energetic!' She apologizes. 'I'm just excited to finally meet you!' She pecks his cheek and tells Josie she'll be in her room before dashing off.
Josie smiles. Alexis is a delightful girl, she says as they resume the tour. Aaron covers the bulge in his pants.
A FEW DAYS LATER, Aaron is on the patio reading when Alexis returns from a jog. She's dressed in only a sports bra and short shorts. She greets him and asks if she can stretch on the patio next to him.
Not knowing what else to do, he agrees. As she bends over, Aaron can't help but stare at her flawless body. She inquires about his age.
He tells her he's 22. She asks why he's always reading. He explains that he's preparing for graduate school in the fall.
She tells him she just turned 19 and hasn't figured out what she wants to do with her life. Their chit-chat fades into an awkward silence as Aaron continues to stare. Alexis notices him staring and smirks.
This makes him blush and retreat to his book. 'You don't go out much, do you?' She teases. Aaron mumbles something about being busy.
'Well, you and I should go see a movie sometime!' She suggests before heading inside. Once alone, Aaron can't help but grin. A FEW DAYS LATER, Aaron is walking down the hall when he overhears Alexis in the bathroom.
Through a gap in the door, he sees his step-sister admiring her nude body in the mirror and talking to herself. 'I don't know how to tell you this,' she says to her reflection, obviously rehearsing a speech for someone else. 'But I've been aroused since the moment I laid eyes on you.
I can't restrain myself anymore. I need you to make love to me tonight!' Aaron is shocked and quickly exits the hallway. CUT to Aaron's room.
He's pleasuring himself next to a framed photo of Alexis when Josie knocks on his door. In a panic, he hides the photo and covers himself. When Josie enters, she notices her son seems anxious.
She asks if he wants to talk. He's been here a few weeks, and things appear to be going well, but she understands how uneasy he can be in unfamiliar situations. Aaron decides to seek his mother's advice about Alexis, but he knows he can't reveal the truth.
So, he lies. He tells her he's met a beautiful young woman online who's been flirting with him and asked him out. He's fond of her but unsure how.