Twenty Four

Sally dawdled over her breakfast, her thoughts running over and over the events of the past few days. As she popped the last piece of egg-soaked toast into her mouth, she realised she would have to bite the bullet and discuss what had happened with her mother. She finished chewing and washed the mouthful down with a sip of juice.

"Mom," Sally started, and stopped when she saw her mother's flinch at the sound of her voice.

"Mom," she started again, "I think we really have to talk..."

"Yes, I know," Denise answered. "I was just thinking that before you came in and I've been mulling over how I could broach the subject while we were eating."

"Things have been a little strange around here, haven't they?" Sally said with a wry smile.

Denise returned the smile weakly, and ventured, "I think 'a little strange' is putting it mildly ... Actually, I really feel I have failed you and Roy both as a mother."

"What on earth do you mean? I can't think how you've failed us?" Sally responded with surprise.

"I haven't been a good parent. Roy has suddenly gotten involved sexually with a ... a ... Nymph ... and you ... and me... " Denise's voice tailed off, her face flushing with embarresment and shame.

"Mom stop." Sally said quickly, before jumping up from her chair and moving around to give her mother a hug. Denise stood and accepted the hug with gratitude and clung to her daughter, burying her face in her daughter's hair.

"Mom," Sally said after a while, "I can't think what anyone could have done any differently than what you have. I know that we seem to be caught up in something beyond what I would have ever considered normal..."

"That's the understatement of the year," Denise laughed.

"Yes ... well ... be that as it may," Sally continued, "It's not as if I was a virgin before this, and I know that you know that what I experienced was the most incredible experience of my life. In fact, I think you experienced something of that yourself."

Denise pulled back and dabbed at her tear-stained face with the back of her hand. "That's just the point, I didn't even try to protect you, I just allowed myself to get caught up in the situation and allowed my own libido to direct my actions."

"But Mom, you are still a highly attractive woman, with sexual needs of your own ... you can't blame yourself for that."

"I don't," Denise replied with some heat, "I blame myself for not fulfilling the responsibilities of any parent, that is to put the best interests of her children before her own selfish desires."