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So as I've mentioned in previous blogs about "Peanut Butter Babysitter," I'm not the same person I was 20 years ago when I started it. I'm now divorced instead of married. I've had a lot of life experiences; but I really don't have any experience with polygamy, despite it being a main factor in PBB.
But over the past two decades, I've read a lot of stories, mostly on SOL, that take a peek into the non-monogamous lifestyle. I'll mention a few here, and if you don't know them, you should look them up!!
Nick Scipio. His seminal "Summer Camp" series focuses more on swinging than on stable, polygamous relationships. But it still introduced me to the idea of long-term non-monogamy. It also gave me the beautiful concept that "the opposite of love isn't hate, it's indifference." I know Nick didn't event that concept, but I learned it from him -- and literally just stated it to someone at a happy hour this week!!
Grey Wolf. His "Variation on a Theme" story focuses on a couple of open relationships, but (mild spoilers) is moving towards the idea of having some long-term, stable "thirds" adding to a relationship. Not true polygamy -- not three people living in a house together every day -- but in that direction.
Al Steiner. Al's 20-year "Intemperance" saga unexpectedly picked up a polygamous triple along the way. I surely didn't see that coming until it happened. But that triple is the model for what Jim/Aimee/Beth became. Partners in all senses of the world, running a household, raising children, considering themselves all married to each other, no matter what society thinks.
Al began publishing Intemperance in 2005, just after I started PBB. And he finished it yesterday with a marvelous final chapter (publishing first on Patreon, eventually comes here to SOL). He's been much more productive than I have over the past two decades; I'm not at all comparing PBB to Intemperance. But Intemperance has definitely been a huge influence, and I find a certain universal alignment in the (entirely coincidental) fact that these two stories concluded within a few days of each other. :)
Wow. Over the past two decades, I never thought I'd write the final words to this story. I am really, really proud of this story, and as I've said previously -- it's so much better than anything I could have written in 2004.
It's also the longest tale I've ever written. At about 134K words, it beats out "The Arrangement" by ~10%.
Thanks to all of you who have written to me and commented on this story. I appreciate it. I write for myself, but also for the readers, and am gratified that this story both connected with people in its 2004 version, and has connected with people (some of the same, some new readers) in 2025. The score has remained remarkably consistent with each new chapter, and consistent with its 2004 edition. It is the highest-rated story I've ever published here, which feels pretty good.
Special thanks to Dan, who has served as the de facto editor for this story. He reads with a keen eye and he has caught several errors. You made this story better, Dan!
I love the way the story ends for Beth, Jim, and Aimee (and for Jake and Ethan, too). The story wraps up these characters very nicely. Although I love them, I can't currently imagine revisiting their tale. Their story is done, and we can all imagine their happily ever after.
What's next for me as an author? Not sure. After 8+ years of inactivity, I've written "Who's the Blonde Stranger (on Broadway)?" and this story in quick succession. I'll probably go back to just being an SOL reader, at least for a little while. But this is probably not the last story I'll write here.
To the original "Aimee" -- who is very, very unlikely to see this -- thank you for sharing your "DILF in the grocery store" moment with me, all those years ago. Your inspiration made this story possible, and although I doubt you got involved in a polyamorous triple with that guy and his wife, I hope you're happy, wherever you are.
Thanks for reading, from the bottom of my heart.
...are now posted, I didn't do a blog entry for 18 a couple of days ago.
Chapter 19 is a really big one, the last big pivot/plot point for this little family that I love so much. This is the last "mainline" chapter, we'll wrap up this story with an Epilogue. I'll post that on Sunday.
The final image for this story is now posted to the gallery as well:
https://imgur.com/a/images-peanut-butter-babysitter-spoilers-read-all-published-chapters-first-XLxjx6N
Thanks to all of you for the comments and messages. Very curious to hear what people think of chapter 19!
Now posted. Four more chapters to go after this one. I really like how the story turned out and I hope you all do as well!!
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