Chapter 87

After a dinner of Stuffed Chicken breasts prepared by Catarina and Candice, they all shared a hot tub. The new sized tub tested almost to its capacity. At Cindy’s request, the women mostly left John to relax and unwind.

The triplets claimed Catarina for the night. Sheila opted for the Candice, Mae and Judy trio. Theresa and Cindy kept John company. Theresa was a nervous wreck; Alternating between frantically passionate love making and sleep. Cindy was cuddly and quiet. Brimming with pride over her man.

Sally, Jean and Shannon Lucy managed to slip through the media by the hair of their teeth. Arriving at the Silo the next day. They were greeted warmly by all. Sally was as almost as hungry as Theresa.

Bill Howdy escorted Kevin in by military transport. Kevin wasn’t getting much rest in the hospital. The doctors were happy to see him go as the news media left when he did. Theresa instantly took over his nursing, dotting over him.

Howdy and John retired to the office to talk privately.

“I ain’t no flipping hero!” John said, sipping at his scotch.

“Actually, you are. How are you defining a hero? I know for a fact you have saved at least five lives. What else would that make you?” Howdy chuckled, over his own scotch.

“A normal human being who just dealt with the shit that was presented to him the best way he knew how.” John said.

“People are presented with shit every day. They seldom save lives.” Bill said.

“Well, I sure don’t feel like a hero...” John mopped.

“What do you feel like?” Howdy asked.

“Lately, I just don’t know. I’m still kind of shell shocked.” John said.

“That’s understandable ... That will wear off with time. Given a chance.” Bill said.

“Yeah, the news media is getting closer. They interviewed my Ex-wife for god’s sake. She wants to know where I am too.” John said, rolling his eyes.

“Yeah, I saw that one. That kid of yours broadcasting her heartfelt appeal for her daddy.” Bill said.

“That part was kind of funny. She’s not actually my kid. My ex had an affair with some dork.” John said.

“So that’s why you never felt any compulsion to see the kid? I wondered about that. You’re not the kind to neglect an offspring.” Bill said.

“If she’d been less of a brat, I might have been more inclined to play daddy anyway. Actually, it was my ex that kept us apart.” John mused.

“Somehow I can’t picture you married to that woman. Not your style at all.” Bill said.

“So what are we going to do about all this shit?” John asked, “I suspect that it’s getting a little warm on your end too.”

“You have no idea how warm; Right now shits flying every which way. The governments thrilled to death over how many agents we took down, but they don’t have a clue how to handle the media or how to explain what took place. I was hoping you had some ideas.” Howdy said, wearily.

“Not a lot at the moment. I assume that by the government, that you mean the president?” John asked.

Howdy looked around.

“It’s off. Check for yourself if you want.” John said.

“No, I trust you. Yes, the president is worried.” Howdy said.

“I don’t doubt it. Speculations have been flying left and right in the media. We’ll have to do something very soon; Like I said, the media is getting close. Everybody who ever saw me is coming forward with a John Stevens slept here or got gas here story. They’ve got most my trip across the country documented so far.” John said.

“It would help if we could ... present you as a hero.” Howdy said.

“Why?” John asked.

“America loves a hero. If you become a beloved icon, then congress isn’t about to start digging too deep into what happened. They wouldn’t dare.” Howdy said.

John sighed.

“Back to being something I loathe. The idea that it’s not really what you are that matters, it’s what you appear to be.

Funny, I was kind of worried that this would have an adverse effect upon the girls business, but they report that every salon is booked solid for the next six months. They’d like to get another dozen salons open as soon as possible, but with all the media snooping about, they can’t leave here.” John said.

“Like I said, America loves a hero ... or any possible association with one.” Howdy said.

John was contemplative for a time.

Bill let him think. He’d gained a great deal of respect for Stevens over the relative short time of their association. He sipped at his scotch and waited.

“How well could you cover your end if the truth came out?” John asked.

“Ull ... God, I don’t know. What do you have in mind?” Bill asked.

“Well, if the media is hell bent on finding something out, they usually succeed. I’m just trying to think of a way to let them find out while making the government actually look good at the same time.” John said.

“You mean tell the truth?” Howdy asked.

“Why not?” John asked.

“The land for one. Kind of hard to explain why the government gave 360 square miles of land to a private citizen.” Howdy said.

“It was and still is for a very worthy cause, you know that.” John said.

“Yes, and I believe in that cause. But how the hell do you explain that to the press?” Howdy asked.

“What about tying it to a government program. I’ve pledged my royalties from Second Skin to the project. The government instigates the other half. The temporary shelters in the cities. My side becomes a portion of that plan. It’s the government working with the wealthy to deal with a national problem. Returning a portion of that wealth to the countries poor and needy. Don’t forget shots of what the desert land actually looks like now.” John said.

Howdy nodded but asked: “So how the hell do we explain the connection to the foreign agents?”

“Simple. The truth. The government recognized an opportunity to kill two birds with one stone. Helping the needy while presenting a ruse to the Russians.” John said.

Howdy looked dumbfounded.

“It just might work ... except for one thing.” he said.

“What’s that?” John asked.

“Your... unorthodox relationships.” Bill said.

“What relationships? John asked.

“Twelve bi-sexual women.” Bill said.

“Oh, you mean my tenants?” John asked.

“Tenants?” Bill asked.

“I’ve been charging all the women rent for the past nine months or so. My taxes will reflect that when I file them next April.” John said, smugly.

“What about before then, Cindy and Theresa for the past year and a half?” Howdy asked.

“I didn’t file it, as it was an insignificant portion of my income. I’ll pay a penalty on the eighteen hundred dollars I neglected to declared last year when I file this year’s.” John said.

“So what about Cindy’s and Theresa’s connection with Second Skin?” Bill asked.

“It was their idea. They were around me while I was tinkering. They saw the opportunity. I agreed to license them the patent. All true.” John said.

“So what were they doing here to start with?” Bill asked.

“Recovering from an abusive environment. Studying for their GED’s. All true.” John said.

“And what about your pending marriages?” Bill asked.

John thought about it.

“That’s a problem. If the news media gets wind of that, then... I’m no longer a hero ... this could work out better than I thought.” John chuckled.

“Do you think you could hold the women off for a while on that?” Howdy asked.

“Not all of them. In fact, being married to one of them would help with the media’s questions about relationships. They will just assume that if I’m married to one, that I’m not involved with the others.” John said.

“Which one?” Howdy asked.

“Well, Sheila would be the obvious choice for presentability, but Cindy’s the one I promised. A hero needn’t be fully respectable. The public won’t mind a spring September relationship if the September part’s a hero.” John said.

Howdy nodded.

“But what about your little foray across the nation? Like you said, the press almost has your whole route pegged, including who you traveled with. Both Cindy and Sheila have been reported as your companions. Not to mention Catarina, how do you tie that loose end up?” he asked.

“I hadn’t made up my mind yet. I was dating both of them. Not uncommon for a millionaire to be picky or promiscuous.” John said.

“The public won’t like a promiscuous hero.” Howdy said.

“Tough. So I get to be a tainted hero. I don’t want to be a hero anyway.” John said.

“And what about Catarina?” Bill asked.

“Why not the truth. She was coerced by Sergei to try to find out what we were doing here. Rather than commit espionage she confessed this to me and I agreed to help her. She turned double and helped us to burn Sergei and get her sister back at the same time.” John said.

“Make a hell of a book...” Howdy chuckled.

“Nobody would believe it.” John said.

“Well, I’ll present the options that you’ve suggested to the president. We may end up doing it just as you say, because you’re right about the press once they sink their teeth into a story. How will you explain things to the women?” Howdy asked.

“The truth. I will never lie to them. I won’t even try to deceive them again with a half truth.” John said.

“I understand. And I admire that. Should be an interesting time ahead ... for all of us.” Howdy said.

“So which of the triplets are you going to marry?” John asked.

“Huh?” Howdy asked, startled.

“I’m marrying only one woman to look presentable ... You’re just about out of a job. I figure you’d like to see more of the triplets. If you marry one of them, then you look presentable, and nobody would think a thing about her having her sisters around.” John chuckled.

“You may have a point there.” Howdy nodded, thoughtfully, “but do you think they’d want to marry me?”

“No doubt in my mind, but you’d have to ask them ... so which one would you marry?” John asked again.

“Oh ... gosh. That’s a hard choice.” Bill said.

“A slight preference?” John asked.

Howdy nodded: “Very slight ... Andrea.”

The next day Bianca arrived, also by military helicopter accompanied by Bill and Catarina, who flew out to pick her up. Catarina holding her hand on the return trip as Bianca looked distantly out the window.

Catarina took her around on a tour, introducing her to the women. They all made her feel very welcome. Then Catarina sat Bianca down and explained her therapy.

Bianca cried.

The first night she was a little shy. Catarina held her through the night. The next day, about the time her addiction was becoming too much for her to deal with, Alice walked up and plunked in her lap.

“You’re a nice lady. Wanna come see my room?” she said.

Bianca was pleasantly startled.

“Yes, I think I would like that.” she replied.

Alice stood and took her by the hand.

“You talk nice, like your sister.” Alice said, leading her away.

Bianca sat in a chair by a study area as Alice told her about the room. Telling her how she had done the woodworking. Bianca fidgeted.

“You seem kind of nervous.” Alice said.

“I am sorry. It is not you. I guess I am not a very good guest.” Bianca replied.

“Is your addiction bothering you?” Alice asked.

Bianca looked a bit sad and nodded, dropping her eyes.

“It’s not your fault. You didn’t choose to become addicted ... John said the best cure is making love ... Can I help?” Alice asked.

Bianca kind of shivered and smiled at the lovely girl.

“That is very kind of you to offer. But you do not need to do that.” Bianca said bravely.

“I want to do that.” Alice said simply.

Bianca looked into her eyes.

“I think you are just being kind.” she said.

“That is not true. I think you are very pretty.” Alice said.

“You are very pretty as well. You all are.” Bianca said.

“So you think I am pretty, I think you are pretty. Let’s make love for that reason. If it helps you at the same time, so much the better.” Alice grinned.

Bianca was still timid. Tears formed in her eyes. She didn’t know what to say.

Alice solved this by walking up to her. She sank to her knees by the chair and pulled Bianca into a tender, soft kiss. Tears started to flow freely from Bianca’s eyes. Alice did her best to kiss them away. Suddenly Bianca was hugging her fiercely. Crying openly.

Alice led her to the bed.

After a time the other two triplets slipped quietly into the room, already nude.

The healing process was begun. Bianca felt much relieved.

Later the four of them languished in the hot tub.

Sheila entered and dropped her robe. The triplets observed Bianca sneaking quick looks at her as she stepped in.

Alice moved to her and kissed her. Sheila pulled her onto her lap as she caressed the small blonde. Bianca couldn’t help but feel a flush of excitement.

“So, have the triplets convinced you of our sincerity?” Sheila asked Bianca.

Bianca looked at her and then dropping her eye’s. She nodded, smiling a bit.

“Then I would feel most honored if you were to choose me next.” Sheila offered, smiling at her.

Bianca looked up startled.

“It is I who would feel honored, but I feel quite relieved.” she said, shyly.

Sheila kissed Alice again, and then slid her off her lap as she rose. She moved over by the timid woman.

Bianca met her eyes and Sheila pulled her into an embrace. Then kissed her tenderly. Bianca trembled from her touch.

“Good. But that’s just one of the benefits. Not the only reason we want you.” Sheila said, after she lifted her head again.

Tears moved to Bianca’s eyes and she melted into the next kiss.

One by one, over the next few days, all the women seduced Bianca. Each was successful in convincing her they were very sincere. Each left her with a standing invitation for as many rematches as she wished.

Both as a supplement and to get her interested in men again, Cindy presented her with a copy of her toy. After a week or so, Bianca started eyeing John. Catarina noticed and asked if she would care to spend a night with her and John. Bianca shyly agreed. With the comfort of her sister’s presence and John’s gentleness, they managed to greatly reduce her aversion to men.

Between the toy, the women and John, Bianca seemed to be well on her way to recovery from her addiction. Her self- esteem grew with each of her love sessions. It took a leap when the actress Shannon Lucy took a shine to her.