Chapter 19: Loose Ends

My nonstop sex life was catching up to me. I decided a nap before dinner was completely necessary. I must have fallen into a deep sleep, because when I woke Mom had slipped into bed without waking me.

“Time for dinner, son,” she said.

“Mom, don’t do that. Cuddle with Dad, not me.”

I couldn’t see her face, but her tone indicated she was pouting. And yet, I wanted to be more in control of my situation—my relationships. I thought about Dad, too. He’d been calm, but I couldn’t be in the middle of my parents’ marriage.

“What we did together should be infrequent. Dad is your husband, not me.”

“You’re right, Ace, but I can’t stop thinking about you. Once in a while, then, I agree.”

Dad got us out of bed and on the way to the cafeteria.

I thought, “Who’s next? I hadn’t given anyone a promise for tonight. Had I?”

When I walked inside, I saw Tina, Clara, and Laura conspiring. Maybe not conspiring. Coordinating, maybe. Laura ditched me quickly when we arrived at camp. Clara enfolded me inside her family dynamics, and Tina left me in bed with Ella, her father’s girlfriend.

I was pin-balling from one strange dynamic to another. For the first time in my life, I was in a position where I might decline, or should decline, sex.

“Uh-oh. You three are making me nervous.”

Tina said, “That’s bullshit. Ace, all three of us have enjoyed you. You know that. Now, Laura says that your parents want you to talk to her. You should be in your cabin tonight, then. Tomorrow night is my night, and then the next night is Clara. After that will be another Laura-Tina-Clara triplet.”

“What about the seventh day, Tina?”

“According to the Old Testicle-ment, on the seventh day you must rest. Ace, why are you looking up at the ceiling?”

“I’m afraid of the imminent lightning bolt.”

“Don’t be silly.”

I wasn’t actually worried about divine retribution. My worries were more grounded. Heh. Even though I was still a teen, could I really keep up this pace? Three girls. A schedule. Expectations ... I wasn’t sure my body—or my sanity—could keep up.

Tina continued, “The three of us have already agreed to this rotation. All you have to do is say yes.”

“Yes. Thank you. Tina, can I have a moment with you?”

We stood near the wall and spoke softly.

“I’m confused about Irwin.”

“What is it?”

“Your father is here with you while your younger sister and your mother are staying home, right? Tracy and Carlie?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“So, what’s the deal with Ella? Your parents are fighting?”

“Not at all. They love each other, but aren’t possessive. Mom’s only requirement is that Dad gives her a full blow-by-blow accounting. Very possibly, he’ll invite Ella for a visit. Unless she goes home with you and Laura.”

“Not a chance! Tina, I thought being in the Marines meant you couldn’t carry on like this.”

“Ella and Dad are retired from the corps. Unless some idiot politician recalls them to duty, they aren’t under military jurisdiction. How was Ella, anyway?”