Chapter 45: Peter’s Warning

“Yeah. I believe you three couples have all zoomed into sexual relationships before age 18. You have to admit, the odds are drastically against these becoming permanent matches. None of you have been out with others besides your current partners. The six of you were virgins, yes?”

Nobody contradicted him, so he plowed on.

“Are these pairs going to continue forever? Very likely, no. I’m just saying, for example, that if Abel gets involved with a new girl and he survives Val’s jealous reaction, he’s going to need another place to live. Or we’re going to need a nine-bedroom house or something.

“Until today, I thought Andrew and Leah might ‘go the distance.’ But you can see the tension between them on account of Nia’s distress. I believe they will get past it. But if they don’t, we have a problem.”

Carolina realized that she was having the same misgivings. As long as the four pairs were in harmony, everything was working. But that harmony was not assured.

“I can’t really offer advice, since my first wife didn’t stay married to me. But we seemed to get along well both before and after Lorelei met Sandra, and we divorced, and then they married. I can only suggest kindness and love, and, fingers crossed, we’ll get through the next few years until you four go off to college.”

“I think I’m talked out for now. Leah, would you go talk to Nia? Maybe start with an apology.”

“Of course. For sure.”

“And then talk about Jared’s room. Tell her the credit card is ready for her to make the room her own. ‘Hello Kitty’ everything, if she wants. Whatever.”

“Peter, she’s ten, not six. But we’ll see what she has in mind. What about Val?”

“Better, we put that off for a day. Val, you’re going to the movies with Abel. While she’s gone, Leah, you and I will move Nia’s things over to Jared’s bedroom.”

In the middle of moving, Nia asked Leah about Val.

“I think I shouldn’t talk for Val. She needs to speak for herself. I know she regrets what has happened, but let’s leave it there for now.”