Chapter 3

“Hmm, let me first say that somehow I knew all along that you three were sexually active. I just didn’t dwell on it. I am the luckiest man in the world to have such beautiful, amazing, strong daughters such as you three. Please don’t misunderstand, I am lonely true, but don’t go and try to set me up with one of your friend’s moms. Ok? Understand? I had the most wonderful woman any man could ever ask for. No one to me at least, will ever compare.” I said in a low monotone.

“But Dad, we all LOVE you! We can’t help but worry about you being so alone. You need companionship.” Jill responded.

“I’m not alone. I have three of the most beautiful daughters anyone could ever ask. I look at the three of you and I see Janice in each of you and that makes me feel like I have not lost her.” I said.

Jane spoke up saying, “Aww, DAD, you’re not alone. You will always have us.”

I went on to say, “Ladies, I have been thinking about the rules. Let me start with just three and we will add or subtract as time goes on. Agreed?”

“Yes, sir.” All three said together with my youngest smiling now.

“Ok, Jill I think you are in the right area with your rules. So, let me begin this with MY three rules: Rule #1: All boys leave at 11pm and NO BOY STAYS THE NIGHT. Period. That one is non-negotiable. Rule #2: I get to meet any boy your planning on bringing home, to do whatever it is you want to do. And, rule #3: You will, every time that you are having sex, will use a condom. Before you start, I know you all are on the pill. However, that does not stop STDs. So far, is there anything that is so dramatically bad that you three can’t live with these three?”

“No, sir” they all said in unison.

“Ok then. Now on to the punishment for violation of the rules. How about I post a list of really, nasty, disgusting, hard to complete chores for violating the rules. Such as, first offense you will do all the laundry for a month, change all the sheets and bedding weekly, and stay home without any cell phone for a week. Second offense, since the first punishment didn’t take you will, without any help, clean out the garage, wash and wax everyone’s car/vacuum the inside/and lose your cell phone for a month. Third, and finally, the most severe: you will get a job and move out. I will not help you as these rules are rather easy to follow. Any complaints?” I sternly quipped.

Jesse was the first to object, “But Dad, I can’t go without my cell phone. That’s not fair.”

“Well, since I pay for your cell phone it will be mine for a short time. Don’t want to lose your phone, don’t break the rules. Got it?” I argued back but in a softer tone.

Jane began to speak but Jill stopped her saying, “Jane, don’t say a word. These are not unreasonable rules. We just need to follow them, got it?”

After a pause, Jane and Jesse both agreed that the rules were not too far out of line and were livable.

The three of them asked if they could go out for fast food dinner or were they all ‘grounded’.

“No, you’re not grounded. The rules were not in place until now”. Responding to their doe-eyed looks. I thought to myself how they learned rather early how to use their looks to melt my heart just the way their Mother used to do.

They all got up smiling. Each one came over to me and kissed me on the cheek then left.

As tired as I was, I made myself a rum and Coke, stiff with more rum than coke. After I downed that I had a second one and then a third. Feeing no pain at this point, I stumbled down the hall to the master bedroom. I took off all my clothes and tossed them in the hamper. I looked at myself in the large mirror over the dresser, shrugged my shoulders and headed for a shower before retiring for the night.

I usually slept in the nude, but I kept a pair of light fitting silk basketball shorts on the nightstand next to the bed ‘just in case’.

I dosed off rather quickly.

In my dream state, I heard the front door alarm chime go off. I smiled knowing my girls were all home safe.

My dream of missing Janice came front and center since I had been thinking about her all evening.

While in my state of slumber I felt someone get into bed with me. I mumbled, “Hun, did you check on the girls before coming to bed?”

“Yes dear. I did. They’re all fine.” Janice responded.

I felt a tender set of lips kiss me softly. A petite soft delicate hand stroking my stubbly face. I moaned a bit. I could smell that wonderful perfume that Janice always wore.

Without opening my eyes, I reached out and hugged Janice. I pulled her into me and kissed her with more passion.

“Roll on your back and don’t open your eyes. I want to give you a surprise.” Janice said in a soft whisper.