Chapter 2

For tonight, your mom is Comet,” Dad said, his tone calm but with a hint of amusement, nodding toward the group of women. “They all have reindeer names.”

Eddie elbowed me from the other side, his grin stretching ear to ear. “Hey, we’re still looking for a Rudolph,” he teased, his voice just loud enough to draw a few chuckles nearby. “What do you think? You’d look good in a wig. Want to join the ladies?”

My face burned instantly, the heat spreading all the way to the tips of my ears as Eddie’s laughter echoed. Before I could even stammer a reply, another voice cut through the noise.

“Vixen, show us that tattoo again!” a man called out, his tone somewhere between playful and commanding.

With a dramatic spin, Vixen turned toward him and confidently hiked her leg, giving the group a full view of the DSL tattoo etched high on her upper thigh. “Like it?” she purred, her lips curling into a mischievous wink as the room erupted in a mix of cheers and whistles.

The men cheered, their voices blending into a rowdy chorus of whistles and catcalls. “What about Prancer? Let’s see if she’s still got that black spade! Show us that pretty booty! Shake it!” someone hollered, setting off a wave of laughter.

Prancer grinned wickedly, turning to give everyone a full view. Her thick hips swayed as she slapped her wide, jiggling butt, The other women joined shaking their tits, and showing off their bodies, dancing and posing, their laughter and exaggerated movements filling the room. The way they moved wasn’t polished or graceful—it was wild, brazen, and unapologetic, and the crowd ate it up.

It was hard to process. This wasn’t some private, forbidden thing—it was open, playful, almost carefree. But the way my pulse raced told me it wasn’t just the good, clean fun they made it out to be.

“On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!”

The room buzzed with energy as Team Green lined up near the tree. Uncle Eddie stepped forward like an auctioneer, his grin as wide as the fireplace. “Alright, folks! On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen! Let’s meet our reindeer!”

The four girls near the tree were dismissed, one of them returning to the naughty corner. Now, it was time for the Green Team to be introduced.

Mom—Comet—stepped forward first, as she stood up, I saw the crack of my mother’s bare ass, and every other part of her naked body. I wasn’t turned on, or sexually aroused, but I also wasn’t disgusted. My mom had a killer body for a woman of her age. I was simply shocked – by her boldness and wondered how she could behave some brazenly even around friends (and family).

Dressed in green and red Christmas ropes adorned with mistletoe, silver bells, and tree ornaments, she was striking. If my mother was uncomfortable with my presence, you couldn’t tell it once she stood by the Christmas tree.

She radiated warmth and happiness, the picture of a graceful southern belle and hostess.

Aunt Daisy—Cupid—followed, her movements fluid and flirtatious. She twirled as she stepped forward, her hands trailing over her curves with the confidence of someone who knew exactly how good she looked.

Then came my sister Harley—Donder. She adjusted the bow on her shoulder, her playful grin firmly in place. “Alright, gentlemen,” she said, tossing her hair, “who’s ready for some sass with their sleigh?”

Her entrance sounded a little rehearsed.

Finally, Mrs. Stephenson—Blitzen—stood last in line, her shy smile adding sweetness to her curvaceous frame. Her brunette hair tumbled over her shoulders, and the blush on her cheeks deepened as the crowd whistled and clapped. As the only brunette in the group, she stood out.

Eddie gestured toward my Aunt Daisy with a dramatic flourish and referred to her only as Cupid. “Take my wife, please!” he called, earning laughter from the room. “Who wants her? We’ve got big whoppers, huge jugs, massive knockers, and even some decent-sized boobs, folks!”

“Uncle Eddie!” Harley groaned, rolling her eyes because she was singled out for having only “decent sized boobs.” The other women, including my Mom and Aunt, had much bigger boobs.

Daisy, on the other hand, laughed and twirled again. “C’mon, boys! Don’t let him undersell me! You can take a ride on me, and I do it alllll ... with any of y’alllll...”

My Aunt’s voice reminded me of what whiskey must taste like—it was smooth, southern, and had a little bite to it.

The music kicked in, and Tone Loc’s raspy voice filled the room as “Wild Thing” blared through the speakers. The ladies took their cue, stepping forward with exaggerated flair. Aunt Daisy led the charge, swaying her hips to the beat and twirling her Christmas ropes like she was on stage at a honky-tonk. She winked at one of the men, tossing her blonde curls over her shoulder as she bent low to give an exaggerated view of her assets, earning hoots and whistles from the crowd.

Mom followed suit, shaking her hips with a surprising amount of enthusiasm. She raised her hands, making the mistletoe attached to her body as she spun around, letting the ornaments on her ropes jingle with each movement. It occurred to me that the mistletoe had been carefully arranged to suggest someone might kiss her on the ass, pussy, and even tits.

I remembered that a few years ago, she and my father took a trip to the Florida Keys to attend something called Fantasy Fest by themselves. I thought it may have something to do with Heroic Fantasy and Dungeons and Dragons, and I wanted to go with them. She was as adamant then as she was about this party and that I would not be allowed to go. I got the impression she might be a swinger from looking up what Fantasy Fest was all about and her flirty behavior with adults who often spent the night at our house – now I had confirmation that my parents were swingers.

Now that I was older, I guess I don’t know why I was so worried about that. It was a choice they made, and it was obvious from how much my father cheered for my mom, that he loved and supported her.

For a brief moment, I saw my mother glance in my direction, her cheeks flushing slightly before she turned her focus back to her audience. If she was embarrassed, it didn’t show—she was committed to the act, her movements graceful and fluid like the Southern belle she was.

Even Harley, despite her grumbles earlier, couldn’t help but get into the spirit of things. She tapped her foot to the beat and swayed with playful defiance, her grin widening as Eddie pointed to her and exaggerated a dramatic bow. “And Donder brings the sass!” he called out, prompting her to wag her finger at him teasingly before spinning around and giving the crowd a little shimmy. The room was alive with laughter, music, and energy as the ladies put on their show, each one vying to outdo the others. I had never seen this side of my mother before – she could really dance. I noticed that my mom never once looked in my direction. Instead, she smiled like a star on a broad way stage and shined.

Eddie announced that the bidding would begin on the final round of the Reindeer swap. “All right, pussy, pussy, pussy! You get what you get, if you don’t bid. Come on in pussy lovers! Here at the Twat’s Christmas Titty Twister, we’re slashing pussy in half! Give us an offer on our vast selection of pussy, this is a pussy blow out! All right, we got white pussy, hot pussy, cold pussy, sore pussy, we got hairy pussy, bald pussy, we got wet pussy ... you got Sexxmas cards, use them to sweeten your swap deal!”

Apparently, the currency of the realm (other than their wives) was swapping a Sexxmas card won in previous years’ contests. I was still trying to figure out how it worked, but it seemed valuable enough that the guys didn’t part with them lightly.

That was the Uncle Eddie I remembered—though I’d never heard him be that graphic before. My mom and Aunt made a last-ditch effort to sell themselves with their smiles, but Harley and Mrs. Stephenson laughed so hard they could barely stand upright while Eddie announced the final bidding. The men wasted no time inspecting their options and making bids after the introductions.

“Cupid, show us that tattoo again!” one of the guys called out.

Daisy grinned and turned, showing her ass off, spreading her cheeks – so that everyone could see not only her pussy but her asshole. She also had a spade tattoo on her butt just like Prancer. “Still got it, boys!” she said, winking over her shoulder.

“What about Comet?” another man asked. “Let’s see if you’ve got one too!”

Mom hesitated for the briefest moment before turning gracefully. Her black spade tattoo matched Daisy’s and was positioned in the same place – right lower butt cheek. I would never have known it was there unless she wore a skimpy bikini.

I wondered if the Ace of Spades held any special meaning for the DSL charity – it didn’t seem like it was a coincidence they had the same symbol permanently tattooed to their meaty ass cheeks. I looked for one on Mrs. Sanderson (Blitzen) -despite having the most enormous canvas of all the women for a tattoo, I didn’t see one on her ass.

Eddie clapped his hands, motioning toward Mrs. Sanderson with a grin to highlight her. “Blitzen is a virgin to the Annual Twat parties! First-timer, guys, and look how she fits in! What else can she fit in? Find out—swap! for this eligible new cummer!”

I could tell that my neighbor didn’t really want the attention from the crowd because she shut down and giggled nervously, looking down at her feet. She didn’t like being singled out—she just wanted to blend in with the other girls in the background.

The men continued their questions, asking for twirls, dances, and even motorboating. When Cupid leaned forward and playfully motorboated Comet, the room erupted into laughter and cheers.

Harley—Donder—rolled her eyes but played along, flipping her hair dramatically as she posed for the crowd.

I leaned forward, unable to resist. “When are you going to get some tattoos, sis?”

The room quieted slightly as all eyes turned to me. I quickly corrected myself. “I mean, Donder.”

Harley’s head snapped toward me, her expression a mix of confusion and irritation. “What?” she said, as if I’d just asked her to reveal the meaning of life. “Why are you asking me this?”

I shrugged. “It’s just ... the other ladies have tattoos on their bottoms, is all.”

Daisy smirked but stayed quiet, her shoulders shaking with silent laughter. Mom, on the other hand, shot me a warning glance that made my stomach flip. It was strange that Daisy didn’t have some wisecrack to say back. She was too busy trying to show off to the men at the party.

Harley exhaled dramatically, cupping her chest. “Okay, fine, no tattoos. But hey, my boobs are nice even if they’re not big old honkers!” She squeezed her chest for emphasis. “Merry Boobmas! Normally, I’ve got respectable boobies, but standing next to all this, I feel like I’m roasting chestnuts with my itty-bitty titties.”

The room erupted into laughter, and Harley grinned, proud of herself. “Can we get back to the game now, please?”

Eddie clapped his hands, the crowd quickly refocusing. “Alright, folks! Last call for swaps! Remember the rules: you gotta bring a girl to get a girl. No exceptions! No reasonable offer refused, and many unreasonable offers will be considered! Buyer beware, Buyer remorse, for sale, bi-sexual owner! Absolutely No trade backs, take backs, clap backs, ass backs, tit backs, back to backs, back in blacks, fade to blacks, hashtags, cutting in line, horseplay, monkey play, or free play. All sales final! You break it, you bought it! And remember, removing a tag from our reindeer is a penalty under law. Thank you for flying united!”

The room erupted in laughter, and even I couldn’t hold back a chuckle. My uncle’s rapid-fire nonsense left everyone rolling, and I envied his ability to command a room so effortlessly. The energy crackled as the men leaned in, readying their bids, and the women shifted subtly under their attention.

“That’s the breaks, sugar,” Daisy said, leaning back in Dad’s lap with a teasing grin. “You don’t get to play unless you’ve got skin in the game.”

Eddie seized the moment, gesturing dramatically to the lineup. “On, Comet! On, Cupid! On, Donder and Blitzen!” He turned to the men, his grin wide and wicked. “Let’s break it down, boys. You wanna take home Comet? That’s Southern comfort in all the right places. Sweet tea, hot nights, and a mouth that knows how to say ‘yessir’ just right.”

The men whistled and cheered as Mom tilted her head coyly, her mistletoe hat slightly askew, but her smile never faltered. Her presence was polished and reserved, but the way she crossed her legs and shifted in her seat told me she knew how to hold the room’s attention.

Eddie pointed to Daisy next. “Cupid? Oh, she’ll shoot her arrow straight into your heart—and maybe a little lower. If you’ve got a weak ticker, boys, she might just finish the job. But trust me, she’ll have you thanking her for it.”

Daisy laughed loudly, throwing her head back and resting one arm on Dad’s shoulder like she owned the place. “Don’t let Eddie scare you off, boys. I know how to treat a man right.”

The crowd loved it, but Eddie wasn’t done. He turned to Harley with a playful smirk. “And Donder? She’s the sassiest thing on four legs. You like a ride with attitude? She’ll make sure you know who’s in charge while keeping your face full of—well, let’s call it Christmas cheer.”

Harley rolled her eyes but grinned, tossing her hair and turning slightly to show off her backside. “Careful, Eddie. I’m starting to think you like me better than Aunt Daisy.”

“And last but not least,” Eddie continued, waving his hand toward Mrs. Stephenson, “Blitzen. A first-timer, fellas! Virgin to the Annual Twat Parties—and she’s fitting in like she’s been here all along. What else can she fit in? Only one way to find out, so don’t miss your shot at this eligible new cummer!”

The crowd whooped and hollered, but Mrs. Stephenson blushed deeply, giggling nervously as she clasped her hands in front of her. She shuffled slightly, clearly uneasy about being singled out, but she managed a shy smile. She wasn’t getting many offers, but she seemed very optimistic and upbeat.

“Alright, boys, the reindeer are ready!” Eddie declared. “Bids in, cards on the table, and let’s see who takes home some holiday cheer and holiday ass!”

Eddie clapped his hands again, raising his voice to command the room. “Alright! On, Comet! On, Cupid! On, Donder and Blitzen!” He gestured toward the lineup of reindeer, setting the stage for the final swaps.

Bidding was fast and furious, with most of the activity focused on my sister, then my mom and aunt. Unfortunately, not many seemed interested in Blitzen at all. I’ve always rooted for the underdog, and for a moment, I wished I could have bid on her. That sounded absurd—she was about my mother’s age—but still, that’s what I thought.

Mom—Comet—sat beside Eddie, her mistletoe hat slightly askew, her smile warm but reserved as she surveyed the crowd. Next to her, Daisy—Cupid—leaned confidently back into Dad’s lap, her laughter cutting through the air like she owned the place. Both seemed perfectly at ease in their roles, each woman playing her part to perfection.

Harley—Donder—had already found her new rider: an older man named Marty in a festive red sweater who looked equal parts delighted and overwhelmed. She glanced back at Evan, her former partner, with a small, apologetic smile before turning her attention to her new companion.

“Squat or kneel?” she asked sweetly, her tone as casual as if she were offering him a choice between Pepsi or Sprite.

Marty laughed, clearly charmed by her sass. “Dealer’s choice, Donder.”

I couldn’t help but wonder why it was even up to Marty in the first place. Shouldn’t my sister decide how she wanted to sit? I was confused by the whole dynamic, but Harley didn’t seem to mind.

With a widening grin, Harley dropped into a graceful squat, resting her hands lightly on her knees. “How’s this? Comfortable?”

She cozied up next to him, like they were longtime lovers.

“Perfect,” Marty chuckled, adjusting his posture to match her playful energy.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Stephenson—Blitzen—stood near the tree, her hands clasped in front of her and her smile soft but hesitant. I could relate to the expression on her crestfallen face—even through her fake smile. She hadn’t been chosen by anyone. There were seven bidders and eight women. I was the eighth guy, but I wasn’t allowed to bid.

“Well,” Eddie said, scanning the room with a mischievous grin, “looks like Blitzen’s still up for grabs. Grab a booby, two boobies, and maybe some of that beautiful booty while you’re at it!”

The room tittered nervously at his joke, but no one stepped forward. Every “rider” now had a different woman with him than when they arrived, and this swap was supposed to leave no one out. I wasn’t sure how it was supposed to work, though—especially since Mrs. Stephenson’s husband wasn’t even here.

For a moment, the lively energy in the room dimmed as everyone avoided eye contact. The faintest flicker of unease crossed her face. She didn’t look angry or upset—just resigned, like someone who had been picked last for teams too many times before. She clasped her hands tighter in front of her and took a small step back.

“It’s alright,” she said finally, her voice quiet but steady. “I’ll just sit this one out.” She turned and started to lower herself to the floor, tucking her legs to the side as she settled near the edge of the tree skirt.

“That’s not happening,” Daisy said firmly, breaking the silence. Her grin softened slightly, but her tone was insistent. “I don’t want a newbie sitting off by herself like a wallflower. She can kneel by his feet—it’s not like they’re getting engaged, blue eyes.”

“It’s Comet,” Dad intoned, his deep voice breaking through the moment. “We haven’t even decided if Nick is staying yet. But I say for now, Blitzen would be welcome over here by the couch. It’s a party, after all.”

All eyes turned to me as my stomach twisted into knots. “Uh...”

Mrs. Stephenson blushed deeply, shaking her head quickly as she stood. “Oh, no, really, that’s not—”

“Go on, sugar,” Daisy coaxed, her tone softening as she met Mrs. Stephenson’s hesitant gaze. “You’d be doing me a favor.”

I hesitated for a moment, feeling every pair of eyes in the room boring into me. Finally, I gave a small nod, my voice barely above a whisper. “Uh, sure. If you don’t mind?”

Mrs. Stephenson’s blush deepened, but she managed a shy smile as she stepped toward me. She knelt at first at a respectful distance, her posture straight and her hands resting neatly in her lap. After a few moments, she shifted slightly, glancing at me for permission before inching closer. Finally, she let her weight rest lightly against my foot, her movements slow and cautious.

“Thanks,” she whispered, her voice barely audible over the hum of conversation picking up again.

“No problem,” I replied softly, though I felt anything but calm. Around us, the other women seemed at ease in their places, laughing or leaning into their riders like long-time companions. Mrs. Stephenson, on the other hand, seemed unsure of her role in all of this, her movements hesitant and deliberate as if trying not to misstep.

I had never seen a nude woman in person before, and now I was surrounded on all sides by women who weren’t even trying to cover up. It was surreal. I couldn’t help but wonder how they felt—being basically naked in a room full of men dressed in Christmas sweaters and slacks. It had to feel embarrassing on some level, right?

But as I watched, I noticed something surprising. Most of the girls seemed perfectly at ease. They were smiling, laughing, and introducing themselves to the men who had bid on them. They leaned in close, touched hands, and chatted like it was all completely normal. All except for Blitzen. She stayed quiet and sullen, her eyes downcast as if she was counting the seconds until this was over.

I didn’t have the courage to say anything, but as she settled her weight onto my foot, something shifted. There was a softness in her movements, almost like she was relieved. And I felt it too—a strange sense of joy, knowing that even if she wasn’t talking, at least she wasn’t sitting off by herself. Maybe just being near someone else was enough to make her feel less alone. It felt good to think I could be that person for her, even in this weird situation.

Reindeer Swap Results:

Dancer Is Married to Marty and Swapped to Jerry

Dasher Is Married to Jerry and Swapped to Harold

Prancer Is Married to Gary and Swapped to Evan

Vixen Is Married to Harold and Swapped to Gary

Comet Is Married to Steven and Swapped to Eddie

Cupid Is Married to Eddie and Swapped to Steven

Donder Is Dating Evan and Swapped to Marty

Blitzen Is Married to Dave and Swapped to No one

My gaze swept the room, lingering on Mom. She sat poised, her back straight, her demeanor composed despite the playful chaos. But how she was so comfortable being naked and now laughing along with Eddie as if he had always been her husband, it was a little disconcerting, but the casual way she interacted with everyone—it was like I was seeing a completely different side of her. I’ve seen her complain about my Uncle for various reasons, but now she acted like she was enamored with him.

Everyone at the party acted like they were on their honeymoon. There didn’t seem to be any jealousy; everyone was getting along, which made me wonder how they managed to keep things so harmonious. My dad, for example, seemed completely at ease being paired with my mom’s sister.

Even Harley, always so sassy and independent, seemed completely at home in this world. She knelt beside her new rider, laughing and chatting as if this were the most natural thing in the world. Marty was my dad’s age, or older, and Harley acted like she couldn’t get enough of him. How did this work?

I knew of swingers, and I’d suspected my parents might be swingers for a while. The signs were there: the adult vacations, the couples, and men we’d never met who came over to the house, spending the night and leaving in the morning.

I never really thought about it until tonight. Did they feel like they were being disloyal to their wives? Did Harley not feel like she was cheating on her boyfriend? Prancer, busy flirting with her handsome new partner, was close to my mother’s age—and yet she didn’t seem to have any reservations at all.

Mom and Dad didn’t tell me I had to go, so I figured I was staying -at least for now. They seemed busy talking to one another. I didn’t know if they were still undecided or just letting me stay for the night, but I wasn’t going to rock the boat. After all, it wasn’t like they were kicking me out, and this weird night wasn’t getting any less confusing.

Daisy suddenly stood up, clapping her hands together as if she’d just remembered something. “Oh, wieners! Who wants wieners?”

The room fell silent for a moment before laughter erupted—her double entendre not lost on anyone.

“Clearly, you mean cocktail wieners in biscuits, right?” Eddie teased, raising a brow.

“Pigs in a blanket,” she confirmed with a wink.

“You told me not to call you and your sister that!” Eddie smirked.

“Eddie Marshall! You be nice!” Daisy scolded him, though the wide grin on her face suggested she wasn’t offended. As she walked toward the kitchen, she let out a playful “oink, oink” over her shoulder.

“Carry on, y’all! I know the rules!” she called, halfway out of the room. “Dancer, get your stinky butt over here and help me make these boys some snacks. Playing Christmas games is HARD work!”

“Yeah, and we want them HARD-ERR,” Dancer shot back with a laugh, tapping Gary on the shoulder to let him know she’d be right back.

Gary raised his glass in mock protest. “Don’t be gone too long, Dancer. I might start bidding for Blitzen again!”

“Dasher, I see you trying to hide down there with Jerry!” Daisy called from the kitchen; her voice sharp but playful. “Get your behind back in the naughty corner! Nose to the wall, hands at your side. You got a little break from corner time for the swap, but now it’s games time! rules are rules!”

Dasher pouted but obeyed, sticking her tongue out at Daisy as she passed. “Meanie butt!”

“Aww, don’t worry,” Daisy replied, smirking. “One of us will end up in that corner shortly, I’m sure.”

Dasher huffed dramatically but shuffled back to her place, her posture obedient but her sass intact.

I admired all the pretty boobs and butt cracks, and As the conversation shifted to the Naughty Corner, my thoughts drifted. My eyes kept falling on Dasher’s butt crack as she returned to her spot on the floor, clearly settling in for the next round. No one was sitting on the couches, and I couldn’t figure out if it was a rule or just the way things were done here. Maybe I should ask later.

I couldn’t stop thinking about how relaxed everyone seemed. No one cared about sitting on the floor, and even Dancer—my sister—was perfectly at ease next to her new rider. There was no room on the couch, but I guess that was the rule. I wondered if I was the only one who thought it was weird.

Wasn’t their pussy cold? Some had blankets, but most, including my neighbor, were sitting right on their pussy lips flat on the hard wood floor. A few were kneeling, and I couldn’t help but wonder what was worse—kneeling with your butt lifted off the ground, or sitting flat and having your pussy touching the floor?

Eddie clapped his hands and leaned forward; his grin mischievous as ever. “Alright, gentlemen. Time to spice things up. We need three new rules for the Naughty Corner, and you know the drill—each of you has to surrender a Sex-mas card to make your suggestion.”

Jerry was the first to speak, his deep laugh filling the room. “Alright, how about this: if anyone says ‘complain’ or starts whining, they’re off to the corner.” He tossed a card onto the coffee table, grinning.

Gary leaned back, stroking his chin dramatically. “Hmm ... I’ll say if someone interrupts another person, they go. We’ve had too much back-and-forth tonight.” He added his card to the pile with a flourish.

Harold, always the laid-back one, smirked. “Let’s keep it classic. If anyone says the word ‘fart’ or ... you know, lets one rip, it’s Naughty Corner time.” He threw his card in, earning a round of laughter from the group.

Eddie picked up the cards, shuffled them, and handed them to me. “Alright, kid. Since you’re new and didn’t get to do much earlier, you get to decide which one we use.”

I blinked, feeling the weight of the moment as everyone’s eyes turned toward me. I glanced at Mom—Comet—who had her arms folded, a mix of exasperation and amusement on her face.

“Nick, your father and Eddie said I can’t say boo to you as long as you behave yourself,” she said, her tone softer now. “If they want you to pick a naughty rule, just pick whichever one you think will probably get us in the most trouble.”

“Before I pick a rule for a game I don’t fully understand, what do you mean ‘I can’t say boo to you’?” I asked.

She sighed and looked at Eddie. “I would’ve prepared you for tonight if I’d thought you were ready, Nick. I didn’t want to spend all night at the party teaching you the ins and outs.”

“Be nice, or we have another corner over there,” Eddie said brusquely to Mom.

Eddie had joked before when he pretended, he was going to punish me, but this time, he didn’t seem to be teasing Mom.

Mom, who was normally tough as nails, wouldn’t let teachers or principals tell her how things should go at the PTA, acquiesced and apologized ... to me!

I’m the one who snuck into the party, and my mom smiled at me politely. “I am sorry for being rude and a little impatient, Nick. The short answer is that one night out of the year, my friends and I give a sort of Christmas present to the men in our lives, and we behave ourselves and obey them.” [mumbles]

“What’s that? I didn’t hear what you said, can you repeat it?” Eddie chuckled.

Mom blushed, then just came right out and bluntly said it. “I have to do what you guys tell me to do ... within reason...” [holding up a finger to politely ask that I hold whatever question I was about to ask until the end]

I thought I heard her say “you guys,” but I wasn’t sure if that meant me – or the other men in the room, in a general sense. I felt like I was still in a lot of hot water with my mom and would have to eat crow. I couldn’t imagine it did include me, and I had somehow jumped the family hierarchy over my mom.

“Eddie won me in the swap, which means I answer to him for tonight, and he, in his infinite wisdom, has decided with your father that, as long as you don’t cause a problem, you can stay—at least for a bit. There are different rules for girls than there are for guys at this party. I was hoping you’d notice, and it would be intuitive, but girls sit, squat, or kneel, and we aren’t allowed on furniture.”