Chapter 8

Family

“So, your brother’s Giants nearly swept my Nationals at home last week,” Ben said from the camp chair next to me.

In front of us on the sand volleyball court, Sydney jumped, ass tight, breasts jiggling, to block the ball back into another girl on the other side of the net for a point. Teams were three to a side, boys and girls mixed.

She glanced at us, eyes hidden behind Aviator sunglasses, smiled, and got ready for Jane to serve as a skinny, sand-covered boy got set at the net next to her.

“Yes,” I said. “I caught the second game and hung out with my brother for a bit. The kids had a blast.”

In my only week in the Washington DC metro area, I managed to see a game over the 4th of July week before we headed to Wisconsin.

My middle brother is an assistant coach with the San Francisco Giants and has been for a few years, living in Arizona in the off-season with his wife and kids. We saw the Giants win Game 2 of the World Series in SF last year, great seats and game. They won the World Series 4 games to 1 over the Texas Rangers. He bought a mountain hideaway in the Sierras with his bonus check that year.

Around us, about a dozen naked people were lying out in the sun on the grass or sitting in chairs watching the volleyball game.

Nearby, Tanya, the young singer, lay on a blanket, her nude body shiny with suntan lotion. Big round sunglasses covered her eyes, her breasts were pale, small mounds, a dark strip of pubes, and painted toenails. Very cute, a bit of Jacqueline Smith, in her face, I thought.

In front of us, Jane dove, sand flying, as her ball was returned, knocking it in the air for the boy to set for Sydney to hit. The white ball went back and forth until side out.

I wanted to ask Ben, who works at the CDC in infectious diseases, about gain-of-function research. But I was hesitant, not able to truthfully explain my sudden interest.

Devorah’s story of losing her virginity last summer to her cousin as her parents watched was still fresh. Ben had a book in his lap, but he wasn’t reading. Devorah’s confession shed new light on my friend, respect.

“Lucky you. I was picking up and dropping off kids coming and going from summer camps, no time for baseball,” Ben said.

“Will we see more of your kids soon?” I asked. Devorah’s older sister Rebecca was very attractive, taking after her mother. She and Tommy had a short trial marriage last summer.

“Yes, not all five, but most,” Ben added, watching Jane jump at the net, her big conical torpedoes and blonde ponytail flying, very erotic.

Jane, Sydney, and the boy, all sweaty and sandy, were high-fiving after a spike from my daughter. The other team, two teen girls and a boy, were not happy.

“Ben, can I ask you something about science or work-related?” I took the plunge.

He set his book, Born to Run, a bestseller about ultra-running in Mexico, on the grass and looked at me from under his woodland camo boonie hat.

“Shoot, I’m all ears,” he said, motioning with his hand.

I got right to the point. “I was sent an article from Nature magazine last month. It talked about gain-of-function research and enhancing H5N1 influenza transmissibility. The scientists and policymakers were debating how dangerous the research is versus its benefits. Could it escape and hurt us?”

Pandemic preparedness was something our community often talked about and was preparing for.

We watched Sydney stretch and serve overhand. “Good question. The topic has been in the news. To be honest, if done safely, the benefits might be worth it,” Ben said.

“But?” I prompted, watching his face, the volleyball game forgotten.

“Airborne transmission is the danger as I see it. But right now, I don’t see it happening, an accident on such a scale.” He glanced at the sand court.

I nodded, the book about the Spanish Flu pandemic top of mind. In my peripheral vision, I saw Sydney coming.

“Daddy, did you see us? We won,” Sydney said with a smile on her face. Tits, belly, and pubes covered in fine sand, she picked up her water bottle from the grass.

“I did. You had some good hits and blocks,” mostly true. She drank, then tossed the bottle on the grass next to her towel. The temperature was in the mid-80s (F) and humid.

I stood. “Me, you, and Jane. We’ll take on the next team.” I liked playing volleyball, a good way to release stress.

“Great, Daddy!” she said, then smiled at Ben. “You playing?”

“No, I’ll watch you and the girls,” he said, smiling under his army hat and picking up his book.

Ben was a solo sport guy who liked long-distance running and cross-country skiing.

Sydney gave a little shake of her butt as we took to the court against another pickup team. Tanya smiled back at us from the other side of the net, joining the fun. A competitive group for a Friday afternoon.

“Go get ‘em, Pete!” I heard a familiar voice yell. As Jane picked up the ball, I looked behind me.

Jo dropped her beach towel over my sweaty camp chair and sat, still using my old Oakley sunglasses. Ben’s grin got even bigger as the pretty, naked actress got settled.

“Would you mind?” Jo said to Ben, handing him a bottle of sunblock and turning her back to him.

The dangers of gain-of-function were pushed out of mind, for now.

Sydney and I used the outside shower. The warm water and oatmeal-honey soap washed the sand from our bodies. My daughter washed my cock and balls, and I spent extra time on her hair and pubes. I gripped her shoulder as she jerked my cock, and I ejaculated onto the smooth, wet gravel under our feet.