Chapter 12

Two weeks before the dinner at Haussner:

On the observation deck of Cleveland Hopkins Airport, a small crowd gazed at the sky in anxious anticipation. The plane was fifteen minutes late. “THERE IT IS,” one of them cried in relief as a spot appeared on the horizon quickly taking on the silhouette of an airplane. The thundering drone of its four engines soon shook the air as the silver, triple-tailed Lockheed Constellation emblazoned with TWA red letters flashed by. Tires screeched wafting puffs of smoke as reversed props chopped the air in a backward rumble slowly bringing the giant praying mantis to a halt and then reversing its direction and taxiing smoothly to the arrival gate.

The black-habited nun seemed out of place among the elegantly dressed people on the observation deck who watched two ground crewmen pushing the boarding steps in position. In 1956 air travel was a mode demanding proper dress. Though not a requirement it was universally understood that business attire was worn while flying or even visiting the airport.

As the passengers came through the door and down the metal stairs Sister Natalie watched as Monsignor Francis McGlaughlin, carrying a small leather suitcase in one hand and a briefcase in the other framed the aircraft’s doorway. Sure, he’s my brother she thought in sinful pride and lustful anticipation but he’s such a handsome man. Scurrying from the observation deck to the front of the terminal, she greeted him. Setting his bags on the ground he hugged his sister as she asked, “Did you have a good flight, Frank?”

The parking lot was just in front of the terminal—there were no gates or tolls to be paid in those early days of commercial aviation. As the black 1952 Chevrolet Styleline Sedan drove out of the lot and turned right onto Brook Park Road Sister Natalie said, “So, Frank, have you figured out yet how you’re going to handle the situation with Cissy, Tobias, and Toby?”

“I’ve run several things through my mind, Cassie. But the fact is while I’ve been able to get away with this charade in Baltimore it will never fly in Rome. As much as I would like to I can’t take them with me, this gig is over. Since the day I came to Cleveland three years ago to help accomplish the pregnancy of our young nun it has never been less than a tricky situation. Fortunately, Bishop Greer’s complicity in accommodating Cissy’s transition from being a nun to a budding retail phenomenon has made it a lot easier than it could have been. Cissy has had to pay more than a few carnal dues of course, but she has never complained.”

“It’s a strange life that we lead Frank,” Sister Natalie said with a world-wise chuckle, “made stranger by what you did to Daddy when he was having sex with me that day.”

Seamus and Mary Frances McGlaughlin lived with their two children Francis and Cassandra Rose in a shabby section of Baltimore. Seamus worked as a laborer at U.S. Steel and Mary Frances, an old-school, devout Catholic was a traditional housewife and mother. Seamus never had what it took to rise above his lowly position at the mill. He made little money and always had trouble making ends meet. The fact that he was an alcoholic worsened the situation. He often came home in a foul mood having had too much to drink, which led to the beatings of his wife and young Francis. For some reason, he never took out any of his wrath on Cassandra Rose.

Mary Frances, having grown up in an abusive family herself figured that Seamus’ abuse was just something all families endured, salving her hurts and distress in prayer. Francis (Frank) tried fending off the abuse to no avail until he was twelve. He joined Father Desmond’s CYA Athletic club, soon becoming a premier boxer on the church boxing team. When he came home from boxing practice that day and found his father slapping his mother around he intervened by breaking his dad’s nose and knocking him out.

In their early years, Frank, and Cassandra Rose (Cassie) shared the same bed which made them closer than most brothers and sisters. Often playing doctor in which, they developed a great understanding of each other’s bodily parts. It became inevitable that they would begin having sex together, which they did. When her mother found out about it Seamus bought furniture for the spare bedroom and Cassie got her own room. Though a confirmed Catholic, Mary Frances was prepared to continually supply young Frank with condoms. She figured that once she got her cohabitating children out of the house there would be plenty of forgiveness when she finally confessed her compliance in controlling birth within her two children.

The answer to the kind of treatment Seamus was giving his daughter before Frank broke his nose became apparent one day when one day Frank cut classes at school and came home early. His mother was out, and he thought no one else was home. But when he heard his sister’s voice saying, “Yes Daddy, Yes,” he knew enough about sex to understand what was happening. In his room, he had a miniature souvenir bat that he had gotten at a Baltimore Orioles baseball game. Having occasionally imagined the kind of damage he could do to an adversary with the bat without killing the victim, he barged into his sister’s room where he found Seamus with his penis buried deep inside Cassie’s body and beat his father within an inch of his life.

Deeply involved in CYA and through the influence and encouragement of Father Desmond and Sister Mary Magdalen, Frank, and his sister both committed to joining the Holy Order.

“It’s strange indeed, Cass,” Frank said to Sister Natalie as she drove. “Makes me think how we might have turned out if our parents actually loved each other. Dysfunction in our family defined a whole new meaning for us.” He laughed. “And it seems that we have allowed our interpretation of the rules to speak for what we consider normal behavior.” Reaching over he put his hand under her right breast and gave it a playful lift.”

“Down boy,” Sister Natalie said. “Rina installed a hot tub on her back patio. You’ll enjoy that.”

“You know how much I love visiting you and Rina, Cass. I’m going to miss Cissy though. There is something to be said about sex with a young woman. I just hope something can be worked out between her and Toby.”

With a hearty laugh, Natalie said, “Both Rina and I have enjoyed Toby. There is something also to be said about older women having sex with a young man. It’s a hard subject for us to contemplate.” They both laughed at the pun. “By the way, before you go to Rome do you think you could use your influence to get rid of those gay priests and get us a man who understands the needs of horny nuns.”

“Maybe you can find another man to do the landscaping and some odd jobs.” Returning to the reason for his visit he said, “There is no question that Tobias is Toby Wakefield’s child. And Cissy has never lost her feelings for Toby. But he isn’t Catholic and he’s only a freshman in college for Lord’s sake.”

“I’ve known Toby since he was fourteen, Frank. Even at that age, he was an adult. From my experience with him, though he is of a different faith it doesn’t compel him. With his knowledge of the Catholic Church and the way he has been involved with it I expect he would have no problem bringing the child up as a Catholic.”

“So, you think there is a possibility that Toby would go along with it, Cassie?”

“Toby has been in a funk since Cissy left St. Bart’s. We talk about it every time we see each other. I still feel for him. But that was three years ago, Frank. And she has a child ... it’s a sticky situation. I can’t get into Toby’s mind but who knows? Rina thinks he could handle it.”

“What about his parents,” Frank said.

“Rina has become good friends with Toby’s mother. She says she and his father are clueless about Toby’s feelings for Cissy. Until you and Cissy met them at Haussner’s Toby was clueless about Cissy having had a child. His mom knows he was infatuated with a young nun here but, according to Rina, that’s all she knows. I’ve always kept the sexual goings-on at St. Bart’s under tight wraps. So far as the community is concerned we are all chaste. Rina knows everything, but she’s one of us and she is my confidant, Frank.”

After a twenty-five-minute drive, Natalie pulled the black 1952 Chevy sedan into Rina Strelnicov’s driveway. “Rina won’t be home from work for another couple of hours Frank. So, we will just make ourselves at home until she gets here.” Frank carried his bags to the door where Natalie opened them with the key Rina had given her.

McGlaughlin, who usually stayed at Rina’s house whenever he came to Cleveland, changed out of his black suit coat and put on one of the black polo shirts that he kept in her guest closet. Going to the liquor cabinet in the den he pulled out a bottle of Johnny Walker Black and poured two drinks. Handing one to his sister he toasted, “To a successful conspiracy.” They touched glasses.

After discussing Toby/Cissy scenarios for a while Natalie said, “You haven’t seen Rina’s new Jacuzzi.”

With a wry grin, he said, “She’s told me about it ... said the two of you have made good use of it.”

Natalie showed the way, taking him through the kitchen and out the breezeway to the patio. As they stood side-by-side looking at the Jacuzzi she turned a dial that was mounted on a patio cover post and the motor began humming. As the surface began to churn, Frank said, “Rina built this entire house to be used naturally in such privacy as she could imagine.”

“She’s a nudist at heart,” Natalie said. “Since Rina is still an hour and a half away we might as well get a jump on enjoying each other’s company au natural before she comes home. How about helping me out of this damn habit, brother of mine?”

“Thought you’d never ask, Cass.” Bending down he lifted the hem of his sister’s habit while she began removing her veil and wimple.

Once her habit was folded and draped over a patio chair, she removed her shift and stepped out of her cotton panties then stood before her now bare-chested brother who kicked off his black, tasseled, Italian loafers and dropped his pants. As they gazed at each other’s naked bodies Frank said, “Every time we do this, Cassie, I remember the first time we played doctor. At the time, it was just the difference in our bodies, not what the difference meant. Funny thing though, I have known more than a few women in my life, but none have been as stunning to me as you.”

She laughed and replied, “I just remember your teensy little pecker back then, and how I was able to see how it grew as we kept getting naked along the way.” Thinking for a bit she continued, “Are you ever bothered by what we have done along the way and are doing now?”

“Funny that you should mention that now Cass. But the way Seamus molested us I always considered what we did in secret was our safe haven.”

“But don’t you ever feel like a hypocrite?”

“It’s become a way of life with us, Sis. And when you consider what’s always gone on throughout the history of the Church...” laughing he grabbed her hand and stepped into the bubbling jacuzzi, steadying her as she stepped in with bouncing breasts as she submerged to join him.

As they settled on a seat with the jets massaging the middle of their backs she said, “I don’t know why, Frank, but It bothers me from time to time. Yet, you’re right, it is second nature. And my sisters in Christ love the attention as well. I don’t know where you and I would have been had it not been for the Church, Frank. I take pride in the fact that the school I run is one of the best in Cuyahoga County ... and that’s among ALL schools. So, even though St. Bart’s has two gay priests and five nuns doing bi-sexual things, something is right about what we are doing.”

“St. Columban’s wasn’t much different when you and Rina were there. And that Bishop still has no trouble diddling Cissy.” He laughed. “Maybe it’s just wherever YOU go, Sis.”

With a chuckle, she said, “You’ve got a point, Frank. We know it goes on but maybe it’s an aberration. (this was long before the bombshell of priests abusing young boys exploded). Anyway, I’m happy with my life.”

“I don’t know if I could call it happy, Cassie, but it’s the only life I know. And I’m satisfied with it. Though I must say that the dynamic has changed with Cissy coming into my life. I’m going to miss her.”

“Funny you should say that Frank. I was just thinking how much I miss Toby.” As the words left her mouth she grabbed her brother’s already-risen Penis and said, “Yep, having him around was such a luxury. I never had the opportunity to spend the night with him though.” With a wistful smile, she added, “Lucky you. You get to spend every night with Cissy.”

As his cock responded to her hand he said, “You don’t know how many times I wished you could have enjoyed Toby more. It was so obvious, Cassie, how much you and he loved each other.

With a wistful gaze, she said, “I hope we can help make it work for them.”

“That kind of love has never been in our destiny Frank, but (as she stroked his hard penis and chuckled) a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Although I will be happy when you part my bush ... and more than twice.”

When Rina got off the bus and walked across the road she felt a tiny shock in her clitoris when she saw St. Bart’s black sedan sitting in her driveway. When she felt her labia sliding together in her wetness as she walked she giggled.

As she entered her bedroom the smell of sex wafted her nostrils. Eying her two friends snuggled beneath the covers in slumber. As she primly removed her business clothes and hung them in the closet then took off her bra and dropped her pantie she stepped back and closed the sliding mirrored doors. She admired her well-preserved body and slid her open hands from her breasts to her waspish waist and curvaceous hips. Imagining the two naked bodies in sex-released sleep she parted her labia with her right middle finger and soaked it with her secretions then skated it over the growing nubbin of her clitoris. She took pride as she wiggled her hips, and her well-shaped breasts didn’t jiggle as her nipples and areolas reddened with increased blood flow. Gasping a whispered, “Holy shit” in her strong mini orgasm. She wanted to jump right in bed and add to the twosome but knew she needed to at least rinse her vagina and underarms. They’ve been in the Jacuzzi.