Chapter 7: Misty et. al.

Tuesday late afternoon the three teens got off the school bus and ran up to the house. Doug was holding Misty’s hand and carrying her books that day. There was a rush to prepare their quarters to be ‘Mom Acceptable’. Misty’s mother was coming over to see the home and assess the situation, based on her daughter’s request to spend more time with Penny, her BFF. Of course, she hadn’t told her mother about Doug, her erstwhile boyfriend and fuck buddy.

Doug took his car and left for points unknown. We were to call him when the coast was clear.

Joan came in and did some straightening in the living room. We talked briefly about her acting skills and assuming the role of serious live-in girlfriend and quasi-stepmother to Penny. The kiss I got sealed that deal.

Marjorie arrived at five forty-five. Joan greeted her warmly at the door, and I could see there was some confusion about who she was by Misty’s mother.

I added my greeting. Marjorie was also in her late thirties, about mid height, relatively thin, and busty – like her daughter. She was another brunette with long straight hair, and she had a professional air about her and was sharply dressed in female executive clothing. Misty had told her new family that her mother was a marketing consultant and her dad was an investment advisor for a venture capital firm. She said they both traveled frequently – a few nights a week almost every week.

The girls came thundering down the stairs, taking then two at a time. “Hi, Mrs. Reese, Penny said eagerly. Misty hugged her mom.

Joan and I escorted Marjorie into the living room, and before we sat, I suggested a house tour. She liked that idea. I led the way, and we left the others in the living room.

The house tour went quickly. “Large kitchen, my office, half-bath, dining room, hallway, media room, living room, and then upstairs, the master suite – looking amazingly like a bachelor’s idea of a bedroom, a guest suite, and three other bedrooms, one of which was affectionately known as the junk room. The house didn’t have a finished basement; few homes in Florida did.

We paid particular attention to Penny’s room. The night before we had set it up with two twin beds against one wall, and then two student desks complete with computers, and then one large dresser. The place looked ‘Teenager’ and well lived in, but towards the neat end of the spectrum. Both desks showed they were in active service.

Marjorie was surprised that we’d outfitted the room so well for the two teens, including the beds and computers. I stressed how welcome Misty was in our family.

I commented that I thought that Misty already had part of a wardrobe residing in the room since I saw changes of clothing while she was staying overnight that I didn’t think fit in her duffle bag or backpack. Of course, the girls were about the same size and wore each other’s clothing all the time.

I brought Marjorie back to the living room by way of the backyard, showing her the pool, spa, and cabana. Marjorie pointed out that they didn’t have a pool. I just accepted that fact, but commented that the kids liked to swim, even late at night before going to bed and that they were in the pool multiple times each day.

Joan had brought out a bottle of wine and as we came into the room, she suggested that the girls make themselves scarce for a while. They thundered back up the stairs.

I did more of an introduction of Joan to Marjorie, commenting that we’d just started to live together since we were getting ‘serious’. Joan glowed. I somehow left out the part about the wild, multi-partner, sex we’d started having with the teens, including her daughter.

Marjorie said, “I’m torn about allowing Misty’s request. On one-hand, I love her and want her around, but on the other I want to allow her the freedom to be with her friends.

“If she was a ‘C’ student, I’d definitely say no, until her grades improved, but even in her weakest subject, Spanish, she’s pulled that up to an ‘A’ along with all her other courses. She found a tutor. Moreover, she’s become such an adult in her behavior I almost can’t believe it.

“Bart and I do travel a lot for work. We’ve often had to do a fancy dance to be sure one of us is home with Misty, so having her over here in a safe environment certainly has some benefits to it. We would be freer to be on the road.

“Lastly, I don’t want her to be an imposition on your family in any way.”

I shook my head, “I’ve come to think about Misty as my second daughter. She’s a delight to have around. Her enthusiasm for life along with Penny’s sure makes life easier and more pleasant. She is no hassle at all, and quite the opposite; I love to have her here. I assure you that she helps out a lot when she’s here. She’s often been the chef, and I’ve also seen her with vacuum cleaner out several times recently.”

Marjorie said, “You’ll have to assume more of a parent role with her.”

I laughed and so did Joan. “I think I have. We have some good discussions, especially over our dinners together. She has good critical thinking skills.”

Joan said, “Misty and I have had some great conversations just in the past week or so since we met. My opinion is that we’d be richer for having her stay with us.”

“She suggested she stay with you Thursday through Monday, and then be home with us Tuesday and Wednesday nights, if we’re home. We’d also see her flying through on the weekends depending on her soccer games and other activities. She’s usually over here on weekends anyway.”

I nodded, “That works for us. She could be here fulltime as far as we’re concerned. If you approve, I’ll let her work out her schedule with you so that you’re all happy.”

“Bart and I want to chip in some money for her meals and upkeep.”

“I wouldn’t think of it. Misty is already a member of our family. There’s no need for that.” I gestured to the nice home, “You might guess that there’s no economic hardship at this end of the street. So, please, I thank you for your offer, but no.”

Marjorie bowed gracefully on the point, but I could tell that she’d balance the scales in some way. She had that kind of mindset.

Joan said, “If you have any reservations, please tell us. Don’t let things fester. We are not trying to kidnap your daughter.”

I briefly thought, ‘Hey! Not a bad idea. Let’s kidnap Misty and make her our sex slave. Oh wait, she’s already our sex slave.’ I snickered to myself.

Marjorie said, “Then let’s tell her that her father and I approve of her proposal.”

I went and yelled up the stairs. The two came down a little more serenely this time. Their eyes showed that they were both full of teenage questions about the outcome of our negotiations.

I said in a serious tone, “We decided that instead of Misty living with us that her parents are going to get Misty her own apartment on the far edge of town. She’ll have to change schools, drop out of after-school sports, use public transportation until she can afford a car with her own money, and start to fund her own education and living expenses.”

There was a long silence as the girls studied my serious demeanor. I eventually winked at Penny.

“Daaaaaaad!” Penny hugged me.

Marjorie broke into a laugh. “Misty, we approve your proposal.”

Both teens yelled, “YEAH!”

Penny said, “Come on, sis, let’s talk about where we can put the rest of your stuff. Thank you so much Mrs. Reese. We’ll take really good care of her, I promise.”

The three adults sipped a glass of wine and chatted some more. Penny and Misty were up and down stairs a few times, and then they focused their attention at getting dinner prepared. We invited Marjorie to stay for the meal, and she accepted.

Penny told Joan in an aside, “You may as well tell Doug to come home. We’ll have to face this sooner or later.”

Doug rolled in and ten minutes later. Apparently, he hadn’t been too far away.

Joan introduced her son. Marjorie was taken back a little. She hadn’t allowed for another person in her daughter’s living situation, especially a handsome teenage boy.

The girls both made some snide remarks to him, which tried to demonstrate the evil-stepbrother relationship they’d already forged. Doug for his point deserved an Oscar for his performance of having to put up with not one but TWO freshmen girls. They were obviously FAR beneath him, but he deigned to talk to them briefly considering he was being forced to eat the meal they’d prepared. There was a lot of eye rolling between the teens when any of them spoke. What conversation he did offer involved his other circle of friends that were obviously more interesting than anything on the home front.

Marjorie gradually relaxed.

After dinner, Misty and Penny cleared the table and took care of the kitchen. Doug offered to help, but Misty told him to stuff it. Marjorie got Joan talking about her son and his interests. There were many veiled questions that were really about his interest in young girls.

Joan pleaded partial ignorance about Doug’s social life. She did point out that he had a dance date with a junior girl named Jennifer and that she was looking forward to taking lots of pictures of the couple all dressed up in suit and fancy dress. Her words seemed to put Marjorie more at ease. Doug’s interest in girls was outside the home. The girls rolled their eyes in disgust that their apparent stepbrother was even breathing.

Marjorie rationalized, “I guess it’ll do Misty some good and help prepare her for the rest of high school and college if she gets used to boys close to her own age.”

After a few more pleasantries, Marjorie left. I felt like we’d made a new friend. Misty was ecstatic, and heaped praise on her mother for trusting her and allowing her this freedom. She promised to be a good houseguest, and carry her weight in keeping the house neat and up to high standards of cleanliness and readiness to have the queen drop in.