Chapter 15

It had been a hell of a summer. The three teens had experienced almost every combination of exotic pleasure which three people could engage in. Chad and Debbie met the Marshalls twice more for swinging fun and games, once while Clarissa watched via hidden camera.

They had also engaged in more pedestrian teenage activity. Going to movies, dinner at the Stake, walking the waterfront at the ocean on holiday. Finally the summer was coming to a close, and the day that Clarissa and Chad would be off to different colleges. Clarissa had a grand finale planned for their final week, but things did not happen exactly as she expected.

The trio had just been to the megaplex to see the opening of the summer’s final blockbuster. Rather than the Stake, Chad had suggested a nicer restaurant where the three could enjoy their meal outside of one of the town’s trendier eateries. They ordered and as the waiter moved away Clarissa saw a worried look pass between her two triad mates.

“I know you’ve made some big plans for our farewell,” Chad said. He took her hand.

“But there’s something you should know,” Debbie said taking her other hand.

“We’ve decided not to break up,” She said.

“But we’ve already discussed this,” Clarissa protested. She squeezed each hand tenderly. “We’re too young to try to make a long distance relationship work.”

“You’re right,” Chad said. “We don’t want to be separated.”

“We can’t be together, Clarissa,” Debbie said.

“But Debbie and I can be together.”

“Debbie and you?” Clarissa pulled he hands away. “What do you mean?” she asked, although she already knew what they meant.

“I’m going with Chad to school.”

“We’ll get a place together. Debbie will get a job and we’ll see how it works.”

Clarissa stood, grabbing the small messenger she used for a purse. “I can’t believe you’ve done this to me,” she said walking off.

Chad stood to go after her, but Debbie put her hand on his arm. “Let her go for now,” She said.

Two blocks away Clarissa dug her phone out of her bag and hit the first speed dial number.

“Daddy can you come pick me up?”

Twenty minutes later she was in the front seat of his Lexis.

“I can’t believe that they would betrayed me like that.” Tears were running down her cheek.

John pulled over and reach over to hold his daughter. “What’s happened, darling?”

“They ... they are going to be together. She is going away with him.”

“Ah,” he answered. “I can’t say I’m surprised.”

“Daddy!” She looked up at him in anguish and shock.

“Clarissa. You are very young. Wise beyond you years, but in some ways still immature.” He touched her hair. “You said that you were a triad. An equal partnership, no?”

“Well yes ... but...”

“But what my darling? If they are truly equal partners, then anything they do together cannot be betrayal can it?”

“But we were not suppose to last beyond the summer.”

“And who made up that rule? You?”

“Well yes. Chad and I discussed it before Debbie ever joined us.”

“But wasn’t that between the two of you? Did you and Debbie ever discuss that?”

“Well no. She was always not going to college. She was remaining here.”

“Did she promise you that?”

“No ... but I thought...”

“You mean you assumed?”

“Well yes.” Her eyes went wide as the realization hit her. “Oh no. This is all my fault. I picked her to join us because I wanted her, and I wanted him to have her. But not forever. Not without me.”

“But that was wrong my dear,” her father said.

‘Oh Daddy,” she said crying again. “I have been so selfish. If it makes them happy to be together how can I begrudge their happiness?”

“Can they be happy if they feel they’ve betrayed you?”

“No!”

Clarissa disentangled herself from John’s arms. She fished her phone out of her bag. She pushed the speed dial for Chad, but hung up before the first ring. Instead she selected the next number.

“I am so sorry,” she said. “Are you still at the restaurant? ... Please wait for me ... Thank you.”

She turned to her father. “Please Daddy, take me back.”

A few minutes later the Lexis pulled up at the curb next to the restaurant. Clarissa kissed her father and stepped out, looking haggard but determined. She walk back into the restaurant outside seating area and stood by the table. Two plates were there, barely touched.

“May I sit please,” she said humbly.

“Please sit,” Debbie said.

“I must apologize,” Clarissa said. “I was just surprised. Please forgive me. Both of you.”

Debbie reached out her hand and Clarissa took it. Then the redhead said, “We forgive you, but only if things go on for the rest of our time together just as we planned.”

“You still want me?” Clarissa asked.

“We still want to say goodbye as we always planned,” Debbie said.

“To depart as friends and one time lovers,” Chad said.

“Oh I would like that,” Clarissa said. “If you can only forgive me.”

Debbie leaned over and kissed her, regardless of the looks of the other patrons. “How could we not forgive you, my love,” she said.

The next night Chad rented a room at the Hyatt Regency for then next four days. His parents believed that he was spending a final farewell weekend with some of his football buddies. Debbie’s mother knew that she was staying with Clarissa for a couple of nights that weekend, before she left with Chad. Of course her parents knew where Clarissa was, and read about what happened later in her diary.