Chapter 6: The Beginning of the Evolutions?

(Friday Mid Afternoon, the 31^st day of January 2020)

With his ladies seated, Jean-Henri takes the ‘floor’:

“Abuelo Tio contacted me today, or more specifically he talked to Danielle and told her to give me the message...”

Lisa interjects: “That’s unusual! Why didn’t he talk to you directly?”

Jean-Henri responds: “Let me get through the briefing part first ... His motivations will be clearer after I finish ... may I continue...”

Lisa nods and Jean-Henri continues: “He informed me that the WHO issued a global health warning yesterday about a SARS like pathogen that is currently on the loose. As I understand it this is a genuine outbreak, as in we need to get prepared now. Some of what I’ve come across is already saying it could be worse than the swine flu.”

“As with the ‘04 SARS outbreak, this has originated in China and, as you know, China, the Pacific Rim, is my area of operations; so I am heading Abuelo Tio’s advice and taking this deathly seriously. I’ve already initiated special case operating procedures at work. I know I’ve mentioned my thoughts on some ‘what if’ scenarios in passing in the past. Well, this scenario is no longer a ‘what if’.”

“We are going in to preemptive isolation my ladies. I will brook no arguments about this. I have an obligation to the Family not to risk my life and I refuse to allow you ladies to risk yours. What I wanted to discuss is the where and the who else; the when is ‘asap’ and I’ll take care of the how.”

“First, the who else. My first thought on this is, I want my daughter to join us. This will mean that my Tia Isabel and my father will want to isolate with us. This may cause complications to our life style, but that is a cost I am willing to bear. Any thoughts, comments... (heads shaking no) Since I will be working from isolation, I will require Nanette to join us; Danielle will most like join us but for Family reasons that we get in to in a bit.”

“The where is a bit of a challenge. The head count is already at nine and that does not include live in staff: the domestics, medical personnel, security types, etc. What we need is an estate, compound, or a walled community. Cutting to the chase, I think I/we should contact our old friend Chelsea, if she has not sold or broken up her parent’s estate, it would be ideal.”

Holly jumps in: “That’s a great idea, you could drop a hundred people in the mansion and still hear echoes. As to whether she’s sold it or broken it up I can say up to two months ago she hadn’t and it’s very doubtful that she will. She’s renting it out as locations for porn vids. I did a shoot there two months ago. (turning to Niharika) Babe didn’t you direct one of your movies there after my gig. (Niharika nods her assent and Holly turns back to Jean-Henri) Let me give her a call...”

Lisa then jumps in: “Hold on there. It may be a good location but have you considered the cost? and I don’t mean money. You ask Chelsea, the socialite that she is, she’ll mention it to select friends and one of those select friends will be Orange County Supervisor Chad and his oh-so adorable wife Tiffany. Those two will do anything to trap, bag, & tag you Holly and you Jean-Henri. If those two get involved, won’t Bobby & Bobbie be up into it too? They have ‘Rika and I in their sights. Those four have never given up on getting a piece of us four. Can we afford that trouble?”

Jean-Henri looks thoughtful for a moment then said: “Yes they would be trouble. A whole lot of trouble. But this is probably a life-or-death matter, even though Tiffany drives me to distraction I do care for her a lot and it would devastate me if she suffered harm or died just because I was reluctant to deal with her. You know that’s true for each of us and our respective foil. If we care for each other and support each other, we can get through their kind of trouble intact.”

Lisa pipes in: “I agree with Jean-Henri. The worse thing is losing any one of you. Jean-Henri is also right, in that, losing one of them would almost be as bad. It’s a risk, but we could have heart rending losses if we don’t risk it. Regardless of what we do, we’re going to have to adapt to survive the coming storm. So, I say we be the ‘Borg and assimilate them - instead of letting them fracture us.”

Holly picks up the thread: “So your saying let’s not be the prey, let’s turn them in to the prey ... mmmm I can buy in to that.”

Lisa, looking over to Nanette, follows up: “We already have a blueprint or rulebook of how to integrate someone and keep the sanctity of our quartet with Nanette; and my guess is correct we’re going to be applying it to Danielle very soon.”

Niharika petulantly interjects: “That’s all well and good for you two, you get two additional dicks, I don’t get squat!”

Jean-Henri sharply responds: “Enough Niharika! It’s two dicks and two pussies. Since we’ve all had a taste of the pussies, I know you won’t object to that. I am in the same boat as you, I have no desire for dicks; but I’m open to them if it means our survival. In fact, it’s worse for me; right now I only have to play dominance games with one... (glaring at Niharika) with the addition of two males I’ll have to waste time playing those games with three ... but mark my words... (sweeping the three with a determined look) I am, and will continue to be, the alpha male...”

Niharika foolishly tries to protest: “But Jean-Henriii...”

Jean-Henri’s face clouds as he resolutely forges on: “Niharika Parma, or do you want me to call you by your birth name, all of them ... I know what, I’ll call my mother-in-law and complain of how you’re mistreating me or tell my father-in-law that you have been disrespectful to me...”

At this, Niharika violently shakes her head from side to side, while bobbing up and down in supplication. She squeaks out: “No, my husband, please, you do not have to disturb your revered parents-in-laws. I, their daughter, shall not trouble your spirit any further. I, your wife, will do as you command without question or complaint!”

Observing all of this both Lisa and Holly smirk at their sister’s comeuppance. Holly snidely offers a bonhomie: “Thank you husband, my partner can be difficult at times.”

With his feathers still ruffled, Jean-Henri, with warning, replies: “Careful ... You two insisted on this partnership. This is your mess; that goes for the both of you. I do not have time for this anymore; fix it!“

Lisa silkily intercedes to cool things down: “Jean-Henri... (she drags open her dress at the plunge and fans herself) I’m hhhot ... can we get this over with ... tell you what; we’ll go with what ever you decide and I’ll work with my sisters to handle the problem so that you won’t ever be bothered by that again... (glaring at the other two) wont we ladies...”

Both Holly and Niharika quickly respond: “Yes Head Wife”.

Jean-Henri looks at Lisa, knowing what she did and why she did it, smiles in genuine appreciation for her assistance; he pantomimes: “Thank You”.

Jean-Henri first takes a cleansing breath then proceeds with his piece: “If no one has any further objections or comments... (only murmurs of assent are heard) I’ll call Chelsea now to see if we can let her estate then, regardless of how it goes with Chelsea, I’ll contact Chad and Tiffany followed by Bobby and Bobbie ... We’re in agreement with this?”

A ragged chorus of: “Yes husband” is heard.

Jean-Henri retrieves his phone and, after locating Chelsea in contacts, types out a text: (Hey, long time no txt. Got a big ask. Vid me. Here w/my gals.}

In a few minutes Jean-Henri’s phone chimes at an incoming text: Chelsea: {Srprz, srprz. I’ll call U in 15 via my usual. Gotta doll up 1st.)