Chapter 13: From the Halls of Academia, To the End of Cherokee

Dan was getting his feet wet at The U. He noticed students from all over on special visas: India, Indonesia, Japan, China, Arabia, Turkey, Peru, and South Africa. He was sure there were more.

Out of the blue, Ed provided $14 thousand. “Wow! Thanks, Dad, but why?” “First, I’m conveying the title of the house to you, so you will have to budget for taxes and insurance. Second, they pay me a ridiculous amount at the firm, so I can make sure you and Grace are safe and comfortable. Third, my Darcy has more money than I do, so money is not our concern. Thanks to Dan’s tutoring, Thomas aced the SAT and got a big scholarship for college. So, be a good son and go spoil my almost daughter-in-law. And study hard!”

Grace was flummoxed when Dan showed her the check. She was halfway through her cup of extra-premium chocolate ripple. “I need to give Dad a blowjob. But that’s not appropriate, so you are the designated substitute. You have ten seconds to strip naked and get in that bedroom.”

They put on quite a show, but fortunately the restored PC lacked a camera. They finished with a sixty-nine, her on top. Satiated, they rolled apart. Dan started to speak. “No! Be quiet. Let me calm down.”

After ten minutes, Dan suggested, “Shower?” “Yes, you, me, and Danielito. Then we’re going to cuddle all night in our very own home, the Sex Palace!”

Grace was commuting home after a hard day at work. She was queued at a traffic signal when the Cherokee lurched. The right front wheel fell away and the frame whammed against the pavement and the whole world was tilting over before her eyes. She struggled out the door and made for the concrete sidewalk, then watched as the sinkhole expanded. A big truck heeled over and crushed down the Cherokee’s roof. Grace watched helplessly as the hole expanded. Water and sewer lines ruptured, speeding the erosion.

She dialed Dan, got voicemail. “I’m all right, the earth ate my car. I’ll ask your Dad or Uncle Hugo to help me. Next she called Ed. “Dad, I need your help. The earth has eaten my car. No, I’m fine.” “Sweetie, I figure you can’t reach Dan, and I’m actually just out-of-town. I’ll send Darcy for you in her silver Lexus. Where are you?”

Darcy Baker collected Grace and brought her back to her condo. Oh, honey, what a day you’ve had. Let me help. Can I get you some wine? No? How about tea?” “Oh, thanks, hot with two sugars. I’d better call Dan. Oops, no signal. Can I use your landline? Thank you. Dan? Oh, Dan, I’m at Darcy’s place. It’s 45, ah, 45 Bankfield Place, Durbin Hills. Come when you can, love.” He will be coming. That was our only vehicle. (Sniffle.) It was ugly, it was brown, but I loved it. Like a stray dog who won’t leave you.”

With no other options, Dan hired a taxi. Meanwhile, Grace noticed steam in Darcy’s back yard. “Darcy, what is that?” “That’s my spa. Very relaxing. Would you enjoy a soaking? Oh, yes, please. But I don’t have a suit.” “Neither do I. It’s informal, and very private. Let’s go!”

Darcy left the front door ajar, so Dan could come straight in. Soon they were naked, wet, and chatting away like old friends.