Mind Made Up Pt. 14

Castillo. Day Fourteen. Monday.

When I wake up that day, I am expecting a visit -- but there is none. It's a bit later than my usual. For a moment, I get confused.

I rise from bed and, as I have started to do, I don't bother getting dressed as I exit into the hall. Bathroom is quiet. Sisters' room door is open and they're not inside. My mother's bedroom is also empty. I listen to the sounds of the house.

Downstairs, in the kitchen.

It would be tempting to go down there nude, to provoke a reaction, but I decide against it this morning. I return to my room, grab my bathrobe, and head down.

Breakfast is served -- or in their case, over. My sisters rise as I enter the room and I am greeted with warm hugs. My mother sets down a plate of pancakes for me.

- Sleep well? I ask.

I get confirmations from all three. Stacey leans in to me.

- I'll see you Friday, Grant.

- Yes, you will!

She kisses me on the lips, then does the same for Heather. Finally, she turns to mom.

- It's wonderful to see you growing so much, mom.

- Well, I have a lot of help.

- Keep daring, Stacey insists.

- I'll try.

They hug and kiss, then Stacey hurries out the room and the house. Heather sits back down at the table beside me.

- What's the plan for today?

- Still on vacation? I ask her.

- Yeah. Class doesn't start until a few weeks. So I got all the free time.

- Going back to psychology?

I remember her telling me she might change majors.

- Probably, she says this time. It's fun trying to figure out people.

- It is.

She pauses, waiting for me to state my plans for the day. Before I do, I turn to my mother.

- What do you plan on doing?

- Well, I took the week off last week -- but I should really get back to it. I'm gonna go into the office and get some work in. But it's a light day.

- Alright. I have business to run in town, I tell both of them.

Heather sighs.

- So I hold down the fort alone?

- Go to the beach, I tell her. Enjoy the sun.

- Not the same without you around.

She motions to both of us, but she mostly means me.

- You have friends in town, right? I tell her. Call them up.

- Most of them are gone or working but... I guess I could do that.

I encourage her with a smile. She rises, a quick kiss on my lips, then walks back up the stairs. My mother looks at her walking away, then back to the door where Stacey left.

- You guys are so close.

- I think it took this reunion to bring us together again. I love them.

- I love them too. It's nice.

My mother works over the sink as I eat my pancakes. At some point, she speaks without looking at me.

- I... I think you should know about Dolores and me.

- Know what? I ask.

Long silence. I can sense my mother's stress so I let her set her pace by not calling her ou further.

- Saturday night... we... did things together.

- I see.

- Sexual things.

- I figured that's what you meant, I tell her.

She manages to turn around to face me; I greet her with a simple smile.

- I think I want to start dating again, she tells me.

- That's great!

- Nothing too serious right now, but... I want to feel like a woman again. To be desired, you know.

I give her my most understanding look, but I can't help but add a word.

- You are so desirable, mom. Any man -- any one -- would be lucky to get with you.

She laughs shyly.

- When you put it like that...

- Aha. Sorry.

- Don't be. It's nice to hear. Ever since the beach -- well, more since Saturday -- I just want to get naked and contemplate my body. Is it wrong that I'm telling you this?

I decide to rise and walk towards her.

- Mom. You can tell me anything.

- And you too, you know? I mean it.

I believe she does, but there are still a few things that she's not ready to accept. At least, that's what it still feels like. She poses a hand on my chest, at the spot where the bathrobe opens and my flesh is exposed.

- I love you, mom.

- Love you, son.

A kiss follows -- not long, chaste, but quite emotional. She pulls her hand away.

- Well... that's enough of that, she tells me.

I'M HALFWAY DRESSED when my phone buzzes. A message -- from Lulu Bowler herself. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. She hired me, more than a week ago, to work for her. And it is Monday morning. The message simply asks me to drop by her home office.

Guess I'll put the rest of my plans on hold for the moment.

I arrive at the apartment and Lulu's assistant, Elena, lets me in. I get a kiss on the cheek and she leads me by the hand all the way into her boss' office before leaving us. Lulu doesn't rise, inviting me to sit.

- You've been around, she tells me.

- Come again?

Lulu smiles.

- Last Wednesday, in this very office, we concluded an agreement.

- We did.

- I hire you for graphics works. Salary. And I put my name up as collateral for your eventual purchase of a house.

- A mansion, I specify.

Lulu seems amused.

- I gave you a few days to enjoy your time. Very impressive thing you managed to achieve at the beach.

- Pardon?

- Grant, come on. Reenabling the law to allow nudity? That was bold.

I'm wondering how she can know it came from me, given the way I went about it. But I shouldn't be surprised; she is after all one of the most powerful and influential people in town.

- I gotta say, she adds, bold and adventurous. And your family is... quite lovely.

I can't hide a moment of concern as I realize she means that she's seen them naked -- from the beach.

- Do you have pictures of them? I ask her.

- No. Well, not anymore. Deleted them. But Elena was there, that day. She gets Fridays off.

I admit, I never saw her; then again, there were many people there and my focus was on other matters entirely.

- I have to ask, Grant. Are you a pervert?

- Maybe I am, I tell her.

Can I even deny it at this point?

- It's not an issue for me, Lulu replies. Well, so long as it doesn't land you in jail. I admire ambition -- something you exude.

- Thank you, I guess.

Lulu lets the moment die down before turning to more serious matters.

- I have projects incoming for your skills. Deadline is three weeks. I've set up your virtual account within my servers. You just need to make requests for the software and tools you need. We can start processing as soon as you need.

- Can I have the template for the work?

She hands me a tablet. I look it up. Three weeks is plenty of time; I can have it done in one. But I'm guessing more projects will come in and overlap. I let out a sigh, almost involuntary.

- Been enjoying your free time? She asks.

- You know, I quite have. Two weeks off. And I guess getting back to work is a bit... well, underwhelming. Comparatively.

- Oh! I get it. Every damn Monday, I just want to lounge in my lesbian bed and have lesbian sex with my lesbian girls.

Of course, her tone is tongue-in-cheek, but I detect a hint of truth in the statement.

- Well, we can't all be lesbians, I reply.

- You'd make a great one, without the dick.

- Not parting with it.

- No, you wouldn't.

The jokes stop. I turn back to the project.

- Is it feasible? She ends up asking.

- It is.

- You'll be working remotely. Elena will give you a laptop -- don't lose it. It's already programmed with all our internal security. Access codes and everything.

- And I just request the software I need?

She confirms.

- Delivery within two days -- all online, of course.

- Great.

She gets up, opening a cabinet, retrieving a bottle of liquor and two glasses. She pours them out, handing me one.

- You make your own hours, Grant. That means I don't need you to keep a timetable. I just want my products when they're due. Extensions possible, but I'd rather you impress me with diligence.

- I certainly can do that.

- Be exceptional and I'll tell Elena to let you fuck her in the ass.

I giggle; how easily we switch from serious to sexy.

- Not much for anal, I tell her. Not enticing to me.

- Most women will love you for it, she replies. But enough about that. Do you have questions about the work?

- No. Yes. When do I get paid?

- First paycheck this week, she says. Every week. As we agreed for salary. You don't get vacation time because you take it whenever you want, so long as the deadlines are met.

- And I speculate more work will come in at some point.

- Definitely.

We drink up, then shake hands. She walks me to the door where Elena is waiting for me. It's all very professional as she hands me the professional laptop -- so much more recent and performant than my current computer at home. I get my access codes, validate my keycard for access to the building when I need it. Elena gives me her personal number, in case I need anything.

- Anything, she insists.

- Understood.

I'm out the door less than an hour later. The laptop is burdensome so I trek back home. I don't bother my sister in her room (I think she's studying or reading) as I tuck the new device in my closet, away from prying eyes. I can look into it later today.

I'm back on the street, walking toward the bank. I text Sally to let her know I'm heading there -- not that she can join me but to confirm that she's sent the paperwork we had people sign the previous day.

I meet with a different bank official, a man in his fifties, quite indifferent to me in general, as we go through the list of documentation.

- So you and these friends are opening a joint account, he confirms.

- That's right.

- And you're quite sure you want to do this?

- Yes.

The goal is simple: we are going to create a pool of funds from which we can pay for the eventual mortgage (and other expenses) of the mansion. Already, some of Sally's own savings have been transferred into it. The account is set up so that its money can only be accessed if two or more people sign up -- a protection against one person doing something inappropriate with it, not that I'm worried. Of course, anyone can put money in, and that's how everyone participating in the project will operate.

- Are you going to meet with our mortgage specialist later? He asks.

- Yes, it's been set up already, once we're done here.

Sally made all the calculations herself, but legally we are obligated to run them by the bank, since they're the one giving out the loan. Sally's confident in her numbers and I am confident in her.

I also have something that Dolores gave me, which is a verbal agreement that she will sell her house. In fact, Sally is contacting her later today to start planning the sale. And when it comes time to sell the house, I plan on being there to ease the transaction and make it happen quick -- at least, as quick as Dolores will be able to accept. While she said yes to parting with her house, I'm sure there will be emotion there when the deed actually goes through.

- So we have you, six other people, and we'll need to add other names later?

- Correct.

I verify the names and addresses of everyone from the list Sally compiled yesterday. It's all in order.

The bank attendant prints the relevant documents and seals them into envelopes, one for each of the participants. Eventually, we'll add Dolores' name. I'm uncertain about Pauline -she does have her children to take care of and at their age, we don't want them involved in the mansion project. Eventually though, once they're old enough, I think Pauline would want to move in too.

As I contemplate the list of names, a few more stream into my consciousness. I wonder if such a project might be endearing to Alice Welsh, my former teacher. She and her husband are quite happy in their marriage, having rekindled the physical passion thanks to my help recently. Since then, Alice has even sent me naughty pictures of herself, sometimes alone, sometimes with Wilbert (mostly his cock). But I don't see myself bringing her into the fold. I'd love to visit her again, though.

I have a thought for Shane, my police officer friend. She's not one for that kind of home, I think. Besides, she's already quite happy with her boyfriend and fellow cop Michael. Let them keep what they have.

I don't see myself revisiting the beach supervisor, Lita Brown, even though it was a great fuck. That day was all about pleasure and no strings. From that encounter, I've kept contact with Tanya and I have not regretted it, but she's already part of the project (the most recent to join, yesterdat).

That's when I recall Irina Landers - my father's other partner with whom he had child. Her warm greeting at her place is a gentle reminder of the power I hold over people -- women in particular -- thanks to my father's, maybe my ancestor's, inheritance. Irina was soft and delicious. She seemed alone in that house, especially with her daughter having vanished. I promised to find her but the leads have been few. I should try to get back to this investigation this week. But perhaps Irina is one of those people that might benefit from the mansion. I'll have to think on it.

I only realize after a long moment of quiet that the bank attendant is waiting on me for a signature. I apologize, noticing how my contemplative stare put a pause to his own actions -- something I realized very plainly last afternoon while cleaning up the mansion. Even my unconscious states of mind can affect the people around me.

I speak next to the mortgage specialist. We can't finalize the deal yet -- the necessary money is not in the account -- but we set up everything so that once the funds are secured, all that is needed is a signature and I'll be the new owner of the mansion. But I don't expect anything to move on that until the next week.

I'm out of the bank around noon and, as planned, I meet up with Sally at a local café. She's wearing the shortest of skirts, almost indecent in public. No panties, of course. I shouldn't reward this naughty behavior, but I can't help it.

We talk about the morning's events -- she's happy I ran into no issues.

- So there's seven of us, she concludes. For now. You plan on increasing your harem?

- I have two names that might join. One almost certain. The other I have to look into.

- Hot women, I bet?

She laughs as she says.

- Motherly, I tell her.

- Oh! You like mommies?

- I like most women, I simply say.

We order a light lunch -- I refrain from talking too much to our waitress to avoid a repetition of last week's encounter with Milly. It doesn't prevent her from sliding her phone number under my plate. I'm torn with keeping it but I decide not to. Of course, Sally notices.

- Really?

- Look, I can't say yes to every single person I meet. Otherwise I'd never get anything done.

- You are something, Grant.

We eat our meals slowly.

- Plans for the afternoon? She asks.

- Nothing much. Maybe get some work done. I do have a job.

- I thought your job was fucking us. Guess I was wrong.

- No, that's my hobby.

Sally laughs. When we finish lunch, she ends up paying so I thank her.

- Hey! She says. It's not a free lunch.

- Oh. I see.

We walk away, holding hands. She drags me back to her car. I enter from the passenger's side. She sits, pulling her skirt up, exposing her pink to the leather seat. Then she starts the ignition.

- Do you need me to do something? I ask.

- No. Just watch for now.

So I sit back as she unbuttons her pink blouse (having previously removed her blazer), enough that I can see the roundness of her breasts and get a slight shot of her nipples. Then, she sets off driving. I can only contemplate her daring as she rolls across town, keeping the speed limit, eventually leaving the main street and heading towards the highway, but veering on a rural road, away from the city. She parks on the side of the road and stop the car.

In-between her legs, on the leather seat, I can see the wetness that has pooled there.

- Get out, she says.

I comply; she too exits, not bothering to cover herself up. I cast a glance at the road. This is not a place with a lot of traffic but there is enough that someone might pass by and see us.

- We're doing this here? I ask her.

- Yeah.

I just smile back, and let her direct me. She moves up to the hood of her car.

- Grab that towel from the backseat, she tells me.

I bring it to her; she sets it down on the hood, then climbs on top of it, legs spread.

- Like what you see? She asks.

- I do. But I might not be the only one.

She too glances at the road.

- Tell you what, lover. You say you're good at making people do stuff.

- Haven't been proven right so far.

- Well, if anyone comes along -- stops -- get them to join in.

- Are you serious?

She smiles, daring.

- Dead serious, lover. Now eat me!

I can't help it -- I love this, even with the potential of being caught. I move towards her and get down on my knees, taking in her smell. She finishes opening up her blouse, revealing her gorgeous breasts and belly to me.

- If it's the police, we're fucked, I tell her.

She doesn't humor me, her gaze insistent. I press my lips on her sex and kiss it; she moans. I lick up the length of her slit.

- Sweet lord...

I look up and see Sally massaging her breasts. No sounds of vehicles echo near us. I close my eyes and focus on her sex. Memories of a similar situation last night ring back in my mind; I'm getting hard in my pants. Hands pull down on my head, keeping me focused on my partner.

- What's your power, you devilish man?

The words make me smile through my ministrations. I'm slowly learning to enjoy giving oral -- the rewards I get are quite concrete. It's so erotic to give pleasure to someone you love. It brings more than just pride -- it's a free gift.

A car drives by -- very fast, they don't slow down. Sally ignores it and I'm in no position to look, so I just carry out my work.

- Fuck, Grant... I'm almost there.

I try to vary my motions. I use my tongue more than my lips. I play with her clitoris as best as I understand how to. It ends up achieving my goal as her fingers dig deep into my hair.

- Aahhh yes! Yes! Oh fuck yes!

I'm trapped in between her thighs, against her sex as she climaxes against me. She holds me down there for a long moment, as long as she wants to. When she lets go, I pull back, almost falling on my ass. She lets out a long sigh.

- Grant! Wow... you deserve the whole treat.

- In a minute, I tell her.

I catch my breath; her tug on me was quite rough. She notices and suddenly seems apologetic, but I show her with a smile that I'm fine -- she just took the wind out of me for a moment.

As I rise, I unbuckle and unzip my pants, dropping trousers and underwear at the same time.

- Shall I get that ready for you? She asks.

- No need.

She spots my erection as I walk back towards her. She slides a little further down against the hood, still on the towel, to give me better access. We hear the sounds of a car approaching, but it's on a side street, further away, so we carry on.

- Gonna put that in me? Sally asks.

- Silly question.

I slide gently into her; she moans delicately, then blurts out.

- Oh god!

- Aahh.... Sally.

I move slowly into her, then slowly back out. Again. Again. No speed at all, just taking all of my time.

- You feel so good, Sally.

- So hard, Grant. I'm yours.

- You bet you are!

I lean into her, grasping her breasts as I begin my sway into her, back-and-forth. The position isn't as comfortable as the stories make it out to be, but that's not the reason we do it. It is, as one would say, so fucking hot.

I'm thrusting inside her when more car sounds reach us, and we hear an engine slowing down. They're coming from the same direction that we were, and we are stopped on the side of the road -- and it occurs to me that if they weren't paying full attention, they would just see the stalled car and might think we were in distress. A part of me tells me to stop so I actually stop swaying, but I remain buried inside my partner. Sally's eyes open even as the car slows to a crawl, its window open.

I see two people staring, having just realized what they witnessed. A woman in a passenger's seat and and a man driving. Both of them in their twenties I would say.

- Oh my god! The woman suddenly exclaims.

And what I see in her face is not horror, but surprise -- she never expected this and somehow, she feels like they're the ones intruding on us.

- Holy shit! The man yells. Go for it!

He's cheering me on. She turns to him.

- Bill!

- What! This is hot, right? He replies. Right out of a movie!

- ... still, she replies.

In my mind, I need to take charge of this. I decide to call him out.

- You like watching, Bill?

- Heck yeah!

So I return to my work on Sally; she's dumb-founded that people actually stopped, but she loses that focus as I return to thrusting inside her. I cast a glance at the woman in the car; she's obviously shaken by what she's seeing but not in a horrified way. I interpret her stare as the bewildered state she's in.

- ... Grant, they're watching us, Sally whispers.

- Do you love it?

It takes a moment for her mind to process my words while I give love inside her.

- Fuck yes, she utters.

I listen to the couple talking in their car.

- It's not like we never talked about stuff like that, I hear Bill saying.

- I know, but it's still something to see!

I turn to them, remembering an earlier comment by Sally.

- You should park your car in front of us and get out, I suggest.

Bill does just that; I carry on with Sally but slow my pace down. As they exit the car and come around the back, I can't help but notice the woman's slight belly bump under her summer dress. Sally stares at them, her arms to the side, exposed as she is, contemplating every decision that led up to this moment.

- I'm Grant, I say. This here is Sally.

- Wow. I'm Bill.

- Melissa, she says. Never thought I'd ever see a sight like this!

She's quite obviously staring at my behind; Bill's all in on Sally's breasts. I finally stop moving altogether, giving Sally a reprieve, still warm inside her. She wraps one arm across her breasts, momentarily taken aback.

- It was a spur of the moment, I tell Melissa. Six months?

- Yep. Good eye, she says.

- Isn't she glowing! Bill says.

An awkward pause settles in; I decide to break the tension.

- Listen, Sally and I weren't planning on stopping. You can stay and watch. Or you could have fun yourselves.

- Really? Bill inquires as if that were a shocking proposition.

I tap on the hood with my finger.

- Only if you want, I tell them.

It takes a moment for my proposition to settle in their minds.

- It would be kind of hot, Melissa tells her partner.

- Well, if you're game, I am.

Still buried deep inside Sally, I lift her up, having her grab onto me. I unfold the towel so it covers more of the hood, then slide slightly to the left before setting Sally down again, drawing moans as I do. It takes a moment for Melissa to act, but she reaches down and removes her panties, tossing them to Bill. He sniffs them.

- You're all wet, babe.

- Guess I'm more turned on than I thought, she says.

So far, the sundress is covering everything, but the delightful curve of her pregnant belly is quite erotic under the cloth. Bill moves forward and follows my lead, dropping pants and all to this feet, moving his hardening shaft to meet his partner's sex.

- Fuck this is wild! He says.

She doesn't comment, lifting the sundress enough to give him access and a view to her flower; I sneak a peek.

Sally has seemingly recovered her wits. She's mouthing, "I can't believe you made it happen' to me, all the while looking at our new friends beside us. Melissa moans when Bill slides into her.

The following thrusts are not in synch, not at first. Sally's already hot and bothered so I don't have to hold back for her. Bill is more mindful of his partner and his action is gentle. They trade a lot of kisses at first. Eventually, though, the pace heightens and we start matching speed and motion.

Sally, with her right hand, reaches over to put it on Melissa's shoulder. There's a moment of surprise, but Melissa tilts her head to look. They share the same pleasureful glance. Meanwhile, Bill and I mostly ignore each other. Loud moans emerge from Sally's lips, echoed in unison by Melissa who's now really getting into it. But everything slows down as I need a moment to catch my breath -- and so Bill does the same.

- You're so pretty, Sally comments to Melissa.

- Thank you.

She blushes. I reach across and caress her leg; she shivers, excited.

- We'd love to see more of you, I tell her. If you two are okay with that.

She looks at her partner; he nods his approval. Gently, Melissa starts pulling off her sundress over head head. A gorgeous round belly; voluptuous breasts trapped in a classic beige bra with no straps. Sally motions to caress the pregnant belly; Melissa gives her approval.

- I'm very proud of that, Bill mentions.

- Looks like a successful job, I comment with a smirk.

- He tried at it very often, Melissa adds with a grin.

Sally, bending further, manages to kiss her belly; this makes Melissa moan. More blushing. Sally then pulls up and kisses the exposed part of her closest breast.

- Take it off, her husband recommends.

Sally helps with the task, with the bra dropping to the ground. Then, Sally's mouth sucks on Melissa's enlarged nipple.

- Oh fuck...

As Sally releases, moving her mouth to Melissa's neck, I decide to indulge and go for Melissa's nipple too, mindful of course of hers and her beau's reaction. I suck on it even as Sally plants kisses on Melissa's neck.

- Oh Bill... this is amazing.

The two women, a moment later, are locking lips, ignoring us. I turn to Bill.

- I've never fucked a pregnant woman, I tell him.

- Oh fuck! It's the best.

It takes a moment for his mind to process my request.

- Want to fuck Melissa? He asks me.

- Well, do you want to fuck Sally?

We hold off on answering, letting the women finish kissing. They separate, turning to us, having heard the proposition.

- I want Grant to fuck me, she says.

Bill doesn't need any further encouragement. He pulls out of his girlfriend, helping her steady herself. I remove myself from Sally. We trade places. I grab Melissa's hips and rub our sexes together.

- God you're big! She states as she looks down at me.

I'm not bigger than her partner; it's all in her mind. That being said, I don't mind the compliment. Gently, I push inward. She moans all the way deep. Her being pregnant doesn't feel different here; the roundness of her belly however makes her feel closer to my own body in this position, not a disagreeable sensation.

Sally's slipped off the hood, to her knees on the grass; she's gently whacking Bill with one free hand while teasing herself with the other. I let them do their thing.

- You're... only the second man to take me, Melissa tells me as she reaches her arms to grab my shoulders.

- I'm honored.

I lean into her, kissing her passionately. Then I sway gently back-and-forth; she moans against my lips.

- Oh, you fuck her good, I hear Bill tell me.

I plan to. In fact, I am, as we speak. Another conquest, I tell myself.

A car drives by at rather a fast pace -- people have a tendency to speed on this road. The four of us are now sandwiched between the two vehicles so it's probable we are less visible from the road. Still, I cast a quick glance -- the car is not stopping.

- Grant... this is amazing...

Melissa's lost in my care; I feel her warmth as I explore inside her. I decide to put one hand on the top of her belly. This makes her smile.

- I like your touch.

- You're so beautiful...

I lean in again and kiss her, carrying this out another minute or so -- then I slow down to steady myself.

By now, Sally has been warming Bill's hardness in her mouth. She pulls away, giving me a quick look of fun and bewilderment.

- I want to take you from behind, I tell Melissa.

- Ok.

I slide out of her and help her back to her feet. She swings around, presenting her rear to me.

Sally decides this is a good position for her as well so she emulates it, allowing Bill this time to squeeze in behind her.

We penetrate our partners almost at the same time. Once again, I lose track of them to focus on myself and Melissa. My hands first rest on her buttocks as I sway again.

- This is... divine... she says.

- I feel so close...

My hands slide across her sides, to her round belly which I support, even while I pound inside her. I get a side glance from Bill who's enjoying watching me drill his partner (probably as much as his own pleasure, it seems).

- You wanna breed her, right? He tells me.

- Fuck yeah, I play along.

- I beat you to it, though, he snickers.

Funny silly competition. Why not? But I have no comeback so I just continue with my interaction, and then:

- Sweet lord! Melissa yelps. I'm coming... I'm coming... oooh...

I'm ready to join her in bliss so I push myself to the edge; powerfully, all of my seed pumps into her pregnant belly as I let it all out without restraint, voicelessly.

- Oh... breeding me again, I hear her mutter.

- Breed her good...

I pay little attention to her partner; all I have is for myself and Melissa. I dig deep and hard, and then gently retract. The mess I made spills between her legs to the ground as she pants loudly.

A long moment passes as we both recover; I eventually turn to see Bill jerking himself onto Sally's breasts, covering them with all he has. Sally cups them to give him a better view and target as he unloads, grunting all the way.

- ... fuck...

Melissa slides to the ground, on my cock, sucking me dry as if she could restore my virility. I'm tempted to let her try, but I think we've run the fantasy long enough. I indulge in a few more seconds, then pull her off and help her rise. She kisses me deeply, then I hand her off to her partner.

- This was the shit, Bill says.

- We should... trade numbers, Melissa comments. Wow.

I don't say anything -- I want it to come from them.

- Why not? Bill replies after a moment.

Numbers are exchanged; we gather our clothing and get dressed somewhat hurriedly, not really for the fear of being caught but because the breeze in the aftermath is actually quite chilly.

I get a final kiss, passionate, from Melissa, before they return to their car.

A moment later, I'm back on the road with Sally, who is driving us back to my home.

- Only with you could this happen, she says.

- Well, I seem to live a very pornographic life right now. But you're the one that initiated the encounter.

- I know my part, believe me!

She smiles at me as well roll away. I caress her thigh gently through the entire ride. She cools down as we make our way.

- You make me crazy, Grant, she admits.

- Would you like to be less crazy?

- Not for now. But you were right. We could have been in some trouble there. Arrested, losing my license to realtor, or in jail.

I could tell her that I would have talked us out of all of that, but maybe it's good that she realizes these things. I loved the encounter but its original design was risky, at best. Just because I have this gift doesn't mean I should rely on it too much. In fact, I'm doing my best to not actively play into it -- or have been trying for the past few days.

LATER, AT HOME, in my room, I am setting up the new computer for my job. I look into its requirements and specifications, and what I'll need to do the work that's requested of me. I check in on my first e-mails and read through the full contract. There are no surprises anywhere. Good.

I decide, after that's done, to check in on some stuff that I've been neglecting. The contracts I had before the funeral that I postponed. There weren't many but I had a few. Of course, I took time to tell my clients about my situation before leaving for Castillo.

I should finish them off as quickly as I can before moving on to new work.

I suppose it's also about making a break between my old life and the new one that's emerging. But this also means that I must get my affairs in order at my old place. I have my apartment in the city with the rest of my stuff that I haven't been to in two weeks. I have a work friend checking in on the mail for me and generally watching the place for burglars (not that I'm worried for what I have, as I have so little).

I realize I've been wearing the same pants and shirts in rotation over the last two weeks; I also understand that my mother was cleaning them every other day for me without me asking. I guess we are alike in that sense, working for others without consulting them about it.

Tomorrow, I'll go into the city to handle this -- although I might want to leave tonight. I'll have to borrow mom's car, since I don't have one, but I don't think she'll mind. Or I could rent one? Decisions...

I check in on my work friend and his mission -- nothing to report. He'll be sad to see me go as we've completed a few contracts together, but I suppose we can stay in touch and work remotely.

I should make a list of things I need to do.

Travel back home tonight. Sleep in my own bed. It's going to feel weird after being back in my childhood bedroom and all the activity that's happened there. I'll leave after supper.

Tomorrow, I need to speak to my landlord to break my lease. I still have a month and a half to my contract, but I'm confident I can have him break it. Then, I need to hire movers -- I can get my friend to take care of them loading everything when I book the date. I need to rent a storage space in Castillo for my stuff, that is until the sale of the mansion is concluded.

I guess I have to consider that some of the other people moving into the mansion will have their own stuff but that's an issue for another day.

While I'm in the city, I suppose I should get in touch with Dolores' twins, Harry and Hank. In fact, I might consider them my priority. I want to try to win them over like I did their sister Lily.

That's a busy day. But that's tomorrow.

I get to work on one of my remaining contracts, which occupies my time until a little before supper.

There's a knock on my door, then my sister Heather comes in. She's wearing a bikini, different one from what I've seen her in so far.

- Hey Grant!

- Heather. What's up?

- Hopefully your cock!

I give her an amused glance as she giggles.

- What are you doing?

- Some overdue work from before the funeral.

- Oh. Boring. Wanna make out?

I give her a gentle but negative nod.

- Had a good afternoon? I ask her.

- I did. Ended up going to the beach for a time. Still nude, but wasn't as fun without you or Stacey around -- or even mom.

- We'll go back sometime this week. I promise.

Heather moves towards me, pushes my chair back so she can sit on my lap. I put my work away and wrap one arm around her, another on her leg which I caress. She kisses me.

- Yesterday night was so wild, Heather confesses.

- Did you like it?

- Yeah. Lots. And I think Stace liked it too.

She certainly seemed to.

- Listen, Heather, I'll be gone tonight and tomorrow.

- What? Why?

Her tone, even just these two words, resound with desperation.

- Heather, I can't be your everything.

- I know, I know. I just... I love you, Grant.

I caress her cheek.

- I love you back, Heather. But if I'm going to be around more, I need to get back to the city to resolve what's lingering there.

- I get it. Just... yeah. Ok.

She pauses.

- Can I blow you before you leave?

- Later, maybe. I still have a bit of work to do before supper.

- Ok. I'll go change.

She gets up to leave, but I grab her wrist. She looks at me puzzled.

- You could strip here.

- I could.

The smile returns as she drops the bikini to the ground, giving me my own peep show in the process. She tosses the pieces of garment to my face, then struts around my room, climbing onto my bed.

I snap all the pictures I want as she gently teases herself for me.

- Go on, I tell her. Get out.

She's giggling all the way back to her room. I toss the bikini pieces onto my bed and return to my task at hand, my mind a bit lighter.

AT SUPPER, I tell my mom my plans. At least, the part that I can tell her.

- So it's official that you're moving back? She concludes. Where are you going to be staying?

- I've started to shop around town, I tell her.

Not a lie.

- Well, until you find, this is your home.

I get a kiss on my hair just before she sits down to eat with us. I inquire about her day at work.

- Oh... you wouldn't believe, she tells us.

Heather and I wait for her to tell the story as we eat slowly.

- So I've been gone two weeks. I come in around ten this morning -- they were aware I was going to come in late. I get sympathies from everyone, then I go about my day.

She swallows a bit of water.

- You remember Mr. Joachim?

- I do, I tell her.

He's her elder by about ten years, been with her company forever. A little brute of a man that has very little filter, from what I recall.

- He just walks up to me around noon, at lunch. Condolences and all, then sits with me.

- Great start! Heather chimes in.

She too is familiar with the man's shenanigans.

- Well, he starts telling me that there's something different about me. That I 'smell' different.

- Smell? Heather laughs.

- Yeah. He asks if I changed my soap, or shampoo!

Heather can't help but intervene.

- Did he ask to smell your hair?

- He didn't ask.

When I hear stories like this, I just want to meddle in the affairs; but I choose not to speak up, allowing my mother's story to unravel.

- Normally, she says, I would have let him carry on. But today, I felt empowered. So I told him that I was the same bitch he always knew.

- You used 'bitch'?

- I know! My mom giggles.

- That must have thrown him off! Heather comments.

- It did. But not as much as when I told him he should consider looking into getting his own soap!

Growing up, my mother was never assuming. Whenever she encountered hardships, she would vanish behind them. I suppose it has to do with my father's powerful personality (better understood in recent context). It was easy for Jane to slide into the background -- even after her was gone. She did not discipline us much; I guess she was lucky we weren't disruptive children.

Pride is the emotion I feel.

- What happened then? Heather asks.

- He was so dumb-founded! He just walked off. And I got a pretty good support from the other people in the dining room.

- Good job, mom, I tell her.

I can see the delight in her eyes.

- If that's what stripping down does to me, she quips, might as well start living in the nude!

She laughs about it; I dare not suggest it myself, lest she take it as more than a jest. But I can see it. I decide to go a different route.

- I don't want to psychoanalyze too much, mom, but I think the nudity is the result, not the cause.

My words draw both their attention; now, I feel I must explain further.

- This is by no means a professional opinion, I start, but you've been living in a shadow all your life.

- You mean dad? Heather asks.

- That's whom I mean, yeah.

My mom agrees with a nod of her head.

- The man was something, she further confirms.

- I think his passing is a liberation for you. Not that you didn't love him but he was overbearing to you.

- It was always about him, she explains. I mean -- even when he was gone, I couldn't go into town without thinking I might run into him. Or one of his... lovers.

All three of us know it by now, able to admit it. Things we could never have said back then.

- He abandoned you, I repeat. He may have had good intentions in doing so but that doesn't change the action he did.

- Good intentions? Heather repeats, confused.

- I think he wanted to give you your freedom -- but I think he forgot how much of a weight his personality had on you. But now, you're soaring.

Jane contemplates my face for several seconds.

- The curse is gone, she tells me.

Heather doesn't get it, but I do. And my mother, Jane -- she knew all about my father's gifts. Which makes me question if she suspects about mine. Or can she? No one to whom I haven't told my secret seems to consider the possibility.

- Curse? Heather finally asks.

How can we explain it? But it seems that my mother has an idea on it.

- Your dad was special, love. You ask why he left? It's because he was cursed. And I mean both literally and figuratively.

- I don't get it, Heather admits.

- I suppose I stopped thinking about it after a while. But your father -- it's not that he couldn't hold it in his pants. I never cared for that, being honest.

Heather is shocked, but my mom's confession has just begun. I let it happen because it's what she needs.

- Honey... I wish Stacey were here for this but... never mind that. Heather, your father and I were swingers.

- Oh my god! I didn't know.

- Yeah. And your father was popular. I mean, there wasn't a girl in town who didn't want a piece of him. And some men too, though your father didn't swing that way.

- And you?

- I did all right, my mom admits. But that all stopped when your father left.

She reconsiders her statement.

- Actually, it started to end when Stacey was born. Not that it's her fault. But your father -- he wasn't father material. He was always too obsessed with himself. And so as much as I loved him, I had to push him away.

- But you still had two other children? Heather asks.

- For me, I suppose.

Heather's focus is solely on her mother's words; I'm much more contemplative of my own situation in this light. So many parallels. My mind goes back to my earlier encounter with Melissa and her pregnant belly. Such exquisite roundness. But my mother's words are a warning.

No children for me, I tell myself. Though for the moment, it's not an issue as I don't plan on having any. Though this means I have to start taking this more seriously. I'm constantly having sex without protection. I've asked my partners if they're safe, but it shouldn't just be on their end.

- How wild were you? Heather suddenly asks.

- Pretty wild. I don't want to go into detail but... I often had more than one partner in the same night.

- Wow! You're so cool, mom.

- Always responsibly, too! Can't be too careful here.

Even under the circumstances, Jane is mothering.

- Don't worry, mom. I'm well-educated in that domain! Heather replies. I'm on the pill, and I screen my partners!

- Well, that's good.

Oddly enough, neither of them includes me in that conversation.

The rest of the supper is lighter in tone. As we leave the table, I stay to help my mother with the dishes -- promising Heather to at least talk to her before I depart for the city as she retires to her room.

- It's nice to be open about these things, Jane tells me.

- I agree.

- You can tell me anything too, you know?

Can I? I wonder.

- You mean in terms of my relations?

- Yeah. But anything, really.

I guess now's as good a time as any to test that theory.

- I think I have dad's curse.

Mom puts down the dish and looks at me quizzically. I turn to her and stare back; there are no smiles, just affirmation.

- I mean it, mom.

- I see.

Silence follows; she seems to be contemplating the idea.

- Do you want to hear about it?

- Yes. If you want to talk about it.

A thought occurs to me, something that should have seemed obvious right from the start -- something I suppose I would not have acted upon two weeks ago though, when this was all new.

- Do you remember dad's family ring?

- I do.

- I got it in the box he prepared for me.

- And? You're not wearing it?

I ask her to stop working, then invite her to follow me up the stairs to my bedroom. She tags along, curious. After we enter, I shut the door but leave it slightly ajar -- I don't want her to feel trapped. I rummage through my things and recover the ring which I haven't worn for several days.

- This ring.

- Yeah, I remember it.

I decide to put it on; it fits perfectly. She sits down on the edge of my bed; I sit down at my desk chair.

- Ever since I put on the ring, I've been... different.

- Are you talking about how women want to sleep with you? She asks directly.

- Yes. But also other things.

I'm not surprised she knows this. As she considers the situation, I continue.

- You told me dad got this ring after his own father died. You told me that's when things started to change.

- I remember.

- Listen, mom. I don't want to go into too much detail with you right now...

- You could. If you need to.

I'd like to, I tell myself, but now's not the time nor place.

- I guess, if I'm going to be honest, it started the very next day.

I pause, letting her mind wander to the memory. In the meantime, I grab my phone and immediately text Dolores about my intent. I need her approval before I continue. Before my mom can speak, I hold up a finger.

"Do what you need to," is Dolores' answer.

- I'm only telling you this because she's ok with it, I carry on. But Dolores... she and I...

The moment of awareness kicks in and, rightly so I would argue, my mother blushes. I say nothing else, letting her process the thought.

- And I just had sex with her two nights ago! My mother blurts out.

I let the silence linger; my words can't be an influence here, otherwise it's not fair to Jane.

- Then again, I was quite drunk, she argues back. And I... I needed it so bad.

- I didn't expect it to happen, I confess about my own encounter. And neither did she, at first. But it just happened.

- And last weekend, when she was here?

- We had sex, I confirm.

I don't know at the moment what my mother is thinking. I see lines of conflicted feelings strewn across her features.

- Well, I guess Dolores deserves a good one too, my mom finally expresses her thought. And it's nice to know it's someone that won't hurt her. And you did help her with her daughter Lily.

- I just want to help.

Jane looks back at me.

- I know you do. I see it too.

- So I think it started with the ring -- the curse. Mom, again, no details but I have sex two to three times a day now. Different partners too. I walk around town and people undress me with their eyes. The least amount of attention I give them is enough to get them hot and bothered.

- It does sound like your dad's situation, she agrees.

She again considers the ideas I am putting but I see no shift in her attitude towards me; she is as accepting as I thought she would be, and it is a relief.

- Well, I still stand by what I said last Saturday. About... being happy being the most important part. And I trust you're kind and honest with these women.

- I make it a point of pride, mom!

And I sincerely believe that. No secrets. Secrets hurt. They kill sometimes. Obviously, I can't be totally honest with Jane about everything -- not until something changes, at least -- but I can skirt the truth.

- You're different than your father, she tells me in a convinced tone.

- Why do you say that?

- Because your father was selfish. All about himself. And his guilt.

That word -- it makes sense to me. My father was a guilt-ridden man, running away from his responsibilities. Maybe that's why I don't. Maybe that's why I take on beyond my own -- why I invest so much time in fixing other people's problems. Alice and her husband -- Pauline, Esther and that whole affair -- Dolores and her children -- everybody's living situation in town and that commune (though that is also self-serving).

- I don't feel guilty for anything, I tell my mom.

Though I realize quickly that is not true, so I amend my thought.

- Except for the fact that since people tend to sway my way, I want to make sure that I'm not exerting my will over them.

I see the acknowledgement in Jane's eyes; she knows what I'm implying and she is able to state it clearly.

- I sense that your approach has changed.

- Approach?

- You were always more direct when speaking as a boy. Very clear. But you've been avoiding being assertive.

Her perception of my changing behavior impresses me.

- Sometimes, mom, I feel I could ask anyone to do anything, and they would just do it. No questions asked. No considerations to be had.

- It frightens you?

- Of course. What if I say something terrible, and then people act on it?

Jane motions me to move over to the bed. I rise and then sit beside her. She puts a hand on my thigh.

- You are a good son. And a good man. But everybody makes mistakes. It's how you fix them that makes you different from others. From your dad.

I can't help but feel my eyes water; if anyone can get to me, it's her, for so many reasons, the least of which is that she lived through a situation such as this before.

- So long as you can repair the damage you've done, she continues, that you can apologize and work to better yourself, there's nothing that can't be undone. I believe that.

- Thank you, mom.

Her other hand caresses my cheek.

- And if you feel cursed, just consider all the good that comes from it. And no, I'm not talking about the sex you get out of it.

I giggle, looking away for a moment as she keeps chatting.

- You seem much happier now than when you arrived. You have this burden on your shoulders but you have made it work for you. Something your dad never achieved.

- My own dad had terrible parents, I tell her as a compliment.

And it's true. I never knew my paternal grandparents because we shut them out of our lives. They were apparently mean and aggressive, and my father often ended up at the end of their rage when he was growing up. To his credit, he never hit us once, but he was still flawed and hurt from their actions. I guess that's one of the reasons why I can't be too mad at him for abandoning us. He was broken from an early age -- I'm sure the curse added to his traumas. But I had a great mother, and though my father was absent, he wasn't anywhere near a bad person -- just lost, perhaps, and unable to cope. He was as much a victim who tried not to recreate the cycle the only way he knew how -- by opting out.

- That's sweet, Jane replies, reading into the implication of my comment.

She kisses me gently on the lips. I close my eyes. She lingers there for several seconds, longer than she should probably, but neither of us cares. Our lips smack as she removes hers.

- I trust you with this curse, Jane replies.

- I can't tell you how good that makes me feel, mom. I mean it.

She is all smiles; my heart melts for her. She embraces me tightly, again for long seconds. She lets go and stretches as she rises.

- I mean it, Grant. You can tell me anything. I've seen so much and lived so much with your father that I won't be shocked. Or judge you.

I know she's sincere in her words, but I can't go there just yet. But there is a question which bears asking.

- Mom, do you think the curse is affecting you too?

- How do you mean?

- Well, we both know that the curse pulls people towards me and makes them want to be close to me -- to do things to make me happy.

- Oh! I see.

She considers my words carefully.

- Well, I suppose it's inevitable. And I would be worried if it weren't for the fact that I'm happy with this situation. I'm guessing your presence here has helped me cope with my insecurities from the past.

- Granted.

- And I do feel this closeness to you, which makes me feel like I'm still a woman. I like the way you look at me. The love is there.

- I'm very happy to hear it.

She walks back towards me, her eyes speaking of her own inquiries, stating a thought that is obviously there.

- You think it's affecting your sisters too?

- I know it is, I confess. I mean, we were never enemies but we were never this close.

Again, no details, no implications. Just the facts.

- Well, it's a good thing, she says. You're a great person to have around, and your sisters have always been a bit lost. Because of their father, in part.

- I love them a lot, I reply.

- They love you too, you know. I see it in the way they look at you. It's nice that we're all getting this comfortable with one another. I can see how happy it makes them.

Again, she goes back to that single idea -- one I don't recall planting in her head so it must be hers -- happiness. I quiz her on it.

- So that's really what you get out of this? That we should be the happiest we can be?

- Not only that, of course, but yeah. It begins with that. For example, right now, I'm happy to be entering a new chapter in my life. Rediscovering myself -- my sexuality, my needs. It's liberating.

- You said that already, but yeah. I agree.

She leans in and kisses me again.

- Don't worry about it. It's nice to see you and your sisters together. And it's nice to have you here, where I can take care of you. And you can take care of me -- and them.

- Alright. Thanks mom.

She caresses my cheek again, then struts quietly out of my room.

It's not been two minutes when Heather rushes in, full of energy.

- Did you hear what mom said?

Of course, she was listening in from the other side of the wall -- as I sometimes did when I was young, and still do occasionally.

- Umm... I was in the room with her, so yes?

- So? What do you think?

- About what?

Heather looks at me as if I were the dumbest man in the world. With a gesture, I invite her to elaborate.

- About us, dimwit! You think she'll be ok with it?

- I don't know.

- I think she'd support us.

- And I think you're getting ahead of yourself, dear sister.

I invite her to sit next to me, where my mother was a moment ago. She complies, putting her hands on her knees.

- Heather, listen to me. This is a very delicate matter. Much more than I can fully explain. You heard me talk about my curse, right?

- Right.

- Well, here's the thing. The curse is something that comes from dad. Dad couldn't handle it so he left. I am doing my best here, but I am struggling.

It's not a lie. Most of the time, it's convenient, but every so often, I hit a wall, and it breaks me apart. Last time, two police officers helped me cope with it. But there have been minor bruises here and there, and the constant questions keep resounding.

- If we want this to work, we need to be very careful. Do you understand.

- Yes. Sorry.

She is sincerely apologetic. I wrap my arm around her.

- I just... love you so much.

- I love you too, Heather.

She hugs me tight. We hang there for a long moment as I caress her shoulder and hair.

- I think mom is making her way to her own discoveries, I tell her. We're lucky if we're on her path, but we need to let her walk there on her own. We can't push her or influence her in any way, otherwise it's unfair.

- I see.

We keep hugging; Heather's not ready to let me go. She's processing her emotions. I let her.

- I don't think it's a curse, she finally says. I think it's a gift. It's made you a better person.

- How do you mean, I ask?

- Well, you were never a bad person to begin with.

She pulls away so we can talk face-to-face.

- But since you've been back, you've been more accessible. I don't know if you realize this, but I idolized you growing up.

- You did?

- Well, in the sense that you did your own thing. You were always independent.

I smile at her.

- That's true. But I was always alone.

I had so few friends back then -- still now, though I can honestly count my lovers as my friends, most of them anyway.

- But now you're so approachable. Open to people. Open to the world. And that's... that's one thing I love about you. It's not all about the... pleasure.

- I know. If it were just that, I think it might be awkward.

Heather doesn't answer that -- she moves onto something else.

- I just want this so bad. You and me.

- I know you trust me, so I'll tell you that I have a long-term strategy here. One that, if I play my cards right, will get me the... get me what I want. Which is to be with the people I love in a place where no one will care about conventions. Where we can honestly allow ourselves to feel the happiness we crave.

- Sounds wonderful.

- It's an ideal. Achievable, with a lot of work.

Heather hugs me again, then lets go.

- Let me know what I can do and where I can be -- and I'll be there.

- Right now, watch over mom. Make sure that she doesn't push herself too far, too fast. Let her grow into a new version of herself. Help her.

- Not sure how, but ok.

- You'll figure it out, I tell her.

We exchange a tender kiss; she caresses my chest throughout.

- I'm gonna let you leave now.

- I'll be back tomorrow night. Next day morning, at the latest. And then I'll be here forever, in Castillo. With all of you.

Heather rises and exits my room slowly. I get up and close the door, then proceed to lie down on my bed -- and sigh.

I'm horny.

I figured all this emotional talk would tone down my desire, but it's done nothing to impair it. In fact, it almost feels stronger now that I've stated my confessions to these two women I love.

It is a curse, but only because I have no control over it. I need control. I need something to help me through. I hide it well from my family. And I certainly try to not abuse the power I hold. In fact, I've proven I can hold back when I really care for the people around me.

But this afternoon, Bill and Melissa -- they were nothing to me, and I used them as I wanted. Not that they were against it, obviously, but they were putty in my hands.

I don't plan on calling them again. In fact, the moment I decide this, I erase her number.

It's not that I couldn't grow to love Melissa. I am sure she is charming woman. I'm sure her husband is a delightful man. But it can't just be about sexual exploitation, otherwise it doesn't feel right in the long term.

I decide against masturbation tonight. Or any kind of activity with Heather. Or trying anything towards mom (the worst of these ideas, for sure). Instead, I rise from my bed. My stuff is already packed.

I leave the house with a quick bye to my sister and mother; they hurry out to see me go and manage to steal further hugs. But then, I'm in the car, driving away from Castillo back to the city.

But I'm not running away -- not like my father. I'm going to do this right for everyone's sake.

END OF DAY 14