Family Ties

“Especially when the pilot kisses me.”

“The headsets get in the way, though. So do sweaters and bras.”

“Yes, they do, Mr. Naughty.”

“You could take them off,” I suggested.

“I don’t think so. You’re the nudist.”

“That’s okay. I can wait.”

She rolled her eyes.

“So, anything else you want to know about camp?”

“Did you ever… you know… get… um… excited?”

“All the time!” I laughed. “I was the king of hiding a sudden hard-on.

Remember I told you I called my dick ‘treacherous organ’? Well, that’s why.”

She grinned.

“And I jerked off a lot.” Her eyes widened in surprise, so I nodded. “I’m still like that. I have a really high sex drive.”

“Even when you’re dating someone? I mean, someone you’re actually…

you know… sleeping with.”

“Yep. And even when I was dating two someones.” I grinned. “It takes two normal girls or one very special girl to keep me satisfied.”

She blushed at the compliment. “But we haven’t even…”

“Maybe not in real life,” I said, “but we have in my head. Lots. You’re a total nympho in my fantasies.”

“I’m gonna kill Wren for using that word,” she said under her breath.

“Why?”

“Because it isn’t nice.”

“Sure it is.”

“No, it isn’t.”

“Then let’s find a word you do like, one that means the same thing.”

“I don’t like any of ’em.”

“Which ones?”

“Tramp. Slut. Whore.”

“Yeah,” I agreed. “Society has some really screwed-up notions about women who like sex.”

“Huh?”

“If a man has sex a lot, he’s a stud. If a woman does it, she’s a slut. So it’s okay for a man, but bad for a woman.”

“But… isn’t it?”

“Bad for a woman to like sex?” I looked at her in surprise. “No. What a ridiculous idea. And a total double standard. Why? Do you think it’s bad?”

“Sort of. I mean… it just is. Women aren’t like men.”

I snorted derisively. “Whoever told you that is an idiot.”

“That’s a lot of people,” she muttered.

“Yeah, well, it’s a dumb idea. Women can like sex as much as men. But even then, everyone’s different. Some people like it a lot—yours truly—and some not so much. But sex isn’t bad by itself, as long as it’s consensual. I mean, it’s just… sex. It’s a physical act, a release.”

“But… it’s more than that. It’s love. It’s the union of a man and a woman.”

“Okay, now you’re spouting Catholic dogma at me.”

“I am not!”

“Yes, you are,” I said without heat.

Atlanta Center saved us before the discussion could turn into a full-blown argument. The controller called and advised me of traffic at my ten o’clock. I turned serious immediately, and Christy knew enough to let me fly the plane instead of continuing to argue. I scanned the sky and replied to the controller that I had the traffic in sight.

“Sorry about that,” I said to Christy.

“It’s okay. You had to fly.”

“Right. And I don’t want to argue with you. In some ways we’re a lot alike. But in other ways we’re still two very different people. That’s okay.

We don’t have to agree a hundred percent on everything. The big things?

Yes. But even then, not right away. We’re still getting to know each other.”

She nodded, so I reached over and touched her hand. She held mine in

both of hers, which were warm and soft.

“I like getting to know you,” I said after a moment. “It’s… exciting.

Frustrating sometimes, but still exciting.”

She nodded.

“Although… I need to remind myself we’re taking baby steps.”

“Me too.”

We fell silent, and I automatically checked the sky around us. The other airplane was right where it should’ve been, but the radio called with another traffic report from Center. I searched the vector and spotted the new plane.

“Thank you, sir,” I told the controller. “Two Five Echo has traffic in sight.” I turned to Christy. “Sorry, we’re getting into more congested airspace, so I need to fly with all my attention.”

“Okay. You probably need both hands too.”

“Yeah, sorry.”

She didn’t release me immediately. Instead, she raised my hand to her lips and kissed it gently. Then she closed her eyes. She inhaled slowly as she rubbed her cheek against the back of my hand.

I smiled when she opened her eyes. “Hold that thought,” I said quietly.

She nodded and folded her hands demurely in her lap. Her nipples, however, sent an entirely different message. I smiled to myself and then turned my attention to the business of flying.

We landed at DeKalb-Peachtree about twenty minutes later. I parked by the self-serve fueling station and reached over Christy to release the door latch.

“This is it,” I said. “Are you ready?”

“Yes? No? Maybe?”

“You’ll do fine,” I said with a smile. “They’re going to love you.”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive.”

She climbed out of the cockpit, and I resisted the urge to pat her firm little bottom. I climbed onto the wing after her and jumped to the ground. Mom and Erin were waiting for us inside the FBO. I waved, but their eyes immediately went to Christy, who saw them and nervously smoothed the front of her jeans.

“Chin up, chest out,” I whispered. “Oh, wait. Sorry. That’s later.” I actually felt her roll her eyes.

I gave Mom a hug and then Erin.

“You owe Mom,” Erin whispered. “Big time. Susan too.”