Family Ties

They shook hands and exchanged pleasantries. We chatted for a few minutes about where we were coming from and why. Earl and friends offered their condolences and then he changed the subject.

“When’re you gonna start your multi-engine rating?”

“Funny you should mention that,” I said. “My dad’s talking about buying a Beech Baron, so I might need it after all.”

“Nice plane. We have one here if you’d like to get your rating in it.”

“Sounds like a plan,” I said. “Let me get through the holidays and then I’ll give you a call once my schedule settles down.”

“All right.” He glanced through the windows. “In the meantime, looks like you’re gonna get a break in the weather. Dunno how long it’ll last.”

“Then we’d better make a run for it,” I said.

He and the others said goodbye, and Christy and I headed out. We still got wet as we ran to the Land Cruiser, but not soaked to the skin like we would’ve been earlier. Unfortunately, the downpour had strengthened by the time we pulled into the driveway at home, so we sat and waited while the storm spent its fury.

“I had fun this weekend,” Christy said.

“Me too. I didn’t think you’d take to being a nudist quite so quickly, though.”

“You make everything easy,” she said, “which kinda worries me.”

“Does it bother you? What we did?”

“Yes and no. It’s doesn’t bother me when we’re doing it. But… I still feel guilty sometimes, especially when I think about what I want to do.”

“Fantasies getting ahead of your morals?” I said.

“I’m wondering if I still have any morals.”

“You do,” I assured her. “Besides, morals are about more than sex. Be a good person. Help others. Tell the truth. Eat your vegetables.”

She grinned at the last.

“But… what about me? Do you think I have morals?”

“Of course you do,” she said. “You’re a very good person.”

“But I have sex out of wedlock. And I’m slowly trying to convince you to do the same.”

“I know. And that’s what worries me.”

“Well, the key is ‘slowly.’ I’m not trying to rush things.”

“What if I am?”

I shot her a sideways look.

She nodded. “Mmm hmm. What I want and what I think I should want are having a major fight in my head.”

“Anything I can do to help?”

“No. Just be patient with me.”

“I will.”

“And…”

I waited.

“Maybe give me Sara’s number? She was raised Catholic, right?”

“Uh-huh.”

“And I think I’ll ask Marianne. She’s always given me good advice.” She glanced at me out of the corner of her eye. “She might’ve let it slip that she wasn’t exactly a virgin on her wedding night.”

“Oh?”

“No. She and Harry had been… um… ‘making sure they were compatible.’ While they were still engaged.”

I pulled the key out of the ignition and glanced through the windshield at the rain, which was still coming down pretty hard.

“What’re you doing?”

“Need to get you inside. You have calls to make!”

She rolled her eyes but grinned. “Is that all you think about?”

“Yes, ma’am! Now, if we’re not going to go inside and make some calls, then get your ass over here and kiss me.”

“My pleasure, sir.”

Wren and Trip had left us a note saying they’d gone to his parents’ for the weekend, so Christy and I had the house to ourselves. I was in the mood to fool around after we unpacked, but she was hungry. We compromised—I felt her up and then she fixed a snack from the veggies and fruit Susan had packed for her.

While she ate, I called my parents to let them know we’d made it home safe. I also made sure it was okay for Christy to spend the night in Atlanta before she flew home to San Diego.

“Of course,” my mom said. “We’d love to see her again.”

“That’s what I thought,” I said, “but the new policy is more communication with the parental units.”

Christy rolled her eyes.

“We’ll be there Friday, probably early afternoon. She flies out on Saturday.”

“Sounds good,” Mom said.

We talked a bit longer and then said goodbye.

“Do you need to call your parents?” I asked Christy. “To tell them you’re home safe?”

“I… um… didn’t tell them I was going.”

I smirked.

“Leave me alone. I didn’t know how to tell them. I still don’t,” she muttered.

“You don’t have to tell them anything. You’re an adult. You’re allowed to have a private life. I mean, you weren’t going to tell them we slept together, were you?”

“Oh my gosh, no!”

“Exactly. So you don’t have to tell them we went to a nudist camp either.”

“I know, but I still feel guilty.”

“Well, get over it.”

“Easy for you to say.”

“Mmm. Now, I don’t know about you, but I’m kinda worn out. Someone

—no names mentioned, but she’s small, blonde, and very sexy—woke me at three o’clock this morning. Can I interest you in a little groping on the couch and then a nap?”

“What kind of groping?” she asked with a suspicious grin.

“Second base, no more. Maybe third, but only if you ask.”

She rolled her eyes.

I stood and extended a hand. “Come on.”