Chapter 159

March 8, 2018

Dear Ms. Diary,

The alarm woke all of us. We had been up fairly late hitting the books last night, as each of us had at least one exam today, while most of us had two or three. We did don PJs after ablutions last night, and everyone, as far as I could tell, conked out quickly. Before we left for school, Meka cornered me for a discussion, which lasted a few minutes, and about which we found ourselves in agreement.

On the way to the pitch, Rhee got a text that she showed me. It caused my gastrointestinal lepidoptera to fly laps at fairly high speed ... and caused me to lose focus during our pitch workout a couple of times.

Back in the Sprinter on the short ride home, Rhee announced, “Carol’s OB/GYN called her today. It seems the results are in.”

Everybody went silent, and that silence stayed until we were climbing out at home. Instead of going straight to the J, we went into the W, meeting Carol in the living room.

“Don’t look so grim. No one died, although you’re now going to have to begin making decisions. She didn’t tell me the results, insisting that Brett and I come in ... and wants my daughter to come with us.”

Lana squeaked, and Meka said, “She thinks that Rhee’s his girlfriend as you were the one to bring him in.”

“She didn’t say that, but I believe you’re right. Since that’s the sort of thing we want outsiders thinking, I think it’s fine.”

“As do I,” I added. “In fact, this may be of benefit to us, at least over Brett’s parents taking him somewhere. I suggest, Rhee, that you record the conversation, although you should ask her first ... in the name of having a record of the options.”

“I’d thought that. I’d also thought that I should have no difficulty acting like I’m into him, because ... I am into him! Of course, I’ll have to do it with a nervous edge.”

Carol stated, “Brett, I also suggest that you ask her what she thinks the best contraception options are should you not be infertile. She wants us there at 5:45, so we’re going to miss tonight’s seating for dinner, so we should eat at least something before we leave. That will certainly help settle your stomach, which might be useful at her office.”

Carol looked around, then said, “That’s all I know. Go get your showers, and come right back here after you’re dressed. I’ll have some dinner for you.”

Keeping up appearances for the Thursday get-together was difficult, so I explained to the Paleceks, Websters, and Randles that we were in exam week and that some of us had an exam or two tomorrow, which was true, but certainly deceptive. I also found it difficult to really get into dinner, I was so nervous, and I am not sure why.

The evening was brisk, so we opted out of the hot tub and had the postprandial conversation in the living room. Carol, Rhee, and Brett returned before 7, and they were subdued, which I took as a bad sign. The rest of the LA obviously took that indicator the way I did. Fortunately, the various adults carried the conversation well until Kalina begged off to allow Civia and Maren some time for studying for their exams. The Websters stayed after the other five departed.

Steph asked Carol and Brett to sit and discuss Brett and another item with them.

“The first question we have is about Brett and Lana. Ginny ... my sister ... has asked the two of us to visit her and her husband, Dennis, in Thailand later this month. Actually, we’d need to be on a plane on the 20^th. If the ... Williams clan were willing to put up with you for 17 days, would you be interested in staying here?”

I almost laughed out loud at Brett’s and Lana’s efforts to attempt running a middle course between being elated at staying here and being sad that Brett’s parents would be out of the country for a while. I managed to hold in those guffaws.

Dad and the Moms told Steph and Matt that Lana and Brett were welcome anytime, for however long.

“Thank you. I really miss my sister and all four of us are great friends, so we hoped that this could work out. She looked at her son and asked, “What were the results?”

Fortunately, Brett was on the ball and did not try to bluster, but said, “It sounds like I’m like Dad. She said that I have enough motile sperm not to be safe, but that if I wanted children, I’d probably have to get medical help.”

With that, Lana and I reacted, and not well. Not obviously, but obviously enough for Steph.

“I thought so.” She looked right at Lana and said, “You promised you would not act on your feelings.”

“No, Aunt Steph. The promise you had me make was that I would not act on my feelings in your house. Steph, Matt, I love him, and I’m in love with him.”

Steph replied, “Oh, baby. I know, and I remember how powerful those feelings are from when I was your age.” She then turned to me and asked, “You, too?”

Brett stood, saying, “Mom. Don’t. Don’t attack Beth. I ... I love them both, and I have for years.”

She looked at her son, and her expression went soft as she said, “We know that.” She looked up at the ceiling for a few seconds, then looked back at Brett, then at Sandy, and asked, “What do you know, and how do you feel about this?”

“Beth and the girls keep us apprised of what’s going on. She’s told us that they’ve become intimate, but that they are staying away from sex. They have rules to which they’ve agreed, and they have not greatly broken them. The girls are wonderful girls, and we parents trust them, primarily because they do keep us aware of what’s going on. Beth has always, well since she was about 12, anyway, been responsible and has let us know about what goes on in her world, including things like relationships.”

Steph nodded, responding, “I’ve also had frequent conversations with Lana about Brett, and, although she’s usually trustworthy, she’s not told us this. Granted, I simply asked her whether she was keeping to our agreement about living in our house. I see that I should have been more specific, but I didn’t imagine that she’d get into any trouble in that vein here when there were so many other girls around. I will be sure to ask the right questions from now on.” She turned to Lana and added, “I’m disappointed that you lied by omission, but I do understand. I had a very meaningful relationship at your age, as you know, and it lasts to this day. If it weren’t for that, I’d be even more disappointed, but I still remember how important that relationship was, both to me and to my ... lover.”

She smiled up at Matt, looked back at Lana, around at our parents, then back at Lana, finishing with, “We’re still willing to allow you to spend a lot of time here, but you need to be truthful with me, and I will ask you much more pointed questions. Do you find that fair?”

Lana hustled over to Steph and threw herself into her aunt’s arms., saying, “I will. I’ll tell you everything Beth and ... I tell Sandy. I’ll tell you tonight at ... home if you want. Please don’t break us up. I love him.” She looked at me, then added, “And her.”

Steph’s eyebrows rose a bit, and she glanced my way, then she looked at Brett, saying, “I want to be involved in any and every discussion about ... whatever you plan to do about sex and keeping these girls from getting pregnant. Both of us will be very busy before our departure, but we will make time for such a discussion before we leave, and you, your cousin, anyone else involved, and Beth’s parents, should be there. Your freedom to spend so much time here is in jeopardy over it. I do understand how you feel. I truly do. The onus is ... in my eyes ... on you and you must be responsible. Do you understand me?”

“I do. I love them too much to put their futures in jeopardy.”

Steph shook her head a few times, inhaled deeply, held that breath for a few seconds, then slowly released it, after which she looked at Sandy.

“I’d like to talk to you about this ... whole thing. Unfortunately, there might be little chance before we leave for Thailand. We’re going to have to find the time, and this weekend would be better ... easier than any other time before we leave.”

“Absolutely. Charlie and my wives and I really like ... all these kids, and like you, we want no pregnancies ... at least not for a decade or so. Any or all of us would be more than willing to set aside time to discuss ... our various children’s lives. Perhaps we can even do that with some regularity. We could attach it to Thursday evenings, but I’d be more interested in, perhaps, an occasional weekend meeting. Can you find time this Saturday to meet with ... the various ... parties? We’d be happy to host such a meeting and your thoughts on this matter are important. We all know how difficult it is to keep kids apart these days that don’t want to be kept apart.”