Riekie and I drove into town on the Friday before we left and picked up the U-haul. We thought we might find a quiet spot to make love, but no such luck. We made do with our evening walk with Carol. We had a secluded little glade we could use, and we always liked it better when it was the three of us, even if only two were directly involved. We had the U-haul mostly loaded Friday night, ready for a fairly early departure.
Saturday we had to say all our good byes to the family. It took longer than expected, but we were away by mid-morning.
The trip home from the cottage that Labour Day weekend was uneventful. Riekie and I shared the driving. Carol rode up front with us. We were able to cop a few feels and be close to each other, but that was all. We left the cottage mid-morning on the Saturday. We arrived home mid-afternoon.
I called home as soon as we got in to let my folks know we had arrived safely. I told them I'd call for a ride home once we got everything unloaded, and had a bite to eat. It took some time to unload the car and U-haul. It was early enough, we were able to return the U-haul to the depot. We had a light supper then I had to leave. I called Dad to pick me up.
It was hard to leave My Girls behind. It was one thing at the cottage to kiss them good night and go to a separate bed. At least they were in the same house, and I would see them in the morning. It was an entirely different experience to leave them and go to an entirely different house. When Dad came to get me, everyone helped me carry my gear out to the car and load it. I gave Dolly a big hug and thanked her for putting up with me for the summer. I gave the little guys each a hug. Bob was a 'See ya.' I kissed both girls openly and passionately in a group hug. There were tears. Dad raised his eyebrows, but didn't say anything until we were on the road.
"Both of them?"
"Both of them."
"One's not jealous of the other?"
"Nope."
"How so?'
"Total trust amongst ourselves, total love amongst ourselves, and total commitment to each other."
Dad laughed.
"Sounds almost like you married 'em."
"You could say that,"
He was about to make another crack until he realized how seriously I said that.
"You're not serious!"
"Never been more serious about anything in my life, Dad."
"Do you want to talk about it?"
"Not yet. I have to talk to My Girls before I can talk to you. We didn't think about it much at the cottage until it was almost time to come home, then we never got a chance, we were so busy with last minute details."
"'My Girls', eh? Sounds neat the way you say it. Well, at least you have excellent taste in women. They're a pair of beauties. I won't press it for now, Dave, but you will have to talk to your mother and me sometime. You talk to the girls then we'll talk. We've never had secrets in this family, and I don't want to start now, OK?"
Dad was right. We never had secrets before. I thought maybe I better get my wives out to the farm as soon as possible to meet and talk with their new in-laws. I was really starting to take the marriage thing seriously. It wasn't late when we got home. Dad and I carried my stuff into the house. I wanted my family to know everything, but I couldn't tell them anything until I cleared it with my own new family.
Everyone was home. Val had arrived from her summer with Cathy earlier in the day. There were hugs and 'Welcome home' from everyone. Heather was full of questions. She wanted to know everything I'd done. I'd picked up a couple small trinkets from my few trips to town that I gave her. That made her day. They asked if I got my birthday presents they sent with Dolly. They wanted to know about the party, and all that. I showed them the ring Carol got me, plus a few other things I got. Mom eyed the ring closely. She was impressed. She called it a 'forever' ring, even though I didn't show her the inscription. I got a little nervous.
When I showed them my ring, Dad's eyes got round. He leaned to Mom and whispered something to her. I didn't catch what it was, but imagined it was about seeing me openly kissing both girls. Mom chuckled at what he said then regarded me intently for a few seconds. I told them of the day we got our Beginner's Permit and how well we did on the test. My stories of the summer ran out. There'd be other times to talk about the exploring, swimming and fishing. I did tell about Iain and his bass. We spent a little more time catching up with Val then I went to my room to start putting my stuff away.
There was a phone on my desk! I ran whooping and hollering back downstairs. Mom and Dad were still at the kitchen table talking quietly.
I should point out that as farm people we were also 'kitchen people'. The kitchen was the focal point of everyday life, not only for us, but every farm family we knew. It was office, meeting room and common room. All the really important things in our family happened or were discussed there. That meant we hardly ever used the formal living room and dining room except for special guests and occasions. Dad always said the living room was just used to entertain the parson, so we should turn it into something else. That big old farm house had a large kitchen with a large table that would seat eight easily. There was a smaller room off it that we used as a TV room.
I ran into the kitchen and threw my arms around Dad's shoulders. I hugged him and then hugged Mom. Dad grinned at my reaction.
"Looks like he found it, Lori!"
"Mom and Dad, you're the greatest! I don't know how to thank you!"
"A belated 'Happy Birthday' to you, son. You might not think so when you have to start paying the bill. We paid for the installation and the first month for your birthday. We got a deal on it. They took out the old party line this summer, even though we were the only ones left on it. The main number is private now, too. There was a promotional deal on, and we got the second line for half price."
"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"
I was so excited by this gift I was at a loss for words. Mom spoke up.
"Well, at least you can have some privacy when you talk to your girl... s."
Dad had told her what he'd seen, and probably our conversation as well.
"Yeah! This is so neat! I can't wait to use it!"
"I know just who you'll call first, too." Both Mom and Dad laughed at that one.
Thanking them for the phone again, I decided that I would pre-empt my parents' questions about the girls and me. I wanted a meeting to tell them what we'd done and ask for their support at least. I doubted a blessing would be forthcoming.
"Thanks again, Mom and Dad. Oh! Is it alright if I invite the kids out for supper tomorrow night? I'm not sure they can make it, but I'd like to clear it with you before I invite them. I was their guest all summer. I should return the favour. Can I extend the invitation from you?"
Mom smiled warmly and nodded. Now all I had to do was sort out with the girls and Bob just what we were going to tell them and how much.
"We were going to suggest you have them out soon anyway. We don't get to see much of them. We hardly know Carol, and we've never met Riekie. You're always there. Did you know your father has a little bit of a crush on Carol since she called him Dad and hugged him the day you left? Not that I blame him, she is really sweet."
Dad winced and she poked him playfully in the ribs.
"Wait until you see the other one! Ok, Dave run along and play with your new toy! I bet you can hardly wait to make your first call!"
He was right! I ran up the stairs to my room, picked up my new phone and dialed the number. Carol answered on the first ring.
"Hello?"
"Hi! Carol Anne? You must've been standing on top of it!"
"I was just going to call you. You've only been gone a little while and already I miss you."
"Me too, Love. I just had to try out my new phone!"
"New phone?"
"Yeah! My folks got me my own private phone for my birthday! I can talk to you guys all I want now, and not worry about tying up the line."
"That's great! So what do we talk about on our first call on your new phone?"
"I'd just like to sit hear and listen to you breathe, but I really do have something to discuss. Is Riekie nearby, and Bob? Where's your Mom? Can you talk fairly privately?"
"Riekie's right here. You don't think I'd get to call you without her, do you? Bob's just in the kitchen. I can get him easy. Mom's giving the little guys a bath and putting them to bed. They went over to the neighbours to play and came back filthy! Oh, here's Bob now... hey you guys! David got his own phone! Yeah!"
She spoke directly to me again. I could hear Bob and Riekie talking in the background.
"So what do we need to discuss? You make it sound all mysterious and serious."
I gathered myself together. This might not be as easy as I thought. I started with the invitation.
"Mom and Dad have invited the three of you to supper tomorrow night for having me with you all summer. Can you come?"
"I'll check with the others."
I heard them talking, but couldn't make out what they said. Carol had covered the mike out of habit. She came back on the line.
"Yeah! We can come. We're not sure about a ride, though. If Mom can't drive us or let Riekie use the car, will your Dad come get us?"
"No problem just let us know."
"Is that all? That wasn't so mysterious. That's very nice of your folks and tell them thanks for us."
"No, that's not all. We're going to use this opportunity for US to initiate another meeting and announcement, like with your family, except I don't know what to tell my folks, or how they'll react. Dad already suspects something from the way I replied to a wisecrack, and he was stunned to see me with both you girls. He's told Mom what he thinks. They were very impressed with my ring, Carol Anne. I think Mom clued into the seriousness of the intent as soon as she saw it. They're very curious.
"That's mainly why I called. I want us all on the same page tomorrow so when I start talking, you don't get any nasty surprises. I have some questions for all of you. Do you still want to come, even though it could get tense, to say the least? If you do, then what do we tell them? If you don't, what do I tell them on my own? They still want to know what's going on. Dad has already reminded me we don't have any secrets in this family, and that I must bring them up to speed fairly soon.
"If we tell them everything, I don't know how they'll take it."
Riekie's soft voice came on.
"Hi, Lover. Are you forgetting that friendship speech you gave me? Friends tell each other the truth, no matter how painful or embarrassing it might be. Your parents are also your friends, David, and we want them to be ours. We may get yelled at and called stupid fools, but your parents should know about us. Carol Anne and I WANT them to know. We want the whole world to know. Keeping secrets is hard and unfair. We have to keep it from our father, because we KNOW what he'd do. Your parents are a lot more open, from what you've told us. Remember how they handled the phone sex thing? Carol told me how great they were when she spoke to them that day. That's how you came to get your phone. I think they'll be OK. What do you think Carol Anne? Bob?"
Riekie sounded more like she should be First Wife all the time. She put the phone down to talk to the others. I heard muffled voices. After a short discussion, I heard someone pick the phone up again.
"Bob, here. I'll let the girls tell you their decision themselves. I'll just remind you of what you told me to say when Carol was playing twenty questions about you way back when: 'The truth, Bob, the truth. Answer her questions the best you can. I don't have anything to hide.' Do the same for your parents. Someone else wants to talk to you."
It was Carol.
"David, my darling, Riekie and Bob are right. You can blame yourself for that. You have drilled it into all of us how important Truth is, now you, we, have to live by what you preach. I'm nervous, even scared to talk to your family. It's an entirely different situation than with my family. They knew the basics, and helped, they just wanted some detail and then they celebrated with us. Your parents don't know anything, and we're gonna drop a real bombshell on them. I trust your parents to do the right thing. They were so sweet and understanding on the phone sex thing, I just KNOW they're gonna be OK with this. Riekie and I love you more than either of us can say, we'll be with you. It won't be that bad."
"Carol Anne, Riekie, if you can hear me, Bob. You don't know how glad I am to hear you all say this! I want to tell my family everything. I might have already, but I had to check with my new family first. The three of us ARE a family now. The needs and desires of that family come first, even at the expense of our original extended families. We need the support of more than just the aunts and your grandparents. We need someone here, not away in Toronto or someplace far away. You've all made me very proud. I love you all, even you, Bud!"
I heard laughter on the other end, and some gentle teasing of Bob.
"What's the dress?"
'C'mon, Carol Anne! This is supper at my house! We don't dress fancy for dinner, you know that!"
"Riekie has never met your family formally, and she wants to make a good impression."
I had to tease a little bit. I knew Riekie was listening.
"Well, from what I hear about the impression you two have made on my dad, I think if you showed up nude, he'd think that was OK."
Giggles and laughter.
"David! You're disgusting! No wonder we love you! Your dad might think it's OK, but what about your mom? She's the one Riekie's really concerned about. Would our pretty summer dresses be alright?"
That would be perfect! My mom wore them all the time. She's an attractive lady, even to her son. That's probably where I developed my fondness for that style of dress.
"That's perfect! I imagine Mom will be wearing something similar. She wears them all the time, even for the preacher, so you should be fine. Tell Bob something casual, not jeans, to complement your beautiful selves. I'll wear the new outfit your mom got me. It's clean. Your mom washed it up before we came home."
"Sounds good, Honey."
"And Sweethearts? Panties are optional. Just don't flash my dad too much..."
I got a chorus of 'Pervert' and 'Dirty old man' for that last remark.
That wrapped up the conversation and on a more positive note. The girls each gave me a noisy smacking phone kiss. I returned them. We expressed our love, and hung up.
I got off the phone relieved, but still very nervous. We were going to spill the beans, but we didn't know what would happen after that. Tomorrow would come when it came. I had to wait.
The next morning, Riekie called. She could get the car. What time should they be there? I suggested as soon after lunch as possible. That would give us a little time to break the ice, and all afternoon to talk to my folks. I had no idea how long it would take. We exchanged lovers' pleasantries and hung up.
I told Mom and Dad the kids would be out shortly after lunch time. Mom made Val and me vacuum and dust the big living room, although it was already spotless. Then she had us set the best dishes out on the big dining room table. We wondered who else was coming to supper to warrant the full treatment. My friends didn't expect this kind of guest treatment. They were basically kitchen people too. If we were having company besides the kids, there wouldn't be a chance to talk. I asked mom about it.
"Somebody else coming for supper? Is the preacher coming out today?"
"No, Dear! Just your friends."
"Then why all the formal stuff? My friends are quite comfy in the kitchen. They're 'real' people just like us."
"Oh, we thought it'd be nice for a change. It's not everyday a boy brings TWO girl friends home! Your father seems to think they're special enough. It was his idea. I know your friends are just like us, and don't wait on ceremony, but he insisted. Sometimes I wonder about that man. He's really quite taken with Carol, you know, and now he keeps going on about what a looker this Riekie (Is that her name? I've never met her.) is. Watch your girls, Dave! <Grin>. He said,
'It's time we used these rooms for more than just entertaining the parson'. He keeps complaining we only use half the house. You know? When I think about it, he's right. We should use what we have. Keeping part of the house closed up and not used except for the parson and Christmas just doesn't make much sense."
She went on a bit about how hard it was to keep a big house, and all that. I drifted away and finished my assigned chores. Mom was right, of course in her explanation. Dad and I were in complete agreement about the old-fashioned use of the house, but women rule there and we never expected things to change. We just cracked off about it now and then. I sensed, though, that there was something more profound in his suggestion to use the living and dining rooms to entertain my guests. Dad suspected something special was afoot with My Girls and me from one unguarded remark. I began to think he hadn't told Mom all he suspected after all, though, because she was a little mystified why he wanted them to get the red carpet treatment too.
Lunch came and went. I waited nervously by the hall window, watching for them to turn up the lane. Soon, I saw the big wagon turn in. I went to the door and waited. I watched the car pull up and stop. I was out the door in a flash.