Once And For All
I follow my three sisters and my mom out onto Candy’s enormous deck. Candy stepped out first. I watch as she walks to the railing, turns, and leans back. I wait for Mom, Carla, and Connie to choose their spots before making a choice of my own. Carla sits the furthest away, and Connie sits between them. I choose a spot facing all three. Just as I’m about to open my mouth to speak, Candy begins by saying, “A toast.” She holds up her glass of white wine.
We all raise our glasses and wait.
“To sisters.” Candy says. “And to Mom.”
“And to brothers.” I had to include Chris. “And sons.”
I think I shocked them because I hear a collective gasp. “To brothers,” Candy says wiping a tear from her cheek.
“To sons,” Mom adds. “To our sweet Christopher.”
“To Chris.” The four sisters say simultaneously.
We quietly sip our wine. That is until Connie asks, “So, are you going to tell us what it’s like to fuck that hot piece of ass?”
And there goes my wine. All over the side of Carla’s face and shirt. And then, I laugh. Hard.
“Jesus,” Carla snaps. “A little warning, Con.”
“Yes. Tell us everything.” Ugh. Mom has been waiting forever for this conversation.
“I’m not telling you anything, Mom. That’s creepy.”
“And crass,” adds Carla. “He’s a person. With feelings.”
And that’s all it takes for everyone to lose it. Until Mom says, “Pish-posh. Sex is a natural thing.”
“I’m not describing my sex life with my future…”
Okay. I probably shouldn’t have said it like that.
“Future what?” Candy asks stepping closer. “Are you engaged?
Shaking my head, I say “No. We haven’t even said the ‘L’ word yet.”
“Lick?” Mom asks with a smirk. “Because licking is very important. Especially on his
co—”
“No, Mom. No.” All four of us groan at the same time.
In order to stop the current line of questioning, you know, about sex, I blurt, “I’m thinking about moving in with him.” I decide to say the rest. “At his new place.”
“What’s to think about?” Mom asks. “It’s obvious to me he’s into you.”
“And you’re into him.” Connie adds.
“It’s a big step.”
“Yes, but…” We wait for Mom to say what she needs to say even though I’m preparing for the worst. All I can say is, if the word ‘cock’ is uttered, I’m out of here. “He cares about you, and I know you care about him. The ‘L’ word.” She rolls her eyes. “It’s just a matter of time on that.”
“Do you love him?” Candy asks, and I’m happy to answer.
“I think I do.” I’m just not ready to say it.
“Where’s his new place?”
