Chapter 05 – Home for the Holidays
At some point during the night I crawled out of Penny's bed and made my way back to my room. I slept well that first night, hoping it was a sign of things to come. I thought of sleeping the next day but my mind got the best of me and I was up early. I stayed in bed, not making a sound. I was guessing that Vivian and Penny were not up yet, by the lack of any sound in the house.
I waited until the clock hit an appropriate time to make a phone and I grabbed my cell phone. I sent a text message to Emma, asking for Bill's telephone number. Much to my surprise I received a text back from her only a moment later with the number. I expected it to take some time for her to get back to me and part of me anticipated her questioning my request for it. This general surrender of the information was quite nice.
I didn't dwell on that for too long. I left my room and headed downstairs as I punched Bill's number into my phone.
"Good morning, kid," Bill greeted me as he answered my call quickly.
"How did you know it was me," I asked, quite surprised.
"Kid, it's my job to prepare for such things," he advised me. "What can I do for you this fine Sunday morning?"
"Well, sir, I need some advice," I admitted.
"First of all, don't call me sir, you will make me feel old," Bill laughed. "Now, what seems to be on your mind?"
"With the holidays coming, I will be heading back east to see my family for a week," I disclosed. "I would like to take someone with me but I am not sure how a request like that would go over. Since you have been in the game situation, I was hoping you had some advice for me."
"Actually, kid, I do," Bill replied. "Ask, but ask generally. I feel like you want to take someone specific, which would be selfish. Don't ask for that. Ask to take someone and let Penny decide who it is. She is a very fair person and you all put her in charge for a reason. Trust her to sort it out."
I thought about what he said for a long moment before responding.
"Bill, that is tremendous advice," I admitted. "Thank you so much for taking the time to talk to me and for everything you have done for all of us."
"Kid, you are quite welcome," he said graciously. "I meant it when I said call me anytime. There are moments when this game is difficult. I know that. I am glad to help where and when I can."
"Bill, I will certainly be taking you up on that," I conveyed. "Please send my best to Bonnie."
"I will kid," he confirmed. "Talk to you soon."
It was such a great relief to have someone to talk to who knew my side of the game, someone who had been where I am. Bill was my savior and a genuinely good man too. Now, all I had to figure out was when to ask Penny. I thought it best to do when we were alone.
The rest of Sunday was much of the same as Saturday had been. Each of us finished unpacking and getting used to where things were in our new setting. We learned, with each passing hour how to operate with and around each other in the various rooms of the house. Both of these women were adorable. I had seen them both in the heights of passion and lust, but seeing them in the everyday, mundane tasks made me appreciate them both so much more.
The day flew by and it ended with us all watching television on the couch, one woman on either side of me, both fighting to stay awake. Penny surrendered first and headed up the stairs to bed. I must have drifted off for a short nap and when I awoke, Vivian was sound asleep next to me. I used the remote to shut off the television and then scooped Vivian up into my arms as I stood up.
I shut the lights off and made my way up the stairs. I delivered Vivian safely to her bed and headed to my own, when Penny stopped me in the hall.
"Hey," she whispered. "Stay with me tonight."
It didn't sound like a request, so I followed her into her room and shut the door. We laid down together and I held her close to me, as I had on many occasions. She was quite a woman and as we were still in the dark silence, I knew this was the right time.
"Pen, can I ask you something," I whispered.
"Sure you can," she responded. "Anything."
"I am going home for a week for the holidays," I reminded her.
"I know," she confirmed.
"I really would hate to go alone," I remarked.
There was a long gap without words. I began to second guess my approach. The silence and darkness surrounded us. I felt engulfed in it before Penny finally responded.
"I can't," she stuttered. "I am so sorry and so flattered. I have to be here, helping Nikki with everything for the wedding. She asked me to be her maid-of-honor. I can't disappear on her for a week."
I was taken back that she was so immediately convinced that I meant her. I was also ashamed of myself for not having considered her. I pulled her closer to me in the darkness. I kissed the back of her neck and could feel her breathing heavy.
"Vivian won't go," she stated. "She is too close to Emma's kids; she would never miss Christmas morning with them."
"I understand," I admitted. "Family is important."