The four girls continued to chat past 9pm, eating leftover pizza, talking about boys (and girls), and just enjoying each other's company. None of the girls had actually put on any clothes, and Bess continued to be the only one covered in some way as she still had her towel on. Her breasts were exposed, but her penis was not.
At one point, the subject of families came up.
Katy, who was lying on the carpet, said, "Well, you met my mom. I never knew my dad. I have a couple of cousins in Michigan, and an aunt and uncle. My mom's parents live in Florida. That's pretty much it."
Lily, sitting next to Dara on the couch, chimed in. "My mother died when I was a baby, leaving my father to raise my sister and I. He still loves her, and sees her in Akane and I. It makes me sad sometimes because he wants what is out of reach...he wants her back. I think he goes on these business trips because sometimes he can't bear to see her in us. But I know he loves us deeply, so I don't begrudge him."
Dara leaned forward. "I live with my granddad. My mother and father died in a car crash when I was 9."
The others gasped. Bess put her hand to her mouth. "Oh God...Dara, I'm so sorry. That must have been awful."
"Yeah, it was. I really loved them, and I don't think I've ever really gotten past it. They were good people, you know? And one day? Bang! Dead. Really shaped the way I am now." Dara's eyes were moist.
Lily turned and hugged Dara. Dara actually tried to pull away, but Lily would not let go, and tightened her hug. After a few more seconds, Dara started to openly cry, burying her face in Lily's neck. Lily just squeezed tighter as Dara seemingly let out years of bottled-up anguish, if only a little bit. Bess leaned forward a bit, her own eyes filled with sympathetic tears. Katy got up and brought some tissues to Dara, who took one after Lily finally let go, lightly dabbing her face. "Thanks", she said huskily. Bess also grabbed one.
The group let Dara compose herself, who then looked at Bess. "What about you? Holly mentioned your folks?"
Bess nodded. "Yeah, mom and dad. They're good...a little overbearing at times, but they're great. Oh, shoot!" She looked at the clock on the wall.
"What?"
"I needed to call them by 9 to tell them what time I'd be home."
Katy said, "Well, you won't be home tonight...this is a full-on sleepover! You're staying here tonight."
"I...I am?"
"Yes! You're all staying here tonight!" The other two girls looked at each other. Both of them grabbed their phones to let their loved ones know.
Bess stammered. "I didn't bring a change of clothes..."
"It's fine...you can wear your jeans again tomorrow, and I have some sweatshirts that'll fit you."
"O-ok...I'll call my parents then..."
Bess got up and went to the kitchen, where her phone was charging. This was going to be an odd conversation.
-----
It was 9:20 when the phone rang. Janet Ulrich immediately became worried. Bess rarely was out this late...her mother totally trusted her, but she still worried. She had been on the couch with her husband, Mark, when her cell rang.
She saw it was from Bess, and quickly answered it.
"Hello?"
"Hi mom..."
"Elizabeth, are you okay?"
Her mom always used her given name when she was stressed. "Yes, mom...I'm fine. I'm just...checking in."
"Oh, okay...phew." She nodded to Mark and gave an 'ok' sign.
"So...um...I'm going to be going to...a sleepover tonight. Is that okay?"
Janet blinked. "A...sleepover?"
Mark's jaw dropped.
"Y-yeah. Is it okay?"
"Of course!" Janet said that a little too quickly, she thought. "Are...are you sure you want to do that? I mean...if you want to, it's completely fine with us! But you're sure?"
"Yeah, mom. It'll be okay."
Janet blinked and smiled a little. "Where's the sleepover?"
"Um...ah..."
Why is she hesitating?
"It's at...Katy Jenkins's place."
Janet dropped the phone.
-----
Bess rubbed her temples in embarrassment. The other three girls were watching her side of the conversation, intensely amused. Katy walked up, still naked, watching Bess with a bemused look on her face.
"My mom dropped her phone, I think...after I told her that I'm staying at your house."
Bess could hear the phone at the far end being picked up, and she gave a thumbs-up to Katy. Katy waved to get the phone. Bess blinked and, for some reason, handed over the phone.
"Hi, Mrs. Ulrich? It's Katy Jenkins."
A long pause, then she could hear the speakerphone activate on the other phone. "H-Hi, Katy...we're both on the line." Katy could hear Mr. Ulrich say hello from the background.
"So yeah, a few of us are having a sleepover, and we wanted Bess there too!"
Janet tried to sound casual, and mostly succeeded. "That's great! So, Katy...it's nice to hear that you and Bess are hanging out!"
Katy suddenly had that secret smile and her eyes drifted toward Bess's crotch, and Bess's eyes went wide.
"Oh, yeah...Bess is standing here in front of me...hanging out." Bess put a hand over her eyes.
A long pause. Janet then stammered, "Um...uh...Katy, is everything good over there?"
"Mrs. Ulrich, I can tell you for a certainty that Bess is good. In fact, she's fantastic."
Bess had had enough and grabbed the phone back. "Mom?"
Janet's voice sounded a bit strained. "Dear, I don't want to pry, but can your father and I assume that you and Katy have become...close?"
Bess felt like she was going to hyperventilate. "...yes."
One more long pause. "I love you, sweetheart. We both love you, and we are so proud of you."
Bess was utterly stunned. "What?"
