Angela entered the house through the garage to find her two children staring at her from the sofa. "Horrible weather," she said.
Ian nodded. "Can't believe you drove in that, Mum."
She shrugged. "It was clear when I left work. Downsides to a long commute I guess." She paused and took them both in. "Pyjamas already, huh?"
Rebecca shrugged. "I was supposed to have an old fashioned pyjama party with some of my friends, but they all bailed because this weather was too intense. Ian agreed to fill in."
Angela raised an eyebrow. "I'm surprised you were willing to pry yourself away from your computer."
"Just being a good brother," said Ian, "and also the internet's out. But it's mostly because I'm an amazing brother."
"Right," said Angela. Her phone buzzed in her pocket, and she briefly pulled it out, looked at it, nodded and put it back. "Dad's staying the night at a friend's."
"Makes sense," said Rebecca. "Don't see how anyone in their right mind would be driving right now."
"Cheeky," said Angela. She dropped her briefcase on the ground and flopped into the armchair next to the sofa holding her kids. "So, what kind of shenanigans are you getting up to at this pyjama party? Pillow fights? Watching scary movies? Eating ice cream? Talking about which boys we think are cute?"
"Not watching anything without internet," said Rebecca.
"There's always DVDs."
"Too much effort," said Ian. "I don't think our DVD player is even plugged in at the moment."
"We should play truth or dare," said Rebecca.
"Oooh, count me in," said Angela. "Might be the only way I get some juicy information out of my kids."
"That goes both ways, Mum," said Ian. "We are going to dig up your deepest, darkest secrets, and use them against you."
Angela raised an eyebrow. "Is that so, young man?"
"Absolutely not," said Rebecca. "You have to respect the sanctity and secrecy of the pyjama party truth or dare game. It's like confession, except without the shameful history of covering up abuse."
"Getting a bit heavy for a pyjama party," said Ian.
Rebecca shrugged. "That may be so, Ian, however: truth or dare?"
"Oh, straight into it? Truth," said Ian. "Coincidentally, what happens if I decide I can't possibly reveal the shameful truth of whatever question you ask?"
"Well apart from the shame of being too cowardly to answer a simple question," said Angela, "the other two players get to agree on a penalty."
"Probably something humiliating or painful," said Rebecca.
"Just curious," said Ian, "obviously I'm going to answer all the questions."
"Great," said Rebecca. "This should be an easy question. Just easing you into it. Do any of your friends think I'm cute?"
"Yep."
"Which ones?"
"Huh, are follow-up questions allowed?"
"No," said Angela. "Sorry Rebecca, that's your question, might have to save it for next turn."
"Must be rusty," said Rebecca. "That's a rookie error there."
"Must be my turn," said Ian. "Hey Mum, truth or dare?"
"Truth."
"Also starting with truth, ey?" said Rebecca. "Cowards, both of you."
"You've gotta ease into it," said Angela.
"All right Mum," said Ian. "How many men and women did you sleep with before Dad?"
"Wow, I thought we were easing into it?" said Rebecca.
Ian shrugged. "It's probably zero."
"Wow," said Angela. "I don't know what's cheekier, the initial question or the follow up." She looked thoughtful and started counting on her fingers.
"Really?" asked Rebecca.
"Damn, Mum was wild," said Ian.
"Oh, it's not that many," she said. "But yes, I had a life before your father. Thirteen men, one woman just to try it out."
"I guess you weren't into it."
"Why, that almost sounds like a follow-up question," said Angela.
"Wow, that's really how we're gonna play it?"
Angela shrugged, and turned to Rebecca. "Rebecca, truth or dare?"
"Right," said Ian, "just moving on then."
"Truth," said Rebecca.
"All right, honey," said Angela. "I heard that was a bit of a cowardly option, but that's fine. Are you on birth control?"
"Mum!"
"I just want to know you're being careful. Besides, you just heard my entire sexual history."
"I'd call it more of a summary. Anyway, yes, I'm being careful, Mum."
"Great! I'm not ready to be a grandma."
"That's all?" asked Ian. "Just is she on birth control? You don't wanna know who she's banging?"
Angela shrugged. "Not like the name would mean anything to me."
"It's true," said Rebecca, "I'm in my ho phase."
"Not quite what I meant, but I'm glad you're having fun."
"Enough about my ho phase, though. Ian, truth or dare?"
"I think it's still truth telling time."
"All right," she said. "Which rooms in this house have you masturbated in?"
"Surely just in your own room, right?" said Angela.
"Hmmm," said Ian.
"Surely," she said again.
"You'd think so, Mum, wouldn't you?" said Rebecca. "That would certainly be the sensible move."
"Or maybe the bathroom."
"So," said Ian. "My room, obviously. And the bathroom."
"Uh huh," said Rebecca. "Keep going."
"Here in the lounge room, when I've got the place to myself." Rebecca nodded. "Your room, Rebecca, and also Mum and Dad's room."
"You did what?" asked Angela.
"And also the garage, and while it's not technically a room, the back yard."
"Have you masturbated in literally every room in the house?" asked Rebecca.
"Well, not the kitchen. I'm not an animal."
"Sorry, can we talk about how you masturbated in our room?" asked Angela.
"No follow-up questions, sorry Mum!" he said. "Also, truth or dare?"
"Truth, I guess."
"Which of us is your favourite?"
"Come on, after your answer?" said Rebecca. "Easiest question ever."
Angela shook her head. "Despite recent... revelations, I can't choose between my kids."
"Really?" said Rebecca. "What does he have to do to make this an easy choice?"