My name is Clay. I'm a 36 year old lifelong bachelor residing in Naples, Florida. I own a small consulting firm specializing in consumer and shopper market research. While it's a small operation we have been fortunate enough to earn a nice profit in today's Uber competitive market.
I own a small three bedroom home in the older part of Naples. Over the years I have gutted the inside of the home and modernized with todays amenities. The thing I love most about my home is the secluded backyard, complete with an in ground pool and spa. Those who live year round in Naples understand the need to have a pool especially during the hot humid summer months.
I have two older sisters, twins, married, divorced, and living in an affluent west suburb of Chicago. My sisters are 44 years old. I guess they were a handful growing up so my parents must have waited for them to calm down before deciding to have me. Gabby and Claire are spitting images of each other. They both have blonde hair, blue eyes and a body to kill for. They both married right out of college and soon started a family. They each divorced within months of each other citing irreconcilable differences. The go to terms when you catch your husband fooling around with his secretary.
Gabby has a beautiful daughter named Jenny. She is the oldest at 21 and in her final year at Norte Dame University. Gabby also has two younger boys, both in high school named Travis and Chris. Claire has one daughter, Lyn a junior at the University of Michigan, and one son, Rex also in high school.
Being eight years older than me, they both act like they are my mom. Growing up they doted on me, played with me, and heaped lots of love and hugs my way. I always respected and appreciated everything that Gabby and Claire did for me as I was growing up. To say that we are incredibly close is an understatement. I sometimes feel like they know me better than I know me.
Unfortunately, I have not had a chance to see my sisters and their families for over six years. Yes, I know that's a long time but owning my own company takes a lot of time, then throw in the last year and a half with the pandemic and it's easy to see how difficult it was for me to leave to go see them. We kept in touch with phone calls, face time, and texts but it just isn't the same as seeing them in person. I feel bad that both of their families had grown up and I was not there for a significant chunk of that time. I love my sisters very much and I truly miss their companionship.
I also failed to mention that as busy as I was with my company I was also having a wonderful time with the ladies in Naples. I didn't have anyone that I was seriously dating but I kept myself active both with my social and sex lives. At this point in my life I'm not sure that I could ever commit to someone. It wouldn't be fair to them as really my commitment is to my company.
That brings us to this afternoon. It was a beautiful March Saturday and I was relaxing by my pool when my phone rang with a call from my sister Gabby. I answered and before I could say a word, I heard two voices screaming, "Hello little brother! We miss you!"
I laughed and said, "Gabby, Claire I miss you both. How are the families?"
Gabby responded, "We are all fine but we want to know how you are doing? Have you met anyone special?"
I joked, "No but I've met a lot of special ones. I just can't decide what to do with which one!"
I could hear them both laughing when Claire spoke, "Clay you are so bad! Are you ever going to get married? We want to be Aunts!"
I smiled knowing that they both loved me and only wished good things for me. "I'm married to my company! You both know that. Now what is the real reason for this call in the middle of a glorious sun filled Naples afternoon?"
They may know me better than I know me but I think I also know them better than they think I do.
Gabby spoke first, "Well Clay, Claire and I would like to ask for a little bitty favor."
Now I know when I hear "itty bitty favor" I know it's not going to be itty bitty. I said, "Ok no problem what do you need?"
Claire spoke next, "Clay both our girls have spring break coming up next week. They want to go down to Panama City to party with all their friends. Both Gabby and I are terrified that they will contract COVID19 so we said absolutely not. To say the least neither one of us will be receiving a Mother of the Year award from them anytime soon."
I interrupted, "Surely the girls will get over this. Guys I support what you are doing. It makes no sense to expose them in that type of environment. They will eventually understand."
Gabby chimed in, "What makes it bad is that this is Jenny's last year. They are both feeling down. Seeing as you said you support what Claire and I are doing, here's our itty bitty favor. Can the girls stay with you for the week?"
Damn this was not what I was expecting, "Why would they want to spend time with their long lost Uncle? Sounds pretty boring. Have you asked them yet?"
Gabby answered, "No we haven't asked them yet but we think they will say yes. They haven't seen each other since Christmas and they haven't seen you since they were in high school. Besides you have a pool and spa in the backyard. Maybe you can take some time off work and do something with them during the day? Please Clay, please say yes! It would mean the world to us and it would really help us out."
I knew this was not an itty bitty ask! What the hell am I going to do with two twenty somethings running around the house. "Okay I'll do it on one condition!"
They both squealed, "Anything! Name it we will do it!"
"My condition is that both Jenny and Lyn want to really come down here. I do not want two girls moping around my house for a week because their mothers forced them to come. Agreed?"
Gabby said all too quickly, "Yes! Thank you Clay! We will call them now and get their itineraries set up. Once they are all set we will text you the flight information. Thank you Clay! You are the best little brother anyone can ask for."
I grinned and added, "Just remember my condition! Rather than text me why don't you call me and let me know. Okay?" When I talk to my sisters I can always tell if they are telling the truth or fudging it just a little bit.
"For sure Clay. Thank you."