It was almost eerie. After dad had returned from plowing the road once again, we'd all sat down around the table preparing to eat breakfast. The eerie part was, that no one was really talking. Before, there had been light-hearted banter, laughter, several conversations taking place at once. Now, there was virtually nothing.
I had caught several knowing looks between the girls and mom. They were fleeting, quick yet somehow communicative. It became clear to me, the three of them were sharing something I was not aware of. Twice I had locked eyes with Mandy, she had smiled, even blushing a little before turning her attention elsewhere...and still without a single word edgewise. Even dad became aware of it, looking up at me as he folded over part of his fried egg onto a piece of toast before biting into it, shrugging his shoulders just enough that I caught the action. I realized then the girls had had a chat while he and I had been gone. It was the only thing that made any sense, though what didn't was why the suddenly subdued atmosphere permeating the room. I began to wonder if someone had raised an uncomfortable issue or concern, and that perhaps it had lead to some sort of discussion, causing them to rethink what had actually been happening here now for the past two days.
As much as I wanted to ask, and continued to wonder what it was that was going on, I didn't...following dad's lead as he quietly continued on eating his breakfast. Patience became the better part of valor as I held my tongue. Whatever it was, for whatever reason, I had no doubt that in time, I would find out what had been said and why.
With the power restored, the girls quite excitedly loaded the dishwasher instead of having to do them by hand. I honestly think that mom still preferred doing them that way as opposed to using the washer, and in fact still did the pans they had used washing them in the sink. The kitchen was quickly cleaned and straightened up, Collette's devious, mischievous smile once again returning, along with the low-toned whistle as she began singing a tune to herself as she finished wiping off the table.
"Well, shall we?" Mom asked reaching over and grabbing the Tupperware bowl off the kitchen counter. I saw Mandy's face once again color with anticipatory excitement, though once again, as we briefly locked eyes, she hurriedly turned hers away.
"What the fuck IS going on?" I asked myself.
As dad now led the almost silent little parade back into the living room, I now followed from behind bringing up the rear. He quickly stoked the fire in preparation of removing our clothing, which I now noticed the girls began doing without even being asked to, and without anything having been said to instigate it. Again, it was as though they were going through the motions in some preplanned agreement between them. Seeing that they were, dad too followed suit, and then so did I.
Another minor oddity. At some point along the way, the couch bed had once again been made and put up. All three women now sat on it together side by side, with me taking dad's chair as he merely stood next to the fireplace, waiting.
"Harold? Why don't you do the honors on this one?" Mom suggested finally standing up holding the bowl. I swear that both Mandy and Collette where holding their breaths as dad reached in, grabbing one of the two remaining slips quickly and without fanfare and then handed it back to mom to read, which once again surprised me.
Whatever dad's was, it was evident that he was leaving things up to fate as he drew. Though his reasoning for waiting until today still escaped me. Mom replaced the bowl on the table next to her, and then opened the note reading it to herself. Once again, a minor infraction of what we'd been doing previously. I noticed as she did, her expression didn't change one way or the other, though she spoke.
"This one is Collette's," she said simply, and then handed the note to her! "Collette? Since it is yours, why don't you be the one to read it?" she told her.
At this point I wanted to jump up and scream at them and tell them to get on with it. Why they were dragging this out the way they were was becoming infuriating, though dad stood calmly by even tossing me a look which told me that I should be doing the same.
As mom sat back down on the couch, Collette stood with Mandy now looking at me directly as she sat on the other side of Collette...grinning from ear to ear. She looked like she was about to burst from holding in whatever it was.
Collette cleared her throat. I almost picked up the couch cushion I was leaning against throwing it at her.
"My fantasy is something I have long wanted to see, and in talking to Mandy, discovered it's also something she was interested in too. And most recently, after speaking to mom, found out it is also something she has given some thought to as well."
It was obvious that Collette was adlibbing here. None of what she was saying was written down in the note, though she continued to look at it like it was, avoiding eye contact we me as she finally continued. I sat there with a sinking feeling, the hairs on the back of my neck suddenly standing up, I wasn't sure yet...but. I began to realize where this was all finally going, and why the weird, almost awkward silence and strange mannerisms which had been going on for the better part of the morning had taken place.
But it was even more obvious both to me, as well as dad, they had in fact discussed this previously, which we were only now realizing.
"So...what I want to see, and enjoy, as does mom and Mandy, is to see Brian...and dad," Collette swallowed pausing, "pleasuring one another." Now she looked up, catching the look on my face. I wish I could have seen it myself. I'm sure it was one of shock and surprise having heard what I just had. I even somehow managed to glance over towards my father, his expression was stoic, giving off no indication one way or the other that he was as surprised as I was at having just heard this.
"What?" I actually found myself saying, adding a "But..." to that, which mom in her infinite wisdom quickly cut off.
"No buts! We all agreed," she began staring at me directly. I noticed she didn't even look towards dad. "As you recall, I was a little nervous and intimidated last night about being photographed, but as YOU so clearly indicated, and reminded me...we did agree to fulfill one another's fantasies and desires, without question. So Brian, this is obviously your sisters."
"And mine!" Mandy suddenly said jumping in, which raised the corners of mom's mouth into a smile as she nodded her head in agreement with that.