A trip to Bountiful
I sit through the rest of the recital, which includes Joriz, Jonalyn and Pearl; following which there are forty-five minutes where Nikon and Canon cameras compete with cellphone selfies for photo prominence. I have my cellphone camera and get a few snaps of Karen, both alone and with her pals. And then for ten minutes I can't find her. I am not worried. I will be her ride home.
I am wandering around. The social worker seeks me out again. Did you enjoy the recital, Sir?
I found it very interesting. I am glad I came.
You have a nice conversation with Ma'am Ros and Ma'am Emelyn?
I smile, she has some agenda. I have no idea what it is but, it is time to play cards very close to the vest. Yeh, their daughters are best friends with k'Ren and I understand the mothers are close friends with k'Ren's sister Susan.
It is nice they kept you company.
Yeh. How well do you know the families?
Very well, Sir. I am Ma'am Ros's niece. Ma'am Ros have a hard time after Pearl's father left them.
When did that happen?
Three years ago, Sir. She take Pearl and move in with her cousin. That is Ma'am Emelyn. I not really related to her. Other side of my Tita's family. It has been hard on all of them. I am glad you make friends with them. I know they appreciate someone like you being kindly to them.
Well, I am sure you and your husband invite them over for family occasions. I am glad they are not completely alone.
Oh Sir, I am not married, so no husband. I live in a dormitory, so no way to entertain. Yes I think it may be very lonely for all of us.
I see. But surely, you are simply too shy to admit you have a boyfriend.
Haha, Sir. You are funny. True I am shy but, no boyfriend.
Ah, so maybe you prefer girls to boys then?
Hala! Why you say that, Sir! No, I prefer men, not boys.
Well, each of us is different.
This is true. How are you different, Sir?
If this one is fishing, I am going to toss a catfish in her net and see what she does with it. I prefer women who like men and women and girls equally. It makes life so much more interesting.
She does pause a beat before asking. Do you find many women who are like this?
More than you think. Many more.
I think such a thing is very odd. I do not think most women are like this. I do not believe this is true. I do not think you are telling the truth.
I am not trying to convince you of anything. You asked a question and I answered it. If you don't want to hear answers, don't ask questions.
I am sorry if I angered you, Sir.
You didn't anger me. Look you are a beautiful young woman. I am sure if you allowed it, many men would like a chance to call you their mate. I am not one of those men. I have many women around me, and we are happy but, none will be my wife. You asked me a question and I told you something you don't believe. That is fine. You can believe anything you want.
I am confused. Why you tell me such a thing?
Many women come to me and are single. It is a problem. When I tell them what I told you, they leave me alone, which is good for me. I suspect we will see each other in the future. I expect you will be a guest at my house, though I may not be the one to invite you. I will always treat you as a friend and with respect. I hope you will do the same for me.
Why you say that? I have no reason to visit your home.
Patience, patience. All things in due time. I see Karen waving at me. Ah there is k'Ren, I must go. It has been nice speaking with you. I walk across the concrete pad, from one corner of this large roofed place to the opposite corner, to where Karen is waving.
Ron! There are some people you need to speak with and they are shy! So don't be mean! Come with me.
We walk over to a quiet grassy spot that is shaded and behind some of the buildings. There stand five females. We approach. I greet the girls again and nod at the moms. Karen announces, They agree. So we can all go home now.
No.
What? Karen is taken aback.
No, k'Ren. No way. And don't tell me I am being mean or you will be wearing what Elvie wore on her back yesterday. Now Emelyn and Ros know why I said no. Ask them.
They tell me but I say it not needed.
Do I start calling you Elvie and not k'Ren? You are already almost there. Who gave you the right to over-rule me?
Sorry. You are right.
Maybe it is best they see this now. In my home, who has the final say?
You do, Ron.
If these five join me, will that change?
No.
OK, so I am going to walk away and so are you. You go and wait by my motorcycle. I will allow them time to talk and they can then send a spokesperson to say, they want to talk, or don't want to talk, or talk at another time. The rules I gave the mothers are the rules that exist now. So go.
Karen is somber but she leaves. It seems like I am just bawling out females left and right these days. It is getting old fast. I am clearly frustrated. Emelyn smiles and offers, Sir, our girls are excited and that gets k'Ren excited. k'Ren wants to impress her friends and she made a poor choice. You understand this?
Yes, but, what you do not know is that we have been through a very ugly thing, just like this, yesterday. k'Ren was not the one to do it but, she made a big mistake as well yesterday and she has made a second one just now. Excited or not, she knows better. Still... yes I know she is excited to live in a new way with these girls who are already friends. But that does not tell me what I need to know.
Emelyn smiles again before turning to her girls. Joriz, tell the man who will give you your children all he needs to hear.
Joriz's head is pointed down. She starts mumbling. I stop her. Joriz, I cannot hear you and I cannot see your eyes. Look straight at me. Speak clearly and loudly enough that I have no doubt about what you are saying. This is an important thing for you and for me. If we agree, your life and my life will be entwined for many years to come. You will be the mother of children that come from my seed and your eggs. Let me see and believe you. When you come to me, you do it as a woman and not as a child. I don't love children, I love young women. Which are you?
That last part seems to have surprised Ros, as she looks at me and then slowly nods. Joriz begins to speak.
Sir Ron, I will give you children when I turn eighteen. You will take my virginity now. I will have sex with you, with the other girls and women in your home, with my sister and even with Ros and with my own mother. If I join with you, it is forever. If you accept me, should I be bad, you will not kick me out. You didn't kick Elvie out even though she was very bad. You say to her, when you tell her forever, it is forever. k'Ren tell us this. We know what you want and we do it.
Thank you. Now Jonalyn?
I agree with everything my sister say. We know we will have sex like she say. Even with our mother and with our friends. I have nothing more to say, maybe except I will be a good girl and love you.
Emelyn? What do you say?
You will have to teach me to do some things. There will be much I do not know. But I do what you want. All of it.
OK, you and your family are accepted.
Ros, are you and Pearl asking to join me too?
Yes, Sir.
Pearl, what do you have to say?
Sir Ron, will you be with me the first time I have sex with Mom?
If you want it, yes.
Good. Can I practice with Susan and Emelyn first?
Damn, I am smiling.
Yes, Pearl.
Good. I have wanted to love girls for a long time but, I want you too! It confuses me. This is perfect!
OK, so Ros? What do you say?
I say I am in too.
Damn. OK. I only have a motorcycle so the five of you need to take a jeepney. Here is a ₱200 note. Let the driver give you the change. Take k'Ren with you. She knows the driver and where to stop. Pearl you come with me on the motorcycle.
As we are walking through the campus to the entrance, Ros pulls me aside. No problem but, why you ask Pearl?
Ros, Pearl has been dreaming of having sex with Susan and Emelyn. That works for me, heck it makes me happy but, don't you find that a little surprising? I want to learn more about Pearl. ... Ros, what do you know about your niece the Social Worker here?
Judith? She is a nice girl but, I always think she is like a Nun.
A Nun? Very religious?
No. Hehe. Maybe only Jesus good enough to have her. No other man that good.
I see.
I have Pearl behind me on the 220 as I leave the rest to wait for a jeepney. A kilometer down the road I pull over. Turning to Pearl, You are going to be mine, no matter what you answer now. OK?
OK.
Maybe you only really want to be with girls?
No! No Sir! Truly, I want both. I want to feel your strong arms. I want to feel a girl's soft body. Both!
Who have you been dreaming of before today?
Truly?
Of course!
OK... It Susan. I dream of Susan.
OK. Good. And I get back on the road.
Susan and Jenny are expecting company and my appearance is not a surprise. The cellphones have been busy and are still active as we ride up to the house. Susan is smirking. Jenny has an 'I told you so,' look on her face.
OK Susan, you have the mothers and daughters you had set up for me. Is this what you really want? Five more girls in this house?
Yes, it will be fun and good for us!
I pull Pearl in front of me. You know Pearl, correct?
Of course, yes.
But you do not know that she has been dreaming of having sex with you. If you grab her and take her to a bedroom right now, you will make her the happiest girl in the Philippines.
Pearl is blushing. Susan's mouth hangs open for a bit before lunging forward, grabbing Pearl's arms and pulling her, (I do mean pulling her,) into the house. I hear footsteps running and fading away. Jenny's look has changed to amazement. Jenny, you never know what is in someone's heart until you pull the walls down. Now, about the selection of a vehicle... OK we get a van. You and I go tomorrow.
Good. You are right about never knowing. But there is something else that you do not know.
And what is it?
'It' in the house.
I walk in and see nothing out of place. Jenny says, Not here. In there. Pointing to the dirty kitchen. I still don't see anything except food on the counter that is being prepared. And then from around a corner I hear movement and a voice. You are right. I am bobo. Very bobo.
Elvie is back.
I am happy to see you, Elvie.
Really? I bad and leave you. I break your requirement. I not stay.
Yes, but, I have a requirement too. To always want you. What happened?
I go to them and say I stay and help them. They say I am stupid girl who make things bad for them. I am reason they not with Ronald. I say, 'Why that? You get paid for the week. No difference.' They say but they not selected. I look at Joydee and say, you know! No one will be selected. That Ronald's decision. They say maybe then but maybe things change. I am the reason they kicked out. I not wanted. Why they so stupid. When you say something, that is it! I tell them that. They say I wrong and stupid. They mean to me. So yes, I am stupid. I leave you. That is wrong. I go to help them, they no want. That is wrong. Why I so wrong? I must be very stupid.
Elvie, are you ever going to leave again?
No!
Even if you disagree?
No, if I disagree, I remember I am stupid. I stay.
Good. Welcome home. We have five new family members. You will have much help.
Yes, Jenny tell me they coming. I think they replace me. You tell me to go! Jenny says, I stupid again. She right. You do what she say you do. How she know?
She believes me. It is what I said I would do. Remember, I told you to come back? I mean what I say.
So there ten of us now. We need bigger rice cooker. This one wrong for us.
Elvie, we need to have the special time with Jenny tonight. Will you join Susan, k'Ren and me to welcome her into our circle?
You not do that yet?
No. I was too sad and it was just not the right time. We will do it tonight. OK?
Yes, very much, yes.
From an emptiness to overflowing in twenty-four short hours. How does this happen? I am thinking about that writer again. He has a comment section on his 'letters' page. If I use a Tor browser, can I leave a comment that can't be traced? I will try tomorrow, maybe.
I take Elvie in my arms, kiss and hold her. She is wiggling, and giggling... Food, Sir. No time!
I wander through the sala and out to the terrace. There is a pleasant breeze and the sun has set. We wait for the jeepney which will arrive in just a few minutes now. Jenny is sweeping dust off the tile floor of the terrace. Susan and Pearl are not in evidence.
You like your surprise, Sir?
You know the answer, Jenny.
Yes, Sir. I know. She not know but I know. It good na1!
Yes, it is good.
The jeepney's diesel engine lugs a bit as it climbs the last of the rise before it will come to a halt to let my assembly exit from its back. Giggling can be heard as the vehicle comes to a stop. Someone says, Wow. And a few moments later we see the outlines of figures as they approach the house.
In the front are the school girls, still in their uniforms, holding hands, laughing, giggling, pushing and pulling each other in adolescent exuberance. Behind them are Ros and Emelyn. They stop at the gate. I can see their forms by the light that is shed by the gate's fixtures. They are standing, holding hands, talking, and I guess just taking it all in. It is a big house. I don't think they understood how big it is until this moment.
The school girls have entered the house and Karen is giving them a tour. Ros and Emelyn now move forward toward me. They climb the three steps up to the terrace where Jenny and I are standing. They greet Jenny and introductions are made before they turn to me.
Emelyn is just looking at me as if I am a creature she has never seen before. Sir, we talk with Susan when we wait for the jeepney. She say you will want us as much or more than you want our daughters. That true?
Yeh, it's true.
I not understand. Our Priest say that pedophiles only want girls and not women.
I guess either your Priest is wrong or I am not a pedophile.
Then why you want our daughters?
I can only answer part of this. I do not want very young girls. If they are younger than fourteen, I do not want them at all. They have to be at least fourteen. Second I only want them if I am also with their mother or older sister. Just to be with a fourteen-year-old is of no desire for me. If you ask me why, I do not know. It is just who I am.
So you really want us? Ros and me as lovers?
Yes. Is that OK with you?
Yes! Very much yes!
Ros interjects, Where Pearl? I not see her.
Now a smile crosses my face and a look of startlement crosses Ros's.
Do you remember what I said to you about Pearl when you ask me why I take her with me?
Oo.
We stopped on the way here. I ask her some questions. Ros, she has been dreaming about having sex with Susan for some time. I gave her that present when we got here. Susan took her to bed.
OMG! Hala. It already happening! I think on the way here, you just trying to scare us. I know now. Yes, I know now. It true. It all true. Hala Emelyn, I will have sex with you friend! OMG!
Ros spies a chair and sits down, grabbing Emelyn's hand. Emelyn looks at her friend and shakes her head. What you think? Susan tell you it all true. k'Ren say it true. Sir warn you that it will happen. He say, be sure, because later you will never say, 'You not tell us.' What you think? Of course this is what happening. You hear your Pearl tell Sir she wants girls. You think a girl say that for no reason. Manol2.