The Captain and Tamal

Ros scoots and I sit back and let my mind rest a bit. There is more fucked up shit happening this morning than I want and not one damn bit of it has to do with my gals.

I am just sitting and I guess daydreaming when I realize I never responded to Ma'am Cortez's text.

Ma'am Cortez, I appreciate that you are doing what you must do, due to political and powerful winds. Once again let me state, I do not feel qualified for any position regardless of absence or existence of salary. No matter what, there is no reason in the world why I should be guiding young impressionable Filipinas. Surely there is a better answer than my services.

A few seconds later I get a text back.

If all were as smart and honest as you are Sir Ron, my job would be very much easier. Yes there are powerful forces pushing this. I do not know why but, I do know you are not involved. Let us make a pact. We will both do what we must but we will be open with each other. I see you as an ally and not an enemy.

Ma'am Cortez, I am in love with a fourteen-year-old girl. I told you this. Why would anyone want me with other fourteen-year-olds? Regardless of the fact that I protect Karen, it seems so crazy to place me anywhere near such an orphanage.

Sir Ron, once again, I do appreciate your honesty. Let us just proceed and hope for the best for both of us. God Bless.

This is nuts.

Elvie walks in with her smart phone held up. She is Skyping with Aubrey. Ronald, do you have Skype on that thing?

Yeh.

OK, what is your contact name?

I give it to her and open up Skype.

Elvie has closed her connection on her phone and a request comes in on my screen. I accept. There are Aubrey and Sarah.

That was quite a letter, Dad!

Yeh, well I figured I'd shock you to your senses.

Didn't work.

Why?

School classes there are taught in English. The girls will need to learn Ilonggo but, they already speak Spanish pretty well and I spoke to someone who told me once a person can speak two languages, the third will come.

And the sex part?

Well, what can I tell you? I have been fighting to keep them virgins as it is, here. The average thirteen-year-old here is having sex and the number of girls in middle school alone that are pregnant would blow your mind. So sex with other girls? I am not going to worry about that.

Let me ask Aubrey a question, OK?

Sure.

Aubrey, if you come here, to stay with us, I can almost guaranty that you will have sex with every female in this house. Are you sure you want to come?

Poppop, how graphic do you want me to make my answer?

As graphic as you possibly can as that will be the closest to honest.

OK. ... I have eaten Elvie's pussy and Susan' and k'Ren's. I had group sex with Joriz and Pearl. They taught me how to use an eggplant on them. I did not put it in me. That graphic enough?

Yeh, Aubrey. Sarah, I gather you already knew this?

Yes, she told me two days ago. She is in love, or so she thinks with Susan. Her best friend is Elvie.

Has Melissa had sex here?

I gather there was kissing and fondling. But it seems to have stopped there.

So your plan is to send the girls over? Make me guardian?

Not sure that is the way it will happen.

Explain.

We didn't talk about me, Dad.

Explain, Sarah.

Just a second, ... Aubrey this is between your Poppop and me alone. ... Yes, out of the room. Thank you sweetheart. ... Dad, do you mind? Will you ask Elvie to leave? I am sorry Elvie but this is too personal.

Elvie smiles, picks up her phone, kisses me on the cheek and leaves.

Dad, Frank and I have not been doing too well in this marriage for a couple of years. Last night, after I sent you the email, Frank and I had a fight that, well, maybe I would have just soldiered on before but, now I am not so sure. Maybe I will come out too.

Sarah, did you read what I told you Ros said?

Sarah isn't saying a word. Sarah, you need to answer, did you read it?

Yes.

Ros makes the argument that I required her and Emelyn, and in a way Susan, to give their daughters to me, as well as themselves and require the mothers and the daughters to engage in sex together. That last part, you didn't see. But the bottom line is that there cannot be special rules for this one or that one, or we get conflicts; 'no this one can't be there because that one is there.' It just doesn't work in this house. She wanted to know why I didn't bed you when you came last time. I told her that you had not asked for inclusion into the house. Daughter of mine, what are you asking for now?

Dad, I was aware of the rules, all of them before I left. Jenny and Susan sat down with me and explained. I am aware of the blowup with Emelyn and what happened. I have been in contact with your women every day. Dad, will you also have sex with my daughters? Your granddaughters?

Don't go there, Sarah. Work out your problems at home. Don't think you can just run away and that there will not be consequences. Do you understand?

All three of us?

All three, Sarah. Don't come and don't send them.

Dad, what if it excites me, a little?

Then, I say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Still, excitement is one thing. Carrying my child or watching your daughter carrying my child is something else. Don't come. Go to counseling with Frank. Fix what's broken.

Like you fixed things with Mom?

That is a cheap shot.

No, Dad, it isn't. Some things cannot be fixed.

Then, come up with a plan C, because if the marriage is plan A and I am plan B, you sure as hell need a plan C.

OK, Dad, I'll think about it some more.

‡ ‡ ‡ ‡ ‡ ‡ ‡ ‡ ‡

What did Poppop say?

Oh, Aubrey I don't think you want to hear the answer. But basically he told us to stay here and work out our problems.

I think I know what he told you. I was on Skype with Elvie and Ros while you were talking to Poppop.

Oh! No! What did they say?

They say if we go back, we are the same as them. We join the household and do what they do, with each other and with Poppop. They say, it is necessary for us to be in the house for more than a visit.

What did you say?

I said, what do I call him? I don't think I call him Poppop if he is my lover.

How can you even think such a thing?

Mom, Elvie and Susan are his wives. I love Susan. How can I be with her if I am not also with her husband? When I think of Poppop that way, it feels different. I don't know how to explain it.

Aubrey, are you really ready to get pregnant by your own grandfather?

Yeh, that's weird, right? What about you, Mom? What if you get pregnant? I mean, that is so bizarro.

If we do it, those things may happen. Maybe we should do what your Poppop says and come up with some other option.

What other option? I have to get back to Susan. And Mom, Melissa needs to get back too.

Why?

She's in love.

With who?

Joriz. Well, actually Joriz and Jonalyn. Mom when you were gone with Emelyn, Poppop was a gentleman but, when he wasn't around, those girls seduced us. They showed us how good the love in that house is. By the time you returned, they had convinced us both.

Did Poppop know?

He didn't have a clue. You would be amazed at what happens that he doesn't know about! Nothing bad for Poppop, just things happen and if there is no need to tell him, no one does. Elvie knows. Elvie knows everything. But she only tells Poppop what is needed.

If you girls leave now you lose an entire year of school. Let me see what can be done. If I file for divorce, I may need to move in with your grandmother until it is final. You would need to stay here because of school. Oh hell I don't know where to start!

Mom, you need to talk to an attorney. Once you file, we may be able to leave right away. If we can, then you talk to the school, maybe we can home study for a few months. They do that for the girls who get pregnant.

How did you get so smart, pumpkin?

It runs in the family, or haven't you noticed? You're the one with an Ed.D., which you are not using! Oh, excuse me, you are doing research for a post doc paper. What was it on? Oh yeh, that stuff you just found out from Poppop is a load of feminist propaganda! Mom! Let's do it! We are living lies here and doing useless things.

‡ ‡ ‡ ‡ ‡ ‡ ‡ ‡ ‡

I have another text from Ma'am Cortez. Would I please meet her at the orphanage in an hour? That would make it ten and so I warn all that I might not be here for lunch.

I ride to the Orphanage and see Judith's motorcycle, a police car and a sedan with a red numbered license, meaning it's a government vehicle. An armed guard is there and he directs me to where I am to park the bike. Getting off, he tells me I am expected, and where to go.

This is a Sunday and the campus is quiet. I walk into an administrative building and find my way to a small meeting room. Cortez, S/Insp. Mahinay, and Judith are all there.

Good morning. Am I late?

No, no. The Senior Inspector and Judith and I had some other matters to address before you arrived. You are right on time. I have a little more to go over with the Senior Inspector. Maybe Judith can show you around the grounds?

Certainly. Judith gets up. She gives me a simple smile that conveys nothing and we leave the two power brokers to their tasks. As we get out of ear shot I vent my frustration about this to Judith. Why did you get me into this! I don't want it!

I know. Sorry, sorry. But it is confusing. Czaren's uncle is OK sober but, when he is drunk he tries to fuck her. It hasn't happened but, he try. When he is sober, he know he do wrong. Czaren needs to be with me. I will take care of her.

And fuck her.

Yes, Ron, I fuck her if a woman can be said to do that. She want that. So there is no problem. Just like there is no problem with you fucking Pearl. Oh I know you do. When I go back to her to make sure you make my hymen is gone, we have sex again. I find she is no virgin anymore! It OK. She want it. It OK with me. Just so you know. We the same. The uncle, he not married I think because he need a young one. I think that why he on the board but that not help him so far, di ba?

Yeh, OK, I am following you.

So I need you to help me find a girl for him that not be a problem for him or for us. He will be happy, Czaren will be happy. Some young orphan, get be happy and lucky, and Ma'am Cortez she not know. If he unhappy and he miss Czaren things will be bad I think.

How many girls are here?

Eighty-two.

How old was Czaren when the Senior Inspector started hitting on her?

When she turn thirteen.

How many thirteen and fourteen-year-olds here?

Seventeen.

That is a very small sample from which to find the right girl. They won't all be pretty. Maybe none will be interested.

Please try.

If I do, will you help me get out of this?

I can't. Czaren and the Senior Inspector are the ones who are pushing for you. She knows your girls. You are the only man she will trust. I not understand why he pushes. Maybe for her. I do what I do because of her.

Why?

Maybe she tell the Senior Inspector that if you not here, to protect her from other men, she will tell others about what the Senior Inspector try with her. Maybe he is scared and that is why he is pushing so hard. I not know!

Judith this still isn't making complete sense to me. Let's start from the beginning.

Which beginning? The beginning when Czaren come to me, or the one where you forge a note to tell her to come to me?

Huh, I guess either will do. In either case she comes to you. What happens next?

We love each other and this happens very fast. She tells me about her Uncle and that she is scared of living there. She wants to live with me. I say that I do not see how that can happen. She go home and tell him to allow it or she will tell on him. He is not stupid. He say, 'tell me about her,' and she tell him about my dream, 'cause I told her about that. He say he check me out and if I am OK then he will allow it. But instead he get me appointed here. Then he say Czaren cannot go with me because I am here. He tell her they just arrested a man who work here for molesting two girls. He say it not a safe place for Czaren. Then Czaren say, hire Sir Ron, he safe with the girls. I not tell her this. I think she hear it at school. So he investigate you.

I am cringing at this point! Jesus, it is just what I didn't want. Still it is nice that at school the girls think I am safe to be around. He say he find your reputation to be good. He questions about your girls at the house. I tell him the story you use. He say, let him say that to me! That when we have the meeting. What can he do? You tell about loving k'Ren but k'Ren's sister is sitting there with you at the meeting. What he going to accuse you of doing? So he decides, OK he will make this happen. Better Czaren not report him. Now you see?

Yes, now I see. So I also see that you think the only way I and you are going to be safe is if he has his own girl?

Yes.

Judith, I don't know much about how the PNP is organized. What exactly is a Senior Inspector? If this was the military, what would his rank be?

He would be a Captain.¹ He is pretty powerful.

OK. When do you want me to meet the candidates?

Now OK?

Really?

Yes, I told them that you are coming.

What exactly did you tell them?

Not much... Ron, they all go to the same school as do your girls. They have all heard of you before.

Oh, fucking great. OK, let's meet them.

It is something of a social hall. There are chess boards and card tables, and a TV and a boom-box. We walk in and the room falls silent.

Good morning girls.

In response a volley of, Good morning, Sir!

I understand we are going to get to know each other. I am Ron. Will you introduce yourself by your full name, nickname and age?

Of the seventeen in the room, seven I write off at the start. That leaves ten. I pay most attention to nicknames and ages. It's a pretty even split. Six are thirteen and four are fourteen. I decide to concentrate on the younger six to begin. I tell them that over the next few days I will sit down with each of them. I want to hear all about their real stories. I can't help them if I don't know the real them and paper records in the administrative office is not a good way to know someone. I think the fact that someone wants to know their story has gotten the attention of most in a good way. Two don't seem to like the idea. Of the two, one I have already written off. The other is one of the fourteen-year-olds.

Judith says there is a room close to here that I can use for the interviews. Does anyone here need a chaperone to be with us when we talk? If you do, Miss Judith can be in the room with us.

One of the girls does and I take her first. Might as well get her out of the way and free Judith up.

The interview doesn't take long because even with Judith in the room, this one is tighter than a clam. There is something eating at her and maybe someone can help her but, I doubt it is me.

Judith escorts the girl out and sends the second on in. She's a cutie but she has a crush on a fifteen-year-old boy. She is childish, immature, in her demeanor. If our Senior Inspector likes Czaren for her brains and her serious manner, this one fails to be a likely candidate. I spend a little time with her but, need to move on.

Number three in our candidate search is a brat. She has a real problem with adults in general. It really isn't directed at me, it just spews. She's off the list. Number four, if my read is right, may prefer girls to boys. I am not sure but, she is more likely a candidate for Pearl's conquest. She is nice and I genuinely like her. She could become a friend but, she is not a candidate.

The numbers are not in our favor. Number five sits down and immediately something is clicking. She has poise. She is controlling her body. There is no fidgeting. Her clothing may not be much different from the others but, she is wearing it differently. The interview starts out the same but, she stops me.

Sir Ron, I have been an orphan since I was six. I have seen the do-gooders. God, I hate them. All they do is mess things up! I have seen the perverts. Did you know, we get a lot of them? They have their hands all over you all the time. It's annoying and pathetic. We get what I call the paper shufflers, I suspect she is referring to the bureaucratic type), they just waste your time. But you are none of those. Plus you have a house full of girls and women. ... This is an interview but not for you. You look at my eyes and not my boobs. Where is this going? Is there a way out of this orphanage? Will I be safe? Your girls say you will never hurt a girl or allow her to be hurt. I believe them. So tell me. Who is this for, and what do I have to do?

What you have to do, is love someone with all your heart and make him a happy man. He is handsome and far younger than I am. He wants a very young lover who may become his wife in time. That last part I do not know. I do know that he is too embarrassed about his need to do anything about it and he does not know anything about this interview. He has no idea that this is happening at all. Miss Judith and I can assist you but, it will be up to you to win his heart. To do it you will have to be really caring, not fake. You will have to really give your heart, not act a part. And you will have to give him your young body, years before you might have thought it will happen. If you can do that and be this man's true love, the way out of here exists. This is not a game. Is it something you want to consider?

Do you know what you just did?

No, what did I do?

You spoke to me like you speak to another adult. You told me the truth. I can tell! Your eyes stayed right on mine. You are everything your girls say about you. You like young girls but you talk to us like women. I think I am going to frighten you into maybe telling me a little bit of the truth you will be hiding. But you just tell it to me. I like you. But this man he not like you. He is hiding from himself, correct?

I think that may be true. My best guess is if you can bring him out of his shell, if only to you, and he accepts you as his love, he will protect you with his life.

When do I meet him?

Miss Judith will be handling that part. Are you up to doing this?

Yes. If I can make a man happy and he will love and protect me? Of course, yes.

Your name, Tamal, is also your nickname?

I guess. I don't really have a nickname.

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Chapter 33