Reconnoitering
Wednesday morning saw two girls off to school leaving three at home with Ana Fe. Truth be told, if Joshua had disappeared, it is doubtful that any of the females would have even noticed. The entire day was spent in intense Cebuano conversations while other things, such as chores were knocked off one after another. Life histories were explored and connections between people and places established. Even shopping was a four-person affair.
Joshua was simply not needed. Luckily, he had a book to read and so became invisible.
Ana Fe did little of the talking. Mary was the one to ask her questions of the two new girls. Arlin was the one to ask questions of Mary and her new mother. But questions asked of Ana Fe were often answered by Mary. Mary was Ate and as such was always the surrogate. Ana Fe only needed to add some small thing on a rare occasion where Mary was not prepared to respond.
The give and take was casual, easy, with frequent bouts of laughter, and giggling. As the day wore on, Ana Fe started asking a few questions. How much schooling did they have? Would they go back to school? Did they need glasses? How was their health? Each time she would listen to the answers but not make any suggestion. Towards midafternoon, after many assurances that they were in safe hands and nothing would change that, she asked them to talk about how they felt about Joshua, about the living situation and their future with him. Ana Fe was no one’s fool and she knew the economic reasons the two were here. What she needed to understand was the emotional reasons. She was a little taken aback by their initial hesitation in confiding their emotions. Finally it was Mhitze who unloaded on her. She and Arlin were in love. They were in love with Joshua, but that was only part of it. Mhitze was crazy for Ricca and Arlin confessed love for Janna.
Ana Fe looked at Mary who looked back at her mother in stunned silence.
Arlin burst into tears. Mary immediately wrapped Arlin in her arms, What is wrong Arlin? Why do you cry?
Arlin, between sobs, Because now you will want us to leave!
Mary, continuing to hold Arlin and comfort her, No, no sister. We are family. No one leave. No one ever leave. We are all together in this.
Truly?
Ana Fe standing to the side and with an arm around Mhitze, Yes, Arlin, really and truly.
The sobs quieted and there was a period of somber adjustment. It was Ana Fe who now spoke and did so with authority in her voice, Three weeks ago, I would have told you that love between women is wrong and it was not possible to love both men and women. I would have been wrong, but I did not know that then. I know it is possible now. I suspect Ricca and Janna feel about you two the way you feel about them. If they do, then that is a good thing and will bring extra peace to our family. Yes, it will be a good thing. Let us not worry about this again. And… [giggle]… it means Mary and I get more time with Joshua!
That comment started five minutes of laughing and bedlam following by hugs and familial kisses.
Topics turned to the more jovial and lighthearted sort for the remaining hour before Janna and Ricca returned from school.
The return of Janna and Ricca brought about the proof of the earlier protestations of love as Janna flew into Arlin’s arms and Ricca almost jumped into Mhitze’s. Mary and Ana Fe just watched and smiled. These four girls seemed incredibly happy. The world had been turned on its head. What had been wrong, seemed right. What seemed impossible, was the norm.
Supper was Humba1 and mung beans with pork and greens. It was lami2!
While all were still seated, Joshua with a smile, turned to Janna and Arlin, and mentioned that as they were to be his step-daughters that something would have to be done about their education. There were six nods of approval around the table.
Joshua then announced that early in the morning, Ana Fe and he would fly to Manila. Mary was in charge in their absence.
That last piece of intelligence was redundant. If Joshua and Ana Fe were gone then all already knew that Mary was the one in charge. What was unexpected came next and it came from Mary, Tomorrow night Arlin and Mhitze will be with me in the master bedroom.
Ricca, a little stunned, asked, Both of them?
Mary couldn't have been any clearer in her answer. Yes.
Mary was staking out her ‘Ate’ authority over sexual matters, something for which an Ate rule normally would not extend. By staking that claim in front of Ana Fe and Joshua without being brought up short, no one would think to question her later. It further had the benefit of letting Arlin and Mhitze know where power resided. Mary was not to be crossed.
They were still at the table. Joshua had, had his say. Mary had made her plans clear. Each thought the pronouncements were complete when Ana Fe made it very clear that there was far more that needed attention.
Joshua, as you have pointed out, we have two sets of daughters: Three, who are educated, or at least are going to school; two who are not educated and are not in school. I agree with you that it cannot be! What will you do about this?
What do you suggest?
Home study the two until they can get to grade level.
How much will that cost?
You will be surprised! I hear that a woman we are to meet in Manila was a school teacher for ten years.
How long have you known this, my love?
I texted her this morning again and learned some things about her and her daughters.
Does she home school her daughters?
Yes. It is God’s hand, Joshua.
So it would seem, so it would seem. …and my dear, you and Mary will be with me tonight again.
Yes, Mahal.
Mary, is there a college you can attend here in Cebu for accounting?
Mary’s eyebrows rose twice.
Please enroll in it tomorrow for the very next semester.
Mary’s eyebrows rose twice. Mary said nothing, but her heart was filled with love for this man. He was a man who would keep his word. She was going to be an accountant!
Arlin and Mhitze were also silent. They were going to get an education! It was something that they had accepted as impossible until this very moment. It was the second impossible thing to happen in the span of no more than twenty-five hours. How many other miracles would occur? Why them? There were so many desperately poor. Why was it that they two had been lifted up? The two of them sat as if in a daze.
§ § §
That night in the master bedroom, Mary, Ana Fe and Joshua sat on the bed and just held each other. Joshua had a confession to make. He had thought he wanted the young girls. That Ana Fe was to be married as a way to have the girls and that Mary was just accepted as part of the package. Now he knew he loved both of them deeply and could not be happy without them. He wanted their promise that no matter what the girls ended up doing, staying with him or leaving, that these two women would stay with him.
Mary hugged him tight and promised.
Ana Fe sat back and shook her head at her man, You are foolish. Of course we not leave, but those girls, they not going to leave. You have all. It is good. If it just me and Mary alone, you wear us out. You want too much sex for me and Mary. And with that, Joshua tried to wear them out that night.
Well, he tried, but Ana Fe was having none of that. She slowed Joshua down and speaking in Cebuano instructed Mary to follow her lead. Rolling Joshua onto his stomach, they started massaging him, Mary on the legs and Ana Fe attending to his back and scalp. Having given him a good fifteen minutes there, they rolled him over and each started on a foot, slowly licking and kissing their way up and around his member until they reached his lips and eyelids. Joshua was going quietly nuts — his nuts complaining mightily.
Ana Fe, knowing it was time to ease her man’s discomfort slid down and took him in her mouth, Mary latching on to his lips. Ana Fe grabbed his ball sack and held firm as she sucked for all she was worth on her man’s protuberance. He bucked, he gasped, she rode him, he groaned, she ran a finger up his ass, he blew his load. And they all three slept well.
§ § §