Wife.

I have promised Coraline a dog. Today I delivered one to her already trained, gratis of Sunshine. The damned dog is bigger than is Coraline. Because I do not trust Coraline as far as I can spit, I bring the dog's nose to Coraline's cunt, through the house dress she has on. That's all the animal needs. I give him the word and he takes over. Coraline is wild eyed, screaming for me to leave her alone. I do not. I watch as the canine mounts her, pushes in to her cunt and fucks her for all he is worth. She remains tied up for quite a while after the dog cums. Once free, he lays down for a well-deserved rest. I push her back on her knees and without lubricant, take her ass. After dumping my cum in her, while pulling my shorts up, I warn her to not cross me, or I will get another dog and train him to take her ass with his monster cock. She looks at me and signals she understands. All the while, Manny is busy on the far side of the new building mixing concrete. From now on, whenever the dog gets randy, he has been trained to just take what he wants, no words of encouragement needed. For me... mission accomplished.

The building project is moving along very nicely. In the month since we started, we have had very little rain. We have also had no changes at home. No additions, subtractions, and no surprises. Ann remains gone. My citizenship application remains in process. But my attorney asks me if I am really ready to give up my US citizenship. I cannot be a Dual. I guess I am. There is no going back to the States with my girls.

There is a problem. It is clear to me that there is too much house work for the two girls. When we get the extension up, it will only be worse. Moon suggests that then her mother can be in the bahay kubo and she can be the third maid. That idea has merit and I am considering it. It gives us another maid, without adding another female to my household. But though Moon suggested it, she is not sure seeing her mother with those dogs is good for her mental health. I can see that point too.

I decide to text Ann.

We have an issue. Belen and Angeli are struggling to keep the house up on their own. They are doing it, but with all the little ones, there is too much food to cook, too many things to wash, plus the shopping and so on. When you were here, the three of you handled it well. I want you here for the simple reason that I love you and miss you, and have not added anyone because I will do nothing to create more reasons for you to not return. However, I need to get a sense of where you are in your thoughts. Will you consider returning?

Get other girls. I don't know what I do. If I come back, I will accept what you do. I don't know.

Can we talk by phone?

Lewis, please, I believe you want me back. It clear that you honor me as wife. I know you will always honor me as wife. You good man. But I not good wife. I want female not husband. That wrong. I wrong. All hate me now.

No, Ann. That is not true.

Yes, Belen hate me. She tell me I am bad. Joy2x tell me I am bad in front of everyone. Angeli say she your wife, not me.

Do you want them to leave so that we can be as we were?

No! No! That wrong to them and they not wrong. I am wrong. I am bad.

Ann, please come home. You are not bad. You are confused. Your feelings are hurt. Please come home.

Lewis, how I do that? I want only girl not you. I am sorry, it true.

So you do not love me anymore?

I love you in my heart, but not my body. My body not love you, Lewis. I know you deserve my respect and honor. I am bad and cannot do it.

Do you need more time? I give you more time.

OK, more time. Maybe I think more.

OK. Thank you, Ann. Thank you for thinking more about it.

You welcome, Lewis.

Well, that didn't go as I had planned! Do I add more females? That requires a privy council with the girls. My best guess is the sentiment will be in opposition, even though it is needed. It is possible, though the English lessons have been problem free, that I wouldn't have to do much to make something happen. But I don't want to cause disruption in the ranks. There has already been enough disruption.

On the good side, William and Frank's households and mine have become very friendly, though Agnes still doesn't know about Anabel and Andrea. I keep on waiting for the other shoe to drop. Scotty's wife has paid a few visits to the girls. I'm am not sure why and neither are my girls. Irv has been over and so has Kenneth, each with their wives. I have enjoyed being with my friends these last few weeks.

Joy2x and Belen seem very happy. Belen tells me that as opposed to when she was with Ann, this relationship is drama free. Angeli is, well, what can I say, my wife. As my wife, she makes sure I have access to all the young ones on a regular basis. No one gets shorted, but Noime gets extra time. Still, Angeli is with me every night now. I guess I didn't realize how much I missed having a wife to be with. Angeli is making a strong argument for why she is here to stay by my side if Ann does not come back.

No one is pregnant. My best guess is my swimmers need help. Ann may have been unable, but I am sure not potent.

§ § §

It is a Saturday morning. It hasn't rained in two months, but the rain starts to pour down, pounding the roof and pavement.

Ann has been gone for two months. I vacillate between missing her and being angry with her and accepting she is gone.

The extension is just about completed.

On the citizenship front, I found out that I have to wait a year between my initial attempt to be a citizen and the deed. The Immigration web site doesn't say that, but the law it is implementing does. I have ten more months to wait.

The pressure on Belen and Angeli as regards running the household is getting to them. Last night Angeli pleads with me, while we snuggle in bed, that they need help. I asked her if Belen is also demanding this. She tells me that they agree. I tell her that she is the one who has to bring it up.

This morning she does so, with all the girls. We call a meeting to discuss it. Belen backs her up. Joy2x, who obviously shares a bed with Belen, expresses what I have been feeling for a while, relief that the two are finally being honest with the other girls. Until now, they have been complaining to Joyx2 and me privately, but not admitting it to the others. There is a brief discussion of Ann and the likelihood of her returning. I fill them in on Ann's suggestion that we add more females and the likelihood that she will never return.

It is the young ones who we need to bring along now. Joy2x thinks she knows how to do that. She tells them that if each of them does two hours of chores each day, we don't need another female here. Clearly, they are not wanting that, but the question of adding more is not easily resolved. Would they like the girl? Would they like the mother? Who gets a say in this? Just me? Angeli and me? Or maybe all the girls? I point out that I chose each of them myself, and Angeli points out that I didn't. She brought Belen and Iay over, without my choosing. She is right, of course.

Belen suggests we separate the decision to add girls from the decision of whom we will add.

The vote is unanimous. I am requested to add to our ranks. But the question of who will be joining us is less than settled. The young ones have a favorite friend they want. Belen and Angeli do not like the girl's mother. Angeli suggests someone else, but the little ones reject that. I should point out that all the pairs discussed are part of my “English lesson” group. I get the list of mother/daughter pairs out and we rank each pair, based on votes of all the females, with the exception of Noime who does not know any of them as Noime attends a different school.

From the list of about twenty, we have three that all will approve. None of these are my current weekly pairs. One I have already seen and two more are on the waiting list. Angeli thinks that one of those mothers will be very receptive, but she can't explain why. There is a problem with that one, for me. She doesn't just have one daughter. She has three. The twelve year old, a fourteen-year-old and a nine-year-old. If I select her I am adding a level of complexity that I do not need. Angeli tells me that the fourteen-year-old is no longer in school and can be a maid, along with her mother. That is fine, but the other issues surrounding adding four are not. My ersatz¹ wife, says, trust me. Normally I would have no problem what that, but I just don't know. Additionally, my mind keeps circling back to the old adage/question, “How does a used car salesman say, Fuck you? He says, Trust me! I know Angeli is not a used car salesman, but I can't shake the worry.

The bottom line is, I do not need anyone else in my bed. I am one conflicted son of a bitch. I want my wife back, but she isn't coming back. Fuck.

§ § §

Angeli does not wait for the mother and daughter to rotate into my lessons. She contacts the mother and invites her over for a chat this afternoon. Angeli has taken the bit in her teeth.²

By 2PM Maricris and her daughters Lyla (14), Analyn (12) and Laarni (9) are sitting in the Sala. I have seen them but and am not talking to them. Angeli, Belen, Joy2x, Moon and Noime are with them. Iay and Rez are watching but not participating. The conversation is serious. It is in Visayan – something that is very different from Tagalog and I am only catching part of it.

Maricris is asking about what will be expected of her and what her daughters will be expected to do. As is the norm, her children have never experienced sex. Maricris has been a good mother. She has never been married, but lived with the man who fathered each of the children. He died in an argument in a videoke bar³ last year. I hear Maricris ask if I am a good man. She asks, how can a man who has children lovers be a good man? It's a fair question. I'm sure I can't answer it. She asks about what her duties will be in the house. She seems to want to know who she reports to... who is the boss? I was surprised to hear both Belen and Joy2x tell her that Angeli is the boss and Angeli's boss is me. There is much that I either do not understand or do not hear as it is being said in whispers.

I have told Angeli that I do not want to meet with the mother and children until and unless they understand what they will be expected to engage in and say in clear language, that they agree to it. I further want video evidence of their voluntary agreement. I have not gone so far in the past, but I am getting increasingly worried about blow back.

Maricris and her girls are all short. None even 150cm, (less than 5'). They are dark skinned, with bright white smiles. Their clothing is damned close to rags. The girls put a plate of cookie and crackers out. The plate is now empty. Each has also finished a glass of sprite. I see some hesitancy on Maricris's part. I can hardly blame her.

Angeli asks Maricris if her brood will stay for supper. Analyn, Laarni and Lyla, it is suggested, should have a chance to just hang out with my little ones, while Maricris is invited to play tong-its with Belen and Joy2x. Angeli will spend the time cooking. Maricris does not want to play cards. Might she help cook supper? Angeli accepts the offer immediately, Yes, come help me! This is good. Belen will help too! We will make a good meal. The three of them huddle, working out the meal.

But before grabbing what they need from the fridge, Joy2x suggests that Angeli show Maricris the house and new extension. What follows is the 'cooks tour' of both buildings. Once they finish the home tour, Belen suggests that Lyla join them in the food preparation. Maricris agrees and Lyla is summoned, while the Maricris's two younger girls stay with my young ones. Food from the fridge is collected, and the food prep team exits the house, out to the dirty kitchen.

§ § §

Supper is good and there is a surfeit of offerings. On Angeli's instructions, Maricris sits between her and Moon. On the other side of Moon is Analyn. After Analyn sits Iay. On the other side of the table also close to me, is Noime, then Laarni, then Belen and Lyla and Joy2x. Maricris and her girls initially seem embarrassed to fill their plates. On orders from Angeli, my brood takes over and fills the plates of our guests. Angeli is laughing and, under the table, running her foot up and down my leg.

Maricris asks, what holiday or event we are celebrating tonight? I speak for the first time, Why do you think this is a holiday?

Sorry, Sir Lewis, I do not desire to be rude. I am sorry to offend you!

Maricris, there is no offense. I just do not understand and maybe I am bobo, but why do you think this is a holiday?

So much food, Po. It must be a special day to have so much food!

Ah, I see. No, Maricris. It is not a holiday. All those who live in this house will tell you, we always have nice suppers. If you choose to join us, and I do not know that you will, you will need to be cooking our food and shopping at the palengke. It is a lot of work. That is why we are looking to add to our family. We do not add for other reasons. We add because there are many of us and the housework requires more hands than we have now.

But to do your work, I am in your bed?

Yes.

And also my daughters?

Yes.

All, even my little one? She is only nine!

Noime, how old are you?

Ten!

Are you in my bed?

Yes, Uncle. As much as I can!

Is it a bad thing?

Huh? Noooo. Why it be bad?

I don't know, but Ate Maricris might think it is bad.

That is silly.

This is unnatural, Po.

Maricris, I agree and thank you for staying for supper. I never want anyone to do anything unnatural. I look forward to seeing you again for the English lesson. I can see that we need to still find someone else to help us here.

Lewis! No! Angeli is beside herself.

Angeli, no one joins us, unless they strongly want to join us. It is a very simple and unbreakable rule. I will not persuade, or push, anyone. I accept Maricris's view, and view it as final for her and her children. You must respect her views as correct for her.

Thank you. Po.

You are welcome, Maricris. I am glad we had supper together. It has been nice to meet you and I hope we will always be friendly.

Yes, of course. I am sorry we cannot be with you, but as you understand, I think it is not right for me and my girls.

You are the expert in such matters!

Nay!⁴

Bakit?⁵ Lyla is shouting at her mother and Maricris is not pleased!

Mother, please, do not speak for me! I want to be with Sir Lewis and Angeli.

It is not right!

Perhaps for you, not for me?

You are too young!

Too young for what, Nay? I no longer in school. I wash clothing with you. I clean with you. I pick gulay⁶ from sides of roads with you! What am I too young for? I can live in a nice house. I can eat good food. I can wear nice clothes. I can sleep on a soft bed. I can have a nice man to love me. What am I too young for, Nay? What?

Maricris turns to me and asks, Po, will you accept my daughter, Lyla, without the rest of us? Is that good for you?

I look hard at Maricris, Madam, even if it is OK with me in theory, you have called what happens here unnatural. Can you see why I am not comfortable accepting any daughter of yours?

Oo. Po... Maybe I speak too hard. Maybe for Lyla, it will not be unnatural.

Madam, I understand that you are listening to your daughter and have respect for her. I, however, have other concerns. I am not prepared to take a daughter without her mother too.

As far as I am concerned this matter is closed and I want this family out of the house. Not thrown out, but out. The more they see, the worse it gets. Maricris is clearly finding her words have created a problem for her daughter. She wasn't prepared for my categorical rejection, when my girls had been courting her so assiduously.

Angeli wants her choice to hold, but she knows to not cross me. Belen and Joy2x are staying out of the range of fire.

Angeli calls an audible, Maricris, would you and your girls like to spend the night here? I know all this has been very confusing to you and maybe a little more time with us will be a good thing.

If I was a violent man, I would have thrown something at this moment. It is exactly what I do not want to happen. Angeli! No!

Sir Lewis, I know you do not want this. I understand you are afraid about the damage Maricris can do to us here. You are afraid by what she sees and knows. But she knows it all now and she will 'see' nothing. You know that, husband! This is a good woman and we want her here. She needs time to see that this is a good place for her and her girls. I want to give her that time. I ask you to trust me and my judgment. I have been good to you and loyal to you. You know this, Sir. Please allow this.

I am chewing on this. A number of things have just transpired. Foremost in my mind is the fact that Angeli has called me, husband. Ann is my wife, but Ann is gone, probably for good. Angeli has been functioning 'as' my wife, but in calling me 'husband' in this way, it has become, at least within our family, institutionalized unless I challenge her. I am not prepared to do that. It has become a fait accompli. Next is the fact that she is right. The damage that has been potentially done, is already done. My unease at having them stay is visceral, not logical. She is also right about the fact that she has been 'right' when I can't see it. If she is to be my 'wife,' I need to accept the reality that she has an equal say in things.

OK, wife, how do you think we should establish the sleeping arrangements tonight?

§ § §

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Chapter 32