Chapter 19: Fantasies Fulfilled?
The Year Eight
Donnieâs Story
People in this country must think our family life revolves around sex, which is patently ridiculous. These magazine articles have only added fuel to the fire.
First there was that hilarious Playboy article with the twin centerfolds. Then Cosmo comes out and suddenly my and Deirdreâs naked asses are prominently displayed in every grocery store in the country.
That issue was Cosmoâs all-time best seller. Andrew bought three copies himself. And then the wretched man had a copy of the magazine hand-delivered to our parents. Iâm not sure how pleased they were to receive it.
And now Dee Dee and I are regularly appearing in the top twenty âsexiest women in Americaâ polls although the two of us only occupy one spot. When he isnât kidding us about it, Andrew tells us that we deserve to head the list. Heâs such a sweet liar.
We are getting propositions every day in the mail. And we have a large collection of penis pictures. Why do men think that such things are attractive? Why would they send pictures of them in the mail? I agree they are utilitarian, but beautiful? Hardly. And if they are trying to boast about their size perhaps they are unaware that we have to deal with that monstrous thing swinging between Andrewâs legs every day of our lives. Anything larger would be grotesque.
But Dee Dee loves all of this: the polls, the propositions, the pictures, the penises, the publicity. She thinks it all is hilarious. Back in 2003 we were a couple of frumpy, over-the-hill, lonely, aging businesswomen. And now nine years and six children later we are among the twenty sexiest women in America? We can only blame Andrew for this strange metamorphosis.
Helen decided to accept our offer to come on-board, so now we have two half-finished products and a half-built university. But we do have a full-time lawyer and a full-time publicist. Itâs the American way.
Jake is negotiating with several computer manufacturers to use our operating system. Andrew and Jake had to fly to New York with Helen and me to transact some business.
Helen needs to network with some add agencies. The boys are scheduled to see some major players in the computer industry. But the real reason is that Andrew wants to visit Mad Magazine. Have I mentioned that Andrew is peculiar?
He has convinced himself that the official mascot of New Man University should be Alfred E. Newman. We donât even have any professors yet and he thinks we need a mascot. And he wants to call the operating system âNewMan AEâ. He had Edie dummy up a commercial which starts with a picture of Bill Gates above the slogan âWorry!â and then morphs into a picture of Alfred E. Newman above the slogan âWhat, Me Worry?â He wants to use the slogan for the operating system. He wants the slogan of the University to be âWhat, Me Worry?â in Latin.
Have I mentioned that Andrew is peculiar? Because Mad is now owned by a large corporation they might be amenable to selling us the use of their images. I think the truth is that Andrew is just dying to meet the usual gang of idiots.
Andrew plans to put a life-sized statue of Alfred E. Newman in the quad at the University. This is what he wants for the symbol of what we hope will become the most prestigious institute of higher learning in the world. He is such a child.
We stayed at the RIGHA Royal, the rooms beautifully decorated in art deco style. Letâs be frank. We took two suites and I didnât plan to stay with Andrew. Helen and I decided if we were going to âshareâ, we should do it as far away from the children as possible. Andrew agreed because I asked him so sweetly. He can refuse me nothing, not even this.
Well, it was his idea in the first place; at least the part about me being with Jake. The part about him being with Helen was Helenâs idea. The problem had been Jake. Coward that I am, I asked Andrew to ask Jake.
It was two weeks ago. We were together in bed. He had reluctantly agreed to change partners on the planned New York trip. But then I said, âAndrew, why donât you ask Jake if he wants to do this.â
He looked shocked. âMe! Iâm the only uninterested party here. I donât even want to be involved. Come on, Donnie, have Helen ask him. Or you proposition him. Donât you think Iâm going above and beyond the call of duty as it is?â
If I had persisted he would have done it for me. He always does what I ask. But he was right. Either Helen or I would have to be the one to involve Jake. It finally occurred to me that we both should ask him at the same time.
The next day, Helen and I were out back having some lemonade when Jake stopped by. He joined us on the patio and we chatted for a bit. Helen and I had planned the way we were going to go about it. Helen began the ploy.
âJakeâ, she said, âDonnie and I were arguing about something. She says that sheâs right, but Iâm sure that Iâm right.â
I could tell he could care less about what we were arguing about. Still he politely took the bait.
âWhatâs the disagreement about?â
I said, âWell itâs in all the polls. Andrew is the worldâs greatest lover. Everyone knows that. And I especially know it. I witness it every day of my life.â
Jakeâs eyes widened. Maybe this discussion would be interesting after all. Helen took up the challenge.
âDonnie, I really only have your word for it. These polls are merely the opinion of unknowledgeable women. How would some woman in Poughkeepsie or Podunk know the kind of lover Andrew is? Iâve had a little more âpersonalâ experience than you have, and I say that Jake is the worldâs greatest lover.â
Jake almost spit out his lemonade at that.
I said, âJake? Now Helen, Jake is a very sweet boy. But how could you compare him with Andrew Adkins? No offense, Jake.â
Jake was startled but said, âUh, no offense taken.â
Helen laughed. âI feel the same way, Donnie. Andrew is a most attractive man, but please! How could you compare him to Jake in bed?â