Reluctance, Group sex, trading partners, blowjobs
An adult re-write of the Grimm fairy tale The Robber Bridegroom
Alleged Ancient Chinese Curse:
May you live in interesting times
**
I was just finishing the day's weather forecast when Halley spoke up. We were to have "π¦ glittering sunshine, interrupted near constantly by rain showers, ranging from the annoying drizzle where you don't even open your umbrella, assuming you remembered to carry one, to drenching rain π§, where even with an umbrella βοΈ you're going to get soaking wet. Not a good day for a visit to the beauty parlor." Sure enough, the brilliant sunshine had just given way to a rather intense downpour. I had read and re-read the forecast several times, but it was always the same. At least the guy (or more likely, the woman) who wrote the forecast was enjoying herself. She may have been the only one.
"You do realize, I assume, that this is the modern age?" Halley asked, sarcasm dripping from her voice. Halley needed a new gasket or washer or whatever it's called, the way she kept constantly dripping sarcasm.
"Yes, and trust me, I'm not happy about it," I replied, once again being the master of the understatement. You'd think it would be obvious.
"Then, may I ask, why are you going through with it?" Halley asked.
"He's not that bad, you know. His looks don't break mirrors, at least not yet, and he doesn't smell or anything," I said. "I'm pretty sure he shaves at least several times a week."
"More like several times a month, I'd say. How old is he anyway, over a hundred?"
"No, Halley. If you must know, next month he'll turn 46. Before you ask, you know my age. I'm twenty-six," I said. "I can handle a twenty-year difference."
"Does he have a 12-inch cock or something?"
"Halley!" I giggled. "I have no idea, quite frankly, but I'm guessing: No?"
"Good guess. So, the only thing he has to offer you is money, but your family is already stinking rich, so I just don't get it," Halley said.
"First of all, my family doesn't stink. Plenty of rich people do, but not us, thank you very much. We use Dial soap. Second, our marriage will cement the alliance between Hansen Enterprises and the Glitch Corporation," I said.
"So, you're a sacrifice for corporate greed. Good for you. Ooooh, the shivers up my spine tingle so!" Halley said. Yep -- she definitely needed a new sarcasm gasket. "Please tell me his name is not Glitch."
"Okay, I won't," I said. "I call him Hank."
"OMG, his name really is Glitch? Jesus, girl, you can really pick 'em. Hank Glitch. Wait a minute -- you're not going to take his name, are you? You'll be Isabelle Glitch? Maybe Isabelle THE Glitch? Seriously?" Halley said. "They'll name a new Sesame Street character after you; is that your goal in life?"
I chose not to answer that. If I did, she'd segue into all our Little Glitches, once Hank knocked me up, and that would be quick, according to my mother. My mother thought I wasn't on birth control; she's so naΓ―ve! Taking the pill was quite personal for me, and nobody without Top Secret Security Clearance, plus my pharmacist, knew I was on the "the pill." Mom didn't even have low level security clearance. She'd tell Dad, and well, I couldn't have that happening!
"Hank Glitch...Hank Glitch...Hank Glitch...wait a minute! Is he the Glitch who has married three times and killed all three of his brides?" Halley asked. She was serious this time.
"No, that's been explained. Wife #1 was a suicide, Wife #2 was a solitary car accident on a lonely road when she drank too much, and Wife #3, well that one's a little hazy. She was mugged, I know, but after the mugging there was something wrong with her, she was unfocused or something, and the next day she stepped in front of a bus. I've read everything I can find, but nothing really makes sense," I said. "It's sad, too, because Wife #3 was pregnant."
"That's just so reassuring, Isabelle," Halley said.
"Yes, isn't it?" I said. Two can play at the sarcasm game, even if Halley is much better at it.
"He probably drugged Wife #3, and pushed her in front the bus," Halley said. "Occam's razor: the simple explanations are the best."
"He was in California when she stepped in front of the bus," I gently pointed out.
"Or so you read. Who was the father of the baby?" Halley asked.
"What do you mean? Hank was, of course. He was devastated by the loss," I replied.
"Right," Halley said, proving once again the need for a new sarcasm gasket. She had pronounced the simple word 'right' using two syllables; maybe three. She's from North Carolina originally, and she can really turn on the drawl when she wants to. "Men don't like women who cheat. If the men are rich they can murder their slut wives with impunity, you know."
"How can you say things like that? Halley, sometimes I feel I don't really know you!" I almost screamed.
**
It was only a few days later that Tim came to call on me. It was a total surprise. I hadn't seen him since we were in high school.
"Hello Tim. This is a surprise," I said, starting the obvious, once again. I state the obvious much too often.
"Yes, I'd imagine it might be one. What's it been? Five years?"
"Eight," I said.
"Right you are. We're both 26 now. Let me tell you: It was not easy to find you. New York City is so big, and phonebooks are a thing of the past. Besides, if they still existed, you'd be unlisted, wouldn't you?" Tim said.