This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, events, and incidents are the products of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. All characters are over the age of 18.
Hello again. This is chapter three and the conclusion to Tina and Gabe's story. It has not ended where I thought it would, because it didn't even start the way I'd originally planned. But I've deeply enjoyed the journey. If you haven't read parts one and two, you'll need to, for you to get much out of this.
Aunt Tina, Recovering Slut Vol. 3
Chapter One
I awoke around five-thirty the next morning, just before my alarm. I lay there in bed for a few minutes, watching my lovely Tina sleep. The night before we'd had just enough energy to shower before climbing into bed and I'd fallen asleep quickly.
I knew deep down that we had dodged a major bullet the night before. I wasn't convinced, but Tina was confident that Andre wouldn't betray us if he had a chance of losing anything in the deal. I hadn't been bluffing with Andre. The Coast Guard's patrol schedules
are
classified, and the Department of Homeland Security would crawl up his ass with a microscope to find out how he knew them.
I heard my text notification go off on my phone. I sighed and reached for it. Tina yawned. "Is it the ship?" she said sleepily. Being in the Coast Guard is a very on-call sort of gig, like any service. It doesn't happen often, but our in-ports could get cut short for any number of reasons.
I thumbed my screen open and saw a message from my father. I clicked on it and instantly wished I hadn't.
Dad - Stand by for heavy rolls, boy. YOUR MOTHER KNOWS.
I closed my eyes. Stand by for heavy rolls was one of my grandfather's nautical euphemisms for "get ready, troubles coming", and it sure as hell was appropriate here.
I looked down at Tina. "Hun, I guess you were wrong about Andre." She rolled over and rubbed her eyes. "Huh?" she said sleepily.
Our eyes met. "Mom knows about us. I guess Andre contacted her." Tina's face fell and then my father's next two messages proved me wrong.
Dad - Since your mother is a Coast Guard mom now, she's been following any Coast Guard news, especially your unit.
His next message was an image file. It was a news article. It read, PORT CANAVERAL CUTTER MAKES LARGE DRUG BUST. It showed a photo of my ship, taken from the pier. The photo showed the stack of cocaine bales on the flight deck. In the foreground, looking gorgeous, was Tina.
I handed Tina the phone. Her face screwed up and she began to cry. "Oh Gabe, I'm so sorry. It never occurred to me that I might be photographed." I took the phone and set it aside. I pulled her towards me and held her tight. "It is
not
your fault." I kissed her lips. "What I told Andre was true. I was going to come clean to Mom, and sooner rather than later." She hugged me tightly. "This just moves up my timetable some," I whispered.
She looked forlorn. "What are you going to do?"
I shrugged. "Probably like I did with Andre, but I might have to call some more friends." Tina couldn't help but laugh. I was thinking that taking a page from Andre's playbook might be the way to go. Control the location for the confrontation. I kissed her and got up to get ready for work. I shot Dad a text, so he knew I'd seen his messages, asking how Mom had reacted.
Dad - She hasn't said a word since she saw the article last night
.
That wasn't good. I told him that I was going to let her cool down for a couple of days, and then drive up to see them the next weekend. Jacksonville is only about two and a half hours away.
***
It seemed though, that my mother couldn't cool down, nor wait. I was driving home from the base at the end of the workday when Dad texted me again.
Dad - Your mom isn't answering her phone. I called her office. She left at lunch. She's not at home. I would lay odds that she's waiting in your driveway right now.
I ran my hand down over my face. I changed directions and headed for the courthouse. Tina came out at five-thirty to find me parked next to her sedan. I told her what was likely waiting for us at home.
"What do we do?" she said.
I shrugged. "Fancy another night at the Palms?"
She looked at me incredulously. "Are you serious?" she asked wryly.
I thought about it for a moment. My mother isn't known for her patience. I didn't think it would come to that. "Let's go to dinner."
***
We were on our way into the restaurant when my phone rang. I sent Tina in and answered the call. "Hi, Mom."
Luckily, I pulled the phone away from my ear. "
Don't
you 'Hi Mom' me! Where the hell are you!?" she shouted.
I waited for a few seconds to tick by. "We're away on vacation." I honestly wish I could have seen her face.
"Vacation?" she replied. "With