All characters in sexual situations are 18 or older. Thanks for reading!
*
The apprehension in the minivan as they drove home was palpable. Kate parked in the garage and turned toward her son. She smiled, as much to reassure herself as him. "We probably shouldn't have missed dinner, but I don't regret hanging out with you, sweetie." She ran her fingertips across his cheek.
"He's going to be mad, isn't he?" Nick knew the answer, but wanted her to tell him he was wrong.
"Well, we did miss dinner. Usually I cook for him, so..." Kate shrugged her shoulders. She got out of the car.
"Usually we cook together." Nick got out, too, and followed her toward the door.
"I do love cooking with you, Nick." Her smile flickered like a flame about to go out. "We've shared so many wonderful things." She inhaled, opened the door, and stepped inside.
Fred waited for them in the kitchen, an open pizza box on the table in front of him. Anyone who knew the man, could see a storm was brewing. Kate and Nick certainly knew him well.
"Sorry we're late, Dad. I just had a rough night last night and Mom was --"
"Are you two hungry?" Fred cut off his son and waved at the half-eaten pizza.
"We ate while we were out." Kate was telling a half-truth.
"If you want a slice, take it up to your room." Fred glanced at his son. "Your mom and I have to talk."
"If you'd let me explain, Dad." Nick balled his hands into fists, his shoulders tensed. "You see, Chris showed up --"
"It's okay, Nicky." It was Kate's turn to cut him off. "You're a bit ripe from the game. Go take a shower and relax. I'll check in on you in a little while."
Nick dropped his cleats by the door and slowly walked upstairs. He could hear his parents' raised voices. He was in a such a state that he didn't notice the large tree in the middle of his room until he bumped into it. Startled, he stopped, blinked, and took a step back. The tree had a face, arms, and a dangling, twiggy cock.
"You have no dog." Enki blinked slowly down at Nick. A scowl spread across his leafy face.
"What?"
"Those creatures that have so tamed humanity that you follow them around with bags for their shit. You are familiar with these animals?" Enki cocked his head at Nick.
"Yes." Nick could still hear his parents shouting downstairs. This was a terrible time for the god to show up babbling nonsense. A revelation hit him. He had become so inured to insanity working its way into his life that this god was an annoyance more than anything else. He took a deep breath. Despite what was happening downstairs, he needed to tread carefully with Enki and treat the situation with respect. "Yes, I know about dogs."
"Dogs are a clever species. They have outmaneuvered their ancestors. When I made the rivers run with life, their population was small. Now dogs number some nine hundred million and wolves only two hundred thousand." Enki scratched at his lichen hair. "And your family does not harbor one of these clever animals?"
"We don't have a dog." Nick nodded. "I'm really grateful for all that you've done for me. Did you need something, or is this just a friendly visit?" He heard the familiar two-tone call and saw Chirpee hopping on the windowsill.
"If you do not provide for a dog, how can one have eaten your homework?" Enki held out his hands, palm up. Sprigs and leaves shot out all over his arms.
Nick opened his mouth and closed it. He breathed slowly, the air redolent of pungent forest smells. "Oh," he said at last.
"I am old, but do not think me eternally patient." The god leaned down and inspected Nick's face closely.
"Okay." Nick didn't know what else to say. He could no longer hear his parents bickering. Maybe their fight was over.
"And do not ignore Maggie Chalmers." Enki nodded sagely. "Her charms include intelligence, humor, and beauty." The next moment, Enki was gone.
"The fuck?" Nick looked over at Chirpee. "Even gods love Maggie? Don't tell me you have a hard-on for her, too."
The bird bobbed its head as if offering its agreement.
"Fine." Nick waved a dismissive hand at Chirpee. He turned and stepped out into the hall. He couldn't hear anything from downstairs. The crisis was over, and he did want a slice of pizza. Nick quietly walked down the stairs but stopped outside the kitchen. His parents were still talking.
"Not here... Fred... oohhhhhhh... Fred... Nick is home." Kate's voice sounded pained.
What was his father doing now? Nick's shoulder muscles bunched. He thought about how much the punch in the loops had hurt. It would be worth it if his mom was in trouble. He stepped out into the doorway to confront his father, but stopped when he saw them. Both their backs were turned toward him. His mother was leaning her hands against the counter, pushing her ass back as his father humped her from behind. Nick's jaw hung open. His anger evaporated.
"You like that... uh... uh... Katie?" Fred held his wife's hair.
"Yes... Fred... it's... oooohhhhhh... good." Kate had always felt that surprise make-up sex was the best sex with her husband.
Nick stepped back behind the doorway. His heart suddenly constricted in his chest. How could she? But... but... they were married. She wasn't cheating on Nick. She was just being a good wife. At least they could have done it somewhere that wasn't in the open. Nausea seized Nick as he listened to their grunts. Things were coming at him too fast. Was this what vertigo felt like? As he stumbled back up the stairs, he heard his father grunt in triumph.
Nick found his bathroom, fell on his knees in front of the toilet, and threw up. When he was done, he turned on the shower. He did his best to let his mind go blank as the hot water streamed over him. It was all too much. His sister and Chris. His mother and father. The amazing Maggie Chalmers. The last riddle. Nick wanted nothing more than to start Saturday over and fix everything.
~~
"Nicky? Are you awake?" Kate quietly closed the door and padded into her son's moonlit room. She wore only an oversized flannel shirt and panties. "I promised I'd check in on you, and your father has finally gone to sleep."
Nick was indeed awake, but he lay motionless in his bed, his eyes closed. He faced away from her, toward the wall.
"Well, you had a busy day," Kate whispered. She bent over his bed and pulled the blankets up to his shoulder. "Get some rest." She kissed him on the cheek.
"I saw you and Dad." Nick opened his eyes, but didn't turn toward her. He stared at the wall.
"What?" She sat on the edge of the bed. It was so cold in his room with the window open.
"I saw you two having sex in the kitchen, Mom." Nick rolled over and stared at her shadowed face.
"Oh no." Kate put a hand to her mouth. Her cheeks got very warm. "I'm so sorry, Nick. I told him not to do it. But he was angry about dinner, and it seemed the easiest way --"
"You're such a..." Nick was about to say something he knew he'd regret. He took a deep breath. There was a long pause while she waited for him to speak. He could see how tense she was. What did he want in that moment? He could vent anger, but would that make any of their lives better? Imagining his mom growing cold and distant from him again made him even more nauseated. The loops had taught him to be a better person. "You're such a... thoughtful woman, Mom. So, I was surprised by what you two did. I was hurt and... grossed out when I saw that."
Kate pulled his blanket back down and held his hand. He was so mature. More mature than his own father. "I totally understand. You shouldn't ever have to see that." She knew her hands were clammy, but she squeezed his fingers all the same. "I promise I won't ever do that again when you're around."
"Do you have to do it with him again? I mean, ever?"
The only sound in the room was their breathing. His was slow and even, hers was faster and shallow.
"I'm married to your father, Nick. I love him." Kate struggled with how best to handle this. She had no one to blame but herself for all of it. She and Nick had gotten carried away. They were practically having an affair. Despite his maturity, he was only eighteen. How could she not think he would get possessive? "You have to respect my relationship with him. And married people show their love through sex... sometimes. Your father and I will still have sex. But it doesn't have anything to do with our special relationship, right?"
"Right." Nick sat up and pecked his mother on the lips. "Sorry, of course you two will still do that. Just don't let me see, okay?" He kissed his mom again and ran his hand up her side.
Kate leaned back from the kiss. "I promise it will never happen again. And speaking of things never happening..." She put a finger to his lips. "We can't do this while he's home."
"I've had a rough couple days, Mom." He cupped her boob through her flannel shirt. "Can we make an exception? You said Dad's asleep. Maybe if I could drink for a few minutes, I'd feel better." Nick slowly unbuttoned her shirt.
"Oh... gosh... I shouldn't say yes... but..." She shivered when the cold air hit her exposed breasts. Her nipples stiffened. "You
have
had a rough couple days. Come here." She pulled him to her nipple and sighed when he latched on. The world was right when her sweet Nicky was back at her breast. She cradled his head in the darkness and listened to him steadily swallow her milk. Her free hand slid under the blanket, inside his underwear, and took hold of his penis. It didn't surprise her that he was hard. He was almost always hard around her. "I'm just going to... touch you for a minute." What was the harm? Fred was sound asleep in their bed. Her hand stroked his mighty penis.