(If you haven't already, please read Matt and Lisa at School -- Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4. This will make much more sense if you do. There is also more detailed family background in A Family New Year's Eve series and A Surprise Visit.)
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It was about five o'clock late Wednesday afternoon, two days before the start of Parents' Weekend at the school, when Matt returned to the apartment after a 30 minute run. He started peeling off his sweaty clothes as he hit the stairs. When he reached his room, his cell phone rang. Actually, it played an old clip from the movie Dracula. "The Children of the Night...what music they make..." Matt had down-loaded it and assigned it the day after his beautiful older sister told him about Uncle David's rather off-beat explanation of his status within their family. Matt didn't care -- he loved his uncle -- and no one could deny the impact he'd had on their lives.
"Hey, Unc..." Matt answered as he flipped his phone open. "Just thinking about you...I wish you were coming, too."
"So do I, Matt...so do I," David lamented, but only for a moment before Matt's father interrupted.
"Afternoon, Matty. How are you doing? How are the girls?" Steven asked his son.
"Hi, Dad! Nice surprise, guys. Everything's fine...Lisa and Margie are great, Pops! They're out right now, but boy, are they looking forward to the weekend." The college freshman paused as he lit a joint and took a deep drag.
"Good," David said, kind of in a hurry. "That's why I called. I want to go over a few things with the two of you, okay?" Father and son both answered affirmatively. "Great -- I'll try to keep this short and sweet. I'm late for a meeting."
(David was not the prototypically meek CPA. It was his chosen profession, but his clientele was more colorful and more connected than most.)
"First thing, Nephew...your new friends seem to check out okay. The pool hall is owned by a group here. Good businessmen. I'll send you a name and a phone number later. Show the head guy...you'll never get hurt on the goods or the distribution, I promise."
"Thanks, Unc...really, what ever I can do... Dad, these are the guys you're gonna meet in a couple days."
"Don't worry, Matty. You'll find a way to repay me, I'm sure." David's chuckle was quite dirty. "But for now, just listen...both of you.
"First of all, I want everybody to get to know each other well. It looks serious between Brian and Kathy and I want my son to have the opportunity to see her at play. Second, I hear good things about Margie. I want your mother to spend time with her...if you don't mind, I might like to use her with a client some time."
"I know she would be honored, Unc. She's kind of old-fashioned like that."
"You haven't seen her yet, have you?" Steven asked his brother. "I look forward to double-plugging the little cutie with you, bro."
"I'll see her soon enough, I'm sure." David continued. "Meanwhile, for this weekend, I want you, Matthew, to take control...of everything. Steve, I want you to make sure nothing goes wrong. Both of you okay with that?" Again, both father and son agreed. "Matt, your mother tells me you are getting quite good with your vocal talents. True?"
"Yes, Uncle David."
"There's a great deal of responsibility that comes with that gift, Matthew. Your parents and I are very proud of the way you've handled yourself so far. This weekend may be a real test for you." After a significant pause, David's voice flattened out as he asked, "You know, don't you Matt, that marrying your sister may not be the best choice for either of you?"
Matt gasped. "Son," his father broke in gently, "we can all see how much the two of you love each other."
"Thanks, Dad. We do, too. But no...I mean yes, David. We know we can't, but we plan on staying as close as we can for...well, forever, I guess."
"We all hope for that, Matt," David continued. "But for the weekend, give her some time with Andy. You, too, stud...try dipping your wick in his backside...I'm sure you can convince him, if he needs it. Brain told me you two could be twin brothers...could be very cool.
"Also, I want him a little distracted when your new friends entertain his sister at the pool hall. And I can't think of a family more distracting than yours, you perverts!" David chuckled again along with this brother and his nephew.
"Reservations are at the same hotel where Brian and Lisa stayed before. This time, though, you have the Presidential Suite for the weekend. Matt, tell your hot little sister that Anthony knows she is coming back and the room service crew has already been tipped.
"Finally, Matt, you need to exercise your best judgment this weekend regarding Kathy. I know you would never do anything to hurt your cousin...but you will fall in love with her this weekend. Won't he, Steven?"
"I did, Matt...the first time...no, actually we had met once before, but when they came to the house a few weeks ago...I am totally smitten with the girl. So is your mom!" His father laughed. "So is your Uncle David, son." "So what's the story, Unc? What do you want to happen? I'm not a slave to my desires... like you, Dad." David laughed out loud at his nephew. But then he turned serious again.
"But your cousin is, Matthew. As much as you and I are alike, my son and your father share many of the same qualities. Matt -- Kathy has already told Brian that she wants to be treated the same as your mother and your sister. When she sees Margie already getting the same treatment, well the thing is, Kathy thinks that what she has with her brother is the same as you and Lisa or your mother and I...or your mother and you. It isn't even close. You have to find out if he can provide it for her...I don't think so, but you have to talk to him and then talk to your father about it. If you think it is the right thing to do, I want you to make her your slut, Matthew."
"But Uncle David...even if everything feels right -- believe me, you don't know how much I appreciate your faith in me -- what about the logistics of the whole thing? If I'm her Master, how do I take care of her long distance?"
"Don't worry about it, Matty," his uncle reassured him. "If it happens, we'll talk about it then. But you're covered, Nephew...I got plans for you, remember? I gotta go...have any questions, email me or ask your dad, okay?"
"Ya...sure, Uncle David. Just one thing -- what we talked about the other day, about coming back...that's all still good, right?"
"Of course, Matt. You should know by now that whatever I tell you -- I mean it." David chuckled in reply.
"Thanks again for...you know, everything, Uncle David. Dad, I'll talk to you later -- say hi to Mom. Love you both," he said as he closed his phone and leaned back on his bed. They gave him a lot to think about. He relit the joint, took a drag and then put it out in his ashtray. He was thinking about his sister and Margie when he lay back on his pillow and closed his eyes.