Chapter Text
Early the next morning, Barry rousted Maggie from bed and went to Charles's and Charley's room and knocked. Young Charley opened the door. He was clearly confused. They only stayed for a short while, allowing Maggie to reverse the spell that had wiped everything sexual that had happened from their minds. Charles was suddenly energized, wondering why he hadn't considered the implications of doing such things, and had only just then begun to worry about it. He had slept like a baby.
Barry reassured them that everything was under control, but that she would need some contraceptives knowing now that Charley had deposited his sperm inside of her. Charles stabbed a finger at Barry. "Right you are. Good thinking. I can take care of that. When do you want to leave?"
They arranged the details of their trip to the creek. It would be sooner rather than later, knowing they would probably have to wait a while for the fence climbing girls to become available. But it was better to already be there ready to pick them up at a moment's notice.
What they hadn’t known, was that Charles was not only the owner of the jet, but also the pilot. Granny came along, kicking and fighting it the whole way, siding with Maggie about how ridiculous it all was, and why couldn't they just wait until the vacation was over. Charles had heard her from the cockpit and came on the intercom. "We are coming back, Lizzy, and you can stay as long as you like. You can have our suite for a month after we've gone, if you like.
"Oh, I don't know. I think I would be missing my kitties terribly."
"Then why aren't you excited? You will be seeing them very shortly."
Granny perked up. “He’s right about that. We can see how those contraptions are working. I have been worried.”
Granny knew about the girls in the creek, having watched the video with Gerald there. But once they were at altitude, Barry explained it all to her, how his conversation with Charles had brought up such deeply felt regrets, and how he himself had suggested that it could all be arranged to happen again, and how excited he became. He spoke quietly with her while Maggie and Charley sat in the back together kissing on the big couch. Barry became concerned hearing her laughing, but nothing seemed to happen, which was a big relief. Apparently, she could control it if she wanted to.
“I could use your help. You have a way of cutting through all the bullshit about getting sexy. I was hoping you could use that same attitude you used on Maggie and me the other night to get the girls doing some really crazy shit for us. I mean, it would come off as creepy if Charles or I do it.” Barry leaned in closer and lowered his voice. “This guy is rich beyond anything you can possibly imagine. I am sure he will be very generous in the aftermath if things go well. He wants his boy to have the time of his life. I mean, that’s the real reason, but he wants it for himself too. Whatever he can get away with. He wants to see it happening. And so do I.”
Granny grinned. “Don’t we all. I will see what I can do.”
It seemed as if a private jet at altitude would be the perfect place for some sexy fun, but there was a beautiful young attendant waiting on them all, and she served the most wonderful appetizers, drinks, and meals. When she took breaks, she sat with Barry and flirted openly with him. Before they knew it, they were on approach to the regional airport in the town where they lived.
Barry climbed into the copilot’s seat and spoke to Charles about how to handle things with the girls. They were just a father and son they had met at Disneyworld. Nothing special. And no pictures or last names.
Of course there was a nice big Mercedes waiting for them. In minutes they were on their way. Barry had contacted the girls, and they were waiting with their bikes on his front porch. They piled in excitedly, screaming at Maggie about her latest videos from Disneyworld. Charles had one of them in the front seat with him. He twisted in his seat to get a better look at the other one. He met Barry’s eyes and smiled, rolling his eyes comically. The girls were wearing their bikini tops, as could be seen through their sheer blouses, and probably bottoms too under loose comfy shorts. They were even more delicious than Barry remembered.
When they arrived at Granny and Maggie’s new home, the girls rushed off down the hill to the creek. Charley changed into swim trunks and followed them at a dignified pace. When he was close to the opening in the trees, the girls emerged and dragged him in. Barry and Charles shared a look and a smile. “He’s in the thick of it now.” Barry said.
“It’s wonderful. I am so thankful to you. This is perfect. I love this place. It is so private. No security cameras, or guards to worry about.”
It seemed to Barry that Charles had finally relaxed. He was leaned back in his chair with his eyes closed, his face soaking in the warm sun. Barry sat up and tilted his beer at him. “You live in a much different world. I never considered how having so much money could spoil things. It’s like the old saying, too much of anything becomes a bad thing.”
Barry had the camera equipment strewn across the table out on the deck. He had decided on the plane ride that he would record everything he possibly could, regardless, but make sure all the phones were accounted for. Now he knew he was being greedy, going about setting up three cameras for three different angles at the creek. When everything was ready, the men carried the equipment, along with the bag of T shirts, down the hill toward all of the splashing, screaming, and laughing.
The energy was still high. When the men emerged from the trail, the girls were chasing Charley around, trying to get his swim trunks down. They stopped their game and calmed seeing they were not alone any more. Maggie went to work helping set up the cameras to get them recording. Barry pulled her aside and whispered to her. “I cut out little dots of black tape and covered the record lights. Let’s turn them on now, but then you can tell them that they aren’t recording yet. I don’t want the cameras to spoil the mood.”
Maggie smiled devilishly at Barry. She eagerly nodded her agreement to cooperate with his plan. She was masterful the way she informed them all in an off hand manner. Granny showed up as well, dragging a lightweight aluminum lawn chair, and sat herself down. She sent Maggie up to fetch her drink. Barry felt it was a good idea and asked her to bring more chairs. The kids all ran off to help.
The stage was set. All of the spectators were now seated, with drinks in hand and very high hopes. But the energy seemed wrong. Too many strange eyes for Melody and Sarah’s comfort, wanting to know where the creepy guy and his cute son came from. As agreed, no-one revealed anything. And it was true, it did seem creepy.
The last time the girls played in the creek and recorded the infamous scene, Barry didn’t sit down to stare at them. He pretended indifference, which only made them want to shock him all the more. Barry was now wondering if it was all for naught. He caught Granny’s eye for a moment and shrugged hopelessly. She didn’t hesitate to speak up, scaring Barry that she was making a wild stab at trying to get them in the mood to put on a show. Instead, she asked them if they wanted to hear a story. To Barry’s surprise, it worked. All three girls and Charley seemed eager to hear a story, and they settled down at her feet.
“Maggie doesn’t know this about me, but I was a teacher at one time. I taught Cultural Anthropology at a local community college in Baton Rouge Louisiana.”
“When was that, Granny?” Maggie asked.
Granny glared at her for using that nickname, but answered her anyway. “I was twenty nine, which means it was a long time ago. The dean of the college was a new neighbor of ours after we moved off of the farm and into town. I was twelve then.”
“I’m twelve.” Sarah stated.
“Good for you, my dear. You might have time to put what you learn to use, if you can pay attention and stop interrupting.”
The girl’s mouth hung open and everyone laughed, except Granny. She wasn’t angry, just very good at keeping a straight face.
“The thing is, I didn’t deserve to be teaching at that College. I had graduated, but my marks were not very good. And I didn’t study education, which should have been a requirement to teach. No. I had to leverage my way in. The dean of the college, his name was Robert Collins, he had let me sleep in his bed several times not long after we had moved into the neighborhood. He had a swimming pool, and invited me to swim there any time I wanted. Of course I accepted, being in such a hot place like Louisiana, and it didn’t take long before I knew there was a price to pay if I wanted to keep swimming in his pool.” Granny studied their serious faces. “What do you all think of that?”
Sarah’s hand went up. “This isn’t a classroom. Just speak if you have something to say.”
“Did you call the police?” She asked.
Granny laughed. “My, how things have changed. No, my dear. What would be the point? It was in the early nineteen fifties. The police were all men, and they didn’t care much about things like that back then. It was always a he said, she said situation. Women and girls weren’t taken seriously.”
The girls all reacted to that. Lizzy explained. “Well, a man couldn’t go around violently raping girls, but if it was done quietly, behind closed doors, then nothing ever came of it. That was before they knew how to use DNA as evidence.”
She laughed, having remembered something. “Just the other night we were talking about how back in my day, growing up, if a girl got naked in front of a man, she better be ready to be thrown down and fucked. That’s what my grandmother taught me. Can you believe it?”
Melody, Sarah, and Charley, all laughed to hear the old woman speaking so crudely. It energized them and they leaned forward, giving her their full attention.
“I don’t know what else to tell you. That was all I really wanted to say.”
“Tell us what you did with that college man.” Melody prompted.
Again, Granny laughed. “I did a lot of things with lots of college men. But I know who you mean. I cannot talk about it. Even though I used to be a complete and total slut, I have never liked talking about it. I have often been asked to talk dirty, and I tried it once, but never again. Sex is too wonderful to describe in words. We don’t have the right words in our language. Other languages do, but English does not. I think the Victorians made a clean sweep of it.”
Seeing that she wasn’t going to shock them anymore, the kids started to get restless. Granny calmed them by speaking. “Can I give you children a little friendly advice?” She asked. They all nodded. “Be careful. Have fun while you can, but be careful.”
It seemed that was all she was going to say, and they asked if it were true. “No. I am trying to find the best way to say it.”
She paused and thought hard, her knuckle pinching her own chin. Suddenly, her head came up and she glared at them. “You are at that age when you start thinking about men. All girls do. Don’t be afraid to say how you feel. No one will ever criticize you for it, and it will have such a wonderful effect on him. Let him know how handsome he is. Tell him you will keep it all secret. If you can make him believe you about that, then you will be in heaven. I remember it so clearly, how it felt to be so adored by Robert. I didn’t have to do a thing. He did it all, and I loved every single moment. But even though it is such a heavenly thing, I am warning you now. Hell is just around the corner. I was lucky, being born back when men didn’t worry about it so much. But now, look out. If anyone ever finds out, that man will go to prison, and your life will be ruined.”
Sarah’s hand went up. Granny rolled her eyes. “Yes, dear?”
“Why would it ruin us? He’s the one in jail.”
“Good question. I was hoping you would ask. But first, I feel as if I am railroading you into this. Are you all still wanting to hear this?”
They all nodded.
“Okay. Here’s the problem. We get so excited when a man starts doting on us. It is just the most wonderful feeling. We cannot stand it if there is no one to share it with. Girls are little gossipy monsters when it comes to romance. You need to understand that about yourself, or you will end up ruining your life. Here is how it happens: You flirt with a man, and he eventually flirts back. You run to your friends and tell them all about it. A month later and you’ve had sex with him. You are deeply in love, and you are bursting at the seams to share it with your friends. So, you decide to tell them, thinking it will be okay and just not mention who it is. But they aren’t stupid. They put two and two together. They tease you about it and soon you confess, and you swear them to secrecy. But don’t forget, girls are little gossipy monsters, and circles of friends overlap. Soon, your entire school knows. A month later, one of those who heard about it, and knows you but isn’t a close friend, is at the dinner table at home arguing with her parents about wanting to go out on a date with an older boy who has his driver’s license. They tell her no. She becomes angry and shouts at them, saying Sally has had sex with a man, why can’t I? She realizes it was a mistake, seeing how her parents react, and tries to back out of it, but it is too late. Her parents contact your parents, who interrogate you, and the truth is extracted like you are tied to a table and they are the surgeons, removing a tumor. You tell some lies about how it wasn’t your fault. They call the police. Soon, the man you love and adore is sent to prison. His life is utterly ruined. How do you think you will feel about that? How will that effect your life from then on? I can tell you. It will be a taint on your soul that you will carry around forever. Trust me. That man wasn’t just a man. He was your first true love, which makes him the most important love of your life.”
She paused for affect. “So, the question is, what should you do?”
Melody spoke up, the words droning out as if it were a statement of unwilling compliance. “We shouldn’t have sex until we are old enough.”
Granny chuckled. “I like you. You are like me. Even if that were the right answer, you wouldn’t do it.”
Melody’s head came up. “Then what?”
“The answer is to be smart about it. Know in advance what to do, then do it.”
They all listened intently. “Know about the law. Nothing will happen to your lover unless you confess to the police. Even if you confess to your parents, they will need you to do it again, officially. That is your power over the whole situation. Simply do not confess. It won’t be easy. They will pressure you. Tell them you were angry at your parents and made the whole thing up just to scare them. Never waiver from your insistence that nothing happened. When you are back home, you can tell your parents the truth again. Tell them all to just fuck off. This is your life, and you don’t want it ruined, and you want to have fun. They can all go fuck themselves. In the end, they will respect you for it. Trust me. It will be over Christmas dinner, with your kids watching Rudoph in the other room, and they will bring it up as such a wonderful memory, saying they are glad that nothing ever came if it, and what a strong and determined spirit you are.”