Family Ties

We went inside, where we turned on every stove eye and all the ovens.

Nothing sparked, nothing smoked, and nothing blew, even under full load.

“Well done,” Dad said.

We turned off everything and headed around back to clean up our tools and work area. We were cleaning ourselves at the sinks inside when the women returned from the store.

All six of them had gone and had clearly had fun. Kirk and Doug materialized and helped us unload their mom’s station wagon.

After Kirk and Doug had hauled in firewood and checked the hot tub, they’d set to work with plastic sheeting and staple guns to cover the rest of the clubhouse screens. They’d also kept the fire stoked, so the place wasn’t as drafty and cold as it had been. It wasn’t quite toasty yet, but it was definitely comfortable with my sleeves rolled up.

Christy came toward me as the others headed to the kitchen to unpack groceries and start cooking.

“I love your family,” she said quietly. “They’re nothing like mine, though.”

“They are in the important ways.”

“Oh, I know. But wow… they talk about sex a lot.”

“I told you, it’s important. And we’re a lot more open about it.”

“Mmm hmm. We were talking about you.”

“Good things, I hope.”

“Very good. The kind that make me all tingly inside.”

My eyebrows rose with a question.

“I’d better help with the groceries,” she said.

“Oh, you’re such a tease!”

“And don’t you forget it.”

She grinned and stretched upward for a kiss, which I gave her. I also gave her a playful swat on the backside as she headed toward the kitchen. She glanced over her shoulder and looked immensely pleased with herself.

While the women started cooking dinner, the men gave the interior of the clubhouse a thorough going-over. We tightened loose screws on chairs and tables. We fixed broken couch legs and squeaky doors. We even rolled up the rugs and took them outside for a good beating before we dust-mopped the entire floor.

I had to chuckle to myself, though. I’d been so smug and superior when Christy’s family had split up to do “women’s work” and “men’s work,” yet my own family had done almost the same thing.

The clubhouse warmed appreciably with the screens covered and the fireplace and stoves putting out heat. Plus, all of us were working. So I wasn’t surprised when Susan and Mom nonchalantly took off their clothes and went back to cooking in just their aprons. Dawn, Olivia, and Erin all followed suit. Poor Christy looked incredibly self-conscious all of a sudden.

Erin must have said something to Mom, because she immediately went over to her.

I leaned on my dust mop and followed the conversation from their expressions and body language. Mom assured Christy that no one would mind if she kept her clothes on. But Christy wanted to be part of the family—

it was important to her—even though Mom said it wasn’t a big deal. Susan chimed in, and Erin as well, but Christy wasn’t having it.

She finally took off her apron, removed her jeans and blouse, and reached up to pop the catch on her bra. Her fancy black lingerie raised an eyebrow or

two, but that was it. She pulled off her panties, thrust her feet into her shoes, and slipped her apron over her head.

I grinned at her nervous-but-defiant attitude, and I silently thanked Erin when she gave her a sisterly hug.

“What was that all about?” my dad asked from beside me.

I’d been so preoccupied that I hadn’t heard him come up. “Um… I sort of didn’t tell Christy we were nudists until two days ago.”

His eyebrows rose. Then he chuckled and shook his head. He started to say something but thought better of it.

“What?” I said defensively.

“No… what?” I insisted.

“Nothing. Just… you’d better get your act together, son, especially in the girlfriend department.”

I wanted to object but kept my mouth shut instead.

“Good man,” he said when he read my expression. Then he leaned close.

“And maybe it wouldn’t hurt to call home more often. Your mom’s been a little lonely with me working so much and Erin busy with exams and everything else.”

“So give her a call and tell her what’s going on in your life. I think she’d like that.”

“Good man,” he repeated with a clap on the shoulder. “Now, let’s finish up here and then get out of these clothes. I dunno ’bout you, but I’m feeling a little overdressed. Besides, I’m sure the ladies wouldn’t mind a little company before dinner.” He waggled his eyebrows and then laughed at my look of surprise.

“Hey,” he said, “your old man isn’t so old after all.”

I knew for a fact that he wasn’t, and I secretly hoped I’d be as horny as he was when I reached his age.

Kirk and Doug snapped me out of my reverie when they returned with the largest rug. Dad and I set aside our dust mops to help roll it out.