Darren, Male, 54

	- Narrator, retired, father of Gwen and Victoria (Vic)

	- 5'11, beige skin, 195lbs, cropped greying brown hair

Audrey, Female, 16

	- High school senior, daughter of Duncan and Theresa

	- 5'9, pale skin, 140lbs, light-green eyes, straight auburn hair over her shoulders

Gwen, Female, 16

	- High school sophomore, daughter of Darren, sister of Victoria

	- 5'6, beige skin, 135lbs, shoulder-length wavy black hair

Victoria (Vic), Female, 14

	- High school freshman, daughter of Darren, sister of Gwen

	- 5'4, beige skin, 120lbs, wavy neck-length light-brown hair

It is simply amazing how quickly my mindset changed over those first two weeks in January. With Audrey back in my life, I felt young again, energized, worthy of each breath I drew from the world. It wasn't that I'd done anything in particular to deserve such a reversal, but I flourished like never before just from knowing that each day I'd get to see Audrey. To kiss her. To hold her close to me and hear her say she loved me. I lived for those moments. I missed her when she was at school. I missed her when she was at home in her bed and I in mine. When I'd heard people in movies in new relationships describe themselves as if they were teenagers again, I'd always found that rather corny. But, with a second shot at a real relationship with Audrey, the feeling was well understood. The word 'giddy' would have described the fluttering in my stomach, the warm, eager thoughts in my head, and the way my rigid flesh sought out Audrey's touch whenever there was an opportunity.

Thursday evening was Vic's first softball game and I met her sister at the field around five in the evening. It was still light out when the game started, though the sun was drifting behind some low clouds and casting grey shadows over the field. Victoria wasn't starting, so the first few innings were mostly me and Gwen talking together.

"So, about Vic," Gwen said, changing the course of the conversation from schoolwork to her sister, "she, uh, she told me she is one..."

"Is one..."

Her voice lowered, "A lesbian..."

"Ah... yeah, I knew," I replied, "she basically let me know a day or two ago."

"Simone's her girlfriend..."

"So," I asked, "how serious are things, do you think?"

Gwendolyn shrugged, "I dunno. They've kissed, I'm sure of that... but... I dunno."

I nodded, "Alright. I see Simone got the start at third base. She's a very pretty girl."

Gwen laughed and shook her head, "Careful, Dad. You don't need to go picking up another underage girlfriend."

Her voice was a touch louder than I'd have liked and I cringed visibly, hoping the other spectators around us did not overhear.

Gwen's mouth tightened and she said quietly, "Sorry!"

I nodded but didn't reply.

"I only meant that," she said much lower in volume, "as a joke, Dad. Sorry..."

"It's fine, just," I said barely above a whisper, "we have to be really... careful... about things..."

"I know," Gwen replied, looking properly chastised, "I'll be careful. Promise."

"So," I said a bit louder, "I guess you don't know Simone well, then?"

Gwen shook her head, "Nah. She's in Vic's class, not mine. I only see her when I give them a ride home. She's just a freshman. Not really much to know about her..."

"And... the fact that she's black... is that a problem in this school?"

Gwen shrugged. "I dunno. Probably to some. There are definitely some rednecks here, Dad. But I never see it..."

"Try, Gwen."

"Huh?"

"Try to see it," I replied. "It's easy to miss such things, especially since you're a beautiful white girl in a southern school filled with mostly white middle and upper class kids. Go out of your way to see how others treat people like Simone. Don't let racism escape your attention. Be an ally if needed. But definitely don't be ignorant about it existing."

Gwen pursed her lips and thought a moment. "Yeah. Okay. I'll start watching. I know what you mean, Dad... I've seen it sometimes... last year there were a couple of guys who used the 'n' word and harassed a couple of black girls... just joking, they said, but... I know it wasn't funny..."

I'd raised my girls to do their best to overcome biases. Racism is often part of a genetic disposition to associate with those most like you and isolate those less like you. But a lot of racism is taught at home. Vic and Gwen were raised to understand that it was too easy to be prejudiced and much more difficult to put aside such things and treat people equally. They weren't taught to be colorblind. That sort of naive thinking led to people missing the fact that bias and prejudice and inequality are real problems. Colorblindness, while nice in theory, only made it harder for people to be allies and for them to spot the problems they could help correct.

"Let me know," I replied, "if there's anything I can do. I'm curious, of course, how Vic's relationship with Simone might attract that sort of racist attention. I'd prefer that they work things out on their own and learn how to deal with it, but if I have to break a kneecap or two, I will."

Gwen laughed, "Easy, Dad. You aren't as mafioso as you think you are. Some of the guys here work out every day. No offense, Dad, but these guys are... rather tough..."

"Have one of them pick on my daughters, and I'll show them tough. Oh, I won't fight fair, don't you worry. Tough is meaningless when I play dirty."

Gwen laughed again and leaned her head against me, then she said softly, "I, uh... I talked to Pete today..."

"And?" I asked. My daughter had mostly been silent about her breakup since the day it happened. I knew it still stung, as any breakup did, but I'd hoped she was doing better than most.

She replied, "Nothing much happened. He just said 'hi' and I did, too. That's it."

"Are you thinking about trying to work things out with him?"

Gwen was quiet a moment, then replied, "I don't know..."

"Well... I won't tell you what to do. Hell, I barely manage my own relationships as it is, but," I told my daughter, "just remember that what he did to your sister was not nice. I'm not saying he can't be a better person or that he can't change... but don't let him sweet talk you back together thinking that was isolated. I've seen guys act like that, Gwen, many times. Sometimes, it's just a stupid teenager being a stupid teenager. But often, it's a pattern. Just keep a defensive stance and make sure that you consider things fully before deciding he's worth a second shot."

"Yeah, I know... I haven't forgotten what he did. But... I guess I'd at least like to talk to him... to ask why he did that..."

"Fair enough."

Before I realized it, the softball game was into the sixth inning. This high school league only played seven innings in a full game, and, unfortunately, our girls were down seven to one. But that gave Vic a shot as a pinch hitter, and she came up to bat in the bottom of the sixth with two on and two out.

"Hey, there's your sister!"

Gwen sat up and leaned forward, yelling, "Go Vic Go!"

Two pitches, two strikes, and it looked like Vic's first career at bat was going to go the way most first career at bats went: badly. But then a swing on a slow pitch sent the ball between center and right, and in seconds, Vic was on third base, two runs scoring on the triple. The home crowd went nuts, and Gwen and I cheered as loudly as anyone.

The team couldn't keep the rally going, and in just over ten minutes, the game was called at seven to three, but at least Vic had a moment to shine and did herself proud.

After the game finished, Gwen took off for home. Once the players had a chance to change out of their uniforms, I met my youngest daughter near the gym and gave Vic a huge hug, and despite the team's loss, I could see Vic's smile coming through. "Awesome hit, Sweetie!"

"Dad!" Vic protested lightly, "I'm not Sweetie!"

"Err, sorry, Vic."

"Better."

"Anyway, that was a great hit!"

She beamed, "Thanks!"

"Ready to head home?"

"Umm... yeah... ummm... one moment..." Her head was scanning the crowd around her, then she said, "Be right back..."

I watched as she chased down Simone who was talking with a dark-skinned couple, perhaps the girl's parents. Vic all but dragged her girlfriend over to where Gwen and I waited. "Umm, Dad?" Vic said.

"Yeah?"

"Can, um... can Simone stay the night on Friday?"

A thousand thoughts went through my head, and some of them recognized what that sort of thing might mean. Still, Victoria would be fifteen in just a few days, and I'd already extended her the trust and opportunity to make adult choices. If she wanted to have a safe, comfortable place to spend some time with her new girlfriend, I had no reservations about agreeing. "Of course, so long as it is okay with her parents. Care to introduce me?"

"Uh," Vic's eyes darted to Simone's and I saw concern pass between them, "Uh..."

"I won't mention... anything personal... I promise..." I assured them.

Simone's words rushed out, "Okay, thanks, cause, they, uh, they don't know... uh... they don't think I'm... uh..."

I raised my hand and smiled, "Don't worry. You're just friends, right? Nothing unusual about friends staying over. I just want to meet your parents to assure them all is well."

"Uh, ok, ok, thanks, thanks," Simone stammered.

I walked over and left the two girls behind. "Hi, uh, are you Simone's parents? I'm Vic's father, Darren."

The man stuck out his hand and replied, "Mark. This is my wife Aisha. Nice to meet you."

"You as well," I said, shaking Mark's hand and then Aisha's. "Your daughter and mine are good friends and they are asking permission for Simone to stay over tomorrow night. That's fine with me. I'll be home to keep an eye on them."

I saw the couple look at each other with an expression bordering on uncertainty. "Uh," Aisha replied, "yeah. That would be... fine. Listen, Darren... do you think it's... odd... that your daughter and mine are friends so suddenly?"

"Hmm?" I said, "Not sure what you mean..."

"Well... No offense, Darren, but..." Aisha paused.

Her husband took up the point, "We've noticed that some of the girls on the team... They aren't exactly... Christian."

I narrowed my eyes and replied, "Still not sure what you mean..."

The man lowered his voice and I couldn't tell if he felt any shame when he told me, "We aren't comfortable with our daughter around so many girls with... the Devil's urges..."

I stood dumbfounded. I couldn't tell if they were upset that there were non-believers or those with beliefs other than the ones they held on the team, or if they specifically meant that they didn't like having their daughter associate with girls who might not be straight. I almost challenged them on their narrow-minded statements, but instead, it occurred to me that Simone deserved to spend time away from such backwards views, and arguing with the girl's parents would assure they would not allow her to visit Vic on Friday.

So, I lied. "Oh, I am certain you have nothing to worry about in my house." I emphasized my meaning the way I'd seen so many condescending religious hypocrites doing over the years. "My daughters were raised correctly."

Mark smiled and I saw the relief on Aisha's face, as well. "That's good to hear, Darren, very good to hear. Simone may visit on Friday. We'll need her home by Saturday night, though. She has early church with her mother and me on Sunday. I'm sure you understand how important it is to stay right with the Lord in all things."

"Trust me, I understand." Miserable assholes, I silently muttered. "I'll be sure she gets home on time."

I shook their hands again, feeling a bit soiled for doing so, and returned to the girls. I could see how nervous Simone was when I walked up. "They have given permission to stay Friday, Simone."

Her eyes widened, "Really? Did you... uh... did you tell them... anything?"

I shrugged, then said quietly, "I... might have suggested that we're a bit more... religious... than we really are..."

Vic raised an eyebrow, "You lied to them?"

"Not exactly," I replied.

"So what did you say?" Vic asked.

"How about we discuss it in the car... Simone, I'll pick you up with Vic after practice tomorrow, how's that sound?"

"Great!" the girl exclaimed. She shook Vic's hand so deliberately that I could feel the romantic tension trying to turn it into a hug or a kiss.

On the way back to my car, I texted Gwen to let her know we were on the way home. She sent back a message saying she'd just got home herself and would put the lasagna I'd prepared that day in the oven for dinner. Then I texted Audrey to tell her I hoped to see her soon. I didn't get a response before I started driving home.

"So, about tomorrow night," I told Vic as we waited at a red light, "Simone can't know about Audrey..."

"I know, Dad," my daughter told me, "I won't say anything."

"Thanks, but... what I mean is not just for you to protect this secret... I have to figure out how this is going to work..."

"What do you mean?" Vic asked.

"Well, Simone will be staying over... and... I hoped Audrey would stay with me this weekend, too..."

"Oh..."

"Yeah," I agreed.

"So... that's gonna be kinda hard to hide, Dad..."

"I know. I'll figure something out."

My softhearted daughter said, "If it's easier... I can not invite Simone..."

"No," I replied, "no, thank you, but no. You and your... girlfriend... deserve a night together..."

I heard Vic grin in her response, "We, uh... yeah... that would be nice... We've been kinda... looking forward to it..."

"Maybe something big planned together?"

"Maybe..."

"Well... I'll tell you the same thing I told your sister... Turn your music up and make sure I don't hear anything... I'd tell you to use condoms but, uh..."

"Not necessary," Vic laughed, "and we'll definitely turn on some songs..."

"I'm proud of you, Victoria. Just... you and Simone be a little careful, okay? I got a strong sense that her parents not only don't know about her liking girls, but they would not approve of such a thing if they did."

"They're... fundamentalists, Dad," Vic told me. "Like, hard core. Simone's told me all the crazy things they believe and... they're just nuts! If they knew she wasn't straight... I think they might disown her!"

"Ouch," I replied, pulling away with the green light, "well... just remember that it's up to Simone when and if she wants them to know. You and I... we'll do what we can to ensure Simone has room to grow and figure things out when we can, okay? Make sure you have a lot of patience when this becomes an issue, and I assure you, it will at some point."

"I know," Vic replied, "I hate having to hide it... but... I suppose the just means you and me... have something in common, kinda, huh?"

"I suppose so. A little different, but... yeah. Listen," I added, "is it okay if I tell Audrey about you and Simone? She'll find out tomorrow anyway, most likely..."

Vic said, "That's fine. I trust her."

"Me too."

- - -

Audrey replied back to me just after I stepped into the house and found Gwen putting together a salad to go with the lasagna. My, how things had changed with my oldest daughter. A year earlier and there was no chance Gwen would have had dinner in the works for me and her sister no matter what the circumstances. I gave her a big hug and checked the message from Audrey.

Love you, Darren. Just got home. Just showered... feeling a little tired...

I called her and she picked up quickly, "Hey, Darren."

"Hey. You okay?"

"Yeah," Audrey replied, sounding drained, "a little icky feeling right now..."

"What's wrong?"

"Got my period this morning..."

I knew from talking with Audrey months earlier that the birth control she was on made the teen's periods less frequent, but she still had three or four a year. "Well... are you hungry?"

"Not really..."

"Care to cuddle in a bit?"

"I'd like that, yeah. Give me a little while, I need to do some homework first. Can't stay too long tonight."

"Any time I get to spend with you is my favorite part of the day," I told her.

I heard her smiling when she replied, "Aww... I love you so much. I'll try to be quick."

"Love you."

"I love you, too."

- - -

The front door opened as my daughters and I finished our dinner. I'd given Audrey a key and told her she should just come in without bothering to knock or ring the bell. I rushed over, feeling excited as I always did to see my lover, and as her arms wrapped around me, I pressed Audrey against my body and shared a long, wet kiss just out of sight of my daughters.

Audrey looked tired, for sure, but nothing ever seemed to diminish those brilliant green eyes. Well, perhaps when her father was ill and then the days after, but it took something that massive to keep Audrey's gaze from shining brightly. I took her hand and guided her to the living room and then she curled up against me in a relaxed ball. Her t-shirt was loose, her sweatpants the same. I stroked Audrey's hair slowly and she was practically purring against me within moments. "Want to watch anything?"

"Probably some college basketball on, if you don't mind..."

"Sounds good," I replied, turning on the television and tuning into a University of Houston men's game.

We watched a moment, then Audrey said, "I hate that I got my period, Darren... I was... really looking forward to this weekend with you..."

"We can still have fun together... unless it really bothers you..."

She replied quietly, "I dunno... I..." Audrey leaned off of me and looked at my face a moment. "Is it okay if I mention... my ex? Sometimes... I want to ask you something... about things he said or did... but... I know that's kinda... bad... to talk about an ex like that..."

I felt just a hint of the jealous dislike I'd had for Travis over the weeks he'd been dating Audrey. But I knew what Audrey meant, and I wanted to ease her mind about things much more than I wanted to avoid the subject of Travis. "You can talk to me about anything or anyone. I promise. I won't be jealous... much..."

She laughed quietly, then said, "If you're sure..."

"I'm sure... what is it?"

Audrey let out a breath as she leaned against me again, "It's just that... Travis didn't want to so much as touch me when I was menstruating. Like... I was toxic or something. I mean... I get it that he didn't want to have sex or whatever... but... he acted like I was gross. Wouldn't even kiss me."

"Asshole," I blurted out without thinking.

Audrey laughed, "Yeah..."

"What I meant to say," I added, "was that I suppose some guys are just really stupid."

Audrey laughed again, "Asshole and stupid. Got it, and check."

I shook my head, "One more try... There's a lot of dumb ideas people have... about everything, but especially anything remotely related to sex. Travis's... behavior... is pretty strange, to me at least, but... Sex doesn't have to stop just because you're menstruating, Audrey... It never turned me off to be with a partner during her period."

"With your wife?"

I nodded, "Yes... and Rainey..."

"Oh..."

"You okay with me talking about her?"

Audrey paused a moment, "It's only fair, right?"

"I think so, but... I've had a lot of years to figure out how to deal with these sorts of conversations... you're..." I almost told her how young she was and caught myself, saying instead, "you're just starting to get the hang of having an ex and dealing with someone who has a few of his own... It can be uncomfortable... trust me, I know. I won't bring up Rainey... or my wife... if you'd rather I not. Just know, either way, you are my life now, Audrey. Everything I do is to make your life better."

Her arm snaked around my waist and her lips came to mine. There was a desire for reassurance in her kiss and I gave Audrey all that I could deliver. When we parted, she said, "I'm okay with it, Darren..."

"So," I continued from our earlier words, "yes, I have been with partners on their periods, and... it's rather enjoyable, really."

"Not gross?"

"Not gross, no. It can get messy, sure, but that's no big deal, really. Some women... are especially sensitive. It can be harder to orgasm, sometimes, or... orgasms can be even better... I'm sure you've gotten off during your periods, yes?"

Audrey giggled, "I have..."

"And?"

"Feels damn good..."

"Remember the other day... when you came over and hadn't showered... and I went down on you right then?"

"Yeah..."

"I loved that, Audrey..."

"But I stunk..."

"Not to me... not in a bad way. I love the smell of you, no matter what. I love the taste of you. There's nothing in this world I love more than you, and if you've not showered, or if you're menstruating, or whatever... I just want to be close to you, to make you feel wonderful. I wish you could feel what I felt that day when I smelled your body, when I tasted your pussy... God, Audrey... I'm getting hard just thinking about it..."

Audrey's hand drifted to my lap and she smiled as her fingers traced the bulge in my slacks. "So I see... That was pretty... amazing... I guess I never really thought a guy should ever smell me like that... or lick me without a shower first..."

"That's normal... and something that needs some trust, to be sure," I replied, "but I hope you know, Audrey, that if you want to be with me... in whatever way... I'll always be there to do it. No shower... on your period... if you're horny... if you need my tongue, or my fingers, or my penis... I just want to be with you, always."

"My sweet horny lover," she purred. "I come over here feeling blah and unsexy, and look at me now... as turned on as you are... But... if it's okay... I'm pretty tired, really... sorry..."

"It's always okay," I replied, "and there's nothing to be sorry about. I'm the happiest man in the world right now just holding you and feeling your love."

"Mmm," Audrey purred as we kissed again.

After a few minutes of quietly watching the game, I brought up a different subject, "So... Vic has come out to me and her sister... she has a girlfriend. She said it was okay to tell you."

"Oh, how nice for her!" Audrey grinned. "I kinda suspected..."

"Apparently I'm the only one who didn't..."

"Not a big deal, Darren. I just noticed some things about her... conversations we'd had. Nothing significant, just a lot of little things. I'm glad she was able to tell you the truth."

"Me too. I'm proud of her. Simone is her girlfriend. She plays third on the team. Her parents are... fundamentalists."

"Ouch," Audrey replied, "I know that must suck..." I knew she was thinking back to Travis's religiosity but she didn't mention him. "Do they know?"

"No," I said, shaking my head, "and we're going to do our best to protect Simone's privacy while she works things out. She's going to stay over tomorrow night."

"Oh," Audrey said quietly, "that might make it... difficult... for us..."

"It might, but I still want you to stay with me this weekend. We'll figure things out. Simone can't know... but... we'll figure it out..."

Audrey was quiet a moment, then replied, "How, exactly?"

"Honestly... I'm not sure... I don't want to hide you while she's here, but... even what we're doing right now would be... taking a big risk..."

"Maybe you could stay with me, instead?"

"Hmm," I thought about the idea, "that's something I hadn't considered."

"It's not perfect, with my grandparents there, but... at least we don't have to worry about Simone finding out..."

"We'll make that Plan A, then. Plus... I've never been in your bedroom there before..."

"It's not as nice a room as the one I had in Buffalo, but... I think we can get comfy there," Audrey grinned.

She grew quiet again and in moments, Audrey was snoring lightly against my chest. I couldn't stop smiling as I held her, slowly stroking her auburn hair, lightly kissing her forehead and whispering my love for her.

I didn't care that she hadn't wanted to have sex that night. Sure, I wanted to make love with Audrey always, but that wasn't the only way in which I could feel so wonderful, so sated. The simple act of holding her, just holding her, was as special as anything I'd ever known. It was a different sort of intimacy, but an intimacy all the same. Audrey's love, her trust of me, I felt it all as her hot breath pushed through my shirt and swept across my chest.

I hated to wake her a few minutes before ten, but I didn't want to risk the wrath of Joyce and Herman. Audrey's eyes blinked open slowly and she pouted lightly when she saw the clock. Before she could voice her disappointment in having to go home, I kissed her deeply and held her tight as long as possible. Two minutes to ten, Audrey slid off the couch, kissed me once more, and left to go next door.

As frustrating as it was to deal with dating someone young enough to have a curfew, I felt those now-familiar butterflies playing inside me at the thought that Audrey would be all mine once school and practice were done the next day. My daughters had already gone to bed, and I lounged on the couch until I was tired enough for sleep, then I crept to my room and slid onto my bed, thoughts of my young lover dancing in my head.